West Seattle, Washington
18 Monday
(WSB video of the 2014 Polar Bear Swim on Alki)
More people than ever have asked in the past week-plus, “Is the Alki Polar Bear Swim on for New Year’s Day?” Longtime organizer Mark Ufkes has just confirmed, yes, indeed, it is. Can it break last year’s record (~500 swimmers)? Why not! Here’s Mark’s announcement:
West Seattle Polar Bear Swim is on!
2015, The year of the Sheep – a symbol pf peace, harmony, co-existence, and tranquility. A nurturing year, which the world can always use more of.
The annual West Seattle Polar Bear swim starts at 10 am sharp on January 1 each year. Arrive a few minutes early.
We line up all along the beach, have a count down, and at 10 am sharp, we hold hands and run into the water together. Each year, the swim gets bigger. Over 500 swimmers fanned out in a long line along the beach and joined us last year. It is a great way to wash away the complexities of the previous year, and celebrate the unlimited potential that awaits each of us in the new year. Year after year, Polar Bear swimmers declare that this ritual creates a sense of renewal, and helps make the new year be stronger and more positive.
Traditionally, Duke’s restaurant generously provides free clam chowder and local families bring hot chocolate for the crowd. Afterwards, Alki beach is full of hundreds of smiling swimmers and their families and friends. Come join the fun. Do the West Seattle Polar Bear swim. You will have a great time!
This starts from the sandy section of Alki, right across from Duke’s (58th/Alki). Adding to the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, which includes other New Year’s Eve/Day options, from walking to parading to dining to more swimming…
Everyone swims at Alki on Saturday at 9:30. Even orcas. @orcanetwork @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/eK1aERgpF9
— Andrew Malinak (@AndrewSwims) December 27, 2014
(Added: The every-Saturday-morning Alki swim included an orca sighting!)
9:33 AM: When last we heard of whales in the area, it was late Friday, and some were reported to be heading northbound in this direction, off the east side of Vashon. Don’t know if they are the same ones, but we have multiple reports of orcas off the 1500 block of Alki right now, for starters, plus an Orca Network Facebook report of orcas off Alki Point a short time ago, possibly visible off West Seattle. We’re off to look; let us know of any sightings!
10:02 AM: Very choppy water on the west-facing shore; followed up a text about orcas at Emma Schmitz Overlook but no luck.
10:47 AM: Just saw two southbound from Brace Point!
(Bewick’s wren, photographed by Danny McMillin, shared via WSB Flickr group)
Last weekend of the year, and a quiet one, as is customary. But you do have some options if you want to get out for a while:
FINAL DAY OF DECEMBER KING TIDES: Nothing extreme is expected but as shown in our Friday photos, the “king tide” is still a sight to see, and today the final 13-foot high tide of December is at 9:06 am. Sightseeing spots include Seacrest, where the floating Water Taxi dock will be almost at the level of the non-floating fishing pier, and Alki, where the water will be close to the top of the seawall.
BEEN TO THE MUSEUM LATELY? On this quiet between-holidays, low-on-events Saturday, the Log House Museum is open noon-4 pm and awaiting your visit to explore West Seattle-and-vicinity history. (61st/Stevens)
LEGEND HEART AT C & P: 7-9 pm, Legend Heart plays an acoustic show at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – details here. (5612 California SW)
‘BREAKIN’ UP CHRISTMAS’ CONCERT AND SQUARE DANCE: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall, enjoy an Appalachian tradition – music, dancing, revelry during the time between Christmas and New Year’s. Two visiting old-style musicians are performing before the dance, then helping accompany the dance, with local support, as explained in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)
DARCI CARLSON AT THE FEEDBACK: 9:30 pm, it’s “probably the most-requested artist here,” as the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) describes Darci Carlson. See/hear for yourself. (6451 California SW)
LIGHT SHOWS CONTINUE: Catching up on, or revisiting, local Christmas lights? See the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide for the highlights. (P.S. The guide is also where we’re looking ahead to New Year’s Eve/Day happenings.)
Our first West Seattle Crime Watch roundup since pre-Christmas starts with two reader reports:
BURGLARY INTERRUPTED: From Jeff:
Attempted residential break-in. 7500 block of 46th Ave SW, approximately 7:45 (Friday) night. Neighbors came home as it was occurring. Burglar fled. Police notified.
We’ve asked a followup question about any description that might be available.
STOLEN BIKE: So often, stolen bicycles turn up abandoned somewhere – the thief used it to get to the scene of the next crime, and then cast it aside. Sharon is looking for hers: “My bike was stolen from (the 1700 block of) Alki Ave SW. It is a black Marin crossover with a sticker on the the front, which may have already been taken off. … I will provide a reward if found.”
We also have three reports from the online police files; it usually takes several days for narratives to become available, if they ever do, but we keep watch to see what’s new, and found these, including gifts stolen from a church and rapidly returned:
9:47 PM: The family of a 21-year-old man with Down syndrome says he is overdue from his usual walk around the block – he’s usually gone an hour or so but has been gone now for four hours – and they hope you can help find him. His name is Michael and he is 5’3″, about 190 pounds, dark hair, wearing a checkered “newsboy”-type cap, in a dark jacket and black shorts. He lives near 49th and Alaska and usually walks around the block a few times. He doesn’t have ID or money on him and his family is worried that even if he is lost, he won’t ask for help – also, he won’t be able to tell you his exact address. Police have been looking for Michael and haven’t found him – if you’ve seen him, please call 911.
10:50 PM: Just heard via scanner, police have found Michael (around 46th/Charlestown) and will be taking him home. (Added – his mom has confirmed this, too.)
If you use, and/or live near, the Fauntleroy ferry terminal, heads up: One week from tonight, two weeks of potentially noisy nighttime work will start at the terminal. It’s not a Washington State Ferries project; a contractor for Seattle Public Utilities will be doing cleaning work. Here’s the notice, forwarded to us by an area resident who received it this week and thought it might be of interest to people beyond the immediate neighborhood, too:
We contacted SPU for more information about this; Ingrid Goodwin confirmed that once the work starts, it’ll continue on weekend nights as well as weeknights, and she adds: “SPU’s contractor may decide to work consecutive nights or take some nights off – depending on the weather and other work conditions.” We asked if this was regular maintenance or response to some sort of problem; her reply: “This work is in response to a recent CCTV (close circuit TV) inspection performed on SPU sewer pipes that found concrete slurry partially blocking. There was an attempt to remove the slurry during normal business hours but due to the high tides, we decided to move the cleaning effort to off hours during lower tides. This will allow a broader window of opportunity for SPU’s contractor to clean, which will also reduce the number of job site setups and breakdowns needed to complete the work.” As for the source of the slurry – that’s another followup.
Get out of the house and into the bleachers! In the Menashe Gym at Seattle Lutheran High School, the Saints’ Alumni Basketball Tournament is under way for a few more hours.
Five teams’ worth of players signed up for tonight’s tournament. There’s parking right across the street from the gym, 41st and Genesee on the north end of The Junction.
P.S. Next up for the current Saints basketball teams – they host Shoreline Christian on Saturday, January 3rd, with the girls-varsity game at 2:30 pm and the boys-varsity game at 4 pm.
Orcas are headed this way, northbound, most recently seen off Vashon Island, roughly parallel with Burien’s Seahurst Park, according to commenters on the Orca Network Facebook page; we’ve also received general tips via Facebook and Twitter. They apparently are the “transient” orcas that have spent a lot of time in the South Sound lately. We’re off to look; please let us know if you see them off our shores – we have barely an hour of light left!
(Added: WSB photo of SSCC parking lot by ravine where the girls were found)
1:56 PM: Police are looking for two girls, ages 4 and 10, in eastern West Seattle, and their family has asked us to get the word out too. The older girl has brown hair, wearing pink sweats and a pink orange jacket; younger girl has blonde hair, wearing a bright orange or blue (reversible) jacket and bright pink pants. They left their house without permission more than an hour ago and might be in the greenbelt behind Sanislo Elementary, their family says. If you see them, please call 911.
3:01 PM: Per scanner – just found, near South Seattle College.
3:26 PM: We have also confirmed with police in the area, that they are OK and safe. Medics were called to check them out just to be sure.
Restaurant updates today:
PAGLIACCI PIZZA EXPANDING IN WEST SEATTLE: After spotting construction-permit applications, we confirmed with Pagliacci Pizza that its West Seattle location (4449 California SW) is expanding. Pagliacci’s Matt Galvin confirms, “We did just submit drawings to the City to expand our dining capacity. Our plan is to go into construction in the spring with a mid-June opening. We will offer slices, lots of new seating, and beers on tap. We will open at 11:00 every day.” The expansion will stretch into the Clementine’s-turned-Lika Love space next door, adding more than 600 square feet to Pagliacci’s current 1,800-sf space. (We asked Lika Love owner Malika Siddiq about her future plans. She tells WSB she’ll continue to be “out and about in the truck when the weather warms up” as well as looking for a permanent space and selling online via shoptiques.com.)
BAMBOO’S NEW NAME: One month ago, Bamboo Bar and Grill (2806 Alki SW) closed for an overhaul, confirming it’ll reopen as a sports bar. While checking out this morning’s “king tide” across the street, we noticed it’s announced the new name, Alki Huddle:
No word yet on timeline for opening; STS Construction Services (WSB sponsor) is on site working on the revamp.
SPECIAL NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNERS: While the WSB holiday restaurant list already shows who told us they’ll be open New Year’s Eve, we’re also compiling notes about any West Seattle restaurants with special New Year’s Eve dinners. For starters: The Cassis bistro on Alki (WSB sponsor) is taking reservations for its special prix-fixe menu – see it here. Cassis is at 2820 Alki SW. We’ve also heard from Blackboard Bistro (3247 California SW) – see its New Year’s Eve plan here. Anyone else with a special New Year’s Eve menu? Let us know.
Not that we’re suggesting you de-decorate your tree and rush it right out the door right this moment, but the practical-minded West Seattleite might be wondering about this year’s treecycling dates, at the very least. Here’s what Seattle Public Utilities has to say:
Seattle residents who subscribe to curbside food and yard waste collection can put their trees and greens out on their regular collection day at no extra charge from December 26, 2014 through January 11, 2015.
Multi-family buildings can put out one tree next to each food and yard waste cart per collection day at no extra charge during this time.
Trees should be cut into sections of six feet long or shorter, with branches trimmed to less than four feet to fit into the collection trucks. Sections should be bundled with string or non-plastic twine. Metal, plastic and ornaments in trees and wreaths must be removed.
Trees that are flocked and/or have tinsel or ornaments will be collected as extra garbage. Customers will need to cut the tree into three-foot pieces and each piece will be charged as extra garbage. Each unit of extra garbage costs $10.20. Plastic trees are not compostable.
Seattle residents can also drop off holiday trees and greens for free at Seattle Public Utilities’ South Transfer Station from December 26, 2014 through January 11, 2015. The tree sections must be cut to eight feet or less in length and the trunk must be four inches or smaller in diameter. The limit is three trees per vehicle. Only trees and wreaths without flocking or decoration may be composted free of charge. The station is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m, other than selected holidays.
If anyone is handling treecycling as a charity benefit this year, we haven’t heard about it yet (but we’re standing by for info as always – editor@westseattleblog.com). Meantime, we’re adding this and other post-holiday recycling info to the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, which stays up and running through New Year’s Day.
(Photo by Matt Olson: Sanderling at Constellation Park in the Christmas Day sunshine)
A few notes from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
GIFT OF LIFE: Another mobile blood drive – this time, on the south side of Westwood Village until 3:30 pm (closed for break 11:30 am-12:30 pm); details in our calendar listing. (2800 SW Barton)
SEATTLE LUTHERAN ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: Enjoy some post-holiday hoops at Seattle Lutheran High School – the Saints’ Alumni Basketball Tournament starts at 4 pm in the Menashe Gym on campus; details on the school website. (41st/Genesee)
LIVE MUSIC: The True Romans at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), 5:30 pm … Dylan Jakobsen and special guests with a country-rock show at Skylark Café, 7 pm (all ages, $12) … Red House at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9 pm …
‘JUDY’S SCARY LITTLE CHRISTMAS’ FYI: The remaining three performances of ArtsWest‘s holiday musical (7:30 pm tonight and tomorrow, 3 pm Sunday) are almost entirely sold out, according to the AW website, so call the box office to see if anything’s left. (4711 California SW)
'King tide' scene: At Seacrest, floating Water Taxi dock almost level with non-floating fishing pier pic.twitter.com/l1ra1WNrwh
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) December 26, 2014
As noted here last night, we’re in the midst of three days at which the morning high tides are part of this year’s “king tides.” So we went out today to see what that might bring. The photo above, from Seacrest, was about as dramatic as it got. (added) At nearby Don Armeni, the water was almost up to parking lot/drive-path level:
We checked Alki a few minutes later, and the water wasn’t even over the seawall – see for yourself in this video shared by Joe Szilagyi, who was also out investigating:
Nothing at all like the wind-fueled post-Thanksgiving sights on Alki (and no doubt waterfront residents are relieved!). Tomorrow morning’s high tide, just after 9 am, will also be 13 feet, and that’s it for the official “king tides” until a stretch in January.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! First note this morning – if you’ve driven the bridge after dark/before dawn in the past few days, you’ve probably noticed the light outage (visible in the top-left camera here, if you see this early enough). We’ve heard from multiple sources, including SDOT, that City Light is aware of it – we’ll be checking today on the repair timetable.
TRANSIT TODAY: Metro remains on the “reduced weekday” schedule today.
(Photos taken Christmas evening at Lincoln Park, by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Lots of people out walking the shoreline in Lincoln Park just before tonight’s sunset. If you’re looking for a reason to go out for a walk tomorrow morning, here’s one: The “king tides” are back, and tomorrow is the second of three mornings bringing the highest tide of the month – 13 feet tomorrow, at 8:22 am. With calm weather expected, you might even see someone out for a closer look.
Whatever you see during the “king tides” these next two mornings (and during another round in late January), the state would love to see your photos – as explained here.
(Just to be clear, this round of “king tides” is arriving in the morning; our photos were taken today at Lincoln Park around 4 pm, when the tide was about as close to average as it can get, not high, not low.)
We’ve received several calls about a police response at 35th/Austin (map) – the original call was “assault with weapons”; one witness said there was a report of someone seen in the neighborhood with a gun. At the scene, officers told us it’s being investigated as a case of suicide. SW Austin is blocked off on the west side of 35th SW.
(As always when mentioning suicide, we want to point out a local resource for those considering self-harm or otherwise in crisis: The Crisis Clinic has a 24-hour hotline, 206-461-3222.)
Thanks to Don Brubeck for sharing the photo of that Christmasy creation on Alki – and thanks to the artist (whoever you are) for creating it!
(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
1:58 PM: Another major Seattle Fire callout – this time at an apartment building in the 3600 block of SW Genesee (map). “Tapped” within minutes, according to radio report from the first units on scene, but we’re on our way to check.
2:26 PM UPDATE: It was a kitchen fire, but it spread briefly to some yarn (or similar material) in the cabinets by the stove, according to what firefighters told us at the scene, so it was very smoky, and that’s left them with a lot of ventilating to do. No injuries reported.
Big Seattle Fire response to a possible fire at a house in the 5600 block of 21st SW (map), but it was just a case of “food on the stove,” according to the first arrivals – cooking-oil flare-up, out fast. Most of the responding units are being canceled.
Merry Christmas! Some info you might find useful on this holiday:
LOOKING FOR COFFEE? At least three West Seattle coffee shops are open – they’re on the list in our Holiday Guide.
CHRISTMAS DAY CHURCH SERVICES: You’ll find several, also in our Holiday Guide.
WHICH RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN? Here’s the list we put together after calling around in the past week-plus – invariably someone changes their mind (or is open but not on our list because we were unable to make contact) so please let us know if you find any discrepancies – we’re at 206-293-6302 text/voice as always.
WHICH GROCERY STORES ARE OPEN? Here’s the list.
TRANSPORTATION: Metro is on its Sunday schedule today. … The West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxis do NOT run today. … Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on a regular weekday schedule. … Sound Transit is on a Sunday schedule. … In Seattle neighborhoods with city pay stations/meters, no charge for parking today.
ENTERTAINMENT: Yes, the Admiral Theater (2343 California SW) is open – schedule’s here.
KARAOKE: Guy sends word that the Yen Wor Village (2300 California SW) lounge in The Admiral District will be open for karaoke tonight, 9 pm-2 am.
For Christmas Eve, we stopped by two more light displays – the peace sign and candy canes (above and below) are at 2707 48th SW (thanks to Lemon for the tip):
Last but not least, Santa and his flamingos can be seen in a festive Westwood yard at 31st/Thistle:
We’re adding them to the short list of Christmas-lights highlights (sorry, we’ll get back to mapmaking next year!) in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.
6:51 PM: Thanks to JayDee for the photo of tonight’s beautiful sunset, as seen from Upper Alki.
7:55 PM P.S. – If you have a view of the southwestern sky, check out the crescent moon before it sets.
(Photos courtesy West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA)
Thanks to a Seattle-based volunteer group called Kids Need Bikes, dozens of young West Seattleites have new ones just in time for Christmas. The West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) received 90 donated bicycles.
Most of the bicycles donated to the Y through Kids Need Bikes, which believes “every child deserves a bicycle to experience the unique freedom and well-being that only riding a bicycle can offer,” were given to children served by Y programs – the Y’s Joleen Post shared the photos from bike-pickup visits this past Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The donation even included tricycles for the Y Preschool – shown below with Emilia Holbik and Obie Wilkerson from the preschool:
The trikes are for preschoolers to use while at school. In all, Kids Need Bikes made 200 bicycle donations in the city this holiday season, and it could use your help, via donations of volunteer time and/or money; get more info on its website.
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