WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: Notes for what might be a historically hot day

(Saturday’s sunrise, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Saturday’s high temperature was 102, one degree below Seattle’s all-time high. Today and tomorrow could set new records. So we’re starting with links you might find helpful, both with information that’s been updated since they were originally published:

Places to cool off, including air-conditioned libraries and restaurants/bars, plus “cooling centers” and wading pools

Restaurants changing their hours or closing because of heat danger

(And remember to: Water the birds; protect your pets)

Now on to what else is going on:

RIDE FOR MAJOR TAYLOR: As previewed here (with maps), 500 bicycle riders will be traveling through West Seattle (and beyond!) during this big ride today. They’re starting from White Center between 6:30 and 8 am.

TODAY’S ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES: Most local churches still offer online Sunday services (some offer in-person options too), so each week we compile the newest links for 20+ churches’ services, both streamed and recorded (and in one case, written).

WS FARMERS’ MARKET, CLOSING EARLY: Vegetables, fruit, flowers, cheese, meat, beverages, bread, more – something new each week at the Farmers’ Market, which is closing an hour early today because of the weather – it’s open 10 am-1 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)

DELRIDGE GROCERY COOPERATIVE: Today’s the fourth Sunday you can shop for staples at the DGC store (5444 Delridge Way SW), 11 am-3 pm, as previewed here.

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 11 am-4 pm – need a tool to fix or improve something? (4408 Delridge Way SW)

PRIDE ART EXHIBIT: Last day to see it! As previewed here, “The Divine: Beyond the Bounds of Queerness”= is at Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery (9414 Delridge Way SW), open noon-6 pm.

(Saturday low-low tide montage from Constellation Park, sent by SF)

LOW-LOW TIDE: One final extra-low low tide, -3.0 feet at 1:28 pm, with Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists at Constellation and Lincoln Parks, 11:30 am-3 pm.

LIVE MUSIC: Sid Law and Alan Sobel, outdoors at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), (change) 11 am-1 pm.

PRIDE KARAOKE PARTY: Admiral Pub (2306 California SW) presents karaoke host Christopher Mychal, 7 pm to close. (Air conditioning!)

Got something for our event calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

21 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: Notes for what might be a historically hot day"

  • anonyme June 27, 2021 (10:04 am)

    I made my cat some popsicles and he loves them!  Was out of tuna so couldn’t freeze just the juice, so I blended a can of cat food with a pint or so of water.  I then poured thin amounts into multiple recycled pie tins and froze them.  Reserved some frozen chunks as well, but he loves licking the frozen pans.  It’s the least I could do, I feel so bad for the fur babies in this heat…

    • wsalien June 27, 2021 (2:19 pm)

      That’s so sweet. 

    • Trileigh June 27, 2021 (2:37 pm)

      Cat popsicles!! Love it. Anonyme, may I copy/paste your text for sharing? If not, that’s fine, perhaps I can paraphrase?

      • anonyme June 28, 2021 (6:35 am)

        Be my guest, Trileigh!

    • Sunflower June 27, 2021 (10:25 pm)

      Popsicles for cats! 💛 I bet bonito flavored ones would be a big hit.

    • Judi June 28, 2021 (11:26 am)

      That is a great idea. Our dog will stay in the cool room with me but the cat will only pace around if the dog is in the same small West Seattle bedroom. 

  • Paula Audette June 27, 2021 (11:32 am)

    I lived in Dallas for over 10 years, and have spent time working in the Mideast during my professional career.  105 degrees in June would be nothing unusual in the summertime in Dallas.  I lived in 120-125F temps in Qatar in the summer.  In the case of Dallas, I didn’t have air conditioning in my car, nor in my house, just a large gable-style fan.  The Hotter than Hell 100 is a 100 mile bike race at the end of August in north Texas, and I rode it a couple of times when the temperatures were above 100 degrees for the entire race.  It just takes acclimatization and common sense.  You’re not going to die!

    • Julia June 27, 2021 (12:30 pm)

      Considering we’re not acclimatized and some may more affected by heat than others, I’d be cautious about stating that “you’re not going to die.” Some might do just that. Or get very ill.

    • Jeff June 27, 2021 (12:38 pm)

      It’s hard to acclimate when these temperatures are so rare though.   I’ll bet you that in this region, there is a statistically significant correlation between this heat wave and local death rate.   

    • Reed June 27, 2021 (12:50 pm)

      It takes 7 to 14 days for a healthy person to acclimatize to heat like this. Anyone who has lived or recreated in weather like this knows this. I’ve completed 14 Ironmans and done the Western States 100 twice, if you wants to compare resumes and experience. Don’t be condescending.

    • Jtk June 27, 2021 (1:40 pm)

      In Texas. It’s supposed to be 100+ degrees. For a lot of days.  In the PNW 10 years ago the NORMAL temp would never be above 75 for June.  Or even July in some years.  There have been years when people here have said. Wow. We had a two year “winter” it really never got HOT.  So the normal for the PNW is NOT this weather.   It’s climate change.  This area as far from the equator as we are.  It should never even be close to 90 deg.   Now. It seems like it’s becoming more the norm. And people are not used to it. This is why most apartment building do not have AC. And most homes do not either.    People are sensitive and get sick very quickly from heat.   So if you don’t have something kind to say.  Then keep it to yourself.   The keyboard has made people able to say things they wouldn’t normally say to a person to their face.  Be kind always.  

    • Tony W June 27, 2021 (2:22 pm)

      Congrats! Military?

    • flimflam June 27, 2021 (2:35 pm)

      This is the same type of “helpful” comment like when it snows like crazy and the folks that just moved from Siberia chime in withe their tales of what REAL snow is like…

    • Curious June 27, 2021 (4:46 pm)

      Hey that’s great Paula, I do hope with all your energy you have also checked on every one of your elderly neighbors who live without air conditioning to make sure they’re well hydrated and not at risk of dying from the heat–because they are.

    • Zipda June 27, 2021 (7:51 pm)

      Actually people die frequently in heat waves. Particularly the elderly and people  with multiple co-morbidities.

    • Judi June 28, 2021 (11:30 am)

      It’s hard to develop common sense when you are rarely faced with super high temperatures. It is so rare probably the only people acclimated are people new to Seattle or frequent travelers. Maybe you have some tips to share. 

    • What Do I Know June 28, 2021 (1:53 pm)

      It takes 10 to 14 days to gradually acclimate to high heat. And yes, people can die. Good that businesses are taking heed and closing early or altogether for a couple of days. Case Study: Hazards of Not Acclimatizing Workers A 41-year-old construction worker was sawing boards in 93 °F heat. At 5 p.m., the worker collapsed in the parking lot. He was found by another employee. His body temperature was recorded at 108 °F when he was admitted to the hospital. He died the next day. At the time of the incident, the employee had been working for the company for one day. The company had no formal heat stress policy or acclimatization plan. Lessons Learned • Heat casualties often occur with new or less experienced employees.• Deaths from heat stress often occur during the first few days on the job.• Employers should have heat stress policies, and should implement acclimatization plans.

  • comfortable June 27, 2021 (1:58 pm)

    Yea I know I am not going to die but I like to live comfortably…very comfortably.You have a problem with that??!!!

  • Flo B June 27, 2021 (4:47 pm)

    Thanks Reed. You’ve now taken condescending to a new level.  It’s comforting to know you’re in better shape than everybody.

    • Reed June 27, 2021 (8:58 pm)

      Not sure what your deal is. I’m the one in the wrong by calling out someone significantly downplaying a real health hazard?

      • Nope June 27, 2021 (11:49 pm)

        You’re not in the wrong and fwiw I read your original post as you intended. I didn’t take your experiences as a personal slight. I neither want to do an Ironman nor want to live somewhere that is routinely 100 plus degrees and there’s nothing wrong with either of those things :)

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