West Seattle, Washington
17 Friday
(WSB photo added 3:25 pm)
3:14 PM: Thanks to Rose for letting us know about a crash at 26th/Nevada (map) in North Delridge. She says six cars are involved. Our crew is still on the way to check it out, but we’ve already heard radio communications about the need for four tow trucks at the scene, so it sounds like this will take a while to clear. No other details yet, but it does not appear anyone suffered major injuries.
3:20 PM UPDATE: Our crew at the scene confirms six damaged vehicles and two private ambulances. Prior radio communications suggest some of the vehicles might have been struck while parked, as police said they hadn’t reached all the owners yet. The crash has blocked 26th north of Genesee – which is part of the Delridge Neighborhood Greenway.
3:27 PM UPDATE: One person has been taken to the hospital, we’re told. Added a photo atop this story; still working on getting a count of how many of the vehicles were moving at the time of the collision and how many were parked.
(WSB photo, looking north on 26th)
3:36 PM UPDATE: At least three were parked (on the west side of Nevada), we’ve learned while talking to people at the scene. The tow trucks have arrived, and the ambulances have departed, so this is getting closer to cleanup.
5:31 PM UPDATE: The street has since reopened (just went over to check for sure).
“Rudolf the Recycling Reindeer,” cousin to red-nosed Rudolph, has officially debuted on YouTube (watch above, or on YT here). The Junction Neighborhood Organization enlisted helpers to create the video on behalf of its holiday Recycle/Reuse/Reduce (Waste) campaign, and debuted it today at their West Seattle Farmers’ Market booth, where we found Michael and René from JuNO:
In keeping with the spirit of the campaign, the presents under the tree were wrapped in reused materials, and even the big handmade sign behind them is reused cardboard. Even beyond the holidays, JuNO will be evangelizing waste reduction as part of its participation in a regional challenge, and René tells WSB that the Junction area is in second place so far!
JuNO, by the way, just relaunched this past July, and has already been very busy, with activities like this as well as community cleanups and educational presentations regarding development (here’s our video-included coverage of the September 18th meeting explaining the alley/street vacation process involved in many major developments).
Today you can get more than fruit, vegetables, cheese, cider, baked goods, nuts, meat, fish, etc., at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market – you can get a balloon creation! As mentioned in our morning preview, it’s a special solstice/holiday edition of the WSFM today. Some booths are decorated, like Whistling Train Farm:
On the east side of the market, you’ll find a booth where you can vote for the “best decorated booth.” As always, the market’s open until 2, at 44th/Alaska in The Junction. And just down the street, at City Mouse (4218 SW Alaska), you’ll find Santa Claus:
Photos today are DIY – donations go (as you might have guessed by the sign) to WestSide Baby, which helps local kids year-round. Santa’s scheduled to be there until 3 pm, and that’s also closing time for the Belgian Draft Mule-drawn carriage making round-trips from the southwest corner of California/Alaska, courtesy of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB). And of course, up and down California, as well as along Alaska and Oregon and 42nd and 41st, local independent retailers are there to help you with your last-Sunday-before-Christmas gift shopping – have fun!
West Seattle teenagers interested in running are invited to be part of a new group launching early in the new year. The announcement was shared by Emma:
Starting January 4th, West Seattle Runner will offer a free teen running group every Saturday at 11 am for those in high school and college. This will be a great place to meet other youth who enjoy running, train for races like 5Ks and half marathons, and improve overall fitness.
Lori McConnell, co-owner of West Seattle Runner, wanted to start this group because “As a long distance runner, the owner of a running store, and a therapist for youth and athletes, I saw the need. I have heard from teens that they would like to run more, but in the dark winter, they are limited because they don’t want to run alone. I also want to introduce the joy of running to youth. It is a healthy activity for them to spend time doing, it gives a sense of belonging, and it increases confidence. Also, running is a way to build good mental health and helps with learning. I wanted an opportunity to connect like-minded teens in a social way.”
A Facebook group called “West Seattle Teen Running Group” has been created and will be the central place for future information about this upcoming running group. If you have questions, contact Lori at lori@westseattlerunner.com or call West Seattle Runner at 206-938-0545.
Thanks to Debbi Crane for sharing the photo of a barred owl who spent hours overnight hanging out in a tree at her home near Lowman Beach – “I believe he was investigating our parakeets, who live in a cage near a window facing the backyard.” Where will YOU be hanging out today? The WSB Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar have some suggestions:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET, SOLSTICE EDITION: One day after the solstice ushered in winter, the West Seattle Farmers’ Market kicks it up a notch today for a special Winter Solstice edition of the market. Decorations and more. 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Alaska)
JuNO AT THE MARKET: As noted here last Tuesday, the Junction Neighborhood Organization is having a reuse/recycle/reduce-waste contest and will be at the WSFM today to accept entries until choosing a winner at 1:30.
CHRISTMAS LESSONS & CAROLS SERVICE: From the church-services section of the Holiday Guide, a special service today at All Souls Church of Seattle (WSB sponsor), the Christmas Lessons + Carols Service, 10 am: “All are welcome to join us for readings through the birth narrative of Jesus, and the rich Christmas hymns sung for ages. Come as you are; invite a neighbor!” All Souls meets at Madison Middle School. (45th/Spokane)
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS – CARRIAGE RIDES: 11 am-3 pm, the simple carriage drawn by Belgian Draft Mules will make its rounds in The Junction, as part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB). Free; board by KeyBank at California/Alaska.
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS – SANTA MEET ‘N’ GREET: Also 11 am-3 pm, as part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays, DIY photos with Santa, who will be awaiting your child(ren)’s visit at City Mouse Store. (4218 SW Alaska)
GIFT-WRAPPING FUNDRAISER: “Wrap It Up” gift-wrapping fundraiser for Furry Faces and AARF Foundations‘ animal advocacy. ***Special note – F3 and AARF will be there by 11:30 am for gift dropoff: “We know a lot of people will be watching the Seahawk game. While they are screaming with excitement, we will wrap all of their gifts between 1 pm and 6 pm. Then they pick them up after the game!” The Beer Junction. (4511 California SW)
ADOPT A CAT! Noon-3 pm, go meet cats in search of forever homes, at Friends of the Animals Foundation‘s adoption event at Next to Nature in The Junction. More info here. (4543 California SW)
TRANSPORTATION COALITION WANTS TO LISTEN TO YOU: The West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s “listening tour,” explained here, continues today with reps at Zatz Bagels in The Admiral District, noon-2 pm. (2348 California SW)
SANTA AT CAPERS: The Santa previously known as “ex-Westwood Santa” and now as “CAPERS Santa” is back at the Junction store for DIY Santa photos (you take the picture) “from 1 to 5. Suggested donation per sitting $10. All donations will benefit the West Seattle Food Bank.” (4525 California SW)
LITTLE WOMEN, THE BROADWAY MUSICAL: Another chance to enjoy the holiday-season production at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. Matinee today, 3 pm. Buy tickets online here. (4711 California SW)
FREE CHRISTMAS MOVIE & HUMANE SOCIETY DONATION DRIVE: 4 pm (get there early!) is screening time for “Arthur Christmas,” this year’s free Christmas movie at the historic Admiral Theater – here’s the trailer:
It’s also a benefit for the Humane Society, if you can give; $1 will be donated for every large popcorn sold, and you’re asked to bring pet toys, beds, food, collars, leashes, etc. P.S. Santa will be there too! (2343 California SW)
MARK PICKEREL: Special acoustic show by the popular local musician, with special guest Shannon Donahue, at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm. (6451 California SW)
Congratulations to the West Seattle Force, citywide U-17 soccer champions after Saturday’s 2-0 win over the Ballard Huskies in the City Youth Soccer Association finals. The Force is a West Seattle Soccer Club team, coached by Wayne Johnson and Greg Postel.
Victory tonight for West Seattle High School over visiting Auburn HS, according to this staff report:
The West Seattle boys’ basketball team improved to 2-3 on the season with a 66-61 win over the Auburn Trojans of the SPSL on Saturday night. It’s the Wildcats’ second win over an SPSL opponent this year, having beat Kent Meridian earlier.
The Wildcats were powered by senior DeAndre Love with 24 points and 9 rebounds. Also playing well for the Wildcats were senior Malachi Cain and Ruslan Burduzha, both scoring in double figures.
Cain hit three 3-point field goals in the fourth quarter to help the Wildcats pull out a gritty win.
See more stats here, via our partners at The Seattle Times.
The first night of winter is here – and as has happened for almost every change of seasons since fall 2009, West Seattle’s NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen (above left) was at Solstice Park for the new season’s first sunset. The sun didn’t show up this time (it did last year!), but no one minded much. Alice led a participatory demonstration, showing how the earth’s axis tilts away from the sun this time of year.
Alice writes “Skies Over West Seattle” for WSB (here’s the most recent edition) and has long kept her own informative site, Alice’s Astro Info. On the first sunset after solstice or equinox, she presides over an educational, entertaining gathering at the park, so if you haven’t gone to one yet, consider marking your calendar for the spring equinox – March 20, 2014.
Thinking of going out to look at Christmas lights tonight? Here’s another display listed on the WSB West Seattle Christmas Lights Map, the Rice home at 2128 47th SW. Finally got a chance to go by, just as it was starting to get dark – this is one that’s fun to see even before nightfall. As with most holiday displays, a quick photo doesn’t do it justice, so be sure to see it for yourself (especially if you are a “Charlie Brown Christmas” fan like your editor here). Speaking of the map, it continues to be findable on our Holiday Guide page or by direct Google Maps link, but here’s another look – click any tree icon for the corresponding address:
And we can still add to it if you have an address to suggest! editor@westseattleblog.com or text 206-293-6302 (photos welcome too).
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
If you drove, walked, or rode past 21st/Andover in Pigeon Point on Friday, you might have noticed the crew working at the old Seattle City Light substation on the northwest corner. It’s one of the six West Seattle “surplus” sites that City Light is looking to unload.
A reader wondered if a decision about this site’s fate had already been made, considering that the tree work being done by the crew yesterday looked extensive. So we checked with City Light – and found out it’s more than tree work. SCL spokesperson Scott Thomsen tells WSB it’s part of a cleanup at the site, after soil sampling at the site turned up contamination beyond what’s considered acceptable for residential property.
(Friday morning photo in The Junction, by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
It’s the shortest day of the year – but the Winter Solstice is here at the moment we’re publishing this (9:11 am), so, from here, we start going back the other way (here’s the chart). Solstice events are on our highlights list for today/tonight, and more, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events/Info List (which covers everything through New Year’s Day – and holiday recycling afterward!) and our regular year-round calendar:
HOLIDAY SHOPPING: More than a few local stores are open early and/or late! Avalon Glassworks in Luna Park sent word they’re open at 9 am today AND tomorrow, for example. Northwest Art and Frame in The Junction is “staying open until 9 pm (tonight) and opening at 9:30 (on Sunday).” Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction opens at 10 am now through Christmas Eve. (Anyone else with early/late hours?)
SANTA AT CITY MOUSE: Santa Meet and Greet in The Junction, 11 am-3 pm. As part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB), DIY photos with Santa, who will be awaiting your child’s visit at City Mouse Store. “Drop in for a hug and a smile. Bring your camera and capture your own special moment.” (4218 SW Alaska)
COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE TASTING … at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), 11 am-2 pm; details here. (41st/42nd/Admiral)
SANTA AT CAPERS: The Santa best known as “ex-Westwood Santa” (by next year we can probably just call him CAPERS Santa) will be at the Junction store for DIY Santa photos (you take the picture) “from 1 to 5. Suggested donation per sitting $10. All donations will benefit the West Seattle Food Bank.” (4525 California SW)
LITTLE WOMEN, THE BROADWAY MUSICAL: Time’s running out to see the holiday-season production at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. Matinee AND evening performances today, 3 and 7:30 pm. Buy tickets online here. (4711 California SW)
SOLSTICE SUNSET VIEWING: Arrive at 3:30 pm for 4:05-ish sunset viewing with Alice Enevoldsen of Alice’s Astro Info and “Skies Over West Seattle.” Solstice Park. (map)
WINTER FIRE-WHITE CENTER: A community solstice celebration at Greenbridge Plaza, 4 pm. Details on our partner site White Center Now. (8th and 99th)
WEST SEATTLE SANTA PUB CRAWL, 5-9:30 pm. From Shandon Graybeal:
Bring your best Santa gear and come join myself and others on a Christmastime pub crawl through the West Seattle Junction! We will be stopping at 6 great west Seattle bars and drinking some delicious winter beers from some amazing breweries, with prizes at every stop! The Pub Crawl schedule will be….
5:00-5:45 Shadowland
5:45-6:30 Beer Junction
6:30-7:15 Corner Pocket
7:15-8:00 Poggie Tavern
8:00-8:45 Talarico’s
8:45-9:30 A Terrible Beauty
All are welcome! So bring your friends, bring your family, bring your friends’ family, and enjoy a great night out with friends and good beers.”
More info on this Facebook event page.
2ND ANNUAL NORTH DELRIDGE SOLSTICE PARADE: “Come join Captain Snowball and WinterFly as we welcome the start of Winter and the dawning of the days with increasing light! This celebration is a 30-minute illuminated walk along the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trails. 6:30 pm, Greg Davis Park. For the Solstice Parade, you are invited to wear an outfit or costume illuminated by lights, or just bring a lantern or flashlight to carry along the path.” Musical instruments welcome too. (26th Ave. SW & Brandon Street SW)
‘LONGEST NIGHT’ SERVICE: Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), 7 pm, is “for folks for whom the holidays are not the most wonderful time of the year – we will acknowledge grief and loss of all kinds and a just feeling-out-of-sortness and end on a note of hope. This is a service for people who find themselves out of step with the joy of the season. It acknowledges those feelings of grief and loss and finding yourself out of step with those around you through readings and music, lighting candles and words of hope. We hope that you will join us if this is a service that would be helpful for you and if you know someone for whom it would be helpful, don’t just tell them about it, but bring them along.” (3940 41st SW)
BENEFIT FOR BABES AGAINST BRAIN CANCER: Music, art, and fundraising, 8 pm tonight:
Into The Cold at Feedback Lounge, to benefit Babes Against Brain Cancer.
INTO THE COLD was Founded by William Stover and Katy Cornell as a concept project composing all the music about a series of paintings by Rebecca Miller. Check out her website. The style of music is a cross between Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath. Featuring a constant presence of 3 to 4 part harmonies, heavy guitars, lots of piano and organ etc. The music is not light hearted. It is dramatic, lush, and serious. Into The Cold’s show features 8 musicians and backdrop illuminated visuals of the paintings that each song is about.
Donations will be taken at the door to support “Babes against Brain Cancer” at this show. An organization dedicated to the research of progress to treat brain cancer as our family as been directly effected, so it’s close to all our hearts. Visit their FB page …
ITC recently recorded an EP with Jack Endino at Sound house studio. with band Members:
Katy Cornell – Inflatable Soule, Going South, V. Contreras.
William Stover – of Going South, The Government, Currently with Basment Sessions and a busy session player with Mark Lanegan, V. Contreras, Cat Power etc.
Owen Wright – of My Sisters Machine and more.
Nikol Fiala – Halloqueen.
Taryn Webber – of Going South, Graig Markel and more.
Gene Devereaux – Buzzfactor and more.
Keith Jaeger – Buzzfactor and more.
Denny Markopoulos – Greek Aristocracy and more.CDs of the newly recorded EP will given out to everyone who attends. Listen to “Pentahorse” by Into The Cold.
(The Feedback, a WSB sponsor, is at 6451 California SW)
UGLY SWEATERS & KARAOKE: West Seattle Ugly Sweater Fest and “No Talent Required” Christmas Karaoke Show at Angelina’s, 9 pm. (2311 California SW)
Six West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports from the queue – we were working on them just before last night got busy, and then came the snow. First, a unique stolen keepsake that you might be able to help find. From Eileen:
I know this must be a joke, but for one reason only, I’m not laughing. My Aunt gave my Grandfather a little yard gnome that looked like a child. After my Grandfather and Aunt both died, I inherited it. It’s been in my front yard for decades. Last summer my Grandson asked me to paint the little gnome to look like a Smurf. We painted his Great-Great Grandfather’s Smurf together. We have since added a red “Papa Smurf” of little value. Someone removed them from my yard and dropped off the neighbors’ metal yard art. Our whole family is very upset about the stolen Smurf! Papa Smurf can continue on his journey, but not the little one. Please help us get the white and blue childlike Smurf back. My Aunt signed and dated it. Thanks.
Ahead, five more reader reports:
It’s a holiday tradition – Nucor Steel in North Delridge and its employees give big to the West Seattle Food Bank, and like Santa arriving in his sleigh, the gifts arrive in time for Christmas. Today was the day, and the morning snow didn’t get in the way of the delivery. Above, a truck from Benchmark Industrial Services pulled up – then, unloading began:
Call them Santa’s helpers; Benchmark not only donated the transportation again this year, but also donated 450 pounds of food.
Add that to the 2,750 pounds donated by Nucor, and it’s a grand total of more than a ton and a half of food – as well as $21,000 in monetary donations. You can give to the Food Bank if you haven’t already – do it online here!
Metro just sent the official alert: All its routes are back to normal, after hours of snow routing. The snow here has largely melted, so no surprise. The forecast says rain’s on the way for the weekend.
One of our area’s most über-involved community activists says he’s running for the West Seattle-only City Council seat created by the passage of Charter Amendment 19 in last month’s election. 
Chas Redmond‘s official titles include vice president of the Morgan Community Association, but he’s also involved with other groups around the community, including Sustainable West Seattle, and he is a past chair of the City Neighborhood Council. Redmond is a U.S. Army veteran, retired from NASA, and has lived in West Seattle for a decade. His official announcement says he’s running “to bring a grass roots voice to the city council, to re-empower the citizens of Seattle, and ensure our investments benefit citizens across the entire city.” (WSB photo at right, from West Seattle Tool Library holiday party earlier this month)
Charter Amendment 19 restructures the City Council starting in 2015, with seven council districts – West Seattle is District 1 – plus two at-large positions to be elected citywide. While current Councilmember Tom Rasmussen lives in West Seattle, he and the other eight members were all elected to citywide seats; he has filed to run in 2015 but is listed by the city Ethics and Elections Commission as not yet having designated which position he’s running for.
(SCROLL DOWN for more photos (even video) added Friday evening)
FIRST INSTALLMENT, 11:41 AM: As forecast, it’s looking like the snow will be gone in a matter of hours. But people are having fun in the meantime, and here are some of the photos sent to us to share with you! Above, Wendy photographed a waterfront snowbuilder on Alki; next, “Good thing school was delayed,” wrote CS; “Time to build snowmen to leave on our neighbor’s stoop”:
Next, Jay, Lisa, and Emily Wallace report: “We got up super early this morning and made our first snowman of the year (complete with fairy wings, magic wands and a hockey stick). Had so much fun we wanted to share”:
For some, it was just the wonder of being out in the snow for the first time – thanks to Joe Szilagyi for this photo:
Not so wondrous for the next little guy, 16-month-old Zander Smith, whose parents Nicholas Smith and Shelley Yamamoto Smith wrote, “As you can see, not everyone is a fan of the snow. One touch and he wanted to go back inside”:
Some tweeted photos of snow. From Katy:
Snow fun! #seattlesnow @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/Ssxkoo3PIY
— Katy (@bluejayway) December 20, 2013
The next photo also came from a tweet, via @Philosurfy:
Next, from Steve, who says, “Just wanted to send a pic of the 5’+ tall snowman the neighborhood kids got together to make before school this morning (near 44th and Charlestown). Talk about good use of a snow delay! Notice the celery nose – no carrots, so had to improvise. Too bad he’ll be a puddle before they get home from school”:
The school delay also meant “fun with neighbors by Lincoln Park,” as shown in Cathy‘s photo:
We found Dominic, Molly, and Lida while traveling through Westwood:
And then – it can be about the little things, like this scene found by Machel Spence in Lincoln Park:
Thanks again for the photos – both fun and functional (street conditions during the peak of the morning snow)! As for the remaining snow – watch for a mid-afternoon update with info such as bus routes, which are starting to return to normal.
ADDED FRIDAY EVENING: More scenes from our snowy morning! First, from Melanie:
Dav spotted a mysterious shape in the snow at Greg Davis Park:
Karen photographed snow coating the familiar shape of Dragonfly Pavilion along Longfellow Creek:
From Eugene – big fun for the little one:
Olivia built a snowman at Hamilton Viewpoint Park in North Admiral:
Here’s LuLu‘s bundled-up creation:
And Brad & Adi Ann shared video of their as-it-happened report:
(added) One more, from Leighellen Landskov, who says, “My boys had a blast jumping on our trampoline as it was covered in snow! It weighed the whole thing down, so they couldn’t get much air, but they sure had fun trying!”
Thanks again! This was the most snow seen here since mid-January 2012.
The West Seattle man who overpowered an armed robber on board a RapidRide bus last month went on national TV today to tell his story. 32-year-old Casey Borgen told interviewers on NBC’s Today that – as it seemed to many viewing the surveillance video seen around the world – it was “pure instinct.” But no, he’s not trained in martial arts, as some speculated. See the interview above; here’s the story on Today’s website. If you haven’t seen the bus-camera video yet, our story from early Thursday included the KING 5 version; we have since obtained the raw video and have uploaded two clips, including one that shows something not shown in the other coverage we’ve seen, but some had asked about – the robber just before he gets up to start demanding passengers’ smartphones. Both of the following links go to the clips we have uploaded to YouTube:
*Robber shown seated, then standing to hold up first victim (some audio)
*Silent version of now-famous sequence (silent)
The man charged in those robberies and another one on a different bus on Beacon Hill earlier in the month, 19-year-old Trevonnte Brown, remains jailed in lieu of $350,000 bail and is due back in court later this month.
UPDATED 8 AM: School closures/changes for Friday, December 20, 2013 – please e-mail us your changes/closures at editor@westseattleblog.com
PUBLIC:
Seattle Public Schools: 2 hours late, no Head Start, no AM or PM kindergarten/preschool. Buses on snow routes, no out-of-district transportation. The 1-hour early release plan for today IS still in effect, per district e-mail.
Highline Public Schools: CLOSED today, but offices open
Vashon School District: 2.5 hours late, no AM kindergarten
PRIVATE
Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor): Late start at 10 am
Holy Rosary School: Late start at 10:25 am
Hope Lutheran School CLOSED
Kennedy Catholic High School CLOSED
Our Lady of Guadalupe CLOSED
Seattle Lutheran High School: Late start at 10 am
Shorewood Christian School: Late start at 10 am; no pre-K
West Seattle Montessori: CLOSED
Westside School (WSB sponsor): Late start at 9:30 am
SOUTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE: 2 hours late
(KEY INFO, 11:42 AM: Seattle Public Schools 2 hours late; other school changes/closures too, all listed here … Metro starting to return to normal after a morning on snow routes … SDOT snow-response map here)
(Latest bridge and Viaduct views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
4:48 AM: The snow has arrived. Light coating on cars, some on the ground, but not the street, where we are. How about you? The Winter Weather Advisory for our area is now in effect until 10 am, and the forecast still says snow might continue until late morning before turning to rain. SDOT says its crews are out:
The Seattle Department of Transportation crews worked through the night treating hills and curves on snow routes with anti-icer. Bridges and overpasses have also been treated. By 3:30 a.m. light snowfall began at various locations around the city with no accumulations. At 4 a.m. the department dispatched 21 trucks equipped with plows and salt to patrol city streets in advance of the morning commute.
(SDOT cam at Fauntleroy/Alaska; more cameras here)
5:08 AM: It’s starting to stick on the road. (Remember the city maps plowed/de-iced routes here.) King County just announced the Vashon Water Taxi is canceled for today (which at the very least will affect buses from the Fauntleroy ferry area as commuters come in via WSF instead).
(Thanks to Richard for tweeting that photo from Delridge/Andover)
5:34 AM: Just in from Seattle Public Schools – “2 Hours Late, No Headstart, no AM or PM kindergarten/preschool, Buses on snow routes.” (And today’s 1-hour early release is still in the plan, too.) We are listing ALL area school changes/closures of note here, and you will find that link as well as other key links/toplines at the very top of this story.
6 AM: Metro has just announced ALL buses are on snow routes TFN. We also just got a text from a 21 rider saying her/his bus is stuck on the West Seattle Bridge eastbound on-ramp. Meantime, Highline Public Schools (White Center and points south) just announced it’s CLOSED; adding that to the school-info page. We are getting private-school reports now too (please e-mail us at editor@westseattleblog.com or call/text 206-293-6302).
6:29 AM: More school delays/closures – Hope Lutheran, Our Lady of Guadalupe, (added later) West Seattle Montessori are closed, Seattle Lutheran, Westside, Explorer West, Holy Rosary, South Seattle Community College all starting late – details here. Traffic note: Spinout crash on the southbound 1st Avenue South bridge; 21 bus reported to still be stuck on its onramp to the West Seattle Bridge (update: a few minutes later, “broke free,” reports Luke on board).
6:57 AM: Again, all Metro buses are now on snow routes, but some are still getting into trouble – from comments, a 21X is now reported stuck at 100th/44th in Arbor Heights.
7:15 AM: Thanks to Greg for that photo from 55th/Alki. We shared via Instagram a quick clip of conditions at Thistle/California as of 7 am – see it here. Meantime, if you have Friday trash pickup, Waste Management says there are some delays today but if they do NOT get to you today, they will “collect your regular amount of recycling, garbage and food and yard waste” tomorrow (Saturday, December 21st).
7:49 AM: Sue just sent word of a spinout crash on 4th Ave. S. under the bridge at S. Spokane. Roads in SODO are bare and wet, judging by this traffic cam further north on 4th. Also, just noticed when going back out that the snow is quick to turn to sloppy slush after it’s been walked on – so this does seem likely to be short-lived. So get out and build a snowperson if you can – here’s a 4 1/2-foot one just built by the “Bear boys” in Arbor Heights:
Back to traffic – a reminder and report from Cathy:
Please let people know to slow down approaching the “S” curves south of the 4800 block of W Marginal Way. Accident in the SB lanes (at least two vehicles that I could see) and I think SB traffic was being diverted to the two way turn lane. Officer(s) on site, but not many are slowing down approaching the accident despite the police flashers being on. There’s a lot of slush on the road here, and hoping you can get people to slow down before we start witnessing the yearly sight of cars flying out of the curves.
8:27 AM: From comments, multiple reports of a bus blocking the Olson/1st/etc. onramp to northbound 509. Meantime, SDOT continues working on roads; Pam reports from Gatewood that a snowplow’s been seen on SW Holden. We photographed one headed eastbound on Thistle past 42nd:
Also, in case you were wondering – roads are bare and wet in The Junction, as we go into one of the last few shopping days before Christmas:
Reminder that some schools are starting late – so the roads are going to get busier in the next hour and a half or so, in school zones. All the school closures/changes we have are listed here.
9:19 AM: And some photos on the ground from the Junction vicinity, from WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli. Crossing SW Oregon:
Junction Plaza Park on SW Alaska:
And California SW:
Thanks also to everyone who’s sent/sending fun photos – we’ll be building a gallery with those next, after transitioning out of this traffic/schools/etc. report, plus we have a couple non-snow stories to share.
11:16 AM NOTE: Some Metro routes are returning to normal. Meantime, the Vashon Water Taxi will be running again this afternoon.
8:17 AM UPDATE: Patricia just sent word that Bob G. has been found safe in Des Moines, and thanks everyone for being on the lookout. Original report from last night, below:
Instead of eight tiny reindeer, it’s two wheels for Santa Claus! Thanks to the person who texted that Admiral Way sighting late this afternoon. Gave us an excuse to leap into holiday notes:
HIGHLAND PARK CHRISTMAS MOVIE: Don’t worry about being snowed in – every weather expert we can find insists any snow will be gone by nightfall. So you can pencil in seeing “Home Alone” at the Highland Park Improvement Club (12th/Holden) on Friday night, free (bring $ for concessions), doors at 6:30 pm, movie at 7 – more info on the HPIC website.
ADMIRAL CHRISTMAS MOVIE: Then on Sunday at 4 pm, it’s the annual free Christmas movie at the historic Admiral Theater (2343 California SW) – “Arthur Christmas” this year:
As always, donations will be collected for the Humane Society, including $1 for every large popcorn sold, and you’re asked to bring pet toys, beds, food, collars, leashes, etc. Get there early to ensure your seat!
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS MAP REMINDER: Another highlight from our mapped list of lights:
That’s the always-amazing home at 4043 Fauntleroy – and if you forget how much time is left until Christmas, there’s a countdown clock:
We photographed it LAST night, so take a day off that. The whole block there along the east end of the bridge is bold and bright. The map has new locations too, including a few we haven’t photographed yet (but will!), like the decades-famous “Charlie Brown” house, at 2128 47th SW, and 5106 SW Stevens.
The holiday happenings that remain between now and New Year’s Day – including solstice events this weekend – are in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events/Info Guide.
The Legislature has given up on reaching a transportation deal in time for a possible special session before its next regular session (here are details from our partners at The Seattle Times). So, King County Executive Dow Constantine says in a statement out late today, it looks like the county is going to have to start traveling down its own road for transportation funding:
A statewide transportation package that is fair and balanced is still our first choice, so of course I’m disappointed at the continued inability of state legislators to reach agreement on a solution. I urge lawmakers to take action on a balanced package as soon as possible in the next legislative session.
“But the consequences of continued delay are unacceptable. We need the tools to address our urgent transportation needs, and we need them now. In the absence of action by the state, we must pursue a local option that uses the tools currently available to us.
“I look forward to working with the County Council to determine the timing for a measure to put before voters, and the proper mix of revenues, so that King County voters can have the chance to save bus service and maintain local roads.”
This would seem to suggest so-called “Plan B” – explained here one month ago as “existing state law (allowing) the Metropolitan King County Council to enact an ordinance creating a transportation benefit district with specific revenue authorities, including sales taxes and a flat annual vehicle fee” – is more likely than ever.
5:25 PM: Police are converging on Westwood Village after a report that the Rite-Aid store was held up by a robber who said he had a gun. The only description mentioned in radio communications so far – “Asian male.” While he gave a worker a note that said he had a gun, no gun was seen.
5:40 PM: No updates on that case yet – our crew at Westwood says officers are searching the area as well as talking to workers in the store. **Meantime** – If you are seeing/hearing the Guardian One helicopter in the area – they also are helping with the investigation of another incident not far away, a break-in reported in the 8800 block of 30th SW (map), reported within this past hour, with the resident coming home to discover a break-in and suspecting the burglar(s) might still have been in the house.
5:56 PM: Back to the Rite-Aid robbery – our crew has just talked to police on scene. They will say only that “merchandise” was taken; they do have a more detailed description of the robber – Asian, male, 20s, 5’4″ to 5’6″, wearing a black jacket. Police are continuing to search neighborhoods in the area. To be clear, we have not heard ANY suggestion that these two cases are related – just happened that they were in the same area, and with the helicopter over here, albeit briefly, we needed to mention the burglary too.
9:23 PM: The SPD Blotter post about the holdup contains one new bit of information – confirming the “merchandise” was drugs, stolen from the pharmacy.
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