West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(updated) Saturday at 4 pm, the recently returned Alki fire rings officially open for the season. Many nights in the meantime, beach fires have led to SPD/SFD responses. One earlier this week ended romantically, the Southwest Precinct reports:
At 2310 hrs, we performed a half-walking half-rolling PA announcement along the beach area to notify park-goers of the parks closing. All went well and the beach cleared as expected.
One beach fire was allowed to remain for a short period after closing as to not interrupt an in-progress marriage proposal. There were approximately 10 people in attendance and candles were added for romantic effect. The planners were quick to solicit police permission to remain after park close and promptly left after the ceremony was concluded. The would-be fiancé gave an affirmative response to the proposer’s inquiry and all rejoiced. Police provided a congratulatory PA announcement and we promptly cleared the area.
Congratulations to the future spouses!
Big day in pandemic news:
COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER’S BRIEFING: The average number of new cases each day is down 64 percent from the peak of the most recent surge, said Dr. Jeff Duchin. “Incidence rates among all groups are decreasing. … We’re moving in the right direction but not down as far as we want to be.” The B.117 variant remains the most common variant detected in our state – which means “the viruses out there are better at spreading person to person among the unvaccinated.” If you’re not vaccinated, you’re at “significant risk,” he said – higher risk than you were a year ago. See the briefing video here.
NEWEST NUMBERS: As for the exact numbers … here’s the update from the Public Health daily-summary dashboard:
*109,196 people have tested positive, 251 more than yesterday’s total
*1,588 people have died, 10 more than yesterday’s total
*6,129 people have been hospitalized, 9 more than yesterday’s total
One week ago, the three totals we are now tracking were 107,871/1,566/6,072.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health dashboard.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 168.7 million cases worldwide, 33.2 million of them in the U.S. See the nation-by-nation breakout here.
BREWPUB POP-UPS: One in West Seattle and one in White Center Friday afternoon/evening.
OTHER VACCINATION OPPORTUNITIES: Use this lookup. Or call 833-VAX-HELP.
NEED FOOD? Grab-n-go distribution tomorrow at Highland Park Elementary.
CITY’S PLAN FOR FEDERAL RELIEF MONEY: Here’s what was announced today; for a few more details, go here.
GOT INFO/PHOTOS/TIPS? 206-293-6302, text or voice, or westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Three items in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight – first, two cars to watch for:
30TH SW: From Austin:
Please keep an eye out.
My mom’s green 4-door Honda Accord was stolen from 8800 block of 30th AVE SW Wednesday afternoon between 3-6 pm.
Forest green Honda Accord LX 1997 LIC# 705-HYN
Any information or if you see it, call 911.
SPD incident # is 2021-129716.
45TH/ADMIRAL: From Halina:
We need help locating our 2017 White Volkswagen Alltrack (Station Wagon) plate #BGC6085 (has a Seattle University Alumni plate holder).
We parked across the street from our house (on 45th Ave SW) last night at 5:20 pm between Admiral Way and Lander Street. Around 4 pm this afternoon we noticed our car was missing… There is construction on our street but we were parked well outside of the no parking zone. We called over 10 towing companies and the impound contact numbers listed on the street signs but it has not been impounded. We also connected with the site contacts for the two construction sites on 45th ave – both indicated they did not have any vehicles towed.
We really appreciate any information you may have to share, and your help keeping an eye out for our car – thank you!!
Email: halinamoran@gmail.com
SPD incident # is 2021-130545.
SWAT STANDOFF FOLLOWUP: Charges are now filed against the man arrested early Monday after an hours-long standoff at a house across from Lincoln Park. 39-year-old Kevin H. Harris is charged with four felonies – unlawful imprisonment, 4th-degree assault, harassment, and 3rd-degree malicious mischief, all with the extra label “domestic violence.” The charging documents alleging that Harris threatened his father and kept him from leaving the house and calling for help includes a note that prosecutors thought the initial $7,500 bail was too low:
Bail Request: The State regrets the decision of the Honorable District Court Judge Lisa Paglisotti on the Investigation Calendar to set bail in the amount of $7,500. The State had requested $25,000 based on the vulnerability of the defendant’s elderly and understandably frightened parents. His father is particularly vulnerable due to physical disability. After the offenses in this case, the defendant refused to come out for police for 6 hours. Under these circumstances, the current bail appears disproportionately low compared to the substantial likelihood that the defendant will commit a future act of violence against his parents, and that he will interfere with the administration of justice.
The jail register shows Harris is still there, and that his bail remains set at $7,500.
This afternoon’s low-low tide was the second-lowest of the summer – out -3.9 feet, and it’ll be matched tomorrow. Christopher Boffoli sent the first three photos from Constellation Park (Charles Richey Sr. Viewpoint). That includes marine life revealed by the receding waters.
These are of course the reasons to tread lightly – many creatures on and between the rocks.
Constellation Park is also one of the two places in West Seattle where you’ll find volunteer Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists. But you can appreciate the low-low tide anywhere along the shore – even the heart of Alki Beach:
That photo’s from Theresa Arbow-O’Connor. Tomorrow’s low-low tide, -3.9 feet again, is at 12:58 pm, and the naturalists will be out at Constellation and Lincoln Parks 11 am-3 pm.
(Southwest Branch, WSB file photo)
The Seattle Public Library isn’t adding more West Seattle branches to the in-building “open” list yet – but the one that is allowing people inside will expand its hours and capacity next week. As of Tuesday (June 1st), Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) will be open 10 am-6 pm, Tuesdays-Saturdays, at 50 percent capacity. That will be divided into two public-use sessions – 10 am to 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm to 6 pm, with a cleaning break between them. You’ll still be able to pick up on-hold items during the break, though. SPL will also start phasing in browsing, too.
The city promised more pop-ups when it announced it’s winding down operations at fixed COVID-19 vaccination sites, and it’s delivering on that promise tomorrow (Friday, May 28th), with two at local brewpubs. 3-5 pm Friday, the Seattle Fire mobile vaccination team will be at The Good Society (2701 California SW); 5:45 pm-8 pm Friday, the MVT will be at Future Primitive in White Center (9832 14th SW). At either pop-up, getting vaccinated will get you a free beer or non-alcoholic beverage. SFD says both will offer all three vaccines, first or second shots, no appointment necessary.
Frances Gifford has just opened The Clay Cauldron, a pottery studio, in North Delridge, and plans a Memorial Day open house to introduce her new business to the neighborhood. Stop by 5214 Delridge Way SW between noon and 8 pm on Monday (May 31st). You’ll be able to sign up for classes or studio use. She’s also planning a drawing for 25 percent off a class of your choice. And if you’re there between 4 and 6 pm, you can enjoy live music by Sundae + Mr. Goessl. (You might already know Frances from local involvement including the Alki Art Fair and Fauntleroy Fine Art and Gift Show. If you have questions, email theclaycauldron5214@gmail.com.)
(WSB file photo)
ORIGINAL THURSDAY REPORT: In the spirit of the flower basket and rainbow flag “adoptions” the West Seattle Junction Association has offered for the past few years, WJJA has just launched a campaign to “Fund an American Flag.” Here’s the announcement:
Show your patriotic pride by funding an American Flag. The Junction flag partners, the American Legion, have been the wind beneath the flags for years. On the major patriotic holidays like Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day, the Legion can be found honoring all people who live in America by placing the flags on California Ave. Over time though, the American flags have been damaged or lost. Down to 40 flags, you can do your part to support the Legion by funding one of the 20 flags that have been lost over time. The cost to fund one of the beautiful 3 ft x 5 ft flags is $95 (+PayPal fee of $2.85). Your donation to the program supports this ongoing volunteer-run project. Your flag will have a permanently affixed plaque attached to the pole showing your commitment to this patriotic program. As the older flags need replacement, the Junction will reopen the Fund a Flag program. In 2021 there are 20 flags available.
We encourage you to join us to put up and/or take the flags down too on each holiday! All volunteers receive their own 4″ x 6″ handheld flag. As a Flag Funder, the Junction will remind you of the date the flags are scheduled to be placed on California Ave.
Here’s the link to Fund an American Flag. 2021 will be our greatest need; in subsequent years we’ll replace 5-7 flags per year.
P.S. Whether or not you choose to fund a flag, you’re welcome to join the Memorial Day flag-placing volunteers on Monday – they’re meeting at 9 am and 4 pm on the northeast corner of California/Alaska.
FRIDAY UPDATE: All funded!
(Northern Flicker – a woodpecker – photographed by Shaun McGaughey)
Quick look at what’s happening in the hours ahead:
LOW-LOW TIDE: As we’ve been mentioning, this week brings some of the summer’s lowest low tides. Today, it’s out to -3.9 feet at 12:11 pm. You’ll find Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists at Constellation and Lincoln Parks now through 2 pm.
LIGHT RAIL: The Sound Transit board’s monthly meeting starts at 1:30 pm online, with topics including an update on the move toward “realignment,” which could delay West Seattle light rail further. The agenda includes information on watching/listening/commenting.
DEMONSTRATION: Organizer Scott‘s twice-weekly Black Lives Matter sign-waving in support of racial justice continues 4:30-6:30 pm at 16th/Holden; signs available if you don’t have one to bring.
SUFFRAGE HISTORY: 6 pm online, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society presents ‘Pressing the System: How Newsprint Won Women the Right to Vote.” Panelists include your editor here. All welcome; go here to register to get the link.
EARTHQUAKE READINESS: 6 pm online, the first in a series of webinars with the city Office of Emergency Management, focused on not only how you can prepare but on what the city’s response role would be. Our calendar listing includes information on how to participate.
STATE LEGISLATORS: Our area’s Sen. Joe Nguyen, Rep. Eileen Cody, and Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon talk with the West Seattle Democratic Women online at 6 pm. Registration was requested by last night but if you missed the announcement, try maryfisher1@comcast.net to request the link.
WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: 6:30 online, this month’s meeting features Hopelink – which provides transportation options such as DART shuttles – and SDOT with bridge-and-more updates. Our preview includes information on how to view/participate.
BINGO: 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), it’s your every-other-week chance to play bingo!
Maybe you can help reunite these items with the family they belong to. The photos and note are from Karen:
I live in Ravenna, but last Saturday was coaching at a track meet in West Seattle. I found a big bin of sentimental items hidden in the wooded area just west of the golf course. I’m hoping to find the owner of the items.
The bin included things like old family photos, a 1928 yearbook, sympathy cards, old newspaper articles, legal documents (e.g. sale of house, medical records). I haven’t been through every piece yet, but everything so far is dated 2004 or much earlier, so no useful contact info yet. It seems the items originally belonged to Harry Pierce, who was 90 in 2004.
She contacted police, but they couldn’t help, so she took the bin home for safekeeping. If you have a lead, please comment, or email us and we’ll connect you.
6:03 AM: Good morning. Showery, breezy forecast, but the holiday weekend forecast still promises warm weather – possibly 80s on Monday! And it’s getting lighter later – James Bratsanos caught this at 9:20 last night:
ROAD WORK UPDATES
Lots of unannounced work this time of year, maybe not so much today with the rain. Please let us know if you happen onto something we hadn’t mentioned – Wednesday, for example, while out on errands, we happened onto work on Fauntleroy south of Alaska (related to the ongoing construction), Harbor Avenue (crews were mowing and weedwhacking the medians), and (after a commenter’s tip) utility-pole work on the Admiral Way hill north of the bridge.
Delridge project – This week’s plan includes work closing the west side of the intersection closure at Delridge/Barton/Henderson.
SW Yancy – Still closed west of 28th SW because of drainage/utility work related to construction.
FERRIES/BUSES
Regular schedules today. (Watch @kcmetrobus for word of any bus cancellations, @wsferries for any major WSF changes.) The West Seattle Water Taxi will run on a reduced schedule Memorial Day – see it here.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
431st morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are the views of other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 20th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available for some categories of drivers.)
Here’s a low-bridge view:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:
Are bridges opening for boats or barges? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
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