11:13 PM: Police are responding to the Westside Unitarian Universalists Congregation church in Gatewood (7141 California SW) right now after a report of a possible burglary/theft. The Guardian One helicopter is in the area and offered to help search for a possible suspect, so you might hear it shortly. No description at this point beyond “unknown race male” in a hoodie.
11:20 PM: The helicopter’s in the area now.
11:29 PM: And it’s moved on, while police continue investigating on the ground.
****
11:50 PM: **Separate incident** but while we have this Crime Watch report open, we’re adding it. Police are investigating a report of someone being robbed at Roxhill Park. No aerial search in this case – the trail was quite cold, as the victim did not report it until getting home about half an hour later. (We have no further info on this one but more often than not, street robberies have a reporting lag because the robber[s] take the victim’s phone.)
****
12:44 AM: **Separate incident** Police rushed to Fauntleroy after multiple calls about someone screaming for help. After trying to figure out where exactly it happened, they found a victim in the 8600 block of 46th SW, a 21-year-old woman who is reported to have been assaulted. SFD is en route to evaluate her injuries. Police are trying to sort out what happened.
Construction on the Delridge-Highland Park Neighborhood Greenway has begun. The Delridge Greenway will connect West Seattle to White Center and run generally north-south on 21st and 17th avenues SW. See the fact sheet for specific improvements planned for the corridor. You can also view a PDF of the full project plans.
What’s happening now?
Beginning Monday, September 14, SDOT will be making street repairs on southbound 21st Ave SW between SW Andover and SW Genesee streets. This work is expected to take 3-5 days to complete. The following traffic and parking changes will be in place during this phase of construction:
One more reminder before we get to the weekend: It’s time for the eighth annual West Seattle Car Show this Sunday – but don’t look for it in the usual place; it has a brand-new home, on the campus of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). When it was announced earlier this year that The Junction was no longer available, car-show fans weren’t willing to take “no show” for an answer, and some suggested SSC. Turned out to be a perfect fit because of not only room to roam but also, the campus is home to a well-regarded Automotive Technology program (which is the beneficiary from proceeds of the show, organized again this year by Swedish Automotive and West Seattle Autoworks [both also WSB sponsors]). You’ll be able to tour the program’s home on the north end of the campus during show hours 10 am-3 pm on Sunday, along with another one of SSC’s gems, the Northwest Wine Academy. Wine and beer also will be available for purchase, as will food from local trucks Nibbles and Mini The Dough-Nut. As for the cars (and motorcycles), you can still register on show day – load-in starts at 8 am, and the application is downloadable from the official West Seattle Car Show website. As one of the show co-sponsors, we hope to see you there on Sunday – look for the college’s north entrance, 6000 16th Avenue SW on Puget Ridge.
Haven’t had much time this week to report on development/housing, but four quick notes:
FIVE NEW HOMES REPLACING ONE ON HIGHLAND PARK WAY: Brand-new early-stage proposal just turned up for 7717 Highland Park Way (between Holden and Portland), including the vacant parcel to its west, 8,500 sf total, demolishing the 72-year-old house shown above and replacing it with what’s described as “five small 3-story single-family homes with rooftop decks.” Here’s the configuration on the preliminary site plan filed with the city. Watch for a notice at project #3022246.
Now, three projects in varying stages of completion/construction, all of which now have names:
FAUNTLEROY LOFTS: This is the name for the just-complete-and-now-renting microhousing (Small Efficiency Dwelling Units) project to open in West Seattle, 5949 California SW. Thanks to Diane for pointing out to this Craigslist listing announcing the opening, declaring the building on a “quiet street,” and listing rents from $950 (for a 200-sf unit) to $1500. That’s furnished and includes all utilities plus wi-fi, we should note. No off-street parking in the building; the ad declares, “Bike parking is available and street parking is easy to find in the surrounding neighborhood.”
SPEAKING OF PARKING … remember the kerfuffle over the 30-unit, no-offstreet-parking apartment building at 6917 California SW? Neighbors challenged it and eventually settled with the builder. Now, it’s almost done and has a name, according to the sign that went up this week: Viridian.
This is NOT microhousing – it’s self-contained studios, about 300 sf, developer Mark Knolltold neighbors in late 2013. No rental listing yet that we can see (in ’13, Knoll guessed units might go for about $700). Meantime, if you look up the word, it seems to mean either a “bluish-green pigment” – not unlike the building’s color – or a slang definition that could be paraphrased as “good-looking, cold-hearted guy.”
RALLY ROUND: We also noticed earlier this week that the townhouse/live-work development under construction since June on the site of the former Charlestown Café now has a name: Rally. The 27 units will be available for sale this winter, according to the Rally website.
On this 14th anniversary of 9/11, flags are flying in The Junction, and we’ve heard of two local commemorations:
AT THE LOG HOUSE MUSEUM UNTIL 4 PM: Southwest Seattle Historical Society executive director Clay Eals shares the photo and info – the display’s there until 4 pm:
Early this afternoon, on the 14th anniversary of 9/11, Newcastle residents Amy Zimmer (left) and Michele McKee, a former Admiral resident, look through a 180-page, large-format, laminated book documenting the wide variety of memorabilia and messages left at the base of the Statue of Liberty replica on Alki Beach in the days after the terrorist attack. The book is on display this afternoon through 4 p.m. on the porch of the “Birthplace of Seattle” Log House Museum of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, 3003 61st Ave. SW, where the welcoming flag on the porch flies at half-mast. The book, assembled by then-museum manager Pat Filer, is called “First Response: A Community’s Grief, Horror, Hype and Prayer.”
AT SEATTLE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL: Thanks to SLHS for the photo and report from earlier today:
A moment of silence was brought by Seattle Lutheran High School Faculty, Staff and Students this morning to remember all the people who lost their lives and were affected by 9/11.
FLAGS IN THE JUNCTION: We took this photo in early afternoon:
ALKI STATUE OF LIBERTY PLAZA: Sometimes remembrances are left at the plaza because of the role it served right after the attacks – but today, it was off-limits to the public, with Parks Department crews doing maintenance work on the benches.
This afternoon, we’re welcoming a new sponsor, the West Seattle Discovery Shop, where you can shop, donate, and/or volunteer. Here’s their explanation of how it works:
(L-R: Patricia Barber, Suzanne Rowe, Michele Rhilinger, Betty Korhonen, Mike Warlum, just a few of the volunteers helping out at the Discovery Shop)
SHOP
Looking for a piece of vintage jewelry for a special occasion? What about a set of Midcentury Modern glasses for your newly remodeled retro kitchen? Or a cashmere sweater to wear this fall? Well, you are in luck! For more than 24 years, the Discovery Shop has offered customers a chance to “discover” that one-of-a-kind treasure. Our store features high quality, gently used, donated clothing for men and women, accessories, artwork, antiques, collectibles, books and household items, all priced for the savvy shopper. But perhaps the best thing about making a purchase at the Discover Shop is knowing that all proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Since opening our doors in 1990, over 2 million dollars has been generated to fight cancer. When you spend your money in our store, not only do you walk out with a great find at a great price, but your dollars help to fund cutting edge research and much needed services provided by the American Cancer Society, such as patient lodging assistance and transportation to treatments.
DONATE
Conveniently located in the heart of The Junction, the Discovery Shop accepts a variety of gently used items such as clothing, accessories, home decor, small kitchen appliances, artwork, antiques, glassware, lamps, and dishes. Items may be dropped off at our shop during normal business hours. All donations are tax exempt. Your support is central to the American Cancer Society’s mission of fighting cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Together, we share a hope for a tomorrow free of cancer.
VOLUNTEER
Our store, which is open 7 days a week, is run entirely by volunteers. They are the heart and soul of the Discovery Shop. Currently, more than 70 people help keep us in business, doing a variety of things such as bookkeeping, cashiering, receiving donations, sorting, ironing, pricing, and merchandising. Interested in volunteering? We are always looking for people to join our team. No special skills are necessary, just a desire to share your energy and enthusiasm a few hours a week.
Come check us out and discover why we are more than your run-of-the-mill resale shop. We are a place to make new friends, find great bargains, and gain a sense of hope. Plus, you will always leave with a cheerful smile from one of our many volunteers. The West Seattle Discovery Shop is at 4535 California SW, 206-937-7169.
(SCROLL DOWN for updates, which include toplines of 3 pm district briefing & union’s 4:20 pm announcement of negotiations resuming Saturday)
11:15 AM: Updates on Day 3 of the Seattle Education Association strike:
COMMUNITY CENTER CHILD CARE, IF STRIKE CONTINUES MONDAY: If school is still out Monday, the city says it will open community centers for drop-in activities that can serve up to 3,000 kids. Unlike this week’s plan, this is for all families, not just those already participating in before-/after-school programs at the centers. See details in the city’s news release here.
EDUCATORS’ COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS: We’re making stops and also receiving photos (thank you!) from many sites:
LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY FOOD DRIVE UNTIL NOON: Thanks for the photo (shared via Facebook)! You can drop off food in front of the school (California SW & SW Lander) until noon. See our service-project list for suggestions of what’s most needed for the Backpack Program.
ROXHILL ELEMENTARY, WORKING AT ROXHILL PARK: We stopped by a short time ago and found volunteers getting a briefing:
They’ve been working along the east side of the park and before this phase, Parks employees were explaining what needed to be cut – the park/bog has natural spaces and what looks like weeds might not be! – and how to pile it up once cut. Roxhill crews are planning a barbecue lunch at noon.
ALKI BEACH CLEANUP: Multiple schools have joined forces for a cleanup at Alki – thanks to Schmitz Park Educators for tweeting this photo:
CHIEF SEALTH IHS & DENNY MS: Also working to support Longfellow Creek, Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School educators. Thanks to Sealth teacher Noah Zeichner for the photos:
They’re also having a read-in by the P-Patch:
The CSIHS & DIMS crews were walking over to Roxhill Park at last report to join the lunch BBQ.
SANISLO ELEMENTARY: Some visited the Southwest Precinct and Fire Station 11 to deliver food to first responders (thanks for texting the photo!):
Others cleaned up along Myrtle near the school – we’ll add our photo when back at HQ.
(added)HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY: At the Salvation Army Center on 16th:
Plus we’ll be checking in on the Alki Beach Read-In after its 12:30 pm start. Photos from other sites? editor@westseattleblog.com or tweet to @westseattleblog – thanks!
ADDED 1:08 PM: The district has announced another mid-afternoon media briefing, 3 pm. We’re planning to be there again. Meantime, the union has now posted its daily strike newsletters – today’s edition, we notice, has a breakdown of the two sides’ salary offers, if you’re still trying to make sense of them. Read it here (PDF).
ADDED 1:37 PM: We’re at the Alki Beach Read-In right now. It’s east of the Bathhouse instead of at Statue of Liberty Plaza, which is getting some Parks Department maintenance work today.
Here’s a quick video panorama (mouse over the image to show the “play” button):
One teacher tells us they’ve heard a plan for a rally Monday at district HQ. More on that if and when we get it. We’re also still adding a few more photos to the section above covering the morning service projects.
3:01 PM: From the district briefing – SPS has been speaking with mediators and doesn’t know if SEA has. “We’ll let families know as soon as possible if there’ll be school on Monday.” Spokesperson Stacy Howard reiterates that the district believes it’s made a “generous” offer to SEA but that there is a large gap between the two sides. She says if they chose to meet their request from “new revenues,” the district believes it would take from textbooks, instructional support, special-ed and ELL student support. She adds, “We’re starting to take a look at our calendar year to figure out how we can reconfigure it … we’ve got to start extending the school year, we just have to figure out where.” The strike is costing the district $100,000 day in operations costs – $55,000 in school staff that will be working extra days, $25,000 food staff, $15,000 in school security, $5,000 in contract support.
“We are hopeful – we don’t want to be in this for the long haul … so we are in planning meetings every day, preparing for that just in case, new issues arise each day. … We have been here every single day, sitting and waiting, ready to negotiate.” The district did not consider the Tuesday offer a final offer, but they still haven’t received a counteroffer. She says they still are not talking about legal action.
Asked why athletics are continuing (note that they actually started before the school year was scheduled to begin) – coaches belong to a different union. However, athletic directors are members of SEA, Howard said, so they are not present. We asked about a couple commenters’ contention that some non-SEA personnel had been locked out; Howard says that’s not true.
Asked if it’s true that security is being hired for superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland, Howard said that’s being discussed because of some “concerns.” She said there’s “animosity out there right now,” apparently involving a specific incident of Nyland’s car having been blocked.
4:20 PM: Just texted and tweeted by the union – negotiations will resume tomorrow, for the first time since the strike was declared Tuesday night:
After productive talks w/mediators today, both sides have agreed to resume negotiations Saturday! #SeattleEA#SPSStrike#seastrike
We’re working on a full updated separate story for a little bit later.
6:42 PM: Our ETA for the wrap-up story is now around 8:30 pm, so in case anyone wants to see the promised video of the district briefing before we publish that, it’s here. Reminder that the briefing was at 3 pm, more than an hour *before* the union announced via text and tweet that official negotiations would resume tomorrow.
ORIGINAL STORY, 10:48 AM: In West Seattle Crime Watch this morning, a stolen work van to watch for:
My husband’s van was stolen from in front of our house sometime between 8:00 pm last night and 9:00 am this morning. It was locked and parked in our driveway. We live in the Arbor/Arroyo Heights neighborhood at 10811 35th Ave SW.
It is a white 2003 Ford Econovan 250. It has my husband’s logo on both sides and the back of the van – “Toma Construction LLC.” It contained many tools. We have notified the police, and the dispatcher told us another Econovan (apparently a painter’s van) was stolen from the neighborhood last night, as well. If anyone has seen it, please contact us at alexislewinger@gmail.com, at 602-326-7262, or at 206-697-5087.
But first, please call 911.
6:57 PM UPDATE: Found!
(Late this afternoon), we got a call from a WSB watcher saying the van was parked on his street, about two blocks from our house. There is damage to the car and my husband’s expensive tools are gone, but we are thankful that we have the van. Thank you, WSB and neighbors!!
West Seattle bicycle rider Al survived a frightening collision with a semi-truck/trailer on Thursday – and it’s all on video, recorded by his helmet cam. He asked if we would share it here as, at the very least, a reminder of why it’s important to be aware of everyone and everything on the road – it can be a matter of life and death. It happened as he was riding southbound on East Marginal Way near its turn into Alaskan Way, as he headed back to West Seattle after yesterday’s Mariners game. WARNING: LOTS OF PROFANITY – the video is not edited and so, Al says, “A word of warning…If you don’t want to hear a bunch of words and phrases most parents don’t teach their children, hit the ‘mute’ button.” You have lots of time once you hit “play,” as the truck does not come into view until almost a minute into the video, and the collision happens shortly thereafter. Al adds, “I was very lucky and I’m okay (a scratch on my left elbow and thigh), my bike was mended (rode straight to Alki Bike with a rubbing I couldn’t find).” He says the crash was reported to police and thatPort of Seattle PD took a report. East Marginal Way S. was in the spotlight in 2013 after a deadly crash (less than a mile south of Al’s incident), and is one of the “multimodal corridors” that SDOT is currently studying for safety improvements.
DAY OF SERVICE: Service projects instead of picketing this morning in Day 3 of the Seattle Education Association strike. Here’s our list of what educators from local schools are doing; community participation is welcome at most sites. And if you checked the list last night – please note that we have added several since then, including one immediately before publishing this!
ALKI BEACH READ-IN: This afternoon, many striking educators are inviting students/families/caregivers to Alki Beach, at and around Statue of Liberty Plaza, for a “read-in,” 12:30-3 pm. Details here, as first published Wednesday night. (60th SW & SW Alki)
WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: 5-7 pm at Barnes and Noble/Westwood Village, meet and hear from West Seattle-based crime-fiction author David Kannas. Here’s the video preview:
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT #1: 5:30 pm at Admiral Congregational Church– details (including how to check for availability) here. (California SW & SW Hill)
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT #2: 6 pm at Lee’s Martial Arts Academy – details (including how to check for availability) here. (3270 California SW)
SAN GENNARO FESTIVAL: 6-10 pm, first night of the West Seattleite-organized Italian-American celebration in Georgetown with food, music, and more, now in its third year. Details and map are in our calendar listing. (S. Angelo & Ellis S.)
THADDEUS SPAE: Jazz, blues, and folk music atC & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
Family and friends are mourning Steve James Bratsanos, who died two weeks ago at 89. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:
Steve was born July 12, 1926 in Psara, Greece, and passed away August 28, 2015. Loving husband, father, and grandfather. Steve loved his church, his family, and especially his granddaughters. He had a lifelong love of sailboats and the sea. He was patient, kind, never complained, and always had a smile on his face.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rose; daughter Marianne, son James, daughter-in-law Leslie, and his two granddaughters Amalia and Eliana. He will be greatly missed. Remembrances may be made to the Assumption Church or Philoptochos. Visit greeksinwashington.org/seattle-or-nothing to learn more about Steve’s life. Services were held last weekend. From the program:
Steve (Stamati) was born on the island of Palea Psara, Greece, the youngest of three children. He had a trying life but always kept a smile on his face. As a young teenager, he survived the German occupation of Psara during WWII and its accompanying deprivations. The memory of those tough times stayed fresh through his whole life. He loved his adopted country and was proud of being an American, but his path to citizenship was not easy.
(City cameras appear to be down – see other state cameras on the WSB Traffic page) 6:40 AM: Good morning. We start with word of a crash at Delridge/Oregon – a texter tells us Delridge is closed southbound at Genesee. More…
6:45 AM: SB has just reopened, per scanner. City Light was checking out a utility pole because of the crash.
6:52 AM: Reminder that Seattle Public Schools are NOT in session; it’s the third day of the Seattle Education Association‘s strike. Instead of picketing, teachers have service projects today, most of which the community’s invited to join – see our list here.
SCHOOL-ZONE BEACONS/CAMERAS: Some (if not all) have been flashing despite school not being in session. If anyone receives a ticket from a camera in Seattle Public Schools areas – Roxhill and Gatewood (the new camera near STEM/temp Arbor Heights on Delridge would be starting with warnings only) – SDOT tells us, “Our understanding is that the Seattle Police Department will not issue citations based on camera data for the public schools which are not yet open; however, citations will be given for speeding in the case of Holy Family School, which is open and operating.” We’re still checking on the issue of why the beacons are flashing at all. (added) To that last point, SDOT’s Marybeth Turner says, “The beacons are programmed. To have some working and some not would take custom programming. We’re looking into that.”
ADDED 7:25 AM – TODAY’S ROAD-WORK ALERTS:As published here last night, SDOT says microsurfacing work scheduled to be completed in Arbor Heights/Arroyos areas yesterday was not, so it’s happening today instead. … 35th SW paving work between Cambridge and Barton, which DID begin on Thursday, is scheduled to continue today … As of our check yesterday morning, the SPU sewer projects on 48th and 49th SW had not started; we’re checking again today.
This is the fifth fall that Chief Sealth International High School graduates are among the new South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) students taking advantage of the 13th Year Promise – a free year of tuition. It was first offered to Cleveland High School graduating seniors in 2008, adding Sealth in 2011, and Rainier Beach in 2013. We stopped by SSC on Thursday as this year’s group finished the summer jump-start known as “Bridge.” Among those they heard from, SSC president Gary Oertli, who had a personal story to tell:
Oertli is a Sealth alum who was one of the first in his family to go to college – the University of Washington, he said, though the accomplishments of which he’s proudest are those of his daughters, both college graduates. He told the students that people who finish college are more likely to have kids who go to college. For students interested in starting at SSC and transferring, he added, they do better at UW than many of those who are there from the start. We talked briefly with one of the Sealth grads who’s taking advantage of the 13th Year Promise, Mallena Garcia:
One more side note – former Seahawks player Edwin Bailey was among those in attendance, there with two other Sealth alums, West Seattle entrepreneur Steve Huling and lawyer Jerry Cohen. Bailey had recently spoken to their 50th-anniversary class reunion and mentioned the 13th Year Promise program, which led some of the alums to make contributions, and he attended Thursday’s event as an honored guest. The program is funded via the college’s donation-powered Foundation and is available to Sealth, Cleveland, and RB graduates regardless of financial need/status, as explained here.
*No new negotiations so far; each side met today with mediators. Seattle Public Schools held a short media briefing at 5 pm; we published immediate toplines in our earlier coverage as well as our social-media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram), and also recorded it on video:
Our earlier coverage also includes union comments – while the district says the union “has not responded” to its 5:15 pm Tuesday offer, the union says it was essentially not a new offer so its response was to announce the strike.
*No picketing tomorrow – teachers plan to spend the morning on service projects (it’s National Day of Service) and then there’s at least one afternoon activity.
(Gatewood educators who worked at a Morgan Junction park on Thursday – photo courtesy Barry White)
Students and families are welcome, we’re told, to join in any and all of these:
COMBINED SCHOOL SERVICE PROJECT: DENNY INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL & CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Instead of picketing tomorrow, the above mentioned striking teachers, staff & parents will be participating in a combined service project along the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail. Blackberry removal will begin at 8:30 at the Thistle P-Patch, and going further in along the trail.
There will also be a Read-In along Thistle St. working in shifts, and then reading.
At 11:30 we will do a trash pickup, while walking along several different routes to Castle Park. A BBQ will be held there at 12:00. All are welcome to join.
If people want to join or support, it would be fantastic. We will need leather gloves, pointed shovels, loppers, hand pruners, tarps. Any drop
offs of breakfast food, while we are at the Longfellow Creek P Patch, would be appreciated. At Castle Rock we will be BBQing so any potluck style foods would be great at that time. We plan to converge with the folks from Roxhill Elementary there at 12 noon.
To sum up:
8:30 am Blackberry removal, Thistle P-Patch.
11:30 Trash cleanup as walking to Castle Park, to meet Roxhill supporters.
12:00 Barbecue at Castle Park for support and fellowship.
What is needed?
1. The YMCA’s earth service corps will be bringing tools for about 40 people, we could definitely use more gloves, loppers, pointy shovels,
pitchforks, yard waste bags
2. Breakfast Items for the morning clean up at the Thistle P-Patch, beginning around 8:00am
3. Potluck lunch items at Castle Park for barbecue lunch beginning around 12:00
Roxhill Elementary Staff voted to spend their Day of Service at Roxhill Park. They will be picking up trash and removing invasive species as park of the larger efforts of Denny and Sealth to clean the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail.
They will be out in the park starting at 8:30 am and they are welcoming students and caregivers to join them.
FROM FAIRMOUNT PARK ELEMENTARY:
We are trying to get word out to West Seattle educators, families, and community supporters who would like to join us for our service project tomorrow morning. Meet at “Anchor Park” at the Duwamish Head at 8:30 am. Garbage bags will be provided. Wear red, wear gloves.
The International Coastal Cleanup is the world’s largest volunteer effort on behalf of our oceans, lakes and rivers—a massive display of teamwork that removes millions of pounds of plastic and other trash from shorelines and water bodies around the globe. Pick up litter and record what you find to be added to the Global Trash Index while on strike Friday, September 11th.
FROM ALKI ELEMENTARY: Cleanup on Alki Beach (multiple schools participating), 8:30-10:30 am, area students/families welcome. Meet at Alki Statue of Liberty.
CONCORD INTERNATIONAL: Their service project is at South Park’s Marra Farm.
HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY: They’ll be working at the Salvation Army facility in White Center.
(added) WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL: Participating in the Alki cleanup (meet at Statue of Liberty, 8:30 am) and also cleaning up along California SW in front of Hiawatha/WSHS and on the east side of the street, also starting at 8:30 am, community welcome to join in either/both.
Lafayette Elementary School teachers are having a food drive for the West Seattle Food Bank at Lafayette school at 2645 California Ave. SW in the Admiral District. The food drive will be from 9 am to 12 noon today, Friday, 9/11 and they want to receive donations for our Backpack Program which provides healthy weekend meals to school children from 8 West Seattle schools at risk of hunger over the weekend. Items needed are individual servings of shelf stable milk (cow, soy or almond), boxed or caned juices, individual meals in one like soups, mac n’ cheese, ravioli, cup of noodles/top ramen, applesauce/fruit cups and peanut butter or tuna snack packs. Please stop by and support the teachers and your school children in need.
We are writing to provide an update on the microsurfacing project in Arbor Heights. We will be using our make-up day, tomorrow, Friday, September 11, to complete microsurfacing on the following streets:
*SW Arroyo Dr and 39th Ave SW, beginning at 9 AM
*49th Ave SW
*SW 112th St between Marine View Dr SW and 35th Ave SW, including side streets scheduled for microsurfacing
*SW Ocean View Dr
*SW 114th St
We understand using our make-up day may interrupt plans or be otherwise inconvenient, and we make every effort to avoid such occurrences. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we complete this work.
If you have any questions about what to expect during tomorrow’s work or about the project, please feel free to review the attached construction notice we sent previously or contact us.
Second Thursday means lots of art around West Seattle – our first stop is C & P Coffee Company(5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), where our crew spotted this chalk art outside, and will be talking with painter Jennifer Carrasco inside. It’s Art Walk night until 9 pm – more info on the official WSAW website!
ADDED 7:08 PM: Happening now at a longtime Art Walk stop, Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor):
That’s artist Deanna Baldi, with her “Morpheus and Adonis series of pyrographic paintings (the Greek names refer to poppies and anemone flowers she paints),” per Click! co-proprietor John Smersh, who shared the photo.
(Photo from M/V Doc Maynard’s launch in Bellingham, courtesy King County DOT)
If you have eyes on Elliott Bay somewhere in the 4-5 pm vicinity tomorrow, you just might see West Seattle’s new Water Taxi, the M/V Doc Maynard, arriving in its new home waters. That’s the word from King County Transportation Department spokesperson Rochelle Ogershok. Once the Bellingham-built boat is here, she adds, “Once here, the vessel will start undergoing training and crew familiarization in Elliott Bay. Then of course, there will be the dedication ceremony next Friday [September 18th].” If you missed our preview of that last month – read it here.
P.S. The Doc Maynard might be a little hard to spot tomorrow unless you’re close enough to see its name, since it’s a twin to the M/V Sally Fox, which is already in service on the Vashon-to-Seattle run. The Doc Maynard, KCDOT told us last month, will be replacing it for a few weeks before going into service on the West Seattle route.
12:40 PM: Thanks to the readers who spotted today’s Public Health “food establishment closures” bulletin before we did. It reports that inspectors closed Maharaja in The Junction on Wednesday afternoon. From the county’s ongoing list of closures:
Closed: Sept. 9, 2015 at 4:00 pm. Reasons:
Potentially hazardous foods at unsafe temperatures
Improper cooling of potentially hazardous food
Foods not protected from cross contamination
Poor personal hygiene practices – bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods
Failure to correct repeated violations
We just called to see if the restaurant was still closed; the person answering the phone said yes, but that they expected to reopen by mid-afternoon. The county explains its closure policy here; you can look up any restaurant’s inspection history here.
7:46 PM: Via comment and e-mail, we’re told Maharaja has indeed reopened. Morgan sent this photo:
The Health Department website hasn’t been updated since 3:44 pm; we’ll check again tomorrow.
(SCROLL DOWN for newest updates, including 3:30 pm district briefing, with declaration NO SCHOOL FRIDAY, and our conversation with SEA rep afterward; also, post-5 pm, more photos added from today’s picketing)
FIRST UPDATE, 11:56 AM – Day 2 of the Seattle Education Association strike against Seattle Public Schools. We’ll be updating this story throughout the day, until or unless there’s a breakthrough, in which case we’ll start a new one. We start with scenes from a picket line:
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL PICKETERS SERENADED: Perhaps the most visible picket line in West Seattle, along California Avenue SW outside WS High School, had musical support this morning. WSHS teacher Jennifer Hall had sent word last night that folk singer Jim Page would be playing for the picketers starting around 10 am. Turned out he wasn’t alone – Charmaine and Charlie from Squirrel Butter had shown up too, and were playing with their friend Duane when we recorded the quick Instagram clip above. They and Hall subsequently joined Page in a reworked version of “This Land is Your Land,” both his lyrics and “These Schools Are Your Schools,” on a song sheet from the teachers’ May 19th one-day strike courtesy of the Washington Badass Teachers Chorus, of which Hall is a member:
Page explained, “I learned a long time ago what songs can do if you let them out of their box.” Meantime, as you can see and hear in the clip, passing drivers were honking and waving at the picketers. Hall said they’d been getting a steady stream of visitors, too, including, while we were there, a longtime substitute teacher. Meantime, we’re still checking on the status of this morning’s talks – as reported here last night, the district believed they would resume, while all a union rep had confirmed was a meeting with mediators. Updates as we get them. We’ll also be publishing a separate story with the list of service projects the educators are planning to participate in tomorrow if the strike isn’t resolved by then – students and families are welcome at most of the ones we’ve heard about so far. Updates to come.
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12:24 PM UPDATE – DISTRICT SAYS BARGAINERS ‘WAITING’: Neither side has sent or published an official update on whether or not talks have resumed today, so far as we have seen. We pinged SPS spokesperson Stacy Howard, who replied, “Still waiting…our team has been in there since early this morning. We should know soon if the union has officially refused and not shown up.” As reported here last night, the union’s lead bargainer had said part of their team was scheduled to meet with mediators this morning, but hadn’t officially “heard from” the district.
1:56 PM UPDATE – UNION SAYS ‘TEAM READY AND WILLING TO MEET’: After the response from the district as quoted above, we pinged union spokesperson Rich Wood. His reply: “No negotiations are scheduled. Phyllis and our bargaining team leaders met with the state mediators this morning. Our team is ready and willing to meet anytime, but it¹s time for the Seattle School Board to step up and make a contract proposal that addresses the needs of Seattle students. Our bargainers have sacrificed months to try to negotiate a good settlement that focuses on kids.” So our followup question now is – if both sides claim to be willing, what will it take to set up a meeting? Stand by.
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2:07 PM UPDATE – ON THE LINE AT CONCORD: The district’s southwest region includes not only 16 public schools in West Seattle, but also Concord International (Elementary) in South Park. We went over a little while ago to see what’s happening:
Along with picketers, we found Full Tilt Ice Cream, which is continuing to make the rounds.
Co-proprietor Justin Cline(above left) was in the truck at Concord, while co-proprietor Ann Magyar (a former longtime teacher) is in a separate truck that has visited more West Seattle schools today. Other local businesses are donating sustenance to the teachers – the Sealth/Denny strikers sent a photo of Ripple Café (35th/Henderson) donating sandwiches today.
Thanks for the photos we’ve received from other sites – we’ll be adding more shortly.
2:51 PM: Just confirmed the district will brief media at 3:30 pm, so we’re heading downtown. Watch here as well as our Twitter account.
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3:27 PM: As district reps – spokesperson Stacy Howard and bargaining-team member Jon Halfaker (northwest region executive director of schools) – are about to brief media at district HQ, they’ve handed out this one-sheet with info from the Tuesday 5 pm counter-offer:
Howard says a few things have changed since then, and we will write toplines here as we hear them. We’re also recording video again today, to publish in an evening update later.
3:31 PM: The briefing has begun. Howard says, “Seattle Public Schools and Seattle EA are continuing to meet with the mediators … there will not be school tomorrow.” So what’s the actual status of talks? Howard says both sides are talking with mediators but not with each other, at this point. SEA has not responded to the district counteroffer made at the end of day Tuesday, Halfaker and Howard say. Also: In response to a question, Howard says, no further discussion of going to court. This briefing lasted only about five minutes. Again, bottom line, official negotiations have NOT resumed yet; there will NOT be school Friday. The district says its bargainers will be back at HQ tomorrow ready and waiting.
3:51 PM: Post-briefing, we found SEA reps in the room – the same big meeting room where the school board usually meets at district HQ. We talked briefly with Rich Wood of the SEA. He says what the district said about the status of talks is accurate – each side talked with mediators today. What exactly will it take to get them actually negotiating again? we asked him. From SEA’s perspective, they are looking for some hint that the district is willing to yield. He said if there’s no indication of that, then, in SEA’s view, they *did* respond to the Tuesday offer – by leaving the talks and announcing the strike.
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4:50 PM: We are working on a separate report with video from the district briefing plus a list of service projects announced for tomorrow plus a reminder of the “read-in” to which all local families are invited on Alki tomorrow afternoon (any info about tomorrow, please e-mail us – editor@westseattleblog.com). Meantime, for the record, adding more picket-line photos sent to us from local schools today … – first, via Twitter:
Our entire faculty is out in force again today. We’ve been overwhelmed with support from both Gatewood families and the greater West Seattle community, from honking and waving to snacks and water. We’re so grateful for the empathy and understanding! We’re unified in hopes of reaching a fair settlement and appreciate that this is a burden for many families. We want the community to know that there is not a person among us who wouldn’t rather be in the classroom teaching kids, and we’re hoping to be there soon!
At Highland Park Elementary, a contingent from Ages in Stages Child Care showed up to support striking teachers, says Alicia Shenefelt:
At Fairmount Park Elementary School, strikers not only had a visit from Full Tilt Ice Cream (as did other schools including Concord International in South Park, as mentioned above), Althea Chow says firefighters visited too:
We were delighted to receive a surprise special delivery from Ladder 11 from Station 32….they brought water and frozen treats to support Fairmount Park teachers, instructional assistants, our counselor, and other staff on the picket line today! Thank you, fire fighters!
(added) From Mel, Chief Sealth International High School cheerleaders who “contributed and had trail mix made for the teachers. They also picketed in front of the school with the teachers.”
Again, no picketing tomorrow – strikers will be at service-project sites, mostly in the morning, with at least one major regional activity – the Alki Read-In – in the afternoon. Separate story to come.
Second Thursday of the month means tonight brings the September edition of the West Seattle Art Walk! Here’s the venue list/map (which changes quarterly – this is the third Art Walk of summer quarter):
(Click image to see the full-size view)
As you make your plan for tonight, you’ll find previews on the official Art Walk website. Art Walk hours are 6-9 pm.
Also today/tonight:
CHIPOTLE OPENING DAY: Today is the announced opening day for Chipotle Mexican Grill in The Junction, as reported here last month.
(Photo shared by Michael, added Thursday evening)
**11:54 am update – we went by to check, and the restaurant is indeed open, and busy.** (4730 California SW)
FRESH PRODUCE ON DELRIDGE: Second-to-last chance this summer to buy farm-fresh produce at the Delridge Grocery Farm Stand, 4-7 pm. While you’re there, talk to reps from DG (which is a WSB sponsor) about membership, to help them make the final push to open their permanent storefront nearby – if you’re not a member already! (5455 Delridge Way SW)
TOAST THE Y AT EBB: From Elliott Bay Brewing Company in The Junction: “Tonight at 5 pm Elliott Bay Brewery will have a toast in honor of our special YMCA fundraising art exhibit. Local photos by photographer Erik Holen are being sold for $75 apiece. Elliott Bay and the Carden family will match and donate all proceeds to the YMCA expansion project. Come by and raise a glass.” (4720 California SW)
JENNIFER CARRASCO AT C & P: 6-8 pm, meet artist Jennifer Carrasco at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), where she’s been teaching classes, with a new series coming up. See her work and that of those who’ve been meeting with her to make and talk art. More info in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)
Just in from the City Attorney’s Office, this announcement of how it’s defending against the lawsuit filed challenging the recently approved gun and ammunition tax:
The $25 per firearm tax on retailers enacted to mitigate the costs of gun violence in Seattle is “a proper and lawful exercise” of the City’s authority as granted by the Washington Constitution and Legislature, the City declared in rebutting a lawsuit filed by the NRA, among other gun-rights groups, and several individuals. “The Ordinance does not limit any person’s right to purchase, sell, acquire, transfer, discharge, or transport firearms or ammunition,” the City said in its answer to Watson v. City of Seattle.
“This is where Seattle draws the line,” City Attorney Pete Holmes said as assistant City attorneys, aided by national and local counsel working pro bono, entered their appearances in the case Wednesday in King County Superior Court.
BURGLARIZED AGAIN: Two people texted to let us know it appeared Café Osita at 7349 35th SW had been burglarized again – they saw the door getting boarded up – and even before we could get over to check, we heard from proprietor Andrea, saying, “We arrived this a.m. to find the front (glass) door smashed in. No one was hurt; the place was ransacked and items were stolen.” Police are reviewing evidence, and Andrea says Café Osita is closed today because of the break-in. Her shop also was broken into in August, as reported here.
HIGHLAND PARK PROWLER: From Evan:
I live in the 16th/Kenyon area of West Seattle, and spotted a guy wandering up and down the alley looking into people’s back yards. He would stop at each house for 1-2 minutes and look around the yards, once even climbing up onto the fence.
My neighbor recently had his motorcycle stolen from his yard, so if you can warn those in the neighborhood to watch out for this guy, that would be awesome. I called the police to report him and gave them his description.
Evan says police arrived to search the alley within 15 minutes of his call. When you call 911 about a prowler or burglar, the response time – depending on what else is happening – hinges on whether you are seeing them RIGHT NOW, moments ago, or whether it’s something that might have happened hours ago, so they advise always being clear on the time frame. (If you scroll through the automated tweets on our Crime Watch page, for example, you’ll see classifications such as BURGLARY, I/P OR J/O, which means “in progress” or “just occurred.”)
(Four WS-relevant views – more cams on the WSB Traffic page) 7:32 AM: Good morning. Again this morning, so far, no incidents.
SCHOOLS: This is day two of the Seattle Public Schools strike, so no students at those campuses, but all independent/parochial schools are now back in session as of yesterday.
Road-work reminders:
35TH SW PAVING STARTING TODAY: As part of preparation for SDOT‘s 35th and Roxbury rechannelization work, 35th SW is scheduled to be repaved between SW Cambridge and SW Barton starting today – here’s the announcement.
48TH AND 49TH SW CLOSURE:Seattle Public Utilities is closing 49th SW between Edmunds and Alaska for sewer repairs. And starting today, it’s also scheduled to work on 48th SW between Juneau and Raymond, closing that stretch to through traffic during the work hours, with “local access … with the assistance of a traffic flagger.” Work will take up to five days, 7 am-5 pm.
Following up on bus cancellations:
APOLOGY CARDS: Via Twitter, in the wake of a wave of cancellations, on north West Seattle routes in particular, recently. Let us know if you see these:
We published a followup yesterday, with Metro’s general manager giving his explanation to City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who plans a hearing later this month on Metro’s first three months since the infusion of city money that among other things led to a Metro promise that the routes hit hardest recently would become more reliable, not less.
ADDED 8:09 AM: Thanks – we’ve heard from several riders who have indeed seen the cards. Meantime, thanks to NorDel, who points out in comments that the Mariners have a day game today, hosting the Texas Rangers at 12:40 pm.
8:57 AM – ROAD WORK UPDATE: Just went to the three locations mentioned above. The repaving work on 35th SW between Cambridge and Barton is indeed getting started – trucks were staging when we went through about half an hour ago. However, no sign of work at the 48th or 49th locations, so we’ll be checking with SPU.
My husband’s van was stolen from in front of our house sometime between 8:00 pm last night and 9:00 am this morning. It was locked and parked in our driveway. We live in the Arbor/Arroyo Heights neighborhood at 10811 35th Ave SW.
Steve was born July 12, 1926 in Psara, Greece, and passed away August 28, 2015. Loving husband, father, and grandfather. Steve loved his church, his family, and especially his granddaughters. He had a lifelong love of sailboats and the sea. He was patient, kind, never complained, and always had a smile on his face. 
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