West Seattle, Washington
14 Wednesday
Thanks to Terri for the report. On this after-the-storm Friday night, she says, this washed-up floating dock was spotted on the beach at Weather Watch Park. If you know of somebody missing one, you might consider pointing them there.
30 weeks ago tonight – on February 28th – King County announced its first case of COVID-19. Here’s what’s new:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily summary:
*21,896 people have tested positive, 93 more than yesterday
*758 people have died, unchanged since Wednesday
*2,353 people have been hospitalized, 11 more than yesterday
*425,279 people have been tested, 3,447 more than yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 21,304/748/2,313/406,682.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
STATE-NUMBERS CAVEAT TODAY: A news release from the state notes, “The Department of Health reported 992 new cases of COVID-19 today. This includes 486 cases from Clark County that had been previously reported but had not been entered into the state’s data system. DOH and Clark County are actively collaborating to ensure that any remaining discrepancies are resolved promptly.”
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 32.4 million cases, 987,000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation numbers here.
SSC TESTING SITE CLOSES: Today was the last day for weekly Friday testing at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). The college says UW Medicine informed them that funding for the SSC site has ended, but UWM is still involved with the city’s six-days-a-week testing at Southwest Athletic Complex, so if you can’t get a test through your provider, go there.
GOT INFO OR PHOTOS? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Another reopening ahead in The Junction: The Alley, small bites and cocktails at 4509 California SW behind Be’s Restaurant, is reopening next Thursday (October 1st). Limited capacity, and masks required, 4 pm-10 pm weeknights, 3 pm-10 pm Saturdays and Sundays. The Alley will take reservations via email at info@thealleyws.com, but says walk-ins are OK too as space allows.
(WSB photo, Beach Drive “Keep Moving Street” in May)
Also from West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s weekly update, new information on options SDOT is considering for the future of what’s currently a “Keep Moving Street” on both sides of Alki Point. Three weeks ago, SDOT announced those sections of Beach Drive and Alki Avenue would keep their no-through-traffic status at least until King County moved to Stage 3 of COVID-19 recovery. Nearby residents have been collecting petition signatures in support of making it permanent, as Herbold notes in her update, saying she “support(s) the continued efforts of constituents advocating for a permanent Stay Healthy Street.” She says she contacted SDOT with questions about the status and in reply, the department told her five options are under consideration:
1. Return to previous street operation
2. Convert to a neighborhood greenway, changes would include:
-Stop signs at intersecting streets will be added where they currently operate as neighborhood yield intersections (64th Ave SW, Point Pl SW, 64th Pl SW, 64th Ave SW)
-Additional traffic calming so that spacing of speed humps and raised crosswalks is approximately every 300 feet
-Approximately 3-4 speed humps or speed cushions would be added.
-Connectivity to the citywide bicycle network would be enhanced through the addition of sharrow pavement markings and wayfinding signs.3. Upgrade to a permanent Stay Healthy Street, changes would include:
-All of the neighborhood greenway enhancements listed above
-Street Closed and Stay Healthy Street signs at every intersection with durable materials4. Upgrade neighborhood greenway with additional space for walking adjacent to beachside curb.
-All of the neighborhood greenway enhancements listed above
-Removal of parking and delineation (tuff curb and post) of additional space for walking adjacent to the existing sidewalk adjacent to the beach
-Increased space for walking would be adjacent to park beach only, not continuous where buildings are between roadway and beach.5. Convert street to operate as one-way northbound for vehicles, providing shared walking and biking space adjacent to beachside sidewalk
-Delineation of a continuous shared walking and biking space adjacent to the existing beachside curb (8’ to 15’ wide)
-Continuous shared walking and biking space would connect from the existing Alki Trail to the end of the Alki Point Keep Moving Street.
-Adjustment of the roadway to operate as one way northbound for vehicles, preserving parking primarily adjacent to east/south curbs.
Herbold says SDOT assured her the street’s status wouldn’t change “until the community engagement process concludes and there is a final determination regarding a permanent configuration.” There’s no elaboration on exactly what the “community engagement process” entails, but the Stay Healthy/Keep Moving Streets project webpage has a contact email: StayHealthyStreets@seattle.gov.
For the first time since April, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold will preside over an online “town hall.” The one five months ago (WSB coverage here) was all about the West Seattle Bridge; this one is scheduled to start with an hour about public safety, followed by an hour about the bridge. The announcement is in her just-published weekly update:
On September 30, I will co-host a District 1 Town Hall on public safety and the West Seattle Bridge, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
SPD Chief Diaz and SW Precinct Captain Grossman will be attending, along with SDOT Director Zimbabwe. There will also be a representative from LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) to talk about the expansion of the program to the SW Precinct.
The first hour will be on public safety, and the second hour will be on the West Seattle Bridge. There will be plenty of time for questions on each topic.
You can RSVP (here); later in the day Tuesday we’ll e-mail information to the RSVP list about how to participate in the Q&A, and view the town hall.
As noted further into Herbold’s weekly update, Wednesday is also the day the council starts work on the next budget, with the mayor officially delivering her proposal the day before.
The endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales have another new calf. The news comes from the Center for Whale Research, which announced just three weeks ago that a newborn had arrived in J-Pod – same group in which this one was born. The new mother is 15-year-old J41, whose first calf was born five years ago. The announcement notes, “CWR will eagerly await the whales’ return to evaluate the calf’s condition and hopefully determine its sex. … We will reserve its alpha-numeric designation until it proves to be healthy when the pod returns to Salish Sea waters. Approximately 40% of newborn calves do not survive their neonatal first few weeks.” CWR recently announced that J-Pod’s first newborn of the month, J57, is male.
Though the results will take a while to tally, the gratitude is immediate! The West Seattle Food Bank is sharing words of thanks to everyone who participated in the Taste of West Seattle the last five days – from diners/donors to venues – as well as word that (update) 4 venues are extending their participation:
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2020 Taste of West Seattle, presented by Metropolitan Market. It was a wonderful week of delicious food, drink, and community support. We are so grateful to our generous local eateries and drinkeries, sponsors, and neighbors like you who made this new flavor of the Taste of West Seattle not only possible, but a success!
Remember to submit your stamped Taste Passport by October 16th to be entered to win a pair of round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines and other prizes. Mail your Passport to the West Seattle Food Bank at 3419 SW Morgan St. Seattle, WA 98126 or drop it off at participating eateries.
The deliciousness continues! Best of Hands Barrelhouse has decided to continue to donate 10% of sales on Taste menu items until September 27th, Pot Pie Factory will continue until September 30th, and Phoenecia until October 16th! [Editor’s note: West Seattle Wine Cellars added a comment below that they’re extending too, through Saturday, September 26th.]
A big thank you to all of our generous Taste eateries and drinkeries:
Baked., Bakery Nouveau, Be’s Restaurant, Bebop Waffle Shop, Best of Hands Barrelhouse, Beveridge Place Pub, Blue Moon Burgers, Capitol Cider, C & P Coffee Company, Easy Street Records & Cafe, Elliott Bay Brewery, Grillbird Teriyaki, Husky Deli, Indu!ge Desserts, Itto’s Tapas, Lady Jaye, Ma’ono, Mission Cantina, Nos Nos Coffee House, Ounces Taproom & Beer Garden, Pecos Pit Bar-B-Que, Peel & Press, Phoenecia, Pot Pie Factory, Seeking Kombucha, Shadowland, Skylark Cafe and Club, Talarico’s Pizzeria, The Bridge, The Good Society Brewery & Public House, The Westy, Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering and Events, West 5, and West Seattle Cellars
And to our sponsors:
Metropolitan Market, HomeStreet Bank, West Seattle Christian Church, Hunt Jackson PLLC, Molina Healthcare, Whole Foods Market, West Seattle Blog, and Alaska Airlines
All funds raised from the Taste of West Seattle help prevent hunger and homelessness and ensure our neighbors have access to the resources they need to stay safe, fed, housed, and healthy. Thank you! We can’t wait for next year!
12:01 PM: Neighbors in northeast Admiral report a prowler in the 3-4:30 am vicinity, seen clearly on this security-video clip:
Dana reports an e-bike stolen in the process, a black RadCity Step-Thru. “Definitely not seen from the street and involved [the thief] being inches from our bedroom windows. I’ve filed a police report but wanted to get the word out that he is pretty bold and not afraid to go searching around your home.” Dana says just to get in the yard where the video was recorded, the prowler had to “jump a locked gate.” Meantime, we’ve had a few bicycle reunions lately, so if you happen to see one like this abandoned, please let us know and we’ll connect you.
6 PM: Dana says in comments that a neighbor found the bike.
Tomorrow’s the day – 9 am to 1 pm, the West Seattle Junction Association parking lot off 42nd SW, just south of SW Oregon, will be your dropoff center for recyclables, reusables, and shreddables. (And take note, that lot closes at 9 pm tonight for preparation – please don’t park there after 9 pm, or you’ll be towed.) It’s drive-up, ride-up, walk-up – masks required – and all the info you need about how it’ll work and what you can and can’t bring is here, as well as on this flyer:
This is your one big chance for “beyond the curb” recycling this fall, as the Fauntleroy Church-sponsored Recycle Roundup is on hold until next year, so if you have unwanted/unneeded items stacked up from quarant-cleaning, don’t miss this!
Despite the pandemic, organizers of some local events are figuring out how you can still have fun while supporting the local nonprofits that not only present the events but also rely on the money they raise. Today, we have news about the West Seattle Monster Dash, usually a fun run in Lincoln Park, this year going online:
The Monster Dash is coming! Our virtual event will run October 17-November 1, 2020. Support South Seattle Cooperative Preschools and join Monster Dash enthusiasts from all over the globe as they run, walk, skip, jump, or dance to stay active and healthy during the month of October. Registration is free, and your donations are greatly appreciated.
With three awesome virtual options, there’s something for the whole family!
– 15 Mile Preschool Loop
– 5K
– Family Activity ChallengeMore info about the 2020 Monster Dash here.
Register by October 1 for guaranteed t-shirt availability. T-shirts are $10 each, local pick-up only.
We need your help! Are you connected with a business that could donate something for a prize drawing giveaway? We’d love to hear from you! Contact westseattlemonsterdash@gmail.com with suggestions.
SSC Cooperative Preschools
West Seattle Monster Dash benefits the South Seattle College Cooperative Preschool Program. One hundred percent of proceeds are contributed to the Cooperative Preschool joint fund which is key in supporting our five preschool sites; Admiral, Alki, Lincoln Park, South Seattle College and White Center.
More info can be found here.MEP Scholarship Fund
Operating primarily on donations and fundraising, The Mary E. Phillips Scholarship Fund provides tuition assistance to many eligible families each quarter, assuring that our co-op preschools are affordable for all who want to join. Our need is particularly high this year as we provide emergency Covid scholarships to families in need.
6:16 AM: Welcome to Friday. It’s the 186th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
*Delridge project: The SW Oregon closure is postponed again, so NO closure this weekend. Meanwhile, here’s where crews are working now, with next week’s update due out later today.
*Olson/1st repaving: We’re checking today whether this weekend work also will be postponed.
TRANSIT
Metro – Today is the fifth weekday since the “service change” – check here to see if your route changed. Remember that fare collection resumes next Thursday, October 1st.
Water Taxi – Fares for the foot ferry also will resume October 1st. Still on weekday-only schedule, until at least next spring.
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). Here’s that camera:
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.
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
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