West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Tonight’s pandemic headlines as we head into a summer-like weekend:
KING COUNTY NUMBERS: First, the latest stats from the Public Health daily-summary page, cumulative totals:
*93,046 people have tested positive, 447 more than yesterday’s total
*1,493 people have died, 2 more than yesterday’s total
*5,532 people have been hospitalized, 29 more than yesterday’s total
*1,003,142 people have been tested, 1,001 more than yesterday’s total
On to our weekly check of key numbers on the COVID Vaccination Among King County Residents dashboard:
*962,030 people have received one dose
*596,525 people have received both doses
*1,380,455 doses have been allocated to King County (not counting pharmacy programs)
One week ago, the first four totals were 90,581/1,483/5,444/990,088, and the vaccination totals were 842,660/504,402/1,244,985.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 139.9 million cases, 2,999,000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation numbers here.
COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER’S BRIEFING: In his weekly briefing, Dr. Jeff Duchin updated King County trends. Good news: “Deaths have fallen dramatically.” Also good: 51 percent of people in King County age 16 and up have received at least one vaccine injection. Otherwise, “cases are substantial but holding steady.”
IF YOU’RE SEARCHING FOR VACCINE – here are links to try:
*If you’re looking for a city-site appointment, note that the official advice is to sign up for the city’s notification list for all four of its sites here.
*Health-care providers (particularly bigger ones like UW Medicine (one reader specifically recommends Valley Medical Center), Franciscan, Swedish, Kaiser Permanente, Neighborcare, etc.)
*covidwa.com (volunteer-run aggregator) – you can also follow its tweets for instant notifications
*The state’s Vaccine Locator (as mentioned above)
*The CDC’s Vaccine Finder
*Pharmacies big and small – Safeway, Rite Aid, QFC, Pharmaca, Costco
*Sea Mar clinics
And if travel time is not a barrier – Beth recommends this lookup for potential appointments within a few hours’ drive.
IF YOU NEED TESTING SATURDAY: It’s the last day for the West Seattle test site (2801 SW Thistle), which will become vaccinations0-only on Monday.
GOT INFO OR PHOTOS? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
(Photo by James Tilley)
It’s a summery spring night on Alki. Despite signs like the one above, SFD has been called out to handle unauthorized beach fires tonight. And SPD has been summoned to investigate reports of racing/stunt-driving at Don Armeni Boat Ramp. Reckless driving was.a big topic at last night’s Alki Community Council meeting, including late-night crashes like this one hours after the meeting:
(Texted photo: Car damaged by hit-run driver in 1400 block Alki after 9 pm Thursday)
Southwest Precinct Lt. Dorothy Kim represented local police at the ACC meeting. She recapped what we reported on Monday about last Sunday’s multi-agency show of force – noting that the State Patrol is “really interested in the street racers” because the groups often use I-5 to get from one point to another.
The reprieve for West Seattle’s city-run COVID-19 test site ends after tomorrow. Last month, as first reported here, a plan to end testing at the Southwest Athletic Complex parking-lot site was announced. Then, a week later, the city announced an extension of testing services there until at least April 17th. That’s tomorrow, and Seattle-King County Public Health said today that Saturday will indeed be the last day of testing at SWAC, with the site converting to all-vaccination status as of Monday. City Councilmember Lisa Herbold said in her weekly newsletter this afternoon that “The Mayor’s Office had previously assured me that if the SW Thistle site were to stop testing, they would place a Curative testing kiosk in the near vicinity, similar to the kiosk at Don Armeni” – but there’s no word of one yet. The Curative kiosk at Don Armeni, though, continues in operation, as do a few other test sites mentioned in Herbold’s newsletter.
5:42 PM: Avoid 35th SW south of Avalon; Seattle Fire has a sizable response there for a problem in an underground electrical vault. Updates to come.
6:06 PM: At the scene, firefighters tell us it’s out and the vault is ‘de-energized.’ City Light is here; some nearby power is out.
7:21 PM: The City Light outage map shows 130 customers are without electricity right now.
Though his accomplishments are many, Lou Magor‘s West Seattle neighbors may know him best as the keeper of Kenyon Hall, the historic event venue at 7904 35th SW. Suddenly, the hall is without its hero, as Mr. Magor has died at age 75. His death was announced today by the pastor of Wallingford United Methodist Church, where he served as music director.
Mr. Magor shared his talents far and wide, also as longtime accompanist of the renowned Total Experience Gospel Choir, and as a Kindermusik teacher for the littlest visitors to Kenyon Hall, which started its life as the Olympic Heights Social Hall more than a century ago. In Mr. Magor’s years of managing the hall, it has not only showcased the circa-1929 “Mighty Wurlitzer” pipe organ that it houses, but has also seen performances by musicians and actors from unassuming community groups to superstar Eddie Vedder (who played two semi-secret shows there in 2008). The hall also hosted many fundraising galas for local nonprofits, especially those whose performances benefited from its excellent acoustics. More recently, Mr. Magor kept Kenyon Hall going through the pandemic shutdown by presenting a series of online events that also served as fundraisers for the nonprofit operation. Beyond his work, as the pastor’s announcement of Mr. Magor’s passing noted, he was known for his personality: “It is his warmth, laughter, friendship, and presence that we will perhaps miss the most.” We will update when we learn of memorial plans.
ADDED: Thanks to everyone sharing memories in comments. We also received this video link from Bob – it’s a TV-news report from 1989, when Mr. Magor coached a California crowd through a sing-along “Messiah”:
MONDAY: A tribute to Mr. Magor is now on the Kenyon Hall website.
For the second time in four months, a Morgan Junction bank branch has closed. First, Chase closed its branch inside West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) at the end of last year; today, WaFd Bank closed its branch at California/Fauntleroy. Signage on the door notes that they are consolidating operations at the WaFd branch on the north end of The Junction (4102 California SW); we have an inauiry out to WaFd HQ seeking more information on the consolidation. Public records indicate the bank (formerly Washington Federal) owns the building, but don’t show either a development proposal or sale/lease listing for it so far. (Thanks to Morgan Community Association president Deb Barker for the tip; local business is one of many topics that will be on MoCA’s quarterly meeting agenda at 7 pm Wednesday.)
P.S. Morgan Junction won’t be bankless for long – Waterfront Credit Union‘s move to 6421 California SW is getting closer.
(Slide from March presentation to Community Task Force)
This past Monday was the deadline for prospective contractors to submit to SDOT their proposals for the West Seattle Bridge project – spanning high-bridge and low-bridge work. Six proposals were received, SDOT tells WSB. So now what happens? According to spokesperson Ethan Bergerson, “We expect to announce a shortlist of candidates for interviews by the end of April, and will invite contractor teams to show how their experience and qualifications make them the best fit for the work. Shortlisted firms will be interviewed in May and June.” SDOT expects to choose the contractor in time for the next major schedule update and design milestone in mid-summer; they are using a process that enables the contractor to be brought in before design is complete, GCCM (General Contractor/Construction Manager). The design is being led by a consultant with whom the city’s already been working, WSP. The high- and low-bridge work is expected to cost about $72 million; more details are in this post from March. Until that expected July update, the estimate for completion and high-bridge reopening remains “mid-2022.”
1:16 PM: Big callout in 5400 block of Fauntleroy but turned out to be a dryer fire, says SFD.
1:35 PM: One engine and one ladder truck left at the scene (on the east side of Fauntleroy). No injuries reported.
Another addition to the booming wine scene in West Seattle: If you have passed by 3278 California SW, you might have noticed the small liquor-license-application notice in the window of one of those new live-work units. It is for Molly’s Bottle Shop, a Ballard wine shop that’s adding a West Seattle location. Molly’s specializes in “natural wine.” Proprietor Molly Ringe tells WSB, “We are so excited! Our goal is be open in May – we are waiting for Liquor Control Board approval. The store will be run by a West Seattle local named Sebastiano Tecchio.”
For the second time in three days, we’ve received a report of a stolen white Ford van. This one is from Kate:
Our 2001 white Ford e350 conversion van was stolen from the side of our house late Wednesday night or Thursday morning. We live on 35th and Thistle. It was parked on Thistle Street. License plate is MOBI.
If you see it, call 911.
Just opened this week at 5214 Delridge Way SW – a new self-serve pet-wash business, Pawsitively Kleen. Co-proprietors Mario and Keith tell WSB that they “moved to West Seattle close to 7 years ago and we have always wanted to open a business related to pets.” They of course have their own: “We have had 5 different types of dogs in the last 20 years. Currently we have a Mastiff and a Pit Bull.” Though Pawsitively Kleen is self-serve, they explain, “We will be there most of the time walking customers through the process. We are very excited to be able to serve the West Seattle community.” Hours are 10 am-8 pm.
Thanks to James for the tip. The University of Washington beach-volleyball team is playing at Alki today, Saturday, and Sunday. From the announcement:
Washington Beach Volleyball gets to compete in the sands of Seattle for the first time in over two years this weekend, making up for lost time with a total of seven matches over three days at Alki Beach this Friday through Sunday, April 16-18. The first two days will make up one tournament, the Husky Invitational, featuring UW, 15th-ranked Hawaii, Oregon, and Portland. Then Sunday will be three more dual matches separate from the tourney, with UW, Hawaii and 9th-ranked Arizona all playing each other once.
It’s the first home matches for UW since March of 2019. It’s also the last week of the regular season as the Pac-12 Championships are next up for the Dawgs starting on April 29.
Though past visits have drawn crowds, this time they’re asking you to stay away:
Fans are respectfully requested not to attend the weekend’s matches at Alki Beach. Due to Covid-19 protocols and the openness of the area, crowds cannot be controlled nor can seats be assigned.
Going into the weekend, the Huskies are 1-7. Their appearances at Alki date back to 2016.
The Alki Elementary PTA has a triple invitation for you – involving entertainment, flowers, and treats. Here’s the announcement:
Broadway has been dark for over a year… But the lights are bright at Alki Elementary! Alki PTA is thrilled to announce the 10th anniversary of their musical theater enrichment program with this year’s musical, Super Happy Awesome News! Thursday, April 22nd (Super Cast!) and Friday, April 23rd (Awesome Cast!) at 6:30 PM.
We’d like to extend the invitation to our surrounding West Seattle schools and community to get on the guest list at Alkimusical.square.site for a fun family night joining our Zoom viewing parties to watch our pre-recorded shows! You won’t want to miss 29 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Alki performers bringing you this totally new musical from Beat by Beat Press, written during quarantine about kids in quarantine! In this crazy year, we all need a little Super Happy Awesome News!
In Alki PTA Musical tradition, we will be having a Flower & Bake Sale – ONLINE NOW through Sunday, April 18th at midnight – where all proceeds benefit Alki PTA and our community partners: Admiral Theatre, Jones Soda, Cupcake Royale, Alm Hill Gardens, Treat Cookies, Franz Bakery and more! Pre-order beautiful spring flower bouquets for your home, popcorn buckets for your viewing parties, tasty treats, and cupcakes to celebrate the night! And don’t forget your PBJGBCSWC Sandwich Kit! (Trust us, after watching Chef make this tasty treat during the production, every kid will want to make their own!) Pick up your goods near Alki Elementary April 22nd and 23rd 3:30 – 5:30 PM.
Your $5 suggested donation and/or purchase from the Super Happy Awesome Flower + Bake Sale at Alkimusical.square.site will ensure you are on the Guest List to receive both of the Premiere Viewing Party Zoom links in your inbox the week of the show!
On behalf of the cast and crew of Super Happy Awesome News and Alki PTA, we thank you for your support! For more information please visit alkipta.com
6:07 AM: Good morning! Another sunny and warm day, with mid-70s forecast again after Thursday’s 75-degree record.
SPRING BREAK’S LAST WEEKDAY
School’s out until Monday for Seattle Public Schools (and independent schools on the same calendar); middle-school and high-school part-time in-person classes start Monday.
ROAD WORK .
Delridge project – Early update this week – Delridge/Orchard intersection work is expected to start today and last about a month.
TRANSIT
Metro is due starting tomorrow to increase the number of passengers allowed on buses.
The West Seattle Water Taxi changes to its spring/summer schedule starting Monday – all-day, 7 days a week.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
389th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 14th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is now open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Read about other changes ahead, here.)
Here’s a low-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.
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