West Seattle, Washington
28 Monday
Today is the first of three days for a West Seattle holiday-shopping tradition – the Native Art Market at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse (4705 West Marginal Way SW). The art you’ll find there represents many tribes/nations – one of the art businesses there is Igmútȟaŋka Iháŋble (Lakota for Mountain Lion Dreams):
Neecee’s Ancestral Art is by Denise Emerson, Navajo and Skokomish:
The market continues until 5 pm today, and is open 10 am-5 pm Saturday and Sunday. If you’re driving, note that the Longhouse has increased parking options, plus a traffic signal to get safely across West Marginal if you park on the east side.
2:30 PM: The ramp from southbound Highway 99 to the westbound West Seattle Bridge is being shut down for the response to what’s described as a one-vehicle crash “into the guardrail.” We don’t know where this is in relation to the “trouble spot” on the bridge near that ramp, as none of the traffic cameras have been turned to show the location, but so far descriptions have focused on the ramp, not the bridge.
2:33 PM: Via a murky picture, SDOT’s traffic center now reports this is on the ramp.
4:20 PM: The ramp has since reopened.
Texter reported a lot of black smoke from the north end of Vashon Island, so we looked into it, and found out there’s a house-fire response in the 10700 block of SW 111th Place [vicinity map]. No further information so far.
P.S. No official information, but commenters have shared some updates and visuals.
(Thanksgiving Eve photo from Lincoln Park by Susan Romanenghi)
Here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:
NATIVE ART MARKET: It’s a tradition for the last Friday-Saturday-Sunday of November – the Native Art Market at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse (4705 W. Marginal Way SW) is a great place to start your gift shopping and support Indigenous artists/crafters. On until 5 pm today and 10 am-5 pm Saturday-Sunday.
BLACK FRIDAY LOCAL SHOPPING: As previewed here, today’s sales include West Seattle independent businesses and WSB sponsors Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop (6400 California SW), Lauren’s Jewelry (Westwood Village), Emerald Water Anglers (4502 42nd SW), and Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska).
WATCH THE WORLD CUP: We’ve listed seven West Seattle spots where you can watch the 11 am USA-England match.
CHRISTMAS SHIP: The first of three West Seattle stops for the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship is at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1200 block of Harbor Avenue SW), 5:35 pm. Carolers sing from the ship, you watch from the shore!
ST. NICHOLAS FAIRE ONLINE AUCTION: Bid for a variety of holiday-gift items (or maybe something you can use!), support the West Seattle Food Bank. It’s all happening online 6-9 pm tonight – as explained here.
ARTSWEST HOLIDAY SHOW: Tonight at 7:30 pm, it’s opening night for “Q Brothers Christmas Carol” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) – ticket info is in our calendar listing.
HOLY ROSARY TREE LOT: First day of the season at the Holy Rosary School Christmas tree lot, where part of the proceeds benefit local nonprofits. Open until 9 tonight – days and hours are here. (Off 42nd SW north of Genesee)
Have something to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(File photo)
10:21 AM: We noted last month that La Rustica, the Italian restaurant at 4100 Beach Drive SW, would be closed for much of November due to kitchen-floor work. Co-proprietor Kat Hoffman sends word today that the work is done and the restaurant indeed is reopening tonight, You won’t notice anything different, since the work really was just in the kitchen: “it has been a lot of hard work to get it done.” They want to be sure patrons know how much they appreciate the “patience and support.”
4:30 PM: Kat just told us the reopening is delayed until Saturday – they have to fix their hot-water heater.
Family and friends will gather tonight and tomorrow to remember Jose M. Martinez Jr. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with the community:
Our beloved, Jose Manuel Martinez Jr., was called home to heaven after a short, intense fight with cancer on Sunday, November 6, 2022 at 1:40 PM.
Jose transitioned peacefully at home, surrounded by his immediate family, who loves and misses him dearly, beyond measure.
Jose entered this world in April of 1949, the youngest child of ten, born to Aurora T. and Jose Manuel Martinez, Sr. Jose was born in Southern Texas and grew up in Sunnyside, Washington – the area that his family called home since relocating in the 1950s. He attended schools in Sunnyside and graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1967, with accolades including State and District High School wrestling championships, and his place among WIAA All-State Wrestlers. These accolades allowed Jose to attend college in Seattle on an athletic scholarship. Later in life, Jose worked twenty years in the construction industry as a journey-level carpenter and worked as a custom upholsterer for a short time until transitioning to working as a letter carrier with the US Postal Service. Jose retired in 2021, after a thirty-two-year career. He carried mail out of Seattle’s Interbay Station and he made many friends both in the office and out along his route. He was a Union Steward for NALC Branch 79 and caused many of his supervisors much consternation with his skill in advocating for workers’ rights.
Jose was an athlete most of his life and a dedicated coach throughout his adult life; first as a player-coach, playing softball next to his favorite teammate, Evonne. Later, as his children grew old enough to play sports, he coached each one of them in a variety of sports depending on the season – baseball, softball, basketball, wrestling. In later years, he dedicated his life to coaching youth soccer. As his children became adults and ventured out into their own lives, he began coaching other youth. He coached at the premier, middle school, and high school levels and was a Nationally licensed soccer coach with additional advanced training, Although he could have continued to coach for premier teams or charged significantly for his training services, his focus was in providing high-level training opportunities to youth and families that would not have been able to afford it otherwise, especially within the Latino and immigrant community. He also loved to work with young people who were not given the same opportunities by other coaches because of their lack of skill or because of limited abilities that made it challenging for them to make progress in a linear fashion. His patience and great respect for each player and his focus on skill development and not on his teams’ winning was what eventually led to his players becoming very skilled and he often had championship level teams as a result. In addition to teaching his players soccer skills, he also stressed to players the importance of always doing their best in whatever they attempted, including academics and maintaining their familial relationships. He was not just a coach- he was a mentor, a confidant, an advocate, and his teams became more like extensions of families that he led as their respected elder.
He was excited and proud that he was able to coach his young grandsons as they recently began their soccer careers.
Family was extremely important to Jose. For decades, he organized family gatherings at the family property where he and many others grew up, in order to continue the connections, and share the family history with the younger generations. Family was more than a biological connection to Jose. The family gatherings became huge events where all those who had become family came to share in the relationships that he strove to maintain. He worked hard to clean up the property and tried to provide everything for the family to be able to gather and share each other’s company. Another way that he maintained and shared family tradition was through his preparation of a pit barbacoa. He would stay up all night tending to the fire to make sure it didn’t go out so that it would be ready for the main family meal the next day.
He was very proud of his father’s involvement in the Mexican Revolution as a member of Los Dorados, an elite team of marksmen for Pancho Villa. His father’s background contributed to Jose’s own involvement in social justice issues such as working on farmworker justice by picketing, boycotting, and performing in improvisational theater as a member of El Teatro del Piojo from the University of Washington in the ’70s. His later years were concentrated on increasing social justice for the youth he coached through his attempts to increase access to opportunities in a variety of areas especially for academic advancement utilizing, at times, their athletics to gain that access.
Jose joins many loved ones who have transitioned to heaven before him, including his oldest son, Regino, from his first marriage. He joins his parents, Manuel and Aurora, and his siblings, sister Manuela, and brothers Regino, Refugio, Andres, Enrique, and Samuel. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Evonne, and their children, Quetzal (Anjila), Quiauhxochitl, Quauhtli (Megan), and Quipachtli. His grandsons, Xopil, Itzli, Acalli, and Teocalli, granddaughters, Audi, Kaelin, Alyssa, and great-grandchildren, Kyrie and Ajlina, and sisters, Aurora, Maria (Lucio), and Virginia. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family and friends that feel a great loss with his death.
Celebration of Life Services: Please note that the family requests that, out of respect and consideration for family members at high risk of illness, that masks be worn while inside and that you not attend if ill. Saturday service will be livestreamed if you are unable to attend in person.
Rosary vigil: Friday, November 25, 2022, 5:30 PM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 7000 35th Ave SW.
Celebration of Life Mass: Saturday, November 26, 2022, 11:00 AM, also at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
Reception after mass in the parish gym, 3410 SW Myrtle St. Seattle, WA 98126 – you are welcome to bring a dish to share if you would like.
Burial of ashes will be scheduled for next year per Jose’s wishes.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Jose’s name to Beacon Hill Youth Soccer Club, 1719 South Lander, Seattle, WA 98144, https://beaconhillsoccerclub.org/donate-1
Please share memories, photos, & condolences with Jose’s Family on the Tribute Wall.
Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:07 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, November 25th. It’s not a four-day weekend for everyone, so we’re publishing this traffic (etc.) watch today.
WEATHER
Rain returns today, high around 50.
TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS
–Metro buses are bacj ti regular schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts. If you’re on a bus around 4 pm today, please note there’ll be a moment to remember Mark McLaughlin (explained here).
-The West Seattle Water Taxi is out of service again today, back Saturday.
-Still a 2-boat schedule for WSF’s Triangle Route – check here for alerts/updates.
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (if SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).
Low Bridge: Or nearby, depending on where SDOT points the camera.
1st Ave. S. Bridge: The south route.
Highway 99: Here’s the northbound side at Lander.
All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
If you see a problem on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
Before West Seattle’s brightest Christmas lights start shining, it takes two weeks of work to get ready. We stopped by the Menashe family’s Beach Drive home on Thanksgiving Eve to see how things were going. It was day 3 of decorating and many of the components were still in the back yard, awaiting their place in the annual display:
Josh Menashe pointed out some of what’s new this year – like this Husky:
And nutcrackers flanking the family’s front door:
Some new reindeer are joining the display this year:
As always, lots of lights comprise the display – which has been featured on national TV — from ground to roof to trees – and yes, many are power-saving LEDs:
All the Christmas classics, including candy canes and elves, will take their place:
The big reveal of the finished display is scheduled for one week from tonight – Thursday, December 1st. (You’ll see some testing before that if you happen by in the evening.) Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to be there for photo ops the night of December 10th. And closer to Christmas – date not yet finalized – they’re hoping to have a visit from real reindeer.
Again this year, the St. Nicholas Faire, presented every year by First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, is happening online – Friday (November 25), 6-9 pm. You bid for gift items, the West Seattle Food Bank benefits from proceeds, supporting their work preventing hunger and homelessness! This year’s items include coffee, wine, beer, cookware, gift cards, vacation packages, even Seahawks-themed “ugly sweaters.” All you have to do is register to be ready to get your bids in tomorrow night! You can register and preview the items now – go here.
(WSB photos)
120 volunteers plus one generous local catering company equals what’s happening at The Hall at Fauntleroy right now – the 24th annual free community Thanksgiving dinner, presented by DSquared Hospitality/Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering.
Of course turkey is at the heart of the menu, but here’s what else:
Donated desserts, too:
(Take-away food is available if you’re not comfortable with the group sit-down setting; last year it was all take-away.) The Hall at Fauntleroy is at 9131 California SW, at the south end of historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse.
P.S. If you don’t/can’t get there by 3, reminder that the West Seattle Eagles also welcome everyone to their free community dinner, 2-5 pm at 4426 California SW in The Junction!
Orcas are back in the area today, per Kersti Muul – seen headed southbound past West Point (which is on the northwest edge of Elliott Bay). Let us know if you see them!
(Harbor Avenue late-fall colors, photo by Ann Anderson)
Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for 15 years of being able to work for and with you. Here’s information you might find helpful on the holiday:
GROCERY STORES OPEN TODAY: This list is in the Thanksgiving section atop our West Seattle Holiday Guide.
RESTAURANTS/BARS OPEN TODAY AND/OR TONIGHT: 11 on the list this year – see it here.
COFFEE: Here are three indies we know are open – C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 8 am-3 pm today. … Realfine Coffee‘s 35th/Kenyon location is open 8 am-1 pm. … Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) is open 8 am-noon. … Added: Per email and texts, Good Day Donuts is open until noon, Freshy’s is open until 2 pm, Uptown/Junction is open until (updated) 2 pm.
PRE-TURKEY EXERCISE : Five options this morning, indoor and outdoor:
–West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), open 7 am-11 am
–Gobble Gobble Group Run, 8 am from Alki – details here
–Nature walk on Alki, 8:45 am – details here
–Dragonfly’s donation yoga class, 9 am – details here
–Community cleanup on Alki, 10 am – details here
WHERE TO FIND A FREE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER: Three options this year, open to all:
*The Hall at Fauntleroy‘s sit-down dinner returns, noon-3 pm. (9131 California SW)
*West Seattle Eagles sitdown dinner, 2 pm-5 pm (4426 California SW)
*Admiral Pub, free “Friendsgiving” dinner starting at 7 pm – $10 donation requested if you can. 21+. (2306 California SW)
WANT TO HELP? You can drop off donations of desserts and/or warm clothing at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 9 am-noon, same address as above (south end of the historic schoolhouse).
WHAT TO DO AFTER (OR BEFORE) DINNER: The Admiral Theater is open this afternoon/evening – see the movies and showtimes here (2343 California SW).
THANKSGIVING TRANSPORTATION NOTES:
*Metro buses are on the Sunday schedule
*No Water Taxi boat or shuttle service
*Sound Transit light rail and buses, Sunday schedules
*Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is on the weekend 2-boat schedule
*No charge for parking today on city streets in neighborhoods with pay stations
*Traffic cameras: West Seattle-relevant ones here; citywide views are available via this SDOT map
OTHER INFO:
*No trash/recycling/etc. pickup today – Thursday pickups will happen Friday; Friday pickups on Saturday
*Seattle Parks‘ holiday closure list (including the West Seattle Golf Course)
*No Seattle Public Library services today
*USPS holiday
*Banking holiday
Seasonal info for today and beyond is in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide. We wish you a joyful holiday! (And if you see/hear news, please text/call 206-293-6302 – we are thankful for your tips all year long!)
Another Bald Eagle with apparent HPAI – Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza – has been found, this time in Lincoln Park. Community naturalist and urban-wildlife responder Kersti Muul rescued this one too – as she had with another in Salmon Creek Ravine less than two weeks ago – and sent the photos, video, and report:
This is really sad news for West Seattle. HPAI seems to be running a course here and Tuesday morning the latest bird to be impacted is one of the mated pair from Lincoln Park. This pair successfully fledged two eaglets this year from their nest above Colman Pool.
I received a call around 8 regarding an eagle on the ground. Ironically it was near their old nest in the Grand fir by the trail junctions. When I arrived to assess, it was very obvious that HPAI had taken hold. It was having the beginnings of neurological issues.
It was coughing, and also calling to its mate, which was heartbreaking. I later learned that a Parks employee heard the pair in that area at 5 pm the previous night, which struck him odd; they don’t usually hang out there. I surmise the eagle was grounded at this point.
I transported the eagle to PAWS.
HPAI is not trivial; this is the second eagle in the area in less than two weeks, along with the snow goose. We also had a confirmed case in West Seattle recently of a Peregrine falcon. The mates are at high risk and I won’t be surprised if they show up grounded soon. They are obviously eating infected waterfowl. Diligently watching out every day now. HPAI is going to have to burn itself out.
An important reminder from Kersti – this illness is not a current problem for the birds you’d most commonly see in your yard, songbirds and hummingbirds.
No need to wait for Small Business Saturday. Every day should be Small Business Day – and some West Seattle indies are getting right out of the holiday gates on Black Friday (or sooner):
That’s the promotional video Thunder Road Guitars (6400 California SW; WSB sponsor) has unleashed for the big sale TRG and co-housed The Bass Shop (also a WSB sponsor) are having – TRG proprietor Frank Gross calls it “Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Super Sale Sunday weekend!” He’s offering 15% off hundreds of new, used, and vintage guitars, amplifiers, and pedals. You can even shop early on the TRG website – the web sale starts Thanksgiving morning. Shop doors open 10 am Friday.
Three other WSB sponsors are having sales to entice you to shop local:
–Emerald Water Anglers (4502 42nd SW) calls theirs “Fliesgiving” – Friday through Monday, “deals on select rods and reels, and a $25 gift card for every $200 spent.” EWA opens 10 am Friday.
–Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska) is celebrating their 13th anniversary through Sunday – 20 percent off skis, boots, and bindings; 15 percent off snowboards, boots, and bindings; 25 percent off accessories. Mountain to Sound opens at 11 am Friday.
–Lauren’s Jewelry (Westwood Village) is having an in-store sale Friday morning, 8 am-noon, “lots of items on sale” plus free gift wrapping,
All through West Seattle’s business districts, you’ll find reasons to shop close at home. Another example: If you’re nostalgic for old-fashioned get-up-early-on-Black-Friday shopping, don’t miss Record Store Day at Easy Street (California/Alaska), which opens at 7 am Friday for that occasion. Throughout the season, we keep a Shopping Spotlight list in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, so if your business is doing something special, let us know!
Though clouds swept back in this afternoon – including the lenticular cloud over Mount Rainier shown in Greg Snyder‘s photo, above – the National Weather Service says we can expect a sunny Thanksgiving Day. That’s especially good news if you’re going to join in any of the outdoor opportunities for the holiday morning that are featured atop our West Seattle Holiday Guide – and/or for safer traveling if you’re headed out to see family/friends. The rain could be back as soon as Friday.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:
STOLEN VAN: The report and photo are from Andrea:
1988 white Toyota Van Wagon “Wonder Wagon” stolen from West Seattle the week of November 13-19. License Plate: AFV4867
Report filed with Seattle Police Southwest Precinct, incident #2022-307131. Please contact police with any information: 206-733-9800.
The van was stolen in the Morgan Junction area.
CHARGING-STATION VANDALISM: Via text, this report just in: “Someone vandalized and cut off the charging cord on the electric car charging station in front of the bowling alley.” The texter has reported this to Seattle City Light, and also noted that this happened recently at charging stations in Burien.
Yes, the day after Thanksgiving is known for shopping and leftovers. This year, it’ll also be a big day for football. At 11 am our time, the U.S. Men’s National Team plays its second World Cup soccer match, this time facing England. At least (updated with additions via comments) seven West Seattle establishments plan to open early for viewing:
OUNCES (3803 Delridge Way SW) is opening at 10 am.
WEST SEATTLE BREWING (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW): Also open at 10 am.
THE BEER JUNCTION (4511 California S) is opening at 11 am. (It’s also the start of Coffee Beer Week.)
PROST WEST SEATTLE (3407 California SW): Open early for every US and Germany World Cup match.
THE WESTY (7908 35th SW): Open at 10 am
TALARICO’S (4718 California SW): Open at 11 am
HIGHLAND PARK CORNER STORE (7789 Highland Park Way SW): Watch party at 11 am
Anyplace else? Please let us know – thank you!
10:55 AM: Orcas are in Elliott Bay this morning, reports Kersti Muul. She says they’re Southern Residents from J-Pod. Let us know if you see them!
(Added: Photo by Greg Snyder, as posted in comment below)
2:34 PM: According to a text from Kersti and a comment below by D-Mom, at least some of the whales have turned around to head back northbound. Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail has been out watching them too and shared this link via email with context on the salmon runs and weather that have ultimately affected the orcas’ travel pattern this year.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Added two photos – above and below – by Robin Sinner.
(Looking across Elliott Bay – Tuesday photo by David Gunwaldsen)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide, here’s our list for the rest of today:
TURKEY DISTRIBUTION: If you are in need, the West Seattle Food Bank‘s last pre-holiday distribution is until 2 pm today. (35th/Morgan)
LIVE AT LOCOL: Locöl (7902 35th SW) spotlights live music 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesdays, no cover, 21+, rotating artists. (And check out what’s new!)
JAZZ AT OTTER ON THE ROCKS: 6:30 pm, it’s jazz-duet night at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way).
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
TRIVIA x 5: At 7 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm; there’s 7:30 and 8:30 pm trivia at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska); trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia is back at Talarico’s (4718 California SW) with Phil T.
ARTSWEST HOLIDAY SHOW: Tonight at 7:30 pm, you can catch the preview performance of “Q Brothers Christmas Carol” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) – ticket info is in our calendar listing.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Have an event – one-time or recurring – to add to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather one week from today to remember Mary F. Abernethy. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with her community:
Mary Frances Abernethy, 90, passed away on Monday, November 14, 2022. Mary was born on August 24, 1932 to Everett E. Herron and Mary Clark Herron on Beacon Hill, where she attended Catholic school. The family moved to West Seattle, where Mary attended Holy Rosary Catholic Girls High School until her graduation in 1950.
In 1955, Mary earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Seattle University. On November 5 of the same year, Mary and James D. Abernethy were married.
Mary then stayed home to raise their four children. Once her youngest was in the fourth grade, Mary went to work at Schick Shadel hospital as a rehab nurse.
Upon retirement, Mary enjoyed sewing and attending classes and other social activities through the Seattle Parks Department. Mary and Jim enjoyed going on road trips in their camper van, as well as going on cruises.
Mary is survived by her husband Jim, her children Bob (Annelle) Abernethy, Carol (Steve) Heurion, Kathy Vincent, and Jim (Blanca) Abernethy, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In her final years, Mary struggled with dementia. Her family would like to acknowledge her caregivers and thank them for their dedication, kindness, and compassion for her during her illness.
Funeral mass and reception to celebrate Mary’s life will take place on Wednesday, November 30, 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in West Seattle. (7000 35th Ave SW)
Please share memories, photos & condolences with Mary’s family on the Tribute Wall at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Mary-Abernethy
Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle
(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)
7:06 AM: Now that the big overnight power outage is mostly over, on with traffic watch. It’s the day before Thanksgiving – Wednesday, November 23rd.
WEATHER
Mostly cloudy forecast for today, high near 50. (Wondering how much rain we got yesterday after almost 2 weeks with none? The official gauge at Sea-Tac Airport caught an inch and a fifth.)
TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS + HOLIDAY PREVIEW
–Metro buses are on regular schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts. (HOLIDAY PREVIEW: Thursday will be a Sunday schedule, Friday will be normal weekday.)
-The West Seattle Water Taxi is running its fall/winter schedule – still daily, all dayparts, but no late Friday/Saturday runs. (HOLIDAY PREVIEW: No Water Taxi service Thursday or Friday.)
-Still a 2-boat schedule for WSF’s Triangle Route – check here for alerts/updates. (HOLIDAY PREVIEW: On Thursday, the Triangle Route will be on a weekend 2-boat schedule.)
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (if SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).
Low Bridge: Or nearby, depending on where SDOT points the camera.
1st Ave. S. Bridge: The south route.
Highway 99: Here’s the northbound side at Lander.
All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
If you see a problem on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
2:42 AM: Thanks for the tips. Still awaiting the full extent of an outage that appears to be centered in the Fauntleroy area. We don’t know the cause yet, but police were just dispatched to check out an Upper Fauntleroy resident’s report of flashes at about that time. Another dispatch says it’s a possible problem around 45th/Wildwood. Updates to come.
2:47 AM: Almost 5,000 customers per update on City Light‘s map. A member of our Upper Fauntleroy household with a west-facing window also reports seeing the flashes (we didn’t lose power, though). Added a screengrab from the outage map – broadly described, this is mostly west of 35th SW, from Seaview south to Brace Point.
3:05 AM: Now our standard reminder that City Light’s “estimated time of restoration” is always just a guesstimate and often changes, so don’t take much stock in it. No further info so far. The map suggests some signalized intersections, like California/Morgan, are affected; if you have to go out, remember that if a signal’s out, that means the intersection is a four-way stop.
3:32 AM: One hour now since the outage started. SCL has tweeted an important reminder, especially considering many refrigerators are full of holiday food: Don’t open your fridge/freezer.
4:32 AM: Two hours now. Nothing new to report.
5:59 AM: Some commenters report restoration moments ago. … The map says 3,100+ are still out.
6:59 AM: All but 364 customers now have power back.
City Light spokesperson Jenn Strang tells WSB, “Most customers except for a small pocket around the immediate vicinity will be restored momentarily. A larger crew will be coming to make further repairs this morning. As of right now, we only know that this is a result of a wire coming down but we don’t have the exact cause. We hope to know more later.”
10:24 AM: After almost eight hours, those last 300+ customers are still out. A reader texted this photo of where the SCL crew is working:
That’s near Wildwood Market.
11:47 AM: The crews are still on scene, Meantime, the outage map has updated to attribute this to “bird/animal contact,” and a commenter says it appears to have been a Great Blue Heron.
12 PM: SCL’s Strang says crews did find that bird in the outage area. Meantime, for anyone still out, she says it shouldn’t be too much longer.
12:10 PM: And SCL says everybody’s back on.
The holiday is almost here. But not everyone is excited about cooking. If that’s where you fall, here are three things to know, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
(WSB file photo, The Hall at Fauntleroy Thanksgiving)
#1 – The Hall at Fauntleroy‘s free sit-down community Thanksgiving dinner is back. Noon-3 pm Thursday, all are welcome at The Hall, which is on the south end of historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW). This is a two-decade-plus tradition brought to you by DSquared Hospitality, parent company of Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering. They provide the turkey and fixings – with a vegetarian option – and donated desserts (drop one off 9 am-noon on Thanksgiving if you can help with that) wrap up the meal.
#2 – The West Seattle Eagles are also ready to welcome hundreds into their HQ on the north end of The Junction (4426 California SW) – they’ll be serving a free turkey dinner too. Their doors are open that day for any and all community members – all ages, too (their bar will be closed that day).
#3 – If you’d rather dine/drink at a restaurant/bar on the holiday, every year we compile a list of West Seattle establishments that say they’re planning to be open. So far we have 10 on the list – see it here, and check back Thursday, as we’ll likely have some additions. (If you know of someplace that’ll be open, please email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!)
| 0 COMMENTS