West Seattle Blog

Time 2021-09-20 13:16:02

Web Name: West Seattle Blog

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September means community groups are back on their meeting schedules again, with most still meeting online. Last Thursday night, three topics were in the spotlight as the Alki Community Council resumed its third-Thursday schedule:POLICE STAFFING: That made up most of what the ACC heard from Southwest Precinct Lt. David Terry. As he s said in past briefings, they re understaffed minimum number of officers at night is supposed to be 9, and that night (Thursday) they were down to 7 SPD offers OT for officers interested in filling the gap, but more and more are saying no. So we re running the shift with shorter numbers, which is crazy this weekend they faced the possibility of being down to 6 or 7 on a shift. Lt. Terry summarized, We re out of bodies. In response to an attendee s questions, Lt. Terry acknowledged that they sometimes have even fewer in West Seattle/South Park because they have to lend officers to a task force callout elsewhere in the city, and when that happens these days, mostly for nightlife safety the SW Precinct may be down to 4 or 5 officers for 17 square miles. Attendees mentioned they are disappointed that Seattle Parks returned to regular closing time at Alki this week and asked what SPD thinks about it. Lt. Terry said he couldn t offer an opinion, just the observation that it would most likely mean more calls for service. As for Alki police responses over the summer there was a small spike in June and July but a drop in August. You re still the second safest area in all of West Seattle (after Fauntleroy), he noted.FRIENDS OF ALKI NEIGHBORHOODS: Quality-of-life concerns crime among them have given rise to this new group, FANS for short. Reps formally introduced themselves at the ACC meeting with a presentation. Here s the new group s purpose: We want to voice our interest as one connected neighborhood we re all experiencing the same thing, said Mollie Means, who led the presentation. What they all have in common: Proximity to Alki Beach Park. Means estimates that 24,000 people comprise the Alki neighborhoods. They re putting together a survey to identify the key issues they want the city to address. We want to gather data to support strategic initiatives. They hope that will lead to change that enhances the experience of residents and visitors alike. This past summer was problematic in multiple ways, she said first car caravans visiting, then the chaotic kickback crowd in May, then the June quadruple shooting that left one man dead. What was really effective is that (after that) Police and Parks worked together to tweak the way things work at the beach.Pending survey results, here s some of what FANS hopes to advocate for:Read MoreShare This Three reader reports about items taken from cars:STOLEN WHEELS: The photo and report are from John, who says the victim is his neighbor:Wheels stolen off this car in front of Holy Rosary last night after 1 am.And two more stolen catalytic converters:SOUTH OF THE JUNCTION: Another reader named John reports, I got back from lovely vacation (Saturday) night to find some lowlife a hole stole my catalytic converter from my Honda Element. 42nd SW and SW Dawson. Sometime between September 4 and 18. BEACH DRIVE: Deborah reports, I started my car around 8:15 (Saturday) morning to a horrendous racket. Neighbor heard noise and looked out at the parking lot around 3:30 am, to see a blue 4-door sedan departing the complex. We assume this vehicle contained the thieves who removed my catalytic converter. My car was parked in a well-lit lot of a small apartment building at 4120 Beach Dr SW. No other hybrids in our small lot appear to have been hit (yet). The theft has been reported to SPD. (Her car is a 2008 Prius.)Share This When we previewed the Taste of West Seattle last week a weeklong dine-out benefit for the West Seattle Food Bank s work to end hunger and prevent homelessness 20 food/drink businesses were in, Now, with The Taste starting tomorrow, the list is up to 27!Bakery NouveauBest of Hands BarrelhouseBox BarCoastline BurgersCopper CoinFlying ApronGrillbirdHarry’s Beach HouseHotwire CoffeehouseItto’s TapasLady JayeLocust CiderMission CantinaNo Name Diner AlkiNos Nos Coffee HouseOunces Taproom Beer GardenPecos Pit Bar-B-QuePhoeneciaPot Pie Factory, Inc.Soprano’s Antico Pizza and PastaTalarico’s PizzeriaThe BridgeThe Good Society Brewery Public HouseThe WestyWest 5West Seattle CellarsWest Seattle GroundsDuring Taste of West Seattle week Monday, September 20th through Sunday, September 26th participating establishments will either donate a percent of sales from a special Taste Menu created by the restaurant, or a percentage of sales. Also, remember that there s potentially more in it for you than the knowledge you re getting good food/beverages and doing a good deed note that this is an update since our last preview:All participating restaurants will be listed on a restaurant “passport.” The more stamps/ signatures someone gets on their card by ordering from participating restaurants, the more times they are entered into the drawing. Each stamp = 1 drawing entry. We will select 5 winners for a $100 gift card to a West Seattle Restaurant or Whole Foods. Customers will need to mail/drop off their passport to the WSFB by October 3rd to be entered into the drawing.Pick up your “Taste Passport at a participating restaurants, at the West Seattle Food Bank, or email your address to breanna.bushaw@westseattlefoodbank.org to have one mailed to you.Again, this all starts tomorrow. (WSB is a Taste of West Seattle community co-sponsor.)Share This Thanks to everyone who s sent photos, we have another gallery of West Seattle bird sightings, always fun on a football afternoon. The top photo is by Kersti Muul, who explains it s a Virginia Rail:A rare treat to see in West Seattle. Was called by the Port to assess an injured bird and was stunned to find that it was a rail. I ve never seen one here, and they are rare to see anyway, easier to hear. Very secretive, marsh-dwelling birds. This one had taken up residence behind the bathrooms at Jack Block Park. Stunning bird, and great camouflage.Down in The Arroyos, Mark MacDonald photographed a Killdeer:Next photo is from Robin Sinner, who says this Surfbird is back from the tundra :Meantime, this Rufous Hummingbird will soon depart, according to Mark Wangerin:Mark also sent this photo of an American Goldfinch:Two views of California Scrub-Jays first, from Susan Hayes-McQueen:And from Jerry Simmons:Finally, a photo taken from a Fauntleroy-bound ferry by middle-schooler Eva, who saw a Great Blue Heron sharing space with a seal:(Just a reminder if you haven t clicked all the bird species names are linked to their pages on the Seattle Audubon BirdWeb, which includes photos and audio files of the birds calls.)Share This 1:14 PM: For those who are asking: Still looking for official confirmation but this is one of those things on which we can make an educated guess: Seahawks pregame flyover.@westseattleblog @KING5Seattle We’ve been getting a bit of an airshow over in West Seattle for the last 30min or so. pic.twitter.com/QvZOiZH8lR Chris (@bensoncSEA) September 19, 2021 1:26 PM: A reporter covering the game verifies the flyover.Share This HPAC the community organization for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge resumes monthly meetings this week with hot topics including traffic and crime. Here s the announcement:We welcome all back for our first meeting of the 2021-22 season. This month we’ll be hearing from Seattle Police Department with neighborhood crime trends, plus the Port of Seattle sharing impacts we can expect to neighborhood traffic as Terminal 5 reopens in January 2022.Finally, we will be hosting Home Zone and Reconnect West Seattle team members from SDOT for a report out on the projects they are working on. There have been some changes in direction, particularly for residents on 16th Avenue SW, we’ll have them explained at the meeting with opportunities for suggestions and comments.If you are noticing new detour route incursions of vehicles, or other traffic pattern changes to report, your voice is needed!See you at 7 PM on Sept. 22 – virtually on Zoom during the HPIC rebuilding process.You can find the meeting link (and call-in number) on HPAC s website. The group also has opened a survey to ask neighbors what they would like future meetings to address go here to participate.Share This Family and friends are remembering Snookie Gardanar and sharing this remembrance with the community:Ragna Snookie Eleanor Gardanar passed away on September 3rd, 2021, at the age of 77. She was born on May 24th, 1944, at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle. She was the youngest of 2 kids. She is survived by her 3 kids Duane, Greg, and Karie; grandkids Kelsie, Bradley, Ava, Owen, and Benjamin; and great-grandchild Marcus. Snookie went to school in West Seattle; Highland Park Elementary, Denny Junior High, Sealth High School, and South Seattle CC. Mom lived most of her life in West Seattle, then moved to Kent. She retired from Allied Solutions and DSHS as a clerical specialist. Mom s favorite job was working for Bogle Gates Law Firm in Seattle. Mom loved music, spending time with family, watching Seahawk games, going to the ocean, walking on the beach and hanging out on the balcony feeding seagulls she always named Jonathon. Mom loved dogs, especially Lady and most all other poodles. She loved Bingo, Solitaire, and Rummy. Mom checked off a bucket-list item when she traveled to Memphis to visit Elvis Presley s memorial she loved that trip. Snookie was a loving Mother and Grandmother to her children and grandchild, who will miss her dearly. WE LOVE YOU, MOM MAMA!!! (WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)Share This (WSB photo clouds seen from Don Armeni at midday Saturday)From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:ROAD WORK ALERTS: Weather permitting, SDOT plans more West Marginal Way work today, both the Duwamish Longhouse interim signal/crossing and the Highland Park Way intersection.ORCA HALF, DAY 2: Starting at 7:30 am, about 350 runners will leave this half-marathon s starting line in Lincoln Park in waves, headed for Don Armeni Boat Ramp. No road/lane closures. This is the second of two days for the Orca Half; here s our coverage of the first.CHURCHES: Many continue streaming, along with in-person services. Here are the newest links for 20+ West Seattle churches services.COVID FLU SHOT CLINIC: 10 am-3 pm at Madison Middle School (3429 45th SW), as previewed here.WEST SEATTLE FARMERS MARKET: 10 am-2 pm on California between Oregon and Alaska. Scroll down the page at this link to find the vendor list and map for this week. (The market is a WSB sponsor.)DONATION DRIVE: 11 am-3 pm outside Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds):Alki United Church of Christ (Alki UCC) has joined St. Vincent de Paul and the Westside Interfaith Network (WIN) to support 13 Nicaraguan families resettling in White Center as recent immigrés to the United States. We welcome them to our larger community and hope to be instrumental in helping them thrive in their new homes.Children s school clothing donations are critically needed. We call on our generous neighbors to look through closets and bring clean, new-or-gently used children s clothing to the drive, outside the church’s main entrance.As always, we welcome non-perishable food and hygiene items to be distributed through the White Center Food Bank. Suggestions include: aseptic and nut milks, cereal, peanut butter, tuna fish, pasta and sauces, canned soup, chili, and beans (poptop preferred).Donations of Men s Casual/Work Clothes are also needed, as well as NEW socks — the clothing item most requested by our neighbors experiencing homelessness.MAKERS ART MARKET: Browse artist/crafters creations at Alki Beach, noon-6 pm.PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET, DAY 2: Rain or shine, a lot full of vendors offers an underground shopping experience outdoors noon-5 pm in White Center, $1 admission. Here are some scenes from Day 1. (9834 17th SW)SUNDAY RUN CLUB: Noon at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) info in our calendar listingCLASSIC NOVELS MOVIES BOOK CLUB: Meeting at 3 pm outdoors at C P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) to discuss Langston Hughes s Not Without Laughter. ROO AND THE FEW: Live music at C P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm.NIGHT OF A THOUSAND STARS: 6:30 pm show at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW) to benefit LGBTQ youth. $15 at the doorSUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 8 pm to 1 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW; WSB sponsor).SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.Got an event for listing in our calendar and previews? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com thank you!Share This Two reader reports of vandalism in West Seattle Crime Watch:RACIST VANDALISM: Gordon reported extensive tagging at the Southwest Youth and Family Services building just east of Delridge Playfield. He has reported it but he also painted out part of it himself what he describes as racist graffiti targeting Black people, painted on the west side of the building.CAR VANDALISM: A texter sent the photo and report, wondering if this has happened to anyone else:My cousin is visiting from Minnesota to take care of his dad, who s in the hospital, and got his car vandalized overnight in the Fauntleroy neighborhood (on 41st). He s now looking at 5 new windows, we ve had zero luck with any attempt at removal. We think it s a glass etching compound. We tried everything from soap and water and razor blades to acetone and methyl ethyl ketone. Nothing touches it. Share This 7:50 PM: SFD and SPD are arriving at what s reported as a car-over-embankment crash at the north end of California SW, near Hamilton Viewpoint. A tree and/or utility pole is reported involved too. Updates to come.7:57 PM: They re trying to get California Way blocked (the section that comes up from Harbor) while they work to stabilize the vehicle. Firefighters have told dispatch there was one person in the vehicle but they re unaccounted for so far.(This photo and next one by Christopher Boffoli)8:05 PM: SFD says the vehicle is 10 feet down the embankment. Meantime, California will be closed, according to dispatch, starting at SW Donald [map]. 8:11 PM: Firefighters have just told dispatch that their search hasn t turned up anyone, so they re downsizing the response.8:25 PM: Above, photographed by WSB s Patrick Sand, that s the empty pickup found down the embankment beneath Hamilton Viewpoint. SFD is clearing; it s been secured from further movement until a tow truck arrives to remove it.10:14 PM: WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli talked with police at the scene, and they confirmed to him that the pickup was stolen; the owners apparently saw the theft happen, chased after it, and called police. Exactly where it was stolen, we don t know, but we ll be following up.Share This Just before the thunderstorms arrived, the first of two days for this year s Orca Half half-marathon in West Seattle wrapped up. The early-morning rain had stopped by the time runners got going early this morning, leaving in waves from the starting line at Lincoln Park.At mid-morning, sunbreaks greeted finishers at the west end of Don Armeni Boat Ramp.Organizers expected about 600 runners today and 350 tomorrow. Some traveled a long way to run along the scenic West Seattle shore while at the finish line, we heard names called out with hometowns including Moses Lake and Lacey. (Some from even further away the oldest finisher today was 73-year-old Ann Fowble from Grove City, Ohio!)Full results are here; Rachel Brown was first to finish, in 1:21:28. The first Orca Half was in 2016.P.S. Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail tells WSB that it continues to be a beneficiary of the Orca Half:The Whale Trail has been a beneficiary of the Orca Half since it was first held in 2016. This year other beneficiaries include Long Live the Kings and United Indians of All Tribes. One key feature of the race is that participants run for individual orcas, whose lD number and life history is printed on their race bibs. It s been a wonderful way to connect people to J, K and L pods and the issues they face. This year for the first time, more orcas were added to the list of orcas than were removed from it. Share This 2:12 PM: Thunderstorms have arrived, and the National Weather Service says they re likely for much of the afternoon:Thunderstorms across central Puget Sound this afternoon. Heavy rain and thunderstorms will be possible over this area for the next few hours. When thunder roars, go indoors. #WAwx pic.twitter.com/bNFAN2Goc1 NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) September 18, 2021 We ll be monitoring for storm effects power outages (just flickered here), etc. if anything happens in your neighborhood, our hotline (voice or text) is 206-293-6302.2:21 PM: And now there s a sizable outage almost 1,000 customers in Highland Park/southeast West Seattle. Some signals are out, too Olson/Myers was just mentioned via emergency radio remember, a non-functioning signal is a 4-way stop.2:28 PM: The outage has expanded to another 2,000+ customers, including South Park 3,235 total in what the map designates as two outages.3:16 PM: Some texters are reporting the power s back the map tends to lag so we may not get the full picture on that for a few minutes. (added) Map has now updated all 3,235 are shown as restored. (The map had suggested a 9 pm restoration estimate remember that, as happened here, those are usually way off and not worth paying attention to they are just guesses.) P.S. City Light says a fallen tree s at fault.4:45 PM: Forecast says there s a chance of more thunderstorms tonight, and wind up to 25 mph too.5:35 PM: Thanks for the tip. Another power outage started half an hour ago 241 customers are out just north of The Junction:7:50 PM: The outage north of The Junction is down to 114 customers, and is attributed to equipment failure. And now another outage at least 20 customers along Fairmount Ravine, with a transformer fire response at Harbor/Fairmount.Share This 12:14 PM: Thanks to Steve for the photo. Avoid 35th SW at and north of Roxbury. An incident involving two buses, a power pole, and power lines has blocked 35th both ways. No injuries reported, and everyone s out of the buses, but SPD, SFD, and Metro are all arriving at the scene.12:24 PM: SPD says this started when another vehicle hit a power pole, causing it to fall onto the two buses. Our crew in the area reports 35th is blocked at Cambridge (both ways).(SDOT traffic-camera photo)12:30 PM: We talked to a sergeant at the scene who says there was NOT a third vehicle the RapidRide bus was letting someone off, the 120 bus was coming by and may have had some kind of mechanical problem, and wound up hitting the pole. City Light has arrived is awaited at the scene to deal with the downed wires as well as the pole. (WSB photo)This may remain blocked for a while, so if you need to go east/west in the south end, use Barton instead.2:55 PM: Thanks to the texter who sent the photo above, showing the downed pole. At the site right now, the buses are gone, but City Light remains:(SDOT camera photo)4:16 PM: Still there working on it.4:36 PM: Though there was no initial outage at this scene, the map shows 17 customers out in the immediate area of the downed pole for about an hour now (separate from the earlier weather-related outages elsewhere in West Seattle). A commenter says the crew at the scene is awaiting a new pole. 5:49 PM: Looks like the pole s being placed:7:44 PM: Thanks to Tiffany for the update in comments the street has finally reopened.Share This Thanks to Kersti Muul for the photos. What looked to someone like a seal pup at a distance off Duwamish Head earlier this week turned out instead to be a bottomfish called a cabezon:Despite her extensive wildlife involvement, Kersti says she s never seen one of those before.They re not rare or endangered, though. This state Fish and Wildlife Department fact sheet says, Cabezon is the largest of the sculpin species found in Washington waters. They can grow to over three feet long.Share This Good morning! Here s what s happening along with the return of the rain:ROAD-WORK ALERTS: If no weather cancellation, city crews have plans to work at multiple spots on West Marginal today, as previewed in our Friday morning traffic watch including the interim crossing/signal by the Duwamish Longhouse and the Highland Park Way intersection.ORCA HALF, DAY 1: Starting at 7:30 am, about 600 runners will leave this half-marathon s starting line in Lincoln Park in waves, headed for Don Armeni Boat Ramp. As previewed here, no road/lane closures are planned.(WSB photo: Did you know C P has reopened their indoor seating?)AT C P COFFEE: Live music with Marco de Carvalho, Hans Teuber, and Jeff Busch, 10:30 am-noon. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET: Rain or shine, check out this underground shopping experience outdoors noon-7 pm in White Center, $1 admission. (9834 17th SW)LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Looking for an indoor activity? Visit the home of West Seattle s history at 61st/Stevens, noon-4 pm.OPEN MIC: At The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), starting at 6 pm.AT THE SKYLARK: The XOfenders perform live, featuring Scattered Sunn, 8 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).WEST SEATTLE DRAG SHOW: 9 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW; WSB sponsor), it s Dolly Madison and The DJ with a 90s party.Something today/tonight we re missing? Text us 206-293-6302 thank you!Share This Know where your nearest Emergency Communication Hub is? Check the map and memorize it! West Seattle has long been a leader in this aspect of preparedness with volunteers ready to set up spots to coordinate communication if a disaster cuts the regular channels. To stay ready, volunteers practice and they re doing that at two sites in the city these next two weekends, Volunteers are needed to help with the drills, too. Nearest one to us is a week from tomorrow Saturday, September 25th at Jefferson Park on Beacon Hill. Here s their explanation of what they re doing:Feeling pummeled by the pandemic? Try tackling a different type of disaster! Seattle’s Emergency Communication Hubs and The Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service Ham radio operators are responding to simulated earthquakes on two different Saturdays in September. The “Double Trouble” exercise will run from 9 am to 1 pm on September 18th and again on the 25th. Hub Volunteers need YOU to make this exercise successful. They need practice responding to the overwhelming requests for help that are likely after the “big one” hits. Everyone benefits from these drills. Volunteers get better at supporting their communities, the public learns what the Hubs can and cannot do, and the overall system gets stronger. Win Win Win. Saturday, Sept 25th, from 9 am to 1 pm we’ll be on the south side of town – Jefferson Park next to the tennis courts. Getting involved is easy. Once you arrive, you will become an actor for us; you will be handed a piece of paper with a situation written on it and see if the Hub volunteers can help you. The situation will be something that could realistically happen after a large earthquake: Your household needs drinking water. Your pet is lost. The gas station just caught fire but 9-1-1 is overwhelmed. Your participation will help Hub volunteers improve their skills and adapt their processes. Participating in the exercise is valuable for you as well because you will learn SO much about what to expect if Seattle were to have a large earthquake. You can arrive when convenient and stay for as long as you like. More information can be found at www.SeattleEmergencyHubs.org or by contacting Info@SeattleEmergencyHubs.org or by calling (360) 550-2234 or (206) 933-6968.Tomorrow s north-end exercise is happening in Maple Leaf.Share This 9:20 PM: SPD and SFD are on the way to two crashes: One was dispatched as a rollover crash in the 3500 block of SW Admiral Way [map]. The other was dispatched as a driver hitting a parked car in the 3800 block of SW Barton. Avoid those areas for a while.9:28 PM: SFD has already left the Admiral Way scene, indicating no major injuries there.9:43 PM: They ve also cleared the Barton scene.ADDED SATURDAY MORNING: Thanks to Megan for tweeting this pic from the Admiral scene last night, showing it was more of a car on side than rollover :Share This According to an alert tonight from Metro, the West Seattle Water Taxi will start early both days this weekend because of the Orca Half half-marathon. The first runs of the morning on Saturday and Sunday this weekend will be 7:30 am from Pier 50 downtown and 8 am from Seacrest. Shuttles from Seacrest will start early too. This is in addition to the regular schedule, which you can see here. The Orca Half will be run both days between 7:30 am and 1 pm, on sidewalks and trails from Lincoln Park to Don Armeni Boat Ramp, as previewed here. (Water Taxi side note: New bike racks!)Share This One of West Seattle s most active service clubs has a new president. Here s the announcement from the Rotary Club of West Seattle:In 1947, the Rotary Club of West Seattle began serving the local community. From then to now, community leaders of West Seattle have assembled under the banner of Rotary in an effort to exchange ideas and take action to improve the lives of neighbors in need. The Rotary Club of West Seattle is pleased to announce the President of the 2021-2022 Rotary year will be Alan Mitchell. When asked about the opportunity to lead the service organization, he had this to say: “After I became rewired in 2016 (working in service to others instead of for money), two friends separately said, you should look into your local Rotary club. I joined because I found good people working together cooperatively in service to others at the local and international levels while having fun. I saw that they are people from a wide span of ages, from those in their 30s starting up families and careers, to others who are also retired. That’s the kind of club I want to be a part of and contribute significantly to for programs that help neighbors locally and around the world. Preceding me was Dawn Schaper, Executive Director at Brookdale Admiral Heights, a senior living community. She left extremely big shoes to fill, but with the help of our club’s leadership, I’m confident that we will together be able to address the needs of the very important causes our club supports.”The Rotary Club of West Seattle is accepting new members. Click here if interested in joining a Club meeting to learn more. Share This 5:09 PM: A crash dispatched as vehicle vs. motorcycle is reported at 16th/Sullivan [map]. The rider is reported to be sitting up. The initial SFD and SPD response is enough to affect traffic there for a while, so avoid the area.5:24 PM: No serious injuries, we re told at the scene. 16th is blocked at Thistle but police say they expect to clear the scene soon.Share This (WSB photo, September 2020)One year ago, we took that photo at Westwood Village, where QFC workers were demonstrating in support of hazard pay and for the right to wear union-sponsored buttons declaring that Black lives matter. Their union, UFCW 21, took the button issue to the National Labor Relations Board, and says the NLRB has ruled in its favor. From the union:After Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd on May 25, 2020, many UFCW 21 members working in grocery and retail stores chose to express their opposition to racism by wearing face masks (otherwise worn for protection from COVID) or other items bearing the Black Lives Matter slogan.Although Kroger issued public statements expressing sympathy with the Black Lives Matter movement, managers at Kroger-owned stores in Western Washington started ordering UFCW 21 members to remove Black Lives Matter masks in August 2020.UFCW 21 responded to the company’s Black Lives Matter ban by collaborating with Fred Meyer and QFC workers to distribute union-sponsored Black Lives Matter buttons with the UFCW 21 logo. When managers banned the Union buttons, UFCW 21 filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board. Kroger’s ban and the Union response received widespread local and national attention.(Now) Region 19 of the National Labor Relations Board has informed UFCW 21 of its finding that Fred Meyer and QFC – both Kroger companies – violated federal labor law when it prohibited workers from wearing union-sponsored Black Lives Matter buttons.Specifically, Region 19 found merit in UFCW 21’s charges that Kroger violated the law by: 1) failing to bargain with the Union over a change in workplace conditions – in this case the practice of allowing the wearing of buttons at work; and 2) prohibiting workers from taking action together – in this case, by wearing Black Lives Matter messages – to protest racism in the workplace and in society, generally.Region 19 will now seek a settlement agreement with Kroger, which would likely require a change to company policy. If a settlement cannot be reached, Region 19 would typically issue a formal complaint and a trial would be held before an Administrative Law Judge, whose ruling would be subject to an appeal to the NLRB in Washington D.C.“This is very uplifting. When workers were trying to speak out through these buttons and collectively say Black Lives Matter and Kroger said to take the buttons off, that was an insult. This decision is welcome news in our work to bring attention to social and racial injustice in the workplace and in our neighborhoods”, said Sam Dancy, a Front End Supervisor at the Westwood Village QFC in West Seattle.The union is also calling for meaningful steps to address racial inequities in Kroger workplaces. Share This SDOT s share of the work to prepare Delridge Way SW for the RapidRide H Line repaving, utilities, and more is almost done, after 15+ months. That s the headline in the weekly preview of what s ahead:*Major construction is nearly complete. Minor repairs and adjustments to curbs, curb ramps, lights, and other utilities will begin soon. These are often referred to as our punch list items, which you may have heard about on other SDOT projects.*Sidewalk and water utility adjustments continue in Zone A*Upgrades in Zone B are now complete *In Zone C, traffic signal upgrades and curb ramp adjustments continue at SW Thistle St. We expect to complete this work soon.The full look ahead to next week is here. Meantime, King County s share of the project continues, including 26th SW between Barton and Roxbury, and several areas in White CenterShare This 12:37 PM: Thanks for the tips about students sheltering in place at Chief Sealth International High School and adjacent Denny International Middle School; we saw one police car at the school and contacted the SPD media office. They told us, We had reports of approximately a dozen students fighting at the football field. School went into modified lockdown. Officers responded to the area and could not locate any disturbance or anyone on the football field. Lockdown was lifted. We also have a request out to the district for information. (4:13 pm note: Still no additional details, except the district has told us, twice, that no one was injured.)1:12 PM: We do NOT know if it s related but this came up in comment discussion below and is now confirmed the scheduled Chief Sealth/West Seattle HS football game tonight, aka the Huling Bowl, has been canceled. WSHS principal Brian Vance sent this text message to families a short time ago (thanks to those who forwarded it to us): I wanted to inform families that TONIGHT S FOOTBALL GAME WITH CHIEF SEALTH HAS BEEN CANCELED. I do not, at this time, have all of the information regarding the cancellation and will share more as I get that information. I do know that it is not the result of anything on the WSHS side of things.1:21 PM: CSIHS athletic director Ernest Policarpio also confirms the game is canceled but has no comment on why. He says they re going to try to reschedule. (The game was scheduled to be played ta Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, which is across the street from Sealth but is both schools home field; WSHS was to be the home team.)5:11 PM: Denny principal Jeff Clark has sent us the letter he and Sealth principal Ray Morales have sent to families:Dear Chief Sealth and Denny Student and Families:We are writing to let you know about an incident that occurred at Chief Sealth today. This morning, there was a physical altercation between a group of students. Staff responded immediately, separating the students involved. Out of an abundance of caution, the campus went into a Shelter-in-Place. The Seattle Police Department was called to help make sure there were no related incidents at the athletic complex.A Shelter-in-Place is the process of keeping students and staff safe from incidents outside the building. Exterior doors are locked, and students remain in classrooms and go about normal activities. Please be assured that the safety of every child is our number one priority. The Chief Sealth staff will continue to engage with our students proactively with an emphasis on restorative justice to repair any needed relationship harm.We are proud of the way students at both Chief Sealth and Denny responded to the Shelter-in-Place. Throughout the process, students respectfully followed health and safety protocols.This evening’s Chief Sealth Football game has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a future date.Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership!Sincerely, Principal Ray MoralesChief Sealth International High School Principal Jeff ClarkDenny International Middle SchoolShare This WEST SEATTLE BEACHES: Here's when to see what summer's lowest low tide reveals westseattleblog.com (Photo by Gill Loring, from May's low-low tides) Another round of low-low tides is coming up in the next week, including this summer's lowest low tide (minus 4 feet) on Friday. Here's what's happening...

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