day : 09/02/2021 11 results

The vaccination situation was explored at two City Council committee meetings today, and that’s where we start tonight’s roundup:

VACCINATION SITUATION: The day began with the Public Safety and Human Services Committee, chaired by West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold, talking with city and county reps:

This discussion included what Herbold has already announced, that the city has committed to a mass-vaccination site in West Seattle – when there’s enough vaccine supply. When might that be? Entirely up to the feds and state, it was said again and again. If the current supply pace doesn’t pick up, it would take almost a year to vaccinate everyone in our area. However, health authorities expect it will pick up – maybe with wide availability by April or May. If they had enough vaccine, they could be vaccinating 31,000 people a day, and that would get the city to “herd immunity” within a month.

In the afternoon, the Governance and Education Committee, chaired by Council President Lorena González, focused on vaccination equity – vital because of how COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting communities of color:

This meeting included intense stories from community health organization operators about trying to get vaccine and trying to help their most-vulnerable clients navigate the system. They argued that equity isn’t just their job – it needs to be front and center for all providers, as well as for the county and state.

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

*78,981 people have tested positive, 118 more than yesterday’s total

*1,300 people have died, 1 more than yesterday’s total

*4,919 people have been hospitalized, 10 more than yesterday’s total

*863,266 people have been tested, 297 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the totals were 77,186/1,270/4,821/835.640.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

NATIONAL/WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 106.9 million cases worldwide, 27.1 million of them in the U.S. – see other nation-by-nation stats by going here.

HELP FOR HOSPITALITY WORKERS: Next Monday is the deadline to apply for a grant from the emergency fund for low-income hospitality workers.

BRIEFING TOMORROW: The weekly briefing by state health officials is at 1 pm tomorrow. You can watch the live stream here.

THINK YOU’RE A MASK EXPERT? Read this.

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

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Camp Second Chance updates from February’s Community Advisory Committee meeting

February 9, 2021 8:43 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Myers Way | West Seattle news

Camp Second Chance, at 9701 Myers Way S., remains West Seattle’s only city-sanctioned tiny-house encampment, though the city wants to add more around Seattle. CSC’s Community Advisory Committee meets every month for updates and community Q&A; here’s what happened at its February meeting, which happened online this past Sunday afternoon:

CAMP UPDATE: CSC’s site coordinator Eric Pattin said 54 people are there now, 15 women and 39 men. One person moved into affordable housing; two others left.

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MISSING: David and Izzy – UPDATE, FOUND

February 9, 2021 6:29 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

7:38 PM UPDATE: David and Izzy are safe; they got “stuck in the mountains” and just now were able to call out.

Earlier:
Read More

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen red/gray Civic (found)

February 9, 2021 5:24 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Here’s a distinctively painted stolen car to look for. The report and photo are from Yvette:

ORIGINAL REPORT: Our car was stolen. We discovered it missing today, Tuesday, February 9, from the parking lot of the apartment building we live in in North Delridge. We have reason to believe it was stolen overnight. It is a 1991 Honda Civic 3-door. The original color is red, but the roof has been painted gray, as has the front, and there are multi-colored squares stenciled onto the hood and the sides. License plate is: 756-ZOQ.

If you see it, call 911.

ADDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT: A WSB reader found it on Puget Ridge.

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WHALES: Orcas passing West Seattle

February 9, 2021 4:22 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Whales

Transient orcas are passing West Seattle right now, reports Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch – northbound, toward the west side of the channel, off Brace Point at last report. Let us know if you see them!

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WEST SEATTLE SNOW? Here are the newest predictions

February 9, 2021 4:09 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Seasonally garbed gargoyle on 36th SW – photo sent by Paul Winters)

All eyes are on the forecast, wondering if we really might see serious snow by Valentine’s Day. Mid-afternoon always brings a new round of forecasts, and here’s what they are predicting now. The National Weather Service, in its latest “forecast discussion,” says:

Models are starting to converge on the next weather system slated to arrive on Thursday with a surface low potentially making landfall near the mouth of the Columbia late Thursday night. This is the “sweet spot” for a surface low to move onshore in terms ofsnow. With plenty of cold air in place and low dewpoints initially, significant accumulating snowfall looks like a good bet…especially for areas south and west of Seattle. Between midday Thursday and midday Friday, 3 to 8 inches of snow look likely from Pierce County southward and over by Hood Canal with lighter amounts elsewhere.

There may be something of “lull” in snowfall Friday afternoon before another system arrives late Friday night and Saturday. And this one could be quite significant with snowfall.

One of our area’s best-known independent weather analysts, Cliff Mass, is a little less restrained. Among other points, his newest update says one model suggests Seattle COULD see a foot and a half of snow by late Monday. But he too stresses that the outlook could change. So don’t go panic-buy just yet. Do refresh your memory on dealing with weather-related problems – SDOT has transportation-related info, and City Light has outage advice, for starters. And commenter Suzanne has advice about preparing your plants.

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WORDS, WRITERS, SOUTHWEST STORIES: Scandalous history, this time

February 9, 2021 2:14 pm

| Comments Off on WORDS, WRITERS, SOUTHWEST STORIES: Scandalous history, this time

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Thursday night, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society invites you to learn about a scandalous chapter in the city’s history – in case you haven’t already seen it in our Event Calendar, here’s the announcement:

‘Words, Writers & SouthWest Stories,’ a history-based speaker series of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, is delighted to host local author and historian Brad Holden for a live Zoom presentation on Thursday, February 11 at 6:00 PM. Holden will deliver a presentation about his book, “Seattle Prohibition: Bootleggers, Rumrunners and Graft in the Queen City.” Registration is required. Please register HERE.

Prohibition consumed Seattle, igniting a war that lasted nearly twenty years and played out in the streets, waterways and even town hall. Roy Olmstead, formerly a Seattle police officer, became the King of the Seattle Bootleggers, and Johnny Schnarr, running liquor down from Canada, revolutionized the speedboat industry. Frank Gatt, a south Seattle restaurateur, started the state’s biggest moonshining operation. Skirting around the law, the Coast Guard and the zealous assistant director of the Seattle Prohibition Bureau, William Whitney, was no simple feat, but many rose to the challenge. Join us to hear Brad Holden tell the spectacular story of Seattle in the time of Prohibition.

Brad Holden is a local author, historian and “finder of old things.” When not out searching for local historical artifacts, he enjoys writing about Seattle’s past. His work has appeared in Pacific Northwest Magazine, and he is a contributing writer for HistoryLink.org. Brad is also the author of “Seattle Prohibition: Bootleggers, Rumrunners & Graft in the Queen City,” and his next book — a biography about mysterious Seattle inventor and psychedelic pioneer Al Hubbard — is due to be published later this year.

This series is open to hosting any author or speaker addressing historical issues relating to the Puget Sound/Duwamish Peninsula and/or the general public. Additional information on future presentations can be obtained by contacting Dora-Faye Hendricks, Chair, ‘Words, Writers & SouthWest Stories’ by phone at 206-290-8315 or by e-mail at Dora-Faye@comcast.net.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another catalytic-converter theft, and an attempt

February 9, 2021 12:05 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

12:05 PM: Lisa emailed to alert West Seattle neighbors that catalytic-converter theft is still a problem – sometime last night, someone stole the catalytic converter from her Honda Element. This happened near the intersection of 35th and Andover. The thefts have been going on for a long time; this Crime Watch report from last fall included some advice on protecting your vehicle.

1:16 PM: Amy mentioned this in a comment and then emailed:

I caught 3 men trying to steal mine off my Honda Element this morning around 4:30 am in the Sylvan Heights neighborhood. Here is a picture of the suspects’ vehicle, no plates.

The driver did threaten me as they drove off …

SIDE NOTE: As JT points out in a comment below, the New York Times reports today that catalytic-converter theft is a nationwide problem.

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FERRY ALERT: Fauntleroy dock work starts today

February 9, 2021 10:49 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

10:49 AM: Even if you don’t use Washington State Ferries, if you’re within view of the Fauntleroy dock, you might be wondering about that crane. It’s there for maintenance work that is scheduled to continue through Friday. WSF says the work “will require single-lane loading/unloading” 7:30 am-4:30 pm each day. We have a message out seeking more details on the work that’s being done.

1:12 PM: In response to our inquiry, WSF’s Hadley Rodero explains the work:

The work at the Fauntleroy terminal is preservation work to replace three steel H-piles near the terminal building. The piles were identified as needing replacement during a routine inspection, and replacing them allows WSF to avoid weight restrictions or other operational impacts in the future. All of this is to be expected for a terminal built in the 1950s.

The crane will be onsite until Friday to install the new piles and then crews will be doing welding and other work under the dock. We’re working to complete the installation before restrictions on in-water work begin on Feb. 15 to protect migratory salmon. We will be loading and unloading ferry traffic in a single lane during work hours for the rest of this week. Work hours will be 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (there won’t be any night work). Neighbors may hear some noise as the contractor vibrates in the new piles – each of the three piles takes about 15 minutes of vibratory pile driving.

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WEST SEATTLE TUESDAY: Admiral, Fauntleroy, WSF meetings, and more

February 9, 2021 8:59 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Much to check out in the hours ahead:

CITY COUNCIL TALKS VACCINATION, TWICE: 9:30 am, the city’s vaccination efforts are reviewed by the Public Safety and Human Services Committee (agenda/viewing/commenting info here); 2 pm, equity and distribution roundtables are planned during the Governance and Education Committee meeting (agenda/viewing/commenting info here).

WSF COMMUNITY MEETING: 11 am online, first of two Washington State Ferries community meetings with systemwide updates and a chance to hear from the new WSF head Patty Rubstello. Preregistration required; info’s in our preview.

DEMONSTRATION: From organizer Scott:

Black Lives Matter sign waving

Tuesday Feb 9, 4 to 6 p, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Thursday Feb 11, 4 to 6 p, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Come build awareness that will help tear down the systems that have oppressed Black lives for over 400 years on this continent. Hold signs, meet neighbors, and stand for racial justice. Scott at PR Cohousing, endorsed by Hate-Free Delridge. Signs available.

Here’s the flyer.

ALKI ELEMENTARY TOUR/OPEN HOUSE: Online at 6:30 pm, for all families interested in attending Alki Elementary next school year. Here’s the attendance info.

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm online – here’s the announcement:

Admiral Neighborhood Association General Meeting from 7:00 – 9:00 PM

ANA invites residents and local business to virtually attend the general meeting tonight. Topics include Small Business Support, ArtWalk 2020 activity and 2021 plans, Southwest Precinct crime update, Crime Stoppers and more! Please join us via Google Meet:

meet.google.com/kyr-qvsr-phu / Phone Number 321-804-3475‬ / PIN: ‪152 976 864#‬

Here’s the full agenda.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm online board meeting, community members welcome. Here’s the agenda; register at here to get the attendance info.

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Tuesday notes

February 9, 2021 6:07 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Welcome to Tuesday, February 9th, the 323rd morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK & MORE

Delridge project – The SW Thistle closure continues between Delridge and 20th. Here’s the rest of this week’s plan.

Fauntleroy Way work – The sewer repair, on Fauntleroy between Alaska and Edmunds as previewed here, still had yet to begin as of late Monday.

CHECK TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

Low Bridge: Fifth week for automated enforcement cameras, while restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily. (Here’s an update on how it’s going.) Here’s a bridge view (note, it’s been experiencing intermittent trouble):

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden – with a new left-turn signal for northbound HP Way, turning to westbound Holden:

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

The main detour route across the Duwamish River, the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

The other major bridge across the river – the South Park Bridge (map). Here’s the nearest camera (note, it’s been experiencing intermittent trouble):

Going through South Park? Don’t speed. (Same goes for all the other detour-route neighborhoods, both the arterials and neighborhood streets!)

To check for bridges’ marine-traffic openings, see the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

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

TRANSIT

Water Taxi – On its regular schedule but with the lower-capacity Spirit of Kingston until at least midweek. No service next Monday (February 15th) because of the holiday.

Metro – On regular weekday schedule. If you’re not subscribed to alerts, watch @kcmetrobus on Twitter for updates.

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

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