day : 30/01/2021 10 results

Here are the mid-weekend pandemic toplines:

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

*76.650 people have tested positive, 305 more than yesterday’s total

*1,264 people have died, 15 more than yesterday’s total

*4,787 people have been hospitalized, 16 more than yesterday’s total

*827,183 people have been tested, 618 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, those totals were 74,214/1,215/4,687/812,614.

WEST SEATTLE TRENDS: Here’s our weekly check of this stat, with numbers shown in two-week increments via the “geography over time” tab on the daily-summary dashboard, combining the totals from the West Seattle and Delridge “health reporting areas” (HRAs). For the past two weeks, 142 positive test results; 310 in the 2 weeks before that; 247 in the two weeks before that. … We also are noting WS death totals each week; the HRAs are the most precise count. The total deaths for the entire pandemic in the two HRAs comprising West Seattle: 56, four more than a week ago.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 102.5 million people have tested positive, and more than 2,219,000 people have died; U.S. deaths exceed 439,000. Most cases: U.S., India, Brazil, UK, Russia (the last two have changed places since last week). See the breakdown, nation by nation, here.

‘MORE CONTAGIOUS’ VARIANT: One week after the more-contagious “UK variant” of the virus – aka B117 – showed up in our state for the first time, it’s been detected in King County.

FINDING VACCINE: None of the nearby locations on the state website have availability. However, St. Anne Hospital in Burien advises eligible people to check back next Friday (February 5th) for possible appointment availability.

GETTING VACCINATED? Don’t take a pain reliever pre-shot, a UW expert advises.

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

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FINALE: Rock out during 4th event in series presented by Save The Stone Cottage

January 30, 2021 8:18 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(Photo by Stewart L.)

As preparations continue to move the Stone Cottage off its to-be-redeveloped site at 1123 Harbor SW, the volunteer preservationists working to save it have one more event ahead – here’s their update:

In a race to beat the wrecking ball, throughout January 2021 the “Save The Stone Cottage” committee has put on a series of educational, entertaining, and inspiring events called “Finding the Story Stones,” to raise awareness about our fundraising drive.

Finding each of the “Story Stones” has been unlocking elements of the unusual stories surrounding the Stone Cottage, Eva Falk, and the early history of Seattle and Alki. The final of these four fun activities will be held on February 12, capping off the series of fun events.

Finding Story Stone #4: “Karaoke Rock Concert”
February 12, 2021 at 7 pm

The Karaoke Rock Concert is the last of the four “Finding The Story Stones” events produced by The “Save the Stone Cottage” Committee, and is a musical-themed, family-friendly event. Originally scheduled for the end of January to coincide with the moving of the Stone Cottage, this event is being held in February as the Stone Cottage is in its final stages of preparation for the move, which is expected to be in mid-February.

The “Karaoke Rock Concert’ will include music, music trivia and will feature some special guest appearances. This interactive event will allow viewers and participants to join in the fun and compete for prizes! The ‘winner’ of the fourth and final Story Stone will unlock the “Story of the Duwamish.”

Event date and time: Friday, February 12, 2021; 7 pm
Location: Online Zoom viewing event; participants will submit their guesses and answers on Twitter.
Details: Anyone can join, view and participate.

So far three of the four “Story Stones” have been claimed. In early January, Tanya Johnson guessed the number of stones on the front façade of the Stone Cottage within 274 stones of the actual number, unlocking the first Story Stone. Then, Keefe Leung solved a series of six rhyming clues that led him to discover the second Story Stone hidden in the bow of the Sasha Eli, an aluminum “dory,” or boat, ‘frozen in time’ at the Whale Tail playground adjacent to Alki Elementary. And, finally, last weekend Beata Stensager completed “Walking in Eva’s Shoes,” having trekked all the way from the Alki Lighthouse to the Stone Cottage and visiting the five interpretive stops along the way. Beata was able to answer all five questions correctly to win the third Story Stone and a gift certificate to a local restaurant.

Save The Stone Cottage continues crowdfunding to cover the cost of moving the structure and storing it until a permanent new home is found.

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UPDATE: 1 dead in Harbor Island crash

January 30, 2021 6:18 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

6:18 PM: If you’re in east-facing West Seattle, you might be wondering about this emergency response on Harbor Island:

Massive emergency response near the West side of Harbor Island. Any info @westseattleblog? pic.twitter.com/0zwGuzPsym

— Kevin Freitas (@kevinfreitas) January 31, 2021

It’s described as a driver hitting a utility pole near 16th SW/SW Lander – the sizable response was required because the driver was reported to be trapped. No other details yet.

6:26 PM: SFD says the person was “safely extricated” and is being taken to a hospital.

12:26 AM: A commenter said that was inaccurate, that the driver was declared dead at the scene, and we have confirmation now from police. Their report:

A Ford Mustang was southbound on 16th Av SW on Harbor Island. The adult male driver lost control of the vehicle near SW Lander St and collided with a power pole. The driver was the only occupant and he did not survive. TCIS responded. The cause is under investigation.

TCIS is the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad.

1:56 PM: SFD acknowledged the error today and says the victim was a man in his mid-50s.

MONDAY UPDATE: The victim was identified by the King County Medical Examiner as 56-year-old Scott Fern.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Early-morning burglary; 2 gunfire reports

January 30, 2021 5:59 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

In West Seattle Crime Watch:

EARLY MORNING BURGLARY: Erin says this happened just before 5:30 am today:

Two people attempted to break into our home again today. This time we were home. We hid in our 5-year=old son’s room and called the police. It only took 7 mins for the police to arrive.

It was terrifying. They attempted to enter in the same way as before by climbing up the drain pipe and scaling access the facade. They also tried to break the glass on our front door.

We are in the new Steel Building on Delridge, between Puget and Brandon. Behind the old cafe. A kind, local unhoused person yelled at them before the police arrived and assisted the police with a description.

2 GUNFIRE REPORTS: We don’t have full details on either incident, but a texter sent this video from the first one, before 9 pm at 32nd SW and SW Andover:

Incident # is 21-024607. The second one was reported very early this morning in the 7100 block of 18th SW; we heard some police-radio discussion of the response to multiple 911 calls from people who thought they heard gunfire, but no evidence of it until the call turned up as classified “drive-by shooting,” incident # 21-024757. No reported injuries in either incident.

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READER REPORT: New left-turn signal at Highland Park Way/Holden

January 30, 2021 3:48 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks to Craig for the photo and report that a left-turn signal is now in place for drivers turning left from northbound Highland Park Way to westbound Holden. So far, he observes, it seems to be contributing to the eastbound backup on Holden, though. The left-turn signal is a feature that SDOT had promised would accompany the “permanent” light at the intersection; a “temporary” light was installed days after the West Seattle Bridge shutdown dramatically increased traffic there, with people heading to the 1st Avenue South Bridge.

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LISTEN: All Ways West Seattle podcast’s new episode spotlights a drink, a legend, and us

January 30, 2021 1:21 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

For your weekend listening consideration: The newest episode of what we would describe as definitive peninsula podcast, All Ways West Seattle. This time, host Keith Bacon features three topics: First, West 5 – as the restaurant/bar approaches its 18th anniversary – with a look at its legendary Mai Tai. Speaking of legends, you’ll also hear from the person whose quirky art installation is a tribute of sorts to the man at the heart of the West Seattle Bridge’s oddest story – the freighter pilot who took out the old bridge in 1978, Rolf Neslund, And the third segment of All Ways West Seattle’s new episode is a chat with your editor here, who founded the site 15 years ago as something very different from what it has become. (Here’s an audio snippet that Keith tweeted.) Here’s the full episode. If none of those topics interest you, see what else has been spotlighted in the podcast’s archived episodes here.

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REOPENING: Admiral Theater gets ready to raise the curtain again

January 30, 2021 11:29 am

| 34 COMMENTS

| Admiral Theater | Coronavirus | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL SATURDAY REPORT: Reopening plans have been announced by another West Seattle business that’s been totally shut down since new restrictions took effect in November. The historic Admiral Theater (2343 California SW) – West Seattle’s only movie theater – will reopen on Friday (February 5th). The movie lineup will be “News of the World,” “The Croods: A New Age,” “Marksman,” “Little Things,” and “Wonder Woman 1984.” Under Phase 2 of the “Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery” plan, which takes effect Monday for seven counties including ours, movie theaters will be allowed to operate at 25 percent capacity or 200 people maximum, whichever is fewer. The Admiral is part of a small Bainbridge Island-headquartered chain, Far Away Entertainment, that also will be able to open three other theaters, in the U-District, Stanwood, and Ocean Shores. The Admiral was able to open for several weeks last fall before the newest restrictions were announced.

P.S. New here? The Admiral has almost 80 years of backstory, as noted in our coverage of its reopening celebration 4 years ago, after completion of the remodel that turned it back into a first-run moviehouse.

ADDED MONDAY: Admiral co-proprietor Jeff Brein says in a comment, “In an effort to be responsive to folks who are hesitant to visit our Theater because people may be taking off masks to eat … we are going to introduce “Mask Mandatory” shows each day – those starting between the noon and 1:00 hour. Masks will be required at all times and concessions will NOT be sold but we encourage you to purchase on your way home after the movie to help support the Theater. The “Mask Mandatory” policy will not be in effect for our afternoon and evening performances.”

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BIZNOTE: New location of Realfine Coffee hosts Jet City Beignet on first Saturday

January 30, 2021 10:35 am

| Comments Off on BIZNOTE: New location of Realfine Coffee hosts Jet City Beignet on first Saturday

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Hot beignets are a hot item this morning at 35th/Kenyon, where Jet City Beignet (WSB sponsor) has a pop-up stand outside the new Realfine Coffee shop. The latter opened just four days ago – this was our first chance to get a peek inside:

The shop is open until 3 pm; Jet City Beignet is scheduled to be outside until about 1. If you miss them today, they’re scheduled to be at The Good Society (2701 California SW) 9 am-2 pm tomorrow; their upcoming pop-ups are listed on their calendar, here.

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WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: Welcome to the weekend!

January 30, 2021 6:43 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Jim Borrow)

January’s final weekend begins …

COFFEE & BEIGNETS: First Saturday for the new Realfine Coffee expansion location features a pop-up appearance by Jet City Beignet (WSB sponsor), 8 am-1 pm. (35th SW & SW Kenyon)

SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN: Open for you (masks required) to wander – details here. (6000 16th SW)

CURBSIDE LIBRARY SERVICE: Noon-6 pm at Southwest Library. (9010 35th SW)

VISUAL JOURNALING WORKSHOP: Presented by Seattle Public Library, 1:30 pm online. Register no later than an hour before it starts. Our calendar listing explains how.

ONLINE CONCERTS: Students from School of Rock-West Seattle are performing in two online concerts today – 4 pm (“Black Music Matters”) and 7 pm (“Rock ‘n’ Roll Resistance”). Watch them here.

Something missing for today/tonight? Let us know – email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank yOU!

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Why Westwood Village Target had to be evacuated Friday night

January 30, 2021 2:07 am

| 30 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police | Westwood

(Photo sent by Marlo)

After tips that Westwood Village Target had to be evacuated Friday night, we finally have information about what happened – it was a “person in crisis” situation, according to police, The SPD summary says it started just before 9 pm:

A person in crisis telephoned 911 from within the Westwood Village Target store and made threats to kill themselves. This person is known to Seattle PD for similar incidents. Southwest patrol officers responded to the location. Officers ascertained the location of the crisis subject, contained them, and evacuated the store. Patrol officers verbally contacted the subject and used de-escalation techniques to calm the subject. An on-duty Hostage Negotiator responded from the South Precinct and took over communications with the crisis subject. The HNT member was able to convince the person in crisis to surrender peacefully.

That happened around 9:45 pm, about 15 minutes before the store’s scheduled closing time.

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