West Seattle, Washington
19 Sunday
(WSB photo)
9:07 PM: Police are searching for a group of robbers who are reported to have taken the cash drawer from the 35th/Barton 7-Eleven store a little over half an hour ago. They are described on police radio as “unknown-race males, teens-twenties, black puffy jackets, hats, masks,” with a gun implied but not seen, getting away southbound on 35th. A K-9 team is joining the search.
9:13 PM: The trail is reported to have ended on 34th, where police suspect a getaway car was parked.
8:14 PM: Thanks for all the tips. Seattle City Light‘s outage map confirms an outage affecting almost 5,000 customers in mostly northwest West Seattle. 911 log shows a “transformer fire” in the 4100 block of Beach Drive SW.
8:21 PM: Emergency-radio traffic suggests the problem is on a “private dead-end street” and that City Light has a crew on the way.
8:33 PM: To recap some important outage-related info – for one, the “estimated restoration time” is just a guess, could be lots earlier or lots later. In case of the latter, don’t open the refrigerator or freezer – your food will last longer.
8:51 PM: Power’s back on for many, if not all. (The City Light map hasn’t caught up yet so we won’t know for a bit if it’s entirely resolved.)
8:55 PM: First map update says it’s down to 3,100 out.
9:39 PM: Above, for the record, is the current map of who’s out. And below, WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli‘s photos of the tree trouble that’s to blame – it’s near Aikins/Boyd in South Alki:
10:10 PM: Christopher spoke to City Light workers at the scene who told him those who are still out may remain out into Friday, as it is a complicated repair, with three poles affected, and tricky access on the steep site. Meantime, we just got photos from the Aikins side of the downed tree (thanks, Evie!) – in the first photo there’s a crushed car (no one hurt):
10:45 PM: According to commenters, more just got power back. Now 1,749 out, per SCL map.
12:24 AM: Those 1,749 are still out, per SCL map.
6 AM: All but 160 are reconnected.
6:03 PM: After 22 hours, 146 people are still out.
6:23 PM: Seattle Fire has sent a “rescue extrication” response to the 4800 block of West Marginal Way. We don’t know if it’s related to the earlier report of a crash – the address checks to the same area. Rescuers arriving in the area are saying “all the occupants appear to be OK.” Updates to come.
6:25 PM: SFD now says no one needs to be extricated, so they’re downsizing. the response – but West Marginal Way SW is blocked both ways because of the response, so avoid the area.
6:43 PM: Officers told dispatch that southbound traffic is flowing again.
(WSB photo)
5:38 PM: That’s Gretchen Flickinger, one of seven artists showing their work tonight at CAPERS in The Junction (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor). CAPERS is one of the Junction venues where you can both enjoy a West Seattle Art Walk reception and late shopping (a holiday-season Thursday tradition in The Junction) tonight. And watch for Santa, who’s roaming (if you don’t catch him on the street tonight, CAPERS is hosting him for photos 8:30-11 am this Saturday and next). Lots of other Art Walk venues to browse – go here for the spotlights – and The Art of Music concerts coming up at 6 pm (CAPERS is hosting one of them).
6:32 PM: The photo of artist Lora Radford above is from her Wild at Heart pop-up at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) – featuring stonecast candles and bowls. (Buy a medium or large bowl, get a small bowl for free.) Also at WSG tonight, orca photography by Brittany Noelle:
7:36 PM: Also at West Seattle Grounds, as part of The Art of Music, Taylor John Hardin:
At CAPERS, Alyvia Miller:
At Beveridge Place Pub, Willow Scrivner:
And at Great American Diner and Bar, MoonGirl:
Thanks to The Art of Music curator John Redenbaugh for the musician photos!
ADDED: And thanks to Dan Jacobs of the Admiral Neighborhood Association for a few more artist pics – Ellen Zrimsek was at Forever Young:
Diane Bellisario at Good Society:
And from the ModHome pop-up at WEND Jewelry:
Next Art Walk is the first of 2025, Thursday, January 9.
The photo is from Amy, who reports that crash is on West Marginal Way SW about a block south of the Duwamish Longhouse. Amy says traffic is sluggish as a result. No SFD dispatch so far, which suggests no injuries reported.
As you might have noticed in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, this weekend brings another sleigh-load of unique holiday events. If you’re looking to have a low-impact gifting experience for the kids in your family – this swap event Saturday might be what you’re looking for:
Kids’ Holiday Swap Shop – Declutter, Discover, Delight!
Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
Location: Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 9131 California Ave SWThis free, eco-friendly event is a chance to:
-Declutter your home.
-Discover new-to-you treasures.
-Connect with the community.Event Schedule:
Items Set-Up: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Browse & Swap: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Clean-Up: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Charity Pick-Up: 4:00 PMBring gently used toys, books, and games to swap, and take home items your family can use. Unclaimed items will be donated to local charities, spreading holiday cheer even further!
Admission is free; if you want to RSVP, you can do that here.
Two Admiral-area coyote sightings:
TODAY: This report and video are from Katie:
Coyote sighting near College Street Ravine, 51st Ave SW and College St. Careful walking through the ravine today!
TUESDAY: Another reader reported, “My friend heard something & his dog’s ears perked up. He looked outside to see two coyotes in his yard. They walked around the yard, down the stairs and headed north on Victoria Ave SW at 3:15 AM.”
COEXISTING WITH COYOTES: We share periodic sighting reports for awareness, not alarm. You can best help them keep their distance by not providing food (which means, don’t leave small domestic animals unattended, or unsecured garbage, etc.). Here’s one place to read more about avoiding coyote conflicts!
12:56 PM: Liza reports brown water in The Junction. No incidents on the water-trouble map, so it might be flushing. If it happens to you, always be sure to report it to Seattle Public Utilities‘ 24-hour hotline, 206-386-1800.
1:15 PM: Liza says SPU tells her it was indeed SFD line-flushing.
Tricia sent the report and photo:
2001 Jeep Cherokee, Green, 4-door, license plate CHM7207
Stolen by breaking a window. 12/12/24. Back bumper cover has a dent in it
Last location 31st Ave SW/Roxbury.
Call 911 if you find it; refer to police incident #24-348575.
(Winter garden color, photographed by Jerry Simmons)
Thursday lists are always big! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Shop fall plants at the center, open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Annuals, perennials, sun, shade, natives, edibles, ground covers … wide variety!
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for info on where they’re playing today.
STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm yoga class at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: Holiday edition, all around the peninsula! 5 pm until late but some art can be seen earlier, some later – scroll through this page for venue and artist specifics for today/tonight! Look for food/drink specials offered to Art Walk’ers, too.
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: Every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Vandalz Taqueria.
BONUS FOOD AT HPCS TONIGHT: Also 4-8 pm at HPCS, “Mark Thai Food Box Pop Up – Mark Thai Food Box will be at the Corner Store giving out samples of his delicious curries and rice.”
WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Even more at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – details here.
HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: And after all that fun, run or walk the neighborhood with the Run Club, leaving from, you guessed it, HPCS, 6:30 pm – info here.
MODE MUSIC STUDIOS’ UNDER-21 OPEN MIC AT SKYLARK: Tonight’s the monthly open mic that Mode (WSB sponsor) hosts at Skylark next door, 5 pm signups, 6 pm music, optional theme “Holiday Faves.” (3803 Delridge Way SW)
NEW BOOK CLUB: As previewed here, Ed is hosting the new Classic SF Book Club‘s first meeting tonight at 6 pm at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW)
SHOP LATE THURSDAY: Second one of the season in The Junction, concurrent with Art Walk night! Silver Belles are caroling around the heart of the business district 6-8 pm, Santa is roaming, and many stores are open later – including another Pop-Up Market at Jet City Labs. Go explore, festively!
THE ART OF MUSIC: Complementing tonight’s art receptions and displays, you’ll find live mini-concerts 6-7:45 pm at four venues tonight! Taylor John Hardin is at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) in North Admiral, MoonGirl is at Great American Diner & Bar (4752 California SW) in The Junction, Alyvia Miller is at CAPERS (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor) in The Junction, and Willow Scrivner is at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) in Morgan Junction.
VISCON CELLARS: The West Seattle winery’s cozy tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Stop in for wine by the glass or bottle! And enjoy the Art Walk reception for artist Jessie Summa Russo, too.
REZONING DISCUSSION: The Morgan Community Association invites you to High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) 6-7:30 pm for a discussion of city rezoning proposals, for which the comment period runs through December 20. This is a community-organized-and-led info opportunity – not a city-convened event. More info in our preview.
LANDMARKED-HOUSE HISTORY: Learn about West Seattle’s Cettolin House during Words, Writers, Southwest Stories, 6 pm online – more info in our calendar listing, including how to RSVP.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for a group walk in Lincoln Park, continuing into the fall and winter after all – details in our calendar listing.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: The 6 pm weekly run is now departing from Future Primitive on Alki (2536 Alki SW).
SKIN YARD AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Listening event, signing, Q&A, to celebrate record release, 7 pm, free, all ages. (California/Alaska)
OPEN MIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 7 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
TRIVIA: 7 pm at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW).
‘SNOWED IN (AGAIN)’: The holiday show continues at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 7:30 pm; ticket info is in our calendar listing.
DJ NIGHT: The weekend starts early at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Nostalgia B starting at 8 pm.
Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
A celebration of life is planned February 15 for Joe Nokes, whose family and friends are sharing this remembrance now:
Joseph “Joe” Robert Nokes passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma, Washington on December 4, 2024, at the age of 74, after a long battle with colon cancer.
Affectionately called Joe, Joey, or Joe Bob, he was born a twin in Seattle, Washington May 28, 1950, to Della & George Nokes Sr. Joe grew up in West Seattle and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1969. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers George Jr., Jim, and John.
Joe worked for more than 30 years for Auto Processing and then Distribution Auto Services in Seattle. Joe retired when the company closed in 2001. He moved to his home at Lake Limerick in 2003. He then started working at the Little Creek Casino as a security guard. He also worked at the 40et8 veterans’ club as a karaoke disc jockey.
Joe was a golfer and an avid Mariners, Huskies, Seahawks, and Kraken fan. He was a member of the 1980 National Championship Peterbilt fastpitch softball team that just recently was inducted into the 2024 Softball Hall of Fame in Oklahoma.
Joe is survived by a daughter, Jennifer Henderson (Ron); a son, Scott Nokes (Amanda); granddaughters Katelyn and Bailee Nokes and Reese Henderson; his twin brother Jerry Nokes (Sheila); sister Renie Dyson (Dean); sister-in-law Debbie Nokes; and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a celebration of life on February 15, 2025, at the Lake Limerick’s Community Hall, 790 E. St. Andrews Dr., Shelton Washington, from 12:00 to 4:00 PM.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
8:20 AM: Thanks for the tip. Crash at Delridge/Orchard.
9:17 AM: Added photo sent by Mel. Checking with SFD re: injuries, though only one engine was sent, suggesting no major injuries. Nearest traffic cam suggests the scene has cleared. (added) SFD confirms, no injuries.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, December 12th.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Possible rain, high in the mid-40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:49 am, while sunset will be at 4:17 pm – as early as the sunset gets – Saturday, it starts getting later! (The sunrise gets later too, until a week into January.)
TRANSIT
Water Taxi today – Regular service today.
Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Issaquah and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Sealth as the “ghost boat.” Check here for last-minute changes.
Metro buses today – Regular schedule.
ROAD WORK/CLOSURES
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the south half of the bridge is closed, with one lane each way on the north side. This will change later this month, SDOT has announced:
We’ll be transitioning into our third phase of traffic control on December 19. The two center lanes on Admiral Way SW will be closed during this phase, with one lane in each direction open for people driving. As part of this transition, the temporary crosswalk at Admiral Way SW and 39th Ave SW will be removed.
We expect more info soon. Meantime, Fairmount Avenue remains closed beneath the bridge.
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon. SDOT finally provided that update, with word of a lane shift, too.
*Beach Drive gas-pipeline work continues into January, PSE tells us – here’s our update.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
See trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
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