West Seattle, Washington

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Spotlight Stories

WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas passing West Seattle again
July 21, 2020 1:58 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales

Thanks to Kersti Muul for the tip! She says transient orcas are off West Seattle again, this time headed northeast, between here and mid-Blake Island. Let us know if you see them!

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WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Sound Transit spotlight @ WS Transportation Coalition on Thursday
July 21, 2020 1:50 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Sound Transit spotlight @ WS Transportation Coalition on Thursday
 |   Sound Transit | Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Another big meeting Thursday- here’s the announcement from the West Seattle Transportation Coalition about their plans for 6:30 pm that night (July 23rd):

We have a great lineup of guests on tap this month:

King County Executive Dow Constantine, King County Council Vice Chair Joe McDermott, Seattle Deputy Mayor Shefali Ranganathan, and representatives from Sound Transit will be joining us to discuss the current state of Sound Transit 3 to West Seattle.

Heather Marx from Seattle Department Of Transportation will also be on hand with a West Seattle Bridge update.

Zoom Meeting ID 831 5795 4582
On the web: us02web.zoom.us/j/83157954582
Via phone: +12532158782,,83157954582#

You can check out the past few meetings via the WSTC YouTube channel. You’re also invited to save the date for their August 27th meeting, with our area’s U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal scheduled to talk about federal funding for the West Seattle Bridge.

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Jet City Beignet: Welcome, new West Seattle Blog sponsor!
July 21, 2020 12:01 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Jet City Beignet, part of the West Seattle Local Foods group that’s located near the YMCA.

JCB serves fresh-made beignets available for pickup on Saturdays and Sundays. Here’s what owners Tiffany and Greg would like you to know:

Jet City Beignet is Seattle’s exclusive beignet company, offering a refreshing take on the classic New Orleans favorite. We offer them by the half-dozen or dozen, and each order comes smothered in powdered sugar and with chocolate dipping sauce. Our signature beignets are made from scratch and always served hot and fresh. We collaborate with other local small businesses such as small-batch coffee roasters and West Seattle food artists to bring you a truly unique product you can’t get anywhere else. We are a two-person (married couple) operation, and we do every step of the process ourselves, which means the people who serve your beignets developed the recipe, went shopping for the ingredients, mixed up the dough, and fried ’em up personally. We take a lot of pride in being hands-on and we are extremely customer-oriented.

We initially started Jet City Beignet with the intention of running our beignet booth at markets and festivals this spring and summer, but when COVID-19 hit, all of our bookings were canceled and we had to get creative and adapt. We are operating in an unconventional way, but it seems to be working at the moment, and we hope to get a food truck or trailer in the not-so-distant future so that we can be open more regularly and more often.

We are so proud to be a part of the West Seattle community – we met here, we live here, and we operate here. We are also excited to be a part of West Seattle Local Foods, a group of small companies that produce and manufacture products in our shared commissary kitchen.

To order, go to the Jet City Beignet website for selections and pickup times.

We thank Jet City Beignet 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.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: New signal-box mural in The Junction
July 21, 2020 11:11 am
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Thanks to the West Seattle Junction Association for the photo of the newest signal-box mural by West Seattle artist Desmond Hansen – this one is a sort of dual tribute, for women in trades as well as the West Seattle Bridge. WSJA also sent the photo that inspired it:

WSJA executive director Lora Radford was looking into the history; via an online image search, we note that it was featured at her former business Hotwire Online Coffeehouse in a collaboration with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society in 2014, the year the now-closed bridge marked its 30th anniversary.

P.S. The signal box is Hansen’s third in The Junction this summer, after Black Lives Matter at 42nd and Alaska and the Progress Flag at California/Oregon.

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FOLLOWUP: Transitional Resources about to start building Yancy Street Supportive Housing
July 21, 2020 10:03 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

Those old houses in the 2800 block of SW Yancy are about to be demolished so construction can start on Yancy Street Permanent Supportive Housing. We first told you about West Seattle nonprofit Transitional Resources‘ plan almost two and a half years ago. Now the project near TR’s headquarters and other buildings is ready to start.

(Rendering by SMR Architects)

As summarized by TR:

The project will provide 44 independent studio units on three levels for adults living with mental illness who are either coming from homelessness or institutional settings.

Transitional Resources will provide 24/7 staffing to enable residents to live independently in a supportive community. The site is within a block of TR’s main offices and other housing developments, where residents can access additional mental health and other supportive services. Onsite amenities include a secure access, a community room and outdoor recreation areas, a common laundry, covered bike parking, and an office for onsite supportive services.

Public and private sources are covering the project’s $16 million cost. The project team includes SMR Architects and Buchanan General Contracting. Construction is expected to take about a year, TR tells us; demolition will start as soon as their street-use permits are approved..

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Remembering Daniel M. DeSantis, 1945-2020
July 21, 2020 9:13 am
|      42 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Dan DeSantis, and sharing this with the community:

Daniel Michael DeSantis passed away unexpectedly on July 14, 2020 at his favorite place, Hood Canal.

Dan was born on 1/23/45 in Seattle and kept his home here until recently; he currently resided in Palm Desert, California. He is survived by his wife of 19 years Jan DeSantis, his daughter Gina DeSantis Coats (son-in-law John, grandsons Alex and Anthony), son Dan (daughter-in-law Teresa), and former spouse and mother of his children, Ruth DeSantis.

He was raised in Seattle and had an extensive career in sales and 45+ years in Seattle Real Estate. Dan was a force of nature with an infectious laugh, big smile, sense of humor, and an unmatched love of life. It was essential for him to stay active every day, cycling, working out, and even walking lately (his “forced marches”). Everything was, of course, a social event.

Family and friends were his priority! He was so proud of his Italian heritage, children, and grandchildren. He idolized his grandsons and would do anything to be in their company — camping, white-water rafting, golfing, cheering at their sporting events, even dancing in nightclubs. He spoiled them whenever possible. He was their biggest fan!

It was important for him to stay connected to his friends, many of whom he had reconnected with recently. He lived life with gusto and wanted to continue traveling extensively. Dan would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need, not asking for anything in return. Everyone who knew him well loved him. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St.Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the American Cancer Society.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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UPDATE: 5-hour West Seattle Junction power outage
July 21, 2020 8:21 am
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

8:21 AM: Thanks for the tip! Seattle City Light’s map shows power out since 5:30 am to 425 customers in The Junction. No cause listed yet; we are checking with SCL.

8:32 AM: Just drove through the area: One sign of outage, 42nd/Alaska signal is dark.

9:31 AM: The Senior Center of West Seattle is partially out.

10:44 AM: As noted by commenters and confirmed by the map, power’s back. Julie Moore of SCL tells WSB a crow apparently caused it.

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Tuesday notes, 18th week of West Seattle Bridge closure
July 21, 2020 6:12 am
|    Comments Off on ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Tuesday notes, 18th week of West Seattle Bridge closure
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:12 AM: It’s Tuesday, the 120th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.

CLOSURE

Tonight, it’s the third of 14 overnight closures of the northbound 1st Ave. S. Bridge, for deck work. 10 pm-5 am..

ROAD WORK

Major work continues on Delridge Way, with lane reductions, as road-rebuilding and utility work lead off the RapidRide H Line conversion project – here’s what crews are working on this week.

TRAFFIC

Here’s the 5-way intersection camera (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Sppkane/Chelan):

Here’s the restricted-daytime-access (open to all 9 pm-5 am) low bridge:

The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) . Here’s that camera:

The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map). The camera is back:

P.S. Going through South Park? Don’t speed.

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

You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

TRANSIT

Metro – Still reduced service and distancing – details here.

Water Taxi – Back to its “winter” schedule, with the 773 and 775 shuttles – see the schedule here.

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

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CORONAVIRUS: Monday 7/20 roundup
July 20, 2020 10:24 pm
|    Comments Off on CORONAVIRUS: Monday 7/20 roundup
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

As we continue tracking the virus crisis, here’s what’s new:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s today’s daily summary from Public Health – the cumulative totals:

*13,339 people have tested positive, 180 more than yesterday’s total

*635 people have died, 3 more than yesterday’s total

*1,806 people have been hospitalized, 3 more than yesterday’s total

*247,689 people have been tested, 4,829 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the totals were 12,099/604/1,698/214,388.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

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

SPENDING NEW TAX $ FOR PANDEMIC RELIEF: Today the City Council passed the spending plan for their recently approved “high earners” business tax. The first year goes to pandemic relief; here’s how they explain it.

NEED FOOD? Food Lifeline is back to emergency food-box distribution this week – sites and times are listed here, including Wednesday and Friday afternoons at FL HQ in South Park.

LIBRARIES TAKE A STEP TOWARD REOPENING: You won’t be able to go in before Phase 3 – and with phase advancement still on hold, we’re in Phase 2 TFN – but Seattle Public Libraries are taking a step forward: You’ll be able to return books starting tomorrow at 9 branches, including High Point and Southwest in West Seattle.

GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!

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CRIME WATCH: Arson suspect charged; gunfire incident; bicycle found
July 20, 2020 8:58 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news | White Center

Three notes tonight:

(July 8)

ARSON SUSPECT CHARGED: A 35-year-old man is jailed in lieu of $200,000 bail, charged with arson and burglary, in the White Center fire that gutted a former funeral home almost two weeks ago. The full story is on our partner site White Center Now.

GUNFIRE INCIDENT: Several reports of “gunshots or fireworks?” over the weekend, but we found just one confirmed case of gunfire, early Sunday in South Delridge. Here’s the narrative we obtained from the police report:

The victim got into an argument at a local club with an acquaintance, the suspect. That suspect made a comment that the victim took as a threat. Later, on 7/19/2020 at about 0235 hours, the victim returned home (8600 block of Delridge Way SW) and was walking to her apartment. The victim observed a vehicle pull into the block being driven by the suspect. The suspect pointed a firearm at the victim and fired two shots before leaving the scene, then the victim called 911 to report the incident.

A spent shell casing was located in the street and collected as evidence. There were no reported injuries or property damage. The suspect was not located.

BICYCLE FOUND: Missing a green and black Specialized bicycle? Someone found one and posted in the WSB Community Forums.

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THURSDAY: Online ‘town hall’ for West Seattle with mayor, police chief, SDOT director, others
July 20, 2020 7:31 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online | West Seattle politics

Just in, the mayor has called another online “town hall” for West Seattle while hot topic from the bridge closure to police “defunding” continue to burn. Here’s the announcement we received:

Please join Mayor Jenny Durkan and City of Seattle department directors for a conversation with West Seattle residents about how we can work together to build safe and healthy communities.

Community members are the City’s most vital resource, and the best solutions often come from community which is why we’re working to bring City Hall to you.

During our community discussion, you can work directly with our City departments on resources and solutions that are important to you.

When: Thursday, July 23 at 5:00 p.m.

Who: West Seattle residents, Mayor’s Office representatives, and representatives from the following departments: Public Health – Seattle & King County, Seattle Police Department, Seattle Fire Department, Human Services Department, and Seattle Department of Transportation

You can RSVP here and send a question in advance; the meeting link will be here. The city’s last “virtual town hall” for West Seattle was two months ago; here’s our coverage.

P.S. No word yet if Councilmember Lisa Herbold will be participating; the announcement from the mayor’s office didn’t mention her, but the one for the May event didn’t either, and she did wind up being included.

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LIBRARIES: 2 in West Seattle will start accepting returns Tuesday
July 20, 2020 5:50 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | Westwood

After a trial run, some Seattle Public Library branches – including two in West Seattle – are about to start accepting returns. Here’s the announcement:

The Seattle Public Library announced today that it will accept book returns three days a week at nine locations starting Tuesday, July 21. The Library’s 27 locations have been closed since March 14, 2020, and continue to remain closed to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Five Library locations have been offering limited public restroom access during the systemwide closure.

“Although the Library has added digital services while our buildings are closed, we know our patrons are very eager to access physical books and materials,” said Andrew Harbison, assistant director of collections and access at The Seattle Public Library. “Processing returns safely is the first step toward checking out books again.” Harbison added that when the Library closed its buildings in mid-March, more than 400,000 items were checked out.

HOW TO RETURN MATERIALS

The following locations will allow returns at outside book drops on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m., or until book drops are full. Materials will not be accepted by staff.

· Ballard Branch, 5614 22nd Ave. NW

· Broadview Branch, 12755 Greenwood Ave. N.

· Douglass-Truth Branch, 2300 E. Yesler Way

· Green Lake Branch, 7364 E. Green Lake Dr. N.

· High Point Branch, 3411 SW Raymond St.

· Lake City Branch, 12501 28th Ave. NE

· Northeast Branch, 6801 35th Ave. NE

· Rainier Beach Branch, 9125 Rainier Ave. S.

· Southwest Branch, 9010 35th Ave. SW

In accordance with the Library’s new COVID-19 protocols, returned materials will be quarantined for at least 72 hours before being checked in. Materials will remain checked out on your account while being quarantined.

Signage at each location will remind patrons where to return materials, and to maintain social distancing.

Please don’t rush to return materials, especially if these branches are not your home branch. Due dates for all checked-out materials have been extended until Aug. 15, and the Library does not charge overdue fines.

Patrons can help with the reopening process by checking your account for holds placed on physical items and deleting those that are no longer needed. Please note that the Library is not accepting book donations until it has had a chance to process returned materials first. Please hold on to your donations until further notice.

SPL’s announcement also says they hope to start no-contact curbside pickup in early August.

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5 West Seattle events against racism: 2 discussions, 2 demonstrations, 1 bake sale
July 20, 2020 3:46 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | West Seattle protests

All from the WSB inbox (thank you!)

DISCUSSION – ’13TH’: If you’ve seen Ava DuVernay‘s film “13th,” or have time to watch it (above) before 8 pm tonight, Admiral Church is hosting an online discussion – get the link here.

DEMONSTRATIONS: Scott from Puget Ridge Cohousing, partnering with Hate-Free Delridge, is organizing two more streetcorner demonstrations this week, this time at 16th and Holden, 4-6 pm Tuesday and Thursday: “Come show support for BLM and ending systemic racism. Hold signs, meet neighbors and stand for racial justice. Signs available.”

BAKERS AGAINST RACISM: Baked in The Admiral District is selling a selection of treats to raise money for Black Lives Matter SKC and Creative Justice. Pre-order through tomorrow, curbside pickup (2604 California SW) Saturday. Go here to order.

DISCUSSION/PRESENTATION: From West Seattle Democratic Women chair Karen Chilcutt:

This Thursday July 23rd, West Seattle Democratic Women will hold its second in a series of three meetings on Racism. It’s an evening meeting via Zoom from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. We’ll complete our first day’s focus on Ijeoma Oluo‘s book, So You Want To Talk About Race, begin determining just what Institutional Racism is and how to recognize it, and thirdly, will have Dr. Theresa McCormick, WSDW member and Professor Emeritus of Iowa State University (where she taught for 20 years multicultural and gender studies) speaking on “Then and Now, The Ebb and Flow of the Social Justice Movement”.

If you wish to register for the Zoom meeting to obtain Zoom codes or should you have questions, please email wsdwomen@yahoo.com or call Karen 206-920-2231. The deadline for registering is Thursday, July 23rd at 4:00 pm.)

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FOLLOWUP: Highland Park traffic-calming, round 1, almost done
July 20, 2020 2:27 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

Even as the Reconnect West Seattle feedback process continues, Highland Park already has had some traffic-calming measures in the works. Last week, Cindy sent us a photo of a sign that’s already installed and waiting along 9th SW – though the speed bumps it mentions aren’t in place yet:

We checked with SDOT on the installation status, and they sent us the map above, saying, “We have completed installing all of the traffic calming measures everywhere except 9th Ave SW, which we are still working to schedule.” As noted on the map, the 9th SW installations are planned as “speed cushions” – here’s the difference, as explained by SDOT:

Speed humps are designed to slow traffic speeds on low volume, low speed streets. They are a solid hump across the travel lane and are installed near streetlights where they will be visible to people driving and biking.

Speed cushions are typically installed where average speeds are 5 mph higher than the speed limit. Speed cushions leave space for emergency vehicles to pass through quickly and are used on designated fire and emergency routes on residential streets.

This project also included the Highland Park Way/Holden traffic signal that was rush-installed right after the West Seattle Bridge closure, after local residents had worked for years to get safety upgrades at that intersection.

P.S. If you live/work/travel through the area, be sure to give your feedback on the neighborhood-specific list of more potential projects, before July 31st.

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REGISTER NOW! Have fun while being helpful, as Loop the ‘Lupe goes virtual
July 20, 2020 12:58 pm
|    Comments Off on REGISTER NOW! Have fun while being helpful, as Loop the ‘Lupe goes virtual
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Running out of new ways to enjoy this eventless summer? Here’s an idea for having fun while supporting vital community work. The announcement:

Wondering how you can have some fun this summer, stay healthy and safe, AND help a great cause? Check out Loop the ‘Lupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe’s annual obstacle course fun run), because IT’S GOING VIRTUAL! Here’s what that means:

FIRST, GET SOME NEW SWAG: Not only will you get a cool tech T-shirt with your registration, but an awesome COVID face mask (a buff, which you can use as a handy headband or neck gaiter after we’re past the pandemic).

SECOND, SHOW YOUR STUFF: Come up with your own “racecourse” and post it on social media. Map out a run/walk in your backyard or neighborhood, put on your craziest running outfits, and… ACTION! To determine our prize winners this year, we’ll be reviewing your photos and videos on our Facebook page!

THIRD, HELP A GOOD CAUSE: This event is a major fundraiser for Our Lady of Guadalupe. The need for OLG’s social outreach work — meals for shut-ins, homeless services, and helping migrant communities — is greater now than ever. So get your friends and family involved, and have some fun while helping others!

IMPORTANT: REGISTER BEFORE JULY 31 TO ENSURE YOU GET A RACE T-SHIRT AND BUFF. You can complete the race any time and post your videos/photos between now and 11:59 p.m. on August 23 rd . Shirts and buffs will be distributed at West Seattle Runner from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, August 22 nd , and at OLG’s parking lot from noon-2 p.m. August 23 rd . Please send this information to your friends and family—we can mail out shirts and buffs, as needed. GET IN THE LOOP!

(WSB is a community co-sponsor of Loop the ‘Lupe again this year.)

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE CLOSURE: Milestone for stabilization work
July 20, 2020 11:04 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

A lot of the work that’s been happening toward stabilizing the West Seattle Bridge has been out of view – unless you have a view of the bridge deck. As of this morning, here’s something you can see from under the bridge too. We’ve been reporting that a platform would be hoisted from a barge for placement under the bridge, with SDOT saying last week that it would happen early this week – and here it is.

For perspective, here’s a view from the east Admiral slope:

This will give crews access for work detailed by SDOT here. As they’ve explained, the stabilization work (by contractor Kraemer North America) must be done regardless of whether the city decides to repair or replace the bridge.

P.S. The next West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force meeting is this Wednesday, noon-2:30 pm. We’ll publish the link as soon as we get it. Also – have you answered the Reconnect West Seattle survey(s) yet?

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen bicycle, scooter; dumped bag
July 20, 2020 10:22 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(update) Three reader reports this morning:

STOLEN BICYCLE: From Jessica:

My bike was stolen from our apartment’s parking garage Friday night/early Saturday morning in the North Admiral District. They cut my other bike in half to get to this one because they were unable to remove the Kryptonite lock. The lock is likely still on the bike. If anyone sees it, please contact us: Mike (msarniak@hotmail.com, 708.912.7243) and Jessica (jengel07@hotmail.com, 708.921.3429) or call the police, who have the information.

Serial: (ends in) 237M
Manufacturer: Trek
Name: Trek Remedy 8
Model: Remedy 8
Year: 2018
Primary colors: Black
Frame size: L
Frame Material: Aluminum

(added) STOLEN SCOOTER: From Amanda:

My red 2013 Honda PCX150 scooter (WA License plate begins “2D”) was stolen from our driveway, just north of the golf course, on the afternoon of Sunday, July 19th. Please contact Seattle police if you see it (report # 2020-217800, 206-733-9800) and thank you.

BAG DUMPED, POSSIBLY STOLEN: From Lauren:

(That) bag has been on the parking strip on Juneau between 38th SW and 39th SW since Friday AM. We thought maybe someone had forgotten it while packing up a car for the weekend, but it’s still here and we’re wondering now if it’s been stolen/dumped. It’s an olive green duffel with a Jeep logo. Haven’t looked inside but it’s partially unzipped and looks full.

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Monday notes, 18th week of West Seattle Bridge closure
July 20, 2020 6:07 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: It’s Monday, the (corrected) 119th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.

CLOSURE

Tonight, it’s the second of 14 overnight closures of the northbound 1st Ave. S. Bridge, for deck work. 10 pm-5 am..

ROAD WORK

Major work continues on Delridge Way, with lane reductions, as road-rebuilding and utility work lead off the RapidRide H Line conversion project – here’s what crews are working on this week.

TRAFFIC

Here’s the 5-way intersection camera (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Sppkane/Chelan):

Here’s the restricted-daytime-access (open to all 9 pm-5 am) low bridge:

The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) . Here’s that camera:

The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map). The camera is back:

P.S. Going through South Park? Don’t speed.

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

You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

TRANSIT

Metro – Still reduced service and distancing – details here.

Water Taxi – Back to its “winter” schedule, with the 773 and 775 shuttles – see the schedule here.

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

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CORONAVIRUS: Sunday 7/19 roundup
July 19, 2020 9:56 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Today marks six months since the first COVID-`19 case in the U.S., which was also the first here in Western Washington, Here are tonight’s virus-crisis updates:

KING COUNTY’S NEWEST NUMBERS: First, the cumulative totals from the Public Health daily-summary dashboard:

*13,159 people have tested positive, up 168 from yesterday

*632 people have died, unchanged from yesterday

*1,803 people have been hospitalized, up 3 from yesterday

*242,860 people have been tested, up 4,653 from yesterday

One week ago, the totals were 11,945/604/1,693/207,497.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 14.4 million cases and more than 605,000 deaths – see the nation-by-nation breakdown here.

NEED FOOD? Free summer meals for kids/teens continue at various sites, including the Seattle Parks sites mapped here and the Seattle Public Schools meal sites listed/mapped here.

CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC: Thanks to Lynn Hall for the Sunday morning photo:

“String quartet performing at a home near Beach Drive,” she explains.

GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!

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SCHOOLS: Seattle Lutheran HS event Tuesday to discuss next school year
July 19, 2020 8:05 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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.

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COMET-WATCHING: Where to look for NEOWISE from West Seattle tonight
July 19, 2020 5:54 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

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.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Junction BLM street mural, phase 1
July 19, 2020 4:16 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(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.

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DELRIDGE PROJECT: Closures, night work, and what else is planned this week
July 19, 2020 1:58 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(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

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