West Seattle, Washington
01 Sunday
On Election Eve, here’s our nightly roundup of pandemic-related notes:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s today’s daily summary from Public Health – the cumulative countywide totals:
*28,262 people have tested positive, 295 more than yesterday’s total
*806 people have died, 2 more than yesterday’s total
*2,594 people have been hospitalized, 12 more than yesterday’s total
*545,651 people have been tested, 549 more than yesterday’s total
One week ago, the totals were 26,521/791/2,545/530,879.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here … but with this caveat.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them – nation by nation – here.
NEED FOOD? Again this week, Food Lifeline will distribute free emergency boxes of food to anyone who shows up, 2-5 pm Friday (November 6th) at its South Park HQ, 815 S. 96th.
CITY BUDGET CRUNCH LESSENS: New economic forecasting shows the city won’t be as short on revenue as feared, despite the pandemic’s effects. Here’s how the mayor’s office reports this; here’s the City Council budget chair’s view.
SHOP LOCAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Spend your money where it matters most – your small independent local businesses, still fighting to survive and thrive, with both online and in-person shopping. The Junction, for starters, is getting ready to kick off Hometown Holidays. Stay tuned for more.
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
Two scenes from Election Eve around West Seattle – with 80 percent of the city’s ballots already in!
STUDENTS CHEERING VOTERS: Until 2007, we voted in person and got “I Voted!” stickers. Tonight, three West Seattle High School students were offering unofficial stickers by the ballot drop box in The Junction.
Kailey, Zoe, and Carmen are part of the West Seattle chapter of the Sunrise Movement, a youth-led organization focused on advocacy for climate action. They’re planning to be back by the box 5 pm-7 pm Election Day, too.
ELECTION EVE VIGIL: About three dozen people gathered tonight in the Fauntleroy Church parking lot for a distanced prayer vigil by candlelight/flashlights.
Rev. Leah Atkinson Bilinski opened by acknowledging the emotions of this time – from fear to hope. The prayers and thoughts dwelled far more on the latter than the former, especially hope for reconciliation, including the commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself,” and an exhortation to “pray tonight for our country, our beautiful, divided country.”
They prayed for strength, courage, humility, and honesty, wishing blessings on those working to protect free, fair elections, and hoping that every vote will be counted, every voice heard, and that leaders will stand by the voters’ decisions. “No matter what happens tomorrow … you are the hope,” the pastor concluded, before closing the 40-minute service with everyone humming “We Shall Overcome.”
6:13 PM: Big SFD rescue response right now for the 6700 block of Beach Drive SW – they’re helping someone described as an “elderly man” who is stuck down a steep slope between Beach Drive and Holly Court [map].
6:19 PM: SFD says the man they’re rescuing is not hurt. They’re correcting the address on the call to Holly Court.
6:25 PM: The incident commander has radioed in that the man did not fall – he was doing garden work and became unable to get back up the slope.
6:44 PM: Via radio, the incident commander reports the man is “extricated.” Though they don’t believe he’s hurt, we were told at the scene, they’ll of course check him out to be sure.
11:24 PM: SFD spokesperson Kristin Tinsley tells WSB that the man, 77, was believed to have been stuck down the embankment for ab9out 7 hours. He was taken to the hospital by private ambulance for evaluation.
The latest on the bridge, as we await word on when the mayor will decide on repair vs. replace:
BIG WEEK FOR STABILIZATION: When is stress a good thing? When it’s part of stabilizing the bridge. As we noted last week, contractor Kraemer NA is expected to reach the next stabilization milestone this week – releasing the stuck bearing on (corrected) Pier 18. Above is a photo from this week’s stabilization update, showing what SDOT describes as, “Post-tensioning strands ready to be ‘stressed’ to help stabilize the bridge.” The “stressing” started last week and will continue this week along with the bearing release. The stabilization work is expected to be complete by year’s end. (For an explanation of everything that’s been happening, go here.)
PORT COMMISSIONERS TALK TOMORROW: The Northwest Seaport Alliance‘s managing members – the combined commissions of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma – will talk on Tuesday about the West Seattle Bridge situation and a potential “policy statement.” The discussion is scheduled for the public portion of the online meeting, after 11:30 am; here’s the agenda.
COUNCIL BRIEFING: During this morning’s “briefing” meeting of the City Council, when each member updates the others on what’s big in their district (among other things), West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold noted that a briefing on the West Seattle Bridge status is planned for next Monday morning’s meeting. She said that participants are expected to include the consultant the council hired last summer to offer independent expertise on the bridge situation.
STATE FUNDING? Earlier in the meeting, during a briefing on the city’s priorities for the upcoming State Legislature session, it was noted that the city is lobbying hard to have West Seattle Bridge funding included in the session’s transportation package.
Two Seattle Public Library notes this afternoon:
SOUTHWEST BRANCH GETS ‘CURBSIDE SERVICE’: Starting Wednesday (November 4th), West Seattle’s southernmost SPL branch (35th/Henderson) will be added to the “curbside service” list. That means on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, you’ll be able to go there to pick up materials you put on hold. Only walk-up service is available, so you won’t need an appointment. Southwest will be one of the first branches to “serve patrons from the lobby,” says SPL’s announcement, adding: “Safety precautions include physical distancing markers, limits on numbers of patrons in the area, plexiglass barriers, and the same contactless checkout experience as at the outdoor locations.” The other West Seattle location with “curbside service” is High Point.
ELECTION DAY CLOSURES: SPL says no services will be available tomorrow (Tuesday, November 3rd) at High Point and other SPL branches with ballot drop boxes, to reduce crowds (though King County Elections acknowledges it won’t be the usual last-minute crowding, since so many people have already voted – as of noon today, 79.3 percent in Seattle).
Got questions about the planned addition on the north side of Madison Middle Schookl? The district plans a community update meeting next week, 6 pm on Thursday, November 12th, online. The 12,500-square-foot project, scheduled to be built next year, is being funded by a state Distressed Schools Grant. The meeting is scheduled to include a presentation of the project design; you can see a recent update in the design packet that Studio Meng Strazzara prepared for another meeting. The viewing link/info for next week’s meeting is here.
Two notes in West Seattle Crime Watch so far today:
BUSINESS BURGLAR ID: The Southwest Precinct is looking for help identifying this business burglar:
Today’s bulletin accompanying those images says this person broke into Kizuki Ramen in The Junction (42nd/Alaska) just after midnight October 14th, through a door in the back. The burglar stole alcohol and both Apple and Android tablet computers. If you have any tips, email the investigating officer at Michael.Bateman@seattle.gov.
GUN SEIZED IN AUTO-THEFT ARREST: A 27-year-old man remains in jail after a weekend arrest reported on SPD Blotter. Police say they went to the 4000 block of Fauntleroy Way SW around 1 pm because “another police agency” told them a “reported stolen vehicle was mapping to that area.” They found the vehicle, and in it, this gun:
Records show the suspect is a convicted felon, pleading guilty in 2015 to possession of a stolen vehicle. He’s likely to have a bail hearing today; we’ll update after that.
EVENING UPDATE: The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office tells us the bail-hearing judge did not find probable cause to keep holding the suspect, so he was released. That doesn’t mean he won’t face charges eventually, but for now he’s out.
(Voter-encouragement art by Ruthi Winter and Betsy Borrow of West Seattle Beach Drive Art Studio)
Though more than three-quarters of Seattle voters have turned in their ballots, that still leaves thousands who haven’t, and if you’re among them, today’s your second-to-last day to do it. Most direct route to get it to those who will count it is to use an.official King County Elections drop box – here again are the three in West Seattle and the two closest others:
–The Junction, south side of SW Alaska between California SW and 44th SW
–High Point Library, 3411 SW Raymond
–South Seattle College, 6000 16th SW
–South Park Library, 8th Avenue S./S. Cloverdale
–White Center Library, 1409 SW 107th
Drop boxes close at 8 pm Tuesday night. If you decide to use USPS mail, your ballot must be postmarked by Tuesday.
Already sent/dropped off your ballot? Check here to be sure it’s been received/verified. Need a replacement ballot, or to register? Go to a Vote Center (none in West Seattle, but one’s on the south end of downtown). Can’t get there or have a question? 206-296-VOTE.
One other note for today/tonight so far:
WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: Because of the election, this group has moved up its monthly meeting to tonight, 6:30 pm online. Attendance information is in our calendar listing.
Family and friends are remembering Peter Angle, and sharing his story with the community:
Peter Angle passed away Tuesday, September 29, at the Puget Sound VA due to complications from sepsis. Peter was born to Jack and Trudy Angle in Chicago May 7, 1938. He was the oldest of four brothers growing up in the steel town of Gary, Indiana, on the shores of Lake Michigan. The sand dunes were a constant backdrop of his childhood. Upon graduating high school, the family moved to Pittsburgh, where Pete attended Lehigh University and University of Pittsburgh, earning a Bachelor of Arts.
In 1961 Pete enlisted in the USMC, as he put it, to have a choice in the matter rather than be drafted. He earned his aviator wings at Pensacola and flew two tours in the Vietnam War.
His second tour in country, he flew helicopter medevacs. In 1968, he was awarded the Silver Star for piloting the extraction of a recon team under heavy fire: Flying a CH-46, he used a high-speed maneuver, the helicopter equivalent of a skid-out, to perch a single landing gear on the steep slope of the “rock pile,” holding steady while the recon team piled in over the half-open ramp, the crew and aircraft taking rounds, including in the forward transmission. With oil leaking into the cockpit, he flew the mile to safety, black smoke billowing behind, having landed just before the oil ran out and the engine seized. Recounting the event in a letter to his future wife, he said he spent the next several days “taught as a bowstring.”
Pete married Diane Weaver, a teacher, in 1969 in Florida. The newly wed couple were stationed in Quantico, where Peter joined HMX-1, the presidential detail, flying President Nixon in Marine One. Pete and Diane traveled abroad during leave, including a memorable trip to Spain and Portugal. Their first son, Geoff, was born in 1973, followed by Greg, born in 1975. Peter’s aviation career continued as he commanded squadrons in New River, NC, and Futenma, Okinawa. Peter retired from his 28-year Marine Corps career as a colonel.
Their children grown, having grown apart, Pete and Diane divorced. Free of the roles of being an officer and raising a family, he sought to know himself, and be himself, more fully, and he moved to a commune in India. After a couple years in Pune, Pete settled in the Bay Area and took up a massage-therapy practice, with which he earned his living for the next decade-plus, until his health took a downturn in 2012. From then on, he hitched his wagon to his son Greg’s family in California, which ultimately brought him north to West Seattle. He got out daily into the neighborhood using his walker, always ready for a good meal and good conversation.
Pete was not the type to wave a flag, but he was proud of his service. He was a foodie before being a foodie was a thing. He terrified his family with his enthusiasm watching the NFL. He did a pretty good Donald Duck impression for the grandkids. His two sons were always impressed by the size of his calves he got from running on the shore of Lake Michigan. He was a very physical, athletic person. He wasn’t afraid to take risks, whether flying medevacs in Vietnam or, later in life, in going against the grain of who he was raised to be. Pete dated well into his seventies; connecting with other people was central to his character. And as his body declined, his sense of humor gave him the ability to deal with it gracefully.
He is survived by his three younger brothers: Tony, Jeff, and Burr, and their families; also his sons Geoff and Greg, and his grandchildren North, Marin, Parrish, Caper, Archie, Osage, and Maple (Geoff and Megan’s family), Boyce and Fletcher (Greg and Robin’s family).
Peter will be interred at Quantico National Cemetery, November 10, 2020 with full military honors.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
6:07 AM: Welcome to Monday – the 224th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.
WATER TAXI
The West Seattle run is back in service today.
ROAD WORK, ETC.
Delridge project: 23rd SW will close at Delridge this week, and this week’s other major work, is all detailed here.
CHECK THE TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO
West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
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 are two cameras:
The other major bridge across the river is 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.)
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.
BUSES
Metro – Fare collection has resumed.
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
Here are tonight’s pandemic notes, as November begins:
KING COUNTY’S NEWEST NUMBERS: As with most nights, we start with the cumulative totals from the Public Health daily-summary dashboard:
*27,967 people have tested positive, up 210 from yesterday’s total
*804 people have died, unchanged since Friday
*2,582 people have been hospitalized, up 5 from yesterday’s total
*545,102 people have been tested, up 7,586 from yesterday’s total
One week ago, the King County totals were 26,341/789/2,537/529,204.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 46.5 million cases and 1.2 million deaths – see the nation-by-nation breakdown here.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Skipping the market because of the pandemic? Market managers have sent a reminder that you can shop online and pick up your items – prepaid – on Sundays, one quick stop away from the crowd, at the north end of the block.
TELL YOUR PANDEMIC STORY: Another reminder tonight – the Southwest Seattle Historical Society still wants your pandemic diary entry, to help tell the story for future generations, of what life is like right now.
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT? OR? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
Two days before election results start coming in, we have a winner – the Puget Ridge community, where neighbors offered future voters a fun lesson in democracy, organizing a parade to the South Seattle College ballot drop box today, after kids got a chance to vote at Puget Ridge Edible Park. The parade even featured a mini-marching band.
The kids’ vote wasn’t about the presidential race or anything else on the official ballot – it was about what they’d like to see at the community-created, community-managed park.
The voting was part of a mini-harvest festival at the park:
(This photo and next by Ada-Reva Spae)
This was a volunteer effort, as is everything at the park (see our report from August). Ada-Reva Spae was lead organizer, and she credits Karen Crisalli Winter as the “Magical Mystical Wizard Master of Activities,” Marty McLaren as “Chief Votemaster,” plus “party planners extraordinaire” Stu Hennessey, Lisa Kauffman, Cathy Wilmering, and Janice Singh. At SSC, a photo op with the kid-size ballot box next to the official drop box concluded the festivities:
One new street closure is planned this week as part of the ongoing Delridge Way work to (re)pave the way for RapidRide H Line:
This week, SDOT’s contractor expects to start work on the west side of Delridge between SW Graham and 22nd SW. When that happens, they’ll close 23rd SW at Delridge, so you’ll need to use the detour shown on the map above.
After demolition in that area, crews will move to 22nd SW-SW Holly. Also of note this week:
Ongoing pipework and upcoming night work near SW Juneau St
We are scheduled to work overnight on Tuesday, November 3 to install pipes in the roadway. SPU will coordinate timing and residents will be notified in advance of impacts to water service. This work requires us to dig deep in the ground. Please anticipate noise, dust, and vibrations. Driveways may be closed temporarily as crews complete this work. Residents will be notified in advance of any closures. This work is expected to last for several weeks.
The rest of this week’s project updates are here.
Thanks to Clay Eals for the photo! West Seattle muralist Desmond Hansen has been busy lately – today, Clay spotted him painting the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the northwest corner of California/Walker (map) in North Admiral.
Again today, Seahawks Sunday brings a WSB bird-photo gallery! Thanks for more great photos this week, starting with Jerry Simmons‘ photo, above, of a Belted Kingfisher at Don Armeni Boat Ramp. Jerry also sent this photo of a Great Blue Heron:
Also sharing a Heron view: Eric Bell, who saw this one while he was at the Southworth dock, waiting for a ferry to Fauntleroy:
Another shorebird: At Jack Block Park, Mark Wangerin photographed a Killdeer:
Inland, Mark caught sight of this Golden-crowned Kinglet:
From Robin Sinner, this Ruby-crowned Kinglet:
Vlad Oustimovitch photographed an American Wigeon at High Point Pond:
Next, a Gull with a super-size meal, photographed by Stewart L.:
MJ Feiner saw this Barred Owl in a tree near Gatewood Elementary:
Speaking of owls, no new reports of the Snowy Owl that graced local rooftops earlier this week; in case you missed those photos, see them here.
Thanks again to everyone for sharing photos – whether birds or breaking news or other community happenings – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302!
Those are the four potential “concepts” for Lowman Beach Park that were unveiled in an online meeting a week and a half ago (WSB coverage here). At issue: Once the tennis court is removed during the upcoming project to take out the failing seawall on the north side of the park, should a new sport court be built in what’s currently the park’s open grassy area? And if so, what kind/size of sport court? The Seattle Sports Complex Foundation, a community organization that is leading the advocacy for a new sport court, sends word that the newest survey will be open for two more weeks – go here to comment (and to review the concepts), before November 16th.
In pre-pandemic years, early November is when the Southwest Seattle Historical Society would host its annual Champagne Brunch, celebrating community and raising money for programs including its Log House Museum. This year, a new plan: An online evening event and multi-day auction in early December. Here’s the announcement:
The Southwest Seattle Historical Society is pleased to announce that this year the most important fundraising event of our calendar will be held digitally on Friday, December 4 at 7:00 PM. While we will miss seeing you at our traditional brunch at Salty’s on Alki this year, we hope you will join us online for the perfect opportunity to join together as a community to celebrate the successes of 2020 and support the Historical Society as we work together to build a foundation for a successful future.
This year’s theme is “History Proves We Are Stronger Together.” We are delighted to announce that Lora Radford, Executive Director of the West Seattle Junction Association, will be delivering keynote remarks that highlight the ways in which individual members of our community have come together to rise to meet the challenges of this unprecedented year. Kathy Blackwell, President of the Board of Trustees, Michael King, Executive Director, and others will offer additional remarks and key updates.
Our online auction will open on Tuesday, December 1, and close on Friday, December 4, ahead of our free celebratory program. As usual, the auction will uniquely reflect West Seattle through a range of exciting experiences, items, and gifts on which to bid. Remember, every bid you make helps to support the Historical Society!
Starting tomorrow, you can join in the online “Raise the Paddle” donation drive to kick it all off. Find the info here.
(Bee with rosemary, photographed by SeanO)
Here’s how November is starting in West Seattle:
TODAY’S ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES: The updated list of more than 20.churches’ Sunday online services (with a few also offering in-person options), with links, is here.
VOTING: Third-to-last day to get your ballot out – best delivery method, get it into an official King County Elections drop box. In our area:
–The Junction, south side of SW Alaska between California SW and 44th SW
–High Point Library, 3411 SW Raymond
–South Seattle College, 6000 16th SW
–South Park Library, 8th Avenue S./S. Cloverdale
–White Center Library, 1409 SW 107th
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)
KIDS’ VOTE AND BALLOT-BOX PARADE: 11 am-1 pm harvest festival and kids’ vote on Puget Ridge Edible Park‘s future, then a 1 pm parade to the South Seattle College ballot drop box. Wear your face covering. At PREP. (18th/Brandon)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 11 am-4 pm – need a tool to fix or improve something? (4408 Delridge Way SW)
CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 2 pm online, the monthly update on West Seattle’s only city-sanctioned tiny-house encampment. All welcome. Here’s the link, or call 253-215-8782 (meeting ID 858 5523 4269, password 9701).
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)
‘NIGHTFALL ORPHANAGE’ BONUS TRICK-OR-TREAT NIGHT: At the home of “Nightfall Orphanage on Alki – one more night of grab ‘n’ go trick-or-treating and family-friendly display with “Ghosts of Halloween Decorations Past,” 6:30-9:30 pm, “due to interest and the sheer volume of candy in our pre-made bags,” while supplies last. Grab & Go trick or treat bags will be available as long as supplies last. The front and side of the house are decorated, with two trick-or-treat stations –
“Station 1: Front of house at Pirates Grotto. Station 2: Side of house, by the Witches Hut.” Please wear a mask. www.nightfallorphanage.com
(2130 Alki SW)
(One more view of the Blue Moon’s rise Saturday, photographed by Chris Frankovich)
SUNSET AND MOONRISE: First night of Standard Time – the sun will set at 4:50 pm; the moon will rise at 5:40 pm.
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