West Seattle, Washington
09 Wednesday
Another local business confirms an employee has tested positive for COVID-19. This time, it’s Duke’s on Alki. The restaurant posted this on social media tonight:
The restaurant was open tonight; an employee who contacted us about the situation says the cleaning was done on Thursday and that employees were notified that day.
If you’re hearing construction-type noise – there’s a Seattle Public Utilities crew working on a water problem at California/Dawson, just south of The Junction. We haven’t heard from anyone whose water service has been affected, but did get a couple tips about the SPU crew (thank you).
FIRST REPORT, 10:12 PM: Thanks to Jason for the photo from a crash scene this past hour in Gatewood, in the 42100 block of SW Othello [map]. The driver is reported to have hit parked cars before crashing into a tree, and was taken to a hospital.
ADDED EARLY SUNDAY: Another crash was reported a few blocks away, at 41st/Austin, just after 10:30 pm:
The owner of a parked F-250 pickup truck that was hit and damaged sent that photo, showing blue paint from the hit-run vehicle. He says it was a “small blue car” that crashed shortly thereafter, according to the police officer who took his report.
A troubling nationwide trend hits our state too, and that’s what starts tonight’s roundup:
HITTING THE BRAKES: Gov. Inslee and state Health Secretary John Wiesman announced today that no county will be allowed, for now, to advance to Phase 4:
Rising cases across the state and concerns about continued spread of the COVID virus have made Phase 4, which would essentially mean no restrictions, impossible at this time.
Eight counties were eligible to move from Phase 3 to Phase 4 before the pause.
This doesn’t affect us right now, as King County just moved to Phase 2 a week ago.
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here are the cumulative numbers from Public Health‘s daily-summary dashboard:
*9,819 people have tested positive, 124 more than yesterday
*586 people have died, unchanged from yesterday
*1,574 people have been hospitalized, 10 more than yesterday
*157,623 people have been tested, 1,764 more than yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 9,165/585/1,540/140,894.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Almost 10 million people have tested positive, and almost half a million have died. Most cases: U.S., Brazil, Russia, India, United Kingdom. See the breakdown, nation by nation, here.
GROCERY SHOPPING: Our periodic check of what’s up with local standalone grocery stores turned up that two chains have reduce their weekly senior/at-risk shopping hours.
ONLINE FARMERS’ MARKET: If you don’t feel ready to wade into the West Seattle Farmers’ Market on Sundays, they’re offering a new shop-online-and-pick-up option – info here.
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
If yo have time to spare this summer – local kids need you. The request is from FareStart:
FareStart helps people overcome barriers to employment by teaching work and life skills needed to succeed in the foodservice industry — and in life. By investing in people and building community, we transform homelessness, hunger, and poverty into human potential.
Since early March, FareStart has distributed over 600,000 meals to the community. Over the summer, FareStart will be providing over 2,000 meals a day to families and children at 26 Seattle Public Schools and we need your help!
Volunteers are needed to help distribute meals at Seattle Public Schools including West Seattle High School, Denny International Middle School, and at Concord International School in South Park. Shifts are available Monday-Friday through the summer from 10:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. If you are interested, fill out our volunteer form to learn more: https://www.farestart.org/covid-19-volunteer-opportunities
Thank you for helping us in our mission to transform lives, disrupt poverty and nourish communities through food, life skills, and job training.
Thanks to everyone who has continued to send West Seattle bird photos! Here are 7 more -starting with this one from John Kieltyka:
That Steller’s Jay wandered into a photo shoot for John’s West Seattle-produced guitar podcast, The High Gain.
Kimberly Mickelson spotted this Great Blue Heron on a roof:
From Mark Wangerin, a fuzzy Barred Owlet:
A Red-shafted Northern Flicker visited Steven Sherotsky in Gatewood:
From Hans A. in Delridge, an unusual view of a Crow in flight:
And two from Larry Gilpin near Schmitz Park – first, an Anna’s Hummingbird:
And a Spotted Towhee:
Thanks again to everyone who continues to send photos and tips!
Just as the city encourages more businesses to use outdoor space to make things safer for customers and staff – one West Seattle restaurant’s outdoor area has been hit by theft. The photo is from Itto’s Tapas (California/Genesee), which texted the photo and reports, “Someone stolen a couple outdoor tables and chairs last night after midnight.” A police report has been filed (tracking # T20018446)..
(Photo courtesy Bayfest Youth Theatre)
Still sorting out summer? Got a teen or tween in the household who’s interested in theater? West Seattle-based Bayfest Youth Theatre has an offer for you:
Although we are very sad to have to cancel our in-person West Seattle-based drama camp intensive in August due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are really excited to be able to offer a COMPLETELY FREE opportunity for 15-20 students to train and work on monologues, songs, and original performance pieces with some of our top teaching artists.
The camp will use the ZOOM platform for fun and active group and one-on-one meetings over the course of 10 days (up to 2 hours per day, with additional home assignments for participants to work on, with videos we will be posting on our site), and that it will culminate in a performance video that will be posted online and sent to thousands of our audience members.
The camp will run from August 10-21 and is open to participants ages 10-12 and 13- 19 (in two separate groups). Although it is open to all interested Seattle-area young people and is being supported by grants we have received from the City and County, we would love to have some local kids participate, since we are a West Seattle organization and work in local schools. Please tell your own kids or any others you know who may be interested, and have them get their applications in as soon as possible. Further information and a link to the application is available at www.BAYFESTyouthTheatre.org
Please email us immediately at: BAYFESTyouthTheatre@gmail.com if you are interested in applying for the virtual drama camp and if you have any further questions.
11:56 AM: Today and tomorrow, 60+ rainbow flags line the heart of The Junction, as this year’s Pride month concludes. Volunteers placed them this morning:
Above, West Seattle Junction Association executive director Lora Radford and King County Councilmember Joe McDermott were part of the crew.
This is the second year for the flags, which were all “adopted” as a Junction Association fundraiser (WSB is among the adopters).
The flags will be removed at 8 pm tonight and re-placed at 8 am tomorrow – helpers welcome (meet up on the northeast corner of California and Alaska).
P.S. One more flag for The Junction – muralist Desmond Hansen is painting the Progress Flag on the signal box at the northeast corner of California/Oregon.
ADDED 1:49 PM: The artist and his creation (photo courtesy WSJA):
(Photo courtesy SSC)
The season of drive-up/walk-up graduation celebrations continues! From South Seattle College (WSB sponsor):
South Seattle College kicked off celebrating the Class of 2020 on June 25 with a drive-through “Can’t Stop Us!” event to honor our graduates’ monumental achievement and unstoppable spirit in overcoming historic challenges to earn their degrees and certificates. We are celebrating over 850 graduates this year, and over 100 attended the June 25 event.
A photo gallery from the celebration has been posted to SSC’s Facebook page.
Graduates will also be sent a “Commencement in a Box” later this summer that includes a graduation tassel, Class of 2020 commencement program, diploma cover, a card from SSC President Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap, and other fun gifts and memorabilia.
The celebration continues virtually with an online Kudoboard where anyone can share their congratulations, and a “Class of 2020: You are UNSTOPPABLE” video featuring graduates from across the Seattle Colleges (including North Seattle College and Seattle Central College).
Seattle Colleges originally planned to celebrate the Class of 2020 at T-Mobile Park. To protect everyone’s health during the pandemic, the decision was made to cancel an in-person commencement and create new ways to recognize our amazing graduates.
Additionally, all 2020 graduates are invited to attend the next in-person commencement.
“You are officially a member of the Class of 2020, and on behalf of every faculty and staff member at South Seattle College I want to say we are so proud of your accomplishment, and truly honored to call you an alumni for life,” President Rimando-Chareunsap said. “This is your story, and its one you will share with family and friends for decades to come. It is a story of pushing through in life, work, and education during a deeply tumultuous time. The burden has been massive, and yet here you stand strong: A College Graduate more than ready to write your next chapter and make your mark.”
South Seattle College conferred a total of 855 awards this year, including:
*407 associate transfer degrees that enable graduates to transfer to four-year colleges and universities in Washington and beyond to complete their bachelor’s degrees.
*239 associate of science degrees and certificates that prepare graduates to enter the workforce immediately.
*178 high school diplomas or equivalents, allowing graduates to take a significant step toward future education and employment opportunities.
*31 bachelor of applied science degrees, taking graduates’ careers to the next level and increasing their earning potential.
As the pandemic starts its fifth month locally, grocery shopping remains the major out-of-home venture for many, so we’re still keeping watch on local standalone stores for Saturday-morning updates every week or two. Four updates this time around:
TRADER JOE’S: As of Monday (June 29th), it’s going back to a 9 pm closing time.
QFC: Senior/at-risk shopping hours have been pulled back to two days a week, 7-8 am Mondays and Wednesdays.
WHOLE FOODS: This chain also has cut back on senior/at-risk hours, 7-8 am Wednesdays and Fridays, with regular hours 8 am-9 pm and senior/at-risk shopping.
PCC: Now open 8 am-11 pm. And a note of interest – we missed this when it was announced a month ago, but West Seattle resident Cate Hardy, PCC’s CEO since 2015, is leaving for a new job as CEO of The Wine Group.
Our master list of store info is here. P.S. Don’t shop unmasked!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
How will Metro bus and Water Taxi service rise to the challenge of increased West Seattle need as people return to work without high-bridge access?
Some insight emerged toward the end of last night’s West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting. A Metro manager spoke with WSTC after updates from SDOT and the Port of Seattle. (We’ll get to those later in our summary.)
METRO/WATER TAX: Steve Crosley, a West Seattle resident now in charge of “managing the West Seattle Bridge response,” made his first WSTC appearance. He began with the reminder that before COVID-19, Metro carried 19,000 passengers off and on the peninsula daily – plus on-peninsula trips. The ridership crossing the Duwamish River dropped 90 percent during the stay-home months.
17 weeks ago tonight, news broke of King County’s first confirmed COVID-19 case. So on we go into the pandemic’s fifth month, with tonight’s roundup:
MASKS UP: First day of the statewide mask mandate. On our usual early-evening drive around the peninsula, we did notice more mask-wearers than usual, including along Alki.
CELEBRATORY MASKS: A Target shopper tells us they spotted red, white, and blue masks for the upcoming holiday. (That fits in with one of the state Health Department‘s “top 10 reasons to wear a mask.”)
NOT SURE YOU’RE WEARING YOURS CORRECTLY? Maybe this grassroots project will help.
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily summary:
*9,695 people have tested positive, 83 more than yesterday
*586 people have died, 1 more than yesterday
*1,564 people have been hospitalized, 3 more than yesterday
*155,859 people have been tested, 2,354 more than yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 9,096/584/1,540/137,312.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 9.7 million cases, 493,000+ deaths – see the nation by nation numbers here.
DATA CORRECTION: The state says it’s fixed a problem with hospitalization totals.
MORE OUTDOOR SPACE FOR BUSINESSES: Since we’re still in a phase where outdoor is safer than indoor, the city’s offering businesses the chance to use more outdoor space – temporarily – with less red tape.
NEED FOOD? Free lunch tomorrow. Here’s the announcement:
West Side Presbyterian Church (3601 California Ave SW) is serving a free bag lunch Saturday, June 27, from 12-1 pm. All are welcome but supplies are limited.
OR, IF YOU HAVE FODD TO SPARE: Donation drive tomorrow. The announcement:
Saturday, June 27, 1-4 pm. Food Drive for the White Center Food Bank. 4320 SW Hill St. Sponsored by admiralchurch.org. Attendants on duty to collect food and donations. Our West Seattle neighbors have contributed over 5,000 pounds of food!. Next drive dates are 7/11 and 7/25.
GOT INFO OR PHOTOS? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Thanks to everyone who has tipped us about this: Quality Cleaners in Admiral is closing. Tonight we finally reached a spokesperson for the family that has owned the business for decades. She explained that it’s closing because of a sudden death in the family. They have nothing to announce yet about the future of the building (which is at 2601 California SW). But if you have clothes there, please go pick them up before Tuesday (June 30th), because that’s the last day of business.
SIDE NOTE: The business was a trailblazer in the mid-20th century; we found an old newspaper mention saying that in the mid-1960s, Quality Cleaners was one of the first on the West Coast to have a drive-up window.
Back in March 2019, we brought you first word that MOD Pizza planned a second West Seattle location, in Westwood Village. Tonight, we were driving through the shopping center and noticed people dining inside; stopped to inquire and learned it’s a “friends and family” test run, with the restaurant planning to officially open next Tuesday (June 30th). MOD’s first West Seattle location, at The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW), opened in February 2018. The Westwood location combines the spaces on the center’s west side that formerly held Giannoni’s Pizza and Baja Taco.
Just one engine was left at the scene when we arrived to check a briefly big callout in the 4800 block of 42nd SW. SFD told us it was a small kitchen fire.
South Park isn’t waiting for SDOTs “mitigation plan” to take action to try to slow down traffic detouring through the neighborhood because of the West Seattle Bridge closure. The photos were sent by Robin Schwartz, who explains:
Folks are VERY concerned with speeding, especially on side streets. We are working on immediate/free actions to raise awareness and impede speeding. The (next) photo is a planter put up in “bump-out/curb bulb” at 5-way intersection [just southwest of the bridge]. Cars and trucks have begun driving right through it so we are trying to block it. The rest of the pictures are “slow down” signs that we will put putting up around the neighborhood on Saturday.
South Park is one of the areas that will get a list of projects to vote on starting July 6th as part of a “neighborhood traffic-mitigation plan” related to the WS Bridge closure – the other three are Georgetown, SODO, and Highland Park/Roxhill/South Delridge/Riverview.
P.S. Here’s what South Park neighborhood advocates requested in a letter to the city two months ago.
Two retail-reopening updates, one with a kitten:
EMERALD WATER ANGLERS: In-store shopping has returned to this longtime WSB sponsor on the southeast corner of 42nd and Oregon in The Junction:
We are back to regular business hours!
Stop by the shop Monday through Friday 10 am-7 pm, Saturday 10 am-6 pm and Sunday 11 am-5 pm to take care of all your fly-fishing needs. We ask that shoppers comply with the statewide mask mandate until further notice for the safety of our shoppers and employees. Curbside pickup is also available upon request!
Celebrating National Women’s Fly Fishing Day!
Emerald Water Anglers is celebrating National Women’s Fly Fishing Day on June 27th with 20% off all women’s clothing and equipment! Come get the boots, waders, and clothing you’ve been eyeballing and celebrate yourself and your time on the water. You deserve it!
And meet the new shop cat, Loomis:
EWA’s update explains, “He won’t help you find anything, but he’s cute! Stop by to say hello and toss a string or two. It’s good for the soul!” P.S. You can book guided fishing trips through EWA too. Kitten not included.
ALAIR: Proprietor Shandon says in-person shopping has returned to her gift shop at 3270 California SW: “I reopened Alair today. Hours will probably be Thursday- Sunday 11-4 moving forward, and we still have curbside pickup and local delivery available.”
(WSB photo of Delridge/Findlay. Yes, businesses ARE open!)
Weekend work is ahead for the Delridge repaving-and-more project that’s readying the corridor for next year’s conversion of Metro Route 120 into the RapidRide H Line. Here’s the weekly preview:
Potholing and stormwater pipe work will continue throughout the corridor in the three work zones listed below.
Starting this Saturday, June 27, we will continue demolition work on the roadway from SW Findlay St to SW Juneau St.
In order to keep West Seattle moving and bring RapidRide service to your community as quickly as possible, weekend work and some night work will be ongoing for the duration of this project. Please plan accordingly for this work. We will notify you in advance of planned night work. Night work hours are from 7 PM to 6 AM. We will be obtaining noise variances to complete work outside of normal working hours.
What to expect this weekend
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. We may need to work in front of properties for short periods of time. We will notify residents in advance of any extended access restrictions.
Zone A (West Seattle Bridge to SW Findlay St)
Demolition work from SW Charlestown St to SW Dakota St
For the next few weeks, we will be completing demolition, concrete, and electrical work in the roadway and sidewalk between SW Charlestown St and SW Dakota St. Lanes will be shifted around the work zone. We plan to move to the east side of Delridge Way SW when the west side is complete
SW Genesee and SW Oregon streets
We will continue conducting utility and storm drainage work. Please expect traffic to be shifted to one side of Delridge Way SW.
Zone B (SW Findlay St to north of SW Orchard St)
SW Findlay St to SW Juneau St
We will continue installing utility pipes. Please expect traffic to be shifted to one side of Delridge Way SW.
Zone C (North of SW Orchard St to White Center)
We will finish connecting catch basins throughout this zone
REMINDER: Businesses along the corridor are open during this work. Please follow posted detour signs as you visit these businesses.
Work throughout the corridor
Continued potholing for utility work
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.
Upcoming work
New temporary left-turn pocket lanes at SW Orchard St will be installed later this summer to allow people driving to make left turns onto Delridge Way SW. These turn pockets will also be included when we install the final project street configuration.
For full details on the project, you can browse design graphics/documents by going here.
Three reader reports:
STOLEN FIAT: From Grant:
Last night at 2 am my wife’s 2015 white Fiat 500 Abarth stolen on the corner of 30th ave SW and Henderson. it was parked on Henderson. License plate BSM5719. Please let us know if you have seen the car or see it parked somewhere. Two young males seen on our cameras, both wearing gray hoodies. Looks like one of them may wear glasses.
Call 911 if you see the car, and then contact Grant at 1gfelectric@gmail.com.
MYSTERY CAR: The photo and report are from Kristen:
There has been an abandoned Subaru @ the Admiral lookout for about 2 weeks. Alaska license #DJN 559. I tried to report to SPD, however, they are not taking abandoned vehicle reports at this time. I will try to find how to report to Alaska police department if possible, but thought I would share here in case someone locally is familiar with the vehicle.
We have suggested she also try Parking Enforcement and Parks, since the viewpoint belongs to the latter.
DUMPED ITEMS: Photos and report from Rebecca:
I was disconcerted to find a cache of dumped items in front of my property this morning, hoping to reconnect these things with their proper owner(s) one item is just a box that’s been ripped into- no contents- likely a porch pirate deal from a Trenton st address. Other items are umbrella stroller, clothing etc.
Didn’t want to dig too deep (even with gloved hands)
Recognize any of that? Let us know and we will connect you.
One week after our area went to Phase 2 of reopening, the city has announced it’s removing some of the obstacles for businesses interested in using more sidewalk/curbside space. Here’s the elected officials’ version of the announcement; below, from the Department of Construction and Inspections, what it means for businesses (and anyone else interested in the details):
If you’re interested in using space on the sidewalk or street in front of your business to add a temporary café or additional retail space or if you are a food truck owner who would like to try out new vending locations, you will need a Street Use permit from the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).
Free temporary permits and new, flexible permit options for sidewalk cafes, merchandise displays, and food vending
We’ve created free temporary permit options to expand our support for restaurants, retail stores, food trucks, and other vendors. These permits are good for up to six months.
Temporary outdoor café: With this permit, restaurants can have a temporary outdoor café either on the sidewalk or in the curb space adjacent to their business frontage. In certain cases, we will permit cafes to extend beyond the business frontage.
To qualify for the temporary cafe permit option, the proposed café should be:
Fence free (abutting building) or with temporary fencing that provides cane detectability
Removed when the restaurant is closed
Not located in a loading zones (for curb space locations)
Not located on a principal arterial (for curb space locations)
Restaurants that would like a café in other locations or with more permanent installations can still apply for our existing sidewalk café or streateryTemporary merchandise displays: We want to make it easier for businesses to promote social distancing for customers while increasing their ability to serve customers. With this permit, a business can set up merchandise displays adjacent to their store or in the curb space.
To qualify for the temporary merchandise permit option, the display should be:
Removed when the business is closed
Not located in a loading zone (for curb space locations)
Not located on a principal arterial (for curb space locations)
With this permit, we are also allowing sales to occur outside instead of inside the store.Temporary Vending Permits: We are offering a temporary vending permit for up to six months that will allow greater flexibility for vendors to try out new sites and go to where people are located during the pandemic. This option is available for both trucks and carts vending food, flowers, or publications.
To qualify for the temporary vending option, the vending should be:
Up to a four-hour block of time daily (such as between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for the lunch hour)
If vending food, not within 50 feet of a food service business, unless there is support from adjacent food businesses
Not located where an adjacent business is proposing to use the curb space (for curb space locations)
Not located in a loading zone (for curb space locations).
Additionally, we will allow more than two vendors per block with this permit type.
Vendors who would like to vend in other locations or with a traditional year-long permit can still apply for one of our existing vending permit options.Here’s how we’re making it easier to get these permit types!
No permitting fees and modified application requirementsTo make it easier to take advantage of these new permit types we’ve:
Eliminated permit and review fees
Waived daily fees associated with reserving parking spaces for outdoor cafés, merchandise displays, and vending in the curb spaceStreamlined timelines
For all these new permit types, our goal is to expedite and prioritize application reviews. The review time will depend on the complexity of the application, the volume of permit requests, and an applicant’s preparedness, resulting in varying approval times.Updated public notification requirements
To issue our permits faster, we’re not requiring the normal two-week public comment period for new temporary outdoor cafes and vendors. Instead, applicants for these permits will be required to notify nearby residents and businesses of the proposed temporary café, merchandise display, or vending location before they start operations.
Wondering how to apply? Scroll to the end here.
(Last Friday)
Another #SayTheirNames show of support on the Delridge/Oregon overpass this weekend – the announcement is from Nancy:
Please join us on the 51st anniversary of Stonewall to show support for our Black LGBTQ friends, family, and neighbors and to #SayTheirNames
What: #SayTheirNames
When: Sunday, June 28th, 4:30-5:30 pm
Where: Pedestrian overpass on Delridge at the Delridge Community Center/Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.
Please remember to wear your masks!
6:21 AM: Good morning – the 95th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
*Major work has begun on the Delridge Way repaving-and-more project – here are the toplines – watch for next week’s preview later today.
TRAFFIC
Heading off-peninsula? First, the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
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 – Some service has been restored – details here.
Water Taxi – Some service has been restored on the WT too, plus 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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