1:09 PM: Power’s out for what appears to be a wide stretch – signals out along California as we drove north.

1:20 PM UPDATE: 10,000 customers (mostly) from the Junction north. No word yet on the cause.

1:35 PM: This hit just as we were heading out on an interview – the signal lights started going out all along California, from The Junction northward. Have made our way back now. Remember that any non-functioning signalized intersection is a four-way stop. Also note that if you’re hearing sirens – when the power goes out, some automatic fire alarms are triggered, and some elevators get stuck, and Seattle Fire crews have to respond to all of that.

1:47 PM: Note that schools and businesses are part of this sizable outage zone. … As you can see on the SCL map, the outage zone stretches some blocks south of The Junction in spots.

2:05 PM: This happened amid strong north winds, though we don’t have official word of a cause. As a result of the wind, the West Seattle Water Taxi‘s pm sailings have just been canceled.

2:09 PM: As noted in comments, a tree limb falling in North Admiral appears to be the problem.

2:19 PM: SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang confirms that’s the cause and tells WSB, “Crews are starting to work on the problem and we’ll start restoring customers as soon as we can.”

(Reader photo, from comments)

2:29 PM: We just talked to SCL crew at the scene. They say the fallen tree limb has been removed and now they’re doing some final work before determining how soon it’ll be safe to “re-energize.”

2:39 PM: Commenters are reporting getting power back, and the map shows more than half the originally affected 10,000+ customers (homes/businesses/schools etc. each count as one customer) are back on after an hour and a half.

3:09 PM: Now down to 2,637 customers still out.

4:20 PM: No change.

4:34 PM: Going back through The Junction, it appears the businesses on the west side of California are still without power, while those on the east side have it.

5:33 PM: Heading back south – west side of Junction still out. That includes ballot drop box area – no streetlights or lot lights – lots of foot and vehicle traffic – be careful!

5:40 PM: Power just returned to the west side of The Junction. … Map shows 108 still out.

8:58 PM: More than three hours later, that pocket of 108, mostly wrapped around the southwest corner of Camp Long, is still out.

1:08 AM: Down to 58 now, and attributed to “equipment failure” for this pocket:

2:52 AM: The map now shows everyone restored since our last check.

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BIZNOTE: New ownership for Fitness Together West Seattle

November 8, 2022 11:45 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB photo: FTWS founder Bonnie Katz Sailors and new owner Bryan Habas)

Another successful West Seattle Junction business has just changed ownership.

But that’s the only thing changing about Fitness Together West Seattle (4546 California SW; WSB sponsor), say founder Bonnie Katz Sailors and new owner Bryan Habas.

Bonnie founded the personal-training fitness studio 16 years ago. “It’s been amazing, crazy, wonderful,” she told us during a chat in the studio. She even met her husband Duncan Sailors through FT – after hiring him as her second employee. And Fitness Together West Seattle not only survived the pandemic, but thrived – Bonnie says the past two years have been her best two years, “so we’re ending on a high note.”

Fitness Together started offering online training during the height of the pandemic, but even once in-person training resumed, one other crisis proved something of a boon: The West Seattle Bridge closure increased interest in fitness options close to home. And this family-owned business was ready to respond. Now, Bonnie’s ready for her next chapter, and that’s where Bryan comes in.

He is a U.S. Air Force veteran, still active in the Air National Guard, as well as an experienced management consultant with 15 years in the corporate world. But about a year and a half ago, he started looking for his own business to run. He found this one specializing in “something I love – fitness. … I fell in love with the idea of helping people.” After meeting Bonnie, he was impressed by Fitness Together West Seattle’s “great trainers, and great community.” Those trainers are all staying, Bonnie adds. The studio overall will continue “as similar as possible” to the way it’s been operating, Bryan says – “what Bonnie has built is so special.”

What’s next for her? She plans to concentrate full time on her art, examples of which are hanging in the studio – painting and photography.

And Bryan is now the leader of Fitness Together’s one-on-one training team. They’re always accepting new clients, and the studio is open six days a week (weekday evenings too). The model works, Bonnie says, because “everyone needs a coach!”

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WEST SEATTLE THANKSGIVING: Hall at Fauntleroy’s full plan for free community dinner’s comeback, and how to help

November 8, 2022 10:30 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Fauntleroy | Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2019’s Thanksgiving dinner at The Hall at Fauntleroy)

We mentioned a week and a half ago that The Hall at Fauntleroy plans to resume its full free sit-down community Thanksgiving dinner, but details were pending. Today we have the full plan for this year’s return of the 20+-year tradition, from Reed Haggerty of The Hall’s parent DSquared Hospitality:

We are back for 2022 with a full FREE meal from 12 pm-3 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy!

This event is meant for anyone who would like to attend, and everyone is welcome!

We are also asking for WARM clothes donations (NEW socks, NEW blankets, winter jackets, etc.) as well as dessert donations – mmmm pumpkin pie!

Our goal is to “Fill the van” (we would like to overflow one of our catering vans with warm clothes … It has been so cold already this year!)

In addition to donations, we are looking for volunteers to assist with setup, service, and cleanup on the day of. Please see the sign up link here.

If you know someone who would like to donate, they can bring clothing donations or dessert donations to our warehouse in SODO starting Monday 11/21-Wednesday 11/23. Our business hours are 9-5.

If the trek down to SODO is too much, we will be taking donations the day of Thanksgiving starting at 9 am at The Hall.

The Hall at Fauntleroy is at the south end of the historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 9131 California SW.

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Final day to vote, and more for your West Seattle Tuesday

November 8, 2022 9:22 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

We start the list for today/tonight with one last election reminder:

VOTE BY TONIGHT! This is Election Day, which means the voting ends and the vote-counting starts. As we’ve been reminding you, there are two ways to return your ballot: King County Elections drop box (West Seattle has three), by 8 pm tonight; USPS mail, ASAP so you can be sure it gets today’s postmarked. Only 42 percent of ballots from West Seattle/South Park had been received by last night. Our previews include an overview of what you’re deciding. First vote-count is due by 8:15 pm and we’ll show the results here.

(ADDED 9:40 AM: We’ve had reports the Junction and High Point ballot boxes needed emptying. KC Elections says their teams are “on the way” if not there already. If you happen onto a drop-box problem, report it ASAP to 206-296-VOTE.)

Here’s what else is up for today/tonight:

CITY BUDGET HEARING: As previewed last night, starting at 9:30 am online and in-person, city councilmembers have a public hearing about what should (and shouldn’t) be in the two-year budget plan they’ll be finalizing this month.

POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: A local way to take national action – participating in the 10:30 am drop-in weekly gathering at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Today, they’ll celebrate the work they did for the midterm election, and look ahead.

CHESS CLUB: Play chess at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 1:30 pm. Beginners welcome!

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Longstanding weekly 4:30-6 pm sign-waving demonstration continues at 16th/Holden. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

WESTSIDE SCHOOL INFORMATION NIGHT: 6 pm, prospective preschool-4th grade families are invited to come learn about Westside School (10404 34th SW; WSB sponsor). Our calendar listing includes the preregistration link.

CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL: 6 pm, online meeting to hear updates, and ask questions, about the tiny-house encampment in southeast West Seattle. Connection/call-in information is in our calendar listing.

SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).

BOOK SIGNING/TALK: Gerald Elias talks about and signs his new Western mystery “Roundtree Days,” 6:30-8 pm at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

STAR WARS MINIATURES NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) hosts this weekly 7 pm event.

TRIVIA X 3: Three of the venues where you can play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).

BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!

You can always see more, and preview future events, via our event calendar – if you have something to add, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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ORCAS: Heading our way again

November 8, 2022 8:20 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Whales

For a second day, orcas are reported in central Puget Sound. Kersti Muul says they’re reported southbound. off West Point (north side of Elliott Bay).

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Tuesday begins

November 8, 2022 6:00 am

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Tuesday begins

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Tuesday, November 8th.

WEATHER

Mostly sunny and breezy – high around 40.

ROAD WORK

-West Seattle Bridge lane closures the next three nights. Tonight, “11 pm Tuesday – 5 am Wednesday, right-hand lane and off-ramp to Harbor Island closed for westbound travelers on the Spokane St Viaduct approaching the West Seattle bridge.”

-The east end of Sylvan Way just west of the Home Depot entrance remains closed for drainaage work.

TRANSIT STATUS

–Metro buses are on their regular schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.

-The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its fall/winter schedule (still daily, all dayparts, but no late Friday/Saturday runs). No service this Friday for Veterans Day.

-Still a 2-boat schedule for WSF’s Triangle Route (check here for alerts/updates).

SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS

High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (if SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).

Low Bridge: Or nearby, depending on where SDOT points the camera.

1st Ave. S. Bridge: The alternate route.

Highway 99: Here’s the northbound side at Lander.

All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

If you see trouble on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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