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Spotlight Stories


  • Vaccines

    VIRUS VACCINES: Eligibility expands

  • Closure

    CLOSURE ALERT: Half-day without low bridge

  • Light rail

    TUNNEL AFFORDABLE? More new light-rail #’s

Morgan Community Association meeting and what else is ahead for your Wednesday
January 20, 2021 10:26 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Alki’s Statue of Liberty has been draped in a flag since the day the election was called for President Biden and Vice President Harris, back on November 7th. So Joel Wood sent us that photo as a suggestion for Inauguration Day. We realize your attention may be on what’s happening nationally, but we remain locally focused as ever, so here’s what we have for the hours ahead:

LIBRARY CURBSIDE SERVICE: Both the Southwest and High Point branches offer it today, noon-6 pm.

STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS’ BRIEFING: The weekly pandemic briefing from state health leaders is set for noon, viewable here. UPDATE: Since we published this, the briefing has been rescheduled to 9 am Thursday – same stream link.

CITY COUNCIL TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: 2 pm meeting includes discussion of the city’s surveillance ordinance and a review of the license-plate-reading tech used for traffic comeras. Here’s the agenda, which includes viewing/commenting info.

MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: The quarterly meeting is online at 7 pm. See the agenda, and info on how to attend, in our preview.

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HISTORY: Learn about Alki fishing derbies in online presentation Thursday
January 20, 2021 8:59 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Southwest Seattle Historical Society)

Tomorrow night, you are invited to set sail into another chapter of local history. Here’s the announcement:

The Southwest Seattle Historical Society is delighted to host Michaela Kraft for a live Zoom presentation on Thursday, January 21 at 6:00 PM. Kraft will deliver a presentation and cooking demonstration titled, “Fish For Thought: Fishing Derbies Strengthen Community on Alki and Beyond.” Registration is required.

During the 1940s, fishing competitions had proliferated so quickly that nearly every town along the Sound, as well as numerous businesses and organizations, sponsored one. Though they were widespread, Seattle became the hub for these derbies. We’ll explore a brief history of fishing and these fishing derbies in the Pacific Northwest, and then zoom in on the Alki Fishing Derby and how this tradition brought people together and built a rock-solid sense of community on Alki.

Following the presentation, Kraft will be offering a cooking demonstration of a popular Alki dish that reflects recipes that were likely used around the time of the Derbies.

Michaela Kraft is from Wisconsin, and is a Museology graduate student at the University of Washington. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Drama and Arts Management from the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point, and has been fortunate to work at a number of historical societies and historic sites throughout the Midwest. She is passionate about interpretation, and has used her background in the theater to bring the past to life.

For more details and to register, please visit our website at loghousemuseum.org, or contact Maggie Kase, the Programs & Interpretation Coordinator at programs@loghousemuseum.org.

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Inauguration Wednesday watch
January 20, 2021 6:07 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: It’s Wednesday, January 20th, Inauguration Day and the 303rd morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD (ETC.) WORK

Low bridge closure – SDOT says the low bridge will be closed 8 am-1 pm Saturday to all but emergency vehicles, so it can be inspected.

Delridge project – The SW Thistle closure continues between Delridge and 20th. Here’s what else is expected this week.

California and Myrtle – The sewer-repair project continues – if driving/riding on California, watch out for the bumps.

Sylvan Way work – Also be aware of the bumps left after last weekend’s drainage work.

Arbor Heights project – Gas-line replacement work on SW 104th is scheduled to continue.

CHECK TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

Low Bridge: Second week for automated enforcement cameras, while restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily.

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

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

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

Going through South Park? Don’t speed. (Same goes for all the other detour-route neighborhoods, both the arterials and neighborhood streets!)

To check for bridges’ marine-traffic openings, see the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

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

TRANSIT

Metro – On regular weekday schedule – if you’re not subscribed to alerts, you can watch @kcmetrobus on Twitter for them

Water Taxi – On its regular schedule

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

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INAUGURATION EVE: Seen and heard
January 19, 2021 11:13 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

Looking across Elliott Bay from Seacrest tonight, T-Mobile Park was the brightest sign of the Inauguration Eve vigil, coast to coast, in memory of the 400,000+ people lost to COVID-19. Some lit candles at home – Steve sent this photo:

Steve wrote, “In honor of all those who have lost their life to the Covid-19 virus … and the hope of a better time ahead. I think the sign says it all.”

Finally, fiddler Dawn Hepburn with the National Anthem, for an audience who truly knows the pandemic pain:

Dawn explains that this was “Zoom ‘virtual volunteering’ for Providence Mt. St. Vincent. I play familiar tunes for the residents with dementia. For today, the eve of the Presidential inauguration, I played ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’ lyrics by Francis Scott Key and music by John Stafford Smith. Kudos to Suzanne Gollhofer, Activity Program Supervisor, who set this up and is working so hard to keep the residents enriched. I hope this video encourages everyone to reach out with love, how we can, where we can.”

P.S. Tomorrow’s official schedule is here.

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CORONAVIRUS: Tuesday 1/19/2021 roundup
January 19, 2021 9:58 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

The data update is back tonight, so that’s where we’ll start:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s what’s in today’s daily summary from Seattle-King County Public Health – the cumulative totals – note that there was no update yesterday:

*72,600 people have tested positive, 618 more than Sunday’s total

*1,185 people have died, 6 more than Sunday’s total

*4,617 people have been hospitalized, 24 more than Sunday’s total

*801,551 people have been tested, 5,299 more than Sunay’s total

One week ago, the totals were 69,522/1,148/4,488/780.231.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

NATIONAL/WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 96.1 million cases worldwide, 24.2 million of them in the U.S. – see other nation-by-nation stats by going here.

VACCINE DASHBOARD: The state dashboard now has a tab for vaccination stats. From the announcement:

In the new tab, you can view the number of doses given in each county and statewide in a map view or by date. For the state level, you can also see the number of doses delivered to providers and the number of doses delivered through the federal long-term care program. The new tab also shows the population percentage and number of people who have received at least one dose of vaccine and completed the recommended number of doses in each county and the state.

All healthcare providers in our state (including hospitals, pharmacies and primary care providers) are required to report when they give a COVID-19 vaccine to a patient within 24 hours of doing so. Most vaccination data should appear in the dashboard within seven days of when the vaccine was given. We will update the dashboard three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

VACCINE-INFO LINKS: The PhaseFinder is here – to determine whether you’re eliglble yet – and known vaccination locations are here. (Check with your health-care organization/provider first, once you’re eligible.)

BRIEFING TOMORROW: State health officials will present their weekly briefing at noon Wednesday – here’s the link for the live stream.

NEED FOOD? Food Lifeline‘s South Park HQ offers emergency food boxes 2-5 pm Friday (January 15th), at 815 S. 96th.

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

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Toplines from 2021’s first West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting
January 19, 2021 8:50 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Crime Prevention Council | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Though the Southwest Precinct helped circulate this citywide alert about being prepared in case of civil unrest tomorrow, our area has no planned demonstrations and no threats.

So confirmed Lt. Dorothy Kim during tonight’s online West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, a short and sparsely attended gathering. It was led by precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner. Precinct commander Capt. Kevin Grossman was unable to attend, so the meeting-opening update was brief, just a quick recap of some of the 2020 crime stats we reported last week.

Read More

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Looking ahead, hint of weekend snow
January 19, 2021 7:59 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

That’s a view of tonight’s sunset from Upper Fauntleroy, photographed by 6-year-old Ethan. We’re taking the occasion to check in on the weather chatter about the possibility of a little snow this weekend. The National Weather Service “forecast discussion” says in part:

A stronger, more organized frontal system will … drop SE into the area Saturday night into early Monday. We’re still keeping an eye on the possibility of lowland snow with this system as snow levels drop to near 500 feet and possibly to sea-level in some spots. About half the ensemble members continue to indicate a rain/snow mix or light snow in the Seattle metro but have backed off slightly on potential accumulations …

So don’t get too excited (or worried) yet. Between now and then, cloudy but dry until possible Thursday rain, then two more sunny days are expected.

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Toll increase for Highway 99 tunnel? Might be needed sooner than planned, State Transportation Commission told
January 19, 2021 6:01 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Highway 99 tunnel | Transportation | West Seattle news

When the state Transportation Commission set toll rates for the Highway 99 tunnel, the rates were planned to increase 3 percent every 3 years, starting in July 2022 – subject to annual review. Today, the commission was told tunnel tolls might have to rise sooner, since traffic is down and therefore revenue is down. The commission’s monthly meeting included an update on toll revenues from WSDOT facilities, particularly Highway 520 and the 99 tunnel, which started charging users in late 2019. For the 99 tunnel, revenues are 45 percent below what was expected, pre-pandemic.

That’s particularly problematic because an intradepartmental $10 million loan is due soon. The governor’s proposed transportation budget would allow that to be deferred, the commission was told, but $4 million would still be due in a few years, and the financial picture doesn’t look much rosier in the next few years. Raising tolls and/or cutting operation/maintenance costs are the main options WSDOT has for dealing with it. The latter doesn’t seem terribly likely, as another presentation at today’s meeting also mentioned higher costs systemwide from a variety of operational elements, including “repair/replacement” costs and changes in “back-office” and tolling systems. No specific potential increases were mentioned, but staffers told commissioners that if they wanted to implement a toll increase this July, they would need to get the process going ASAP.

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BIZNOTE: Paper Boat Booksellers giving away calendars celebrating history-making Vice President-elect Kamala Harris
January 19, 2021 4:17 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Tomorrow, Kamala Harris makes history as America’s first female, first Black, first South Asian vice president. In honor of this historic Inauguration Day, Paper Boat Booksellers in Morgan Junction is giving away “Madam Vice President” wall calendars, with purchases, through tomorrow. We just heard about this from a customer who texted, and we subsequently confirmed with Paper Boat co-proprietor Desirae that they have about 20 left. Paper Boat is at 6040 California SW, open until 6 pm (and 11-6 tomorrow).

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DEVELOPMENT: Comment time for 7035 Delridge Way SW
January 19, 2021 3:38 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Development | West Seattle news

(‘Preferred alternative’ massing for 7035 Delridge)

From today’s city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin: The city has reissued its notice that a land-use application has been filed by the developers planning 9 townhouses at 7035 Delridge Way SW. The project, which includes 9 offstreet-parking spaces, has been in the pipeline for more than two years. It’s been going through Administrative Design Review; here’s the original design packet from last August. Comments will be accepted through February 2nd; the new notice explains how to send in yours.

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CLOSURE ALERT: West Seattle low bridge closing to all but emergency vehicles for 5 hours Saturday
January 19, 2021 1:32 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Announced this afternoon by SDOT:

The Seattle Department of Transportation will restrict all traffic from the Spokane Street Swing Bridge (West Seattle Low Bridge) on Saturday, January 23 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This temporary restriction applies to everyone, including all vehicles which are normally authorized to use the bridge except for emergency vehicles. Both the roadway and path on the bridge between West Seattle and Harbor Island will be closed to all people driving, walking, biking, rolling, and taking the bus.

This short-term traffic restriction will allow crews to survey the system that latches the two spans of the bridge together. The bridge will remain operational for maritime traffic during the restriction.

Emergency vehicles will continue to be allowed to cross the bridge. Signs are in place to guide people driving, biking, and taking transit through routes over alternative crossings of the Duwamish Waterway, like the First Avenue South Bridge.

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LIBRARIES: Services added at two branches in West Seattle
January 19, 2021 11:56 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news

As part of another expansion of pandemic-era services, the Seattle Public Library has just added two more days of curbside service each week at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW). Starting today, that branch will offer curbside service noon-6 pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays. Southwest is one of two branches on the peninsula that offer curbside service; the other is High Point (3411 SW Raymond), which remains on a three-day-a-week curbside schedule, noon-6 pm Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Those two branches also are among the locations where SPL is now providing curbside printing-pickup service. SPL also has added return services at the West Seattle (Admiral) branch (2306 42nd SW) and South Park branch (8604 8th S.); the Delridge branch is now the only branch in our area without either curbside service or return service.

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SAFETY: Informal intersection intervention
January 19, 2021 11:11 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

While the city has pursued dozens of projects large and small to deal with traffic trouble resulting from the West Seattle Bridge closure, unofficial “projects” have popped up too. Sometime last weekend, baskets of pedestrian flags appeared on all four corners at 37th SW and SW Thistle (we noticed this because it’s on our walking route). Though we don’t have data, we can say anecdotally that SW Thistle, like some other east-west arterials, has become busier since. Along with the flags, new temporary city-provided yard-style signs were placed along the street – with reminders that intersections are crosswalks, even if they’re not striped. While flag baskets are no longer provided by the city, you can get signs from SDOT – they should be available at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW), but check first, as explained here.

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WEST SEATTLE TUESDAY: Crime Prevention Council meeting tonight, and what else is happening
January 19, 2021 9:13 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Lincoln Park photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Looking ahead to the rest of today/tonight:

CITY COUNCIL: Meetings are one day later than usual this week because of the holiday. The “briefing” meeting is at 9:30 am, agenda here; the regular full meeting is at 2 pm, agenda here. (Both agendas include information on viewing; the 2 pm agenda includes information on how to comment.)

STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION: Highway 99 tunnel toll revenue is down, unsurprisingly. The state Transportation Commission, which sets toll rates, has that on its agenda for today, first day of the monthly two-day meeting, at 1:15 pm; the agenda includes information on viewing.

SAVE THE ARCHIVES: The Duwamish Tribe is asking for support at this online public meeting today:

Save the Historical records and archives on behalf of the Duwamish Tribe

Public Meeting on Jan. 19 re: National Archives Facility in Seattle … hosted by Attorney General Bob Ferguson on Tuesday, January 19, from 3:30 to 5:30.

We invite you to participate to provide comments about the closure of the facility and transfer of the un-digitized records to Southern California and Missouri.

Zoom link

Meeting ID: 838 5218 6385
Passcode: 426894
Phone: 253-215-8782

Background here.

DEMONSTRATE FOR RACIAL JUSTICE: Scott from Puget Ridge Cohousing continues organizing two demonstrations each week:

Black Lives Matter sign-waving

Tuesday, January 19, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Thursday, January 21, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW 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.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: 6 pm online, hear from and talk with local police about crime/safety trends and concerns. Participation info is in our calendar listing.

PRAYER FOR NATIONAL HEALING AND HOPE: Organized by West Side Presbyterian Church, online at 7 pm tonight.

(added) CHIEF SEALTH IHS PTSA: 7 pm general meeting, online – registration required.

FOOD FUNDRAISER: Today’s the deadline to order three family dinners from Dream Dinners-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) for the Denny International Middle School fundraiser pickup on Thursday – details in our calendar listing.

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ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC: Post-holiday Tuesday watch
January 19, 2021 6:07 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: It’s Tuesday, January 19th, the 302nd morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

TRANSIT

Metro – On regular weekday schedule – if you’re not subscribed to alerts, you can watch @kcmetrobus on Twitter for them

Water Taxi – Back to its regular schedule

ROAD (ETC.) WORK

Delridge project – The SW Thistle closure between Delridge and 20th continues. Here’s what else is expected this week.

California and Myrtle – The sewer-repair project continues – if driving/riding on California, watch out for the bumps.

Sylvan Way work – Also beware of the bumps left after this weekend work.

Arbor Heights project – Gas-line replacement work on SW 104th is scheduled to continue.

CHECK TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

Low Bridge: Second week for automated enforcement cameras, while restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily.

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

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

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

Going through South Park? Don’t speed. (Same goes for all the other detour-route neighborhoods!)

To check for bridges’ marine-traffic openings, see the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

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

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

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CORONAVIRUS: Monday 1/18/2021 roundup
January 18, 2021 9:58 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Expanded vaccination eligibility tops tonight’s pandemic roundup:

400,000 MORE ARE ELIGIBLE: As reported here during the governor’s mid-afternoon briefing, the “everyone’s eligible” age in our state has just dropped five years, to 65. But that doesn’t mean everyone 65 and older can get vaccinated immediately – not enough doses have been delivered. However, only 42 percent of what’s been received in Washington so far has been administered, so it’s hoped that broadening the eligibility will raise that percentage. The governor also says there’s a deadline now – vaccine has to be given within a week of a provider receiving it.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Are you eligible? This website will tell you. If you are, it should also point you to places that have received vaccine. Also, this website has a list. In general, though, you’re urged to consult your health-care provider first.

COUNTY COUNCIL PROPOSAL: When the King County Council meets tomorrow, accelerating vaccination is on its agenda. Here’s the announcement:

With vaccination rollouts hitting snags nationwide, the King County Council will on Tuesday consider legislation to ensure all the resources of King County can be brought to bear in ensuring everyone has access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Sponsored by King County Councilmembers Rod Dembowski, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Reagan Dunn, and Pete Von Reichbauer, it would require the Executive to lay out a detailed and robust plan to deliver the vaccines countywide, lower barriers to access, and have most King County residents vaccinated by June, with priority for older people and others at higher risk of death. The legislation will be considered and could be approved at the full council meeting Tuesday.

The 1 pm meeting will be livestreamed here.

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: No update today (and we haven’t yet found an explanation – the county has not skipped holidays previously) – so no daily summary from Seattle-King County Public Health.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 95.5 million cases, 2,022,000+ deaths. See the other stats – nation by nation – here.

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

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FOLLOWUP: MLK Day of Service in Highland Park
January 18, 2021 7:46 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Holidays | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

We told you on Friday about the Highland Park Improvement Club/HP Action Committee plan for today’s MLK Day of Service. Tonight, we received a report and photos to share with you!

We wanted to thank everyone who turned out today, 23 folks put in over 52 hours of time to help pick up, spruce up and do demo work here in Highland Park.

We filled multiple bags with roadside trash from the Holden/Highland Park Way detour route [please don’t litter folks] and from adjacent Riverview Park and throughout the neighborhood.

A small number of highly motivated, dedicated volunteers worked to pull down 100-year-old plaster from the Club dance hall ceiling preparing for the refresh to come. Special thanks to Peter, Bruce, Billy, Greg, Emory, and Shawn for a dusty job well done!

So grateful to all and thankful we live in this caring, involved community!

Kay Kirkpatrick/ trustee for HPIC &
Craig Rankin/ Chair for HPAC

P.S. Your next chance to get involved with the Highland Park community is at HPAC’s monthly meeting, 7 pm Wednesday, January 27th – an agenda preview and participation link are on the HPAC website.

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About this afternoon’s Admiral Way Bridge emergency response
January 18, 2021 5:57 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

We got questions this afternoon about an emergency response that brought police and firefighters to the Admiral Way Bridge this afternoon. It was over before we could get there. Here’s the SPD summary of what happened:

Officers responded to the 3900 block of SW Admiral Way overpass for a 911 call where the caller reported a male had his hands on the railing and a female was holding him back. When officers arrived on scene, the male jumped over the railing and was dangling from the bridge. The officers were able to grab the subjects by his wrists to prevent him from falling. Two community members saw what was happening and were able to grab some rope to secure the subject to the railing until more officers arrived. Once more officers arrived on scene, they were able to pull the subject back over the railing to safety. The subject was a 17-year-old missing juvenile and was transported to the hospital.

As always, when we mention suicide or an attempt, we want you to know how to get help for yourself or someone contemplating self-harm: The Crisis Connections hotline is 206-464-3222.

P.S. Southwest Precinct Lt. Dorothy Kim tells WSB that wasn’t the only incident today in which officers saved a life. They were called to the scene of an apparent drug overdose in West Seattle and arrived before SFD to find the person not breathing and without a pulse: “The officers, who are also EMTs, started CPR and subsequently administered Narcan.” That restarted the person’s heart; more CPR, and another Narcan dose after SFD’s arrival, revived them, and they were taken to the hospital.

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UPDATE: Governor promises to speed up COVID-19 vaccinations – including immediate eligibility for everyone 65+
January 18, 2021 3:04 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

3:04 PM: Right now, many pandemic-related questions are focused on vaccination availability – people wondering when and how they will get vaccine access. Viewable above (live and archived afterward), Gov. Jay Inslee is providing updates. We’ll add notes as it goes.

Inslee says it’s “the start of what we think of as the second stage of our vaccination initiative” – and says he has six announcements. First, the state is moving into Phase 1B of vaccinations, and changing the first tier so all Washingtonians 65 and older are eligible to get vaccinated immediately.

Also, those 50 and over who are living in “multigenerational households” are eligible immediately. (Note: This does not apply to parents living with children, but rather people giving cqre to someone such as a grandchild or niece/nephew, the state says.) Once about half the 1B “first tier” is vaccinated, they’ll move to the next tier.

2nd announcement: A statewide goal to make 45,000 vaccinations a day available in Washington as soon as possible. That’s three times the current rate. “Over the next several months we’ll be building toward that goal.” That’s dependent on receiving “more doses from the federal government,” he cautions.

3rd announcement: “We’re going to set up mass vaccination sites statewide,” with National Guard and other support. He lists four sites for starters, none in Seattle or King County (though as he notes, King County has some under development).

4th announcement: New criteria to ensure health-care providers are administering the vaccine appropriately – 95 percent of vaccine doses must be given within a week of being received by a provider. Any doses already received have to be given by next Sunday.

5th announcement: PhaseFinder is being launched so you can figure out where you are in terms of eligibility. He says that’s supposed to help you figure out where to get vaccinated, too. Here’s the link.

6th announcement: A public-private partnership to help marshal vaccination efforts. “We are going to mobilize thousands of people to save people from this virus.” He introduces pre-announced guests including reps of Microsoft, Starbucks, Kaiser Permanente, Sea Mar Community Health, and SEIU Local 1199.

3:24 PM: So far the execs haven’t offered specifics on their roles except that they’re supporting the effort. Kaiser Permanente Washington’s president notes that her company has mass-vaccination experience and is “all in.”

3:33 PM: Now speaking, new Health Secretary Dr. Umair Shah. He says the state has given more than 294,000 vaccine doses so far – 42 percent of what the state’s received – a better percentage than last week’s briefing. He stresses again that starting Phase 1B-1 means everyone 65 and older is eligible. He says those in 1B-1 should start hearing from their providers,. If you’re not in 1B-1, “continue to be patient.” But he also says they’re stressing measures to ensure leftover vaccine will not go to waste – giving providers some discretion (stand by for details on that).

3:45 PM: Now Q&A. First question about how many wasted doses – no specific number yet but “very minimal.” … The governor says “partners'” strategy previously might have been “we’ll wait for the doses and then figure out how to get them out” (paraphrasing), but now the plan is to plan to be ready for whatever arrives. He also noted that 2,400 pharmacies are now going to be part of the delivery system. … Next question observes, as we noted above, that it’s not clear what the “partners” will be doing, so they’re asking for elaboration. Also: How do you find out? Dr. Shah says providers have plans for contacting their members/patients; also, PhaseFinder is supposed to show locations near you “where the vaccine has been delivered.” He adds that another tool will be launched within two days – a dashboard with more info on how much vaccine has been received and administered, by county. … State officials promise they’ll make it easier to find out where the vaccine is. The governor adds that “the goal is to give people many kinds of opportunities.” But he cautions that 1.5 million are now eligible – and they only have a tenth of the supply that would require – so be patient. (Added: The state is getting 100,000 “first doses” each week right now.)

3:57 PM: Now that the governor’s eligible (69 years old), he says he plans to get vaccinated within several days (along with wife Trudi Inslee). … How can the state get more vaccine? Pfizer has assured the state that they’re increasing production, the governor says, for one. “We should have high confidence that the numbers of doses will increase in coming months.” He also urges providers to make appointments rather than holding back for fear they won’t have vaccine. … The briefing wraps up at 4:13 pm; the archived video should be available above shortly.

BOTTOM LINE: Though many more people are eligible, there’s not enough vaccine available – yet – for them all to get it immediately. Public Health Seattle/King County elaborates on this here. … Here’s what the governor’s website has published about all this.

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BIZNOTE: Ezell’s Famous Chicken eyeing West Seattle site, permit records show
January 18, 2021 1:39 pm
|      51 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

The AT&T store site at California/Fauntleroy has been up for lease for nine months, according to the Commercial MLS website (the store’s still open). Now, city records suggest a new tenant has been found – Ezell’s Famous Chicken, the Seattle-based fried-chicken chain with a national reputation. The plan is shown on a renovation-permit application filed Friday; we found it while doing routine research in city online records.

West Seattle’s fried-chicken scene has been in flux in recent years – KFC closed in 2018 in the spot that now holds Habit Burger, while Harry’s Chicken Joint departed in 2019 from the space now holding HeartBeet Organic Superfoods Café. But Ma’ono is going strong, and chicken fans who don’t mind driving a few miles south to White Center have their choice of Popeye’s, Bok-a-Bok, or KFC.

Ezell’s, however, is considered fried-chicken royalty – a 36-year-old company with legions of fans including, famously, Oprah Winfrey. They’ve grown to 16 locations, as far-flung as Spokane and Tigard, Oregon; the nearest to West Seattle are in the Central District and Rainier Valley (further than they used to be, with the bridge out).

The corner space in Morgan Junction was built when the old West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) was rebuilt following the 1997 fire. Its original tenant was a Café Starbucks – a food-service concept the company eventually ditched – that only lasted a year, closing in early 2000. The space became a Tully’s Coffee shop a few months later; that lasted a decade, and cell-phone retail followed.

Again, this is an early-stage filing – on occasion those fall through, so don’t count your (fried) chicken until it’s hatched, as the saying goes. We have a message out to an Ezell’s spokesperson for comment on status and timeline.

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BIZNOTE: Emerald Water Anglers offers to cover your parking tab
January 18, 2021 12:15 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

First offer of this kind that we’ve heard of since the West Seattle Junction Association‘s four parking lots switched from free to fee last Friday: fishing-and-outdoor-gear shop Emerald Water Anglers (4502 42nd SW; WSB sponsor) is offering to cover customers’ parking cost for the lot across the street: “Spend $25 while here and we will credit you back your $2 on your sale.” They’re open until 7 pm; like many independent local businesses, they offer online shopping too, so you don’t have to park at all.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Crashes on Sylvan Way
January 18, 2021 11:41 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks for the tips and photos. Avoid Sylvan Way right now – there are two crashes, one near Sylvan Ridge, one near the Forest Lawn (WSB sponsor) funeral home. In the former, the driver appears to have hit a tree; our tipsters say that’s the secodn driver vs. tree(s) crash on Sylvan in less than a week.

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MLK Day of Service and what else is happening on your West Seattle Monday
January 18, 2021 9:31 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(Friday night photo by Jerry Simmons, looking toward Alki Point)

Notes for the start of a new week:

REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY HOLIDAY NOTES: No school … Most government offices (whether virtual or physical) are closed … No USPS mail … Most banks are closed … If you have Monday trash/recycling service, it’s operating as usual.

DAY OF SERVICE IN HIGHLAND PARK: Any time you can spare between 10 am and 3 pm, join Highland Park Improvement Club and HP Action Committee, as previewed here.

DAY OF SERVICE ON ALKI: Beach cleanup starting at 10:30 am – details here.

Other Day of Service events are full so far as we’ve found, but if you know of any others needing last-minute help, let us know!

GOVERNOR’S BRIEFING ON VACCINATION PLAN: Just announced this morning, Gov. Inslee plans a 3 pm briefing “to announce a series of changes to vaccine administration and unveil a new statewide public-private partnership for the state’s vaccine distribution plan.” Announced guests include reps from Microsoft, Starbucks, Kaiser Permanente, Sea Mar, and SEIU Local 1199. We plan to carry it live; you can also find the stream here.

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