West Seattle, Washington
04 Thursday
Just announced by Seattle Public Schools:
Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is pleased to announce that it has reached a tentative agreement with Local 302 International Union of Operating Engineers. The Local 302 represents SPS custodians, culinary services, grounds, security, and alarm monitor teams.
SPS appreciates all the hard work of both bargaining teams to reach a tentative agreement.
We are excited to have the members of Local 302 join us as we welcome our students, families, staff, and community partners for the 2023-24 school year tomorrow.
Thanks to Greg for the tip. The three sets of speed bumps announced earlier this year for SW Genesee, near Genesee Hill Elementary, were installed today, the day before the scheduled start of Seattle Public Schools‘ 2023-2024 classes. Other West Seattle school areas with new traffic-safety installations over the summer include Lafayette Elementary, Pathfinder K-8, and the Denny/Sealth campus.
(WSB file photo)
Lots of questions in the past week or so about the status of Tony’s Market, the independent seasonal produce-and-more store under the red, white, and green tent at 35th/Barton. By this weekend, it seemed clear that the market had stopped selling produce for the year, as the merchandise had all been cleared out, but we wanted to reach proprietor Joey Genzale to be sure. Today by phone, he confirmed to WSB that the market is closed for the season, but he says he’ll be back as usual for pre-Halloween pumpkin sales, followed by Christmas trees in November and December. No start date for pumpkin sales yet; we’ll check back.
P.S. There’s now a Mexican-food truck on the lot, according to Ross at nearby West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW; WSB sponsor). We’ll be checking on that soon.
Thanks for the tips. Here’s what we’ve found out about why the Guardian One helicopter was circling The Junction for a while this past hour: A robbery at Sound Credit Union (4730 California SW), which is temporarily closed as a result.
The robber was described as a white man in his 30s, 5’8″, heavy build, black baseball cap and maroon shirt “over a long-sleeved shirt,” glasses, jeans, yellow shoes; a second person possibly acting as a lookout was described as a white man in his 30s with a white bucket or captain’s hat, red or pink face mask, gray shirt with a Playboy logo, jeans, black shoes. They were last seen in the alley behind the west-side businesses on California between Alaska and Edmunds. The dispatcher was told the robber didn’t show a weapon but presented a note threatening harm. (added) This is at least the third time this branch has been held up this year; our archives show previous robberies in February and in April.
1:05 PM: As reported here, WSDOT announced Thursday that notices had been posted at the northeast-side Myers Way encampment advising the people there that site clearing would start this week. So we went by about an hour ago to see what was happening. In view from the street were predominantly law-enforcement vehicles and officers – both Washington State Patrol and Seattle Police – as well as a few junk-hauling-type trucks and one heavy-duty truck with traffic barrels/cones (and signage).
Also notable since the last time we went by a few days ago, fewer RVs. We’ll be checking with WSDOT later today to see if there’s an update on what was done today and what’s next. The WSDOT announcement Thursday had said the plan for this week was to “begin cleaning and repairing the site, removing excess vegetation, and making other modifications at the site to help prevent resettlement.” The agency also said more than 80 percent of the known occupants of the site – 52, per previous updates – had “been matched with shelter or housing that will work for them.” If you missed the original explanation of how the placement process works, it’s in our report on the most-recent community meeting about the encampment, held in July at Arrowhead Gardens senior-living complex on the other side of Myers Way, where residents say they’ve been beset by crime and safety problems as the now-being-cleared encampment continued to grow in recent months.
P.S. The last major clearing of this site happened five years ago.
ADDED 3:14 PM: Here’s what WSDOT spokesperson James Poling told us after we requested an update: “The site was vacated by 9 a.m. this morning, thus allowing WSDOT crews and contractors to begin site cleanup and restoration work shortly afterward. Contractors had begun towing some abandoned vehicles off the site during lunchtime hours. I would expect to see rearrangement of the concrete blocks along Myers Way sometime in the next 24 hours (pending equipment availability). This site is more than 20 acres on varying terrain, so this cleanup will likely be more than a week(s) rather than days.”
PCC Community Markets‘ West Seattle store (WSB sponsor) has two accessibility-related updates to share today:
The elevator at West Seattle PCC is back in service. It was a pain point in accessing the store for the last few weeks…
We are also updating to have permanent reserved accessible parking when the parking lot is restriped this coming month.
The store is open 6 am to 11 pm daily at 2749 California SW (corner of SW Stevens).
(Labor Day volleyball at Alki, photographed by James Bratsanos)
Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s our list of possibilities for the hours ahead:
TRANSPORTATION PLAN INFO: Today brings the third of four SDOT informational pop-ups at West Seattle libraries to talk about the newly released draft Seattle Transportation Plan, 12 pm-1 pm at High Point Library (35th/Raymond). Here are other ways to get info/offer feedback.
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the air-conditioned Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon): “Are you looking for a new activity to keep your brain sharp and clear? The Senior Center Chess Club welcomes both novice and experienced players. Join us at 1:30 p.m. for lessons, short tutorials, and chess for all levels of expertise.” (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN: 6 pm stories and activities for kids at the Delridge P-Patch, weekly throughout the summer. (5078 25th SW)
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FREE TRACK RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.
WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: Talk about the city’s new draft Transportation Plan and more, 6:30 pm in-person meeting at High Point Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW).
TOASTMASTERS 832: Online gathering where you can work on your communication/speaking skills, 6:30 pm – our calendar listing explains how to RSVP to get the link.
THE CLAY CAULDRON: 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance or drop in to work on your project(s).
SING! Another local choir starts its new season tonight, with an open invitation to join the Seattle Metropolitan Singers:
FALL SEASON STARTS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th at 7 pm
Senior Center of West Seattle
4217 SW Oregon St.Rehearsals are every Tuesday from 7 pm-9 pm. The “audition” is just singing with us! Nothing formal. Our fabulous director may change your vocal part based on her thoughts on where you are needed most. ALL TREBLE VOICES WELCOME.
TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW); also, 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz 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!
You can peek into the future any time via our event calendar – if you have something to include on it, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
This Saturday, on a rooftop deck overlooking Elliott Bay, Lake Washington Physical Therapy in West Seattle (1309 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor) is offering one last free summer outdoor workout with a view! =LWPT’s Mark Bouma says signups are open now, while they last:
It’s our FINAL rooftop class this summer — Sunset Mobility. The class will be on Saturday, Sept 9th, at 6 pm. We are once again collaborating with HIIT Lab, and they will be supplying some Happy Hour refreshments following the class for participants to enjoy on the rooftop.
It will be about a 30-minute full-body mobility class for people of all fitness levels. I’ll be leading the class and sharing some of my favorite movements to improve mobility and balance. It looks like the weather forecast is cooperating and it will be a beautiful evening! Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat or towel.
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, September 5th.
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Partly sunny, high in the upper 60s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:33 am; sunset will be at 7:41 pm.
(Sunday’s sunset, photographed by Bruce Gaumond)
BACK TO SCHOOL
Five more schools start classes today – Tilden School (WSB sponsor), Hope Lutheran School, Holy Rosary Catholic School, Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School, and The Bridge School.
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is on the 2-boat schedule. Check Vessel Watch to see where your ferry is.
Metro – regular schedule; it’s the first weekday since the September “service change” – in West Seattle, Route 55 was suspended, and Routes 50 and 22 have changes.
Water Taxi – regular schedule.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low-bridge cam:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – alternate route across the river:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges Twitter/X feed shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
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