Sent by Sarah, who sent this note under that heading, while explaining, “Just recently I have experienced several instances of road rage outside my home while getting my two children onto the Special Education Bus. People don’t understand how this system works and the buses are not all marked as Special Education. There are several contributing factors, including, no buses during COVID, reduced bus access for K-5 students forcing caregivers to drive children and be on the road with Special Education Buses.” Here’s her request to the community:

To Fellow Neighbors:

The key differences in how traditional large yellow buses operate vs smaller residential Special Education Buses operate.

First, children ride Special Education Buses for a number of reasons, some are physical and some are neurodivergent. For my family, we have two of our three children riding the Special Education bus and one fits into each category.

These buses are equipped with special seat belts and seats to ensure the safety of all the children; caregivers are REQUIRED to enter the bus and physically buckle the child into and out of the seat each day. The bus drivers are not allowed to do this, and due to certain circumstances, it may require more time to ensure the child is safely secured in the bus. I would very much like to remind impatient drivers that honking and yelling at the caregivers, driver, and kids does not make this process go any faster and instead can prolong the experience and induce feelings of fear, shame, and frustration for all involved.

There are also times that caregivers must pass on information crucial to a successful transfer to the school or for after-school pickup to the driver. This quick check-in typically occurs after the child is secured into the seat. This is not idle chit-chat, so please be patient.

Due to the fact that these buses serve several families each morning for the same school and each child can experience a range in how their day is going both physically and emotionally, it is not possible to have a set pickup and drop-off schedule. Therefore caregivers have children prepared before the bus arrives, most children utilizing this service cannot sit out and safely wait for the bus.

Options….?

It is possible on a residential road to turn around if you are stuck behind or in front of a bus that needs that extra time and go down another side street. I know this my be an inconvenience, but please know that the caregivers, children, and bus drivers understand. Please, refrain from honking, yelling, or driving up onto the curb. It scares the kids, they don’t understand what is happening and it is emotionally harmful to everyone involved.

Thank you, West Seattle Neighbors! (Here) is a helpful article with some graphics and other helpful tips about school bus safety, including things are camera and ticketing.

FOLLOWUP: Next step in Seattle Parks’ study of tennis and pickleball

March 16, 2022 2:43 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

(Reader photo, 2021)

Back in January, Seattle Parks launched a survey to find out about pickleball and tennis usage. Next step, as announced today, an online meeting:

Seattle Parks and Recreation is seeking input from tennis and pickleball players on how we can best support the growth of pickleball. Please join us online on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. To register visit zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAsf-2rrTwqE9bpE6f9JbwvhTUl7WUYt3RW

This online event is part of the 2021-2022 Pickleball Study funded by the Seattle Park District. The project team will use the input from our community survey, the project advisory committee, and community meetings to recommend revisions to our dual-striping practices, evaluate standards for dual-striping, and draft a list of potential sites for dedicated pickleball. The team looks forward to presenting pickleball study work, input to date, and next steps at this meeting. Thank you to the over 3,300 people that responded earlier this year to our pickleball survey. Please continue your involvement and join us at this meeting to learn more and provide input.

An advisory committee is meeting throughout the study and additional community engagement will include one additional public meeting.

To find out more about the study and to subscribe to updates please visit seattle.gov/parks/about-us/projects/2021-2022-outdoor-pickleball-study or contact Oliver Bazinet at oliver.bazinet@seattle.gov.

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You asked, so we asked: What’s ahead for West Seattle’s Water Taxi

March 16, 2022 1:21 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB Tuesday photo, Water Taxi dock at Seacrest)

Karen emailed to ask if Metro had announced plans for spring/summer-season changes on the West Seattle Water Taxi schedule, so we inquired. You might recall that the pre-pandemic routine was for the WT to go weekdays-only through late fall, winter, and early spring, but this year, after public clamor because of the West Seattle Bridge closure, the service has continued in 7-days-a-week mode, though the shuttle buses are on reduced schedules. Metro spokesperson Al Sanders tells WSB, “The West Seattle Water Taxi will begin its summer schedule on April 21. The only change from the current winter schedule will be the addition of late-night departures on Fridays and Saturdays.” Will the shuttle schedule ramp back up? Sanders says that’s not decided yet, “Summer shuttle schedule is also TBD. Marine (Division) is waiting to hear back from Service Planning on if their contracted service provider will be able to expand the current schedule.”

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UPDATE: Another fire at Longfellow Creek P-Patch shed, and how to help the gardeners

March 16, 2022 11:28 am

| 14 COMMENTS

| Gardening | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

11:28 AM: SPD and SFD are investigating after another fire at the Longfellow Creek P-Patch shed at SW Thistle/25th SW. We were passing by when we saw Engine 11’s crew, and the smoke, around 10:20 am, and pulled over to see what was happening. Firefighters were extinguishing what had been major flames. This is the third fire at the shed in the past week; here’s our report from last Friday.

Even before this morning’s fire, we were planning to publish a followup today, after hearing from Christina, one of the P-Patch gardeners, who told us via email, “We lost a lot of tools and equipment in the fire and through repeated acts of vandalism and theft. We are hoping to replace that lost equipment and are looking for donations of shovels, rakes, pruners, a gas-powered lawn mower, hoses, or wheelbarrows.” She adds, “We are community gardeners and donate fresh produce regularly to the West Seattle Food Bank as well.” If you can help, donations are being coordinated by Kristin, at kadams2517@gmail.com. Meantime, we’ll be following up the the fire investigation.

ADDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT: We still haven’t heard back from SFD regarding the fire’s cause. Since the P-Patch, while managed and gardened by community volunteers, is on city land, we asked the city Department of Neighborhoods, which manages the P-Patch program, about the situation. Here’s the response from spokesperson Sam Read:

We are devastated to hear of another fire at the Longfellow Creek P-Patch. We share in the community’s grief and frustration and our P-Patch staff are working closely with the garden community and City partners.

The shed is not considered city owned, but rather managed and funded by community with occasional support and guidance from P-Patch staff. As such, the gardeners will need to come together to fund any rebuild or repairs.

P-Patch staff are coordinating with Seattle Parks and Recreation on developing a plan to remove garbage and cut trees from the area. In addition, P-Patch staff are coordinating with Seattle Police Department around these incidents. The Southwest Precinct’s Crime Prevention Coordinator has offered to work directly with our staff to organize a personal safety training for Long Fellow Creek Gardeners if there’s a collective interest.

ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: SFD tells WSB the fire”was ruled as ‘incendiary’ (intentionally set). Information was provided to the Seattle Police Department for follow-up. The shed was heavily damaged by fire, and partially collapsed.”

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Ferry-dock project, parenting advice, theater, more for your West Seattle Wednesday

March 16, 2022 10:39 am

| Comments Off on Ferry-dock project, parenting advice, theater, more for your West Seattle Wednesday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Busy day/night ahead:

(Thanks to Troop 41169 for the pic from Tuesday’s cookie booth at Westwood Village QFC)

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: Last five days for cookie season, with more booths this afternoon/evening in West Seattle – check the lookup for the location/time of one near you.

PURIM CARNIVAL: Kol HaNeshamah invites the community to a Purim Carnival at Camp Long‘s east picnic shelter (5200 35th SW), 4-5:30 pm – schedule of events is in our calendar listing.

FAUNTLEROY FERRY DOCK PROJECT: The Community Advisory Group‘s second meeting about potential alternatives for the dock/terminal replacement – current site? another site? same size? larger? etc. – is online tonight, 6-8 pm. Go here to register to watch. Here’s our coverage of the previous meeting two weeks ago.

TEACHING TEENS ABOUT CONSENT: The West Seattle High School PTSA welcomes all parents to its online meeting at 7 pm including a talk with a parenting educator about “Consent Etc.” More information, and the registration link, can be found in our calendar listing.

SAY GAY SEATTLE POSTCARD WRITING: Local advocates are gathering at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) tonight, 7-8:30 pm, to write postcards to Florida’s governor protesting that state’s new “Don’t Say Gay” law.

THEATER PREVIEW: “This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing” opens tomorrow at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) and you can see the preview performance tonight at a discount, 7:30 pm – get ticket(s) here.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Something for our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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LIBRARIES: More hours/days to be restored – here’s what’s planned at West Seattle branches

March 16, 2022 9:40 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news

The Seattle Public Library plans to add back more hours/days of operation, starting two weeks from today, on March 30th. From the announcement, here’s what the new days/hours will be at the four branches in West Seattle:

Delridge Branch, 5423 Delridge Way SW
-1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays

High Point Branch, 3411 SW Raymond St.
-1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays

Southwest Branch, 9010 35th Ave. SW
-10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; noon to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays

West Seattle Branch, 2306 42nd Ave. SW
-10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; noon to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays

You can compare to current hours/days by going here.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Wednesday watch

March 16, 2022 6:02 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, March 16th. (Spring arrives 8:33 am Sunday!)

WEATHER

Some sunshine in the forecast, high in the 50s.

ROAD WORK:

As reported here, a sewer-repair project is happening on 35th SW near Findlay.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES TODAY

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/cancellations. (NOTE: Saturday is Metro’s next “service change”; here’s our story with West Seattle changes.)

Water Taxi‘s on its regular schedule.

Ferries: WSF continues the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

722nd morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)