West Seattle, Washington
09 Tuesday
Thanks for the tip. Police are being dispatched to 6th/Roxbury [map], where a collision has brought down all or part of a tree onto the eastbound side of the road. No traffic cameras in that area, so we’re on our way to look.
10:20 AM: Photo added. Slowdown starts several blocks west.
9:15 AM: Transient orcas are in view across the Sound from West Seattle, passing Southworth right now, “northbound, quickly,” reports Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch. Let us know if you see them!
9:33 AM: Update from Kersti – they’re now in view off Blake Island.
Family and friends are remembering Frances Ratcliff and sharing this remembrance with the community:
Frances Ann Ratcliff, born May 7, 1927, in Libby, MT, passed away on May 6, 2021 in Seattle.
Fran was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Golden Carlson, her brothers John and Norman, as well as her loving husband, Willard (Bill) Ratcliff. Fran and Bill had four children: Cynthia Goodman (James), Peter Ratcliff, Philip Ratcliff, and James Ratcliff (Paula). She had six grandsons: Jason (Martina), Jimmy and Jarrod Goodman, Nathanial (Erin), Jeremy (Ashley), and Christopher (Raylynn) Ratcliff. Fran was blessed with seven great-grandchildren. Fran is also survived by her sisters Willis White and Karen Layne.
Fran worked for Pacific Northwest Bell in Seattle and volunteered at Bassett Army Community Hospital in Fort Wainwright, AK. During Bill’s military career, they lived in Germany, Japan, Hawaii, Virginia, Texas, Kansas, California, and retired in Washington State.
They enjoyed many years together cruising Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and Canada. She had an infectious laugh and a smile that would light up a room. She enjoyed a Bud-Light while watching the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be missed but will always be in our hearts.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to her favorite charity, Sound Generations Meals on Wheels Program.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
6:12 AM: Good morning! Lots of sunshine expected this week.
ROAD WORK UPDATES
Delridge project – This week’s plan highlights the 21st/Delridge closure and says the end is in sight for Delridge/Orchard,
35th/Graham – Work continues, with Graham closed on both sides of 35th.
SW Yancy east of Avalon – Still closed for utility work related to housing construction.
FERRIES/BUSES
Washington State Ferries is delaying the return to 3-boat service on the Triangle Route for at least another month.
The West Seattle Water Taxi continues on its spring/summer schedule – all day, 7 days a week, plus Friday and Saturday evenings; the free 773 and 775 shuttles are running daily too.
Metro is on its regular schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
413th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 18th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is now open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are now 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.
Tonight’s pandemic news, as the weekend concludes:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the King County Daily Summary Dashboard page, the cumulative totals:
*101,099 people have tested positive, 144 more than yesterday’s total
*1,542 people have died, unchanged from yesterday’s total
*5,949 people have been hospitalized, 14 more than yesterday’s total
*1,056,877 people have been tested, 1,995 more than yesterday’s total
One week ago, those totals were 98,941/1,526/5,866/1,042,548.
WEST SEATTLE TRENDS: Here’s our weekly check. These numbers are shown in two-week increments via the “geography over time” tab on the countywide daily-summary dashboard; to determine WS status, we combine the totals from the West Seattle and Delridge “health reporting areas” (HRAs): For the past two weeks, 122 positive test results; 187 in the 2 weeks before that; 128 in the two weeks before that. … We also are noting WS death totals each week. The total deaths for the entire pandemic in the two HRAs comprising West Seattle: 67, unchanged since last week. And a look at hospitalizations: 190 total have been attributed to people in the two West Seattle HRAs since the start of the pandemic, 3 of those in the past week.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 158.3 million cases and 3,293,000+ deaths, 581,000+ of them in the U.S. – see the nation-by-nation breakdown here
VACCINATION SITUATION: No changes announced – city sites are still welcoming walkups, including the West Seattle hub at 2801 SW Thistle. We haven’t yet heard back on whether they’ll offer night hours again this week. Next Saturday is the “pop-up” clinic in the West Seattle Junction, 10 am-noon; it’ll be in the 42nd SW parking lot (just south of SW Oregon). Stand by for more info later in the week!
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The District 1 Community Network – a coalition of West Seattle and South Park groups and organizations – spent this month’s meeting on a collection of ongoing issues.
D1CN has no elected leadership, but rather rotates meeting facilitators month to month. For May’s meeting, held online this past Wednesday, Randy Wiger from South Park served in that role.
DUWAMISH TRIBE RECOGNITION: Jolene Haas, director of the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center, asked D1CN for a letter of support in the tribe’s continuing quest for federal recognition. She recapped the history, including the brief granting of recognition in the waning days of the Clinton Administration, reversed 20 years ago by the Bush Administration. Now they’re trying to take it to federal courts, as Haas said some other tribes have done, successfully. Their lawyers are working on the case and are also working through the U.S. House.
Another highlight of the week ahead: This month’s West Seattle Art Walk on Thursday night. And the early outlook is for a rainless night, so you might as well just go ahead and plan to check it out. While The Junction remains the heart of the Art Walk, other participating businesses cover the peninsula north to south – from Admiral to Arbor Heights. The official May Art Walk preview already has some of the venues and artists listed – see them here, along with some of the venues supporting the Art Walk with food and/or beverage specials that night. Go early, go late, visit one venue, visit 10 … you can choose how to experience the Art Walk (including online!). P.S. WSAW community co-sponsors include WSB.
More of what’s ahead this week: The next big public briefing on the 13 1/2-months-closed West Seattle Bridge is at noon Wednesday (May 12th), when the Community Task Force meets. The briefing will be streamed live here. The agenda’s not out yet, but it’s likely to include updates on the process of hiring a contractor for high-bridge repairs and low-bridge work (when last we checked in, a “shortlist” was expected by the end of April), as well as low-bridge access applications, and Reconnect West Seattle projects such as West Marginal Way, where the protected-bike-lane decision is still pending. The CTF is an advisory group that meets monthly; to comment before/during/after their meetings, email WestSeattleBridge@seattle.gov.
That’s the trailer for “The Paper Tigers,” a martial-arts comedy that’s scheduled for a week-long run at West Seattle’s only moviehouse, The Admiral Theater, starting Friday (May 14th). The Admiral’s general manager Marina Kosenko emailed to let us know about it because this is a Seattle-set/filmed movie with “quite a backstory,” as she explains:
“Writer/director Bao Tran pitched the screenplay to Hollywood. The financiers wanted to produce, with the caveat that the actors be white. Instead of capitulating to Hollywood’s frequent whitewashing, he returned to Seattle and started a very successful fundraiser, which spurred private donors to pitch in as well. Filming started in Seattle in 2019, and included an extensive local crew. The film will be released 5/7 in only one local theater, Cinemark Lincoln Square Cinemas in Bellevue. I didn’t find out about the movie until Monday when I saw it on several news platforms. Unfortunately, our bookings for the 5/7-5/13 week were already solidified, but I’ve since had conversations with our booker, Jeff Brein (owner), Bao Tran, and their distributor to bring the film to The Admiral. I’m super excited about this film and think the West Seattle audience will appreciate it as well, given the content, local ties, and perseverance of the Paper Tigers crew.”
Among the outlets that have reported on the movie’s backstory is Northwest Asian Weekly. If you’re not up for in-theater viewing yet, the movie also will be released for video-on-demand Friday; if you are, you can check the schedule and buy online tickets via the website for The Admiral (which is at 2343 California SW).
(Photo sent by Zanna)
Several readers texted/emailed us this morning to ask what happened at My Three Little Birds, the kids-consignment-and-more shop at 4736 California SW in The Junction, after seeing a repair crew there, with boards against the windows. Given the amount of vandalism suffered by businesses in multiple neighborhoods lately, they were worried. So we went over to the store to find out. Turns out that is NOT what happened here. We talked to the crew, who explained that the building’s awning had come down, and that’s what was being cleaned up. Cleanup was wrapping up when we stopped by.
(WSB photo)
Proprietor Jennifer Young wasn’t there when we stopped by; we just talked with her by phone, and she said the awning had been slated for replacement, and there’s no damage to the store, which is open today as usual.
A tipster reports seeing southbound orcas between Vashon and Blake Islands. Let us know if you see them!
Today’s the final day of a survey that Metro has announced as part of international research. The introduction explains:
Fifteen transit agencies from around the world, including King County Metro, are conducting a customer survey at the same time. These agencies will compare the results of the surveys to learn from each other and work towards giving you even better transit service.
We would like to hear your thoughts about the bus service King County Metro provides for you. For example, are the buses usually on time? Is it easy to get information about the bus services, is it convenient paying a fare? Are the buses clean, comfortable and well-driven?
They’re not just looking to hear from frequent transit riders, but occasional riders too.
(Peonies at Seattle Chinese Garden during last weekend’s Peony Festival, photographed by David Hutchinson)
Happy Sunday, and happy Mother’s Day. Quiet list today:
TODAY’S ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES: As we do every Sunday, we’ve updated our list of more than 20 local churches’ online Sunday services (some offer in-person options too), with the newest links – see it here.
SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN: This is one place you can take Mom – the grounds are open all day, its famous courtyard is open 10 am-5 pm. It’s on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus at 6000 16th SW.
AND RIGHT NEXT DOOR … the SSC Arboretum is open too.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Looking for a last-minute bouquet for Mom? Flowers are among the offerings at the Farmers’ Market, open 10 am-2 pm in The Junction. Scroll down the page at this link to find the vendor list and map for this week. (Enter at California/Alaska; pickups for online orders are at California/Oregon)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 11 am-4 pm – need a tool to fix or improve something? (4408 Delridge Way SW)’
FREE TO-GO DINNER: White Center Community Dinner Church will serve to-go meals at 5 pm, outside, near the Bartell Drugs parking lot in White Center. (9600 15th Ave SW)
Got something for our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Here’s where the pandemic stands tonight, locally:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here are the cumulative totals from Public Health‘s daily-summary dashboard:
*100,455 people have tested positive, 470 more than yesterday’s total
*1,542 people have died, 6 more than yesterday’s total
*5,935 people have been hospitalized, 9 more than yesterday’s total
*1,054,882 people have been tested, 1,595 more than yesterday’s total
ONE WEEK AGO: Last Saturday, those numbers were 98,504/1,526/5,853/1,039,969.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 157.2 million people have tested positive, and more than 3,278,000 people have died; U.S. deaths exceed 576,000. Most cases: U.S., India, Brazil, France, Turkey (same as last week). See the breakdown, nation by nation, here.
VACCINATION SITUATION: Don’t want to go to a city-run hub? Other places are welcoming walk-ins now. The CovidWA Vaccine Finder, for example, lists that status for local Rite Aids and Safeways. (According to their websites, those pharmacies are all currently administering the Moderna vaccine.)
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
(WSB photo)
As we’ve been reporting, the pandemic didn’t stop the Salmon in the Schools program – determined and creative teachers and volunteers made educational fish-raising happen even with long-closed campuses. Four months after eggs were distributed, it’s time for the fry to be released into upper Fauntleroy Creek. Above, volunteer Dennis Hinton assists a Louisa Boren STEM K-8 student during a release on Friday; below, preschoolers from The Cove School waited their turn at creekside on Wednesday.
(Photo courtesy Salmon in the Schools)
Four more schools plan to visit the creek in the next week and a half to release fry, according to volunteer Judy Pickens. Fauntleroy Creek is one of the few creeks in the city to which salmon still return to spawn – though the return numbers widely year to year, and no spawning was observed last fall.
(HPIC photo – roof that’s in need of replacement)
It’s been mentioned at a few of the recent community meetings we’ve covered, and now the details are in, with two weeks to go – Highland Park Decanted, a fundraiser for, and at, Highland Park Improvement Club:
Highland Park Decanted: Breathing new life into HPIC – inside and out!
Saturday, May 22 from 4-8 pmInside: small-group building tours (masks required and donation requested)
Outside: pop-up bar in the courtyard (per King County Covid guidelinesThis will be our first community event since the beginning of the pandemic and community safety is top of mind. Tours will start every 15 minutes, and what better place to wait than our lovely courtyard with a pop-up bar serving wine, beer, cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks, Little Miss Mufulletta Sandwichesm and other small snacks.
You can also order wine by the bottle from our curated wine cellar via the HPIC online shop (or on-site) and pick up at our pop-up courtyard bar on the day of the event. And all of our other swag will be available too.
Both the touring and the fundraising relate to major renovations to keep HPIC’s historic building up and running for another century. If you’re not already on the HPIC newsletter mailing list, here’s what they sent out today with a sneak peek at a multitude of projects, and what’s needed to finish them. (Haven’t been to HPIC? It’s likely that you’ve at least passed by during these many bridgeless months – it’s along the major detour route, 12th and Holden.)
Four notes in West Seattle Crime Watch today:
BUILDING BREAK-IN TURNED ROBBERY: This happened early today in the 2600 block of 42nd SW. The preliminary police summary says the victim, observing from their apartment, saw someone “walking from the storage area with the victim’s tools. Victim went out and confronted the suspect, who was carrying the victim’s tools that had been stored in a secured storage area. The suspect fled on foot and the suspect gave chase. As the victim caught up, the suspect turned on the victim and pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at the victim. The victim disengaged and the suspect continued fleeing on foot. The suspect was last seen westbound on the 4200 block of SW Lander St.”
BUILDING BREAK-IN WITH ARREST: Police are investigating whether that incident might be linked to this one a bit later in which they made an arrest. Their preliminary summary says, “The manager of the apartment complex heard crashing coming from the laundry room. They went to investigate and found the door had been forced open and they observed the (suspect) in the room among overturned machines and coins on the floor. The (suspect) claimed they had permission to be there, but the manager knew otherwise. The (suspect) rushed by the manager, who called out for help. Other residents heard and came out to see the (suspect) fleeing. The group of residents grabbed the (suspect) and held them down until police arrived. They also found a gun on the (suspect). It turned out to be a realistic-looking pellet gun. The (suspect) was arrested for burglary.”
DUMPED-LIKELY-STOLEN CASH DRAWER: Cameron found this atop a compost/yard-waste bin near Oregon/California – if you’re missing one, let us know:
HIT-RUN: From D, who took the photos outside Fauntleroy Church:
Erratic driver smashed into signs, lost a wheel, and continued up Brace Point. As we’re looking at the wreckage a bus driver stops long enough to say the car is just around the corner. We drove up to 35th but did not find it. How far can it get on 3 wheels?
Three local high-school varsity teams scored basketball victories Friday night:
West Seattle with a 52-51 victory over O’Dea HS! Isaiah Watts with the game winning 3! #WestSeattle #BleedBlue #GoWildcats #noplacelikewestseattle @westseattleblog @AthleticsMetro @donaldwatts24 pic.twitter.com/i7MTQ7IdAz
— WSHS Athletics (@WSHSAthletics1) May 8, 2021
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL: The tweet above includes the late-in-the-game winning three-pointer in the Wildcat boys’ 52-51 victory over previously undefeated O’Dea. The team, coached by Dan Kriley, played at home; they’re on the road against Cleveland next Friday night. (Last night’s scheduled girls’ game vs. Holy Names was postponed.)
CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL: Both varsity teams beat Cleveland last night. 66-57 was the final score for the boys, coached by Colin Slingsby; 40-24 was the final score for the Seahawk girls, coached by Mario Martinez. The girls are scheduled to play at Nathan Hale on Wednesday; the boys’ next scheduled game is at Franklin next Friday.
(M/V Wenatchee, seen from West Seattle – March photo by Stewart L.)
Washington State Ferries had been planning to launch spring/summer three-boat service on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run tomorrow … but a major boat out of service elsewhere in the system has led to a cascading effect of changed plans. M/V Wenatchee is out of service for several months because of the April engine fire, WSF says, and so, according to its announcement, “Losing one of our largest ferries combined with continued pandemic-related crewing shortages for quarantines and vaccinations has forced WSF to make difficult decisions affecting service on (several) routes when peak-season schedules begin on Sunday, May 9.” That includes holding off until at least June 7th for three-boat Triangle Route service. WSF also notes that the 90-vehicle M/V Sealth will join the route from May 13th until at least June 27th, since M/V Issaquah will be moving to the Seattle-Bainbridge run.
10:21 AM: The photo is from David Hutchinson, after he spotted baby Canada Geese along Harbor Avenue for the first time this year. He’s photographed them over the years and shared photos with us to share with you, but more than the cuteness factor, this serves as a warning to drivers and riders in the area too – Canada Goose families are known to cross the street (here’s another photographer’s view from a decade ago), so please be extra-careful in the area.
ADDED 3:37 PM: Theresa Arbow-O’Connor just sent these photos, also taken off Harbor Avenue:
(Thursday evening photo by Elizabeth Anderson – @circlesaregood)
Welcome to Saturday!
TRAFFIC ALERT: As previewed here, work continues this weekend on sidewalk improvements along the west side of West Marginal Way, between the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse and SW Idaho. Work hours 8 am-3 pm.
NO GARAGE SALE DAY, BUT CHECK OUT THESE SALES: Since it’s the second Saturday in May, today would have been West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day if we hadn’t had to cancel it again this year since the pandemic’s not close enough to over. But some cool sales are happening today anyway! Free listings on WSB for today include:
*From the Event Calendar, a fundraising plant sale
*From the WSB Forums, multi-artist driveway sale – blown glass, handmade clothing, jewelry, more
*From the WSB Forums, a yard sale with kid stuff
*From the WSB Forums, 2-family sale – and plant sale at the same address
*From the WSB Forums, multi-family garage sale
DELRIDGE GROCERY CO-OP OPEN: Second Saturday for new weekly retail hours – 9:30 am-1:30 pm, 5444 Delridge Way SW. Stop in as the co-op continues working up to fully open.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER OPEN: 10 am-3 pm, first opening of the season for plant sales. Cash/checks only this time. Face coverings required. North end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, 6000 16th SW.
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM OPEN: 1-6 pm, wine tasting, glasses, bottle sales all offered at the Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) tasting room, 5910 California SW.
FREE FOOD: 2-4 pm at Greater Seattle Filipino-American SDA Church, 2610 SW Kenyon – as previewed here.
IF YOU SEE SAILBOATS TODAY … it’s probably this.
NEIGHBOR DAY: It’s Neighbor Day in Seattle – consider celebrating with random acts of kindness! And read this to meet good neighbors from around the city, including a half-dozen West Seattle spotlights.
Pandemic headlines as we conclude the first week of May:
COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER’S BRIEFING: Dr. Jeff Duchin said that after six weeks of increasing cases in King County, this past week saw a “slight decrease.” While the pandemic is “no longer a 5-alarm fire” locally, it “continues to burn,” he warned, and as more and more people get vaccinated, the better the chances are that it can be brought down to “smoldering” status. Watch his briefing, including media Q&A, here.
KING COUNTY NUMBERS: On to the daily stats from the Public Health daily-summary page, cumulative totals:
*100,485 people have tested positive, 347 more than yesterday’s total*
*1,536 people have died, 3 more than yesterday’s total
*5,926 people have been hospitalized, 2 more than yesterday’s total
*1,053,287 people have been tested, 2,257 more than yesterday’s total
NOTE: It appears yesterday’s startlingly high case total from King County was a typo of some kind on the county’s part – skipping that day and adding the “more than” totals from today and yesterday to the Wednesday total, the number is only slightly less than tonight’s total.
Continuing tonight’s report – our weekly check of key numbers on the COVID Vaccination Among King County Residents dashboard:
*1,248,950 people have received one dose (67.5% of everyone 16+)
*853,646 people have received both doses (46.1% of everyone 16+)
*1,888,395 doses have been allocated to King County (not counting pharmacy programs)
One week ago, the first four totals were 98,095/1,525/5,827/1,038,291, and the vaccination totals were 1,190,224/783,936/1,691,845.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 156.9 million cases, 3,270,000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation numbers here.
CITY MILESTONE: 100,000 doses administered at the city-affiliated hubs, so the mayor delivered ice cream to the city-run hubs, including Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex:
GET VACCINATED THIS WEEKEND: You are still welcome to just walk into the city hubs, including that one here in WS (2801 SW Thistle), without an appointment. But you’re also welcome to lock in a spot by making one, first or second dose – you can do that here. WS is open Saturday, 9 am-4:30 pm, and Lumen Field is also open Saturday, 11:15 am-5:45 pm. Both are offering all three vaccines. (And if you want to find someplace else, here’s the covidwa.com lookup.)
GET FOOD: Here’s one more reminder about this food-box distribution Saturday afternoon.
GOT INFO OR PHOTOS? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Two reader reports and a followup tonight in West Seattle Crime Watch:
MAILBOX PROWLER: The video and report are from Justin in the Alki area:
Just wanted to share with the community that these is someone going around checking mailboxes in the middle of the night. This is the second time I’ve caught video of this person. The other time, he was on a BMX-style bike.
BUILDING BREAK-IN: The photo and report are from Jordan
I wanted to share a break-in incident we had here at the Broxton (5016 California Ave SW) to make the community aware. An intruder broke into our condo building on the evening of May 4th around 10 pm. They spent over 30 minutes inside the building, stealing at least 1 item and tampering with at least 1 vehicle in our parking garage. We would appreciate any/all feedback from the community on this person’s identity to add to our open police report.
We don’t have that report number yet but will add it here when we do.
BURGLARY SUSPECT CHARGED: Also on Tuesday night – as reported here Thursday – police arrested a 36-year-old man after a break-in at a Morgan Junction apartment building. Today, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed two second-degree burglary charges against the suspect, Justin Goolsby. The charges cover the break-in in our report – one that left mailboxes, doors, and cars damaged at a building in the 6500 block of California SW – and another one earlier that night, in the 6900 block, around 10 pm. At that building, court documents allege, Goolsby “damaged several doors, discharged a fire extinguisher, stole the complex’s garage door opener, and rendered two elevator doors inoperable due to damage.” He has no felony convictions but is awaiting trial on three charges from Avalon Way building burglaries one night last November; he remains in King County Jail with bail set at $5,000.
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