West Seattle, Washington
20 Tuesday
From the Public Health – Seattle/King County dashboard, here’s our weekly look at countywide and West Seattle-specific COVID numbers:
*Zero percent change in cases countywide between the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 1,001 new daily cases countywide (up from 995 when we checked a week ago)
*22 percent fewer hospitalizations countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 14 new hospitalizations daily (down from 18 a week ago)
*22 percent fewer deaths in the past two weeks than the two previous weeks (the dashboard doesn’t offer a one-week increment)
*Currently averaging 2 deaths daily (same two-week average as 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):
*799 cases between 6/6 and 6/20, down from 886 between 5/22 and 6/5
*9 hospitalizations between 6/6 and 6/20, up from 7 between 5/22 and 6/5
*No deaths between 6/6 and 6/20, down from 3 between 5/22 and 6/5
VACCINATION: As reported last week, the Western States review workgroup has affirmed that the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are safe and effective for children 6 months to 4 years old. Also, boosters are recommended for everyone 5 and up. Checking vaccination rates:
*81.5 percent of all King County residents have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*86.2 percent of all King County residents ages 5 and up have completed the initial series (unchanged from a week ago)
*50.8 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 – 88.6% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 55.0% have had a booster (up .5%)
98116 – 93.4% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 67.1% have had a booster (up .7%)
98126 – 84.1% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 57.0% have had a booster (up .5%)
98136 – 94.1% completed initial series (same as a week earlier), 70.1% have had a booster (up .6%)
98146 – 83.5% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 49.4% have had a booster (up .3%)
TESTING: 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 except some holidays) and the Curative kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1220 Harbor SW, 9 am-3 pm Monday-Friday except holidays). … If you need to report self-test results, that’s explained on this page.
VACCINE CLINICS: No new pop-ups to report; the one we mentioned earlier this week, for newly eligible children, filled up fast. Look for opportunities here.
What could be the next West Seattle Junction redevelopment project to start construction needs one more level of approval from the Southwest Design Review Board, and a date is now set for their next look at it. The proposal would replace a small commercial building at 4448 California SW [map] with a seven-story mixed-use building, including almost 100 apartments as well as ground-floor commercial space, with no offstreet parking required or planned. The project cleared the first phase of Design Review last year (here’s our coverage from November), and is penciled in to return to the board at 5 pm Thursday, August 4th, online. Here’s the draft design packet with details on the plan. The August review will include a public-comment period, but if you have something to say, you can also email the project’s assigned city planner, at david.sachs@seattle.gov.
Just in time for what’s expected to be the finale of this mini-heat wave, two more local wading pools open tomorrow: EC Hughes (above) at 2805 SW Holden will be open noon-7 pm Mondays, Tuesdays, and Sundays through August 21st, and South Park at 8319 8th Ave. S. will be open noon-7 pm Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, Lincoln Park at 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW is already open daily (except for cool weather) noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day, and Delridge at 4501 Delridge Way SW will be the last to open, noon-5:30 pm Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays starting this week. One more option for little ones to stay cool: Highland Park Spraypark at 1100 SW Cloverdale, open daily through Labor Day, 11 am-8 pm. See the citywide schedule here.
7:07 PM: Thanks for the tip! 55th SW is blocked at Andover right now because of a small smoldering fire atop a utility pole. SFD is there, waiting for City Light.
8:24 PM: SFD has closed the call.
10:42 PM: Commenter Jenny says there’s now a power outage in the area; the SCL map shows 86 homes out as of less than half an hour ago.
More than 100 people, from kids to seniors, took a spirited walk along California Avenue SW this afternoon during the third annual West Seattle Pride March. Its founders, married couple Monica Colgan and Autumn Lovewell, led the way after a short, emotional speech to the crowd:
Lovewell told the crowd, “We do this for our youth, first and foremost – they need our support, especially with what’s going on in our country” – a renewed attack on LGBTQIA+ rights. So the show of support matters more than ever.
Along the march route, from Morgan Junction Park north to California/Findlay, there were shows of allyship – from people standing along the sidewalk, to drivers honking their horns and cheering as they passed. One local church expressed its support by joining in the march.
A little whimsy along the way, too:
All this unfolded even as the city’s Pride Parade rolled through downtown, and amid the year’s hottest temperatures so far:
At the end of the route – the march segued into a celebration inside the air-conditioned event space that Lovwell and Colgan operate next to their businesses Youngstown Coffee Company and HeartBeet Organic Superfood Café:
The music supported the day’s theme – songs like Madonna‘s “Respect Yourself.” Lovewell and Colgan founded the local Pride March shortly after taking over Youngstown in June 2020, reminding everyone then, as they did again this year, that “the first Pride was a protest, not a parade.”
(WSB photo – Saturday beachgoers on Alki)
4:28 PM: The National Weather Service‘s afternoon forecast update is in, and it’s still projecting a high in the 90s on Monday, with the heat advisory continuing in effect until late Monday night. Tuesday might not even get out of the 60s. So what about the Fourth of July weekend? The NWS says it’s still too soon to predict with confidence, but they’re tentatively forecasting clouds for at least part of the weekend.
5:26 PM: Today’s high so far at Sea-Tac is 90 degrees – but that’s cool compared to last year, when the June 26th high was 102.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
HIT-RUN: Aaron reports that vehicle was left behind after an early-morning hit-and-run in Sunrise Heights: “We heard a neighbor’s vehicle get hit at 3:14 this morning. The car involved was abandoned on the sidewalk at the corner of 31st and Myrtle, and the 3 occupants fled north on foot through Walt Huntley Playfield.” It’s since been towed. If you have any info, the SPD incident # is 22-163181.
PACKAGE DELIVERED, THEN TAKEN: From Jessica and AJ:
I’d just like to spread the word for the neighborhood of 27th and Thistle to keep an eye out for a package thief. They hit us immediately after the package was dropped off at 12:20 pm today.
The summer’s a great time to get in the water – as long as you can do it safely! Swim lessons tend to fill up fast around here but the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) tells us they’ve added some. The announcement says, “At the Y, we are committed to water safety and ensuring that every youth in the West Seattle community has the opportunity to learn to swim. We have added some additional Swim Lesson options during the day for the remainder of the summer season!” To find open sessions, scroll down this page until you get past the ones that are marked “full.” You can also visit the front desk at the Y in The Triangle, 3622 SW Snoqualmie.
(Friday night photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s what’s ahead for your sizzling Sunday:
ROAD-WORK REMINDERS: SDOT expects to finish building curb ramps at Dumar/Orchard: “This work will include pouring concrete and paving the road in front of the curb ramp. We expect to begin as early as 8 AM and conclude by 5 PM. We do not anticipate any major traffic impacts.” Also today, “we’re pouring concrete for the lane divider on SW Spokane St in the vicinity of 11th Ave SW near Harbor Island. This is phase two of three phases to repair the damaged lane divider. We anticipate this work to begin as early as 8 AM and conclude by 4 PM. Traffic impacts include closure of the East Marginal Way S and the lower SW Spokane St ramps. There will be a detour in place for those traveling in the area.” Plus WSDOT continues its “Revive I-5” SB lane closures for expansion-joint work.
PINEAPPLE FIESTA RUN: First time at Lincoln Park, this 5K/10K benefiting educational programs gets going at 8 am.
FIELD DAY: Continuing until 11 am, local ham-radio operators welcome you to their 24-hour “open house” in the north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) – see our report from last night for more info; this link has the schedule,
CHURCHES WITH ONLINE SERVICES: We’re continuing to list these – see today’s list here.
WEST SEATTLE GARDEN TOUR: 9 am-5 pm, but if you haven’t already bought a ticket, sorry, it’s sold out!
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, find fresh food – produce, meat, fish, cheese, beverages, baked goods, and prepared food – and plants at the weekly WSFM. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
DEMONSTRATION FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: Abortion-rights supporters are planning to march at California/Alaska 10 am-11:30 am. Organizers explain here, “We are just two pissed=off moms that want to bring this community together to mourn, find solace, organize and protest the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade. This is a peaceful gathering (be respectful of the local businesses and market) wear green, bring signs, your voice, and water.”
LITTLE LEAGUE ALL-STARS TOURNAMENT: West Seattle Little League‘s baseball and softball all-stars have started competition with the 12s baseball tournament WSLL is hosting at Bar-S (64th and Admiral), Today’s first game is at 10 am, public welcome – see the bracket here.
POP-UP MARKET: 11 am-4 pm at Future Primitive Brewing (9832 14th SW in White Center), the monthly market includes local growers and makers – among them, West Seattle’s Cascadia Wicks candlemaker, who’s donating 10 percent of today’s sales to the Northwest Abortion Access Fund.
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Only city-park wading pool open today in West Seattle is in central upper Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day (weather permitting).
COLMAN POOL: The outdoor pool on the Lincoln Park shore (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open noon-7 pm.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society museum< is open on Alki, and you can visit noon-4 pm, (61st/Stevens)
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Weekly tours are back, as reported here. First tour at 1 pm, last at 3:45; here’s how it works.
WEST SEATTLE PRIDE MARCH: West Seattle’s own Pride March, 2 pm to 4 pm, sponsored by Youngstown Coffee and HeartBeet Organic Superfood Café. The four-block march will end at those businesses, after starting at 2 at Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW). Organizers note, “The short march is great for families and pets too! Walk, skate, bike, dance, or stroll the route with your friends and family. Celebrate our LGBTQ community here in West Seattle!” They also add here, “Pride was and still is a protest! Feel free to bring your signs and frustrations with you.”
WEST SEATTLE CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: Monthly meeting at 3 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) – our calendar listing has details on this month’s meeting.
MIKU, AND THE GODS. At 3 pm, it’s a matinee performance of this world-premiere play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), tickets available here. (Read our story about playwright Julia Izumi here.)
(ADDED) GUN-SAFETY BENEFIT: At Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW): “Show up for gun safety! This Sunday from 4-7 pm join your neighbors at Highland Park Corner Store for a benefit for Everytown for Gun Safety. Enjoy live music from Echo Ravine (featuring West Seattle residents and former members of Band of Horses) and smash burgers from Farmboy. All proceeds from Future Primitive’s Nazi Punks F* Off draft will go to Everytown – and reps from Everytown and Moms Demand Action will be there in case you want to get more involved.”
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).
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!
2:15 AM: Another Seattle Fire “full response” has just been dispatched, this time to the 7500 block of Fauntleroy Way SW [vicinity map]. Updates to come.
2:18 AM: This one is described as a deck fire. Everyone is reported to be safely out.
2:24 AM: The fire is reported to have spread to the house. Fauntleroy is blocked both ways in the area.
2:28 AM: The fire is reported to be under control.
4:21 AM: SFD has now closed this call too.
1:57 AM: Seattle Fire has a “full response” headed to a possible house fire in the 2500 block of SW Portland Court [vicinity map]. Updates to come.
2 AM: One of the first units on scene reports light smoke.
2:04 AM: They’ve assessed it as a “small wall fire.” All five people who were home are reported to be out safely. … The response is being downsized.
3:02 AM: This call is now closed, meaning all SFD units have left the scene.
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