West Seattle, Washington
01 Sunday
29 weeks ago tonight, King County announced its first case of COVID-19. Here’s what’s new:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily summary:
*21,304 people have tested positive, 127 more than yesterday
*748 people have died, unchanged since Wednesday
*2,313 people have been hospitalized, 3 more than yesterday
*406,682 people have been tested, 2,609 more than yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 20,699/743/2,294/389,459.
ONE MORE AREA DEATH: One of the five zip codes that are entirely or partly within West Seattle, 98146, recorded another death since our last check Tuesday and is now up to 15.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 30.4 million cases, 950,000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation numbers here.
PROPERTY TAXES: Earlier this year, King County property owners who pay taxes directly, instead of through a lender, got an extension of the year’s first payment deadline. The Assessor’s Office announced today that it will NOT extend the deadline for the year’s second payment. So King County property owners who pay their property taxes themselves, rather than through a mortgage lender, have until Monday, November 2 to pay the second half of their 2020 bill. After that date, interest charges and penalties will be added to the tax bill. But a “payment-plan program” is still available. Find out about it by going here.
RENT RELIEF FOR CITY’S TENANTS: The city is a landlord for dozens of business and nonprofit spaces. It’s extending rent relief – deferral for the former, waiver for the latter – for its tenants, through year’s end.
NEED FOOD? Volunteers at the Greater Seattle Filipino Seventh-day Adventist Church will be handing out free boxes of food tomorrow at 2620 SW Kenyon.
GOT DONATIONS? Hope Lutheran Church‘s drive-up donation dropoff is also tomorrow, at 42nd/Oregon.
GOT INFO OR PHOTOS? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
10:21 PM: If you are heading on- or off-peninsula and aiming for the low bridge, since it’s open to all traffic this time of night, you might want to wait a while. There’s a (corrected) westbound crash. Thanks to Lisa for the tip; SFD and SPD were dispatched.
10:29 PM: Eastbound is affected too, according to the texted photo above.
11:08 PM: Still sluggish, as seen on the SDOT cam.
11:17 PM: All clear, says SDOT.
More restaurant news! In late August, we had word from Azuma Sushi, the much-missed Junction eatery, that they were working toward reopening. Tonight, an update, relayed by Jackie, that Azuma’s proprietors Harry and Jennifer plan to reopen October 1st for takeout-only lunch and dinner. Azuma Sushi is at 4533 California SW.
6:07 PM: Thanks to neighbor John for the tip. In addition to the east Alki pocket that’s still out following the big 3:30 am power outage, there’s an outage at California/Genesee that has left several businesses without power for almost two hours, including Itto’s Tapas, which has closed for the night as a result. John says the outage also has affected Fauntleroy Chiropractic (WSB sponsor), Salon 08, Juniper, and Regina Nails. City Light lists the cause as “equipment failure.”
9:46 PM: This outage is now over, according to the SCL map.
What’s missing in the lanes at West Seattle Bowl? You! lf you heard bowling was only open to league play – WS Bowl actually has a “club” you can join, which allows you to come in and play (2 bowlers maximum per lane). The bowling center explains:
In collaboration with the Governor’s office and Department of Health, the bowling industry in Washington has developed protocols which have allowed us to be open in Phase 2 & 3.
We are allowed to be open for club/league play and practice – see our VIB/Starter Clubs page under the Leagues tab for more details on how you can easily become a Club member.
-Masks must be worn at all times (without exception).
-6′ social distancing must be maintained everywhere in the center.
-The most noticeable change will be a limitation of 2 bowlers per lane maximum, as well as restrictions against movement throughout the center, with no spectators allowed.
Here’s a direct link to the club-signup page. WS Bowl is open 1-10 pm Mondays, 3 pm-10 pm Tuesdays through Thursdays, 2 pm-10 pm Fridays, 9 am-10 pm Saturdays, 9 am-7 pm Sundays.
If you’re heading out via bus, bike, or some other mode that can take the low bridge – be aware there’s a crash response east of it. The location is described as “eastbound West Seattle Freeway from SW Spokane St.” and there’s no nearby camera view. SFD says one vehicle overturned and the person rescued from it is in stable condition, headed to the hospital.
(WSB photo, Thursday, SB on West Marginal, north of Highland Park Way)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Since the West Seattle Bridge’s sudden closure almost half a year ago, West Marginal Way SW has become one of the most-traveled, and most-griped-about, streets in West Seattle: SDOT‘s latest stats show its volume has tripled, from 9,000+ vehicles a day to 27,000+. It’s the major route to the main alternate bridge, the state-operated 1st Avenue South Bridge, and beset with backups.
While the entirety of West Marginal was not part of the Reconnect West Seattle traffic-mitigation plan, it made an appearance in parts of that newly released plan, and SDOT has been promising a standalone package of West Marginal changes; we’ve been asking about it for weeks.
Today, it’s going public. We got a first look at the 6-point plan in an online meeting with SDOT’s West Seattle Bridge project leader Heather Marx and communications director Michael Harold.
For all the grief caused by the West Seattle Bridge closure, Ally Rael says it’s part of the inspiration for her new business.
West Seattle needs more restaurants given the challenge of traveling off-peninsula, she reasons.
So she’s opening a restaurant in Luna Park, almost in the shadow of the idled bridge. Allyum will take over the 2940 SW Avalon Way space that formerly housed Duos (which is consolidating its operations into its Sanctuary at Admiral venue).
Readers tipped us after spotting signage on the space earlier this month, and we finally tracked down Rael to find out about the plan.for Allyum.
The chef/owner tells WSB that Allyum will offer a plant-based menu, upscale, focused on local foods, with beverages in the spotlight too, especially wine and cocktails. Happy hour and dinner, plus weekend brunch, at least in the beginning; indoor dining, outdoor dining, and takeout are all part of the plan.
She’s a veteran of the restaurant industry, in Los Angeles as well as Seattle, where she says her resumé includes time with Ethan Stowell Restaurants.
So what might you find on the menu? We ask if there’s any “signature” dish she’s been known for. After a moment, she mentions “mushroom chicken and waffles” – a rye waffle topped by a chicken-fried maitake mushroom.
Allyum’s name, by the way, is a triple play on words – her name, the botanical name of the onion/garlic family, and of course, yum.
Rael and business partner Dahli Strayer (who owns the building) are hoping Allyum will be able to open as soon as November. No website yet, but it’s in the works.
Family and friends are remembering Jon M. Southworth, and sharing this with his community:
Jon Michael Southworth
April 15, 1955 – September 10, 2020Jon Michael Southworth, beloved husband, father, papa, brother, and friend to many left us too early following complications from a medical emergency on September 10, 2020 at the age of 65, with his wife by his side.
Jon was born in Seattle in 1955, the fourth of five children, to Mary Ann and Howard Southworth. He graduated from West Seattle High School in 1973 and WA State University in 1977 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He met the love of his life, Belinda Fumasi, in 1979. They married in 1986 and built a beautiful life together in their West Seattle home. He specialized in heating and cooling systems and was proud to have engineered the design for the Tacoma Dome and many Seattle buildings.
Following complications from surgery to remove a benign brain tumor in 1990, Jon lost his eyesight and suffered other complications. Over many years, he regained great function, and through his strength, tenacity, and resiliency was fully present to his family and friends. He especially found great joy in bringing laughter and the news of the day to all who knew him.
Jon is survived by his devoted wife Belinda, their beloved dog Bo Bo, daughter Brandi (Robert), grandchildren Malea and Elijah, as well as brother Steve Southworth (Rebecca Wiess), sister Martha Schoen (Steve) and Molly Swain, as well as many nieces and nephews. Jon was predeceased by his parents Howard and Mary Ann and brother Jeff Southworth.
Our deepest appreciation to his caregivers at Elder Place West and to Sue Laden at Jon’s home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jon’s memory may be sent to Providence Mount St. Vincent Foundation in appreciation of his care at Elder Place at The Mount.
Please share memories of Jon and condolences with his family at emmickfunerals.com/notices/Jon-Southworth
Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
3:37 AM: Getting texts about a widespread power outage. More than 6,700 customers, says the City Light map.
No word yet on the cause.
3:48 AM: Don’t know whether it’s cause/effect/coincidence, but just heard via scanner that there’s a big tree down on California Way near Harbor Ave. Meantime, speaking of roads, remember that if traffic signals are out, that means 4-way stop.
4:15 AM: While we’re waiting, a word of caution – though the SCL map lists “estimated restoration” as 10 am, estimates like that are NOT grounded in anything beyond a guess, so it could be back much sooner … or much later. West Seattle’s last major power outage was on August 13th, 3,600+ customers affected, but to the south. Checking on north West Seattle’s last major outage. (Added: August of last year, a downed tree on Harbor took out 3,000+ customers)
4:41 AM: Longtime WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli checked out the tree scene:
He says police at the scene confirmed it’s related. (Added) Crews are there:
4:54 AM: City Light confirms the tree’s to blame.
5:31 AM: Getting word some power’s back on – Youngstown, near Alki, and 32nd/Genesee. Thanks! (Added: Other areas too – see comments. The SCL map lags up to 15 minutes, so we’ll see in a bit if everyone’s back or if some outage pockets remain.)
5:44 AM: SCL map updated. 80 percent of those who originally lost power have it back, but 1,314 customers are still out.
5:49 AM: Now 1,090 – here’s the updated-again map:
Thanks again for letting us know (text 206-293-6302) when power’s out, or restored – the SCL map can lag 15+ minutes, and when an outage is completely over, there’s no archived record of its end time.
6:56 AM: 755 still out.
10:14 AM: In addition to those 755, power is back out for 74 more. This is not unusual during repair situations. Readers who’ve been by the downed-tree site this morning sent photos – first, from Marc Milrod:
And from Stewart L:
Stewart says crews told him repairs might take hours longer to finish. We’re checking with City Light.
11:24 AM: Now everyone’s back except the cluster of 74 who re-lost power two hours ago.
4:35 PM: They’re not back yet. But work continues – here’s a photo from David Hutchinson:
And a wide view from Stewart L.:
9:13 PM: Still no relief for that pocket. City Light was still working when we went by right before sunset:
1:42 AM SATURDAY: And those 74 customers are still without electricity.
FINAL UPDATE: Multiple reports say they finally got the power back around 2:20 am.
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