West Seattle, Washington

16 Saturday

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month : 07/2020 314 results

About that black smoke to the east: Fire call in SODO
July 27, 2020 5:26 pm
|    Comments Off on About that black smoke to the east: Fire call in SODO
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

5:26 PM: Thanks for the tips and photos (the one above was sent by Garrett). Many questions about that big plume of black smoke visible looking east from West Seattle. It is from a fire call in SODO, 3800 block of 9th Avenue S. Not a huge callout – the address on the log checks to a commercial site [map], but the address on the log is not always accurate, so we are waiting to hear from SFD. (Radio communication so far has mentioned a “debris pile.”)

7:58 PM: SFD spokesperson Kristin Tinsley tells us that “this was a fire that involved a RV, a pick-up truck type camper (without the truck), a tent, and debris. Four adults were displaced. American Red Cross was notified. The cause is under investigation.”

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Hottest day of the year
July 27, 2020 4:29 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

4:29 PM: The 4 pm temperature at Sea-Tac hit 92 – and this is the hottest day of the year so far, first day in the 90s since a little over a year ago. The National Weather Service‘s Heat Advisory alert continues until 8 pm, and after that, things should start cooling a bit, and tomorrow shouldn’t get past the low 80s.

ADDED 5:06 PM: Now 93. (Dahlia photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

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ORCA TALK: The Whale Trail’s first online presentation Thursday
July 27, 2020 2:59 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online | Whales

(2002 photo by Mark Sears)

Just announced by The Whale Trail executive director Donna Sandstrom:

We’re hosting our first virtual Orca Talk! We think the world needs a hopeful story right now. What better story than Springer’s?

Springer (A73) is an orphaned orca who was spotted near Seattle in January 2002—lost, alone, and 300 miles away from home. Six months later she was rescued, rehabilitated, and returned to her pod. Today she is thriving, tending her two calves.It’s the first—and so far only—successful orca rehabilitation and reunion in history.

Please join us for a special Zoom presentation of Springer’s story, as told by members of her team. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion/Q&A. Panelists will include Bob Lohn, Joe Scordino, Kathy Fletcher, Suzie Hall (OrcaLab), and others. Prepare to be inspired!

What: Celebrate Springer 2020! Presentation and Q&A
When: Thursday, July 30th, 7 PM to 8:15 PM PST
Cost: Free! (Donations gladly accepted.)

Preregistration is required. Sign up here.

After registering, attendees will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Space is limited – sign up now!

(2018 photo by Caitlin Birdsall, OceanWise)

P.S. Springer, Spirit and Storm recently returned to Johnstone Strait and were filmed at the rubbing beaches by OrcaLab on Explore.org. Watch a clip here and live cameras here.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Junction mural restoration continues
July 27, 2020 1:25 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photo, August 2019)

Almost a year ago, we reported on the next West Seattle Junction mural to be restored, “Press Day,” on the north side of 4727 44h SW. This time, the process is different – this mural is on wooden panels that were removed so muralist Bob Henry could work on them. Today, he’s back to start re-hanging the restored panels.

(This photo & next, courtesy of West Seattle Junction Association)

First – scaffolding goes up. Then, the panels.

West Seattle Junction Association executive director Lora Radford tells WSB the process is expected to last all week. It’s one of the murals created ~30 years ago as a celebration of local history; restoration is funded by philanthropy, grants, and community contributions (the crowdfunding page is here).

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another gunfire-damaged car; stolen backpack to watch for
July 27, 2020 11:49 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Gatewood | West Seattle news

Two reports so far today:

ANOTHER CAR DAMAGED BY GUNFIRE: If you heard gunshots early Saturday in the Gatewood/Morgan Junction area – here’s what the police report we obtained today says it turned out to be:

(Saturday morning) I was dispatched to (the 7000 block of) California AV SW, unit to investigate the report of property damage in the form of bullet holes in (victim’s) vehicle that occurred overnight.

I contacted (the victim) in the alley behind his building (east of California AV SW) where his vehicle was parked, backed in to a parking spot perpendicular to the alley. It was immediately obvious that the front and hood of his vehicle was riddled with fresh bullet holes. (He) stated that he approaches his vehicle from behind so he noticed a large wet spot running away from his vehicle but did not notice anything was wrong until he attempted to start his vehicle and “a bunch of warning lights went off” and it would not start.

(We) located 8- spent 9mm Blazer brass shell casings scattered around the alleyway in front of (the) vehicle. We also located 8 separate bullet holes in the front bumper, grill, and hood of (the) vehicle. There were vehicles parked directly on both sides of the’s vehicle as well as in many other spots of the parking strip. None of the other had any damage to them. (The victim) stated that he had just bought the vehicle approximately a month ago and just moved into this apartment building approximately a week and a half prior and did not know of anyone in his personal or professional life that would do something like this. I agreed with that the incident did seem to be targeted toward him or at least his vehicle specifically. A check with SPD dispatch showed a shots fired call with multiple callers from the east of this address at approximately 0048 Hrs this morning (2020-222259). Officers responded and did not locate anything.

No indication whether it might be related to last week’s incidents; police said the weapon in those appeared to have been a shotgun.

STOLEN BACKPACK: Tina hopes you can help find her child’s backpack, stolen Sunday at Lowman Beach Park and containing some items of hers as well: “The backpack is black with Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog. We were at the beach just past all of the houses at the very end of the road.” If yu see an abandoned backpack like that, let us know and we’ll connect you.

P.S. Thanks to the person who found Linda‘s stolen documents and got them back to her after seeing the report here!

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE CLOSURE: Second stabilization platform in place
July 27, 2020 10:12 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE CLOSURE: Second stabilization platform in place
 |   West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

10:12 AM: As of early this morning, a second work platform is in place under the four-months-closed West Seattle Bridge. The first one went up a week ago; in a meeting Thursday, SDOT managers mentioned another one was set to be moved into place today, so we went out to check. It’s east of the first one, and it’s for crews with stabilization contractor Kraemer North America. As explained by SOOT here, “The platforms will allow the team to safely access the exterior of the bridge girders to work on measures intended to slow cracking – this includes wrapping sections with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (and) adding external post-tensioning tendons, and releasing the bearings at Pier 18.”

4:55 PM: SDOT points out in its announcement of today’s installation, the “two” platforms are actually four. Here’s how they’ll be used:

The work platforms will be under the bridge for at least 3 months while we do repair work, and then crews will repeat the same process to gently lower them down to barges waiting to receive them below.

SDOT is now entering the next phase of stabilization work. Over the next few months, crews will use the work platforms for bridge access to perform stabilization measures including:

First, we will inject epoxy to seal the cracks in order to protect the bridge’s skeleton of steal post-tensioning cables holding up the concrete.

We will wrap sensitive sections of the bridge with carbon fiber reinforced polymer to strengthen the bridge much like putting a cast on a broken bone.

Then we will install additional steel post-tensioning cables inside the hollow portion of the bridge to help hold up the bridge, like adding braces for extra support.

Next, we will repair the locked bearings at Pier 18 which are preventing the bridge from reacting to normal daily stresses as intended.

Finally, we will go back and install additional carbon fiber wrapping and post-tensioning cables for further strengthening and support.

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Remembering Barbara A. McGlothern, 1933-2020
July 27, 2020 8:59 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

In memory of Barbara A. McGlothern, her family and friends are sharing this remembrance with the community:

BARBARA ANN McGLOTHERN

Born January 26, 1933, in Michigan to David Hazlett and Dorothy (Ritchie) Hazlett. Passed peacefully July 20, 2020. Raised in Omak, and graduated with the Omak High School Class of 1951. Attended Western Washington University, where she met Richard McGlothern and wed in 1953.

Preceded in death by her parents David and Dorothy Hazlett, and her brother David Hazlett. Survived by children: Michael McGlothern and Aleece (Nokes) McGlothern, Cynthia McGlothern, Kerry (McGlothern) Casteel, Robert McGlothern and Jenny (Gwinn) McGlothern. Grandchildren: Matthew McGlothern, Jenny (McGlothern) Schild and Eric Schild, Katy (Casteel) Brown and Justin Brown, Tracy Casteel, Margaret McGlothern, and Simon McGlothern, and great-grandchildren: Blaire Brown, Benjamin Brown, and Bowie Schild.

Barbara was intelligent, thoughtful and had a great sense of humor. She loved her work at the University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, and retired from Washington State University Cooperative Extension. She enjoyed retirement, traveling to numerous countries, and volunteering with several organizations.

She had a passion for opera, reading, art, music, dogs, horses, and horse racing; sometimes she’d even
place a small bet! Her backyard was her oasis, where she loved to relax and read or visit with friends.
She always offered tea and a homemade treat.

She was woven into the fabric of her beloved West Seattle community. She was an active member of the Admiral Congregational United Church of Christ.

Our family would like to extend deep gratitude to those at Sunshine Care for their loving care and attention to our Mother in the last couple of years. She was loved by so many and will be missed dearly.

A virtual Memorial will be held August 8, 2020; for details, see Emmick Family Funeral Services at
www.emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Barbara-McGlothern

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Monday watch, 19th week of West Seattle Bridge closure
July 27, 2020 6:07 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: It’s Monday, the 126th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK/CLOSURES

*The Delridge RapidRide H Line project continues in three zones along Delridge Way – here’s what to expect this week.

*Another 1st Ave. S. Bridge northbound closure is scheduled tonight, 10 pm-5 am.

*Tomorrow, expect alternating one-lane traffic by the 1250 Alki SW project.

CHECK THE TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

Here’s the 5-way intersection camera (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Here’s the restricted-daytime-access (open to all 9 pm-5 am) low bridge:

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). The camera is back:

Going through South Park? Don’t speed.

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 – Still reduced service and distancing – details here.

Water Taxi – Back to its “winter” schedule, with the 773 and 775 shuttles – see the schedule here.

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

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CORONAVIRUS: Sunday 7/26 roundup
July 26, 2020 9:49 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Wrapping up the last weekend of July, here are tonight’s virus-crisis updates:

KING COUNTY’S NEWEST NUMBERS: First, the cumulative totals from the Public Health daily-summary dashboard:

*14,433 people have tested positive, up 178 from yesterday

*640 people have died, unchanged from yesterday

*1,891 people have been hospitalized, up 14 from yesterday

*271,301 people have been tested, up 562 from yesterday

One week ago, the totals were 13,159/632/1,803/242,860.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 16.2 million cases and more than 647,000 deaths – see the nation-by-nation breakdown here.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: The federally funded extra $600 is expiring, and what, if anything, will replace it isn’t clear yet, but Congress is supposed to work on it tomorrow.

FOOD FOR KIDS/TEENS: Seattle Public Schools continues meal distribution at its designated sites 11 am-1 pm weekdays, as well as distribution by bus – full details here.

GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!

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TUESDAY: Alki Avenue traffic alert
July 26, 2020 8:43 pm
|    Comments Off on TUESDAY: Alki Avenue traffic alert
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Photo sent by Stewart L.)

Heads up if you travel on Alki Avenue in the Duwamish Head area – the construction project at 1250 Alki SW has sent word of a traffic alert for Tuesday:

1250 Alki Ave will be placing its structural foundation on Tuesday, July 28th.

Starting early in the morning, all vehicular traffic within ¼ mile on either side of the project will be reduced to one, alternating lane.

Wait time should be minimal (less than 5 min) through the morning hours, but traffic typically increases around 10:00 AM, and could lead to a few additional minutes through the early afternoon.

SINGLE LANE CLOSURE OF ALKI AVE

Traffic control signage will be set up early on the morning of the 28th.

The Eastbound lane will be closed and all vehicular traffic (in both directions) will use the lane on the north side.

The North side lane will be controlled by a team of Uniformed Police officers and a traffic control team. They will use an alternating pattern to control vehicular traffic past the project.

Extended working hours

Concrete placement will begin between 5:45 – 6:00 AN. We anticipate the concrete placement will last approximately 8-9 hours and the completion will be around 6:00 PM.

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UPDATE: Junction crash takes out mailbox
July 26, 2020 7:07 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:07 PM: Avoid 42nd/Alaska for a while. SFD and SPD have responded to a crash; one car is up on the sidewalk by the Jefferson Square sign. The driver wasn’t hurt but knocked over the USPS mailbox. The scene will clear after the car’s towed.

7:29 PM: SFD has cleared from the scene but the traffic camera shows police are still directing traffic.

7:59 PM: Scene’s now clear.

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Imagine a West Seattle Bridge replacement partly built of wood
July 26, 2020 5:58 pm
|      60 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

With ~3 months to go until SDOT makes the “repair or replace?” decision about the West Seattle Bridge, there’s still time to suggest alternatives. This week, a Seattle architect is pitching one: a “mass timber” replacement bridge.

(Renderings by B+H Architects)

Matthias Olt is with B+H Architects. While his firm didn’t apply to be part of the official process to pick a consultant to work on a potential replacement, he says, “We think the bridge is such an iconic thing in Seattle, someone should be a voice at the table for design.”

It’s not just a design vision he’s pitching – it’s the material. Including Northwest-grown timber in the mix could make it an icon of sustainability, top, he says. And it would be lighter – as you might recall, part of the challenge posed by the construction of the current bridge is that most of its “load” is its own weight.

What Olt proposes is a hybrid bridge – part steel or carbon fiber, wrapped in wood, with concrete piers. The arches in the arch design would be made of steel. The hybrid material could be half the weight of concrete.

In our conversation, he explained that this also could be slightly less expensive than the traditional concrete construction, and would take up to 25 percent less time – the “mass timber” features, potentially comprising up to 25 percent of the bridge material, would be pre-fabricated at factories in the region (he says there’s at least two in our state) and shipped to the construction site. The use of regional material an builders would mean the project wouldn’t be dependent on, for example, steel from China.

“Mass timber” isn’t a new building material, Olt says – it’s been used in buildings as well as bridges. For examples of the latter, he mentions a few in Quebec, Canada – the Mistissini Bridge and Montmorency Forest Bridge. Also of note: B+H’s sister firm SMEC has major bridge-building expertise.

So what’s next for this idea? Olt says B+H has submitted a “comprehensive design-concept packet” (you can see it here) to the city, and they’re publicizing the idea – talking with us and others – in hopes of sparking some support early in the process. They’ve also started an online petition you can “sign” here if you’re interested in their concept.

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5 MORE DAYS: Answered the Reconnect West Seattle survey(s) yet?
July 26, 2020 4:18 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

While SDOT says they’re “thrilled” that more than 10,000 people have answered the Reconnect West Seattle mobility survey in the first week, that still leaves tens of thousands more voices to be heard, and Friday’s the deadline, both for the main survey, and for the “prioritization” lists of potential projects in four areas affected by detour traffic. So if you haven’t offered your opinions yet, this might be prime time, before the new week begins. Our original story is here; the main survey is here; the neighborhoo-prioritization surveys are here (Highland Park/Riverview/South Delridge/Roxhill), here (South Park), here (Georgetown), and here (SODO). Other languages? Go to the Reconnect West Seattle site. Paper ballots? Call 206-400-7511 or email westseattlebridge@seattle.gov. Just get it done by Friday (July 31st).

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: ‘Heat Advisory’ alert for Monday
July 26, 2020 12:55 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

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

One day after we noted that Monday’s high temperature could rise into the 90s, the National Weather Service has issued an alert: Our area has a “Heat Advisory” for 9 am-8 pm Monday, with the NWS saying it could get up to 93 degrees. Read the full alert here.

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UPDATE: Artists finish West Seattle Junction’s Black Lives Matter street mural
July 26, 2020 11:05 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

11:05 AM: Happening right now at California/Alaska – art!

(WSB photos)

As we’ve previewed, today is the day 9 artists commissioned by West Seattle Art for Social Justice are finishing the Black Lives Matter street mural.

They’re working in two shifts – 9 to 11 and 11 to 1 – so they can safely distance while painting. Artists including two family groups were working during our first stop, at the west and east ends.

The mural creation, in partnership with the West Seattle Junction Association, WS Art Walk, and WS Farmers’ Market – is crowdfunded, to compensate the artists as well as to pay for the supplies and to fund future maintenance.

The artists are:
Adonis Piper
Gloria Cropper
Jasmine Iona Brown
Jaymin Brown
Jolyn GC
Lashanna Williams
Raquel Stewart
Saiyana Suzumura
Vanessa Musonwa

Each artist was assigned one or two letters and artistic license to paint them. Organizer Stevie Kramer says it’ll be complete no later than 2 pm so it’ll be dry before the farmers’ Market barricades come down at 4 pm. We’ll be going back for updates.

12:33 PM: Just back.

We’ll return one more time to see the finished mural.

3:56 PM: A few closeups:

Still to come … the list of which artist did which letter(s), plus a video tour of the entire mural (the SDOT traffic camera is unfortunately turned the wrong way for an overview). ADDED: Here it is:

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: Traffic reminders, online church services, and what else is up today/tonight
July 26, 2020 6:30 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle religion | WS miscellaneous

(California Scrub-Jay, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

We start our Sunday list with two traffic reminders:

S. MICHIGAN CLOSURE: Just off the 1st Avenue South Bridge, S. Michigan is scheduled to remain closed between E. Marginal and 4th Ave. S. until early Monday.

1ST AVENUE SOUTH BRIDGE NORTHBOUND CLOSURES: Tonight, 10 pm-5 am, the second week of deck-replacement work begins on the 1st Avenue South Bridge’s northbound side, which will fully close. (The West Seattle low bridge is open to all 9 pm-5 am, so that’s an alternative.) Full details here.

Now, the list of online church services:

ADMIRAL UCC: Today’s worship video will be here.

ALKI UCC: 10 am online service via Zoom – info and link on church’s home page.

ALL SOULS SEATTLE (WSB sponsor): Online worship will be viewable here.

BETHANY COMMUNITY CHURCH: Livestreaming for West Seattle here at 9:30 am.

CALVARY CHAPEL: Service info is here, plus 11 am fellowship via Zoom, 6 pm all-church prayer and 7 pm evening worship (info on home page).

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS: West Seattle Ward has Sunday services via Zoom at 10 am, one hour long, all welcome. They last an hour. Here’s the link.

EASTRIDGE CHURCH: Livestreaming here at 9 am and 11 am.

FAUNTLEROY UCC: Service at 10 am on the church’s YouTube channel.

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

GRACE CHURCH: Livestreaming here, 10:30 am.

HALLOWS CHURCH: Streaming at 10 am via the church’s YouTube channel.

HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH: Livestreaming at 8:30 am and 10:30 am here. (In-person Masses have resumed too, registration required.)

HOPE LUTHERAN: Today’s worship service and children’s story are viewable here.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH: Livestreaming at 10 am, here. (In-person Saturday Masses have been added – registration required.)

PEACE LUTHERAN: Livestreaming at 10:30 am on YouTube.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH: No St. John’s service again this Sunday, so you are encouraged to watch “The National Cathedral, available from 8:00 am on, or St. Mark’s here in Seattle, at 11:00 am.”

TIBBETTS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (WSB sponsor): The video service for today is 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, 9 am.

WEST SIDE PRESBYTERIAN Livestreaming at 10 am on the church’s YouTube channel.

WESTSIDE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION: Livestreaming at 10:30 am – information’s here, 10:30 am.

WESTWOOD CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY: Online worship at 6 pm; info here.

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

Also today/tonight:

LOCAL BUSINESS IN ONLINE ARTS/CRAFTS SHOW: Olive Branch Body Care is among the participants in the nnline Best of the Northwest Summer Show, open for shopping until 11 pm tonight.

MURAL WORK CONTINUES: Starting at 9 am, California/Alaska, West Seattle Artists for Social Justice‘s Black Lives Matter street mural continues, with the 9 featured artists transforming the letters that were outlined last week.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm. Scroll down the page at this link to find the vendor list and map for this week. (Enter at California/Alaska)

MEGA-YARD SALE FOR RENT RELIEF: 10 am-4 pm at 756 S. Kenyon in South Park, a big yard sale is raising money for Concord International Elementary Families’ Rent Relief.

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

FREE TO-GO DINNER: White Center Community Dinner Church will serve to-go meals at 5 pm, outside, near the Bartell Drugs parking lot in White Center, SW Roxbury St. & 15th Ave. SW (9600 15th Ave SW)

FREE FOOD TRUCK: 7-8 pm outside Delridge Library, a free vegetarian-food truck hosted by Northwest SHARE. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

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CORONAVIRUS: Saturday 7/25 roundup
July 25, 2020 10:57 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

On this last Saturday of July, here’s the latest on the virus crisis:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here are the cumulative totals from Public Health‘s daily-summary dashboard:

*14,255 people have tested positive, 208 more than yesterday

*640 people have died, 2 more than yesterday

*1,877 people have been hospitalized, 11 more than yesterday

*270,739 people have been tested, 5.631 more than yesterday

One week ago, those totals were 12,991/632/1,800/238,207.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 16 million people have tested positive, and more than 644,000 have died. Most cases: U.S., Brazil, India, Russia, South Africa – same as last week. See the breakdown, nation by nation, here.

FACE-COVERING REQUIREMENT EXPANDS: Today was the day the new rule expansion took effect. As the state recaps here, the rule “require(s) face coverings in any indoor setting outside of your home (not just public buildings) and expands the outdoor requirement to non-public settings when you can’t maintain 6 feet of distance from non-household members. This includes common spaces in congregate living settings, such as common areas in apartment buildings condos, fraternity/sorority houses, assisted living facilities and other similar places.”

SUPREME REOPENS: A week and a half after closing both its locations because of a positive COVID-19 test at its U-District location, Supreme has reopened both.

SOCIAL DISTANCING AT ALKI: Yes, it’s possible! Lynn Hall sent the photo:

GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!

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NAME THOSE PARKS: Port’s invitation, and Duwamish Tribe’s request
July 25, 2020 8:59 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Most Port of Seattle-owned parks have generic-sounding names. But the port has just announced a plan to change that, with your help:

The Port of Seattle will rename six Port-owned parks and shoreline access sites along the Duwamish River to new names that reflect the cultural and environmental history of the area. The Port has partnered with Seattle Parks Foundation, a well-recognized public parks and greenspace non-profit, to design and implement the re-naming campaign with transparency and community involvement.

The ‘Incredible Parks Want Incredible Names’ nomination period runs from July 24 to August 31.

The parks to be renamed are:

Terminal 117 Park
Terminal 107 Park
8th Avenue Street End
Turning Basin #3
Terminal 105 Park
Terminal 108 Park

(T-105 and T-107 are in West Seattle.) Between now and August 31st, you can suggest names three ways:
–Online
-By voice mail – 206-385-9064
-Writing it on a postcard and texting a photo to that same number

The port will pick three finalists for each and open a “public scoring period” in September.

The Duwamish Tribe, meantime, is campaigning for support to rename T-107 Park as Ha-ah-poos Duwamish Village Park. This video explains its history:

You can support their campaign by nominating that name, and supporting it in September.

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VIDEO: Talking transit, current and future, plus bridge updates, @ West Seattle Transportation Coalition
July 25, 2020 6:30 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | Transportation | West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Though Sound Transit‘s planned-for-2030 West Seattle light rail was the announced spotlight topic of this month’s West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting, the discussion traveled over many roads.

More than 40 people had called/clicked in by the time Thursday night’s meeting got going, announced WSTC chair Michael Taylor-Judd. Here’s the WSTC recording of the meeting:

First guest: ST board member and King County Executive Dow Constantine, who got the leadoff spot because of time constraints. Veering beyond the stated topic, he noted the overall transit challenges posed by the “lousy revenue system” and “god-awful tax system.”

Read More

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ELECTION 2020: Week and a half until the primary. Registered yet?
July 25, 2020 5:06 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Reminders from King County Elections, with the August 4th primary nearing:

Those who wish to vote in the August 4 Primary election have until Monday, July 27 to register online or have their mailed registration form received by King County Elections.

In-person registration will continue through 8 pm on Election Day, August 4. Eligible voters can register in person at the King County Elections headquarters in Renton or at a Vote Center. Voters who come in person should wear a mask and be prepared to follow social distancing protocols.

Starting on July 31 in Renton and August 1 in Seattle at CenturyLink Field Event Center, King County Elections will offer curbside service to voters needing to register to vote or receive a replacement ballot. Voters can pre-order their replacement ballot online or call King County Elections at 206-296-VOTE (8683) to pre-register ahead of time to reduce their wait time.

King County Elections mailed Primary election ballots to registered voters on July 15. Any voter who has not received their ballot should request a replacement ballot online or call King County Elections at 206-296-VOTE (8683) for immediate assistance.

To be eligible to register to vote, you must be:

A citizen of the United States
A legal resident of Washington state
At least 18 years old by Election Day
Not under the authority of the Department of Corrections
Not disqualified from voting due to a court order
Voters can visit the Elections website or contact the Elections office for assistance and information.

Ready to vote? You can use postal mail or a KC Elections dropbox to turn your ballot in, stamp-free, by 8 pm Tuesday, August 4th.

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PHOTOS: Fauntleroy farewell for Gerry Cunningham
July 25, 2020 3:15 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photos)

Fauntleroy Children’s Center has bid farewell to a legend – longtime staff member Gerry Cunningham is retiring:

Her retirement party was a pandemic-style celebration – including a car parade – across the street from FCC (which is in the historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse), in the Fauntleroy UCC lot this past Thursday:

FCC’s tribute to Gerry explained in part:

Gerry has more energy than just about anyone I know. For years she has been able to run circles around me. Her enthusiasm and love for cooking make her one in a million. She has a room of cookbooks (literally over 1000) that she would pour over looking for new ideas and ways to inspire the children to try new foods. Cooking for a crowd was second nature to her. You might remember Gerry and Lauri cooking spaghetti dinners to raise money for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, then spending their weekend volunteering to coordinate the registration and staying until the end to help with cleanup…just like the FCC potlucks, FCC picnics and auction.

Those who stopped by to wish her well got a cookbook with her most popular recipes over the years:

If you missed the event, you can still get a card or note to Gerry via the FCC.

Gerry has worked there for more than 20 years.

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BIZNOTES: Zamboanga’s last weekend, Discovery Shop’s reopening plan, Pegasus Book Exchange’s new feature
July 25, 2020 12:55 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Three notes from the same block in the heart of The Junction:

ZAMBOANGA’S LAST DAY: If you haven’t been to the shop lately or see the signs, Zamboanga at 4531 California is closing – and we found out today that this is the shop’s final weekend, open until 6 today, 10-4 tomorrow. This is NOT a pandemic-related closure – proprietor Julia Ensley is retiring.

The space already has a new tenant; city files show an early-stage permit application for a real-estate office. Meantime, Zamboanga’s fixtures are for sale, and while we were there, one piece was being moved next door to the subject of the next update.

DISCOVERY SHOP REOPENING: At The Discovery Shop, 4535 California SW, you’ll see this sign:

We received the official annoouncement:

After many months and a remodel, we are excited to report that the Discovery Shop will be ready to open on Wednesday, July 29th at noon!!!!!

Following all of Governor Inslee’s Coronavirus “Safe Start” guidelines, we will have mandatory mask requirements, social distancing and occupancy limits that we will be following.

Our new and hopefully temporary hours for the shop are:

Sunday : 11-3 (normal hours)
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday thru Saturday: 12-3

We look forward to welcoming our customers back!

Again, those are the hours starting next Wednesday. The Discovery Shop is a volunteer-run nonprofit that raises money for the American Cancer Society.

PEGASUS BOOK EXCHANGE’S NEW FEATURE: We reported earlier this month on thieves hitting the Junction bookstore at 4553 California SW. They took already sold books waiting for curbside pickup. Now, we noticed while in the area today, a solution:

The sign on the side explains the new lockers are “thanks to our wonderful customers, Lora at (West Seattle Junction Association), and Verity Credit Union” (WSB sponsor that’s also in that block, 4505 California SW)

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WILDLIFE: Abandoned newborn harbor-seal pup rescued
July 25, 2020 11:03 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

The photos and report are from David Hutchinson of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network:

On Wednesday, Seal Sitters’ volunteers responded to the first harbor seal pup in West Seattle this 2020 pupping season. Early in the morning our Hotline received a report of a small pup swimming by the steps along the Alki promenade. The pup, nicknamed “Echo”, finally settled on one of the lower steps.

While Seal Sitters is the official NOAA stranding network for West Seattle, we partner with other groups to provide specialized health evaluations and care. SR3 (headquartered in Des Moines) sent their vet to do a visual assessment. Echo still had an umbilical stump present. This usually dries up and falls off by a week to 10 days after birth, so this was a very young pup. A seal pup’s best chance for survival is always with its mother, so it was decided to monitor Echo throughout the day in hopes that she might reunite with her mother at some point. The chances of a pup being abandoned due to disturbance is much higher in a busy urban environment. After many hours of rest, Echo returned to the water with the rising tide around 5:00 that evening and after a brief detour as far as the Alki Bathhouse, was seen swimming offshore to the west toward the Alki Lighthouse.

On Thursday morning, Echo was reported on a private beach west of the promenade. With the consent of the property owner, Seal Sitters responded and watched over the pup until the arrival of SR3 staff. The pup appeared thinner and there was no evidence of an attending mother. Because of this, it was decided to remove Echo and transport her to PAWS for rehab. Seal Sitters received a report yesterday morning from PAWS – Echo is female, just under 30 inches long and weighs a bit less than 20 pounds. She arrived at their facility thin and dehydrated and the hope is that she will do well in rehab.

Harbor seal pupping season is from late June through September in our area, so you may come across more pups on our West Seattle beaches over the next few months. This is typical behavior as they need to rest and warm up. Please remember to keep back and ask others to do the same. Always keep dogs on a leash and at a distance. As soon as possible, contact Seal Sitters’ Hotline at 206-905-7325.

The request in bold is extremely important – another wildlife advocate told us about Echo just before we heard from Seal Sitters, and noted that spectators were way too close and abundant when she was at the public beach, which could have led to her mother abandoning her.

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