West Seattle, Washington
10 Tuesday
Still time to sign up for West Seattle High School‘s online summer school – and you’re eligible if you attend ANY Seattle Public Schools high school. Here’s the announcement:
West Seattle High School is hosting its summer school once again! It will run from July 1-31, M-Th with Friday being a makeup day. July 1 is an enrollment and scheduling day with classes beginning on July 2.
Students can potentially take up to 3 classes. We are offering credit recovery in health, PE, LA, math, science, and history, as well as first-time credits in SAT Prep as well as others. If you are interested, please go to the West Seattle High School website, and enroll today! All classes will be TEACHER TAUGHT daily on Zoom between 9-3 and are self-contained, meaning that once you’re done for the day (classes will meet for up to 90 minutes each), you’re done! No additional homework required. It is important to note that although students will not likely be sitting in front of their computers for the entire class every day, they are required to check in ON TIME as attendance will be taken.
For those of you already enrolled, schedules will be emailed out to you before or on July 1, our scheduling and tech check day. Please check the WSHS website for weekly communication and updates.
We look forward to having y’all learn with us this summer! If you have any registration or program questions, please email either our counselor Erica Nguyen at etnguyen@seattleschools.org, our program assistant Amy Doll at asdoll@seattleschools.org, or the program coordinator, Sandi Whiton, at sswhiton@seattleschools.org.
Another local business has confirmed that an employee has tested positive for COVID-19. We just talked with a Trader Joe’s spokesperson, checking out a tip we had received. She says a West Seattle employee tested positive on Saturday (June 27th) and had last worked the preceding Thursday (June 25th). The store brought in an independent cleaning crew for a thorough cleaning Saturday night/Sunday morning, she said..
The latest reopening news is from the Senior Center of West Seattle, whose executive director Amy Lee Derenthal sends word of a “modified” reopening:
The Senior Center of West Seattle will re-open today with limited programming, by appointment only.
During this phase, the Senior Center will operate with just a few high-demand programs that are held 1:1 or in a small-group setting. The first couple of weeks will be our test period as we evaluate how to provide the programs, activities and classes our members want most while keeping our members, volunteers, and staff safe. The Senior Center’s goal is to add more programming throughout July and August, as safety guidelines allow.
To Register: Call us at 206-932-4044 to make an appointment for a class or program. No walk-in participation will be permitted during this period of our re-opening.
Here’s What’s Available:
· Aging Well
· Artists Group
· Book Reading Group
· Coffee with Vets
· Computer Lab
· Drumming Circle
· Ham Radio Group
· Legal Assistance
· Tutoring for Computers, Smart Phones and Zoom
· Writing GroupVisit the Senior Center’s website for a detailed list of activities and the dates and times each will be offered.
Safety is top priority. All members and participants must wear a mask while at the Senior Center of West Seattle and stick to six-foot physical distancing rules. The Senior Center is following strict cleaning and safety guidelines from King County and the state to lower risk.
The Senior Center’s Stop-n-Shop Thrift Shop, located at 4504 California Ave. SW, will re-open with a limited schedule beginning on Thursday, July 9. Hours will be Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (Some donations will be accepted starting July 16th.)
The Senior Center’s virtual classes and programs will continue. Check out the list of activities on the Senior Center’s website.
Questions: Contact us at 206-932-4044 or visit sc-ws.org. Note the Senior Center of West Seattle will be closed Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day.
While the center itself has been closed to the public, it hasn’t been idle – “We’ve been busy delivering meals and groceries to seniors in their homes,” notes Derenthal, adding that will continue. The center is at 4217 SW Oregon in The Junction.
Four months ago tonight, King County announced its first confirmed coronavirus case. Now we’re on the brink of 10,000, as we launch tonight’s roundup:
KING COUNTY’S NEWEST NUMBERS: Here are the cumulative totals from the Public Health daily-summary dashboard:
*9,901 people have tested positive, up 82 from yesterday
*586 people have died, unchanged from yesterday
*1,574 people have been hospitalized, unchanged from yesterday
*159,551 people have been tested, up 1,928 from yesterday
One week ago, the totals were 9,234/584/1,541/141,474.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: As two grim milestones were passed – 10 million cases and 500,000 deaths – you can see the nation by nation breakdown here.
ANOTHER LOCAL BUSINESS DISCLOSES A CASE: As reported here last last night, this time it’s Duke’s on Alki.
WANT TO PLAY TENNIS? Starting tomorrow morning, Seattle Parks will start taking reservations for outdoor tennis court use starting July 6th – info here.
WHAT PARK FACILITIES ARE STILL CLOSED? Here’s the ongoing official list.
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.”
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.
Ready for the mask mandate? On the eve of the order taking effect, here’s our nightly roundup:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily-summary dashboard, the cumulative totals:
*9,612 people have tested positive, up 110 from yesterday
*585 people have died, up 2 from yesterday
*1,561 people have been hospitalized, up 6 from yesterday
*153,505 people have been tested, up 3.409 from yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 8,987/582/1,537/135,003.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page,.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them, nation by nation, here.
MASK UP STARTING TOMORROW: That’s when the state order takes effect. The basics are here.
COVID CASE CLOSES COFFEE SHOP: Admiral Starbucks is temporarily closed after an employee tested positive.
WEST SEATTLE TESTING TOMORROW: Friday is the weekly drive-up testing day in the north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), 10 am-3 pm.
TELL YOUR STORY: From the Seattle Public Library:
The Seattle Public Library is a repository of Seattle’s history – help us document local history by contributing your story to our new COVID-19 Community Collection.
The Library would like to see and hear how the events of the past few months have affected you. We are looking for stories, photographs, signs, artwork, short videos and other materials that will help future generations learn what life was like in Seattle during this unique period in history. Here are some prompts to get you started:
· What has your daily life been like?
· What are ways you are staying connected with friends and family?
· What will you remember the most 10 years from now?
You can submit stories and materials through our online portal; they will be made available through the Special Collections Online website. The Library also welcomes donations of physical materials, which can be mailed to our Special Collections Department. To learn more about how you can contribute to the project, please visit our website!
NEED FOOD? OR, GOT FOOD TO DONATE? Check out West Seattle’s newest Little Free Pantry.
PHOTOS? TIPS? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302 – thank you!
(Natalia, Helena, and Lara Frazier, after filling the new Little Free Pantry for the first time)
The announcement and photo are from Jeana Frazier:
New Little Free Pantry at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church
Please spread the word about one of the newest “little free pantries” in the West Seattle area! Located outside the office at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California Ave. SW (next to the West Seattle High School parking lot), this pantry is available for all members of the neighborhood to “take what you need or give what you can.” Church attendees will be stocking the pantry on a regular basis, but members of the public are encouraged to donate non-perishable food, personal-care items, paper goods, and so on.
Little free pantries are a no-barrier access point for food. They aren’t intended to replace food banks, but rather to work alongside them, getting food to neighbors who may be skipping a meal. It is our hope that the neighborhood will embrace the little free pantry at St. John’s Church and help to reduce food insecurity (made worse by Covid-19 and the recent economic downturn).
Want to put up a LFP? See this WSB story from last month.
Multiple readers emailed today to ask why the recently remodeled Admiral Starbucks store had abruptly closed without explanation. We inquired with the corporate media team, and here’s the response from a spokesperson:
(W)we recently learned one of our partners at the store received a positive diagnosis for COVID-19 and is self-isolating at home for a period of time. Further to that, as soon as we learned of the diagnosis (on the same day), we quickly activated our protocols and closed the store to initiate a deep cleaning following all recommended guidelines from public health authorities.
It’s important for me to add that Starbucks takes seriously our responsibility to keep our partners and customers safe, and all partners who were deemed to have worked in close contact with this partner will be paid for the time they will miss during the recommended 14 days of self-isolation (from date of exposure). As far as re-opening, I don’t have an exact date but the store will resume operations next week.
Two days until the mask mandate takes effect, and that’s where we start tonight’s roundup:
MASK ORDER: You can now see the full text of Secretary of Health John Wiesman‘s order here. As announced yesterday, it takes effect statewide on Friday – wear a face covering when you’re out in public.
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily-summary dashboard, the cumulative totals:
*9,502 people have tested positive, 133 more than yesterday’s total
*583 people have died, 1 below yesterday’s total++
*1,555 people have been hospitalized, 5 more than yesterday’s total
*150,096 people have been tested, 2,198 more than yesterday’s total
++The county has ongoing “data corrections”
One week ago, the four totals were 8,893/575/1,531/130,354.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page,.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them, nation by nation, here.
GOT A COLLEGE STUDENT IN THE HOUSE? You might be interested in Gov. Inslee‘s announcement today “providing specific health guidance for four-year public and private institutions, as well as two-year community and technical colleges, apprenticeships, and private career schools.”
SPEAKING OF COLLEGE … the drive-up/walk-up graduation celebration for South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) is tomorrow!
UNPAID PROPERTY TAXES? If you couldn’t meet the extended June 1st deadline, the county is now offering a payment plan.
PEARL JAM’S #ALLINWA SONG: Tonight’s streamed benefit for the #AllInWA COVID-19 recovery fund included the superstar band with West Seattleites – here’s their song:
You can donate by going here.
GOT INFO? Email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com or phone us, text or voice, at 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Two business-reopening updates today:
CLICK! DESIGN THAT FITS: The longtime WSB sponsor at 4540 California SW reopens for in-store shopping tomorrow:
Thursday afternoon we’ll be re-opening for in-store shopping and can’t wait to see your (masked) faces!
99 days ago we temporarily closed the shop in response to the (ongoing) COVID-19 pandemic. And what a 99 days its been. We’ve baked so many cookies, gotten really good at packing up online orders and marched with our community. We filled our website with your favorite items from the store and held a fundraiser that raised over $2,700 for social justice causes. We’re listening, learning and evolving day by day and are so looking forward to reconnecting with you again in person.
All the details on what to expect when we re-open are right here. Our hours for this week are shown in the image below (hours may change week to week).
A million thank yous for your support through this whole thing. See you soon.
While curbside pickup is continuing too, the in-store shopping hours this week will be 3-7 pm Thursday and Friday, 11 am-5 pm Saturday, 10 am-4 pm Sunday.
SKYLARK: The patio out back is open! Matt from Skylark sent a photo:
He says, “We now have our patio open! There are several tables with more to come, all of which have plenty of space between, as do our tables inside. This area is dog friendly, umbrellas are on their way, and we have no-contact ordering and payment options. Now we hope the sun sticks around!” (Overcast as we write this, but pleasant outside anyway. Skylark is at 3803 Delridge Way SW.)
(WSB file photo, future park site at 48th/Charlestown)
With the city getting ready to make budget cuts because of COVID-19 revenue losses- see the big picture here, in the slides from an upcoming City Council presentation – individual departments are announcing their plans today. Among them, Seattle Parks and Recreation, which says West Seattle’s three landbanked park-development projects will be “paused.” Here’s the full news release:
As the City moves to reopening and rebuilding, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) must turn our attention to addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 on both the city’s budget as well as SPR’s budget.
The City is also looking across all city departments and city services to reallocate General Fund resources to support the rebuilding of our communities along with providing essential services.
During this pandemic crisis, SPR has significantly shifted to better serve our communities where it was needed most. Seattle Parks and Recreation has stood up three temporary shelters in community centers, quickly opened and increased service to over 100 restrooms across the city, continued to operate our free shower programs at four sites, operated 9 childcares for essential worker families, and created a new program to support social distancing in our public parks.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic the City is proposing budget adjustments to City Council for consideration and approval on June 23.
In summary the savings from SPR that will help the city’s budget shortfall include:
-Leaving current staff vacancies unfilled, and reducing consultants and training budgets
-Reducing seasonal temporary employees in Park maintenance and facilities
-Pausing several capital projects including:
Battery St. Portal Park Development
Reduction in park acquisition budget
Landbank site development (48th and Charlestown, Ernest Park Addition, Morgan Junction, Wedgewood, West Seattle Junction)
-Greenway connection projects
-Athletic field conversion (Soundview, Ballard, and Queen Anne)
-Municipal energy efficiency program
-Park upgrade work through Seattle Conservation CorpAdditionally, SPR anticipates continuing to capture savings throughout the summer due to the closures of facilities and reduction in summer programming (Teen Summer Musical, wading pools, spray parks, summer pools, and other summer programs).
As a result of unfil;ed vacancies and reducing temporary staffing budgets, park and facility maintenance will have a decreased level of service (reduced mowing and park maintenance, along with slower response to fixing broken park amenities).
These reductions do not include layoffs or furloughs currently, however, SPR is holding approximately 10% of our regular positions vacant.
We are committed to keeping you informed about our operational and budgetary changes as we move through this difficult time
All three of the landbanked West Seattle sites had been moving toward construction years after the city bought them. (If you’re new – the Morgan project is the fenced-off ex-commercial site north of the current park along California north of Fauntleroy, and the Junction project is in the 4700 block of 40th SW across from the Alki Masonic Lodge building). We’ll add more followup info later.
Mask up! The governor has added that to his trademark “wash your hands” signoff at briefings, and now there’s extra oomph behind it – that’s where we start tonight’s roundup:
MANDATORY MASKS: As reported here moments after the annouuncement, a statewide mask mandate goes into effect Friday:
Beginning June 26, every Washingtonian in an indoor public space, or in an outside public space when unable to physically distance from others, will be legally required to wear a face covering.
Read the details here; if you want to read the fine print, we should get the actual health order tomorrow, when it’ll be signed.
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s the daily summary from Public Health, with cumulative totals:
*9,369 people have tested positive, up 96 from yesterday
*584 people have died, unchanged from yesterday
*1,550 people have been hospitalized, up 3 from yesterday
*147,898 people have been tested, up 3,267 from yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 8,855/576/1,532/127,616.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.
‘STAY HEALTHY STREETS’: The city has spent almost $200,000 on them, according to a new budget document. Love ’em? Hate ’em? Ambivalent? Or? Your official chance to tell the city is finally here, via the long-promised survey.
MORE CITY GRANT RECIPIENTS: The city has announced 143 more recipients of $10,000 grants from its Small Business Stabilization Fund. We note a few West Seattle names on the list.
MORE OUTDOOR BUSINESS SPACE? The King County Council passed a bill today that could make room for it in unincorporated areas like White Center and Vashon.
GOT INFO? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
(WSB photo from 2018 Laps With Lou)
It’s one of our favorite stories to cover every June … but COVID-19 has changed it this year! Instead of running a school day’s worth of birthday laps at Pathfinder K-8, with members of the school community exuberantly joining in, retired PE teacher Lou Cutler has found another way to support Make-A-Wish this year, as he turns 69 years old. He explains:
The 69-lap Make-A-Wish run was scheduled for June 1st and was sadly, but rightly cancelled, as there was no way to do the event safely.
Over the years I was always asked if the day of the run was my birthday. I answered no and explained that if we ran the race on my actual birthday of June 25th, I would be running all by myself and the whole spirit of the magnificent event would be immensely diminished without the energy and enthusiasm of the students and the rest of the Pathfinder Community.
Not wanting to let the year pass by without paying tribute to Make-A-Wish and the spectacular wishes that are provided to the wish kids and families, I decided that I will throw myself a fabulous birthday party and walk 11.5 miles, the equivalent of 69 laps, on June 25th.
Not wanting to attract a big crowd and get MAW in trouble, I am not notifying the students of the time or route of the walk, but rather will be joined by a few Make-A-Wish Volunteers and staff for all or part of the walk and I will do it as a MAW fundraiser.
In honor of Lou’s dedication, and the kids whose wishes come true (Lou has volunteered with that for many years too), you can go here to donate – and to see a video showing some of the joy of Laps with Lou over more than a decade and a half.
(WSB photo, Beach Drive “Stay Healthy Street,” last month)
More than a month after a community survey about “Stay Healthy Streets” was first promised, it’s finally launched. First, a refresher – over the spring, the city designated more than 20 miles of streets as “Stay Healthy Streets,” banning vehicular through traffic except for delivery and emergency vehicles. Most are part of Neighborhood Greenways, with exceptions including the stretch of Alki Avenue and Beach Drive that was added to the program. That and another park-adjacent “Stay Healthy Street” in North Seattle were rebranded “Keep Moving Streets,” and the city said they were temporary, while the other 20 “Stay Healthy” miles citywide (including two areas of east West Seattle) will be permanent. The survey’s questions include whether you use any of the “Stay Healthy” or “Keep Moving” streets and what you like and/or dislike about them. It’ll be open until July 15th – you can take it here.
3:19 PM: Gov. Inslee is speaking right now (watch it live) and just announced that masks will be mandatory statewide as of Friday. Even though the worst outbreak right now is in Eastern Washington, infection rates are concerning on this side of the Cascades too, he says. They’ll be required in most indoor (public) circumstances as well as many outdoor circumstances in which social distancing isn’t always possible. “Until a vaccine is developed, this is going to be our best defense,” he says. There will be exceptions, he adds – children younger than 5, people with hearing challenges, people with certain health problems.
3:32 PM: Secretary of Health John Wiesman says he’s issuing the official order and that it’s how “life will be different” for a while. He’s followed by a doctor who declares, “Masks can save lives.” They protect the wearer and those around them. “We know that this appears to work for lots of respiratory-tract infections.”
3:44 PM: Asked about enforcement, Gov. Inslee says that’s not the point – he expects there will be lots of voluntary compliance because people want to stay healthy and care for their neighbors. He says Yakima – which is dealing with a major outbreak – is already up to about 60 percent mask use. — Violating the rule would be a misdemeanor, Inslee says in response to another question, but it’s “not our desire to see hara-working officers (become the mask police) – they have other things to do.”
4:09 PM: This is about to wrap up; the governor and secretary were joined by Craig Jelinek, president and CEO of Costco, and Faye Guenther, president of UFCW 21. Inslee stressed that this isn’t about your personal choice if you want to risk getting sick or not – it’s about protecting others, such as essential workers (like store clerks) who don’t have a choice – they have to be at work “to feed their families.”
5:47 PM: Here’s the governor’s full announcement.
The first Monday of Phase 2 is ending, and here’s the nightly roundup:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s today’s daily summary from Public Health – the cumulative totals:
*9,273 people have tested positive, 39 more than yesterday
*584 people have died, unchanged from yesterday
*1,547 people have been hospitalized, 6 more than yesterday
*144,631 people have been tested, 3,157 more than yesterday
One week ago, the totals were 8,797/574/1,521/125,323.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them – nation by nation – here.
GOVERNOR’S BRIEFING TOMORROW: 3 pm tomorrow is Gov. Inslee’s next public/media briefing on the state’s COVID-19 response. From the announcement:
The governor will be joined by:
John Wiesman, secretary of health
Craig Jelinek, president and CEO, Costco Wholesale
Faye Guenther, president, UFCW 21
You’ll be able to watch it live here.
GUIDANCE INFORMATION IN ASL: From the state Health Department:
DOH releases American Sign Language (ASL) re-opening guidance videos: The videos, which can be found on the DOH’s ASL landing page, contain guidance for the Safe Start plan, each separate re-opening phase, and requirements for individuals, businesses, and employers.
DRIVE-UP GRADUATION CELEBRATION: One more coming up this week – South Seattle College on Thursday.
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
Wrapping up a relatively quiet weekend, here’s our nightly virus-crisis roundup:
KING COUNTY’S NEWEST NUMBERS: Here are the cumulative totals from the Public Health daily-summary dashboard:
*9,234 people have tested positive, up 69 from yesterday
*584 people have died, down 1 from yesterday (data correction)
*1,541 people have been hospitalized, up 1 from yesterday
*141,474 people have been tested, up 580 from yesterday
One week ago, the totals were 8,751/574/1,520/123,508.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them – nation by nation – here.
MORE BUS & WATER TAXI RUNS: Starting tomorrow, “reduced service” will be a bit less reduced.
HOW’S YOUR INDUSTRY/OCCUPATION? The state has released a new report on how the pandemic is affecting industries/occupations. The largest number, the summary says, “is associated with health-care workers and people who provide health-care support.”
DATAPOINT: We asked the city what all those COVID-19 park signs have cost.
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
While at Alki last night to cover the Moon Dancers, we noticed the newest Seattle Parks pandemic-related signage. It’s the latest in what’s been a three-month-long series of signage, from closures to social-distancing exhortations. We wondered how many signs have been made and how much the city has spent, so at week’s end, we asked. Here’s the reply from Seattle Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin:
Since the pandemic began, SPR has spend $87,757 on signage for over 4,000 signs.
The signs have all been made by United Reprographics, a black-owned business that the City often uses for larger printing and signage needs. These funds have come out of our Operating Budget, and may be eligible for reimbursement for federal dollars for COVID response.
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