West Seattle, Washington

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Spotlight Stories


  • Closure

    LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: Continues today

  • Heat

    WEATHER ALERT: Hot days expected

  • Loop

    LOOP THE ‘LUPE: See photos, video!

More photos of Delridge flooding, plus a street closure
December 3, 2007 2:12 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   December 2007 flooding | Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

ADDED 2:25 PM: “The creek has burst free!” reports Kristin, who took these photos on Juneau between Delridge and 26th, and says 26th is closed.

2:12 PM: Mike actually captured the fabled “car swamped to its roof” we heard about in the lot at Allstar Fitness (2:38 PM UPDATE: reader reports, it IS closed because of the flooding) – that’s the car in the background:

Thanks again to everyone who’s sending WSB info and pix to share. ADDED 3:50 PM: Yet another picture of the now-iconic flooded car at Allstar, this time from Lea Kuchan:

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Beach Drive slide update: Here’s what it looks like
December 3, 2007 1:27 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   December 2007 flooding | Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

As mentioned below, Beach Drive is blocked by a mudslide in the 6000 block. 1:40 PM: Photo just in from Dawson (thank you!), who confirms this is close to the area where the city granted a permit for slope-side trees to be cut earlier this year (previous WSB report here):

Here’s our photo, from a bit closer up:

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Break in the storm (coverage): New West Seattle peeper report
December 3, 2007 1:03 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Though we are devoting 99% of WSB to storm reports today (please e-mail us anything you’ve seen/heard), this just came in as a comment on last week’s peeper thread, and we wanted to make sure you knew:

Seems the same peeper struck our neighbors last night 12/2/07 3800 block of 49th Ave SW.

There was a peeping Tom outside our neighbors houses off & on for about 2 hours last night. Neither house knew of the other’s peeper until about 10:00 pm. Apparently he had ‘visited’ one & watched while the couple were hot tubbing a couple of hours earlier, ‘visited’ the neighbors kid’s room window across the street & waved at him about an hour after the first visit, & then back to look into the hot tubber’s bedroom about an hour after that. At about 10:00 is when the kid saw him return to 1st visit’s house & notified his dad. Needless to say, the police came shortly.

Unfortunately, not much could be I.D.’d. ~ 5′9″ – 5′ 10″, slender build, all in black ( or at least dark clothing).

Police have stated & my husband has read that he has been around the neighborhood for about 5 weeks now and his territory seems to cover from Admiral to Genesse & from 45th to 53rd.

My observation: it was pouring rain for those few hours. The person is either persistent with foul weather gear or lives close enough to go home & dry the clothes before going back out.

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Urgent Reader Recommendation Request: Basement help
December 3, 2007 12:45 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   December 2007 flooding | Reader recommendations | Seaview | West Seattle weather

Some WSB readers still might not be able to post comments because of our ongoing tech work but if you are seeing this – you should be able to – and Cali in Seaview would appreciate advice:

> We are looking for a good service to call to help us with our basement flooding. We have tried everything all morning, it is not stopping. I am sure there are other people going through the same thing. Any help would be much appreciated.

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Beach Drive reported closed by slide
December 3, 2007 12:26 pm
|    Comments Off on Beach Drive reported closed by slide
 |   December 2007 flooding | Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Included in this city press release: a report of a slide closing Beach Drive in the 6000 block. (map here)

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Video: North Delridge-area flooding
December 3, 2007 12:15 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   December 2007 flooding | Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle video | West Seattle weather

From the Allstar Fitness/Nucor area:

From Delridge & Orchard:

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More West Seattle storm updates
December 3, 2007 10:33 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   December 2007 flooding | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Please scroll down to the bottom of this post for the latest info; today we are updating in chronological order rather than reverse chronological) Can’t say this often enough: If you don’t HAVE TO drive, don’t. The water’s accumulating faster than even the best drains can handle it. Looks like bridge access from Delridge to the high bridge is back; the Fauntleroy/Graham trouble spot is open but the water is very tricky to navigate – here’s photographic proof:

Please e-mail us with info on any flooding trouble you are experiencing or seeing, so we can share it. Newest note is from Greg Daly, who says:

We had 4″ of water in our basement this morning due to a plugged up drain,
so I thought readers might be interested (as I was) in local weather stations. There are two between Lincoln Park and Alki, you can watch the rain totals update live if you’re so inclined.

Here are the weather station links Greg mentioned: first one here, second one here. 11:07 AM UPDATE: From Vickie:

I was driving to work about an hour ago trying to figure out which way to go through Delridge…the Allstar Fitness parking lot is completely flooded to the point where at least one car is totally submerged, you can just barely see its rooftop in the lower part of the lot. At the time I drove through the water in the lot was almost equal to the side street next to it and beginning to overflow into the street itself.

11:10 AM UPDATE: The WSB team member who’s currently roving with cameras verifies this, says the creek is definitely spilling over in spots, and also says the street is closed by Nucor/Allstar, and that someone at Nucor told him the plant is closed too (if anyone has info to the contrary, please e-mail us; we’ll try confirming by phone as well). 11:50 AM UPDATE: From Erin: “Just got back from dropping my husband off at the airport – we had read earlier that W Marginal was flooded so we took the high bridge to I-5. There are long back ups (all the way to I-5) trying to get IN to the airport due to flooding, so please inform your readers to take 509/518 if that route is now open, or to leave plenty early.”

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Delridge ramp to West Seattle Bridge closed; other woes
December 3, 2007 6:25 am
|    Comments Off on Delridge ramp to West Seattle Bridge closed; other woes
 |   December 2007 flooding | Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Traffic reports say you can’t get to The Bridge from Delridge because of deep water that even has a car stuck in it. Also, WSB reader “K” warns everyone to check their basements — after waking up to flooding woes. 6:43 AM UPDATE: Also, if you use the The Viaduct, alternates might be a good idea because the Battery Street Tunnel is reported to be closed. There is one slight bit of good news – the National Weather Service says the strongest winds today will be “mainly north of Seattle” — so looks like we are “only” going to have to deal with the rain. 7:13 AM UPDATE: It’s likely slow going no matter where you are coming from — part of our team is trying to make it to The Bridge on Fauntleroy and reporting a delay that starts around Graham — because of very deep water, with city crews on the scene. Going to try to divert to 35th; will let you know if trouble ensues there. 7:30 AM UPDATE: Gave up on the 35th idea, still slogging along Fauntleroy past ex-Gee/ex-Huling — here’s the city cam:

7:45 AM UPDATE: Longfellow Creek is “as high as we have ever seen it,” says one nearby resident. Radio traffic report says cars are backed up on Admiral trying to get to The Bridge, too. 7:55 AM UPDATE: Our team member made it to The Bridge and says the left lane is closed, eastbound, roughly parallel with where you exit for Admiral on the other side – looks like a stalled car, tow truck getting in place, traffic moving OK eastbound once you get past it. 8:05 AM UPDATE: Just in from a reader: “West Marginal Way is closed about half way between the bridge and 509 (and there are several very deep very wide puddles even before the closure). This closure hasn’t made the traffic reports yet as far as I can tell. I found this out the hard way this morning.” 8:35 AM UPDATE: Natashia just e-mailed, “Both lanes of northbound 35th are backed up to one road before Morgan. I turned around to head back home, and had to miss turning left onto my road because southbound lanes were traveling tight & aggressive. Be careful out there — and be nice!! :)” (Here’s the traffic cam for 35th, NB cars coming toward the camera) 9:05 AM UPDATE: We’re heading out to check on flooded spots. If you need to drive somewhere, this is one of the best updated lists of “incidents” that we’ve seen.

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Fauntleroy car accident update
December 2, 2007 11:16 pm
|    Comments Off on Fauntleroy car accident update
 |   West Seattle news

Sorry we couldn’t update this sooner; the tech upgrade mentioned earlier is still in progress (so still no new comments, sorry). Turns out this was a fatal accident. According to the Seattle Police media-info recording, a male driver and female passenger were in the car shown at left, speeding northbound on Fauntleroy, in the inside lane, when they tried to change to the right lane around 38th (near the main ex-Gee/ex-Huling showroom), lost control, hit a pole, then the pole snapped and fell on the car, almost instantly killing the driver, identified only as a Seattle man in his 20s. The woman, described by police as a 20-year-old Seattle resident, suffered only minor injuries. Police believe “weather conditions” were a factor as well as speed.

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Traffic alert: Avoid Fauntleroy/Alaska
December 2, 2007 6:40 pm
|    Comments Off on Traffic alert: Avoid Fauntleroy/Alaska
 |   WS breaking news

Big road closure there right now because of a crash. Listed on the 911 site as “automobile rescue” at Fauntleroy/38th, but two e-mails (so far; THANK YOU!) have told us the whole intersection is blocked off – we’ll be checking it out in person shortly but our posting is limited in the short run because of the tech upgrading that’s under way — breaking in just to mention this.

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Comments closed for a while
December 2, 2007 5:07 pm
|    Comments Off on Comments closed for a while
 |   West Seattle online

As mentioned below, we have a little upgrading to do – so till we tell you it’s done, comments are temporarily closed – anything you try to post in the meantime may get lost in the techno-ether. Stand by for an update later tonight, and thank you; if anything urgent comes up, you can of course reach us via e-mail.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Wind advisory for tonight, tomorrow
December 2, 2007 3:08 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle weather

Read the latest here — then go make sure you’re stocked up on batteries, etc. 4:30 PM ADDENDUM: Now there’s a flood watch too.

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West Seattle Christmas tree price check 2007
December 2, 2007 2:57 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

THIS IS OUR 2007 PRICE CHECK – FIND OUR WEST SEATTLE 2008 LIST HERE

treesgraphic.jpgJust back from making the rounds of every West Seattle Christmas tree seller we know of. (If we missed one – we’ll admit to not checking arterials east of Delridge to look for indies – please let us know and we’ll get out to scout it.) We chose a couple representative tree sizes for comparison’s sake – 5-6′ Noble Fir, 6-7′ Noble Fir, 5-6′ Douglas Fir. Here’s what we found, north to south, including any special notes – caveat, this is from an in-person survey conducted today; pricing changes certainly could happen before you make your tree-shopping trip:Read More

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WSB tech alert: Good news and bad news
December 2, 2007 2:33 pm
|    Comments Off on WSB tech alert: Good news and bad news
 |   West Seattle online

The bad news — starting around 5 pm tonight, we have to close WSB to new comments for a few hours, to facilitate some tech-upgrade work. The good news — if all goes well (cross your fingers), that work should take care of problems that have caused the site to load slowly for some people at some times, including us (meaning that sometimes it takes us a lot longer to publish something than it should), and it also should pave the way for more new features in the works, so that WSB can better serve you. But comment away for now … we’ll let you know when the PEOPLE AT WORK sign has to go up; just wanted to give you advance warning.

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Accident update, anyone? Plus, Good Samaritan gratitude
December 2, 2007 2:09 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news

We don’t have any new info on the Avalon/Genesee (map) pedestrian/vehicle accident mentioned during our snow coverage yesterday afternoon; Christine, who was on the scene shortly after it happened, is wondering if anyone else does, and also is sending out thanks to Good Samaritans:

Curious to hear if anyone knows how the young woman who was hit by a van yesterday is doing – another passenger and i riding the #22 downtown were first ones at the scene. Within moments, more folks driving stopped to assist – two nurses also pulled over and we got out of their way so that they could help until the paramedics arrived. The girl who was hit must have lived close by – we called the girl’s home, and the mom arrived just as the fire trucks were pulling up. Any news would be appreciated- and thanks to all who stopped to help!

MONDAY 3 PM UPDATE – Another reader e-mailed us with some info:

A West Seattle High School student was hit by a car on Saturday not far from school, so I assume we’re talking about the same accident. The girl is undergoing surgery to repair her pelvis (which was broken in 7 or 8 places) today and has some cuts and broken ribs, too. She’s got quite a bit of recovery ahead of her, but hopefully she’ll be OK. I’m not going to share her name because I want to respect her privacy, and I’d prefer to remain anonymous, but I wanted to give what little information I have so that those who saw the accident (and helped!) aren’t left wondering.

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The weather outside is frightful, but today’s options are delightful
December 2, 2007 10:18 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle video

Activities at Hometown Holidays in The Junction continue through 5 pm (full schedule here), including free photos until 2 pm with Santa Claus. (Those pix, taken by Erik Clineschmidt, are all online here.) We asked Santa if West Seattle’s been naughty or nice in ’07:

Santa also accompanied our video crew on a visit to kids making ornaments yesterday:

Back to today’s WS activities — tons of other stuff going on, all over town – it’s all listed in the latest West Seattle Weekend Lineup, including an artists’ show/sale this afternoon-evening at Ginomai (SW corner of 42nd/Genesee) and then tonight, right across the street at West Seattle Christian Church (just east of The Junction), a free concert (doors open @ 6:30) by the African Children’s Choir (donations will be accepted to help fight AIDS in Africa).

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Another way to help West Seattle kids
December 2, 2007 9:24 am
|    Comments Off on Another way to help West Seattle kids
 |   High Point | How to help

school_clipart_books.jpgWhen we discuss community problems and challenges here on WSB, obviously we are all looking for solutions, and full of hope for the future. Hate to be cliche about it, but as that old song goes, “… children are our future.” Even if you’re not a parent or teacher – you can take action to boost our chances of a bright future, by helping more kids realize their full potential, and here’s one way: Be a tutor, 2 hours a week. Erica Ellis, volunteer coordinator for the Youth Tutoring Program, sent this alert:

The Youth Tutoring Program is looking for tutors in West Seattle!

YTP is a non-profit tutoring program that provides one-on-one academic support to students living in low-income housing. We operate five tutoring centers throughout the city. We are in great need of volunteer tutors at our High Point tutoring center located on 35th Ave. SW in West Seattle.

Tutors commit to one evening per week for two hours and work with one student at a time on homework, math and language arts skills. Available sessions are Monday through Thursday from 5:30-7:30 pm.

Many of our students cannot get the homework help they need at home and depend on our tutors for academic support!

Make a difference in the life of a child in your neighborhood. Apply today at www.ytpseattle.org or call 206-328-5659.

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Followup on a past RRR
December 2, 2007 8:37 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle online | West Seattle people

When we post your Reader Recommendation Requests, we don’t always hear how things worked out — with so many people in the WSB community willing to take time to answer RRRs with their suggestions and experiences, we are confident that connections are made. But this morning, Francine posted an update to her RRR from 2 weeks ago, and we thought you would want to know, so we are highlighting it here on the main page:

Thanks to one of the recommendations from a WSB reader, I hired two incredibly compassionate and helpful caregivers from an agency called Family Resource Center. But I have a sad update. My dear, sweet, courageous husband Mike lost his battle to brain cancer on Wednesday 11/28/07. It all happened so fast. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family, friends and our devoted kitty, Adam (who never left his bed). Thanks to all for the recommendations and kind offers. I now know of two other people in West Seattle with brain tumors. We must work to find a cure for this horribly devastating disease. (see abta.org) Thanks again.

Our condolences to Francine … both of us lost parents to cancer, so we’ve “been there.” We hope she will let us all know if there is anything more we can do.

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West Seattle Christmas lights, 12/1/07
December 1, 2007 11:16 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights

thetree1.jpg

Tonight’s spotlight is on the newly lit (see video feature below) West Seattle Community Christmas Tree (44th/Alaska, aka Farmers’ Market parking lot). By the way, we’ve created an archive for all the West Seattle Christmas lights we’ve featured since mid-November; you’ll find them all here.

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West Seattle Community Tree Lighting 2007
December 1, 2007 8:09 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

As we mentioned below — great turnout, big crowd despite the slush/sleet/cold. We’ve broken our coverage into four video clips; first, the big moment — Jack Miller from Husky Deli and family members lighting the tree; you see a little bit of the Endolyne Children’s Choir at the end, more from them in one of the clips added below.

Next, the local radio star (and West Seattle resident) who MC’d the event, plus the Endolyne kids (and more):Read More

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Reader Recommendation Request for a CPA
December 1, 2007 7:32 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Reader recommendations

While we work on that tree-lighting video, we wanted to send out another Reader Recommendation Request that’s been in queue a while: This one is simple — a reader’s looking for a “good CPA, can be in West Seattle or downtown.” (All RRRs are archived here.)

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Snowy Saturday: Miscellaneous updates
December 1, 2007 7:18 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Just back from the West Seattle Community Christmas Tree Lighting in The Junction. Great crowd — couple hundred, we’d estimate — despite the rain/snow slush mix falling from the sky, and soggy slushy mess underfoot. (The big outdoor heaters, the type you find on restaurant patios, really helped!) We’ll post video a little later. Meantime, speaking of video, two people have e-mailed us with links to videos they’ve put on YouTube showing today’s West Seattle snow — this one is from Adam Dorsey, this one is from Steve Heck. One more big round of thanks to everyone who’s sent photos, video links, info, etc., for us to share during this snow day; next up – rain and wind, they say.

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Continuous updates: West Seattle snow
December 1, 2007 5:04 pm
|      37 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

FINAL ADDITION, 9:25 PM: WSB contributing photographer Matt Durham captured two classic images today at Fairmount Park, images of the snow inspiring pure enjoyment: First, 14-year-old Cecilia Silva, trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue as the flurries began:

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Second, a Brittany Spaniel romping on the Fairmount field:

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(Prints of Matt’s WSB photos and his other work are available through his site, MattDurhamPhotography.com.)

TWELFTH REPORT, 5 PM: The weather service’s latest “forecast discussion” says we should see a few more hours of light snow before something resembling rain moves in. And we have another round of photos — first one is from Jana in Upper Fauntleroy, verifying our report that Vashon was coming back into view before nightfall – following three are from Adam, showing Whale Tail Park, activity at Alki Playfield, and sand covered with snow at Alki Beach:

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ELEVENTH REPORT, 4:09 PM: Might be some hope it’s slowing down – looking west over the Sound, Vashon is visible for the first time in more than 2 hours. Meantime, more photos: First, a WSB photo of Santa Claus himself dancing in the snow with a Hi-Yu Princess at Hometown Holidays HQ, where we will be attending the Christmas Tree Lighting tonight (ceremony starts @ 6, Dickens Carolers @ 5:30) come h**l or high water … er … snow; second one is from Britnie along California Ave, also in The Junction; third one is from Andrew in Gatewood, same spot where he photographed Zoe enjoying the first few flakes earlier (scroll way down on this post for that photo):

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TENTH REPORT, 3:40 PM: Just back from a chilly yet fun round of snowball-throwing – try it if you haven’t already. Thanks to everyone for the continued stream of photos: first, David Hutchinson sends a new view of Alki Ave and the bathhouse; second, Amy from Fauntleroy sends a view she says would normally show the ferry dock:

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NINTH REPORT, 3:10 PM: Snow up here is only falling at flurry speed right now, but from all over West Seattle, we have lots of new pix – three for starters — from top to bottom, we have daPuffin‘s dog Mani in Arbor Heights, barely recognizable under the snow; Eddie‘s photo from just west of The Junction; and Stephen‘s overview of the Hometown Holidays corner:

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EIGHTH REPORT, 2:55 PM: Photo from Creighton on Genesee Hill, where he says it’s “only getting snowier”:

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SEVENTH REPORT, 2:40 PM: Been watching a 911 call at Avalon/Genesee (map); reader report from Alice says it appears to be a vehicle vs. pedestrian collision, and it’s causing traffic trouble, so stay away from that area. Team member who’s down at Morgan Junction Thriftway says the roads are OK down there.

SIXTH REPORT, 2:35 PM: Now the snow is sticking on the road, at least up here. One member of the team just headed down the hill and will be back with a road-conditions report (and Thriftway crowds). Here are two more WSB reader photos — first, Lisa spotted a hummingbird seeking protection from the snow; second, Ashley‘s photo from SW Orchard (Gatewood):

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FIFTH REPORT, 2:20 PM: Two more photos (as the snow intensifies up here again) — first one from David Hutchinson looking out at Alki, second one from Dunsany in Highland Park:

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FOURTH REPORT, 2:10 PM: It’s lightened up a bit on our hill. Meantime, here’s the view Jan sent from Admiral:

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THIRD REPORT, 1:55 PM: Even up here on the highest hills, while it’s sticking on plants and cars, the street is still “bare and wet” – not quite cold enough at this point for anything else (our temp gauge says 35) …

SECOND REPORT, 1:30 PM: Starting to stick. Just got this WSB reader photo from Andrew near 36th/Morgan, captioned “Zoe in the snow” – keep the pix coming, we’ll post ’em all here as a running commentary of WS in the snow:

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FIRST REPORT, 1:07 PM: At least, it’s snowing here in the higher elevations of south West Seattle. Some of these flakes are coin-sized, though not sticking much so far; hard to photograph but here’s an early shot looking down California from Upper Fauntleroy (send your pix as the day goes on!):

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