West Seattle, Washington
28 Saturday
More than a decade after the first announcement of the plan for pet-friendly The Hydrant in The Junction – “a gathering place for people and pups” – it’s officially open. We reported just after Christmas that they were close, and today proprietor Beya Mark emailed to tell us about the opening at 4541 California SW.
Here’s how she announced it:
I am super-excited to let you know that The Hydrant is open!
After what feels like an eternity (seriously, did we take a trip through a time warp?), we’re open!!
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, a craft beer aficionado, or just in need of a cozy spot to enjoy some cider or coffee, we’ve got you covered! And the best part? We’re pet friendly! Bring your furry friends along for the fun — because they deserve a treat too!
We’re not just open; we’re conveniently located in the heart of the Junction!
Get ready for a fantastic experience! Along with our rotating lineup of craft beers and fine wines, bring in own mouth-watering bites from local restaurants.
But wait, there’s more! We’ve got games lined up and are ready to host events that will keep the good times rolling. So gather your friends, and let’s make some unforgettable memories together! Can’t wait to see you all here! Let’s make up for lost time together. Cheers!
We went by for photos after the email from Beya, who, with husband Cliff, owns Next-to-Nature next door. Note that The Hydrant – whose delays were detailed in our December update – is 21+. It’s open seven days a week, still finalizing the hours but in the 11 am-7 pm vicinity, earlier and later on weekends.
ADDED: Here’s the current wine/beer menu.
8:44 PM: Seattle Police report another enforcement operation targeting shoplifting at Westwood Village. Here’s the short summary they released:
At 1000 hours (Tuesday, February 10), GIU Detectives and Southwest Patrol Officers conducted a joint Organized Retail Theft Operation at Marshalls and Ross at Westwood Village. Detectives teamed with loss prevention representatives to identify and apprehend suspects. Five suspects were arrested for shoplifting. Approximately $1,300 in stolen merchandise was recovered. This was a team effort and could not have taken place without the hard work by GIU detectives, patrol, and partnership with the loss prevention employees at Marshalls and Ross.
(GIU = General Investigation Unit.) We don’t have the suspects’ names so far and are trying to determine their status.
9:04 PM: The problem, nonetheless, persists – police just dispatched three calls for alleged shoplifting at Marshalls that occurred within a span of minutes.
11:05 PM: After some speculative searching through online records, we found one of yesterday’s arrestees in the Municipal Court system, which meant we could see the police narrative presented at his probable-cause hearing this afternoon. It says the 34-year-old suspect had “14 prior incidents” of shoplifting at the Westwood Village Marshalls, totaling a suspected $1,776, not counting the $168 in items he is accused of stealing on Tuesday. He was also arrested there in early January after loss-prevention staff called police; he had been “trespassed” previously, and the document from that case – which remains open – says he had been a “frequent” shoplifter there since last September. There’s no record of jail bookings prior to the one in January, though. In both that case and this one, he has been routed through the city Mental Health Court after concerns from his defense attorney, and while awaiting evaluation related to the January case, is now ordered for an evaluation in this one too (they’ll be compiled). In January, Mental Health Court Judge Willie Gregory granted release on personal recognition; today $500 bail was ordered, and the suspect remains in jail tonight.
Another update from Washington State Ferries – the two-boat schedule will continue on the Fauntleroy-Southworth-Vashon route at least two more weekday:
12 years ago, we reported after the Seahawks‘ first-ever Super Bowl victory parade that about a quarter of all Seattle Public Schools students were absent that day. (The district had initially cited the same policy as it did for today – no excused absences – but then pulled back a bit and let each principal decide how to handle it.) So, how was attendance today? We asked the district, and received this reply:
As Seattle celebrated the Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory parade today, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) recorded an estimated 12,697 student absences as of the start of the school day today. While student absences were significantly higher than usual, over 38,000 students are estimated to have attended school today for teaching, learning, connection, and to receive the many other services our schools provide. Our initial estimates suggest that student attendance was slightly better than during the 2014 Super Bowl parade.
In addition, there were 663 staff absences (as of 2:30 p.m.), which is several hundred absences higher than normal. Central office staff, including SPS Superintendent Ben Shuldiner, were deployed to schools throughout the district to provide additional support considering the increase in absences.
We’ll ask on follow up if the “slightly better” is a reference to percentage or number; SPS enrollment was 2,000+ more students in 2014 than it is now.
3:52 PM: Thanks for the tip about a two-car crash with one on its side at 38th/Oregon. SFD is now sending a “rescue extrication” response, indicating someone may be trapped.
3:56 PM: Reader photo added. The car “on two wheels” (as a firefighter described it) is a Volvo SUV, the other car a Honda Civic. The trapped person is reported to be in the Volvo and just “unable to get out.”
4:04 PM: The person has been safely extricated, firefighters just told dispatch.
5:32 PM: We followed up with SFD to ask about injuries. Spokesperson David Cuerpo said the 42-year-old woman who was rescued said she wasn’t hurt; a 25-year-old woman was taken to a hospital via AMR ambulance and was assessed as being in stable condition when transported.
Tomorrow is the second Thursday of the month – always West Seattle Art Walk night! In addition to the dozens of regular venues, tomorrow night brings a special event – an Art Walk at Chief Sealth International High School, showcasing performing arts as well as visual art. Here’s the invitation we received to share with you:
Chief Sealth IHS invites all community members to our annual Art Walk on Thursday, Feb. 12. Doors open at 6:00.
Grab snacks and wander as you enjoy orchestra quartets, jazz ensembles, and choir ensembles performing in different locations. Take in student visual art as you move from room to room.
The evening will culminate in a combined orchestra, band, and choir performance! Free to the public. Donations accepted.
The school is at 2600 SW Thistle. As for the rest of tomorrow night’s venues – see the preview here.
While the region’s attention focused on football these past several hours, we have news from the two local teams playing what much of the rest of the world knows as football – West Seattle Junction FC and West Seattle Rhodies FC. Their full schedules for this season are now out, as announced by the teams’ owners.
The season starts at home – Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – with a doubleheader, both teams playing, on May 10th. Details on the Junction FC season are here; details on the Rhodies FC season are here. The schedule announcements also mean single-match tickets are on sale.
11:29 AM: It’s on – the Seahawks‘ Super Bowl victory parade (starting half an hour later than planned)! If you’re not there, you can watch here. Pics and updates to come.
11:51 AM: The vehicles are finally on 4th Avenue.
12:08 PM: Ground-level sights from Ian:
The parade is over, where it began – the 4th/Washington camera shows the crowd dispersing. But it’s just arriving in the heart of downtown – the Seahawks Dancers and Blue Thunder leading the way.
12:35 PM: After an hour, the parade is now passing through the north end of the route, as shown by the 4th/Virginia traffic cam, a few blocks south of the announced end at 4th/Cedar.
1:12 PM: It’s officially over. Next season’s schedule isn’t out yet, but here are some hints.
1:37 PM: Thanks to Steven Rice for this pic of an offshore show during the parade:
ADDED: A view from Lora, toward the south end of the route:
And from a texter, at the train station near Lumen Field, one of many nostalgic jerseys:
(Last night’s ‘low-tide sunset,’ as photographer Jen Popp called it)
We’re going to point you to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for most of what’s happening for the rest of today, as Seahawks parade related coverage has taken most of the time we’d usually use for the daily list, but here are four highlights:
ALKI ELEMENTARY HC @ SCHOOL BOARD: When the Seattle Public Schools Board meets at 4:15 pm, their agenda includes voting on an “assignment transition plan” that includes the designation of Alki Elementary as the Southwest-area school with a Highly Capable “pathway,” as first reported last month.
DINE-OUT BENEFIT FOR WEST SEATTLE HS SOFTBALL: 5-9 pm, get food from Chipotle in The Junction (4730 California SW), and mention the WSHS Softball fundraiser (code and flyer are here) so the team will benefit from part of the proceeds.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH @ 34TH DDs: Our area’s largest political organization has its regular monthly meeting tonight, but first, at 6 pm, plans a special Black History Month presentation. The meeting is at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW, south end of the historic schoolhouse).
GUIDED HOT-WAX NIGHT: 6:30-8 pm at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor), the team will show you how to hot-wax your skis and/or board.
Again, LOTS more happening – but today, you’ll find it on our calendar rather than the usual list.
6:16 AM: Good morning! Time to start transit and traffic watch as people start heading downtown for the Seahawks‘ Super Bowl victory parade. Infolinks to start:
PARADE MAP/INFO
TRANSIT PLANS
EXTRA WATER-TAXI SHUTTLES
WATER TAXI VESSEL STATUS (note: Spirit of Kingston, extra boat, is running as of 7:45 but not showing)
WEST SEATTLE TRAFFIC CAMS
ALL CITYWIDE TRAFFIC CAMS
Updates to come as the morning unfolds! The 4th/Cherry cam downtown shows some staked out at curbside already, and some vehicle traffic still.
6:44 AM: The 4th/Washington cam toward the start of the parade route also shows paradegoers already staked out, and police in the street instead of traffic. We’re heading to Seacrest soon for Water Taxi updates; the real-time map shows M/V Sally Fox on the West Seattle run and M/V Doc Maynard serving Vashon.
7:08 AM: Above is the scene at the start of the parade route three minutes ago. We’re monitoring a variety of emergency and transit services; all’s well so far.
7:30 AM: Our crew has arrived at the Water Taxi dock and just sent the photo above. No line/crowd yet. Lots of room on sailing that’s just leaving. … A few minutes later, the extra WT boat, Spirit of Kingston, just pulled up (it’s not showing on the real-time site, though). … SoK left at 7:45, ~75 aboard.
8 AM: Things are starting to pick up at Seacrest, where Sally Fox has just returned. … Moments later, Spirit of Kingston (the smaller “spare” boat) returned. Meantime, our first report from buses – one rider says her bus is already full and skipping stops.
8:10 AM: We’re told Sally Fox left at capacity, 277. SoK (about half the capacity) loaded up and left minutes later. Meantime, a photo from West Seattle resident Ian in the parade zone:
8:30 AM: The boats really are leaving as fast as they fill up. Spirit of K headed out at 8:21, Sally Fox is back already, lines but not for long. … Parking is maxed out near the dock, though, a newly arrived reader tells us. They also sent this pic looking back at the line stretching out along Harbor:
8:55 AM: If you aren’t at the dock yet, you might be in for a wait – our crew estimates the line could be enough people to fill the next runs of both boats. Otherwise, no major traffic/transit problems reported – we’re continuing to monitor. … Spirit of K is headed out again at 8:56 am, so it should be back in about half an hour.
9:06 AM: Line estimated at 700 people; the two boats’ combined capacity is 450. Here’s an overhead view, from Nora McGee:
9:18 AM: Sally Fox is leaving again. … Here’s the latest view from the start of the parade route at 4th/Washington:
And from a reader who’s NOT going to the parade, we just got bus-stop views – not too jammed – including California/Findlay:
In comments, though, Meg reports, “Bus delays are pretty backed up too, been at the C line at Junction for 30 minutes without a single bus going downtown yet.”
9:38 AM: Water Taxis keep churning – SoK just left, Sally Fox is arriving. The line is still out to Harbor Ave. … Meantime, on board, a reader photo of the fan jerseys:
9:52 AM: Sally Fox is heading out again, as SoK comes in:
The outbound arrivals are slowing down, our crew reports.
10:07 AM: Now the larger M/V Doc Maynard – which has been on the Vashon run this morning – is at Seacrest, to pick up more people who will get downtown just barely in time. We’ll be leaving the dock soon; we’ll start a separate report once the parade begins, and welcome your pic at 206-293-6302 or westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Police are at West Seattle Bowl investigating a reported burglary – they were called a short time ago when live video reportedly showed someone inside the bowling alley, at a time when it’s closed and no one should be there. (Updated) descriptive information – “white or Hispanic female, 5’2″ to 5’5″, heavy-set, gray hoodie and blue jeans,” carrying a “bright blue welder” that officers subsequently found outside the building. Video is reported to show the burglar entering through Three9 Lounge on the northeast end of the building. They’re searching right now to see if anyone’s still inside.
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