day : 19/10/2020 12 results

On Sunday, we reported on another visit by Southern Resident Killer Whales. No visuals, though, until tonight:

That video is by Hannah Schuh, a seventh-grader at Madison Middle School. Her mom Liz Schuh sent us the clip, recorded at Point Robinson on Maury Island (a popular whale-watching spot since Puget Sound’s main channel narrows there and you have a better chance of a close pass). Viewing advice from Liz: “After the breaching whale, another group surfaces, including one of the babies.”

The babies are part of J-Pod, which may have another calf soon – we also received photos tonight from Brittany Philbin of PNW Orca Pod Squad Photography – a pregnant orca, also photographed from Point Robinson:

The photographer explains, “During their close pass, J46 Star breached just offshore and luckily I was in the right place at the right time and captured a photo at just the right angle to see her heavily pregnant abdomen. She has been confirmed by researchers to be pregnant. I just thought residents of West Seattle would love to see these photos of J46 Star. They are so beloved throughout the Pacific Northwest.”

J46 was born in November 2009.

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CORONAVIRUS: Monday 10/19 roundup

October 19, 2020 9:36 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Here are tonight’s local pandemic-related toplines:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s today’s daily summary from Public Health – the cumulative countywide totals:

*25,269 people have tested positive, 172 more than yesterday’s total

*785 people have died, unchanged since Saturday

*2,498 people have been hospitalized, 18 more than yesterday’s total

*507,666 people have been tested, 22,372 more than yesterday’s total (apparently a correction of yesterday’s “data corrections”)

One week ago, the totals were 24.205/776/2,441/483,132.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here … but with this caveat.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them – nation by nation – here.

TRICK-OR-TREATING CANCELED: Now all three of West Seattle’s usual business-district trick-or-treating events are off for this year, with Westwood Village‘s announcement today.

NEED FOOD? Again this week, Food Lifeline will distribute free emergency boxes of food to anyone who shows up, 2-5 pm Friday (October 23rd) at its South Park HQ, 815 S. 96th.

GIVING: Meantime, those who can give, are doing so abundantly – Pack 799‘s Scouting for Food door-to-door drive brought in triple the usual total!

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

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VOTING: Here’s how many ballots King County Elections has, after that wild weekend

October 19, 2020 8:59 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

8:59 PM: Thanks to Ron from that photo from the High Point Library ballot drop box, where he turned in his ballot today. As you know if you check WSB on the weekend, Saturday was an unusual day at the drop box in The Junction for multiple reasons, and King County Elections had other reports of very busy boxes. Even though the actual vote announcements don’t start until Election Night (November 3rd), KCE is out tonight with a count of how many ballots it had received by 6 pm: 86,156. They said over the weekend that the first five days in 2016 brought in 10,000+ (via drop boxes). Of this year’s total so far, 35,302 are from Seattle. The closest breakout we have to West Seattle is that 6,469 are from the 34th Legislative District (West Seattle, White Center, Vashon, and a bit of Burien). KC Elections updates the ballot-return numbers daily at noon and 6 pm.

HOW TO RETURN YOUR BALLOT: No stamp needed, no matter how you do it – USPS mail, as long as it’s postmarked by November 3rd; any official King County drop box (70+ around the county, including three in West Seattle, one in White Center, one in South Park, all listed/mapped here), as long as it’s in by 8 pm November 3rd.

P.S. If your ballot has not arrived yet, call 206-296-VOTE.

ADDED 8:50 AM TUESDAY: Thanks to Susan for the tip – the county offers box-by-box stats, too, updated on a different schedule (each morning), and on an apparent lag – the update for this morning only goes through Sunday. Nonetheless, by means of comparison, it shows The Junction dropbox with 4,100+ ballots in the first few days, High Point with 2,400, the new SSC box with 225.

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Why the Guardian One helicopter was over South Delridge/White Center

October 19, 2020 7:40 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Crime | Helicopter | West Seattle news | White Center

7:40 PM: Thanks for the texts. Guardian One was circling South Delridge/White Center for a while earlier this evening; just as we were headed out to look on the ground for any signs of a related response, the online flight tracker showed that the helicopter moved on. Then Mike saved the day by tweeting that he’d seen a sizable response in the O’Reilly Auto Parts lot at 17th/Roxbury. We were able to talk briefly to a King County Sheriff’s Office sergeant there; he told us they’re looking for a “fugitive” but would not elaborate further, aside from confirming that the helicopter presence was indeed related. We’re trying to find out more and will update if we do.

9:09 PM: KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Ryan Abbott says the person they were seeking is “a homicide suspect wanted out of Seattle.”

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UPDATE: Water-rescue response in Fauntleroy, quickly canceled

October 19, 2020 5:52 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

5:52 PM: Seattle Fire has a water-rescue response headed by land and sea to a report of a sailboat in trouble north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock. Updates to come.

5:56 PM: The callout is being canceled – per scanner, a resident says the sailor is a neighbor and is already safely out of the water.

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Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce invites you to ‘Say Hello to Burien’: New WSB sponsor

October 19, 2020 5:30 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

If you feel like going off-peninsula now and then, without having to cross the river, ‘Say Hello to Burien.’ That’s the new invitation from the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce, sponsoring WSB right now to get the word out. Here’s their video and announcement:

The Seattle Southside Chamber announced the public launch of the “Say Hello to Burien” campaign, which is focused on inviting people from throughout the Puget Sound region to experience the best this small, diverse city on the sound has to offer.

“As a life-long resident of King County and a transplant to Burien from Seattle, I definitely had my own preconceived notions about Burien,” offered Andrea Reay, President/CEO of the Seattle Southside Chamber. “However, once I took the time to “say hello” personally to this amazing community, I fell in love. I am so proud to live in and work for a community that is rich in both culture and opportunity.”

The campaign is an open invitation for all to “Say Hello to Burien” and come experience the best Burien has to offer. Whether it’s dining and experiencing authentic cuisine from around the world, shopping in family-owned boutiques and independent bookstores, or getting outside for a hike in Seahurst beach or kayaking on the sound, you’ll be glad you made the trip. Come say hello to Burien—just south of Seattle and miles from ordinary.

If you would like dining, shopping, or activity suggestions, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at Staff@SeattleSouthsideChamber.com or give us a call at 206-575-1633 and we’d be happy to help you say hello to Burien.

We thank Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce 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.

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HALLOWEEN: Westwood Village cancels trick-or-treating; Grace Church adds movie to trunk-or-treating

October 19, 2020 3:35 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news

With Halloween now less than two weeks away, we’re continuing to spotlight what is, and isn’t, happening:

WESTWOOD VILLAGE: As with The Junction and The Admiral District, this annual business trick-or-treating is canceled, the center’s management announced today. They’re having an online photo contest instead – details here.

GRACE CHURCH: The church at 10323 28th SW is having a Fall Festival on Halloween, with afternoon drive-thru trunk-or-treating followed by a drive-in movie:

Grace Church Fall Festival – Trunk or Treat and Drive-In Movie Showing of Monsters, Inc.

3 pm – 5 pm, Drive Thru Trunk or Treat, 5 pm – 7:30 pm Drive-In Movie

Join us for the 2020 Grace Church Fall Festival! Stop by the Drive Thru Trunk or Treat for candy and spooky delights and then come back for a fun, family-friendly drive-in movie experience at 5 pm! The People’s Burger food truck will be on site providing food for purchase beginning at 4pm.

Price: Free – Grace Church will be collecting non-perishable food for donation to the White Center Food Bank upon arrival.

Where do I get tickets? Tickets are required for the Drive-In Movie and can be reserved here. No tickets required for drive-thru Trunk or Treat

Other details and safety measures:

Food for purchase will be available from The People’s Burger food truck. Masks are required when you are outside of our vehicle.

Candy will be available via a socially distant car drop-off. Trick or Treat!

P.S. We’re still collecting decoration locations to launch a list later this week! westseattleblog@gmail.com with or without a photo – thank you!

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CRIME WATCH: Alley holdup; stolen red Civic; found plate; Q&A with police

October 19, 2020 1:57 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Four notes:

ALLEY HOLDUP: From the SPD “significant incident reports” file – this happened Thursday night in Arbor Heights, in the 4300 block of SW 100th::

On 10-15-2020 at 1924 hours, the victim was in his alley taking out his trash when the suspect came up behind him and pressed something in his back (believed to be a gun). The suspect demanded his cell phone or he would shoot him. He didn’t have his cell on him so the suspect told him to turn out his pockets. The victim had nothing in his pockets. The suspect told the victim to run down the alley and not look back or he’d shoot. The suspect left the area in a vehicle.

No description or other details, but we’re requesting the report. (TUESDAY UPDATE: Police say the victim believes he knows the would-be robber, and that it’s related to an ongoing dispute.)

STOLEN CAR: From Byron, just south of the city-limits line:

Our red 2007 Honda Civic 4-door, license plate 867WSD, was stolen from our driveway. Sometime between 9pm last night and 11:15 am this morning. (10600 block of) 27th Ave. SW. There’s a car seat in the back and a brand new Yakima rack and kayak carrier on the roof.

If you see it, call 911.

LICENSE PLATE FOUND: From the “possibly stolen/dumped” file, Desiree spotted this plate in the greenery alongside the front parking at Junction TrueValue (44th/Edmunds):

CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY: Got crime/safety concerns, or questions for police? Tomorrow (Tuesday, October 20th) night at 7 pm online, the next West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting is your chance for updates from, and Q&A with, local police. Here’s the link (via Teams).

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FOLLOWUP: West Seattle door-to-door food donors triple their giving

October 19, 2020 12:10 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Looking for some good news? Despite the COVID-19 economic crunch, generosity is running rampant. We have an update on Arbor Heights-based Cub Scout Pack 799‘s recent Scouting for Food door-to-door drive, courtesy of parent Jason T.:

Please let everyone in West Seattle know that Pack 799 has concluded its food drive, including returning for any initially missed pickups as we were notified.

We are sincerely grateful for the broad support we experienced in performing our service activity, and look forward to sustaining and improving the health of West Seattle in our own small way in the future. According to Karla and all the extremely helpful folks at the West Seattle Food Bank, Pack 799 was able to facilitate the collection of 3,221 pounds of food and household goods — nearly three times the amounts we’ve collected in past drives!

(One of the participating Scouts)

It is really heartwarming to have that level of community support, which gives solid encouragement to our young Scouts who chose to serve their communities in the midst of all the challenges, through a little adaptation and innovation.

You can of course contribute to local food banks at any time – the WSFB’s donation info is here, and info for the White Center Food Bank (whose service area includes south West Seattle) is here.

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SIP, SAVOR, SUPPORT: 2 days until 10 tasty ways to help West Seattle High School’s senior class

October 19, 2020 11:16 am

| 1 COMMENT

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | West Seattle schools

Wednesday’s the day for that 10-establishment food fundraiser organized as a fundraiser for the West Seattle High School Class of 2021, which made this video as a reminder.

On October 21st, these are the 10 establishments sharing part of the profits with the senior class:

Circa (2605 California SW)
Bebop Waffle Shop (2600 California SW)
Arthur’s (2311 California SW)
Mission Cantina (2325 California SW)
Admiral Pub (2306 California SW)
Ampersand Café (2536 Alki SW)
Lady Jaye (4523 California SW)
Peel and Press (6503 California SW)
The Westy (7908 35th SW)
Dream Dinners* (4701 41st SW)

Three notes: First, Dream Dinners-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) is unique – place your order for tomorrow, to pick up the you-cook meal on Thursday, using this link. Second: You’ll also be able to buy raffle tickets at dinner time. Third: 4 pm-4:45 pm Wednesday, the band Aurora Avenue plans a “live COVID-friendly performance:” at Lady Jaye. The students – and businesses – appreciate your support.

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TONIGHT: Lowman Beach sport-court proposal, meeting #2

October 19, 2020 9:56 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

One West Seattle event of note tonight: The second community meeting about a proposed sport court at Lowman Beach Park. The upcoming seawall-removal project will also take out the current tennis court; though there’s no replacement in the plan, a community group is pursuing a proposal to build a sport court – not necessarily tennis, or just tennis – elsewhere in the park (see the “opportunity area” above). That group got a grant for a survey and community meeting (here’s our August coverage here), and plans to announce the results and next steps tonight, 6:30 pm online. To attend:

Meeting number: 146 733 7298
Password: lowmanbeach
(Link here)
Join by phone – 206-207-1700

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