CORONAVIRUS: Monday updates – new numbers; local student being monitored for ‘possible exposure’; more

| Coronavirus | Health | West Seattle news

7:43 PM: We’re continuing daily roundups of coronavirus-related news, with a focus on King County. Here’s what’s happened today/tonight:

14 KING COUNTY CASES, INCLUDING 5 DEATHS: Here’s the list from today’s update by Seattle-King County Public Health:

The four new cases are in:

A male in his 50s, hospitalized at Highline Hospital. No known exposures. He is in stable but critical condition. He had no underlying health conditions.
A male in his 70s, a resident of LifeCare, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. The man had underlying health conditions, and died 3/1/20
A female in her 70s, a resident of LifeCare, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. The woman had underlying health conditions, and died 3/1/20
A female in her 80s, a resident of LifeCare, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. She is in critical condition.

10 other cases, already reported earlier by Public Health, include:

A female in her 80s, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. This person has now died
A female in her 90s, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. The woman has underlying health conditions, and is in critical condition
A male in his 70s, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. The man has underlying health conditions, and is in critical condition
A male in his 70s was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. He had underlying health conditions and died on 2/29/20.
A man in his 60s, hospitalized at Valley Medical Center in Renton.
A man in 60s, hospitalized at Virginia Mason Medical Center.
A woman in her 50s, who had traveled to South Korea; recovering at home
A woman in her 70s, who was a resident of LifeCare in Kirkland, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth
A woman in her 40s, employed by LifeCare, who is hospitalized at Overlake Medical Center
A man in his 50s, who was hospitalized and died at EvergreenHealth

WATCH TODAY’S BRIEFING: Here’s the archived video of the King County briefing held at 11 am today:

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CHIEF SEALTH STUDENT BEING MONITORED: Tonight, Chief Sealth International High School sent families a message saying that a student – who, it’s stressed, is NOT ILL – is “being monitored … in response to a possible exposure.” The school will remain open and is being cleaned tonight. Here’s the letter, sent to us by principal Aida Fraser-Hammer (or here in PDF):

ALSO ANNOUNCED: Today King County Executive Dow Constantine “immediately ordered the purchase of an area motel to be used to isolate patients in recovery as well as those in active treatment. The acquisition is expected to be finalized in a matter of days and available to Public Health by the end of the week. Location details will be made available when the transaction is complete. In addition, King County will place modular units on public properties in locations throughout King County.” KIRO TV’s Graham Johnson reports those modular units are currently stored on Harbor Island (where the county owns the old flour-mill site).

METRO SANITATION: Metro announced it’s intensifying its sanitation protocols, as explained here.

LOCAL SENIOR FACILITIES: We’ve been checking with West Seattle facilities. Again, NO local cases – but, out of an abundance of caution, at least one facility is closed to outside visitors (Quail Park [WSB sponsor]); another is discouraging them (The Kenney). We’re still waiting to hear back from some and expect more info tomorrow. We also checked with the Senior Center of West Seattle, which says it’s open, business as usual, but it’s posted health reminders.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: From Public Health authorities:

Do not go to the emergency room unless essential. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs. If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, contact your regular doctor first.
Stay home when sick.
Practice excellent personal hygiene habits, including handwashing, coughing into tissue or elbow, avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.
Stay away from people who are ill, especially if you are 60 and older or have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or a weakened immune system.
Stay informed. Information is changing frequently.

P.S. Gov. Inslee stressed personal cleanliness, and calm, in his briefing today – here it is in full.

ADDED 11:57 AM TUESDAY: The newest King County info has just been released – see it here.

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TUESDAY: Registration starts for Seattle Parks & Rec spring programs

March 2, 2020 7:05 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Classes, lessons, leagues … if you’re interested in programs at Seattle Parks and Recreation facilities, spring registration starts tomorrow. We’re inspired to post this reminder because we’re currently at the Park District meeting and several people at our table aren’t aware of these programs. Here’s the brochure (PDF) that lists everything that’ll be offered at local city-run community centers and Southwest Pool. If something that sounds good to you requires registration, it starts at noon tomorrow!

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UPDATE: Hazmat response over, after affecting 8 Metro bus routes

March 2, 2020 5:18 pm

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| Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

5:18 PM: Seattle Fire and Police are investigating an “unknown substance” (described on emergency radio as a “white powdeer”) on board a bus downtown. Here’s the most-recent Metro alert:

Buses are currently being rerouted off 3rd Av S between S Washington St and S Main St due to a hazmat response.

Routes 7, 14 & 36 – Use the stops southbound on 3rd Av S just north of James St or eastbound on S Jackson St just west of 5th Av S;
Routes 21 & 116 – Use the stops southbound on 3rd Av S just north of Columbia St or southbound on 1st Av S just south of S Atlantic St;
Route 124 – Use the stops southbound on 3rd Av just north of Columbia St or southbound on 6th Av S just south of S Royal Brougham Wy;
Routes 131 & 132 – Use the stops southbound on 3rd Av just north of Columbia St or southbound on 4th Av S just north of Edgar Martinez Dr S.

5:37 PM: Metro says buses are back to normal routing; SFD “determined it was a non-hazardous substance.”

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BIZNOTE: What’s moving into 6701 California SW space

March 2, 2020 4:52 pm

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Two months after Be Studios moved out of that space at 6701 California SW in south Morgan Junction, the building has a new tenant. Commenter Jennifer was first to mention that Artist and Muse Salon will open there. We have since heard from the new salon’s co-proprietor Keri, who says, “It’s true that 6 wonderful ladies from Ola are coming. We are hoping to open in the next few weeks!” (Ola, if you missed that story, has closed its West Seattle salon and consolidated operations into its newer Burien location.)

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UPDATE: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route down to 2 boats TFN

March 2, 2020 2:59 pm

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| Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

2:59 PM: Another waterborne transportation note: Thanks to the caller who pointed out that the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth state ferry run is down a boat. MV Kittitas has what WSF describes as a “fire-main leak” and has been pulled off the route TFN. WSF says it “will continue to operate the regular 3-boat schedule using vessels #2 and #3. Engineers on board the vessel are working to fix the problem.” We’ll update when there’s word it’s back.

11:25 PM: Looks like it’ll be a while. From WSF late tonght:

Due to the need for more extensive repairs to the M/V Kittitas, we will implement a 2-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route starting Monday, March 3. The Cathlamet will operate as the #1 vessel, with the Issaquah as the #2. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to maintain our fleet.

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WATER TAXI: Why Doc Maynard is missing two mornings

March 2, 2020 2:44 pm

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| King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

Thanks to commenter NewNative for the tip that MV Doc Maynard was off the West Seattle Water Taxi run this morning, with no alert to explain. We checked with the county; spokesperson Jeff Switzer explains that Doc Maynard was off the route this morning and will be again tomorrow morning for its “annual Coast Guard inspections.” The smaller MV Spirit of Kingston will fill in again tomorrow morning.

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FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Food Bank/Helpline merger now complete. Here’s what that means

March 2, 2020 1:30 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news

Four months after the plan was announced, the West Seattle Food Bank–WS Helpline merger is complete. Today’s announcement explains what that means for everyone who uses their services – and for the community at large:

As of today, the West Seattle Food Bank and West Seattle Helpline’s merge into one stronger organization is complete. We are excited to combine forces and, with our neighbors like you, improve and expand our services in this community.

Joined together as one organization, our comprehensive services include:

Food Bank services, including our Shopping Model Food Bank, the Mobile Food Bank, and Home Delivery Service. The Shopping Model Food Bank is our primary location that offers food, pet food, and other items to families in need. For those who have difficulty getting to the Food Bank, we offer a Mobile Food Bank service that distributes food to four apartment buildings and the Senior Center in West Seattle. Finally, we also offer the Home Delivery Service, which delivers groceries to those with limited mobility.

Helpline services, which provides emergency financial assistance to prevent homelessness, immanent evictions, and utility shut-offs. We also provide free bus tickets to those who financially qualify. These trips ensure clients’ transportation to school, work, the food bank, medical appointments, and more.

The Clothesline, our free clothing bank, where clients can shop for basic attire, professional wear, school clothing, and more.

The Taking Care of Children initiatives, including the Backpack Program and the Baby & Child Corner programs. The Backpack Program partners with local schools to provide six kid friendly meals each week to students at risk of hunger. The Baby & Child Corner provides families essential items, like diapers and formula, for their infant or toddler.

Community Connections, which links community members with vital services such as emergency rent support, assistance finding employment, healthcare, language services, and more. In addition, the Bookcase Program allows clients to take home up to 10 books each visit.

All the needed programs that both agencies provided in the past will continue as we move to serve this community in a more efficient and effective manner. Please visit westseattlefoodbank.org for more information.

The WSFB remains headquartered at 35th/Morgan; its executive director Fran Yeatts remains in that role with the newly expanded organization. The first big fundraising event for the newly expanded WSFB is the Instruments of Change dinner/auction May 9th – more on that here.

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GRATITUDE: Teen’s bicycle-donation drive exceeds expectations

March 2, 2020 11:58 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

That’s Hope Lutheran School eighth-grader Spencer Mueller with the results of his Saturday donation drive for Bike Works. We stopped by for as-it-happened coverage, after a preview earlier in the week, and he promised to send a followup – here it is, with photos:

Thank you everyone for bringing bikes to my Bike Drive on Saturday. My goal was to collect 20 bikes; we achieved that in the first fifteen minutes. In the end, we collected 89 bikes, lots of parts, and numerous helmets to donate to the nonprofit Bike Works! They will fix up the bikes so they will have a new life. Bikes that weren’t salvageable, will be taken apart and used to repair other bikes or be recycled.

I really enjoyed talking to everyone who came by and hearing the stories behind their bikes. Bike Works was ecstatic at the quality and number of bikes we collected! Thank you, West Seattle Blog, for getting the word out about my project and to the community for supporting my efforts with so many bike donations.

If you missed Spencer’s drive but have a bicycle to donate, Bike Works has a couple of dropoff spots that aren’t too far away, including the South Transfer Station.

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FYI: Seattle Public Library branches closed Tuesday

March 2, 2020 11:25 am

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| West Seattle news

If you need to visit a Seattle Public Library branch, you might want to do that today, because they’ll all be closed tomorrow for a staff in-service day, reopening Wednesday. (No, this isn’t a sudden thing.)

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7 options for March’s first West Seattle Monday!

March 2, 2020 10:53 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Anna’s Hummingbird, photographed at Jack Block Park by Mark Wangerin)

Talk, listen, play, meditate … all ways to spend this evening:

HELP SHAPE THE NEXT PARK DISTRICT LEVY: As previewed here, 6-8 pm at Delridge Community Center – anything you think Seattle Parks should and shouldn’t be spending $ on, come talk about it. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

KASSA OVERALL LIVE IN-STORE: 6 pm, free show at Easy Street Records. (California/Alaska)

FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30 pm at High Point Library. Free as always. (3411 SW Raymond)

ZEN MEDITATION: 7 pm at Fauntleroy UCC, hosted by Puget Sound Zen. All welcome, meditation experience NOT required – details in our calendar listing. (9140 California SW)

3 TRIVIA/QUIZ NIGHTS: Three options tonight:
*Best of Hands Barrelhouse (7500 35th SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm, $2/person, 21+
*The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 7:30 pm, free, all ages
*Parliament Tavern (4210 SW Admiral Way), 8 pm, $2/person, 21+

SEE WHAT’S AHEAD TOMORROW AND BEYOND: Check our complete Event Calendar!

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BIG FUN: You’re invited to the West Seattle High School Big Band Dinner Dance

March 2, 2020 9:04 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

We’re now less than two weeks away from a fun night that’s a big benefit in more ways than one – here’s the invitation:

Please join us for the West Seattle High School Big Band Dinner Dance 2020!

Friday, March 13th from 5:30 – 9 pm
West Seattle High School Commons
Tickets – $30 advance online/$35 at the door/$10 dance only

Featuring the West Seattle Big Band
Also performing: WSHS Jazz Ensembles, Band, Orchestra, and Choir

Tickets and more information at www.wshsmusic.org

What is the Big Band Dinner Dance? The Dinner Dance is the WSHS Music Program’s largest community event, offering music from West Seattle Big Band and all the WSHS Music Ensembles. A wonderful dinner is prepared and served by WSHS Culinary Students, and along with non-alcoholic beverages, is included with your admission. The Dance Floor will be open to all. Between sets, opportunities to support our musicians will be available with a raffle, a few special items for auction, and direct donation.

Have an item or service to donate? We’ll be raffling off baskets with all types of items, gift cards, and services. We’d love to receive something from you, and if you’d like, we’ll add it to our advertising and communications. Please contact us at westseattle.musicboosters@gmail.com.

What does the Dinner Dance benefit? West Seattle High School Music is growing! Each year our program gets bigger and we need more of everything – music, uniforms, instruments, coaching, transportation, scholarships for trips, and more.