day : 08/06/2020 12 results

The District 1 Community Network‘s June meeting was, like many local meetings this spring, mostly about the West Seattle Bridge. Here are our toplines from the meeting held by videoconference and phone last week:

SDOT’S BRIDGE UPDATE: The department’s new communications director Michael Harold, a Morgan Junction resident, recapped his first day on the job – arriving at work March 23rd to learn his new place of employment was about to announce the West Seattle Bridge would be shut down TFN. Now, the department remains in extensive data-gathering mode: “This is not a thing where you can make guesses,” he said, in explaining why that’s necessary before a decision on what’s next. They’re pursuing multiple paths in the meantime – stabilization among them, and as we reported the day before the D1CN meeting, the search for a team to “design a potential replacement.” Harold again stressed that the potential 10-year contract is because “there is a scenario in which” they might fix the bridge but only get 10 more years out of it so they’d have to be working on replacement. He added that “we are considering many options … the goal is to get people back across the water as quickly and efficiently as we can do it.”

NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MITIGATION: Danielle Friedman from the Department of Neighborhoods talked about the neighborhoods affected by the detour traffic, and said four would be engaged in prioritization plans:

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CORONAVIRUS: Monday 6/8 roundup

June 8, 2020 9:49 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Tonight’s headlines in the virus crisis:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily-summary dashboard:

*8,507 people have tested positive, up 42 from yesterday (out of 2,427 more tests)

*567 people have died, up 1 since yesterday (and the previous day)

One week ago, those totals were 8,192 and 557.

ONE MORE LOCAL DEATH … in the 98106 zip code. The local zip-code totals are now:

98106 – 3
98116 – 2
98126 – 13
98136 – 1
98146 – 6

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

WEAR YOUR MASK AT WORK: A reminder from the state Health Department:

Beginning today, all employees in the state are required to wear a cloth facial covering, except when working alone in an office, vehicle, or at a job site, or when the job has no in-person interaction. Employers must provide cloth facial coverings to employees, unless their exposure dictates a higher level of protection under the Department of Labor and Industries’ safety and health rules and guidance. Employees may choose to wear their own facial coverings at work, provided it meets the minimum requirements. Which Mask for Which Task guidance was issued today by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

PROTESTED? GET TESTED: The message was re-stated today by state Secretary of Health John Wiesman, during the governor’s afternoon media briefing. Don’t wait for symptoms, as that could take up to two weeks. (Reminder – anyone can access testing at the drive-up site in West Seattle, 10 am-3 pm Fridays at South Seattle College [WSB sponsor] – info here.)

MORE BUSINESSES REOPEN: We’re continuing to post announcements, archived in this coverage category.

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

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FRIDAY: Rainbow Truth or Dare with the Senior Center of West Seattle

June 8, 2020 8:27 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

This Friday, you’re invited! From the Senior Center of West Seattle:

Rainbow Truth or Dare Pajama Party with the Senior Center

Join the Senior Center in your pajamas from the comfort of your living room couch for a live streamed game of Truth or Dare with Sylvia O’Stayformore on Friday, June 12, from 7-8 p.m. There will be prizes for the teams that raise the most money, plus fun options for food and drinks, including the Senior Center’s wildly popular rainbow Jell-O shots!

Every dollar raised will support the Senior Center’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, which is providing meals, groceries, social worker outreach and other essential services to West Seattle seniors.

Friday, June 12
7-8 p.m.
Virtual (link will be sent to registered participants)

$20 suggested donation to participate. Sign up here.

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PROTEST: Student-organized rally at West Seattle High School

June 8, 2020 6:00 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle protests

Protests and rallies continue, keeping the spotlight – and pressure – on, in hopes of inspiring true change. Today, West Seattle High School student Deija Lewis (above) rallied some of her schoolmates to call for “a better future,” including “restorative justice at every school.”

The students listened to speakers. And they drew support from educators:

In opening remarks, Deija embraced the goal of working toward a future “without discrimination and hatred.”

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REOPENING: Wyatt’s Jewelers; Curious Kidstuff; Northwest Art and Frame

June 8, 2020 4:42 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

As we’ve been reporting, the “modified Phase 1” approval last Friday has meant more businesses can reopen for in-person service. Here are announcements we’ve received from three West Seattle retailers:

WYATT’S JEWELERS (Westwood Village): This longtime WSB sponsor plans to reopen tomorrow (Tuesday, June 9th) and proprietor Lauren says the shop will be open “normal business hours Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10-6. We’ve done all of our sanitizing and installed everything we need to for COVID guidelines as well as the safety and well-being of our staff and customers. For the first week we are open, we will be donating 10% of everything purchased to the food bank as a way of helping the community. Can’t wait!”

CURIOUS KIDSTUFF (4740 California SW): West Seattle’s only toy store has reopened. Proprietor Elisabeth says, “Curious Kidstuff reopened (over the weekend) with limited hours and observing all the state regulations. We will be open 7 days a week from 10 am-4 pm. We also have curbside pickup or you can order on our website for those who would prefer not to come in at this time.”

NORTHWEST ART AND FRAME (4733 California SW): Manager Jason says the Junction shop reopened Sunday “with reduced hours starting out. We’ll be open Mon-Sat: 9:30 am-6:00 pm and Sun 11:00 am-6:00. We’ll see how the first week or two goes and then probably adjust back to our normal Mon-Fri: 9:30 am-9 pm.”

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VIDEO: Seattle Fire, Airlift Northwest’s first helicopter drill at Alki Playfield

June 8, 2020 2:32 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Health | Helicopter | West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

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A post shared by West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) on Jun 8, 2020 at 2:17pm PDT

2:32 PM: As previewed – the Seattle Fire/Airlift NW drill is under way at Alki Playfield, first of 4 drills in West Seattle this week.

2:41 PM: The helicopter has lifted off. Next drill, 2 pm tomorrow at Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point. Viewing was OK today *around the edges of the field* so it should be tomorrow too.

ADDED 5:31 PM: More details, photos, and video:

Airlift Northwest (corrected) has a base in Bremerton – its helicopter can get here in as little as six minutes and carries trauma nurses as well as blood and plasma.

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

SFD plans to use the four drills – continuing 2 pm Tuesday and Thursday at Walt Hundley, back at Alki 2 pm Wednesday – for different local SFD crews to practice a helicopter transfer. Deputy Chief Ron Mondragon talked about it after today’s drill:

The helicopter was on the ground less than half an hour (longer, though, than it would have taken for an actual patient transfer).

SFD stresses that this kind of transport is expected to be rare – if it’s required at all – but they need to be ready just in case.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Hit-run rampage trashes neighborhood

June 8, 2020 1:33 pm

| 27 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

1:33 PM: The images are from William, one of several people who have emailed about this early-morning hit-run rampage:

At 3:30am today someone driving a Hummer H3 decided it would be a good idea to turn off Hinds onto 37TH AVE SW, and take out just about every single recycling/trash/yard bin with his vehicle between HINDS and HANFORD (just the one block). Scared the heck out of many of my sleeping neighbors. The person purposefully missed all cars, and any bins surrounded by cars were skipped.

Here’s some of the aftermath:

Lenora said the driver appeared to be a woman, and included these details:

It’s clear that one waste can must have been caught under the car’s bumper as it was flattened. It was the noise of it being dragged up the pavement that awakened us all. We saw the driver get out of her car, on Hanford, and assess the damage about three blocks west of here. She drove away before we could get close enough to get license plate info.

I understand that there were reports that some neighbors on 37th had cans that were hit as well. Our Hanford neighbors reported this information to the police.

We don’t have the report # yet but expect to add a bit more to this later.

ADDED 3:26 PM: The report # is 20-183602. You can hear – and see the end of – the driver’s rampage at the end of this clip forwarded by Lenora:

MONDAY NIGHT NOTE: Neighbors discussing this further and comparing notes tell us the woman who got out of her car to “assess the damage” was NOT the driver who DID the damage.

TUESDAY MORNING NOTE: We’ve heard from a West Seattleite who happens to drive a black H3 with front-end damage inflicted in a crash last week (see photo in our comment below) and is NOT the driver in this crash, which he heard about when a buddy called him yesterday about this story.

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MYSTERY: Box of lost or stolen laptops found in Westwood

June 8, 2020 12:50 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | Westwood

That photo is courtesy of Daystar Retirement Village (WSB sponsor), whose maintenance director found “a box hidden on our property with about ten laptops with cords and all of the same brand (Dell). A few appear to have kids’ names and some have stickers on them.” They’ve tried contacting police but in the meantime, if you know of anyone missing something like this, through theft or other circumstances, please contact Daystar (which is just east of Roxhill Park, across Barton from Westwood Village).

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LOCAL PROTESTS, UPDATED: ‘Take a Knee’ at multiple locations tonight; family rally on Delridge & White Center march Wednesday

June 8, 2020 12:07 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle protests | White Center

(WSB photo from Saturday)

12:07 PM: Two days after Saturday’s huge demonstration in the West Seattle Junction, protests against racism, for justice and equity, continue around the city, region, and nation. For everyone asking what else s ahead, we have word of two more this week.

TONIGHT: ‘Take a Knee for Justice’ is something you are invited to do at 8 pm outside yuur own home – or, outside Alki UCC, which just sent this announcement:

Alki United Church of Christ invites you to a vigil tonight, June 8, to “Take a Knee for Justice,” part of the worldwide peaceful demonstration of support for people of color who have sustained systemic injustice for far too long.

At 7:50 pm, we gather at outside at 6115 SW Hinds in West Seattle; the church bells will be rung promptly at 8:00 and 8:08 pm.

For those who choose not to kneel, bring a lawn chair to sit on, or stand by/sit in your vehicle. Please maintain social distancing and wear face masks. Questions/information: office@alkiucc.org

ADDED 3:45 PM: Two more churches have let us know they are participating: Tibbetts UMC (3940 41st SW; WSB sponsor) is gathering outside at 7:45, kneeling at 8. Also Fauntleroy UCC Church (9140 California SW): “Park in the church lot and be sure to wear a mask. We’ll social distance along the sidewalk. Bring a folding chair if you cannot kneel or simply stand in support of a bias-free society.” (One more addition: Per comments, Admiral Church, 4320 SW Hill.)

UPDATED 4:04 PM – 2 ON WEDNESDAY: At noon, a family rally outside Louisa Boren STEM K-8 (5950 Delridge Way SW), “to proclaim that Black Lives Matter.” You’re asked to wear masks and spread out along the sidewalk.

Also Wednesday, the Community March for Black Lives is planned, starting at Greenbridge Plaza:

People of White Center, we stand together in solidarity to fight for justice for our black brothers and sisters.

-We will gather at Greenbridge Plaza at 4 pm
-Hear from community members and leaders
-Begin Peaceful March towards 16th AVE at 5 pm .

Please bring your face mask.

The plaza is on 8th SW just south of SW Roxbury.

Anything else coming up in West Seattle, White Center, South Park this week? Please let us know so we can add it to the list – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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HAPPENING ONLINE: Bidding begins for Fauntleroy Children’s Center auction

June 8, 2020 10:49 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

In these past few pandemic months, many local school fundraisers have gone online, since their usual in-person events couldn’t be held. The season’s not over yet – here’s an invitation from supporters of the nonprofit Fauntleroy Children’s Center:

The Fauntleroy Children’s Center 33rd Annual Auction is going on now online! Now until midnight on Sunday, June 14th we are excited to extend to our Greater West Seattle Community the opportunity to bid on over 200 fun items and experiences all while supporting FCC. Click on our online auction link to sign-up, browse the catalogue, and bid high (and often!).

The goal of our fundraiser is to fill FCC’s annual budget gap which funds: tuition assistance for families in need; continuing education classes for staff members to stay up-to-date on new research and practices in early childhood development; as well as classroom materials, field trips and toys for outside play. We are also putting out a call for direct donations (tax deductible) which will all go towards supporting teacher pay during the COVID-19 crisis.

For additional information, please visit the Fauntleroy Children’s Center website or email the FCC auction committee at auction@fauntleroychildrenscenter.org.

Fauntleroy Children’s Center is a nationally accredited nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the community and families of the greater West Seattle area since 1977 by offering high quality childcare in an educational environment.

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OPEN AGAIN: Fitness Together-West Seattle

June 8, 2020 10:07 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Continuing to announce business reopenings: The “modified Phase 1” approval includes indoor one-on-one fitness instruction. So longtime WSB sponsor Fitness Together-West Seattle is open again for personal training, starting today. Owner Bonnie Katz Sailors tells WSB, “We have safety protocols in place for in-person training and we are still offering virtual training for those who prefer that.” The FT studio is in The Junction, at 4546 California SW.

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ROAD WORK/TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday notes; 12th week of West Seattle Bridge closure

June 8, 2020 6:03 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning – the 77th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. As usual, we start with a road-work reminder – the Delridge Way repaving-and-more work is scheduled to start today; here’s our most-recent report.

Now on to checking the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:

The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – here’s that camera:

The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:

Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.

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

TRANSIT

Metro – Check the Twitter feed for any breaking service changes. Otherwise – still on the reduced schedule and reduced capacity; check here for next departure

Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues

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

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