month : 10/2020 330 results

Every night, we bring you the local/regional pandemic-related toplines:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily-summary dashboard, the cumulative totals:

*24,500 people have tested positive, 170 more than yesterday’s total

*782 people have died, 3 more than yesterday’s total

*2,467 people have been hospitalized, 9 more than yesterday’s total

*490.206 people have been tested, 3,239 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, those totals (plus testing) were 23,419/774/2,410/456,822.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page,.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them, nation by nation, here.

STATEWIDE SITUATION REPORT: The new one’s out, and here are the highlights for our part of the state:

Transmission is increasing in western Washington and recently plateauing in eastern Washington. The best estimates of the reproductive number (how many new people each COVID-19 patient will infect) were 1.12 in western Washington and 0.94 in eastern Washington as of September 27. The goal is a number well below one, which would mean COVID-19 transmission is declining.

Case counts in western Washington are increasing across all age groups and over broad geographic areas. This suggests increases are due to broad community spread, not driven by a single type of activity or setting. Though all age groups are seeing increases, the rising trends among older people are particularly concerning because these groups tend to experience more severe illness.

Recent growth in cases is widely distributed across a number of counties. Some larger counties (Clark, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish and Thurston) are seeing steady increases. Several smaller counties (Lewis, Mason, Pend Oreille and Skagit) are clearly experiencing increases, though the total number of recent cases remains low. Benton and Franklin counties are seeing gradual but steady increases as well.

FOLLOWUP: After our report on Sew Very Grateful – a West Seattle woman’s project organizing volunteers to sew scrub caps for health-care workers – lots of potential new helpers contacted her! If you missed the story (which includes info on how to help), check it out here.

GOT INFO? Email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com or phone us, text or voice, at 206-293-6302 – thank you!

ELECTION 2020: Your ballot’s in the mail

October 14, 2020 9:26 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

As noted previously, today was the day King County Elections mailed ballots – 1.4 million of them, to be specific – so yours might arrive as soon as tomorrow. They’re projecting 90 percent turnout, which would be a record, passing the existing record of 85 percent turnout in 2012. An overview of the local ballot:

Featuring an 18-inch ballot, this year’s election is comprised of 64 races, including a total of 118 federal and state candidates. There are 22 measures, with 16 local and six state. Included are state, county, city, school and special purpose district measures.

West Seattle voters will be asked to vote on:

President
U.S. House District 7
6 state measures including Referendum 90 (sex education)
Governor
Lt. Governor
Secretary of State
State Treasurer
State Auditor
State Attorney General
State Commissioner of Public Lands
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
State Insurance Commissioner
34th District State House Position 1
34th District State House Position 2
4 State Supreme Court positions
8 county measures including #5, changing the sheriff from elected to appointed, and Prop. 1, property tax for Harborview Medical Center
2 Court of Appeals positions
2 King County Superior Court judgeships
1 city measure, .15% sales tax to pay for transit

You can preview your ballot, including links to candidate and ballot-measure info, by going here. Here’s what else the county wants you to know:

Voters who do not receive a ballot by Mon., Oct. 19, or who have questions should call King County Elections at 206-296-VOTE (8683). Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 3, or returned to one of the 73 ballot drop box locations across the county. Drop boxes are open 24-hours, seven days a week until 8 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots can be returned at any time before the deadline – but the earlier, the better.

The deadline to register to vote online is Oct. 26. Voters can register and vote through 8 p.m. on Election Day at any of KCE’s Vote Center locations around King County.

The drop boxes open tomorrow; all the locations are here, including three in West Seattle and one each in nearby South Park and White Center.

HALLOWEEN: Reminder – share decoration locations! Plus, the trick-or-treating question

October 14, 2020 7:45 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | Holidays | West Seattle news

Halloween is now 2 1/2 weeks away. By reader request, we’re compiling a list of West Seattle decoration locations to visit – so many are already in the spirit! Thanks to everyone who’s already sent tips since we first mentioned this last week. In case you missed it, we wanted to publish this reminder – let us know where you’ve seen exceptional Halloween displays, and whether they’re best seen by day or night (illuminated) or both – photos appreciated but not mandatory. westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

When we mentioned this last week, a comment discussion spun off on the topic of trick-or-treating, and whether families plan to do it this year. Opinions were mixed. We’ve since heard from one reader “wondering what the consensus is around trick or treating? … We plan on lowering candy down in a bucket from our deck into our yard.” Public Health-Seattle King County is recommending “other options,” but if you do decide to trick-or-treat and/or hand out treats, the agency has some safety tips. What’s your plan?

BIZNOTE: Chase Bank closing a West Seattle branch

October 14, 2020 5:35 pm

| 33 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

5:35 PM WEDNESDAY: Chase Bank is closing its branch inside West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor). The announcement came in a letter sent to customers. The notice says it’s closing as of December 30th, but doesn’t cite a reason. We’ve contacted Chase with followup questions including why; we won’t get replies until tomorrow (we’ll update this story when we get them(. Meantime, we asked Thriftway management if they have plans for the space; none yet, we’re told, because they just found out a few days ago. The branch originally opened as Washington Mutual when Thriftway opened this building in 1998, rebuilt after a fire the year before; Chase took over in 2009 after WaMu failed. Chase has three other branches in West Seattle – Admiral, The Junction, and Westwood Village.

11:35 AM THURSDAY: Just got answers to our questions from Chase spokesperson Darcy Donahoe-Wilmot. Why the closure? “We are continually evaluating the location of our branches to best meet our customers’ needs.” No other West Seattle closures. As for what happens to the people who work at, and customers of, the Thriftway branch: “The deposits will be moved to West Seattle branch and employees will go to nearby locations, all will have a home with us. The ATM will remain on site.”

WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE: Decision date moved back, ‘rapid replacement’ possibility suddenly surfaces, as Community Task Force members discuss where they’re leaning

October 14, 2020 2:12 pm

| 75 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Two headlines emerged as the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force gathered online this afternoon for a between-meetings discussion:

First, the expectation that Mayor Jenny Durkan would announce a “repair or replace?” decision at next Wednesday’s CTF meeting is no longer the plan – the final Cost-Benefit Analysis won’t even be ready for the CTF to look at until Monday, so they’ll be discussing it next week rather than making, or hearing, a recommendation.

Second, a ‘rapid replacement” possibility is suddenly in play – modeled after the Lake Champlain Bridge connecting New York and Vermont, built in two years.

(Lake Champlain Bridge, NYDOT photo)

More about that, the CTF was told, will be presented at next week’s meeting. Today was not meant to be a time for presentations, but more an hour and a half of temperature-taking. As co-chair Paulina Lopez explained, they wanted to spend more time “to hear from each other.”

Ahead, how that unfolded: Read More

VIDEO: City reps attend Junction Plaza Park safety meeting without acknowledging escalating problems

October 14, 2020 12:10 pm

| 58 COMMENTS

| Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSJA recording of Tuesday’s online meeting)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The “hygiene station” blamed as a trouble magnet at Junction Plaza Park won’t be there forever.

That’s the only bit of news that emerged from Tuesday afternoon’s online community meeting with city reps, who refused to acknowledge that safety concerns in the area have escalated since its installation in May, and did not promise solutions.

There were repeated mentions that the city Navigation Team had visited the park – without any mention that Mayor Jenny Durkan has suspended the team, after the City Council‘s vote to cut its funding.

The meeting was organized and hosted by Lora Radford, executive director of the West Seattle Junction Association (which helped raise money for the park’s completion a decade ago).

“This is not a discussion about criminalizing homelessness,” Radford clarified at the start – it was meant to be a discussion about what’s happened since the hygiene station went in at Junction Plaza Park in xx.

October 14, 2020 11:27 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

Particularly if you’re in east or south West Seattle, air traffic is a daily reminder of the proximity of King County International Airport, aka Boeing Field. So we’re sharing this announcement from the county:

King County International Airport – Boeing Field wants your input to help shape the airport’s future! The airport is updating its master plan to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements. You’re invited to any of three virtual open houses to learn more about the airport’s draft preferred alternative. Save the date:

Wednesday, October 28th

8 – 9:30 a.m,
12 – 1:30 p.m.
6 – 7:30 p.m
.
If you would like to receive an email with meeting details, please contact us at KCIACommunityOutreach@kingcounty.gov. For more information on the Master Plan, see kingcounty.gov/KCIAMasterPlan

You may also send your feedback about the master plan update via:

Email: KCIACommunityOutreach@kingcounty.gov
Phone: 206-296-7380 and/or
US mail: King County Airport 7277 Perimeter Rd. S. Seattle, WA 98108-3844.

King County International Airport is primarily an airport for commercial, cargo and private aircraft. The FAA requires an update to the Airport Master Plan every five to seven years. The Airport Master Plan is a formal planning document based on financial forecasts, travel forecasts and infrastructure needs that helps identify potential construction projects to meet future needs.

After the Airport Master Plan is adopted, any construction project or change is required to go through traditional project process, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), before being constructed.

WEST SEATTLE WEDNESDAY: What is and isn’t happening today/tonight, plus 2 stormy sea scenes

October 14, 2020 10:12 am

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE WEDNESDAY: What is and isn’t happening today/tonight, plus 2 stormy sea scenes

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Water Taxi, photographed Tuesday by David Hutchinson)

The weather has calmed, but the memories are fresh, and we have two cool sea scenes to share along with notes about what is and isn’t happening today/tonight.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION CANCELED: The West Seattle Eagles parking lot was set to be the scene of another food-box distribution this morning right about now – but we got word a short time ago that it’s been canceled.

UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE: Presentation at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 11 am. Call to see if there’s space; our calendar listing explains how.

SPECIAL SCHOOL LUNCH ITEM: 11:15 am-1:15 pm, in honor of National Farm to School Month, smoked-salmon chowder is on the menu today at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 (5950 Delridge Way SW), one of the Seattle Public Schools meal-distribution sites in West Seattle.

(Pilot boat Pacific Arrow, photographed Tuesday by Dan Ciske)

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: 7 pm online, our area’s largest political group meets for the last time before the general election. Go here for the agenda, and a link for registration if you’re interested in attending.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen custom bicycles; car prowler sought; auto-theft alert

October 14, 2020 9:15 am

| 13 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

9:15 AM: Two more stolen bicycles to watch for:

Amy sent the photos, reporting that they were stolen near 41st/Findlay: “My husband’s beloved custom bikes were stolen out of our garage (Tuesday) after an automatic-garage-door malfunction; the garage door was likely left open all day. These are custom and unique bikes, brand is Speedvagen. So I’m hoping someone can help if they are seen.” Police report # 20-292752.

9:49 AM: Just in from the Southwest Precinct, two alerts – first, a request to help find this car prowler:
The precinct says that on October 6th around 10 pm, this person tried to break into three vehicles in the 7700 block of 20th SW. “After realizing all the vehicle doors were locked, the suspect left on foot. The reporting party stated this suspect has successfully prowled vehicles in the past.” If you have information on who this person is, call the precinct at 206-733-9800.

Also from the precinct, this alert that auto theft is on the rise in West Seattle/South Park:

Specifically:

*The precinct is up 10% in the last 28 days
*Mostly during third watch (between 1900-2100), and mostly in the Morgan Junction area
*The Morgan Junction community is up 138% year to date (+28 cars), 60% in the last 28 days

*In an effort to decrease these incidents, we would like to remind our community members about the following prevention strategies:

*Check on your vehicle regularly, especially if you aren’t driving it frequently
*Never leave your car running or the keys in the ignition when you’re away, even for ‘just a minute’, please remember this is illegal in Seattle and in Washington (SMC 11.70.160, RCW 46.61.600)
*Remove remote garage door openers from vehicle
*Always lock doors and roll up windows, even if the car is parked in front of your home
*Never leave valuables in plain view, even if your car is locked
*If possible, park vehicle in a busy, locked, monitored and/or well-lit area
*Utilize anti-theft devices such as the Club (please contact Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner for more information about this)
*If possible, activate alarm

Feel free to reach out to Jennifer (Jennifer.Danner@seattle.gov) if you have questions about these prevention suggestions, and/or if you are interested in a free safety/security assessment.

ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC: Wednesday 10/14 watch

October 14, 2020 6:12 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:12 AM: Welcome to Wednesday – the 205th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK, ETC.

*West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way: From SDOT:

SDOT crews will complete some additional paving this week (the week of Oct. 12) near the intersection of Highland Park Way SW and West Marginal Way SW. The paving is being done in advance of some bus stop changes near the intersection. The work will require a right-lane closure on Highland Park Way SW outside of peak hours.

*Southbound 1st Avenue S. Bridge: Short closures for “temporary repairs” are continuing this week, between 6 am and 3 pm.

*Delridge project: The SW Oregon closure is still on for this Friday-Sunday. Here’s what other work is planned this week.

CHECK THE TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

Here’s the 5-way intersection camera (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Here’s the restricted-daytime-access (open to all 9 pm-5 am) low bridge:

The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) . Here are two cameras:

The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map). Here’s the nearest camera:

Going through South Park? Don’t speed.

Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.

You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

TRANSIT

Metro – Fare collection has resumed.

Water Taxi – Also no longer free.

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

CORONAVIRUS: Tuesday 10/13 roundup

October 13, 2020 11:41 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Here’s the latest local info on the pandemic, 7 1/2 months in:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Now, here’s today’s daily summary from Public Health – the cumulative totals:

*24,330 people have tested positive, 125 more than yesterday’s total

*779 people have died, 3 more than yesterday’s total

*2,458 people have been hospitalized, 17 more than yesterday’s total

*486,967 people have been tested, 3,835 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the totals were 23,268/769/2,393/455,717.

ANOTHER LOCAL DEATH: Checking on the zip codes that are partially or entirely in West Seattle, we found that another death has been reported in 98116, the 8th. The other local zips: 98106, 4; 98136, 4; 98126, 16; 98146, 17.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

NATIONAL/WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 38.1 million cases worldwide, 7.8 million of them in the U.S. – see other nation-by-nation stats by going here.

GOVERNOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS: From Gov. Inslee‘s briefing today: Five counties are finally advancing to reopening Phase 2 – Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Yakima. Also, he’s creating a new group to focus on economic recovery. You can watch the briefing video here.

BRIEFING TOMORROW: State health officials’ weekly briefing is Wednesday at 2 pm; you can watch the livestream (or, later, the archived video) here.

NEED FOOD? Emergency boxes will be distributed tomorrow morning in the West Seattle Eagles parking lot. Wednesday morning note – just got word this is canceled.

REOPENING: Speaking of parking lots, Seattle Parks reiterated in this post today that they will reopen next Monday “at popular parks” (in West Seattle, that would mean Lincoln Park).

GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!

King County Council approves sales-tax increase to fund supportive housing

October 13, 2020 9:47 pm

| 28 COMMENTS

| West Seattle housing | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Our area’s King County Councilmember Joe McDermott is the main sponsor of a one-tenth-of-one-percent sales-tax increase that the council approved today, first proposed in County Executive Dow Constantine‘s 2021-2022 budget plan. A council news release explains what it’s meant to pay for: “The legislation will provide permanent, supportive housing for those deemed ‘chronically homeless’ – people who reside in a place not meant for human habitation for at least a year, and with serious physical or behavioral health issues.” (That’s the type of housing provided in West Seattle by two nonprofits, Transitional Resources, with several buildings in the Luna Park area plus one under construction, and DESC, with Cottage Grove Commons in Delridge.)

The tax increase will not go to a public vote; the state Legislature voted earlier this year to allow local governments to increase sales taxes this way for affordable-housing. However, as The Seattle Times‘ report notes, cities have the option to levy their own 0.1% increase instead, and several King County cities have opted to do that, so they will have more of a say in how the housing dollars are spent. The council releass says that “King County plans to bond against future tax revenues and use the funds to buy existing hotels, motels and nursing homes around the county and convert them into affordable, supportive housing for people who have struggled to access and maintain housing.” The tax increase would take effect next January 1st; you can read the legislation starting on page 41 of today’s County Council meeting packet.

WINDSTORM: West Seattle power outages, 7,200+ customers at peak; trees down; big waves…

October 13, 2020 4:00 pm

| 108 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

4 PM: Thanks for all the tips – power’s out over what seems to be a wide area of West Seattle – so far reports include Alki, Admiral, Avalon/Genesee – updates to come. And remember that a dark traffic signal (we’ve heard California/Admiral and 35th/Avalon and Delridge/Genesee are out, among others) is a 4-way stop!

4:05 PM: Also via scanner, trees are reported down in the 1500 block of Ferry and 7100 block of 31st SW (photo added above – came down right between two cars) . … City Light map has just updated, 6,700+ customers out.

4:16 PM: Ferry Avenue is blocked because of the tree trouble. Screengrab of City Light map added above. … Police radio indicates there are also lines down at California Way/Harbor.

4:28 PM: Multiple reports of an explosion-type sound in the Fairmount Playfield area after the initial outage started – looks like that area now has a pocket outage of its own, 91 customers:

4:46 PM: The National Weather Service still has the Wind Advisory alert set to expire at 6 pm. Peak gusts so far today have included 48 mph at Sea-Tac. Meantime, the City Light map shows several small pocket outages in addition to the 6,700+ and 91 out in the ones we’ve mentioned.

5:12 PM: Thanks to Susan Elderkin for the photo of tree branch vs. fire that led to the Fairmount outage:

That is in the 5400 block of 40th SW. … Thanks to Jamie Kinney for sending video of wind-fueled waves along West Seattle’s west-facing shores – first, Lowman Beach:

Next, Constellation Park:

5:36 PM: Note that some businesses are affected, particularly in the Admiral Junction. In comments, Shelby says Admiral Safeway is open though out of power – refrigerated/frozen items aren’t being sold right now, so the cases can remain closed.

6:48 PM: Just drove through much of the outsge zone – Admiral Junction businesses and traffic signals dark, though the power picks up again at California/Lander. The wind has calmed.

7:01 PM: Re-checking the SCL map, we noticed there’s also a pocket of 454 out at the east end of the SW Roxbury corridor, so we’ve updated the total out in West Seattle to 7,200+.

8:01 PM: No updates yet. While we always warn that SCL’s “estimated restoration time” is a useless guesstimate, even that hasn’t been updated, nor has the cause, though the crews seem to be focused on Ferry Avenue. We couldn’t get close to the scene but have received these photos – first, from Treehugger:

There’s also a pole down in the area:

Here’s where the road is closed:

(Thanks to Susanna Moore from longtime WSB sponsor Niederberger Contracting for that photo.) SCL says it’s handling 60 different outages throughout its service zone. Meantime, though the wind has lessened, it was still enough for some sunset surf at Alki:

Thanks to Samantha Lazar – a teenage volleyball player who was practicing at the beach at sunset, despite the wind – for the photo.

8:44 PM: Getting word in comments and via texts that many if not all have just come back online. The map may lag ~15 minutes in accurately reflecting who’s still out, so thanks for the updates!

9:01 PM: The map is updated. Still 1,000+ out scattered around West Seattle – primarily the tip of the peninsula plus that pocket at the east end of the Roxbury corridor.

10:04 PM: No change in the past hour. Below is the map of who’s still out, for the record – most of the markers in West Seattle are single-digit outages, except for the two in the north, and the pockets in Fairmount and Myers/Olson.

11:20 PM: One of the north-end pockets is back, so we’re now at about 800 out around West Seattle after 7 1/2 hours.

12:46 AM: Checked the map and almost everyone’s back on, in West Seattle.

FOLLOWUP: 14 tons of recyclables at West Seattle Junction event! Here’s the breakout

October 13, 2020 3:32 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Environment | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, September 26th)

Two and a half weeks ago, hundreds of West Seattleites descended on the big recycle/reuse/shred event in The Junction. So many that most of the participants maxed out. Today, the totals are in, and Lora Radford from the West Seattle Junction Association shared the report – 14 tons!

The numbers were collected by Waste Management, which says the haul is more than double any of their other similar events around the region. Meantime, Radford is still hoping another household-goods collection event might be possible this fall, since that was the category that maxed out quickly, so stay tuned.

NEED FOOD? Distribution @ West Seattle Eagles tomorrow morning – CANCELED

October 13, 2020 1:32 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news

TUESDAY AFTERNOON: The West Seattle Eagles parking lot will be the scene of another food-box distribution tomorrow (Wednesday, October 14th), expected to start shortly after the truck arrives around 9 am. (Times can vary – last week’s truck was late, and once it arrived, the food went fast, but this week, the volunteer organizers are “working with a new carrier” and hopeful the 9 am time will hold.) Filling these boxes: Dairy, meat, fruit, and produce. The Eagles’ lot is at 4426 California SW.

WEDNESDAY 9:40 AM: Just got word this is canceled.

‘SEW VERY GRATEFUL’: West Seattle woman leads sewing army to create caps for health-care workers. Want to join?

October 13, 2020 11:34 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | How to help | West Seattle news

Meet Phyllis Warman, a Seaview resident who’s managed to get thousands of scrub caps sewn and donated to health-care workers … and she doesn’t even sew!

Her daughter Jenna, who also lives in Seaview, is an ER Trauma Nurse at Harborview Medical Center, and expressed frustration about people not taking COVID-19 seriously. Phyllis learned that health-care workers like her daughter need scrub caps: “The hospitals only provide paper caps and prioritize those for surgical staff. The plastic shields ER and ICU staffs now wear dig into their scalps, patients cough on them — especially after the COVID-19 test — so who knows what’s getting in their hair and these days, every day is a Bad Hair Day. Scrub caps help. A lot. Health-care staff have to provide their own and wash them after every 12-hr shift. What better way to thank our brave, front-line healthcare workers — like my daughter, your neighbor — than with a much-needed and appreciated gift like this?”

When Phyllis made that pitch to an online neighborhood group, she recruited dozens of volunteers to sew caps. They’ve made almost 2,500 caps that have gone to hospitals in Washington, California, Arizona, and Nevada. The need is great, so she would love to sign up more volunteers! Her project is called Sew Very Grateful. Here are four ways you can be part of it:

1. Join our team of volunteer seamstresses/seamsters and machine-sew as many caps as you are willing.
2. Donate fabric (100% cotton quilt)
3. Donate funds for fabric
4. Recruit others

Also, Phyllis adds, “I can supply patterns, fabric, curbside delivery and pickup.” If you can help, or have a question, email SewVeryGrateful@outlook.com.

(Thanks to one of the Sew Very Grateful volunteers, Sue Lindblom of longtime WSB sponsor Illusions Hair Design, for the tip about Phyllis!)

WEST SEATTLE TUESDAY: What’s happening on this blustery day

October 13, 2020 10:03 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Jerry Simmons)

The “Wind Advisory” alert moved up a few hours overnight, so it’s in effect now through 6 pm. Keep everything charged and stay safe – let us know (text/voice 206-292-6302) if you lose power, see a downed tree or flooding, etc. Meantime, here’s what’s happening:

JUNCTION PLAZA PARK MEETING: 2 pm online, as previewed here, a community meeting to talk about the public-safety concerns at the 42nd/Alaska park. Scroll down this page to find connection information.

SWEETS POP-UP: 4-8 pm at Itto’s Tapas, go get dessert from Sticky Treats and Sweets at their next pop-up! Here’s the menu. (California/Genesee)

DEMONSTRATION: From organizer Scott:

Black Lives Matter sign-waving

Tuesday, Oct 13, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Thursday, Oct 15, 4 to 6 pm, 16th and Holden

Come show support for BLM and ending systemic racism. Hold signs, meet neighbors and stand for racial justice. Scott at PR Cohousing, endorsed by Hate-Free Delridge. Signs available.

‘LISTEN TO THE TREES’ 6 pm online, poet Sean Petrie previews his new book of West Seattle-inspired poetry, “Listen to the Trees: A Poetic Snapshot of West Seattle, Then and Now,” a collaboration with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. Viewing info (register in advance) is in our preview.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm board meeting, online. Community members welcome; register to attend – find the link here.

FALL FUN: Mode Music & Performing Arts classes now ready for signups

October 13, 2020 8:59 am

| Comments Off on FALL FUN: Mode Music & Performing Arts classes now ready for signups

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That video shows a sample of what kids can learn, perform, and enjoy with Mode Music and Performing Arts classes this fall – here’s the announcement:

We are excited to offer a full roster of music, theatre, art, and dance classes for all ages! There are two ways to learn with MMPA this Fall: a full schedule of live online classes and pre-recorded video lessons that give you the flexibility to experience our lessons when it’s convenient for you.

Information on rates, classes, and scheduling is available at:
modemusicandperformingarts.org

Please ask about our partial and full scholarships!

You can also donate to our programming and support our nonprofit so we can continue to provide education and offer our scholarships in this time of limited funding.

Mode Music and Performing Arts is a nonprofit arts organization offering innovative arts-education programs promoting confidence, social awareness, equity and empathy in our students and community.

Here are flyers to check out – recorded classes here, live classes here. (Mode is the sibling organization of longtime WSB sponsor Mode Music Studios.)

ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC: Tuesday 10/13 watch

October 13, 2020 6:07 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Welcome to Tuesday – the 204th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK, ETC.

*West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way: From SDOT:

SDOT crews will complete some additional paving this week (the week of Oct. 12) near the intersection of Highland Park Way SW and West Marginal Way SW. The paving is being done in advance of some bus stop changes near the intersection. The work will require a right lane closure on Highland Park Way SW outside of peak hours.

*Southbound 1st Avenue S. Bridge: Short closures for “temporary repairs” are continuing this week, between 6 am and 3 pm.

*Delridge project: The SW Oregon closure is on for this Friday-Sunday. Here’s what else is planned this week.

*Westwood Village parking-lot repaving: The QFC/Rite Aid lots have reopened. Now the work has moved to an area near the MOD Pizza/Sally Beauty Supply building; the entrance off Barton, west of that building, is closed, as is the driveway in front of Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) and its neighboring businesses, so you have to enter off Barton to get to them – the route from Trenton is blocked west of Bed Bath & Beyond.

CHECK THE TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

Here’s the 5-way intersection camera (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Here’s the restricted-daytime-access (open to all 9 pm-5 am) low bridge:

The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) . Here are two cameras:

The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map). Here’s the nearest camera:

Going through South Park? Don’t speed.

Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.

You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

TRANSIT

Metro – Fare collection has resumed.

Water Taxi – Also no longer free.

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another stolen e-bike

October 12, 2020 11:56 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

That’s Sarah‘s e-bike, taken by whoever broke into her car at Genesee/Avalon: “They stole my Rad Power Bike and $200 worth of outdoor gear.” If anyone finds the bike, she has the serial number – we’ve reported on a couple stolen e-bikes lately that were dumped not far from where they were taken.

CORONAVIRUS: Monday 10/12 roundup

October 12, 2020 11:01 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Here are tonight’s local pandemic-related toplines:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s today’s daily summary from Public Health – the cumulative countywide totals:

*24.205 people have tested positive, 152 more than yesterday’s total

*776 people have died, unchanged since Friday

*2,441 people have been hospitalized, 7 more than yesterday’s total

*483,132 people have been tested, 2,937 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the totals were 23,149/766/2,386/(not available).

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here … but with this caveat.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them – nation by nation – here.

NEED FOOD? Again this week, Food Lifeline will distribute free emergency boxes of food to anyone who shows up, 2-5 pm Friday (October 16th) at its South Park HQ, 815 S. 96th.

MEALS FOR STUDENTS & FAMILIES: It’s National School Lunch Week, a reason to remind you again that all students/parents/guardians – regardless of family income – are welcome to pick up meals at 7 Seattle Public Schools sites in West Seattle/South Park, 11:15 am-1:15 pm weekdays. (Also at that link: Info on the one bus route by which meals are delivered in north West Seattle.)

REOPENING: We’ve been checking the Admiral Theater marquee since the moviehouse’s announcement last Friday that it’s reopening this Friday (October 16th). This appeared today!

The Admiral’s website also shows what’ll be showing.

GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!

WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE: Councilmember Herbold asks you – repair or replace? Plus, 3 other notes

October 12, 2020 7:57 pm

| 130 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

West Seattle Bridge notes tonight as the mayor’s repair-or-replace decision nears:

COUNCILMEMBER’S POLL: West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold sent email tonight launching a survey to ask you – repair or replace? You can answer here. Her email announcing the survey recaps what SDOT presented at last week’s Community Task Force meeting (WSB coverage here), from the forthcoming Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA).

ABOUT THAT ANALYSIS: The day after the meeting, we asked SDOT if the full CBA document is available yet, or at least the missing cost-in-dollars projections. They replied today:

The final Cost-Benefit Analysis is not yet complete.

As you know, we are at zero percent design. We do not have exact cost estimates at this point and, from a Cost-Benefit Analysis perspective, it is more important to have apples to apples comparisons of the scale of various alternatives. The most critical aspect is understanding which options would likely cost more than the other to carry out (repair or replace) and which would be more costly over the long-run in terms of operations and maintenance. As we finalize the Cost-Benefit Analysis, we will be able to provide more detail on the conceptual cost estimates we have developed through the CBA process.

ABOUT THE CAUSE: Another followup question we asked was for elaboration on Technical Advisory Panel co-chair Barbara Moffat‘s mention during last week’s meeting that they now understand what went wrong with the bridge. Here’s the reply we got, also today: “While our confidence in our understanding of the physics affecting the bridge has grown with time as we’ve been able to test our advanced engineering modeling by watching the bridge behave as predicted in response to seasonal temperature changes and our initial stabilization efforts, it may never be possible to determine with 100% certainty a single underlying cause of the bridge cracking, or even if there was a single isolated cause.” We’ll keep following up.

STABILIZATION UPDATE: SDOT is posting stabilization updates every Monday; today’s edition is here. Key points include that the release of the stuck Pier 18 bearing might happen as soon as next week, as well as a note that those two work platforms under the bridge will likely be there until late November.

WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Wind alert for Tuesday

October 12, 2020 6:49 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

6:49 PM: The National Weather Service has a “Wind Advisory” alert in effect for our area noon-6 pm Tuesday. What it’s currently forecasting:

* WHAT…Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts 45 to 50 mph expected. …

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

See the full text of the advisory here.

ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: The wind advisory moved ahead a few hours overnight – it’s now in effect 8 am-6 pm Tuesday.