West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
If you don’t have the day off – note that the roads are clear, but since we’re in the midst of a four-day weekend, there are still some changes – Metro is on a “reduced weekday” schedule today; the King County Water Taxi and its shuttles are NOT running. As for Sound Transit, its express buses have some downtown rerouting this morning because of the Macy’s Parade.
Just received that photo from David Rosen of SlickPix Photography, who says he’s been in line at Westwood Village Target since 11 pm. David says the line’s still growing – despite the rain – and the first person in line has been there since 6 pm. According to the ads we’ve seen, Target’s opening at 4 am. (photo added – by the time Target opened, the line stretched all the way around the corner past Barnes and Noble and alongside Chico’s!)
As for other WV bigboxes – Bed, Bath & Beyond is also opening at 4 am, Staples opens at 6 am. And if you’re shopping at the Westwood Barnes and Noble today, there’s a Bookfair benefiting Roxhill Elementary School – use the coupon that’s linked here (which is good at the store through December 3rd) and tip the gift-wrappers (tips benefit Roxhill, today only).
IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE BIGBOXES: Many West Seattle independent stores are rolling the welcome mat out further than ever; we’re rolling out Version 1.0 of a special local holiday-shopping guide in the next few hours – stand by for details!
SEALTH BAND IN MACY’S PARADE: The big downtown parade later this morning is scheduled to feature the Chief Sealth International High School Marching Band again this year, according to the lineup in a news release from parade sponsor Macy’s (which also describes the parade route). The parade starts at 9 am; doesn’t appear anyone’s televising it.
In addition to the eroded shorelines we’ve shown you, Monday night’s fierce wind also brought down trees – and as seen here Tuesday afternoon, a wild beehive came crashing down with one of those trees in Lincoln Park. In the comments on that story, we all learned they’d been rescued … and their rescuer Rob added a comment a day later with an update. We e-mailed Rob to ask if he might share new photos and more information on how the bees are doing; he obliged, with some background:
By the path along the bluff of Lincoln Park, a tall fir tree grew and a half dead maple tree had grown with its trunk wrapped around that of the fir. In the space between these trunks and in the rotting maple a wild bee-hive made its home. I have watched this hive over about the past four years, but last year I had concluded that the hive must have failed during the long wet spring.
I was wrong, and the hive must simply have made itself another entrance from the one I had been watching, because when Monday night’s wind took down the fir and the rotted maple with it, there was the hive smashed up on the ground in among the tangle and rubble of the shattered trees. The temperature was in the teens Tuesday morning, so I was utterly astonished to see bees still alive and clustering around the broken fragments of honeycomb.
I keep bees, but all my good equipment is stored at my bee yard on Bainbridge. Still I had an old box lying around, so I scooped up all that I could of this hive, thinking it was a lost cause, but worth the try for the sake of sentiment if nothing else.
Amazingly, this tough old hive seems to be making a comeback. At the moment I just have the boxed fragments in the spare bedroom keeping warm, but the level of activity and work around the old combs makes me think the ladies may be viable. I have long felt that different hives have distinct personalities, and this one is certainly a rugged, determined survivor.
This weekend I’ll be able to make a trip over to Bainbridge and bring back a proper home for the girls, along with some fresh frames and comb foundation, and set them up so they can make a go of it. I’ve long wanted to make an observation hive, so I think I will set this up indoors for the time being with a sealed gangway out a window. That way, in their weakened state, they will have a better chance and will be less likely to starve for energy to keep warm.
Thank you to WSBlog and all the followers and commenters who have taken an interest in this little saga. I will send updates of news of their progress. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
“Where did all that driftwood go?” asked Anne and Clarence from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), sharing that photo from the north-facing Lincoln Park shoreline. Note the bulkhead wall, which appears to now be fully out of the sand. As shown here earlier this week, same thing happened to the north-facing Alki shoreline; here’s one previously unpublished photo of that, courtesy of David Hutchinson:
We know the city replenishes Alki sand from time to time (remember the chunky-sand trouble earlier this year?); not sure about Lincoln Park, but we’ll check in with Seattle Parks post-holiday weekend.
Regionally and nationally prominent West Seattle Realtor Dan Murphy has died, according to an announcement on the Washington Association of Realtors’ Facebook page, which says he died at a hospital late last night, adding, “Dan was an active leader with the Realtor Association on the local, state, and national levels.” He also was a member of the Washington State Real Estate Commission. Mr. Murphy worked from the Windermere Fauntleroy office. Thanks to Larry Nitkey (from West Seattle’s other Windermere office) for the tip. No word on services so far; we’ll add that information when it’s available. Mr. Murphy was 60 years old.
At left, the A-board sign announces the free Thanksgiving dinner that’s just started inside The Hall at Fauntleroy (the old schoolhouse is mostly out of view on the left). But the even bigger news is the view up that section of California SW to SW Barton – the big meltoff is under way, and the roads are getting better all the time. No more weather advisories; it’s raining lightly. Now, back inside The Hall at Fauntleroy, where Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering (WSB sponsor) and a team of volunteers invite you to the free feast continuing till 3 pm – a few scenes:
The Hall at Fauntleroy’s at 9131 California SW; here’s a map. As noted on the West Seattle Holidays page, the West Seattle Eagles also invite all, nonmembers included, to a free meal 2-5 pm today, 4426 California SW. And if you haven’t checked our “who’s open” list – coffee, restaurants, grocery stores, to the best of our research abilities – find it here. Hope you’re having a great holiday!
ADDED 12:56 PM: Before the snow’s all gone … Heidi writes, “… since the weather has warmed up in Sunrise Heights, the snow is perfect for making snowmen and my husband couldn¹t pass up the chance.” The result:
(10:47 AM TOPLINE: No major road problems reported; SDOT salting snow routes)
(Refresh for latest pic of WS Bridge, looking eastbound, and 1st Ave. S. Bridge, more on the WSB Traffic cams page)
Happy Thanksgiving Day! Starting a morning report with info and updates.
*Here’s our list of who was planning to be open in West Seattle today, coffee/groceries/restaurants; a few other Thanksgiving Day activities are on our West Seattle Holidays page. (10:30 AM note: Tweaked the list thanks to e-mail from Luke – Freshy’s is closed; Java Bean’s open.)
*Metro is on a Sunday schedule and snow routing; the Water Taxi is NOT running (nor are its shuttle buses).
*The cars out front have a new, light layer of snow, but currently, only the occasional flake is falling. Warmer than 24 hours earlier – 30 degrees at Boeing Field at 6 am; here’s the current Winter Weather Advisory. If you do have to drive today, please share info if you can, for others who have to hit the road for relatives’ homes, last-minute grocery shopping, etc. No major problems reported so far.
*Free community Thanksgiving dinners: Noon-3 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, courtesy of Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering (WSB sponsor), 9131 California SW; 2 pm-5 pm at West Seattle Eagles, 4426 California SW.
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:
*Thursday afternoon in Morgan Junction, the exhaust of one driver’s car was so thick that it seemed, to a passing officer, to be blinding the drivers who had the misfortune to be behind it. The officer made a U-turn to catch up to the driver, who simply hit the gas pedal (increasing the smoke) and refused to pull over until he reached his home on 47th SW. He was not carrying his license. A records check showed that he was wanted on three warrants: from Lynnwood ($5,100) for possessing drug paraphernalia), from Seattle for possession of cocaine, and from Seattle Municipal Court ($10,000) for assault. He was booked into King County Jail on the warrants and was cited for excessive smoke and for driving without a license.
(5 more summaries ahead:)Read More
Last night, we published a sort of a tribute to The Great Walk Home, endured by dozens, maybe hundreds, who just gave up on trying to navigate the roads via bus or car on Monday night. It’s also been pointed out that bicycles beat the gridlock too. West Seattleite Eric Shalit, above, has published a review of the gear that helped (including studded snow tires). You can read about it here.
And here’s a great tale of biking it home to West Seattle that snowy night, published at the Seattle Times (WSB partner) site, written by Times transportation reporter Mike Lindblom. His hook: The bike he used to beat the gridlock is a wide-tire model previously ridden only in Hawaii! (Mike also reported major chunks of the 5-section “Why Can’t Seattle Handle Snow?” story that’s been getting a lot of traction.)
It was the big harvest before the big freeze. Aviva Furman from Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle shares the photos, explaining that she was joined at one of their local food gardens last Friday by 12 students from Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) and teachers Steve White and Kristin Moore, as they harvested vegetables before the temps dropped: 14 poujnds of kale, carrots, and rutabaga, subsequently donated to the White Center Food Bank. Aviva adds, “They also worked the soil to prepare it for future crops: turning in a cover crop of buckwheat, and composting sunflowers that were long past their prime. A special ingredient, coffee grounds, donated by the Westwood Village Starbucks, was added to the mix.”
As of this afternoon, West Seattle’s Joe McDermott is the newest member of the King County Council, representing District 8, which also includes White Center and Vashon/Maury Islands. In the county-provided photo above, he was sworn in by Clerk of the Council Anne Noris, hours after the November 2nd election results were certified. The official news release announcing his swearing-in quotes Councilmember McDermott as saying, ““I am honored the voters of the 8th Council District chose me to serve them in a position that has a long legacy of strong, effective leadership … We must work together to provide meaningful and efficient government services with an eye to the future. We cannot let today’s economic crisis keep us from meeting our commitments in regional planning, environmental stewardship and public safety.” McDermott spent the past decade in the State Legislature, in the State Senate since 2007, following seven years in the State House. On the nine-member County Council, he succeeds Jan Drago, appointed early this year after the November 2009 election moved Dow Constantine up to County Executive; this election was for the remaining year of Constantine’s unexpired term, so the position will be back on the ballot in November 2011. Final certified results of this election are here; McDermott had 68 percent of the vote, Diana Toledo – also a West Seattleite – 32 percent. They were the top two finishers from a field of four in the August primary.
Congratulations to 6 people associated with West Seattle programs/facilities who have been announced as nominees for the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department‘s annual Denny Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Stewardship. The Parks Department has just sent out a news release announcing nominees and that the awards will be revealed at a December 7th event on Lake Union – read on:Read More
(Refresh for latest pic of WS Bridge, looking eastbound, and 1st Ave. S. Bridge, more on the WSB Traffic cams page)
Starting this a little earlier than planned, as there are various things to note: South Seattle Community College is closing at 2 pm and canceling evening classes, for starters. This report will again be “stuck” to the top of the page, with newer news appearing below it for now. You can find the morning/midday/early-afternoon reader reports on road conditions by going here. If the clouds are worrying you, here’s the forecast as updated this morning:
MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF VERY LIGHT SNOW OR FLURRIES. NO ACCUMULATION EXPECTED.
2:34 PM: No road problems reported currently (or all day!), in case you were wondering. Also a reminder that both city libraries and community centers are closing at 5 pm.
4:48 PM UPDATE: No problems on the roads. Reminder that we have published our “who’s open Thanksgiving” list for restaurants, grocery stores, and coffee shops – find it here – and the West Seattle Holidays page has a few other Thanksgiving notes, such as holiday workouts. If you have to drive tomorrow morning to get to Grandma’s house (or anywhere else) for Thanksgiving, WSDOT warns that road ice is possible with temperatures still low and a “mix of rain or snow in the forecast.” (Since WSB is 24/7/365, if there’s anything you need to know in or around West Seattle, we’ll be here.)
5:01 PM UPDATE: There’s a new “winter weather advisory” in effect 6 pm tonight to 1 pm tomorrow, with that chance of light snow/flurries tonight/tomorrow morning, plus, once the temperatures warm tomorrow morning, “a chance of light freezing rain or light sleet.”
5:56 PM UPDATE: Metro will remain on snow routing through at least tomorrow morning. Tomorrow it’s on Sunday service; Friday it’s on “reduced weekday service.” And Thursday-Friday, there’s no King County Water Taxi (that goes for the shuttle buses too).
6:49 PM UPDATE: Via Facebook, Stacey reports some snowflakes in north West Seattle. Nothing down here so far.
The Alaskan Way Viaduct emergency-earthquake-closure-gate system work continues – and that’ll bring some ramp closures next week along Highway 99 on both sides of downtown – read on:Read More
Now that the weather’s easing a bit – not to trivialize the low temperature, but at least it’s not snowing/blowing, and the main roads have been trouble-free – a few Thanksgiving notes:
LIST OF ‘WHO’S OPEN IN WEST SEATTLE‘: Ace researcher Katie has been making the calls and we now have Version 1.0 of the list of which food stores, coffee shops, and restaurants are open tomorrow. A few places didn’t answer and are being checked today, but so far, here’s who reported they’re open, and when. (We expect to have this in map format later, and will add addresses but for your advance planning, we present the first-draft text list.) This also is linked from the WSB West Seattle Holidays page. (1:37 pm note: We’ve added several more establishments to the list, so it’s now version 1.1.)
FREE THANKSGIVING DINNERS: In addition to the traditional Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering (WSB sponsor)-presented community meal tomorrow, noon-3 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW) in the old schoolhouse, there’s one more: The West Seattle Eagles (4426 California SW) invite one and all to their free Thanksgiving Dinner, even if you’re not a member, 2-5 pm tomorrow. These, too, are listed on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page, if you lose track later. P.S. The Hall at Fauntleroy will accept pie/cookie donations till 4 pm today, after 9 am tomorrow.
WHAT LOCAL FOOD BANKS NEED TODAY: We have checked with both. The West Seattle Food Bank (35th/Morgan) says they need BAKED GOODS – bread, rolls, pastries, that type of thing. They are open for donations right now and will be distributing food noon-3 pm; after that, they’re closed for the holiday weekends. The White Center Food Bank tells us they do NOT have any immediate needs, but if you or someone you know needs food, they will be open till 7 pm. (Both food banks, of course, can always use money – they have maximum bulk purchasing power with your donations – donate online to WS Food Bank here, WC Food Bank here.)
TWO BLOOD DRIVES IN WEST SEATTLE TODAY: Puget Sound Blood Center says two drives are happening right now, partly to make up for 20 canceled elsewhere because of the weather. Here’s the latest information – Jefferson Square till 3 pm, Westwood Village till 3 pm. Full details here.
For more holiday info – check the frequently updated WSB Holidays page – and if you have an event/activity/request for holiday help (we have a section on that too), please let us know.
An update from Puget Sound Blood Center – they’ve added a mobile drive in West Seattle today:
We are expecting a loss of 1200+ units this week due to the weather. Nearly 20 blood drives that have been canceled due to the icy weather. The majority of blood types are below operational levels with both O Negative and B Negative at Emergency Levels (less than a day supply). If at all possible, please donate today. Each and every donation really makes a huge difference when our community’s blood supply is this low. There are drives today near The Junction and Westwood:
When: Wednesday November 24th
Where: Jefferson Square- Bloodmobile on 42nd Ave SW at SW Alaska Intersection
Hours: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (closed 11:30-12:30)When: Wednesday November 24th
Where: Westwood Shopping Center- Barton Entrance by Pier 1
Hours: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (closed 12-1pm)For information about donating, contact Puget Sound Blood Center at 800-398-7888
From the Emergency Operations Center – publishing here till we find a link on the city website:
SDOT continues working to prevent freezing on snow routes:
· Currently the City has 17 trucks with salt spreaders and two flusher trucks deployed.
· Snow routes are in good condition.
· There was no significant re-freezing of cleared roadways during the past 24 hours.
· There are no significant problems on the snow route network.
· The Alaskan Way Viaduct and the West Seattle High Rise Bridge are bare and dry.
· Focus is on reopening closed roads. The Seattle Police Department and SDOT are working to review roads currently closed and will update the list online.
· The City will continue the same level of deployed vehicles for the morning commute; focus will be on efforts to prevent re-freezing, address trouble spots on Level 3 routes, and bring more roads off the closed list.
· Because of the possibility of precipitation today leading to the formation of black ice tonight, some roads will remain closed.
· 24 hour shifts will continue through Thursday, November 25.
SEATTLE PUBLIC UTILITIES
· Garbage, yard waste and recycling collection have been postponed in Seattle for a second day, due to dangerous road conditions; icy side streets prohibit safe collections. There will be no residential services on Wednesday, November 24.
· Collection services for commercial and multi-family accounts will be available on a limited basis Wednesday, November 24, where access allows.
· Customers whose containers were not collected on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of this week will have them collected next week on their regularly scheduled pick-up day, and will be allowed to set out double their normal amount of garbage, yard waste and recycling at no additional charge.
POLICE
As a result of the traffic-related issues created by the snow and ice, the Seattle Police Department continues to manage snow-related incidents at the precinct level, reporting to the Emergency Operations Center. Staffing and call volume today have been comparable to normal operations. It is anticipated that SPD will return to normal operations tomorrow if conditions remain the same.
HUMAN SERVICES
Several shelters will be available for people trying to avoid the cold overnight:
· The co-ed City Hall shelter, located at Fourth and James, 9 p.m. – 6 a.m., capacity, 75 people;
· The Frye Hotel, for women only, at Third and Yesler, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., capacity, 25 people.
· Starting today, the Seattle Center shelter building will be switched from the Pavilion to the Rainier Room (one of the Northwest rooms). Hours are 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The Seattle Center Centerhouse is open 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. as a warming center.
LIBRARIES
· All locations of The Seattle Public Library, including the downtown Central Library, will be open from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 24.
· The Green Lake Library was closed yesterday due to lack of staff availability because of the weather.
MUNICIPAL COURT
· Seattle Municipal Court will begin at 10 a.m. today.
PARKS
• Parks and Recreation Community Centers, Discovery Park Environmental Learning Center, Camp Long Environmental Learning Center, and the Amy Yee Tennis Center will operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today for drop-in activities.· Pools will operate an adjusted schedule, please call the individual pool for programs and times, with the exception of Helene Madison Pool, which will be closed.
· Athletic fields will be closed Wednesday.
· School Age Care Programs cancelled
· Athletic programs are cancelled.
· Scheduled recreation programs and classes are cancelled.
· Swimming Lesson programs are cancelled.
· Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center is closed.
· Green Lake and Mt. Baker small craft centers are closed.
· Jefferson Golf Course is open for sledding.
CITY LIGHT
· There are no outages. At the height of the storm, 1,500 customers were without power. Most were restored within eight hours. The remaining customers were restored before 8 p.m. Tuesday.
FIRE
· The Fire Department added two aid cars to help out with an increased number of emergency medical responses over the past 48 hours.
· The department continues to increase staffing through Wednesday.
· Seattle Fire dispatched 507 emergency responses on Monday, approximately twice the normal number of calls received per day.
· All fire engines, trucks, medic units, and aid cars are chained up to allow access to emergencies.
PREPAREDNESS
· If Pipes Break or Freeze
Freezing weather is here. That means frozen and broken pipes are a possibility. If a water pipe breaks follow these steps:
o Immediately close the main shut-off valve to stop flooding. The shut-off valve can be indoors or outdoors – usually in a basement, crawlspace or garage. If you cannot turn off the main shutoff valve, Seattle Public Utilities customers can call (206) 386-1800 and a crew will turn off the water at the meter for a standard service charge.
o Call a plumber to repair or replace the damaged section of pipe as soon as possible.
o Don’t use hair dryers to thaw frozen pipes — you face the risk of electrocution!
Just in from Seattle Public Utilities: As it was on Tuesday, trash/recycling pickup is CANCELED again today – put out double NEXT Wednesday. Here’s the news release just received:Read More
Another holiday-help request – this is for Navos, the mental-health-care facility in West Seattle. From Alice Braverman:
For information about where to donate, or to host a drive at your place of employment or place of worship, please contact us at 206-933-7248 or development@navos.org
HYGIENE KITS FOR ALL OF OUR LOW INCOME CLIENTS:
* Soap
* Brush/Comb
* Toothpaste, toothbrush and floss
* Deodorant
* Shampoo
* Feminine Hygiene Items
FOR RESIDENTS OF OUR SUPPORTED HOUSING PROGRAMS:
* Twin mattress
* New pillows
* New phone
* Kitchen stuff such as pots and pans, silverware
* Coffee maker
* Oven mitts and kitchen towels
* New shower curtains
* New twin sheet sets
* Boxes of tissue
* Canned and boxed goods
FOR OUR HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS:
* Wilson Evolution Basketballs(4 units are needed annually for Inpatient Services)
* Clay and Paint Supplies
* Used soft cover books (no romance)
* Hats and Gloves (for homeless discharge patients)
* New sweat pants and shirt sets (male and female)
* New L and XL women’s plain white underwear
* Women’s make up, finger nail polish, acetone, cotton swabs and q-tips
* Men’s face wash, deodorant, lotion
*The afternoon edition has just launched here*
(11:09 AM TOPLINE: No problems reported; bridge/Viaduct ‘bare/dry’ per city … Trash/recycling pickup is CANCELED … Most schools closed … Quick links below cams)
(Refresh for latest pic of WS Bridge, looking eastbound, and 1st Ave. S. Bridge, more on the WSB Traffic cams page)
One more icy commute before the holiday. Metro remains on snow routing; the West Seattle Water Taxi is back in service. Most schools are out; here’s the list. (By the way – the University of Washington changed its mind late last night and is now closed for the day.)
6:07 AM UPDATE: Just took a quick spin around online and so far no major problems reported in our area right now. 17 degrees at Sea-Tac at the top of the hour.
6:30 AM UPDATE: Thanks for again sharing road reports (and other updates) in the comments. We’re also monitoring, and posting updates to, Twitter and Facebook. The weather forecast looks the same as it did last night; the National Weather Service has renewed its “special weather statement,” warning of “sub-freezing” temperatures through Thanksgiving morning – again today, we won’t get past freezing, but tomorrow afternoon, the 40s should return.
6:39 AM UPDATE: Trash/recycling pickup POSTPONED again today – as it was yesterday – put out double next week; this just in from Seattle Public Utilities. (And if you have Thursday pickup, that’s already postponed till Friday, for the holiday.)
7:15 AM UPDATE: Starting to hear from some people with water trouble. Angela at 35th/112th has none. Someone on Twitter has frozen pipes. We’ll be checking with Seattle Public Utilities to see if they know of any major problems – if it’s just your house, though, the responsibility is yours. A few reminders originally posted yesterday: Today’s Rotary and Kiwanis meetings are canceled; Seattle Public Library branches will be open noon-5 pm. Also heard this morning from Allstar Fitness: Open regular hours but morning classes canceled, and SW Yancy is still very icy.
7:37 AM UPDATE: The city has just issued its latest roundup of service status. You can read the whole thing here; highlights – Viaduct/West Seattle Bridge “bare and dry”; roads considered “snow routes” are in “good” condition; community centers and Camp Long will be open 10 am-5 pm for drop-in activities but programs are canceled; the roundup also has advice about dealing with frozen/broken pipes!
8:04 AM UPDATE: Here’s that pipe advice, from SPU.
8:37 AM UPDATE: Still problem-free, roads and buses, per WSB commenters and the other streams we’re watching. Here’s our most-recent photos of nearby California/Thistle corner (both arterials) – typical, says the city, for major routes:
9:30 AM UPDATE: Still quiet!
11:09 AM UPDATE: From SDOT via Twitter: “SDOT has 12 pedestrian crews out clearing city owned sidewalks and landings right now.” We have “unstuck” this item so it’s no longer atop the page, but we will launch an evening-commute version after 3 pm, with other news higher up in the meantime. Once again, THANKS for sharing information photos, and for just being here.
One last look at Tuesday before it’s gone and we move toward all this being the latest snowy memory: First photo is courtesy of Susan, whose daughter Aliza is a bridge between the snows of 2008 and 2010: Today marked Aliza’s first sled ride, with dad; she is 23 months old, which places her birthdate during Snowpocalypse ’08.
Older sledders took to West Seattle’s iconic Charlestown Hill:
The video is courtesy of Beth. Over in southeast West Seattle, Amy sent a photo to show what her family had been up to:
They’re in Riverview, and Amy says, “We tried to clear off the sidewalk and driveway, but it was too hard to chip the ice off.” Then there were the serene scenes – Kate shared this one:
And another well-known artwork – this one photographed by Anne from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) on Monday night:
Just as we were wrapping up, one more contribution showed up in the inbox:
That’s from Mr. Suave, who identifies the star as Kali Shiva the yellow lab, and the location as Highland Park Elementary School and vicinity.
First came the north winds whipping up wild waves last Sunday – then the snow and even-stronger wind last night – and this morning along Alki Beach, this is what it revealed. Jim Mercure photographed the startling scene on the shore, saying he “was shocked to see the massive amount of erosion of the shoreline.” (Note the fire ring that’s now with the driftwood instead of up on the sand.)
The phenomenon also was noticed by Alki resident Russ Walker, who noted in e-mail, with a photo link, “Went outside for the first time not long ago to find 2 ft of elevation gone from the beach. I expected some erosion, but not this much. The stairs down to the beach now end about 18 inches short of the sand. And I see more old pier posts that haven’t been exposed in the 20 months we’ve been living here.” Lucky the weather is relatively calm (albeit cold) tonight, since the second-highest tide of the month peaks just after 7 tomorrow morning.
Seattle Fire Department crews are busy at the Junction QFC, helping with a water cleanup. The photo above is from Mary, who says a pipe broke and gushed water onto part of the store’s floor. Mary says the store is doing a great job dealing with it, and the water is mostly just over by the meat cases.
ADDED 6:14 PM: Christopher Boffoli checked out the situation too, with the photo above and this update:
The QFC was mobbed with people who were shopping up a storm despite the fact that more than half the store was ankle deep in water. One of the employees told me they had a water pipe break. A bunch of people were frantically trying to mop up the water. Meanwhile, the physical therapy office and tanning salon on the lower level of the building were in even deeper water. The grocery store had a few aisles with the deepest water that appeared to be closed temporarily. But otherwise the store is open for business. But if anyone has appointments tomorrow at businesses downstairs they might want to call ahead.
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