As the weekend and month end, here’s our regular Sunday night check of local numbers from the Public Health – Seattle/King County COVID dashboard:

*14 percent fewer cases countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 758 new daily cases countywide (down from 878 when we checked a week ago)

*21 percent fewer hospitalizations countywide in the past week thab the week before
*Currently averaging 16 new hospitalizations daily (down from 17 a week ago)

*16 percent fewer 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, together comprising the entire peninsula):
*662 cases between 7/11 and 7/25, down from 694 between 6/26 and 7/10
*14 hospitalizations between 7/11 and 7/25, up from 12 between 6/26 and 7/10
*No deaths between 7/11 and 7/25, down from 4 between 6/26 and 7/10

VACCINATION: Checking vaccination rates:
*81.8 percent of all King County residents have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*86.5 percent of all King County residents ages 5 and up have completed the initial series (unchanged from a week ago)
*51.8 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 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), 55.8% have had a booster (up .1%)
98116 – 93.7% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 68% have had a booster (up .1%)
98126 – 84.5% completed initial series (up .2% from a week earlier), 58% have had a booster (up .2%)
98136 – 94.4% completed initial series (unchanged from a week earlier), 71.1% have had a booster (up .2%)
98146 – 83.7% completed initial series (unchanged from a week earlier), 50.2% have had a booster (up .2%)

VACCINE CLINICS: Seattle Public Schools has one this Saturday in West Seattle for students, families, and staff (details here) … Look for other 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.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Heat alert really did expire after double-record day

July 31, 2022 9:26 pm

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Heat alert really did expire after double-record day

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Just in case you had any doubt – that map from the National Weather Service website is proof, the heat alert really did expire at 9 pm and closer-to-normal temperatures are on the way. This after a two-record day – the sixth consecutive day with a 90+-degree high, and the hottest recorded high for this date (95, 16 degrees over the normal high for this date). The NWS says, “A weak trough and stronger onshore flow will bring cooler weather on Monday although still slightly above normal – high in the 80s.”

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DEVELOPMENT: Community survey for South Delridge 12-townhouse project

July 31, 2022 8:24 pm

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| Delridge | Development | West Seattle news

South Delridge is the busiest West Seattle redevelopment area right now, and another early-stage plan is circulating a community survey. Cone Architecture sent a postal-mail notice about a 12-townhouse project in early-stage planning for 9216 20th SW (near 20th/Barton; map). Their description of the project is “two parcels (with) six 3-story rowhouses, six 3-story townhomes, surface parking, and green spaces.” Online documents indicate that one parking space per unit is proposed. This is on track to go through Streamlined Design Review rather than full Design Review, so no public Design Review Board meeting is expected, but you can get early comments in via this online survey, open through Friday (August 5th). The site has been used for single-family housing but was rezoned to Lowrise 1 during the HALA Mandatory Housing Affordability process.

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SEAFAIR: Fleet Week begins Monday with Parade of Ships in Elliott Bay

July 31, 2022 4:56 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(US Navy file photo of USS Lake Champlain)

One of the last big returning events of the summer is the climactic week of Seafair, from Fleet Week to the Blue Angels performances to hydroplane racing. It starts tomorrow with the Parade of Ships in Elliott Bay, passing West Seattle shores. Today the U.S. Navy announced which ships you’ll see before they dock at Pier 90 in Magnolia for tours: Guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) from San Diego and guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) from Everett. The official Parade of Ships time on the downtown waterfront is 12:30 pm Monday, so they should be visible sometime in the preceding hour. As is the case most years – before the pandemic hiatus – U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy ships are expected to participate too. After the Parade of Ships, a USCG search-and-rescue demonstration is planned off the downtown waterfront. Meantime, Navy ship tours at Pier 90 are scheduled:

Tuesday, August 2 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 3 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 4 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Friday, August 5 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 6 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on USS Lake Champlain; and 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on USS John Paul Jones.

For more info on tour protocols, go here.

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ELECTION 2022: Two days left to vote in six primary races

July 31, 2022 1:46 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

With two days left to vote, only 17.3 percent of ballots sent out to West Seattle/South Park have been received by King County Elections. Don’t let the turnout stay anemic; take a few minutes to vote. The primary ballot is short in our area: two federal races, one statewide race, three state-legislative races. Here’s who’s on your ballot, in order of how they appear on the ballot, and with the party preference that’s listed on the ballot (incumbents are marked with asterisks):

34TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE REP. POSITION 1 (no incumbent)
Leah Griffin (Prefers Democratic Party)
Emily Alvarado (Prefers Democratic Party)
Jolie Lansdowne (Prefers Republican Party)

34TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE REP. POSITION 2
Joe Fitzgibbon* (Prefers Democratic Party)
Andrew Pilloud (Prefers Republican Party)

34TH DISTRICT STATE SENATOR
Tony Mitchum (States No Party Preference)
Joe Nguyen* (Prefers Democratic Party)
John Potter (Prefers Republican Party)
Amber Bennett (Prefers Independent Party)
Goodspaceguy (Prefers Republican Party)

WASHINGTON SECRETARY OF STATE (no incumbent)
Bob Hagglund (Prefers Republican Party)
Kurtis Engle (Prefers Union Party)
Marquez Tiggs (Prefers Democratic Party)
Tamborine Borrelli (Prefers America First (R) Party)
Steve Hobbs (Prefers Democratic Party)
Keith L. Wagoner (Prefers Republican Party)
Mark Miloscia (Prefers Republican Party)
Julie Anderson (Prefers Nonpartisan Party)

DISTRICT 7 U.S. HOUSE REP.
Cliff Moon (Prefers Republican Party)
Pramila Jayapal* (Prefers Democratic Party)
Jesse A James (Prefers Independent Party)
Paul Glumaz (Prefers Republican Party)

U.S. SENATOR
Henry Clay Dennison (Prefers Socialist Workers Party)
Mohammad Hassan Said (Prefers Democratic Party)
John Guenther (Prefers Republican Party)
Tiffany Smiley (Prefers Republican Party)
Dan Phan Doan (States No Party Preference)
Dr Pano Churchill (Prefers Democratic Party)
Dave Saulibio (Prefers JFK Republican Party)
Sam Cusmir (Prefers Democratic Party)
Bill Hirt (Prefers Republican Party)
Jon Butler (Prefers Independent Party)
Bryan Solstin (Prefers Democratic Party)
Martin D. Hash (States No Party Preference)
Patty Murray* (Prefers Democratic Party)
Thor Amundson (Prefers Independent Party)
Charlie (Chuck) Jackson (Prefers Independent Party)
Naz Paul (Prefers Independent Party)
Ravin Pierre (Prefers Democratic Party)
Leon Lawson (Prefers Trump Republican Party)

This page has links to more information about the candidates; the voters’ guide is here.

WHERE TO VOTE: You can send your ballot in via U.S. Mail, no stamp needed, as long as it’s postmarked by Tuesday, or you can put it in a King County Elections dropbox as long as it’s there by 8 pm Tuesday. Here are the West Seattle dropboxes
-South side of SW Alaska between California and 44th (top photo, with the 5-minute parking spots)
-SW Raymond by High Point Library, between 34th and 35th
–South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), 6000 16th SW (along the driveway in front of the administration building)

You might also find the White Center and South Park dropboxes convenient. All dropboxes countywide are mapped/listed here. Once you’ve voted, you can check here (wait at least a day) to see if your ballot’s been received/counted. For other voting options, go here.

P.S. Just moved here, or just turned old enough to vote (as long as you’ll be 18 by the general election on November 8th, you can vote in the primary)? You can register right up through the close of voting Tuesday night – here’s how.

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Need meditation time in your life? ‘Zen-curious’ invited to weekly ‘sits’ in Fauntleroy

July 31, 2022 12:20 pm

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| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

We’ve had the Puget Sound Zen Center‘s weekly Fauntleroy “sits” in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for some weeks now, but the organization wanted to explain a bit more about what they’re offering, whether you’re “Zen-curious” or have a longtime practice:

The Puget Sound Zen Center (PSZC) is offering in-person meditation on Monday evenings from 7:00 PM to 8:30 in the Chapel, Room 402 of Fauntleroy Church [9140 California SW]. PSZC is based on Vashon but has several members who live in or near West Seattle. The introduction of Monday evening ‘sits’ makes it simple for anyone in the West Seattle area to learn about and practice Zen with a community of practitioners. Several people at a recent Monday evening sit expressed appreciation for finally having a Buddhist presence in West Seattle, saying there has been virtually none previously.

PSZC’s Abbot, Koshin Christopher Cain, trained at Mt. Baldy Zen Center for 12 years under Joshu Sasaki Roshi. He is a member of the American Zen Teachers Association. Koshin Cain and other Vashon members join in on Monday evenings as their schedules permit. The evening begins with chanting followed by two 20-25-minute periods of silent meditation interspersed with a short walking meditation. Then the group reads a short topical article taken from Buddhism-oriented publications. They read in a round-robin – no need to read ahead of time. Most Monday nights, between 7-14 people attend.

Cushions and chairs are available, but people are free to bring their own. Comfortable casual attire is recommended. As of this writing, masks are optional and there is enough room to keep socially distanced.

Some who attend have been practicing Zen or other forms of meditation for decades, but many are new to Zen.

If you are ‘Zen curious’ go along to the Fauntleroy Church on Monday nights. If you arrive 10 minutes early, PSZC members will be happy to give you some brief instructions. Or just walk on in and follow along.

PSZC offers free “Intro to Zen” classes periodically, both online and in-person. There is an upcoming Intro to Zen class at UCC/Fauntleroy Church on August 13 from 10 AM to noon. Here are a couple of talks by Abbot Koshin Cain on breathing and posture: talk 1 and talk 2. There is more information on their website. Contact Jean Spohn at westseattle@pszc.org if you have questions.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Daystar resident turns 101

July 31, 2022 10:03 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Thanks to Daystar Retirement Village (WSB sponsor) for the photo and report:

We had another centenarian-plus-one birthday this week! A longtime West Seattle resident, Ruby Jean Gessin, turned the big 1-0-1! She was sung to and greeted by Daystar staff and her niece Brenda and nephew Bruce! Was a fun mini-celebration for one of our valued Daystar family members!

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 18 notes!

July 31, 2022 6:21 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Saturday sunrise, photographed by Marc Milrod)

Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s what’s happening today:

TRAFFIC ALERTS: Here’s what SDOT has going today:
*Eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct closed until early Monday “to install signage, striping, and new bridge expansion joints, which allow the bridge to expand and contract during winter and summer months.”
*16th/Cambridge curb-bulb/curb-ramp work.
*6th Ave. S. wheel-stop installation in Georgetown, from Michigan to Lucile.

LIBRARY CLOSURES: The Southwest and West Seattle (Admiral) branches will both remain closed today because of the high temperatures.

CHURCHES WITH ONLINE SERVICES: We’re continuing to list these – see today’s list here.

FOOD DRIVE: Donate non-perishable food at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill) today, 10 am-12:30 pm.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is open with peak summer produce as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, prepared food, and more, California SW between Oregon and Alaska.

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: With sunny and hot weather continuing, the wading pool will be open 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.

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.

DUBSEA FISH STICKS’ FINALE: 1:05 pm game at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1320 SW 102nd):

On Sunday, July 31st the team will host its final game of the 2022 inaugural season beginning at 1:05 pm. Fan appreciation day will feature special give-aways, fun between inning promotions and the last chance for a fan to roll giant dice for a chance to win $50,000 ….

The opposing team: the Seattle Blackfins. Tickets and other info here.

‘HERE THERE BE DRAGONS’: 3 pm matinee at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the new one-woman musical. Tickets here.

CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) CLUB: 3 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), info here.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK X 2: GreenStage presents two free plays at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) – “Henry V” at 3 pm, “Pericles” at 7 pm.

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: 3-5 pm, Citizens of Earth performs at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

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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