Seattle, WA
Soaking in Seattle (and Tacoma)
Israel recently experienced more than 14 straight days of rainfall throughout the country for the first time since February 1992 – but it’s still not as rainy as Seattle.
While in Jerusalem, it typically rains around 4.8% of the time, in Seattle, it’s rainy 9.4% of the time. While Jerusalem sees about 59 cm of rain per year, in Seattle, it’s 94 cm on average, though climate change is causing both more dry spells and heavier downpours.
So if you’re planning a visit to Seattle and/or its sister city, Tacoma, it’s best to come equipped with foul-weather gear because it would be a shame to spend all your time indoors, even though you could – the Seattle area has more than 40 museums.
If you’re in a hurry – for example, you’ve only got a short stop in Seattle before setting off on an Alaska cruise – it’s possible to take in Seattle’s “greatest hits” in just one day.
Start at the top – at Seattle’s iconic Space Needle. It stands 184 meters tall and was built for the 1962 World’s Fair. Once the tallest building on the West Coast, it’s now dwarfed by downtown skyscrapers.
In keeping with the Fair’s theme, “The Age of Space,” the Needle is topped with what looks like a flying saucer.
The upper level of the saucer offers panoramic views of downtown, Mount Rainier (aka Mount Tacoma), Puget Sound, and the Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges – if they’re not obscured by clouds.
The lower level has a glass floor and rotates – which is great for making videos and very bad if you suffer from vertigo.
Tickets for the Space Needle start at $35 but are around half price if you invest in a Seattle CityPASS, which will also get you into several of the other attractions mentioned below.
You can avoid waiting in line by booking your timed visit in advance on the Space Needle website using your Seattle CityPASS.
The next stop is just a few steps from the base of the tower: Chihuly Garden and Glass, dedicated to the work of Seattle glass artist Dale Chihuly.
More than a million visitors saw the Chihuly in the Light of Jerusalem 2000 exhibit at Jerusalem’s Tower of David Museum from 1999-2000, and some of the same works are on display in Seattle.
A SHORT stroll away is MoPOP – the Museum of Pop Culture. The distinctive building, clad in sinuously curving multichromatic stainless steel and painted aluminum shingles, was designed by star architect Frank O. Gehry – born Frank Owen Goldberg – who was told by teachers at USC’s School of Architecture to change his name if he wanted to get ahead.
MoPOP is a shrine to pop music and pop culture, with an emphasis on modern music (from Hendrix to hip-hop), science fiction, fantasy, horror, and video games.
(By the way, Jimi Hendrix’s first gig was as a teenager in 1959, on the stage of Seattle’s Temple De Hirsch Sinai. The legendary guitar player was fired before the end of the first set for playing too wildly.)
MoPOP’s science fiction collection includes more than 150 artifacts, including a Ghostbusters Proton Pack, a Klingon Bat’leth, Ellen Ripley’s flamethrower from Alien, and Rick Deckard’s pistol from Blade Runner.
Many of the exhibits are hands-on, allowing visitors to experiment with animation, video game design, and making music.
Just across the street is the more serious-minded Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center, with exhibits on programs to fight poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. An exhibition opening in late February is entitled A Better Way to Go: Toilets and the Future of Sanitation.
The most fun way to get from the Seattle Center, where the above attractions are located, to downtown Seattle is via the elevated monorail, which runs right through MoPOP. Built for the World’s Fair, it takes two minutes to travel the 1.4-km. route. At night, the lights inside the cars are lowered, allowing a voyeuristic view into the windows of passing third-floor offices.
One of Seattle’s architectural landmarks is a nine-minute walk from the monorail stop. The Central Library is an 11-story glass and steel structure that looks something like a wireframe model of a Tesla Cybertruck. It was designed by Rem Koolhaus (known as “the World’s Most Controversial Architect,” according to Smithsonian Magazine) and Seattle native Joshua Ramus.
Another nine-minute walk takes you to the Seattle Art Museum, with its 15-meter-tall mobile sculpture – Johnathan Borofsky’s Hammering Man – honoring working-class men and women.
The Pike Place Market offers a plethora of restaurant options
AT THIS point, you’re probably more than ready for something to eat. Luckily, the Pike Place Market is only a six-minute walk from the museum.
The Market, founded in 1907, encompasses restaurants, food stands, specialty food shops, retailers, and a farmers’ market selling local produce. It smells strongly of fish.
The Market can be very crowded, especially on weekends, and one of the longest lines is likely to be outside the original Starbucks. Tourists from around the world make a pilgrimage to this standing-room-only coffee shrine to collect branded souvenirs only available at this location.
If you still have any energy left after this busy day, you can finish up in the hip Capitol Hill neighborhood, about a 10-minute cab ride from Pike Place, where you can find Blade & Timber, Seattle’s premier axe-throwing bar, alongside drag clubs, vintage boutiques, and comic book shops.
Tacoma, Seattle’s sister city (they share Sea-Tac Airport, located midway between them) is about a 40-minute drive from Seattle (with optimal traffic) and is also accessible via train or bus. It’s not as popular with tourists, but it’s less expensive than Seattle and can be a convenient base of operations for exploring the area.
If your taste for glass hasn’t been sated by the Chihuly Museum, you can also visit the Tacoma Museum of Glass and the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, topped by what looks like two enormous stalks of Brussels sprouts.
Nearby, next to the Tacoma Dome and the train station, is the LeMay Car Museum. With more than 3,000 cars, it’s one of the largest automobile museums in the world.
Also near the Tacoma Dome is the Tacoma Book Center, the biggest used bookstore in the state of Washington, with a particularly large collection of children’s books.
Back downtown, Tacoma’s Antique Row is located around Broadway between 9th and 7th. Hands-on nostalgia is available by the quarter at Dorky’s Arcade, with its collection of vintage and modern video games and pinball machines.
When you’re ready to brave the elements – or take advantage of the rare sunshine – the Ruston Way Waterfront is a 3.2-km. paved walking path connecting downtown Tacoma with Point Defiance Park and the Dune Peninsula.
One section of the path commemorates Frank Herbert, the Tacoma native who authored Dune. The trail is dotted with quotes from his work and features a sculpture of sand trout (baby sandworms).
The Seattle-Tacoma area has dozens of Jewish congregations, including about 25 Chabad centers.
A handful of kosher dining options include the Gold Schnitzel (Meat) Restaurant, Pabla Indian Cuisine in the suburb of Renton, and Einstein Brothers Bagels in University Village. The QFC grocery stores in University Village and on Mercer Island offer kosher rotisserie chickens, sushi, deli meats, and side salads.
SEATTLE – Transportation officials are warning travelers to prepare for heavy traffic congestion and significant delays as massive construction closures hit highways across the region and light rail lines this weekend.
Major highway closures this weekend
What we know:
The Washington State Department of Transportation said major construction projects are taking over several regional corridors from Friday, May 29, until the morning of Monday, June 1.
Crews are squeezing a large amount of work into a short spring window so they can pause construction during Seattle’s “summer of soccer.”
This means drivers will face concentrated traffic impacts now rather than disruptions spread throughout the summer season.
Here’s what is scheduled for this weekend:
- Kirkland (Southbound I-405): All southbound lanes will be closed from Northeast 124th Street to Northeast 70th Place from 11 p.m. Friday until 4 a.m. Monday for fish barrier correction work. Miles-long backups are expected.
- Seattle (Northbound I-5): Two northbound lanes will remain closed across the Ship Canal Bridge, further restricting traffic inside the city.
- Seattle (Eastbound SR 520): Eastbound lanes and all connecting ramps between I-5 and Montlake Boulevard will close from 11 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. Crews are preparing for a traffic switch on the Montlake off-ramp. Only transit and HOV 3+ vehicles will be allowed to use the Montlake Boulevard direct access ramps to eastbound SR 520 across Lake Washington.
- Issaquah/Snoqualmie (Westbound I-90): The eastbound SR 18/Snoqualmie Parkway on-ramp to westbound I-90, along with the westbound I-90 off-ramp to westbound SR 18, will close for paving from 9 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday.
Timeline:
The closures start Friday evening, with I-90 ramp closures beginning at 9 p.m., followed by the full I-405 and SR 520 closures at 11 p.m. All highways are scheduled to fully reopen to regular traffic by 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. on Monday, June 1.
WSDOT also said much of the work is weather-dependent and may be rescheduled if it rains.
Light rail disruptions
In addition to the highway gridlock, Sound Transit passengers will face major service disruptions on Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31.
Maintenance crews are shutting down parts of the region’s light rail network to complete rail replacement through downtown Seattle stations and perform work on the Crosslake Connection.
During the weekend shutdown, the 1 Line will completely close between the Capitol Hill and Stadium stations. Simultaneously, the 2 Line will be closed between Lynnwood City Center and South Bellevue stations.
The Source: Information in this story came from the Washington State Department of Transportation and Sound Transit.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
Is Mark Zuckerberg in Seattle? Here’s what we know
Accused monk seal rock thrower pleads not guilty in Hawaii court
Trump’s no-bond policy for immigrants in custody played out for years in Tacoma, WA
Late World Cup bookings expected to drive Seattle economic surge
Top spots in Seattle to watch the World Cup
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Eight dead in Longview chemical implosion
Eight people are dead and three remain missing after a massive chemical implosion at a Longview facility. Rescue teams face chest-deep water and a caustic “white liquor” that is so corrosive it is eating through their personal protective equipment. The EPA is actively monitoring the area after 500,000 gallons of the material seeped into nearby neighborhood dikes.
LONGVIEW, Wash. – After a massive chemical implosion at a Longview paper mill killed 11 people, little is known about the victims.
Eight people are confirmed dead, and three others remain missing after a tank of white liquor imploded at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility on Tuesday, May 26. Eight others also suffered injuries, including chemical burns and inhalation.
Longview Fire Chief Brad Hannig confirmed in a press conference Thursday that crews recovered six of the nine workers who were unaccounted for following the implosion. Two workers who made it out of the site also died, making the death toll 11.
Search and recovery efforts are underway for the three victims who remain missing. Because of the toxic chemicals, the victims’ remains must be decontaminated before the coroner can begin the formal identification process.
Keep reading for details on what we know about the victims in the Longview chemical implosion.
Two victims identified
As of Thursday, only five of the 11 victims in the implosion have been identified by family members:
Jared Ammons:
Family and friends described Ammons as a “loving husband, devoted father, cherished son and caring brother.” He leaves behind his wife, two kids, and another child on the way.
Those who knew Ammons said’ his loss has left an unimaginable hole in their hearts. A GoFundMe is raising money for his family as they navigate the recent tragedy.
Gilbert Bernal:
Friends said Bernal was one of the best people they’ve ever met, and “was a Godly man in every sense of the word.” He was a grandfather and an electrician at the facility.
His GoFundMe said Bernal was loved by many and worked hard to provide for his family. The online fundraiser will go towards his family’s funeral expenses and other needs.
CJ Doran:
Doran, who was 26 years old, is described by friends as a selfless and deeply caring husband and father. He was “the spiritual leader of their family, the joy of their home, and the family provider.” A GoFundMe will benefit his wife and family during this troubling time.
John Forsberg:
Forsberg was a father of two young children who lost his life in the Nippon plant implosion. Forsberg’s family asks for privacy as they process this tragedy, with an online fundraiser going towards supporting his children and memorial-related expenses.
Braydon Finkas:
Finkas was an electrician at the plant, whose “sense of humor and kindness touched everyone who knew him.” He was known for his love of golf, brisket-making, breweries and his wife, Kaitlyn.
Rex Czuba, a friend who organized Finkas’ GoFundMe, said he would always be there to help and would never turn down a request from a friend or neighbor. “He was a really big part of the town,” Czuba said. “He really jumped in and became a part of the community so quickly.”
Unidentified implosion victims
What’s next:
There is still little information about the rest of the workers who were killed, hurt, or still missing following the chemical implosion. City officials or the Cowlitz County Medical Examiner’s Office will release details as they continue the recovery and identification process.
Massive chemical flush underway in Longview
On the second day of recovery following what the governor called the deadliest industrial tragedy in modern state history, the Department of Ecology is flushing a massive 500,000-gallon toxic chemical spill away from Longview’s water supply.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
The Source: Information in this story came from GoFundMe, the Longview Fire Department, the Associated Press and previous FOX 13 Seattle reporting.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
Harbor seal shot in Hood Canal dies after months of rehabilitation
Accused monk seal rock thrower pleads not guilty in Hawaii court
Trump’s no-bond policy for immigrants in custody played out for years in Tacoma, WA
Late World Cup bookings expected to drive Seattle economic surge
Paid street parking coming to Bellevue
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
On May 8th, Seth Wickersham wrote an article for ESPN discussing the initial market for the Seattle Seahawks. The team had been publicly up for sale for a few months at that point, having been announced as such shortly after winning the super bowl. At that point in time, Seth indicated that there had been surprisingly low amounts of interest from potential buyers.
The market was described as ‘soft’, and the NFL was said to have hoped for better. A few prospective purchasers were named, and it was still believed that the team would easily set an NFL record for price once sold, but there wasn’t a frenzy of interest. Less than three weeks later, however, it seems as if things have changed.
The Suddenly Robust Market
New reporting indicates that the market for the defending champs is now ‘robust’. While nothing is yet guaranteed, and no names were named, there is now reason to believe that the sale is imminent. In fact, there’s a possibility that the new owner could be in place before the 2026 season starts in early September, which would be quite the escalation.
Ian Rapoport believes that a special league meeting to approve a new owner could be coming in late August, around the time the NFL preseason wraps up. He also believes the price of the sale can eclipse the $10 billion mark, which leaves room for it to hit the $11 billion mark that was speculated on back in February. Either way, it’s a record.
To be clear, it’s a record by a massive amount. The current high-water mark for an NFL team was set by the Washington Commanders, who went for $6.05 billion in 2023. Even a sale of $10 billion would be a massive step up, and anything beyond that would start to flirt with doubling it. Clearly, a defending super bowl champion is worth something extra.
What Happens Next?
The wording of the most recent news indicates that things are moving fast, and implies that there’s at least one firm candidate to actually close the deal. Perhaps there’s more than one, and there will be a bidding war at the end. Either way, there’s an air of inevitability around the recent updates. Maybe it won’t be done before the season starts, but it will be done.
Obviously, there’s a mixture of emotions that fans will have about this. We always knew Jody Allen’s tenure as ‘owner’ was temporary, but it’s impossible to argue that she’s been remarkably effective in her role these last several years, so the next owner has big shoes to fill. The Allens have made this fanbase one of high standards. The next owner must continue that.
— Enjoy free coverage of the Super Bowl champions from Seattle Seahawks On SI —
Sign Up For the Seahawks Daily Digest – OnSI’s Free Seattle Seahawks Newsletter
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
-
Crypto2 minutes agoStablecoin Settlement Is Here, but Seamless Off-Chain Money Movement Is Not | PYMNTS.com
-
Finance8 minutes agoEvoke Entertainment Closes $35 Million Production Financing Facility Backed By Major Private Credit Fund
-
Fitness14 minutes agoHow busy women can realistically hit 10 hours of exercise a week – and unlock the biggest health benefits
-
Movie Reviews26 minutes agoThe Breadwinner (Christian Movie Review) – The Collision
-
-U43648517271Shc-1440x752@IlSole24Ore-Web.jpg?r=1170x507&w=400&resize=400,240&ssl=1 "War breaking news. Trump postpones decision: nothing after two hours in Situation Room")
-U43648517271Shc-1440x752@IlSole24Ore-Web.jpg?r=1170x507&w=80&resize=80,80&ssl=1 "War breaking news. Trump postpones decision: nothing after two hours in Situation Room")
World38 minutes agoWar breaking news. Trump postpones decision: nothing after two hours in Situation Room
-
News44 minutes agoJudge Tosses Citizenship Law Aimed at New Voters in New Hampshire
-
Politics50 minutes agoVideo: Trump’s Counterterror Strategy Focuses on the Left
-
Science1 hour agoVideo: Crowds Flood New York City Streets for First Day of Manhattanhenge
