West Seattle, Washington
18 Wednesday
The weather experts have warned that this is tricky to predict – but the National Weather Service is out with its 9:30 pm forecast discussion, and also mentions the “model” that suggests it could stay snowy in the city till Friday. Read it here. As for tonight/tomorrow, snow showers are still expected, the forecast says, and that could mean you get up to a little new snow on the ground.
More snow fun today – and a few holdover photos from Sunday – so we’re putting together this roundup. First two photos are by Doug Branch; that’s Holly and Simba (enjoying his FIRST snow) above, and Nick, below, in Seaview:
We’ve received more snow-creation photos too – Steve Fredrickson was on his way to Bartell Drugs in Admiral, he tells us, when he caught sight of this biker snowman on Admiral near 38th:
That’s a “Sons of Anarchy” vest, by the way. In a holdover photo from Sunday night, Rod Moody shares his snowman photo:
Sadly, someone knocked it down overnight, he reports. Another holdover – Norman’s take on the West Seattle version of Easter Island:
From the WSB Flickr group pool – continuing the tropical/wintry contrast – Kristina Noir found flamingos in the snow:
Paul Swortz was out on Alki on Sunday – and says Groot McCann, creator of Cooper’s Pack, was too!
Not all the snow creations are characters – we’ve got an igloo here, photographed by Edgar:
And a snow fort of sorts at Hiawatha last night, discovered by Clove Burt:
Now, a pet photo! From the Borrells – thanks!
In addition to fun and scenic photos, informational photos – road conditions, etc. – are also incredibly helpful once the snow returns, so we appreciate your help, so other WSB’ers can see what things are like where you are. editor@westseattleblog.com – also on Facebook, be sure you have “liked” WSB at facebook.com/westseattleblog – on Twitter, twitter.com/westseattleblog – and on Flickr, here.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This story will stay atop the home page through the evening, but we’lll be adding new stories, snow and non-snow, beneath it – scroll down!)
(Latest bridge and Viaduct views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
2:30 PM: Here’s where things stand as the afternoon commute, for those who weren’t off on this MLK Day, approaches:
–Main roads in West Seattle are in great shape.
–Bridge, Viaduct the same.
–Side roads may still have spotty problems, though one of our nearest offenders is almost as bare and wet as the nearest arterial.
If you encounter a road problem, please advise (comment, or text/call 206-293-6302) so we can share the news.
In the forecast department – we appear to be in the calm between the storms. We’ve had some flurries today but no real added accumulation. (The sun is even peeking through as we write this.) The chance of snow showers remains in the forecast through the night – maybe good for another inch or so, maybe not. The forecasters are continuing to warn that a BIG round of snow may be on the way for tomorrow night/Wednesday – see the “winter storm watch.”
More to come. And new photos welcome, too – we’ll be creating a spot for them a little later this afternoon. (If you’re looking for our morning/midday coverage – including today’s closures – go here.)
4:53 PM: So far a trouble-free commute by all accounts. And the city is clearly gearing up for tonight and beyond – a de-icer truck just stopped in front of WSB HQ (we ran out with a camera; he says he’s assigned to “high hills and bridges”), while a snowplow headed by on the nearest arterial. Commenters are discussing the situation with school tomorrow; we’ll publish any announcements we get as soon as they come in, private as well as public. Metro just reiterated that it’s on snow routing TFN. No trash pickup today? As noted in our morning report, Seattle Public Utilities had said they would have trouble in “hilly” locations; Waste Management said their crews were running two hours late. We are watching for any school-closure reports for tomorrow – please let us know if you hear of any we haven’t reported. Seattle Public Schools notes that they typically decide by 5:30 am.
5:37 PM: Here’s the Weather Service’s infographic for tonight into tomorrow – we’re in the “1 to 3 inches possible” zone.
5:51 PM: Just out of the inbox, the city’s words of warning:
SEATTLE – With weather forecasts predicting significant accumulations of snow in Seattle, Mayor Mike McGinn urged residents to be prepared for a series of winter storms over the next few days. The National Weather Service predicts lowland areas, including Seattle, could get three to seven inches of snow through Tuesday morning. They are also forecasting the possibility of another six to 12 inches of snow over the lowlands on Wednesday.
“With the possibility of significant snowfall, we are urging residents to be prepared,” said McGinn. “The Seattle Department of Transportation is treating major streets around the clock, our Emergency Operations Center is activated and other city departments are taking readiness steps. The public should get ready as well, making sure they have needed supplies in the event we do get a lot of snow.”
The City of Seattle also recommends that residents:
· Consider options now for travel, staying off the roads if possible.
· Move cars off streets, if possible, to aid with snow removal.
· Check on neighbors, especially the vulnerable.
· Wrap pipes and outdoor faucets to prevent ruptured pipes and flooding inside homes.
· Turn faucets to a slow drip to prevent pipes from freezing.
· Be careful how they choose to heat or light their homes. Open flames and unattended candles are dangerous. Do not bring open stoves or gas grills inside as the fumes can be poisonous and deadly.
· Find and clear street storm drains. Snow followed by rain can clog drains and cause flooding.
· Have coats, hats, gloves and blankets at hand to stay warm during possible power outages.
· Bring pets indoors.
· Only call 911 in a life-threatening emergency.Businesses and residents are reminded to keep their sidewalks clear to help pedestrians walk safely. Pedestrians should be cautious on snow or ice covered surfaces.
We have some driving advice, meantime, from WSB sponsors West Seattle Autoworks, via Facebook. Among them: Use lower transmission gears to go downhill more slowly. (Slow driving – slow and steady – can get you through a precarious situation.)
6:43 PM: Looking for today’s fun snow photos? Find them here. (And we’re still adding more.) And as we typed that – snow started falling again.
Nick Worsford sent us the photo last night and took credit for what he calls the “Snow Goddess.” She’s topless, headless, and on 35th SW. This being a G-rated site, we didn’t just add it into the middle of our photo roundups, but here in a standalone item, you can choose to click ahead, if you haven’t driven by and done a double take already:Read More
From an Alki resident who didn’t want to be identified: Her son lost school-related items, including college textbooks, in a daylight car break-in on Saturday:Read More
(EDITOR’S NOTE: MLK Day has become a day to focus on the value of service – particularly volunteering. It’s something you can do any day, and this periodic compilation of local school-volunteering opportunities can help – pitch in!)
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog
Even when the 5th-grade teacher I support plans to be away, leaving her class to a sub, she asks if I can come anyway: “Please come for your regular time. The students love having you.” It’s not that I bring superior qualities as a classroom volunteer; it’s that I bring variety – someone there from the “outside” for a couple of hours. When I’m there, students know their questions will be answered quicker, they will receive more attention, and they will have another adult to tell about something special that just happened to them. Consider brightening an otherwise gray, rainy winter day for students at one of the following area schools in need of volunteers (note one time-specific opportunity is THIS FRIDAY):Read More
(AFTERNOON COVERAGE can be found here)
ROADS/TRAFFIC:
We’re tracking road conditions and anything else of note over the next few hours. For starters, SDOT says via Twitter the West Seattle Bridge and Alaskan Way Viaduct are “bare and wet.” In an earlier comment thread, SSF says 35th SW is OK this morning: “I live on 35th by Camp Long. People are flying by on 35th like it’s no different than any other day.” Highland Park Way and Admiral are reported to be OK.
As SSF also notes, side streets are NOT plowed/salted by the city, so getting to the arterial(s) will be the biggest challenge. Let us know what you’re seeing if you have to be out there today. Above is the latest image from one of the bridge cams; you’ll find more nearby cams on the WSB Traffic page.
(8:10 am note) So far, no notable road problems reported in our area. The “arterials good, side streets and sidewalks the big challenge” has held true in every report we’ve received.
TRANSIT:
Metro is on snow routes (find them here) and “reduced weekday service.”
No Water Taxi today (holiday plan, not snow-related)
CHANGES/CLOSURES (updated 2:11 pm):
Nature Consortium is canceling its MLK Day of Service volunteer work party
Bright Horizons West Seattle is opening two hours late
Dr. Suzanne Fiala’s medical office closed
West Seattle Tool Library‘s “indoor winter gardening” class postponed
Kathy’s School of Dance has a “classes canceled” phone message
Little Gym of West Seattle has canceled today’s classes
The disaster-preparedness community meeting Tuesday night at the former Southwest Community Center is canceled
(Any others? editor@westseattleblog.com – we’ll keep adding)
FORECAST/OTHER WEATHER NEWS (updated 10:07 am):
A Winter Storm Watch is up for Wednesday (see it here), with the National Weather Service warning of the POSSIBILITY of a “significant snow event.” As for today – there’s an ongoing chance of snow showers. Highs are expected in the mid- to upper 30s.
As of 10:07 am, light snow is falling in West Seattle – we’ve had reports from Admiral to Arbor Heights.
TRASH PICKUP:
Seattle Public Utilities says it’s a normal day BUT “customers should note that collections will be restricted in hilly locations.”
HOLIDAY NOTES (added 9:04 am):
*Free parking in neighborhoods with city pay stations/meters
*Seattle Public Library facilities closed
*Liquor stores open 10 am-7 pm
TREE TROUBLE (added 11:15 am):
Thanks to Anne for this photo from outside Schmitz Park Elementary:
SLEDDING (added 1:42 pm)
On SW Spokane by Madison Middle School – thanks to Brian Presser of TouchTech Systems for the video.
Though the snow has stopped, the temperature is dropping, and the concern now turns to icy roads. Fewer will be on those roads tomorrow than most Mondays, since it is the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, with schools out and governments closed, but many will still be out there headed to work. SDOT promises it will have full crews working on major roadways overnight; we photographed the snowplow above in The Junction just before dusk. If you plan to use transit, note that Metro is on snow routes again tomorrow, and also a reduced-weekday schedule for the holiday. We haven’t heard of business closures yet – we had some today in our afternoon coverage – but if you do, please let us know (editor@westseattleblog.com, or the comments section here) so we can help get the word out.
Meantime, we’re still going through more photos received this afternoon. Yes, there are people sleeping outside in the snow; WSB Forums members who visited the “Nickelsville” encampment in Highland Park this afternoon took photos:
That’s from Munchkin22. The current camp population includes children and teens, we are told, who worked on this snowman:
You can join the discussion about donating warm clothing and blankets, if interested in helping – here’s the Forums topic. The Union Gospel Mission also is collecting blankets to help homeless people; last night they were scheduled to be out in the White Center area, looking for people sleeping outdoors.
Also from Highland Park, the future Westcrest Park expansion atop the now-covered West Seattle Reservoir has been inaugurated as a sledding spot. Deanie Schwarz caught it on video:
Deanie reports; “Paul Chu of Highland Park walked with daughter Sofia (3 years old) and neighborhood friends’ son Diego (9 years old) to the park. Chu told us it was a great safe place for young and older kids. He also said the sledding spot was free and that’s always better than a snow day up at Snoqualmie which can run well over $50 for permits and cards. ”
ADDED 11:30 PM: We’ve gone back through the mailboxes and there are still so many photos and videos to share. Adding a few after the jump, as one more look back at a snowy Sunday (with more to come, forecasters all seem to agree):
Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The afternoon sun broke through the clouds just in time for Saturday’s dedication of the Fallen Soldiers Memorial at West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center, honoring both Vietnamese and American soldiers lost while fighting for that nation’s freedom.
Around 70 people, bundled up against the cold, showed up for the ceremony, which was presented in both Vietnamese and English. The dedication was held Saturday to commemorate the invasion of Vietnam’s Paracel Islands by the Chinese in January of 1974.
Veteran Vietnamese military leaders involved in the action were present, including Naval Lt. Commander Sai Nguyen (far right in photo), who gave a speech honoring those lost.
The ceremony included traditional drumming, a processional carrying names and photos of fallen soldiers, national-anthem salutes, offerings of burning incense, and speeches.
(Photos courtesy Laura James)
Every weekend, volunteers work on projects big and small to improve the world. Local divers are working to improve the world you can’t see unless you’re literally immersed in it. Laura James, who has shared many in-the-Sound sights here on WSB, has launched “One Battery at a Time,” and tells the story on her website of the first effort, yesterday, to bring up abandoned batteries that wound up in the water.
As a side note – they found a surprise in the process, as told humorously on this site (if you aren’t familiar with gunnels, Laura offered this example). More “One Battery at a Time” dives are in the works.
The family of Cheryl Colehour, whose cancer fight ended last November with her untimely death at age 45, wanted to remind the community that her memorial is now less than a week away. Cheryl’s husband Tom Humphreys shared the flyer they have produced, which also invites those who knew and loved Cheryl to share memories online here, for a memory book that is in the works. Her memorial is next Saturday, January 21, 1 pm, at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 7141 California SW, with a reception afterward.
(KEY LINKS: Metro buses on snow routes; Sound Transit too … Traffic cams here … Many steep hills now closed … Winter Weather Advisory in effect, roads might ice tonight …)
12:20 PM: It’s gotten much snowier in the past hour; if you watch the WSB Twitter feed, you’ve seen our photos – we’ll add some here momentarily and those you have been sending. We were headed to the Farmers’ Market when things got serious – check what we found there:
(added) Also – Dave Montoure of West 5, selling corn chowder! Hot soup for an ice-cold day:
(added) Christopher Boffoli shot this panorama shortly after the snow started – you can click and pan around in the scene:
As of right now, there’s a line south of The Junction: North of the line, snow on the ground, on the road, falling. Here in the south, we have pinpoint “corn snow” right now and it’s only JUST begun to stick on the road – we passed the highest point in Seattle about five minutes ago and at that time, nothing even on the grass, but a mile south, the first stuck bus we’d seen today. Metro has just announced it’s on snow routes (find them here). Plows are out too – in the background of this cameraphone shot, we saw one heading back onto the high bridge from 35th/Avalon:
More to come – let us know what’s happening where you are.
12:43 PM: The photo over this line is an overview from near the Luna Park business district, courtesy of Charles. Thanks to everyone who’s sending photos! We’ve found in past storms (if you weren’t with WSB then) they provide a vital view of what’s happening all around the peninsula.
1:15 PM: Just back from a trip through Arbor Heights. Side streets covered but passable if you drive slow. 35th SW is OK, same advice, but certainly snowy/slushy (photo above is looking north toward Roxbury from 35th after 1 pm). We’re hearing that most steep hills, particularly in north WS where it’s been snowing heavier longer, are impassable – Admiral has spinouts and a stuck bus. A caller (thanks – 206-293-6302) says the bridge is having trouble too. See the latest views on our Traffic cams page. Back to the neighborhoods: From Tony in High Point –
Also just got word from Neil that SW Genesee is closed between Avalon and Delridge – very steep hill so no surprise. Pic:
Thanks for the road updates – the official sources don’t have this level of detail so your reports are key. Meantime, the West Seattle YMCA has just tweeted:
Change in plans. All basketball games 2 pm on are cancelled, pix, too. Fauntleroy Y will close @ 2 pm, West Seattle Y will close @ 5 pm.
1:50 PM: Got a report that 35th is closed at Alaska. That’s where we saw the stuck bus at noontime, photo atop this report. Meantime, some north areas (Admiral/Alki) tallying snow around 3 inches already. Thanks to Robert for this beach shot from around 1 pm:
And there’s sledding too! We’ve heard of several spots. From our WSBeat correspondent Megan Sheppard, here’s Belvidere Viewpoint Park:
It is suddenly down to a light flurry here in Upper Fauntleroy (now 1:58).
3:01 PM: 36th and 37th around Providence Mount St. Vincent were reported in bad shape – thanks to Karen and Deb from West Seattle Be Prepared for conveying that. We just came back from one more run through Arbor Heights – 35th OK, has been either sanded or well=traveled, and side streets still pretty snowy. Also took Barton down to Fauntleroy – bare and wet, same for Fauntleroy Way along Lincoln Park, though we saw some snowperson-building activity on the park grass. Here’s one on Alki – photo by Ian Coldwell, snowman by Andy Burgess, both Alki residents:
From North Admiral, Erik Walum shares the scene at Hamilton Viewpoint:
Also in Admiral, Ted measured – four-inch accumulation:
Back to Lincoln Park – tranquil scene from Trileigh Tucker:
And Alki Lighthouse is lovely in the snow – thanks to Russ Walker for this photo from his Flickr gallery:
So is DK’s backyard in Highland Park:
We’ll be going out after 4 to check out the road conditions before sunset. The Weather Service has renewed its advisory and that includes concern about roads icing over.
4:07 PM: Skylark Café and JaK’s Grill have both mentioned on Facebook that they’ll be closed tonight due to complications of the weather. By 6 pm, we’ll switch over to an ongoing evening weather update, though we’re also hoping to get some coverage of other weekend news in before then. Meantime, more photos! First, Ginny Woo says this is son Gus (10 months)’s first snow – he was out as she and his big sis Ava, 7, built a “snowlady”:
The Pals family sent their snow-giant photo – with, from left, Mommy, Ira, and Jurgen:
We even got a snowman photo from The Admiral District’s Brent Amaker:
And over at Madison Middle School, Steve shows us, they’ve been sledding:
Tomorrow was already an off-day for students, remember, since it’s the official King Day holiday. For now – more snow falling … A big line of dark clouds just advanced from the west (not long after a sunbreak in the same spot – wild weather!).
6:12 PM: Took that trip around the peninsula, traveling California and 35th among other roads. Didn’t encounter any closures – but snow was falling again. Admiral is still way snowier than Morgan Junction and many points south. Meantime, Metro says it’ll be on snow routing again tomorrow, and also reminds you that its Monday schedule is “reduced weekday” for the MLK Day holiday. We will start ongoing evening coverage in a while – after a few other things that have been in queue.
(LOOKING FOR SNOW COVERAGE? UPDATES ARE HERE)
New details today about the Delridge Alliance, the advisory group that DESC committed to help convene as its Delridge Supportive Housing project plan continues. Until now, the newest major development is what we reported two weeks ago – that the plan is down to 66 units from the previous 75 because of a city decision (explained here); DESC’s Bill Hobson subsequently confirmed to WSB that the project is moving ahead:
Yes, we are proceeding. Clearly, the 75-unit plan presented at (Design Review) will now have to be modified somewhat but our architects assure me that modification will not be substantial and it will be under the WSHFC per-unit cost ceiling. And, the modification will respect the recommendations they received at EDG.
Now, the advisory-group details: This morning, North Delridge Neighborhood Council website features a detailed update this morning from Vonetta Mangaoang, who’s part of the advisory group, with details on who’s on it so far, the positions still open, what it’s about, and what happens next. Read it here. (No date set yet for the project’s second Design Review meeting, by the way.)
(LOOKING FOR SNOW COVERAGE? UPDATES ARE HERE)
Just a few notes from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, as we settle into a day that seems destined to be punctuated by snow showers/flurries (morning coverage here):
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Yes, market managers have confirmed they’re open. 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska. The illness-delayed debut of Honest Biscuits is promised (see this tweet), too. (Added: West 5 is there selling soup – check the pic in this tweet!)
BENEFIT ADOPT-A-THON CONTINUES: At Kitty Harbor (3422 Harbor SW), it’s the second day of a special offseason cat adopt-a-thon – also a benefit for fire victim Teri Ensley and Furry Faces Foundation, noon-6 pm. “Moto,” above, is one of the two-dozen-plus cats who were still awaiting a home by late Saturday afternoon, after more than 30 others were adopted! Here’s our Saturday night story.
BOOK SIGNING: Metropolitan Market says LaDonna Rose Gundersen, who fishes in Alaska as well as writes, will be at the Admiral store today from 12-2 pm to sign her new cookbook “Salmon, Desserts, & Friends.”
(AFTERNON SNOW COVERAGE UPDATES ARE HERE)
(Photo by Machel Spence. Yours welcome – editor@westseattleblog.com)
7:16 AM: Had almost written it off, but here it is in Upper Fauntleroy. You?
8:31 AM: After a pause – it’s flurrying again. Even up here around 350 feet, it’s just on the rooftops and cartops – so far. The National Weather Service issued a “Winter Weather Advisory” a short time ago, in effect till 10 pm (see it here), which says eventual accumulations up to 3 inches are possible. You can watch for other signs of impending snow via the Snow Watch maps.
10:24 AM: Off-on flurries/showers continue. Photo above is from one that was fast and furious – for about two minutes.
10:34 AM: Just in from SDOT, this overview:
Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Street Maintenance crews spent the night applying deicer and anti-icer to major arterials, elevated roadways and bridges, and known trouble spots along the snow route network. Despite an early morning snowfall, thus far, the roads south of the ship canal are bare and wet and are also in relatively good shape in the northwest sector of the city. Nevertheless, crews are patrollng those areas applying anti-icer where necessary. The morning snowfall primarily accumulated on streets, and especially hills, in the northeast section of the city – east of Aurora. SDOT trucks are applying anti-icer, deicer, and also plowing the snow where needed. SDOT’s Street Maintenance crews will be working throughout the day to ensure safe driving conditions on the city’s key roadways, particularly on routes used by buses and emergency response vehicles. Motorists are advised to use added caution and be watchful for black ice.
11:35 AM: Serious snow in The Junction. Road is coated.
(Photo added 12:42 am, sent by neighbor ‘Bunnyfer’)
11:54 PM: Fire reported on 35th SW near Roxbury. More to come.
(Photo by Tony Bradley)
12:10 AM: The fire is reported to be under control.
12:36 AM: Christopher Boffoli‘s on the scene for WSB. (His photos are above and below this paragraph.) He says the house is single-family but is believed to be vacant (as mentioned in comments, below). Note that 35th is closed at Roxbury, if you have to drive at this hour. No word of any injuries.
12:41 AM: Christopher has spoken with Seattle Fire spokesperson Kyle Moore. He reports that Moore confirms the house was vacant, and Christopher adds this from Kyle’s briefing: “No occupants. No firefighter injuries. Engine 37 arrived to a fully involved fire in the basement area. Ladder 11 followed and ran water from an 8 inch main on 35th. They have the fire pretty much tapped now. But because the fire burned out and weakened the floor, it is too dangerous for them to go inside at this point. Kyle says they’ll probably sit on it all night just to be sure.”
1:41 AM: Added video from Christopher. Your editor here just went over to check the scene – 35th closed on the south side of Roxbury but you can turn onto Roxbury, either way. We’re adding more photos, too. The main that Kyle mentioned to Christopher – important note because of the water challenges brought to light by the August 27th fire a mile or so south – is about a block from the house that burned.
(Photo by Tony Bradley)
Here’s where the line ran from:
(Photo by Torin Record-Sand)
(The maps shown when the City Council was briefed on the August fire last month show this area is not slated for water-main upgrades since it’s close enough to one with sufficient “fire flow.” When we checked back, firefighters were still up on the roof with chainsaws, ventilating the house, and it’s still smoldering. No word on the cause, but that usually takes some hours to determine.
2:49 AM: Commenters had pointed out early on that the home was for sale. Most recently, one noted that a sale was listed as “pending.” We looked up the current ownership; the house is federally owned, following foreclosure. Meantime, we uploaded a short clip received from Benjamin, in the early moments of the fire:
ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: Investigators still haven’t figured out how the fire started, according to this update on the SFD website.
11:42 PM: Thanks for the e-mails/texts. We’re checking. (LATER: Sorry, the fire sidetracked the investigation into what this was about. We still have inquiries out, though, and whenever we get an answer, we’ll post it here.)
SUNDAY MORNING: Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams told us they did NOT have Guardian One (the area’s only law-enforcement chopper, owned/operated by King County Sheriff’s Office, but assists other agencies) out on anything. Was it a KCSO case? No word yet.
It’s been quieter on the burglary front lately; we should hear the newest stats at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting on Tuesday. Meantime, an alert from a break-in victim near 29th and Raymond in High Point, who sent a note this afternoon:Read More
At Kitty Harbor late this afternoon, the first day of a special cat adopt-a-thon wrapped up, with distinguished visitors – with KH founder Delyn Kosbab (left) and Furry Faces Foundation’s Teri Ensley (right), that’s one of them, King County Executive Dow Constantine, holding Patches the cat. Patches, an 11-year-old tortoiseshell, is one of two-dozen-plus cats who will be awaiting you at Kitty Harbor tomorrow. (By 4 pm today, more than 30 already had found new homes!) The adopt-a-thon is also a benefit on behalf of Teri, whose home caught fire this past Monday (WSB coverage here). All but one of her personal and rescue cats is OK, but she is mourning Pouncer, who didn’t make it; otherwise, Teri told us, she’s doing better, and very thankful to everyone who has reached out to help. (Even the clothes she’s wearing are thanks to folks who are helping.) Constantine is a longtime animal advocate – not to mention companion of two rescue cats – and was there not just to show support for Teri, but also for King County Regional Animal Services, which helped with the event:
As terrific as Kitty Harbor is (helping 575 cats find homes this past season!), he noted, it would be great if there was less need for volunteers and private nonprofits to shelter and help so many homeless cats – and there’s an easy way to help that become reality:
(Side note – Constantine and partner Shirley Carlson stopped at Kitty Harbor while heading back from an event at the University of Washington at which local Japanese-American World War II heroes were honored, including two from West Seattle; more on that later.)
The Kitty Harbor adopt-a-thon – which is happening outside the timeframe of the facility’s normal adoption season – continues noon-6 pm tomorrow at 3422 Harbor Avenue SW. Meantime, the latest on assistance for Teri, her cats, and Furry Faces is here (including a “mini-pub crawl” in Morgan Junction Thursday night).
One week from today, family and friends will gather to remember lifelong West Seattleite Jack Hanning. His family shares this remembrance:
Jack Hanning
“Maui Jack”
3/24/25-1/7/12
Jack was born in Seattle to Jack and Irene Hanning. He was a lifelong resident of West Seattle and graduated in ‘43 from West Seattle High School.
Jack joined the Sea Scouts and sailed on the Yankee Clipper; later in life, he served on the Sea Scout Foundation.
He volunteered for the U.S. Navy Submarine Service during WWII and served on the Pogy SS266 from ’43-‘46. In ‘47, Jack married Bettie McCoy, and they celebrated their 64th anniversary last June 14th. He graduated from the U of W in ’53, then worked for Benton Realty before opening Hanning Realty in ’56. Later he added Olympic Escrow. After 50 years in the business, he closed his office in ‘06.
We first heard about this at midmorning, when Richard sent a note about a King County Sheriff’s Deputy and “crime tape” at a home across from Lowman Beach. We suspected it had something to do with the county taking over that property and others, for the future Murray Pump Station Combined Sewer Overflow project, which will replace the residences across from Lowman Beach with a million-gallon underground storage tank and its support faciliities. When we got there for a photo early this afternoon, that looked so obviously to be the case, we didn’t even seek out the deputy who was parked there, figuring we’d go look up property records.
Then while back at HQ we got a note from Robin, who said she had seen a Craigslist ad about a garage sale at the address today, got there at 10 am – and instead of a sale, she found a (different – in a KCSO car, while this afternoon, it was Burien PD) deputy, the house cordoned off with crime tape, and NO TRESPASSING signs put up:
She says the deputy who was there at the time explained that the renters already had moved out and the sale listing was “fake,” one of those “everything including the fixtures are for sale” listings. We looked around online and saw some corroboration of this on CL:
Further searches showed some hint of the original post, but it’s already been removed, even from caching. Online county records confirm this site is now owned by the county; the sale closed December 30th, but the purchase price is not listed. We’re seeking further info from the Sheriff’s Office (such as, was anyone arrested?) and will also be researching the ownership status of the other properties on the block – the county’s timetable calls for demolition as soon as this spring, though construction isn’t expected to start till next year. More info on today’s incident, as we get it.
Police are investigating vandalism on the east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center. An officer arrived while we were there looking at the damage a neighbor had called to tell us about. One or more vehicles drove over the east lawn – in repeated circles/criss-crosses, tearing up the grass in the area used for so many community events:
The neighbor who called us said it happened overnight – he believes he heard the noise of whatever vehicle(s) did this, but didn’t realize at the time what it was. The tire tracks are on the north side of the east lawn too:
We did not see any equipment or building damage, though, and it wasn’t clear what direction the driver(s) came from – there is a driveway but the locked bollards were up. The site is owned by Seattle Parks, and we won’t be able to check with them till Tuesday because of the holiday.
10:36 AM: The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has just canceled the burn ban that’s been in effect the past few days – no surprise given the rain and wind, of course, but just in case you’ve been longing to get the fireplace/woodstove going, there’s your green light. Meantime, the forecast continues to include a possibility that the rain showers will turn to snow showers – possibly this afternoon; so far, no word of morning snow sightings.
11:35 AM: The snow has hit the north end, according to multiple reports – Fremont, Woodland Park Zoo among the areas mentioning it. Headed this way? We’re on watch. The National Weather Service has issued a “short-term forecast” focused on north King/south Snohomish counties.
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