day : 25/04/2021 10 results

Tonight’s pandemic news:

THOUSANDS OF APPOINTMENTS: Need a vaccine appointment? Suddenly the city has thousands. Here’s the link. (If you are looking for other options, see the list in last night’s roundup.)

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the King County Daily Summary Dashboard page, the cumulative totals:

*96,341 people have tested positive, 463 more than yesterday’s total

*1,503 people have died, unchanged from yesterday’s total

*5,692 people have been hospitalized, 28 more than yesterday’s total

*1,028,384 people have been tested, 3,974 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, those totals were 93,854/1,493/5,573/1,008,756.

WEST SEATTLE TRENDS: Time for our weekly check. These numbers are shown in two-week increments via the “geography over time” tab on the countywide daily-summary dashboard; to determine WS status, we combine the totals from the West Seattle and Delridge “health reporting areas” (HRAs): For the past two weeks, 180 positive test results; 129 in the 2 weeks before that; 99 in the two weeks before that. … We also are noting WS death totals each week. The total deaths for the entire pandemic in the two HRAs comprising West Seattle: 65, unchanged again in this past week.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 146.8 million cases and 3,106,000+ deaths, 572,000+ of them in the U.S. – see the nation-by-nation breakdown here

SCHOOL CASES: 19 in local Seattle Public Schools so far this year, and one just reported.

NEED A TEST? Since the city is no longer offering it at the West Seattle hub, here are nearby options

Curative walk-up kiosk @ Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW, Monday-Saturday 8 am-3 pm, book online)
Curative van @ Summit Atlas (35th/Roxbury, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 am-2:30 pm, book online)
Neighborcare‘s High Point clinic (6020 35th SW – call 206-461-6950 for appointment)
City drive-up site in SODO (3820 6th Ave. S., Monday-Saturday, 9 am-5:30 pm, book online)

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

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SCHOOL UPDATES: Virus case; cohorts merge; graduation dates

April 25, 2021 8:34 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Three notes about West Seattle schools:

COVID CASE: Genesee Hill Elementary families received email sent by principal Gerrit Kischner on Friday afternoon announcing a student had tested positive:

… I am writing to let you know that one of our students is confirmed to have COVID-19. The student was last in the building April 19th after exposure during Spring Break. Students and adults who came in close contact with this student have been identified, notified, and are following Public Health guidelines to isolate and/or quarantine for 10 days.

With sports and other activities restarting, several families have notified us this week that they have kept their children home for testing \because of possible exposure in the home or community. We are glad that this appears to be a single positive case at this time, with no transmission in the building. Please continue to notify us of possible concerns so that we can remain vigilant. …

Thanks to the reader who forwarded that email. They also noted that the district is keeping a public dashboard of cases, by region rather than by school; it shows the Southwest region – West Seattle and South Park – with 19 cases reported this school year, 12 students and 7 staffers.

COHORTS MERGE: Last weekend we noted that Chief Sealth International High School principal Aida Fraser-Hammer had told families that if more students didn’t sign up for the hybrid option, they would merge cohorts, instead of one group having in-person classes Monday/Tuesday afternoons and another having them Thursday/Friday afternoons. This weekend, she notified families that the merger is indeed on, so the only days with in-person learning at Sealth will be Mondays/Tuesdays.

GRADUATION DATES: As first reported here two weeks ago, the district will have in-person graduation ceremonies after all. The dates/times are now set – Chief Sealth IHS and West Seattle HS will both have ceremonies on Saturday, June 12th – WSHS at 11 am, CSIHS at 5 pm. Interagency Academy, which includes two West Seattle locations, will graduate at 5:30 pm Thursday, June 17. Those and most other Seattle Public Schools graduations this year will be at Memorial Stadium downtown.

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WEEK AHEAD: HPAC talks about Reconnect West Seattle Home Zone work Wednesday

April 25, 2021 7:46 pm

| Comments Off on WEEK AHEAD: HPAC talks about Reconnect West Seattle Home Zone work Wednesday

| Delridge | Highland Park | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Also coming up this week, the monthly meeting for HPAC, the community council for the Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge neighborhoods. From the announcement:

Seeing these new SDOT signs around the neighborhood? Drop in to our monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28 for updates from SDOT regarding work on the Home Zone projects and reporting on Reconnect West Seattle efforts rolling out in 2021 that need our input. Bring any new concerns or traffic impacts you are noticing!

We’ll also reserve some time to generate neighborhood specific concerns and questions for upcoming Mayoral candidate forums. Plus – save the date: Saturday, May 1 work party opportunity at Highland Park Improvement Club – help trusty trustees pull down the 100 year old chimney and do general garden/lot maintenance – social distancing + masking observed! Drop in any time 8 am-4 pm.

Wednesday night’s HPAC meeting is online; connection/call-in info is here.

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BIZNOTE: Longtime West Seattle State Farm agent Terry Gangon is retiring

April 25, 2021 6:12 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

After 40 years, Terry Gangon is starting his final week as a State Farm agent in the West Seattle Junction. He asked us to share his announcement – which includes an invitation to join in a donation drive and a giveaway:

It is with very mixed emotions that I write to tell you that I have announced my retirement from State Farm Insurance, effective April 30th, 2021. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity and privilege to serve as your agent. I want to thank you for your support, trust, and loyalty throughout the years. You have been a huge blessing to me and my family!!! My career with State Farm has been interesting, sometimes challenging, and always enjoyable. I have thoroughly enjoyed each day being your agent. The days have turned into years and it is hard to believe that I began my career with State Farm Insurance October 1st, 1980. There has never been a dull moment!

As I retire, State Farm has selected two agents to service my West Seattle policyholders. Your policies will not be affected in any way by my retirement. On June 1st, Travis Hartman will be starting his State Farm Agency, with half of my West Seattle policyholders in an office on Fauntleroy Way SW just east of the Morgan Street Junction. Travis is married to Brenda and they have a one-year-old son named Owen. He was born and raised in Seattle and is a proud UW Alum. He has had the pleasure of working with State Farm for the last four years. August 1, 2021, Derek Chambers will start his Agency with the other half of my West Seattle policyholders. He will take over my office in the West Seattle Junction. He is originally from the East Coast and moved here to work with two of the top agents in the Seattle market. Derek has helped run those agencies for the past four years. He has been married to Demi for seven years and has a son, Ivan. Both Travis and Derek are very passionate about the community and extremely excited to start their West Seattle Agencies! I feel confident and secure in the knowledge that both will take great care of all your insurance and financial service needs. In the interim, starting May 1st, Brian Chambers – Derek’s older brother – has been given the task of taking care of all your insurance needs.

After forty-plus years as a State Farm agent in West Seattle, it is going to seem very different not to talk to you or see you in the office. Julia and I plan to continue to live in West Seattle. We hope to do some traveling and enjoy more time with our children and grandchildren. I am hopeful that our paths will cross again in the future.

Again, thank you for allowing me the honor of serving as your agent and assisting with your insurance needs. I am grateful for your trust and loyalty as a State Farm policyholder. It has been an honor to serve you throughout the years! Thank you, West Seattle and beyond!!!

Terry’s favorite bible verse is Proverbs 3: 5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

(updated) On Friday, April 30th, Terry Gangon will be holding a food drive for the West Seattle Food Bank at his office in the Alaska Junction.

We will be cooking hot dogs and giving them away to anyone who presents an insurance card showing they are insured with Terry’s office, and/or anyone who wants to donate non-perishable food.

To comply with social distancing guidelines, we ask that if you do come by please pull through the driveway on the north side of the building and remain in your car with your mask on. Someone will come by to receive your donations/check your insurance card and bring you a hot dog with your choice of toppings.

We look forward to seeing you!

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DELRIDGE PROJECT: This week’s repaving-and-more plan

April 25, 2021 5:01 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT photo, Delridge/Orchard)

As the weekend comes to a close, it’s time to look ahead to where the Delridge Way repaving-and-more project will be focused this week. From SDOT, the key sites:

*Intersection upgrades at SW Orchard St and Delridge Way SW to continue for several weeks. Travel will be reduced to one lane in each direction on both Delridge Way SW and SW Orchard St, and a uniformed police officer will be present to direct traffic through the area.

*Roadway upgrades on SW Hudson St between Delridge Way SW and 25th Ave SW continue

*Intersection upgrades at SW Kenyon St scheduled to resume next week and will last approximately one week. A uniformed police officer will be stationed at the intersection to help direct traffic.

*Roadway upgrades at 21st Ave SW and Delridge Way SW continue. Upcoming work includes rebuilding the intersection, which will include a full closure of 21st Ave SW.

And here’s a week-in-advance warning of the northernmost section of repaving:

*Beginning as early as May 3, we will begin upgrading the roadway between the West Seattle Bridge and SW Dakota St via mill and overlay, which is less noisy than traditional demolition and paving

The full work plan for the week ahead is here.

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VACCINATION: Thousands of city appointments available

April 25, 2021 3:27 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

For a while, the city was quite guarded about vaccination appointments – even canceling ones made via links that they claimed were shared without authorization. Then, just days ago, they were sending special signup codes to people on the waitlist. Suddenly today, a direct link is being widely and officially shared for ~20,000 appointments available at the city’s hubs, including West Seattle’s hub at the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). Anybody 16 and up who hasn’t been vaccinated yet can start here.

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LOW-LOW TIDES: Here’s when you’ll see them along West Seattle’s shore this week

April 25, 2021 1:21 pm

| 20 COMMENTS

| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to Brandy DeWeese for sending the photo of a sea-star sighting this morning on the shore at Lincoln Park. It wasn’t even a minus tide – those start tomorrow, and before the week’s out, we’ll see low-low tides. From our favorite tide chart:

Tuesday (4/27): -1.6 feet, 11:52 am
Wednesday (4/28): -2.5 feet, 12:34 pm
Thursday (4/29): -3.0 feet, 1:19 pm
Friday (4/30): -2.9 feet, 2:07 pm
Saturday (5/1): -2.3 feet, 2:59 pm

If you walk on the beach at those times, please be very careful of the exposed animal and plant life. Wondering what you might see? Here’s a field guide from the Seattle Aquarium (whose volunteer beach naturalists will be out during low-low tides later this spring and summer).

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WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Return of the Recycle Roundup!

April 25, 2021 10:26 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

After an initial rush – 100 visitors in the first half-hour – we got to the Fauntleroy Church Recycle Roundup during a semi-break in the action, Organizers told us people were already waiting before it began at 9 am!

1 Green Planet brings multiple trucks and containers to the free dropoff event in the parking lot at 9140 California SW (map).

Here’s the list of what they will and won’t accept this time. They do the unloading, but please wear your mask while there; church volunteers are there to direct traffic and answer questions (and accept donations if interested). The Recycle Roundup usually happens twice a year, spring and fall, but not last year because of the pandemic; it continues today until 3 pm.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Store robbery; stolen ‘rare’ burgundy van (found)

April 25, 2021 9:58 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports this morning:

STORE ROBBERY: Two men held up the Junction 7-11 early today, according to a preliminary summary filed by police. It says the robbers entered, then “milled around the store momentarily and then went behind the counter, where they confronted the lone store clerk. One (robber) held a small black handgun to the clerk’s back while the other demanded that he open the cash registers. The clerk complied and both registers were then emptied. The (robbers) also took cigarettes and lighters and then fled on foot.” A K-9 team helped search but the track ended in the alley behind the store. The robbers were described as Black, in their 20s, all-black clothing, black masks, and gloves.

STOLEN VAN: Be on the lookout for this van:

It’s a pretty rare burgundy color 1997 Chevy Astro and even more rare with a 5” lift and Jeep Wrangler wheels. It had a full tank of gas so probably long gone but who knows. Stolen 4/21/21. License plate BQV2561. Since it went missing, it has been seen on 42nd near Thriftway and in the parking lot at Fairmount Park Elementary. Please keep an eye out and call 911 (then) email me. gershon@est.org

UPDATE: Found where two commenters spotted it! The big gray rooftop cargo box is still missing, though.

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Recycle Roundup and what else is happening on your West Seattle Sunday

April 25, 2021 6:34 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(River otter, photographed near Don Armeni on Thursday by Stewart L.)

Welcome to the last Sunday of April!

RECYCLE ROUNDUP: The free dropoff event outside Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW) is back! 9 am-3 pm, take your recyclables (check this list first) to the church parking lot – though you’ll stay in your vehicle, you need to wear a face covering. Rain or shine!

90TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: 9 am, Eastridge Church celebrates its West Seattle campus’s 90th anniversary – details here.

TODAY’S ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES: As we do every week, we’ve updated our list of more than 20 local churches’ online Sunday services (some offer in-person options too), with the newest links – see it here.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in The Junction, the market’s open. Scroll down the page at this link to find the vendor list and map for this week. (Enter at California/Alaska; pickups for online orders are at California/Oregon)

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 11 am-4 pm – need a tool to fix or improve something? (4408 Delridge Way SW)’

FOOD DRIVE: Noon-4 pm, food drive for mutual-aid org Washmasks at C & P Coffee (5612 California; WSB sponsor). Our preview includes the list of items they’re requesting.

FREE TO-GO DINNER: White Center Community Dinner Church will serve to-go meals at 5 pm, outside, near the Bartell Drugs parking lot in White Center. (9600 15th Ave SW)

Got something for our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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