West Seattle, Washington
01 Tuesday
The announcement is from Seattle Lutheran High School:
While our current situation seems frustrating as we are not able to connect with family, friends, and classmates – we are excited about the future.
Seattle Lutheran is a comprehensive high school that includes sports programs, a variety of clubs, a drama program, on top of honors and AP classes. As the only Independent High School in West Seattle. we want to provide the best opportunity for our community to grow in knowledge, confidence, and faith. A lot is changing these days, but the mission of Seattle Lutheran is not – and we want you to know all about it!
We are excited to be putting together our first in-person event on July 21st . Principal on the Patio – hosted by Dave Meyer, the Executive Director. This is an opportunity to learn about the current state of education at Seattle Lutheran High School and our plans for the fall. This will be a socially distant in-person event! We will require face masks for all attendees and that at least 6 feet of distance be kept between your family and others while outside on the patio. In addition, we will be limiting the number of attendees to create a safe environment for all. If you are interested in attending please email Dave Meyer at dmeyer@seattlelutheran.org to reserve a spot!
The event is scheduled to start at 6:30 pm Tuesday. SLHS is at 4100 SW Genesee, on the north edge of The Junction.
That’s Jeff Kaufer‘s view of Comet NEOWISE from just east of Alki Point earlier this week …
… and that’s the view Scott Nelson got from Alki last night, between 11 pm and midnight. So far it looks like the weather will be conducive for comet-watching tonight too. In addition to her general advice on watching from West Seattle, sky-watcher/educator Alice Enevoldsen made images with Stellarium to help you figure out where to look – this one is for 10:15 pm tonight:
And this one would be for a few hours later, 2 am Monday:
The mission during which the comet was discovered four months ago is explained here.
(SDOT camera image)
Looking north from California/Alaska’s SDOT camera, that’s the view this afternoon of the first phase of the street mural that West Seattle Artists for Social Justice is creating at Walk-All-Ways. The lettering of BLACK LIVES MATTER was done while that block was closed for today’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market.
(WSB photos from here)
Organizer Stevie Kramer was overseeing the work:
She explained that the nine artists – four youth (Saiyana Suzumura, Gloria Cropper, Vanessa Musonwa, Raquel Stewart) and five adults (Lashanna Williams, Adonis Piper. Jasmine Iona Brown, Jaymin Brown, Jolyn GC) – will be on site during next Sunday’s market. They will each paint one or more letters of the mural – no pre-planned design, they will show up and paint (Stevie says they’ve already been given guidelines on what’s appropriate for this type of mural). T
The paint they’re using is fast-drying and self-sealing. WS Art for Social Justice says their crowdfunding wiil cover future maintenance too – like a touchup next year.
(WSB photo)
Summer is the prime season for road work and a lot is continuing along Delridge to prepare for converting Metro Route 120 into the RapidRide H Line. Here are key points for the week ahead, from SDOT’s project team:
Throughout July, we will continue demolishing existing roadway and pouring new concrete panels, demolishing sidewalks, installing new curb ramps, and installing storm and water pipes throughout the corridor in the three work zones listed below. We will also remove and trim trees as needed.
What to expect the week of July 20
We will work in all three zones at the same time, from north to south on Delridge Way SW. No Parking signs will be posted on both sides of the street in each phase of work to shift traffic around the work zones. As each zone progresses, parking will be restored. In each of the three work zones, travel lanes will be reduced to one lane in each direction with restricted turns. Please follow posted traffic signs.
For people biking along the corridor, please dismount your bikes at the intersection of Delridge Way SW and SW Juneau St where the greenway crosses. There is a traffic control officer to help bikers safely navigate around the large equipment and construction activities.
Upcoming closures
Thanks to David Hutchinson for the photo! He explains, “Artist Naomi Haverland was at the east end of the Alki promenade (Saturday), creating a 3D chalk artwork. She was doing this in association with the Alki Art Fair, which unfortunately had to be cancelled this year due the COVID-19 situation.” A nearby sign directs you to stand on marked “footprints” and use your camera “to see the illusion.”
For those wondering about the initially sizable “scenes of violence” call at a house on 44th SW near Madison Middle School this past hour – as sometimes happens with emergency calls, that turned out to be a misclassification. Not hearing any info on the scanner, we went there to ask; a person at the house injured themselves accidentally, SFD told us, and has been taken to the hospital.
(Western Tanager, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
We start our Sunday list with a reminder of a major traffic alert starting tonight:
1ST AVENUE SOUTH BRIDGE NORTHBOUND CLOSURES: Tonight, 10 pm-5 am, the 1st Avenue South Bridge’s northbound side will close for the first of 14 nights of work. (The West Seattle low bridge is open to all 9 pm-5 am, so that’s an alternative.) Full details here.
Now, the list of online church services:
ADMIRAL UCC: Find today’s worship video here.
ALKI UCC: 10 am online service via Zoom – info and link on church’s home page.
ALL SOULS SEATTLE (WSB sponsor): Online worship will be viewable here.
BETHANY COMMUNITY CHURCH: Livestreaming for West Seattle here at 9:30 am.
CALVARY CHAPEL: Service info is here, plus 11 am fellowship via Zoom, 6 pm all-church prayer and 7 pm evening worship (info on home page).
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS: West Seattle Ward has Sunday services via Zoom at 10 am, one hour long, all welcome. They last an hour. Here’s the link.
EASTRIDGE CHURCH: Livestreaming here at 9 am and 11 am.
FAUNTLEROY UCC: Service at 10 am on the church’s YouTube channel.
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF WEST SEATTLE: Today’s online liturgy is here.
GRACE CHURCH: Livestreaming here, 10:30 am.
HALLOWS CHURCH: Streaming at 10 am via the church’s YouTube channel.
HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH: Livestreaming at 8:30 am and 10:30 am here. (In-person Masses have resumed too, registration required.)
HOPE LUTHERAN: Today’s worship service and children’s story are viewable here.
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH: Livestreaming at 10 am, here. (In-person Saturday Masses have been added – registration required.)
PEACE LUTHERAN: Livestreaming at 10:30 am on YouTube.
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH: No St. John’s service this Sunday or next,so you are encouraged to watch “The National Cathedral, available from 8:00 a.m. on, or St. Mark’s here in Seattle, at 11:00 a.m.”
TIBBETTS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (WSB sponsor): The video service for today is here.
TRINITY CHURCH: Livestreaming here, 10 am.
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH: The video service for today is viewable here.
WEST SEATTLE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE: Livestreaming here, 9 am.
WEST SIDE PRESBYTERIAN Livestreaming at 10 am on the church’s YouTube channel.
WESTSIDE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION: Livestreaming at 10:30 am – information’s here, 10:30 am.
WESTWOOD CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY: Online worship at 11 am; info here.
Any other churches to add? Please email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Also today/tonight:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm. Scroll down the page at this link to find the vendor list and map for this week. (Enter at California/Alaska)
MURAL WORK BEGINS: During the market, at California/Alaska, stenciling begins for West Seattle Artists for Social Justice‘s Black Lives Matter street mural.
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 – NEW LOCATION: White Center Community Dinner Church will serve to-go meals at 5 pm, outside, near the Bartell Drugs parking lot in White Center, SW Roxbury St. & 15th Ave. SW (9600 15th Ave SW)
FREE FOOD TRUCK: 7-8 pm outside Delridge Library, a free vegetarian-food truck hosted by Northwest SHARE. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
(WSB file photo)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
One week ago, political war broke out over the concept of “defunding” the Seattle Police Department.
Days earlier, after a discussion with advocates, seven of the City Council‘s nine members voiced support for the idea of halving the SPD budget. No specific legislation was (or is) proposed, yet. But a week ago Friday, Mayor Jenny Durkan‘s office went public with a letter from Police Chief Carmen Best saying a 50 percent budget cut for her department would, among other things, require drastic action, perhaps closing the Southwest Precinct.
The mayor and chief followed up with a Monday media briefing during which they offered a counterproposal of cuts – for next year.
Two days later, the council discussed “defunding” again while meeting as the Select Budget Committee. With some confusion over what has and hasn’t happened so far, we’re taking a look at where the discussion stands and what happens next – not just via that meeting itself, but via a conversation Friday afternoon with West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold, who chairs the council’s Public Safety Committee and is a “defunding” supporter.
On a clear midsummer night, here’s the latest on the virus crisis:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here are the cumulative totals from Public Health‘s daily-summary dashboard:
*12,991 people have tested positive, 184 more than yesterday
*632 people have died, 8 more than yesterday
*1,800 people have been hospitalized, 10 more than yesterday
*238,207 people have been tested, 6,369 more than yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 11,771/603/1,687/202,902.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 14.2 million people have tested positive, and more than 601,000 have died. Most cases: U.S., Brazil, India, Russia, South Africa – same top two as last week, but India has moved up to #3, and South Africa edged Peru out of the top five. See the breakdown, nation by nation,
FOLLOWUP:After reporting last night that an employee at The Kenney had tested positive for COVID-19, we talked today with the Chief Clinical Officer for the parent company, Heritage Ministries. He told us two others – an employee and a resident – had previously tested positive. The update’s added to our Friday night report.
WAITING FOR YOUR TEST RESULT? Public Health Seattle-King County has advice.
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
From the “thieves will take anything” department, a brief reader report emailed by Cary: “25 concrete deck footing were stolen from our back alley in the 5400 block of 46th SW sometime after midnight.”
The Morgan Community Association has met for the first time since the pandemic wiped out in-person gatherings, convening via teleconference and phone this past Wednesday. Busy agenda as always for the MoCA quarterly meetings, starting with the peninsula’s biggest topic of the year:
WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE CLOSURE/RECONNECT WEST SEATTLE: Madison Linkenmeyer and Michael Harold from SDOT were guests. Harold, noting that he is a Morgan Junction resident, started by recapping the newest info about the low bridge, while insisting it is NOT believed to be at “imminent risk.” The strengthening plans are a “take no chances” precaution, Harold said. He also said they’re considering expanding access – even though the low bridge is already “exceeding capacity” at times:
Tomorrow, Lady Jaye in The Junction tries something new – a “General Stor” retail offering “starting on Farmers Market Sundays, where we will be featuring super unique cuts of meat as well as meat and cocktail accessories. This Sunday will be our soft opening and we have the pleasure of featuring actual Wagyu beef from Magnolia Cattle Company out of Bothell. They only have 2 cows for the entire year.” Lady Jaye’s announcement describes what they plan to sell, starting at 11 am Sunday, as “28-day dry-aged 100% FULL BLOOD Wagyu beef … known for a higher percentage of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids as well as more mono-unsaturated fats than any other beef in the world. Also a lower melting point provides a much better mouth feel. … We will be highlighting ground beef and an assortment of cuts in various sizes from one cow each Sunday starting at 11:00 AM until sold out. These are the only 2 cows available in the whole state for the entire year (maybe 2 years).” Lady Jaye is at 4523 California SW.
2:13 PM: Avoid Fauntleroy Way near the ferry dock for a while – Seattle Fire medics are tending to an injured bicyclist in the southbound lane just north of the dock. Though it was initially reported as a collision, police subsequently told dispatch “this is medical, NOT a collision.”
2:56 PM: The call is closed, so the street should be clear.
The photo and report are from Eric Linxweiler with Troop 284:
This past weekend, Troop 284 held another “virtual campout” complete with skits, campfires, and tents (in scouts’ backyards) and some safe outdoor activities. In working to earn the Historic Trails award, we explored Camp Long. which was originally built for scouts and has many legacy projects left over from service over the years. We also had scouts in Schmitz Park and Duwamish Site 1 as well, and rotating through the parks – again to keep group sizes down.
It’s great to see Scouts – boys and girls – continuing on through what’s been a very underwhelming summer so far (all camps have been canceled, including a planned trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico).
When last we heard from Troop 284 at the end of May, they had followed up a virtual campout by joining the cleanup downtown.
(Photo by Andrew Reddaway)
Seen Comet NEOWISE yet? Tonight should be another chance, with clear weather expected to continue. It’s Once it’s gone from view, that’s it for another 6,000+ years, so you might as well take advantage of it. Thanks to sky-watcher/educator Alice Enevoldsen for more images, made with Stellarium, on where to look in the sky – these two were for midnight last night/4 am this morning so the position should be close:
And just in case you don’t get out to see it – here’s another view from earlier this week:
(Photo by John Hinkey)
You can read Alice’s overall comet-watching guidance here.
(WSB file photo)
Though its Log House Museum still can’t reopen for visitors, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society remains busy finding ways to share our area’s history with you. Here’s the next event:
The Southwest Seattle Historical Society is pleased to announce our latest virtual program. On Thursday, July 23rd, at 6:30 pm. we will be offering a live panel discussion of historical experts. You may have heard that this year’s historic home tour features the oldest house in Seattle … the Maynard House on Alki! This August we will be bringing you a special virtual experience to explore the house and the lives of Doc and Catherine Maynard. But before Doc and Catherine arrived in Washington Territory in the 1850s, the area that would become Seattle already had a rich history. We invite you to join our panel discussion to explore what was going on … before Seattle was a city.
What world did Doc and Catherine step into when they arrived in the Puget Sound area? What did the landscape of the 1850s look like? Who were the political players? What was the relationship between the colonial settlers and Indigenous peoples like?
Our panelists will explore those questions and more. We are pleased to include Ken Workman, 4-times great-grandson of Chief Seattle as one of our panelists. Tasia Williams, Curator of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, will moderate the discussion. We will be announcing our other panelists soon!
Ticket price is “donate what you can.”
20 weeks ago tonight, King County announced its first confirmed coronavirus case. We start tonight’s roundup with the numbers:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily summary:
*12,807 people have tested positive, 215 more than yesterday
*624 people have died, 3 more than yesterday
*1,790 people have been hospitalized, 40 more than yesterday
*231,848 people have been tested, 4.656 more than yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 11,632/603/1,674/201,745.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 14 million cases, 601,000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation numbers here.
‘EXPLOSIVE SITUATION’: That’s where things stand if you look at our state as a whole, according to the latest “situation report” (see it here). The report also warns, ” If current trends continue, we expect that schools will not be able to reopen safely in the fall.”
POSITIVE TEST AT THE KENNEY: The senior-living center announced tonight that a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19.
ENFORCEMENT: The city has a new plan to step up enforcement of health rules for non-food businesses.
GOT INFO OR PHOTOS? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
The parent company of The Kenney has announced an employee has tested positive for COVID-19. Here’s what we received:
Heritage President and CEO Lisa Haglund confirmed today that The Kenney, a Heritage senior living community in West Seattle, has a staff member who has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus in their senior living community.
Haglund stated, “The staff member who tested positive is currently in quarantine, and will not return to work at The Kenney until further notice. All of our families have been notified. Out of an abundance of caution, all residents in Lincoln Vista at The Kenney will be quarantined for the next 14 days. All outside visits with families are cancelled during this time of quarantine. In accordance with HIPAA requirements, no further details will be released.”
Haglund shared, “At Heritage, the health and safety of both our residents and staff is of the utmost importance, and we are taking action to reduce the risk of exposure for all. The steps we are implementing are directly tied to the recommendations and guidelines of the CDC, and state, local, and federal regulations, and we will adjust these steps if those recommendations change. To date, we consider ourselves lucky to have limited our exposure as a result of the pro-active efforts of our staff working in conjunction with our COVID-19 task force.
Heritage has taken multiple steps to help prevent exposure for residents including restricting all visitors, daily employee and resident health screenings in accordance with CDC guidelines, and no group activities.
She continued, “Our COVID-19 task force has been preparing for this possibility, and we believe our incredible team of caregivers is well trained and ready to support our residents.”
ADDED 11:43 AM SATURDAY: In a followup exchange, Heritage offered to have Chief Clinical Officer Jeremy Rutter talk with us by phone this morning. Here’s what else we learned:
-This is actually the third positive test associated with The Kenney. A resident recently tested positive after becoming ill and being admitted to a hospital; before that, a staff member had tested positive in a test administered by their personal health-care provider. This new result is the first one from testing done by medical staff at The Kenney.
-Rutter says they’ve done three recent rounds of testing among residents and staff, and will be re-testing everyone “in about a week.”
-Because of the new case, all staff are wearing “head to toe” PPE, masks, eye shields, bonnets, gloves, gowns, booties.
They’re also working with Public Health Seattle-King County, he said, to be sure they’re doing everything they can to protect residents and staff.
The former Pacific Room on Alki has reopened with a new name – but not the previously planned one. Now the establishment at 2808 Alki Avenue SW is J&J Public House. They emailed us an update:”We are only open for takeout and patio service from 11:30 am-9 pm, Wednesday-Sunday. We plan on continuing the live music (when we can, of course), and our cuisine is now considered ‘international gastropub’ with a more casually priced menu. Currently, we have a limited takeout menu that gives people just a glimpse of what’s to come. We are doing to-go cocktails and growlers, we also have bottles of beer to go. Our most notable item is our to-go flavored margaritas made fresh daily (with rotating flavors).” You can order takeout here or by calling 206-829-9695.
The sun’s out and expected to stay that way through the weekend. Two “swaps” tomorrow might be of interest:
BOOK SWAP: 10 am-2 pm Saturday, Admiral Church presents “the Great Pandemic Book Swap. 4320 SW Hill St. Bring books, take books, on the lawn, masks and distancing required.”
BOAT SWAP: Saturday at Mountain to Sound Outfitters in The Triangle:
The Third Annual Boat Swap and Scratch & Dent Sale Is Approaching!
This community event is a great opportunity to buy and sell human powered watercraft (Kayaks, SUPs, Canoes) and accessories! We will have used Kayaks and SUPs from Alki Kayak Tour’s rental operation, as well as scratched and dented SUPs and Kayaks from Mountain to Sound for sale at amazing summer steal prices! Please view the information below to familiarize yourself with the organization of the event.
When: Saturday, July 18th | 10 am – 4 pm
Where: Mountain to Sound Outfitters, 3602 SW Alaska
Drop Off Date For Sellers: Saturday, July 18th | 9 am – 11 am
Sellers Pick Up Unsold Items: Saturday, July 18th | 4 pm – 5 pm
How To Sell at Boat Swap: Use (the form here) to register to sell your equipment. You’ll receive an email confirmation with more details.
Questions? Email gearswap@m2soutfitters.com
(WSB photo from May)
From the nonprofit that operates farmers’ markets including ours:
Volunteer opportunity to support local farms and food access!
The West Seattle Farmers Market is looking for volunteers to help on market days with social distancing protocols and logistics, helping to keep our beloved farmers market running smoothly and safely for all. If you’d like to be a friendly, knowledgeable (masked) face inside the market, please fill out our volunteer application form! Of course, we’ll make sure you have time to shop too!
Today we welcome Three Tree Montessori School as a new WSB sponsor. When sponsors join the team, they get a chance to tell you about what they offer:
Three Tree Montessori School is a nonprofit, Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)-recognized school for children aged 15 months to 12 years old. We are guided by the teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori and are dedicated to helping all children develop into confident, self-motivated, and responsible global citizens.
We offer three different programming levels: Toddler, Primary, and Elementary. Our toddler classrooms provide a peaceful space where young children develop skills and learn how to care for themselves and their environment. Every piece of furniture and material is specially designed and sized to allow even the youngest children the maximum amount of independence. Our Primary classroom builds on the values and principles learned in the toddler environment, expanding the fields of study from the individual to the entire world. As a child moves into the Elementary classroom, fields of inquiry expand from the world to the entire universe. The elementary curriculum is founded in the integration of language and literature, mathematics, science, geography, environmental studies, art, music, and drama.
Parents at Three Tree Montessori School often start their journey with us because they are looking for quality, affordable childcare for their toddlers. During their observation of our classrooms, they are constantly shocked at how calm and quiet a room full of 14 toddlers is; they are impressed by the gracious manner by which they are invited into a primary classroom; and they are baffled to learn that our elementary students don’t sit at standard desks. Once they join our community, they are impressed by how quickly their child learns basic responsibilities and executes those responsibilities with a grace and courtesy not generally found in their peers. Children who graduate from our elementary program go on to be incredibly successful in middle and high school and eventually grow to become life-long learners and responsible citizens.
Three Tree Montessori School is at 220 SW 160th in Burien, reachable by phone at 206-242-1500, or by email at admissions@threetree.org.
We thank Three Tree Montessori School for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
Two previews in the ongoing community support for Black lives:
(Last Friday)(June photo)
OVERPASS VIGIL: It’s Friday, and organizers again invtte you to be part of this:
Please join us to show support for our Black friends, family, and neighbors, to #SayTheirNames, and remind each other that people are still suffering injustice.
What: #SayTheirNames
When: Friday, July 17th, from 5:30-6:30 pm
Where: Pedestrian overpass on Delridge at the Delridge Community Center/Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.Please remember to wear your masks!
JUNCTION MURAL WORK: Last month, we wrote about the plan for on-street Black Lives Matter mural art in The Junction. This Sunday, while the street is closed to vehicles for the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, the work begins at California/Alaska, with stenciling 10 am-2 pm. The project is led by West Seattle Artists for Social Justice; this update on the WS Art Walk website has more details, including how you can support the project.
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