West Seattle Polar Bear Swim 2013, report #2: The people
(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
As the first day of 2013 comes to an end, a closer look at some of the people who started it with a brisk tradition – West Seattle’s annual Polar Bear Swim on Alki. Though hundreds dashed into Puget Sound together, for each one, it was a very personal type of triumph. Above, Andrew Kurtz‘s fist-pump; next, Lisa Hayden‘s spirited wave as she emerged:
Charlie Duncan and Steve Douglas were pumped up even before they went in:
More of WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams‘ Polar Bear Swim scenes – before, during, and after – ahead:
Read More
West Seattle traffic alert: Hit-run crash in South Admiral
(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
7:41 PM: Another crash under investigation right now – this time at California and Spokane, with the driver possibly having left the scene after reportedly hitting parked cars and shrubs. On the way to check out.
7:46 PM: The suspect being sought in connection with the crash is described as blonde, male, wearing a dark hoodie, and jeans, last seen headed west on SW Spokane from the California vicinity.
8:01 PM: Our crew at the scene says the vehicle is a white pickup truck with equipment of some kind in the back. Police say it’s NOT a stolen vehicle. It went up into the bushes in front of an apartment building in the 3400 block of California, after hitting two vehicles out front. No injuries reported (unless the driver, who hasn’t been found yet, turns out to be hurt).
(This photo and next one by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
10:35 PM UPDATE: WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli went back out to the scene while the truck was being towed. He caught that scene (above) and also found police checking out one of the other damaged vehicles:
Christopher talked to one of the building’s owners, who said that they had just redone the landscaping, but at least the truck didn’t hit the building. Towing the truck, meantime, was a challenge, the driver told him, because the front axle was broken and a tree was in the way, so, Christopher explains, “He had to hook up the front and gingerly pivot the truck around, going back and forth. He finally got it out just around 9:30. SPD had southbound California closed for a bit but it is open now. As of 9:35, SPD said they still did not have the driver in custody.”
West Seattle traffic alert: Delridge blocked after crash involving stolen car; 4 hurt, including suspect
4:47 PM: What is reported to be a 2-car crash has Delridge blocked by the Southwest Precinct and Home Depot. According to scanner traffic, four people are hurt. We’ll have a crew at the scene shortly and will update.
(Added: This photo and next two, by Tony Bradley)
4:53 PM UPDATE: Police tell us the Mercedes was reported as stolen, with the suspected thief possibly linked to a burglary; that car hit the BMW, which was not involved. The suspect was among the injured.
5:13 PM UPDATE: Delridge is blocked all the way from Webster to Orchard. Meantime, a commenter wondered if the stolen Mercedes in the crash is the same one reported in our earlier Crime Watch report – our crew confirms it does appear to be the same make/model/color (late ’80s, 4-door, green) but we haven’t confirmed.
5:29 PM UPDATE: The Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is on scene, and that would tend to mean the closure will last a while – probably a few hours. Meantime, police have provided more details: They started trying to stop the Mercedes on 35th; it headed south on Morgan/Sylvan Way, then after entering Delridge, fishtailed and hit the BMW. Police confirm, as we reported earlier from scanner traffic, that the suspect, who was alone in the stolen car, and the three people from the other car are all at Harborview Medical Center.
6:14 PM UPDATE: Photographer Tony Bradley – whose photos we’ve added to the story – confirms the license plate on the stolen car. Meantime, SPD Blotter now has an item; the number of victims differs from what we were told at the scene and heard in medical-radio traffic, but the report does add one detail: The burglary from which the stolen car’s driver was said to be fleeing was in the 4200 block of SW Graham – just a few blocks from where the car was taken this morning.
7:15 PM: Went by the scene a few minutes ago, and Delridge was still blocked, except for allowing cars to leave Arco/Home Depot/etc. and head northbound.
LATE-NIGHT P.S.: The road has fully reopened.
West Seattle comic Mona Concepcion in showcase tomorrow
Resolved to laugh more in 2013? Here’s a chance to work on that, while supporting an up-and-coming West Seattle comic. Mona Concepcion is the only West Seattleite in a showcase of what she describes as “some very cool, new Seattle comics, including me!” at 8 pm tomorrow (Wednesday, January 2nd). It’s not in West Seattle – no comedy clubs here (yet) – but it’s not far; Comedy Underground is at 109 S. Washington in Pioneer Square on the south side of downtown. And if you buy your ticket in advance – here’s the link – it’s $5, half what it’ll cost you at the door. Mona was a funny writer long before she went into stand-up comedy; her website kirida.com has been on the WSB “Blogs” link-list page for years.
West Seattle Crime Watch: Brazen car theft & 2 other reports
A brazen car theft – stolen though someone was right next to the car – tops the New Year’s first West Seattle Crime Watch report roundup. From Carlos:
This morning around 8:35 am, my daughter’s used car (1988 4-door green Mercedes 300E, license plate # AFV7311) was stolen right in front of my wife, who was warming it up; the key was on as she was defrosting the windows, she was on the passenger side. A car with two men drove past the house (42nd/Findlay) and the passenger got out and walked on the street, jumped in the car and drove off. It’s an old car, but my daughter needs it for school. If anyone spots the car, please call the Seattle Police Department (case number 13-000485).
Reach them via 911 if you see it, as advised in the SPD @getyourcarback tweet about this case.
Two other Crime Watch reader reports – both from Lincoln Park – after the jump:Read More
West Seattle’s Polar Bear Swim 2013, report #1: Your photos
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Sunny again this year for West Seattle’s traditional Polar Bear Swim on Alki – with hundreds heading into the xx-degree water for at least a quick dunk. Our first report features community-contributed photos – above, by David Christensen, who explained that his wife “decided this was the year to join the polar bear plunge. … It was 32 F at the time.” (Water temperature in the 40s.) Next, from Russ Walker‘s Flickr gallery, what happens AFTER everybody runs into the water:
And another scenic view of swimmers on the run back to the beach, courtesy of Pat Binns:
Also, Andrew Jacobs was there for the first time, and just e-mailed to let us know you can see his splashy – literally – photos here. Thanks, all, for sharing (and if anyone else wants to add to this roundup, editor@westseattleblog.com)! Meantime, contributing photojournalist Nick Adams was there on assignment for WSB, and you’ll see his work in report #2 later today. Happy sunny start to 2013!
West Seattle New Year’s Day 2013: A few reminders
What a way to start the year – sunshine! If you are looking for our lists of restaurants/coffee shops open today/tonight, they’re on the Holiday Guide page, along with what else is up today, and atop the “Big Stories” list over on the sidebar. Metro is on a Sunday schedule; no Water Taxi. Then tomorrow, everything starts creaking back toward full speed again (except schools – most don’t resume till Monday).
It’s on! 2013 bursts in with Space Needle fireworks, seen from West Seattle
(Photo by Nick Adams)
From anywhere it was in view, the Space Needle held all in thrall for seven minutes as 2013 arrived.
(Photo by Nick Adams)
No rain, no fog, just chilly air and cheers as fireworks of many colors blossomed in the New Year’s first moments.
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
The end of 2012 meant the end of the Needle’s 50th anniversary year.
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
The fireworks tradition, meantime, is in its 3rd decade, having begun in 1992.
(Photo by Nick Adams)
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