day : 17/04/2022 7 results

COVID cases are up for a fourth week, while hospitalization and death rates are down. The weekend’s end brings our weekly check of key local numbers, via the Public Health – Seattle/King County dashboard:

*37 percent more cases countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 535 new daily cases countywide (up from 384 when we checked a week ago)

*21 percent fewer hospitalizations countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 4 new hospitalizations daily (down from 5 a week ago)

*60 percent fewer deaths countywide in the past two weeks than the two weeks before (the dashboard doesn’t offer a one-week increment)
*Currently averaging 1 death daily (same as the two-week average last week)

For West Seattle, we have two-week comparisons (these are the combined totals from two “health reporting areas,” labeled West Seattle and Delridge):
*365 cases between 3/28 and 4/11, up from 134 between 3/13 and 3/27
*2 hospitalizations between 3/28 and 4/11, down from 3 between 3/13 and 3/27
*No deaths between 3/28 and 4/11, unchanged from between 3/13 and 3/27

And checking vaccination rates:
*80.7 percent of all King County residents have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*85.4 percent of all King County residents ages 5 and up have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*48.1 percent of all King County residents have had the initial series plus a booster

*In West Seattle, here are the zip-code vaccination rates for ages 5 and up (reminder, 98106 and 98146 are not entirely within WS):
98106 – 87.7% completed initial series (up .2% from a week earlier), 52.2% have had a booster
98116 – 92.4% completed initial series (unchanged from a week earlier), 64.1% have had a booster
98126 – 83.3% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 54% have had a booster
98136 – 93.3% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 67% have had a booster
98146 – 82.7% completed initial series (up .2% from a week earlier), 47.1% have had a booster

VACCINATION AND TESTING, UPDATED HOURS: No pop-up clinics on the near-future schedule, so you can look for vaccination locations via this statewide lookup. If you want to get tested and don’t have a kit at home, public testing sites include the city-supported site at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle, 9 am-5:30 pm Mondays-Saturdays), the Curative kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1220 Harbor SW, 9 am-3 pm Monday-Friday), and the Curative van at Summit Atlas (35th/Roxbury, 8 am-noon Tuesday-Friday this week).

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PHOTOS: 4 views from a sunny West Seattle Sunday

April 17, 2022 8:04 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks for the photos! Here are four we received today – above, from Vlad Oustimovitch, out flying late this afternoon; below, from Theresa Arbow-O’Connor early this morning:

A different sunrise view from Debbie Taylor, at Forest Lawn in High Point for the Easter Sunrise Service:

And Jerry Simmons captured the egg-decorated edition of the 49th/Spokane walkway:

Not much hope of sun this week, so we’re glad to have the memories!

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WATER TAXI CHANGES: Reduced service Monday-Wednesday; summer schedule starts Thursday

April 17, 2022 3:59 pm

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| King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

Two reminders for West Seattle Water Taxi riders: No service between the morning and evening commute hours (9:10 am to 3:25 pm) tomorrow through Wednesday (April 18-19-20) because of crew training/drills. Then on Thursday, the summer schedule begins. Since the Water Taxi already has been running year-round, the main change is the return of later evening service on Fridays and Saturdays, until mid-October.

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From White Center Now: Balloon blamed for power outage

April 17, 2022 2:00 pm

| Comments Off on From White Center Now: Balloon blamed for power outage

| Utilities | West Seattle news | White Center

2 PM: If you’re headed to a business in the main White Center district, check first – as reported on our partner site White Center Now, 268 customers are without electricity because of an outage blamed on a balloon. (Thanks to Cindi for the initial tip.)

3:48 PM: Power’s restored, according to the SCL map.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Classic van stolen (update – found!); early-morning gunfire; prowler/burglar alert

April 17, 2022 11:32 am

| 14 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch this morning:

CLASSIC VAN STOLEN: Be on the lookout for Zack‘s van:

My van was stolen last night … from the Pigeon Point area, 21st/Genesee, between 10 pm and 9 am

1987 Gray Vanagon
Yakima roof cargo box
“Campmobile” sticker on the nose
“Treepeople” sticker in back window
Plate AFD9206

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Zack and the van have been reunited – see comments.

EARLY-MORNING GUNFIRE: We received a few inquiries this morning about a search in Highland Park around 1 am. We didn’t hear it at the time, and nobody texted, but archived scanner audio confirms that after 911 got a report of possible gunfire near 10th SW/SW Kenyon, they found at least one shell casing in that area. No medical calls, so apparently no victims.

PROWLER/BURGLAR ALERT: From Becky:

Wanted to get the word out about this man observed to be lurking around our homes this am around 9:00. He walked around 5-6 homes before a neighbor spotted him and called law enforcement but he took off. He even opened a door to a home and stepped in. He rummaged around our property before moving on to our neighbor. Attached is a photo of him from our surveillance. This took place on 17th Ave SW near South Seattle College.

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READER REPORT: Why go north to see tulips? Visit Gatewood Gardens

April 17, 2022 9:58 am

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| Gardening | Gatewood | West Seattle news

Something else you can do today in the sunshine – visit “Gatewood Gardens”! Sally Hardwick sent the photos and report:

Aaron Smith and Michael Starling have been bringing neighbors together on a stretch of California Ave SW between SW Portland Street and SW Monroe Street and through their love of gardening. The whole neighborhood got together and planted bulbs on a few cold rainy days last fall—and the effort and wait was worth it!

This is the second year of daffodil and tulips putting on a spectacular show. I have people stop all the time gushing about the beautification of my parking strip, or “boulevard” as Aaron calls it. As one passerby commented, “We’ve got our own tulip festival right here this year, who needs to go to (Skagit)?!” It really is jaw-dropping, especially considering how it looked before Aaron and Michael stepped in to help. Their planting enthusiasm and generosity is beyond measure!

I am really fortunate to be a part of this group of people who have formed a tight community on a busy street as result of Aaron and Michael’s gardening projects, which included a recent succulent-planting party, summer perennial-planting projects, and of course the star of the show, spring tulips and daffodils! I feel a real sense of community since these efforts began. One neighbor just said, “I love it that we all look out for each other”. We have formed a group text chat, which allows us not only to talk about upcoming plant projects, but also ask “does anyone have a cup of sugar?” when in a pinch. It really is wonderful.

Go for a walk or a drive to take a look, or check out the Instagram page for gorgeous photos!

We also reported on the displays last year, after hearing from another neighbor.

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Easter services and more for your West Seattle Sunday

April 17, 2022 5:44 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Saturday sunset, photographed by James Bratsanos)

Here’s our list of what’s happening today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

EASTER SERVICES: This week our list features the local churches that sent us their info for Easter/Holy Week. That includes two sunrise services – both at 6:30 am – with the West Seattle Ministerial Association at Forest Lawn Cemetery (6701 30th SW) and with the local UCC churches at Alki Beach.

PASSOVER CONTINUES: See the calendar for West Seattle synagogue Kol HaNeshamah for Passover observances.

DONATION-ONLY YOGA CLASS: 9 am at Jet City Labs (4546 California SW) – details in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, find fresh food – produce, meat, fish, cheese, beverages, baked goods, and prepared food – at the weekly WSFM. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL: The University of Washington beach-volleyball team is hosting the Husky Invitational tournament again today at Alki, with play starting today at 10 am and continuing through the championship match at 2:30 pm.

ALKI KAYAK TOURS’ FIRST WEEKEND: As reported here Friday, AKT has just opened at Seacrest for the season, with tours and rentals, 10 am-6 pm Fridays-Saturdays-Sundays.

DONATION DRIVE: Food, backpacks, blankets, and more will be collected at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) 11 am-3 pm today – details here.

NEED FOOD? White Center Community Dinner Church serves a free meal (take-away available) at 5 pm Sundays at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW).

KUNDALINI YOGA & MEDITATION: 7 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio (7356 35th SW) – details here.

SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.

SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 9 pm to 1:30 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).

Have an event to list on our calendar? We’re adding more daily – email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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