month : 02/2021 279 results

VACCINATION: What the Senior Center of West Seattle hopes to do

Even though they’ve been prioritized for several weeks, more than 2 in 3 people 75+ in our county have yet to get vaccinated. Both availability and accessibility continue to be challenges for many who are eligible. It’s particularly challenging here in West Seattle, where no general-availability sites are available yet, neither government nor private. City Councilmember Lisa Herbold says the mayor’s office has committed to a site in West Seattle – when vaccine is available, and no one knows how long that’ll be. So what else is in the works? With so many seniors still waiting, we asked Senior Center of West Seattle executive director Amy Lee Derenthal what her organization is working on. First, SC-WS is trying to help members navigate the current challenges, she explained via email:

Our social workers are reporting a number of significant barriers for many seniors to schedule their vaccination, including:

– Many don’t have Internet access
– Many don’t have a computer
– Some have low vision and can’t read the busy web pages
– Some have limited experience signing up for things online, for example through a ‘MyChart’ program
– Many don’t text or know how to receive text alerts
– Many don’t have an email address
– And, many don’t have a family member nearby who can help them navigate these challenges

These barriers are in addition to trying to make sense of the disjointed process and lack of West Seattle locations available to get vaccinated. The Senior Center staff team is working hard to help as many of our 800 members as possible with technology issues, navigating scheduling and figuring out transportation to appointments. So our current main focus is to reach out to our electeds to help us get these seniors prioritized and an easy way for our Social Workers to get people signed up and to their vaccine appointments.

Second, Derenthal told us, she has been working to see if the Senior Center could serve as a mass-vaccination site, “possibly in conjunction with the Junction Association parking lot” right behind it. Public Health Seattle-King County replied to her offer, saying, in part, that “Additional high volume sites are being planned and senior centers will be considered as potential pop-up sites,” so they’ll add the West Seattle center to the list of possibilities. Otherwise, though, the Public Health reply recommended the state’s vaccine-location website … which to date remains completely devoid of West Seattle providers.

REOPENING: Viscon Cellars tasting room, on Saturdays

Reopenings continue in this first week of Phase 2 for King County. Starting tomorrow, Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) will reopen its tasting room, 1-4 pm Saturdays, limited capacity as per state rules. You can stop in for tastings or glasses or to pick up bottles of Viscon Cellars wine, which also can be ordered online. If you’re interested in wine and chocolate for Valentine’s Day, Viscon Cellars is offering a pack of Intrigue Chocolate Co. medallions with the purchase of 4 bottles of wine.

READER REPORT: Speed enforcement on Sylvan Way

Yes, Seattle Police do still issue traffic citations. Sylvan Way neighbor Sam, who often shares news of traffic situations, sent the photo, reporting that motorcycle officers have been out on Sylvan twice so far today, pulling over drivers – by Sam’s count, at least six in the past half-hour.

From the precinct: Domestic violence is increasing. Here’s what you should know

Given a recent rise in domestic violence – not just high-profile incidents like last week’s Highland Park case – here is a timely newsletter sent by Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Danner:

The Southwest Precinct is seeing an uncharacteristic increase in aggravated assault incidents, with the majority of these being domestic violence-related.

Given this, and nature of the last year, the Seattle Police Department would like to offer the following crime prevention newsletter focused on domestic violence- including what is domestic violence, what types of resources are available, and how to report domestic violence to law enforcement.

Always remember- if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or is in danger, call 911 immediately. Please also keep in mind that you can text 911, if you are in a situation where it is unsafe to speak. Call if you can, text if you can’t!

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is often mistaken as someone losing their temper or mutual fighting in a relationship. Domestic violence is NOT about getting angry or arguing – but it IS about power and control. It is a pattern of harmful behavior by one person intended to control another person within a romantic, intimate or family/household member relationship. People who experience domestic violence can be married or not married; heterosexual, gay or lesbian; living together, separated or dating; or relatives. Men, women and children of all ages, races and classes can be victims. Without intervention, domestic violence can get worse, and could end in death.

Forms of Domestic Violence:

Domestic violence can take many forms, some of which are illegal. It can happen all the time or once in a while. Some forms of domestic violence are: emotional or verbal, controlling/intimidating, physical and sexual.

Reporting Domestic Violence to Law Enforcement:

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, police intervention can be lifesaving and may be part of your safety plan. The following information may assist you in feeling prepared whether you choose to call 911 or if police are summoned by someone else. You know your situation best; these tips are not meant to apply to every situation, rather offer helpful information to consider.

Tips and Considerations for Talking With Responding Officers:

-The primary duty of officers, when responding to a domestic violence situation, is to enforce the laws allegedly violated and to protect the complaining party.
-Officers may ask you specific questions to better understand the nature of the relationship, your living situation, and the incident that you are reporting.
-If your abusive partner is present, tell them you want to be interviewed separately.
-If you have been injured, show them any injuries on your body. Injuries may take time to show up. If you see a mark after the officers leave, call them back to take pictures. (The pictures may be used in court.)
-If your partner threatened you, tell them how they threatened you and if there was a witness. Try not to minimize your fear; if you are afraid your partner will hurt or kill you, tell the officers.
-If your abusive partner has broken any property, show the officers.
-If you have photos, text messages, emails or other evidence of the abuse you’ve experienced, show the officers.
-Tell the officers about any firearms your partner may own, and/or if your partner has threatened, harassed or injured you (or someone else) previously with a firearm.
-The officers must make a report stating what has occurred. This report can be used in court if your partner is charged with a crime.
-Write down the officers’ names, and the General Offense number of your case.
-Ask the officer if you can speak with the Victim Support Team.
-If they are not available to respond, you may call them to request a follow-up phone call.
-Officers will give you a “Seattle Police Domestic Violence Information and Resource Guide” that offers helpful information about the next steps in the criminal investigation and community resources.

Getting Help:

Please visit our website for a full list of local resources.

If You Need Help Now:

-If you’d like to report a violent assault, threat of violence or stalking behavior, please call 9-1-1.
-If you need immediate support and advocacy, you can call The National Domestic Violence Hotline, (24 hours every day), 800-799-7233 or 800-787-3224 (TTY).
-To access confidential advocacy, emergency housing, and civil legal advocacy call the New Beginnings Hotline at 206-522-9472.
-If you’d like to speak to an SPD Victim Support Team advocate, please leave a message on our voicemail line: 206-684-7721.
Please indicate whether it is safe for us to leave a message at your return number.
-If you’re searching for ways to support someone else who may be struggling in their relationship, please refer to the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence Friends and Family Guide

A printable version of the newsletter is here.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen car, bikes to watch for

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports:

CAR STOLEN: Posted in the WSB Community Forums – a black 2013 Ford C-Max stolen this morning from 9th/Barton, plates BWN5798. Call 911 if you see it.

BICYCLES STOLEN FROM GARAGE: The photos and report are from Paul:

We live in Seaview on 49th and had two black Marin Fairfax SC bikes, sizes M and L, stolen out of our garage between 4 am and 5 am [early Thursday]. The thief also took Ortlieb panniers, and other small things. One of the bikes has a follow-me-tandem attachment on it. We have security video of the thief but for some reason our motion sensor did not trigger the alarm. Our son had left the door open, unfortunately.

The bikes also both have rear racks (not shown in the photo). Police report 2021-902137

WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Friday rainbow, Saturday wind, and beyond

Thanks to everyone who sent photos of the double rainbow that appeared about two hours ago – here are two: Keith‘s view from Marine View Drive is above, and Jessie‘s view from Highland Park is below:

Jessie wrote, “The brighter mornings and evenings have been giving me so much hope, and this rainbow was an extra gift!” If you read closely you know we’ve been tracking that too; tonight’s sunset is at 5:17 pm, which is a full hour later than the earliest sunset of winter, back in December.

Now on to the weekend weather outlook: Did you hear the wind early this morning? Tonight and tomorrow could bring it back, according to the forecast – southwest wind, 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph overnight, 15 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph Saturday. Off-and-on chances of rain (although we’re enjoying a big sunbreak right now). Then next week – cold nights/mornings with “a slight chance of rain and snow” mentioned for Monday and Thursday. 42 days left in winter!

Remembering Kenneth M. Lowthian, 1926-2021

Family and friends are remembering Kenneth M. Lowthian, and sharing this remembrance with his community:

Kenneth McDonald Lowthian was born on October 14, 1926 in Seattle. He passed away on January 24, 2021. Ken lived his whole life in West Seattle.

He was a graduate of West Seattle High School, the University of Washington, did graduate work at the U of W College of Education, and participated in a program for Urban Executives at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Ken spent his career working for the City of Seattle, and was Superintendent of the Water Department when he retired in 1987.

He served on the Board of Directors at The Kenney, the board of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors of the American Water Works Association, and the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America. He was an active member of the Rotary Club of Seattle, a member of Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity, belonged to St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, and was a retired Naval Reservist.

Scouting played a major role in Ken’s life for over 50 years. He gave credit to his belief in the program by following the Boy Scout law and oath. He received both the Eagle Scout and Silver Beaver awards. He always had wonderful memories of scouting, especially of Camp Parsons.

Ken had a great love for the outdoors. He loved mountain climbing, backpack hiking, and camping. He embraced his Scottish Heritage, loved to travel, play bridge, antiquing and reading.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Dorothy, his second wife Fay, and his brother Ron.

Ken is survived by his four children Vicki Jo (Ron), Burien; Riley (Carol), Duvall; Sharon (Rick), Eugene, OR; and Scott (Diana), Billings, MT. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

A memorial for Ken will be held at a later date due to COVID concerns. Memorial donations can be made to St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California Ave SW, Seattle 98116.

Please share memories of Ken and condolences with his family at www.emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Kenneth-Lowthian * 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)

ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Friday watch

6:07 AM: Welcome to Friday, February 5th, the 319th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK & MORE

Delridge project – The SW Thistle closure continues between Delridge and 20th. Here are the key points for this week, pending the preview of next week that we should be receiving later today.

California/Myrtle: The four-week sewer-line repair is done.

Fauntleroy Way work – Another sewer repair, on Fauntleroy between Alaska and Edmunds as previewed here, was supposed to start Thursday but hadn’t as of late in the day.

Tunnel closure – The Highway 99 tunnel is scheduled to close both ways 11 pm tonight through 6 am Saturday.

CHECK TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

Low Bridge: Fourth 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:

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:

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 TaxiOn its regular schedule but with the lower-capacity Spirit of Kingston – we will be checking to see if Doc Maynard returns next week as planned.

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.

CORONAVIRUS: Thursday 2/4/2021 roundup

February 4, 2021 10:32 pm
|    Comments Off on CORONAVIRUS: Thursday 2/4/2021 roundup
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Stats and vaccination updates top tonight’s roundup:

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

*77,841 people have tested positive, 264 more than yesterday’s total

*1,279 people have died, 9 more than yesterday’s total

*4,846 people have been hospitalized, 3 more than yesterday’s total

*841.693 people have been tested, 3,522 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the four totals we track were 75,682/1,242/4,763/822,810.

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

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 104.8 million cases worldwide, 26.6 million of them in the U.S. See the nation-by-nation breakout here.

VACCINATION UPDATES: Statewide, health officials say, progress is being made, but more vaccine is still needed. It was a major topic of the state Department of Health’s weekly briefing (see the video here). More than 770,000 people have been vaccinated – about a tenth of the state’s population – and the state’s latest daily average is 28,000 a day, on its way to the target of 45,000 a day. In his briefing later (see the video here), Gov. Inslee says the systems are in place to meet that 45,000/day goal, all that’s needed is enough vaccine. For example, the Health Department says, 612 providers requested 358,000 first doses for a recent week, but the federal allotment was less than a third that. … Also explained by the state today, its process of vaccine allocation:

We’ve received a lot of questions recently regarding the state’s allocation process. This week, DOH allocated 19% of vaccine to community health centers, federally qualified health centers, local health jurisdictions and private practitioners, 23% to hospitals, 36% to mass vaccination sites, 19% to pharmacies, and 3% to tribes and Urban Indian Health Programs. State allocations of vaccines go to sites that are locally run, as well as the mass vaccination sites.

Each week, the state allocates vaccine from our limited supply to enrolled providers through a multi-step process that starts Saturday and is completed by Thursday night to meet the CDC’s Friday morning ordering deadline. Enrolled providers place their requests through the state’s Immunization Information System (WAIIS) and DOH gathers information from Local Health Jurisdictions to help determine their priorities of where vaccine should go. Decisions are made based on several factors: proportional population of those eligible in the county, data from providers, provider’s current inventory and documented throughput, equity, and access at all provider types (hospitals, pharmacies, mass vaccination sites, and clinics).

The state has more than 1,000 enrolled providers so far.

RETURNING TO IN-PERSON LEARNING: Seattle Public Schools now says the first groups to return will be phased in, not all on March 1st as expected.

NEED FOOD? 2-5 pm tomorrow at Food Lifeline (815 S. 96th) HQ, emergency food boxes are available.

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

FOLLOWUP: California/Myrtle sewer-line project wrapped up

February 4, 2021 8:01 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: California/Myrtle sewer-line project wrapped up
 |   Transportation | Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

After 4 weeks, the south Morgan Junction/Gatewood work zone for a Seattle Public Utilities sewer-line repair project is cleared. As our through-the-windshield photo from late today shows, the pavement patching will have to be smoothed – we will be checking with SPU for a timeline on that. But the cross-lane bumps in the northbound lane, which contributed to a bicyclist falling and requiring hospitalization, are gone. Our original January report explains the work that was done. SPU is now moving on to another sewer-line repair that will affect traffic on Fauntleroy Way south of Alaska; work was supposed to start today, but as of late afternoon, it had yet to begin.

VIDEO: Seattle Public Schools says most in-person learning won’t resume until after March 1st

5:40 PM: Seattle Public Schools says that the students returning to in-person learning will return in phases, with the first phase serving special-education students (in “intensive pathways”). That means the others, preschoolers through 1st-graders, won’t start until sometime after March 1st. Also from the briefing that’s under way now, the district says about 50 percent of eligible families have indicated their students will return for in-person classes. District officials are also describing the schedules – the special-education students would attend Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, while the preschoolers, kindergarteners, and 1st graders would be split into A and B groups – Mondays and Tuesdays for one, Thursdays and Fridays for the other. More details to come – families were repeatedly advised to check the district’s website, but it’s currently down again.

5:48 PM: The briefing’s over; we’ve added the recorded video above.

TERMINAL 5: Opening delayed until next year

5:25 PM: The Northwest Seaport Alliance was supposed to present an update on the Terminal 5 modernization plan this past Tuesday, but pulled it from the agenda at the last minute, saying “several recent project changes” had rendered the planned update “outdated.” Here’s a big change: The NWSA just announced that T-5’s opening is being pushed back at least half a year. Here’s the announcement:

Terminal 5 to Open Q1 2022, Revising Earlier Estimates

The Northwest Seaport Alliance Terminal 5 Modernization Project is a critical component to expanding our cargo-handling capabilities. This facility will allow our region to remain globally competitive and grow our local economy. Due to the complex nature of this large infrastructure construction combined with unforeseen circumstances, this project is now seeing schedule impacts. To ensure project quality and a robust facility with construction that will last for decades, the NWSA now expects Phase 1 of the project to be targeted for completion by the end of Q4, 2021, rather than the expected Q2 of 2021.

The NWSA will be providing a full project update during the March Managing Members meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 2nd at 11:30am. This project remains a top priority and alongside our tenant, SSAT, we are committed to delivering the modernized Terminal 5 facility as soon as possible. We continue to believe this project is critical to maintaining economic and industrial diversity in our region and living wage jobs that are key to building an equitable and resilient economy.

At the February 2nd meeting of the Managing Members, commissioners approved three items relating to T5 construction, specifically the South Reefers Repair, Clean Truck Program and Radiation Portal Monitors/U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Booth Power Infrastructure. Piling and other construction work continues on the project.

This has ramifications for other things, such as West Seattle Low Bridge access, which has been reserving capacity for T-5 trucks. We’ll be following up.

6:29 PM: For the record, this is the memo and slide deck for the briefing that was supposed to happen on Tuesday. When the lease was announced – exactly two years ago tomorrow – it was envisioned the north berth could be open as soon as last month.

YOU CAN HELP: Two more food fundraisers for West Seattle schools, with local businesses

February 4, 2021 3:33 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Two more food fundraisers for West Seattle schools, with local businesses
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

More partnerships between local schools and local businesses:

MISSION CANTINA DINE-OUT FOR FAIRMOUNT PARK ELEMENTARY: This is happening on Sunday at Mission Cantina (WSB sponsor). From the Fairmount Park Elementary PTA:

We are excited to partner with Mission Cantina for our next Dine-Out Event! Mission Cantina will generously donate 20% of ALL sales that the restaurant makes on February 7th, for their full hours of 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. No need for a special code or link! This includes all food, alcohol, and gift cards.

To order, please call Mission directly at 206-937-8220. The restaurant will begin taking phone orders starting at 11 am. Please note, we are encouraging families to work with the restaurant directly rather than use 3rd-party apps such as GrubHub and Ubereats, to help the staff get more of the funds from tips and orders.

So enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner, evening margaritas, or all of them! Avoid the rush by buying a gift card to use another day! Thank you for supporting a local restaurant AND the PTA!

Mission Cantina is at 2325 California SW.

DREAM DINNERS DEAL FOR ‘WEB’ AT MADISON: Dream Dinners-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) does the prep, you finish at home and serve! They’re offering three chances to get family meals and support WEB at Madison Middle School, as explained by faculty coordinator Mike Kreiger: “Madison’s WEB (‘Where Everybody Belongs’) Program consists of about 90 eighth-grade leaders who help make the school a more inclusive place. They plan and run the 6th-grade orientation, give tours to new students, and make relationships with new-to-Madison students. They meet during advisory and lunch and plan fun ‘get-to-know-you activities’ with the 6th graders to make them feel connected to Madison.” Here’s how the fundraiser works:

By helping WEB and a local small-business, your money has a DOUBLE positive impact in our community. For $50 you can get three 3-serving meals (9 servings total), and $10 of that will go straight to Madison’s WEB program for next year. You can pay online up to 36 hours before the pickup time, and then just pick up during your window and you have 3 pre-made meals that are ready to cook! Here are the dates (and links, with menu options) to our fundraiser if you can help:

Thursday, March 4th 6:30 pm-7:30 pm – dreamdinners.com/session/875439
Saturday, March 6th at 10:30-11:30 am – dreamdinners.com/session/875440
Wednesday, March 10th at 6:30-7:30 pm – dreamdinners.com/session/875441

If you are not interested in Dream Dinners at this time, we are asking for donations of $10 (or more) to keep WEB going strong. If you can help, here is the donation link.

Pickup will be at Dream Dinners-West Seattle (4701 41st SW, outer east side of Jefferson Square).

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Rape charge in bus-stop attack; park patrols; 911 reminder

Three items in West Seattle Crime Watch:

RAPE CHARGE FILED: The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced today that it has charged a 27-year-old man with second-degree rape in an attack at a Junction bus stop early Monday. Mahdi M. Hussein is accused of approaching and assaulting the 21-year-old victim on a bench at the California/Alaska transit hub. The victim pushed him away and fled, the court documents say, but Hussein followed, and assaulted the victim again before 911 was called around 3 am. Court documents say Hussein has one past conviction, for theft, nine years ago. He remains in King County Jail, bail set at $75,000. (added) KCPAO notes in its announcement, “Through yesterday (Feb. 3), this case is the 20th rape case filed this year by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. In 2020, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed 187 rape cases (through Dec. 10). In 2019, we filed 117 cases.”

Also, two items from Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner:

PARK PATROLS: We’ve reported multiple times recently on car break-ins at Westcrest Park. Here’s an update from the precinct:

The Seattle Parks Department and SPD have been made aware of ongoing concerns at Westcrest Park, near the dog park, in the parking lot. Community members in the area have noted suspicious activity and an increase in car prowls in the area. We are working with the Parks Department to put up additional signage to remind folks to remove valuables from their vehicles, and we are working on additional patrols. We would like to encourage community members to be extra aware, and to call 911 immediately to report noticeable suspicious activity.

SPEAKING OF CALLING 911: A recent citywide trend has led to this reminder:

ELECTION 2021: Sara Nelson running again for City Council citywide Position 9

Another citywide candidacy announcement today – this time, Sara Nelson is running again for City Council Position 9, the citywide seat currently held by Councilmember Lorena González, who announced Wednesday she’s running for mayor. Nelson ran for the seat in 2017 and finished third in the primary. She is co-founder of Fremont Brewing and has worked as a City Council policy adviser (for former Councilmember Richard Conlin). Her announcement says she “wants to put her success in business and city government to work for all Seattleites,” and quotes her as saying, “I will work to bring back jobs and community resources to Seattle by revitalizing our downtown core and neighborhood business districts.” Nelson lives in Green Lake. She is the first candidate for this seat to send us an announcement, but five people have registered campaigns with the city. The field won’t be final until May; the primary is August 3rd.

From bowling to boats, what’s up for your West Seattle Thursday

(Wednesday morning photo by Chris Frankovich)

Lots going on today/tonight:

PANDEMIC BRIEFING: The state Health Department‘s weekly briefing is at 10:30 am; you can watch here.

WEST SEATTLE BOWL REOPENS: 3 pm today, as previewed here. (39th/Oregon)

LIVE ONLINE SHOPPING EVENT: 4-9 pm, join Junction businesses online for live Valentine’s shopping! Go here to be part of it.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Seattle Public Schools will stream an online briefing/Q&A session about returning to in-person learning at 5:15 pm; our preview has information on how to watch.

(Wednesday sunset, photographed by Rosalie Miller)

TONIGHT’S SUNSET: 5:15 pm.

ONLINE TOURS/OPEN HOUSES FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS: 5:30 pm kindergarten tour for Roxhill Elementary, 5:30 pm middle-school tour for Pathfinder K-8, 5:30 pm tour for Lafayette Elementary, 7 pm open house for Denny International Middle Schoolfind all those links here.

NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: The community council for White Center and vicinity meets online at 7 pm. Agenda items include an update from the White Center Food Bank – which serves part of West Seattle – as it looks ahead to a move. Here’s how to watch/participate.

Anything we’re missing? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

CONGRATULATIONS! South Seattle College’s Dr. Yilin Sun honored for English-teaching achievements

February 4, 2021 8:59 am
|    Comments Off on CONGRATULATIONS! South Seattle College’s Dr. Yilin Sun honored for English-teaching achievements
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | West Seattle schools

A big honor for a longtime member of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) faculty. Here’s the announcement:

Dr. Yilin Sun, who has spent the majority of her 30-plus year career teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) at South Seattle College (SSC) and Seattle Central College, has been recognized as a top-30 contributor to the U.S. Department of State’s English Language Specialist Program. The specialist program is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2021.

The “30@30 Award” recognizes Sun as one of a select group of thirty specialists who have made a lasting impact on the specialist program and on the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) field since 1991, building English-teaching capacity abroad and bolstering mutual understanding through English language education.

Sun is a tenured faculty member in the Basic and Transitional Studies Division at SSC, and now directs faculty development programs for the Seattle Colleges District. She has served the field of TESOL for more than 30 years and has been with Seattle Colleges for more than 27 years as a dedicated educator. She is a tireless advocate for racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education and for providing equitable, accessible, and quality education to underserved student populations. She also strives to empower learners and TESOL professionals.

Sun is a former president of the TESOL International Association from 2013 to 2016. This was the first time in TESOL’s 50-year history that an Asian, female, bilingual Chinese and English speaking professional served as president of TESOL.

“What makes Dr. Yilin Sun such a remarkable leader and role model is her ability to develop inclusive, equitable and diverse communities, and provide resources which foster critical thinking and creativity,” said Anne Levin, ESL faculty member at Seattle Colleges. “When in her presence, students and colleagues feel welcome and inspired to be their very best selves. Her advocacy for immigrants and refugees, collaborative spirit and enthusiasm for teaching and learning is heartfelt and contagious to all who have the honor of working with her.”

The 30@30 awardees will be honored throughout the anniversary year with featured stories on the English Language Programs website, in presentations at the Virtual 2021 TESOL International Convention, as expert panelists in online webinars, and at an Appreciation Luncheon and Awards Ceremony in October at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., conditions allowing.

For further information, please visit the English Language Specialist Program and U.S. Department of State websites.

(Photo courtesy Dr. Yilin Sun, shown speaking to the 2015 TESOL International Convention in Toronto.)

ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Thursday watch

6:07 AM: Welcome to Thursday, February 4th, the 318th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK & MORE

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

California/Myrtle: The work was wrapping up as of late Wednesday.

Fauntleroy Way work – Today, about two weeks of utility work is scheduled to start on Fauntleroy between Alaska and Edmunds, as previewed here.

Tunnel closure – The Highway 99 tunnel is scheduled to close both ways Friday night.

CHECK TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

Low Bridge: Fourth 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:

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:

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 TaxiOn its regular schedule but again this week, it’s using the lower-capacity Spirit of Kingston

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.

CONGRATULATIONS! 5 West Seattle High School athletes sign with colleges

Congratulations to the West Seattle High School athletes who signed letters of intent for National Signing Day today! WSHS qthletic director Corey Sorenson sent word of these five:

West Seattle National Signing Day 2021

Nate Rasmussen: Signing with Bellevue College for baseball, planning to major in business.

Aliya Couillard: Signing with Long Island University for soccer, planning to major in forensic science.

Kambel Fiser: Signing with Adelphi University for volleyball, planning to major in exercise science.

Nic Chantorn: Signing with Bellevue College for golf, planning to major in civil engineering.

Lauryn Nguyen : Signing with Northwestern University for golf, planning to major in communications, with a minor in business institutions.

All five also shared memories and gratitude you can read about here, or below:

CORONAVIRUS: Wednesday 2/3/2021 roundup

February 3, 2021 9:25 pm
|    Comments Off on CORONAVIRUS: Wednesday 2/3/2021 roundup
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Midweek pandemic toplines:

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

*77,577 people have tested positive, 391 more than yesterday’s total

*1,270 people have died, unchanged from yesterday’s total

*4,843 people have been hospitalized, 22 more than yesterday’s total

*838,171 people have been tested, 2,531 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the four totals we track were 75,289/1,241/4,763/822,897.

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

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

VACCINATED: More than 281,000 doses have been administered in King County. Still no West Seattle locations on the state list. As of yesterday, Public Health/Seattle-King County tweeted, that included 87 percent of nurses, 79 percent of doctors, 31 percent of people ages 75 and up.

BRIEFING TOMORROW: State Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah and other state health officials will present their weekly briefing at 10:30 am Thursday. You can watch it here.

ALSO TOMORROW: Reminder that Seattle Public Schools plans a 5:15 pm Thursday update on its plan to offer some students the chance to return to in-person learning March 1st.

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

ELECTION 2021: First West Seattleite in mayor’s race is City Council President Lorena González

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Since West Seattle Junction resident Lorena González – current City Council President – announced her run for mayor this morning, her phone’s been blowing up.

“80 text messages from friends and neighbors and family,” not to mention conversations like the one we had this afternoon, González replied when we asked her what the hours since her announcement have been like. “A really humbling outpouring of support … so overwhelming.”

The announcement was expected, even before Mayor Jenny Durkan announced two months ago that she wouldn’t run for re-election. She’s had aspirations for higher office for a while, launching a brief campaign for state attorney geenral a year and a half ago. She was a civil-rights lawyer before becoming the first Latinx member of the City Council, elected to citywide Position 9 for a two-year term in 2015, re-elected for a four-year term in 2017. She has owned a Junction condo for a decade, sharing it now with her husband and their toddler daughter.

Given the council’s strength, overriding mayoral vetoes in recent months, we asked her, why leave it to run for mayor?

Read More

About the police response in Morgan Junction

February 3, 2021 6:37 pm
|    Comments Off on About the police response in Morgan Junction
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

A sizable police response at an apartment building in Morgan Junction (42nd/Graham) – we went there to find out what was going on, after hearing a negotiator dispatched; Police told us they are investigating a suspected domestic-violence situation, and someone is holed up in an apartment, refusing to talk to them. No traffic blockage or danger to the public.

FOLLOWUP: West Seattle vaccination-site plan just awaits vaccine

As noted here Friday, West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold says the mayor’s office has committed to a COVID-19 vaccination site in West Seattle. At the council’s Monday morning “briefing meeting,” she mentioned a meeting with the mayor’s staff was planned for the next day. So we followed up. As is the case right now for so many providers and potential providers, the bottleneck is vaccine access, Herbold says she was told, “Timing is dependent upon when there is an adequate supply of vaccines. King County is getting 25% of Washington State’s weekly dispersal. Most of Seattle’s vaccines are being given to health care providers, though Seattle Fire Department is still receiving a weekly allotment for its mobile teams and pop-up program.” But when sufficient supply becomes available, the city could set up the site in as little as two days. We’ll hear more about this next Tuesday (February 9th), when the committee Herbold chairs, Public Safety and Human Services, gets a pandemic briefing from SFD and Public Health Seattle King County. The county is currently running two mass vaccination sites, and the state has four, none in Seattle.