West Seattle, Washington
11 Wednesday
more @seattlefire arrivals at Harbor Is. scene pic.twitter.com/LGlxvSg6d4
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 23, 2015
9:11 AM: In case you’re wondering about the big fire response headed for Harbor Island, they’re checking out a possible fire at a business in the 3400 block of 13th SW. The first unit on the scene reports “light smoke” coming from a metal building. More as we get it.
9:16 AM: The fire has been “knocked down,” per scanner. But there’s word a firefighter has been hurt.
9:42 AM: More reinforcements have been called to the fire scene, including ventilation. No official update yet about the injured firefighter, but SFD’s public-information officer was headed to the scene too, so we should have word soon. The SFD response is right by the entrance to Harbor Island when you leave the low bridge and circle around on Klickitat, so avoid the area if you can.
9:47 AM: Update from SFD’s Kyle Moore – A firefighter in his 30s has been taken to Harborview with second-degree leg burns after stepping into what turned out to be (updated) boiling water or metal; also, a worker in his 30s was “splattered with materials” and will be taken by private ambulance to be checked out further. (There was concern earlier about “volatile” materials in the furnace.)
9:56 AM: The fire is now described as “tapped.” Some units are being dismissed from the scene.
10:44 AM: We’ve added two more photos as well as video of what Moore told us at the scene – the photo above this line shows the MVU (mobile ventilation unit) he mentioned.
ADDED 2:24 PM: SFD has just published a full update on its website. The firefighter who was hurt suffered 1st- and 2nd-degree burns, SFD’s update says, and will be moved overnight to the Harborview burn it; he’s been with the department since 2006 and is based at North Delridge’s Station 36. What happened to him is explained as:
The firefighter manning a hose line in the smoky building stepped into a two-foot deep slag pit that is designed to catch molten metal. The unmarked and unsecured pit was full of boiling water. The boiling water made its way into the firefighter’s boots causing 1st and 2nd degree burns to his lower legs. A Mayday was called and fellow firefighters quickly rescued the injured co-worker.
The injured worker who suffered “spot burns” is described as in stable condition. And investigators say the fire “was accidental, caused by a failure in the induction furnace,” with damage estimated at $85,000.
(Photo courtesy Joe Paar)
The long-planned Little Free Library is now in place in Morgan Junction Park, reports Cindi Barker from the Morgan Community Association: “Thanks go to Joe Paar, Morgan resident; Tyler Jamison of Village Builders; Seattle Parks staff; and the Friends of Morgan Junction Park for getting this installed!” As shown in the photo, you can see it right next to the information kiosk at the park, which is at 6413 California SW. If you’re not familiar with the concept, as explained on the official LFL site, it’s “a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up a book (or two) and bring back another book to share.”
(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! As we keep watch on the morning commute (and beyond), transportation notes:
SOUTH PARK BRIDGE STATUS: After a malfunction put the bridge off-limits to surface traffic for most of Saturday, county road crews managed to get it back in service again, and are now awaiting parts for permanent repairs. You can check here any time to be sure it’s operational before you head that way. (Here’s a traffic cam, too.)
ADMIRAL WAY PAVING TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY: SDOT work on Admiral between 34th and Olga, as mentioned here Friday night after a tip from Mike.
WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION ON THURSDAY: The WSTC’s monthly meeting is 6:30 pm Thursday at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. The agenda features a guest: Paulo Nunes-Ueno, the new head of SDOT’s Transit Division.
METRO FARE CHANGES TAKE EFFECT NEXT SUNDAY: On March 1st, some go up, some go down, as explained here.
7:11 AM: Quiet so far. Checking travel times from the city’s map:
35th Ave SW @ SW Snoqualmie St to …
SR-99 Off Ramp 4 min.
1st Ave Off Ramp 5 min.
4th Ave Off Ramp 6 min.
Stadiums via 1st Ave 10 min.
Stadiums via 4th Ave 10 min.
South Lake Union 15 min.
Ballard 22 min.
Crown Hill 28 min.
Green Lake via SR-99 22 min.
I-5 NB/SB 5 min.
Lower Queen Anne 17 min.
Shoreline via SR-99 28 min.
8:16 AM: Just got two texts about a bus-car collision at midspan of the eastbound bridge, reported to be blocking two lanes. One texter says two lanes are blocked including the bus lane; the other says the vehicles are “stopped on top of the bridge just east of the (crest).”
8:22 AM: You can see the bus and car in the top left camera. Only the bus lane is blocked now – the car is in front of the bus. It’s a #56, per a texter on board.
8:36 AM: Texter on board says driver told them the car hit the bus, and that after some pictures/paperwork, they’ll be able to move on. While the top-left camera will have the newest image, here’s a screengrab from a moment or two ago:
A supervisor is now out checking the bus’s exterior, our tipster reports.
8:45 AM: And now a #55 bus has arrived to take passengers from the stuck bus. Not room enough for all of them, says our tipster – “about a dozen” are back on board and now waiting for a #120.
8:57 AM: Bus lane is now clear – the bus, Metro supervisors’ vehicles, and the car that was involved have all just left.
Eight reports to share. First:
(From Jordan via Twitter)
30TH/GENESEE INCIDENT TONIGHT: A big police response converged in this area after a report of gunfire. No one was reported to have been shot; we did hear, via scanner, an officer report finding one shell casing. Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams, responding to our inquiry about the circumstances, says it’s related to a recent assault; tonight “the victim fired a ‘warning’ shot up in the air to convince suspect to get away.” The investigation is still in progress. *
At mid-afternoon:
TRUCK VS. GARAGE: Thanks to Rob for the photo from 13th and Thistle earlier this afternoon. He saw the pickup truck hit the garage and says no one was hurt. Unlike last night’s crashes, in this one, the driver apparently stayed at the scene.
Reader report from overnight:
CAR BREAK-INS: Tori e-mailed:
We just wanted to let the West Seattle community know that both of our cars were broken into last night at 38th Ave SW & SW Oregon. They attempted to steal the car but were unable to, and instead, messed up the car and rendered it un-drivable. This is the third time this month that our cars, and other cars on our block, have been targeted. We are hoping that by letting the blog know, others in this area can be aware of car thieves and keep valuables out of their cars.
Another reader report, with photo:
BREAK-IN DAMAGE: Greg sent the photo to go along with his report of a burglary on Thursday:
My house near 35th and Charleston was broken into (Thursday) while I was at work. Burglars bashed in the front door, did some good damage to it. Electronics stolen, not much else, so feel lucky it was only that. I called the police and they dusted the house for prints.
Some incidents that aren’t as recent, but are detailed in police reports we just obtained:
STOLEN CAR IN CRASH BEFORE OWNERS KNEW IT WAS GONE: Early last Tuesday morning, police investigated a hit-run crash at 17th and Barton. The vehicle was registered to an Upper Alki couple who didn’t even know it had been stolen; it was still in the driveway when they went to bed several hours earlier. Police delivered the bad news that their vehicle was not drivable and had been towed.
ANOTHER SHOPLIFT-TURNED-ROBBERY: Another case of shoplifting that turned to robbery when the theft turned to violence. This one happened around 7 pm February 11th, according to a report we obtained this week as part of our ongoing public-disclosure requests. Employees at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) told police a man and woman tried to steal food from the deli and candy from a Valentine’s Day display. They were intercepted while trying to leave without paying; they gave back the deli food but the woman denied having the candy hidden in her purse, even though the man yelled at her to give it back so they could leave. She refused and hit a store employee on the wrist, leaving a bruise, then swore at the store employees. Both suspects then bolted. She was described as Hispanic, early 20s, thin, 5-5, bright pink jacket and jeans; he was described as black, 30s, medium build, scruffy facial hair, 5-10, in dark clothing. Video surveillance was being checked.
CAR PROWL IN SUPERMARKET LOT: Same location as the previous item, but this happened around 10:30 am February 10th. Someone broke into a car while its owner was in Thriftway for a few minutes. A backpack and pair of pants were taken. Store surveillance caught the incident and it turned out one person seen on the video had been in the nearby cell-phone store, “trying to activate a stolen cellphone,” and his identity was known. Cross-referencing jail records, we note someone with the same name spent a day and a half in jail this past week in connection with an apparently unrelated case involving a stolen car. We don’t yet know the status of the case involving the car prowl.
ITEMS FOUND: Maybe someone will be able to find the owner here, as “HelperMonkey” did with the items noted in a recent roundup. In this case, a neighbor in the 8800 block of 37th SW in Upper Fauntleroy found “property on the street that she suspected was associated with a crime,” per a report, which says police retrieved the items, described as wires, old clothing, and food, plus a debit card in the name of Ana S—–a. Police were not able to find anyone by that name. If you know Ana, have her contact police.
P.S. – NEXT CRIME PREVENTION/SAFETY MEETING … is this Tuesday (February 24th), when the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meets at the SW Precinct (Webster/Delridge), 6:30 pm, all welcome. The agenda’s still being finalized but police will have a presence there as always, so bring questions/concerns, and take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen/start a block watch.
(WSB photo)
8:41 PM: If you’ve noticed a sizable fire response headed for the 4500 block of West Marginal Way SW, Seattle Fire is responding to a report of at least one bus on fire in the bus yard/maintenance facility there. No traffic effects since the yard/garage is set back from the road. More as we get it.
8:48 PM: Monitored via scanner – firefighters have just described the fire as “knocked down.”
9:28 PM: Just back from the vicinity. Didn’t get close to the bus that caught fire but a wisp of smoke was still visible from West Marginal. SFD’s investigator has arrived to look into how the fire started. No injuries reported.
MONDAY MORNING UPDATE: SFD says the fire started in the engine compartment of a private bus at the maintenance facility, and that damage is estimated at $40,000.
The brackets are set tonight for next weekend’s regional high-school basketball playoffs, and that means we have official details of the next games for both local teams still in the fray, the West Seattle High School girls (Saturday game report here) and Seattle Lutheran High School boys (Saturday game report here). Both teams play next Saturday (February 28th) – SLHS will play Yakima Tribal, 2 pm, at Bellevue College (map/address); WSHS will play Sumner, 8 pm at Renton High School (map/address).
Thanks to everyone sharing photos! First one’s from a flyover this afternoon:
John Bartell sent that photo tonight, showing the military jets that flew over northeastern West Seattle around 2:15 pm. We happened to see them from North Delridge. In the hours since, we’ve looked around and asked around and haven’t found any specific reason for the flyover. (Please comment if YOU know – thanks!) John also photographed tonight’s beautiful sunset, which many might have missed since the Oscars were on by then:
That’s from the Brace Point area. Meantime, near High Point, Yma photographed the sunset through bubbles.
No major chance of rain in the forecast until Thursday.
In addition to the Admiral Way road work on Tuesday/Wednesday (thanks again to Mike for the tip; we noticed today that the no-parking signs are up, confirming it), two more FYIs for the week ahead:
UTILITY POLE REPLACEMENT: This work has been under way for months and Shauna says her neighborhood, SW Kenyon between 39th and 41st in Gatewood, appears to be next, with no-parking signs up and new poles already delivered. Outages often accompany pole replacement work; Shauna hadn’t received any such notice, but we’ll be checking with SCL tomorrow. Checking around the City Light website, by the way, we noticed something interesting – an explanation of why new utility poles tend to, well, stink for a while.
SFD AT MURRAY CSO: Doug Marsano from King County says the Seattle Fire Department will use the million-gallon-tank construction site across from Lowman Beach for drills next Saturday:
Please be aware that the Seattle Fire Department plans to conduct drills at the project site for 3-4 hours on Saturday, February 28. You can expect to see fire trucks and personnel working at the site that day, but no project work is currently scheduled. More information about the Fire Department’s plans will be provided next week. Please contact the project hotline: 206-205-9186 with any questions or concerns.
Miss your high-school prom? Or, even though you went, you wish you could have a second chance? Here it is – a good time for a good cause, coming up in West Seattle in three weeks:
In March, Seattleites will have a second chance at prom to benefit The Ruby Room, a local non-profit organization that provides formal attire to teens in financial need from all over Washington State. The second-chance prom is open to ages 21 and up; and will be held on Saturday, March 14th at West Seattle Golf Course kicking off at 7 PM. Tickets are $25 per person to attend. The event is Casino Royale themed, a 007 inspired event, and attendees are encouraged to dress in iconic James Bond fashion, or their version of prom attire. The prom will have a live DJ and dance floor, a fun prom-style photo booth, cocktails and more.
Tickets are limited and are expected to sell out. Reserve your tickets here.
The fundraising event is being hosted by Michelle Weiss and Francie Warnekros, graduates of Bishop Blanchet High School (2004). These ladies were inspired to create this event to be able to make a difference with the Ruby Room, along with providing an exciting and social outing for adults. This first annual event promises an evening of entertainment, in which attendees have a second chance to experience prom night for the first time with your current sweetheart, or as a fun evening with friends.
For more information, visit www.007prom.wix.com/seattle or the Facebook event page.
If you haven’t stopped by to check out the new location of West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), grand-opening weekend festivities have about three more hours to go. Lori and Tim McConnell (above) first confirmed back in November that they would move to a new location in the Orion Building just north of PCC (also a WSB sponsor) – the space is bigger, and it’s at street level. All sorts of grand-opening excitement is ongoing including raffles and discount signups for the Seattle Marathon and the West Seattle Float Dodger 5K. Vendors are on site too – when we stopped by, we found GoreTex and HOKA reps, as well as Beth Baker from locally based Running Evolution, who has a new apparel line:
She’s there until 2; the shop’s open today until 5, at 2743 California SW. P.S. West Seattle Runner is about to celebrate five years in business!
Just five days until a fun fundraiser at Madison Middle School – one that can be a night out for your entire family, with swing dancing and a music lineup including the acclaimed West Seattle Big Band, whose mission is to help student programs like this. In case you haven’t already seen it in our calendar, here’s the announcement (with the official flyer above):
Madison Middle School’s 3rd Annual *Jumpin’ Jive Swing Dance* is on Friday, February 27, from 6 pm-9 pm in the Madison Commons. This fun event is for the entire family!! *Buy tickets online here.
The *Silent Auction and Raffle* will benefit Madison’s music students and their Music Program. This is the Music Program’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The Music Program is currently not funded by the Madison PTSA or the School District. The Madison Middle School Sr. Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Sr. Orchestra will perform for your entertainment. Also featuring *The West Seattle Big Band!!* Come! Eat! And get your free swing dance lessons by *The Savoy Swing Club.* We’ll have snow cones and games for the kids.
Madison is at 45th/Spokane.
(Photo by JayDee – Saturday morning view from Upper Alki)
If you’re looking for something to do – this list shouldn’t disappoint:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Just 4 weeks until spring, and something new at the market every week. 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Alaska)
GOING TO THE SEATTLE HOME SHOW? Last day today at CenturyLink Field Event Center, 10 am-6 pm. Look for Potter Construction (WSB sponsor) if you’re going! (800 Occidental S.)
CHILDREN’S LEARNING GARDEN: As previewed here, today at noon, kids and their grownups are invited to the kickoff for this new project at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. (California/Hanford)
DUWAMISH SUPERFOODS: Two of today’s so-called superfoods, salmon and berries, were staples of Chief Sealth’s people, the Duwamish Tribe. Visit the Duwamish Longhouse for a free afternoon of cultural education and a shared meal, with salmon soup and berry cobbler. Doors at noon, cultural program 1-3 pm, shared meal at 3, all welcome. Details in our calendar listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
BOOK SALE FINALE: Noon-2 pm, grand finale of the Westside Unitarian Universalists‘ book sale – details here, open to all. (7141 California SW)
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 1-3 pm, come tour Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School – details in our listing. (20th/Roxbury)
FREE BEE CLASS: 1 pm at West Seattle Nursery, free class, “mason bees for your backyard orchard.” (California/Brandon)
MEET A MASTER QUILTER: 2-4 pm, Larry Warrick – who’s hand-quilted more than 200 quilts in half a century of quilting – will be at Admiral Congregational Church, with some of his work. Details in our listing. (California/Hill)
SEATTLE GREEN SPACES COALITION: 2:45 pm meeting of the group working to advocate for saving green spaces around West Seattle and the rest of the city before they are sold off/paved over. Delridge Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
‘GODSPELL’ MATINEE: 3 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, go see Twelfth Night Productions‘ version of the acclaimed musical.
OSCAR PARTY AT OUTWEST: 4 pm start for the annual Oscar-watching festivities at OutWest Bar, red carpet and all! (California/Brandon)
OSCAR PARTY AT FEEDBACK: 4 pm, watch the red-carpet arrivals; 5 pm, watch the awards; “Hollywood’s biggest night on (Feedback Lounge‘s) biggest screens.” (6451 California SW)
ALL-AGES OPEN MICROPHONE: 4-7 pm on the last Sunday of the month means open microphone for all ages at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
And then …
TRIBUTE TO PEARL JAM’S ‘TEN’: Another live performance of a classic album at Skylark – this time, Pearl Jam’s “Ten.” All ages. Doors at 7, show at 8. More info here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SILENT MOVIE SUNDAY: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall, live accompaniment for silent short comedy films – details here. (7904 35th SW)
SUNDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: 7:30 pm at West Seattle Brewing Company. (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW)
OF COURSE, THERE’S MORE … take a quick look at the full calendar.
(Added: WSB photos by Tracy Record)
3:16 AM UPDATE: Busy night for emergency responders. Now there’s word of a flipped pickup truck in Gatewood, near 39th/Myrtle. It went out as a major “heavy rescue” response but most units have been canceled. We’re checking it out.
3:37 AM UPDATE: Police told us at the scene that the pickup’s driver was gone when they arrived, so this is a hit-and-run. The driver appears to have hit a parked vehicle and a couple of mailboxes along 39th SW south of Myrtle before the truck flipped. So this is the second hit-and-run-away of the night in West Seattle.
Just in case you are wondering about a police search in the Puget Ridge/Highland Park area – it follows two reports that might or might not be related. All we have right now is scanner information – first, dispatchers reported multiple calls from people who thought they heard possible gunshots in the Puget Ridge area (18th/Graham was mentioned). Police headed that way to look for any evidence of gunfire. (So far, we haven’t heard any indication they found it.) Then came word, in the same general area, of a vehicle fleeing police, and shortly thereafter, word of a hit-run crash near 18th/Holden involving a possibly stolen car, with people getting out of the car and fleeing. Police took one into custody and were looking for up to 5 others.
Thanks to Lynn Ogdon-Perrine for the photo and report from the state high-school-wrestling competition in Tacoma: Chief Sealth International High School‘s Daron Comacho “is 6th in state for the 195 weight class. We are very proud of him and how he represented (Sealth)!” You can see his bracket and results here.
Via scanner, the 3-vehicle crash this past hour at 4th and Roxbury hadn’t sounded too serious – minor injuries were mentioned – but a texter tells us the scene is blocking the downhill (eastbound) lanes, so avoid the area for a while.
(Photos courtesy Mike Jensen; above, SLHS #11, Xavier Turner driving)
Seattle Lutheran High School‘s Tri-District tournament game an hour from home today – at Mount Vernon Christian – was against an opponent that’s close to home: Shorewood Christian, from the unincorporated area just east of Arbor Heights.
The Saints came away with the victory, 65-53, and Tri-District third place. They’re now waiting to find out who they’ll face in regional competition next weekend; we’ll add that information here when it’s in.
(UPDATED 11:25 PM with word of WSHS’s next opponent)
(WSHS’s Lani Taylor at left)
Photos by Patrick Sand
Story by Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog co-publishers
One week after beating last year’s state champion Cleveland in the Metro League title game, the West Seattle High School girls couldn’t quite repeat the feat. This afternoon’s final score in the district-third-place game at Bellevue College was Eagles 57, Wildcats 54.
Despite two consecutive losses, WSHS gets one more chance to advance, and will find out later this weekend who they’ll play next.
Like the last West Seattle-Cleveland faceoff February 13th, this one was close throughout. WSHS’s 9-2 lead midway through the first quarter was the biggest lead either team ever opened, and it didn’t last long. Cleveland took the lead for the first time, 13-12, with the first of Giavanni Flowers‘s five 3-pointers, just before the end-of-quarter buzzer.
Though the Eagles threw everything they had at the Wildcats’ Lydia Giomi (above), double- and triple-teaming her most of the times she got close to the basket, Giomi still led WSHS scoring with 20 points.
The Wildcats’ defense worked hard to keep Cleveland from getting too far in too often, but with more than half their 57 points coming on 3-pointers, the Eagles were able to work past that strategy.
As the second quarter began, Lexi Ioane (above) got the lead back for West Seattle. A bit of seesawing ensued, and every possession was hard-won – one struggle even led to a jump ball (with the “alternate possession” rule, WSHS won that one). The Wildcats had the edge on rebounds and steals, but the Eagles’ defense kept them from getting many clear shots.
Cleveland’s Joyce Harrell was hurt with three minutes to go in the first half. WSHS got the lead back shortly thereafter, on a three-pointer by Izzy Turk (below).
A minute later, West Seattle was up by four. But by the end of the half, two 3-pointers by Cleveland led to a 24-22 lead as the teams headed for the locker rooms.
Starting the second half, the Eagles picked right up where they left off, with another 3. WSHS answered with a layup by Ioane (WSHS’s third-leading scorer today with 10). Fans on both sides stepped up the shouts – from the Wildcats’ cheerleaders, DEFENSE! DEFENSE! – and the battle raged on.
WSHS took the lead back with a basket by Charli Elliott (above), who took a painful spill a moment later; pulled up by her teammates, she stayed in, and carried on. They extended the lead to 35-30 with three minutes to go in the third quarter, but Cleveland’s subsequent five unanswered points brought that to a tie, and the quarter ended 40-39 Cleveland.
The final quarter wasn’t any less intense than the first three. Nobody broke away. The score was tied 49-49 with 3:15 to go after a dramatic series of plays.
Annalisa Ursino (above) brought the ball upcourt, got it to Ioane, who passed it to Emily Fiso (below), who shot and missed, got the rebound, shot and missed again, got the rebound, finally a basket for the tie.
That could have been a turning point – but Cleveland fired off a fast three pointer. A bucket from Fiso (the Wildcats’ #2 scorer today with 13) made up two of the points. After Cleveland missed two foul shots, a Giomi basket put the Wildcats up by one, 53-52 … but they were outscored 5 to 1 in the remaining minutes, and that was the difference; they had the ball with five seconds to go, and got it to Fiso for an outside shot, bringing the WSHS fans to their feet – but it was off the mark, and so the game ended, 57-54.
The two losses today and Thursday (to Juanita, 51-48) were the first since the only two that WSHS had experienced all season, and both of those were in the MaxPreps holiday tournament in California. Now head coach Sonya Elliott‘s squad has six days to rest until one more chance to keep the postseason going; we should know soon who they’ll be playing and where/when, and we’ll add that here when we know.
11:25 PM: According to our partners at The Seattle Times, WSHS will next play Sumner, which lost its district-title game today; here’s a look at Sumner’s roster. (The official brackets will be filled out here on Sunday.)
One day after the tentative contract agreement between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and Pacific Maritime Association (terminal operators) was announced, the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma have sent their official comment:
The ports of Seattle and Tacoma are relieved to hear of the tentative deal between the ILWU and PMA.
Operations at our terminals will resume Saturday evening. We are uncertain how long it will take to move the remaining cargo on our docks and awaiting vessels, and to assess the effects this has had on our gateway.
Our combined ports support more than 200,000 jobs throughout the region, many of them depending on the freight moving through our terminals.
We will do everything we can to support our customers in getting this gateway back to our high standards of reliability and efficiency.
MarineTraffic.com shows no container ships at anchor in Elliott Bay right now, but three off Manchester, a holding zone for Tacoma. No word, meantime, when ratification votes will happen.
Thanks to David Hutchinson for sharing the video of a river otter (yes, the otters you see here are RIVER otters, not sea otters, which stick to the open ocean). He explains:
The otter was responded to by Seal Sitters earlier this month at Duwamish Head. While not classified as a marine mammal, our theme is “Share the Shore,” so volunteers kept an eye on him while he was using the beach. Thought you might also want to take a look at him going through his normal grooming routine.
Drive carefully on Harbor and Alki Avenues, because river otters do cross the road, as we’ve noted here before – their “dens” are generally inland, but they go out into Puget Sound looking for food.
P.S. Speaking of Seal Sitters, if you’d like to volunteer with the group, sign up ASAP for the next training session – four weeks from tomorrow, March 22nd, but spots are limited and usually fill up in advance. All the info you need is here.
2:07 PM: In the most recent edition of Skies Over West Seattle, sky-watcher extraordinaire Alice Enevoldsen mentioned a spectacular planetary conjunction visible around sunset right now. Last night, clouds obscured it, but tonight – Mars and Venus – might be a different story, so Alice will be at the south end of the Lincoln Park shore, near the swings, 5:30-6:15 pm – more details on her Alice’s Astro Info website.
8:41 PM: Did you see it? By twilight, Venus was visible below the crescent moon, and Mars was in view – albeit faintly, if you weren’t using binoculars/telescope – alongside. Jeff Johnson shares this photo:
You’ll also see photos on Kevin Freitas‘s post about going out to sky-watch.
(Photo courtesy WestSide Baby)
WestSide Baby‘s biggest fundraiser of the year is one week from tomorrow – its 14th annual Benefit Tea, on Sunday, March 1st, 2-4:30 pm in the conference center at the Hilton by Sea-Tac Airport. You still have time to get ticket(s) online and help support WS Baby in its ever-expanding mission of helping local children – $40/individual, $300/table of 10, $600/VIP table of 10 with extras. From the organization’s update:
The 2015 Tea centers on need in our community that is often kept hidden from sight, and understanding how together we can help children grow up safe and healthy. Raising Change President and CEO Kathy LeMay will highlight the afternoon with a keynote address focusing on the role of compassion in philanthropy. LeMay’s work has taken her around the world, fighting for human rights and social justice.
The Tea offers guests an opportunity to give and many opportunities to walk away with gift packages, including roundtrip airfare for two on Alaska Airlines. WestSide Baby will also sell hand-crafted glass “BabyCakes,” created by Avalon Glassworks, with one hiding a $1,000 diamond and white gold pendant compliments of Wyatt’s Jewelers.
As WS Baby executive director Nancy Woodland points out, “Across King County, poverty is growing and most of us do not realize the challenges families face right in our own neighborhoods. Families don’t always advertise when they are struggling and need help. The infant behind you may be sitting in a wet diaper and living out of a car with her parents, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at her. These are our neighbors, and by getting these children the essentials they deserve, they will grow up safe, warm and dry, and their parents won’t be forced to choose between buying diapers and paying rent.”
P.S. Here’s our coverage of last year’s WS Baby Benefit Tea.
(What’s shown above is the newest image from the SDOT camera in South Park – refresh this page for an update)
10:57 AM: The South Park Bridge remains “stuck in the open position,” according to both SDOT via Twitter and a check of the 14th Ave. S/Cloverdale traffic cameras (including the one above). No ETA for repairs so far. So if you have to get across the Duwamish River, use the West Seattle bridges or 1st Avenue South Bridge. We’ll update when it’s fixed.
(P.S. Refresh this story/page for the newest image – what you see above is pulled directly from what’s on the SDOT site.)
1:52 PM UPDATE: SDOT now says the bridge might be closed “until Tuesday.” As you can see in the image above, there are now barricades to keep surface traffic entirely off the bridge.
3:47 PM UPDATE: From King County Roads, which operates the bridge:
South Park Bridge update: Problem narrowed to faulty pump under warranty. Identifying how to lower bridge for vehicles.
— King County Roads (@kcroads) February 21, 2015
6:23 PM: Another update from KC Roads:
King County has determined that the cause of this morning’s South Park Bridge mechanical malfunction was a faulty transmission pump that will need to be rebuilt or replaced under warranty. Replacement parts are expected to arrive Tuesday. In the meantime, the county is evaluating whether the bridge spans can be safely lowered to allow for vehicle traffic.
Until the bridge reopens, motorists should use the 1st Avenue South Bridge as a detour. The county understands how important the bridge is to the community and motorists – every effort is being made to get the bridge reopened to both vehicle and marine traffic as quickly as possible.
The new bridge has been in use for eight months.
2:38 AM SUNDAY: Now King County reports the bridge is back in service, and KING 5 confirms it, though the repairs haven’t made yet, so we’ll keep close watch on this.
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