day : 12/09/2022 12 results

9:23 PM: Seattle Public Schools says, “SPS and SEA bargaining teams have come to a tentative agreement. We will share an update on the start of school tomorrow afternoon.” SEA told its members in an email that was forwarded to us, “… Our tentative agreement is for a 3-year contract with Special Education ratios maintained and improved in areas, adding baseline mental health staffing in all schools, and raises above IPD every year.” The announcement comes after four days of striking.

9:36 PM: When we talked to SEA president Jennifer Matter in West Seattle on the first day of the strike, she said the agreement would have to be ratified before SEA members could go to work – unlike 2015 (the last SEA strike). But she said calling a general meeting could be accomplished quickly thanks to technology. In tonight’s message to members, Matter said, “… Ratifying the TA is part of our democratic union processes and to respect members’ voices we are keeping the TA among members only until it is ratified.”

9:42 PM: The media update that just arrived from SPS says, “… For now, the details of the tentative agreement are confidential. SEA members will review the proposed contract and vote tomorrow on whether to suspend the strike. Tomorrow afternoon, we will share an update on the start of school.”

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ARTISTS! West Seattle Garden Tour ‘s annual competition is on

September 12, 2022 8:34 pm

| Comments Off on ARTISTS! West Seattle Garden Tour ‘s annual competition is on

| Gardening | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Summer’s not officially over yet … but the √West Seattle Garden Tour is looking ahead to next summer already, starting with its annual art competition. Here’s the invitation:

The West Seattle Garden Tour is one of the premier garden tours in the Northwest, as well as a fundraiser for local non-profits promoting horticulture, education or the arts. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organized by a group of dedicated volunteers. Since its inception in 1995, WSGT donates about $25,000 annually to local beneficiaries.

In addition to supporting non-profit organizations, the West Seattle Garden Tour provides an opportunity for local artists to showcase their original artwork on tour marketing materials, including the cover of the WSGT ticket book and promotional poster. The winning artist also receives a $500 cash award. Winning and honorable mention artworks will be featured during the May and June 2020 West Seattle Art Walks.

Please accept this invitation to submit your original artwork to the annual WSGT Art Competition. We look forward to receiving and reviewing your submission! Submissions accepted (now through) November 13, 2022.

Submission rules and entry form are available on our website

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Award-winning authors @ C&P Coffee

September 12, 2022 7:15 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle books | West Seattle news

Not watching the Seahawks-Broncos game? Here’s an option – award-winning West Seattle authors Lyanda Lynn Haupt (seated) and Donna Sandstrom are reading and signing their books at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) right now, until about 8:30 pm. It’s in celebration of both having been chosen as finalists for this year’s Washington State Book Awards, as noted in the event announcement. This is the first of three author events in West Seattle this week, as previewed here.

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SEATTLE SCHOOL STRIKE: No classes Tuesday; district says ‘several key proposals’ resolved

September 12, 2022 6:16 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

As striking Seattle Education Association members picketed for a fourth day, those from schools around north West Seattle joined for one big noontime march starting outside West Seattle High School. At this point, it appears Tuesday will be a fifth day of picketing – Seattle Public Schools has officially canceled classes for the day, while citing progress in a statement this afternoon:

While Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and Seattle Education Association (SEA) have not yet reached a final agreement, they have come to a resolution on several key proposals. Negotiations continue, and we hope to have a full tentative agreement soon. There will be no school on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

No progress report from the union yet; we’ll update this story if/when there’s one.

BACKGROUND: District updates are here; union updates are here. SEA’s contract expired August 31st, almost three months into negotiations; the strike began on what was supposed to be SPS’s first day of classes, last Wednesday. This is SEA’s first walkout since 2015. That strike, like this one, started on a Wednesday; a tentative agreement was announced the following Tuesday morning.

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FYI: That was a Seahawks flyover

September 12, 2022 5:20 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

In case you forgot it was home opener night for the Seahawks – that’s what the fighter jet was for. An F-15 from Oregon, according to aviation-watchers on Twitter.

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE REOPENING: Timing notes and final touches

September 12, 2022 4:40 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

Six days until the scheduled reopening of the West Seattle Bridge after 2 1/2 years. Today’s notes:

TIMING: We asked SDOT again today exactly when on Sunday they plan to reopen the bridge. Reply: They’re still not saying.

BUSES: After we published our report today on the Metro “service change” this Saturday, Metro announced that the bus routes returning to the high bridge won’t do that until the start of the service day on Monday, instead of Sunday.

FINAL TOUCHES: If you’re wondering what’s happening on the bridge in these final days, SDOT has published an update, including a recap of all the maintenance work that’s been done during the repairs, including resurfacing the west end of the bridge (formally the Fauntleroy Expressway):

(SDOT photo)

SPEAKING OF CONCRETE: The labor dispute that delayed part of the bridge-repair work earlier this year is now over. Teamsters Local 174 says its members have ratified a new contract, more than a year after the old one expired.

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FOLLOWUP: Closed structure at Alki Playground removed, won’t be replaced before school rebuild

September 12, 2022 2:19 pm

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| Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Texted photo)

2:19 PM: Thanks for the tips and photos. The closed/fenced-off play structure at Alki Playground has been removed. Seattle Parks had said they’d do that before the start of the school year; the educators’ strike apparently bought them some extra time. The play structure was taken out of service in early August; Parks told us afterward that a “safety inspection revealed a major structural issue with the wood decking.” At the time, they hadn’t decided what would happen once it was removed – whether it would be replaced before Alki Elementary closed next year for its rebuild – so we have an inquiry out to see if that decision’s been made yet, and will update when we hear back.

3:08 PM: Parks spokesperson Karen O’Connor says, “We are coordinating with Seattle Public Schools for the play area to be renovated and the structures replaced during the school rebuild between 2023-2025. We will not be replacing the play structures that are being removed before the new school is rebuilt. Some of the play equipment will remain and is not being removed.”

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METRO: Here’s what else is changing for West Seattle buses, besides return to high bridge

September 12, 2022 11:53 am

| 37 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

On ~~Sunday~~ Monday*, Metro buses – along with other vehicles – return to the West Seattle Bridge after 2 1/2 years. But that’s not the only change for West Seattle Metro riders starting this weekend. Saturday (September 17th) brings the almost-fall twice-annual service change, when schedules are revised system-wide. This time, dozens of West Seattle trips will be cut, as Metro continues struggling with staffing. Here are the planned changes:

ROUTES 21/21X, 50, 55, 56, 57, 120, 125, RAPIDRIDE C LINE: Moving back to the high bridge Sunday. This also means the buses on these routes that served the Spokane/11th stops east of the low bridge will no longer be doing that.

All the other changes are in effect as of Saturday:

C LINE: “Nineteen weekday trips will be deleted to address workforce shortages.” See the timetable here.

ROUTE 21X: “Seven weekday trips will be deleted to address workforce shortages.” See the timetable here.

ROUTE 22: “Two weekday trips will be deleted to address workforce shortages.” See the timetable here.

ROUTE 55: “Three weekday trips will be deleted to address workforce shortages.” See the timetable here.

ROUTE 56: “Four weekday trips will be deleted to address workforce shortages.” See the timetable here.

ROUTE 120: “Five weekday trips will be deleted to address workforce shortages.” See the timetable here.

ROUTE 131: “One weekday trip will be deleted to address workforce shortages.” See the timetable here.

You can see the full system-wide list of changes here.

*3:04 PM UPDATE: We’ve just learned from Metro that they plan to start the high-bridge routing Monday, not Sunday.

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Book event, spraypark’s final week, more for your West Seattle Monday

September 12, 2022 10:12 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Weekend photo of two squabbling Steller’s Jays, by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

From today’s listings on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BLOCK DROP: Today’s Block Drop spot to pick up and return equipment for a DIY community cleanup – and to drop off your bagged results, too – is Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki), until 6 pm.

STUDENT MEAL PICKUP: Locations for Seattle Public Schools students to pick up lunches during the strike have changed. Hours are still 10 am-1 pm; our story from last night lists the West Seattle locations.

SPRAYPARK: Last week for the Highland Park Spraypark, 11 am-8 pm, 1100 SW Cloverdale.)

T-SHIRT PICKUP: As announced here, if you ordered a “Reunited” T-shirt but haven’t picked it up yet, you can go to the West Seattle Junction Association office (4210 SW Oregon) noon-3 today (or 3-6 pm any of the next three days).

AUTHORS’ READING/SIGNING: West Seattle authors Lyanda Lynn Haupt and Donna Sandstrom, both finalists for this year’s Washington State Book Awards, will be at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) 6-8 pm tonight to read from and sign their books – details in our calendar listing.

COMMUNITY SUP PADDLE: 6-8 pm with Alki Kayak Tours (1660 Harbor SW) – details here.

CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), explained in our calendar listing.

MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm.

PLAY PINBALL, FREE! The Admiral Pub‘s 16 pinball machines are open for free play 7-10 pm Mondays. (2306 California SW)

PLAY TRIVIA! Three scheduled options tonight for trivia players – 7 pm at Best of Hands (35th/Webster), ~~7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander)~~ update: GS trivia canceled because of Seahawks game, 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Have something to add to our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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LAST CALL! 4 more chances to pick up your ‘Reunited’ T-shirt if you pre-ordered one

September 12, 2022 9:35 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

As noted last week, people who ordered the “Reunited” T-shirts commemorating the upcoming reopening of the West Seattle Bridge were asked to pick them up these past few days – but not everyone was able to, so there are four more chances, at a different location, this week. If you still need to pick up your T-shirt, you can do it at the West Seattle Junction Association office (4210 SW Oregon, Suite A, immediately east of Shadowland) these days/hours:

Monday (today) 12-3 pm
Tuesday (September 13) 3-6 pm
Wednesday (September 14) 3-6 pm
Thursday (September 15) 3-6 pm

Please bring something confirming your order, such as the confirmation email. If you didn’t order one but are interested in getting it, we’re told the community volunteers who organized this are working on the possibility of a second order.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Monday notes, 6 days until West Seattle Bridge reopening

September 12, 2022 6:03 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. The final bridge-reopening countdown is on as we start Monday, September 12th.

WEATHER

Morning clouds, afternoon sun, mid-70s predicted .

SCHOOL

*Classes are canceled for a fourth day at Seattle Public Schools as the educators’ strike continues.

ROAD WORK

From 10 pm tonight until 5 am Tuesday, SW Spokane will be closed between Delridge and Avalon so crews can do seismic work beneath the bridge. That also means Metro routes 21 and the RapidRide C Line will be rerouted.

FERRIES, BUSES, WATER TAXI

Ferries: WSF continues the 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.

Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.

The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

904th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. 6 days until SDOT expects to reopen it – on this Sunday, September 18th. Watch WSB for reopening updates all week.

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use until the high bridge reopens; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings.

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge – ALERT: “Expect intermittent single lane restrictions on South Park Bridge between S Orr St. and East Marginal Way S from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (again today) Friday, Sept. 9. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times. The lane restriction allow crews room to inspect the underside of the bridge using a large under bridge inspection truck.”

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.

All currently functional city traffic cams can be seen here, many with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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CORONAVIRUS: This week’s West Seattle numbers and notes

September 12, 2022 2:02 am

| 14 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

The weekend’s over, so here’s our weekly roundup of local COVID numbers via the Public Health – Seattle/King County dashboard:

*21 percent fewer cases reported countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 279 new daily cases countywide (down from 349 a week ago)

*9 percent more hospitalizations countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 11 new hospitalizations daily (up from 10 a week ago)

*15 percent fewer deaths countywide in the past two weeks than the two previous weeks (the dashboard doesn’t offer a one-week increment)
*Currently averaging 3 deaths daily (same as last week’s two-week average)

For West Seattle, we have two-week comparisons (the combined totals from two “health reporting areas,” labeled West Seattle and Delridge, together comprising the entire peninsula):
*217 cases between 8/22 and 9/05, down from 318 between 8/7 and 8/21
*2 hospitalizations between 8/22 and 9/05, down from 6 between 8/7 and 8/21
*2 deaths between 8/22 and 9/05, down from 4 between 8/7 and 8/21

VACCINATION: Checking vaccination rates:
*82.5 percent of all King County residents have completed the initial series (unchanged from a week ago)
*86.9 percent of all King County residents ages 5 and up have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*52.5 percent of all King County residents have had the initial series plus a booster (unchanged from a week ago)

*In West Seattle, we’re now showing the vaccination rates for all ages, by ZIP code (reminder, 98106 and 98146 are not wholly within WS), compared to a week earlier:
98106 – 83.5% completed initial series (up .1%), 52.7% have had a booster (up .1%)
98116 – 90.2% completed initial series (up .1%), 65.6% have had a booster (up .2%)
98126 – 79.7% completed initial series (up .1%), 54.6% have had a booster (unchanged)
98136 – 90.2% completed initial series (unchanged), 67.9% have had a booster (unchanged)
98146 – 79% completed initial series (up .1%), 47.8% have had a booster (up .1%)

GETTING VACCINATED: Pliable is offering two pop-ups with Pfizer’s bivalent booster this weekend – details here … We’ve been mentioning upcoming pop-ups at local libraries – here’s the list of what’s ahead (nothing this week).

TESTING: If you want to get tested and don’t have – or want to get – a home kit, here’s info on West Seattle’s two public testing sites: The city-supported site at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle, 9 am-5:30 pm Monday-Saturday this week) and the Curative kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1220 Harbor SW, 9 am-3 pm Monday-Friday this week). … To report self-test results, this page explains how (click “What should I do if my test is positive?”). … Ans among the many places you can get home-test kits, we’re told free kits also have been seen at some local libraries.

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