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month : 11/2020 294 results

For everyone who wondered what ever happened to The West Seattle Turkey
November 25, 2020 4:15 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

(December 2019 photo by Rosalie Miller)

It’s that time of year again when turkey is on many minds … and headed for so many ovens. But thoughts have also turned to the wild turkey who surprised and delighted West Seattleites for many months. Several readers have messaged or commented recently asking what ever happened to The West Seattle Turkey. (Some had names for her – Tallulah and Admiral Belvidere among others – but we just referred to her as TWST.) The first sighting we heard about was in April 2019, in Arbor Heights. She headed northbound and eventually settled in the Admiral area, most often seen near West Seattle High School, with some side trips – including a perch on a Junction crane. Then around the time the pandemic really blew up back in March, she started heading south, with a sojourn in Gatewood, then finding her way back to Arbor Heights in early April, and eventually leaving West Seattle altogether – after this sighting, she crossed the city-limits line, and so far as we’ve heard, never came back. Last report we got was a Kent sighting in late April. Some time later, we contacted Regional Animal Services of King County to ask if they by any chance had rounded up a turkey. They had – but it was definitely not the same turkey. So TWST’s fate remains a mystery. It was speculated she roamed because she was looking for love; we hope she found it.

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YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle YMCA donation drive Saturday + virtual giving tree
November 25, 2020 3:22 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

The West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) just announced two opportunities for you to provide holiday help if you can:

West Seattle YMCA Pajama & Toy Drive

Join us for a drive-thru pajama & toy drive on Saturday, November 28, from 12:00 – 3:00 pm at the West Seattle Y [36th/Snoqualmie] to support Y families this holiday season. We are looking for warm pajamas, sizes 5T through size 16, and unwrapped toys. A few favorites include Legos, art kits, board games, Paw Patrol, Hot Wheels, and all kinds of balls. If you are not able to join us for the drive-thru, please see our online wish list:

West Seattle YMCA Virtual Giving Tree

During the holiday season, the West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA hosts the Giving Tree, which is full of requests from youth who are participants of our programs. We invite you to join our virtual Giving Tree to support our community while also keeping everyone safe.

We’ll be adding these ASAP to the list of giving opportunities in our just-launched West Seattle Holiday Guide.

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West Seattle Holiday Guide 2020, version 1.0, with Thanksgiving who’s-open info
November 25, 2020 1:20 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Every year, we assemble a long list of local info for the winter-holiday season. This year, the list is a lot shorter because the pandemic has quashed many events, but there’s still plenty for a West Seattle Holiday Guide, so we’ve just launched version 1.0. It includes everything from our West Seattle Christmas tree lot list to online holiday events to donation drives and much more. As always, we’ll be adding to the guide as the season goes on. The Thanksgiving list currently atop the guide includes links to the annual “who’s open” lists. So far, the restaurant list is a lot shorter than usual too; some venues offered pre-ordering (those aren’t included, just places that said they’re actually open tomorrow for takeout). We have a coffee list, too, plus info on grocery-store hours. We appreciate your help with additions and updates, for the Thanksgiving lists or the Holiday Guide now through New Year’s – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police ask for help ID’ing package thief. Plus, auto-theft alert
November 25, 2020 10:59 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes from the Southwest Precinct

:

PACKAGE THIEF: Local police are circulating those images, with this bulletin: “Requesting assistance in identifying this theft suspect. On 11-19-20 at 0200 hrs, the suspect pictured above was captured on home security camera stealing a package off the victim’s front porch in the 3900 block SW Holden St. Any assistance in identifying this suspect is appreciated.” Contact police and cite case 20-926231.

AUTO-THEFT ALERT: According to the precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner, “As of November 24th, the SW Precinct is trending up in auto theft incidents; specifically, we are up 4% year-to-date over last year’s numbers, and we are up 14% in the last 28 days over this period last year. The following neighbors are seeing substantial increases: Alaska Junction, Westwood/Roxhill/Arbor Heights, Morgan Junction, and Fauntleroy.” She offers this advice for preventing auto theft and car prowls:

Both of these crimes are referred to as crimes of opportunity and can happen very fast! An experienced car thief can break in and steal a car in less than one minute!

What are some prevention techniques for car prowl and auto theft?

-Never leave your car running or the keys in the ignition when you’re away, even for ‘just a minute’, please remember this is illegal in Seattle and in Washington (SMC 11.70.160, RCW 46.61.600)

-Remove remote garage door openers, key fobs and key cards from vehicle

-Always lock doors and roll up windows, even if the car is parked in front of your home

-Never leave valuables in plain view, even if your car is locked

-Items you don’t want to take with you should be stored in the trunk, or out of sight

-Put items in the trunk before you arrive at your destination

-Even non-valuable items should be hidden from view (such as electronic charging cables)

-If possible, park vehicle in a busy, locked, monitored and/or well-lit area

-Utilize anti-theft devices (Please contact me directly for link/suggestions for where to purchase these)

-If possible, activate alarm

What else can you do?

-Be observant! If you see something, say something!

-Remember to always report all crimes and suspicious activity to the Seattle Police Department by calling 911 for in-progress crimes, or utilize the non-emergency number/online reporting if appropriate (206-625-5011)

-Organize and/or get involved with Block Watch

You can contact her with questions at jennifer.danner@seattle.gov. To report a crime online – something not happening right now or moments ago – go here.

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WEST SEATTLE WEDNESDAY: 4 notes
November 25, 2020 9:22 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Lincoln Park – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

On Thanksgiving Eve, here’s what’s happening:

TURKEY DONATIONS: The West Seattle Food Bank is still accepting turkeys, until 2 pm today. (35th/Morgan)

NEED FOOD? Three ways to get it today:
*WSFB is distributing food 10 am-3 pm (they should have at least a few turkeys left – among the latest donors, Safeway planned to take over ~50)
*Seattle Public Schools – last meal distribution until Monday, 11:15 am-1:15 pm
*Food Lifeline (815 S. 96th) – distributing food boxes 2 pm-5 pm

UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE: Informational presentation at the Senior Center, 11 am – details here. (4217 SW Oregon)\

PRE-HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Our recent update includes grocery-store hours for today and tomorrow at local standalone stores. Also, local, independent shop West Seattle Wine Cellars (6026 California SW) emailed to say they’re open 11 am-7 pm today.

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Pre-holiday Wednesday watch
November 25, 2020 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Pre-holiday Wednesday watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Welcome to Wednesday, November 25th, the 247th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK

Delridge project: No work Thursday and Friday, says SDOT. Here’s what’s happening until then (and beyond).

TRANSIT

Metro – Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving.

Water Taxi – No service Thanksgiving or the day after.

CHECK TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Restricted-daytime-access (open to all 9 pm-5 am) low bridge:

The main detour route across the Duwamish River, the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) . Here are two cameras:

The other major bridge across the river – the South Park Bridge (map). Here’s the nearest camera:

Going through South Park? Don’t speed. (Same goes for the other detour-route neighborhoods, like Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge.)

Checking for bridges’ marine-traffic openings? See the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

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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CORONAVIRUS: Tuesday 11/24 roundup
November 24, 2020 11:46 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

The surge goes on – here are the pandemic toplines:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s today’s daily summary from Seattle-King County Public Health – the cumulative totals:

*40,736 people have tested positive, 671 more than yesterday’s total

*849 people have died, 14 more than yesterday’s total

*3,030 people have been hospitalized, 10 more than yesterday’s total

*623.494 people have been tested++++

One week ago, the totals were 35,710/833/2,890/600,335.

++++Because of the state test-results backlog first mentioned Saturday, this number will be unchanged TFN.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

NATIONAL/WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 59.7 million cases worldwide, 12.5 million of them in the U.S. – see other nation-by-nation stats by going here.

OUTBREAK AT THE MOUNT TAKES MORE LIVES: Providence Mount St. Vincent sent an update on their latest outbreak, including three more deaths.

GOVERNOR’S BRIEFING: Gov. Inslee held a media briefing today and reminded people to stay safe through the holiday. He also said vaccinations could start as soon as mid-December. You can watch the video here.

NEED FOOD BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS? Three things to know about tomorrow:
West Seattle Food Bank (35th/Morgan), distributing food 10 am-3 pm
Seattle Public Schools – last meal distribution until Monday, 11:15 am-1:15 pm
Food Lifeline (815 S. 96th) – distributing food boxes 2 pm-5 pm

CAN YOU DONATE? WSFB is still accepting turkeys tomorrow. If you can bring one or more – preferably small/medium – stop by 9 am-2 pm.

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

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ELECTION 2020: 3 notes from King County’s final results
November 24, 2020 9:26 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

checkbox.jpgThree weeks after the voting ended, the general-election results for King County are now certified. Three notes:

TURNOUT: Countywide, 86.87 percent, breaking the 85 percent record set in 2012. For the city of Seattle, 88.18 percent. For the 34th Legislative District (West Seattle, White Center, Vashon, part of Burien), 87.64 percent.

PRESIDENTIAL VOTING: Countywide, it was 74.95 percent for Biden/Harris, 22.24 percent for Trump/Pence.

HOW BALLOTS WERE TURNED IN: KCE says 73.9 percent of voters used ballot drop boxes, 24.98 percent mailed in their ballots, and 1.1 percent got theirs in by fax.

More stats are in the KCE news release.

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City budget, bridge, and new leadership @ Admiral Neighborhood Association
November 24, 2020 8:35 pm
|    Comments Off on City budget, bridge, and new leadership @ Admiral Neighborhood Association
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Hours after the City Council finalized next year’s budget, West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold was the spotlight guest at last night’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting.

ANA also elected next year’s leadership slate, including a new president, after David Hancock decided not to run for re-election.

We’ll start with the budget discussion.

Read More

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FOLLOWUP: New COVID-19 outbreak at Providence Mount St. Vincent takes 3 more lives
November 24, 2020 5:57 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

One week after we reported a new, deadly COVID-19 outbreak at Providence Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle, the facility says three more people have died. Since the pandemic began last spring, The Mount has lost a total of 11 people to COVID-19. Right now, The Mount says in an announcement this afternoon, 15 residents and 11 caregivers have tested positive in the current outbreak. The first outbreak was back in spring, and the facility got it under control by “rapidly implement(ing) screening procedures, visitor restrictions and physical barriers” as well as closing communal dining, and requiring universal masking, as well as facility-wide testing, twice-daily temperature and oxygen monitoring on every resident and patient, and screening and temperature checks of all staff upon entry. No residents tested positive for 6 months, but the current surge led to the return of the virus at The Mount, which describes itself as “a residential community serving nearly 400 elders with an average age of 94. It is challenging to help them follow all precautions, such as mask wearing, social distancing, and staying in their rooms most of the time. Many have some level of dementia which exacerbates this challenge.” So here’s what they’re doing now:

As we face this second outbreak, we are co-horting every resident who has tested positive either in a private room or in a dedicated unit on our 5th floor. This includes any person who may have been exposed, as we presume that they are positive while awaiting test results.

In anticipation of the continued surge in our region over the Thanksgiving holiday, we are increasing our caregiver testing to twice per week.

We are encouraging residents to stay in their rooms, but we must also balance the physical and emotional impact of complete social isolation. Their spirit, heart, cognition and physical well-being must also be supported as we navigate this pandemic.

As a higher number of positive cases occur in the region, it becomes more challenging to prevent it from entering the Mount.
Additionally, as people rush to get tested so that they may justify traveling, they have caused a higher volume of testing and thus a slower turnaround of test results for vulnerable elders in communities such as ours.

We believe there is hope on the horizon, but we must shut down the virus at the broader community level first. This requires hard work and a lot of difficult decisions.

The direct caregivers who are working the front lines must be honored for the sacrifices that they are making. Many are facing losses of loved ones as well as detrimental financial impacts in their own families and yet show up to serve every day. The public at large perhaps doesn’t see in full view the tremendous sacrifices and loving care that is taking place.

The announcement concludes with a poignant plea:

“Let’s not forget that we all depend on each other,” said Dr. David Roesel, MD , and provider at Providence Mount St. Vincent. “Every action will affect another person. The elders in our care built the very society that we enjoy. They deserve our very best efforts to keep them safe. Each human life is more important than the economy. We can figure out the finances later, but once a life is gone, it’s gone. Be careful. Wear a mask. Stay at home. These are real human souls among our elders who are bearing the brunt of this pandemic. When you see the finish line, is not the time to stop running.”

The Mount is just south of The Triangle, and along with its health-care services, it’s home to an internationally renowned preschool and hosting community events every year such as an outdoor concert series.

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FOLLOWUP: City still deciding what’s next after West Seattle Junction portable-toilet fire
November 24, 2020 5:18 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, Sunday)

Will the city replace the portable toilet destroyed by fire at 44th/Alaska early Sunday (WSB coverage here)? Seattle Public Utilities spokesperson Sabrina Register tells WSB, “There are discussions around next steps for hygiene resources at the location,” After removal of the controversial “hygiene station” in Junction Plaza Park three weeks ago, the city-funded toilet was the only remaining public restroom in the area; the fire also destroyed the portable sink that had been moved there from the park. SFD tells WSB there’s no information on the fire’s cause; one engine was on scene for about 15 minutes and its investigator was not dispatched. The charred remnants of the toilet have not yet been removed, but Register says SPU is working on that “and is reviewing any actions that can be taken to reduce fire risk.” We researched the portable toilet’s history while covering a Junction safety initiative in 2016; the city told us then that one had been there since the Junction Association requested it in the ’90s.

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HOLIDAYS: Gift-bidding @ St. Nicholas Faire, online, Friday
November 24, 2020 3:41 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Coronavirus | Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

img_7901
(WSB file photo)

Yet another local holiday event has reinvented itself for the pandemic – the St. Nicholas Faire, presented every year by First Lutheran Church of West Seattle to benefit local nonprofits. It’s usually a celebration in the church’s festively decorated lower level, centered on silent auctions for potential gifts – specialty baskets put together by church members, and gift cards to businesses. This year, it’s an online auction, and it’s happening Friday night (November 27th), 6-9 pm. All you have to do is register and bid! As organizers note, “This is an excellent opportunity to purchase some gifts without having to leave your home.” Proceeds go to the West Seattle Food Bank. But the bidding will happen just during those three hours Friday night. You can register in advance, and preview some of the items, by going here.

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SPEND LOCAL! Another business joins UR West Seattle campaign, with a discount for you
November 24, 2020 2:04 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Back on Sunday, West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) launched a new idea for encouraging you to spend local – UR West Seattle (the UR stands for “unique restaurants/retail”). Bring a receipt (dated yesterday or later) from a retail store or restaurant that’s unique to West Seattle, and WSR will give you a 5 percent discount. They’ve invited other West Seattle businesses to join in, and today we got word another has signed on – Seattle Dive Tours (4217 Admiral Way), which sells gear as well as tours, online as well as in person, is offering the discount too. If your business is interested in being part of UR West Seattle, contact WS Runner – here’s how. As proprietors Tim and Lori McConnell said in their announcement, “We know this is a small gesture, but small business is at a crossroads, and we hope this motivates people to think about shopping locally first.”

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WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Here’s what will be different this year
November 24, 2020 12:01 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

As Thanksgiving approaches, so does Christmas-lights season. But as with so many things, the pandemic has changed plans.

(WSB photo, 2019)

MENASHE FAMILY LIGHTS: Usually by now, installation would be well under way at the Menashe Family‘s legendary display on Beach Drive SW. But after driving by a few times in recent days and noting the absence of the requisite bucket truck, we called the family’s shop today to inquire. Josh Menashe tells us they’ve decided to scale way back this year, for obvious reasons – anything that draws a crowd (or requires many helpers to install) is dangerous right now. (And they’ve already been through one COVID-19 scare.) They’ll put up a small amount of decorations this weekend, he told us, but nothing like the usual all-out light show. And after that, if you do go by for a look, the family implores you, please keep moving – don’t get out of your car (or off your bike).

WEST SEATTLE YULETIDE: Ken and Cora Iverson have canceled this annual animated-lights show northeast of The Junction:

It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing that West Seattle Yuletide will be cancelling our Yule light
show for 2020. We had hoped to host a limited display but with the recent increase in cases and the associated increases in restrictions, we feel that we can’t justify the risks involved in attracting crowds. The last thing we would want is to be the reason people, especially the local children getting sick.

It’s been a terrible year but we are hopeful that things will change next year and hope to return with a 2021 show. Be safe and stay healthy.

P.S. We’ll be featuring home decorations as we did during Halloween season – info welcome at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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MUSIC: Brent Amaker & The Rodeo’s new video ‘Ugly World’ features beautiful Hiawatha – and Frida
November 24, 2020 10:51 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Mid-morning music break! Brent Amaker & The Rodeo, electric country-rockers fronted by an Admiral entrepreneur, have a new music video, mostly filmed at Hiawatha Playfield. Starring with Brent and his band in the video “Ugly World” is his dog Frida. The accompanying announcement explains that it’s “the title track from their new EP. “Ugly World” is something of an ode to 2020, with the Rodeo keeping one eye on turning the page to a new year, new horizons, and yes, getting the Rodeo back to a town near you.” The band’s been performing for 15 years.

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WEST SEATTLE TUESDAY: 5 notes
November 24, 2020 10:30 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE TUESDAY: 5 notes
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sunny Saturday – photo by Gill Loring)

With two days until the holiday, here’s what’s happening (and not happening) in the hours ahead:

NO SCHOOL: As would also be the case if Seattle Public Schools had in-person classes right now, most elementary/K-8 classes are not meeting this week (and all students are off Thursday/Friday – no meal distribution those days, either, so stock up tomorrow).

NEED FOOD? West Seattle Food Bank‘s pre-holiday distribution continues today, until 2 pm. (35th & Morgan)

CAN YOU DONATE? If you’re not in need and can give, WSFB still needs turkeys. Small/medium frozen turkeys are preferred but they’ll accept whatever you can bring, until 3 pm today.

DEMONSTRATION: As announced by organizer Scott:

Black Lives Matter sign-waving

Tuesday (today) – 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden. Come show support for BLM and ending systemic racism. Hold signs, meet neighbors and stand for racial justice. Scott at PR Cohousing, endorsed by Hate-Free Delridge. Signs available

Thursday – Holiday, no sign-waving. (You could read and acknowledge local tribal histories, or go farther and work on decolonization.)

FINAL ELECTION RESULTS: King County Elections certifies the final November results today, by 4 pm.

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BUSINESS UPDATE: Dream Dinners holiday-party alternative + school fundraiser
November 24, 2020 9:18 am
|    Comments Off on BUSINESS UPDATE: Dream Dinners holiday-party alternative + school fundraiser
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Two updates today featuring Dream Dinners-West Seattle (WSB sponsor):

HOLIDAY PARTY ALTERNATIVE: Can’t have a holiday party for your staff this year – so what’s the alternative? Give the gift of ready-to-cook dishes from Dream Dinners. This flyer explains the offer. You can call 206-938-5999 to order and/or find out more.

SCHOOL FUNDRAISER: The Genesee Hill Elementary PTA is partnering with Dream Dinners:

Dine out for December for Genesee Hill Elementary! Enjoy your meals with your family! Let Dream Dinners do the work! Dream Dinners is a local meal-prep business that takes care of menu planning, grocery shopping, and prep so you can enjoy stress-free dinners with your family! Stock your freezer from a menu of 20 chef-crafted meals in December (and potentially beyond) so that you will spend less time worrying about what to make for dinner and more time doing what you love! The dates for meal pick up are listed below along with the hyperlink to order food. The cost is $50 per medium dinner package (3 meals each serving 2-3 people) A family will be able to pick out three meals from the link below, pick them up on that date and store for using at their own convenience! There are 30 slots available (10 per date.) We receive $10 for every family that participates in this fundraiser. Additionally, if you place a full-size order within one week of your pickup, Dream Dinners will donate an extra $20 to Genesee Hill Elementary!!

The families can start reserving their meals now and up to 36 hours prior to the order pickup date. Please see below. The links provide the order form and the menu of dinners available on those dates! Enjoy!

Thursday, December 3rd – order by 12/1

Saturday, December 5th – order by 12/3

Saturday, December 12th – order by 12/10

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Tuesday 11/24 watch
November 24, 2020 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Tuesday 11/24 watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Welcome to Tuesday, the 246th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK

Delridge project: No work on Thursday and Friday this week. Here’s what’s happening until then (and beyond).

CHECK TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Restricted-daytime-access (open to all 9 pm-5 am) low bridge:

The main detour route across the Duwamish River, the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) . Here are two cameras:

The other major bridge across the river – the South Park Bridge (map). Here’s the nearest camera:

Going through South Park? Don’t speed. (Same goes for the other detour-route neighborhoods, like Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge.)

Checking for bridges’ marine-traffic openings? See the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

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

TRANSIT

Metro – Fare collection has resumed.

Water Taxi – Also charging again.

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

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CORONAVIRUS: Monday 11/23 roundup
November 23, 2020 10:36 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Here’s tonight’s roundup of virus-crisis news:

FROM THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT: First a warning: “We are in a very dangerous time of this pandemic—health care workers, other essential workers, our elders, persons with chronic diseases, and our family and friends all need your help staying safe.” Then a note that the backlog of test results, first mentioned Saturday, has been cleared as of today, but the numbers are high statewide as a result, and that goes for the local stats. Here’s the full statement from the Department of Health.

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: On to today’s daily summary from Seattle-King County Public Health – the cumulative countywide totals:

*40,065 people have tested positive, 1,393 more than yesterday’s total

*835 people have died, unchanged from Friday

*3,020 people have been hospitalized, 47 more than yesterday’s total

*622,741 people have been tested, 2,065 more than yesterday’s total++++

One week ago, the totals were 35,209/829/2,867/598,646.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

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

COVID RELIEF RESOURCE REMINDER: Applications are open through next Monday for the next round of Small Business Stabilization Grants, and other programs continue, the city wants you to know.

NEED FOOD? Pre-Thanksgiving distributions continue at the West Seattle Food Bank (35th/Morgan) again tomorrow and Wednesday, 10 am-2 pm. Also on Wednesday, food boxes will be available 2-5 pm at Food Lifeline (815 S. 96th).

AND IF YOU CAN GIVE … WS Food Bank needs turkeys.

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

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HOLIDAYS: More West Seattle options for pre-Thanksgiving Christmas trees
November 23, 2020 8:50 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Looking for a Christmas tree in West Seattle before Thanksgiving? First, we showed you Junction TrueValue‘s early arrivals a week ago; now, more options. On Alki, Trees by the Sea is back at 2538 Alki Avenue SW (photo above):

Hours are:
Monday-Thursday 12-6
Friday 11-8
Saturday 8-8
Sunday 9-6

We still are getting trees in weekly to ensure people get a great fresh tree for their holiday season. We will have our pop up shop open daily as well with products from our Shipwreck Honey line of products and gifts from the hive. We also decided that since everyone has had a pretty crazy year we would not be raising our prices. Same great quality for the same reasonable price.

No delivery yet – they’re working on it. … Trees also have arrived at West Seattle Nursery, open 9 am-7 pm daily (except they’ll close this Wednesday at 5 pm and be closed on Thanksgiving Day) … We noticed trees at Tony’s Market (35th/Barton) on Sunday but it wasn’t open when we went by today, so no specifics yet … And if you’re wondering, Holy Rosary School‘s tree lot opens this Friday; details are in our calendar listing.

P.S. This will all be in our forthcoming pandemic-modified West Seattle Holiday Guide, launching tomorrow.

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PARKING: Two West Seattle sign sightings
November 23, 2020 7:06 pm
|      55 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | Transportation | West Seattle news

Two recent parking changes in West Seattle:

RITE-AID LOT ADDS PAID PARKING: When we reported recently on the new contract-holder for vehicle licensing in West Seattle, he mentioned that one strike against the old location (he’s moving into Westwood Village instead) was that paid parking was going in at Rite-Aid across the street (5217 California SW). We hadn’t confirmed that until noticing this past weekend that it’s now in place. While there are still free spaces for customers in front of the store, and some on either side, the rest are now controlled by Diamond Parking, $2/first hour, $1 subsequent hours, and they’re selling monthly parking too ($30). The free spaces are marked 60 MINS. in white paint, while the paid spaces say PAY, in yellow paint. Diamond’s other lots around West Seattle (and elsewhere) are mapped here.

DUWAMISH HEAD GOES BACK-IN: Stewart L. sent this photo recently, noting the “back-in only” sign was new:

We asked SDOT about it. While they didn’t explain why they decided to add the signage now, spokesperson Ethan Bergerson explained why the department prefers it for angled parking:

All back-in angle spaces follow the guidelines outlined in the Institute of Traffic Engineers Handbook. Traffic safety and crash data analysis showed a 3-1 ratio of collisions occurring with head-in parking spaces as opposed to back-in parking spaces. Back-in angle parking is safer than head-in for several reasons:

· Traffic is already stopped when the driver is backing into a parking space, rather than backing out into a moving traffic lane when visibility is limited.

· When leaving a parking space it is easier and safer to drive into a travel lane than back a vehicle out of a space into a travel lane.

· People on bicycles are better able to avoid a vehicle backing into a parking space than a vehicle backing out of a space into a cyclist’s path.

· The time required to back into an angle space requires less time than to park parallel or to back out of an angle stall, therefore traffic delays are reduced.

For these reasons, it has been the preference of SDOT to install back-in angle parking since at least the late 1960s. The only locations where we continue to consider head-in angle parking are on one-way downhill streets.

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EARLY WARNING: South Park Bridge closures in December
November 23, 2020 5:26 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   South Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, 2014)

Six and a half years after it opened, the South Park Bridge is getting its first full mechanical/electrical inspection. King County Road Services announced today that the bridge will close for that inspection on two nights in December – Wednesday, December 9th, and Thursday, December 10th, 10:30 pm to 6 am both nights. The main detour those nights will be the nearby 1st Avenue South Bridge, but the West Seattle low bridge also will be open to all traffic as usual for all but the last hour of those windows.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Teen assaulted, harassed in park; package theft
November 23, 2020 3:28 pm
|      42 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

PARK ASSAULT: Robin emailed to report what happened to her high-risk teenager one week ago:

My 14 year-old son was out last Sunday biking in Schmitz Park. He’s been told to distance by his nephrologist and the Mayo Clinic physicians who monitor his rare kidney disorder, so this is one of the only outdoor activities still available to him. Sadly, he’s not allowed to see friends or family outside of our “pod,” who have been required to observe pretty extreme distancing measures to keep him from contracting COVID. Three people came up on the trail with “rock crawler” RC cars, and he asked for a second to move; they said they wanted the space and he tried to move, explaining he needed to stay socially distanced because it would be very bad if he was exposed to COVID, due to his condition.

At that point, one of the ADULT MEN then got in my son’s face (as my son left his bike behind, trying to escape up the side of a hill) screaming at him that the COVID pandemic is a hoax, that my son was a “liberal retard” for wearing a mask and staying distanced from others; then proceeded to breathe hard on my kid, following him in a menacing manner, to drive home his (rather asinine) point about the pandemic.

Moms are amazing, and one who had heard about this experience sent us video of them back in the park. We’d like to identify the man (wearing the black coat and camo backpack) who accosted my child, as well as the other two “men” (to use the term loosely) who looked on and did nothing.

Anyone who has heard about this has been disgusted, and the response has showed us that West Seattle isn’t this guy. For our kid, this really, really was rough. He has literally not seen a friend face to face since March. Not hung out, not been with peers. So “breaking quarantine” with this guy was just terrible.

They have filed a police report – 20-326928 – so if anyone has tips or encounters the same people/behavior, please call police and reference that number.

PACKAGE THEFT: Elisa emailed to report: “Just want to give the Arbor Heights community a heads up on this porch pirate hanging around a little before 1 pm today. The box he was trying to steal was an empty treat box for the postal workers so he threw it up on the lamp post and drove off.” Here’s a photo of the person and car.

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