West Seattle, Washington
23 Thursday
West Seattle bicycle rider Al survived a frightening collision with a semi-truck/trailer on Thursday – and it’s all on video, recorded by his helmet cam. He asked if we would share it here as, at the very least, a reminder of why it’s important to be aware of everyone and everything on the road – it can be a matter of life and death. It happened as he was riding southbound on East Marginal Way near its turn into Alaskan Way, as he headed back to West Seattle after yesterday’s Mariners game. WARNING: LOTS OF PROFANITY – the video is not edited and so, Al says, “A word of warning…If you don’t want to hear a bunch of words and phrases most parents don’t teach their children, hit the ‘mute’ button.” You have lots of time once you hit “play,” as the truck does not come into view until almost a minute into the video, and the collision happens shortly thereafter. Al adds, “I was very lucky and I’m okay (a scratch on my left elbow and thigh), my bike was mended (rode straight to Alki Bike with a rubbing I couldn’t find).” He says the crash was reported to police and that Port of Seattle PD took a report. East Marginal Way S. was in the spotlight in 2013 after a deadly crash (less than a mile south of Al’s incident), and is one of the “multimodal corridors” that SDOT is currently studying for safety improvements.
(Surfbird, back from Alaska. Photo by Mark Wangerin)
Some of what’s up today/tonight, including listings from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
DAY OF SERVICE: Service projects instead of picketing this morning in Day 3 of the Seattle Education Association strike. Here’s our list of what educators from local schools are doing; community participation is welcome at most sites. And if you checked the list last night – please note that we have added several since then, including one immediately before publishing this!
ALKI BEACH READ-IN: This afternoon, many striking educators are inviting students/families/caregivers to Alki Beach, at and around Statue of Liberty Plaza, for a “read-in,” 12:30-3 pm. Details here, as first published Wednesday night. (60th SW & SW Alki)
WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: 5-7 pm at Barnes and Noble/Westwood Village, meet and hear from West Seattle-based crime-fiction author David Kannas. Here’s the video preview:
More info about tonight’s event and the ongoing literary series is on the website of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, which presents the series. (2800 SW Barton)
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT #1: 5:30 pm at Admiral Congregational Church – details (including how to check for availability) here. (California SW & SW Hill)
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT #2: 6 pm at Lee’s Martial Arts Academy – details (including how to check for availability) here. (3270 California SW)
SAN GENNARO FESTIVAL: 6-10 pm, first night of the West Seattleite-organized Italian-American celebration in Georgetown with food, music, and more, now in its third year. Details and map are in our calendar listing. (S. Angelo & Ellis S.)
THADDEUS SPAE: Jazz, blues, and folk music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
THE SLAGS AT THE POGGIE: 9 pm, see and hear popular local band The Slags at Poggie Tavern in The Junction. (4717 California SW)
EVEN MORE TODAY/TONIGHT … just check out our complete calendar!
Family and friends are mourning Steve James Bratsanos, who died two weeks ago at 89. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:
Steve was born July 12, 1926 in Psara, Greece, and passed away August 28, 2015. Loving husband, father, and grandfather. Steve loved his church, his family, and especially his granddaughters. He had a lifelong love of sailboats and the sea. He was patient, kind, never complained, and always had a smile on his face.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rose; daughter Marianne, son James, daughter-in-law Leslie, and his two granddaughters Amalia and Eliana. He will be greatly missed. Remembrances may be made to the Assumption Church or Philoptochos. Visit greeksinwashington.org/seattle-or-nothing to learn more about Steve’s life. Services were held last weekend. From the program:
Steve (Stamati) was born on the island of Palea Psara, Greece, the youngest of three children. He had a trying life but always kept a smile on his face. As a young teenager, he survived the German occupation of Psara during WWII and its accompanying deprivations. The memory of those tough times stayed fresh through his whole life. He loved his adopted country and was proud of being an American, but his path to citizenship was not easy.
(City cameras appear to be down – see other state cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:40 AM: Good morning. We start with word of a crash at Delridge/Oregon – a texter tells us Delridge is closed southbound at Genesee. More…
6:45 AM: SB has just reopened, per scanner. City Light was checking out a utility pole because of the crash.
6:52 AM: Reminder that Seattle Public Schools are NOT in session; it’s the third day of the Seattle Education Association‘s strike. Instead of picketing, teachers have service projects today, most of which the community’s invited to join – see our list here.
SCHOOL-ZONE BEACONS/CAMERAS: Some (if not all) have been flashing despite school not being in session. If anyone receives a ticket from a camera in Seattle Public Schools areas – Roxhill and Gatewood (the new camera near STEM/temp Arbor Heights on Delridge would be starting with warnings only) – SDOT tells us, “Our understanding is that the Seattle Police Department will not issue citations based on camera data for the public schools which are not yet open; however, citations will be given for speeding in the case of Holy Family School, which is open and operating.” We’re still checking on the issue of why the beacons are flashing at all. (added) To that last point, SDOT’s Marybeth Turner says, “The beacons are programmed. To have some working and some not would take custom programming. We’re looking into that.”
ADDED 7:25 AM – TODAY’S ROAD-WORK ALERTS: As published here last night, SDOT says microsurfacing work scheduled to be completed in Arbor Heights/Arroyos areas yesterday was not, so it’s happening today instead. … 35th SW paving work between Cambridge and Barton, which DID begin on Thursday, is scheduled to continue today … As of our check yesterday morning, the SPU sewer projects on 48th and 49th SW had not started; we’re checking again today.
This is the fifth fall that Chief Sealth International High School graduates are among the new South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) students taking advantage of the 13th Year Promise – a free year of tuition. It was first offered to Cleveland High School graduating seniors in 2008, adding Sealth in 2011, and Rainier Beach in 2013. We stopped by SSC on Thursday as this year’s group finished the summer jump-start known as “Bridge.” Among those they heard from, SSC president Gary Oertli, who had a personal story to tell:
Oertli is a Sealth alum who was one of the first in his family to go to college – the University of Washington, he said, though the accomplishments of which he’s proudest are those of his daughters, both college graduates. He told the students that people who finish college are more likely to have kids who go to college. For students interested in starting at SSC and transferring, he added, they do better at UW than many of those who are there from the start. We talked briefly with one of the Sealth grads who’s taking advantage of the 13th Year Promise, Mallena Garcia:
One more side note – former Seahawks player Edwin Bailey was among those in attendance, there with two other Sealth alums, West Seattle entrepreneur Steve Huling and lawyer Jerry Cohen. Bailey had recently spoken to their 50th-anniversary class reunion and mentioned the 13th Year Promise program, which led some of the alums to make contributions, and he attended Thursday’s event as an honored guest. The program is funded via the college’s donation-powered Foundation and is available to Sealth, Cleveland, and RB graduates regardless of financial need/status, as explained here.
P.S. Fall classes start at SSC on September 28th.
(MORE SERVICE PROJECTS ADDED to list Friday morning – thanks for sending – editor@westseattleblog.com)
To recap the toplines after 2 days of the Seattle Education Association strike:
*No school Friday
*No new negotiations so far; each side met today with mediators. Seattle Public Schools held a short media briefing at 5 pm; we published immediate toplines in our earlier coverage as well as our social-media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram), and also recorded it on video:
Our earlier coverage also includes union comments – while the district says the union “has not responded” to its 5:15 pm Tuesday offer, the union says it was essentially not a new offer so its response was to announce the strike.
*No picketing tomorrow – teachers plan to spend the morning on service projects (it’s National Day of Service) and then there’s at least one afternoon activity.
(Gatewood educators who worked at a Morgan Junction park on Thursday – photo courtesy Barry White)
Students and families are welcome, we’re told, to join in any and all of these:
COMBINED SCHOOL SERVICE PROJECT: DENNY INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL & CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Instead of picketing tomorrow, the above mentioned striking teachers, staff & parents will be participating in a combined service project along the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail. Blackberry removal will begin at 8:30 at the Thistle P-Patch, and going further in along the trail.
There will also be a Read-In along Thistle St. working in shifts, and then reading.
At 11:30 we will do a trash pickup, while walking along several different routes to Castle Park. A BBQ will be held there at 12:00. All are welcome to join.
If people want to join or support, it would be fantastic. We will need leather gloves, pointed shovels, loppers, hand pruners, tarps. Any drop
offs of breakfast food, while we are at the Longfellow Creek P Patch, would be appreciated. At Castle Rock we will be BBQing so any potluck style foods would be great at that time. We plan to converge with the folks from Roxhill Elementary there at 12 noon.To sum up:
8:30 am Blackberry removal, Thistle P-Patch.
11:30 Trash cleanup as walking to Castle Park, to meet Roxhill supporters.
12:00 Barbecue at Castle Park for support and fellowship.What is needed?
1. The YMCA’s earth service corps will be bringing tools for about 40 people, we could definitely use more gloves, loppers, pointy shovels,
pitchforks, yard waste bags2. Breakfast Items for the morning clean up at the Thistle P-Patch, beginning around 8:00am
3. Potluck lunch items at Castle Park for barbecue lunch beginning around 12:00
Thank you for your support, West Seattle! (Facebook link here)
FROM ROXHILL ELEMENTARY (mentioned above)
Roxhill Elementary Staff voted to spend their Day of Service at Roxhill Park. They will be picking up trash and removing invasive species as park of the larger efforts of Denny and Sealth to clean the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail.
They will be out in the park starting at 8:30 am and they are welcoming students and caregivers to join them.
FROM FAIRMOUNT PARK ELEMENTARY:
We are trying to get word out to West Seattle educators, families, and community supporters who would like to join us for our service project tomorrow morning. Meet at “Anchor Park” at the Duwamish Head at 8:30 am. Garbage bags will be provided. Wear red, wear gloves.
The International Coastal Cleanup is the world’s largest volunteer effort on behalf of our oceans, lakes and rivers—a massive display of teamwork that removes millions of pounds of plastic and other trash from shorelines and water bodies around the globe. Pick up litter and record what you find to be added to the Global Trash Index while on strike Friday, September 11th.
FROM ALKI ELEMENTARY: Cleanup on Alki Beach (multiple schools participating), 8:30-10:30 am, area students/families welcome. Meet at Alki Statue of Liberty.
CONCORD INTERNATIONAL: Their service project is at South Park’s Marra Farm.
HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY: They’ll be working at the Salvation Army facility in White Center.
(added) WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL: Participating in the Alki cleanup (meet at Statue of Liberty, 8:30 am) and also cleaning up along California SW in front of Hiawatha/WSHS and on the east side of the street, also starting at 8:30 am, community welcome to join in either/both.
(added) LOUISA BOREN STEM K-8: Delridge/Myrtle “bucket brigade” – details here.
(added) LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY: As shared by the West Seattle Food Bank:
Lafayette Elementary School teachers are having a food drive for the West Seattle Food Bank at Lafayette school at 2645 California Ave. SW in the Admiral District. The food drive will be from 9 am to 12 noon today, Friday, 9/11 and they want to receive donations for our Backpack Program which provides healthy weekend meals to school children from 8 West Seattle schools at risk of hunger over the weekend. Items needed are individual servings of shelf stable milk (cow, soy or almond), boxed or caned juices, individual meals in one like soups, mac n’ cheese, ravioli, cup of noodles/top ramen, applesauce/fruit cups and peanut butter or tuna snack packs. Please stop by and support the teachers and your school children in need.
THEN ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON … The Alki Beach Read-In, 12:30-3 pm, full details published here late last night.
Something to add for tomorrow? editor@westseattleblog.com or post info in comments and we’ll add it to the list too
Received tonight from SDOT:
We are writing to provide an update on the microsurfacing project in Arbor Heights. We will be using our make-up day, tomorrow, Friday, September 11, to complete microsurfacing on the following streets:
*SW Arroyo Dr and 39th Ave SW, beginning at 9 AM
*49th Ave SW
*SW 112th St between Marine View Dr SW and 35th Ave SW, including side streets scheduled for microsurfacing
*SW Ocean View Dr
*SW 114th StWe understand using our make-up day may interrupt plans or be otherwise inconvenient, and we make every effort to avoid such occurrences. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we complete this work.
If you have any questions about what to expect during tomorrow’s work or about the project, please feel free to review the attached construction notice we sent previously or contact us.
Here’s that notice; the project hotline is 206-727-3669.
Second Thursday means lots of art around West Seattle – our first stop is C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), where our crew spotted this chalk art outside, and will be talking with painter Jennifer Carrasco inside. It’s Art Walk night until 9 pm – more info on the official WSAW website!
ADDED 7:08 PM: Happening now at a longtime Art Walk stop, Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor):
That’s artist Deanna Baldi, with her “Morpheus and Adonis series of pyrographic paintings (the Greek names refer to poppies and anemone flowers she paints),” per Click! co-proprietor John Smersh, who shared the photo.
Also in The Junction:
Twilight Gallery (4306 SW Alaska) is open for tonight’s Art Walk after some recent renovations – stop in!
(Photo from M/V Doc Maynard’s launch in Bellingham, courtesy King County DOT)
If you have eyes on Elliott Bay somewhere in the 4-5 pm vicinity tomorrow, you just might see West Seattle’s new Water Taxi, the M/V Doc Maynard, arriving in its new home waters. That’s the word from King County Transportation Department spokesperson Rochelle Ogershok. Once the Bellingham-built boat is here, she adds, “Once here, the vessel will start undergoing training and crew familiarization in Elliott Bay. Then of course, there will be the dedication ceremony next Friday [September 18th].” If you missed our preview of that last month – read it here.
P.S. The Doc Maynard might be a little hard to spot tomorrow unless you’re close enough to see its name, since it’s a twin to the M/V Sally Fox, which is already in service on the Vashon-to-Seattle run. The Doc Maynard, KCDOT told us last month, will be replacing it for a few weeks before going into service on the West Seattle route.
12:40 PM: Thanks to the readers who spotted today’s Public Health “food establishment closures” bulletin before we did. It reports that inspectors closed Maharaja in The Junction on Wednesday afternoon. From the county’s ongoing list of closures:
Closed: Sept. 9, 2015 at 4:00 pm. Reasons:
Potentially hazardous foods at unsafe temperatures
Improper cooling of potentially hazardous food
Foods not protected from cross contamination
Poor personal hygiene practices – bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods
Failure to correct repeated violations
We just called to see if the restaurant was still closed; the person answering the phone said yes, but that they expected to reopen by mid-afternoon. The county explains its closure policy here; you can look up any restaurant’s inspection history here.
7:46 PM: Via comment and e-mail, we’re told Maharaja has indeed reopened. Morgan sent this photo:
The Health Department website hasn’t been updated since 3:44 pm; we’ll check again tomorrow.
(SCROLL DOWN for newest updates, including 3:30 pm district briefing, with declaration NO SCHOOL FRIDAY, and our conversation with SEA rep afterward; also, post-5 pm, more photos added from today’s picketing)
FIRST UPDATE, 11:56 AM – Day 2 of the Seattle Education Association strike against Seattle Public Schools. We’ll be updating this story throughout the day, until or unless there’s a breakthrough, in which case we’ll start a new one. We start with scenes from a picket line:
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL PICKETERS SERENADED: Perhaps the most visible picket line in West Seattle, along California Avenue SW outside WS High School, had musical support this morning. WSHS teacher Jennifer Hall had sent word last night that folk singer Jim Page would be playing for the picketers starting around 10 am. Turned out he wasn’t alone – Charmaine and Charlie from Squirrel Butter had shown up too, and were playing with their friend Duane when we recorded the quick Instagram clip above. They and Hall subsequently joined Page in a reworked version of “This Land is Your Land,” both his lyrics and “These Schools Are Your Schools,” on a song sheet from the teachers’ May 19th one-day strike courtesy of the Washington Badass Teachers Chorus, of which Hall is a member:
Page explained, “I learned a long time ago what songs can do if you let them out of their box.” Meantime, as you can see and hear in the clip, passing drivers were honking and waving at the picketers. Hall said they’d been getting a steady stream of visitors, too, including, while we were there, a longtime substitute teacher. Meantime, we’re still checking on the status of this morning’s talks – as reported here last night, the district believed they would resume, while all a union rep had confirmed was a meeting with mediators. Updates as we get them. We’ll also be publishing a separate story with the list of service projects the educators are planning to participate in tomorrow if the strike isn’t resolved by then – students and families are welcome at most of the ones we’ve heard about so far. Updates to come.
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12:24 PM UPDATE – DISTRICT SAYS BARGAINERS ‘WAITING’: Neither side has sent or published an official update on whether or not talks have resumed today, so far as we have seen. We pinged SPS spokesperson Stacy Howard, who replied, “Still waiting…our team has been in there since early this morning. We should know soon if the union has officially refused and not shown up.” As reported here last night, the union’s lead bargainer had said part of their team was scheduled to meet with mediators this morning, but hadn’t officially “heard from” the district.
1:56 PM UPDATE – UNION SAYS ‘TEAM READY AND WILLING TO MEET’: After the response from the district as quoted above, we pinged union spokesperson Rich Wood. His reply: “No negotiations are scheduled. Phyllis and our bargaining team leaders met with the state mediators this morning. Our team is ready and willing to meet anytime, but it¹s time for the Seattle School Board to step up and make a contract proposal that addresses the needs of Seattle students. Our bargainers have sacrificed months to try to negotiate a good settlement that focuses on kids.” So our followup question now is – if both sides claim to be willing, what will it take to set up a meeting? Stand by.
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2:07 PM UPDATE – ON THE LINE AT CONCORD: The district’s southwest region includes not only 16 public schools in West Seattle, but also Concord International (Elementary) in South Park. We went over a little while ago to see what’s happening:
Along with picketers, we found Full Tilt Ice Cream, which is continuing to make the rounds.
Co-proprietor Justin Cline (above left) was in the truck at Concord, while co-proprietor Ann Magyar (a former longtime teacher) is in a separate truck that has visited more West Seattle schools today. Other local businesses are donating sustenance to the teachers – the Sealth/Denny strikers sent a photo of Ripple Café (35th/Henderson) donating sandwiches today.
Thanks for the photos we’ve received from other sites – we’ll be adding more shortly.
2:51 PM: Just confirmed the district will brief media at 3:30 pm, so we’re heading downtown. Watch here as well as our Twitter account.
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3:27 PM: As district reps – spokesperson Stacy Howard and bargaining-team member Jon Halfaker (northwest region executive director of schools) – are about to brief media at district HQ, they’ve handed out this one-sheet with info from the Tuesday 5 pm counter-offer:
District handout just received as we await briefing #spsstrike pic.twitter.com/hO9uwPjUTZ
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 10, 2015
Howard says a few things have changed since then, and we will write toplines here as we hear them. We’re also recording video again today, to publish in an evening update later.
3:31 PM: The briefing has begun. Howard says, “Seattle Public Schools and Seattle EA are continuing to meet with the mediators … there will not be school tomorrow.” So what’s the actual status of talks? Howard says both sides are talking with mediators but not with each other, at this point. SEA has not responded to the district counteroffer made at the end of day Tuesday, Halfaker and Howard say. Also: In response to a question, Howard says, no further discussion of going to court. This briefing lasted only about five minutes. Again, bottom line, official negotiations have NOT resumed yet; there will NOT be school Friday. The district says its bargainers will be back at HQ tomorrow ready and waiting.
3:51 PM: Post-briefing, we found SEA reps in the room – the same big meeting room where the school board usually meets at district HQ. We talked briefly with Rich Wood of the SEA. He says what the district said about the status of talks is accurate – each side talked with mediators today. What exactly will it take to get them actually negotiating again? we asked him. From SEA’s perspective, they are looking for some hint that the district is willing to yield. He said if there’s no indication of that, then, in SEA’s view, they *did* respond to the Tuesday offer – by leaving the talks and announcing the strike.
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4:50 PM: We are working on a separate report with video from the district briefing plus a list of service projects announced for tomorrow plus a reminder of the “read-in” to which all local families are invited on Alki tomorrow afternoon (any info about tomorrow, please e-mail us – editor@westseattleblog.com). Meantime, for the record, adding more picket-line photos sent to us from local schools today … – first, via Twitter:
#picketpix #seattleea as @sanislo heads out to join @k8stem and Arbor Heights @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/saTRzxTewH
— Craig Seasholes (@CraigSeasholes) September 10, 2015
Day 2 Seattle teacher strike. Proud of our amazing Schmitz Park teachers!!! #SPSstrike #4myteachers @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/8QrabIGjy9
— sgerding (@sgerding) September 10, 2015
The cutest picketer in town (my kid) @ Boren STEM K-8 @westseattleblog seapubschools @PrinciPalOstrom @KING5Seattle pic.twitter.com/I13HFv2Raa
— Clayton P. Graham (@SeaDirtLawyer) September 10, 2015
Passing Chief Sealth IHS picket line along SW Thistle as we head to Concord… #SPSStrike pic.twitter.com/sVy4eCwpMp
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 10, 2015
5:31 PM: And these are photos we’ve received via e-mail – thanks! First, from Lafayette Elementary in The Admiral District, photo by Elia Hilgenberg:
And this view’s from Carrie Ann LeBlanc:who
At West Seattle Elementary in High Point, photo courtesy Colleen Farrell:
From Darren Radu at Gatewood Elementary:
Our entire faculty is out in force again today. We’ve been overwhelmed with support from both Gatewood families and the greater West Seattle community, from honking and waving to snacks and water. We’re so grateful for the empathy and understanding! We’re unified in hopes of reaching a fair settlement and appreciate that this is a burden for many families. We want the community to know that there is not a person among us who wouldn’t rather be in the classroom teaching kids, and we’re hoping to be there soon!
At Highland Park Elementary, a contingent from Ages in Stages Child Care showed up to support striking teachers, says Alicia Shenefelt:
At Fairmount Park Elementary School, strikers not only had a visit from Full Tilt Ice Cream (as did other schools including Concord International in South Park, as mentioned above), Althea Chow says firefighters visited too:
We were delighted to receive a surprise special delivery from Ladder 11 from Station 32….they brought water and frozen treats to support Fairmount Park teachers, instructional assistants, our counselor, and other staff on the picket line today! Thank you, fire fighters!
(added) From Mel, Chief Sealth International High School cheerleaders who “contributed and had trail mix made for the teachers. They also picketed in front of the school with the teachers.”
Again, no picketing tomorrow – strikers will be at service-project sites, mostly in the morning, with at least one major regional activity – the Alki Read-In – in the afternoon. Separate story to come.
Second Thursday of the month means tonight brings the September edition of the West Seattle Art Walk! Here’s the venue list/map (which changes quarterly – this is the third Art Walk of summer quarter):
(Click image to see the full-size view)
As you make your plan for tonight, you’ll find previews on the official Art Walk website. Art Walk hours are 6-9 pm.
Also today/tonight:
CHIPOTLE OPENING DAY: Today is the announced opening day for Chipotle Mexican Grill in The Junction, as reported here last month.
(Photo shared by Michael, added Thursday evening)
**11:54 am update – we went by to check, and the restaurant is indeed open, and busy.** (4730 California SW)
FRESH PRODUCE ON DELRIDGE: Second-to-last chance this summer to buy farm-fresh produce at the Delridge Grocery Farm Stand, 4-7 pm. While you’re there, talk to reps from DG (which is a WSB sponsor) about membership, to help them make the final push to open their permanent storefront nearby – if you’re not a member already! (5455 Delridge Way SW)
TOAST THE Y AT EBB: From Elliott Bay Brewing Company in The Junction: “Tonight at 5 pm Elliott Bay Brewery will have a toast in honor of our special YMCA fundraising art exhibit. Local photos by photographer Erik Holen are being sold for $75 apiece. Elliott Bay and the Carden family will match and donate all proceeds to the YMCA expansion project. Come by and raise a glass.” (4720 California SW)
JENNIFER CARRASCO AT C & P: 6-8 pm, meet artist Jennifer Carrasco at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), where she’s been teaching classes, with a new series coming up. See her work and that of those who’ve been meeting with her to make and talk art. More info in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)
SECOND THURSDAY OUT! 50+ LGBTQ people and friends are invited to meet at Senior Center of West Seattle for socializing at 6 pm, then proceeding to dinner at a local restaurant. No sign-up required – just show up! (SW Oregon & California SW)
OPEN HOUSE: 6-8 pm, one of Morgan Junction’s newest businesses, GoodMed, invites you to stop in for an open house. (6553 California SW)
OPENING NIGHT FOR ‘AMERICAN IDIOT’: At ArtsWest Playhouse, this is opening night for “Green Day‘s American Idiot,” curtain at 7:30 pm. (4711 California SW)
AND THERE’S MORE … on our calendar.
Just in from the City Attorney’s Office, this announcement of how it’s defending against the lawsuit filed challenging the recently approved gun and ammunition tax:
The $25 per firearm tax on retailers enacted to mitigate the costs of gun violence in Seattle is “a proper and lawful exercise” of the City’s authority as granted by the Washington Constitution and Legislature, the City declared in rebutting a lawsuit filed by the NRA, among other gun-rights groups, and several individuals. “The Ordinance does not limit any person’s right to purchase, sell, acquire, transfer, discharge, or transport firearms or ammunition,” the City said in its answer to Watson v. City of Seattle.
“This is where Seattle draws the line,” City Attorney Pete Holmes said as assistant City attorneys, aided by national and local counsel working pro bono, entered their appearances in the case Wednesday in King County Superior Court.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports:
BURGLARIZED AGAIN: Two people texted to let us know it appeared Café Osita at 7349 35th SW had been burglarized again – they saw the door getting boarded up – and even before we could get over to check, we heard from proprietor Andrea, saying, “We arrived this a.m. to find the front (glass) door smashed in. No one was hurt; the place was ransacked and items were stolen.” Police are reviewing evidence, and Andrea says Café Osita is closed today because of the break-in. Her shop also was broken into in August, as reported here.
HIGHLAND PARK PROWLER: From Evan:
I live in the 16th/Kenyon area of West Seattle, and spotted a guy wandering up and down the alley looking into people’s back yards. He would stop at each house for 1-2 minutes and look around the yards, once even climbing up onto the fence.
My neighbor recently had his motorcycle stolen from his yard, so if you can warn those in the neighborhood to watch out for this guy, that would be awesome. I called the police to report him and gave them his description.
Evan says police arrived to search the alley within 15 minutes of his call. When you call 911 about a prowler or burglar, the response time – depending on what else is happening – hinges on whether you are seeing them RIGHT NOW, moments ago, or whether it’s something that might have happened hours ago, so they advise always being clear on the time frame. (If you scroll through the automated tweets on our Crime Watch page, for example, you’ll see classifications such as BURGLARY, I/P OR J/O, which means “in progress” or “just occurred.”)
(Four WS-relevant views – more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:32 AM: Good morning. Again this morning, so far, no incidents.
SCHOOLS: This is day two of the Seattle Public Schools strike, so no students at those campuses, but all independent/parochial schools are now back in session as of yesterday.
Road-work reminders:
35TH SW PAVING STARTING TODAY: As part of preparation for SDOT‘s 35th and Roxbury rechannelization work, 35th SW is scheduled to be repaved between SW Cambridge and SW Barton starting today – here’s the announcement.
ARBOR HEIGHTS MICROSURFACING: Continues today – see the map and announcement here.
48TH AND 49TH SW CLOSURE: Seattle Public Utilities is closing 49th SW between Edmunds and Alaska for sewer repairs. And starting today, it’s also scheduled to work on 48th SW between Juneau and Raymond, closing that stretch to through traffic during the work hours, with “local access … with the assistance of a traffic flagger.” Work will take up to five days, 7 am-5 pm.
Following up on bus cancellations:
APOLOGY CARDS: Via Twitter, in the wake of a wave of cancellations, on north West Seattle routes in particular, recently. Let us know if you see these:
@westseattleblog Be on the lookout for apology cards from @kcmetrobus on West Seattle routes… pic.twitter.com/VY9GV7JOt2
— VeloBusDriver (@VeloBusDriver) September 10, 2015
We published a followup yesterday, with Metro’s general manager giving his explanation to City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who plans a hearing later this month on Metro’s first three months since the infusion of city money that among other things led to a Metro promise that the routes hit hardest recently would become more reliable, not less.
ADDED 8:09 AM: Thanks – we’ve heard from several riders who have indeed seen the cards. Meantime, thanks to NorDel, who points out in comments that the Mariners have a day game today, hosting the Texas Rangers at 12:40 pm.
8:57 AM – ROAD WORK UPDATE: Just went to the three locations mentioned above. The repaving work on 35th SW between Cambridge and Barton is indeed getting started – trucks were staging when we went through about half an hour ago. However, no sign of work at the 48th or 49th locations, so we’ll be checking with SPU.
7:31 PM: SDOT says it didn’t finish the microsurfacing today after all, and will do more work tomorrow.
While talking with striking Seattle Education Association members today, we learned that the general plan for Friday, if it’s not resolved, was to be part of the National Day of Service rather than picketing. Late tonight, we’ve received word that in West Seattle, the plan has evolved to add a gathering including families. Shared with us by Schmitz Park Educators, on behalf of their colleagues from around the peninsula:
If the Seattle Public Schools teacher strike continues through the end of the week, please join West Seattle educators and families on Friday afternoon from 12:30-3:00 for an Alki Beach Read-In after a morning of community service in honor of September 11th (check with educators from individual schools for project specifics). ALL families are welcome! We are coordinating with multiple schools for this event and hope to have a great turnout.
Please bring your books, blankets, and back-to-school momentum! Meet near the Statue of Liberty on Alki Beach. Let’s spend the afternoon reading together as we show that we ALL want to be back in school.
Wear red – see you there!
You’re encouraged to RSVP so organizers have an idea of how many people to expect – you can do that here.
P.S. We’re also interested in all the local service projects tentatively planned on Friday (both educators and non-educators, for that matter) – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
No classes for Seattle Public Schools again tomorrow, as reported in our all-day coverage of the first day of the Seattle Education Association‘s strike against SPS. In the past six hours, we’ve heard from representatives of both sides, and we recorded each one.
First – a 3 pm media briefing at SPS headquarters in SODO, during which district spokesperson Stacy Howard said “all indications” were that talks would resume tomorrow:
We mentioned a few other points toward the end of our morning/afternoon coverage. Howard was joined by two members of the district bargaining team, Jon Halfaker and Keven Wynkoop.
Second – near the start of the 7 pm 34th District Democrats meeting at the Hall at Fauntleroy, the union’s lead bargainer Phyllis Campano said the union was going to meet with mediators at 10 am tomorrow but had not heard from the district regarding resuming talks:
As you can hear in the clip, Campano also offered some backstory to how negotiations had played out pre-strike, saying the union told the district it wanted to be done by August 24th. She said this is her fourth turn as a negotiator and this is the “slowest” process in which she’s ever been involved. She characterized the district’s 5 pm Tuesday proposal as “pretty much the same proposal they had put on the table at 1 o’clock on the morning,” and that, she said, is why they decided to end talks for the day and declare the strike was on. But, she said, “All 40 members of our bargaining team are eager to get back and get this solved.”
We later asked district spokesperson Howard about the seeming discrepancy, via e-mail. Her response: “Our bargaining team members told me they were asked to report here in the morning. … But this goes with the pattern we explained earlier…we are there, have been around the clock available and the union on numerous occasions have either not showed, or walked out. So that’s why we said today that all indicators show talks should resume tomorrow. Because it wouldn’t be the first time they’ve refused to talk.” The union, meantime, has contended that the district was a no-show on multiple occasions along the way. We’ll see what happens tomorrow; the union says picketing will resume at all schools at 8:30 am (with an early round at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 in Delridge during morning-newscast hours).
SIDE NOTE #1: Later in the 34th DDs meeting, the group unanimously approved a resolution supporting the union (we’ll add a copy here when we get it), and a $500 contribution to the teachers’ strike fund.
SIDE NOTE #2: Some parents have wondered how the strike will affect the school-year calendar. The district has an extensive strike-related FAQ up here, and it ends with a section about “calendar concerns.”
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Two hot topics brought a big turnout to last night’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting – about 50 people at the start.
SW ADMIRAL WAY SAFETY PROJECT: As shown here earlier in the day, SDOT has revised its plan for rechannelizing SW Admiral Way west of California SW. The original proposal, introduced at April’s ANA meeting and discussed at an at-times-raucous “open house” in May, included removal of more than 200 parking spaces, and drawn howls of protest from some who live along the stretch, not just because of the reduction, but because it would have left some stretches with parking only on one side. The new configuration would remove the center turn lane in spots instead.
Dawn Schellenberg and Sam Woods from SDOT led the presentation about the revised version, going again through contextual information about collisions and bicycle use, with questions that had emerged before emerging again from attendees – how many collisions were the fault of drunk drivers, how many bicycle riders are using the road, etc. Numerous documents are now online – scroll down this page to find them.
The new plan includes a reduction of lane width – SDOT says wider lanes encourage speeding. Currently, between 63rd and 60th, the drive lanes are 12 feet wide, and will be narrowed to 11 feet. Between 60th and Stevens, there will be a “door zone” buffering drivers from the new bike lane (and vice versa) on the downhill side. Going uphill, the buffer will be between the bicycle rider and the driver. Between Stevens and Lander, the lanes are 11.5′ and will narrow to 10.5′; between Lander and 47th, “where we didn’t see a lot of parking no matter what time of year we studied it,” … and between 44th and 47th, standard bike lanes, and between 44th and California, no changes, to maintain the left-turn lane.
Additional safety features are now under study on the west end – maybe an all-ways stop at 59th/Admiral, which currently only has a pedestrian signal, leaving people to be confused about traveling in the non-controlled directions when someone is using the signal.
On first take, the revisions did not seem to be receiving rave reviews.
How’s your bus route doing this week? We haven’t seen any Metro texts/tweets about West Seattle cancellations in the past few days, unlike last week. In addition to the Metro explanation we published, City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen was looking into it, and has shared two things – first, a response he received from Metro general manager Kevin Desmond; second, Rasmussen’s response to that, including a note about a briefing ahead. First, from Desmond to Rasmussen:
Thank you for sharing your concerns with me. I hope this information helps clarify Metro’s readiness and commitment to provide daily bus service across King County and Seattle and increased service planned as part of the September service change. We also want to describe the lengths our organization goes to each day to provide our customers with transit service they depend on.
We are in a transition time of rapid growth in transit service, which unfortunately has seen a fluctuating number of individual peak commute trip cancellations that is higher than we would like.
(TOPLINES: Strike’s first day is on with picketing at all SPS schools; district says NO SCHOOL THURSDAY but talks are expected to resume in the morning; scroll down for newest updates and photos from all 16 public schools in WS)
(At Roxhill Elementary: WSB photo)
FIRST REPORT, 9:40 AM: Picketing has begun at Seattle Public Schools campuses around the city, as the Seattle Education Association‘s strike – announced at district HQ last night – begins. Above, picketers at the first school where we stopped to photograph picketers, Roxhill Elementary, the southernmost campus in WS for now (until Arbor Heights Elementary’s construction is done). Roxhill student Rose is on the line:
Community members there to support strikers include Steve, who says he walks by the school every day, so today, he picked up a sign:
SEA says picketing will continue today until 3 pm. Via text (206-293-6302), we just received a photo from (corrected) Pathfinder K-8 “families and friends” outside district HQ:
(Pathfinder K-8 “families and friends” outside John Stanford Center: Reader-texted photo)
ADDED 10:03 AM: Just back from Gatewood Elementary, where our Instagram video clip (mouse over the image to bring up the “play” button) includes a chant:
(At Gatewood Elementary: WSB video, above, and photo, below)
Gatewood parent Jena told us that a striker-support fund is in progress at Caffé Ladro around the corner. We also spotted this sign:
Just in from strikers at Schmitz Park Elementary:
(At Schmitz Park Elementary: Reader photos above, via text)
10:53 AM: Thanks for sending photos from more of the picket lines around West Seattle:
That’s from Fairmount Park Elementary teacher and parent Althea Chow, who says, “Fairmount Park Elementary staff and families are loving the honks of support from drivers on Fauntleroy Way! Thank you, West Seattle!” (In addition to the group above in front of the school on Findlay, they also have picketers along Fauntleroy to the west.) Whenever school starts, this will be the second year for the renovated and expanded FPES, which reopened last year, seven years after it was part of a wave of SPS closures.
At the forested campus of Sanislo Elementary:
Thanks to Megan Simmons for that photo.
Next, from Jennifer Hall, who says her photo is from “West Seattle High School! This strike is FOR our students!!”:
Earlier, we included a photo of Pathfinder K-8 families at district HQ downtown. Holli Margell tweets this from the Pathfinder campus, on Pigeon Point:
@westseattleblog #PathfinderK8 staff and families joining together today
#seattlepublicschools #westseattle pic.twitter.com/BPBLdZVmSU
— Holli Margell (@HolliMargell) September 9, 2015
ADDED 11:29 AM: Just stopped at Highland Park Elementary, where picketers are marching along Trenton, with chants and with music from a loudspeaker:
Some students showed up this morning unaware of the strike, they tell us. They also are handing out a letter, reading, in part, “We are on strike to redefine public education in Seattle. We want the best schools in the nation, with world languages, music, the arts, sciences, humanities, mathematics, the language arts, physical education, and more. We want the money spent on kids and classrooms, not on bureaucrats at the Stanford Center. We want our kids to be fully ready for the 21st-century world, not just to be test-taking robots.” They reaffirm the plan announced pre-strike, for picketing today and tomorrow (if the strike is still on), then projects for the National Day of Service on Friday – these strikers say they’ll be at the nearby White Center Salvation Army that day.
On to 5950 Delridge – where this will be the second and final year of Arbor Heights Elementary‘s temporary home. This photo’s from Krista McInerney:
11:52 AM: We’re now at Denny Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School, which share a site in the 2600 block between SW Kenyon and SW Thistle. Denny picketers are along Kenyon (including the traffic circle):
Sealth photo to come:
They were marching along Thistle, all the way down to the Longfellow Creek P-Patch east of the school.
Back at Highland Park, PE teacher Chellie LaFayette tweeted that they had a surprise arrival just after we were there:
#westeattleblog @westseattleblog Patrick and Tracey, you left. HP too soon! pic.twitter.com/6NCPz3iGyf
— Chellie LaFayette (@ChellieLaFayett) September 9, 2015
(Datapoint, Full Tilt co-founder Ann Magyar is a longtime teacher.)
12:15 PM: Just stopped at West Seattle Elementary in High Point:
Picketers are in front of the school on 34th SW and there’s also a small group at 35th and Morgan a few blocks away.
12:27 PM: On to the north end:
At Madison Middle School. Some picketers on lunch break, some march on. #spsstrike pic.twitter.com/IVATn0Sexr
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 9, 2015
Thanks again to everyone who’s texted/e-mailed (editor@westseattleblog.com) photos; we will continue to update the story with any new information on what’s next in the strike (see below).
1:53 PM: Thanks to Heidi Alessi for the picket-line photo from the newly renamed Louisa Boren STEM K-8:
Meantime, more of the stops we made before a quick lunch break. In the Admiral District, Lafayette Elementary:
Down the hill from there, Alki Elementary:
2:10 PM: Just got word that some of the north WS strikers will be gathering in The Admiral District at/near Lafayette, so if you see a particularly sizable group there, it’s representing more than one school.
HOW LONG WILL THE STRIKE LAST? NEWEST INFORMATION, UPDATED 12:58 PM: No word of new talks, so far; negotiations started in May and were ongoing until just before the strike announcement last night. Both sides are updating their websites – the union here (you can find PDFs of its e-mailed updates here), the district here. … We added district spokesperson Stacy Howard about the plan for announcements on schools’ status, etc. Her reply: “Hopefully at least one update per day will go to families. But this is so complicated and we want to make sure we are accurate before just putting info out there. Also, as of right now there is not a plan for legal action. We hope to resolve this before that happens.” (Added) We noticed the message on the SPS home page has been updated:
12:58 PM UPDATE: SPS is having a media briefing in two hours. No new talks or breakthrough; members of the district bargaining team are expected to speak.
2:59 PM UPDATE: We’re live at district HQ to report toplines of the briefing. SPS spokesperson Stacy Howard is leading it off. “We appreciate our teachers and educators and believe we have made a strong offer … It’s also important to note we must protect our fiscal health … (the offer) is fiscally sound. A contract that is not fiscally sound ultimately will help our students. We are offering a substantial pay raise … Our most recent offer provides a 14 percent pay raise over three years including the state COLA …” She says the union’s proposal would cost three times as much as the district’s offer. She denies that they are “extending the teacher’s workday,” currently 6 hours and 10 minutes, proposed to go to 6 hours and 30 minutes. “By adding instructional minutes to our students’ day … we can meet their .. needs.” She says they believe negotiations will resume tomorrow.
In questioning, the bargaining team reps who have joined Howard say it’s “complicated” to explain why the extra instructional time won’t extend the teachers’ work day. Regarding the length of the contract, the district reps say that both sides have proposed two- and three-year contracts at different points; right now, the district’s most recent offer is 3 years, the union’s most recent offer is 2 years. “The negotiation process is fluid,” Howard interjects at one point. “We are hoping for a quick resolution.” Says bargaining team member Jon Halfaker, “We believe we have made strong gains.”
“Does the district’s offer pay teachers what they’re worth?” they are asked. Howard doesn’t answer directly but says, “We want to honor our teachers. … Our goal here is to make them feel like they are getting what they deserve and that the students are getting the education they deserve.” Adds the other bargainer, “The district’s offer IS competitive. … We know it’s best for our kids to have strong teachers.” Halfaker says they feel they’ve been “as transparent as (we) can be.”
Asked one last question, why negotiations ended last night with a strike announcement: Halfaker said they had all worked a very long weekend, but they were “quite surprised” by the union breaking away after getting a counterproposal around 5 pm and instead coming into the chambers last night to declare they were on strike.
Final word from spokesperson Howard: Yes, this means NO SCHOOL THURSDAY – please get the word out to everyone you know.
The chief bargainer for the union is expected to speak to the 34th District Democrats toward the start of their meeting in West Seattle tonight (7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy).
ADDED 4:17 PM: SEA says picketing at schools will resume at 8:30 am tomorrow, except for an early start, 4:45 am-6:15 am, at Louisa Boren K-8 STEM in West Seattle. (Not mentioned in the update, but we would guess that’s for benefit of early-morning TV reporters, so you might see TV trucks there in the very early hours.)
Almost exactly one year after announcing an expansion plan for its HQ in The Triangle, the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) has a major update today: Construction costs have gone up, so the plan’s size has to go down. From the announcement:
…With rising construction costs and after careful consideration of fundraising efforts thus far, the original design will be modified with a focus on delivering the expanded Y in 2016.
Factors impacting the revised scope include:
• A booming Seattle construction market that has boosted the original project design cost to an estimated $12 million (including underground parking).
• $3.5 million has been raised to date from 240 generous local donors, putting the West Seattle YMCA on track to raise $4 million. The YMCA of Greater Seattle is matching this amount dollar for dollar, currently allowing for a project that costs approximately $8 million.
• Even with our continued plans to raise funds for the expanding West Seattle YMCA, board and staff leadership does not see a timely pathway to $12 million in funding.
Leadership staff and volunteers are working closely with donors and the project team to provide alternate plans that better fit the YMCA’s financial capacity. “We’re working with the project architect, Miller Hayashi, to keep focused on community need as we revise our expansion plans.” said Dave Kehle, Chair of the Building Committee.
Key components of the revised project will include:
• Expanded Fitness Space
• Family Programs Wing
• Family Changing Rooms
• Community Meeting Room with Healthy Eating KitchenThe community will have an opportunity to view these plans at meetings in October. Dates for the meetings and updated information will be shared on OurNewY.org.
Fundraising continues in earnest with every dollar making a difference. New donors pledging $1,500 or more can double their impact by having their gift matched dollar for dollar by the Nucor-Pigott Community Challenge. …
The West Seattle YMCA will serve thousands more people annually with the expanded facility. The building will remain open during construction, with improvements happening in phases and completion expected in 2016.
Read the full announcement here. Full details of the revised plan haven’t been worked out yet, so there are no specific drawings or details yet.
(Pileated woodpecker, photographed by Matt Olson)
Before we move on with what is already a very busy news day/night, here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
MUSIC & MOVEMENT FOR TODDLERS: Free class every Wednesday starting today, 10:30 am-11 am, at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. (6400 Sylvan Way)
HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN FARM STAND: 4-7 pm, your third-to-last weekly chance to buy produce that was grown steps away. (32nd SW & SW Juneau)
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING ON HOUSING-AFFORDABILITY RECOMMENDATIONS: 5:30 pm at City Hall downtown, the council’s Select Committee on Housing Affordability – which includes all nine councilmembers – will listen to public comments about the proposals to be considered in the months ahead. See the agenda here; see the documents here. (5th/Cherry)
SENIOR CENTER OF WEST SEATTLE: Monthly board meeting at 5:30 pm, open to the public. (SW Oregon & California SW)
AMERICAN LEGION POST 160: 6 pm monthly meeting, open to all who have served or are serving in the U.S. armed forces. (3618 SW Alaska)
KAYAK THE DUWAMISH RIVER: 6-7:30 pm, tonight’s community kayak tour features “Stories of This Place“; details in our calendar listing, including how to RSVP, which will bring you information on where the tour’s launching from (either West Seattle or South Park).
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, our area’s largest political organization meets. In addition to the agenda posted online – including some endorsement decisions – chair Marcee Stone-Vekich says the group will hear at 7:15 pm from Phyllis Campano, head of the bargaining group for the now-on-strike Seattle Education Association. (9131 California SW)
(Four WS-relevant views – more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning. No incidents so far, but we do have road-work alerts:
ARBOR HEIGHTS MICROSURFACING: Starts today – see the map and announcement here.
49TH SW CLOSURE: Seattle Public Utilities is closing 49th SW between Edmunds and Alaska for sewer repairs.
48TH SW CLOSURE STARTING TOMORROW: Another project announced by SPU starts tomorrow:
Beginning September 10, Seattle Public Utilities will repair sewer lines on 48th Avenue SW between SW Juneau Street and SW Raymond Street. This work will require closing 48th Avenue SW to through traffic. Local access will be available with the assistance of a traffic flagger. Work may take up to five days to complete with hours from 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The lanes will remain closed for the duration of work hours, and will be opened to traffic after non-work hours. Metro bus 37 will run as normal.
35TH SW PAVING STARTING TOMORROW: Preparation for SDOT‘s 35th and Roxbury rechannelization work continues, and starting tomorrow, 35th will be repaved between SW Cambridge and SW Barton – here’s that announcement.
Also, though Seattle Public Schools are NOT opening today because of the Seattle Education Association strike announced last night – with picketing planned at all SPS campuses 8:30 am-3 pm today – some independent schools do start the year today:
BACK TO SCHOOL: This is the first day at the new Westside School campus (34th SW & SW 104th) as well as Explorer West Middle School (10015 28th SW) and West Seattle Montessori (11215 15th SW); all three are WSB sponsors.
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