West Seattle, Washington
12 Saturday
Local/state pandemic news, with 13 days (at most) until reopening:
GOVERNOR’S BRIEFING: He announced an extra vaccination lottery for those who couldn’t be entered in the original one because their vaccine records are in the Department of Defense or Veterans Administration. Since the original lottery was announced, the vaccination rate had stopped “fall(ing) off a cliff,” he said. The state says we’re at 67.8% of 16+ taking at least one dose; 70% is the goal for reopening sooner than June 30th. Watch the video here.
NEWEST NUMBERS: Here’s the update from the Public Health daily-summary dashboard:
*111,425 people have tested positive, 72 more than yesterday’s total
*1,611 people have died, 1 more than yesterday’s total
*6,300 people have been hospitalized, 8 more than yesterday’s total
One week ago, the three totals we are now tracking were 110,869/1,612/6,262.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health dashboard.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 177.4 million cases worldwide, 33.5 million of them in the U.S. See the nation-by-nation breakout here.
GOT INFO/PHOTOS/TIPS? 206-293-6302, text or voice, or westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Beautiful night for a party in the Ocean View neighborhood west of Arbor Heights. This one was in honor of a neighborhood star who’s moving away. Neighbors turned out to celebrate Dot Beard.
We heard about the party from Monica, who explained, “Dot has kept our community unified and smoothly functioning these many years and she is now taking a long deserved break,” moving to a retirement center. The party had everything from a food truck to chalk art.
Even if you don’t live in Ocean View, Dot’s advocacy might have benefited you over the years – in the first few years of WSB, we covered her work as president of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council.
Scout dad Jason sent the announcement:
Cub Scout Pack 799 in Arbor Heights would like to inform the West Seattle community that we are conducting a food drive through the next two weekends. Scouts and parents will place food drive hangers on doors this Juneteenth, Saturday 6/19, and then return the following Saturday, June 26th, to collect any nonperishable items, bagged, from the locations where we distributed hangers (by noon/midday).
This drive is our Scouts’ final service activity heading into summer. With public school meals-by-bus and home delivery ceasing tomorrow, we hope to boost West Seattle Food Bank‘s mobile services through July (note SPS will have distribution sites operating during summer). If you see a Scout in your neighborhood putting out hangers, or find a hanger on your door, please consider donating.
And if folks miss our pickup date and still wish to donate after June 26th, they can drop off donations at the West Seattle Food bank, or place items in a “Little Free Pantry” nearby.
See the following link for items the West Seattle Food Bank currently accepts: westseattlefoodbank.org/donate-food
For questions, contact ahcubpack799@gmail.com
(WSB photo, substituted for original phone photo)
6:50 PM: For the past two hours we’ve been just outside Terminal 18 on Harbor Island, where protesters and police have been in a standoff since mid-afternoon. It’s a replication of the current Middle East flashpoint, the Israel/Palestine conflict. An Israeli-owned ship, the Zim San Diego, docked at Terminal 18 on Saturday after a week at anchor in Elliott Bay. The protesters, supporters of Palestine, want to prevent the ship from being unloaded. They’ve been marching and chanting in intersections at/near 13th SW/SW Florida just west of T-18.
(WSB photo, substituted for original phone photo)
A sizable deployment of Seattle and Port police warned them repeatedly to get out of the road or face arrest. As of our departure about 15 minutes ago, they had yet to arrest anyone, but as we wrote this, SPD tweeted that they’ve just made 10 arrests. Several vehicles turned around just short of the protest after protesters approached the drivers to talk to them, although police warned the demonstrators not to do that. There were roughly 100 demonstrators when we arrived; the number fluctuated as they switched intersections and at one point sat in the street. Police used the LRAD speaker to warn them; adding to the clamor are several evangelical Christian counter-demonstrators with a loudspeaker. (Added: You can hear them in the background of this short clip when bicycle officers moved in at one point; no arrests resulted that time.)
Other groups of protesters have led similar demonstrations at other West Coast ports including Oakland and Prince Rupert, B.C.
9:39 PM: The Northwest Seaport Alliance has published a statement saying port and city police are “are providing a safe zone for protesters to ensure individual expression is protected and port operations are not impeded.” There’s been no word of further arrests, nor whether the ship is being unloaded.
Even if they haven’t come to your neighborhood (yet), you might have seen crews/trucks like this at work in various parts of West Seattle recently. They’re doing sewer-line maintenance without digging up the street, and it’ll continue all summer. After the crews spent two days in our Upper Fauntleroy neighborhood this week, we checked in with Seattle Public Utilities for an update on the overall project. What they’re doing is re-lining sewer pipes, with 60 sites in “southwest Seattle” as part of this stage of the. project, officially known as 2017 Small Diameter Lining Project Contract 1. “For this project, SPU contractor crews will rehabilitate about 4.57 miles of sewer mainline pipes that are 15” in diameter or smaller. Construction on these via cure-in-place pipe, non-excavation repairs takes only a few days or less to complete,” SPU spokesperson Sabrina Register explains, adding that some areas might take longer because of “multiple segments of pipe flagged for rehabilitation.” If they’re going to work in your area, you should get a door hanger and flyer; the ones distributed by contractor Michels in our neighborhood a few days ahead of two work sessions projected 12 hours of work (during which you’re supposed to limit plumbing use), but in both cases the crews were done by mid-afternoon, after about eight hours. Register says the project overall should be complete by mid-September.
1:54 PM: Tomorrow morning, if you’re riding/walking/driving/rolling/running in the 1200 block of Alki Avenue SW, you might notice unusual Seattle Fire Department activity. An “elevated rescue drill” is planned at the Infinity Shore Club (WSB sponsor) condo construction site, according to senior project superintendent Matt Ohlinger. “No traffic impacts, other than a visual distraction,” he says. The drill is scheduled for 8:30 am-noon Friday.
2:48 PM: We asked SFD what this drill will involve. Spokesperson David Cuerpo says, “Engine 32 and Ladder 11 will be conducting a rescue drill at the construction site from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Crews may utilize Ladder 11’s aerial ladder to lower a stokes basket down to a hard-to-access area while additional firefighters work on safely extricating the patient (mannequin).”
SDOT has reiterated that it expects to make a decision by month’s end – “in Q2” is how they’ve phrased it – on whether to build a two-way protected bicycle lane in an almost-half-mile section of the outer southbound lane of West Marginal Way, not far north of the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse. When this was reiterated at last week’s meeting of the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force, what wasn’t mentioned was that the department had recently presented a new design for the lane. We learned about this while watching this week’s meeting of the Seattle Freight Advisory Board (SFAB), which opposes the plan. The new design was presented on June 4th, when SFAB and Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board members talked about West Marginal Way with SDOT director Sam Zimbabwe. After hearing about it, we asked SDOT for the meeting slides. Here is the updated design:
This one has more about the jersey barrier:
The full slide deck from the June 4th discussion restates SDOT’s contentions about the proposal, including that it will have a “negligible” effect on other vehicles’ travel times, noting that other sections of WMW north of the Longhouse have one southbound lane already. For more backstory on the proposal, see our coverage of the February online meeting about the plan, which – in a nod to the vigorous support/opposition it’s inspired – began with a “moment of meditation and reflection.”
WHAT’S NEXT: Regarding the decision timetable, here’s what an SDOT spokesperson told us this week: “We recognize that there (are) two weeks left in Quarter 2. We are working toward a thoughtful and broadly informed decision on this complex project. We hope to be able to inform community of that decision soon.”
(Busy bee, photographed in Gatewood by Elaine Dale)
A few quick reminders from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar before we get much further into the day:
VACCINATION POP-UP: 2-5 pm, the Seattle Fire Department Mobile Vaccination Team will be at Summit Atlas (9601 35th SW) in Arbor Heights with first/second doses of the Pfizer vaccine available to all. The school invites community members to participate too. No appointment required.
DEMONSTRATION: 4-6 pm at 16th/Holden, organizer Scott leads the twice-weekly sign-waving for racial justice. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
PRIDE PRESENTATION: 6 pm online, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society presents “From Stonewall to Seattle: The History of Pride on the Duwamish Peninsula and Beyond.” Details and registration info here.
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm online, with an agenda including an update from police. Here’s the link for viewing/participating; you can also call in at 206-337-9723, meeting ID 995 1615 6974, passcode 638862.
Got something for the calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Our area has several active service organizations, and one of them is inviting you to visit next week, either in-person or online. Here’s the announcement from the Rotary Club of West Seattle:
Rotary Club of West Seattle — Visitors Day
June 22, 2021
11:30 – 1:00 p.m.The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise. One of the guiding principles is the Four-Way Test, which is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide, or set of values, Rotarians use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and often Rotarians recite it at club meetings.
Of the things, we think, say or do:
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?The interesting thing about Rotary is that the local clubs govern how to run their club. Each club has a different focus. But one thing they all have in common is that they are a leadership organization, made up of local business, professional and civic leaders. They meet regularly, get to know each other, and through that, are able to get things done in their own community. Watch this myth buster video to help you understand the role of Rotary in your community.
The Rotary Club of West Seattle invites you to Visitors Day on Tuesday, June 22nd at the Alki Masonic Hall (4736 40th Ave SW) from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Come and learn what Rotary is all about and how becoming a member can benefit both your business and personal life. Coffee, tea, and refreshments will be served. If you are vaccinated, join us in person! Otherwise, use this Zoom link here to join us online.
Family and friends will gather next month to remember “Reg” Harris, and are sharing this remembrance with his community:
John Reginald Harris, Jr., MD
1960 – 2021Storyteller, musician, physician, photographer, collector, writer, lover of all things technical; husband, father, son, uncle, and friend were John Reginald Harris, Jr., MD. He made everyone felt listened to, genuinely interested in their story, and could take complicated subjects and explain in easily, comprehensible ways. He leaves behind a legacy worthy of a thousand men.
As an adult, he was known by his middle name, Reg; as a youth, he was little Reggie to his father’s big Reggie. He was born on February 25, 1960 in Richmond, Virginia to John Reginald Harris, Sr. and Catherine Hicks Harris, both of whom proceeded him in death. Reg was released from our world, peacefully, in Bellevue on Mother’s Day, May 9, 2021 under hospice care from the cruel disease of Younger Onset Alzheimer’s, which he had been battling for nearly a decade.
Reg graduated from Jefferson High School in Richmond, Virginia in 1978; graduated with a BS degree, Summa Cum Laude from Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1981; graduated from Medical College of Virginia (part of Virginia Commonwealth) in Richmond, Virginia in 1985; University of Washington Residency, Seattle in 1988. He married the love of his life, Patricia DuBois Harris in 1997 in Wailea, Maui, Hawaii. Reg is also survived by his sons, Cade and Blake (both studying and living in Seattle); in-laws Clint and Elizabeth DuBois (Issaquah), Charlotte DuBois (Bremerton), and nephews Clay and Rowan DuBois; sister Judy B. Harris (Richmond, VA), numerous cousins, family, and friends; also preceded in death by his beloved Sheltie, Jean-Luc.
He finished first in his freshman class (awarded the Phi Beta Kappa, Alain Locke Award) in his BSMD program. After finishing Medical School (inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and awarded Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Merit Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, Leadership and Service) and matching at the University of Washington Residency program, his mother cried about him going as far away as possible from Richmond, Virginia. He loved Seattle and the West Coast. In 1988 he began working at Swedish Medical Center Emergency Department in Seattle. He was an ER doc working nights, and during the days he would work on his music and videos/movies. He started Omniscient Productions to work on his creative ideas in 1992 while still working at the ER. He and Patricia have lived in West Seattle since 1990.
Music was important. He sang in his church youth choir, and later joined Madrigals in high school. He was a DJ in high school and participated in the radio club. He created his own hyper-local neighborhood radio station using CB radios in which he played music, until his parents received a cease-and-desist notification from the FCC for an unauthorized station. He wrote and recorded his music. He played guitar, bass, and keyboard. He loved writing and singing his songs. He would serenade Patricia for hours.
Reg was a collector of numerous things. He loved collecting and using his fountain and ballpoint pens. Letters were written to Patricia using specific pens and nibs. He enjoyed collecting and wearing watches. He made a point of wearing a different watch when Cade and Blake were born, so that they could keep that specific watch. And ask about our DVD, CD, and vinyl record collections.
Photography became a passion as another way to tell stories. He enjoyed taking photos but as the perfectionist and procrastinator, it took time for him to share with those he loved. He was always learning new things, taught himself how to write computer code, and embraced technology. And there always were his stories. He created movies before iMovie and other platforms made it easy. He was an early adopter of Media 100 in the 1990s and was given the Vision Award. He wrote, produced, and created the video and materials to help people navigate personal finances: Beyond Savings. He wrote numerous magazine articles. His beloved Sheltie, Jean-Luc (he was a HUGE Sci-Fi fan) was the star of The Jean-Luc Chronicles series of movies.
Reg always had so many stories running through his head and expressed these through music, video, or print. He kept a journal of his ideas for stories with summaries for each. He often bounced one from another: Ben the Fire Engine for younger kids, The Strange and Exotic Tales of the Messy Pirates who visited after Christmas, Seven Minutes, His Story, The Medical Officer, and so many more. His memory will live on through his stories, photos, and music. We miss and love you always.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, July 8th, at 2 pm at Holy Rosary Church in West Seattle. A Celebration of Life will be held at Good Society Brewery after Mass, approx. 3:15 pm.
Donations to Younger Onset Alzheimer’s Disease or your favorite animal charity in his name.
Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle. To share your fond memories of Reg with his Family, please visit his Tribute Wall at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/John-HarrisJrMD
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
6:05 AM: Good morning! More sunshine in the forecast!
ROAD WORK
Delridge project – The east side of the Delridge/Barton/Henderson intersection is closed as this week’s work continues.
SW Yancy – The SW Yancy closure west of 28th is supposed to end this week.
FERRIES/BUSES
Regular schedule for buses. For ferries, the Southworth dock has maintenance work again tonight, so some late night/early am Triangle Route runs are canceled.
(Watch @kcmetrobus for word of bus cancellations, @wsferries for major WSF changes.)
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
451st morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are the views of other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 23rd 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 draw/swing bridges opening for boats or barges? See the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed. The 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings also are tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also 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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