day : 26/03/2021 12 results

CORONAVIRUS: Friday 3/26/2021 roundup

Tonight’s pandemic headlines:

BACK TO SCHOOLS: Seattle Public Schools teachers have approved the deal with the district to start offering in-person lerning next week and beyond. Meantime, the governor’s official back-to-school proclamation is now updated with the new 3-foot rule.

KING COUNTY NUMBERS: First, the latest stats from the Public Health daily-summary page, cumulative totals:

*86,536 people have tested positive, 163 more than yesterday’s total

*1,459 people have died, 1 more than yesterday’s total

*5,261 people have been hospitalized, 10 more than yesterday’s total

*958,183 people have been tested, 1,508 more than yesterday’s total

On to our weekly check of key numbers on the COVID Vaccination Among King County Residents dashboard:

*628,239 people have received one dose

*348,784 people have received both doses

*935,435 doses have been allocated to King County (not counting pharmacy programs)

One week ago, the first four totals were 85,073/1,450/5,200/942,237, and the vaccination totals were 535,724/291,838/802.355.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 126.1 million cases, 2,767,000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation numbers here.

COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER’S BRIEFING: In his weekly briefing, Dr. Jeff Duchin reiterated that case numbers are increasing, as are hospitalization rates – mostly among 40- to 69-year-olds. But the death rate has decreased – down now to 2 a day. That’s mostly because vaccination has brought cases down dramatically in people 75+.

LOOKING FOR VACCINE? here are links to try:

*Check for West Seattle city-run site appointments here; sign up for the city’s notification list for all three of its sites here.
*Health-care providers (particularly bigger ones like UW Medicine, CHI Franciscan, Kaiser Permanente, etc.)
*covidwa.com (volunteer-run aggregator)
*The state says it’s improved its own lookup tool
*Here’s another multi-provider search to try
*Pharmacies big and small – Safeway, Rite Aid, QFC, Pharmaca, Costco
*Sea Mar clinics

IF YOU NEED TESTING SATURDAY: This will be the last Saturday for the city’s West Seattle test site (2801 SW Thistle), which becomes a vaccinations-only site as of Wednesday.

GOT INFO OR PHOTOS? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!

#StopAsianHate: Seattle Solidarity Walk on Saturday

Received tonight from Grace, who said, “I know it is not in West Seattle but I’m hoping that our community would like to participate”:

Solidarity Walk – United We Stand & Walk with our American Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Neighbors and Community.

March 27, 6 PM @ Green Lake (gather at the south end near the bleachers)

We will walk one loop.

Mask Up! Bring your signs, candles, glow sticks, flashlight, etc., whatever you choose to help shine the light as we walk together in solidarity.

We stand together with our AAPI community and are committed to be a voice against racism and as an advocate for a more just and humane world. We deserve and demand a better America – an America that is safe for all of its citizens.

CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Mail-theft suspect out again

We reported on Wednesday that suspected repeat mail thief Jason A. Turner was in jail again, for the seventh time this year. Tonight, he’s out again, and we have some details of his most-recent arrest. Court documents show that police took him into custody just after 7 am Wednesday, after 911 calls about someone who appeared to be stealing mail. They found him in the 4700 block of Delridge, in possession of what the police report lists as 19 envelopes and 2 packages “belonging to more than 3 victims.” In court the next day, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office requested that bail be set at $10,000, arguing that he had a history of warrants as well as a pending trial, plus other cases. Judge Lisa Paglisotti set his bail at $750. No new charges were filed by his second appearance this afternoon, so he was released. That’s also why he was released March 19th, after his March 16th arrest for alleged theft from Home Depot. This doesn’t mean he won’t ever be charged in those cases – but prosecutors have to get investigation results from police before they can make a charging decision. Turner has no felony convictions on his record; a May date is tentatively set for his trial on the four felony charges filed last month.

BIZNOTES: Outdoor pizza; coffee and art; another food-truck stop

Three biznotes:

(Photo courtesy West Seattle Junction Association)

OUTDOOR PIZZA: The covered outdoor dining area that’s been under construction at Talarico’s Pizzeria in The Junction is open. Like the addition to Elliott Bay Brewing next door, this one straddles – but doesn’t block – the sidewalk. Talarico’s (4718 California SW) is open 3-9 pm weekdays, noon-9 pm on weekends.

COFFEE AND ART: You’re invited to stop by Youngstown Coffee in Morgan Junction to enjoy art, as well as beverages:

That work by Tess Rhea is just part of what’s on display right now. Youngstown proprietor Autumn Lovewell explains, “Youngstown Coffee is hosting its first annual Women’s Herstory Art Show, going on now through the end of next week, April 4th. Our shop is female-owned and we are proud to showcase local West Seattle women who create art. Art is for purchase, and proceeds benefit the artist and non-profit organization Rain City Rock Camp. Youngstown Coffee is open 8 am to 4 pm daily. Stop by and support local female artists.” The shop is at 6032 California SW.

NEW FOOD-TRUCK STOP: The Huxley (4754 Fauntleroy Way SW) is now hosting food trucks twice a month, first Fridays and third Thursdays. Next visit is a week from today (Friday, April 2nd) – Bread and Circuses will be there 3-7 pm. You can even preorder for pickup – the order form, with the menu, is here.

West Seattle’s first Little Free Art Gallery!

That’s Mindi Katzman with what she says is a West Seattle first! She sent the photos and report:

West Seattle now has its own Little Free Art Gallery, set up by me and installed yesterday. The idea is to promote a little cheer, delight, and fun…and of course, art.

Anyone can drop off a small piece, either two- or three-dimensional (potters – think small seconds or firsts; painters – small pieces etc.) This is for everyone and anyone. Take a piece, leave a piece, or both!!! But PLEASE, do not take the figures, easels, or bench.

This was possible thanks to the efforts of Ken Cermak, who built it; Brian Mooney, who installed the post; Natalie Dupille, who cheered me on and helped install the gallery; and Emme Dupille – who contributed the first piece. And of course, Stacy Milrany, Milrany.com, who has made the concept take off. I look forward to seeing what comes and goes.

The Little Free Art Gallery is in Morgan Junction, 38th Avenue SW, between Morgan and Graham.

WEEKEND ALERT: 4722 Fauntleroy tower crane coming down Saturday

March 26, 2021 2:57 pm
|    Comments Off on WEEKEND ALERT: 4722 Fauntleroy tower crane coming down Saturday
 |   Development | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Photo by Eddie, from the crane’s installation in October 2019)

Thanks to Sharonn for forwarding the alert from Compass Construction: The tower crane that’s been working on the 2-building Maris Apartments project at 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW and 4721 38th SW is coming down tomorrow (Saturday, March 27th), after a year and a half. The notice says that will re-route vehicle traffic off Fauntleroy between Alaska and Edmunds and will close the pedestrian walkway on the east side of that block. Removal of this tower crane will leave one in West Seattle, at the 1250 Alki SW project.

ROAD-WORK ALERT: Closure ahead for east end of Sylvan Way

A new road closure is part of the weekly update on the Delridge Way repaving-and-more project preparing for the RapidRide H Line launch. Sylvan Way between Orchard and Delridge “will be closed as early as March 31 for roadway demolition and paving,” SDOT says, adding that the closure will continue “into April.” The somewhat parallel leg of Orchard will be the recommended detour to get to and from the rest of Sylvan Way. Other key points for the week ahead:

*SW Trenton St on the east side of Delridge Way SW is closed and will remain closed for several weeks to complete roadway, sidewalk, and curb ramp paving in the area. SW Thistle St has temporarily re-opened during this closure.

*Landscaping is beginning throughout the corridor and will continue into April

*Roadway and electrical upgrades on SW Hudson St between Delridge Way SW and Puget Blvd SW have been rescheduled

*Roadway demolition on Delridge Way SW near the SW Findlay St intersection will flip to the west side beginning as early as March 29

*Intersection upgrades continue at SW Kenyon St and SW Holden St

The full weekly work-plan preview is here. The work is scheduled to continue into fall, with the Route 120/RapidRide H conversion expected next year.

SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Submarine, northbound

(Photo by Duncan Dorris)

Thanks for the tips and pic! Just seen off West Seattle, that outbound submarine. The sub only shows on MarineTraffic.com, as is typical, as “U.S. warship.”

IN-PERSON LEARNING: Seattle Public Schools educators approve agreement for first phase of returning to campuses

The Seattle Education Association has just announced that its members have approved the Memorandum of Understanding allowing some in-person learning for Seattle Public Schools students in preK through 5th grades as well as Special Education Intensive Service Pathways. From the union announcement:

The new agreement has assurances that remote learning remains high-quality for those who choose it. It also includes a commitment to keep as many students as possible with their current classroom educator, maintaining six-foot distancing, adequate educator leave for COVID quarantine, and clear signage for each work space being occupied to indicate that health and safety standards are being met.

The district and union are still in negotiations over the second phase of returning to in-person learning, middle- and high-school instruction. As recapped on the district website, elementary and K-8 schedules change on Monday; that’s also when preK students and those in elementary Special Education Intensive Pathways return in person, while other elementary students return April 5th.

WEST SEATTLE MUSIC: Will Rainier and friends build ‘Bridge to Nowhere’

As we marked the one-year anniversary of the West Seattle Bridge closure this week, a local musician has released a song inspired by both the closure and the pandemic. Here’s the announcement:

“Bridge to Nowhere” is the latest release from West Seattle singer-songwriter Will Rainier, and his first as a solo artist. It was influenced by the pandemic, the loss of the West Seattle Bridge, and the feeling of isolation we’ve all felt over the past year. The acoustic ballad is melancholic yet hopeful and features vocals by Will’s long-time bandmate and collaborator Jen Garrett and vibes by Grammy award-winning percussionist T.J. Troy. You can stream and download the song on his website here.

Will Rainier has been a part of the Seattle music scene since 1991, playing in bands such as Slugfest, Tarantulada, Stuporhero, and most recently Will Rainier and The Pines, who released their debut album, “Tethered to the World,” April 2020. (Listen here.)

Will’s debut solo album, “Enough Blue To Go Around,” will be out this summer.

Notes for your West Seattle Friday

March 26, 2021 9:31 am
|    Comments Off on Notes for your West Seattle Friday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Look closely for signs of spring! Photo by Don Brubeck)

What’s ahead today/tonight:

TALK WITH YOUR COUNCILMEMBER: City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s monthly online office hours are 2-6 pm today. See the end of this post for info on signing up for an appointment.

HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: No spectators allowed, but West Seattle High School plays at home (Southwest Athletic Complex) vs.Franklin HS (UPDATE: WSHS game canceled), 7 pm, which is also the time for Chief Sealth International High School‘s road game at Northwest Athletic Complex vs. Lakeside

THEATER: Twelfth Night Productions presents four shorts from “All in the Timing,” live online at 7:30 pm. Ticket info and other details are in our calendar listing.

WATER OUTAGE: 8 pm tonight to 8 am tomorrow, as previewed here, water service will be out in an area near 28th/Yancy because of housing-construction work.

WEATHER, TRAFFIC, ROAD WORK: Friday watch, with weekend alerts

March 26, 2021 6:12 am
|    Comments Off on WEATHER, TRAFFIC, ROAD WORK: Friday watch, with weekend alerts
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:12 AM: Good morning! Some sunshine in the forecast today.

ROAD WORK .

Delridge projectHere’s where work continues.

Speed humpsWork alert for SW Henderson between 10th and 12th.

Weekend workFrom SDOT, two West Seattle work sites:

Weather permitting, crews will begin paving work this weekend at two locations:
-1st Ave S between S Cloverdale St and SW Kenyon St
-Intersection of SW Henderson St and 9th Ave SW
Paving will take place between 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM in both locations.

TRANSIT

Metro is on its changed-for-spring regular schedule

The West Seattle Water Taxi is using the smaller Spirit of Kingston, likely through next week

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

368th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: 11th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily. Here’s a bridge view:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:

To check for bridges’ marine-traffic openings, see the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.