month : 12/2021 298 results

ORCAS: Another chance to see them

Orcas are southbound off Lincoln Park right now, Kersti Muul tells us.

TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Friday watch & weekend alert

December 3, 2021 6:01 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Friday watch & weekend alert
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM Good morning!

WEATHER

The cooldown continues – after 30s overnight, we’re only expecting 40s today.

ROAD WORK – TODAY AND THIS WEEKEND

This morning – Crosswalk-painting on West Marginal at the new Longhouse signal – here’s the alert we published yesterday.

This weekend – If you travel through Georgetown, SDOT wants you to know; “On Saturday and Sunday, construction crews will be rebuilding curb ramps in Georgetown on Ellis Ave South and South Albro Place. The work is anticipated to begin as early as 7:00 AM and will conclude as soon as 5:00 PM on both days. There will be limited impacts to traffic but still practice caution when traveling through the area.”

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of trip cancellations.

Ferries and Water Taxi: WSF is still running a two-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run. Check here for alerts/updates. The Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

620th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are views of other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)

The 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

South Park Bridge:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Are movable bridges opening for vessels? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed can tell you; 1st Ave. South Bridge openings are also tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.

See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page.

Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Charges filed in business incidents

Earlier this week, we reported on the second arrest in a month of a man suspected in incidents at local businesses, most recently a shoplift-turned-robbery at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor). Today, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed felony charges against him in that incident and one earlier this month at a store in the West Seattle Junction. The suspect is 44-year-old Joseph W. Milojevich. He is charged with second-degree robbery for this week’s incident at the grocery store, in which he is accused of trying to leave with an alcoholic beverage without paying for it, threatening store staff who tried to stop him, brandishing a chain. The KCPAO also filed a charge of felony harassment for an early November incident (covered here) in which he was asked to leave The Beer Junction and then, prosecutors say, threatened to kill the store’s owner. Charging documents in the cases also note that he was charged earlier this year with third-degree assault for attacking a nurse at a hospital in Burien in April while there voluntarily seeking emergency care. A judge released Milojevich a day after he was jailed in that case, despite prosecutors arguing to keep him in. He has prior convictions from more than a decade ago, second-degree robbery in 2007 and felony hit-run in 2002. His bail in the new cases is set at $75,000.

VACCINATIONS: Three Sunday clinics ahead in West Seattle

Received tonight from Pliable, the West Seattleite-owned mobile health-care service that’s been providing COVID vaccinations at Neighborhood House in High Point:

We wanted to let the West Seattle community know that Pliable is hosting family-friendly COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW) on the following dates:

Sunday, December 5th | 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Sunday, December 12th | 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Sunday, December 19th | 8:30 am-4:30 pm

J&J, Pfizer, Moderna — including boosters — are available for those that are eligible. Pediatric Pfizer (1st or 2nd doses) for ages 5+ to under 12 are also available.

ALL Walk-ups are welcome! If they would like to register for the clinic, here is the link.

UPDATE: Power outage in West Seattle – almost 10,000 customers out initially

5:50 PM: Seaview and Morgan Junction are reporting power’s out – and there was a much-more-widespread flicker, too – hit us in Upper Fauntleroy. Stand by for more. And sorry if you’re having trouble with our site, everybody subsequently hit us at once…

5:55 PM: Seattle City Light map hasn’t updated yet. But this appears to be widespread – we’ve heard from folks all the way up to Alki, too. There’s a wires-down call in the 5400 block of 37th SW, so that might be related.

6:02 PM: City Light map hasn’t updated yet but a reader says the phone recording cites 4,300 customers out.

6:08 PM: City Light has finally tweeted – almost 10,000 customers (homes/businesses).

6:13 PM: The map’s finally updated too – mostly western West Seattle. No word yet on the cause – we’ll go have a look at the 37th SW scene soon as we can.

6:37 PM: We’re en route, but in the meantime, nearby resident @kevinfreitas tweeted this photo:

Kevin says firefighters at the scene told him “they don’t know why but high-voltage line snapped (that wire dangling there at corner of 36th/Findlay). No vehicle accident or anything.”

6:43 PM: SFD is gone now but SCL crews are at work.

6:52 PM: SCL’s official explanation via Twitter: “The outage was caused by equipment failure on a utility pole that caused a high voltage wire to break. Crews are on-site assessing the situation, with more on the way to make repairs.” (We of course will be following up for further details tomorrow, but for now that’s the topline.)

6:59 PM: We’re getting word that some power has been restored. You? (Update) Looks like about half the outage has been resolved – just under 5,000 homes/businesses still out. Here’s the current map of who’s still out:

7:08 PM: We’ve confirmed that the Morgan Junction business district is one of the areas where power is back on.

7:25 PM: Our photographer was in the Alki area when lights started coming back on, so looks like more restoration. (Update) Down to 476 out, per SCL map. Here’s who’s still out:

8:55 PM: No restoration for that last group yet, but SCL is working on it.

12:47 AM: The last of the outage is off the map, after seven hours.

TRAFFIC ALERT: West Marginal Way crosswalk painting early Friday

Traffic alert just in from SDOT:

SDOT crews will be marking the crosswalk across West Marginal Way tomorrow morning (Friday, December 3) in preparation for the new signal at the Duwamish Longhouse. Crews will focus on completing the southbound lanes first with hopes of being done with the southbound lanes by 5 a.m. (when the low bridge restrictions go into effect). Crews will then move on to the northbound lanes, which typically have lower traffic volumes in the morning peak period. We will always maintain at least one of lane of traffic open in each direction.

Seattle City Light will still need to hook up power to the signal for it to be turned on.

As we reported last week, that’s expected within days.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Robberies, mail theft, warrant arrest

Three reports spanning four incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch:

RELATED ROBBERIES: Police are investigating two related robberies early Wednesday. First, around 3 am, a man was having car trouble in the 9400 block of 30th SW when he was robbed. According to the SPD summary:

The victim saw a white vehicle drive slowly past him and make a U turn. The victim thought the inhabitants were going to assist him with his vehicle. Instead, the two suspects in the white vehicle exited and went to their car trunk. The suspects pulled out two handguns and pointed the firearms at the victim making threats. The suspects demanded the victim’s wallet, keys, and cellphone. The suspects demanded the victim’s cell phone PIN. The victim complied with all the suspects’ demands, and the suspects left on SW Roxbury St. Officers recovered a rifle round on the ground at the scene, so the suspects possibly have a rifle inside their vehicle.

Half an hour later, the robbery victim’s roommate got texts from the stolen cell phone saying, the report says, “he needed to be picked up because his vehicle isn’t working.” He parked in the 3400 block of SW Graham St when, the report continues, two people – possibly the same as the ones who’d robbed his roommate – pulled up in a white vehicle and pointed handguns at him, demanding his cellphone, wallet, and keys. He handed over the first two items but not the keys – and then ran. The robbers chased him for a bit, then gave up. But, the report says, “While the victim was trying to call 911, the suspects poured an unknown white powder inside his vehicle. Seattle Fire responded to check the unknown substance.” The report doesn’t say what it turned out to be, nor does it describe the robbers.

MAIL THEFT: Thanks to Matthew on Puget Ridge for the tip on this, after a neighborhood-group post reporting a letter carrier had been robbed. We talked today with a U.S. Postal Inspection Service spokesperson, who said the incident earlier this week was not a robbery – no force was used – but did confirm that some mail was stolen from a carrier’s truck. She said the USPS would be notifying the customers whose mail was taken,

WARRANT SUSPECT ARRESTED: Back to SPD summaries – just before midnight last night, an officer made a traffic stop in the 4100 block of SW Edmunds; the report says the officer “recognized the front seat passenger as a felony (state Corrections Department) warrant suspect and officers placed him under arrest.” The car’s driver, meantime, told police he had a gun in the back seat: “Officers could not determine ownership of the gun as the driver had no paperwork and the gun returned ‘no record.’ It was placed into evidence.” The passenger, wanted in an assault case, was booked into jail,

PHOTOS: Orcas off West Seattle again

12:23 PM: It’s a little murky out there but if you’re up for some whale-watching, Kersti Muul tells us orcas are headed back this way, northbound off the southernmost shore of West Seattle – let us know if you see them!

(Added: Photo by Monica Zaborac)

12:30 PM: We’ve also heard from Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail, who says these are Southern Residents from all three pods. (Update: J and K, she says,)

1:16 PM: Now off Lincoln Park per multiple reports (thanks!).

(Added: Photo by David Hutchinson)

2:13 PM: From Donna: “They are clearly visible from Alki looking west. Leaders are rounding the point northbound and NOAA boat is with them.”

(Added: Photo by Rick Rasmussen)

VIDEO: Meet the newly renamed Dub Sea Fish Sticks, White Center’s summer collegiate-baseball team

We’re just back from the Edgewater Hotel on the downtown waterfront, where the owner of the former Highline Bears summer collegiate baseball team (a WSB sponsor) chose a maritime setting for the ceremonial reveal of the team’s new name: Dub Sea Fish Sticks. Back in October, we reported that the team had narrowed a field of 200+ suggestions down to two finalists. 5,400+ votes later, Dub Sea Fish Sticks emerged victorious (not surprising, given the reaction to the other finalist, Dub Sea Seal Slingers). Here’s our video of the announcement event hosted by team owner Justin Moser:

The slicker-clad fisherman is just a temporary mascot, Moser says – there’ll be a naming contest soon for the permanent mascot, too.

But the new nickname for the team’s home field, Mel Olson Stadium at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, will, well, stick.

And Moser promised fish sticks will be offered at the concession stand.

The team usually plays home and away games June, July, and early August, but missed the past two summers because of the pandemic. Opening day for next summer is set for June 4th. If you want to be notified when tickets go on sale, join the list at the team’s new website, GoFishSticks.com.

SIDE NOTE: This isn’t just about sports – the team says it’s helped local groups and nonprofits raise $10,000 over the past five years, and the players are required to do volunteer work every week during the season.

Ten for your West Seattle Thursday

December 2, 2021 10:03 am
|    Comments Off on Ten for your West Seattle Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Jerry Simmons)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox, here’s what’s happening today/tonight:

KIWANIS ONLINE AUCTION: You can help the service club continue its work with local kids by bidding on items including local gift cards. Browse and bid by going here – the auction ends Saturday,

FESTIVAL OF TREES: Visit the Brookdale Admiral Heights (2326 California SW) lobby 8 am-8 pm daily to see the donated, decorated trees.

GOVERNOR’S BRIEFING: Want to hear pandemic updates from Gov. Inslee? His next media briefing is at 2:30 pm – the livestream will be here.

HANUKKAH: This is the fifth of eight nights, with West Seattle community celebrations planned Sunday.

DESIGN REVIEW: The 5-story mixed-use proposal for 9218 18th SW goes to the Southwest Design Review Board for a third and possibly final time at 5 pm. Our preview includes the design proposal and links for attending/commenting.

LIVE MUSIC: Blues Night at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 6-9 pm.

TAE KWON DO: Tonight in West Seattle, as announced:

The West Seattle Tae Kwon Do Club has started up its in-person classes again at High Point Community Center. Adults (18 and older) can sign up to learn Tae Kwon Do, a Korean martial art known for its fast sparring techniques, dynamic forms, and strong kicks. Classes cost only $40/month and meet Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00-7:30 pm. The first class for December is on Thursday, December 2 from 6:00-7:30pm. We will be wearing face masks and will be appropriately distanced for safety. New students can join at any time and beginners are definitely welcome! Check out our website at westseattle.choitkd.org, email westseattletkd@gmail.com for questions, or call 206-684-7422 for registration information.

NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: If you’re in White Center or elsewhere south of the city limits, your community council meets at 7 tonight, online. Our preview on partner site White Center Now has info for attending, by video or phone.

‘WE’VE BATTLED MONSTERS BEFORE’: Second week for the ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) musical, 7:30 pm. Tickets are available online. (4711 California SW)

BATTLESTAR KALAKALA: Get in the groove with this month’s show at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 9 pm.

FRIDAY NIGHT: West Seattle beach walk

December 2, 2021 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on FRIDAY NIGHT: West Seattle beach walk
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Just got word of this – the Seattle Aquarium‘s beach-naturalist program will return to West Seattle tomorrow (Friday, December 3rd) for a nighttime beach walk. This time of year, the low-low tides are at night, and it’ll be a minus-three-foot tide tomorrow night. The beach walk is at Constellation Park (look for the canopy at 63rd/Beach Drive) south of Alki Point, 8-10 pm, free, no registration required. Family-friendly, the aquarium tells us. More info here.

TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Thursday watch

December 2, 2021 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Thursday watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM Good morning!

WEATHER

Cloudy, breezy, cooler .

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of trip cancellations.

Ferries and Water Taxi: WSF is still running a two-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run. Check here for alerts/updates. The Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

619th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are views of other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)

The 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

South Park Bridge:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Are movable bridges opening for vessels? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed can tell you; 1st Ave. South Bridge openings are also tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.

See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page.

Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

KENYON HALL: The shows must go on

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Seven months after its longtime manager’s untimely death, Kenyon Hall is coming back to life.

Lou Magor‘s sudden passing in April came one year into a time that already was uncertain and unnerving for everyone involved in the arts. And then, while mourning its charismatic frontman, Kenyon Hall’s fans found themselves wondering about the future of the historic venue.

But now, Kenyon Hall is hosting shows again – from recorded, streamed performances like last weekend’s concert by Casey MacGill, to Twelfth Night Productions‘ upcoming in-person holiday play, opening soon. The board of its parent nonprofit Seattle Artists has “stepped in to actively do work that needs to be done,” explained longtime board member Connie Corrick, in a conversation with us at the hall (7904 35th SW).

Read More

WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Shining in Sunrise Heights

For our second night of this year’s Christmas-lights spotlights, we go to Sunrise Heights, Janel emailed us to let us know about the display put up by her 83-year-old father-in-law Hans Loos. “The effort and passion he has for decorating his house, is unmatched,” she says – from the fence to the roof to the yard.

This is at 7942 32nd SW [map]. “He does everything completely on his own. Including the roof! He wants the community to thoroughly enjoy the lights and even parks on the opposite side of the street, so he doesn’t block the view.”

If you have, or see, lights that you want to share with the community, email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com, with or without photos – thank you! Every place we feature will be listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide, and you can also browse the archives (past years, too) here.

CAN YOU HELP? Amélie’s looking for her misdelivered package from mom, thousands of miles away

Did you get a package in a box like that, delivered to the wrong address? Amélie is hoping someone did, and that it can still make its way to her:

Last week (Monday 22nd), a 15 lbs package from France was delivered to the wrong person (I didn’t sign for it), at the wrong address (I just know that it was delivered at the 98126 postcode but I live in the 98146 area). My mum saved for a year to be able to send me a package this year and it is the only way I have to connect with my family since Covid…

She says she’s already tried talking to USPS management but was just told, “There was an error in the system,” and that they can’t do anything to help. So she’s casting a wide net in hopes of reaching someone who has, or knows what happened to, her package. If that’s you, email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com and we’ll connect you.

DELRIDGE GROCERY: You get the treats, they get the fridge

Delridge Grocery Cooperative has a deal for you – help them get a new fridge, by buying this year’s holiday basket! Here are the details:

Bring home the flavors of Washington state this holiday season with the Delridge Grocery Co-op’s second annual holiday collection of sweet and savory treats.

In addition to bringing you a specially curated selection of Pacific Northwest delights, the DGC 2021 Holiday Gift Basket is also a fundraiser — helping our growing neighborhood Co-op afford the purchase of an additional refrigeration unit.

We currently have a single, small older refrigerator that chills our locally sourced cheeses, eggs, milk, hummus, krauts, and kombucha, but its size definitely limits the amount and variety of perishable products we can carry. Adding a second, more modern refrigerator will allow us to expand our offerings and better serve our customers as we look to expand the days and hours that we’re open in the coming months.

Great for treating yourself or sharing with friends, neighbors, work colleagues, and loved ones, the DGC 2021 Holiday Gift Basket includes:

Salted Caramel Espresso Bark (Joe Chocolate Co.)
Madrona Smoked Salt (San Juan Sea Salt)
Loose Leaf Herbal Tea + Infuser (Beach House Teas)
Honey Thyme Mustard (Mustard & Co.)
Pickled Spicy Green Beans. (Seattle Pickle Co.)
Apple Cider Vinegar (Apple State Vinegar)
Raw Honeycomb (Georgetown Pantry Supply)

The DGC 2021 Holiday Gift Basket is priced at $65 for both pickup and free delivery to addresses on our West Seattle peninsula. Baskets will be available for pickup starting Friday, December 17 at the Delridge Grocery Co-op retail store – we’ll be open from 3–7. Pickups can also be made on Saturday, December 18 (9:30 am–1:30 pm) and Sunday, December 19 (11–3). Deliveries will be made on that Friday and Saturday.

Go here to order.

DEVELOPMENT: See the 9218 18th SW design that’ll be reviewed tomorrow night

(Rendering by Caron Architecture)

The South Delridge mixed-use proposal for 9218 18th SW [map] goes back to the Southwest Design Review Board tomorrow (Thursday, December 2nd) for the third and potentially final time. The design packet for the meeting finally became available today for previewing – see it here or below:

The 5-story building is proposed for 48 residential units with 28 offstreet-parking spaces and 4,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. Here’s our coverage of the most-recent review back in April. Tomorrow’s online meeting is at 5 pm, open to public viewing and commenting; the links for that are here.

West Seattle Liquor and Wine: Welcome, new WSB sponsor

Today we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor, West Seattle Liquor and Wine (4714 42nd SW). New sponsors get an opportunity to tell you about what they do, so here’s what WSLW wants you to know:

Using the adjective “premier” only begins to describe the recently re-opened West Seattle Liquor and Wine store on the outer west side of Jefferson Square on 42nd Ave SW. This is not your average liquor store – the slogan is Unique and Uncommonly Found Wine and Spirits.

West Seattle Liquor and Wine’s inventory includes unusual and rare spirits. “We have things you won’t find anywhere else in West Seattle: bourbons, scotches, tequila,” store manager Dolly Amend says, “including all the local Seattle area bourbons.” Continuing, Dolly says, “Our goal, which I believe we have achieved, is to have the best selection of scotch, bourbons, gins, liqueurs, tequilas, and vodkas anywhere in the state.”

(Davey, Sheryl, and Dolly @ West Seattle Liquor and Wine)

Furthermore: “The store’s scotch section is absolutely the best in the city, if not the state,” says Dolly. “You might never have found our single malts, for example, in Seattle before, such as Laddie Classic, Ledaig, Tobermory, to name a few.”

West Seattle Liquor and Wine also offers an extensive tequila section, which aficionados call “fantastic mezcals,” and a selection of liqueurs from all over the world: Italian Amari, pastis from France, Cynar, every possible fruit liqueur. And dozens of made-in-Washington labels are in stock.

The store does not skimp on their wine selections. The store offers a broad selection of wines from around the world. Unique selections not found in any grocery stores.

Its merchandise also includes martini shakers, and just about every tool and ingredient for making cocktails – including tipsy cherries, cocktail onions, many bitters, even a special salt to rim your Margaritas. The list of complementary merchandise includes ginger beer, soda, tonics, and many different vermouths.

Visit the store during its TASTING TIME, which is held each Friday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and Saturday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The store’s tasting selections include varieties of bourbons, whiskey, rums, gins, vodka, tequila, liqueurs, and more.

“Grocery stores wouldn’t have room to carry the 3,000-plus brands and sizes of liquor we have now,” Dolly says, also pointing out that West Seattle Liquor and Wine has a “huge and wonderful selection of wine.”

West Seattle Liquor and Wine is located on 42nd just south of Alaska in The Junction, open 10 am-7 pm Mondays-Saturdays, 11 am-6 pm Sundays. You’ll also find the store at its website, WSLW-LLC.com (under construction), on Facebook and on Google. By phone: 206-923-5472.

We thank West Seattle Liquor and Wine 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.

FOLLOWUP: Alki Beach’s new restroom building finally opens

A short time ago, Seattle Parks workers took down the fence and finally opened the long-complete comfort-station replacement at 57th SW and Alki Avenue SW. We’ve been trying for two weeks to get a status update and were most recently told last night by Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin that this was the latest hangup: “We are working on new technology for automatic locking doors to better address onslaught of vandalism currently occurring at restrooms throughout the city’s park system.” Then this morning she sent word that the restroom building (aka comfort station) would open this morning. This comes three months after Parks had told us the new building was “very close to opening,” Before that, there was an estimated opening date in late July, as they awaited structural-steel materials. Construction of the $638,000 three-stall comfort station began in late January, which in turn was about a year behind the original (pre-pandemic) schedule. This building replaced an old two-stall brick building that had accessibility challenges.

District 1 Community Network, ferry terminal advisory group, donation drive, more for your West Seattle Wednesday

(Photographed by Rosalie Miller at Schmitz Park, a “species of mature slime mold called Comatricha”)

Here’s what’s up for the hours ahead – from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar:

KIWANIS ONLINE AUCTION: You can help the service club continue its work with local kids by bidding on items including local gift cards. Browse and bid by going here.

FESTIVAL OF TREES: Visit the Brookdale Admiral Heights (2326 California SW) lobby 8 am-8 pm daily to see the donated, decorated trees.

WSHS WINTER CARE-PACKAGE DONATION DRIVE: Today, 3-5 pm outside West Seattle High School‘s north entrance (3000 California SW) is your second opportunity to drop off donated items for this student-led, student-benefiting drive.

FAUNTLEROY FERRY TERMINAL COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP: 6 pm online, it’s the next meeting of this advisory group convened as Washington State Ferries plans our area’s next (post-bridge) big transportation project, replacement of the Fauntleroy ferry dock/terminal. Go here for the link to register. See the agenda here.

DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: 7 pm online, this coalition of West Seattle and South Park community advocates has its monthly meeting. Topics include disaster preparedness, the Street Sinks program, and a presentation by the South Delridge Salvation Army center. Here’s how to attend:

Zoom information – Meeting link is
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85042114712?pwd=QytHcnNTZmRYZXBzSStxNldnaGFOdz09
Meeting ID: 850 4211 4712
Passcode: 165919 (only needed if you manually enter the meeting number)

Call-in-only info:
Phone number: 253-215-8782
Meeting ID: 850 4211 4712
Passcode: 165919

OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups, 8:30 pm performances at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).

Something for our calendar/Holiday Guide? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

ORCAS: Whales off West Seattle

8:08 AM: Orcas are southbound in the Fauntleroy ferry lanes, per Kersti Muul.

10 AM: Kersti’s latest update in a comment below is that they appear to be headed back northbound – so that should put them in view from here again if they continue this way.

TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Wednesday watch

6:05 AM Good morning and welcome to December!

WEATHER

Mostly cloudy, with rain possible, and temps in the mid-to-upper 50s likely.

ROAD WORK

20th/RoxburyWork continues on the SW side of the intersection.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of trip cancellations.

Ferries and Water Taxi: WSF is still running a two-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run. Check here for alerts/updates. The Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

618th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are views of other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)

The 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

South Park Bridge:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Are movable bridges opening for vessels? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed can tell you; 1st Ave. South Bridge openings are also tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.

See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page.

Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.