West Seattle, Washington
25 Sunday
The photo is from Keith Mathewson of Delridge’s KBM Commissary, whose resident food truck/catering chefs will continue their weekly free-meal distribution this weekend, and it’s expanding, as he explains:
The stay-home order has been extended and the strain on local families is becoming more acute. As a result the need for meals continues to increase. Last Sunday we produced 600 meals and ran out in under two hours. This week we will make 1000 meals and hand them out Saturday from 4 pm to 6 pm. Given the volume, two companies will be directing production; thankfully there are no shortage of volunteers in the kitchen.
*T’Juana Tacos will make 800 portions of Chicken Fajatias with Gallo Pinto
*Go Seattle Catering will produce 200 Bahn Mi Sandwiches.
We are asking people not to arrive too early as the cars are beginning to back up around the block and onto Delridge Way. There are now 3 people handling the distribution and are able to keep the line moving once we open.
I wish to thank all who are donated. The level of demand has become much greater than anticipated and without the communities support we would not have been able to meet a demand of this size.
KBM is at 5604 Delridge Way SW. Mathewson has been underwriting the project but help is welcome – here’s the crowdfunding page. Meantime, some of the KBM-based businesses are also selling from the window, as noted last month, and are part of our ongoing West Seattle list.
It’s been a busy night, with a late-running community meeting, so our apologies for the lateness – here now, the nightly roundup:
STAY-HOME ORDER TO BE EXTENDED, BUT FOR HOW LONG? This afternoon Gov. Inslee announced two things. The biggest: The stay-home order will extend past May 4th. How much longer? He promised to talk more about “the next phase” on Friday. He also explained a stack of “data buckets” he and other state officials are monitoring. Here’s a new dashboard with that data; here’s our coverage, with video.
NON-URGENT MEDICAL PROCEDURES: The governor’s other announcement was about re-starting them – details here.
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Seattle-King County Public Health data dashboard:
*6,182 people have tested positive, up 128 from yesterday
*436 people have died, up 9 from yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 5,449 and 379.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page,.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them, nation by nation, here.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET REOPENING: Today’s biggest local story related to COVID-19 – the Farmers’ Market will reopen this Sunday, for the first time since early March, with big modifications – read about them, take the Shopper Oath, and do some pre-ordering before you go.
STILL NOT OPEN & MIGHT NEVER OPEN: Our partner site updates the status of the King County quarantine site in Top Hat (east of White Center).
LOCAL FACILITIES GET CITY-COLLECTED PPE: The city’s effort to collect and distribute donated PPE continues, and today it was announced they’ve collected 700,000+ pieces of PPE. Some of where it’s gone is listed in the city news release, including three local senior-living complexes – Bridge Park, Arrowhead Gardens, and Brookdale West Seattle.
MORE FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD ART FENCE: Last night we closed the roundup with a poem from this fence at 50th/Andover. Tonight, two photos of what else the fence features:
GOT INFO? Email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com or phone us, text or voice, at 206-293-6302 – thank you!
It’s been almost two months since King County sparked an uproar by announcing a site in Top Hat, surrounded by apartment complexes, would be set up as a quarantine/isolation site for COVID-19 patients. More than 30 modular units have since been set up there. But now the county says the site is “on hold” and might never open. The latest update is on our partner site White Center Now.
One of the many events regularly hosted by C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) pre-pandemic was the monthly PoetryBridge event, with guest readers and a community mic. C & P co-proprietor Cameron Moores tells us that PoetryBridge is now having online events – and the next one is tonight, 7 pm, featuring guest readers Koon Woon and Carrie Gilstrap-Nettle. If you want to check it out, email info@poetrybridge.net for info on how to join via Zoom.
Just under way in Olympia – delayed from the originally announced start time – Gov. Inslee‘s media briefing. The preview says he will be joined by Vice Admiral Dr. Raquel Bono, director of Washington state COVID-19 health-care response; Kathy Lofy, state health officer; and Katherine Guest, deputy intelligence section chief for the Washington State Emergency Operations Center. Notes as it goes.
He opens by saying he’ll re-start non-urgent surgeries.
Then he says the stay-home order will be extended beyond May 4th and that he will have more details on Friday, about the “phases” of reopening. He says it’s important to not have to open, then close again – “let’s do this once.” He says they’re making decisions based on “5 buckets of metrics,” each of which in turn has “multiple buckets …beneath it. …There is no one number that is a magic number.”
First: Disease activity, including case count. It’s “showing some progress, but we’re not out of the woods yet.”
Next, death count, based on when the victim got sick.
Third, COVID-19 hospitalizations based on when the patient was admitted.
Fourth, COVID-19 hospitalizations based on when the patient got sick.
Fifth, the “R-0” number – how many more people get sick, from each person infected. They only have this number for King County, not statewide, but it’s dropped from 4 to 1. He says epidemiologists warn that if social distancing is removed, that will go back up.
He then shows projections (modeling), saying that removing distancing would result in many more deaths.
3:09 PM: Then he reiterates that more testing is needed, but “our testing capacity has been sorely taxed.” The labs around the state could run a total of 22,000+ tests a day – but only currently has supplies for 4,000+ per day.
Once there is a “vigorous” testing program, contact tracing is vital, and that “involves an army of people,” the governor said. 565 people are working on that now and they’re hoping to almost triple that to 1,500 within abaut two weeks; the National Guard is contributing about 700 people to the effort.
Yet more data they’re monitoring – long-term-care facilities, and demographic inequity.
Finally, the health-care system’s readiness is the “last bucket” he says there’s still a “healthy” capacity and that needs to be maintained “because this virus could explode.”
3:24 PM: First question – what’s a reasonable testing goal in the near term? The governor says he thinks the 20,000 “is necessary to give us high confidence” for moving to the “next phase” of reopening. He says the feds have assured him that enough swabs to do it are on the way, “though we’ve run into some glitches in the past.”
He’s also asked for specific numbers he’d like to see in some of those “buckets” of data. He mentions a combination of very low levels of multiple numbers – cases, hospitalizations – and health officer Lofy says combining some low numbers with a high number of tests would be a different story than those numbers without more testing.
So is it possible we’d never get to the preferred numbers? he’s asked. Inslee says he’s confident people are supportive of continuing to work toward it and acknowleddges “it’s a big challenge.”
3:38 PM: He’s asked about the value of the Western States Pact if other states in it are making different decisions. He says the pact is more for “communication.”
He’s also asked why he is allowing people to resume outdoor recreation showing “common sense” when he won’t allow businesses to reopen in that same spirit. He doesn’t really answer, saying it’s important to “reduce interactions.”
Last question – what kind of R-0 number is he looking for? Significantly below 1, he said.
He wraps at 3:54, reiterating that on Friday he will talk about how the decisionmaking will play iinto “the next phase of business reopening.” The video should be available for playback above shortly, and we’ll add links to the governor’s news release(s) on all of the above when available.
(Photo by Sarah Schu, Neighborhood Farmers Markets, from recent U-District market)
For the first time since March 8th, the West Seattle Farmers’ Market will reopen this Sunday – in a modified format, as has been the case with the University District market these past two weekends. Hre’s the announcement we just received:
The Neighborhood Farmers Markets has worked closely with the City of Seattle and Seattle-King County Public Health and other stakeholders and partners in each neighborhood to re-open safe, permitted farmers markets. The West Seattle Farmers Market will re-open on Sunday, May 3, and they are asking West Seattle residents to observe new rules.
Agriculture is the most essential act, and the farmers markets serve as the essential link between farmers and eaters. This weekend, we need you to help protect public health and our community by following new guidelines.
· Please consider taking the Farmers Market Shopper Oath.
· Sign up for the Ripe & Ready Newsletter, which will announce the list of May 3 vendors accepting pre-orders.
Market Modifications Include:
· Modified layouts to ensure 10’ between vendor booths to allow for greater circulation and distance.
· Market entrance at Alaska & California to control the capacity and foot traffic. You can expect a line to enter the market.
· Hand sanitizer will be provided at Market Manager tents, with public hand washing stations available in the market.
· There is no sampling or prepared food until further notice.
· No music, entertainment, cooking demos, or public seating areas.
Staff and Vendor Responsibilities:
All vendors and staff must wear protective facemask and gloves, separate cash and product handling, and ensure regular and proper handwashing.
All vendors will select and serve your produce and products.
Vendors and staff will politely ask you to keep moving so we can serve as many shoppers as possible.
Vendors and Staff will limit the number of shoppers in front of booths at any given time.
Surfaces and ‘high touch’ items such as tables, POS terminals, cash boxes, etc. will be sanitized regularly.
Market staff will be dedicated to conduct regular and ongoing checks for handwashing stations, proper bleach solutions, and sanitizing supplies in addition to our regular food safety controls.Shopper Expectations:
Before the market:
Make a list.
Designate one shopper per household.
Service dogs are permitted otherwise leave your pets at home.
Bring reusable bags – these are permitted, but you will be the only person touching them.
Check yourself – stay home if you are sick or if you’ve been in contact with someone who is sick.During your market visit:
Be alert! The market has major modifications and there are new signs to help you move through the market.
Do not touch the products, the vendors will help you.
Maintain 6 feet of space at all times. This is crucial! Look for physical cues like tape, chalk, and signs all around you as a reminder.
Shop quickly and efficiently. This isn’t the time to chat. Big smiles welcome!
Wash hands often with soap & water for at least 20 seconds especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, with at least 60% alcohol.
Wear a face mask.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, and face in general.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then dispose of it.It is vital that everyone act in these efforts together to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The safety and health of our shoppers, our farmers, and staff is critical – this is our primary concern. Please do not come out to the farmers market if you cannot observe the new guidelines.
The mayor ordered markets closed in mid-March, though the governor’s subsequent stay-home order decreed them “essential”; the market’s parent organization has been fighting for weeks to get permission to reopen with major modifications. It got clearance to open the U-District market the past two Saturdays.
Two notes as we continue updating our West Seattle (etc.) list of restaurants/beverage businesses:
ANOTHER REOPENING: The Bridge in Morgan Junction (6301 California SW) has reopened for takeout/delivery, 4 pm to 9 pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays.
WHAT’S UP FOR MOTHER’S DAY? The special day for moms is a week and a half away (Sunday, May 10th), and we’re getting questions about whether anyone’s planning a special menu. If your venue is – or if you’ve seen an announcement – please let us know (westseattleblog@gmail.com, text 206-293-6302, or in comments) – thank you!
Less than a week left in the stay-home order as our state awaits formal word on whether it will be extended. Gov. Inslee‘s office has just announced his next media briefing for 2:30 pm today, and that he “will be joined by Vice Admiral Dr. Raquel Bono, director of Washington state COVID-19 health care response, Kathy Lofy, state health officer, and Katherine Guest, deputy intelligence section chief for the Washington State Emergency Operations Center.” It’ll be streamed via TVW, and we’ll carry it too.
No major announcements today, but we have a few notes for the nightly roundup, exactly two months after King County’s first known COVID-19 case was announced:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Today’s update, from the Seattle-King County Public Health data dashboard:
*6,054 people have tested positive, 64 more than yesterday
*427 people have died, 11 more than yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 5,379 and 372.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.
SEATTLE FIREFIGHTERS/PARAMEDICS’ ROLE IN TESTING: The mayor explains the SFD Mobile Assessment Teams.
STILL SHORT ON PPE: From the state Joint Information Center’s daily COVID-19-related newsletter:
The state continues its aggressive procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE). Because PPE supplies remain limited, state officials continue to prioritize Tier 1 needs which include hospitals, long-term care facilities and first responders. Though purchase orders are placed nearly every day, arrival time for orders can take weeks. Purchases are the primary way the state has secured PPE, accounting for more than 70 percent of items received so far – a percentage that is growing. Of the $342 million worth of PPE that has been ordered to date, only $8.3 million in PPE has arrived and been distributed or is being processed for distribution (some 10.7 million items). Washington businesses continue to answer the call to produce needed items, with more than 100 manufacturers retooling so far. The state is purchasing directly from five of them, and the others are selling directly to local entities including hospitals. Information about purchasing and distribution of PPE is available on the state’s coronavirus website.
(As we’ve reported, West Seattle’s Nucor is among the companies helping produce PPE.)
NEED FOOD? #1 – Guest chefs today at Highland Park Improvement Club, where 11 am-1 pm weekday lunch distribution continues.
NEED FOOD? #2 – Reminder, pre-packed bags of groceries and supplies will be offered free, first come, first served, 1-5 pm tomorrow outside Eastridge Church (4500 39th SW).
NEED A LAPTOP? West Seattle High School is distributing them the next two afternoons to students in need.
NEED POETRY? Seen on the “neighborhood art fence” at 50th/Andover:
More from the fence tomorrow night! (Thanks to Hannah for the tip.)
GOT INFO? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Highland Park Improvement Club continues to offer free lunches to kids and families five days a week, 11 am-1 pm – and today they had guest chefs! Mark (background) and Paolo (foreground) from the Greenwood restaurant Opus Co. live in West Seattle and wanted to cook for neighbors – and when they found out about HPIC’s lunch program (powered by volunteers and donors, as explained on the HPIC website), it was a perfect match. They’re hoping to make lunch one day a week but haven’t finalized a schedule yet. Today’s menu was grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, with chickpea salad and carrot cake.
Though Governor Inslee announced Monday that golfing would be allowed again – along with some other outdoor recreation – starting May 5, that doesn’t automatically mean West Seattle and other city golf courses will reopen. We followed up with the city – where golf courses are closed by order of the mayor – and got a response this morning: “At this time, City golf courses are still closed. The City will utilize the Governor’s order to consider changes to current restrictions, but we have nothing to announce at this time.” Meantime, the detailed rules for golfing are spelled out in this state document (starting at page 5) and include, notably, beyond what was mentioned Monday, “At the golf course’s discretion, foursomes are allowed if they are from the same household. Otherwise, no more than two players from separate households per tee time.”
That’s a reminder that education isn’t just about minds … it’s also about hearts. Even if you have absolutely no connection to Louisa Boren STEM K-8, you might be charmed by that video its staff put together with greetings for the students they miss. (We were!) Thanks to Julia for suggesting we publish this “so all the kids will see it.”
First construction, now recreation. The governor’s second “reopening” announcement tops tonight’s roundup:
SOME STATE SITES REOPENING FOR RECREATION: Gov. Inslee still won’t say if he’s extending the stay-home order past May 4th, but today he did say one thing will be different starting May 5th: Some state parks will reopen, and some outdoor recreation. Two slides:
Here’s our coverage, with video. P.S. We asked the city if the governor’s inclusion of golf would mean West Seattle and other city courses will reopen. No reply.
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Seattle-King County Public Health data dashboard:
*5,990 people have tested positive, up 78 from yesterday
*416 people have died, up 9 from yesterday
One week ago, the totals were 5,293 and 360.
ANOTHER LOCAL DEATH: One of those newly counted deaths was in West Seattle. According to the data dashboard’s zip-code tracking, 98126 now has 6 deaths (we check all five zip codes daily, and it was 5 yesterday); 98146 remains at 3, 98106 at 2, 98136 at 1, 98116 at 0.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.
DELIVERY-CUT CAP RATIFIED: Today the City Council ratified the emergency order, inspired by a West Seattle Chamber of Commerce letter, capping the percentage that food-delivery services can take; here’s the statement from West Seattle-residing Council President Lorena González.
FREE FOOD: If you’re in need, here’s a chance to get help on Wednesday.
TROUBLE PAYING YOUR INTERNET BILL? Comcast sent a news release saying it’s extending temporary policies into the summer such as:
No Disconnects and Waiving Late Fees: We will not disconnect a customer’s Xfinity Internet, Xfinity Mobile, or Xfinity Voice service, and we will waive late fees if they contact us and let us know that they can’t pay their bills during this period. Our care teams are available to offer flexible payment options or help find other solutions.
Xfinity WiFi Free for Everyone: Xfinity WiFi hotspots in business and outdoor locations across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi.
SIGNS OF SUPPORT: Did you see SFD and SPD out during Friday Night Lights last week? If your neighborhood got a visit from Engine 36, you might have seen the signs these kids made:
They’re featured at the end of this SFD post, which explains their dad is firefighter Brian Friske of North Delridge’s Station 36, and they made the signs for Engine 36 to display. (No word yet if FNL will continue this Friday.)
GOT INFO? PHOTOS? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
(Photo courtesy Jean Johnson Productions)
They did it at their Issaquah campus, and next, it’s West Seattle. Eastridge Church is partnering with Convoy of Hope to offer free food and household supplies to ~300 families – first come, first served – this Wednesday (April 29th). Here’s the announcement:
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Eastridge Church will provide free non-perishable groceries and household supplies to about 300 families in West Seattle on Wednesday, April 29, from 1-5 p.m. (while supplies last) at their West Seattle location, 4500 39th Ave. SW. The pre-packed bags include about 70 pounds of food and supplies and will be distributed one per car.
Steve Jamison, lead pastor of Eastridge Church states, “We are thankful to partner with Convoy of Hope to provide assistance to families from our area who can use some help in this time of need.”
Convoy of Hope is a faith-based disaster relief organization with a driving passion to feed the world through children’s feeding initiatives, community outreaches, and disaster response.
Eastridge will practice safe distancing protocols through a drive-through distribution method. Drivers will be asked to open their trunk (no need to leave their car) and volunteers will load the supplies of pre-packed bags, while supplies last.
Hal Donaldson, president of Convoy of Hope, shares that, “this is a united act of compassion. We’re seeing so many groups link arms to help people get through this crisis. In some respects, kindness is a medicine that many Americans need right now, and we’re seeing it being given out across the nation.”
For more information, contact Eastridge Church at 425-270-6300.
Eastridge is the church known for its turkey-and-groceries giveaways before Thanksgiving each year.
2:36 PM: Click into the video window for Governor Inslee‘s media briefing, with guests from state Parks, Public Lands, and Fish and Wildlife. We’ll update as it goes.
He says he’s announcing a “partial reopening of outdoor recreation” starting on May 5th.
-day use of state parks
-day use of public lands
-day use of state fish and wildlife areas
“Any additional relaxing” would depend on “data and compliance,” he says, and warns “this is not a return to normal.” He says it’s about “data, not dates.” Team sports, events, camping, gatherings are NOT resuming, he stresses. He also urges people to continue to limit travel,”not make overnight trips” to recreation areas. He says golf will be OK if you’re playing with one other non-related person.
Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz speaks next, saying she’s hopeful this is a “first step toward normalcy,” but urging visitors to bring their own sanitizer, masks, etc., and to continue practicing distancing.
The next guest, Fish and Wildlife director Kelly Susewind, says most – but not all – hunting and fishing seasons will open (but not Areas 1-4 yet). He reiterates that there’ll be no camping – “stick with day trips.”
It’s also noted that not all state parks will reopen – coastal parks, for example.
2:56 PM: The governor didn’t say anything about extending the stay-home order (which expires in a week), so that’s the first question he’s asked. “We are a long ways from the end of this virus, and we are going to have to maintain plenty of restrictions after May 4th,” he said, without a “yes” or “no” answer, but saying he’ll have more to say within a few days.
He’s asked what data told him it’s OK to partially reopen recreation, and he launched into a variety off stats, good and not-so-good. “We are SO far from being able to turn this off like a light switch,” he warns. He also says the state is still far short of the testing capability he would like to have, though he says he received a federal assuurance that more we would be on the way within a few weeks.
What about elective surgery, which he had recently mentioned as something else that might reopen soon? “We are trying to come up with a protocol” to allow them without taking away from PPE that’s needed by those working on the most urgent health-care needs. “We’re still talking with stakeholders.”
What about haircutters? The governor gives a fairly nonspecific answer – that all depends “when we drive this [infection] number down small enough” that contact tracing and isolation are possible, how much social distancing will be possible, what protocols can be developed.
3:13 PM: The governor is asked why he can’t share specific benchmarks he’s looking at for decisions on reopening more of the state. “Going forward, we’re going to be looking at opening several more industries,” he says without naming them, saying “multiple metrics” are involved – not just the infection rate, but also the health-care system’s status, the testing/tracing capabilities – “you have to consider all those together.” The next questioner asks him for specific numbers. “There’s no one number,” Inslee reiterates, but mentions some such as the number of tests that come back positive, which he says is now close to 8 percent but needs to be lower. “It is not enough for our health and our safety to just eliminate social distancing” – contact tracing and isolation of people exposed, and their families, will be needed for a long time, he says.
The briefing ends at 3:25 pm. As always, the video should be available for playback soon in the same window above, and we will add links to whatever the governor’s office posts to spell out today’s announcements. (Added: Here’s a link.)
9:03 AM: With one week left in the stay-home order, Gov. Inslee has announced a media briefing/Q&A for 2:30 pm today. Looks like the topic will be outdoor recreation, part of what he has said would be likely to reopen soon – the announcement includes this:
The governor will be joined by Hilary Franz, commissioner of public lands; Kelly Susewind, director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; and Don Hoch, director of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
The live video stream will be here; we’ll carry it too.
9:16 AM: Meantime, an announcement just in from the governor’s office – Colorado and Nevada are joining Washington, Oregon, and California in the Western States Pact, “a working group of Western state governors with a shared vision for modifying stay at home orders and fighting COVID-19,” originally announced two weeks ago.
Another day without big headlines in the virus crisis – here’s our nightly roundup:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: The daily update from the Seattle-King County Public Health data dashboard:
*5,912 people have tested positive, up 101 from yesterday
*407 people have died, up 8 from yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 5,172 and 346.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.
MORE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS: From the daily bulletin sent by the state Health Department:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its official list of symptoms that people experience when they get sick from the coronavirus. The symptoms added are: chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell. This is in addition to the previous official symptoms: fever, cough, and shortness or breath. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
WILL STAY-HOME ORDER BE EXTENDED? Governor Inslee‘s statewide stay-home order is currently set to expire May 4th, one week from tomorrow. No word yet if he’s planning any announcement or media briefing tomorrow, but if he does, we’ll carry the livestream.
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM REOPENS: The Small Business Administration will resume taking applications for these loans at 7:30 am our time tomorrow.
THOUGHT THE ALKI CROWDING WAS BAD? Southern California is having a heat wave, and many of their beaches are supposed to be closed, but (updated) at one that wasn’t …
RIGHT NOW: This is the scene from #Air7HD in Newport Beach, CA as the #COVID19 death toll surges in Southern California @ABC7 #LosAngeles pic.twitter.com/Nmta8hU69H
— Chris Cristi (@abc7chriscristi) April 24, 2020
(Here are the Orange County stats, by the way.)
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Worried about how kids are doing without being able to go to school? Meet a West Seattle second-grader who’s spending some of her time doing something we can appreciate … reporting neighborhood news.
SIGN SIGHTING: For the second consecutive Sunday night, we wrap up the roundup with an Upper Morgan sighting sent by Tamsen Spengler (thank you!)
GOT A PHOTO? INFO? TIP? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice our hotline, 206-293-6302 – thank you!
That’s Gwendolyn, editor-in-chief of West Seattle’s newest neighborhood-news publication, with “this week’s issue, hot off the presses,” explains Laurel, who sent the photo and report:
We wanted to let you know about a news publication that has been created in response to the coronavirus shutdown. Gwendolyn, a Gatewood second-grader, has started her own newspaper called The Daily Excitement. It’s a weekly! She has gotten the whole family involved and we also have guest reporters from around West Seattle and as far away as Arizona and Portland. We’ve published 5 issues so far and we are going strong. You can find it at thedailyexcitement.com. and readers can write to us with feedback or submissions at thedailyexcitement@gmail.com. All are welcome.
Five issues are already online! We just browsed the first one; topics include gardening, birding, and cooking, with the last category featuring the headline “Salted Caramel Sauce: Dangerous, or Delicious?”
The governor has said that “outdoor recreation” might get clearance to reopen soon. A unique West Seattle business – and longtime WSB sponsor – is ready to help people get ready for some of that. From Emerald Water Anglers:
These are tough times, and we breathe the same breath of uncertainty as everyone else. As we move forward in this new normal, us at Emerald Water Anglers and our growing community want to reach out open arms of encouragement. We will get through this and be better because of it. Please stay safe, healthy, and positive. We are looking forward to being able to fish and continue business as usual soon.
Social Media
Instagram | @ewaflyshop_seattle @emeraldwateranglerswa
Vimeo Video Profile – EWA VimeoWe are staying very active on our social platforms these days. Answering questions, doing daily events like livestream conversations, contests, and more. We can also offer you a virtual shopping experience. DM us or email us your phone number and we will set up a time to FaceTime with you, walk through the store and ship your new gear to you.
EWA Coffee
We are excited to announce our own private label roast of coffee which can be bought as whole bean or ground to your liking upon purchase. (Click here to purchase)
EWA’s shop is at 42nd/Oregon in The Junction.
We’ve learned a lot about local nonprofits and their scope during the coronavirus crisis. If you are fortunate enough to be able to assist, rather than needing assistance, here’s another way to do that. From Vicki Quinn, president of St Vincent de Paul‘s Holy Rosary Conference, and Bob Bucci, president of SVdP’s Our Lady of Guadalupe Conference:
During these weeks of enforced isolation, have you wanted to help the thousands of our neighbors here in West Seattle who have been laid off, face an uncertain future and are unable to pay the rent, utilities or even put enough food on the table for their kids?
The St. Vincent de Paul Society has been helping our neighbors here in West Seattle, from the Admiral District down to White Center, for the last 60 years. We reach out to our neighbors through our 65 dedicated local volunteers; pre-pandemic we would always visit with our neighbors in need in their homes to make sure we did not overlook any need that they might have forgotten in their anxiety and stress. These days we try to deliver the same message of compassion and care by phone.
Even before the Covid-19 crisis, the priority for St Vincent de Paul in West Seattle was to keep our neighbors in their homes, to stop evictions and do this by helping pay their rent.
In March 2020, the SVdP Helpline received a staggering 1.079 requests for rent help – 40% more than in February 2020, and a 47% increase over March of last year. Many callers in West Seattle have never called any organization for help before. When we talk to them, our responsibility is to let them feel the compassion and love of our entire community – to let them know that they are not alone and that their community cares deeply about their situation.
At the same time as we have been hit by this wave of need, our income has been hit because church services can no longer be held and therefore donations are down sharply. So, we ask you to please help your neighbor by following this link to make an online donation. Please be sure to select the “Where needed most” box and where you’re asked for the name of the specific conference or program please type in “West Seattle.”
Alternatively, please send a check payable to St. Vincent de Paul Society, write West Seattle in the Memo line and mail it to St. Vincent de Paul of Seattle/King County, 5950 Fourth Avenue South | Seattle WA 98108.
To learn more about SVdP after receiving this, we asked about referrals from 211, the phone number people can call for help and resources. The reply: “St. Vincent de Paul of Seattle | King County has been the largest 2-1-1 referral source for many years, receiving 12,000 to 25,000 referrals annually, more than any of the 1,700 social service agencies in the county. Of course, today those numbers are off the charts.”
Two scenes shared by WSB readers, as joy resounds through our neighborhoods, even in these stay-home days and nights:
The photo is from Laura Wood, who explains, “Trombone practice in the sunshine: Henry and Patrick Wood, 15 year old twins from West Seattle High School who really miss playing in their music groups!!”
Below, fiddler Dawn Hepburn joined neighbors on the east side of The Junction in “making a joyful noise” on Friday night:
She was in the Alki Masonic Lodge parking lot, with The Whittaker to the north and east, Broadstone Sky to the west, the 4801 Fauntleroy Apartments and Origins Cannabis (both WSB sponsors) to the south.
Here’s a short nightly roundup following a quiet Saturday – :
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Seattle-King County Public Health data dashboard:
*5,811 people have tested positive, up 122 from yesterday
*399 people have died, up 12 from yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 5,063 and 340.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them – nation by nation – here.
NO WS FARMERS’ MARKET TOMORROW: Though the U-District and Ballard markets opened for a second weekend, the West Seattle market remains closed. No explanation so far.
FREE FOOD TOMORROW: Reminder,the KBM Commissary weekly free meal will be available 4-6 pm Sunday – details here.
FOOD DELIVERY – FOR STUDENTS: In Seattle Public Schools‘ latest message to families, the district says meal distribution will be done along 38 special school-bus routes, in addition to ongoing availability at certain campuses.
IN CASE YOU DIDN”T SEE THE SUNSET … thanks to James Bratsanos for the photo:
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
Your local, independent businesses need you more than ever, whether they’re open, partly open, or entirely closed. Here are two videos about supporting them:
FCA SUPPORTING ENDOLYNE JOE’S: This time of year, Endolyne Joe’s (9261 45th SW) usually has a dine-out fundraiser to support the Fauntleroy Fall Festival. This year, Joe’s needs the support instead – since like other restaurants it’s only allowed to be partly open – so the Fauntleroy Community Association urges you to order lunch and/or dinner there on Tuesday (April 28th), and made this video to explain:
‘SMALL BUSINESS IS FAMILY’: The proprietor of Flourish Beauty, Juniper Nails, and Spruce Apothecary, Tiann Hadeed, made this video not just about her businesses, but “to help educate our clients and community on the importance of supporting small business.”:
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