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TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Characters with cocoa and cookies on Saturday!

Tonight’s Christmas lights accompany an invitation for tomorrow, sent by Valerie:

Where can you find a darling deer and a charming snowman cross country skiing in West Seattle? 3431 48th Ave SW.

Join us for a neighborly hot chocolate and a gingerbread cookie from Mrs. Claus’s cocoa cart on Saturday, December 14th from 5-7 pm.

No, you don’t have to offer treats to have your lights showcased – photos are optional too (but appreciated) – westseattleblog@gmail.com, or text our hotline, 206-293-6302. (Scroll through this archive to see what we’ve shown already!)

WEEKEND PREVIEW: ‘Winter Wonderland’ fun Saturday in Admiral

After a year of big events presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association – including the 4th of July Kids’ Parade, Music in the Parks, and the Admiral Funktion street festival – you have one more to enjoy! Tomorrow (Saturday, December 24). “Winter Wonderland” beckons you to multiple locations in the heart of The Admiral District, 10 am-2 pm. Here’s what ANA says you’ll find:

Enjoy festive foods for the whole family at Arthur’s and dance in the snow (weather permitting), then enjoy coconut macaroons for kids at Circa. Skate over to West Seattle Grounds to make star ornaments and enjoy free hot cocoa for kiddos. Seattle Yarn will be making the season merry and bright with paper crafts (11 am-2 pm) and while you’re there consider donating to their Heart of Washington Winter Clothing Drive. Then bop on down the road to Wicked Rae’s to craft winter snow globes (from 10 am-noon). And don’t forget to snap some fun holiday photos at Hoste‘s popular Elves Cottage and Mud Bay’s annual Happy Pawlidays Photo Booth where you can also donate to their Giving Tree to help pets in need this season. And don’t miss out on getting your photo with the big man himself, Santa, at West Seattle Realty! You can also support our neighbors in need this holiday season by dropping off donations for the Westside Neighbors Shelter at West Seattle Realty.

Finally, since the best way to spread holiday cheer is to sing loud for all to hear, take a break to enjoy the Admiral Church Choir’s Roving Carolers and say hello to the Admiral Neighborhood Association penguin, who will be waddling through the event!

SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, inbound

Thanks for the tip. Might be hard to see through the rain and murk, but the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) is inbound, passing Alki Point. It’s been out at sea for a week and a half. It’s been exactly four months since it changed homeports to Bremerton.

VIDEO: Fauntleroy ferry-dock replacement project’s Community Advisory Group hears about a ‘hybrid’ as decision time draws near

(WSF recording of Wednesday night Community Advisory Group meeting)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

As Washington State Ferries gets close to settling on a “preferred alternative” for its Fauntleroy dock replacement, it told the project’s Community Advisory Group members Wednesday night that it’s focusing on what could be a hybrid of two of the options it’s been examining for more than a year.

They are B and B-3, which would be longer than the existing dock and would hold at least a full ferryload. of vehicles (124 for the Issaquah-class ferries that currently serve the route). Here’s how those two were described when the nine possible alternatives were unveiled in October of last year:

Last night’s online meeting wasn’t meant to be final word of which alternative WSF is pursuing, but rather a chance to review the criteria used in the evaluation, and to answer questions about the review. (Here’s the full slide deck.)

WSF’s David Sowers opened with an acknowledgment that “this process has taken longer than we anticipated.” But: “We’re getting toward the end” of that process. The ~$100 million dock/terminal is currently expected to be built between 2027 and 2031, and construction could last that entire four-year window.

What they’re wrapping up now is the “Level 3 screening process.” WSF’s Marsha Tolon recapped that they evaluated the alternatives on 29 “performance factors.” You can see the full details of those factors, and how alternatives stacked up, in this draft document circulated to advisory-group members. Those factors ranged from what you’d expect – load times, for example – to environmental factors such as how much an alternative might encroach on Cove Park (north of the dock) or how it might affect eelgrass restoration; here are some key criteria as listed in the meeting slide deck:

Here are WSF’s choice of highlights for why they favor the possible “hybrid” – note that the darker the box, the better that alternative ranked:

Feedback from advisory-group members included a question from Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens about whether WSF really expected to be able to expand the terminal’s overwater coverage so much. Tolon suggested that the support of the Technical Advisory Group will help with that. Another group member urged WSF to plan for a future in which larger boats might be serving the route, not just the 124-car vessels handling it now. (WSF acknowledged that some years down the road, they’ll have to build a class of ferries replacing the Issaquah-class, and that could mean a different capacity. “We will deliver the Legislature our best thoughts” when the time comes, said John Vezina.) What about the pump station on the Cove Park side of the dock – will WSF have to maintain road access to that? Sowers said they’re assuming so.

There was no vote – this is an advisory group, not a decisionmaking group – so WSF’s focus on the footprint of B and B-3 ultimately was an FYI, not a “do you agree?”

WHAT’S NEXT: WSF says it’ll plan a round of community engagement – at least an “open house,” suggested Sowers – before making a final decision on the preferred alternative. Once that decision is in, a new round of environmental review will kick off. And before it builds the new dock, WSF will be working with SDOT on changes for the Fauntleroy Way intersection at the dock’s exit/entrance; that plan is not finalized yet but construction is expected to start next year. (An advisory group asked for a rendering of what’s in the works; a rep for the engineering firm working on that part of the project said they’re working on one.)

BIZNOTE: Alki Café closed after eviction notice posted

Thanks for the tips. The handwritten sign on the front door of Alki Café (2726 Alki SW) says “SORRY-CLOSED,” next to an eviction notice posted by the King County Sheriff’s Office this morning. These types of notices are usually posted following court action in an eviction case, technically known as “unlawful detainer,” so we looked up the case. It goes back 10 months; documents say the building owners, Alki Shores, wanted to end the restaurant’s tenancy in February. No specific amount of potentially owed money listed, other than to say the café’s base rent was $7,422 plus $1,337 in “other recurring charges.” In their response filed in June, the restaurant owners – who documents identify as Alki Beach Restaurant Café and NRBM LLC – said they had been dealing with alleged electrical and plumbing issues causing “periodic closures” plus improper electrical metering that they said had likely caused them to be overpaying for that utility. They estimated the alleged issues had cost them about $80,000. The case kept making its way through the system, according to documents, until an order following a six-minute hearing on November 21st, saying the restaurant owner’s allegations were not an excuse for the “failure to vacate” and ordering the eviction. We’re seeking comment from both the building owner and the restaurant owner.

From choirs to clay, spaghetti to skating, here’s the list for your West Seattle Friday!

(WSB photo, Rain City Clay holiday show – info below)

Here’s what’s on our list for you today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round West Seattle Event Calendar:

INDOOR PLAY: Need an indoor place for your little one to play on this chilly day? 10 am-11:30 am, you’re welcome to drop in for the weekly free “Stay ‘n’ Play” event at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Open with poinsettias, holiday swags, and more! North side of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visit the home of West Seattle’s history to see what’s new as well as what’s old, noon-4 pm. (61st SW & SW Stevens)

QI GONG AT VIVA ARTS: 12:15 pm-12:45 pm Fridays. More info in our calendar listing. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM: The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room is open 1-6 pm in the north lot of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).

RAIN CITY CLAY HOLIDAY SHOW: The Arbor Heights studio/gallery hosts the show again this weekend, 4-8 pm tonight – details in our calendar listing. (4208 SW 100th)

NORTHSTAR TRADING CO. POPUP: Longtime Pike Place Market vendor closing shop and selling sheepskin creations in West Seattle, 5-7 pm tonight (and other dates) – details here. (7138 30th SW)

‘WINTER WANDER’ SCAVENGER HUNT CONTINUES: Alice Kuder presents the “Winter Wander” scavenger hunt again this year, continuing through Sunday so it’s not too late to jump in:

The Winter Wander Scavenger Hunt is a free community event designed to bring friends and families together for holiday fun. Wanderers download a Bingo-style clue sheet, scour West Seattle to identify the locations that solve the clues, and upload selfies in front of those locations to qualify for prize drawings. Open to everyone of all ages! Winter Wander concludes at 7 PM, Sun., Dec. 15th, 2024. Sign up by registering at wondersinaliceland.com.

VISCON CELLARS: Season’s just right for the ambience of this tasting room/wine bar, open for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm – at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT THE SKYLARK: Swinson and the Expedition‘s “HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS” with Lookout Mountain Lookout and Vito at The Skylark, 6 pm doors, 6:30 pm music, $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

SPAGHETTI DINNER: The West Seattle High School Key Club wants to serve you dinner tonight! 6:30 pm, $10, details here. In the WSHS Commons. (3000 California SW)

THE STARRY CROWNS: 7 pm concert at Our Lady of Guadalupe (35th/Myrtle), “a sparkling mix of sacred and secular songs.” With special guest Migi.

MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Songwriters’ Showcase live at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover.

AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’: The radio-play edition of “A Christmas Carol” at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), 7:30 pm.

NORTHWEST FIRELIGHT CHORALE: 7:30 pm concert at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW) – this year’s theme is “Hearts Aglow in Winter’s Snow.” Tickets and info here.

SEATTLE GIRLS CHOIR: 7:30 pm at Holy Rosary (42nd/Genesee), Seattle Girls Choir presents “Carmina Angelorum: Songs of the Angels.” (Follow that link for concert and ticket info.)

‘SNOWED IN (AGAIN)’: The holiday musical continues at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 7:30 pm; ticket info is in our calendar listing.

REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Alice Camille tonight! (4547 California SW)

MAKE IT LOUD: Skating to live music at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), doors at 9 pm, $18 cover, $5 skates. Tonight’s slate: The Sinister Six, Dancer & Prancer, The Hot Rollers.

Are we missing anything? If you have something else to add to our event lists, calendar, and/or Holiday Guide, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

BIZNOTE: Filigree & Shadow participating in Saturday’s Scented in Seattle Holiday Market

One of this weekend’s unique holiday markets is happening in SODO and featuring a West Seattle business, fragrance-maker Filigree & Shadow (WSB sponsor), who shared the announcement:

My fragrance studio will be closed this Saturday as I’ll be at Metropolist Events in SoDo for the Second Annual Scented in Seattle Holiday Market!

Looking for unique holiday gifts? Join us to explore a thoughtfully curated selection of artisan fragrances, soaps, candles, and body care products crafted by local businesses.

Event Highlights:

Artisan Fragrance Vendors: Discover niche perfumes from independent makers and connect with the creators behind your favorite scents.
Perfume Swap: Bring your gently used perfumes and trade them with fellow enthusiasts.
Special Exhibit by Jesse Hardy: Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind installation created exclusively for this event.

The market runs from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and is free to attend. Street and lot parking are available, and Metropolist is fully ADA-accessible.

Celebrate the season and find the perfect gifts while supporting local artisans. We can’t wait to see you there!

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Friday notes

6:07 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, December 13th.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Rain is due back today, high in the upper 40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:49 am, while sunset will be at 4:17 pm one more time – as early as the sunset gets – tomorrow, 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 todayRegular 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!

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 35th/Barton 7-Eleven robbed

(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.

UPDATE: Almost 5,000 hit by power outage in West Seattle; see the tree trouble that’s to blame

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.

UPDATE: ‘Rescue extrication’ response on West Marginal Way SW

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.

PHOTOS: Holiday edition of West Seattle Art Walk, with music!

(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.

TRAFFIC ALERT: West Marginal Way crash

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.

WEEKEND PREVIEW: Toy swap at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse on Saturday

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 SW

This 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 PM

Bring 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.

VIDEO: Admiral coyote sightings

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!

UPDATE: Brown water in The Junction

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.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen green Jeep Cherokee

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.

Art Walk, Shop Late, music, food, rezoning discussion, new book club, landmarked-house history, more for your West Seattle Thursday!

(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!

Celebration of life planned in February for Joseph R. Nokes, 1950-2024

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)

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Thursday info, with Delridge crash

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 todayRegular 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!

HELPING: Local Girl Scouts solve a problem, as ‘Agents of Change’

Troop co-leaders Robin and Jess shared this news:

Our Girl Scout Troop made up of Junior Girl Scouts from local West Seattle schools, all in 5th grade, recently completed a huge project … at a camp we attend for Girl Scouts, St. Albans. They had to come up with a problem to solve, one that would result in the change being lasting and substantial. When we went camping at St. Albans we couldn’t figure out the recycling, so that was our problem that we then spent a year “fixing” for future campers.
It took a lot of creative thinking for outdoor signs (waterproof paper!) and how to make sure animals wouldn’t get into the bins (“put your CLEAN can in here”).

They received a donation of recycled milk crates from Smith Brothers Farms, courtesy of a former Girl Scout. “Those 25 crates saved us hundred of dollars on bins, and helped us up-cycle plastic in our recycling project!” Here’s the troop’s official announcement:

Junior Girl Scout Troop 40028 is excited to announce the completion of our Agents of Change project at Girl Scouts of Western Washington property Camp St. Albans.

This yearlong project started with a problem to solve, not understanding how and what to recycle when we camped at St. Albans.

With engineering, teamwork, and design, we created a framework that will help campers at St. Albans dispose of waste correctly. This system will sustain for many seasons to come, rain or shine.

Thank you to Smith Brothers Farms for donating milk crates, an essential tool in our project.

Thanks to future Girl Scout Campers who will maintain and sustain this project for St. Albans and for helping to make this world a better place.

BIZNOTE: Pet Pros closing in Jefferson Square

Thanks for the tips. The Pet Pros store in Jefferson Square is closing. That was confirmed by Nina, who we talked to by phone; she told us she’s worked for PP for 14 years and just got word of the closure. She told us she didn’t have details – such as the last day – yet. Pet Pros moved to J-Square two years ago, after 15 years at Westwood Village, a run that ended when national chain Pet Supplies Plus moved to that center. The J-Square space isn’t yet listed for lease on the center’s website yet, but it’s next to two others that are – the temp See’s Candies shop and the former U-Frame It space – plus it’s just a few doors down from the vacant ex-Supercuts. The center is likely to face the wrecking ball if West Seattle light rail stays on the path that Sound Transit‘s board voted to support earlier this year, but construction is at least three years out.

TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: ‘Bigger, brighter’ in North Admiral

Tonight’s spotlighted lights are from, and by, Dana in North Admiral:

Hey neighbors! For the past six years, I’ve been decking the halls (and walls!) with thousands of twinkling lights. Every year, I add something new to the show, and this year is no exception. We’ve got a bigger, brighter display with new animations, and our mischievous elves are back and more animated than ever!

Come on by and check out the lights from 5 PM to 11 PM every night through New Year’s. We hope to put a smile on your face and brighten up your holiday season. 4321 SW Atlantic St. [map]

Thanks again to everyone who’s sending photos and/or suggestions – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text our hotline, 206-293-6302. You can see what we’ve shown already by scrolling through this archive!