West Seattle, Washington
27 Saturday
Here are the local/state pandemic-related toplines on Thanksgiving Eve:
STATEWIDE SITUATION REPORT: The newest one is out and as you might guess, it’s not good. Here are the toplines:
*COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly throughout the state.
*Daily case counts have skyrocketed in both eastern and western Washington.
*If disease transmission continues at the same pace observed early this month, by early December the number of daily hospital admissions could be double current numbers.
*Cases are increasing across all age groups, including older people, who are more likely to become seriously ill, require hospitalization and stay in a hospital for longer.
*Growth in cases is widely distributed across the state, with the majority of counties seeing accelerating rates.
*Even small counties are affected by the surge.
*The overall percentage of Washington state residents with active COVID-19 infection is higher than the peak in late March.
Read more details here.
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Now, from the Seattle-King County Public Health daily-summary dashboard, the cumulative totals:
*41,500 people have tested positive, 764 more than yesterday’s total
*853 people have died, 4 more than yesterday’s total
*3,055 people have been hospitalized, 25 more than yesterday’s total
*624.246 people have been tested++++
One week ago, the four totals we track were 35,993/834/2,903/603,808.
++++Because of the state test-results backlog first mentioned Saturday, this number is “frozen” since 11/21, the county says, although we note that tonight’s tally is up 752 from a day earlier.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page,.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them, nation by nation, here.
WHERE IT’S SPREADING: Need yet another reason to not have Thanksgiving dinner with anyone outside your household? SKC Public Health has an enlightening new report. From the summary:
A new report on outbreaks and exposure settings from Public Health—Seattle & King County describes settings where people may have become infected and finds the most common reported sources of potential exposure in recent weeks are in households, in a variety of community or social activities and gatherings, and in workplaces. Examples of community and social activities include get-togethers with family and friends, birthday parties, house or dinner parties, larger celebrations such as weddings, activities at a place of worship or visiting food service establishments. These activities, as well as out of state travel, have increased over the course of the pandemic while cases associated with long-term care and other healthcare facilities have decreased.
See the full 18-page report here.
NEW HEALTH/DENTAL RULES: From the governor’s office:
Gov. Jay Inslee today announced additional requirements for health and dental facilities to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks.
“With the increase in COVID outbreaks in health care facilities, it is important that we continue to protect patients and health workers from contracting COVID in a place where they feel safe, especially as we see COVID activity increasing dramatically across the state.” Inslee said.
Proclamation 20-24.2 amends the existing non-urgent medical and dental procedures proclamation to increase requirements on PPE use, testing of health care professionals, notifications of outbreaks, and distancing requirements in non-clinical areas of health facilities.
Read the proclamation here. Its provisions take effect December 3rd.
NEED TESTING? The city’s West Seattle testing site is closed tomorrow for the holiday.
GET READY TO APPLY: Applications will be accepted starting next week for those added state small-business grants recently announced.
GOT INFO? Email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com or phone us, text or voice, at 206-293-6302 – thank you!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The West Seattle Transportation Coalition moved up its regular fourth-Thursday meeting slot by a week this month because of Thanksgiving – and so, unplanned, that put it at the end of a long day of meetings about the West Seattle Bridge.
The bridge was the WSTC’s first of two main topics (the other was Terminal 5).
SDOT UPDATE: Bridge project leader Heather Marx recapped the day’s big news, Mayor Jenny Durkan‘s announcement that the bridge will be repaired rather than replaced. Marx stressed that they are being very cautious about estimating cost and timelines at this early stage. They won’t have a “full design package” until spring, and then they’ll advertise for a contractor.
West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays are happening this year – just, like so many other things, differently. Some of the joy is available in special Hometown Holiday Boxes, in the spirit of the Harvest Fest boxes sold earlier this fall, and they’re another way to support local small businesses. Friday is the deadline for ordering one (or more) of these goodie boxes – here’s the description of what’s available:
The Hometown Holiday elves will be packing the boxes for delivery and pick-up beginning Saturday, December 19th through Thursday, December 24th. Each box is filled with Hometown Holiday treats from around the Junction; every box is unique and hand-packed with care. All the proceeds go back to the small businesses!
1. The Holly Jolly Box – This box will be full of local items, plus hand-selected beer and cider. 21+, must present ID. $55
2. The Jingle Bells Box – This box will have local wine, plus some unique gifts that are a wonderful way to relax into the season. 21+, must present ID. $55
3.The Chocolate Box – it’s like a chocolate charcuterie! This box is filled with chocolates, cocoa, West Seattle mugs, plus other handmade treats. $45
4.The Kids’ Merry Craft Box – a delight for kids packed with ornament crafts (one for your tree, one for the West Seattle tree!), a holiday book, plus other little treats for busy holiday hands. $25
You can order yours – and see what else is up for Hometown Holidays – via this page on the West Seattle Junction Association website. (WSB is a Hometown Holidays community co-sponsor.)
(December 2019 photo by Rosalie Miller)
It’s that time of year again when turkey is on many minds … and headed for so many ovens. But thoughts have also turned to the wild turkey who surprised and delighted West Seattleites for many months. Several readers have messaged or commented recently asking what ever happened to The West Seattle Turkey. (Some had names for her – Tallulah and Admiral Belvidere among others – but we just referred to her as TWST.) The first sighting we heard about was in April 2019, in Arbor Heights. She headed northbound and eventually settled in the Admiral area, most often seen near West Seattle High School, with some side trips – including a perch on a Junction crane. Then around the time the pandemic really blew up back in March, she started heading south, with a sojourn in Gatewood, then finding her way back to Arbor Heights in early April, and eventually leaving West Seattle altogether – after this sighting, she crossed the city-limits line, and so far as we’ve heard, never came back. Last report we got was a Kent sighting in late April. Some time later, we contacted Regional Animal Services of King County to ask if they by any chance had rounded up a turkey. They had – but it was definitely not the same turkey. So TWST’s fate remains a mystery. It was speculated she roamed because she was looking for love; we hope she found it.
The West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) just announced two opportunities for you to provide holiday help if you can:
West Seattle YMCA Pajama & Toy Drive
Join us for a drive-thru pajama & toy drive on Saturday, November 28, from 12:00 – 3:00 pm at the West Seattle Y [36th/Snoqualmie] to support Y families this holiday season. We are looking for warm pajamas, sizes 5T through size 16, and unwrapped toys. A few favorites include Legos, art kits, board games, Paw Patrol, Hot Wheels, and all kinds of balls. If you are not able to join us for the drive-thru, please see our online wish list:
West Seattle YMCA Virtual Giving Tree
During the holiday season, the West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA hosts the Giving Tree, which is full of requests from youth who are participants of our programs. We invite you to join our virtual Giving Tree to support our community while also keeping everyone safe.
We’ll be adding these ASAP to the list of giving opportunities in our just-launched West Seattle Holiday Guide.
Every year, we assemble a long list of local info for the winter-holiday season. This year, the list is a lot shorter because the pandemic has quashed many events, but there’s still plenty for a West Seattle Holiday Guide, so we’ve just launched version 1.0. It includes everything from our West Seattle Christmas tree lot list to online holiday events to donation drives and much more. As always, we’ll be adding to the guide as the season goes on. The Thanksgiving list currently atop the guide includes links to the annual “who’s open” lists. So far, the restaurant list is a lot shorter than usual too; some venues offered pre-ordering (those aren’t included, just places that said they’re actually open tomorrow for takeout). We have a coffee list, too, plus info on grocery-store hours. We appreciate your help with additions and updates, for the Thanksgiving lists or the Holiday Guide now through New Year’s – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes from the Southwest Precinct
:
PACKAGE THIEF: Local police are circulating those images, with this bulletin: “Requesting assistance in identifying this theft suspect. On 11-19-20 at 0200 hrs, the suspect pictured above was captured on home security camera stealing a package off the victim’s front porch in the 3900 block SW Holden St. Any assistance in identifying this suspect is appreciated.” Contact police and cite case 20-926231.
AUTO-THEFT ALERT: According to the precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner, “As of November 24th, the SW Precinct is trending up in auto theft incidents; specifically, we are up 4% year-to-date over last year’s numbers, and we are up 14% in the last 28 days over this period last year. The following neighbors are seeing substantial increases: Alaska Junction, Westwood/Roxhill/Arbor Heights, Morgan Junction, and Fauntleroy.” She offers this advice for preventing auto theft and car prowls:
Both of these crimes are referred to as crimes of opportunity and can happen very fast! An experienced car thief can break in and steal a car in less than one minute!
What are some prevention techniques for car prowl and auto theft?
-Never leave your car running or the keys in the ignition when you’re away, even for ‘just a minute’, please remember this is illegal in Seattle and in Washington (SMC 11.70.160, RCW 46.61.600)
-Remove remote garage door openers, key fobs and key cards from vehicle
-Always lock doors and roll up windows, even if the car is parked in front of your home
-Never leave valuables in plain view, even if your car is locked
-Items you don’t want to take with you should be stored in the trunk, or out of sight
-Put items in the trunk before you arrive at your destination
-Even non-valuable items should be hidden from view (such as electronic charging cables)
-If possible, park vehicle in a busy, locked, monitored and/or well-lit area
-Utilize anti-theft devices (Please contact me directly for link/suggestions for where to purchase these)
-If possible, activate alarm
What else can you do?
-Be observant! If you see something, say something!
-Remember to always report all crimes and suspicious activity to the Seattle Police Department by calling 911 for in-progress crimes, or utilize the non-emergency number/online reporting if appropriate (206-625-5011)
-Organize and/or get involved with Block Watch
You can contact her with questions at jennifer.danner@seattle.gov. To report a crime online – something not happening right now or moments ago – go here.
(Lincoln Park – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
On Thanksgiving Eve, here’s what’s happening:
TURKEY DONATIONS: The West Seattle Food Bank is still accepting turkeys, until 2 pm today. (35th/Morgan)
NEED FOOD? Three ways to get it today:
*WSFB is distributing food 10 am-3 pm (they should have at least a few turkeys left – among the latest donors, Safeway planned to take over ~50)
*Seattle Public Schools – last meal distribution until Monday, 11:15 am-1:15 pm
*Food Lifeline (815 S. 96th) – distributing food boxes 2 pm-5 pm
UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE: Informational presentation at the Senior Center, 11 am – details here. (4217 SW Oregon)\
PRE-HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Our recent update includes grocery-store hours for today and tomorrow at local standalone stores. Also, local, independent shop West Seattle Wine Cellars (6026 California SW) emailed to say they’re open 11 am-7 pm today.
6:07 AM: Welcome to Wednesday, November 25th, the 247th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
Delridge project: No work Thursday and Friday, says SDOT. Here’s what’s happening until then (and beyond).
TRANSIT
Metro – Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving.
Water Taxi – No service Thanksgiving or the day after.
CHECK TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO
West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Restricted-daytime-access (open to all 9 pm-5 am) low bridge:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River, the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) . Here are two cameras:
The other major bridge across the river – the South Park Bridge (map). Here’s the nearest camera:
Going through South Park? Don’t speed. (Same goes for the other detour-route neighborhoods, like Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge.)
Checking for bridges’ marine-traffic openings? See the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
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