On this 38th day since the first King County coronavirus case was announced, here’s our nightly roundup:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the daily Seattle-King County Public Health news release:

3,167 confirmed positive cases (up 269* from yesterday)

208 confirmed deaths (up 8 from yesterday)

*Many of the new cases being reported today were diagnosed in days prior and do not necessarily represent a spike in new cases. The “new confirmed positive cases” figure we publish each day represents all new confirmed cases reported to us through 11:59 the night prior. Some of these test results were processed on days prior but were delayed in being reported to us.

2 MORE NEARBY DEATHS: Looking at the county data dashboard, two local zip codes now have 2 deaths each – 98106 and 98126. 98136 and 98146 are still at one death each, and 98116 is at zero.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

HERE’S A REALLY IMPRESSIVE NUMBER – 400: That’s how many ventilators Gov. Inslee says our state is giving back to the federal stockpile because other states need them more. A quote of note from today’s announcement:

“I spoke with the governor after conferring with the Washington State Hospital Association to determine what help Washington could offer other states,” said Vice Admiral (ret.) Raquel Bono, M.D., Director, Washington State COVID-19 Health System Response Management. “Thanks to the mitigation efforts the governor has put in place and the cooperation of Washingtonians, we have seen fewer infections in our communities than anticipated. Our current status allows us to help others who have a more immediate need.”

But don’t get complacent, the announcement also warns:

It is important that Washingtonians continue to stay home, wash hands and maintain physical distancing. The data shows that current community mitigation strategies are working to slow the spread of COVID-19, and must be sustained to ensure Washington’s continued success.

ANOTHER WAY YOU CAN HELP: Today’s county update is spotlighting the importance of donating blood, if you are able to.

SPEAKING OF HELPING: As announced tonight, 5 local restaurants are donating 200 “oven-ready” meals to people who need them, starting tomorrow. (We also previously noted another restaurant is giving away sack lunches tomorrow.)

WHILE WE’RE TALKING ABOUT FOOD … An update tonight from West Seattle Farmers’ Market management – they’re hoping a plan for “extremely modified” operation will get the mayor to reconsider her order closing markets (which came before the governor’s order declared them “essential”).

GOT A PHOTO? INFO? TIP? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice our hotline, 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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NEED FOOD? 5 West Seattle restaurants donating 200+ meals

April 5, 2020 8:24 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Even when the going gets tough … generous local independent businesses still keep giving. This =announcement is just in from the proprietors of West Seattle restaurants Peel & Press, West 5, The Bridge, Mission Cantina, and The Westy:

The owners of the above-named businesses will be preparing over 200 individual meals available to medical personnel, seniors, and those who have lost their jobs due to the current economic realities of the Coronavirus.

These meals will be packaged and ready to place in a home oven to finish. With the donations from vendors, owners, and generous customers, we will be able to produce meals for this week and next week to help bring some stability to those in need.

Product Availability

30 of the meals will be giving to the West Seattle Senior Center for delivery. The remaining meals will be available for pickup on Monday starting at 4 pm at Mission Cantina in Admiral (2325 California SW), West 5 in the Alaska Junction (4533 California SW), and Peel and Press in the Morgan Junction (6503 California SW).

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GETTING AROUND: 2 reminders for Monday

April 5, 2020 8:06 pm

| Comments Off on GETTING AROUND: 2 reminders for Monday

| Transportation | West Seattle news

In case you missed (or forgot about) our reports on these:

AVALON PAVING: The last stretch of paving in the Avalon/35th/Alaska project is expected to happen this week – SDOT had to wait until warmer weather, as this is asphalt paving. It’ll involve two rounds of overnight work (7 pm to 7 am), grinding and then paving Avalon between 35th and Fauntleroy. Permanent striping/marking will be done in the entire project zone. So watch for work crews – details here.

BUS/WATER TAXI SERVICE CUTS: Starting tomorrow – as noted here – more Metro bus cuts, including more West Seattle route eliminations. The Water Taxi‘s schedule is also being downsized, and its shuttles are going away for now. To see what trips are NOT running on the routes that are still operating, you can use this lookup.

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FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Farmers’ Market hoping to reopen in ‘extremely modified’ format

April 5, 2020 6:04 pm

| 24 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news

Last week, we published reader photos of West Seattle Farmers’ Market vendors who had set up tents for pre-order pickups in what looked like an unofficial mini-market of sorts. Today, we went through The Junction at noon to see if there was a rerun; there wasn’t – the only sign we saw of vendors was one truck parked on the east side of California, one van on the west, no tents/booths. Tonight, we have an update from Jennifer Antos, executive director of Neighborhood Farmers’ Markets, the nonprofit that runs WSFM and others:

Dear West Seattle Blog Community,

The Neighborhood Farmers Markets recently shared a Community Update intended to clarify that farms, food, and farmers markets have been deemed an “essential business” by Governor Inslee, and what we are doing to modify our operating plans as we work in partnership with Seattle King County Public Health and the City of Seattle to re-open the markets.

Prior to the mandated closure of the farmers markets by the City of Seattle on March 13, we had modified our operations and will continue to act to ensure the safest access to fresh, nutritious food from local producers. While the closure of the markets has afforded us a chance to revise our operations for everyone’s safety, it is important to note that the Neighborhood Farmers Markets, farmers markets across Washington State, and agricultural producers are designated as an “essential business.” A full list of essential businesses including farmers and farmers markets is located here. Direct-to-consumer farmers are no exception, and while the markets are suspended, all have pivoted to conduct business while adhering to public health mandates, city, and statewide orders.

While farmers markets are often social spaces, it is important not to confuse this as the primary purpose. Our commitment is to farm and food-only markets that support Washington’s small family farms, food access for all, and the direct connection between people and their food. In 2019, farmers markets across Seattle processed over half a million dollars in SNAP/EBT and Fresh Bucks, donated thousands of pounds of food to local food banks like the West Seattle Food Bank, and enabled fresh food purchases subsidized by WIC and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

We are in constant communication with the City and Public Health to create plans that ensure strict distancing, sanitation, and health measures are the premise. Though we do not yet have a date for when the markets will re-open, we are actively communicating these measures so that everyone is prepared for the markets to re-open – shoppers, vendors, and our community. It is important that shoppers know farmers markets will be extremely modified upon re-opening. We will be banning the public from touching produce, encouraging pre-paid orders, requiring gloved staff select and bag product, increasing distance between vendor booths, and providing demarcation for shoppers to increase social distancing. We are exploring a possible expansion of market footprints and/or limitation of the number of shoppers at any one time, which may be different at each market site. A summary of measures can be found in the Community Update here.

Speaking on behalf of all NFM farmers, producers, and staff, we appreciate of the enormous amount of support we’ve received in our work to re-open farmers markets. We submitted the public letter of support to our partners with over 1,500 signatures and remain as committed as ever in our mission to strengthen Washington’s small farms as we feed Seattle. This month, we will launch a fundraising campaign to support farmers affected by the market closures and hope to exceed our goal of $250,000. Those interested in donating can do so here.

And if anyone is seeking to order products or food directly from the farmers who typically attend the West Seattle Farmers Market, you can find a list of options on our homepage.

Today was the fourth marketless Sunday since the last one (March 8th) before the mayor’s order.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Starting the week with a splash

April 5, 2020 5:07 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

The photo and report are from Jessica:

Dominic, my son, is insisting we jump in the Sound every Sunday morning so we get a fresh start to the week in this time of Corona. He’s a 5th grader at STEM-Louisa Boren.

Anyone else with new routines to mark the time? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE CLOSURE: 2 ripple effects

April 5, 2020 3:59 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news | Westwood

While neither of these is directly related to Camp Second Chance, both bits of information emerged during this afternoon’s meeting (by videoconferencing/phone) of the CSC Community Advisory Committee (full report later): 2 elements of COVID-19 response that are dropped or on hold because the West Seattle Bridge closure has suddenly rendered our area a lot less accessible.

One is the plan for the Southwest Teen Life Center to be used as an additional shelter space for up to 50 people, so that existing shelters in the city could be made less dense. Shawn Neal of the city Human Services Department said that site is on the back burner now because transportation logistics between here and, for example, downtown services are a lot more complex without the bridge. Also, Rev. Leah Atkinson Bilinski of Fauntleroy UCC (now the camp’s sponsor) said a plan for the co-housed Fauntleroy YMCA to be used as a child-care space for medical personnel/first responders hit the same snag – suddenly it’s a lot harder to get to/from WS – so the church is now exploring “other (interim) uses” for its building.

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE CLOSURE: WS Transportation Coalition’s letter to council and mayor

April 5, 2020 2:13 pm

| 34 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(2 pm screengrab from SDOT’s West Seattle Bridge camera)

Tomorrow marks two weeks since the sudden surprise safety shutdown of the West Seattle Bridge. As reported here Thursday, SDOT is still working on the analysis that will enable a short-term “shoring” plan, to be followed by permanent repairs, so it’s warning the closure will be “lengthy.” One local organization that has long advocated for more attention to the West Seattle Bridge Transportation Corridor (WSBTC) is the West Seattle Transportation Coalition (WSTC). This week the WSTC sent a letter to the City Council and Mayor with its recommendations on what should be done along the corridor because of the closure. From the letter:

… Thus, the WSTC proposes the following immediate and longer-term actions to help ease strains on mobility for Peninsula workers and residents, including but not limited to:
Immediately create and install re-route plans and detour signage, to move traffic away from the WSBTC, including:

. SDOT to manage SODO and the Spokane Street corridor diversions

· SDOT to work with WSDOT to manage I-5, SR 99 and SR 509 diversions, and use other statewide notification modes;

. SDOT to create individual street plans and detour signage, to reduce or eliminate cut-through traffic impacts on West Seattle neighborhoods

. SDOT to install oversized signs to highlight high bridge closure and re-route requirements in key
Peninsula centers – Alki, Admiral Junction, Alaska Junction, High Point, Morgan Junction, Fauntleroy Ferry Dock, 35th Ave. SW at Barton, Arbor Heights, Westwood Village, South Delridge, Highland Park, Pigeon Point, North Delridge, and the Junction Triangle.

install traffic signals at –
. SW Holden and 9th Ave. SW-SW Highland Park Way (SDOT completed 03-29)
. SW Delridge and 21st Ave. SW, to allow L & R turns onto Delridge, and ease pressure on SW Holden from SW Highland Park Way,
. AND improve signal timing and operation on all anticipated detour routes

allow (1) registered King County Van Pool vehicles and (2) medical staff vehicles to use the low bridge,
initiate SPD traffic patrols over the low bridge and authorize violation fines;

Longer-term –
Re-activate appropriate Seattle Squeeze transportations options, as when the general population returns to work, the high bridge will likely still be closed. Options would include, but not be limited to:
. Increasing West Seattle Water Taxi service if demand warrants, expanding parking for Water Taxi commuters, and coordinating 773/775 with new sailing schedule,
. expanding 773/775 service to Morgan Junction, for the duration of the High Bridge closure;

. adding midday bus service for Admiral area residents, who are most effected by the closure,

. helping coordinate re-routes for commuters from Vashon and Southworth-Kitsap, who drive more than 800,000 vehicles a year through Fauntleroy, and put additional pressure on Fauntleroy Way and the WSBTC. …

Read the full letter here (PDF). Your thoughts?

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Business burglary; vehicle break-in

April 5, 2020 11:21 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two incidents to report in West Seattle Crime Watch this morning:

MYSTERY MADE BURGLARIZED: That’s a frame from this security video provided by Cory at Mystery Made, who reports: “Mystery Made was broken into in the early morning! Windows shattered and goods stolen! Please, anyone who knows our shop and the goods we sell, please be on the lookout! We are bummed! Any insight or leads pass along to info@mysterymade.com and we can pass along to WSeattlePD!”

ADDED 3:33 PM: We followed up to ask Cory if there was anything specific to watch for:

Almost all clothing inventory was taken from space. Includes, hatchets, sunglasses, hats etc.
One unique item could be the Sonos Play5 that was custom laser etched. would be something specific if found/seen.

Meantime, though Mystery Made had been able to stay “open” online – because of this, even that is now closed TFN.

VEHICLE BREAK-IN: Also early this morning, Erin reports, this happened near 50th and Dawson, southwest of The Junction:

At approximately 4:50 am this morning, April 5th, our RAM 1500 Dodge was burglarized and approximately $3500 of Tools, outdoor safety and recovery gear for overland travel, outside first aid gear, small ARB air compressor, Craftsman tools was stolen from the cab and back of our truck. 2 large Husky brand duffel bags and 2 Mountain smith brand bags full of all the gear. MSR water purification system, Craftsman tools. The list of our loss (both financially and sentimental) is very long and we’re devastated that someone would do this, especially as we’re all going thru such a difficult time. Police report filed #2020-904203

Our neighbor was headed to work and heard the noice and saw someone in our vehicle, our neighbor yelled and tried to scare the person away but unfortunately the person had already taken everything out of our truck so the person sped off quickly. Our neighbor reports that the car may have been early 00’s small SUV Honda CRV or similar, probably blue or black.

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Online church services, free dinner, and what else is up for your West Seattle Sunday

April 5, 2020 6:07 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle religion | WS miscellaneous

(Recent sunset, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Good morning. Here’s our Sunday list of what is/isn’t happening – starting with, for a fourth Sunday, spotlighting West Seattle churches leading worship online, livestreamed or recorded or even in text:

ADMIRAL UCC: The video service for today will be here. Also – coffee hour via Zoom at 11:30 am.

ALKI UCC: 10 am online service, via Zoom – info and link on lower right of this page.

ALL SOULS SEATTLE (WSB sponsor): Daily online worship is here

ARBOR HEIGHTS COMMUNITY CHURCH: Livestreaming here at 10 am.

BETHANY COMMUNITY CHURCH: Livestreaming here, 8 am, 9:30 am, 11 am, 7 pm.

CALVARY CHAPEL: Sunday service will be available via the church’s website.

EASTRIDGE CHURCH: Livestreaming here at 9 am.

FAUNTLEROY UCC: Livestreaming here at 10 am.

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF WEST SEATTLE: Today’s online liturgy is here.

GRACE CHURCH: Livestreaming here, 10:30 am.

HALLOWS CHURCH: Livestreaming at 10 am here.

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH: Livestreaming in English at 8:30 am, en Español at 10 am, here.

HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH: Livestreaming Mass at 9:30 am here.

HOPE LUTHERAN: Today’s recorded service, music, and children’s story are viewable here.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH: Livestreaming Mass here at 10 am.

PEACE LUTHERAN: Watch here for the pastor’s message for today.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH: Livestreaming here at 10:15 am, or view later on the church website; Sunday School is here, and the bulletin is here.

TIBBETTS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (WSB sponsor): The video service for today is viewable here.

TRINITY CHURCH: Livestreaming here, 10 am.

WEST SEATTLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH: The video service for today is viewable here.

WEST SEATTLE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE: Livestreaming here, 11 am.

WEST SIDE PRESBYTERIAN Livestreaming at 10 am here.

WESTSIDE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION: Livestreaming via Zoom, 10:30 am; also, virtual coffee hour at 11:30 am.

WESTWOOD CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY: Online worship will be viewable here.

Any other churches to add? Please email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Also today:

FARMERS’ MARKET VENDORS’ PICKUP: Though the West Seattle Farmers’ Market continues on hiatus (as announced), several vendors have enabled pre-orders for local pickup, as noted on this list.

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 11 am-4 pm – need a tool to fix or improve something? (4408 Delridge Way SW)

CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: This group’s regular monthly community meeting will be held at 2 pm via Zoom:

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 767 249 272
Password: 9701
or
+1 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 767 249 272

FREE TO-GO DINNERS: High Point Community Dinner Church will serve to-go meals at 5 pm, outside, near High Point Community Center. (6920 34th SW)

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