West Seattle, Washington
22 Thursday
(Photos courtesy West Seattle Polar Bear Challenge)
Even if we don’t see snow or ice, we will see an abundance of polar bears in West Seattle this season – thanks to the West Seattle Polar Bear Challenge. It’s all sorts of good things bundled up in one, according to the announcement we received to share with you:
The mission of the West Seattle Polar Bear Challenge is to:
*Create holiday fun for the West Seattle community – A Polar Bear Scavenger Hunt
*Collect food for the West Seattle Food Bank at polar bear locations
*Build awareness about “supporting local” and drive business into local stores and restaurants for takeoutThe West Seattle Polar Bear Challenge is a scavenger hunt with a cause.
There are already 40 participating homes and businesses around our community, and the numbers are growing every day. You can view the interactive Polar Bear Scavenger Hunt map here. Big or small, an inflatable or simple picture in your window, the more polar bears and bins the merrier.
The West Seattle Polar Bear Challenge begins on December 1, 2020 and will run through January 1, 2021. On January 1, 2021, our Polar Bears will be down on Alki, the famous location of the Polar Bear Plunge, for one final opportunity to contribute to the West Seattle Food Bank.
Learn more and get involved here:
wspolarbearchallenge.comTo make it easy to participate, the website includes a form to submit your address to be included on the map, downloadable signs and donation bin labels, and more.
Organizers tell us this is simply an “effort of several families and friends that have come together to make it happen.” (We’ll of course be adding it to the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – anything this season that you want the community to know about and/or be part of, let us know!)
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
Four things to know about this post-holiday-weekend Monday:
LOCAL CYBER MONDAY SHOPPING: With the pandemic-fueled boom in online shopping, the designation of today as “Cyber Monday” has been a bit eclipsed, but – if you’re going to shop online, please spend local. We have a list of more than 40 local retailers/makers offering online shopping, with direct links, is in the SHOPPING SPOTLIGHTS section atop our West Seattle Holiday Guide. Please explore! The list will be there all season. (We’re still adding, too! Email suggestions to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)
LETTER CARRIER SENDOFF: If you’re in the west Alki area, Marc sent this note:
All right, Alki community, let’s celebrate a staple of your community, especially those who live west of 64th Ave SW. Today is your USPS letter carrier Dado Gabut‘s last day. He has been with the post office for more than 36 years and has worked many areas of the 98116 zip code. Bring your dogs and your smiles in congratulating such an amazing man, letter carrier, and staple of your community. His route is down by the Alki Lighthouse and ends at the end of the west part of Alki’s walkway (around 2 pm). Thank you Dado for being a glowing example of the services USPS provides to the community. Let’s celebrate!!!
NEW APP & OTHER PANDEMIC NEWS: Governor Inslee has a 2:30 pm media briefing at which he’ll talk more about a new app just announced today, the “anonymous exposure notification tool” WA Notify. You will be able to watch the briefing here. (We’re also two weeks from the initially announced end of increased restrictions, so he’ll undoubtedly be asked about that too.)
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ REOPENING PLAN: Will in-person learning resume this school year? The SPS School Board has a work session on in-person learning, starting at 4 pm this afternoon. The agenda includes info on how to watch.
During this pandemic-altered school year. PTSAs and PTAs are focused on helping students and families with the most basic of needs, as the economic crunch leaves more struggling than ever before. Here are three ways you can help another local school community:
‘Tis the season for giving! Please help our Chief Sealth International HS students and their families.
There are many ways to help CSI; please consider giving to one or both of these important crowdfunding campaigns below. Please share these links with your friends and family that would also be able to support our CSI community.
CSI PTSA General Fund
We are not able to hold our annual auction. Help us replenish our annual PTSA budget to provide needed essentials for our students.
or
Gift Cards for Sealth Families
This campaign will help our CSI families that are in need of basic supports, many for the first time. If you are able, we would appreciate your donation.
Another way to help Sealth is by using our Amazon link for all of your Amazon Cyber Monday shopping! We get a greater percentage of your sales by entering the site through this link. Bookmark it and help all year by doing your usual shopping. Or just enter the site through the link on our CSI PTSA website.
Thank you, Sealth supporters! We appreciate every one of you. Wishing you all the best through the holidays and cheers to a less chaotic 2021!
With Gratitude,
The Chief Sealth PTSA
6:07 AM: Welcome to Monday, November 30th, the 252nd morning without the West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
Delridge project: Work is scheduled to resume today; here’s this week’s plan.
Highway 99 tunnel: Southbound closure this Friday night-Saturday morning, 10 pm-7 am, for maintenance.
TRANSIT
Metro – Back to regular schedule
Water Taxi – Back to regular schedule
CHECK TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO
West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Restricted-daytime-access (open to all 9 pm-5 am) low bridge:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River, the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) . Here are two cameras:
The other major bridge across the river – the South Park Bridge (map). Here’s the nearest camera:
Going through South Park? Don’t speed. (Same goes for the other detour-route neighborhoods, like Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge.)
Checking for bridges’ marine-traffic openings? See the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
The long holiday weekend’s ending – hope yours has been safe and healthy. Just a few notes tonight:
KING COUNTY’S NEWEST NUMBERS: Here are the cumulative totals from the Public Health daily-summary dashboard – keep in mind that testing availability was reduced during the holiday weekend:
*43,740 people have tested positive, up 356 from yesterday’s total
*858 people have died, up 2 from yesterday
*3,190 people have been hospitalized, up 26 from yesterday’s total
*626,435 people have been tested (the state backlog of negative results hasn’t been resolved yet, so King County calls this number frozen, but it’s still changing – up 340 from yesterday)
One week ago, the King County totals were 38,672/835/2,973/620,676.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 62.7 million cases and 1,459.000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation breakdown here.
PARKS PROGRAMS, AT HOME: Seattle Parks is out with a brochure for December’s virtual programming, since in-person programs are still on hold.
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT? OR? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
After the long holiday weekend, work resumes tomorrow on the Delridge project (re)paving the way for RapidRide H Line. Here are the toplines from SDOT:
*SW Hudson St and 23rd Ave SW may reopen on the east side of Delridge Way SW as early as this week
*SW Willow St and SW Brandon St may close on the east side of Delridge Way SW as early as this week
*Vehicle-detection loop installation at SW Oregon St and Delridge Way SW rescheduled, to begin as early as December 7
*Pipework to resume at SW Juneau St as early as December 4
*Demolition on the west side of Delridge Way SW between SW Holly St and SW Willow St to begin as early as Monday.
*Electrical work happening in the sidewalk between SW Orchard St and 21st Ave SW. Pedestrians are encouraged to cross Delridge Way SW at SW Holden St or SW Orchard St.
The full preview of the work plan for the coming week is here.
Our West Seattle Christmas lights spotlights continue, starting earlier than usual this year because we need a little extra brightening these days: Out looking for lights tonight, we noticed that well-decorated house at Walnut/Hinds [map]. What we also noticed after stopping for a photo – many neighbors on that block of Walnut, south of Hinds, have lots of lights up already too. So we’re adding it to the list in our West Seattle Holiday Guide – we welcome tips, with or without photos = westseattleblog@gmail.com – your own lights or someone else’s – thank you!
(Photo by Jamie Kinney)
A two-sided sky show at the end of this long holiday weekend – a deep pink sunset to the west, as the full moon rose in the east.
(Photo by Mike Jensen)
And to the south – Mount Rainier was sporting a.cap:
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
(AKA, a lenticular cloud.) Looking to the northeast, a sunset reflection and the returning fog:
(Photo by Sergio Ramos)
And one more look at the full sunset colors:
(Photo by Tom Stoner)
Thanks to everyone for the photos!
If you haven’t yet answered Seattle University‘s sixth annual Public Safety Survey – tomorrow’s the last day. As noted when we published this year’s announcement last month, the goal is to collect “qualitative and quantitative data about perceptions of crime and safety from those who live and/or work in Seattle.” (Here’s how local 2018 results were described in 2019, for example.) Seattle U does the survey independently of SPD, but provides the department with a report on the results, which are used to shape/update micro-community policing plans, among other things. The survey is available in 11 languages, linked here.
(WSB photo)
12:44 PM: Police and SFD are responding to 60th/Stevens [map] for a reported shooting. They’re searching for a suspect who’s described as (updated) a white man, 30s, brown hair, beard, green jacket, black (possibly camo) pants. The victim is reported to be a 42-year-old man. Updates to come.
12:53 PM: Police are still searching and will be joined by a K9. Sounds like they may know who they are looking. No word on the victim’s condition yet.
(WSB photo)
1 PM: The suspect is reported (via police radio) to be in custody. (added) Our crew just arrived in the area and verifies an arrest.
1:07 PM: The victim is being taken to Harborview Medical Center by SFD medic unit. (added) At the scene, we’re told he was transported in critical condition. (added) The suspect is reported to live nearby and police were checking his residence.
5:32 PM: More info from SPD:
Police were dispatched to the 6000 block of Stevens Street SW after multiple callers reported shots had been fired in the alley.
Officers arrived and found a man seriously wounded with multiple gunshot wounds. Witnesses said the suspect had left the scene on foot walking towards the beach. Additional officers flooded the area and found the suspect a few blocks away where he was taken into custody. Police found a 40 caliber handgun partially submerged in water at Alki Beach.
(SPD photo)
Detectives believe the suspect shot at the victim as the victim drove down the alley. The suspect then fled between some nearby apartment buildings, entered an apartment, struck a resident with the pistol, then fled toward the beach. Detectives are now interviewing the suspect and attempting to determine what led up to the shooting.
Reader Diana sent a photo of the aforementioned beach gun discovery:
Police say the victim was still in critical condition at last report.
6:48 PM: And we have a few more details from the Southwest Precinct incident summary filed by acting Sgt. Tammy Frame, forwarded by precinct commander Capt. Kevin Grossman, lauding the second-watch team for Really good work in saving a life, arresting the shooter, and locating evidence”: The victim was shot seven times and the first officer on the scene “administered life-saving first aid which included applying two tourniquets, one one on each of the victim’s arms.” The suspect allegedly tried to bury the gun in the sand at the beach. He and the victim are described by police as neighbors.
The darkest month of the year is almost here, with the earliest sunsets and shortest days, and – this year – COVID-canceled festivities. But Seattle Parks & Recreation has a plan to brighten some of those days.
It’s out with a brochure for virtual programs in December – from a free “family fun night” to classes and workouts (here are a few examples). You can browse the brochure here. The registration portal is here.
The department also has view-any-time videos on YouTube – cooking, books, sports skills to name a few. (And if you’re looking for info on Parks facilities, the ongoing open-and-closed list is here.)
(Saturday photo by Dan Ciske)
Full moon tonight, rising just before sunset, at 4:10 pm. But first – here’s what’s happening today in West Seattle and vicinity, online and in-person:
TODAY’S ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES: The list of more than 20.churches’ Sunday online services (with a few also offering in-person options), with updated links, is here.
FROM CHRISTMAS TREES TO CHRISTMAS LIGHTS … plus some all-weekend shopping deals … see it all in our Holiday Guide.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 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; no pickups for online orders this week – the What’s Good system took the week off)
TOYS FOR TOTS COLLECTION: Last chance this season – 10 am-1:30 pm near the market’s entrance/exit, look for the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. (California/Alaska)
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)
Nine months ago tonight, King County’s first COVID-19 case was announced. Now, we have news of hundreds more each night, including tonight:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here are the cumulative totals from Public Health‘s daily-summary dashboard:
*43,384 people have tested positive, 481 more than yesterday’s total
*856 people have died, 3 more than yesterday’s total
*3,164 people have been hospitalized, 35 more than yesterday’s total
*626,095 people have been tested (the county continues to say this number was frozen 11/21, but it’s 451 more than yesterday)
One week ago, those totals were 38,012/835/2,931/615,038.
WEST SEATTLE TREND: Here’s our weekly check of this stat, with numbers shown in two-week increments via the “geography over time” tab on the daily-summary dashboard, combining the totals from the West Seattle and Delridge “health reporting areas.” We need to note first that it’s not clear how – whether – the recent state results backlog is affecting this; the page days data is through 11/13, but still shows a sizable number for the past two weeks: 372 positive test results; 324 in the 2 weeks before that; 79 in the two weeks before that.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 62.2 million people have tested positive, and more than 1,451,000 people have died; U.S. deaths have passed 266,000. Most cases: U.S., India, Brazil, France, Russia (same as last week). See the breakdown, nation by nation, here.
WILL SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS STAY REMOTE ALL YEAR? The next school board discussion of how remote learning is going and what might be next this year is set for 4 pm Monday, online. Viewing info is part of the agenda.
DONATION DRIVE TOMORROW: Last chance to donate to the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle toy drive, which has been collecting at California/Alaska every Sunday, by the Farmers’ Market entrance, 10 am-1:30 pm. New, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots are appreciated.
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
(WSB photos)
It’s our second night of showcasing West Seattle Christmas lights this season. Thanks to the Baber Family for emailing to let us know their display is up and running in Admiral, west side of the 2700 block of 45th SW [vicinity map], just west of PCC:
They explain they “wanted to try and place some holiday spirit out for everyone! We have yard holiday decorations that are already in place through January 1st. Lights and a large amount of inflatable characters. Yard is on from 4:30 pm-11:00 pm daily. Please be careful and safe! If outside, six feet is required and must be wearing a mask.”
We noticed again tonight on the way to and from photographing this display, lots of lights are up already – if you want to recommend yours, or someone else’s, for our nightly feature and Holiday Guide (where we’re keeping a running list, or you can scroll through this archive), just email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – photo(s) welcome but not required, as we’re planning to be out nightly with our camera.
(Photos above and below by Marc Milrod at Constellation Park)
5:40 PM: After a beautiful sunset, we’re expecting the sun to return tomorrow – and much of next week, according to the newest forecast.
Right now, Monday is the only day in the week ahead when rain is predicted.
(Photo by Chuck Jacobs at Hiawatha)
Unless it rains an inch on Monday, we’ll be finishing this month with below-average rainfall, according to the National Weather Service stats.
6:56 PM: As the sun was setting, the near-full moon was rising, and Jerry Simmons photographed it with an Alaska Airlines fly-by:
The official full-moon moment is 1:29 am Monday (after a 4:10 pm Sunday moonrise); this time, it’s the “Beaver Moon.”
Our list of West Seattle independent small businesses offering online shopping – so you can keep it local without even leaving home – has grown today: The list in the Shopping Spotlights section near the top of our West Seattle Holiday Guide now has 40+ businesses, with direct links to their online shops. Also, we’ve received a few more individual businesses’ announcements and added those – among them, Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) and Mode Music & Performing Arts, where you can sign up for lessons, classes, and camps at a discount through 9 pm Sunday. (Need instruments for your lessons? WSB sponsors Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop have a sale in the Holiday Guide too – and both offer online shopping.) We’ll keep beefing up info on local businesses as the season goes; got something to add/share? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB photo: The Y crew @ donation drive)
Reminder that while we’ve talked a lot about shopping today, it’s also a day for giving – right now until 3 pm, the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) has a drive-up donation drive, accepting warm pajamas and unwrapped toys for local students. The Y’s at 36th/Snoqualmie. Here’s our preview with details.
9:57 AM: For the second day in a row, you have a chance to see orcas off West Seattle – Kersti Muul from Salish Wildlife Watch says whales are southbound, south of the Bainbridge-Seattle ferry lanes. Let us know if you see them!
10:32 AM: In addition to the updates in comments (thank you!), Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail called to say they’re between Blake and Vashon, visible through binoculars.
8:20 AM: Big SFD response to the 2700 block of 60th SW [map] – but it’s already being downsized. We are headed there for specifics. Update to come.
8:34 AM: SFD says the fire was confined to one room of a duplex. @PuyallupCoug tweeted this photo of a burned mattress that was brought out.
(Photo by @PuyallupCoug)
8:52 AM: We’ve just talked to the incident commander. No one hurt, damage limited to the mattress.
(WSB photos, this one & next)
They’re talking to the unit’s resident to figure out what sparked the fire.
The last units are leaving.
(Photo by Willy O)
12:17 PM: SFD tells WSB that the cause was determined to be “improperly discarded smoking material.”
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor, at Lincoln Park)
The Saturday after Thanksgiving has become THE day to focus your holiday shopping on independent, small local businesses. Better yet, spend your money with those businesses every day. Online shopping is easier. you say? Good news – almost every local retailer offers online shopping. We have a long list in the Shopping Spotlights section currently atop the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide. Plus:
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY DEALS: The West Seattle Junction Association has a list! Browse it here. And our aforementioned Shopping Spotlights section in the Holiday Guide has first-weekend-of-the-season local deals too.
Also today:
PAJAMA & TOY DRIVE: The West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) would love to see you this afternoon:
Join us for a drive-thru pajama & toy drive on Saturday, November 28, from 12:00 – 3:00 pm at the West Seattle Y [36th/Snoqualmie] to support Y families this holiday season. We are looking for warm pajamas, sizes 5T through size 16, and unwrapped toys. A few favorites include Legos, art kits, board games, Paw Patrol, Hot Wheels, and all kinds of balls. If you are not able to join us for the drive-thru, please see our online wish list.
CHRISTMAS TREE SHOPPING: Local lots are listed in our Holiday Guide (including no-contact tree-shopping options).
KIWANIS CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE AUCTION: Raising money for charity in place of the organization’s usual holiday Pancake Breakfast. “Silent auction” online, continuing through December 5th – go here.
HOLIDAY SHOW: ArtsWest presents “A Very Merry Kraken Tea Party,” now available for online access. Details are in our preview.
Got something for our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
39 weeks now since the Friday night announcement of the first King County case of COVID-19 – here’s the latest:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily summary:
*42,903 people have tested positive, 800 more than yesterday’s total
*853 people have died, unchanged since Wednesday
*3,129 people have been hospitalized, 65 more than yesterday’s total
*65,644 people have been tested (the county still says this number is “frozen” but we note it’s 798 more than yesterday)
One week ago, those totals were 37,435/835/2,914/612,290.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 61.6 million cases, 1,442,000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation numbers here.
DONATION DRIVE SATURDAY: If you can give, here’s an opportunity:
West Seattle YMCA Pajama & Toy Drive
Join us for a drive-thru pajama & toy drive on Saturday, November 28, from 12:00 – 3:00 pm at the West Seattle Y [36th/Snoqualmie] to support Y families this holiday season. We are looking for warm pajamas, sizes 5T through size 16, and unwrapped toys. A few favorites include Legos, art kits, board games, Paw Patrol, Hot Wheels, and all kinds of balls. If you are not able to join us for the drive-thru, please see our online wish list.
GOT INFO OR PHOTOS? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Earlier this week, the Southwest Precinct issued an auto-theft alert, noting that it’s up 14 percent in the past month compared to the same time last year. And tonight, we have two reader reports about stolen vehicles:
STOLEN ACCORD: From Josh:
My car was stolen overnight. It’s a beige-colored 1997 Honda Accord. A police report has been filed and we’re hoping to find the car ASAP. Might be good to remind the neighborhood to keep their cars locked. License plate is AJJ1695 and we’re in Fairmount Park on 37th Avenue.
STOLEN CHEVY PICKUP: From Steve:
Stolen ’95 Chevrolet Pickup, stock 4x, WA plate B18708T– from 4800 block 41st Avenue SW sometime last 4 days.
If you see either one – or any other stolen vehicle – call 911.
(Promotional video for FriendlyFace)
We’ve all gotten used to wearing masks. Or – have we? Do you miss seeing people’s smiles?
A West Seattle entrepreneur is trying to fix that with FriendlyFace. It’s a custom-made mask, based on your photo, so your face can be covered by … your face.
“I made this initially as a joke to make my kids laugh — Just put a picture of myself on a mask. It was, of course, hilarious, but I got a ton of interest from other randoms who approached me at the hardware store or the grocery store asking where I got it. I decided to turn it into a project,” explains FriendlyFace’s Ash Bhoopathy. He is a digital product designer and serial entrepreneur, so – why not?
FriendlyFace isn’t the only company to offer a selfie mask, but Ash’s value proposition incorporates a few extras. The masks come with a laundry bag and activated charcoal filters. And the app you can use to order yours can make them extra-true-to-life, though it’s not required that you use the app: “About half of our orders come from the iOS app, and the other half come from the web. The iOS app makes the process of alignment, lighting, and measurement very easy. For those who don’t have an iPhone X or newer, they can place the order from FriendlyFace.com. We have a team of people who can retouch people’s faces – We got this after some excited user feedback we heard a few times (‘I don’t need to wear makeup anymore, I can just do it once and get my pic photoshopped’).”
FriendlyFace’s West Seattle cred is more than just the founder’s residence. Ash explains, “All printing and pressing is done here in West Seattle. Currently we’re working out of a proverbial startup ‘garage.’ For masks, we source from a company in Blaine (northwestern WA). For gaiters, we source fabric from a mill on the East Coast, and our cut and sew team is based in West Seattle.” They have the capacity to produce about 2,000 a day.
The mask can draw more than smiles. We asked Ash about unusual reactions: “The first time I wore one of my gaiters in public, a manager from Costco came running from the back to scold me for not wearing a mask. When they got closer, he started cracking up after realizing that it was actually a face covering. That first weekend I wore it out, 48 people asked me where I got my mask and were super surprised to learn that the photo was actually my face. It still doesn’t register to many people that with computational photography, digital printing technology, that personalized products like these face masks are possible.”
Ash hopes to expand: “Beyond masks, our vision is to create a brand and products that embody happiness, laughter, and joy. Seeing people smile and laugh again is a huge thing for us and, we think, many people.”
P.S. They have a Black Friday promo going – buy 2, get 1 free, with code BLACKFRIDAY – and a program for employers to buy masks for their employees (explained in this video).
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