(WSB photo from last Friday)

As we’ve been reporting, the city has promised another “remediation” this month at the six-plus-years-old RV encampment on SW Andover between 26th and 28th SW. On Friday, we reported that the “no parking” signs had gone up for this week. So far, the city hasn’t given us specifics about what exactly will happen. However, one of the businesses in the area, the West Seattle Health Club, has just told its members via email and social media that “all” vehicles “will be forced to move or be towed” Thursday, and that eco-blocks will be placed to prevent future parking. From the WSHC’s announcement:

Many of you have shared your concerns regarding the encampment on Andover Street requesting an update of the status. Over the past several weeks, myself, our neighboring businesses, city councilmen and several outreach programs have been working with the Mayor’s office to get updates and a resolution to this ongoing issue in our community. During this time, the residents of the encampment have been offered alternative living arrangements as well as new batteries and tires for the vehicles that are no longer running.

This Thursday (6/16) beginning at 9 am, the areas between 26th Ave & Andover Street and 28th Ave & SW Yancy St will be declared a work zone. All vehicles parked along the street will be forced to move or towed.

Today, the Seattle Police Department were out giving notice to the residents of the encampment that they are required to move within 48 hours, or their vehicles will be towed on 6/16/22. Some of the residents were agitated after receiving the notification on their residences and/or vehicles. We strongly recommend that you avoid any interactions with them for your safety.

The club will remain open during this time, however, the entrance to the club from Andover street will not be accessible beginning at 9 am. Please use the entrance from Yancy Street to access the club’s parking lot. We anticipate the area along Andover street to be busy with SPD, outreach programs and media.

According to the Mayor’s Office, the goal is to have the entire area completely cleaned up by the end of the day on Thursday, 6/16. To avoid the return of the encampment, the West Seattle Health Club is partnering with our neighboring businesses to place cement eco-blocks along the surrounding area. The City Council has also proposed to turn the area into a bike lane for the neighborhood.

We went through the area twice this morning, and noted orange tags on most of the 15 RVs/trailers parked there (that count doesn’t include other vehicles or tents that also line the north side of Andover). If this encampment really is cleared, it would be the second major sweep in West Seattle in less than two weeks, after Rotary Viewpoint Park/West Seattle Stadium last week.

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COUNTDOWN: Morgan Junction Community Festival returns Saturday

June 14, 2022 3:56 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Though the weather doesn’t seem to want to get summery yet, festival season continues with another event returning this Saturday:

The Morgan Community Association is easing back into things with a condensed version of its annual (aside from the pandemic summers) festival. Stop by Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW) between 11 am and 1 pm this Saturday (June 18th) for some low-key neighborhood fun. Well, the opening act isn’t quite low-key … The Bubbleman will perform at 11 am, and acoustic musician Gary Benson will follow. Some local organizations will have tables, so you can come chat about what’s happening in your neighborhood. Among the participants already announced are The Whale Trail – come talk about what you can see at sea! – the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, and us. This is a volunteer-powered event. See you there!

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UPDATE: Crash, vehicle fire on 1st Avenue South Bridge

June 14, 2022 2:01 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

2:01 PM: Two-car crash reported toward the north end of the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge, with one vehicle on fire as shown in the framegrab from the traffic camera – avoid the area..

2:07 PM: Firefighters have since arrived and just reported the fire is out.

2:25 PM: The NB bridge is still down to one lane past the scene.

2:52 PM: Now two NB lanes are open. We’re following up with SFD regarding injuries.

3:15 PM: The scene is clear and all northbound lanes are open.

5:38 PM: SFD says no injuries were reported.

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FAREWELL: Gatewood Elementary kindergarten teacher retiring after 32 years

June 14, 2022 12:14 pm

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| Gatewood | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The last week of school closes the book in many ways. Among them: Educators’ retirements. Michelle Green Arnson sent this word of a momentous departure from the Gatewood Elementary community:

As this school year comes to a close, beloved kindergarten teacher Nancy Carney will be retiring after 32 years at Gatewood Elementary. Mrs. Carney is a true institution, having worked with five different principals, three decades’ of colleagues, and countless young students. Her warmth and enthusiasm has made her classroom a welcoming space for learning and growth for so many children, while her boundless energy and seemingly limitless patience has astonished and inspired a new crop of parents every year. Mrs. Carney will be missed more than she can know!

If you would like to join Room 4 and the broader Gatewood community in wishing Mrs. Carney a very happy retirement, you can post messages, memories, and photos here: kudoboard.com/boards/4Mr9nfx4

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Alki Elementary rebuild meeting, ferry-system discussion, mega-low tide, more for your West Seattle Tuesday

June 14, 2022 10:13 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Newly reopened Westcrest Park Off-Leash Area, with Fergus posing in photo by Caitlin Huertas)

Great day to go to your favorite park – or to check out the other options on today’s list:

POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: Drop-in advocacy, Tuesdays at 10:30 am at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

LOW-LOW TIDE: Today’s tide is out to a mega-low -4.0 feet at 11:22 am. Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are at Constellation and Lincoln Parks between 9:45 am and 1:15 pm.

WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES MEETING: 1 pm online, it’s the first of two systemwide community meetings for Washington State Ferries users. Our preview has the registration link.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Online at 2 pm; here’s the agenda. Watch live here.

LADY JAYE MEAT MARKET: In advance of Father’s Day, Lady Jaye is hosting a meat market and patio party, 4 pm-8 pm. Details in our calendar listing. (4523 California SW)

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Longstanding weekly 4:30-6 pm sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

ALKI ELEMENTARY REBUILD MEETING: Get the latest on the levy-funded plan to rebuild Alki Elementary, 6 pm online. The registration link and other details are here.

CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 6 pm online, your monthly chance for comments/questions about West Seattle’s city-supported tiny-house village.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) welcomes families 6-8 pm to this weekly hosted game-playing night.

OPEN MIC: Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way) invites you to a 7 pm open mic hosted by Midnight Marauders.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm, the FCA board’s monthly meeting welcomes community attendance.

TRIVIA X 3: Three of the venues where you can play tonight – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).

BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!

See more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, please email us the info at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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BIZNOTE: New option at Dream Dinners West Seattle

June 14, 2022 8:59 am

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Longtime local meal-prep kitchen Dream Dinners West Seattle (WSB sponsor) is launching a new option – reducing its minimum order, so customers have more flexibility. Now you can start with just three dinners, and add more as needed; previously, Dream Dinners had focused on having customers order an entire month of dinners in one visit. Reducing the minimum order means families with smaller freezers or budgets can also utilize Dream Dinners to help avoid dinnertime stress when you’re trying to balance everything else life throws at you. Dream Dinners’ pre-prepped meal kits enable you to get dinner ready in 3 easy steps: thaw, cook, and enjoy. Most meals cook in under 30 minutes or come home ready to bake in the oven. Dream Dinners West Seattle is at 4701 41st Ave SW, on the east-facing street side of Jefferson Square. To place a June order, visit DreamDinners.com/WestSeattle.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Mid-June Tuesday

June 14, 2022 6:02 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning; welcome to Tuesday, June 14th.

WEATHER

Partly sunny, chance of showers, high in the 60s (Monday hit 60, ten degrees below normal).

ROAD WORK

Seattle Public Utilities‘ pavement-restoration work at California/Myrtle continues.

LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL

-Today’s the last day for Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) and Summit Atlas; Our Lady of Guadalupe is out after Wednesday; Westside School (WSB sponsor) is out after Thursday; for Holy Family and most Seattle Public Schools, Friday is the final day (for Chief Sealth IHS, it’s next Tuesday).

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule; watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.

The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule. (Looking ahead – it will have a reduced schedule next Monday for the Juneteenth observance.)

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

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

814th 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.)