West Seattle, Washington
20 Saturday
Since it’s Sunday night, it’s time for our weekly check of countywide and West Seattle COVID stats from the past week. A shorter reference week this time, as the county did not update data on Friday, but overall, cases are up countywide for a ninth week; hospitalizations are up; deaths are up. Here are the numbers, from the Public Health – Seattle/King County dashboard:
*9 percent more cases countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 1,118 new daily cases countywide (up from 1,042 when we checked a week ago)
*37 percent more hospitalizations countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 15 new hospitalizations daily (up from 10 a week ago)
*107 percent more deaths countywide in the past two weeks than the two weeks before (the dashboard doesn’t offer a one-week increment)
*Currently averaging 2 deaths daily (same two-week average aslast week)
For West Seattle, we have two-week comparisons (these are the combined totals from two “health reporting areas,” labeled West Seattle and Delridge):
*895 cases between 4/30 and 5/14, up from 645 between 4/15 and 4/29
*10 hospitalizations between 4/30 and 5/14, up from 7 between 4/15 and 4/29
*No deaths between 4/30 and 5/14, same as between 4/15 and 4/29
VACCINATION: This week, boosters were recommended for everyone 5 and up. Checking vaccination rates:
*81.1 percent of all King County residents have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*85.9 percent of all King County residents ages 5 and up have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*49.2 percent of all King County residents have had the initial series plus a booster (up .2% from a week ago)
*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 – 88.2% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 53.2% have had a booster
98116 – 93% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 64.9% have had a booster
98126 – 83.7% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 55.1% have had a booster
98136 – 93.8% completed initial series (same as a week earlier), 68.1% have had a booster
98146 – 83.2% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 48.1% have had a booster
VACCINATION AND TESTING, UPDATED HOURS: No pop-up clinics announced for the week ahead; 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) and the Curative kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1220 Harbor SW, 9 am-3 pm Monday-Friday). … If you need to report self-test results, that’s explained on this page.
7:41 PM: Thanks to Tony for the photo, and to everyone who’s texted. Also happening right now, police are investigating gunfire in North Delridge. No injuries reported but as Tony’s photo shows, they’ve found shell casings. This is reported to be in the 25th/Dakota vicinity. We’re on our way to see what else we can find out.
7:59 PM: We’ve confirmed no one was hit. Police say a particular residence seemed to be the target; they’re wrapping up their investigation. According to Tony, the shooter was described as “last seen heading south on 26th Ave SW. Green slides, black hoody with ‘Respect’ on the back in red/white. Seen taking off an old-school full-face ski mask.”
8:06 PM: Dispatch has told officers someone in the targeted residential building (which we’ve heard described as a duplex) called in to say they found a bullet in their home.
8:45 PM: No additional info, but if you have anything to add to the police investigation, here’s the incident number to refer to when contacting them: 22-129315.
ADDED MONDAY MORNING: A few more details from the preliminary police summary: The shots were indeed fired toward a particular duplex by a person on foot. SPD adds: “Both units of the duplex had bullet damage and an unoccupied home being built had also been struck.”
7:13 PM: Seattle Fire crews are just arriving at a house fire in the 9800 block of 45th SW [map] – smoke was visible from miles north.
(Photo sent by Erin, seen from Lincoln Park)
They report it’s a “working fire.” Updates to come.
7:15 PM: At least one person is reported in need of medical treatment.
(Added: WSB photo)
7:20 PM: Firefighters told dispatch the fire is under control. … Other people who were in the house are reported to need medical evaluation.
7:56 PM: Update from SFD – “Firefighters rescued an approximately 74-year-old man from the house fire; he is being transported in critical condition via medics to HMC. 2 other occupants are also being transported via AMR in stable condition.” The fire is out.
(Added: SFD photo)
8:29 PM: Just talked to SFD spokesperson Kristin Tinsley. She had one detail to add – that neighbors jumped into action with fire extinguishers after seeing smoke and hearing someone yelling for help, but it was too late – the fire “took off.” Of the three people home at the time, the one who was transported in critical condition was in the room where the fire is believed to have started; another man got out OK, and a woman was out in the yard at the time. SFD’s investigator is working to determine the cause.
MONDAY MORNING: SFD says the fire was ruled accidental, blamed on an “overheated electrical power strip.”
From superheroes on wheels, to rock ‘n’ roll nostalgia …
… this busy day on Alki included the participants of the revived Alki Daze costumed bike parade along the beach. Ringleader is Alki resident Guy Olson:
Guy (who described his costume as “Burt Reynolds in ‘Smokey and the Bandit'”) sent out an open invitation; here’s who showed up by parade time:
We got some to pose for a group photo, too:
Guy says the costumed bike parade is meant in the spirit of the “car-free day” events the city used to present on Alki every spring/summer from 2008 until 2014.
This past week’s low-low tides are over, but we have a few more wildlife photos to share. The first and last photos are from Marc Milrod; the four below are from Rosalie Miller – first, a Mottled Star:
A Hermit Crab:
A Limpet:
And a Pink Sponge:
Among the birds on the temporarily expanded beach, this Great Blue Heron:
The next stretch of low-low tides (which is the term we use for low tides out past -2 feet) is on the chart for June 12th-18th. (Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists will be at Constellation and Lincoln Parks for five of those days.)
If you were in The Junction for the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, and/or other business, today, you might have noticed that after a week, the demolition is done at the 4508 California SW mixed-use project site (we reported on its start this past Tuesday). Also as of a few days ago, part of the parking lot east of the alley is fenced off:
On the California side of the site, the sidewalk remains open, as stipulated in the construction-management plan, with scaffolding and plywood currently hiding the work. The alley is open too but subject to intermittent closures. Re-reading the plan today, we also note a slightly different description of the 7-story project – 38 apartments, 20 Small Efficiency Dwelling Units (microapartments), 12 lodging units, 3,500 square feet of commercial space, and 14 offstreet-parking spaces, all but 1 underground. The plan says construction is expected to last just under a year and a half.
Help buy a new roof for the Log House Museum! That’s part of what the Southwest Seattle Historical Society is raising money for by presenting its Bridging Our Communities Together celebration on June 3rd. Tomorrow (Monday, May 23rd) is the deadline to register, according to this update from the SWSHS:
We look forward to seeing you on June 3rd for Bridging Our Communities Together: Celebrating 25 Years of the Log House Museum. We’ll host an evening reception, silent auction, and hear from a panel of some of our founders as we raise a toast to our past and craft a vision of our future together. Registration closes on May 23rd, so purchase tickets now if you have not already!
Your ticket will help put a new roof on the beloved Log House Museum, fuel a brand-new lecture series, and support our work preserving the stories of the Duwamish Peninsula.
Bidding on auction items opens on May 30 and closes on June 3. More of our 20+ auction items are posted every week!
Register HERE today and be sure to follow the instructions below:
*If you registered for last year’s auction you can utilize the same login information to register for the event.
*Remember to register for the auction after purchasing your ticket.
*If you are registering for the first time, click on “Create Account” at the top of the page to register for your Personal Link which will allow you to bid on auction items. You will need to set up a login which you can use to access the auction items.
The June 3rd event is happening at Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor).
Thanks to Don Brubeck of West Seattle Bike Connections for the report and photos from another first-time event that happened Saturday – the Delridge Bike Rodeo:
West Seattle Bike Connections partnered with Delridge Community Center’s staff for bike fun for kids, families. Britt Lord-Jacobson was the lead for Delridge CC. B, Xavier, and other SPR staff did lots of work.
WSBC did a skills rodeo including a rock dodge obstacle course, a slow race, and intersection ride-out. Kathy Dunn, Bryan Fiedorcyzk, Anthony Avery, and I were the wranglers.
Bike Works brought their mobile shop for free bike checks.
Outdoors for All brought adaptive cycles for riders with disabilities to try.
Children’s Hospital had a big crew to give away helmets to kids and do helmet fitting adjustments.
Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance was there for information on mountain biking.
Flip Your Trip was there to give information about transit and active transportation options.
Seattle Police came on bikes and rode horses from Westcrest to the event. Their miniature horse was a big hit.
(Photo by Caity Gerhardt)
Here’s the list for the rest of the weekend:
TRAFFIC ALERTS: Scheduled to continue today – southbound lane closures on I-5 between I-90 and Spokane Street, and the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct closure. Also today, SDOT says:
On Sunday, we’ll install reflectors on West Marginal Way SW and Highland Park Way SW. We’ll begin as early as 5 AM and conclude by 3 PM. We’ll start near the Chelan 5-way intersection and work our way south, before going west on Highland Park Way SW, then go in reverse to cover eastbound Highland Park Way SW and northbound West Marginal Way SW. Please anticipate delays as we continuously move down the street to complete this work. This work may continue into next weekend.
.DONATION-ONLY YOGA CLASS: 9 am at Jet City Labs (4546 California SW, upstairs) – details in our calendar listing.
CHURCHES WITH ONLINE SERVICES: We’re still listing these – see today’s list here.
2 BENEFIT SALES IN ARBOR HEIGHTS: 9 am-1 pm, the plant sale to benefit a Lung Force Walk Seattle team is happening at 3703 SW 107th, while midblock between 35th and 37th on SW 107th, another sale is benefiting PAWS, 10 am-1 pm.
(Photo by Arlene Rubin)
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)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society has reopened its museum on Alki, and you can visit noon-4 pm, (61st/Stevens)
COSTUMED BIKE PARADE: It’s back! Alki resident Guy Olson organizes this as part of “Alki Daze,” and everyone’s welcome to show up and join the ride. Meet at 2 pm at 63rd and Alki Avenue SW.
‘ORCA RESCUE!’ TOWN HALL: Hybrid event featuring West Seattleite Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail, focused on the lost whale whose rescue she chronicles in a new book – 2 pm; details in our calendar listing.
URBAN HOPSTACLE: Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) continues celebrating Seattle Beer Week, this time with a 2-6 pm inflatable obstacle course!
‘ALMA’ AT ARTSWEST: Closing performance – 3 pm curtain at ArtsWest Playhouse (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor). Get your ticket(s) here.
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Citizens of Earth play 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). No cover.
BOOK CLUB AT C & P: Also at the coffeehouse, the May meeting of the West Seattle Classic Novels and Movies Book Club, 3 pm.
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 update it daily – email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
| 3 COMMENTS