West Seattle, Washington
23 Sunday
Though we ended our nightly pandemic roundups at the end of June, we’re now publishing weekly updates. Tonight, the second one. First, the newest numbers.
KING COUNTY CUMULATIVE NUMBERS AS OF FRIDAY:
114,229 people have tested positive – 945 more than a week ago (3,975 in West Seattle, up 39)
6,596 people have been hospitalized – 46 more than a week ago (198 in West Seattle, unchanged)
1,684 people have died – 12 more than a week ago (68 in West Seattle, unchanged)
VACCINATION RATE:
73.9% of King County residents 12+ have completed their vaccine series (up .7% in the past week)
By West Seattle zip code:
98106 – 76.5%
98116 – 83.3%
98126 – 72.3%
98136 – 84.7%
98146 – 70.3%
THE WEEK’S HEADLINES
Milestone: Statewide, as of last Monday, 70 percent of those 16+ had received at least one dose of vaccine.
Briefing: Missed the briefing by state health officials last Wednesday, first one in a while? Watch it here:
Main message: “The pandemic is not over.” If you want to dive deep into details, the latest report on variants/sequencing is here, and the latest report on breakthroughs (cases that defy vaccination, though the state says we’re not having much of a problem) is here.
Winner: A 23-year-old from South King County won the $1 million grand prize in the state’s vaccination lottery.
Border: Canada’s government says it MIGHT reopen the border to vaccinated travelers next month. We should hear more about this tomorrow morning.
NOT VACCINATED YET?
Go here to see where you can change that.
8:41 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a water-rescue response – by land and sea – to 62nd/Alki, where “someone appears to be drowning,” according to the dispatcher’s description of what was called in. Updates to come.
8:46 PM: This involves a vessel of some type. The Coast Guard also is responding.
8:50 PM: An SFD fireboat is reported to have arrived an is “making contact” with the person in the water. The person is reported to NOT be in distress, so most of the responding units are being dismissed.
(Added: Photo by David Hutchinson)
8:55 PM: The person who was in the water has been brought on board an SFD boat.
8:59 PM: Thanks to those who’ve emailed (the photo above is from Kevin) noting that, as is usual in incidents like this, some SFD units went to Don Armeni Boat Ramp (usually as standby for possible transfer of a patient brought in by boat).
The Antique Mall of West Seattle in The Junction says someone tried to break in through both its front and back doors last Thursday night or Friday morning (July 15/16) They’re hoping someone nearby with a security camera might have recorded the culprits. They’ve since had repairs done, but they say the would-be burglar(s) “bludgeoned the knob and jammed the back door. It would take a lot of effort to damage that heavyweight set-up, and there are visible marks on the door frame from being struck.” Side note: The Antique Mall hasn’t reopened indoors yet, but they’ve had some sidewalk sales and are going to try to make that weekly, 10 am-3 pm on Sundays.
One more reminder that, as announced earlier this month, SW Roxbury will be repaved between 24th SW and 25th SW this week. SDOT and King County Road Services are partnering on the project, and plan to work Monday-Tuesday, 7 am-4 pm. The original alert says that “traffic will be reduced to one lane with crew members directing drivers.” Also: “For people walking, rolling, and biking in the area, sidewalk access will be maintained.” All of Roxbury was at one point scheduled for repaving as part of the Levy to Move Seattle, but then went on indefinite hold.
Got something to get out – feelings, wishes, hopes, etc.? West Seattle artist Kait Rhoads offers a chance to do that, while assisting with a public-art project. It’s for the north side of the city but she’s hoping her peninsula neighbors will want to contribute too. The video above explains the project, “Oceans of Emotion”; you can also read the background here (where you can also read about Rhoads and her collaborator):
The installation Oceans of Emotion is a reference and response to the pandemic and turbulent political times. After a year when many of us have experienced isolation this project is a welcomed opportunity to connect and collaborate. It’s an invitation to clear your emotional system to make room to attract new experiences.
Participants may choose to to engage digitally or in-person and can make as many drawings or words they would like kits/supplies available upon request). The only rule is…express your feelings and flush them away! Hopes, dreams, frustration and desires — join your emotions to form an ocean of collective rejuvenation.
The in-person events are in the north end, so you might not want to travel unless you’re looking for a field trip, but you can participate without leaving home: Here’s how (in short, write/draw something that would fill a 2″-diameter circle, take a pic, and send it to oceansofemotion@outlook.com, or via Instagram message to instagram.com/oceans_of_emotion! The finished work will be displayed at the Ship Canal stormwater-tunnel Wallingford project site from August through next February.
Thanks to reader reports/photos, we’ve been telling you these past few days about an unusual visitor to West Seattle waters/shores, an adult male Northern Elephant Seal. Most recent sighting we’ve heard of was this morning, near Lowman Beach. Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network‘s David Hutchinson sent this followup today from the seal’s extended Saturday visit north of there:
Seal Sitters would like to thank our West Seattle neighbors who contacted us concerning the elephant seal on their beach yesterday. Seal Sitters’ first responders were permitted to access the location and continue to monitor his movements and condition. This male northern Elephant Seal may turn up at other spots around the West Seattle peninsula.
Elephant Seals are deep divers and capable of holding their breath for many minutes. While on the beach, they may appear to be deceased. Just a reminder, this is a very large wild animal and may respond aggressively if disturbed. Observe from a distance and let the Seal Sitters’ Hotline (206-905-7325) know his location. If viewing him on the beach from a kayak or paddle board, please keep a respectful distance and allow him to rest – NOAA recommends 100 yards.
Here are a couple links to some information about this unusual visitor to our area:
Here are our previous reports: Saturday and Friday.
11:52 AM: The photo and report are from Lisa in Upper Fauntleroy:
Our 2006 white Toyota Sienna – plate ABK5160 – was stolen from in front of our home this morning. The kayak rack was attached. Please keep an eye out for it.
If you see it, call 911
3:51 PM: Update from Lisa – her husband went driving around looking for their car and found it, at 15th/Cambridge.
Family and friends are remembering Susan Dale Patterson, a former West Seattle for resident. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing:
Susan Patterson was born and raised in Seattle by Dolores and Olin (Bill) Stafford. Sue learned to cook at a very young age and carried that love all her life. She always loved to cater parties and weddings and was always in demand. Her flair for decorating had everyone asking to have her do something for them.
She loved people and it shows in the amount of people that called her Momma Sue, Mom, or Nana. Everyone was adopted by her. Her first adopted kid, Rick Bredereck, has been in her life for over 50 years. You never left her house without a smile and full belly. Sue has lived in Onalaska since 1987 and has been Mrs. Clause since.
She had been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary most of her adult life. She has held most positions at the Unit, District and State levels. In 1999 she became the Department of Washington President. Her year was full of fun and service to the Veterans and their Families. Her next year she was the Department National Executive Committeeperson. She was always trying to help Veterans and their Families even after she left the American Legion Auxiliary. In 2013 she received the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Outstanding Service to Veterans Award from Governor Inslee. She also belonged to the Eight and Forty. The organization sponsors volunteer programs on the national, departmental, and local levels, focusing on children and the community. She was a mentor for so many women to help them grow. She was also a member of the New Beginnings Community Church in Salkum, WA.
She is survived by her husband James (Pat) Patterson, sons Damon (Darla) Patterson of Elk City, OK and Vernon (Patsy) Barlow of Onalaska, WA; daughters Dana Cox of Hollis, OK, Dena (Danny) Juarez of Hollis, OK, Bridget (Cindy) Barlow of Yelm, WA, and Rachel (Mike) Lea of Kelso, WA; and granddaughters Ashlyn (Roberto) Barlow of Lacey, WA and Lisa Liddell of Onalaska, WA and Shea (Austin) Peters of Lacey She has numerous Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren in Oklahoma.
She is preceded by her mother, father, brother Ken Stafford, and grandson Nicholas Barnes.
Funeral and Celebration of Life were held July 10 in Salkum.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
Welcome to Sunday!
ROAD-CLOSURE REMINDERS: Highland Park Way/West Marginal Way is scheduled for 4 am-1 pm work again today (though it was clear Saturday by 11 am), with work scheduled to take place in the center lanes; westbound SW Alaska west of California SW is sxheduled for closure again today, as is southbound Delridge between SW Holden and SW Trenton.
CHURCHES: Many are still streaming, in place of – or in addition to – in-person services. Here are the newest links for 20+ West Seattle churches’ services.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Pandemic restrictions have lifted – you can enter the market (which is a WSB sponsor) from anywhere along the way, and no more market-wide mask mandate (though individual booths may have their own rules), plus, no more taped-off perimeter, so you can now move around the market freely. You also can now eat and drink inside the market. Hours are still 10 am-2 pm on California between Oregon and Alaska. Scroll down the page at this link to find the vendor list and map for this week.
TODAY’S AQUATIC SCHEDULE: Open today providing the sunny forecast holds – Highland Park spraypark (11 am-8 pm, 1100 SW Cloverdale); Delridge (noon-5:30 pm, 4501 Delridge Way SW) and Lincoln Park (noon-7 pm, 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) wading pools. Colman Pool is open noon-7 pm, not weather-dependent.
MAYORAL CANDIDATE: Meet Colleen Echohawk in The Junction for Q&A at noon at California/Alaska.
SUNDAY RUN CLUB: Noon at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) – info in our calendar listing.
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: GreenStage presents “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” 3 pm at Lincoln Park, free.
Event listings welcome – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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