day : 09/04/2020 13 results

THE WEST SEATTLE TURKEY: Southbound

| Arbor Heights | Fauntleroy | Seaview | West Seattle news | Wildlife

As the one-year anniversary of its mysterious appearance nears, The West Seattle Turkey is back in the neighborhood where those early sightings happened.

WSB commenter “1994” texted that photo from north Arbor Heights tonight. Earlier, Emily K. photographed it in Upper Fauntleroy, near 36th/Cambridge:

Steve also reported a sighting there, while a texter saw TWST at 36th/Cloverdale: “I have always wanted to see her on a walk and then she appears right outside our yard! So cool!” The day began with Amy‘s sighting in Seaview:

TWST has covered a lot of ground in the past few weeks – south to Fauntleroy, then north to North Admiral, and now all the way south to Arbor Heights. BirdWeb says of the wild turkey, “They typically get around by walking although they can fly and often roost overnight in tall trees.”

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CORONAVIRUS: Thursday 4/9 roundup

April 9, 2020 9:36 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Elected officials are doing everything short of skywriting STAY HOME, so the latest order tops tonight’s roundup:

PARK CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND: The city is closing major parks from 11 pm Friday to 4:30 am Monday, including Alki Beach, Lincoln Park, and West Seattle Stadium. The announcement also notes, “Next week, the City is evaluating and implementing a park by park plan to ensure residents can safely utilize larger regional parks when they reopen.” “Neghborhood parks,” the city says, will remain open for you to use “if necessary.”

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From today’s Seattle-King County Public Health news release:

3,886 confirmed positive cases (up 198* from yesterday)

258 confirmed deaths (up 14 from yesterday)

* 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.

One week ago, the totals for King County were 2,656 cases, 175 deaths. Checking the county’s data dashboard, no newly reported deaths in our area.

STATE NUMBERS … are here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS … are here.

ONE MORE PARKS NOTE: Seattle Parks has canceled the rest of its spring programs, The announcement includes this note:

Registration for summer programs (May 5) and camps (May 12) is still planned, though subject to change if stay-at-home orders continue beyond the current time frame.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAID TODAY: His latest media briefing was mostly about the Monroe prison uprising. See the briefing video here.

NOT HAPPENING: More late spring/early summer event cancellations … tonight the West Seattle 5K and West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, both originally scheduled for mid-May. Even if the stay-home order ends May 4th as currently scheduled, the current thinking is that events will be at the very least unwise, if not illegal, for months more. Hoping for a healthy 2021!

MAKING LIFE BEAR-ABLE: We’ve previously featured neighbors’ window displays of teddy bears, and still receive occasional photos. This one from 44th/Holgate today made us smile:

GOT INFO? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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ALSO CANCELED: 2020 West Seattle 5K

April 9, 2020 8:23 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Another big May event has been canceled: The West Seattle 5K, usually the first big run/walk of the year, is off. It’s a fundraiser presented by the West Seattle High School PTSA and often draws up to 1,000 participants; we’ve sponsored it every year since its launch in 2009. But we got this word late today: “The West Seattle High School PTSA made the decision last night to cancel this year’s West Seattle 5K event, on May 17th, in an effort to support social distancing in our community during this time.” The PTSA promises to send word soon about other ways yo can support the student needs usually funded with the proceeds.

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CANCELED: 16th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day

April 9, 2020 6:32 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Community Garage Sale Day | Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Dating back to 2005, the second Saturday in May has always been West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, which in recent years has involved hundreds of sales and thousands of shoppers. It’s the only event that WSB coordinates and presents every year; we took it over in 2008. This year, WSCGSD was scheduled for May 9th, one month from today, and if not for a certain virus, we would have been registering sales by now. But even if the stay-home order does get lifted in early May as currently scheduled, we can’t imagine it being a good idea to invite people from all over the region to come visit so soon, as we do every year (some shoppers come all the way from Eastern Washington). Not to mention, our area has a bit of a transportation challenge right now. So, we’re canceling this year’s WSCGSD, and holding out healthy thoughts for next year.

P.S. If/when you have your own yard sale later this year – you are welcome to list it free in the Freebies/Deals/Sales section of the WSB Community Forums. (If you don’t have a login, get one via this link.)

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Don’t wait for the weekend closures – stay home, police plead

April 9, 2020 5:46 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Before the mayor’s weekend-park-closure announcement, we got this from Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis:

To our West Seattle and South Park Community,

Please keep in mind, especially during the warmer weather where the urge to congregate in City parks and other public spaces is at its zenith, we still are on a mission to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Health and Government officials recommend avoiding large gatherings and maintaining at least a 6 feet distance from other people. This reduces the chance of contact with those knowingly or unknowingly carrying the infection. The CDC also recommends wearing some type of personal protective equipment while in public settings where social distancing is difficult and or to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Also, remember that the risk of severe Illness may be different for everyone, anyone can get and spread COVID-19 and everyone has an important role to play in slowing the spread and protecting themselves, their family, and their community. Your West Seattle officers will continue to address our area’s crime issues but will also take the opportunity to remind our community members of the current social distancing mandates and its importance. That said, please stay healthy and safe as we continue our fight against this invisible enemy.

As noted here earlier this week, here’s how the virus is affecting SPD.

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CLOSURES: Mayor closing major parks this weekend, including Alki Beach, Lincoln Park, West Seattle Stadium

April 9, 2020 3:34 pm

| 145 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Added: WSB photo, Alki Beach Park, 4:30 pm)

Just in from the mayor’s office:

Because of continued gatherings in major parks and crowded public places, the City of Seattle announced today the full closure of major regional parks this weekend where social distancing guidelines have not been followed by patrons. Seattle is joining major cities like Austin and Los Angeles across the country in closing major parks for the weekend. The change is effective Friday, April 10th at 11pm and will parks reopen on Monday, April 12 at 4:30 am. Data shows that social distancing measures are effectively reducing the transmission rate, but any easing of those measures could lead to a resurgence in transmission. Moreover, all city departments are having to adjust to the impacts that COVID-19 has had on employees, their families and the city workforce.

“These are the beautiful weather days we crave all winter, but we are living in unprecedented times and the Governor’s order isn’t stay out – it’s stay home. Seattle’s frontline medical workers, vulnerable residents, and displaced workers need you to stay home. While Seattle is expecting near perfect weather, friends and families should not have family or friend outings, picnics or gatherings in parks. Stay home unless you need to go to an essential job or business. If you need to take a walk in your neighborhood, be smart and don’t help create a crowded place. Too many friends, residents and families are continuing to gathering for picnics, BBQs, basketball games, and group walks. Because we still are in danger of a spike in infections, hospitalizations and deaths we have to keep doing out part. Easing up on social distancing too early will put more people at risk, could overwhelm our health care system, and could delay the reopening of businesses. Stay home, and if you must leave your home, be smart, follow social distancing guidelines by stay at lease six feet from everyone and wear a mask” said Mayor Jenny Durkan. “Our collective effort has made an impact flattening the curve, but we must continue or face even greater and longer term consequences.”

Closing these parks temporarily will help ensure more people are keeping the distancing they need to from other people. While our neighborhood parks will remain open, the city will consider closing them or making temporary closures longer term if visitors can’t follow safety guidelines. While the City of Seattle has closed parking lots at the largest regional parks, significant gatherings and disregard for social distancing have continued.

Seattle Parks and Recreation’s eight destination parks Green Lake, Lincoln, Golden Gardens, Seward Park, Magnuson Park, Gas Works, Alki Beach, and Discovery, as well as Cal Anderson, Carkeek, Woodland Park, Volunteer Park, Kubota Garden, West Seattle Stadium, and the Washington Park Arboretum will close on Friday, April 10th at 11pm and will reopen Monday, April 12 at 4:30 am.. Stan Sayres, Magnuson, Don Armeni, and Atlantic St boat launches are also closed. Trails at Lake Washington Boulevard will remain open, but group gatherings will be prohibited. Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area and Rattlesnake Ledge Trail will remain closed. Next week, the City will is evaluating and implementing a park by park plan to ensure residents can safely utilize larger regional parks when they reopen.

“The Police Department is asking community members to continue to follow the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order. Seattle has worked so hard to flatten the COVID curve in our region, now is not the time for our community to become complacent,” said Chief Carmen Best. “The Police Department supports the Mayor’s decision to close the parks, and we will work with the Parks Department to carry out this order. However, the Seattle Police Department cannot police us out this pandemic. Please stay at home for the health and safety of your family, friends, and loved ones.”

“As the weather has warmed up over the past few days, we’ve seen more and more people heading out to our regional parks, this has created a significant threat to the health and safety of our community. We are closing these parks to more firmly support the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order, and to keep our most vulnerable neighbors safe,” said Jesus Aguirre, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent.

Previous orders closed parking lots at those same West Seattle parks.

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Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor: Dr. Elizabeth MacKenzie

April 9, 2020 3:05 pm

| 13 COMMENTS

| Health | West Seattle news

WSB is able to provide news/information 24/7/365 thanks to the local businesses and service providers who sponsor our site. When a new sponsor joins the team, they have the opportunity to tell you what they offer – and today, we are welcoming Dr. Elizabeth MacKenzie as our newest sponsor. Here’s what she wants you to know:

Dr. MacKenzie is celebrating the 17th anniversary of her private psychology practice in West Seattle. She is excited to announce an expansion in her parenting services! Dr. MacKenzie provides behavioral therapy to parents of 3-9-year-old children, teaching discipline strategies that promote strong parent-child relationships and loving limits.

She is also enrolling small-group stress management/mindful classes for parents of preschool and elementary-aged children, with an emphasis on the challenges posed by COVID-19. Each 5-parent class will meet weekly via Zoom and the first class to fill will be offered free of charge! Dr. MacKenzie also provides assessments for children, youth, and young adults for ADHD/ADD, learning disorders, and associated social-emotional difficulties.

She is complimented on her laugh, problem-solving skills, high skill level, and love for her work. Dr. MacKenzie provides evidence-based services, drawing on many years of experience conducting parenting and clinical trials research, most recently as a Research Scientist at the University of Washington.

Dr. MacKenzie is providing services via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. For treatment and evaluation services, she submits insurance claims on your behalf. Dr. MacKenzie can be contacted via email (emackenzie@west-seattle-psych.com), phone (206.932.2590, x. 2), or via her website at www.west-seattle-psych.com.

We thank Dr. Elizabeth MacKenzie for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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FERRY ALERT: Early end to Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth service tonight

April 9, 2020 1:55 pm

| Comments Off on FERRY ALERT: Early end to Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth service tonight

| Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, Fauntleroy WSF terminal, last month)

From Washington State Ferries:

The last sailing from Fauntleroy to Vashon and Southworth will be cancelled tonight due to needed terminal maintenance. Cancelling the 1 a.m. sailing out of Fauntleroy will allow crews to complete necessary repairs to the terminal’s transfer span.

Listed below are the final sailings for the day for each destination:

Fauntleroy

The 11:45 p.m. sailing to Vashon/Southworth will be final departure for the day.

Vashon

The 10:50 p.m. to Fauntleroy will be the last sailing to West Seattle.
The 1:25 a.m. sailing will be the last trip from Vashon to Southworth.

Southworth

The 11:10 p.m. sailing to Fauntleroy will be the last sailing to West Seattle.
The 12:30 a.m. departure from Southworth to Vashon/Fauntleroy will only go to Vashon.

The Triangle Route is already operating on a reduced schedule,

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ALSO ONLINE TONIGHT: Words, Writers, Southwest Stories talks Seattle sports history

April 9, 2020 1:23 pm

| Comments Off on ALSO ONLINE TONIGHT: Words, Writers, Southwest Stories talks Seattle sports history

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Another second-Thursday event that’s happening online tonight since in-person is not possible – the Southwest Seattle Historical Society–presented author/speaker series Words, Writers, & Southwest Stories. The SWSHS is re-releasing a video presentation by award-winning sports journalist Dan Raley – its announcement continues:

Raley’s presentation, titled “How Seattle Became a Big-League Sports Town,” was originally delivered as part of the Words, Writers, & West Seattle series on March 4, 2016. The presentation will be made available at loghousemuseum.org and on Facebook at 6:00 PM (tonight). We hope you’ll join us from the comfort of your home! The Historical Society will also be sharing an interesting sports-related item from our collection to celebrate the re-release of this presentation.

Raley is an award-winning sports journalist, author, and former aerospace writer. He worked as a journalist at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer for 29 years. His previously published books include The Brandon Roy Story, published by Old Seattle Press, 2013; Pitchers of Beer: The Story of the Seattle Rainiers, published by the University of Nebraska Press, 2011; and Tideflats to Tomorrow: The History of Seattle’s Sodo, published by Fairgreens Publishing, 2010.

‘Words, Writers, & SouthWest Stories’ presentations are scheduled regularly for the Second Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM at the Southwest Branch of the Seattle Public Library. The presentation for next month (scheduled for May 14th) will be announced at a later date, depending on our community’s ongoing efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

P.S. The SWSHS has an extensive video gallery here.

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VIDEO: First-ever virtual West Seattle Art Walk

April 9, 2020 11:47 am

| Comments Off on VIDEO: First-ever virtual West Seattle Art Walk

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

11:47 AM: Tonight is the second Thursday of the month, and that would usually mean West Seattle Art Walk night, at venues all over the peninsula. Though in-person events are still out of the question, the Art Walk team has put together a virtual version for you to enjoy! Here’s the lineup, via the Art Walk website. Organizers explain:

We are excited to feature 40 (!!!) artists, double our regular number, and many of whom haven’t yet had the chance to exhibit at Art Walk. The post is set up like a virtual gallery space, with each artist providing up to 10 images, whether they are hosted by a business or “freelance” / artist-led.

All art is for sale, as for any other Art Walk. If you are interested, just contact the business if listed, or the artist if not.

At 5 pm, we will drop a video playlist of a selection of artists on our Facebook page, so it will be a little bit more like a real walk around!

Thank you for your support of the arts, even in a time of discomfit!

ADDED 5:55 PM: Here’s the video playlists!

WSB is an Art Walk co-sponsor.

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AVALON PROJECT: Striping resumes next week; parking-restriction reminder

April 9, 2020 11:16 am

| Comments Off on AVALON PROJECT: Striping resumes next week; parking-restriction reminder

| Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, Wednesday evening)

As mentioned briefly in our morning traffic watch, the last phase of the Avalon/35th/Alaska repaving-and-more project won’t resume until next week because of the mayor-mandated two-day public-works stopdown. After the towing debacle earlier this week, that means the city wants to be sure people are aware of the parking restrictions. Here’s the SDOT update:

We will not be working this Thursday, April 9 or Friday, April 10 as directed by Mayor Durkan. We will be using this time to will allow contractors and staff to implement rigorous social distancing requirements and update health and safety plans.

On Monday, we will continue to install final striping on 35th Ave SW and SW Avalon Way as well as look to schedule another paving date soon. We anticipate also installing flex posts for the protected bike lanes at this time. Please follow posted no-parking signs on SW Avalon Way starting first thing on Monday morning at 12:00 AM. We highly recommend moving your car to a new location on Sunday evening.
Important!

No Parking on SW Avalon Way starting Monday at 12:00 AM. We anticipate completing final striping next week on SW Avalon Way, weather depending. We need all cars to be off of the corridor next week and recommend you move your cars Sunday night. If you have questions or need assistance, please call 206-900-8734 or email avalonpaving@seattle.gov.

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BUSINESS UPDATES: West Seattle Runner; WS Landscape and Stone Supply

April 9, 2020 10:33 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Two more business updates this morning. First, from longtime WSB sponsor West Seattle Runner‘s proprietors Tim and Lori McConnell:

We will be here in the store M-F from 10-4, taking orders via phone, text, email and Facebook messenger. We need to be here those hours to accept deliveries and set up shipping. We are going to be taking Sat and Sun off, and we may answer some emails, but we are trying to set up some routine where we don’t work every day.

We will be doing no-contact deliveries of all IN-STOCK ORDERS M-F between 4:30 and 6:00. We will also set up vendor direct shipping of any item we do not have in stock.

Email: lori@westseattlerunner.com
Text: 206-228-0019
Message: facebook.com/wsrunner
Call: 206-938-0545

We do not currently have a web-store (under construction), but we hope to have one up very soon. As this operation is currently just Lori and I, we appreciate everyone’s support and patience as we try to figure out the best way to navigate this business challenge.

For those that have already purchased from us since “Stay Home, Stay Safe,” we really appreciate it, everything helps. For those looking to purchase now, know we will do our best to make shoe suggestions over the phone, and are extending our return policy to 45 days. And any order size is welcome, we are not limiting it to shoes or more, if you need 4 gels, we’ll get you 4 gels. We want to continue to service our community through this ordeal – we were here before all this, and we will be here after this, doing our best for our customers and friends.

And from West Seattle Landscape and Stone Supply proprietor Jeff Detweiler:

A lot of people are looking for garden soils right now, and we are one of the only places delivering it in West Seattle. I do everything by email and phone, so there’s no in-person contact with customers, and I am still charging the same delivery rates and soil prices as normal.

Best way to contact is by email as I’m kind of swamped, wslandscapesupply@gmail.com. Our Super veggie soil, compost, two-way soil, medium bark, and NW Mulch (bark/compost mix) are all available for delivery Monday through Friday. Phone is still 206-763-7625, but again, email’s best right now. There’s no pickup of materials available, as we are delivery-only.

Got a business update? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT: Thursday watch, third week of West Seattle Bridge closure

April 9, 2020 5:35 am

| 13 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

5:35 AM: The high-rise West Seattle Bridge remains closed for the 17th consecutive morning.

SDOT clarified Wednesday that the low bridge is reserved for transit, freight, and emergency response; SPD presence continued, and there’s more new signage.

REMINDER: For general traffic, the main route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – that’s also how to get to I-5, cutting across Georgetown.

Or you can use the South Park Bridge (map).

Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if a bridge is opening for marine traffic.

TRANSIT ALERTS FOR TODAY:

As first reported here, Metro‘s schedule shrunk again at the start of the week . Use the lookup to see which trips are canceled.

The Water Taxi’s schedule is also reduced – 2 morning departures and 2 evening returns – and its shuttles are no longer operating.

ROAD WORK UPDATE:

Work on the last section of Avalon to be paved, west of 35th SW, is now on pause until Monday because of the mayor’s orders for a two-day citywide public-works construction stopdown – striping will resume Monday; full update later today.

OTHER LINKS

SDOT’s traffic map
Our traffic-cams page

Let us know what you’re seeing if you’re still commuting – comment, or text (not if you’re at the wheel!) 206-293-6302.

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