West Seattle, Washington
08 Thursday
(Photo by Stephen Nielsen, from Lowman Beach)
According to the National Weather Service, tonight’s painted-sky sunset ushered in our final below-freezing night – until the next time Arctic air gets this far south. But until there’s been some time to thaw, be careful on the streets and sidewalks – we noticed numerous ice patches while out this afternoon. Ice was even plaguing this hummingbird, photographed by Ashley B. Harrison as it tried to scratch an icicle off the underside of its beak:
Tomorrow is expected to start clear enough that we might get one more look at mountain views like these before the clouds start taking over:
(This photo and next, by James Bratsanos, from Alki)
There’s still talk in the forecast of some snow or freezing rain mixed in with regular rain starting tomorrow night, but the NWS’s forecast discussion warns that’s not a sure thing. Meantime – today’s high was 38, low 21, respectively 10 and 17 degrees below normal for this date.
(Photo by Michael Burke, from Fauntlee Hills)
This week brings a multitude of meetings of note in West Seattle. The newest one announced is Highland Park Improvement Club‘s Wednesday night online town hall. A major topic: Progress report on the reconstruction plan for HPIC’s building at (corrected) 1116 SW Holden, gutted by fire in June 2021. Our last major update on the project was back in August; it’s still moving through the permit system, and nonprofit HPIC continues fundraising to cover what insurance won’t. HPIC also has openings for more community involvement. The meeting is at 7 pm Wednesday (January 17) and you’ll find the attendance link and phone options by going here.
(WSB photos)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is more than a holiday – it’s MLK Day of Service for thousands of volunteers all over the country. Dozens of them spent today at Denny International Middle School, doing work to “revitalize” the school, much of which involved art:
Some of the art celebrates Dr. King and his words:
These fish will hang in a hallway:
Marine themes are a big part of Denny decor, since the school mascot is the dolphin:
Outdoor work was part of the plan too; many of the volunteers were on a well-deserved lunch break when we stopped by:
Today’s work was organized by City Year, which has AmeriCorps members working at Denny throughout the year.
(Added: Photo by Susie Saalwaechter)
3:45 PM: A Seattle Fire engine crew sent to investigate a report of smoke from a house in the 1700 block of Alki SW [vicinity map] has called for a “full response.” Updates to come.
(Added: Photo sent by Gene Pavola)
3:51 PM: Firefighters report flames showing from the house. Alki Avenue will be closed to traffic at the scene.
3:59 PM: They’ve searched the house and so far found no one inside, so there’s no report of injuries so far.
(WSB photo)
4:17 PM: Our crew is there now; we’re adding photos. The fire has just been declared out (“tapped”). The incident commander tells us no one was home and they’re trying to reach the owner.
(WSB photo)
4:33 PM: SFD’s investigator is there to try to figure out the fire’s cause. Some units are being dismissed as the operation winds down.
5:17 PM: Just in from SFD: “Investigators ruled the fire was accidental. Likely caused by a baseboard heater igniting nearby combustible materials. Safety tip: please make sure you leave 3 feet of space between heating units and any furniture, curtains and clothing.”
Want someone else to do the cooking? Here are two ways to do that this week while helping local schools:
ROXHILL ELEMENTARY @ THE WESTY: Friends of Roxhill Elementary will benefit from a share of the proceeds, dine-in or take-out, at The Westy (7908 35th SW) today, Tuesday, and Wednesday (January 15-17), 11 am-11:45 pm. If you dine in (21+), tell your server you’re there for the Roxhill fundraiser; if you order take-out online, use the promo code ROXHILL.
WEST SEATTLE ELEMENTARY @ MOD: This Wednesday, the Westwood Village MOD Pizza (2800 SW Barton) will donate part of its proceeds for dine-in and take-out customers who mention they’re supporting West Seattle Elementary – if ordering online, use the code MODGIVES20. Here’s the flyer. The restaurant is open 10:30 am-10 pm
Thanks to Tom Trulin for the photos. A week and a half after Seattle Parks confirmed that the long-awaited Lincoln Park South Play Area replacement was about to begin, crews from contractor LW Sundstrom are there today.
We’re still awaiting the promised update from Parks on the expected schedule for this project and the Westcrest Park play area that was bundled with it for bidding (Sundstrom’s winning bid was just under $1.2 million). Parks had previously said March is the expected shipping timeframe for the new play equipment, which – as designed with community input six years ago – is supposed to have a marine theme. The Lincoln Park play area has been out of commission since July 2017; Westcrest, since May 2021 – both because, Parks said, wooden components had become damaged and unsafe (termites were blamed).
Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency (WSB sponsor) is expressing gratitude for all the generous people who donated to this year’s coats/warm clothing donation drive during the holiday season: “Thank you, West Seattle! Our 10th year was the most successful yet.” In the photo is local resident Rodger Tanner with the final load of donations – which totaled four car/truckloads this year!
(If you have coats/warm clothing in good shape that you didn’t get a chance to donate during the holidays, the West Seattle Food Bank‘s Clothesline accepts donations, and the Westside Neighbors Shelter often needs them too – here’s their most-recent request.)
From the inbox this morning:
MYSTERY TRAILER: From Corey:
This trailer made its way to our block this morning. We will submit to Find-It-Fix-It but wanted to give someone a chance to pick it up it it’s theirs. It’s located at 18th Ave SW and SW Trenton Street in Highland Park. Close to the north end of 18th and Trenton.
AFTERNOON UPDATE: Corey says in a comment below that the trailer is now gone.
BAG OF BELONGINGS: From Jennifer:
This looks like it belongs to someone. Dumped near the Murray (Wet Weather Facility) at Lowman Beach. Hope it finds its way home.
Good morning. It’s Monday, January 15th, Martin Luther King Jr. Day – here’s info for this holiday:
WEATHER
Today we might see a high temperature above freezing. *The forecast is for sunshine and a high in the low-to-mid-30s.
TRANSPORTATION
(SDOT’s West Seattle Bridge camera)
*Metro: Regular weekday schedule
*No Water Taxi
*Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth state ferry route on usual 2-boat schedule – check for alerts here
*Here’s the service plan for Sound Transit
*Free parking today in areas of the city with on-street paid parking
*See citywide traffic cams here, West Seattle-relevant cams here
OTHER SERVICES/FACILITIES
*Schools and most government offices are closed
*No USPS services except Priority Mail Express
*Banking holiday
*Libraries are closed
*Most Seattle Parks facilities are closed
*Solid-waste service in our area remains on a normal schedule this week (some parts of the city served by a different contractor have changes, but NOT West Seattle)
HAPPENING TODAY/TONIGHT
*See the list on our West Seattle Event Calendar.
Got news? Text us at 206-293-6302,or email westseattleblog@gmail.com if non-urgent – thank you!
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