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By Joseph Kertis
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone differently. Some have lost loved ones and jobs, suffering severe losses during a time that will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark. For others, perhaps it's just been inconvenient. Having kids home 24/7, working from home, and dealing with the inconveniences of social distancing and non-essential business closures have left many frustrated. But for those who struggle with Substance Use Disorder, or SUD, this pandemic has been especially challenging.
Many people have relapsed, and the early numbers show spikes in figures, which indicate a worsening of America's drug epidemic since COVID-19 arrived. Examples of this include several communities reporting sharp increases in overdose deaths. In the span of a few weeks, we've lost ground that took years to win, with no solution in sight.
By Jean Godden
First a confession: I love bread. If forced to select only one food to take to a desert island, I'd pick bread. I've argued that choice with a friend who insists his one food would be potatoes and another who holds out for peanut butter. But, for me, it's always been bread. Hot and crusty with a pat of butter.
It's not only that I love bread, but I've also been feeding my fantasy, turning out loaves during these weeks of stay-at-home quarantine. I am not alone in my rediscovered hobby. Many of us are engaged in stress baking.
Evidence of the baking craze is obvious. It can be seen at almost any supermarket or grocery store: shortages or total absence of yeast and flour. Shelves that used to be filled with basic ingredients for a good loaf are often bare. Who would have guessed that our nation is now lacking standard items that would have been the mainstay of the old general store.
By Michelle Dallal
During a time of rising unemployment and uncertainty, pawn shops in West Seattle and White Center are surprisingly reporting fewer people selling items for quick cash and more people buying items and paying off their loans.
People have been coming into Dave's Jewelry and Loan asking for tools and lawnmowers, said Michael Reibman, owner of Dave's Jewelry and Loan in White Center. Reibman also says he saw an uptick in business after stimulus payments were distributed.
"I've had a tremendous amount of gun business. I guess sales are up," said Reibman. "I've had a lot of people buying tools to fix their homes."
He said business is up 50% since Gov. Jay Inslee announced Washington’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order in early March. Despite all the shoppers, Reibman still has plenty of inventory and loans to give out, he said.
By Scott Anthony
I'm no renaissance man, I can't paint my way out of a grade school art class, and my musical skills are akin to a really good musician, but one who is too lazy to learn an instrument well.
But in my own defense, I CAN do a little of everything, well enough to not hurt myself or others in the process. So maybe instead of being an accomplished man of the arts and of fine cuisine, I am more of a factotum.
In this way I have learned how to cook things like eggs, pizza (homemade with premade crust) and salmon on a cedar plank. I know how to build a solid fence and can replace a window or door in a house with reasonable skill and speed.
I can sing, sometimes even in key, sometimes even in harmony and I know how to build a fire outside on a wet day (hint: road flares are cheap and easy to find).
By Jayson Boyd
As part of their “Stay Healthy” streets program, the Seattle Department of Transportation has closed the street in front of my house. Only, it isn’t really closed. There is only slightly less traffic than normal, despite the signs at either end of the block that say explicitly, “STREET CLOSED”. I’ve watched numerous cars approach the corner, take a look to see what’s going on, and after seeing that everything appears normal, they simply drive right past the sign and the orange cone.
If you’re unfamiliar with the program, SDOT is closing streets to give folks the extra space to walk, run, bike, etc. while continuing to practice social distancing. I’d agree that it’s kind of a corny idea, but what’s it hurting, really? There are perfectly good streets to drive your car or truck one block to either side of my street. Whether traveling east or west, you’ve got options.
This coming weekend will see changes at some of our most popular parks.
Alki Beach, Lincoln Park, and West Seattle Stadium will all close for the night at 8pm (instead of 11:30pm), starting on Friday. This change is meant to deter the gatherings that have been occurring there in the evenings. In all, seventeen parks across the city will observe the new 8pm closing time each day.
SDOT is planning to repave the westbound lanes of Roxbury between 16th and 18th Ave SW as early as mid-May, depending on weather. SDOT indicates they are coordinating with King County, which has jurisdiction over the eastbound lanes. SDOT will be doing outreach in advance.
On May 1, SDOT replaced the second pedestrian gate on the lower bridge, which will result in few outages affecting lower bridge openings. SDOT continues to adjust traffic signals.
Jennifer Danner, Seattle Police Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator shared that the department is once again offering FREE anti-theft CLUBS on a first come first given basis.
"In an effort to decrease auto theft incidents, the SW Precinct once again has free steering wheel clubs to give away to our West Seattle and South Park residents!
We have 81 clubs at this time, and we will be giving them out on a first come, first serve basis.
The developers of a proposed 5 story apartment building with 86 SEDU units and no vehicular parking at 1140 NW Market Street in Ballard are reaching out for community input. The KFC restaurant on the site would be demolished.
Blueprint Capital is asking that area residents fill out a survey and comment until June 5.jade@blueprintcap.com
Hello Ballard Community,
