West Seattle, Washington
03 Friday
6:03 AM: Good morning. Back to work, back to school today – Monday, November 28th.
WEATHER
Today’s weather could have a bit of everything – sun, showers, snow, wind. High near 40.
TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS
-The West Seattle Water Taxi is running a reduced schedule with backup boat M/V Spirit of Kingston, because both regular boats are out for repairs – here’s the West Seattle route update.
-Still a 2-boat schedule for WSF’s Triangle Route – check here for alerts/updates. Note that Vashon Island is on one-slip operations until at least tomor
–Metro buses are on regular schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.
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 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.
If you wondered about the sizable police presence near Admiral Way/Lander, officers were in a standoff of sorts with a burglary suspect. According to the original dispatch, police were called by a real-estate agent who found an unauthorized person in the house. The suspect, described as a man in his 30s, was still there when officers arrived; they covered all the exits and started telling him to come out. He didn’t, and kept moving from room to room inside the house; eventually they went in and took him into custody. Officers subsequently told dispatch that he was asking for SFD medics but wouldn’t say why; they’re there now.
The Olympics are finally getting the kind of snowcap you expect to see by now – Ann Anderson took the photo (and calls your attention to the Surf Scoters on the water – a rarer sight than they used to be). The newest forecast still suggests we might see a bit of snow at times this week, but no one’s predicting anything major, so far, and we’re not yet under any weather alerts. The first possibility of a little snow could be early tomorrow morning, with a possible snow-rain mix. Snow or no snow, temperatures will be below normal, too, so be ready for a wintry week.
West Seattle High School Class of 1973, your 50th-anniversary reunion is set – and you have nine months to prepare. Here’s the announcement:
Save the date and share the news! The “Blue and Golden” 50th reunion for the West Seattle High School class of 1973 has been scheduled. Our luncheon reunion will be held at Salty’s on Alki on Saturday, August 26, 2023, 11:00 AM-3:00 PM. For full details, visit our class website at WSHS73.org.
With Christmas now four weeks away, it’s time to start spotlighting neighborhood Christmas lights. Thanks to Troy in Gatewood for sending the first photo we’ve received this year – from 41st/Portland. We appreciate your help in being on the lookout for lights – please send location tips and/or photos to westseattleblog@gmail.com, so we can feature lights nightly!
3:25 PM: Thanks for sending the tips and photo. A crew is working along the Lincoln Park beachfront trail, with signage warning that the problem involves “raw sewage.” We have inquiries out to try to find out what happened.
4:34 PM: Seattle Public Utilities spokesperson Sabrina Register tells WSB it’s a King Cpunty Wastewater Treatment issue – SPU “responded to the overflow earlier today and checked all of our assets in and around pump station 42, and crews did not find any issues. We are working with our County partners as they take over the response and regulatory reporting.” So now we’re checking with KCWTD.
6:30 PM: We talked briefly with KCWTD spokesperson Marie Fiore, who said the problem was with the Barton Pump Station (north of the ferry dock) but she was still awaiting more information on what exactly had happened.
10:08 PM: No additional major details but KCWTD just sent a statement:
King County Wastewater Treatment Division workers quickly responded to a combined sewer leak on Sunday afternoon. Seattle Public Utilities, who had initially responded to the issue, alerted county staff. The leak caused a combination of stormwater and wastewater to enter the beach at Lincoln Park, along a public trail.
A King County wastewater crew responding to the incident was able to locate the breach in the line and begin temporary repairs to stop the leak. Crews also began cleanup efforts and will post additional caution/closure signs.
King County reported the overflow to health and regulatory agencies and will begin water quality testing near Lincoln Park Beach and the Barton Pump Station. The beach is expected to be closed until several days of water testing confirm the water is safe.
Last holiday season, See’s Candies had a pop-up shop in West Seattle. That’s gone but if you’re interested in See’s for someone on your gift list – and/or yourself – here’s a student fundraiser:
Want to help support a great group of kids? The Chief Sealth International High School Mock Trial team is selling See’s Candies for their winter fundraiser.
You can order through this form and pick up at Chief Sealth or pay a small ($5) fee for contactless delivery within West Seattle: tinyurl.com/csmtsees
If you’re out of town or prefer to have your order shipped directly you can order here: tinyurl.com/csmtcandy22
Orders are due 11/30, and will be available for delivery and/or pickup by 12/10.
If chocolate isn’t your thing but you’d like to make a direct donation, you can do so here: tinyurl.com/csmtdonate
Thank you for supporting a great group of students!
Questions? Contact Rebecca Neil at RLNeil@seattleschools.org
If you want to preview what they’re selling – it’s all listed on this flyer.
11:04 AM: Back on Tuesday, Metro announced M/V Doc Maynard had gone out of service on the West Seattle Water Taxi route because of propeller damage. Now it’s happened to at least one other boat and that means “temporarily reduced” WT service for both West Seattle and Vashon. Here’s the update we received a short time ago:
Service on the King County Water Taxi West Seattle and Vashon routes will be temporarily reduced beginning Monday, Nov. 28, due to mechanical damage to our boats’ propellers caused by submerged debris in the water. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience. The repairs may take several days.
As soon as a shipyard has the availability to perform repairs, we will return to regular service. We will share schedule updates as the boats are repaired.
West Seattle service will be reduced by two runs in the morning and evening. Midday service will continue to operate to and from West Seattle. One run will operate in the morning and evening to and from Vashon.
We have a followup question out to ask which other boats are going into repairs and which will be left to run the reduced schedule.
12:45 PM: Metro says the damaged boats are the two main vessels – Doc Maynard and Sally Fox. The Spirit of Kingston is handling WT service right now and will continue while the other two get repaired.
6:19 PM: We’ve removed the previously displayed table sent by Metro; instead, here are their online updates listing what’s canceled:
–West Seattle
–Vashon Island
(Reader photo via email from MD)
9:34 AM: Thanks for all the tips/questions/photos of military helicopters that have made a few passes. These kind of helicopters don’t usually show on trackers but we’re checking around. So far we’ve reached somebody at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, who says it’s not theirs. … As for a Seahawks flyover, that game isn’t until 1 pm.
(Added: Reader photo from Gene Pavola)
Image search says the helicopters are Boeing AH-64 Apaches.
(Added: Reader video from Brandy DeWeese)
10:14 AM: Thanks to the commenter with the tip. The Boeing Field operations hotline confirmed to us it’s practice for a Seahawks flyover later and that they are Army helicopters but not from JBLM.
11:11 AM: None other than the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade just replied to us and tweeted directly that the helicopters ARE from JBLM – two BlackHawks and two Apaches – and were indeed practicing for the game flyover. “They flew up from (JBLM) this morning to work on their timing.” (If you follow the link to the tweet, you’ll see video of what it looked like from the field.) So again, that means you’ll likely see/hear them again before the 1 pm kickoff.
ADDED 2:35 PM: And indeed, they returned. Jessica got a closeup look south of Fairmount Park:
Lumen Field tweeted a photo of the view from there.
(SDOT ‘live’ camera image from California/Alaska)
Another two-part list for the conclusion of the four-day holiday weekend – first, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
NATIVE ART MARKET: Last day of the Native Art Market at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse (4705 W. Marginal Way SW). 10 am-5 pm today. (Here’s our Friday report.)
TOYS FOR TOTS: You can drop off unwrapped new toys at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s booth on the west side of the Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm.
SALES WRAP UP: Last day of sales at WSB sponsors Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop (6400 California SW), Emerald Water Anglers (4502 42nd SW), and Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska). Details (and TRG’s fun video) are in our preview.
ARTSWEST HOLIDAY SHOW: Today at 3 pm, it’s the first matinée for “Q Brothers Christmas Carol” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) – ticket info is in our calendar listing.
WEST SEATTLE YULETIDE: The lights-and-music show on 38th SW between Genesee and Dakota is back! 6:30-10 pm tonight
Next, from our year-round West Seattle Event Calendar:
CHURCHES WITH ONLINE SERVICES: We’re continuing to list these – see today’s list here.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market offers fall produce as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages, more. Here’s today’s vendor list. California SW between Oregon and Alaska.
FREE WRITE-IN: Bring your creative-writing project to the upstairs space at West Seattle Coworking (4452 California SW) 2-4 pm for dedicated time to focus on it, plus social support, as explained in our calendar listing.
SOLD-OUT SHOW AT EASY STREET: Pre-orders were the ticket to The Head and the Heart‘s 5 pm show at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), which says they’re maxed out. So just FYI, if you see a crowd there tonight, this is why.
NEED FOOD? White Center Community Dinner Church serves a free meal (take-away available) at 5 pm Sundays at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW).
COMMUNITY SOUND BATH: 7 pm at Jet City Labs (4546 California SW, upstairs) – details and ticket link in our calendar listing.
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 9 pm to 1:30 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
Have an event to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
11:09 PM: Just heard this dispatched and got a call about it too – one of the lights at 35th/Thistle is in the street. It’s a bus-stop light, according to the caller and the officer who just arrived on scene; it was still on after falling in the street. No collision reported – possibly the wind, as it’s kicked up a lot in the past few hours.
ADDED SUNDAY: As our photo from across the intersection shows, the fallen light is on the southbound side of 35th, just south of Thistle. It doubles as the bus-stop sign, so a temporary sign is up now.
The Community School of West Seattle is hosting another pop-up COVID vaccination clinic in two weeks, and you can make an appointment online right now if someone in your family is looking to get vaccinated or boosted. The clinic is set for 11 am-4 pm Saturday, December 10, at the school (9450 22nd SW). If you’re registering someone six months to 4 years old, use this link; for people 5 years old and up, use this link. They promise “all approved vaccines” at the event – free of charge, no insurance required.
(Photo courtesy West Seattle Yuletide)
In case you missed the mentions in today’s preview list and the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide: the music-synched light show West Seattle Yuletide is back! The Iverson family has relaunched the display, which like so many other things had been on pandemic hiatus since 2019. Their announcement continues:
We’re running shows on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings through December 23 and then every evening until January 1, 2023. Our shows will begin at 6:30 pm and run until about 10:00 PM. Olaf, our snowman, will appear beginning December 23 and weather permitting, he will be out every night.
Our show includes over 16,000 lights that dance to over 20 songs of the season. Our show is located in West Seattle, on 38th Ave SW between Genesee and Dakota. Just look for the flashing lights. Further information can be found at: westseattleyuletide.blogspot.com.
P.S. We’ll start showcasing neighborhood light displays tomorrow (Sunday) – photos/tips welcome at westseattleblog@gmail.com (we’ve already received a few) – thank you!
From Washington State Ferries, two problems on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth (aka “Triangle”) route – first, it’s down to one-boat service until after 9 pm tonight, as M/V Kitsap had to tie up because of a crew shortage. WSF says it’s solved the problem in time for Kitsap to resume service with a “late 9:15 p.m. from Fauntleroy to Vashon.” Also affecting the route right now, Vashon is down to one slip. WSF says slip #1 is the only one usable right now because of “an issue with the hanger bar in slip #2” and says this may last several days, as repairs “are tentatively scheduled for November 29.” You can check for status changes here.
That’s the newest Seattle Parks restroom building (aka “comfort station”) in West Seattle, and it’s also one that Parks plans to keep open through the winter. The department is wrapping up its fall/winter closure of most restroom buildings and drinking fountains, but published a citywide list of which outdoor-accessible restrooms it’s planning to keep open. Here’s the West Seattle list:
Alki Beach 63rd
Alki Beach 57th (shown above)
Alki Beach (Bathhouse)
Don Armeni Boat Ramp
Hiawatha
Lincoln Park (Beach)
Riverview Playfield
Seacrest Park
Parks currently has 129 restrooms around the city and says it’s hoping to have all in year-round use by the end of the next Park District funding cycle in 2028.
1:33 PM: Orcas have been headed north along the west side of Vashon Island, in Colvos Passage, and Kersti Muul just texted that they’ve emerged from the passage and are headed northeast, so they might be in view from West Seattle as you look across Puget Sound. Let us know if you see them!
2:10 PM: See comments for updates. It’s K Pod, according to both Kersti and Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail, who just texted that she’s out at Charles Richey Viewpoint (Constellation Park) and that the whales are in view with binoculars. “Bundle up!” she advises.
Via text: “My husband’s dump truck’s catalytic converter was stolen this morning by Highland Park Elementary School at around 5:30 am. Thief was driving a beat-up black hatchback car with a white piece of plastic covering the passenger side window. I did call the police.” (We’ll add the # when we get it.)
On this day of emphasis on “shopping small,” here’s one of your chances to buy from individual crafters/artists: Today’s holiday craft fair at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Among those participating are Karen Johnson, whose drawings explore “the biodiversity of our world … to serve as a reminder to us all that the world is full of many wonders, and we should use it wisely”:
Also there (L-R below) are Jim Dwight with woodwork and Thor Cutler with small stained-glass pieces:
C & P’s craft fair continues until 2 pm today.
This preview of what’s up today/tonight is again split into two lists – first one, events from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
CRAFT FAIR: 8 am-2 pm, local artists and crafters are at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) selling their creations.
NATIVE ART MARKET: The Native Art Market at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse (4705 W. Marginal Way SW) offers a multitude of chances to support Indigenous artists/crafters while buying unique gifts.
(WSB photo: Art by Tom Goodwin)
10 am-5 pm today and tomorrow. (Here’s our Friday report.)
YOUNGSTOWN HOLIDAY MARKET: 10 am-2 pm:
Youngstown Coffee is hosting a Holiday Market on Small Business Saturday (located in our community space next to our coffee shop) Come shop local BIPOC and LGBTQ creators and makers and find adorable specially made gifts. Additionally, a percentage of proceeds from Youngstown Coffee’s holiday drinks that day will be donated to Diversity Alliance of Puget Sound, which supports transgender and non-binary folks through advocacy and connection.
(6032 California SW)
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY: You’ve heard us say it many times – EVERY day should be Shop Small Business Day. But today’s the day in the holiday-shopping season that gets the extra promotional boost, so go show your favorite indie West Seattle businesses some extra love. The ones having sales that continue today include four WSB sponsors – Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop (6400 California SW), Emerald Water Anglers (4502 42nd SW), and Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska). Details (and TRG’s fun video) are in our preview. We’ve also heard from Brocante Beach House (2622 Alki SW), with special plans for today. (added) From My Three Little Birds: “We are having a big sale today for Small Biz Saturday to show our appreciation to the customers that supported us through the pandemic. There is also a gift with purchase while supplies last.”
CHRISTMAS SHIP: Tonight brings the second and third/final West Seattle stops for the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship
Tonight’s stops are Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor) at 5:35 pm, Alki Beach Park (60th/Alki) at 8:35 pm. The Dickens Carolers sing from the ship, you watch from shore! (Here’s our Friday report.)
WEST SEATTLE YULETIDE: The lights-and-music show on 38th SW between Genesee and Dakota is back! 6:30-10 pm tonight.
ARTSWEST HOLIDAY SHOW: Tonight at 7:30 pm, it’s the second night for “Q Brothers Christmas Carol” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) – ticket info is in our calendar listing.
CHRISTMAS TREES: All West Seattle tree options are now up and running. Our Holiday Guide has the list.
From here, it’s the non-holiday-related happenings, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in-person gathering in West Seattle, free but registration required; details in our calendar listing.
POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), indoors and outdoors, local activists are writing postcards to Georgia voters supporting the Democratic incumbent in the Georgia U.S. Senate runoff.
COMMUNITY CLEANUP BY THE BRIDGE: 11 am-1 pm, meet at the west end of the Park ‘n’ Ride under the bridge – details in our calendar listing,
FAMILY READING TIME: 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6940 California SW), with author Kerri Kokias.
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: Open to visitors noon-3 pm, as noted here. (2234 SW Orchard)
WINE TIME: The tasting room at Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) – selling wine by the glass or bottle – is open 1-6 pm. (5910 California SW)
WEST END GIRLS: The monthly drag extravaganza at The Skylark, doors at 7 pm, online tickets $13, at the door $15. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SATURDAY NIGHT LAUGHTER: 9 pm, comedy at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
Something to add? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Photo by Gene Pavola)
You’d have to call tonight’s colorful sunset something of a surprise. Less than an hour earlier, the all-day rain was still falling (two-thirds of an inch in the official Sea-Tac Airport gauge, according to the National Weather Service. Then suddenly – it stopped, and a gap appared between the clouds and the Olympics, soon allowing the sunset color through. Even if you had just a peek view, it was a sight to see:
(Photo by Laurel Taylor @ High Point Library)
(Photo by Eddie @ The Junction)
The forecast, meantime, suggests we might see some snow at some point next week. Almost every day starting Monday has a “chance” of snow, or rain/snow, in the prediction, and nighttime temperatures could get into the 20s (or colder), so any winterizing you’ve been delaying, now’s the time to get it done.
(WSB photos/video unless otherwise credited)
Whether seated on shoulders or resting against railings, Christmas Ship fans were bunched up along the Don Armeni Boat Ramp shore tonight for the first 2022 stop of the Argosy Cruises tradition. The ship – known the rest of the year as Spirit of Seattle – stopped off the West Seattle park to serenade the waiting crowd.
The Dickens Carolers were on board to sing 20 minutes of Christmas classics, bite-size, so they packed in plenty, starting, appropriately, with “I Saw Three Ships and moved on to other favorites including “Winter Wonderland” (above) and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”:
The Christmas Ship will be back in West Seattle twice more – both tomorrow night (Saturday, November 26), 5:35 pm by Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor), 8:35 pm at Alki Beach Park (when Seattle Parks will host the stop, with a bonfire if weather permits), both also featuring The Dickens Carolers.
(Photo by Brandy DeWeese)
Then the Christmas Ship is off to many other areas on Puget Sound and local lakes for a busy four-week season – you can see the schedule here (and book a ride on the Christmas Ship or one of its “follow boats”).
Thanks to Laurie for the tip and video. On the westbound West Seattle Bridge, at or just past the top of the high rise, there’s a multiple-vehicle collision blocking the outside lane. Not on SDOT’s cameras but the high-rise camera is still pointed westward and we’re seeing the slowdown. … No injuries reported so far, apparently, as there’s no SFD dispatch.
John reports a stolen 1994 black Honda del Sol from behind the 4100 block of California SW. Awaiting plate. SPD incident # is 2022-316305.
ADDED: The plate is CEB3731
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