West Seattle, Washington

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month : 11/2020 294 results

HOLIDAY HELP: West Seattle Food Bank needs turkeys!
November 23, 2020 1:33 pm
|    Comments Off on HOLIDAY HELP: West Seattle Food Bank needs turkeys!
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, Saturday at SSC)

1:33 PM: Last Saturday, the West Seattle Food Bank gave out hundreds of turkeys, and distribution at their HQ continues through Wednesday – but they need more, ASAP. We just received the request:

You can help your neighbors enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. Please donate turkeys today!

The West Seattle Food Bank is in need of turkeys to give out to our neighbors this week. As we approach Thanksgiving, there has been record numbers of neighbors coming to the West Seattle Food Bank for holiday groceries.

While we bought several hundred more turkeys than usual, we are at risk of running out! We’ve served over 700 families thus far and are still distributing food another 3 days. We need your help to ensure all our neighbors can enjoy a delicious meal with their family.

Donations accepted:

Monday until 3:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

West Seattle Food Bank
3419 SW Morgan St.

The WSFB has a garage entrance off Morgan where you can pull in to deliver donations.

4:17 PM: WSFB says frozen small or medium turkeys are preferred, but reader Christine reported trouble finding those at several local stores, so they say they can accept fresh turkeys too, as they have an industrial-size freezer for storage.

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE: What’s happening on/in it right now
November 23, 2020 11:52 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(SDOT photo)

Today marks exactly eight months since the West Seattle Bridge was closed to traffic. As reported last Thursday, the mayor has decided that it will be repaired rather than staying closed until it can be replaced. But first, stabilization work has to be completed. Here’s what SDOT says is happening with that right now:

Earlier this month, we released the damaged bearings at Pier 18, located on the east side of the Duwamish. Pier 18’s neoprene lateral bearings were compressed and bulging, locking together two critical parts of the bridge that typically are independent of each other. This was creating additional pressure and preventing the bridge from moving as it should.

This past week, we finished breaking down the concrete that held the damaged bearings in place and removed the concrete from the site. We also finished drilling to set new rebar [photo above], which will secure the concrete joints once they are poured to hold the new bearings in place.

We recently started on a new (and the last) round of carbon fiber wrapping. We’re on track to complete the wrapping by mid-December. Carbon fiber wrapping helps support the now stable and strengthened bridge. This is the last step in Phase I of stabilization, and once it’s done, we will lower work platforms. …

We’re on track to complete Phase I of stabilization work by the end of this year. By the end of December, all work platforms will be lowered onto barges and temporary work structures will be removed. We’ll continue monitoring and inspection activities after stabilization work is complete.

After Thanksgiving, we’ll pour concrete to hold Pier 18’s new bearings in place, setting the stage for Phase II of the two-part repair process.

No public meetings related to the bridge are planned this week. The next one announced so far is the Community Task Force‘s meeting on Wednesday, December 2nd.

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WEST SEATTLE MONDAY: 5 notes for today/tonight
November 23, 2020 10:34 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(City-landmark Hamm Building, photographed early today by Jerry Simmons)

Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead:

PRE-HOLIDAY FODO DISTRIBUTION: Now through 2 pm is the window for today’s distribution at the West Seattle Food Bank (35th/Morgan), which has turkeys and chickens available for holiday meals.

UR WEST SEATTLE: As announced on Sunday, purchases at unique West Seattle businesses, starting today, make you eligible for this discount program kicked off by West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor).

FLEURT GIVEAWAY: Another business-supporting-business initiative – Fleurt in The Junction is giving away two $50 gift cards to people who have made purchases at Fleurt or other Junction businesses/restaurants, from this past Saturday (November 21st) through tomorrow (Tuesday, November 24th). Entries are via comments on this Instagram post by Fleurt (which has all the rules).

CITY COUNCIL’S FINAL BUDGET VOTE: 2 pm online. The meeting starts with a public-comment period; you can register to speak starting at noon. Info on commenting and viewing, plus all the budget-related documents, can be found here.

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm online, with an agenda including a conversation with City Councilmember Lisa Herbold. Email info@admiralneighborhood.org for the link to watch/participate.

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Summertime memorial planned for Jack Block, 1934-2020
November 23, 2020 9:26 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Earlier this month, we reported that Jack Block had died. Today, we have this remembrance from his family, including plans for a summertime memorial:

Legendary former Seattle Port Commissioner Jack Block died of cancer on All Saints Day, November 1, 2020.

Jack was 86 and born on September 17th, 1934. Jack graduated from West Seattle High School, attended the University of Washington, where he pledged Sigma Chi, and received his BS in International Trade, then into the US Navy to complete his military service for several years.

Jack ran and lost four races for public office in 1965, 1966, 1969, and 1971. Jack won his 1973 race to become a Seattle Port Commissioner and served for 28 years, the longest-serving Seattle Port Commissioner. The Jack Block Shoreline Park in West Seattle was named for him as a tribute to his service by the Port of Seattle.

Between 1974 and 2001, Block’s leadership helped transform the Seattle waterfront into a world-class port, wooing shipping lines to Seattle, bringing cruise ships to Elliott Bay, and modernizing cargo handling with huge cranes. As a longtime fisherman, environmental issues were close to his heart. Expanding public access along the waterfront, cleaning up toxic sites such as Terminal 5 and 18, and along the Duwamish River shoreline, were priorities for him.

Block is survived by wife Vicki Schmitz-Block, daughters Joey Mabe, Natalie Ramelow, and Heidi Wallace, and son Jack Block Jr., plus eight grandchildren and three greats! He was preceded in death by Fran Block, his first wife.

A public celebration and memorial will be held at the Jack Block Park in West Seattle on the 4th of July, 2021, COVID rules permitting.

Donations can be made in Jack’s name to the Washington State Council of Firefighters Burn Foundation, the Seattle Seafarers Center; or Long Live the Kings, a salmon restoration nonprofit.

Please share memories of Jack and condolences with his family at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Jack-Block.

Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle

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

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Monday 11/23 watch
November 23, 2020 6:16 am
|    Comments Off on ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Monday 11/23 watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:16 AM: Welcome to Monday, the 245th morning without the West Seattle Bridge, which closed exactly eight months ago today.

ROAD WORK

Delridge project: More paving and utility work, and no work on Thursday and Friday this week. Here’s the preview for this week.

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? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed is working again.

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: Sunday 11/22 roundup
November 22, 2020 11:51 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

One week after the governor’s announcement adding restrictions, here’s what’s new in the virus crisis:

KING COUNTY’S NEWEST NUMBERS: The surge continues, as shown by the cumulative totals from the Public Health daily-summary dashboard:

*38,672 people have tested positive, up 660 from yesterday’s total

*835 people have died, unchanged since Friday

*2,973 people have been hospitalized, up 42 from yesterday’s total

*620,676 people have been tested, up 5,638 from yesterday’s total

One week ago, the King County totals were 34,537/828/2,834/597,550.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 58.6 million cases and 1,388.000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation breakdown here.

NEED A TEST? For now, the official advice is, don’t get tested unless you have been exposed or are having symptoms. Test sites have been very busy. But that aside, we’ll note again that one of the citywide teseting sites is in the Southwest Athletic Complex parking lot (2801 SW Thistle), Mondays through Saturdays, 8:45 am-5:30 pm (closed this Thursday for Thanksgiving). Go here to make an appointment.

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

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UPDATE: Protesters revisit councilmembers’ neighborhoods in West Seattle
November 22, 2020 9:57 pm
|      91 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle protests

9:57 PM: Thanks for the tips. What was described as a parade of honking cars and yelling people is in North Delridge. According to scanner traffic, they’ve arrived in City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda‘s neighborhood. She chairs the council’s Budget Committee, and tomorrow the council is scheduled to finalize a budget. Advocates of police “defunding” are not pleased because the proposed cuts/changes aren’t anywhere near the 50 percent they want to see.

10:22 PM: Police are monitoring this and have just radioed that the group has since headed up Genesee to SB Avalon.

10:34 PM: Now they’re in Council President Lorena González‘s Junction neighborhood.

11:11 PM: A neighbor says they’ve moved on.

11:23 PM: Scanner confirms what a commenter said – they’re now in Highland Park, Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s neighborhood. (All three of the West Seattle-residing councilmembers had been visited by protesters earlier this year, when the focus was on “rebalancing” the budget.)

12:20 AM: Per SPD on Twitter, they’ve moved on. Police also tweeted this video from the earlier Junction arrival

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FOLLOWUP: Volunteers prep ‘Alki Beach Rock House’ for move
November 22, 2020 9:04 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(WSB photos – first 4 are from Saturday)

If all goes well, the well-known “Rock House” (“Stone House’ to some) across from Don Armeni Boat Ramp will be moved to a temporary new home within the next month or two. To get ready for the move, advocates and other volunteers have been working to clean it up and prepare it. We stopped by this weekend while several were working at the site.

As we first reported almost two years ago, the nearly-a-century-old cottage studded with scavenged beach stones is on a site that’s destined for redevelopment. But the new owners were willing to give preservation advocates the house, as long as it could be moved. And first, there’s a lot to be removed.

Hopes of moving it to a Seattle Parks site aren’t advancing at this point, we’re told, but advocates with the Alki Beach Rock House Association are working on other options in the area.

First task, though, is moving it to a holding site. The renowned house-moving firm Nickel Bros is set to do that in December or January.

(WSB photo, 2019)

The house is not a historical landmark, but the group wants to save the structure as a reminder of Alki’s beach-cottage history, as what’s left of that history continues to make way for redevelopment.

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TOWN HALL: What West Seattle legislators and councilmembers talked about, from homelessness to holiday plans
November 22, 2020 7:08 pm
|    Comments Off on TOWN HALL: What West Seattle legislators and councilmembers talked about, from homelessness to holiday plans
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

One of last week’s many community meetings featured five West Seattle-residing elected representatives joining forces for an online Town Hall.

Wednesday night’s livestreamed event was hosted by State Sen. Joe Nguyen, with guests State Reps. Eileen Cody and Joe Fitzgibbon, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, and County Councilmember Joe McDermott.

They presented updates and answered questions. We’ll start with where they ended: Discussing Thanksgiving plans.

Read More

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WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: Photos to brighten the end of the weekend
November 22, 2020 5:40 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Here at the end of a gray day, we have bright and beautiful bird photos, courtesy of West Seattle photographers who sent them to us to share with you. Above, David Hutchinson photographed a Harlequin Duck at Constellation Park; below, a Red-breasted Sapsucker, photographed by Mark Wangerin:

Two from Jerry Simmons – an Anna’s Hummingbird in front of fall color:

And a Great Blue Heron:

Also featuring a bird perched on a piling, the photo below by Lynn Hall takes its brightness from the blue sky and blue water as a Cormorant looks toward downtown:

Carrie C. sent this photo of a Golden Pheasant sighting in Highland Park last month and we just realized we hadn’t included it in previous bird galleries:

Thanks again to everyone for sharing photos – whether birds or breaking news or other West Seattle sightings – westseattleblog@gmail.com any time.

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UR WEST SEATTLE: New way for businesses to help each other survive – with YOUR help!
November 22, 2020 2:54 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

It’s something we can’t say often enough … how you choose to spend each and every dollar right now matters massively. Every dollar spent on an independent local business is a dollar that will help ensure our area still has independent local businesses when this is over – something that’s even more vital here than elsewhere because of our transportation challenges. Many of these businesses are doing what they can to promote each other, as well as themselves. Today, a new way to enlist you in the cause: The owners of West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) – our area’s only running store – came up with an idea to encourage spending at unique local stores. Here’s their introduction of UR WEST SEATTLE:

To promote all the unique West Seattle businesses, West Seattle Runner would like to invite local businesses to join us in our Unique Restaurants/Retail West Seattle (UR West Seattle) program. We will be offering 5% off your purchase if you show us a receipt from any restaurant or retail store that is unique to West Seattle. All we ask is that the receipt be from November 22nd to the end of this current lockdown.

Businesses that are unique to West Seattle are automatically eligible, but they do not have to offer the discount. The discount is an opt-in program, so we are asking businesses that want to be a part of this to contact us and we will add them to our list. We are looking to have someone create a design or logo that can be displayed in the front window of businesses that are participating.

We are all in this together, and we all benefit from a vibrant, healthy business community. 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. Small business owners hire local people, spend money locally, and have a vested interest in local neighborhoods. Any purchase helps a small business pay bills and make payroll. Let us do our best to keep these cool, local, unique businesses around long after this crisis is over, as they help make West Seattle what it is; the most supportive community in all of Seattle.

Thanks, Tim and Lori
West Seattle Runner

Here’s how to contact WSR. This starts tomorrow (with receipts from transactions today or afterward). We’ll update as we get word of other participants.

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Early-morning fire destroys city-funded West Seattle Junction toilet
November 22, 2020 12:54 pm
|      37 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

When a Honey Bucket driver showed up at noon to service the city-funded portable toilet on SW Alaska near 44th SW, he had a surprise – there was nothing to service, just foul-smelling molten plastic debris. We were there checking because of reader tips that the toilet had been destroyed by fire. The SFD logs show a “dumpster fire” response there at 4:37 am today, with one engine on scene, for a total of 17 minutes. A toilet, framed by a permanent shelter, has been there for years. Recently a portable sink was added, moved from Junction Plaza Park after two portable toilets were removed from that spot; the sink also was destroyed in this morning’s fire.

SFD tells. us the fire remains under investigation. We’ll be checking with the city tomorrow about plans for replacing the toilet.

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UPDATE: ‘Scenes of violence’ call in The Junction
November 22, 2020 11:19 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

11:19 AM: Thanks for the tip about an emergency response in The Junction. SFD and SPD are at the Mural Apartments across from Jefferson Square for a “scenes of violence” response. We’re on the way to find out more.

11:28 AM: Medics are transporting one person. This happened inside the apartment building so we haven’t yet been able to talk to officers, who are inside investigating.

11:39 AM: SFD’s incident commander tells us the person going to the hospital is a man in his 20s with a gunshot wound. The circumstances remain under investigation. A chaplain has been dispatched.

12:38 PM: We went back to the scene and caught up with police getting ready to leave. They would only say “there’s no public safety concern.”

12:55 PM: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells WSB that the victim is 25 and was transported in critical condition, and that this was reported as self-inflicted.

As always when we mention suicide or attempted suicide, we want to remind you that there is 24/7 help – the Crisis Connections hotline is 206-461-3222.

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Live or work in Admiral? Talk about the neighborhood Monday
November 22, 2020 11:03 am
|    Comments Off on Live or work in Admiral? Talk about the neighborhood Monday
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Many neighborhood groups have continued going strong online during the pandemic, including the Admiral Neighborhood Association, which just sent this invitation to share with you:

Admiral Neighborhood Association General Meeting
Monday, Nov. 23rd from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Featured Topics

-A conversation with Councilmember Lisa Herbold
-A proposed bylaw amendment* to allow longer terms for board members (proposed language below)
-2021 Board member nominations and elections

Please email info@admiralneighborhood.org for zoom login info.

Interested in an ANA leadership position?

A number of ANA Board positions are opening up at the end of this year. If you’re wondering whether this might be the time to step up, the answer is yes. Admiral is ready and waiting for you, your ideas, and your energy. Drop us a line if you’ve got questions (info@admiralneighborhood.org).

*ANA bylaws Article VII states officers are limited to no more than three (3) consecutive terms in the same office. It has been proposed to add the following language that allows an exception to the term limit rule: “An officer may serve one or more additional consecutive terms upon unanimous vote of the Executive Committee, if no other candidate comes forward for the position.”

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: Here’s what’s up
November 22, 2020 6:30 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle religion | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Machel Spence)

Here’s what’s ahead for today in West Seattle and vicinity:

TODAY’S ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES: The list of more than 20.churches’ Sunday online services (with a few also offering in-person options), with updated links, is here.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in The Junction. Scroll down the page at this link to find the vendor list and map for this week. (Enter at California/Alaska; pickups for online orders are at California/Oregon)

TOYS FOR TOTS COLLECTION: 10 am-1:30 pm near the market’s entrance/exit, look for the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. (California/Alaska)

GEOLOGY AND PALEOECOLOGY OF PUGET SOUND: Free online presentation at 10:30 am; preregistration required. Details are in our calendar listing.

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. (9600 15th Ave SW)

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CORONAVIRUS: Saturday 11/21 roundup, including our weekly West Seattle trend check
November 21, 2020 11:34 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Here’s our nightly update on the pandemic:

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

*38,012 people have tested positive, 577 more than yesterday’s total

*835 people have died, unchanged from yesterday’s total

*2,931 people have been hospitalized, 17 more than yesterday’s total

*615,038 people have been tested, 2,848 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, those totals were 33,995/828/2,798/592,199.

WEST SEATTLE TREND: Here’s our weekly check of this stat, with numbers shown in two-week increments via the “geography over time” tab on the daily-summary dashboard, combining the totals from the West Seattle and Delridge “health reporting areas.” As with the county in general, we’re continuing on a big upswing – in the past 2 weeks, 359 positive test results were reported; 216 in the 2 weeks before that; 49 in the two weeks before that.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 58.1 million people have tested positive, and more than 1,380,000 people have died; U.S. deaths have passed 255,000. Most cases: U.S., India, Brazil, France, Russia (same top three as last week, while #4 and #5 traded places). See the breakdown, nation by nation, here.

STATE TEST RESULTS BACKLOG: You’ve heard – maybe even seen – that testing sites are jammed. So, it turns out, is the state results-processing system, according to this news release:

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is asking the state’s laboratories that conduct the largest volume of tests to temporarily stop sending individual negative COVID-19 test results, and instead send us the aggregate number of negative test results per day. During this time, our dashboards will report positive cases each day, but not the total number of daily tests or percent positive.

Our disease reporting system can receive and process approximately 33,000 total results per day. We are currently receiving 30-50 thousand records per day, leading to a backlog. As of Saturday, there are 53,000 backlogged results which accumulated over the past two to three days. They are a mix of negative and positive COVID-19 tests, and test results for other notifiable conditions such as tuberculosis. Testing volumes are expected to increase further in the coming weeks because both disease and demand for testing are increasing, and more testing sites and types of testing are coming online across our state. We have been working to expand the system’s capacity to receive additional results in anticipation of a surge, but recent disease growth and the associated testing volumes have outpaced our efforts. Without this pause, we will fall further behind.

We need to take this temporary step to ensure state and local public health officials receive positive results for all reportable conditions in a timely enough manner to carry out effective case investigations and contact tracing and to have real time visibility of the incidence and trajectory of COVID-19 cases (positive results) as well as other reportable disease cases.

The backlog of results means that the number of new COVID-19 cases reported the last two days is an undercount and likely does not reflect disease trends. Our temporary action will ensure we receive positive COVID-19 results and the DOH dashboard of the epidemiologic curve and the Governor’s Risk Assessment dashboard of the rate per 100,000 newly diagnosed cases reflect disease trends.

This is likely to affect the King County numbers we publish nightly, as the top of the county’s “daily summary” page explains the state is the source of the stats.

DONATION DRIVE TOMORROW: The weekly reminder – the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is at California/Alaska every Sunday, by the Farmers’ Market entrance, 10 am-1:30 pm, collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots.

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

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EXPLORING: Take the Green-Duwamish Journey!
November 21, 2020 8:57 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy DRCC)

Bundle up and get out! Looking for somewhere to explore that’s not far, but isn’t your same old familiar neighborhood path/park? The Duwamish Alive! Coalition and Green River Coalition have an invitation for you:

This fall, Duwamish Alive! is encouraging community members to take the self-guided Green-Duwamish Journey of discovery. The Green-Duwamish Watershed is one of the most interesting places to explore, especially now with the river alive with salmon and wildlife. Take the journey, visiting interesting locations that tell the unique story of this area, its geology, history, ecology, and its peoples over time. Many are nearby in West Seattle and Tukwila.

*Walk on land that held a 3,000 year old Duwamish Village
*Visit an active Duwamish Longhouse, gaining a deeper understanding of the Duwamish peoples
*Experience salmon returning to their home to spawn at the end of their life’s journey
*Visit innovative projects addressing our environmental challenges,
*Stand on a rock outcropping older than Mt. Rainier, left by the last glacial age
*Understand the area that made Seattle and this region what it is today

Download your free guidebook and student packets at DuwamishAlive.org for journey information on locations, fun activities, and an eco-pledge raffle, to experience our river in a new and deeper way. Journeys are planned individually, to accommodate schedules, interests, and Covid safety protocols. Locations are all easily accessed, offering easy walking; most are ADA-accessible and marked with signage.

This is a great activity for families and complement classroom learning with free downloadable student learning packets from NATURE VISION covering Ecological Impacts, Water Quality, Human Systems, Invasive Plants, Ecosystems, Watersheds, and Humans and Water for grades K-12. Each packet includes both a teacher and parent/caregiver overview and daily student science lessons which connect to our watershed’s and community’s health.

Questions? Email info@duwamishalive.org.

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WEST SEATTLE GROCERY SHOPPING: Holiday hours & more
November 21, 2020 6:52 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

We haven’t published a grocery-shopping update in a while – but a note from Suzanne inspired this one, since it’s time to check on holiday hours, anyway.

METROPOLITAN MARKET EXTENDED HOURS: This is the tip Suzanne sent – Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor) has extended its closing time to 1 am. She points out that late night is a good time to go if you want to avoid crowds. Hours are 5 am-1 am daily. On Thanksgiving Day, the store will close at 2 pm. (2320 42nd SW)

WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY: Note for curbside customers at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) – in the week ahead, that service is only offered Monday-Tuesday (November 23-24) and Friday (November 27) . The store’s regular hours are 5 am-midnight and it’s open until 7 pm Thanksgiving Day. (4201 SW Morgan)

PCC WEST SEATTLE: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Regular hours are 7 am-11 pm. (2749 California SW)

TRADER JOE’S: No senior hour on the day before Thanksgiving – store open to all, 8 am-9 pm, that day. Closed Thanksgiving Day. (4545 Fauntleroy Way SW)

WHOLE FOODS WEST SEATTLE: Open 7 am-11 pm the day before Thanksgiving, and 7 am-5 pm on the holiday. (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW)

QFC: All stores are closing at 6 pm on Thanksgiving Day; regular hours are 6 am-11 pm. (4550 42nd SW; Westwood Village)

SAFEWAY: All 3 in West Seattle are listed as open regular hours (5 am-1 am) on Thanksgiving Day. (2622 California SW; Jefferson Square; 28th/Roxbury)

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The show must go on(line): ArtsWest presents ‘A Very Merry Kraken Tea Party’ for the holidays
November 21, 2020 5:00 pm
|    Comments Off on The show must go on(line): ArtsWest presents ‘A Very Merry Kraken Tea Party’ for the holidays
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The pandemic won’t stop ArtsWest Playhouse from presenting a holiday show. It’s happening online, starting in less than a week. Here’s the announcement:

In its World Premiere, Justin Huertas’s new holiday mini-musical A VERY MERRY KRAKEN TEA PARTY will be available for digital access beginning November 27, and is on sale now at www.artswest.org.

Featuring five new songs from powerhouse playwright/composer/lyricist Justin Huertas, A VERY MERRY KRAKEN TEA PARTY follows the characters of Justin’s 2019 ArtsWest hit THE LAST WORLD OCTOPUS WRESTLING CHAMPION. As winter hits, the octopus Nia and Lee formed together has mysteriously separated and both have come ashore just as Todd and David are getting ready to celebrate their first Christmas together. With a new problem to solve, and with Grace away on tour in Thailand, all try to figure out how to celebrate holiday love with each other while they remain apart.

“One of the beautiful things about the way Justin writes is that, even though he writes stories that have extraordinary given circumstances, he writes deeply human stories within that context,” said Artistic Director and THE LAST WORLD OCTOPUS WRESTLING CHAMPION director Mathew Wright. “I’m so excited that Justin has chosen to revisit the world and characters he created in OCTOPUS and find out what happens to them during the holidays – and amidst a global pandemic!”

“We learn from so many stories that love is the bow wrapped around the neatly wrapped Christmas gift, but what I’ve learned over the years is that love is also the wrapping and the box—the very act of tearing the present open in anticipation of the unknown is also love,” said creator Justin Huertas. “I was excited to bring these characters that I love so well back to the page and imagine what happens after their Happily Ever After. Setting it in present day 2020 also allowed me to explore what it means to connect at a time when connection is at its most challenging.”

The cast features the return of the original cast of THE LAST WORLD OCTOPUS WRESTLING CHAMPION – Rachel Guyer-Mafune (M. BUTTERFLY, ArtsWest), Christian Quinto (OFFICE HOUR, ArtsWest), Tyler Rogers (HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE, Book-It Repertory Theatre), and Porscha Shaw (NINA SIMONE: FOUR WOMEN, Seattle Repertory Theatre; SAINT JOAN, ArtsWest).

The Creative Team features creator Justin Huertas (LIZARD BOY), musical arrangements and musical direction by Steven Tran (HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE, Book-It Repertory Theatre), and production design and editing by Cameron Lee (FOUND AMONG THE PAPERS OF THE LATE ICHABOD CRANE.)

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire; smashed-glass theft/vandalism
November 21, 2020 2:34 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports:

PUGET RIDGE GUNFIRE: This summary is from the SPD Significant Incident Reports file – it happened in the 6500 block of 21st SW early Friday:

On 11-20-2020 at 0027 hours, a male was sitting in his vehicle when a suspect drove by and shot at him four times. The victim’s vehicle was hit all four times, with the front passenger door being hit three times and a tire once. The victim was not injured. The victim said that he believes the suspect tried to kill him because he was there to testify in a court case.

JUNCTION VANDALISM/THEFT: Back on Wednesday, we reported someone broke a window at the Senior Center of West Seattle. There’ve been at least three other broken-glass incidents, two involving theft, according to the West Seattle Junction Association: “At West Seattle Optix, a window was smashed and handfuls of glasses were stolen; at Emerald Water Anglers, a window was smashed. In the 42nd Ave parking lot, a van window was smashed, with $2,500 of speakers stolen.”

(added at 2:44 pm) MORE VANDALISM: Just after we published what’s above, this arrived, from Gay: “Our [Vespa] scooter was pushed over and damaged while parked in the lot behind Key Bank in Alaska Junction about 1pm today. A man behaving erratically and swearing at people came up to the Scooter and slammed it on its side. Thanks to the father and son who noticed and helped get it back upright.”

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WHALES: Two groups of orcas, two directions
November 21, 2020 11:13 am
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

11:13 AM: Two groups of orcas are heading in our direction, from opposite directions, according to Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch: Transient orcas are northbound, passing Three Tree Point a little while ago, while Southern Resident Killer Whales from J-Pod are reported to be southbound, off mid-Bainbridge Island at last report. Let us know if you see any of them.

12:15 PM: See comments for updates – thanks to everyone providing them!

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UPDATE: West Seattle Food Bank’s special pre-Thanksgiving food distribution at South Seattle College
November 21, 2020 11:10 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | Puget Ridge | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

11:10 AM: Second major pre-holiday food-distribution event of the day in West Seattle, and it’s going fast. The West Seattle Food Bank has staffers and volunteers in the north parking lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) with turkeys and other food for those who need it. This too is a drive-up event – approach the entrance from northbound 16th.

Within the first 40 minutes, they told us, they had already given out half the 500 turkeys (and boxes of fresh produce and dairy) that they brought.

But if you missed it, you’re not out of luck – the Food Bank also has pre-holiday distributions at its High Point HQ (35th/Morgan): Monday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Tuesday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, and Wednesday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, with available food including turkeys and chickens.

11:32 AM UPDATE: The Food Bank was down to the last 25 turkeys but is getting a few more – Eastridge is bringing over its 40 remaining turkeys since its event in The Junction has ended.

P.S. If you are fortunate enough not to need help this holiday season, you might consider helping the WSFB continue to do this work – it’s handling more need than ever, especially after merging with the Helpline, helping people with emergency aid to prevent homelessness – here’s how to donate.

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UPDATE: Eastridge Church’s pre-Thanksgiving turkey-giving
November 21, 2020 9:58 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

9:58 AM: Every year, Eastridge Church offers free turkeys and groceries on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This morning, the annual event is happening pandemic-style – drive-up.

The church is giving out 500 turkeys and bags of other food here (and 1,000 more at its Issaquah campus), plus gloves while they last.

About 30 volunteers are here to help. The line of cars is northbound on 39th (where the church’s entrance is just south of Oregon), approaching from westbound Fauntleroy, and backing up onto SB 38th within 15 minutes. This is the first of three food-distribution events in West Seattle today, as listed in our daily preview.

11:32 AM: Eastridge just wrapped up and had 40 turkeys left, so they’re taking those over to the West Seattle Food Bank distribution at SSC, which had almost run out.

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