West Seattle, Washington
15 Sunday
Since we are still Highway 99-less for a second Saturday, here’s a bridge cam in case you’re headed off-peninsula:
Our selection of West Seattle-relevant cameras is here. But why leave? Here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
GROUP RUN: Been getting up early all week because of Viadoom and feeling energetic even now that it’s the weekend? Meet at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the free group run! (2743 California SW)
DEVELOPMENT SITE TOUR: 10 am, Early Outreach for Design Review site tour at ex-substation where up to 14 townhouses are proposed. All welcome. (8822 9th SW)
COFFEEHOUSE MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon, Marco De Carvalho and Friends at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). No cover. (5612 California SW)
SELF-DEFENSE AND EMPOWERMENT: Special workshop this morning for women 13+ at Combat Arts Academy (WSB sponsor) as a benefit for the West Seattle Food Bank – admission by donation of $30 or 30 nonperishable food items. Preregister ASAP! Then be there 11 am-1 pm. (5050 Delridge Way SW)
COAT DRIVE: Admiral UCC hosts Rev. Rick Reynolds to talk about how to help your unhoused neighbors, and is accepting new/gently used coats when you drop in between 2 and 4 pm. (4320 SW Hill)
COMMUNITY CONVERSATION WITH YOUR SCHOOL-BOARD DIRECTOR: 3-5 pm at Delridge Library, stop by to talk with your elected representative on the Seattle School Board, its president Leslie Harris. We’re told drug and alcohol prevention will be part of the discussion. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
ROO & THE FEW: “Eclectic mix of covers and originals” at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
BANDMIXERS AT THE SKYLARK: Curated cover bands, in a first-of-its-kind live-music event at The Skylark, 8 pm – details in our calendar listing. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TAVERN TUNES: 8:30 pm at Parliament Tavern, Memphis Radio Kings with Tripp Rezac Band and Brad Yaeger. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE THE FULL LIST … on our complete calendar!
Three chances for feedback on three eastern West Seattle projects:
8822 9TH SW SITE TOUR TOMORROW: One month after the announcement, tomorrow (Saturday, January 19th) is the day for the Early Community Design Review Outreach site tour of 8822 9th SW. It’s been two years since first word of a townhouse proposal for the ex-substation site. All are welcome to visit it and hear about the plan – 12 to 14 townhouses. Be there at 10 am.
2000/2050 SW ORCHARD SITE TOUR SET: The next Early Community Outreach site tour after that one will be 11 am February 2 at 2000/2050 SW Orchard, where we first reported in October 2017 on an early-stage plan for 18 rowhouse-style townhouses.
9201 DELRIDGE WAY RETURNS TO SOUTHWEST DESIGN REVIEW BOARD: One year after its first review, the self-storage project planned at this site will return to the Southwest Design Review Board for its second and possibly final review on February 21st. The preliminary notice is now on the city website; an official notice will likely come out within a week or two. You can find the city’s final report on last year’s review here.
Family and friends will gather next Thursday (January 24) to celebrate the life of Jeffrey James Morrison. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:
Jeffrey James Morrison
Jeff passed away unexpectedly January 4, 2019, leaving us with broken hearts. Jeff was born May 11, 1993 in Seattle. He was preceded in death by his dad Jim Morrison, grandparents Len and Bea Whitlock, and his dogs Ani and Obi. He leaves behind his mom Sue, sisters Mary, Karen, and Kristen, his uncle Joe Whitlock, his aunt Laurie McCormick, and cousin John McCormick.
Jeff was raised in West Seattle and attended Holy Rosary school. He graduated from Kennedy High School in 2011 and went on to attend Bellevue College, earning an Associate degree in Digital Media Arts and a certificate in Advanced Videography. He worked at Target and for Best Made Videos while attending college and was just beginning his career search. Jeff had a passion for cameras and videography beginning at a young age, never allowing his mother to keep a camera of her own very long. He was an avid gamer, skateboarder, snowboarder, and loved all forms of comedy. His greatest joys were watching the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners, and spending time with his family, friends, and dogs.
Jeff’s presence will be forever missed, but the memory of him will remain in our hearts eternally. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, January 24th, 10:00 am at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in West Seattle. You are invited to join us in this celebration of Jeff’s life, and are encouraged to wear your favorite Seahawks or Mariners gear.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
Congratulations to Chief Sealth International High School‘s girls-wrestling team (shown above with Coaches Camacho and Lopez, who assist Head Coach Dolberry):
The Chief Sealth girls’ wrestling team travelled to Arlington last weekend for the Ladies Highway 9 tournament and brought home the second place trophy! Congratulations to this hard-working, passionate group of young women! Come out and support both the boys’ and girls’ teams at the Relentless Tournament next Friday evening, 1/25, at Chief Sealth!
The gym is on the east side of the campus, at 2600 SW Thistle.
Our Instagram video shows where we were this morning atop the ramp you will take into downtown from northbound Highway 99 if you’re not heading into the tunnel. WSDOT invited news media to visit the work zone this morning for a one-week update on how it’s going.
That’s a look southward onto the under-construction Dearborn Street onramp. When you are traveling on it, northbound, here’s what you’ll see:
When you get to the end of the ramp, you’ll either continue north onto Alaskan Way, or turn right to get to 1st Avenue South. Part of the ramp was built by a different contractor a year ago, but it couldn’t be completed until now. It was built with “geofoam” that rests more lightly on the area’s compression-susceptible soil:
WSDOT’s Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program deputy administrator Dave Sowers gave the progress report – here’s his three-minute explanation of the south-end work:
Sowers says they’re still on track to open the tunnel February 4th – right after the February 2nd/3rd goodbye-viaduct-hello-tunnel celebration – and this ramp a week or so later. (You can check out the construction-zone webcams here.)
3:01 PM: Earlier today, transient orcas passed West Seattle southbound. Right now, Southern Resident Killer Whales are inbound, north of Elliott Bay and headed this way, according to a tip just in from Kersti Muul. Let us know if you see them!
3:30 PM: Off Beach Drive, according to commenters.
3:56 PM: Mel just tweeted about seeing them from the Southworth ferry.
4:18 PM: Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales just called. He says there are three groups of wildlife out there – the orcas traveling through the Fauntleroy ferry lanes and a humpback with them, a “large group of harbor porpoises” near Lowman Beach, and a bottlenose dolphin off Me-Kwa-Mooks (Emma Schmitz Overlook)!
12:35 PM: If you’re wondering what police are doing north of The Junction – they tell us they are looking for a suspect who ran as they were trying to serve him with a warrant after he didn’t show up for a court date. The search is happening near Holy Rosary and Seattle Lutheran and the schools are reported to have been notified. We don’t have the suspect’s name but police did give us a description – 6-feet tall, black, male, dreadlocks, red shirt an dark shorts. The searchers include a K-9 team.
(Added: Photo texted by Mirsepasy Law Offices during search, from 3400 block California)
1:42 PM: We have been out chasing after this. Yes, the search continued north, to the WSHS area.
1:58 PM: Police confirm that the person they were seeking is in custody. They say schools have been notified.
2:35 PM: We’re told police started trying to serve this warrant last night, then got word of the suspect’s presence today and tried again – that’s what started it all. We’re told the arrest was made in/near the 4100 block of SW Manning.
5:54 PM: A bit of additional information from Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Steve Strand: The suspect “is suspected of recent local robber(ies). He is a juvenile.”
Today we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, the West Seattle branch of 8 Limbs Yoga Centers. Here’s what they would like you to know about what they do:
8 Limbs West Seattle is a vibrant and welcoming yoga studio right in the heart of the West Seattle Junction. We opened in 2005 above The Matador and continue to offer high-quality yoga in a spacious clean studio to folks of all ages and levels. 8 Limbs teachers are highly trained and passionate about the breadth of yoga practice. Here you’ll find both gentle, restorative classes and a sweaty, flow practice, as well as classes in the aspects of yoga beyond the physical postures, such as pranayama (breath practices), meditation, Yoga Nidra.
Our regular members come to 8 Limbs for the teachers, the quality of instruction, and the strong sense of community from our almost 14 years in business. If you are looking for a yoga home in West Seattle, come to 8 Limbs! Learn more about our studio on our website.
Check us out with our NEW STUDENT SPECIAL: 3 Weeks of Unlimited Yoga for only $38. Sign up in the studio or online.
New to yoga? Begin with our 6-week Intro Series, a great way to start (or re-start) your yoga practice. Monday nights at 7:30 pm starting February 25 or April 8.
A few examples of our regular offerings:
Early Morning Flow: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30 am
Vinyasa (Flow) Yoga: MWF 9:30 am and 6:00 pm, Tuesdays 6 pm, and Sundays 9:00 am.
Gentle Yoga: Mondays 4:30 pm
Hatha Yoga: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30 am, Wednesdays 7:30 pm, Thursdays 5:45 pm, Fridays 4:30 pm, Saturdays 10:45 am, and Sundays 5:00 pm
Yin Yoga: Tuesdays at 4:30 pm
Restorative Yoga: Saturdays 4:00 pm
Yoga Tune-Up: Sundays 10:45 am
Kids Yoga Series: Wednesdays 4 pm (starts Jan. 23)
Yoga for 50+ : Thursdays 11:15 am
Intro to Yoga: Mondays 7:30 pm
Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation) Workshops: 2nd Sunday of the month
Full schedule can be found here
Every February we host the 28-Day Commitment, an opportunity to commit to daily yoga practice with the support of our 8 Limbs community. There’s no extra charge, and no requirement to do all of your practices at our studio, you can practice at home, while traveling, at other studios. Come in before February 1st to join us: you’ll get a free wrist band to show you’re “COMMITTED” and can sign your name on our in-studio posters to track your month. This year’s theme, Roots of Yoga, comes from a commitment to link our modern day practices of yoga to their source teachings and teachers – both to show respect and to inspire a deeper understanding of this powerful lineage.
8 Limbs Yoga Centers is a family of four neighborhood studios in Seattle, and any class passes and memberships purchased at 8 Limbs West Seattle can also be used at our other studios in Capitol Hill, Phinney Ridge, and Wedgwood. We are a proud member of the West Seattle Junction Association. Contribute to the Junction Parking in the red box on our front desk! 8 Limbs is at 4546 ½ California Ave SW (entrance in alley behind Matador), 206.933.YOGA (9642)
We thank <8 Limbs Yoga West Seattle for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
11:16 AM: Seattle Fire has sent a “full response” to 34th/Thistle. The call is described as “smoke showing from a detached garage.” More shortly.
11:29 AM: Just arrived in the area. Some of the units are being dismissed. SW Thistle is blocked at 32nd.
11:34 AM: The fire has been declared “tapped.” We have added a photo above. No injuries reported. Damage was kept to the garage interior; investigators will be sent to figure out what started it.
(Bald Eagles at Alki Point, photographed by Jim Borrow)
End of the first week of Highway 99-less-ness … here are some options for enjoying the rest of your Friday:
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Relax tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, with E. Pruitt providing the music. No cover. (5612 California SW)
‘CRAZYWISE’: As previewed here earlier this week, this documentary is screening during a special community event at Highland Park Improvement Club that starts at 7 pm. $10 admission. (1116 SW Holden)
BASKETBALL X 4: Both West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School have full slates of home games. Sealth (2600 SW Thistle) faces Cleveland, 7 pm girls’ varsity and 8:30 pm boys’ varsity; WSHS (3000 California SW) plays Roosevelt, same times.
‘CLUE,’ FINAL PERFORMANCE: 7:30 pm at the West Seattle High School Theater, this year’s student-directed show is onstage one last time – tonight. $10 tickets at the door. (3000 California SW)
MUSIC AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: Heather Thomas Band & Welcome Strangers, 9 pm. $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
PREVIEW THE WEEKEND … via our complete calendar!
Another offer for federal workers who aren’t getting paid while the federal shutdown continues: West Seattle Autoworks (7501 35th SW; WSB sponsor) is offering free diagnostic time. They now handle all makes of vehicles, b the way. You’ll just have to show your government ID to take advantage of the offer. Go to their website for an appointment request, or call/text 206-257-5344.
(SDOT MAP with travel times / WS-relevant traffic cams / Water Taxi schedule, other helpful info HERE)
5:30 AM: Good morning! So far the problems are NOT in our area.
5:45 AM – LOOKING AHEAD: Reminders while things are quiet – Monday is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. School’s out, and most government offices/facilities are closed. Metro plans “reduced weekday” service.
5:48 AM: SDOT reports “Rail crossing delays at 2nd Ave and S Spokane St, blocking all EB and WB lanes.” (This is the first such alert we’ve seen – following the Wednesday train trouble.)
6:11 AM: Monitoring police radio, there are various train-related problems including a track-crossing arm STUCK DOWN ON WESTBOUND SIDE of Spokane St. around 2nd. Needs repair. That won’t be soon. Also word of a train on tracks at 6th/Spokane. Overall, just avoid surface Spokane for now!
6:20 AM: Arm problem may be fixed but train traffic hasn’t passed. … Our crew is off to the Water Taxi dock to see how things are going there this Friday morning. Weather-wise, a lot like Thursday so far.
6:40 AM: Bridge is busy as has been the case every day this first post-Viaduct week. (Here’s the point-in-time screengrab.)
6:46 AM: Train traffic on lower Spokane has cleared again.
6:55 AM: And … another train. … At the Water Taxi dock, they tell us it’s been a “light morning,” at least compared to earlier in the week. 75 passengers on the most-recent sailing.
7:10 AM: 59 on the sailing after that. And YET MORE trouble on lower Spokane, this time at 11th/Spokane just off the low bridge a crash – we took this from the city webcam:
(Fully blocking there, as of a few minutes later.)
7:20 AM: We have clarified with King County – there IS Water Taxi service (West Seattle AND Vashon) on Monday even though King Day would otherwise be a holiday.
7:35 AM: The crash east of the low bridge is still blocking. … Water Taxi volume’s up a bit – 110 is the latest sailing’s count.
Again, there IS WT service on Monday.
7:50 AM: Still working to clear the crash east of the low bridge. SDOT’s Incident Response Team is there. Screengrab:
7:55 AM: SDOT tweets that “the westbound lane and one eastbound lane” have reopened there.
8:28 AM: Busy but no new problems. Later this morning, we’ll get a #Realign99 construction update in the south work zone. Also looking ahead – if you’re heading off-peninsula tomorrow, note that this year’s Womxn’s March will be happening (details in this city roundup).
8:55 AM: No new problems. We’re continuing to monitor and will update here if anything new does transpire before 10 am.
MoCA President Deb Barker, SW District Council Representative Tamsen Spengler, volunteer Jim Guenther
Story and photo by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Neighbors gathered Wednesday night at The Kenney (WSB sponsor) for the quarterly meeting of the Morgan Community Association (MoCA), to discuss a variety of issues as part of a jam-packed agenda.
Board members present included President Deb Barker, Treasurer Michael Brunner, Secretary Natalie Williams, SW District Council Representative Tamsen Spengler, and Public Information officer Marianne Holsman. (Vice President Phil Tavel submitted notes before the meeting, according to Barker.)
First on the agenda, quick “Morgan Minute” updates:
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
What some consider work, Chief Sealth International High School senior Clarissa Perez turned into a hobby – “scouring for opportunities.”
She has succeeded, in tough nationwide competition, securing some of those opportunities as she gets ready for the next stage in her life – including a prestigious scholarship.
She has accomplished all this while also dealing with depression and immense personal tragedy.
“When you have constant sadness, you don’t know what it’s like to be happy,” she said when we talked recently at CSIHS. “I can’t even imagine a year where I could get a break. Can you imagine how unstoppable I’d be?”
And yet, when you meet Clarissa, you see quickly that she seems rather unstoppable already.
Let’s start with what she calls her “first win of the year” – a Horatio Alger Scholarship, geared toward students who have overcome adversity, inspired by the author’s writings about doing exactly that.
Two readers emailed us to report that they had heard Shadowland in The Junction would be discontinuing its regular slate of events including pub-quiz trivia and DJ Night soon. They were worried it was a sign of more change to come. So we went over to ask. No, manager Heather told us, not a sign of anything ahead – they are doing fine as a restaurant and bar and have decided to focus on that since attendance at events had slipped, and features such as trivia are abundantly available elsewhere. Shadowland (4458 California SW) is in its 12th year.
Combat Arts Academy (WSB sponsor) proprietor Sonia Sillan announces, “2 events are happening on Saturday in support of the West Seattle Food Bank and our annual January food drive.” All the money raised by both will support WSFB, because CAA coaches are donating their time. First event is a Women’s Self-Defense and Empowerment Workshop for ages 13+, 11 am-1 pm Saturday at CAA’s North Delridge location (5050 Delridge Way SW), by donation ($30 or 30 non-perishable food items)- preregister here ASAP! Second event is Parents’ Night Out, 6 pm-9 pm at CAA’s Burien location (115 SW 153rd), also by donation (also $30 or 30 non-perishable food items) – preregister here ASAP!
(SDOT MAP with travel times / WS-relevant traffic cams / Water Taxi schedule, other helpful info HERE)
4:09 PM: We’re watching the pm commute again.
4:21 PM: WSDOT reports heavy volumes on both directions of I-5 through the region. The West Seattle Bridge is still sluggish eastbound (that’s a most-of-the-day thing now).
4:39 PM: Some trouble for those headed back this way from the Eastside – WSDOT reports a crash partly blocking the westbound I-90 exit to SB I-5.
4:57 PM: It’s raining – this morning’s real rain was mostly pre-commute, but this time it’s happening right in the heart of the travel time. Be safe.
5:08 PM: SDOT reports a crash at 16th/Roxbury.
5:37 PM: In comments, Jen reports “Semi blocking right WB lane under the upper bridge right before Avalon exit.”
6:21 PM: We’ve been listening to scanner traffic with a crash involving a Metro bus and wires down off SB 509 at 128th in Burien, and now a texter has mentioned it. Just an FYI if you’re headed in that direction – we haven’t seen any indication how/whether it’s affecting highway traffic.
6:28 PM: Just heard from a caller that this is affecting people trying to get onto SB 509 there. And Burien Police just tweeted:
Our units are currently at S. 128 St. at SR 509 for a collision involving a truck and a Metro bus. So far, injuries appear minor and aid is treating on scene. A power box was damaged and power is out in the immediate area. Please use alternate routes if possible.
— Burien Police (@BurienPD) January 18, 2019
6:47 PM: We weren’t on today’s media conference call due to a conflicting story interview (unrelated) but tomorrow we’re planning to cover a #Realign99 construction-zone tour and briefing. Any unanswered questions about how that’s going, let us know – thanks!
7:24 PM: A King County Sheriff’s Office photo from the 509/128th crash:
KCSO also says that “the driver of the white pickup truck is under arrest on suspicion of DUI.” He also was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
Also: Today’s project update and other notes from WSDOT, including the morning West Seattle Water Taxi tally – under 1,000 for the first time this week but still triple last year’s ridership.
(WSB file photo – M/V Tacoma in Elliott Bay, with Duwamish Head in the background)
West Seattle is unique in the Washington State Ferries system as home to the city’s only WSF dock in a residential area (Fauntleroy). So you might be interested in the 2018 ridership report just released:
Thirty-four times the population of the city of Seattle – that’s how many people Washington State Ferries carried in 2018.
Annual ridership on the nation’s largest ferry system increased by more than 225,000 last year to nearly 25 million, its highest level since 2002.
“Our ridership is up 10 percent from five years ago and it’s forecast to grow another 30 percent to all-time highs over the next 20 years,” said WSF Assistant Secretary Amy Scarton. “In order to support this projected demand with reliable service, our recently released 2040 Long Range Plan calls for 16 new vessels by 2040.”
The largest jump in 2018 came on the Southworth/Vashon route, where ridership was up 8.8 percent, or a gain of nearly 17,000 customers over 2017. This is the third year in a row that the biggest percentage increase has been on a route serving Southworth, as people move to more affordable housing in South Kitsap County.
WSF customers took more than 161,000 trips aboard state ferries last year, travelling nearly 1 million miles – enough to circumnavigate the earth 36 times.
2018 route-by-route ridership highlights
· System total: Customers up 0.9 percent from 2017 to 24.7 million, vehicles up 1.1 percent to 10.8 million.
· Seattle/Bainbridge Island and Bremerton: While it remains WSF’s flagship terminal servicing the most customers throughout the system, there was a year-to-year drop of nearly 60,000 total riders (0.6 percent) passing through Colman Dock. Vehicles down 2.3 percent on Bainbridge Island route, up 3 percent for Bremerton.
· Edmonds/Kingston: Second highest total ridership with customers up 2.2 percent. Biggest year-to-year increase in total vehicles, going up nearly 40,000 (1.8 percent).
· Mukilteo/Clinton: Welcomed system’s fourth Olympic class ferry, Suquamish, to the route in the fall. Busiest route for drivers with vehicles up 1.5 percent and customers up 1.7 percent.
· Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth: Customers up 1.4 percent and vehicles up 1.5 percent, led by the Southworth/Vashon segment, which had the largest year-to-year percentage growth with customers up 8.8 percent and vehicles up 6.8 percent.
· Anacortes/San Juan Islands: All-time record ridership with customers up 1.4 percent and vehicles up 1.5 percent.
· Point Defiance/Tahlequah: Customers up 2.9 percent and vehicles up 3.7 percent. Ridership up more than 250,000 from low point in 2008.
· Port Townsend/Coupeville: Customers up 4 percent and vehicles up 3.8 percent. Ten-year ridership increase of more than 350,000.
· Anacortes/Sidney, British Columbia: Slight drop due to a two-week suspension of the route due to vessel breakdowns with customers down 0.7 percent and vehicles down 1.8 percent.
· Route-by-route ridership numbers: Available on the second page of WSF’s Fact Sheet.
· Additional highlights: See more in WSF’s 2018 Year in Review.
12:30 PM: The “full response” initially dispatchd to an apartment building in the 4700 block of 40th SW is because of what SFD says so far is a “light odor of smoke” on the 3rd floor. The log shows (updated) seven units on scene checking it out.
12:40 PM: The incident log shows most of the units have been dismissed.
11:29 AM THURSDAY: The photo is from Stephanie at 35th SW and SW Dawson (by the entrance to Camp Long). She reports:
They are starting the work for the traffic light. I spoke with the survey team; the plans show four light bar posts.
SDOT announced the long-requested “full traffic signal” for 35th/Dawson as part of the “35th SW Phase 2” work first outlined here last April. Last fall, SDOT said crossing improvements at three 35th SW intersections including Dawson would start as soon as November, but then announced an indefinite postponement. We’ll be checking on whether they have a construction timetable yet.
9:04 AM FRIDAY: SDOT tells us, “While we don’t expect signal construction to begin until next month at the earliest, we’re surveying in preparation of utility potholing . This is necessary prep work for the installation of the new traffic signal.”
(Ruby-crowned Kinglet, photographed by Mark Ahlness, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, all happening tonight:
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm at Alki UCC, with topics including SR3 (as previewed here) and how HALA MHA could affect Alki. All welcome. (6115 SW Hinds)
BILL DAVIE: Singer/songwriter performs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, no cover. (5612 California SW)
THURSDAY TRIVIA: 7 pm and 8 pm, two rounds at Great American Diner and Bar. Free! Prizes! (4752 California SW)
‘CLUE,’ NIGHT TWO: Your second of three chances to see this year’s West Seattle High School student-directed production, “Clue.” The dark and stormy night begins at 7:30 pm in the WSHS theater. Support student drama with your $10 admission at the door. (3000 California SW)
AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: Onstage tonight, it’s GEMS with special guests Alex Westcoat and Jeremy Grant Buller, 9 pm: “Double drums/double synth Livetronica quartet and guest will take you to outer space!” 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE INTO THE FUTURE … via our complete calendar, which also has more of what’s up for today and tonight.
Another local nonprofit is offering help to federal employees and their families who are not getting paid because of the shutdown. This time, it’s WestSide Baby. Here’s the announcement we received:
WestSide Baby is offering families affected by the government shutdown free diapers and wipes on a walk-in basis.
“We already know many families in our community are unable to afford all the tangible basics. No more families should be without clean, dry diapers for their baby just because they are not receiving a paycheck during the shutdown,” says Nancy Woodland, WestSide Baby’s Executive Director
Families affected by the furlough should come to WestSide Baby anytime during their open hours to receive diapers and wipes while the shutdown continues. Please bring proof of government employment. Hours and location information available on their website.
WS Baby’s headquarters in White Center, 10002 14th Ave SW, is the closest to West Seattle. (It’s also where you can donate diapers and wipes if you would like to ensure there are plenty for the federal families and the thousands of others the organization helps.)
(SDOT MAP with travel times / WS-relevant traffic cams / Water Taxi schedule, other helpful info HERE)
5:30 AM: Good morning! The change in the weather has arrived – but it’s not raining hard outside, just misting – so far. No incidents reported in our area.
5:55 AM: As with the previous three mornings, the bridge looks busier earlier.
6:13 AM: And even busier now. (Here’s a screengrab for the record.)
6:20 AM: Our crew, heading shortly for Water Taxi watch for the fourth day, reports it’s NOT raining right now. Warmer than recent mornings – 46 degrees.
6:40 AM: If you commute regionally and rely on WSDOT travel times – they’ve been coping with an outage but are now back, here.
6:50 AM: First report in from our crew at the West Seattle Water Taxi dock – rough couht ~70 on the boat that’s about to take off.
7:11 AM: Still nothing out of the ordinary to report. (added) Covered waiting area at Water Taxi dock still not needed, since the rain has yet to resume:
7:28 AM: By our count, about 150 on the Water Taxi that’s just taking off.
7:39 AM: Water Taxi usage is down this morning. Fewer triple-digit runs by our count; 79 on this one. Back on land watch, no train or low-bridge trouble this morning, unlike yesterday … so far.
7:58 AM: Just tweeted by BNSF, whose only tweet during yesterday’s 45+-minute blockage was to tell pedestrians to get off the tracks:
Rail traffic is moving normally in #Seattle this morning. Yesterday’s delay in SoDo was due to unusual circumstances and we regret the inconvenience during #SeattleSqueeze. We hope you’ll have a great day today! #Viadoom #Realign99
— BNSF Railway (@BNSFRailway) January 17, 2019
8:06 AM: Low bridge busy eastbound right now. Here’s a moment-in-time screengrab. No maritime openings logged so far this morning.
8:19 AM: One last Water Taxi count on our watch before our crew oves on – 77 for the 8:15-ish run. Remember that the extra service is here for two months, all the way until the 7-day-a-week schedule kicks in at the end of March, so lots of time to try it if you haven’t yet but could.
9:02 AM: Morning four of “Viadoom” hasn’t seemed very doomy. This tweet seems to corroborate:
Just want to give a shoutout, @westseattleblog from the @SeattlePD officers guiding busses in the rain to the @kcmetrobus drivers sitting in traffic, everyone has had such a positive and helpful attitude that has made #Viadoom so much more pleasant 👏🏼 #thanks
— Tessa Wuertz (@tessa_wuertz) January 17, 2019
We’re moving on to other news atop the page – so much to catch up on – but will continue to update here if any notable morning situations arise, plus we’ll be on PM watch again, with the weather projected to get wetter/breezier by then.
10:02 AM: Low bridge closed to surface traffic a few minutes ago, for the first time this morning. (Update: The closure lasted 11 minutes.)
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