West Seattle, Washington

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Spotlight Stories

CORONAVIRUS: Wednesday 5/20 roundup
May 20, 2020 9:40 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Here are the toplines of today’s local virus-crisis news:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily-summary data dashboard:

*7,617 people have tested positive, up 35 from yesterday.

*530 people have died, up 1 from yesterday

One week ago, those totals were 7,221 and 514.

ANOTHER DATA DASHBOARD: The county announced today that it’s added this one, with info on “key economic, social, and overall health impacts.”

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page,.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them, nation by nation, here.

GOVERNOR’S BRIEFING TOMORROW: Gov. Inslee‘s office says his next media briefing will be at 11:30 am tomorrow, and that he will “talk about restarting faith-based services and will speak to health care providers on the importance of seeking urgent medical care amid the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Thursday morning update: This has been canceled.)

CASE TRACKING/CONTACT TRACING: The state Health Department offers an update on how many people are getting trained to make this happen.

HAPPY HOMECOMING: A West Seattleite who survived an almost-fatal case of COVID-19 is back home tonight.

(Photo courtesy Wendy Hobson)

See the warm welcome Michael Flor got from his neighbors, here.

‘BUMMER SUMMER’: One commenter invoked that phrase again after Seafair‘s cancellation announcement today;

YOU CAN HELP: A new series of Saturday food drives launches this weekend.

GOT INFO? Email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com or phone us, text or voice, at 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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ROAD WORK ALERT: Repaving at 6th/Spokane next two days
May 20, 2020 7:19 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

If you travel on lower Spokane St. – note that SDOT plans repair/repaving work at 6th/Spokane the next two days. The announcement says work is planned 9 am-4 pm Thursday and Friday, weather permitting, and that at least one lane will remain open each way. Also noted, “Though the project was planned before the closure of the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge, we have accelerated the timeline since the pavement improvements will support increased traffic through the intersection. The improvements will help increase safety and mobility for people driving, riding bicycles, and using the crosswalks through this busy intersection”

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UTILITIES: Emergency repairs ahead for West Seattle water main
May 20, 2020 5:17 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Gatewood | Utilities | West Seattle news

5:17 PM: Just received this from Seattle Public Utilities:

Friday evening, May 22, Seattle Public Utilities will begin an emergency repair on a large, 16-inch water main that is leaking in West Seattle near SW Holly Street between California Ave SW and 39th Ave SW.

The repair work is expected to be completed by early Saturday morning, May 23, to avoid construction over the Memorial Day weekend.

In order to safely complete this work, crews must temporarily shut off water to about 65 homes in the area. Impacted customers will receive a door hanger from SPU on May 21 with information about the water outage, which starts at 9 pm on Friday, May 22 and ends at 5 am on Saturday, May 23.

The noisiest construction work will occur between 8 pm and 10 pm on May 22 when crews are breaking pavement to access the leaking water main. However, customers in the area may also experience some overnight noise while crews work to repair the pipe.

During the repair, if customers have questions about the work or their water service, they should contact SPU’s 24/7 Operations Response Center at 206-386-1800.

7:14 PM: We went over for a look and found the NO PARKING signs along Holly in the 41st/42nd vicinity, so looks like that’s expected to be the main work zone.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another car prowl; backpack found
May 20, 2020 4:46 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports:

CAR PROWL: From Chris:

We live on 38th Ave SW, b/t Stevens and Lander, and I came out on Wednesday morning at 9:10 am to find our Traverse had been rummaged through. We must have left it unlocked when we arrived home around 4:10pm yesterday, since there were no broken windows and no alarm last night. Nothing much taken other than some change in the console, a multi-tool from the door, and flashlight from the glove compartment.

BACKPACK FOUND: Betty, who sent the photo, says it’s hard to tell whether this was stolen/dumped, or maybe just lost. But given the uptick in car-prowl reports lately, we’re featuring it here in case of the latter:

She says the backpack contains “kids’ water shoes, and there’s a charger and a folding knife inside.” If it’s yours, let us know and we’ll connect you.

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‘Superman lives here’: Neighbors welcome COVID-19 survivor Michael Flor home to West Seattle
May 20, 2020 3:21 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

“Superman” is Michael Flor, who survived a life-threatening case of COVID-19 and returned home to a spirited welcome from his West Seattle neighbors today.

His story was told by Danny Westneat of The Seattle Times two weeks ago, when Flor was discharged from Swedish Medical Center. (The story didn’t mention he lives in West Seattle, but a friend told us, so we linked the story in our nightly virus-crisis roundup.) He’s been recovering at a rehab facility since then – until today.

The photos were sent by Wendy Hobson, who reports, “All of the neighbors came out to welcome him home with signs, balloon, chalk drawings, and a power-washed welcome home in the intersection” (above).

A doctor told The Times that at one point, Flor – who is 70 – was near death, “as sick as you can get.” But he survived, and is now back home to do exactly what that window sign exhorts – “celebrate.”

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VIDEO: Anton’s still serenading neighbors nightly!
May 20, 2020 1:58 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Back on March 26th, we published video sent by Richard in the Fairmount Park area,spotlighting his neighbor Anton‘s nightly saxophone serenades. Today, Richard sent this update:

Pretty amazing dedication and spirit in our community. Every evening, rain or shine – Fairmount Park’s neighbors come out at 6 pm to enjoy Anton’s performances. We all observe “physical distancing” while his performances entertain us during this pandemic. Anton, with the support of his wife (Dawn), has been awesome: his first serenade was on March 24th – 57 straight days and going strong!

Any longrunning pandemic traditions in YOUR neighborhood?

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No fireworks, no Blue Angels, no hydros, no parade: Seafair cancels 2020 ‘signature events’
May 20, 2020 12:58 pm
|      41 COMMENTS
 |   Blue Angels | Coronavirus | West Seattle news

(August 2019 photo by Monica Zaborac)

Announced today by Seafair:

As part of the Seattle summer experience, the non-profit Seafair has been creating lasting memories for the Northwest community for generations. Given the uncertainty surrounding public health safety, and combined with guidance from local and state governments, Seafair is rescheduling its major events to next year. Already, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels are confirmed for August 6-8, 2021, and the Fourth of July fireworks show will be back, bigger than ever.

“We are deeply disappointed but together we will get through this emergency,” said Eric Corning, President and CEO of Seafair. “Events will be an important part of our recovery, and we look forward to working with our sponsorship partners, volunteers, and stakeholders to produce a festival with the Blue Angels, fireworks, pirates, clowns, parades, and all of the neighborhood community events. We will stay active in the community this summer to bring people together to celebrate online and in-person, within the COVID-19 guidelines.”

Seafair will be in contact via email with all current ticket holders in the coming days to discuss their options.

As organizers of the largest community summer events in Seattle, bringing millions of Northwesterners together, Seafair is committed to be a catalyst to reunite community and celebrate what it means to live in the Puget Sound region in 2021. The team at Seafair, including board, staff, and the over 3,000 volunteers, are looking forward to doing just that for the community that we love.

Affected 2020 Seafair Festival Signature Events (produced by Seafair)

July 4 – Seafair Summer 4th – Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park

July 11 – Seafair Milk Carton Derby – Green Lake Aqua Theatre

July 19 – Seafair Triathlon – Seward Park

July 25 – Torchlight Run – Downtown Seattle

July 25 – Alaska Airlines Torchlight Parade – Downtown Seattle

July 31 – August 2 – Seafair Weekend Festival featuring the Boeing Seafair Air Show and HomeStreet Bank Cup – Genesee Park / Lake Washington

The annual Seafair Pirates Landing on Alki wasn’t mentioned, though it’s usually in June, and large events are unlikely to be allowed by then.

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YOU CAN HELP: Saturday food drives outside Admiral Church
May 20, 2020 11:52 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Saturday food drives outside Admiral Church
 |   Coronavirus | How to help | West Seattle news

Another way to help people who need food during the COVID-19 economic crunch: A new recurring food drive outside Admiral UCC Church (4320 SW Hill):

Food Drive Saturdays from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm beginning May 23rd. 2020:

There will be a Food Bank barrel to collect food under a canopy at Admiral Church with attendants to assist with the collection of food: non-perishable and canned food, pet food and cat litter, baking supplies, seasonings and herbs, and bagged fresh produce or home-grown organic vegetables.  

The food drives will be from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturdays, May 23 and 30, June 13 and 27, July 11 and 25. Your food donations are needed as the number of people needing food has increased greatly due to the pandemic.

Here’s a map.

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ELECTION 2020: West Seattleite Joshua Casey running for State Auditor
May 20, 2020 11:06 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

With everything else that’s been going on, you might be forgiven for forgetting that this is a major election year, too. Last week was candidate-filing week in our state, and the list of who’ll be on the August primary ballot has just been finalized. We have heard from a West Seattle resident who is running for statewide office – Joshua Casey is one of two challengers running against first-term state auditor Pat McCarthy. Here’s his announcement:

Joshua Casey, a resident of Seattle, has made the decision to join the race for Washington’s State Auditor. He is challenging the incumbent who, according to Casey, potentially put lives at risk by not understanding the risks of poor planning for a pandemic or disaster.

When asked why he joined the race, Casey said, “It has become apparent through this pandemic that the incumbent auditor’s lack of technical expertise has indirectly hindered state and local government’s response to COVID-19. Routine audits employed in the private sector, like comprehensive pandemic and disaster planning assessments, have been passed over at the auditor’s office—even as the budget increased by almost 20% in two years. As a result, state and local government were forced to work through issues in real time that, with better planning provided through an audit, could have been avoided.” Casey then said, “In many states, to be the state auditor, a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license is required, and when you see poor leadership like this, it is clear why this is the case. To become a CPA, a candidate usually must have an advanced degree, pass the CPA exam, have hands-on experience, and often pass an ethics exam. For this reason, in the private sector, a CPA license is required to sign audit reports—why should the public sector be held to a lower standard?”

Joshua Casey is the only CPA running for the office and is the only candidate with relevant financial and operational audit experience. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in information systems and operations management from the University of Florida. Also, he has over a decade of accounting and auditing experience, including leading and managing teams for two top global audit firms, Deloitte and PwC.

“If elected, in my first few days of holding office, I would identify high-risk areas that are not currently being audited, like a comprehensive disaster preparedness assessment, and add them to the schedule, while also leaving flexibility in the process to address emerging risks,” Casey said. “Then, as I’ve done with many clients, I would review the existing audit processes and identify areas worth modernizing with cutting edge audit technology like Robotics Process Automation (RPA) — with the aim to streamline existing processes and better utilize the existing budget to perform more efficient and higher quality audits.”

Joshua Casey brings a combination of expertise and leadership to his campaign for Washington State Auditor. Further, as a CPA he is required to be independent and objective in his audits—unlike his opponents. Casey looks forward to applying his knowledge in office while prioritizing the safety of all Washingtonians.

Incumbent McCarthy, who like Casey is running as a Democrat, is a former Pierce County Executive; the state website says there’s also a Republican in the race, Chris Leyba of Tacoma. This year’s statewide primary is August 4th.

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SCHOOLS: Gatewood Elementary’s virtual auction – and dinner!
May 20, 2020 9:54 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Gatewood | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Another local PTA invites everyone in the community to bid – and dine!

The Gatewood Elementary PTA 2020 Auction is going virtual!

Silent bidding will begin on Monday May 25.

Live streamed event is on Friday May 29 @ 7 pm.

Please visit www.gatewoodauction.org and click the online auction link to register for the event. Everyone has to register for online bidding. Anyone can participate – registration is free!

A special meal from Elliott Bay Brewery is available for purchase to be delivered in West Seattle on Fri May 29. Please order by this Friday May 22 at www.gatewoodauction.org.

Kid-made art, restaurant gift cards, Pearl Jam poster, vacation homes, and more!

Questions – please email gatewoodauctionchair@gmail.com

Thank you for your support of the Gatewood Community.

– Lauren Fabella and Matt Hoffman
Gatewood Auction 2020 co-chairs

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday notes, 9th week of West Seattle Bridge closure
May 20, 2020 6:07 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Good morning – the 58th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. Our morning notes start with the cameras for the 5-way intersection at West Marginal/Delridge/Spokane/Chelan, and the restricted-access low bridge (where SPD enforcement continues):

Since the main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map), that’s the next camera:

The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the approach:

Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.

You can see all local traffic cams, including the new ones in West Seattle, here; locally relevant cameras are shown on this WSB page.

TRANSIT

Metro – Reduced schedule; reduced capacity; check here for next departure

Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues (note: NO SERVICE next Monday because it’s Memorial Day)

Sound Transit note – Link light rail and Sounder trains will start charging fares again June 1st

During the stay-home order, we’re not live-monitoring morning traffic, but we’ll update with word of incidents, so please let us know what you’re seeing – comment or text (but not if you’re drivingl!) 206-293-6302.

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DEVELOPMENT: Another Alki project gets started
May 19, 2020 10:38 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Thanks to Stewart L. for the photo and tip. It was demolition time today for the houses at 1778 and 1780 Alki Avenue SW [map], 82 and 110 years old, respectively. They’re making way for a 3-story, 6-townhouse project with 9 offstreet-parking spaces. It’s been in the works since August 2018; the site changed hands this past February, for $2.3 million.

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CORONAVIRUS: Tuesday 5/19 roundup
May 19, 2020 9:18 pm
|    Comments Off on CORONAVIRUS: Tuesday 5/19 roundup
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Another chunk of the state just qualified to ask for permission to move to Phase 2 of the reopening plan, and that kicks off our nightly roundup:

MORE COUNTIES REOPENING? They don’t have to if they don’t want to, but 10 more counties are eligible to seek “variances” to move to Phase 2 of the reopening plan, Gov. Inslee announced this morning. The new criteria are centered on “less than 10 new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents over a 14-day span.” Would that also eventually apply to larger counties like ours? the governor was asked. That’s the direction they’re moving in, he said. Meantime, the 10 newly eligible counties are in this tweet from the governor’s office:

ALSO ANNOUNCED – PHASE 2 RULES FOR FITNESS & REAL ESTATE: All linked here.

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily-summary dashboard:

*7,582 people have tested positive, up 53 from yesterday

*529 people have died, up 6 from yesterday

One week ago, those totals were 7,179 and 511.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

SFD & SPD’S WEEKLY UPDATES: Again this week, the Fire Department says it has no personnel currently in quarantine; the Police Department‘s weekly update says 16 SPD employees are in quarantine or isolation.

NEED MASKS FOR YOUR BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION? The city has launched a new “online marketplace.” Individual shoppers welcome too.

REMINDER – FREE FOOD TOMORROW: 2-5 pm Wednesday in South Park, you can get a free box of food from Food Lifeline, no questions asked (except your zip code).

AFTER 2 MONTHS OF SCHOOL @ HOME, 1 TO GO: Seattle Public Schools has a survey for its students’ families and staff.

GRATITUDE … or was it cat-itude? Another window sighting sent by Noodle:

GOT INFO? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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NEIGHBORHOODS: Pitching in at a park
May 19, 2020 7:18 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Reader report from North Delridge via text:

With Seattle Parks grounds crews overwhelmed, these neighbors and others decided to mow out most of Puget Blvd. Park (Sunday) evening for the little kids to run. One was even using a push mower. Good social distancing too.

The area is adjacent the Delridge P-Patch.

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE CLOSURE: HPAC forming Detour Subcommittee
May 19, 2020 5:20 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

If you live and/or have a business in Highland Park, Riverview, or South Delridge, you’re invited to be part of HPAC‘s new subcommittee to focus on traffic issue caused/worsened by West Seattle Bridge closure detours. Here’s the invitation to its first meeting Thursday:

Let’s Talk Navigating Our Own Neighborhoods
HPAC Subcommittee Forming – Join Us This Week

In order to prepare for further discussions, requests, and mitigation plans about the impact of the detour through Highland Park, Riverview and South Delridge during the closure of the West Seattle Bridge, HPAC is hosting a working subcommittee, West Seattle Bridge Detour Subcommittee. We are looking for neighbors to assist us in continuing to identify the needs of the neighborhoods, follow up and hold accountable SDOT, elected officials, and the Mayor.

Join our Zoom meeting for WSB Detour Subcommittee
May 21, 2020 – 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

This subcommittee and this meeting is open to residents of and business owners in Highland Park, Riverview and South Delridge.

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 819 1899 0702
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,81918990702#
Dial in number
+1 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 819 1899 0702

SDOT says it’s working on neighborhood-specific traffic plans but hasn’t presented any of them yet.

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Fire callout on 35th SW
May 19, 2020 3:58 pm
|    Comments Off on Fire callout on 35th SW
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(Part of the initial response, visible via new 35th/Holden SDOT camera)

Big SFD callout in the 7500 block of 35th SW but it’s being quickly downsized – first crews on scene say it appears to be just a dryer problem.

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EDUCATION: 1 month to go in Seattle Public Schools’ year; 2 more days to answer survey
May 19, 2020 2:15 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

June 19th – one month from today – is the last day of the year for Seattle Public Schools. No decision yet about what school will be like in the fall, though the governor has said he’s optimistic that in-person classes will resume. In the meantime, SPS is asking its families and staff to answer a survey “to gather feedback on how things are going and inform additional supports and future planning.” It’s open through Wedneday (May 20th); the family survey is here, the staff survey here, the school-leader survey here.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Busy night for car prowlers
May 19, 2020 1:21 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Car prowlers were busy last night on both sides of 35th SW. This photo is from Tom at 36th/Graham:

Tom reports, “My car was broken into at 36th/Graham sometime last night between 10 pm and 6 am. Photos are attached, police report has been filed. As far as I can tell, nothing was taken: the contents of the console were left on the driver side seat when they realized there was nothing of value to take.”

TJ sent this photo from one of “a string of car windows being smashed” at 35th/Graham:

And texters report multiple break-ins near 34th/Morgan and 34th/Willow. If it happens to you – even if nothing is taken – you can report online; start here.

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FOLLOWUP: Key approval for Transitional Resources Yancy Street project
May 19, 2020 10:44 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(Rendering by SMR Architects)

That’s the final rendering for Yancy Street, the supportive-housing complex that West Seattle nonprofit Transitional Resources plans to build on the project’s namesake street, with 44 studio apartments for people living with behavioral-health challenges. It just got key city approvals, as announced in Monday’s Land Use Information Bulletin. We first reported on the project in February 2018; it’s replacing houses at 2811, 2821, and 2827 SW Yancy that TR has long used as shared housing. (Our past coverage also includes a design-feedback open house last year, plus news of partial city funding.) You can read the full decision here; its publication opens a 2-week appeal period, explained here. TR CEO Darcell Slovek-Walker tells WSB, “We anticipate that demolition/construction will start end of June/early July.” Her nonprofit, headquartered nearby, already provides housing for more than 80 people.

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FLOWERS! West Seattle Junction’s hanging baskets have arrived
May 19, 2020 9:49 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

Here’s a seasonal West Seattle tradition that the pandemic hasn’t pre-empted – The Junction’s hanging flower baskets! Installation started early this morning. Baskets of greenery, with some early blossoms, lined the sidewalks outside stores and restaurants, waiting to go up:

This is the fourth year the 90-plus baskets have been offered by the West Seattle Junction Association for “adoption,” with donors supporting the summer-long display. (We’ve adopted one each year.) When you visit The Junction in the days and weeks ahead, look closely for the plaques ID’ing the adopters, and watch the baskets grow ever more colorful all season long!

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MORE! ‘Who’s open?’ West Seattle food and beverage list keeps getting longer
May 19, 2020 8:55 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

8:55 AM: Again today, we have more food/drink establishments joining/rejoining our West Seattle list.

WHISKY WEST: Just reopened for takeout. Lead bartender Holly tells us WW (6451 California SW) is open daily 11 am-8 pm. Here’s a pic of the menu; beverages are listed here.

MARINATION MA KAI: Reopening tomorrow (Wednesday, May 20th) for takeout food and drinks, 3-7 pm daily (at Seacrest, 1660 Harbor SW) – info here; menu here. Thanks to Jen for the tip!

TAT’S TRUCK: Bringing the Tat’s Deli sandwiches to West Seattle on Saturdays starting this weekend (May 23rd), 11:30 am-6:30 pm at Hans VW Repair (35th/Graham). Here’s the menu, sent by Rob.

Any other additions/changes for our list? Please let us know – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you – EAT/DRINK LOCAL!

ADDED 3:35 PM: Thanks to Morgan for the tip – Shadowland (California/Oregon) has just reopened too! 3-9 pm Tuesdays-Sundays.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday notes, 9th week of West Seattle Bridge closure
May 19, 2020 6:07 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Good morning – the 57th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. Headed out? Here are the cameras for the 5-way intersection at West Marginal/Delridge/Spokane, and the restricted-access low bridge (where SPD enforcement continues):

Since the main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map), that’s the next camera:

The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the approach:

Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.

ADDED CAMERAS: SDOT has added 6 more cameras, along 35th and Roxbury. Here are two:

16th/Roxbury:

35th/Morgan:

You can see all local traffic cams, including the new ones in West Seattle, here.

TRANSIT

Metro – Reduced schedule; reduced capacity; check here for next departure

Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues

Sound Transit note – Link light rail and Sounder trains will start charging fares again June 1st

During the stay-home order, we’re not live-monitoring morning traffic, so please let us know what you’re seeing – comment or text (but not if you’re drivingl!) 206-293-6302.

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CORONAVIRUS: Monday 5/18 roundup
May 18, 2020 9:49 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

We’re now less than two weeks from the current expiration date on the stay-home order. That’s where we start our nightly roundup of virus-crisis news:

WILL PHASE 2 START ON JUNE 1? The governor was asked about that twice during his media briefing today. As noted during our as-it-happened coverage, his answer was basically, too soon to say.

DON’T DELAY YOUR HEALTH/DENTAL CARE: That was the main message of today’s briefing. Gov. Inslee issued a proclamation that says in essence, providers can reopen when they feel they’re ready to follow the new protocol, including ample PPE for patients as well as staff.

ANOTHER BRIEFING TOMORROW: The governor will speak and have Q&A again at 11 am tomorrow, announced as an opportunity “to talk about the plan for additional county variances and announce emergency small-business grants.” Here’s the link for the planned livestream.

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily-summary dashboard:

*7,529 people have tested positive, up 49 from yesterday

*523 people have died, up 1 from yesterday

One week ago, those totals were 7,115 and 505.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

FREE FOOD: Food Lifeline has two more distributions this week.

UNEMPLOYMENT IMPOSTERS: The state Employment Security Department issued an update on the problem today, and urged people to report any evidence of fraud – here’s where to go.

FAKE SIGN: A texter called this to our attention – an almost-real-looking fake sign at the Sanislo Elementary playground:

ENDING ON A NOTE OF GRATITUDE: A real, and very creative, sign in Arbor Heights – thanks to Andrea R. for the photo:

GOT INFO? PHOTOS? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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