West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATES including district briefing, union updates, events Tuesday)
2 PM: Day 4 of the Seattle Education Association strike against Seattle Public Schools. The newest developments:
MARCHING TO SODO: Dozens of strikers left the Chief Sealth/Denny vicinity around 12:30 pm, marching to school district headquarters at the John Stanford Center in SODO.
(Mouse over that image to bring up “play” button for the Instagram video clip.) We caught up with them early on, as they headed northbound on Delridge from Thistle toward the bridge. (added) A moment after we published this, we heard scanner traffic indicating police are tracking the march, which has just crossed the “low bridge.”
@westseattleblog WS Schools march to SPS headquarters crosses Spokane St. Bridge #SPSstrike #SeattleEA #PicketPix pic.twitter.com/OzEocAXCIZ
— Laurence Graham (@la_graham) September 14, 2015
We had seen one car in the early blocks – near the Southwest Precinct at Delridge/Webster.
OTHER PICKETING: We took a quick look around after covering the start of the march.
Another group of picketers from multiple West Seattle schools is spread out among multiple corners at 35th and Thistle (above), a few blocks west of Sealth/Denny.
In The Admiral District, there are two groups – outside West Seattle High School (above), and outside Lafayette Elementary. (While all schools had picketers this morning, some consolidated for the afternoon events.)
CITY’S DROP-IN CHILD CARE: Thanks to helpful commenter MercyMoi, we have this link showing which programs still have room as of today – in this area, Delridge, High Point, and South Park. (We had asked Seattle Parks for updated info, too.)
NEGOTIATIONS RESUME; DISTRICT BRIEFING AT 3: In the late morning, the union announced that negotiations would resume this afternoon. The district, meantime, is having another 3 pm media briefing; we will be there and will update this report with as-it-happens toplines.
3:05 PM – FROM DISTRICT HQ BRIEFING: We’re at the 3 pm media briefing at district headquarters in SODO, which started a few minutes late while awaiting a crew that got stuck behind a train.
(Added: Unedited WSB video of briefing)
“Late last night, SEA presented a new idea to the district. The SPS bargaining team is studying this closely … and we expect a response back to SEA today.” NO SCHOOL TOMORROW, though. Because of the strike’s length, spokesperson Stacy Howard says, there’ll be some turnaround time whenever the strike finally ends (later, she elaborates that they don’t know how much time that would be, but “parents shouldn’t be surprised if we get word of a tentative agreement but we can’t restart just 12 hours later” – food service and other logistics are part of the reason for that). She is discussing a few other points such as special education – the topic of a demonstration here earlier in the day. As for “the strike impacts on the calendar” – the three snow days on the calendar will be used, for starters, one midyear, two at the end of the school year – “all additional makeup days” will be determined once the strike is over. Possible ideas: Saturdays, and/or part of the mid-winter break (which was scheduled for five days this year – alternating years have shorter breaks). Re: graduation days – Seniors are required to be in school 175 days before graduation, so graduation dates might have to change. SPORTS: As reported here yesterday, middle-school athletic events are postponed. High-school practices and games “continue to go on as usual – a lot of those employees are in different unions or not in unions at all,” says Howard. She says that by the time this news conference is over, the district expects to have a “timeline” posted online from negotiations to date. Asked how the strike is affecting other employees, she said, “Everybody’s in a holding pattern, and everyone’s being impacted …” district-wide. We asked exactly when negotiations had resumed today; Howard couldn’t say, only that the district team is “expect(ing) to respond to” the union’s offer. Meantime, apparently some union reps tried to attend press briefing and were told they couldn’t; the district has been saying for days that briefings required media credentials (which we have but have not to date been asked at door to show). Asked about this today, Howard cited reasons including security. (3:20 pm) Briefing is over; we’ll upload and add video, as usual, once back at HQ.
4:02 PM: Before leaving district HQ, we spoke briefly with union spokesperson Rich Wood outside, during what he said was the first picketing at John Stanford Center since the strike began:
Rich Wood of @seattleea tells us outside district HQ that the two sides ARE talking right now #spsstrike pic.twitter.com/gZdpeMeOJ1
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 14, 2015
That’s about all he could confirm. (added) By the way, here’s video of the picketers as they arrived – the marchers from Denny/Sealth:
Meanwhile, the district’s timeline of when proposals/counterproposals were made, mentioned by Howard in the briefing, is now online here.
5:48 PM: Someone asked in earlier coverage what Mayor Murray was doing about the strike. His office just sent this news release:
Today, Mayor Ed Murray released the following statement after meeting with Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Larry Nyland and Seattle Education Association President Jonathan Knapp to get an update on the latest surrounding negotiations:
“At my request, both Superintendent Nyland and SEA President Knapp agreed to meet with me separately today. In these conversations I reiterated my offer to help in any way possible. I urged all parties to continue negotiations in good faith to reach a fair agreement ending the strike and allowing the school year to begin as soon as possible.
“As I’ve said since the strike began, I stand ready to assist should my help be requested. I also asked that, should the strike continue, they again meet with me at the end of the week. In the meantime, the City remains committed to doing what it can to support families impacted by the strike.”
The mayor’s news release ended with a reiteration of the community-center drop-in programs, which we updated earlier in this report. Earlier in the day, the City Council passed a resolution designating this as Seattle Educators’ Week; it addresses both the strike and the state education-funding crisis.
7:57 PM: An e-mail update from the union to media a short time ago says negotiations are still under way: “It’s unknown how long negotiations will go tonight, but SEA bargainers are willing to work as long as it takes to get a tentative agreement.” We also have heard from a coalition of educators that they plan a “candlelight vigil” at West Seattle High School 7-9 pm tomorrow (Tuesday night) if this isn’t resolved by then. (added) We first mentioned this a few days ago – a message we received tonight says this support march downtown is still planned tomorrow morning, too.
TUESDAY, 7:10 AM: The union says talks went all night and are still going.
(Silkscreener Shino Mikami, right, was one of 15 West Seattle artists at last year’s Fauntleroy show)
The photo and final reminder are from Judy Pickens – please note, if you’re interested, that the deadline is TOMORROW:
September 15 is the deadline for West Seattle artists and creative crafters to apply for the eighth annual Fauntleroy Fine Art & Holiday Gift Show Nov. 6-8. Details and application form are at www.fauntleroyucc.org.
Any other shows/bazaars/etc. accepting vendor applications, please let us know so we can share your announcements too. We’re also already adding holiday-season events to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – follow that link to see not only listings but also guidelines for sending information about announcements year-round … bottom line is always, the sooner the better!
We’ve just received confirmation that the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council WILL resume its monthly meeting schedule as planned, starting tomorrow night (Tuesday, September 15th), 7 pm, at the Southwest Precinct‘s community meeting room. If you have a neighborhood concern to bring up with SPD, and/or want to hear local crime trends firsthand, this is the one open, public, monthly chance to do that. Each meeting usually also has a featured topic and/or guest; this time around, it’s self-defense, discussing with SPD and attendees, according to WSCPC president Richard Miller, “(the) relative advantages and disadvantages of various personal protection/self defense devices (stun guns, tasers, pepper spray, handguns, etc.).” The precinct is at Delridge and Webster; the community-room entrance is off the parking lot on Webster.
At least once a day, someone asks us about a sewer-ish stink in the Beach Drive vicinity or upslope. While busy with other stories this past week-plus, we’ve been replying by pointing them to Beach Drive Blog‘s explanation – but it’s time, while we have a moment, to mention it here for anyone else who wondered but hasn’t inquired. BDB says it’s the rotting sea lettuce that turns up every so often, more notoriously a ways further south at Fauntleroy Cove. This isn’t unique to West Seattle, nor even to Washington, nor even to the U.S. – a Google search for the term “rotting sea lettuce” turns up reports from other nations including Canada, China, and the UK.
(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
No incidents in the area so far this morning. And still no school for Seattle Public Schools – this is the fourth weekday of the Seattle Education Association strike. (Non-public schools remain in session.) Road-work alerts:
SB 21ST BETWEEN ANDOVER & GENESEE: This section of 21st will be closed to through traffic for repair work as part of the Delridge-Highland Park Neighborhood Greenway project, as announced here.
ROXBURY/35TH RECHANNELIZATION: Nighttime work to restripe and remove the old stripes (via hydroblasting) is beginning – crews were seen out last night on Roxbury. Here’s the alert.
8:40 AM: Just checked out Roxbury. It is now officially rechannelized (one travel lane each way, center turn lane) from 35th to just west of 17th.
New configuration in place on SW Roxbury this morning. Old striping gone, 35th to 22nd. pic.twitter.com/fHCtZdiYAL
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 14, 2015
The old lane lines are mostly gone west of 22nd; still some work to do east of there.
9:04 AM: We also went again to see if the SPU sewer work on 48th/49th has begun. While we still haven’t found anything in the Seaview area, we did find crews on 49th north of Hudson, which is closed to through traffic. (This also might affect you on west-east routes – we initially went west on Hudson and had to turn into the alley because it was closed at Hudson.) We’re checking with SPU to get an update.
10:36 AM: Nothing to add to that yet but – a crash reported in the 7100 block of W. Marginal Way, blocking southbound lanes right now, per scanner traffic. No injuries reported so far.
4:49 PM: Here’s what SPU says about the road projects:
The work on 49th Avenue SW was scheduled to begin the week of September 8. The contractor started light mobilization last week and began heavier construction this morning, as you saw. Work on the sewer repair will take approximately one week.
* The other sewer repair project you mention is on 48th Ave SW. 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.
Though other matters are holding the spotlight, the November election is just seven weeks away, and you’ll have a lot to decide. The coverage ramp-up has begun.
CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 CANDIDATES DEBATE THURSDAY: The finalists for the City Council’s new West Seattle/South Park seat will debate in the district on Thursday (September 17th) for the first time since last month’s primary.
Shannon Braddock and Lisa Herbold will face off at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 7:30 pm Thursday. Your editor here is lead moderator, with community moderators including Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen. The debate is presented by Town Hall Seattle, whose website has full details – they’re also requesting you RSVP via that page (though admission is free).
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS’ ENDORSEMENTS: We’ve already reported on some of what happened at last Wednesday’s meeting of our area’s largest political organization, the 34th District Democrats – a resolution supporting the striking Seattle Education Association‘s contract proposals, and a speech plus Q/A with SEA’s lead bargainer. Also at the meeting Wednesday night, in addition to endorsements they made before the primary, a block of general-election endorsements was approved, including Courtney Gregoire for re-election to Port Commission Position 2, approval of Seattle I-122 “Honest Elections,” approval of King County Proposition 1 “Best Starts for Kids,” and rejection of State Initiative 1366. In separate votes, Fred Felleman was endorsed for Port Commission Position 5 and the Move Seattle transportation levy was endorsed. The full list of new 34th endorsements is here.
The group also heard from numerous candidates and candidate reps. One memorable point was made by County Elections Director candidate Zack Hudgins, who spoke disapprovingly of the 25 percent turnout for the primary and said action was needed because “to get better government we need better participation.” One of his ideas: More ballot boxes in the county. West Seattle, you might recall, doesn’t have a fixed dropoff box – the last one was removed five years ago.
(West Seattle’s last fixed-location ballot-dropoff box – WSB photo, 2009)
A ballot-dropoff van visits for three of the four days before the voting deadline. Otherwise, you have to pay postage and get your ballot into the mail, an idea that once was suggested as a turnout-booster, not reducer.
Next month’s 34th Dems meeting (7 pm October 14th, Hall at Fauntleroy) is scheduled to include a City Council candidates’ forum.
(SCROLL DOWN for newest updates)
3 PM: We’re at Seattle Public Schools headquarters in SODO, where district spokesperson Stacy Howard is briefing media – fourth time in five days they’ve held a mid-afternoon briefing.
Both sides confirmed they were negotiating today, but that’s all we’ve heard until now. “The district presented an offer to pay teachers for added instructional minutes,” Howard says, adding, “no time will be added to the instructional day.” She says ****no school on Monday****, though negotiations are still under way. She says the district is now to the place where they’ve run out of the three “snow days” that can be used to make up for the lost days, so they’ll have to be looking at other ways to get to the 180 state-mandated days – maybe looking at what’s scheduled as a full-week mid-winter break this year, for example. Still too soon to say how this might affect graduation dates, according to Howard.
As for what the district is currently proposing, “It’s not what we would like, but what we can afford.” We asked if they could characterize the talks as having made progress; Howard wouldn’t or couldn’t say. The briefing is over after 10 minutes (we recorded it on video as usual and will add that here when it’s uploaded *4:48 pm, it’s up). We’ll update this story if and when there are any other strike-related developments today.
5:13 PM: The union announced a 5 pm media briefing at the Neptune Theater in the U-District, where a concert is being held tonight to benefit striking educators; we didn’t see the announcement in time to get there, but tuned into the KIRO-TV stream in which a union member was telling them they didn’t have anything to say but were awaiting the bargaining team’s arrival.
6:07 PM: The union has just announced by text and tweet that its “Bargaining Team gave the Seattle School Board bargainers a new proposal today: Two-year contract, raises of 4.75% and 5%.” [added] Also, the SEA briefing that finally happened at the Neptune is viewable via Periscope video recorded by KING 5 reporter John Langeler – go here. The first speaker was SEA president Jonathan Knapp, who said it is the board and superintendent’s fault the teachers walked out, because they are not “offering a fair contract.” Lead bargainer Phyllis Campano, SEA vice president (and a former Pathfinder K-8 teacher), said the negotiations were still ongoing at the time of this briefing and that she was headed back immediately afterward. Campano said they have still not come to an agreement on issues she listed as “pay, fair evaluations, reasonable testing, student equity, lengthening the school day.”
6:43 PM: Thanks to the tipster who shared word of tomorrow’s plan: Individual school picketing in the morning, then gathering at “zone” locations in the afternoon. On the Fairmount Park Elementary PTA website, this link says that means FPE teachers will picket outside the school 8:30 am-noon, then joining other schools from their “zone” at West Seattle High School 1-3 pm. Still trying to find out what’s happening at other local schools – any info, please comment or e-mail us (editor@westseattleblog.com) – thank you.
8:51 PM: HPN in comments says what we suspected – the two “zone” locations for afternoon picketing in WS tomorrow will be WSHS and Chief Sealth IHS.
10:10 PM: Amanda in comments says Roxhill is planning to picket at its school all day, rather than going to join the “zone.” Meantime, a Madison MS teacher tells us via e-mail, “We’re picketing at Madison in the morning, then in the afternoon we’re walking over to West Seattle High School for demonstrations there.”
ADDED MONDAY MORNING: Most recent update we can find says negotiations were still under way as of 10:15 last night.
9:15 AM MONDAY: Just texted by SEA, “Negotiations are likely to continue today. No TA yet.” We will launch a new story later today but for now we’re updating this one.
12:20 PM: New update from the union – negotiations “will resume this afternoon.” And the district is again having what’s becoming its daily 3 pm briefing.
(UPDATED SUNDAY NIGHT with video/info from post-show awards – scroll down)
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
11:33 AM: That ’57 BMW Isetta is one of the more unusual cars you’ll see today at the eighth annual West Seattle Car Show, rebooted to a brand-new location in the north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor). The cars span the decades – going back even further, here’s a 1947 Buick Super 8 convertible:
A 1972 Cadillac Eldorado:
Trophies will be announced and awarded at 3 pm – and if you come to the show by 2:30 pm, you can vote on the People’s Choice award:
Along with the cars, you’ll see trucks, bicycles, and this mini-hydroplane showing off a 1959 Mercury Mark motor:
The West Seattle-based Nibbles food truck is here with its “Southwest fusion” flavors:
(So far, the mini-donut truck is a no-show.) You’ll find beverages inside the Northwest Wine Academy – including some of their award-winning wines:
While the fog and clouds are starting to lift, it’s also a great day for hot beverages, and you’ll find coffee there too. Again this year, Swedish Automotive and West Seattle Autoworks (both WSB sponsors) organized the show. Come say hi – our booth is next to their table on the east side of the show, where you can buy a raffle ticket that will benefit the SSC Automotive Tech program as do proceeds from the registration fees. A DJ’s playing hits old and new, and the clouds are starting to lift – we see the sun starting to break through to the south. More to come!
1:02 PM: Yes, the sun did break through, and we’re seeing a couple spots of blue sky. A hula-hooping competition’s happening right now:
At 2 pm, a live band is going to play – the Disco Cowboys. More of the vehicles that are here:
That’s a 1967 bike with a 1960 sidecar. Here’s a 1963 Comet:
Don’t miss the interiors. This 1967 Pontiac GTO is particularly showy:
1:30 PM: One more hour to vote for the People’s Choice, an hour and a half until the awards – now that the Seahawks game is over, you have time to get here and see setups like this 1974 VW van and its accessories:
Someone who just stopped by the booth to say hi described the turnout as an “eclectic mix.”
That’s a 1957 Plymouth and its mini-counterpart. And we have the first full-on sunbreak of the day!
Sunbreak! West Seattle Car Show continues until 3 pm. pic.twitter.com/iI5SSxztuf
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 13, 2015
While you’re here wander over to the SSC Automotive areas on the southwest side of the lot – where you’ll see these trucks:
And you’ll find the occasional backstory like this one!
1:58 PM: Lots of spectators in Seahawks jerseys showing up now. Come on down – still time to see it all.
We’ll have coverage of the awards a bit later – but first, we have to do a little reconnoitering to get downtown for the Seattle Public Schools strike briefing at 3, but half the team will be back here at the show shortly.
ADDED: From the final hour, a bit of Disco Cowboys video:
They had an attentive fan up on his feet and dancing for just about the entire set:
Winners and a few more show scenes still to come.
ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: First, the awards ceremony – the announcer was Todd Ainsworth from co-presenting West Seattle Autoworks (which is about to celebrate its 5th anniversary!), still in his outfit from the Disco Cowboys performance:
The list, transcribed from our video:
Best in Show and Best Muscle Car – 1971 Plymouth Road Runner Super Bird
People’s Choice – 1957 BMW Isetta (the little blue car shown at the top of this story)
Green Car/alternative fuel – Ford C-Max
Best Custom (5 or more modifications) – 1955 Chevy
Best Motorcycle (and the only motorcycle at the show) the 1971 Norton w/ sidecar
Best Import – 1955 MG
Best Modern Car (1990 or newer) – 2008 Corvette
Best Classic (1965-1989) 1968 Olds Cutlass
Best Pre-Antique (1964 or older) 1957 Caddy
A few more photos to come!
In the West Seattle Triangle, the headquarters of two organizations for veterans and active-duty servicemembers are almost directly across SW Alaska from each other: American Legion Post 160 (home of the West Seattle Veterans’ Center) and VFW Post 2713. On Saturday, volunteers of all ages gave both a boost with repairs and renovations via The Mission Continues.
TMC is an organization helping veterans readjust via new “missions” – as the slogan on the T-shirts says, “Reporting For Duty In Your Community.”
Both buildings needed lots of help – the indoor painting you see is at the VFW, which also had tangles of weeds to clean up.
Debris, trimmings, and old junk from both locations filled this trunk:
Volunteers from companies including Starbucks, Nordstrom, and Safeway joined in, we’re told. Also in the midst of it all, below: Kyle Geraghty from Post 160, with daughter Ana, and Joshua Arntson, national resource specialist from The Mission Continues:
Here’s how to get involved with TMC’s Seattle 1st Service Platoon.
The day’s off to a murky start but the forecast says it’s expected to clear off and become partly sunny. The big event:
WEST SEATTLE CAR SHOW: New location, with more to see and do!
(Added 8:46 am – WSB photo, one of the first arrivals)
10 am-3 pm on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, where you’ll find not only the cars and motorcycles who show up to show off, but also SSC’s Automotive Technology and Northwest Wine Academy programs, both open to visitors as will be the Seattle Chinese Garden immediately to the north (kids’ activities are planned there too). Food trucks too. Admission’s free for spectators. Info’s on the WSCS site, and we’ll be reporting live as we do every year. (6000 16th SW)
Also from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HOLY FAMILY STREET FAIR: 9:30 am-4 pm, second and final day of this free street fair with vendors and entertainment.
(20th SW south of Roxbury, which is closed to motor vehicles for the fair)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET + ZUCCHINI 500: 10 am-2 pm, the market’s in the street in the heart of The Junction as always (three months now since the big change!) and today, you’ll also find the annual Zucchini 500 at the market from 11 am-1 pm – the prolifically produced late-summer veggies will be available for kids to turn into racing machines and a course to run them on. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
CAMP LONG MOUNTAIN FEST: 11 am-5 pm, celebrate all things climbing at Camp Long Environmental Learning Center, the home of Schurman Rock: Ropes course, workshops, speakers, mountain games, all free, for all ages and abilities. (5200 35th SW)
‘AMERICAN IDIOT’ MATINEE: 3 pm, first daytime performance of “Green Day’s American Idiot,” the new production at ArtsWest Playhouse. (4711 California SW)
11:43 PM: Don’t know yet what has brought Guardian One back to West Seattle tonight but it’s helping with a search in the Southwest Athletic Complex/Chief Sealth IHS vicinity. More as we figure it out.
12:00 AM: Guardian One left shortly after that update; scanner traffic indicated police had been searching for (at least) three suspects and found two.
12:30 AM: Tweets by Beat finally has the initial classification on the call – robbery. Notable considering there was a robbery about 24 hours earlier in Roxhill Park, as noted here; no helicopter for that one because it wasn’t reported until later, when the victim made it home a few miles away.
7:24 AM: Comments mention G-1 back in the area in the 2 am hour, this time further south. The helicopter crew subsequently tweeted: “Assisted KCSO Deputies on search for subject who ran from traffic stop and possible unreported stolen car.”
When Betina found her car had been prowled overnight, she noticed an odd detail:
My car was broken into last night/early morning between 2:00 and 7:00 AM (Saturday, 9-12-15) near the intersection of SW 104th Street and 32nd Ave. SW in Arbor Heights. The car was parked in the driveway.
I found that the rear passenger quarter glass window was smashed, the driver door was left open, and the hood was also left open (not left wide open, but they did not latch it closed after they were done peering into the engine compartment). Nothing of any significance was stolen and there was no damage to the car, except the window. It does not appear that the person/prowler/thief was very interested in any personal items in the car or they were very neat, because everything was still in the glove box, console, etc.
I find it interesting that the hood was open, but no attempt was made to steal the car itself (no steering column damage). Maybe this car did not fit their esteemed criteria.
Four biznotes to share:
LIKA LOVE’S LOCATION: After reverting to all-mobile for a while when its previous storefront in The Junction became Pagliacci Pizza‘s expansion zone, Lika Love Boutique has a new permanent bricks-and-mortar location, at 6031 California SW in Morgan Junction.
NOBLE BARTON ABOUT TO OPEN: The new bar/restaurant in downtown White Center opens tomorrow, our friends at nearby Caffé Delia report, tweeting these preview photos:
<The space was briefly Meander’s Kitchen‘s first WC location and, before that, Papa’s Pub, at 9635 16th SW. NB is planning to be open 10 am-11 pm tomorrow – a little earlier than usual so you can see the Seahawks game.
THUNDER ROAD GUITARS CLOSED SUNDAY: Your next chance to shop at Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) in The Junction will be Tuesday – proprietor Frank Gross sends word TRG will be closed tomorrow (in addition to its regular Monday closure) for renovations. Some rearranging has to be done, he explains, for a new infusion of inventory in the bass department.
CAFE OSITA SUPPORT: As reported here earlier this week, the Sunrise Heights coffee shop has been hit by burglars, again. The shop reopened the next day but a patron wants to help beyond just encouraging everybody to give Cafe Osita a business boost – so Jason Sturgeon has set up this “buy Café Osita a cup of coffee” donation drive.
Just in, the first update of the day from either side in the Seattle Education Association / Seattle Public Schools negotiations, which resumed today for the first time since SEA went on strike Wednesday. This update is from the district:
The SPS and SEA bargaining teams resumed negotiations today.
The district presented a new offer today that added funds specifically designed to address the 20-minute addition in the student day (grades K-12).
Negotiations are scheduled to resume tomorrow.
The district continues to be ready to continue bargaining so that school can begin for our 53,000 students. The district will provide updates as they become available.
SEA has confirmed via text message that talks resume tomorrow. We had asked via e-mail if they had any further comment to characterize today’s talks; so far, they have not.
EARLIER: Four hours before this update, we published a recap roundup of where things stood going into today’s talk, plus various strike-related notes; see it here if you haven’t already.
SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE: The district is having a media briefing at 3 pm. So it’s a good bet we’ll hear then about the plan for tomorrow.
(WSB photo at Walt Hundley Playfield)
It’s on! The West Seattle Soccer Club‘s fall season started today, and it’s another record-setter: 2,036 young players signed up to participate, 343 volunteer coaches on board to help them. Some played today, some play tomorrow, and some start next weekend; you can find schedule and other league info via westseattlesoccer.org.
Did you feel it? We heard from one person south of Alki Point who said they did – a 4.0-magnitude earthquake at 3:22 this afternoon, epicenter east of North Bend. Lots of info here – and if you DID feel it, tell the scientists by filling out this form. The quake gives us a reason to remind you that September is Preparedness Month – and at the very least, you need to know where your nearest Emergency Communication Hub is.
(WSB photo from 2014 WestFest)
Just announced – the schedule for Holy Rosary School‘s WestFest next Friday and Saturday:
WestFest is almost here and it’s going to be FABULOUS! Come and join us at Holy Rosary School (4142 42ND AVE SW) from 6 pm-10 pm on Friday 9/18 and 10 am-10 pm on Saturday 9/19!
· Last call for discounted wristbands! If you haven’t yet purchased yours yet, stop by the Holy Rosary School office (at the above address). Prices do go up at the event, so get yours now!
· BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: TODDLER TIME!
Bring your preschoolers to Toddler Time at WestFest! Holy Rosary is bringing the Carnival of Community to our younger West Seattle residents this year! From 10 am-12 pm on Saturday, they can enjoy a discount on 3 rides exclusively for them! We are also featuring a clown who will twist up creative balloon animals. There are a lot of food options to add fuel to all this activity, so stick around for lunch and treats too! At 3:00, enjoy Raymond the Magician!· We brought the book sale back, so bring your family and friends to WestFest to browse! You can “Fill A Bag For $2, Or A Donation” during the last 2 hours of the sale (4 p-6 p) on Saturday.
· We are proud to announce our 2015 Stage Lineup:
FRIDAY
6:30 PM Comerford Dancers – Celtic Arts Northwest
7:30 PM Ruby-Seattle U Redhawk
8:30 PM Inner VoicesSATURDAY
10:30 AM Toddler Time Tunes w/Friendly Clown
12:00 PM Mode Music Studio- Student Performances
2 :00 PM lo: Eclectic Mix Live Music
3:00 PM Raymond The Magician
4:00 PM Cavalcade of Pets! – Step right up and introduce your animal on center stage
5:00 PM Intermission
6:00 PM West Seattle’s Got Talent – Who’ll take the prize?
7:00 PM Mode Music Studio- Rock Bank
8:15 PM Raffle Winners Announced!
9:00 PM Acid Tounge· You can also play some bingo, try many delicious food options and treats, proudly wear a WestFest shirt, try your luck at the Cakewalk, play games and enjoy the rides—there are too many activities and choices to name them all! Come and experience all the Carnival of Community has to offer your family!
3:27 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a full-size response to the 8600 block of 9th SW in Highland Park for a possible house fire. More to come.
3:32 PM: The first units on scene say it appears to be just a fireplace problem, so the response is being scaled back. Our crew, on arrival, has confirmed: Fire in fireplace, flue not opened, smoke got out of control, no problem otherwise.
Will Seattle Public Schools finally open next week? Too soon to say, but the weekend began with reason for hope.
Today (Saturday), negotiations were scheduled to resume between the Seattle Education Association and SPS, after three days of SPS’s first contract-related strike in 30 years. It’s the first face-to-face bargaining since early Tuesday evening, when SPS made an offer that SEA considered to be nothing new and then answered by announcing the strike (which had been authorized in a unanimous voice vote on September 3rd). Classes were to start last Wednesday for SPS students, but instead, schools have remained closed, while the 5,000-member SEA picketed Wednesday and Thursday (saying Day 2 had 97 percent participation) and did service projects Friday.
(WSB photo, Friday afternoon @ Alki)
As of this writing, neither side has said publicly how today’s talks are going. But here’s what happened after Friday’s service projects and other activities (including the afternoon Alki Beach Read-In):
*At 4:20 pm Friday, SEA announced via text/tweet that negotiations would resume Saturday “after productive talks with mediators (Friday).”
*The SEA announcement came one hour after SPS’s 3 pm media briefing, third day in a row the district had offered one for reporters. We recorded it on video, as we had done the two previous days:
(We went to district HQ daily to get the newest available information and would do the same for SEA briefings if any were offered; we’ve instead been in contact with them via e-mail as well as in person when a union spokesperson and bargainers turned up in the gallery at Thursday’s SPS media briefing.)
Each day, SEA has published what it refers to as its strike newsletter, distributed in hard-copy format to striking members. Friday, all three editions also turned up online. The third edition included the union’s attempt to clarify the difference between the two sides’ pay offers:
The union also has reiterated that pay is far from the only unsettled issue, also listing online these topics:
Fair teacher and staff evaluations…
Reasonable testing…
Educator workload relief…
Student equity around discipline and the opportunity gap…
The administration’s proposal to make teachers work more for free
Before talks stalled last Tuesday, progress had been reported on issues including recess – while the union had originally sought up to 45 minutes of guaranteed recess, it and the district agreed to 30.
The district website has a page, including PDF document links, with what it says are the most recent proposals from each side on each issue – you can see it here. There is no corresponding page on the union website that we have found – if there is, please let us know and we’ll add it. The two sides both say the bargaining began in May, though a teacher writes in today’s Seattle Times that the district did not make its first proposal until August 17th. The SEA contract expired at the end of August.
When will families know if there’s school Monday?
That question was asked at Friday afternoon’s briefing. The district says it has no “drop dead” time to make that decision but acknowledged that it would try to make an announcement at a reasonable-enough time for families to make plans.
What happens to calendar dates such as end of school and graduations?
The district addresses this in its strike-related FAQ, saying:
What would a strike do to the last day of school?
Must missed days be made up? State law requires 180 days of instruction, and the state will grant no exceptions to that law because of a strike. Decisions about when strike-lost school days will be made up will be part of final negotiations after a strike. Possible make-up days include scheduled snow make-up days, break periods and next summer.
What about graduation if there is a strike?
State law requires that seniors be in school 175 days before graduation. Graduation for the class of 2016 is scheduled for June 11 and 12. Any delay of the school year may impact graduation. The length of delay can have impacts on the graduation schedule as well as the cost of makeup days.
Two notes about sports
High-school sports continue because the coaches are in a different union. Athletic directors, however, are in SEA and are on strike. Meantime, a middle-school parent forwarded us a district manager’s message about middle-school athletics:
All middle-school athletic events will be postponed until the strike is resolved and school begins. Next week’s coaches meeting is cancelled until further notice. Once the strike is resolved we will work with the athletic directors to make any appropriate decisions regarding fall sports season.
Other notes:
*If school is still out Monday, according to this Facebook invitation we received, a “school-in” is planned outside district HQ. This is community-organized so far as we can tell, not an official union event; we mentioned in Friday coverage that we’d heard of a possible Monday rally if the strike wasn’t resolved, but we’ve heard nothing further on that.
*Some businesses are offering discounts to striking teachers. We’ve heard directly from The Westy in Sunrise Heights, which says it’s offering them a 20 percent discount as long as the strike lasts. And Cupcake Royale in The Junction sported a chalkboard sign we noticed Friday offering strikers a free “Babycake.”
(ADDED 7:11 PM) More notes:
*SPS & SEA say talks are over for the day and will continue Sunday – we have started a new report here.
*Reminder that if school isn’t back in session Monday, the city is expanding child-care offerings at community centers, including, in our area, Alki, Delridge, Hiawatha, High Point, South Park – details here.
*A concert benefiting strikers has been announced for Sunday night in the U-District – here’s the Facebook event page sent to us.
*If the strike’s not over, a support march is planned Tuesday in Pioneer Square – this Facebook invite was sent to us.
As mentioned in our West Seattle Saturday preview – two ways to give at WS Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan; WSB sponsor) right now:
BACKPACK PROGRAM FOOD DRIVE: One more hour to drop off food to help kids in need when they’re NOT at school, via the West Seattle Food Bank Backpack Program. Outside the store, Lynn Stanton and Alice Kuder from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices NW Real Estate (WSB sponsor) are outside the store accepting donations until about 2:30 pm. Here’s the list of what’s most needed for the program.
BENEFIT BARBECUE: Just a few more Saturdays in summer, so benefit-barbecue season is almost over:
Michele is THE ruler of the grill at Thriftway – which donates the proceeds from these barbecues, and today’s beneficiary is the Humane Society of Seattle-King County. Fresh-grilled burgers and hot dogs are available until 3:30 or so.
12:21 PM: Thanks to everyone who messaged us about police activity on 35th SW. Because of it, the road is basically closed right now between Roxbury and Barton. Our crew is arriving and we’re working to find out what this is about. Avoid the area. More to come …
(Added, WSB photos: Above, officers talking with the man near 35th/Roxbury)
12:24 PM: This apparently involved a person, apparently in crisis, in the middle of the street, yelling. Police have just taken him into custody and an ambulance is being sent in. Police tell us the road will be reopened shortly.
(Above, the man getting onto a gurney, to be placed in the ambulance)
12:40 PM: According to commenter Bradley and a witness who talked to our crew, among other things the man was shouting, he had been urging/daring police to shoot him. So far as we know, the incident ended without injury.
It’s become a tradition at the Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club pool – just before it’s drained and cleaned after the season ends, it’s opened to local dogs for a fun(draiser). More than a few people have messaged us in recent weeks to ask if it’s happening again this year, and finally we can say “yes,” after receiving the photo and announcement from Cori Roed:
It’s that time again, The Dog Days of Summer at the Arbor Heights Swim & Tennis Club. Tuesday 9/22 – Saturday 9/26.
Weekdays 5-7 pm
Saturday 11 am-1 pmDonation to AH Teams via cash or check to AHSTC
Suggested: $10/dog or $25 for a pass for the week.Your donations allow us to purchase equipment and keep our team fees low. Thank you!
11003 31st Ave SW – Please drive slowly on 31st, no matter HOW excited your passenger is. See you on deck!
No, you don’t have to be a member. And no, you can’t go in too – dogs only.
(Black turnstones, just back from Alaska, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Highlights of what’s happening around West Seattle and vicinity:
DAY OF SERVICE: AMERICAN LEGION & VFW POSTS – 9 am-3 pm, The Mission Continues: Seattle 1st Platoon will be helping with restoration work at American Legion Post 160 and VFW Post 2713 in The Triangle. Community members are invited to help; details in our calendar listing.
(added) WEST SEATTLE SOCCER CLUB KICKOFF: First weekend of a huge season: “A record 2,036 players and 343 volunteer coaches have already registered to play and serve with us this season!” per the West Seattle Soccer Club website. Many players are participating in a jamboree with games at four local fields 9 am-2:50 pm, and that’s just part of what’s happening today; for some teams, games start this weekend (today AND tomorrow) too.
FOOD DRIVE: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate (WSB sponsor) will be at West Seattle Thriftway (also a WSB sponsor) today, 10 am-2:30 pm, to collect food for the West Seattle Food Bank‘s Backpack Program to keep kids in need from going hungry on weekends – explained here, with a list of preferred items. (California SW & SW Morgan)
GRIEFSHARE RECOVERY/SUPPORT GROUP: 10 am, the first of this fall’s series of meetings for people who are mourning a loved one. Saturdays at Grace Church; details in our calendar listing. (10323 28th SW)
SAN GENNARO FESTIVAL: 10 am-10 pm in nearby Georgetown, it’s the third annual San Gennaro Festival. This West Seattleite-founded festival offers Italian food, music, and more. (S. Angelo & Ellis S.)
VOLUNTEER FOR THE SOUTHWEST SEATTLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY! 11 am today, it’s your next chance to find out about all the ways you could help the Southwest Seattle Historical Society – show up at the Log House Museum for today’s monthly orientation. More info here. (61st SW & SW Stevens)
(added) GOOD LUNCH FOR A GOOD CAUSE: 11 am-3:30 pm (or so), West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) is grilling up hamburgers and hot dogs to raise money for the Humane Society. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)
HOLY FAMILY STREET FAIR: 11:30 am-8 pm, the first of two days for this year’s street fair presented by Holy Family Catholic Church/School. No admission charge; entertainment, vendors, food. (20th SW south of SW Roxbury)
DUWAMISH REVEALED PRESENTS … “Revealing Coast Salish Cultures: Journeying by Canoe and Art,” produced in collaboration with Welcome to Our Native Land, noon-6 pm at Terminal 107 Park and the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse. Our area’s First People welcome canoe families from around the region; check our calendar listing for the other activities through which you can celebrate and explore Native culture. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Seattle Lutheran plays Oakville at 2 pm at West Seattle Stadium. (4432 35th SW)
SALSA ON ALKI: Could be your last chance to dance this summer. 4:30 pm-10 pm at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza – details in our calendar listing. (60th SW & Alki SW)
SEE WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON … by browsing the complete calendar.
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