day : 24/08/2014 7 results

Just in case you’re not sure: The Alaskan Way Viaduct will be open tomorrow. Highway 99 north of there won’t.

With some simply describing the Highway 99 work as a “4-day closure,” here’s a reminder: For the part most used by West Seattleites, it’s not. The Alaskan Way Viaduct WILL reopen by 5 am Monday, WSDOT says (as will 99 between the AWV and West Seattle Bridge). What will NOT be open (yet) is Highway 99 north of The Viaduct – from the Battery St. Tunnel north to Valley Street on Lower Queen Anne, as shown here:

That section is supposed to remain closed for bridge work until early Wednesday. Though The Viaduct will be open again, it’s still wise to avoid it if you can, since anyone still on 99 past Seneca will have to exit at Western, and that’s likely to back things up. South of there, state crews spent the weekend closure replacing concrete panels; WSDOT’s latest update says, “The final concrete has been poured on these new panels and will cure overnight. Drivers should experience a smoother ride in SODO during Monday morning’s commute.” We’ll be monitoring morning traffic here as usual, with live cameras in our daily update as well as on the WSB Traffic page.

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No need to go downtown for a ‘soapbox derby’: North Admiral neighbors put on their own

August 24, 2014 9:24 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(WSB photos by Katie Meyer)
The “soapbox race” downtown wasn’t the only one in Seattle today – Beverly invited us to check out the one that happened in her North Admiral neighborhood this afternoon/evening as part of its annual block party.

She explained in the invitation, “We neighbors around College between Walnut and 41st Ave. SW have an annual block party the second to last weekend in August each year” – and much of it is headquartered in her home’s front yard. “There are a lot of kids in the neighborhood, so this year we decided to have a soapbox derby!” In the photo below, that’s Beverly’s son Asa in the striped shirt on the right; he designed the cart with Tinkercad.

The derby featured kids of all ages – here’s 3-year-old Reider and 1-year-old brother Hudson:

Whatever the cart design – the neighborhood derby featured human-powered transportation at its finest! Some of it, animal-inspired:

Thanks to Beverly for letting us know about the derby so we could stop by. Something cool happening in YOUR neighborhood? Here’s how to reach us.

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West Seattle earthquake (etc.) preparedness: Do you know where your nearest Emergency Communication Hub is?

August 24, 2014 6:03 pm

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| Preparedness | West Seattle news

View West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs in a larger map

In light of today’s Northern California earthquake – we have two preparedness reminders. First, do you know where your Emergency Communication Hub is? The map above is courtesy of West Seattle Be Prepared, local volunteers who have worked for years on helping facilitate local neighborhood preparedness. The hubs are explained here – in short, the place you would go if regular communication channels/methods weren’t working in the aftermath of a disaster (big quake, storm, etc.). If there’s no hub near you, it’s because no one has stepped forward to set one up – this is an all-volunteer effort; here’s how to get one going.

Second, the city offers classes to help you retrofit your residence to make it more capable of withstanding a quake, and as mentioned on WSB recently, registration is open for one coming up this fall – info is here.

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West Seattle back-to-school: Lafayette Elementary barbecue

August 24, 2014 3:58 pm

| Comments Off on West Seattle back-to-school: Lafayette Elementary barbecue

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

We’re continuing to publish local back-to-school events as we get word of them. Today, from the Lafayette Elementary PTA:

On Tuesday, September 2nd from 5-7 pm, the Lafayette PTA is sponsoring a “Back to School BBQ” on the Lafayette playground. There will be free food and drinks with some great music. Come and meet new friends and reconnect with Lafayette families you have missed over the summer!

P.S. Thanks yet again in advance to the parents, PTA leaders, volunteers, staffers (and sometimes students!) who share big news here so we can help get the word out too – here’s how

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West Seattle scene: Production crew instead of a construction crew

August 24, 2014 1:14 pm

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| Seen around town | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL REPORT, 1:14 PM: When we noticed the tower-crane base in place at 40th/Edmunds, and then “no parking” signs for today, we thought maybe the crane was arriving.

Then, Andy sent a note wondering what a video/photography type of crew was doing at the site. We went over to find out.

It’s a shoot for Brooks Running, we learned on-site from Erika of Blondehouse Production. And they’ll be shooting in West Seattle again on Tuesday, just a few blocks from today’s shoot, over by food truck Beloved Mexico and West Seattle Produce – so if you’ve seen the “no parking” signs on the east side of Fauntleroy Way SW south of SW Alaska, now you know what they’re for.

ADDED 8:41 PM: Maris, who lives near the construction site, took this photo during the actual shoot:

If you’ve lost track of the project on that site, by the way, it’s 4745 40th SW, 135 apartments plus some ground-floor live-work units and a relatively small amount of retail. The site next door (south of the bank) is owned by Seattle Parks but in the shorter run will be temporary home soon to Seattle Fire Station 32 during the rebuild on its permanent site at 37th/Alaska.

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Alki Beach 5K 2014 video/photos: Almost 1,100 runners and walkers!

August 24, 2014 9:14 am

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| Health | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Almost 1,100 runners and walkers are on the course along Alki as this year’s Alki Beach 5K got under way minutes ago. First, they heard inspirational words from “Warrior Marathon Runner” Carol Dellinger, a breast-cancer survivor who has run 278 marathons, and just keeps running.

The Alki Beach 5K is a benefit for West Seattleite-founded-and-led Northwest Hope and Healing, and a fun time for all.

9:58 AM: Runners and walkers keep crossing the finish line. First one across, last year’s winner Miler Haller, 17 years old:

(Photo by David Hutchinson)
ADDED 12:32 PM: Here’s our video of everyone leaving the starting line:

First-time emcee (whose voice you hear in our video): Shellie Hart from Warm 106.9 radio:

Overseeing everything as always – NWHH executive director Shari Sewell:

The Alki Beach 5K is for a serious cause – helping NWHH help breast-cancer patients – but it’s fun too, and smiles abounded:

Eye-catching outfits, too:

3:59 PM: The results are now available online. In addition to first finisher Miler Haller, shown above, the other top finishers were:
#2 male – Joe Sheeran, 56, in 16:49:

#3 male – Chris Tolonen, 45, in 16:53:

#1 female – Somer Kreisman, 25, in 18:07:

#2 female – Hailey Kettel, 18, in 18:30:

#3 female – Caoline Austin, 23, in 18:46:

(The spellings are exactly as shown on the official results page; please let us know if anything is incorrect!)
ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: More scenes from race day:
Read More

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West Seattle Sunday: Alki Beach 5K; lighthouse tours; ‘Charlie Brown’ finale; plus, Highway 99 still closed

August 24, 2014 7:59 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Alki Beach 5K; lighthouse tours; ‘Charlie Brown’ finale; plus, Highway 99 still closed

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Today, we start the daily preview with three traffic alerts/reminders:

VIADUCT CLOSED AGAIN TODAY: The Alaskan Way Viaduct and Highway 99 south to the West Seattle Bridge are closed again today, scheduled to reopen early Monday. From the Battery Street Tunnel north to Valley Street, 99 is scheduled to remain closed until early Wednesday. Above is the “live” camera from a stretch of 99 where concrete-repair work is continuing; WSDOT posted an update Saturday on how things are going so far (it also includes maps and specific traffic reminders).

FERRY NOTE: Washington State Ferries is expecting extra traffic on the Fauntleroy-Vashon run today, particularly motorcycles, because of events on the island.

ROAD CLOSURE FOR ALKI BEACH 5K: Alki Avenue SW will be closed along the usual 5K route until about 11 am today, with more than 1,000 runners and walkers expected to participate in the Alki Beach 5K, benefiting Northwest Hope and Healing, which helps breast-cancer patients.

Warrior Marathon Runner Carol Dellinger will be there for inspiration. Last-minute signups are open now by the Alki Bathhouse. Race starts around 9 am.

Also happening today:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Fresh local food and beverages, as always, 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Alaska)

DIY BIKES: Noon-4 pm, free bicycle repairs at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center; also accepting donated bikes to be fixed up. More at diybikes.org. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

TOUR THE ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Second-to-last weekend this summer to enjoy a free tour of historic Alki Point Lighthouse with US Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers, 1-4 pm. (3201 Alki SW)

‘YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN’ MATINEE: 3 pm today is the final performance of the ArtsWest youth-conservatory production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown“; tickets online here. (4711 California SW)

OPEN-MICROPHONE JAM: Every Sunday night in August at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), hosted by Lynn Sorensen – just show up with your voice and/or instrument starting at 7:30 pm – details in our calendar listing. (6451 California SW)

MORE … for today/tonight – browse our calendar.

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