West Seattle, Washington

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month : 09/2015 297 results

Crime stats, community concerns, & self-defense discussion @ West Seattle Crime Prevention Council
September 16, 2015 8:48 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Crime trends and self-protection were on the agenda as the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council returned from summer break.

Last night’s meeting started with Southwest Precinct Captain Pierre Davis briefing those in attendance. “The summer was … the summer. In West Seattle, it’s typical for us to have a riproaring summer, but it wasn’t out of control.” He talked about the importance of the recently developed “microcommunity” policing plans, and the importance of feedback on them.

It’s been five months since Capt. Davis returned to West Seattle as precinct commander; he noted that some categories of crime were spiking back then, but they’ve been “strateg(izing)” how to fight them, and have had success. For one, he said, they’ve put together what is in effect “a posse to go out and hunt our bad guys … (those responsible) for auto thefts, burglaries, other crimes that have plagued neighborhoods.”

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West Seattle scene: Seal pup ‘Cariad’ rests at Lincoln Park
September 16, 2015 7:02 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(WSB photo, taken from behind the protection-zone tape)

Walking on the Lincoln Park shore this afternoon, on our way to meet an interview subject, we happened onto an unexpected sight – this harbor-seal pup on the beach. Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network‘s first responder Lynn Shimamoto was already there and marking off an area to keep it safe from people and other animals. On our way back from our (unrelated) interview, we stopped to talk with Seal Sitters’ Robin Lindsey, who said it’s continued to be a slow season for pup sightings otherwise, as noted on their Blubberblog website (where you’ll likely see a post later about today’s visit, which came four days after a brief sighting nearby). Most likely, Robin said, today’s pup was already weaned, as most pups are born in July or August and now past the time they stay with their moms. One telltale sign: Like this one, the weaned pups aren’t very plump, as they are learning how to hunt for themselves. This means it’s even more important they get space to rest, because if they’re spooked, they’ll burn more of what little stored fat they have as they scoot back into the water to find safety. If you see a seal or other marine mammal on a local store, call Seal Sitters’ hotline at 206-905-SEAL.

P.S. For tracking purposes, pups protected by Seal Sitters often are given names. Lynn told us passersby from Wales suggested “Cariad,” which means “sweetheart” in Welsh.

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Here’s how Metro bus service will change on September 26th
September 16, 2015 5:12 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Metro has just announced details of its next “service change,” scheduled to take effect on September 26th (one week from Saturday). You can see all the changes here; here are the area routes we see listed (please let us know if we’re missing one), plus a big change for holiday service, with several local routes involved:

ROUTE 21

Route 21 daytime and evening service frequency will also improve to every 15 minutes on Sunday as all southbound Route 5 trips will be connected to Route 21 operating to Westwood Village and all northbound Route 21 trips with be connected to Route 5 operating to Shoreline CC.

ROUTE 113

Route 113 to Shorewood will start from the bus stop on 2nd Ave just south of Bell St. It will no longer serve the bus stop eastbound on Blanchard St just east of 1st Ave.

CHANGE IN HOLIDAY SERVICE

Beginning Saturday, Sept 26, reduced weekday schedules will be eliminated on the following routes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 36, 40, 41, 43, 44, 50, 56, 60, 64, 70, 76, 77, 124, 131 and 132. These routes will operate regular weekday service on holidays.

If you’d rather scroll through a text list of all the changes around the region, find it here.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Avoid 4th Avenue S near stadiums; also, crash on SB 35th near Trenton
September 16, 2015 3:52 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

3:52 PM: With peak pm drive time approaching, you might need to know this: Northbound 4th Avenue S. is closed in the stadium zone because of a crash at Edgar Martinez Way. This is also affecting buses – Route 21, for example, is routed off 4th in the area. The crash involved a motorcyclist who has “significant injuries,” says SPD, after the rider hit a pole; all are advised to avoid 4th TFN.

4:18 PM: Another crash, this one on SB 35th just south of Trenton. A damaged pickup truck is blocking the southbound lane – no emergency vehicles on scene; drivers are using the center turn lane to get around it.

4:31 PM: We’re just back from the 35th crash scene and now hearing via the scanner that police have arrived and are calling for a tow.

6:07 PM: We went through 35th/Trenton about half an hour ago and the scene there was clear.

6:40 PM: SDOT says 4th Avenue South is now open again.

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Are you ready? Get your spot at this earthquake-prep presentation
September 16, 2015 3:27 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Preparedness | West Seattle news

Though November might seem far away, the city’s earthquake-preparedness presentations tend to fill up fast, so we’re sharing word of this one in case you want to sign up:

Are you prepared for the next big earthquake and other disasters Seattle could face? Attend a presentation at one of the below library branches to hear from local emergency management experts about what you can do to get prepared. Learn about the City’s new emergency alert and notification system – AlertSeattle – and bring questions to ask the City’s hazard specialist during an open Q&A session.

Wed. November 4, 2015
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Southwest Library Branch

Register for a class by emailing your name and the presentation you plan to attend to snap@seattle.gov

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West Seattleite Bill Schrier joins SPD as interim Chief Info Officer
September 16, 2015 2:24 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Just announced via SPD Blotter – Bill Schrier, the West Seattleite who served as the city’s Chief Technology Officer until 2012, is back with the city, at least temporarily, as interim Chief Information Officer for Seattle Police. From the announcement:

As CIO, Schrier will lead the department’s efforts to bolster SPD’s information technology programs and services. He will be a part of the leadership team that will continue to fulfill Mayor Ed Murray and Chief Kathleen O’Toole’s vision that the SPD should be “second to none” when it comes to how the Department uses technology to support its officers and provides for the safety and security of the Seattle community.

As we noted when Schrier left his previous city role, much of the information we report here comes from government data – so these types of roles in particular are vital to increased transparency. We have long asked in particular for more police-report narratives to be made available, and more often – right now, only a tiny percentage of them get published online, and only in a few crime categories, because they generally have to be redacted by hand first, and that is labor-intensive. They’ve been working on ways to automate that process (as well as the much-more-publicized process of making body-cam video available), so we’re hopeful of a breakthrough. Back to today’s announcement: Schrier succeeds Greg Russell, a former Amazon exec, who left the CIO job after less than a year.

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Superintendent at Sealth, Concord tomorrow
September 16, 2015 12:51 pm
|    Comments Off on BACK TO SCHOOL: Superintendent at Sealth, Concord tomorrow
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Every year as far as we can remember, the superintendent of Seattle Public Schools visits a few local campuses on the first day of school. SPS announced today that Dr. Larry Nyland will visit two schools here in the district’s Southwest Region tomorrow – Chief Sealth International High School students as their day begins around 8:40 am, and Concord International (Elementary) School students as their day begins around 9:30 am. (This might bring morning-TV-newscast crews to Sealth ahead of the superintendent’s visit, so if you see TV trucks/cameras there first thing tomorrow, you’ll know why.)

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West Seattle Wednesday: WSHS-Sealth volleyball; WordsWest; ‘participatory budgeting’ @ DNDC; more…
September 16, 2015 11:38 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: WSHS-Sealth volleyball; WordsWest; ‘participatory budgeting’ @ DNDC; more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

What’s up this afternoon/evening:

MEETUP AT OFFICE JUNCTION: Noon-1:15 pm – get out of your home office, away from the coffee-shop table, go meet other at-home workers, entrepreneurs, etc., at West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor) – bring your lunch and be ready for inspiration and/or good conversation. (6030 California SW)

HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN FARM STAND: 4-7 pm – third-to-last week – info here! (32nd SW & SW Juneau)

VOLLEYBALL RIVALRY: 7 pm at West Seattle High School, the WSHS Wildcats volleyball team (photo above is courtesy of head coach Staci Stringer) host the Chief Sealth IHS Seahawks, and everyone’s invited! (3000 California SW)

WORDSWEST LITERARY SERIES: The second year of the series begins tonight at >C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), whose co-proprietor Peter Moores reads tonight’s “favorite poem” as part of a slate that includes local authors Nicole Hardy and Jourdan Imani Keith, 7 pm – details in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: 7 pm tonight at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. All welcome. Especially local youth – who are invited to be part of the City Council budgeting process this year, which City Councilmember Nick Licata will discuss, as noted in agenda highlights below as shared by neighborhood district coordinator Kerry Wade:

7:05 p.m. Welcome & Introductions – All

7:15 p.m. Update on Delridge Action Plan – David W. Goldberg (DPD)

7:35 p.m. Participatory Budgeting Discussion – Councilmember Nick Licata

8:25 p.m. DNDC Member Additional Updates & Announcements – All

(4408 Delridge Way SW)

34TH DISTRICT REPUBLICANS: 7 pm monthly meeting at the American Legion Hall in The Triangle. Agenda (see it here) includes endorsement discussion and new voter-identification software. (37th SW & SW Alaska)

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You can help! Volunteer for salmon survey in West Seattle’s Longfellow Creek
September 16, 2015 10:57 am
|    Comments Off on You can help! Volunteer for salmon survey in West Seattle’s Longfellow Creek
 |   Delridge | Environment | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(WSB photo from November 2014)

Last November, we reported on Puget Soundkeeper Alliance‘s project to track what happens to salmon in Longfellow Creek – which has much more of a toxic-runoff problem than West Seattle’s other urban salmon creek in Fauntleroy. This year, we have advance word that they’re looking for volunteer help, with an orientation event coming up in two weeks, so this is your chance to get involved:

Join Soundkeeper as we investigate the health of our local salmon runs at Longfellow Creek this fall! Volunteers will assess the effects of urban runoff on wildlife by conducting a pre-spawn mortality survey of Coho salmon. Volunteers needed for weekly surveys from October to early December.

Volunteer Orientation in West Seattle:
Thursday, October 1, 2015
6 pm-7:30 pm
Chaco Canyon Café
3770 SW Alaska St.

RSVP to michelle@pugetsoundkeeper.org

As Soundkeeper noted in this update last year, federal scientists have discovered a pre-spawn death rate of up to 80 percent in urban creeks – compared to one percent in rural creeks. The results of this work, including what you can do as a volunteer, will help support more cleanups, education, and enforcement to help clear the waters and save salmon.

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First-ever West Seattle Gear Grab this Saturday in The Junction
September 16, 2015 9:00 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

This Saturday, three independent local businesses are teaming up for the first-ever West Seattle Gear Grab. Reid Curry, manager of Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor), calls it “a GIANT year-end clearance sale on outdoor gear,” featuring EWA as well as West Seattle Cyclery and Mountain to Sound Outfitters. Curry adds, “While this is in essence a giant parking lot sale, it is also an unprecedented partnership between three of the premier outdoor retailers in West Seattle…establishing West Seattle as an up and coming destination for a variety of specialty outdoor stores and representing the strong and ever growing community of outdoor enthusiasts in West Seattle.” It’s happening on Saturday (September 19th) from 10 am to 4 pm at the north end of The Junction’s parking lot along 42nd SW south of SW Oregon, right across from EWA’s shop. From the announcement:

If your thing is catching sea run cutthroats off Lincoln Park, cycle commuting to get your workout in as you slog through the work week, or SUPing and kayaking with resident harbor seals off Duwamish Head, or heading up to ski and snowboard in the Cascades, this is an event not to miss. … We will be clearing out our storage spaces, back shops, and selling demo gear to get ready for the upcoming winter season and keep the retail wheels rolling. … Deals will be had, and this event will occur rain or shine. So come out and celebrate the amazing area we live in, and support your local specialty shops which call the Junction and Triangle neighborhoods of West Seattle home. Then cruise on down to check out the amazing grub and suds right in The Junction; what a cool way to spend the afternoon in one of the best neighborhoods in Seattle.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday notes, including road work
September 16, 2015 7:47 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Another no-incident morning commute so far in this area.

SCHOOLS & SCHOOL ZONES: As a result of developments yesterday, Seattle Public Schools will open tomorrow (Thursday, September 17th). So that’s when to expect school buses, families dropping off kids, people walking and biking, etc. And as noted here last night, West Seattle will have a fourth speed-enforcement camera, on Delridge Way by Louisa Boren K-8 STEM/interim Arbor Heights Elementary.

RECHANNELIZATION REMINDER: Work continued last night on Roxbury (which is being rechannelized between 35th and 17th) and 35th (between Roxbury and Willow). Other changes are planned on both in addition to the restriping.

48TH & 49TH SW: The Seattle Public Utilities sewer-repair projects are under way or getting under way – the work on 48th at Edmunds is expected to last all week; work on 49th SW in Seaview could start as soon as today.

ADDED 8:10 AM – NEW WATER TAXI, CLOSER LOOK: As we’ve mentioned, the new West Seattle Water Taxi, M/V Doc Maynard, has arrived in Seattle and is on test runs, prior to its dedication Friday, though it won’t be on the WS run for another month or so (it’ll be filling in on the Vashon run while its twin M/V Sally Fox goes in for maintenance). Thanks to those who’ve sent more photos – starting with this one from Mike. We hadn’t seen the skyline detail before:

Here’s a full-length look, also at Seacrest, from Lise Thivierge:

The Friday dedication is on the downtown waterfront but you can ride the current Water Taxi to and from the event as space permits, per King County’s announcement (starting with the Seacrest departure at 10:45 am).

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Another motorcycle stolen
September 15, 2015 10:20 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Crime Watch: Another motorcycle stolen
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

We don’t often hear about two motorcycle thefts in one day – but here’s the second reader report we’ve received today. From Alicia:

Sometime between Monday at 11:00 pm and Tuesday at 2:00 pm our motorcycle was stolen out of our backyard, near 17th and Trenton, close to Westwood Village. It is a 2007 Yamaha YZF-R6, license plate number 8C5298, gray/blue in color. Please contact Alicia if found at 425-891-6248 or at aliciawimmer@hotmail.com

Motor-vehicle theft – which includes motorcycles – is holding steady in our area, neither increasing nor decreasing, the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council was told tonight – our report from that meeting is coming up.

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BACK TO SCHOOL: New speed-enforcement cameras on Delridge
September 15, 2015 9:45 pm
|      35 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

So now that we know Seattle Public Schools will start classes on Thursday … one reminder: There’s a new speed-ticket camera zone in West Seattle, on Delridge Way SW by the home of Louisa Boren STEM K-8 and interim home of Arbor Heights Elementary.

Before the strike pushed back the start date, we had been trying to get specifics from SDOT verifying the grace period when only warnings would be handed out, as was done when the new cameras on Roxbury were put in last year, but never received an answer (we’ll be checking again tomorrow). In June, they said it would be a 30-day grace period starting September 9th, which of course was supposed to be the first day of school.

This makes four speed-ticket-camera zones in West Seattle – the other three are along Fauntleroy Way SW near Gatewood Elementary and along SW Roxbury by Roxhill Elementary and Holy Family School. The times when beacons are supposed to be flashing at those schools and others in West Seattle (plus the rest of the city) are listed on this SDOT document; for a map showing only the schools with speed-enforcement cameras here and around the city, go here.

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VIDEO: Union meeting ends with vote to suspend the strike; school starts Thursday; membership vote Sunday
September 15, 2015 4:00 pm
|      59 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

4 PM: We’re at the IAM Local 751 Hall in South Park, where Seattle Education Association leaders and building (individual schools) reps are meeting to decide whether to suspend the strike pending a membership vote on the tentative contract agreement reached early this morning. A few minutes ago, SEA spokesperson Rich Wood emerged to tell us and other media that it’s likely to be at least half an hour – 4:30 or so – before they have something to announce. The results of this meeting will determine whether school does or does not start on Thursday (Wednesday’s already been ruled out by the district). Updates to come.

4:39 PM UPDATE: We’re still waiting. While what’s happening in the meeting isn’t audible outside, aside from bursts of applause now and then, we did hear that lots of questions were being asked. (4:44 pm – Right after we wrote that, Wood came out to tell us exactly that – it’s still going to be a while longer as 15 or so people are still in line to ask questions, plus there are people standing by to offer pros and cons. “They’re very thorough – they’re educators,” he noted.)

(Added: WSB photo inside meeting room, once media was allowed in as participants departed)

5:57 PM UPDATE: It’s a little chaotic in here but word is they voted to END THE STRIKE.

6:16 PM UPDATE: Bargainers just finished their media briefing (updated – hi-res video replacing low-res version).

Technically, this vote was to SUSPEND the strike. It’s not formally over until membership vote, which we’re told will be Sunday. But school WILL start Thursday, both the union AND district now say. Adding contract details that we have heard here (and from printed copy we’ve procured):

*30 “equity teams” – 10 schools the first year, 10 more the second year, 10 more the third year.
*Also re: equity: “Partnership Committee between SPS, SEA, and community reps to eliminate disproportionate discipline”
*SEA and SPS will determine how the lost days are made up
*Compensation – same raises for certificated, SAEOPs, paraprofessionals
-3.0% raise now, with 3% added state COLA
-2.0% raise in 2016, with 1.8% added state COLA
-4.5% raise in 2017

*Recess, as previously reported, at least 30 minutes per day “during the student instructional day”

*Calendar: Full midwinter break every year, school starts first Wednesday in September, “rules to develop calendar in any year so staff and families can plan ahead”

*Re: testing, “no more Seattle student growth rating … evaluation language updated … SEA and SPS agree to jointly petition (state) regarding use of focused scores”

ADDED 7:15 PM: Other key points:

Student day increase beginning in 2017-18: “Student day is extended 20 minutes each day, within the 7.5 hour teacher workday; students are released one hour early (or arrive one hour late) once per week. Net increase in student instructional time, 22-25 minutes per week. Building Leadership Teams still set the school schedule just as they do now.

Pay for longer student day: 100 minutes – 60 paid as collaboration, 15-18 paid as prep, 13.3 paid as tech, 10 paid as .5% of 3rd year raise.

Special Education: Special Ed preschool ratio lowered to 10:1:2, Distinct (social/emotional) classrooms lowered to 7:1:2, Special Ed Task Force will review special ed coasts; savings will be redirected to reduce employee workloads. Special Ed Team to decide on Instructional Assistant deployment when students are grouped across classrooms in a building.

ESA Caseloads: Enforceable caseload ratios for the first time.

The list continues – we’re still looking for an electronic version of the toplines so we can just link.

9:03 PM: See comments for a few other quotes from the printed summary. Also a note: Teachers will be back on campus tomorrow, to get ready for the start of classes Thursday.

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As West Seattle’s new Water Taxi tests the waters, King County says the fleet’s gone green
September 15, 2015 3:53 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

(Photo by Carolyn Newman)

With three days to go until the ceremony dedicating West Seattle’s new Water Taxi, the M/V Doc Maynard, it’s already out and about testing the waters following its arrival in Elliott Bay at the end of last week. And the county says the entire Water Taxi fleet is or has already gone green:

What could be better than commuting across Puget Sound in a water taxi and bypassing all that traffic? Now there’s yet another reason to appreciate the ride – in addition to fighting congestion, these King County water taxis are doing their part to combat greenhouse gas emissions by switching to the use of biodiesel fuel.

“Using homegrown biodiesel, our water taxis have some of the cleanest-burning engines around,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “The use of biodiesel on the newest member of our fleet, the Sally Fox, will reduce particulates in the air and prevent more than 140 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year.”

In line with the biodiesel initiative, the County’s Marine Division has earned membership in the Passenger Vessel Association’s Green WATERS Program – a national volunteer effort that encourages environmental responsibility and action to reduce the environmental impacts of marine operations.

The Sally Fox, soon to be joined by a second new vessel, the Doc Maynard, has a host of green features that include:

· Operating on a locally-sourced 10 percent biodiesel blend, which reduces our dependence on fossil fuel.
· Engines that operate more cleanly and emit less particulate matter.
· The addition of high-efficiency heating systems, LED lights, and recycling stations to help reduce waste.
· Expanded capacity for bicycles. The new vessels can accommodate 26 bicycles on every trip.

When the County’s third vessel, The Spirit of Kingston, has its annual maintenance this fall, fuel tanks will be cleaned readying the vessel to burn biodiesel.

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West Seattle Crime Watch update: Fire extinguishers stolen from SFD Engine 32, returned
September 15, 2015 2:15 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: Be on the lookout for two extinguishers like that – stolen from the Seattle Fire Department in West Seattle today, according to SFD Lt. Sue Stangl:

Fire Engine 32 from West Seattle’s largest fire station had two firefighting extinguishers stolen early this morning while they were on a medical incident near the intersection of Alaska and California. … It would be great to be able to retrieve them, not to mention that stealing from the people that are in place to help anyone in need is in poor taste.

Call 911 if you have any info. (Station 32, by the way, is in its interim location on 40th north of Edmunds while an all-new station is being built at its permanent site.)

FRIDAY NIGHT: We have word the fire extinguishers were returned – with a note of apology.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Seen this stolen motorcycle? & more
September 15, 2015 12:44 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

UPDATED 2:52 PM: *Four* items in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon – first, a stolen motorcycle:

VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE TAKEN IN GATEWOOD: From Jackie:

Last seen at 9 pm on 9/14/2015 in West Seattle on Myrtle and California SW. Police report made, but please contact us if you know of anything pertaining to this bike:

1974 Honda CB 550 Four

Original (faded) olive green tank
Original black frame
Chrome fenders, shocks and tailpipe
New custom light brown leather long, flat seat with diamond pattern stitching
Light brown leather grips with galvanized pipe looking caps
Gold/brass tail light, 3″
Black “bullet” style Rizoma turn signals

Call 911 if you see or have seen it. **WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE: Found, thanks to a watchful WSB reader! Thanks! Jackie reports tears of happiness.**

ARMED STREET ROBBERY: The SPD map indicates someone was held up in the 4800 block of Fauntleroy Way SW just before 11 last night. We have a request out for details from the report and will add them as soon as we get them. (added 3:31 pm) SPD says a man in his 40s reported being held up by three people, one of whom had a gun, near 40th and Edmunds just before 11 pm. They made off with several items including his bag, wallet, and phone. They were last seen fleeing westbound on Edmunds. The only description so far: All males, white or Hispanic, with dark bandanas over their faces, and dark clothing.

CAR PROWL FOLLOWUP, AND STOLEN CAR FOUND: We reported Betina‘s car break-in in Arbor Heights the other day. We’ve since received a followup about both the break-in AND a stolen car that turned up nearby. You’ll recall that whoever broke into Betina’s car left the hood partly open Turns out that the radiator hoses were taken (and they weren’t even new). Meantime:

… (Also) I called the police a couple of days ago to report an out-of-place vehicle in front of our house. It was missing the driver’s door and was getting soaked by one of our rare summer rain events. It turned out to be a stolen car. The owner arrived a couple of hours later grateful to have the car and its contents back (unfortunately, minus a door). It turns out that it was the green Honda that WSB reported missing on Sept. 4th.

P.S. – Final word of reminder – the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council resumes its monthly fall/winter/spring meeting schedule TONIGHT, 7 pm, Southwest Precinct meeting room (Delridge/Webster) – police updates, a discussion of self-defense devices, AND neighborhood Q/A if you bring it.

(ADDED 2:52 PM) STOLEN CAR: Just got word of this:

Our car was stolen this morning between 5:30am and 11:30am today from 12th Ave SW and Kenyon Ave. It is a green/blue 1997 Honda Accord, license plate WA 880YZC.

Call 911 if you see it.

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West Seattle Tuesday: WS Crime Prevention Council; JuNO; music; humor; more…
September 15, 2015 11:40 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Harbor seal, photographed by Mark Wangerin during recent Elliott Bay fishing trip)

Quick look at highlights for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SKATER DEMO: Via Twitter, Grindline Skateparks announced a 5 pm demo by the HUF Team at Roxhill Skatepark. (30th SW & SW Barton)

JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: 6:30 pm at the Sisson Building (home of the Senior Center) in The Junction. From director René Commons:

JuNO meetings are open to all. Our guest speaker will be Jennifer Burbridge, Seattle University Graduate Research Assistant, and a Seattle Police Dept. representative from the SW Precinct. Jennifer will lead the discussion identifying key objectives of Micro-Community Policing plan for the West Seattle Junction neighborhood.

What’s considered the boundaries for this Micro Community Policing Plan
45th Avenue SW – Western boundary
35th Ave SW – Eastern boundary
SW Charlestown St – Northern boundary
SW Findlay St- Southern boundary

ALSO: Ellen West will be updating us with details on the West Seattle Junction Emergency Communication HUB.

(SW Oregon & California SW)

‘HUMOROUS SPEECH’ CONTEST: You’re invited to the Toastmasters 832 “Humorous Speech” contest tonight, 6:30 pm, at Brookdale of West Seattle – details in our calendar listing. (4611 35th SW)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct meeting room, as previewed earlier this week – the WSCPC is back from summer recess. In addition to SPD crime/safety updates, tonight’s announced topic: Self-defense, and what works. (2300 SW Webster)

SILVERSUN PICKUPS, LIVE IN-STORE – BUT ‘SOLD OUT’: Easy Street Records presents Silversun Pickups‘ free, all-ages in-store acoustic performance, 7 pm. Details in our calendar listing. **UPDATE, 12:50 PM – Thanks to Evan for pointing out that pre-orders of the new SP album were required for admission, and ESR’s website says no more pre-orders are available. So in effect, though “free,” this is now “sold out.” (California SW & SW Alaska)

TWO DEADLINES TODAY: Want to go on the Port of Seattle‘s free “West Seattle Working Waterfront” tour this Saturday (Sept. 19th)? RSVP ASAP – info here. Also: Artists/crafters interested in being part of the Fauntleroy Fine Art and Gift Show in November must apply by today – info here.

AND THERE’S MORE … on our complete calendar!

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STRIKE UPDATES: District says school starts Thursday, following tentative contract agreement reached after all-night talks, but union leaders’ recommendation isn’t in yet
September 15, 2015 7:43 am
|      57 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(SCROLL DOWN for newest info)

7:43 AM: Just texted and tweeted by the union – “SEA reached a tentative contract agreement …” after negotiators pulled an all-nighter. Seattle Education Association members are being told to go to their picket sites at 8:30 am for more information. In its Facebook post, SEA added that while the bargainers have a tentative agreement, “the strike will continue until the SEA board and representative assembly review the agreement later today and decide whether to recommend approval to the SEA membership or continue striking.”

8:32 AM: Per the district, “goal is to start school Thursday.” Again, per the union, their recommendation is still pending review. We have just arrived at the Chief Sealth IHS picketing location (photo above) to see what educators there are hearing.

9 AM: No new details in the briefing for this group of strikers, but a reiteration that the strike continues for now:

That’s teacher Ian Golash. He said Denny and Sealth teachers (who you might recall marched to district HQ downtown yesterday afternoon) will be picketing together while they wait for news on whether leadership recommends suspending the strike and setting a vote. For the official bottom line from the district, its strike-info page currently begins, “SPS and SEA have reached a tentative agreement. Details have not yet been released. We do not yet know when school will resume.” (added) KIRO has posted unedited video of the district briefing here (held on very short notice so we couldn’t get downtown).

9:26 AM: District negotiators said at today’s briefing (per the aforementioned video, which we just watched) that the marathon negotiating session went from 11 am Monday until just before 7 am today. District spokesperson Stacy Howard reiterated that the district is working on logistics, which is why school might not be able to reopen before Thursday – primarily transportation and food – and that they’re also working on the calendar details, and that they will get information out to families as soon as they have it. She and the negotiators at the briefing said they could not discuss any details of the deal, “embargoed” while the union leadership reviews it.

10:19 AM: The most-recent text from the union to its membership reiterates that the union’s board will review the tentative agreement today, but the strike continues in the meantime. We’ve received these photos from Jennifer Hall (second from right in 2nd photo below) at West Seattle High School, with messages of gratitude for community support:

The downtown march that was scheduled days ago, if the strike had continued this long, is under way right now.

11:46 AM: SEA president Jonathan Knapp is talking with citywide media at union HQ. He’s quoted as saying it’s a three-year agreement.

1:50 PM: The district says school will start Thursday. The union hasn’t had its reps’ meeting yet, so we’re not sure what’s led to that declaration, but it’s what SPS says. As a commenter said here hours ago, the union meeting is at 2:30.

3:15 PM: The union reps’ meeting is at the Machinists’ Union Hall in South Park, and SEA says their announcement will happen there when it’s over, so we’ve just arrived there to join the rest of the staked-out media. According to SEA’s latest text, the Representatives’ Assembly (reps from the 97 schools in the district) is what’s happening now.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Updates, road-work alerts for Tuesday
September 15, 2015 7:19 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Updates, road-work alerts for Tuesday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:19 AM: No incidents to report as the heart of Tuesday’s morning commute approaches.

SCHOOLS & SCHOOL ZONES: It’s day 5 of the Seattle Education Association strike, so Seattle Public Schools remain closed; the union says negotiators pulled an all-nighter and are still going. Independent/parochial schools remain open. School-zone beacons are still flashing in public-school zones, because, SDOT says, they’re pre-programmed, but if you get an automated-camera ticket from a strike day, SPD is not supposed to be enforcing those. (Unless it’s from the Holy Family School zone near 20th on Roxbury, where school IS in session.) **7:57 AM UPDATE** See our separate story for news of a tentative agreement.

(back to original 7:19 am report) Road-work notes:

ROXBURY/35TH: As reported here, work on both projects continued last night, so you’ll see changes in striping, for starters.

48TH & 49TH SW: The Seattle Public Utilities projects are getting under way. We added SPU’s update to yesterday’s traffic/transit report late in the day – in case you missed it:

The work on 49th Avenue SW at Edmunds was scheduled to begin the week of September 8. The contractor started light mobilization last week and began heavier construction (Monday) morning. Work on the sewer repair will take approximately one week.

* The work on 48th Ave SW between SW Juneau and SW Raymond Street will begin this week, with mobilization as early as Wednesday, and will also take approximately one week to complete.

FERRIES START FALL SCHEDULE SUNDAY: Washington State Ferries starts its fall schedule this Sunday (September 20th); for Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth, that means fewer weekend sailings.

8:39 AM: A portable classroom will be delivered to West Seattle Elementary this morning, we’ve just learned, around 11 am, on the 34th SW side.

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Crewmembers’ heroism aboard Fauntleroy ferry, West Seattle Water Taxi
September 14, 2015 9:59 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Two tales of heroism on board local waterborne transit this weekend.

FAUNTLEROY FERRY CREW SAVES MAN: Just before 3:30 pm Sunday, a medical call brought emergency vehicles to the Fauntleroy ferry dock. Tonight, the Kitsap Sun, while telling the story of a variety of ferry-schedule interruptions, explains what it was about: An 84-year-old Vashon Island man was found unconscious in his car aboard the M/V Cathlamet after it docked at the island. Two deckhands started CPR and used a defibrillator. An ambulance was called to the boat, which continued on to Fauntleroy, where the man was rushed to a hospital.

WATER TAXI CREW RESCUES KAYAKER: Shared by King County Executive Dow Constantine via Twitter, a report from Paul Brodeur, director of the KC Department of Transportation’s Marine Division, about an incident Saturday evening: “We pulled a borderline hypothermic kayaker out of the water at Seacrest, brought him on board to warm up, called 911, fire department came, assessed him, took him into their care. We left on the 1800 run ten minutes late but made up the time. Kudos to G.W. and Scott for quick thinking and providing good care to the young man.”

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West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival 2015 is on! Time for activity providers & sponsors
September 14, 2015 8:29 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival 2015 is on! Time for activity providers & sponsors
 |   How to help | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, 2014 Harvest Festival)
It’s on! Fall’s biggest festival returns to The Junction in just six weeks. And it’s time now to jump in if you’re interested in providing an activity – and/or sponsorship – for this year’s Harvest Festival:

The Junction’s Harvest Festival will be Sunday, October 25 from 10 am till 2 pm. You’ll find the West Seattle Farmers Market in its new permanent location on California Ave, community groups and businesses offering kids’ projects, the costume parade at 11:30, and trick-or-treating starting at noon.

If your organization or business would like to help create a wonderful day for West Seattle families by offering a “Harvest Activity,” please visit the event’s announcement page for an application.

You also can support this beloved community event through sponsorship! Find it on the same page.

If you’d like to volunteer at the event, please email Junction Association Director Susan Melrose at susan@wsjunction.org

New here? Check out our coverage from last year – the 3rd annual Harvest Festival – or the year before.

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ROAD WORK TONIGHT: Roxbury, 35th painting, marking, ‘hydroblasting’ continues
September 14, 2015 6:57 pm
|      55 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

You might have missed this if you don’t read the daily road-work alerts in the traffic/transit coverage we publish each weekday morning: SDOT crews are due back out on Roxbury and 35th tonight, as marking, restriping, and “hydroblasting” removal of the old striping continues in both projects. We saw this crew on 35th north of Thistle less than an hour ago:

As we showed in this morning’s traffic/transit notes, the Roxbury rechannelizing north of White Center was mostly finished overnight. That’s far from the entirety of the Roxbury project, which is detailed in this presentation first shown at the April meeting of the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council, and has been in the works for more than a year and a half:

Jim Curtin, managing both projects for SDOT, says, “Our crews will be out on Roxbury again tonight since there’s still some work left,” as well as working on 35th (plan below, as announced two months ago):

If it does rain Wednesday, that could delay some work, Curtin adds: “We can remove paint in the rain but re-painting is impossible.”

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