FOLLOWUP: Why one local school’s COVID case count ballooned between two weekly updates – without an outbreak

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Every Monday, once the Seattle Public Schools COVID-19 data dashboard has been updated, we publish an update listing the changes in local schools’ cumulative case counts. This past Monday, one school – West Seattle HS – showed a startling change, with the new cumulative count more than double what was shown a week earlier. Since we hadn’t seen an anomaly like that before, we asked the district about it. Here’s the explanation from SPS spokesperson Tim Robinson:

The issue here is one of a reflection of data availability, not trend shifts.

The dashboard was updated 1/24. The next day, dozens of rows were added to the WSHS database used by nurses entering the information. Consequently, the dashboard reflected older cases that had not yet been entered, which gave the appearance of a significant case jump.

The actual data from WSHS tells a positive story of decreasing cases. WSHS week-to-week data:

9/4/2021 – 9/10/2021: 1

9/11/2021 – 9/17/2021: 1

9/18/2021 – 9/24/2021: 1

10/23/2021 – 10/29/2021: 1

11/20/2021 – 11/26/2021: 1

11/27/2021 – 12/3/2021: 1

12/11/2021 – 12/17/2021: 5

12/18/2021 – 12/24/2021: 10

12/25/2021 – 12/31/2021: 3

1/1/2022 – 1/7/2022: 15

1/8/2022 – 1/14/2022: 55

1/15/2022 – 1/21/2022: 39

1/22/2022 – 1/28/2022: 7

Dashboard users can see and adjust the week-to-week data by using the sliding date filter in the upper left corner of the dashboard. (Pro tip: click on the date rather than use the slider, as that brings up a calendar that allows you to enter the specific date.)

Lastly – please see the note in red type at the bottom of the dashboard: “Due to high community transmission, contact tracing efforts have been prioritized to focus on notifying confirmed cases. Data continues to be processed as it becomes available so counts displayed here are subject to change.” While there may be a data lag on the dashboard, necessary action of communicating to those who require information is prioritized and does not lag.

The end dates on the time spans above are Fridays – each Monday’s dashboard update reflects case counts through the preceding Friday. Comparing the totals shown in the two previous weeks to the adjusted data, the January 24th increase was 30 below what it should have been, and the January 17th increase was 50 lower than the real number.

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West Seattle-based entrepreneurs fighting food insecurity – and supporting Scouts

February 2, 2022 7:29 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

It’s almost Girl Scout Cookie time, and this year some local Girl Scouts are making special sales that will provide the tasty treats to hundreds more local families than usual.

(L-R, Cascadia’s Jillian Moore & Jeremy Vrablik, mom Kari Scheff & Scout Kyla Scheff, WSFB’s Lester Yuh & Karla Marifjeren)

Cascadia Produce is owned and operated by a West Seattle couple, Jillian Moore and Jeremy Vrablik. Their produce-packing business made a big pandemic pivot to help ease food insecurity. They now specialize in emergency food boxes – creating and distributing about 10,000 a month. This year, they plan to buy hundreds of boxes of Girl Scout Cookies from local Scouts and add them to the boxes.

One place through which they provide boxes is the West Seattle Food Bank. On Mondays, they provide boxes that are picked up by DoorDash drivers and taken to recipients who can’t come to WSFB to get them. These boxes are funded by Food Bank donors, but Cascadia also packs boxes paid for by state funds. The funding for those boxes runs out soon, but Gov. Jay Inslee‘s supplementary-budget proposal includes $74 million to extend that funding through the state Department of Agriculture. The proposal is currently before the state Legislature.

We talked with the Cascadia duo on Monday just before their weekly distribution at WSFB, joined by one of the West Seattle Scouts from whom they plan to buy cookies, Kyla Scheff from Troop 45180. The eight-year Scout says she and her troopmates appreciate Cascadia Produce’s support; her troop will be selling cookies online this year, and pre-ordering is already under way

Cascadia, meantime, is working on the logistics of their bulk Girl Scout Cookies purchases. They look at it as another way of locally reinvesting the funding they get from the state, as they do with whatever’s in season, when their suppliers include many women- and BIPOC-owned farms. Side note – they also fight food insecurity in their own North Delridge neighborhood, with Carrot Man’s Carrot Stand, stocked with box leftovers free to anyone who needs it:

(Photo courtesy Jillian Moore)

If you want to support their work, you can ask legislators to back continued funding for food insecurity relief. Contact info is here – we’re in the 34th District, and you can find contact info for local House Reps. Eileen Cody and Joe Fitzgibbon and Sen. Joe Nguyen there. And if you want to buy cookies – Scouts are selling to friends and family now, and official sales start February 11th. (New flavor this year – Adventurefuls!)

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CONGRATULATIONS! Two West Seattle High School athletes’ college signings

February 2, 2022 5:59 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

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

With balloons and banners, West Seattle High School celebrated National Signing Day, with two student athletes signing with colleges. At left is Reuben Leiataua, who will be playing football at Central Washington University. He’s planning to major in business or sports medicine. At right is Maddox Brent, who will be playing baseball at Wenatchee Valley College, and plans to major in business. Thanks to WSHS athletic director Corey Sorenson for the photo and info, and congratulations to the student athletes!

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TRAFFIC ALERT: 35th/Morgan crash

February 2, 2022 5:04 pm

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC ALERT: 35th/Morgan crash

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

5:04 PM: That’s the SDOT camera image just moments ago from the scene of a crash on northbound 35th SW just north of Morgan. Avoid the area for a while. (Thanks to Kersti for the tip – and (added) photo!)

5:32 PM: Camera view now shows police still blocking the outside northbound lane, but the inside NB lane is open. SFD has closed out its involvement in the call; no medic unit, so apparently no major injuries.

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BIZNOTE: Sunfish is open again on Alki

February 2, 2022 4:15 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Thanks to Tom Trulin for the tip and photo! Sunfish has reopened on Alki after an extended hiatus, usually an annual tradition for the fish-n-chips-and-more restaurant. Haven’t been there before? 2800 Alki SW.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen gray Sierra pickup

February 2, 2022 2:15 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Another stolen pickup truck to watch for – this one belongs to Miles, who sent the photo and report:

My truck was stolen this weekend parked on the corner of 42nd Ave SW and SW Andover St. The license-plate number is C28337Y (The old plates from the previous owner were in the cab, those plates had the number C56269K.) Gray 1999 GMC Sierra.

Call 911 if you see it.

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BIZNOTE: ‘The Lindas’ join forces for the future of West Seattle Junction boutique Carmilia’s

February 2, 2022 11:52 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Carmilia’s – L-R, Linda Walsh and Linda Sabee)

Almost nine years ago, we sat down for a chat with those two entrepreneurs – “The Lindas” – for a chat about being small independent retailers. Since then, Linda Sabee‘s boutique Carmilia’s has continued in its longtime home at 4528 California SW; Linda Walsh has long since moved her boutique Clementines to Pioneer Square. But today “The Lindas” are announcing a new West Seattle collaboration: Walsh is the new owner of Carmilia’s; Sabee will remain as buyer and support for events/customer connections. Their announcement says Walsh will be “adding her touch to Carmilia’s while keeping the same brands and styles that has made it a neighborhood treasure since 2002.” Walsh says the Pioneer Square home of Clementines – best known for shoes – has a “major rebranding” ahead but in the meantime the Carmilia’s collaboration has her “returning to the West Seattle neighborhood to partner with Sabee, her longtime fashionista friend.” As the new Carmilia’s partnership ramps up this month, they’re looking ahead to “doing events in the Spring to show off their spring goods and new partnership.” You can get word of those by subscribing to the Carmilia’s email list if you’re not already on it – shopcarmilias@gmail.com.

(P.S. If you’re not into in-person shopping, note that you can shop Carmilia’s online – Sabee gained citywide fame for that pandemic adaptation.)

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UPDATE: ‘Rope rescue’ response @ Lincoln Park

February 2, 2022 10:08 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS breaking news

10:08 AM: Seattle Fire is sending a “rope rescue” response to Lincoln Park. SFD says someone fell “40 feet down a slope.” Updates to come.

10:27 AM: Took a while for our crew to find out where in the park this was happening. It’s toward the far north end. The incident commander tells us the person who fell is a woman and she seems to be not seriously hurt. They’re still working to bring her out.

(WSB photo)

10:38 AM: We’ve talked with firefighters above the rescue scene but the victim has just been brought down to crews on the shoreside road, according to emergency radio.

(Added: Texted photo)

She’ll be taken to Harborview.

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What’s up for your West Seattle Wednesday

February 2, 2022 9:58 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Here’s what’s happening for the rest of February’s first Wednesday:

PANDEMIC BRIEFING: About to get under way (10 am), state health officials talk about the status of the pandemic and answer media questions – watch the livestream here.

FOOD FUNDRAISER: Chef Gino Williamson is back at 5441 Delridge Way SW, 11 am-7 pm, cooking and selling food to continue raising money to open a restaurant nearby.

TRANSFORMATIONAL PSYCHIATRY NW OPEN HOUSE: 4:30-7:30 pm, you’re invited to visit the Jefferson Square offices of Transformational Psychiatry NW (WSB sponsor), suites 550-551 in the office building.

DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: 7 pm online, the community coalition for West Seattle and South Park meets. All welcome. Our calendar listing has details on how to participate.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

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Memorial on Tuesday for Mary Louise Campagnaro Giacomini, 1934-2022

February 2, 2022 9:00 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather next Tuesday to remember Mary Louise Campagnaro Giacomini, and are sharing this remembrance now:

Mary Louise Campagnaro Giacomini was born April 29, 1934 in Seattle to John and Maria Campagnaro. She exited to heaven via San Diego unexpectedly on January 19, 2022. She was mom to me, Nonna to her granddaughters, Mary Lou to her friends and neighbors, and Louie to her faithful husband of 59 years, Ray. My mom is survived by my father Ray, her daughter Tina Huston (Jeff), her brother Fred, her sister-in-law Paula, her granddaughters Mallory and Paige, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents John and Maria, her brother Mimo, her aunt and uncle Joe and Adele, her double first cousins Fay, Mario, and Aldo, her in-laws Lorenzo and Louise, and her brother-in-law Larry.

Mary Louise graduated from Holy Rosary High School in West Seattle and worked as a security clearance clerk for Boeing. She met a handsome engineer while working there and they were married in 1962. After their marriage, my dad was transferred to central California and they settled in Santa Maria. Ten years later, my dad accepted a new job in San Diego, where they expected to stay for a few years. Fifty years later, my parents still called San Diego their home.

My mom was a loyal friend and a selfless person. Her first priority was always her family. My mom never met a stranger and had a contagious laugh. She also had a loud, booming voice that she said she “inherited from her dad.” It was very difficult to miss her. My mom was tough – always standing up for herself and her family. Loving but tough – you always got the truth – whether you wanted to hear it or not. I will miss talking to her and still asking her advice after 55 years. She was the best mom!

After settling in San Diego, I started kindergarten and my mom grew bored of staying home. This began her stint with San Diego City Schools as a yard duty and then as an instructional aide for children with learning disabilities. She loved working with kids of all ages and made many friends.

My mom and dad enjoyed many years of retirement and travel with family and friends. Their devotion to our girls made a big impact on their lives and we will always be eternally grateful. She spent years being a taxi service for her granddaughters and volunteered in the CCD program when her granddaughter needed an aide. She loved volunteering and continued working with the kids after her granddaughter graduated the program. Rest in Peace, Mom. Continue to watch over us and provide guidance. We will all be reunited again someday. We love you!

A memorial mass will be held at Holy Rosary Church on Tuesday, February 8th at 10:00 am. holyrosaryseattle.org.

Please make donations to the Autism Society of America, San Diego Chapter swim program. 4699 Murphy Canyon Rd. San Diego, CA 92123

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

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Wednesday watch, including late-morning crashes

February 2, 2022 6:01 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

9:58 AM: Crash on West Marginal Way @ Dakota – police say one lane is open each way.

10:59 AM: Metro sent out an alert about delays because of a crash on SW Genesee east of Avalon; SFD log says there was a response on Genesee at 26th but it closed quickly. No injuries per police radio.

11:25 AM: Metro says Route 50 is still routed off SW Genesee. We don’t know the status of other traffic access. Meantime, SDOT says West Marginal is now clear.

1:07 PM: Metro says the road is back open so Route 50 is back to normal.

Earlier:
===================

6:01 AM Good morning!

WEATHER

Today’s forecast again features a chance of rain or snow, which didn’t pan out Tuesday, but today is expected to be colder, with a high near 40.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/cancellations.

West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi routes are on regular schedules.

Ferries: WSF continues the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

680th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras are still in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)

The 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

South Park Bridge:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

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

Are movable bridges opening for vessels? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed can tell you; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are also tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.

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

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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