West Seattle, Washington
02 Saturday
Thanks to Alex for sending that view of 2019’s first West Seattle sunset, as seen from Lincoln Park! Though New Year’s Eve (as shown here) and Day both featured beautiful, serene end-of-day views, there’s blustery weather in the forecast – Wednesday night, Thursday, and Friday all are expected to be breezy (no alerts in our area so far, though).
The new year has brought a stack of business changes we’ll be reporting on as the week continues. First, TouchTech Systems has left its Junction space along the enclosed breezeway on the west side of California between Oregon and California. Still in business – just not keeping an office space, explains proprietor Brian Presser: “With our lease up for renewal, we decided that TouchTech can provide the same services without a physical presence in the Junction. We hope all of our customers that we have built relationships with over the last 11 years will continue to use us for their technology needs!” Thanks to the reader who texted us the photo of the sign in the ex-TouchTech window.
15 minutes before hundreds ran in and out of Puget Sound for this year’s Alki Beach New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim, organizer Mark Ufkes hollered that the water was warmer than the air – 46 degrees and 36 degrees respectively.
Did you notice the fireboat in the background in that clip? Here’s what it did after most were out of the water:
And thanks to @SeattleFire for the fireboat show! pic.twitter.com/8Yv5jEGLeh
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) January 1, 2019
Of course there were plenty of sights on the beach – hats and masks, for example:
Or declaration of Rose Bowl allegiance:
Organizer Mark sported closer-to-home college gear (plus the pink trunks he explained in his announcement of the event):
He also brought TSA-auction-bought corkscrews again for pink-wearing swimmers:
But for many, it was all about the thrill and the chill …
… with a bonfire awaiting some as a reward.
P.S. This year brings a second “polar” swim to Alki – as we reported last month, the Special Olympics of Washington Polar Plunge fundraiser is returning to West Seattle waters for the first time since 2011. February 9th is the date and they’re hoping for a sizable enough turnout to set a record.
(Photo by Robert Spears)
Happy 2018 2019! Here’s information you might find helpful on this New Year’s Day, interspersed with photos from the midnight fireworks (THANK YOU to everyone who sent photos!)
NEW YEAR’S DAY WALKS: Emerald City Wanderers are hosting 5- and 10-kilometer walks in West Seattle, sanctioned by the American Volkssport Association, noncompetitive. Start any time between 9 am and noon from St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. Routes go through North Admiral, with 10K walkers heading down to Jack Block Park. Hot soup and snacks! (3050 California SW)
NEW YEAR’S DAY ALKI POLAR BEAR SWIM: 10 am sharp on the beach across from Duke’s – you’re advised to be there by 9:45. Here’s the original announcement. (57th SW/Alki SW)
NEW YEAR’S DAY FITNESS: Yoga and Nia classes this morning! See our Holiday Guide for info.
(Photo by Bill Morgan, from Hamilton Viewpoint)
RESTAURANTS THAT TOLD US THEY WOULD BE OPEN TODAY: Here’s our list – with the annual caveat that some establishments may have changed their plan since we called, so if you discover a discrepancy, please let us know – thank you!
TRANSIT/TRANSPORTATION INFO: Sunday schedule for Metro today … No Water Taxi service … Sound Transit Express buses are on Sunday schedules … Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is on its regular weekday schedule … No charge for street parking in neighborhoods where the city has pay stations.
TRASH/RECYCLING: No pickup today, and everyone’s schedule slides a day again this week, same as last week.
SEATTLE PARKS FACILITIES: Here’s the list from Parks – what’s closed, what’s open.
LIBRARIES: All Seattle Public Library and King County Library System facilities are closed today.
(Photo by David Hutchinson, from Seacrest Park)
HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND OTHER INFO FOR TODAY/TONIGHT … see the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.
7:12 AM: A Seattle Fire “full response” is headed to a house in the 9200 block of 17th SW, described in radio communication as “derelict” and known to be used by squatters.
7:17 AM: Firefighters have arrived and entered, reporting “light smoke” throughout the house.
7:21 AM: Per scanner, a “pile of cigarettes (is) on fire in the fireplace” and it’s “tapped,” so most responding units will be dismissed.
7:30 PM: Our crew is there and confirms the response is winding down. Photo added.
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