West Seattle, Washington
10 Saturday
Metro‘s not only down buses – now it’s down another boat – Water Taxi service has lost a boat to propeller damage, again. The M/V Doc Maynard, recently repaired after damage last month, is out of service again, which led to one round-trip cancellation on each WT route this evening, and will bring more cuts tomorrow, as just announced:
The following trips from Downtown Seattle to West Seattle are canceled: in the morning – the 6:30 a.m., 7:05 a.m. – and in the evening, the 5:25 p.m. and 6:05 p.m.
The following trips from West Seattle to Downtown Seattle are canceled: in the morning 6:50 a.m. and 7:25 a.m., and in the evening 5:45 p.m. and 6:25 p.m.
Other scheduled trips will operate using one vessel serving both the West Seattle and Vashon routes. Visit our online schedules for the full West Seattle route sailing schedule. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.
Metro spokesperson Elaine Porterfield tells us M/V Sally Fox is still in a shipyard – after the first round of propeller damage to it and Doc Maynard – and unavailable, so that’s why they are handling both routes with one boat,
Another longrunning holiday display in West Seattle is back! Thanks to Don Rice for sending the photo to let us know his “Peanuts” display is up again this year at 2128 47th SW [map]. This display with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, and other characters from the classic “Peanuts” cartoons by Charles Schulz has been delighting visitors for 45+ years.
See the lights we’ve shown so far by scrolling through this WSB archive – and if you have a suggestion, with or without photo(s), please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The announcement is from Seattle Parks:
Many Seattle Parks and Recreation facilities and programs will be closed Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022 due to a Recreation Division in-service day.
These facilities and services are CLOSED:
All recreation programs
Community centers and teen life centers
Environmental learning centers
Indoor swimming pools
Green Lake Small Craft Center
Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing CenterThese facilities are OPEN on regular schedules:
Parks
Amy Yee Tennis Center
Seattle Japanese Garden and Volunteer Park Conservatory
Boat ramps
Golf courses and ranges
3:13 PM: Police are arriving at Bartell Drugs in Jefferson Square to investigate a reported robbery. According to what dispatch has told officers so far, the robber gave a clerk a note demanding cash and saying he had a gun, though none was seen, and got away with “cash from the pharmacy drawer.” The description so far is (updated) white, male, 5’7″, medium build, dark jacket over hoodie (“several layers on”), “knit cap with some yellow,” light pants. They’re not sure if he got away on foot or in a vehicle.
3:36 PM: Viewing security-camera images, police have also told dispatch the robber was wearing a mask and “blue plastic gloves.”
3:44 PM: Now police are headed to Rite-Aid at Westwood Village after a report of a similar holdup there, also with a robber handing a clerk a note claiming to have a gun. So far this robber is described as an “unknown-race male” in a blue mask, black sunglasses, black hoodie. Possible getaway vehicle: A black Subaru.
3:47 PM: Possible suspect is now being chased on foot a few blocks away. (added) They have one person in custody.
4:20 PM: Whether they have probable cause to arrest the person is still being determined. (We’ll be following up.)
4:38 PM: The associated vehicle – which “checked clear” (as in, not stolen), is being impounded.
ADDED THURSDAY AFTERNOON: We’ve finally confirmed that the person who was detained was not arrested, as witnesses from the robberies could not identify him, and there was no other evidence to establish probable cause at the time. (There are cases in which charges might be filed later as a result of further investigation.)
(January 1, 2019 photo by Robert Spears)
With a clear view from across the bay, the Space Needle‘s New Year’s Eve fireworks show is practically local for us, so here’s what was just announced: For one, if you’d rather be there in person than watching from here (or on a screen), they’re again going to allow a crowd to gather for viewing from beneath the Needle at Seattle Center. Second, they’re adding a drone light show this year. It’ll be produced by Sky Elements of Fort Worth, Texas. Here’s how the Space Needle’s announcement describes the plan:
The captivating formations — designed to integrate with the fireworks and light displays being launched and projected off of the Space Needle — will fly between 200 and 600 feet above ground, directly north of the tower. The coordinated drone effects will be best seen from the Seattle Center campus grounds. This won’t be the firm’s first show in the Emerald City; Sky Elements’ drones performed at T-Mobile Park following a Seattle Mariners game on July 22, 2022.
Before the midnight fireworks and drone light show, the Needle will stage “two musically-choreographed light shows” at 10 pm and 11 pm, produced by Illuminate Production Services; the 11 minutes of fireworks are by Pyro Spectaculars by Souza.
Three holiday biznotes:
BOUTIQUE CRAWL: Thanks to Alisa for the tip. Tomorrow night (Thursday, December 15), seven West Seattle Junction shops open their doors for a “boutique crawl,” 5-8 pm – see them listed here.
CHRISTMAS LIGHT RUN: West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) coordinates many group runs every year, but none as festive as the Christmas Light Run, a casual fun run from the shop on a route where you’ll see lights. The run leaves the shop (2743 California SW) this Saturday (December 17th) at 6 pm. Treats afterward. Bring a nonperishable-food donation if you can!
SPECIAL HOURS: From Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop (both at 6400 California SW, and both WSB sponsors):
Happy holidays from Thunder Road Guitars & The Bass Shop. We wanted to pop in and say thank you for your support this year! We are here for your holiday shopping needs: Strings, cables, straps, pedals, picks and maybe even a guitar or two. We have extended hours leading up to Christmas Eve and then will be closed the last week of the year for a much needed break. Our holiday hours are below, stop by and see us between now and Christmas Eve.
Through December 18th (normal hours Tues – Sat 10 am – 6 pm, Sun 11 am – 5 pm)
Monday, December 19th open 10 am – 6 pm
Tuesday, Dec 20th – Friday Dec 23rd open 10 am – 6 pm
Dec 24th Christmas Eve Open 10 am – 1 pm
Dec 25 – Jan 2nd – Closed
Jan 3rd – Normal hours resume
Got holiday – or other – West Seattle business news? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Added image: Our inbox screen, filled with less than half-hour’s worth of Metro alerts since we published this story)
One week has passed since we first reported December 6th that Metro had taken 126 of its 1,500 buses out of service because of a steering “defect” discovered by drivers. (We reported the specific buses involved in this followup.) Metro was working with the manufacturer, New Flyer, to fix the defect. We asked Metro spokesperson Jeff Switzer how many have been returned to service so far: “We returned 3 affected New Flyer coaches to service using 3 new steering columns that were delivered by bus manufacturer New Flyer. We’re working closely with New Flyer on replacement parts and don’t yet have a timeline available.” In the meantime, trip cancellations, and in some cases temporary route suspensions, continue; the north West Seattle routes such as 56 and 57 have been particularly hard-hit. We asked Switzer why those routes and not some others with low ridership, for example, the 22. Here’s his explanation:
Routes 56 and 57 operate out of Central Base, where bus availability is temporarily limited; route 22 operates from South Base, which has more available buses. Routes 56 and 57 do have higher ridership than Route 22, but the majority of Route 56 and 57 riders have reasonable service alternatives. Route 56 riders are served by Route 50 and Route 128 connections to the C Line, or Route 775 to the West Seattle Water Taxi. Route 57 riders are served by Route 128 and the C Line, but there is a service gap in the Genesee Hill area south of SW Admiral Way and west of California Avenue Southwest. According to our ridership data, that route segment serves an average of 6-7 weekday riders. Route 22 is a lower ridership route, but also has limited service alternatives. The route provides unique connections to Chief Sealth High School and Southwest Community Center, and serves an equity priority community.
Metro says it’s currently operating 96 percent of its schedule, up from 90% shortly after the problem was disclosed.
From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar, here are notes for the rest of today/tonight:
DONATION DRIVES: Toys, warm clothing, food – all are needed to help people in our community, and some of the drives are in their final days – see the list in our Holiday Guide.
DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: 10:30 am-11 pm, get food at/from MOD Pizza‘s 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW location, and mention Genesee Hill Elementary or use the code in our calendar listing, so a percentage of proceeds will go to the GHE PTA.
FREE TALK FOR RUNNERS: 6 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW), come hear Lake Washington Physical Therapy-West Seattle talk about Resistance Training, and then join in a group run. (WSR and LWPTWS are WSB sponsors.)
LIVE AT LOCOL: Locöl (7902 35th SW) spotlights live music 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesdays, no cover, 21+, rotating artists.
(WSB photo)
FAUNTLEROY CHURCH FESTIVAL OF TREES: Second of three Wednesday nights when you can visit Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW) 7-8 pm to see a dozen creatively decorated trees! (Preview a few here.) Bring a nonperishable food donation if you can.
POETRY AND STORYTELLING SHOWCASE: PoetryBridge at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm.
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
TRIVIA x 5: At 7 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm; there’s 7:30 and 8:30 pm trivia at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska); trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia at Talarico’s (4718 California SW) with Phil T.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Have an event – one-time or recurring – to add to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
With four days until Hanukkah, one week until Winter Solstice, 11 days until Christmas, and 18 days until New Year’s, we’re still adding to our all-season-long WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (and updating it nightly to remove events that have passed so you’re not scrolling through outdated info). It’s where you’ll find events and info including holiday markets/bazaars, Santa photo ops, concerts, plays, other performances, tree lots, donation drives, and more. We’re also building lists of holiday services and “what’ll be open on the holiday,” so all of that information is appreciated. Best way to send something for the guide is westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, December 14th.
WEATHER
Partly sunny forecast today, high in the low 40s.
TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS
–Metro is still down buses for repairs – they tell us three of the 126 have been repaired as of Tuesday afternoon (more info in a separate story later) – so keep a close watch on channels such as @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations and route suspensions.
-The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.
-So is WSF’s Triangle Route – check here for alerts/updates.
CLOSURE ALERT
10 pm Friday night to 5 am Saturday morning, the Highway 99 tunnel is scheduled to close.
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
New Delridge cameras: As reported Saturday, three have been added, four more are on the way. Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also up at Delridge/Oregon and Delridge/Orchard.
High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when 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 south 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 a problem on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
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