LATEST TOPLINES 10:30 PM: ****School updates – Seattle Public Schools all closed Tuesday; several more school changes here … Metro will be on snow routes again Tuesday and expecting some cancellations … West Seattle (high) Bridge *open* … **Low bridge now reported blocked westbound by bus trouble**. Alaskan Way Viaduct has reopened … Buses have taken HOURS to get to WS … 1st Ave S. Bridge open but having problems. Roxbury/Myers hill to/from 509 *slippery*. Highland Park Way closed. Admiral Hill miserable. SW Yancy “sheet of ice”; many other West Seattle roads, especially the hilliest, also having trouble – avoid driving. Seattle Public Library branches closed early (6 pm).
(Refresh for latest pic from WS Bridge camera, looking eastbound, and 1st Ave. S. Bridge cam, more on the WSB Traffic cams page) FIRST UPDATE, 12:20 PM: It’s been snow-showery off and on all morning – our video is from about half an hour ago:
1:32 PM: While there’s something of a lull before the threatened blast of afternoon snow and wind – not to mention, commute information regardless of conditions – we’re publishing some other news – scroll BELOW this story on the WSB home page (this will be “stuck” to the top but newer news will appear beneath it). Here’s a video clip, by the way, shot by Danny Gawlowski from the Seattle Times (WSB partners) – brothers Michael and Anthony Dimitre building a little snowman south of The Junction:
2:37 PM UPDATE: The snow and the wind are picking up. (No new forecast likely till later this afternoon, but here’s the newest one, if you haven’t seen it.)
3:53 PM UPDATE: Commute in full swing, as is windblown snow. Multiple trouble reports coming in. The West Seattle Bridge westbound is said to be a trouble spot – we’ve got one report from Pauline, stopped in traffic: “Bridge seems to be iced over with lots of stalled cars- no one is able to get up the hill going west on bridge. Need sanding trucks or something!” One driver calls it “a sheet of ice.” Multiple vehicles stopped, according to another who passed by. This photo from Paul:
A different Paul reports northbound Delridge onramp to eastbound bridge is closed. Also, the Battery Street Tunnel is now having trouble, if you are north of downtown or have to head that way – SDOT reports it’s closed southbound. And we are hearing from bus riders downtown that there’s quite a wait.
4:25 PM UPDATE: Anything that’s a hill – avoid. Admiral now said to be a mess between bridge and viewpoint. Roxbury is having trouble in westbound – Todd reports a bus is blocking it. Also note the Columbia entrance to the southbound Viaduct downtown is reported closed. Sanding trucks are trying to get to the WS Bridge “to get it back open,” per scanner. The low bridge ALSO is reported blocked, bus and truck trouble, according to Rose, who sent this photo:
4:58 PM UPDATE: 1st Avenue South Bridge is reported open, but otherwise we’re hearing most routes are still in bad shape. Also just got word that the West Seattle Water Taxi is having some trouble – commenter says they’re going to try to see if a bigger boat will help deal with wind/dock.
5:09 PM UPDATE: Water Taxi now CANCELED for rest of the evening. Wind has just picked up where we are – remember that strong wind is forecast as well as snow/cold. Also – Alaskan Way Viaduct CLOSED both ways according to e-mail just in from city Emergency Services Center. Quick reminder: In addition to updating the Web, we are also posting updates (as are “friends”/”followers”) on Twitter (@westseattleblog) and Facebook (facebook.com/westseattleblog).
5:41 PM UPDATE: SDOT says high bridge open but slow going. The “live picture” atop our story here (from city traffic camera) would seem to validate that. A non-traffic note: Seattle Public Library branches are closing at 6 pm.
5:53 PM UPDATE: From Rob via Facebook – many have been asking about this route:
I just got home in arbor heights via 1st ave s bridge, 509, Roxbury. There were two semi trucks stuck on the bridge, squeezing it to 1 lane. After that there were many cars spun out on the hill up to Roxbury. They are all over the road and moving randomly, so a really dangerous situation unless you enjoy auto pinball. The hill is very slippery and it’s probably best everyone just stay away but if you must drive it make sure you know what you are doing.
He said the trip home from SODO took … two hours. Also note, surface streets aren’t in the best of shape either. WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen just sent a photo of a spinout in The Junction, 42nd/ Alaska. Looks like everyone’s OK, but nerve-rattling.
6:11 PM UPDATE: From Rachel via e-mail:
Please post on updates that Admiral Hill is extremely dangerous right now, when I came down it at 5 pm there were at least 15 cars wiped out on the sides, and cars sliding everywhere. Very scary situation and I was in a truck but still sliding like crazy also.
We cannot stress enough – don’t go out unless it’s an emergency. Obviously a lot of people are just trying to get home, but once you’re there (and it’s taking some *hours*), please stay in. Also know that the “official” reports on major roads are not coming in consistently – so if something doesn’t have a live camera (see the Traffic page), we may not know its status for sure unless someone nearby comments on it. Road photos welcome, too; we have some “snow fun” shots from earlier that we will get into a gallery later, but right now the traffic/safety info is paramount.
6:37 PM UPDATE: Photo from less than an hour ago on low bridge – many people are said to be walking back to West Seattle from SODO (dangerous – wind chill! it’s really kicking up out there) and this is what they’re encountering – the pedestrian/bike part definitely open – thanks to Tomf2009 via Twitter:
6:54 PM UPDATE: Lights just blinked. Charge your smartphone if you have one. … Also just heard some SDOT discussion via the scanner: 42nd/Edmunds “a sheet of ice” (south of Jefferson Square Safeway). Has been said about many streets – we got a note that SW Yancy (between Avalon and Allstar Fitness) is in that same condition.
7:02 PM UPDATE: Bruce Butterfield (president of the Fauntleroy Community Association) posted on FB wall that the lower bridge IS MOVING.
7:32 PM UPDATE: Commenters are continuing to share updates on road and bus conditions. A long-suffering 54 ridership is apparently getting closer to home. Meantime, some other problems. Thanks to Mike Jensen for this photo of a tree down by VCA on California SW south of The Junction:
7:48 PM UPDATE: Some of the people walking from SODO have made it into Skylark Café (WSB sponsor), according to a comment from proprietor Jessie SK on the WSB Facebook Wall. Meantime, we checked with the City Light outage tracker, since the wind’s been up quite a while and many have reported flickers – so far, only two small outages in West Seattle, pockets in the north (see them here), although on a night like tonight – with temperatures already into the low 20s – even a 1-person outage is especially bad news. Back to the walkers – Kristina’s husband took this, walking up Highland Park Way:
Kristina says he saw at least 10 abandoned, stuck, or “trying to get unstuck” cars, some even in the bushes.
8:08 PM UPDATE: Hope Lutheran School parent says she got the call they’re closed tomorrow. We started a separate page with Tuesday school info – here’s the link. Also, Twitter note says a new problem blocking the low bridge westbound – stalled truck.
8:20 PM UPDATE: Now there are several small outages in northern West Seattle. Biggest one is along Admiral in Alki Mail vicinity – 145 homes/businesses, according to the City Light tracker.
8:30 PM UPDATE: Seattle Public Schools now canceled for Tuesday. More school info here (and we’ll continue updating that page as we get updates from private schools, Highline, Vashon, etc.). Also note – safety problems with some wires blown-down, 35th/Dakota is the latest report.
9:18 PM UPDATE: Metro will be on snow routes again Tuesday. Low bridge now having new trouble with a jack-knifed bus. We are hearing from more and more people who have been on buses for up to FIVE HOURS trying to get home to West Seattle. Here’s one pic we received of some of the earlier-reported walkers going across the low bridge:
We also have another tree down – Eric sent this photo of the tree at California/Walker:
9:48 PM UPDATE: More school closures – Seattle Lutheran and Northwest Montessori (all branches including West Seattle) also closed tomorrow. Go here for the full list of Tuesday school closure/delays reported so far. Also we’re inviting businesses to share word of changes – so far, The Little Gym of West Seattle is closed tomorrow, 8 Limbs Yoga in The Junction is canceling 6:30 and 11 am classes. Our favorite TV meteorologist, former Q13 co-worker Walter Kelley, says one more big band of snow will come through before 4 am – after that, the big problem foreseen is the ice.
10:22 PM UPDATE: From Bill Schrier, video of some of the bridge walkers:
They and the 4- to 6-hour bus ride endurers are the story of the night.
10:29 PM UPDATE: Metro contacted us to say that not only will they be on snow routing tomorrow, they are already certain there will be cancellations, so they’re urging people to stay home if they possibly can. Here’s their complete news release, including details on Access buses.
10:56 PM UPDATE: More school closures/delays – West Seattle Montessori/Academy, Explorer West Middle School closed, Highline Public Schools now closed, Holy Family expecting a one-hour delay. Also note that the Alaskan Way Viaduct is open and fairly clear – we just got a phone call from a long-ago co-worker who mentioned he had taken The Viaduct to The Bridge from Queen Anne within the past hour or so and made decent time.
Just so we have it all in one place separate from our snow stories:
ADDED 2:01 PM: South Seattle Community College closed at 2, no evening classes.
AS OF ORIGINAL PUBLICATION AT 12:19 PM (will be updated if there are more changes affecting TODAY’s school day/evening – we will create a separate story if there are any announcements for the next day):
Seattle Public Schools: All classes and other activities end at 12:35 pm today (they had originally announced that middle/high schools would dismiss at that time, then expanded it)
Vashon Public Schools started 2 hours late
Highline Public Schools – no change
Hope Lutheran, Holy Rosary, West Seattle Montessori – out at noon
Seattle Lutheran – out at 12:15 pm
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Explorer West – out at 12:30
Holy Family out “after lunch”
Shorewood Christian *no school today*
Tilden School “open as usual”
(If you are with a private school, we invite you to please add us to your formal notification list – we have been gathering this information somewhat piecemeal today; a few have notified us, a few of these are thanks to helpful parents! editor@westseattleblog.com)
Though the fire response in the 3200 block of 41st SW (map) wasn’t described as major when we checked it out about two hours ago (mentioned briefly in our morning snow coverage), the Seattle Red Cross now says it’s helping the residents, “providing assistance to six people which could include shelter, food, clothing and other immediate needs.” Meantime, SFD’s report isn’t final so we don’t have an official cause – WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen went by the scene a while after we were there and was told it was in the attic; original call, per SFD’s Helen Fitzpatrick, was “wall fire.”
**NOTE: We’ve now started afternoon coverage – go here – thanks!**
(TOPLINES: *Winter Storm Warning now in effect till 10 pm* … Metro on snow routes. Seattle Public Schools is now ending ALL activities @ 12:35 pm (update from early am), Vashon School District 2 hours late, Explorer West out 12:35, Our Lady of Guadalupe out 12:30, Seattle Lutheran HS out 12:15, Hope Lutheran, WS Montessori and Holy Rosary out 12 noon, Shorewood Christian canceled. Continuing coverage below.)
(Refresh for latest pic from WS Bridge camera, looking eastbound, and Junction cam, more on the WSB Traffic cams page) FIRST REPORT, 5:01 AM: Starting our morning weather/traffic watch: It’s snowing here in Upper Fauntleroy, and sticking. Remember that Metro already was planning to be on snow routing to start the day, in ALL areas. Please share info on what it looks like where you are. Here’s an iPhone pic of snow on car/road right outside:
It’s a thin layer, though, as of that 5:05 am photo.
BUS INFORMATION:Here’s the snow routing info from Metro (which reminds you to PLEASE sign up for alerts for your route/s and is advertising that fact here and on other media sources).
SCHOOL INFORMATION, ONGOING UPDATES: Seattle Public Schools says it will dismiss middle and high schools EARLY today, 12:35 pm, because of “the snow expected this afternoon.” (Update at 9:54 am – They’re now ending ALL activities at 12:35 pm.) Vashon Island School District is 2 hours late. (We’re checking on local independent schools, but direct reports are welcome – editor@westseattleblog.com – so far, Explorer West getting out at 12:35 pm, Seattle Lutheran HS out at 12:15 pm, West Seattle Montessori, Hope Lutheran, Holy Rosary out at noon, OLG out at 12:30, Holy Family dismissing after lunch, Shorewood Christian CANCELED.)
6 AM UPDATE: That’s California/Thistle near WSB HQ, photographed a few moments ago. Checked the depth on our car – about 1/4″. No road problems reported so far in our area but drive VERY carefully. Light-to-moderate snow still falling here, has been steady for at least an hour and a half.
6:20 AM UPDATE: Adding to the school information higher up in this story – Vashon is 2 hours late. Note that the forecast calls for more snow later; the Winter Weather Advisory is in effect till evening. From SDOT via Twitter:
Snow routes pre-treated overnight. Two pre-treatment trucks working on SR99 and West Seattle high rise now. Snow routes in solid condition.
6:50 AM UPDATE: From the mayor’s office:
With a winter weather advisory calling for snow throughout the day, Mayor Mike McGinn activated Seattle’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) this morning. The EOC will remain open as needed to monitor weather conditions and provide support and coordination with city departments.
The winter weather advisory is calling for unusually strong winds, with sustained winds at 25 mph, and gusts up to 40 mph. Temperatures are expected to remain at or below freezing all day. Snow flurries will continue this morning with snow at times this afternoon and early evening.
7:02 AM UPDATE: Starting to get light, will wait till then for next photo. Snow much lighter than it was two hours ago. Still no notable trouble reported on any area roads.
7:27 AM UPDATE: And – the snow’s picking up again. We’re checking out a fire response around 41st/Hinds, “4 Red” so not a full house fire.
7:38 AM UPDATE: Explorer West Middle School will close at 12:35 pm, per Tanya via FB. Meantime, from Fauntlee Hills, Cheryl sends this view looking north on SW Trenton (including her neighbor’s “authentic train signal):
We’re not too far north of there, a little bit higher elevation, but much snowier here. New photo shortly. Yours are welcome too.
7:51 AM UPDATE: East Marginal is “not an option,” we’re hearing via cdawg 2610 on Twitter – took a long time. Also note that Fauntleroy ferry dock is slippery, per DLGordo on Twitter (see the “live camera” on the WSB Traffic page). Meantime, the photo immediately above was taken a few minutes ago looking north on California from Thistle (our HQ vicinity) – both arterials but starting to get some snow sticking on the surface despite ostensible earlier deicing. And here’s California looking southbound, just north of The Junction, taken about 20 minutes ago:
8:16 AM UPDATE: More reports of slippery roads (co-publisher Patrick took the north-of-Junction photo on the way back from checking 41st/Hinds call and he says the Charlestown vicinity was especially slippery). Thanks again to everyone sharing road and bus reports in the comments. After the commute, we will start adding non-snow news BELOW this story, since it’s programmed to stay atop the page (yes, there IS some non-snow news to talk about!). Meantime, Cathy shares this photo taken about 7:45 am from Upper Alki – they’ve got about half an inch so far:
8:32 AM UPDATE: SDOT says that as of 8 am, they were planning to send out snowplows as needed. Meantime, a couple scenes from Sunrise Heights; first from Ty, looking toward Westside School (WSB sponsor):
Ty has also posted an update on his neighborhood site Roxhill Rox. And via Facebook from Michelle – including the iconic cow-topped John’s Corner Deli, at 35th/Webster:
9:22 AM UPDATE: The snow’s back to falling more seriously. Very off-again, on-again. We have a beach-level photo of Alki, courtesy of Cami:
9:49 AM UPDATE: The National Weather Service has now issued a winter-storm warning for our area. Also, an UPDATE from Seattle Public Schools – they are now ending ALL activities for the day at 12:35 pm – no after-school activities, no conferences after 12:35, and as reported earlier, middle- and high-school classes are ending for the day at that point too. Also just in: Seattle Lutheran HS out at 12:15 pm, West Seattle Montessori out at noon. (added) Holy Rosary’s dismissing at noon, Our Lady of Guadalupe at 12:30.
10:23 AM UPDATE: Seattle City Council is in the middle of a prescheduled briefing on the city’s snow/ice response for the year. You can watch live on channel 21 or online at seattlechannel.org. Nothing new you hadn’t heard of before, but SDOT notes they currently have 25 of their 30 snow/ice/deice etc. trucks out, and they reiterate they are not clearing/deicing residential-only streets. SDOT official notes dryly, “We are the second hilliest city in the nation after San Francisco.” P.S. The snow here stopped almost the moment the “winter storm warning” came in.
11:11 AM UPDATE: And … the snow’s back. Pretty good shower (?) right now. Meantime, thanks to Sully for a photo from Westwood Village:
Sully also reports, “Parking lot looked really good. Rt. 21 snow shuttle running south of Roxbury, Arbor Heights loop.”
12:15 PM: We’ll be starting the afternoon story shortly – latest info will be there. (Update – here’s the link.)
The Westside Wildcats Senior Blue team won the South King County Junior Football League Championship this morning … at Highline Memorial Stadium in Burien. They faced the Rainier Beach Vikings. The Wildcats won 31-0. This was the finale of an undefeated season.
The team is coached by Lee Fetui, and you can find out more information about the Wildcats at westseattlejrfootball.com.
(Our afternoon snow coverage, with video, is here; this update will stay atop the home page through the night, with newer stories published beneath it for now)
As originally noted toward the end of our morning/afternoon weather coverage, Metro is going to start the day with buses on snow routes in all areas, just because the forecast is dicey and this kind of decision can’t be made at the last minute. Sound Transit also has made some changes: Route 560 will not stop at Alaska/California, but will pick up at 44th/Alaska instead. And from SDOT via Facebook:
Several SDOT trucks pre-treated snow routes in the late afternoon. Several more with pre-treat this evening. Standing by on whatever this storm delivers.
As for the weather – the evening forecast update isn’t out yet; the one suggesting snow and gusty winds tomorrow is still in effect. (But famous forecaster Cliff Mass has just published an update; he insists no Seattle snow.) We’ll add more information as it comes in tonight, and we’ll be up early to report here on what actually happens – or doesn’t happen – weather- and traffic-wise.
With weather forecasts calling for ice across the state and snow in the Puget Sound and Southwest Washington, drivers should prepare for winter driving conditions overnight and into the Monday morning commute.
“Our crews are out and facing challenging conditions all over the state,” said Chris Christopher, Maintenance Director for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). “The temperatures are getting lower so any moisture will freeze overnight. And we expect snow and wind especially in the South Sound region near Olympia and south to Vancouver. We are pre-treating the roadways but drivers need to be prepared and drive for conditions.”
Christopher noted the wind chill will make it feel even colder. And there will also be wind and snow through much of Eastern Washington.
“The conditions look much better for travel later Monday and into Tuesday and Wednesday,” he said.
WSDOT is ready for the expected increased traffic for the Thanksgiving holiday. Drivers should be prepared , check travel and roadway conditions on WSDOT’s website and pack their winter weather supplies, including tire chains. For more winter driving tips, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter.
Know Before You Go
* WSDOT offers several ways to get up-to-date traffic and
construction information from our website
before you leave your home or office.
* Look at weather forecasts and road temperatures throughout the state.
* A color-coded map shows statewide traffic conditions.
* Call 511. WSDOT’s driver information phone line provides real-time traffic, incident and closure information. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.
On the Road
* Overhead and roadside electronic signs provide emergency and incident alerts and, in some Seattle-area locations during rush hours, point-to-point travel times.
* Highway advisory radio allows drivers to tune in to hear updates when the flashing lights along the highway are activated.
Not snow, nor sleet, nor rain, etc., will deter … not only postal carriers, but also artists. Above, that’s Linus Von Moos, who’s visiting West Seattle all the way from Switzerland. This afternoon, despite the snow and chilly wind, he’s out painting a mural in front of Twilight Artist Collective in The Junction. He’s a traveling artist, Twilight co-proprietor Erin explains, who’s been couch-surfing, including a stay at co-proprietor Mary’s place: “He was itching to leave his mark in Seattle, so we offered TwAC’s wall outside, under the main window.” While he was inside the gallery/shop taking a break, we asked him about the mini-project:
Also from The Junction: If you’ve been there lately, you might have noticed the work going on along the sidewalk on the north side of Alaska, between the Cupcake Royale corner at California SW and the Junction Plaza Park corner at 42nd SW:
Several people have asked us about it or even sent photos; we took that one when we spotted the SDOT truck there on Saturday. According to Susan Melrose from the West Seattle Junction Association, the crews are installing more “decorative lampposts” along Alaska, and are working hard to finish the job before Thanksgiving. (Junction Plaza Park is where West Seattleites will gather for the Christmas Tree lighting in less than two weeks – Saturday, December 4th, 5 pm.)
(Patrick Dunn and Christina Hahs with the cider press)
Got apples? Pears? The cider press demonstrated at today’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market by Sustainable West Seattle is available to borrow from the WS Tool Library – as is a smaller one, SWS tells us. The library’s open Saturdays and Sundays (hours and location here). And Sustainable WS is looking ahead to a big annual event next Saturday – it’s the Money-Free Shopping Spree, and you don’t have to be a member to be part of it. 4-8 pm on Saturday, November 27 – which has been dubbed “Green Saturday” as a counterpoint to “Black Friday” – at Camp Long Lodge, bring handmade crafts, food, or certificates of services you can provide. This is an exchange event, not a sale. Full details, and ideas of what qualifies, can be found in this update on the SWS website – they’re also requesting that would-be participants add comments there with information on what they will bring. (And this comment from SWS’s Stu Hennessey also addresses the potluck that’ll kick off the Money-Free Shopping Spree.)
(SUNDAY AFTERNOON/EVENING NOTES: Since the weather is the big news, we are keeping this story atop the WSB home page. *But* we have published more, newer news too – scroll past this story to find those other stories while this remains at the top of the page. We’re updating this story too, until we start a new weather story around mid-evening – latest update: Metro will run SNOW ROUTING Monday morning.)
(Video added 2:10 pm, a few minutes after we shot it outside WSB HQ) ORIGINAL 11:14 AM REPORT: Some flakes are falling in Upper Fauntleroy. That follows the 6 am-ish sighting in Sunrise Heights mentioned in our previous weather report, and a Twitter note reports light snow in Admiral about an hour ago. Seen any where you are? Meantime, the National Weather Service has changed its forecast again. Latest one (which is accompanied by a new “special weather statement”) says:
This Afternoon: Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Northwest wind 7 to 9 mph becoming east northeast. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tonight: Snow showers likely, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. North northwest wind between 6 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Monday: Snow showers likely, mainly before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 36. Windy, with a calm wind becoming north between 27 and 30 mph. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
2 PM UPDATE: A somewhat serious snow flurry? shower? up here right now. Recording video. Meantime, the National Weather Service has upgraded its alert to a Winter Weather Advisory.
2:27 PM UPDATE: The video we added atop the story is from our HQ, about 340 feet up, but it’s snowing close to sea level too – Lola shared this video from Fauntleroy/Findlay in Fairmount Springs:
Your photos, video, and info VERY MUCH welcome, as this goes on – not just “isn’t it pretty” but also, if it starts to affect roads (etc.), there’s huge value in showing what’s happening where you are – here’s all the ways to get it to WSB – thanks!
Temperatures are expected to drop later today on Seattle streets. Crews will begin late this afternoon applying anti-icing material on hills, curves and known icy spots. They will continue with anti-icing operations through the evening and night while continuing to carefully monitor the temperature and condition of the pavement. If any snow starts to accumulate Monday morning, the crews will begin to plow snow routes.
Still not sticking so far as we can tell. No sign of that in the cameras on the WSB Traffic page, either. (Remember that there are more cameras on that page than last time we saw snow, since the city has added “live” cameras in The Junction and Fauntleroy, among other places.)
4 PM UPDATE: WSDOT is out with its “we’re ready” news release. Haven’t found it linked on their website yet and it’s a little long to run the whole thing here, so we’ve put it on a page here. Meantime, Danny Gawlowski of the Seattle Times (WSB partner) has compiled some scenes from around The Junction:
The artist you see, briefly, in Danny’s video is Linus Von Moos, painting outside Twilight Artist Collective – we’ve just published a separate story about what he’s doing. (Remember that for now, we’re keeping this atop the home page, but there are newer stories below it; when we’re ready to “unstick” this story later, it’ll fall back down into its chronological place.)
5:21 PM UPDATE: Just in from Metro’s Linda Thielke:
Due to the potential for snow during the morning commute, King County Metro Transit will start service on Monday with buses in all areas on snow routing. Metro has been monitoring the weather over the weekend and preparing for the possibility of snow. The Monday forecast from the National Weather Service indicates that cold temperatures and more moisture could cause snowfall in King County starting in the morning and lasting throughout the day. Check Metro Online at www.kingcounty.gov/metro/snow before traveling on Monday.
BENEFIT CONCERT FOR HAITI: The 80-member regional choir in that video, Breath of Aire, is dedicated to benefit concerts – and you can hear the singers at one in West Seattle tonight, to raise money for ongoing relief efforts in Haiti. Hope Lutheran Church is the site (free but donations accepted), 6-8 pm (42nd/Oregon)
FAUNTLEROY ART SHOW/GIFT FAIRE FINALE: The third and final day brings a two-hour window to admire and shop more than a dozen artists’ creations at Fauntleroy Church, 11 am-1 pm (9140 California SW).
ADMIRAL CHURCH’S COUNTRY STORE: Open for shopping noon-1 pm, “gifts made with loving hands,” Admiral UCC Church, (California/Hill).
PRO PET PHOTOS: Stella Ruffington’s Doggy Playcare in Morgan Junction has Kathryn Sauber on hand all day. Call 932-7833 to make an appointment for a half-hour, $45 photo shoot (7003 California SW)
CIDERPRESS DEMONSTRATION AT WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET:Sustainable West Seattle will show off the ciderpress from the West Seattle Tool Library during today’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm (44th/Alaska)
Tentative agreement reached between Allied Employers and UFCW 21, UFCW 81, and Teamsters 38. Details of the agreement will not be released until after the grocery store workers’ vote on the offer has been concluded.
Allied Employers is the representative of QFC, Safeway, Albertsons, and Fred Meyer, whose workers’ last contract expired in March. The workers voted to authorize a strike, but negotiations continued; the latest round was set for this past Thursday-Friday, but continued into Saturday, and Geiger’s note indicates the deal was reached very late Saturday night. 6:26 AM NOTE: No word so far on when the workers will vote.
It’s the kickoff, or perhaps the roll-off, to the heart of the helping-for-the-holidays season in West Seattle: The Beer Church Turkey Bowl, a festive fundraiser/foodraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank, which had its 12th annual edition tonight. Above, organizers Kendall Jones and Kim Sharpe Jones (also of the Washington Beer Blog), West Seattleites whose brainchild has just kept growing over the years, as have the donations. Tonight, they even introduced the Beer Church’s own Pale Ale (release party next Tuesday), made with the help of White Center’s Big Al Brewing. Local bars/breweries traditionally participate in the Turkey Bowl – including West 5 in The Junction, whose proprietor Dave Montoure is pictured below with West Seattle breast-cancer-fighting activist Tracy Dart:
According to Sarah via Twitter, Montoure’s team and Elliott Bay Brewery took the trophies again this year (here’s our coverage of their wins last year; all of this year’s brewery/pub participants were listed on the Beer Church Facebook page.). But the real winners, of course, are the people who rely on the West Seattle Food Bank – Kim just reported via FB that the donations totaled more than a ton!
Even if you weren’t part of tonight’s event, you can help the WS Food Bank with an online donation (go here), and/or by donating turkeys and/or pies for this week’s distributions (details here).
Our morning weather report carried a photo and information from JayDee about whitecaps and the north winds. This afternoon, once the tide rose, those winds brought these spectacular scenes. Thanks to David Hutchinson for the top photo and this next one:
As for the latest forecast – here’s the link – the “s” word only makes a cameo; the National Weather Service also has a “special weather statement” in effect regarding the even-chillier temperatures on the way. 9:40 PM UPDATE: Cliff Mass has published his latest forecast within the past half-hour. Seattle snow? His answer: No.6:01 AM UPDATE: Overnight, the NWS lifted the “special weather statement” – the lows don’t look to be heading quite so low. 6:27 AM UPDATE: Paul in Sunrise Heights reported a little light snow as of a little while ago – not seeing it here in Upper Fauntleroy, though.
(Photos courtesy Bil Hood)
Congratulations to the Seattle Lutheran High School soccer team – they have won the state 2B/1B title, beating Napavine this afternoon in Sumner, 1-0. ADDED 4:32 PM: Photos courtesy of SLHS’s Bil Hood – including this one of longtime coach Jeff Norton with the trophy:
We talked with Coach Norton last month after his 200th career victory. He was the SLHS boys’ coach when that team (the girls’ team is the school’s only soccer team now) won the state championship in 1991. For SLHS athletics overall, this is the second state title this year – they took the 2B baseball championship in May (WSB coverage here).
ADDED 6:57 PM: More photos – courtesy of Bike Hugger, a West Seattle-based blog about bike culture; Angela Wissmar, the publisher’s daughter, played in the game:
(Photo courtesy Annette Herrick/Fitness for Vitality)
Since the weather’s not expected to get too serious before tomorrow night, things are looking good for the last of this season’s Fitness for Vitality (WSB sponsor) 5K walk/runs along Alki. Organizer Annette Herrick says anywhere from 100 to 200 runners have turned out for her two previous runs this fall and this marks three years of having 5Ks on Alki. The route starts at the bathhouse and heads north to the anchor at Anchor Park, where the walkers and runners then turn around and head back. Annette says the typical turnout has grown to more than 100, from 15 or so when she started presenting these run/walks in 2007. She’s been a lifelong runner and created the series to fill in the gaps between the big events around the city during the year. Some of the regular participants have even spun off a social group of sorts. Tomorrow’s run starts at 9 am, with prizes for top finishers, and proceeds helping buy shoes for foster kids. Register online now for $25 or at the bathhouse tomorrow (registration is open 8 to 8:45 am) for $30.
Holiday bazaar/arts-crafts sale/open house season continues, as noted in our quick preview – and Schmitz Park Elementary is a big one to visit today, benefiting theSchmitz Park PTA. More warm hats for the cold weather ahead are part of what sale co-chair Anne Weglin, is selling (with her daughters assisting nearby, close to treats including $3 chocolate pretzels). She pointed out that the fourth-graders are raising money for an environmental campout – here’s Emma Kasameyer with mom Karen Kasameyer:
Their fundraising wares include Re-Usies, the increasingly famous reusable snack/sandwich bags invented by West Seattle moms (from nearby Lafayette Elementary). And don’t miss the raffle bags in the hallway – vendors donated items for those; raffle proceeds also benefit the PTA. The bazaar’s on till 3 today in the Schmitz Park cafetorium, 5000 SW Spokane. (P.S. Late addition to the list of all bazaars/open houses/etc. – JF Henry in The Junction is having one today/tomorrow too – we’ve added that to the list on the West Seattle Holidays page.)
Last year, Eastridge Church‘s turkey giveaway in West Seattle was over in about half an hour – this year, with double the turkeys (1,000 this time), they still had plenty left, and no line, when we stopped by less than an hour ago. (video added) We talked with Eastridge Pastor Steve Jamison about the giveaway:
He said they’ll be there as long as it takes to give them all away (the turkeys come with some other groceries, too) – across from West Seattle Bowl, 39th/Oregon.
(AFTERNOON UPDATE: A “special weather statement” now covers our area – scroll down)
Thanks to JayDee for sharing that Alki overview, photographed this morning – he calls attention to “the white caps and white stratus blowing from the north. The stratus has that reversed-incline that is the opposite of the surface wind direction — winds aloft are still from the south, which stretches the clouds northward.” Bottom line, he notes, it’s clear “the outflow from the Fraser is coming.” That’s the cold air from Canada that forecasters have been warning us about. Still no special warnings/alerts for our area, and the National Weather Service‘s latest map shows even the ones for other parts of Western Washington have largely been canceled. But popular online forecaster Cliff Mass wrote late last night about “uncertainty” – the cold seems certain, chances of snow, not so much. And the current NWS forecast for the city says it could dip into the upper 20s tonight. So focus on the freeze, make sure your pipes are ready, etc. (here’s lots of advice from Take Winter By Storm). We’ll be here 24/7 as always, to report/share weather, road, bus, school information as needed. 4:32 PM UPDATE: From David Rosen ofSlickPix Photography, waves crashing over the Alki Beach seawall this afternoon:
The NWS now has a “special weather statement” covering the area – including the chance of snow – though it’s projecting that it’s not likely north of Tacoma; here’s the latest.
From the WSB West Seattle Holidays page – big day for bazaars, open houses, craft sales! 10 am-3 pm at Schmitz Park Elementary (5000 SW Spokane), 10 am-5 pm at Northwest Art and Frame (4525 California SW), 10 am-2 pm atJunction TrueValue (4747 44th SW), 11 am-4 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), noon-4 pm at CAPERS (4525 California SW), and the Blithe Bazaar in Arbor Heights (3817 SW 105th), 4-8 pm. Details on all of them can be found in the very first section of the Holidays page.
TURKEY GIVEAWAY THIS MORNING: At 9 am today, Eastridge Christian Assembly starts giving away 1,000 turkeys at each of its two locations – including West Seattle, at 39th/Oregon (map). This is double what the church has given away in recent years, and it’s on the honor system – they don’t require proof you’re in need.
BEER CHURCH TURKEY BOWL TONIGHT: Right across the street at West Seattle Bowl, tonight’s one of the biggest — maybe even the biggest! — local food-drive events of the holiday season, the Beer Church Turkey Bowl. The alleys have been sold out since shortly after they were offered up for sale, but you are invited to stop by and watch, cheer the bowlers, and bring food (and/or money!) donations to add to what’s being amassed for the West Seattle Food Bank. It all starts at 5:30 pm (also 39th/Oregon).
SHOPPING? BUY EXTRA FOR DONATING TO THE FOOD BANKS: There are many places you’ll find dropoff barrels for the food banks that serve this area (West Seattle FB and White Center FB), but for holiday-specific donations, you are invited to stop by each one on Monday. WC is at 10829 8th SW and open 8-5 Monday – they have all the turkeys they need, but would appreciate donations of the fixings that go with holiday dinners; they also would appreciate volunteer help next week at the times listed here, as they are expecting almost 1,000 families for holiday food distribution. WS is at 35th/Morgan and open 9-7 Monday, saying they can use frozen turkeys 12 pounds or less, and store-bought boxed pies. (We’ll publish updates if we find out about any changed or extended donation hours.)
FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER IN FAUNTLEROY – GOING AND/OR GIVING: Once again this year, Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering (WSB sponsor) is presenting a free Thanksgiving feast at The Hall at Fauntleroy, noon-3 pm Thursday. Everyone is welcome. If you would like to help, whether you are sharing in the meal or not, they say they have all the volunteers they need, but can always use pies or cookies for dessert. The Hall is in the old Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 9131 Fauntleroy SW.
Our cameraphone photo shows the end of the student demonstration along California SW Friday morning by West Seattle High School, where an upcoming schedule change has sparked some controversy. We first heard of it in this article from the new edition of the student newspaper The Chinook; then we got a text about the protest, which was ending just as we arrived. After reading and republishing (with permission) the schedule-change story, we sought out further comment from the union whose action was described as having sparked the change, Operating Engineers Local 609. Their business manager, David Westberg, returned our call Friday afternoon – here’s what he told us:
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