West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Toward the end of every weekend, we check numbers from the Public Health – Seattle/King County dashboard, so here’s our weekly look at countywide and West Seattle-specific COVID numbers:
*17 percent more cases countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 1,052 new daily cases countywide (up from 956 when we checked a week ago)
*0 percent change in hospitalizations countywide in the past week, compared to the week before
*Currently averaging 19 new hospitalizations daily (down from 2- a week ago)
*3 percent more deaths countywide in the past two weeks than the two previous weeks (the dashboard doesn’t offer a one-week increment)
*Currently averaging 3 deaths daily (same as last week’s two-week average)
For West Seattle, we have two-week comparisons (these are the combined totals from two “health reporting areas,” labeled West Seattle and Delridge):
*751 cases between 6/27 and 7/11, up from 712 between 6/12 and 6/26
*11 hospitalizations between 6/27 and 7/11, down from 13 between 6/12 and 6/26
*3 deaths between 6/27 and 7/11, up from 2 between 6/12 and 6/26
VACCINATION: Checking vaccination rates:
*81.6 percent of all King County residents have completed the initial series (unchanged from a week ago)
*86.4 percent of all King County residents ages 5 and up have completed the initial series (unchanged from a week ago)
*51.4 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 vaccination rates by ZIP code for ages 5 and up (reminder, 98106 and 98146 are not wholly within WS):
98106 – 88.8% completed initial series (unchanged from a week earlier), 55.5% have had a booster (up .2%)
98116 – 93.6% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 67.8% have had a booster (up .2%)
98126 – 84.3% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 57.6% have had a booster (up .2%)
98136 – 94.3% completed initial series (unchanged from a week earlier), 70.7% have had a booster (up .1%)
98146 – 83.6% completed initial series (unchanged from a week earlier), 49.9% have had a booster (up .2%)
VACCINE CLINICS: Look for opportunities here.
TESTING: If you want to get tested and don’t have or want to get a home kit, public testing sites include the city-supported site at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle, 9 am-5:30 pm Monday-Saturday this week) and the Curative kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1220 Harbor SW, 9 am-3 pm Monday-Friday this week). … If you need to report self-test results, that’s explained on this page.
Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
GUNFIRE INVESTIGATION: Police say witnesses confirmed someone in a car fired shots into the air around 9 pm in the vicinity of the 5400 block of 30th SW. Witnesses told them it was the rear driver-side passenger in a “black Honda Civic” carrying four Black men who appeared to be in their 20s. The car was last seen headed southbound on 29th SW. Officers also told dispatch a witness said this has happened nightly for the past several nights. Incident number is 2022-185472.
HIT-RUN AT 34TH/ROXBURY: The collision that killed a man on a bicycle was not the only hit-and-run that police are investigating. We’ve heard from the victim in another one, a crash at 34th/Roxbury on Saturday afternoon. Alexis writes:
I’d like to thank the multiple calls made on my behalf by the neighbors and especially the woman who lent me her phone as well as the good Samaritan behind me who pulled over and waited until the police came. The other driver asked the good Samaritan for a ride and then ran toward White Center. Mid- to late-twenties. thin, POC wearing red. I had just turned left from 35th onto Roxbury going east. All of a sudden I was hitting his car and pushing him. He was doing at least 50 or more on 34th going south crossing the arterial. Nothing I could do. He was in my space before I even saw him. Both cars are probably totaled. I am banged up but did not need care. His car was full of trash and half eaten food. The ignition had been hotwired. He was slurring his words and appeared to be on something. He left his phone in the car and took off. The police sent two other cars to look for him but couldn’t find him. The car is registered in King County and SPD asked the sheriff to notify the owner.
If you have any information, the incident # is 2022-184113.
CATALYTIC-CONVERTER THEFT: Via text, this was reported early this morning on SW Webster between 32nd nd 33rd; the thieves headed down an alley, southbound toward Roxhill Elementary: “2 white males, one in blue, one in black, both in hats with a backpack.” Incident # 2022-184863.
Thanks to Eddie for sending the photo. A “ghost bike” memorial is now up over the site where a hit-and-run driver killed a 63-year-old bicycle rider Friday night, along SW Spokane east of the West Seattle low bridge. The two-decades-old tradition is explained here – hundreds have been placed around the world to “serve as reminders of the tragedy that took place on an otherwise anonymous street corner, and as quiet statements in support of cyclists’ right to safe travel.” Police have not yet reported an arrest in the case; on Friday night, they said the driver was in “a white or silver sedan” and that they “fled the scene” eastbound after hitting the victim. If you have any information for police, you’re asked to call the Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000. The incident number to refer to is 2022-183308.
Now that West Seattle Summer Fest has wrapped up, time to start counting down to two big in-the-street events next Saturday (July 23rd) – the Float Dodger 5K and West Seattle Grand Parade. Both happen on California SW, from The Admiral District to The Junction (and back, for Float Dodger).
(WSB photo, 2019 Float Dodger 5K, organizers Lori McConnell & Tim McConnell at left)
The 5K is coordinated by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) and starts on the field at Hiawatha (2700 California SW) with a free Kids’ Dash at 9:15 am 8:45 am preceding the run/walk at 9:30 am. Runners head out onto California SW, run/walk down the parade route to The Junction, turn around and head back. You can register online until Thursday – do it here!
(2017 West Seattle Grand Parade WSB photo, All-City Band)
The West Seattle Grand Parade follows at 11 am, also starting in the 2700 block of California and heading south to The Junction (California/Edmunds). The parade is presented by the West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation. Parade chair Keith Hughes says more than 60 entrants are confirmed so far – including longtime favorites including the All-City Band plus classic cars, antique fire trucks, community organizations. Two announcing stations this year – California/Charlestown as well as California/Alaska. It all starts rolling southbound on California at 11 am Saturday, so grab your spot on the curb and cheer the parade’s return. More previews to come as the week goes on!
(QUICK INFOLINKS: Farmers’ Market here, food here, vendors here, kids zone here, bus reroutes here)
11:11 AM: If you haven’t been to West Seattle Summer Fest yet, you have six more hours – or, even if you have, come back and see what you might have missed the first time, browse the year-round merchants’ sidewalk sales. Some FAQ here in the Info Booth:
*Where’s the Farmers’ Market? One block north.
*What bands are playing today? None – this year, music was scheduled just for Friday and Saturday.
*Where’s the face painting? Mid-block raised crosswalk on California between Oregon and Alaska.
*Where’s the cotton candy? Food zone, south side, toward the east end.
*Where are the Whale Trail scavenger-hunt maps? Here in the Info Booth.
We’re on the north side of the Info Booth today; on the east side until 2 pm, Seattle Police Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner (just a little over two weeks until Night Out!).
Lots of free swag, too – coloring books, pencils, tote bags. … An SDOT12:06 PM: The free “big games” got a late start but they’re now up and running on the east end of the Kids Zone (SW Alaska between California and 44th):
The Seattle Kraken have free games right next to that:
12:35 PM: Without bands today, the only schedule note we have for you is the 3 pm Whale Trail presentation about Springer the orca’s rescue – just go to the Senior Center (California/Oregon). … Breaking news: It’s National Ice Cream Day! You can celebrate with a West Seattle vendor in the Food Zone (Alaska west of California) – the Shug’s Soda Fountain cart!
They’re on the north side of the food zone, by Junction Plaza Park.
1:30 PM: The sun has returned! Just half an hour to get to the Farmers’ Market (one block north of its usual spot). That’s one more place you can get lunch and snacks – as we reported earlier, almost all the regular vendors are there, including those that are preparing food for you to enjoy on the spot.
2:01 PM: Surprise guest here at Summer Fest – Seattle Fire Ladder 11. It’s currently parked on Alaska close to 42nd, and since we took the photo above, a firefighter has climbed up to the end of the ladder.
(Reader photo)
You can also stop by and say hi to the firefighters on the ground. …. Farmers’ Market has closed, but the festival has three more hours. We’ve heard there’s an afterparty at Shadowland with live bands; first report said 5 pm, but the Shadowland staff told us, when we went up to ask who’s playing, 7 pm. We’ll be checking back.
2:55 PM: The sun is coming and going.
And time is going fast, with two more hours left in the festival. Thanks again to all the people who have stopped by to say hi! Also your final hours to get a Summer Fest T-shirt:
See the Junction Association volunteers on the southwest side of the Info Booth. The T-shirt design is something of a souvenir marking a historic moment in time, too, with this year’s logo incorporating the orange traffic cone and the almost-fixed bridge – the only (here’s hoping) Summer Fest to be held with a closed bridge. (Although if you look back 40 years to the roots of Summer Fest, that would take you to 1982 – two years before the current bridge fully opened.)
3:20 PM: Another FAQ: “Where’s the beer garden?” None today since there’s no music because of the Farmers’ Market moving into that space for the day. But certainly you have options for beer – like Elliott Bay Brewing (east side of California between Alaska and Edmunds, celebrating 25 years), and The Beer Junction (west side of California, not far south of Oregon) among them.
3:40 PM: Most attention-grabbing vendor name at
the festival:
In festival-food names, we’d give the award to the sushi burrito and light-bulb boba tea.
4 PM: The final-hour rush is on! Lines for fair/festival food – and the elephant-ears booth just announced they’re sold out.
4:25 PM: Still a lot of wandering going on. We’ll be here until the close at 5; festival staff starts breaking down immediately, but it’ll likely be some hours before the streets reopen. One more note about the Shadowland afterparty – it starts at 5, and the bands are playing indoors, not outdoors. … Update, just found out more. Five bands, 5 pm until close. Shadowland is on the northeast corner of California/Oregon – 21+.
4:53 PM: The Info Booth is being folded up around us – so that’s a wrap. Thanks to everyone who came down to celebrate the return of West Seattle’s biggest party of the year – from WSJA organizers to volunteers to production crew to sponsors to vendors to performers to festivalgoers! More summer fun to come.
That’s the north end of the relocated-today-only West Seattle Farmers’ Market, by the Post Office in the 4400 block of California SW. In past years, the third day of West Seattle Summer Fest has seen the market relocate to its old spot behind KeyBank, but this year the West Seattle Junction Association – which presents the festival – is trying something new: Dropping music on Sunday (which tended to be lightly attended anyway), so the market could stay on California SW, one block north. We stopped by the market-management booth to ask about the vendor response; 46 vendors are here today, which is only five fewer than usual. Hours are the same as usual – so get your shopping and snacking done before 2 pm!
The final day of the return of West Seattle Summer Fest – and the Farmers’ Market one-day relocation – start our Sunday list:
It’s been a fun festival; our Saturday coverage is here and here, and our Friday coverage is here and here. Today’s festival hours are 10 am-5 pm; we’ll be back on the north side of the Info Booth (California/Alaska), which is also where you can buy Summer Fest T-shirts, get and turn in your Whale Trail maps, and solve problems from first-aid needs to lost-and-found. Other Summer Fest basics:
Vendor booths: On California between Oregon and Edmunds
Sidewalk Sale: Outside many year-round Junction shops, including some on 42nd, 44th, Oregon
Music: None today, a change this year
Kids Zone: SW Alaska west of California (free games, plus 5 inflatables accessible for $20 daily pass)
Food: SW Alaska east of California (plus year-round restaurants/bars, some of which have added sidewalk cafés)
Whale Trail activity for kids: Get and return your card at the Info Booth – also see the Springer presentation at the Senior Center (4217 SW Oregon) at 3 pm
Bus reroutes: Follow that link to see route-by-route info on where the stops have moved to until the streets reopen Sunday night
Because of the festival …
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is happening at its usual time, but at a DIFFERENT location for today only – one block north of where you’ll usually find it – north of SW Oregon. First time ever in this spot – past years have relocated the market elsewhere for the day.
Here’s what else is happening today:
CHURCHES WITH ONLINE SERVICES: We’re continuing to list these – see today’s list here.
TAILS TO ASTONISH ANNIVERSARY SALE: Last of three days you can shop the first-anniversary sale at West Seattle’s comics-and-toys store (4850 California SW; WSB sponsor). Open today 9 am-2 pm – just south of The Junction, so you can visit on your way to Summer Fest.
WHITE CENTER LIBRARY GUILD SIDEWALK SALE: 11 am-4 pm, at White Center Library (1409 SW 107th): Second and final day for this sale offering books and “gently used household treasures.”
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: If the city opens wading pools today, the only one open in West Seattle will be the one in central upper Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm.
COLMAN POOL: The outdoor pool on the Lincoln Park shore (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is back open to the public, noon-7 pm.
COLMAN POOL RENOVATION MEETING: Swimming or not, you’re invited to visit the pool noon-2 pm to learn about a future renovation project. As reported here, Parks says the work is not expected to start before 2024.
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.
LOW TIDE: Out to -1.5 feet at 2:19 pm, which isn’t mega-low, but Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists will be out today, 1:15-3:15 pm at Lincoln Park (they’ve canceled Constellation Park because of the ongoing pollution concerns).
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK X 2: 3 pm and 7 pm at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), GreenStage presents a “Pericles” matinee and “Henry V” evening performance. Free!
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: 3-5 pm, Paradise Drifters play country/honkytonk music at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
BACHATA AND SALSA ON ALKI: Wear all white. Lesson at 4:30 pm, dancing until 9:30 pm. Info 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).
MEDITATION AND MORE: Kundalini Yoga, Meditation, Gong Bath at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW) with Inner Alchemy, 7-8:30 pm.
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 for our calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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