Tonight’s pandemic headlines:

NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY: The city-run vaccination site in West Seattle is now taking walk-ups of any vaccine-eligible age (though appointments are still recommended to guarantee time slots). The hub will try out evening hours next Wednesday, too.

COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER’S BRIEFING: Even while acknowledging that King County is looking likely to roll back to Phase 2 in a week, Dr. Jeff Duchin says he sees reasons for optimism. Overall – hospitalizations are up, deaths are down. Watch his briefing here.

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

*98,095 people have tested positive, 475 more than yesterday’s total

*1,525 people have died, 11 more than yesterday’s total

*5,827 people have been hospitalized, 43 more than yesterday’s total

*1,038,291 people have been tested, 2,219 more than yesterday’s total

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

*1,190,224 people have received one dose

*783,936 people have received both doses

*1,691,845 doses have been allocated to King County (not counting pharmacy programs)

One week ago, the first four totals were 95,470/1,502/5,645/1,023,092, and the vaccination totals were 1,076,724/681,274/1,511,775.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 151.3 million cases, 3,176,000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation numbers here.

CHANGES FOR LONG-TERM-CARE FACILITIES: The state is aligning its guidance with recent federal changes:

The changes will allow residents who are fully vaccinated to choose to have close contact with other fully vaccinated individuals and to not wear source control during the activity. This change reflects the continuing progression towards returning long term care facilities to a more normal state by allowing residents to have greater contact with their fellow residents, reducing the stark social isolation many have faced during the past year.

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

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LIGHTS OUT: How you can easily help migrating birds

April 30, 2021 8:43 pm

| 13 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Aeroecolab image)

Thanks to the texter who pointed this out: Tonight millions of migrating birds are expected to fly over our state – thousands over Seattle – and you can help them by turning off your outdoor lights. This Audubon webpage explains:

Every year, billions of birds migrate north in the spring and south in the fall, the majority of them flying at night, navigating with the night sky. However, as they pass over big cities on their way, they can become disoriented by bright artificial lights and skyglow, often causing them to collide with buildings or windows. While lights can throw birds off their migration paths, bird fatalities are more directly caused by the amount of energy the birds waste flying around and calling out in confusion. The exhaustion can then leave them vulnerable to other urban threats.

Here’s more about what you can do. Tonight’s not the only night for migrating – you can check on other upcoming nights here.

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Community Roots Housing offers city-backed $14.4 million to buy West Seattle Junction parking lots

April 30, 2021 7:51 pm

| 155 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 42nd/Oregon lot, January)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Another twist in the ongoing saga of the West Seattle Junction’s public parking lots.

A nonprofit housing developer has made an offer to buy the land for future development, according to documents we’ve obtained.

The West Seattle Junction Association has long leased the lots, operating them as parking for customers of local businesses. Its lease requires WSJA to cover the costs of the property taxes for the lots, which finally led, earlier this year, to the lots’ conversion from free parking to paid parking. For years before that, as reported here, WSJA had been trying to strategize how to deal with the six-digit tax bill, which is approaching $200,000 a year. While the parking fees are now covering some of it, they won’t cover all. And, as pointed out in that 2018 WSB story, the lots’ long-term future as developable land has always been kept in mind – it’s a major reason why the taxes have gone up.

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DELRIDGE PROJECT: North-end repaving starts next week

April 30, 2021 4:31 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT photo)

While Delridge/Orchard remains a major work site, the RapidRide H Line repaving-and-more project is adding north-end paving next week. SDOT has sent the weekly preview, including these key points:

Mill and overlay roadway upgrades beginning between the West Seattle Bridge and SW Dakota St as early as Monday, May 3

Access to driveways in the area will be temporarily impacted for short periods during this work

Overlay paving is scheduled to take place the week of May 24

Full intersection closure at 21st Ave SW and Delridge Way SW [east side – Delridge itself remains open] beginning Thursday, May 6. This area is expected to reopen in mid-May

People driving should detour to SW Trenton St or SW Orchard St during these upgrades

Restoration between SW Willow St and SW Orchard St continues

Intersection upgrades at SW Kenyon St have been rescheduled to begin as early as Monday, May 3

A UPO [uniformed police officer] will be present at all times to direct traffic at this intersection, and work should be completed by the end of next week

Roadwork demolition and paving on the east side between SW Holden St and SW Thistle St beginning as early as May 10

The full preview for the week ahead is here.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Terry Gangon’s farewell food-and-funds drive, with free hot dogs

April 30, 2021 2:56 pm

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Terry Gangon’s farewell food-and-funds drive, with free hot dogs

| How to help | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

As noted here, longtime local insurance agent Terry Gangon is retiring after today. As part of the celebration, from now through about 4:30 pm, he’s hosting a drive-up food-and-funds drive to benefit the West Seattle Food Bank, outside his office at 4727 44th SW in The Junction, If you donate money for WSFB, he’s matching donations up to $1,000. They’re also grilling and offering free hot dogs to donors (and clients) – that’s drive-up too. (If you haven’t met Terry, that’s him in the red shirt near the center of the photo, with wife Julia Gangon and colleagues past and present who were at the office for a send-off today.)

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SPORTS: Chief Sealth IHS wins against West Seattle HS in baseball; rematch ahead

April 30, 2021 2:36 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

High-school baseball season is in full swing! Thanks to Sean for this recap from a big cross-peninsula game on Thursday (and to the Chief Sealth IHS parent who sent the photo):

After a year of no high school baseball, the Chief Sealth Seahawks and West Seattle Wildcats renewed their rivalry on April 29th. Chief Sealth came away victorious with an 11-2 win before an enthusiastic crowd at Hiawatha Playfield.

Chief Sealth was spurred on by a 7-run first inning. Ryan Moore was on the bump for Sealth and went 6 innings, yielding 2 runs, 5 hits, 0 walks, and 5 strikeouts. Miles Gosztola was stellar in relief for West Seattle with 5 innings pitched and 12 strikeouts.

Chief Sealth had 10 hits to West Seattle’s 6. Coleman Ransom and Teagan Gaither had multiple hits for Sealth, and Jaxton Helmstetler had multiple hits for WS. Both Matthew Henning for WS and Marcel Jones for Sealth hit home runs. It was a great day for baseball. The two teams will renew their rivalry with a doubleheader at SWAC on May 24th.

Baseball is one of the high-school sports that are proceeding with condensed seasons.

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VACCINATION: City’s West Seattle hub now open to all walk-ups, appointments not required. Also – an evening opportunity

April 30, 2021 12:10 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

12:10 PM: Thanks for the tips! We’ve confirmed with the mayor’s office that the West Seattle vaccination hub is now open to ALL walk-ups, not just a certain age (aside from the 16+ minimum). Spokesperson Kelsey Nyland tells WSB that appointments are still advised to guarantee your shot (first or second), but until further notice, they’re not required any more. The hub is on the south side of the parking lot at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, 2801 SW Thistle – look for the driveway just east of the Southwest Pool/Teen Life Center building. The hub is currently Mondays-Saturdays, ~9 am-4:30 pm.

ADDED 12:33 PM: And if those hours don’t work for you, the city just announced they’re giving evening hours a try. This Wednesday (May 5th), the West Seattle hub will offer vaccinations until 7:30 pm. The city says, “If appointments are high, SFD will expand this pilot.” (The Seattle Fire Department runs the WS hub.)

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PHOTOS: Orcas visible from West Seattle

April 30, 2021 11:59 am

| 19 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Whales

(Added: This photo & next by Rick Rasmussen)

11:59 AM: Up for Friday whale-watching? Transient orcas are southbound, north of Alki but visible from there, reports Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch. Let us know if you see them!

2:41 PM: Thanks to Brandy for emailing to say they’re now in view off Lincoln Park’s south shore, lingering.

3:56 PM: Added, two photos above by Rick Rasmussen. Also see Kersti’s images in the comment section.

ADDED 10:57 PM: Trileigh Tucker has sent photos too – here are three:

(Thanks again to everyone who has shared photos and tips!)

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Junction Dental: Welcome. new West Seattle Blog sponsor!

April 30, 2021 11:11 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Today we welcome Junction Dental as a new WSB sponsor. That means they get to tell you about what they do:

From Peter Iversen, DDS, the owner of Junction Dental: We are a comprehensive general dental practice located in the Jefferson Square Professional Building (4700 42nd SW). My wife and children and I have lived, worked and played in West Seattle since 2013 and I am excited for the opportunity to support our growing community. Some of you may know the previous owner / practice, Dr. Kari Chellis/“Smile Secrets,” who provided great care for over 20 years at this same location.

To say that starting a business just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic “would be hard” is an understatement. I purchased the practice in October 2019 and have been striving to provide good, honest, down-to-earth dentistry. I love creating practical healthy outcomes and convenience for my patients with compassion and clarity. Junction Dental offers “same-day” crown technology and has an amazing staff, some of whom grew up locally in WS. Our hygienists are wonderfully calm, funny, and thorough!

Our community of local dental specialists and other general dentists are amazing. Everyone I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and networking with has shown me that the oral health of West Seattle will be well supported for years to come. We have all appreciated the trust and support the WS community has shown throughout the pandemic for our businesses and are proud as a profession to have universal safety precautions in place which make dental offices some of the safest facilities to return to.

We currently have openings to accommodate new patients or emergencies. Whether you are a new or returning patient, I look forward to meeting you soon. Give us a call – 206-935-5522 – and Corinne or Gisela will take care of you! (PS. I love discussing anything astrophotography, science, physics, and snowboarding related :)

We thank Junction Dental for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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WEST SEATTLE FRIDAY: What’s ahead today/tonight

April 30, 2021 10:11 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Eva Skold Westerlind for the photo – a recent low-tide sighting on Lincoln Park‘s beach. Tidewalking (carefully!) is one of the things you can do today/tonight:

NEED FOOD? 2-5 pm, grab-n-go food boxes are available outdoors at Highland Park Elementary. (1012 SW Trenton)

TALK WITH YOUR COUNCILMEMBER: 2-6 pm online, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s monthly office hours – email ASAP to see if a time slot is still available.

LOW-LOW TIDE: At 2:07 pm, the tide’s way out again today, -2.9 feet.

FOOD DRIVE AND FREE HOT DOGS: As previewed here, Terry Gangon celebrates his retirement today and you’re invitee to help by stopping by for a drive-up food drive benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank (cash donations welcome too – Terry will be matching monetary donations up to $1000 – a challenge to all West Seattle residents and business owners to raise funds for the food bank!) and hot-dog giveaway. 2:30-4:30 pm. (4727 44th SW)

VISCON CELLARS NOW OPEN FRIDAYS: 5-9 pm, stop by Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) for wine tasting, wine by the glass, and/or bottle purchases. (5910 California SW)

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Remembering William P. Mulligan, M.D.

April 30, 2021 8:50 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering William P. Mulligan, M.D., and sharing this with his community:

Bill and his two brothers, Jim and Don, were raised working on their father Bill Sr.’s modest 20-acre farm in Marysville, breeding chickens for sale during the Great Depression. He was skipped ahead in grade school, missing second grade, thus graduating Seattle Prep at the age of 16. His devout mother Ada wanted him to attend Seattle University. Never telling her that Seattle University had offered him a scholarship, he chose to attend the University of Washington instead. He barely made it to McGill University Medical School in Montreal, Canada, to start his first year, as he was stuck in Alaska working his summer job on Kodiak Island for the U of W Fisheries Department, rubbing elbows with grizzly bears, as he measured and weighed dead salmon after they spawned.

Graduating medical school, where he was elected to the medical honorary society AOA, he joined the US Navy as a Flight Surgeon and Ophthalmologist, retiring as a commander after 9 years. He then moved his family to West Seattle, where he practiced Ophthalmology and was an active member of the West Seattle medical community for 46 years, finally retiring in 2011 at the age of 81.

He and his wife were happily married for 62 years. Penny is a successful and prolific artist and sculptor, with personality and work ethic strong enough to match Bill’s. Together they raised 3 children – Bill Jr., a solar engineer; Tom, who followed in his father’s footsteps to take over his practice; Patty, who is a talented artist like her mother. Bill took his young family on many ski and backpacking vacations and it was almost always an adventure. He continued his passion for walking with daily trips to Lincoln Park with his Jack Russells.

Bill’s passions were birdwatching and travel. He and Penny traveled the world on bird-watching expeditions, visiting all seven continents. They had many memorable adventures, from climbing Mayan ruins in Guatemala, riding camels in Egypt, to crossing the South Ocean to Antarctica, to birdwatching in the jungles of Borneo and the Amazon. Also – volunteering to perform cataract surgery in Nigeria.

Bill was omnilegent, consuming enormous quantities of books, magazines, newspapers, and medical journals, his entire life. Bill lived a rich and full life and will be remembered by his wife Penny, his 3 children Bill Jr. (Kim), Tom (Suzie), and Patty, brother Don, and 6 grandchildren Hedy, Daniel, Anya, Cael, Xander, and Kylie. He will also be remembered by the patients he treated with expert care and compassion for many years.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, WEATHER: Friday watch

April 30, 2021 6:07 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Good morning! Rainy, breezy forecast for today.

ROAD WORK UPDATES

West Marginal – Sidewalk work on the west side of the street, north of the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, starts this weekend – here are the details.

Delridge project – Delridge/Orchard work continues, and other sites, including paving on the far-north end of Delridge starting next week.

35th/Graham – Work continues to remake this intersection, including a signal.

SW Yancy east of Avalon – This closure has been extended.

TRANSIT

The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its spring/summer schedule – all day, 7 days a week, plus Friday and Saturday evenings.

Metro has increased the number of passengers allowed on buses. And now it’s rehiring laid-off drivers.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

403rd morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: 16th 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. (Access applications are now available for some categories of drivers.)

Here’s a low-bridge view: