West Seattle, Washington
12 Friday
Though school was out for two weeks, high-school basketball teams kept playing, and now the regular season has a month to go. Tonight West Seattle High School hosted Eastside Catholic. We went to WSHS for the varsity games.
(WSB photos. #10, freshman Seneca Lucas)
The Wildcat girls opened with a win, 43-32, after a strong fourth quarter.
(WSHS #21, junior Alyssa Neumann, and #4, senior Carmen Cruz)
They’re now 6-5 on the season.
(WSHS #20, junior Colby Timmons)
Head coach Darnell Taylor‘s team plays at Seattle Prep next, 4:30 pm Saturday.
After the girls’ game concluded, the WSHS and ECHS boys took to the court.
(WSHS #23, senior Pawlose Aschalew)
In this one, Eastside Catholic, which arrived undefeated, stayed that way, winning 78-63.
(WSHS #3, senior Bo Gionet)
The Wildcat boys’ season record is now at 6-5.
(WSHS #0, junior Alex Pierce, #13, senior Nathan Schiavo, #2, sophomore Sully Janiwade)
Head coach Dan Kriley‘s team also plays at Seattle Prep on Saturday, 6 pm.
Three more business notes:
‘DRY JANUARY’: The Beer Junction proprietor Corey Leitch sent this announcement:
If you’re taking the month off from full-strength booze you can still come and hang at The Beer Junction! We’ve got two full fridges full of non-alcoholic treats for you to sip and enjoy while you spend time outside the house.
Beers from Athletic, Bravus, Self Care, Best Day and so many more, plus NA ciders, cocktails, CBD sodas and a great selection of soft drinks. Doing Dry January doesn’t mean you can’t go out and enjoy a drink with your friends or decompress after a long day. Come in and have a drink with us this month!
P.S. – we always have this huge selection of NA drinks, year round, in case that’s always your thing!
HOMESTREET WRAPS UP ARTSWEST SPOTLIGHT: Every month, HomeStreet Bank (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) spotlights another local business or organization – this past month, it was ArtsWest (also a WSB sponsor), so managing director Inji Kamel (below right, with HomeStreet’s Joyce Leslie) stopped by today:
There’s a drawing each month at the bank for a prize from the spotlight business/organization; Inji drew the winner today – prize this time is two tickets to any of ArtsWest’s remaining plays this season. (Next up is “Born With Teeth,” opening February 1.)
NEW CLINIC: Dr. Laura Jewett, DPT, emailed us to announce her new business, West Seattle Pelvic Health & Physical Therapy. Dr. Jewett explains, “It’s located inside Dragonfly Yoga at 3270 California Ave. SW.” You can read more about her and the clinic here.
4:04 PM: Seattle Fire has a “water rescue response” headed to Lincoln Park for a report of a possible paddleboarder in trouble off the north side of the park. Updates to come.
4:07 PM: Responders say they’re seeing two kitesurfers off shore who do not appear to be in distress.
4:13 PM: SFD and Coast Guard boats are arriving in the area to doublecheck, but so far there continue to be no sign of anyone in trouble, and the two kitesurfers who are visible are coming in to shore at Lowman Beach.
4:19 PM: Responders have verified that the kitesurfers are OK and no one else was out on the water, so the response is now being canceled.
(WSB photo, December 29)
Last Friday, we covered a two-scene West Seattle incident that had started with a carjacking in Burien. The stolen vehicle, the Chevrolet Suburban shown above, had been tracked to Alki; when King County Sheriff’s Office deputies/Burien Police moved in, the driver and an accomplice took off. The driver was arrested at Harbor/Spokane after getting out of the car when it was stopped at the light; the juvenile left inside got behind the wheel and took off, crashing into a semitruck at West Marginal/2nd SW a short time later. The juvenile was taken to the hospital in critical condition and we don’t yet know his status, but we did get information today about the suspect who was arrested. He is 20 years old and in the King County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail; tomorrow is the deadline for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to rush-file charges. According to documents from his bail hearing, he is a White Center resident who got out of jail a year ago after being sentenced for stabbing a mini-mart clerk in the Northgate area. Those documents say he stabbed the clerk twice in November 2021 after being told to leave the mini-mart because he wasn’t wearing a mask (a few TV reports ensued). According to the documents from the 2021 case, police found him because a security-camera image was circulated and officers recognized him from previous contacts; they got a warrant and arrested him at the North Seattle apartment where he was living at the time. After a year in jail, he pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and was sentenced to nine months, less time than he had already served, so he was released.
(December photo courtesy WCFB)
We’ve been reporting on the progress at the new location of the White Center Food Bank (which also serves part of West Seattle). Now, you’re invited to the new WCFB headquarters’ grand-opening party:
Join White Center Food Bank (WCFB) for one of the most significant miles in our organization’s history: The GRAND OPENING of our new home! With the support of our community, we now own a newly remodeled, centrally located facility right in the heart of downtown White Center.
The Grand Opening Party features delicious food & drinks from White Center restaurants Gõ Seattle Grab & Go & El Catrín, amazing speakers, and great music.
This celebratory event not only introduces the community to the expansive features of the new space but also serves as an opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate this remarkable achievement for the White Center community.
Date: Friday, Jan 12
Time: 5-7 PM
Event Location: White Center Food Bank, 10016 16th Ave SWThis new facility will bring together an incredible array of community programming, hosted both by the food bank and partner organizations. WCFB wants people from all walks of life to enter through our doors together, so that everyone feels comfortable receiving food whenever they need it.
“We’re excited for this next chapter to better serve the community and revitalize this part of the neighborhood. We hope that our supporters will continue to show up alongside us to ensure our community thrives.”- Carmen Smith, Executive Director.
To RSVP and learn more, click here.
WCFB had to move out of its longtime location at 8th SW and SW 108th because of a new affordable-housing/community “hub” project that is set to be built there. They’re set to open the new HQ for business next Monday.
(Photo courtesy Beth Dayo)
The new year is bringing changes large and small for the local fitness-business scene. Here’s the first announcement we’ve received for 2024:
Bend N Move owner Tamara Gillest has sold her Yoga studio to Beth Dayo, former owner of Be Pilates. Beth has combined Pilates, Yoga, and Meditation into the business and moved the location (from its previous spot at 2735 California SW in Admiral) down to 3850-A Delridge Way SW. Pilates, Yoga and Meditation are now at the bottom of Pigeon Point, a short drive down Admiral for previous Admiral Neighborhood clients.
For now, the newly relocated studio will be known as Bend N Move powered by Life in the Body (the name of Dayo’s previous business).
(Highland Park Way/Holden pole installation, overseen by ‘Where’s the Party?’ jay – photo by Kay Kirkpatrick)
Here’s the daily preview, mostly from our West Seattle Event Calendar:
TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Repair it instead of replacing it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
BASKETBALL: Four varsity home games tonight. At West Seattle High School (3000 California SW), girls (5:45 pm) and boys (7:30 pm) both play Eastside Catholic; at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle), girls (5:45 pm) play Ballard, boys (7:30 pm) play Lakeside.
FREE GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the weekly free group run, 6:15 pm.
GET FIT INFO NIGHT: Also at West Seattle Runner, 6:30 pm, it’s info night for the free Get Fit “couch to half-marathon” training program – bring your questions! Or email lori@westseattlerunner.com to ask (and/or sign up).
TRIVIA x 6: Six places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … there’s 7 pm trivia at West Seattle Brewing (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW) … 7 pm trivia at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW, White Center) … Trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: Online meeting of community advocates from around District 1, 7 pm, all welcome – attendance link (video or phone) and agenda info can be found in our calendar listing.
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
If you’re planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, etc., and it’s open to the community, please send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB photo, 2020 Polar Plunge)
Loved the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim? Do it again as part of a fundraiser for Special Olympics Washington! The Polar Plunge is returning to Alki Beach next month. It’s a “winter beach party,” highlighted by the “plunge,” with food, drinks, and music, starting at 10 am Saturday, February 24th. Costume contest too! Registration is open now for individuals and teams – you can go here to sign up. This is one of four Polar Plunges that Special Olympics Washington is presenting this winter – the others are January 13th in the Tri-Cities, March 1st in Wenatchee, and Marh 9th in Anacortes.
6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, January 3rd.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Cloudy, more rain possible, high near 50. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:57 am, and the sun will set at 4:30 pm.
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you’re wondering where the boat is.
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
ROAD WORK
As previewed here, pole installation for the permanent Highland Park Way/Holden signal is expected to result in lane closures today and tomorrow.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
(The video options on SDOT’s camera map still don’t work; SDOT tells us they’re working on it, but they don’t know how long it’ll take.)
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!
(WSB photo, March 2020)
Almost four years ago – days after the West Seattle Bridge’s sudden shutdown – SDOT hurriedly put up a “temporary” traffic signal at Highland Park Way and Holden, after that already-busy intersection was quickly overrun with detour traffic. SDOT promised the signal eventually would become permanent, since a “safety project” was in the works for that intersection anyway. This week, one of the final steps – pole installation. Here’s the alert:
This week, we will install new metal traffic signal poles at the Highland Park Way SW and SW Holden St intersection. This is part of the process to replace the existing temporary traffic signal with a more durable, permanent one.
When
This work is scheduled for Wednesday, January 3 and Thursday, January 4 from 7 AM – 4 PM. This timeframe could shift based on weather and crew availability.
What to Expect
Alternating traffic lanes will be closed during installation, but there will always be one lane open for cars to get through. There may also be temporary sidewalk closures. This is not particularly noisy work, but if you live or work in the area, you may hear construction equipment running and some beeping when crews are backing up equipment.
(WSB photo: District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka, with daughter Maeve administering oath of office)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Hopes and expectations were running high as the new edition of the Seattle City Council gathered for its first meeting, before a full house that gave councilmembers a standing ovation, cheering loudly as they entered the chambers.
(WSB photo)
First task in the 2 1/2-hour meeting: They chose a new president – the only nominee, elected unanimously, was citywide Councilmember Sara Nelson, who is midway through her first term.
(WSB photo)
Then came the ceremonial swearing-in ceremonies for, and speeches by, the seven newly elected/reelected district councilmembers, in district numerical order, so District 1’s Rob Saka was first, with the oath given by his 9-year-old daughter Maeve, a Fairmount Park Elementary student, who concluded, “Congratulations, Daddy!” In his subsequent speech, he thanked his wife Alicia and their three kids for being “with him every step of the way,” as well as his father. He shared the personal story many heard during the campaign – with an emphasis on “resilience and unity.” He said those are the factors that led him to enlist in the U.S. Air Force, and why he became a lawyer. He acknowledge “immense” challenges facing the council, including public safety and housing, as well as the nuts and bolts “basics” of government (potholes, etc.). He says he wants to be the “king of potholes” if that’s what it takes – “the little things in life matter.” He also declared this is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity … to reshape the culture here at City Hall.” He made some of the same points in our brief interview with him before the meeting:
If you don’t have time to listen to the interview, a key question we asked Councilmember Saka was how he plans to stay in touch with constituents; he said he’ll continue the “robust” weekly newsletters that his predecessor Lisa Herbold began, and he also plans to keep his promise to open a district office. He also has hired his first two staffers – chief of staff Elaine Ikoma Ko and district relations/scheduler Leyla Gheisar. (Find the office contact info here.)
Committee chairs were announced during the meeting; Saka will chair the Transportation Committee. That was not a major topic during Saka’s campaigning, but for public safety, which was, the committee chair role is going to new District 7 Councilmember Robert Kettle.
There will be some major transportation-related issues this year, though, as senior Councilmember Tammy Morales noted while speaking as president pro tem during the opening moments of the meeting. She observed that the “challenging year ahead” for the council will include “enormous tasks” such as the next transportation-levy proposal as well as a new comprehensive plan, new Seattle Police Officers Guild contract, and a potential $250 million budget deficit.
Nelson, in her first speech as council president, vowed to “work to do the most good for the greatest number of people.” She also said the council needs to “double down on our oversight role.” She described her “grand vision as council president” as “simple good governance.” She also expressed a preference for the in-person format that filled the chambers.
(City-provided photo)
As Saka noted in his interview with us, the first big task for the council is to choose its ninth member – the citywide Position 8 had been held by Teresa Mosqueda (a North Delridge resident), but she is now resigning to take her new job as King County Councilmember, for which she’ll be sworn in soon. They have just under three weeks to do that; the appointed councilmember will serve until someone is elected this fall to finish what will then be the remaining year of Mosqueda’s term. Here’s the webpage with information on the process.
With public comment and some routine business added to all that, the new council’s first meeting concluded at about 4:30 pm, with new president Nelson declaring, “We got this, everybody!”
ADDED: Here’s the Seattle Channel meeting video – if you watch from that page, it includes links to jump ahead to specific times, such as Councilmember Saka’s swearing-in and speech.
One last announcement from now-closed Outer Space Seattle‘s proprietor Caitlin Huertas:
Goodbye, West Seattle. It’s been fun!
Are you interested in purchasing Outer Space Seattle? We have everything packed up and ready to go to a new home! For inquiries, or expressions of interest in acquiring Outer Space Seattle, please contact Susanna Tran or Julie Shizukuishi of West Coast Commercial Realty at 206-283-5212.
Susanna Tran susanna@wccommercialrealty.com
Julie Shizukuishi julie@wccommercialrealty.com
Huertas announced in November that Outer Space Seattle would close unless a buyer was found. It was located at 2820 Alki Avenue SW, between Cactus and Locust Cider.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
TWICE-STOLEN YUKON: The report and photo are from Linda:
I want to report the theft of my 2002 GMC YukonXL K1500, dark green, license plate number WA BPB8585. It was taken last night – for the second time since August- from the 4400 block of SW Dawson Street (between California Ave. and Erskine Way). Last time it was recovered in Burien in the possession of a person who had been arrested four times in the previous year.
We’ll add the police-report number when we get it.
HIT-RUN WITH PLATE LEFT BEHIND: This report and photos are from Kevin:
My car was the secondary victim of a hit and run last Friday morning on 35th and Austin. The car that did the damage was a 2018 Acura and they were nice enough to leave their license plate.
Awaiting a report number on this too.
(Photo by Dale Cotton – view from ‘top of the Arroyos, Arbor Heights)
Highlights for the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
POP-UP BLOOD DRIVE: West Seattle opportunities start today – sign up if you can donate; check here for appointments.
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
NEW COUNCIL’S FIRST MEETING: As previewed here, District 1’s new Councilmember Rob Saka and other newly elected/reelected councilmembers meet for the first time at 2 pm. You can watch via Seattle Channel or attend the meeting at City Hall.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration continues at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
WEST SEATTLE TAE KWON DO: January classes start tonight, 6 pm at High Point Community Center. (6920 34th SW)
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FREE TRACK RUN: Run with friends old and new on these long nights! Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.
MAKE POTTERY: 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance or drop in to work on your project(s).
BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm Tuesdays. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 3: Three places to play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
You can look into the future any time via our event calendar – if you have something to add to it, please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather January 13 to remember Bill Sauter, and are sharing this remembrance with his community:
William Warren Sauter
November 29, 1946 – October 24, 2023William Warren Sauter passed away peacefully on October 24, 2023 at the age of 76. He was a lifelong resident of West Seattle and the owner of the plumbing company West Seattle Sewer and Drain. He was well known as West Seattle’s local plumber, enjoying friendships with his customers and rescuing them from plumbing emergencies. When Bill retired four years ago, he sorely missed his work and his customers.
Bill grew up loving the game of baseball. He began playing for West Seattle Little League at the age of ten and continued through American Legion and West Seattle High School. He pitched for the 1964 West Seattle High School team that won the Metro League Championship that year and was named 1st Team in the State of Washington. Bill was the only Sophomore on that team. In 1966, his senior year at West Seattle High, he was chosen as team captain and awarded Most Inspirational Player.
Bill served four years in the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command during the Vietnam War. After basic training, he served at Goose Bay Labrador’s Air base in Canada, fueling U.S. military aircraft. He finished his service at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, fueling Air Force helicopters.
Known for his garage sales in Arbor Heights, his signs would be posted on the corner of 35th SW and SW 106th St. in summer and fall months. He loved interacting with the buyers and was famous for his “wheeling and dealing.” Some people would return every year just to share their troubles to a listening ear.
Bill was exceptionally proud of his children and grandchildren, encouraging them to work hard to accomplish their goals. He is remembered by them for his ability to laugh at himself.
He leaves his wife, Diane; two daughters, Julia and Erin; son David and his wife Morresia; seven grandchildren, Ashley, Emily, Jerin, Elisa, Zach, Lexi, and 4-month-old granddaughter River.
A memorial service for Bill will be held Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 11:00 am at Grace Church, 10323 28th Ave SW.
(Updated January 2 at 10:30 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)
6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Tuesday, January 2nd – holiday season’s over, so it’s back to work and back to school.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Rain returns, high in the upper 40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:57 am, and the sun will set at 4:29 pm.
TRANSIT UPDATES
Water Taxi today – Back to regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you’re wondering where the boat is.
Metro today – Back to regular schedule; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
(The video options on SDOT’s camera map still don’t work; SDOT tells us they’re working on it, but no ETA for the fix.)
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!
Apparently Bank of America isn’t planning to repair and reactivate its standalone ATM in Morgan Junction in the wake of last October’s destructive theft attempt. The paved pad where it’s stood for a decade, just west of the north side of West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), is up for lease. We noticed it while browsing commercial listings, which pointed to this glossy brochure (cover image below), touting the 100-sf site as a “high-visibility single-tenant pad.”
(Cover page of brochure for ex-ATM site)
As we reported in October, the would-be thieves who shut down the ATM tried to get into it with a “Jaws of Life” type of tool stolen from the fire district that serves communities including White Center and Burien.
With five of nine Seattle City Councilmembers brand new to the job – and a sixth soon – tomorrow’s the day we will start seeing what they do. The council’s 2 pm Tuesday meeting is their first of the year and will be devoted to:
*Electing a new president (previous council president Debora Juarez did not run for re-election)
*Ceremonial swearing-in – Along with the five new members, two were re-elected in November, so there will be seven oaths of office: Rob Saka (District 1), Tammy J. Morales (District 2), Joy Hollingsworth (District 3), Maritza Rivera (District 4), Cathy Moore (District 5), Dan Strauss (District 6), and Robert Kettle (District 7).
*Speeches
*Public comment
*Starting the process of appointing a councilmember – Right after the meeting, Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda (a West Seattleite who holds citywide Position 8) will resign to take her new role as a County Councilmember. So the new council has to appoint someone to fill the position until this fall’s election. This webpage explains the basics of the process, and will have more information once the council makes more process decisions tomorrow.
Here’s the agenda; you can watch this all live Tuesday afternoon via Seattle Channel.
(Images from Tails to Astonish)
For the third time in a little over four months, burglars have hit West Seattle’s only comic-book store, Tails to Astonish just south of The Junction. They report it happened around 6:45 this morning and sent these security-camera images:
We woke up this morning with someone having broken into the store. So we will be closed today and tomorrow (Monday/Tuesday) to clean up and do inventory. We will be back open on Wednesday with all the new books! If you recognize them please call us or SPD case number 24-000302.
Last year’s burglaries were on August 23rd and September 30th.
You might have resolved to move more in the new year – and if you did, this might help you get going. West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) periodically offers a free “Get Fit” training program, to get you from “couch to half marathon,” and the next one begins with an informational night at the shop (2743 California SW) at 6:30 pm this Wednesday (January 3). Then the first group training run – 1 mile – is set for Saturday. They’ll be training for a half-marathon in May. To sign up and/or ask questions, email lori@westseattlerunner.com.
There’s no simple way to count the number of people who join in the Alki Beach New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim – but this year just might have been the biggest yet by one measure: As we arrived in the area by car about 25 minutes before the 10 am start, parking was bumper-to-bumper further out than we’ve seen it before. And even after the official “swim,” some were still showing up belatedly and plunging in on their own. Above, our view from the center of the lineup, including the countdown; below, our view from the east edge:
Some lingered in the water for a photo op:
It was also a way to close out the holiday season:
We saw dinosaurs:
Dalmatians:
And politicians:
(That’s former U.S. Attorney and current State Attorney General candidate Nick Brown with 34th District State Senator Joe Nguyễn, both West Seattleites.) Organizer Mark Ufkes counted down the crowd by bullhorn and then joined them in the water:
His invitation to write down what you’re letting go for 2023 and your hopes for 2024 had some takers:
After all, today’s the day to retake the wheel and be the captain of your destiny:
Final note – this year’s air temperature was 41 degrees, 10 degrees below the water temperature.
(Reader photo – The Brothers’ peek appearance)
Welcome to 2024! Here’s info we hope you’ll find helpful on this holiday:
BUSES: Metro‘s on the Sunday schedule. (Fares ARE being collected today, after fare-free NYE.)
WATER TAXI: It’s not running today.
STATE FERRIES: Weekend 2-boat schedule on Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route – check for alerts here.
MORE TRANSPORTATION NOTES: No charge for street parking in areas of the city with curbside pay stations … West Seattle-relevant traffic cameras are here; see all cameras citywide via this map.
GROCERY-STORE HOURS AND OTHER BIZNOTES FOR TODAY: Though we don’t make full New Year’s Day lists because closures/changes are far fewer than on the other fall/winter holidays, we do have a few notes for today: First, grocery-store changes — Trader Joe’s is closed; PCC West Seattle (WSB sponsor) opens later (9 am); Whole Foods opens later (9 am); Metropolitan Market opens later and closes earlier (8 am-8 pm). For Costco fans, the SODO store and other locations are closed today. … Other biznotes, including a few sent in – C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) is open 8 am-4 pm today … Grillbird is open regular hours; Freshy’s is open 9 am-7 pm, Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) is closed today but returns to regular hours tomorrow (Tuesday).
NEW YEAR’S DAY WALKS: The Emerald City Wanderers‘ New Year’s Day walks are on again ths year, starting at St John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW). Choose the 5- or 10-kilometer walk and start between 9 and noon, with soup and snacks afterward. No fee, but donations to help cover costs are welcome.
ALKI POLAR BEAR SWIM: Be at the beach to be part of the annual tradition of running into Puget Sound with hundreds of other people at 10 am sharp, just about anywhere on the sand – here’s this year’s announcement, with a special invitation to – before going in the water – “write down what you want to leave behind from 2023 and what you want from the New Year for you, your family, and for our great nation” (there’ll be a jar to drop your wish in).
OTHER NOTES: Seattle Public Utilities customers’ trash/recycling/yard-waste pickup is on one-day delay all this week too – Monday customers get Tuesday pickup, Tuesday customers get Wednesday pickup, etc. … Seattle Parks & Recreation closure info is here … Libraries (city and county) are closed today.
ASTRA LUMINA: The celestially inspired light show continues on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, opening at 5 pm. Tickets and info here.
‘4040 HOUSE’ LIGHTS: Last night this season to see the music-synched light show at 4040 47th SW, 6-9 pm – the display’s creator asks that you park on Andover or Dakota if you’re driving to see it.
If you see/hear news, please text/call 206-293-6302 – we appreciate your tips 24/7/365 (or, this year, 366)!
12:27 AM: Big emergency response near the Admiral Way Bridge for a car crash. It was initially dispatched as a “rescue extrication” but responders then reported finding no one in or near the car – so far.
12:32 AM: The location of the crash is logged as 39th/Admiral but one crew has told dispatch they’re actually on Fairmount, so we’re not clear whether they’re on or below the bridge. Dispatch has checked the plate of the crashed Acura and told police it’s “clear and current” to someone in the Pierce County town of Milton.
12:48 AM: Per commenter RS, “The crash is just south of the Admiral bridge on Fairmount. Car is on its side on the east side of the road. You can see it from the Admiral bridge.” Responders searched all around but didn’t find anyone, so SFD has closed out its part of the call.
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