West Seattle, Washington
14 Thursday
5:58 AM: 37th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. Here are the cameras for the restricted-access low bridge (where police enforcement continues) and the 5-way intersection west of it:
For general traffic, the main route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map). To get to I-5, exit at Michigan. Here are cameras for the bridge and Michigan east of it:
You can also cross the Duwamish River via the South Park Bridge (map), which puts you on East Marginal Way about a mile south of where the other bridge does. Here’s the South Park camera:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if a bridge is opening for marine traffic.
TRANSIT ALERTS: Metro buses contine on a reduced schedule – details here. Also, bus capacity is now restricted … The Water Taxi continues its reduced (and shuttle-less) schedule.
OTHER LINKS
SDOT’s traffic map, with cameras
Our traffic-cams page
Let us know what you’re seeing – comment, or text (not if you’re at the wheel!) 206-293-6302.
Several people emailed us Tuesday to point out this story – a construction milestone for a new bridge in Genoa, Italy, replacing one that collapsed 20 months ago (as shown in this video, which also shows the demolition of what remained of the old bridge):
Wrote Elisabetta Povoledo in the New York Times story on the bridge nearing completion and the disaster that brought down its predecessor:
When it was built, in the 1960s, the Morandi bridge was widely celebrated for its artistry and innovative engineering. Its collapse 20 months ago, when a section of roadway fell 150 feet onto a riverbed, became a source of national embarrassment.
An investigation into the causes of the collapse revealed shortcomings in the day-to-day maintenance and in public oversight of Italy’s aging infrastructure. The disaster left Genoa effectively split into two, throwing the lives of its residents into disarray.
The new bridge is being paid for by the private company that operated the failed bridge and many such road facilities in Italy; the project was overseen by the mayor of Genoa. This short video report says the main part of the construction took just 7 months:
There are undoubtedly many differences between the situation there and here; the most important one is that our bridge’s damage was caught before catastrophe, while the collapse in Genoa killed more than 40 people. Also, we don’t even know yet if our bridge will or will not need immediate replacement. But what attracted the attention of those who emailed us was more the Genoa timeframe. Wrote one, “If Italy can do it, why can’t we?”
P.S. If you can’t see the New York Times link, try this paywall-free story from The Guardian,
Need health care? West Seattle’s Neighborcare Health clinic wants you to know what’s changed – and what hasn’t:
Due to the COVID-19 crisis and the governor’s stay-at-home orders, Neighborcare Health at High Point has seen a drop in demand for services in the last few weeks. Therefore, we have temporarily reduced medical clinic hours of operation from 10 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
(Phone hours for scheduling are generally Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.) We are closely monitoring the demand and will expand hours as needed.
Even with changes in hours, patients do not need to delay health care. We continue to offer testing and evaluation for COVID-19, and provide for other routine and immediate health-care needs. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms and wants a COVID-19 test can likely get a test. People must first make a phone appointment with one of our medical providers.
Our care team members can also thoroughly address many other health issues through phone appointments, such as ongoing care for chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure), care for new issues, and help with stress and anxiety. Neighborcare offers interpretation services and has put safety measures in place in the clinic if a patient needs to be seen in-person.
Our High Point dental clinic is closed, but other Neighborcare Health dental clinics are open for emergency dental services and are welcoming non-Neighborcare patients, as well.
We know a lot of our neighbors are facing unexpected challenges with lost income or insurance. Neighborcare Health provides health care no matter a person’s ability to pay, offers a sliding fee discount and can help people understand insurance options and enroll. The High Point WIC team is also available to help people with food assistance.
Call 206-461-6950 to make an appointment for concerns about COVID-19, emergency dental care, or any other health needs.
And for those who have the ability to support our mission, we are still raising funds through our Spring Give online fundraiser to continue our work in providing quality health care for all.
The Neighborcare clinic is at 6020 35th SW.
No major announcements today, but we have a few notes for the nightly roundup, exactly two months after King County’s first known COVID-19 case was announced:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Today’s update, from the Seattle-King County Public Health data dashboard:
*6,054 people have tested positive, 64 more than yesterday
*427 people have died, 11 more than yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 5,379 and 372.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.
SEATTLE FIREFIGHTERS/PARAMEDICS’ ROLE IN TESTING: The mayor explains the SFD Mobile Assessment Teams.
STILL SHORT ON PPE: From the state Joint Information Center’s daily COVID-19-related newsletter:
The state continues its aggressive procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE). Because PPE supplies remain limited, state officials continue to prioritize Tier 1 needs which include hospitals, long-term care facilities and first responders. Though purchase orders are placed nearly every day, arrival time for orders can take weeks. Purchases are the primary way the state has secured PPE, accounting for more than 70 percent of items received so far – a percentage that is growing. Of the $342 million worth of PPE that has been ordered to date, only $8.3 million in PPE has arrived and been distributed or is being processed for distribution (some 10.7 million items). Washington businesses continue to answer the call to produce needed items, with more than 100 manufacturers retooling so far. The state is purchasing directly from five of them, and the others are selling directly to local entities including hospitals. Information about purchasing and distribution of PPE is available on the state’s coronavirus website.
(As we’ve reported, West Seattle’s Nucor is among the companies helping produce PPE.)
NEED FOOD? #1 – Guest chefs today at Highland Park Improvement Club, where 11 am-1 pm weekday lunch distribution continues.
NEED FOOD? #2 – Reminder, pre-packed bags of groceries and supplies will be offered free, first come, first served, 1-5 pm tomorrow outside Eastridge Church (4500 39th SW).
NEED A LAPTOP? West Seattle High School is distributing them the next two afternoons to students in need.
NEED POETRY? Seen on the “neighborhood art fence” at 50th/Andover:
More from the fence tomorrow night! (Thanks to Hannah for the tip.)
GOT INFO? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Leon Harman. (Along with the remembrance below, they’re also sharing his memories of growing up in West Seattle.)
Leon Harman, 96, died peacefully in the early morning of April 3rd after a short illness at his Adult Family Home in Olympia, Washington. He and his wife, Elaine, had moved to Olympia after a very full life in West Seattle.
Leon was born and raised in West Seattle. His father, Arthur, was a builder and built his first home at 5042 47th SW, where Leon was born. Soon after his father built another home at 4324 SW Myrtle St, where Leon was raised along with his two brothers Elmer and Arnold and sister Bernice.
His early schooling started at Gatewood Elementary school, then to Madison Middle, and on to West Seattle High. He had some early jobs in Alaska as a teen, then enlisted into the Navy near the end of WW II. Taking advantage of the GI Bill, he studied at the University Of Washington and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He soon landed a job at Seattle City Light, where he worked for 30 years. He took early retirement and continued onto a very full life of skiing, sailing, tennis, gardening, and lots of traveling around the world with his wife Elaine. Forty years of Elder Hostel traveling took them to Japan, Soviet Union, Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, and all around the US.
Leon had an exciting early life following his older brothers around. For a nickel he could hitch a ride in the back rumble seat of his brother Elmer’s car to snow ski at Paradise on Mount Rainier. Following in their father’s carpentry skills, Leon helped older brother Arnold build wooden sailboats in the back yard at Willow Street, then hauled them down to Fauntleroy Cove on primitive trailers to launch them next to the Fauntleroy Ferry dock. Using salvaged planks off the beach, they would back the trailer to the water’s edge and launch. This started a lifelong love of many sailboats, leading to yearly trips with the family every summer to the San Juan Islands and other ports throughout the Salish Sea.
Leon and his brother Elmer were instrumental in keeping the Henderson street end open for boats early on, working with the Seattle Engineering Department to keep the access open and allowing dinghy boats to be tied to the edge of the ferry dock. Later in life, Leon would help the Fauntleroy Community Association in planning and maintenance of the present Cove Park. There is even an aluminum casting of Leon’s hand in the artwork at the top of the park. His is the hand with the arthritic small finger.
Leon was an active member in the Snoqualmie Mountaineers. In the early days he volunteered his family time to help build the Lodge at Snoqualmie with many other volunteers. This led to an active skiing life with his family. He was Chairman of the lodge for a few years. He skied well into his 80’s.
Leon loved tennis. One of his early dates was with his future wife of 62 years, Elaine, who he invited down to the Lowman Beach Tennis Court. He had met Elaine working at the Bakery that was located where the Thriftway is now at the Morgan Junction. They were soon to be married. Two children followed, Vicki and then Mark. Dad’s love of tennis led him to be instrumental in talking the city into building the tennis courts on Fauntleroy Avenue below what is now the Solstice Park. This has led to a large group of tennis players who regularly still play to this day. There is even a Leon’s Bench at the tennis courts that celebrates his active participation. Leon’s regular routine was swimming at the YMCA, followed by coffee and political conversation with the regulars at Thriftway, home for breakfast, then hop on his bike down to a rousing tennis match with his friends. Dad kept this up into his middle 80’s.
Leon and Elaine spent 50 years living in their custom-built home near the top of Tillicum Rd in Fauntleroy until the day it became too difficult to take care of. They sold the house and then moved on to Bridge Park Senior Living in High Point until just before Christmas of 2019, when Dad’s health started to decline. Leon loved riding his electric scooter across the street to the bee hives at the new High Point Commons Park to read his books on American history. Elaine continues to live in the Adult Family Home in Olympia where she enjoys walking the gardens around the home and sitting with a good book in her lap.
Leon is survived by his wife Elaine; daughter Vicki in Sandpoint, Idaho; and son Mark, living across the
Sound near Shelton. He has 2 granddaughters, one grandson, and 3 great-grandchildren.We hope to have a Leon Harman Memorial Tennis Match this summer when conditions hopefully improve. Leon’s one unfulfilled wish that he hoped to stay alive for was to see Trump leave office and Elizabeth Warren replace him.
We miss you, Poppa.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
So that as many students as possible can take part in remote learning, Seattle Public Schools is working to get laptops to those who need them. We were asked to share this message sent out by West Seattle High School principal Brian Vance:
We are continuing to work toward making sure that all students have the technology they need in order to access continued learning.
This week we are expanding distribution to any high-school student in need of a device to access remote learning. If you have a device that is working for your current needs, that is great. We will eventually get to a 1:1 distribution, but again, we have limited supplies and want to make sure students in need have access first. There have been a few folks indicating that they are trying to share with parents or siblings. If that is impacting your ability to access remote learning, please consider yourself in need. If you are in need of a device right now, please plan on coming by West Seattle High School, Wednesday or Thursday between 3 pm and 6 pm. Please bring student ID and/or your student ID#.
A baleen whale has been making its way slowly northbound along West Seattle’s west-facing shores. The person who texted us from The Arroyos said it looks like a gray; now it’s off Point Williams in Lincoln Park, where Kersti Muul says that’s just been confirmed. If you’re near, or north of, there, be on the lookout!
Highland Park Improvement Club continues to offer free lunches to kids and families five days a week, 11 am-1 pm – and today they had guest chefs! Mark (background) and Paolo (foreground) from the Greenwood restaurant Opus Co. live in West Seattle and wanted to cook for neighbors – and when they found out about HPIC’s lunch program (powered by volunteers and donors, as explained on the HPIC website), it was a perfect match. They’re hoping to make lunch one day a week but haven’t finalized a schedule yet. Today’s menu was grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, with chickpea salad and carrot cake.
Many big spring/summer events have beeb canceled because of the pandemic, but some have gone online, and the next example is coming up this Saturday, when the YMCA of Greater Seattle (parent of longtime WSB sponsor West Seattle & Fauntleroy Y) presents an online edition of Healthy Kids Day! Here’s the announcement:
Healthy Kids Day is the YMCA of Greater Seattle’s annual fun and free day dedicated to encouraging healthy habits in kids and their families heading into the summer months. This year, Healthy Kids Day will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2020, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and feature an at-home Virtual Scavenger Hunt, a live family bootcamp class, and an exciting live scavenger hunt award ceremony hosted by a Y District Executive.
Yes, there are prizes! For families that participate, you will be entered to win a free week of camp, Ybucks to spend on great YMCA programs, a family personal-training session, and more.
Event Schedule
9:30 am Live Family Bootcamp Fitness Class on Facebook
10:00 am to 12:00 pm – Scavenger Hunt via the GooseChase App
12:00 pm – Live announcement of Scavenger Hunt winners on FacebookHow the Scavenger Hunt Works
Before the event, download the GooseChase App so you’re ready to go on Saturday morning! It’s free.
Scavenger missions may include:
-Safety Around Water activities
-Active family challenges
-Playing family favorite board games
-Making healthy snacks
-Engaging the entire neighborhood by making sidewalk obstacle courses
-Shoutouts to favorite Y staffMake sure to look your quarantined best as many tasks will include photos and videos. And remember, participating families will be entered to win prizes announced in our live video after the hunt ends.
This is all happening 9:30 am-12:30 pm on Saturday – go here to find out how to be part of it.
(Emailed photo, Monday evening)
As promised, we followed up this morning on the search that led to an arrest in High Point Monday evening. Turns out the 27-year-old suspect was arrested in connection with an incident we reported a week and a half ago, in which a woman was beaten and robbed in her car – here’s our April 17th report. SPD spokesperson Det. Mark Jamieson tells WSB that investigators subsequently identified the suspect and put out a bulletin for officers to watch for him. Two patrol officers spotted him yesterday; he took off, and that’s what led to the search and arrest. He is now in the King County Jail, held for investigation of robbery and assault. Court records show the suspect’s criminal history includes convictions for theft, burglary, and assault.
Though Governor Inslee announced Monday that golfing would be allowed again – along with some other outdoor recreation – starting May 5, that doesn’t automatically mean West Seattle and other city golf courses will reopen. We followed up with the city – where golf courses are closed by order of the mayor – and got a response this morning: “At this time, City golf courses are still closed. The City will utilize the Governor’s order to consider changes to current restrictions, but we have nothing to announce at this time.” Meantime, the detailed rules for golfing are spelled out in this state document (starting at page 5) and include, notably, beyond what was mentioned Monday, “At the golf course’s discretion, foursomes are allowed if they are from the same household. Otherwise, no more than two players from separate households per tee time.”
That’s a reminder that education isn’t just about minds … it’s also about hearts. Even if you have absolutely no connection to Louisa Boren STEM K-8, you might be charmed by that video its staff put together with greetings for the students they miss. (We were!) Thanks to Julia for suggesting we publish this “so all the kids will see it.”
5:53 AM: 36th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. Here are the cameras for the restricted-access low bridge and the 5-way intersection west of it (just repaved):
For general traffic, the main route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map). To get to I-5, exit at Michigan. Here are cameras for the bridge and Michigan east of it:
You can also cross the Duwamish River via the South Park Bridge (map), which puts you on East Marginal Way about a mile south of where the other bridge does. Here’s the South Park camera:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if a bridge is opening for marine traffic.
TRANSIT ALERTS: Metro’s reduced schedule is in effect – details here. Also, bus capacity is now restricted … The Water Taxi continues its reduced (and shuttle-less) schedule.
OTHER LINKS
SDOT’s traffic map, with cameras
Our traffic-cams page
Let us know what you’re seeing – comment, or text (not if you’re at the wheel!) 206-293-6302.
First construction, now recreation. The governor’s second “reopening” announcement tops tonight’s roundup:
SOME STATE SITES REOPENING FOR RECREATION: Gov. Inslee still won’t say if he’s extending the stay-home order past May 4th, but today he did say one thing will be different starting May 5th: Some state parks will reopen, and some outdoor recreation. Two slides:
Here’s our coverage, with video. P.S. We asked the city if the governor’s inclusion of golf would mean West Seattle and other city courses will reopen. No reply.
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Seattle-King County Public Health data dashboard:
*5,990 people have tested positive, up 78 from yesterday
*416 people have died, up 9 from yesterday
One week ago, the totals were 5,293 and 360.
ANOTHER LOCAL DEATH: One of those newly counted deaths was in West Seattle. According to the data dashboard’s zip-code tracking, 98126 now has 6 deaths (we check all five zip codes daily, and it was 5 yesterday); 98146 remains at 3, 98106 at 2, 98136 at 1, 98116 at 0.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.
DELIVERY-CUT CAP RATIFIED: Today the City Council ratified the emergency order, inspired by a West Seattle Chamber of Commerce letter, capping the percentage that food-delivery services can take; here’s the statement from West Seattle-residing Council President Lorena González.
FREE FOOD: If you’re in need, here’s a chance to get help on Wednesday.
TROUBLE PAYING YOUR INTERNET BILL? Comcast sent a news release saying it’s extending temporary policies into the summer such as:
No Disconnects and Waiving Late Fees: We will not disconnect a customer’s Xfinity Internet, Xfinity Mobile, or Xfinity Voice service, and we will waive late fees if they contact us and let us know that they can’t pay their bills during this period. Our care teams are available to offer flexible payment options or help find other solutions.
Xfinity WiFi Free for Everyone: Xfinity WiFi hotspots in business and outdoor locations across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi.
SIGNS OF SUPPORT: Did you see SFD and SPD out during Friday Night Lights last week? If your neighborhood got a visit from Engine 36, you might have seen the signs these kids made:
They’re featured at the end of this SFD post, which explains their dad is firefighter Brian Friske of North Delridge’s Station 36, and they made the signs for Engine 36 to display. (No word yet if FNL will continue this Friday.)
GOT INFO? PHOTOS? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
(WSB photo: South Park Bridge just before its June 2014 opening)
The West Seattle Bridge closure isn’t just a West Seattle problem. That point’s been made far and wide already, but you probably haven’t heard it yet from this viewpoint – that of your neighbors in South Park, whose bridge (just six years old) is now one of two main alternatives for crossing the Duwamish River. The already-increased traffic has led to this letter to the city from a coalition of South Park community organizations, which we’re publishing with permission:
Dear Mayor Durkan, Councilmember Herbold & Director Zimbabwe,
The community of South Park is extremely concerned about the long term or permanent closure of the West Seattle Bridge and the potential for the lower Spokane St. bridge to also be shut down. We recognize that this closure will impact neighborhoods across West Seattle and within the Duwamish Valley. Our neighborhood is being promoted as a detour for the 100,000 drivers seeking an alternate route. During this time of reduced traffic, we are already seeing an increase in vehicle traffic, speeding and neighborhood cut-throughs. Residents of South Park have extremely poor health outcomes when compared to other neighborhoods. Our neighbors and children have high rates of asthma which has proven to reduce our life expectancy. Years of increased traffic will only perpetuate this inequity. We live in a valley that naturally traps pollution. Everything must be done to prevent additional pollution from coming here. Historically, our community has been disenfranchised and underserved by City and County services. We must have a voice in developing solutions to this long-term problem.
Our community members have raised the following concerns:
● Speeding and increased traffic in the neighborhood (Cloverdale, 14th & Dallas Ave S.)
○ Concerns about the safety of children crossing Cloverdale to get to school, the library, the community center etc.
○ Concerns about vehicles “whipping” onto Dallas Ave S. after crossing the bridge endangering pedestrians and cyclists (Dallas leads to the Duwamish Trail – a safe cycling route to downtown).
○ The increasing traffic back-up at the intersection of 5th & Cloverdale
● Increased pollution due to the increase in traffic
● The need to mitigate the impact on the already slow and often delayed 132 & 60 bus serviceWe would like to put forth the following recommendations:
● Transfer car trips from the West Seattle Bridge to transit, bike and walking trips to reduce pollution.
● Increase access to bus service. If West Seattle buses are rerouted to the First Ave or South Park bridges, some portion need to stop in South Park to provide us with better, faster bus service if we are to bear the brunt of the impacts of additional buses here. We also recommend the use of electric busses to reduce pollution.
● Safe pedestrian crossings
○ Lights for crossing at 10 or 12th & Cloverdale.
■ High-density new construction coming online in 2020 will bring even more neighbors to this area.○ A light or highly visible crosswalk where Dallas Ave S. and the bridge meet to increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
○ A light or four-way stop on Dallas Ave S. near RAM Mounts at Thistle/Dallas/12th streets. Traffic cutting through the industrial area from Marginal Way has led to cars speeding down a residential street that already has a dangerous 4-way stop. We appreciate the Your Voice Your Choice intervention at this intersection, but it will not be enough to prevent accidents with increased traffic.
○ Crossing guards at 8th & 7th & Cloverdale for school children.
○ Improvements at 14th & Henderson.
● Improved Bike Connections
○ Protected bike lanes on the 1st Ave to downtown corridor are especially essential if the low bridge closure were to cut off access from the Duwamish Trail to downtown. A protected crossing across East Marginal from (and to) the First Ave Bridge is immediately needed for this bike route. More people will be biking and this connection is crucial.○ Continue the funding, planning, and development of the Georgetown – South Park trail project
● Detours should keep traffic on major thoroughfares
○ Police should do consistent traffic stops to address speedingWe look forward to collaborating with SDOT and our West Seattle and Duwamish Valley community to develop solutions to this crisis.
n Community,
South Park Neighborhood Association – Aley Thompson & Robin Schwartz
Concord Elementary Parent Teacher Association – Robin Schwartz & Gladis Clemente
Concord Elementary School – Miguel Sansalone & Cesar Roman
Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition – Paulina Lopez
Duwamish Rowing Club – Mike Merta
Duwamish Valley Affordable Housing Coalition – Maria Ramirez, Robin Schwartz & Analia Bertoni
Duwamish Valley Safe Streets – Jesse Moore & Peaches Thomas
Duwamish Valley Youth Corps – Carmen Martinez
Duwamish Valley Port Community Action Team – Bunthay Cheam, Edwin Hermandez, Maggie Angel Cano & Hannah Kett
ECOSS – Cluny McCaffrey
Seattle Neighborhood Group – Jake Hellenkamp & Dennis Diaz
Somali Parents Education Board – Muna Hussein
South Park Area Redevelopment Committee – Meredith Hall, Bill Pease & Aley Thompson
South Park Arts – Jen Nye, Wendy Woldenberg & Bill Pease
South Park Merchants Association – Rocio Arriaga
South Park Senior Center – Dagmar Cronn & Dat Giap
Villa Comunitaria – Analia Bertoni
Side note: The South Park Bridge is owned and operated by King County, though most of the rest of South Park is part of the city of Seattle.
(Texted photo)
5:53 PM: A police search is under way in High Point, centered at 32nd and Juneau but stretching for blocks around. We don’t know yet what led to the search but they’re seeking a suspect who might be armed. More as we get it.
5:56 PM: Cross-referencing a case number heard in police-radio communication, the suspect they’re seeking might be linked to a robbery in the area a week and a half ago.
(Emailed photo)
6:17 PM: According to radio communication, the suspect is in custody. Police are calling SFD for medical assistance for a dog bite.
(Photo courtesy Jean Johnson Productions)
They did it at their Issaquah campus, and next, it’s West Seattle. Eastridge Church is partnering with Convoy of Hope to offer free food and household supplies to ~300 families – first come, first served – this Wednesday (April 29th). Here’s the announcement:
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Eastridge Church will provide free non-perishable groceries and household supplies to about 300 families in West Seattle on Wednesday, April 29, from 1-5 p.m. (while supplies last) at their West Seattle location, 4500 39th Ave. SW. The pre-packed bags include about 70 pounds of food and supplies and will be distributed one per car.
Steve Jamison, lead pastor of Eastridge Church states, “We are thankful to partner with Convoy of Hope to provide assistance to families from our area who can use some help in this time of need.”
Convoy of Hope is a faith-based disaster relief organization with a driving passion to feed the world through children’s feeding initiatives, community outreaches, and disaster response.
Eastridge will practice safe distancing protocols through a drive-through distribution method. Drivers will be asked to open their trunk (no need to leave their car) and volunteers will load the supplies of pre-packed bags, while supplies last.
Hal Donaldson, president of Convoy of Hope, shares that, “this is a united act of compassion. We’re seeing so many groups link arms to help people get through this crisis. In some respects, kindness is a medicine that many Americans need right now, and we’re seeing it being given out across the nation.”
For more information, contact Eastridge Church at 425-270-6300.
Eastridge is the church known for its turkey-and-groceries giveaways before Thanksgiving each year.
2:36 PM: Click into the video window for Governor Inslee‘s media briefing, with guests from state Parks, Public Lands, and Fish and Wildlife. We’ll update as it goes.
He says he’s announcing a “partial reopening of outdoor recreation” starting on May 5th.
-day use of state parks
-day use of public lands
-day use of state fish and wildlife areas
“Any additional relaxing” would depend on “data and compliance,” he says, and warns “this is not a return to normal.” He says it’s about “data, not dates.” Team sports, events, camping, gatherings are NOT resuming, he stresses. He also urges people to continue to limit travel,”not make overnight trips” to recreation areas. He says golf will be OK if you’re playing with one other non-related person.
Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz speaks next, saying she’s hopeful this is a “first step toward normalcy,” but urging visitors to bring their own sanitizer, masks, etc., and to continue practicing distancing.
The next guest, Fish and Wildlife director Kelly Susewind, says most – but not all – hunting and fishing seasons will open (but not Areas 1-4 yet). He reiterates that there’ll be no camping – “stick with day trips.”
It’s also noted that not all state parks will reopen – coastal parks, for example.
2:56 PM: The governor didn’t say anything about extending the stay-home order (which expires in a week), so that’s the first question he’s asked. “We are a long ways from the end of this virus, and we are going to have to maintain plenty of restrictions after May 4th,” he said, without a “yes” or “no” answer, but saying he’ll have more to say within a few days.
He’s asked what data told him it’s OK to partially reopen recreation, and he launched into a variety off stats, good and not-so-good. “We are SO far from being able to turn this off like a light switch,” he warns. He also says the state is still far short of the testing capability he would like to have, though he says he received a federal assuurance that more we would be on the way within a few weeks.
What about elective surgery, which he had recently mentioned as something else that might reopen soon? “We are trying to come up with a protocol” to allow them without taking away from PPE that’s needed by those working on the most urgent health-care needs. “We’re still talking with stakeholders.”
What about haircutters? The governor gives a fairly nonspecific answer – that all depends “when we drive this [infection] number down small enough” that contact tracing and isolation are possible, how much social distancing will be possible, what protocols can be developed.
3:13 PM: The governor is asked why he can’t share specific benchmarks he’s looking at for decisions on reopening more of the state. “Going forward, we’re going to be looking at opening several more industries,” he says without naming them, saying “multiple metrics” are involved – not just the infection rate, but also the health-care system’s status, the testing/tracing capabilities – “you have to consider all those together.” The next questioner asks him for specific numbers. “There’s no one number,” Inslee reiterates, but mentions some such as the number of tests that come back positive, which he says is now close to 8 percent but needs to be lower. “It is not enough for our health and our safety to just eliminate social distancing” – contact tracing and isolation of people exposed, and their families, will be needed for a long time, he says.
The briefing ends at 3:25 pm. As always, the video should be available for playback soon in the same window above, and we will add links to whatever the governor’s office posts to spell out today’s announcements. (Added: Here’s a link.)
Three years after we first mentioned Seattle Public Utilities‘ Longfellow Creek Natural Drainage System project – to get polluted stormwater runoff out of the creek – it’s reached a design milestone, and an online open house is ready for your feedback. It’s not just about the creek, SPU says, but also includes a “partnership with SDOT to include pedestrian improvements near the NDS project sites,” which are focused at Sylvan/Orchard, 24th/Kenyon, and further south along 24th. Check out the online open house here; they’re looking for feedback by May 15th.
Today we’re welcoming Seattle E-Bike as a new WSB sponsor. New sponsors are offered the opportunity to tell you about their businesses, and here’s what Seattle E-Bike would like you to know:
Owner Brian Nordwall and Manager Alex Dunn both live in West Seattle,
so they understand the nightmarish commutes that are ahead. They sell e-bikes that average from 20 mph to 28 mph if pedaled at the highest assist settings. Just pedal over the Low Bridge bikeway, and you can make it from the Junction to Downtown in 25 minutes, 4 to 6 times faster than the experts estimate it will take by car once the lockdown is completely over. 
Seattle E-Bike will also deliver your bike to you for free, if you live in West Seattle, for now, during regular business hours. Once things slow to a crawl, they plan on having late-night deliveries, once a week.
NEWSFLASH: Seattle E-Bike has been having the biggest sale in its history. It ends April 30th. 12% off. Never before, never again. Come in or call in a non-refundable 30% deposit by April 30 to lock in those unprecedented savings.
There is more! As long as the high bridge remains closed – which SDOT says is at least until 2022 – anyone from West Seattle or White Center making a $2500 purchase will receive, absolutely free, the only Bike Helmet designed for E-Bike riders, rated at 25 mph, while all other helmets are rated to 15 mph. Regularly $149.99; for us, $0.00 with qualifying purchase.
Seattle E-Bike has a tremendous selection. While the traffic is still light, Alex and Brian invite you to stop in, and test-ride any E-Bike you think you want to purchase. To increase E-Bike utility, Seattle E-Bike sells a wide variety of bags that attach to bikes, as well as trailers to carry children, dogs, or cargo. You will quickly understand why everyone loves their E-Bike, and why hundreds of their customers have sold at least one of their cars.
Seattle E-Bike is at 220 S. Jackson, and online at electricbikeseattle.com.
We thank Seattle E-Bike 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.
Two more business updates this morning:
ORIGINAL BAKERY: Thanks for the tips from readers who noticed the window installation (right side of photo) and wondered if that meant the beloved Fauntleroy bakery (9253 45th SW) is reopening. We sent an email inquiry and learned they’re working on it! No projected date yet, though, but they promise an update when there’s a plan.
PAPER BOAT BOOKSELLERS: The independent bookstore in Morgan Junction has sent an update:
We’d like to thank our community for their continued support of the bookstore during this difficult time – whether you’ve bought books online, sent us an email with encouraging words or even dropped us a note through our mail slot – thank you!!
While the storefront remains closed, we are working inside Monday-Friday, filling online orders and answering any questions via email. We have suspended in-store/ curbside pick up for the time being, at least until the stay at home directive is lifted; however, we are shipping books out using USPS media mail or UPS Ground. We are happy to give recommendations and put together book and activity bundles for you – just email us and we can get an order ready to ship out same day if we have it in stock!
We have decided to take the weekends off to be with our family and get the kids caught up on schoolwork-and with that, we give huge praise to our teachers because helping the kids with schoolwork is not an easy task!
We are committed in doing our part to keep our family, employees, and customers healthy and safe and know that when we get the ok to reopen it will be a slow process – we don’t imagine that we will be opening our doors to welcome book browsing anytime soon, but we do hope to have our employees with us again and see some actual faces while picking up books -it’s all up in the air from here and like so many, we are doing our best and trying to stay as positive!
Our online store is up and running 24/7 and we will answer any questions you may have through email – info@paperboatbooksellers.com – (we are not answering the phone at this time, so please email us with your questions).
We are still having Family Reading Time every Saturday morning at 11:00 through Zoom – we have been doing this for the past 3 weeks and it is a joy to see all the kid’s faces-a small feeling of normalcy and comfort during this chaotic time! Thank you, thank you West Seattle! We love our community and can’t wait to see you all again!
The shop is at 6040 California SW.
Thanks for the tips. We’re just back from 1st/Kenyon, in the southeast West Seattle industrial area fronting on Highway 509, where there was a briefly sizable Seattle Fire response. As shown in our photo, a trailer burned on the east side of 1st. Firefighters told us no one was hurt; the cause is under investigation.
Thanks to Don Brubeck (above) and James Tilley (below) for the photos of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) seen off West Seattle as it headed northbound this morning.
James says the larger of those two flags was unfurled while he was photographing the ship. The Bremerton-homeported Nimitz has been back for just over two months. The Kitsap Sun reported last week that the Navy had said its entire crew would be tested for COVID-19 before the carrier’s next departure.
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