West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
While we were covering the Seafair Parade of Ships from on board the USS Bunker Hill (here’s our report, with video), many were enjoying the view from the shore, and shared their photos so we could show them to you. Above, Mandi spotted the flag-waving man atop the Alki seawall. Further west, along the open beach, Anne from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) says they were en route back from a job site when they caught sight of the fireboat Leschi:
When it moved further into the bay, West Seattle photographer Jim Clark got this view:
And he photographed some of the flyovers too:
P-3 Orion, we believe. Back to the ships – Gary Jones caught them passing Alki Point, starting with the one your editor here was on, the USS Bunker Hill:
The USS New Orleans was the third U.S. Navy ship in the parade:
And toward the end, the Nanaimo, from the Canadian Coast Guard, had a USCG escort:
Mary K spotted a stand-up paddleboarder watching the USS Halsey go by:
Tomorrow through Sunday, you can tour the U.S. Navy ships that were in today’s parade – tour hours are 9:30 am-3:30 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and noon-3:30 pm on Sunday. The Bunker Hill is at Pier 48 south of Colman Dock downtown; the Halsey is at Pier 66 downtown (Bell Street); the New Orleans is at Pier 90 in Magnolia. More info here.
Just out of the WSB inbox – a tentative agreement in the recycling/yard-waste truck drivers’ strike (supported by garbage-truck drivers) that started a week ago:
Following a confidential meeting between the parties’ lead negotiators, Waste Management and Teamsters Local 117 announced that they have reached a tentative agreement on a new 6-year contract.
Teamster leadership and the bargaining committee will fully recommend that members approve the new contract at the ratification vote scheduled for 9:00am on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at the Union Hall in Tukwila.
Note:
Garbage drivers will return to work in the morning and begin servicing their regular Thursday collection routes. However, due to the timing of the ratification vote, recycling and yard waste collection will be limited.Please see www.wmnorthwest.com for more information.
“We are extremely pleased that we reached an agreement on a new contract that delivers a solid compensation package to our hardworking and professional drivers”, said Robin Freedman, spokesperson for Waste Management. “Although regular drivers will be back on their routes tomorrow it will take time to fully recover from this unfortunate situation. We appreciate the community’s patience during this time.”
“Teamster drivers work hard and deserve fair compensation for the important work that they perform,” announced Tracey Thompson, Secretary Treasurer for Teamster Local 117. “We are pleased to have negotiated a contract that recognizes the professionalism of our members.”
More to come.
THURSDAY NOTE: Still awaiting additional details; we’ll start a separate story page whenever more information about the strike’s aftermath is made public today.
Five weeks from today, school starts. But there’s still a whole lot of summer left to enjoy – and today, blue sky and bright sun graced a high-profile work party at the garden on the Denny/Sealth campus. Above, new Seattle Public Schools superintendent José Banda joined Seattle Storm guard Svetlana Abrosimova in getting some plants in the garden’s raised beds. That was just one of the tasks tackled today:
And we do mean tackled. As in football. Participants included former Seahawks – like Forey Duckett:
And school leaders too – here are Sealth’s principal Chris Kinsey and vice principal Lupe Barnes with superintendent Banda:
Sustainability was the theme here – new planting beds were built from recovered cedar, for example; both schools are certified Washington Green Schools. And after a few hours, everybody was ready for a “zero-waste lunch”:
The produce was all grown in the Denny/Sealth garde and consumed with compostable utensils.As big as this was, it was actually just a prelude to an event next month, the nationwide “Green Apple Day of Service” sponsored by the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council on September 29th.
(“Live” traffic-cam image from the spill site)
2:21 PM: This one is likely to have a West Seattle Bridge domino effect, so beware – a haz-mat spill involving a truck has closed all lanes of northbound I-5 at I-90, and there’s no estimate yet as to how long the cleanup will take. Our partners at the Times are tracking it here.
3:28 PM: Two lanes are now open.
4:41 PM: The warnings about surface streets are true. We are in a jam on SB 4th and NB looks worse.
8:47 PM NOTE: The final State Patrol media report on this says I-5 was fully reopened before 7 pm. The spill totaled two gallons of what WSP described as “sodium borohydride and sodium hydroxide solution.” No injuries were reported.
1:04 PM: We’ve been on board the USS Bunker Hill for four hours – and finally it’s showtime. After a day that has so far included a leisurely cruise through the bay, a bit north, a bit south, with a naturalization ceremony along the way – 17 active-duty servicemembers from 13 countries, now brand-new U.S. citizens – the Seafair fleet is turning off Beach Drive to head for Elliott Bay and the Parade of Ships/Flight (remember, you’ll see aircraft too). The sailors are taking their places to line the deck. You should get a good view from Alki and Duwamish Head if you’re not heading downtown, which is the official parade-viewing spot 1:45-2:15 pm. The guided-missile cruiser Bunker Hill, by the way, is at the head of the fleet, with the guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey right behind, then the amphibious-transport dock ship USS New Orleans, plus US and Canadian Coast Guard participants too. As of 1:10 pm, we’re passing the heart of Alki.
1:31 PM UPDATE: Passing Seacrest right now. Just added video from a few minutes ago, as we passed Alki. The “official” parade time along the downtown waterfront is 1:45-2:15 pm; then the ships dock, and there are tours the next four days.
1:53 PM UPDATE: Now passing the north end of the downtown waterfront. Some great sights along the way – big crowd watching from the West Seattle Water Taxi, for example, with a Coast Guard escort. (video added)
On board, a whistle sounded every so often, and the sailors changed their stance – at ease, at attention, saluting, then back at ease just after the Bunker Hill passed Pier 66.
2:19 PM: After the downtown pass, the ships are all headed in now to dock – this one is at Pier 46, not far south of the Water Taxi dock (Pier 50) and Colman Dock. Will add more visuals later – and thanks to everyone who has sent photos from their viewpoint on shore! We’ll be checking those too.
5:24 PM: Finally back home – quite an operation to back up a battleship into a city dock. Adding a few more of our visuals to this, and checking everything else that’s come in.
As the walkout by Waste Management‘s recycling/yard-waste/garbage truck drivers starts its second week, the city says it’s taking action – “possible fines” for WM, plus a request for tweets about missed pickups, and extended hours at transfer stations. Here’s the full city news release:
At a City Hall news conference this morning Mayor Mike McGinn announced that city inspectors will begin assessing possible fines to be imposed on Waste Management for non-collection of garbage, recycling, and food and yard waste, with funds to be returned to the public in the form of bill adjustments. The fines could reach as high as $1.25 million per day.
“This service disruption is creating a hardship for residents and businesses, and we expect Waste Management to fulfill their contract,” McGinn said. “We will be looking for every missed collection by Waste Management and with the public’s help we will hold them accountable. I urge both sides to return to the table to reach a mutually acceptable solution.”
With Waste Management’s one week grace period over, Seattle Public Utilities inspectors will begin fanning out across Seattle looking for missed collections and assessing possible penalty fees. Wednesday customers have been asked to keep any uncollected carts out until Thursday, August 2. Any uncollected carts will be recorded for fines — up to $1.25 million a day — to be issued to Waste Management.
The public can report missed collections through the following ways.
Each of the next three nights will bring a chance to enjoy music or a movie outdoors:
THURSDAY – SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: Mark DuFresne brings his bluesy sound to the stage on Hiawatha Community Center‘s east lawn tomorrow night at 6:30 pm. KING 5‘s Jim Dever emcees. And as always, the show’s free – BYO chair(s)/blanket(s), picnic, friends/family. The Thursday night concert series is presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association with co-sponsors (listed on the right side of this page) including WSB.
FRIDAY – SUMMER CONCERT SERIES AT THE MOUNT: Danny Vernon‘s “Illusion of Elvis” is back as the opening act of this free outdoor concert series.
(August 2011 photo of Danny Vernon @ The Mount, courtesy Bill Bacon)
You’ll find live music each of the next four Friday nights on the north side of Providence Mount St. Vincent‘s campus (4831 35th SW). Dinner/drinks can be purchased starting at 5:30 pm if you’re interested; the music starts at 6.
SATURDAY – ‘LION KING’ AND MAGIC SHOW @ WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: Third Saturday night movie of the summer already at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor)’s courtyard (4410 California SW)! “Lion King” is the featured film – here’s the original 1994 trailer:
Louie Foxx will make magic happen as the preshow entertainer. Plus, a free barbecue provided by West Seattle Christian Church. The movie’s at dusk (9:30-ish), preshow 7:30 pm, but come earlier, stake out your spot, make a night out of it. And bring a few bucks for concessions provided by WSB sponsor PB&J Textiles (benefiting WSCC’s well-building project) and raffle (benefiting West Seattle Helpline).
Yesterday was the day set as the deadline for remaining businesses to clear out of the buildings that will be demolished, likely within weeks, for the Equity Residential project at 42nd/Alaska/California in The Junction. 
Thanks to Brian Presser from TouchTech Systems for the photo at right, showing the note put up by one of the last to leave. Here’s who’s gone where, in the last wave of departures (these three were in the building across from Jefferson Square on 42nd):
–Young At Art plans to open next week in a new location at Fauntleroy and Raymond (longtime past home of PB&J Textiles (WSB sponsor).
–Ron’s Cobbler Shoppe is “closed forever,” as the note at right reads, no new location.
–Well Medical Arts will reopen next week at 9025 35th SW.
Other moves/closures already reported here recently include (east to west) AAA will reopen in the former AT&T Wireless space in Jefferson Square; Rocksport Bar and Grill has closed permanently (and had an auction last week); Super Supplements moved to Morgan Junction, Sound Advice moved to the lower level of the Senior Center of West Seattle building; Classic Barber Shop moved to 5040 California SW; Suite Arrangements moved to the Fauntleroy Way storefront next to West Seattle Produce; Rubato Records planned to take an interim space in the Antique Mall of West Seattle; and Mind Body Spirit moved to 3258 California SW. Several businesses moved months ago, including The Beer Junction; it’s been more than a year since the first closure, the city Neighborhood Service Center that used to be next to Rocksport. Equity told WSB last month that demolition could start as soon as August 10th.
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(Harbor seal, photographed by Gary Jones)
Here’s some of what’s ahead on what should turn into a sunny Seafair Wednesday …
WASTE MANAGEMENT STRIKE UPDATE: Toplines as new information continued developing into last night – If you have Wednesday pickup, the city says, DO take out your cans today; Waste Management says it expects to at least provide trash pickup with substitute drivers. As of today, you also can take trash to the city transfer stations (South Park is the closest one) for free, TFN. For more strike-related news, here’s the latest roundup from our partners at The Seattle Times.
TONIGHT’S TRAFFIC ALERTS: From our list of this week’s planned closures, tonight’s alerts are the same as the last two nights – 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct is closed southbound 9 pm-5 am between Battery Street Tunnel and West Seattle Bridge; the WS Bridge’s eastbound offramp to 1st Avenue S. is closed 10 pm tonight to 5 am tomorrow.
DENNY GARDEN PARTY: As reported here earlier this week, the Denny International Middle School garden will get some TLC today from volunteers and visitors including students, professional athletes, and new Seattle Public Schools Superintendent José Banda. The event is scheduled 10 am-1 pm.
SEAFAIR PARADE OF SHIPS/FLIGHT: Before the Seafair fleet parades past the downtown waterfront 1:45-2:15 pm, you should be able to see the ships passing West Seattle a bit earlier in the afternoon. Again this year, aircraft are part of the event, so watch for flybys (Coast Guard helicopters and more). We’re participating in the media ridealong aboard the USS Bunker Hill, and will report from onboard before and during the parade (watch the WSB Twitter and Facebook pages for photos, too).
HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN FARM STAND: Your weekly chance to buy fresh organic vegetables yards from where they were grown – 4 to 7 pm today, 32nd and Juneau.
SOUTH PORTAL WORKING GROUP: This every-few-months meeting has state, city, county, Port, and citizen/business/community reps taking a look at what’s ahead for the south end of the Highway 99 work as well as other related projects; public’s welcome – it’s at 4 pm in the Sound Transit board room on South Jackson downtown.
YOUNG WRITERS: Come listen to their work at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW) 6:30-8 pm, as explained here.
‘SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE JR.’ OPENS: 7:30 pm tonight at ArtsWest – info here.
More on the calendar…
Andy Horner is the new president of the Rotary Club of West Seattle, elected to lead the 75-member club until next July. 
He is the Senior Supervising Manager of Tukwila-headquartered Leavitt Machinery USA, one of the Northwest’s largest privately owned full service multi-line dealers of materials-handling equipment. The West Seattle Rotary was chartered in 1947 and meets every Tuesday at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor). A news release from the club quotes Horner: “West Seattle has a long-standing tradition of producing great results in the local community as well as developing Rotary leaders for Rotary District 5030. This year’s Rotary International theme is ‘Peace Through Service,’ one of which I am very excited to be a part of. When you bring peace to someone through your service efforts, it returns such a wonderful feeling of self-worth. Rotary has connected me to a great group of individuals and community leaders who care about their neighbors, those less fortunate, and most importantly, making a difference in the world though their commitment to service above self.” His past roles in the club include Community Service Chair, President of the West Seattle Service Foundation, and 2011 Rotarian of the Year. P.S. Special events upcoming for WS Rotary include the Wine and Chocolate Auction, scheduled for September 7th (register here).
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