West Seattle, Washington
04 Saturday
(WSB photos/video)
The job of being a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier is very different from what it used to be.
So say leaders of their union, the National Association of letter Carriers, in explaining why they’re determined to fight for a better contract in upcoming negotiations, and trying to be loud about it. The union held rallies around the country today, including one outside the Westwood Village Post Office, where a cold steady rain fell throughout, stopping almost the exact moment the rally ended.
More than 70 people defied the rain at the peak of the hour-long rally, even musicians identified as “the last Letter Carrier Band on the West Coast,” with their contributions including “Solidarity Forever“:
More fiery was a pep talk by April Sims, president of the Washington State Labor Council. They also heard words of support from a speaker introduced as a community-relations director from Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson‘s office, Matt McIntosh.
But the strongest words came from officials of the carriers’ own union, NALC Branch 79. One who described himself as a 20-year veteran said, “This job’s not for everyone … “it’s no walk in the park” – 10 miles a day, hundreds of stairs, 70-pound parcels, and double the rate of assault risk that carriers used to face. (The rally began with a moment of silence for a letter carrier shot dead while on his delivery route in Georgia.) “The systems that support us are being broken … Letter carriers used to be seen as a pillar of society.” Now, “we put our lives on the line, we put our bodies on the line.” There’s high turnover in the early going, they said, because most carriers are hired on as “non-career” despite doing the same work; the union wants that to change. They also want to see higher pay for all, including new hires, and including more-robust cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) – there was frequent derisive reference to “diet COLAs.” They also suggested USPS could save money by cutting some management jobs, contending that having “four supervisors for a 40-person station” is too much.
The rallying chant was, “First-class service, first-class pay.” Branch 79 financial secretary C Moline said the union waited until a year into the last round of talks before making noise, but this time would be different. They exhorted members to talk to their co-workers, wear a union T-shirt and button, and don’t let up the pressure: “This is day one.” With that, a group shot concluded the rally:
The union says contract negotiations are scheduled to start this Wednesday (February 25).
Sent by Eileen:
My car was broken into last night and they took a small black North Face backpack (my emergency go bag) that has an extra pair of prescription glasses. They also stole my nice blue Trader Joe’s shopping bag and an Uwajimaya shopping bag with artwork by the artist “Enfu.”
I think these things (except for the small amount of emergency cash) are only valuable to me so I’m wondering if they might be dumped somewhere? We live over by 51st Ave SW and SW Hudson. Thanks if you find anything!
Thursday (February 26) is the first day you’ll see local Girl Scouts selling cookies inside/outside local stores, among other places. As always, the times and locations are listed on the Girl Scouts of Western Washington website – a quick check by zip code shows the earliest local booth on the schedule that day is Husky Deli (4721 California SW), starting at 3 pm Thursday; most other locations don’t start up that day until 4 pm. Look for your nearest location(s) by scrolling down this page to the search-by-zip-code box. Wondering which cookies are available this year? Look here – though you might not find all those cookies at all booths.
6:27 PM: Thanks for the tip and photo! Police are looking for the driver of that pickup truck after he hit at least one parked car on Beach Drive and ditched the truck near Shore Place [map]. He was described over police radio as Hispanic, 30, 5’8″, wearing a “multicolored” sweatshirt. He may have headed into the Me-Kwa-Mooks greenbelt. No injuries reported. If you have any information, call 911.
6:57 PM: No report so far of the driver being found, but officers told dispatch the crash scene is now open again to traffic.
(WSB file photo)
Thanks to HPAC co-chair Kay Kirkpatrick for the tip. SDOT has scheduled an online public meeting March 4 for the most controversial West Seattle project on their drawing board, the plan to convert the outside downhill lane on the Highland Park Way hill to a multi-use path. The possibility of rechannelizing the hill – which was a busy detour route during the West Seattle Bridge closure – first came up in the 2010s, then went on hold in 2020, then turned up again in a city application for federal funding in 2022, and then moved onto the path toward finalization a year ago despite loud opposition. SDOT recently told WSB that construction is at least a year away; the department says it’ll have design updates at the March 4 meeting, which is scheduled to start at 5 pm, and will be at this Zoom link.
Two Chief Sealth International High School wrestlers are coming home from this weekend’s state tournament at the Tacoma Dome with championships! Eli Policarpio won the boys’ 2A 215 class by 9-8 decision over Theo Stevens of North Kitsap; Lanu Arnituanai won the girls’ 2A 145 class by fall (at 3:39) over Emily Gomez, also from North Kitsap. Both of those champion Sealth wrestlers took 5th at state last year. Two other CSIHS wrestlers made it to the state semifinals – Lucy Self in girls’ 2A 140, Yusuf Donzo in boys’ 2A 285. Congratulations to the wrestlers and coach Maurice Dolberry!
Thanks to Alan for the photos and the report that Little Prague Bakery has reappeared at 6045 California SW:
I just wanted to give you a heads up that the Little Prague European bakery is back open for business. I spoke with one of the employees there … and they reopened today. They had some pastries out, and I don’t want to overwhelm her, but I definitely want some foot traffic for her.
She said they’re not back up to full speed yet, but they hope to be in the next few days … it’s exciting to have them back in the neighborhood.
Little Prague was in the space for years; then The Home Skillit moved in for a very short time late last year.
12:49 PM: A tree is down across the southbound lanes – and part of the northbound side – on West Marginal Way SW, near 2nd Avenue SW. An SDOT crew has arrived to get it cleared (above is a screengrab from the nearest traffic cam) but things may be a bit backed up in the area for a while.
1:47 PM: Camera shows SDOT still on scene and the tree partly cleared.
3:39 PM: The cameras aren’t working now but an SDOT update says it’s clear.
Reader report via text: “Gas thieves hit 9200 block of 14th SW again this morning, second time in just over a month.” (We’ve also had reports a few weeks ago from 30th/32nd and Cloverdale.)
(Rainbow and ferry photographed this past week by Steven Rice)
Last Sunday in February already! Here’s the lineup, mostly from our WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY: The Westies Run Club is back to the regular run today, this time from Dough Joy Donuts – meet at 9 am. (4310 SW Oregon)
FREE WEST AFRICAN DANCE CLASS: Sunday dancing! 9:30 am at South Park Hall (1253 S. Cloverdale).
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: In The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games are happening at the new location of The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
SUNDAY MORNING MEDITATION: For a contemplative session, see if there’s space in the small-group meditation session at 9:30 am at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open as usual on California SW between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in late-winter produce-and-products season – roots, greens, peppers, mushrooms, cabbage, beans, garlic, apples, more – plus lots of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, prepared foods, nuts, condiments, pasta, more.
MIMOSAS & MENOPAUSE: 10 am at Admiral Theater (2343 California SW), “a special community viewing event and conversation.” RSVP for free admission.
FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
POSTAL WORKERS’ RALLY: As previewed here Saturday, 11 am rally outside the Westwood Village Post Office (2721 SW Trenton) as the National Association of Letter Carriers prepares for contract talks.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to find it at, and borrow it from, the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
FREE DROP-IN TAX HELP: 11 am-4 pm at Southwest Library. (9010 35th SW)
WEST SEATTLE RESIST: Regular weekly West Seattle Resist Sunday sign-holding event, 11:30 am-1:30 pm. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: You’re invited to hang out at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
KORNER BLUES MATINEE: Afternoon bluesmusic at Tim’s Tavern, 2 pm, all ages, tickets here. (16th SW & SW 98th, White Center)
‘TOPDOG/UNDERDOG’: Online tickets are sold out for the “comic fable” at ArtsWest, but check with the box office for any 3 pm tickets. (4711 California SW)
‘DETENTION LOTTERY’ AT FAUNTLEROY UCC: 4 pm, this “immersive theater” event will happen at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), followed by a talkback. Read the backstory and you’ll think it’s “ripped from the headlines,” but it actually dates back to 2018 (with a “refresh” last year). Free, donations accepted.
TRIVIA AT MR. B’S: 5-8 pm trivia with host Morgue Anne at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW).
FREE COMMUNITY MEAL: 5:30 pm at Bethany West Seattle (8600 9th SW), all welcome for food and fellowship.
ASTRA LUMINA: Its run is close to the end, but it’s on tonight – first entry at 6:15 pm in the Seattle Chinese Garden (north end of South Seattle College campus, 6000 16th SW); tickets here.
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: Play starting at 7:30 pm, win prizes! (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, music to close out your weekend, with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that we could add to the WSB community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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