day : 05/04/2021 10 results

Our nightly roundup of local pandemic information:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Seattle-King County Public Health daily summary:

*89,643 people have tested positive, 604 more than yesterday’s total

*1,472 people have died, unchanged since yesterday

*5,381 people have been hospitalized, 15 more than yesterday’s total

*981,183 people have been tested, 4,826 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, those totals were 87,567/1,461/5,303/964,809.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 131.7 million cases, 2,860,000 deaths – 555,000 in the U.S. See the other stats – nation by nation – here.

FAMILY SURVEY: If you have a Seattle Public Schools 6th through 11th grader, the survey on whether you’ll xtick with all-remote learning or go hybrid is due tomorrow.

LOOKING FOR A VACCINATION APPOINTMENT? Here’s our ongoing list – updated when we get tips:

*Check for West Seattle city-run site appointments (updated) here; sign up for the city’s notification list for all four of its sites here.
*Health-care providers (particularly bigger ones like UW Medicine (one reader specifically recommends Valley Medical Center), Franciscan, Swedish, Kaiser Permanente, etc.)
*covidwa.com (volunteer-run aggregator) – you can also follow its tweets for instant notifications
*The state’s Vaccine Locator
*The CDC’s Vaccine Finder
*Pharmacies big and small – Safeway, Rite Aid, QFC, Pharmaca, Costco, Bartell Drugs
*Sea Mar clinics

NEED FOOD? This week’s nearest Food Lifeline distribution is 2-5 pm Friday (April 9th) at 815 S. 96th.

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

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Elephant-seal sighting

April 5, 2021 8:55 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch for a rare sighting – an elephant seal off West Seattle. She saw this one from shore south of Brace Point, watching the transient orcas that swam by on Saturday. Checking WSB archives, we have two past photos from elephant-seal sightings, both from Seal Sitters – in 2011 and in 2017.

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YOUTH WRITING CONTEST: Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s elementary-student winner

April 5, 2021 7:35 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Back in January, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society started accepting entries for its youth-writing contest, welcoming essays on “Women History Makers of the Duwamish Peninsula.” We promised to publish the winning essays. The SWSHS has chosen its winners, and tonight, here’s the first one, from the 3rd-5th-grade category.

A Hero to Washington
By Lillian Stowell

Katherine Smith was a hero to Washington, but no one made a statue or a mural for her, even though she deserved one.

She was born on February 9, 1868, in Pennsylvania. Then when she married George A. Smith she moved to Colorado. Colorado was the second state that women could vote in. However, she lost her right to vote when she moved to Alki, Washington in 1904.

She started a woman suffrage club that 200 people attended. Women gained the right to vote in Washington in 1910. I chose Katherine because she fought for women suffrage fairly. She did not riot, instead she convinced officials to let women vote by talking to them. I think women’s voting is important because women might have different opinions then men. For example, if there was a president that didn’t treat women respectfully then women couldn’t vote for someone\ else.

Without women like Katherine who fought for women suffrage, we might not have Vice President Kamala Harris today.

Lillian is a student at West Seattle Elementary. The SWSHS contest had middle- and high-school winners, too, and we’ll publish those winning essays over the next two nights.

Photo of Katherine Smith from the Seattle Star, February 1911

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West Seattle Food Bank’s history @ Words, Writers, Southwest Stories this Thursday

April 5, 2021 5:40 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle books | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

In our photo above is Rev. Ron Marshall, signing his book about the West Seattle Food Bank‘s first 30 years, at the WSFB’s 30th-anniversary celebration in 2013. Though the food bank has eight more years of history since then, the role it fills remains constant: Fighting hunger – and now after its merger with the West Seattle Helpline, fighting homelessness too. This Thursday night, listen to the author – who is still on the WSFB board – tell its story, in a live online presentation, Here’s the announcement:

‘Words, Writers & Southwest Stories,’ a historically based speaker series of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, is excited to announce that it is hosting Ron Marshall for a live Zoom presentation on Thursday, April 8 at 6:00 PM. Marshall will deliver a presentation titled, “Hunger Immortal: The First Thirty Years of the West Seattle Food Bank.” Registration is required. Please register HERE.

The history of the West Seattle Food Bank is no ordinary story. It’s filled with intrigue and sadness, great dedication, and mounds of lucky breaks. Ron will explore the story of the bank from its beginnings in 1983 and its ongoing efforts to meet the needs of a changing, growing community. Ron will also provide a glimpse into both the history of the food bank and profiles of the individuals, including board members, volunteers, donors, and property owners, who worked to guarantee that the food bank had a permanent home.

Ron Marshall has served on the West Seattle Food Bank board since 1996. He’s past president of the West Seattle Ministerial Association and has served on the board of Music Northwest for over 25 years. Ron has been the pastor of First Lutheran Church of West Seattle since 1979. He was raised in Tacoma and graduated from Stadium High School in 1967, and graduated from Washington State University in 1971. Ron is the author of two books on the religious thought of Martin Luther and Søren Kierkegaard. He’s also well known for his unique, ongoing class on the Koran, which he has been teaching four times a year since 2003.

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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FAUNTLEROY FERRY TERMINAL: Application time for project advisory group

April 5, 2021 3:57 pm

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| Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

When Washington State Ferries held public meetings last month (WSB coverage here) to launch planning for its Fauntleroy terminal replacement, creation of a new Community Advisory Group was promised. Today, WSF is inviting interested community members to apply:

Today through April 23, we are accepting applications from community members interested in joining a Community Advisory Group (CAG) for the project. The CAG, along with an Executive Leadership Group and Technical Advisory Group, will play a critical role in helping WSF shape plans that address transportation needs while balancing the needs of multiple communities served by and adjacent to the terminal.

The CAG will advise WSF and work collaboratively to generate ideas and provide input on which issues should be addressed in this project. Members also will help identify and provide input about potential alternatives and share ongoing feedback on the broader community engagement process. The CAG will include membership from the three communities served by the “Triangle Route” (Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth) to encourage cross-community dialogue and collaborative solutions.

We are seeking people to apply who live near the ferry terminal, regularly ride the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth ferry route, or have an understanding of the area’s regional transportation, economic, community, and environmental issues. …

-WSF is recruiting approximately 20 people to serve on the CAG.
-The CAG will meet regularly throughout the planning phase, expected to last through 2023.
-Meetings will last a few hours and could take place during the day/evening and virtually or in person (once it is safe to do so).

Go here to apply.

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BIZNOTE: Sharetea to open in West Seattle this spring

April 5, 2021 2:17 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Though the sign went up recently, Sharetea has had the former Jefferson Square Baja Taco site in its sights for almost a year. A reader first pointed out to us last May that the Sharetea website mentioned it; we tried contacting the company for comment, but got no reply, and saw no sign of activity at the site in subsequent months. But then came the signage. We finally reached someone associated with the new location today, and they told us they’re hoping to open in mid-May, pending permits, but are still finalizing other operational details such as hours/days. Sharetea – founded in Taiwan almost 30 years ago – specializes in Boba Tea, with more than 300 stores in 16 countries.

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SCHOOLS: Landmarks Board to consider Madison MS addition Wednesday

April 5, 2021 12:12 pm

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| West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Next step toward construction of a $10.5 million, 12,500-square-foot addition at Madison Middle School is this Wednesday afternoon (April 7th), when the city Landmarks Preservation Board considers approving the project. Since Madison is a city landmark (here’s the backstory), with its main building dating back to 1929, the board has to approve additions/changes to the campus. Here’s the slide deck prepared for the meeting, showing the design and location features of the addition, which includes a bicycle-parking shelter:

Wednesday’s meeting is online, starting at 3:30 pm with a public-comment period. The agenda includes more documents on the Madison proposal and other items, as well as how to participate in and/or view the meeting.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen silver Accord

April 5, 2021 11:02 am

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| Crime | West Seattle news

From Delana:

My boyfriend’s car was stolen sometime between Saturday morning (April 3rd around 9 am) to this morning (Monday, April 5th). It was last seen on 60th Ave SW, near Alki. It is a silver 1997 Honda Accord. License plate ARU9091. It has damage on the front driver’s-side door and also the rear driver’s side has a dented tail light. The driver’s-side mirror is shattered and still attached but has a small mirror attached to it.

Call 911 if you see it.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Signs of spring at Highland Park Improvement Club

April 5, 2021 9:55 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Some people got candy eggs … some got chocolate bunnies … and at Highland Park Improvement Club, the Easter present was new signage for SW Holden. The photos and report were sent by HPIC:

The Easter Bunny made a drop-in appearance at HPICto help with the installation of our latest “Burma Shave” roadside signage.

We know our fellow West Seattle drivers are feeling the frustration of increasing traffic levels and commute numbers so we wanted to share some of our favorite signs of spring to brighten your commute and a little poem to bring you home westbound on Holden.

Be well and stay safe to all-

HPIC Board, Membership and neighborhood residents

Pictured are Kelly Lyles (bunny), Monica Cavagnaro (straw hat), and Kay Kirkpatrick (green vest), with help remotely from Judith Caman. Photos are by Peter de Lory. P.S. If you missed the previous display – see it here.

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WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC: Back-to-schools Monday watch

April 5, 2021 6:07 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Good morning! Sunshine in the forecast today, after a cold night/morning.

BACK TO SCHOOLS

Seattle Public Schools elementary students have the option of part-time in-person learning starting today, so watch for school buses and other increased traffic by schools, as well as the reactivation of school-zone speed cameras. (Here’s the districtwide map of schools.)

ROAD WORK .

Delridge project – Here’s this week’s plan – with the Sylvan Way east-end closure starting as soon as tomorrow.

SW Yancy closure – The closure between Avalon and 28th is because of the housing-construction project and expected to continue this week.

TRANSIT

Metro is on its regular schedule

The West Seattle Water Taxi is using the smaller Spirit of Kingston until tomorrow

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

378th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: 13th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily. Here’s a bridge view: