West Seattle, Washington

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day : 02/12/2020 11 results

CORONAVIRUS: Wednesday 12/2 roundup
December 2, 2020 11:59 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Here are the local/state pandemic-related toplines:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: First, from the Seattle-King County Public Health daily-summary dashboard, the cumulative totals:

*45,811 people have tested positive, 673 more than yesterday’s total

*878 people have died, 10 more than yesterday’s total

*3,247 people have been hospitalized, 12 more than yesterday’s total

*628,477 people have been tested (this stat is still lagging in a big way due to a state backlog but the state expects to be caught up by Friday)

One week ago, the four totals we track were 41,500/853/3,055/624.246.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page,.

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

STATE BRIEFING: This afternoon’s weekly briefing by state health officials included some bits of news. In the three days since WA Notify launched, the “exposure notification” system has been downloaded/enabled by 875,000 people. Other stats were worrisome: Hospitalizations are rising. Right now, 1,077 people are in hospitals statewide with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. You can watch the briefing here.

PANDEMIC-DIMMED: This year’s Menashe Family Lights display is nowhere near the usual mega-watt brightness, out of COVID crowd concern, but it’s still Christmas-y.

KEEP YOUR NEIGHBORS WARM: This Sunday (December 6th), 10 am-2 pm, it’s the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Coat Drive – take coats (and/or hats and gloves) to the donation bin on the south end of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market.

GOT INFO? Email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com or phone us, text or voice, at 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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VIDEO: Post-decision, what’s up on and around the West Seattle Bridge? Here’s what the Community Task Force heard
December 2, 2020 9:10 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Though the big West Seattle Bridge decision has been made, there’s still a lot going on, and so the Community Task Force will continue.

That’s one of the headlines from the CTF’s online meeting this afternoon. Here’s the video:

Also discussed: Stabilization, repair timeline, West Marginal Way, the low bridge, and more.

Read More

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WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Menashe Family’s ‘mini’-display
December 2, 2020 7:49 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

This year’s mini-display at the Menashe Family‘s home (5605 Beach Drive SW) would qualify as maxi at any other house, but if you are familiar with their usual all-out display, you know these are lights-lite. As we reported last week, the family decided to lighten the display this year so as not to draw crowds and put people at risk of spreading COVID. But they didn’t want to go entirely light-free, so the family put up these decorations last weekend. We stopped by and talked with Josh and Jack Menashe:

They said the family talked about it for two months before deciding to have some decorations up. They stress that you’re welcome to come look but please do it from your car.

They’re hopeful that next year, they’ll be able to go back to the big display they’re known for.

Got lights to recommend for our spotlight? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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FOLLOWUP: Charges filed in Alki alley shooting
December 2, 2020 5:37 pm
|      65 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(Sunday’s arrest scene – WSB photo by Patrick Sand)

Three days after a man was shot while driving in an Alki alley, the suspect arrested shortly afterward is charged. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged 35-year-old Garrett R. Heinemann with first-degree assault and first-degree burglary. The charging documents confirm that the victim is a neighbor of the suspect, in the same block of 60th SW where the shooting happened; the victim moved to Alki, from California, just two weeks ago. He told police he had never seen Heinemann before the shooting, which happened shortly after he left his apartment to drive somewhere to get coffee. He told police the suspect stepped out in front of his car in the alley, stopped him, and then told him to put his hands up, so the victim thought it was a robbery – but without saying anything else, he said, the suspect opened fire. Police say five bullets were fired into the victim’s front windshield, and six into the rear passenger-side window; 10 casings were found around his car.

(SPD photo, Sunday)

Minutes after the shooting, the charging documents say, Heinemann walked into a nearby apartment and attacked one of the two people who were inside; they managed to escape, and he fled out a window. The documents don’t have any information about a possible motive, noting that Heinemann refused to talk with detectives. As we previously reported, and as is noted in the charging documents, he has no criminal history. The charging documents say the gun Heinemann is accused of using, a .40-caliber pistol found at Alki Beach Park, is one that he has owned for eight years, and that he has a concealed-weapons permit. He remains in King County Jail, bail set at half a million dollars. Harborview Medical Center told us Tuesday that the victim had improved to satisfactory condition, though the charging documents note he faces additional surgery.

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WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Delridge Grocery Co-op offering gift baskets
December 2, 2020 4:20 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Delridge Grocery Co-op offering gift baskets
 |   Delridge | Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Yet another option for online holiday shopping – the Delridge Grocery Co-op, working toward a food store in the heart of Delridge, is taking orders for gift baskets through December 11th. You can support the co-op and local producers by buying one (or more)! If you haven’t already seen it in our Holiday Guide, here’s the announcement:

The Delridge Grocery Co-op is now selling its first Holiday Gift Basket in addition to its weekly DGC Essentials produce box. Packed full of sweet, savory, spicy, and soft local delights, the DGC Holiday Gift Basket is great for sharing with friends and neighbors, sending as a gift to work colleagues, or treating yourself. Priced at $60 for pickup or delivery, it includes a specially curated selection of delightful foods from local businesses around Seattle and the Pacific Northwest plus a hand-dyed tea towel — all in a reusable wooden half-bushel basket.

You can order the DGC Holiday Gift Basket now through December 11, and it will be available for pickup or delivery on December 19. You can get a box delivered to your home, or specify another West Seattle address to receive the box. (Deliveries are limited to the West Seattle peninsula, as far south as Roxbury.)

Here’s what you’ll get in the DGC Holiday Gift Basket:

Vanilla Salted Caramel Gourmet Popcorn (Cobb’s)
Preserved Lemons (Villa Jerada)
Pickled Green Beans. (Seattle Pickle Co.)
Black Truffle Mustard (Mustard and Co.)
Everything on Everything, Classic Blend (Stocked Kitchen)
Haxan Hot Sauce, Various Flavors (Haxan Ferments)
San Juan Sea Salt Chocolate Bar (Patty Pan Cooperative)
Blueberry Jam (Sidhu Farms)
Shibori-Dyed Indigo Tea Towel (hand-dyed in West Seattle by DGC board member)

Get details on all the Holiday Gift Basket contents at the DGC website.

As for the DCG’s ongoing Essentials Boxes – see our story from earlier this fall.

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Leadership post for West Seattle’s State Sen. Joe Nguyen
December 2, 2020 3:01 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

As the State Legislature gets ready for its mostly online session starting next month, legislators are choosing leaders, and one from our area has been chosen by his colleagues for a major role. 34th District Sen. Joe Nguyen, a West Seattle resident, has been elected as Assistant Floor Leader by the State Senate Democratic Caucus. The announcement explains, “The Assistant Floor Leader supports the Floor Leader in setting Senate floor agendas and works with bicameral and bipartisan leadership to facilitate discussion.” Sen. Nguyen is midway through his first 4-year term and also is on the Transportation, Environment, Energy & Technology, Rules, and Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation committees. The legislative session is set to start January 11th.

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HEALTH: Two more flu-shot clinics for Seattle Public Schools students
December 2, 2020 1:38 pm
|    Comments Off on HEALTH: Two more flu-shot clinics for Seattle Public Schools students
 |   Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Janel for the tip: Two more outdoor flu-shot clinics open to all Seattle Public Schools students are coming up this month, at Madison Middle School, 8:30 am-4:30 pm December 9th and 1-5 pm December 17th. Here’s the flyer with a QR code you can use:

You can also register by using this form or calling 206-933-7842.

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WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Two tree lightings to watch this week
December 2, 2020 11:38 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Two tree lightings to watch this week
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle online

This year, West Seattle’s two big tree lightings will be viewable from your own cozy home.

OLG VIRTUAL LIGHT UP THE NIGHT, FRIDAY: At 7 pm Friday, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish & School will be lighting West Seattle’s highest-elevation community Christmas tree (which is at 35th and Myrtle), “with song and joy.” The event will be streamed; viewing info is here.

WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION VIRTUAL TREE LIGHTING, SATURDAY: At 7 pm Saturday, this too will be streamed – as part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (with community co-sponsors including WSB):

Join together online for a jolly good time, all from the comfort of your living room. Starting at
7 PM, tune into the Junction’s Facebook page as we light up the holidays with a West Seattle tradition – the lighting of the West Seattle Christmas tree!

Listen to the sweet voices of the Endolyne Children’s Choir. The children will bring you some holiday classics the entire family can sing along to, plus some new favorites from the archives.

Then settle in after the tree lighting as Santa reads children’s stories via Facebook and Instagram live, along with answering questions and reading aloud what you would like for Christmas.

These of course are also both listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide for later reference.

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HAPPENING TODAY/TONIGHT: West Seattle Bridge task force, District 1 Community Network, more
December 2, 2020 9:58 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Today’s sunrise, photographed by Jerry Simmons)

Here are highlights for today/tonight:

WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE: Though the mayor’s decided to repair the bridge, this advisory group’s work isn’t over yet. Among today’s topics, low-bridge restrictions and enforcements. The meeting is online at noon; you can watch here.

MENTAL HEALTH 101: 6:30 pm online, first of two sessions presented, free, by Fauntleroy UCC. Details and participation information are here.

DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: This community coalition for West Seattle and South Park meets online at 7 pm. Topics include ongoing issues such as the pandemic response and the bridge closure. We’re still awaiting a final agenda and viewing information – we’ll add both here after we get them, so check back if you’re interested in attending. (Added: Sorry, we never did receive accurate connection info.)

EMERGENCY SHELTER: If you know, or are, someone who needs a warm place to sleep, the West Seattle Veteran Services Center has opened its emergency shelter at 3618 SW Alaska.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS, SHOPPING, MORE: See our ongoing, frequently updated West Seattle Holiday Guide!

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SCHOOLS: West Seattle HS 8th-grade open house online Thursday
December 2, 2020 9:07 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online | West Seattle schools

Though the rest of this school year isn’t settled yet, planning for 2021-2022 has to carry on too. If you have an 8th grader planning to go to, or considering, West Seattle High School, this invitation is for you:

West Seattle High School will be hosting our 8th Grade Open House virtually this year on December 3rd. Traditionally we would’ve invited 8th grade families to visit our school campus, meet their potential teachers, and ask any questions they had about us. This year, your 8th Grade families can access our virtual resources to learn more about the opportunities offered to students at WSHS.

We would like families to visit our 8th Grade Open House website. Teachers have made videos to share about some of the classes we offer to freshmen. We also included other resources that are available to all WSHS students and families. Lastly, we will be hosting a Virtual Open House Night on December 3rd from 6:30-7:30 pm via Live Teams Meeting, where key staff and a Student Panel will share important information and opportunities about WSHS. There will be some time at the end for Q&A.

If you have questions, please reach out to Ms. Erica Nguyen at etnguyen@seattleschools.org or Ms. Mallory Neuman at mlneuman@seattleschools.org.

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Wednesday 12/2 watch
December 2, 2020 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Wednesday 12/2 watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Welcome to Wednesday, December 2nd, the 254th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD (ETC.) WORK

Delridge project: Paving and utility work continues; see this week’s plan here.

Parking-lot repaving: Work is expected to wrap up today in the lot at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor)

Highway 99 tunnel: Southbound closure this Friday night-Saturday morning, 10 pm-7 am, for maintenance.

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule

Water Taxi – Regular schedule, but note that there will be no Friday afternoon (12/4) service because of dock work

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 (note: camera ticketing will NOT start today):

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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