West Seattle, Washington

19 Friday

47℉

day : 27/08/2016 6 results

On the night shift: LED streetlight installation on West Seattle arterials
August 27, 2016 9:47 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

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(WSB photo: City Light crew converting streetlights this week along SW Thistle)

Back when Seattle City Light started converting streetlights to LEDs, the conversion was initially planned for residential streets only.

Then, the utility decided in 2013 that it would be OK to convert arterial streetlights too, and while the subsequent work began in the north part of the city, this summer, that conversion has been moving full speed ahead in West Seattle.

This past week, we noticed a crew working late at night on the streetlights along the two arterials closest to WSB HQ, California SW and SW Thistle, which are now fully switched over in the Gatewood/Fauntleroy area. So we checked in with Seattle City Light on the conversion status, as well as the reason work was being done at night (while we’re still working at 11:45 pm, seemed a little noisy for residents who sleep more “normal” hours).

Spokesperson Scott Thomsen explained, “Crews have been working nights since June 1. This shift change was done mostly due to Metro trolley routes and to avoid disruption to busy arterial streets when they are most busy and for crew safety.” The night work is expected to end within the next month or so; in the meantime, he says, crews are reminded to be mindful of the noise, but while the “tool they use to loosen and tighten bolts does make a ‘ratcheting’ type noise” – this was the observation made in our note asing about it – “The crew will typically spend less than 10 minutes at any given light.”

Thomsen wasn’t sure how much longer the work, now in the service area south of SW Brandon, will be going on in West Seattle; though we do a fair amount of night driving around West Seattle, we haven’t seen the crews since the work close to our neighborhood around midweek. He says, “The scheduling estimates are not that specific since the crews work in rows across the service territory.”

Around the city: “A little more than 16,000 arterial lights have been converted to LED and our contractor will continue with conversions through December. In 2017, we should complete the arterial conversions.” Checking our archives, this appears to be an acceleration, as it was just last year that West Seattle arterial conversions weren’t expected to start BEFORE 2017.

Also from the archives: As this WSB story from 2010 shows, West Seattle was a test area when the city started planning the non-arterial streetlight conversions.

BACKSTORY: More background on the LED streetlight program can be found on this page of City Light’s site.)

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SUNDAY: Alki Beach 5K for NW Hope and Healing
August 27, 2016 6:52 pm
|    Comments Off on SUNDAY: Alki Beach 5K for NW Hope and Healing
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB file photo)

One more reminder that hundreds of runners and walkers will take over Alki and Harbor Avenues tomorrow morning (Sunday, August 28th), raising money so that Northwest Hope and Healing can continue helping cancer patients. This year’s Alki Beach 5K starts at 61st and Alki at 9 am; if you’re not signed up already, last-minute registration starts by the Bathhouse at 8 am – “runners, walkers, strollers, and friendly leashed dogs are all welcome.” 8 am is also when the course will be closed to traffic, so if you’re going to be in the Alki area tomorrow but not participating, keep that in mind. Looks like perfect running weather – cloudy, not too cold, not too hot.

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West Seattle sightings: Richard Sherman @ his Westwood Wingstop; Pearl Jam, Cheap Trick musicians @ Thunder Road Guitars
August 27, 2016 4:37 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

At my Wingstop Grand Opening in West Seattle! Westwood village come check us out!!!

A photo posted by Richard Sherman (@rsherman25) on

As first reported here August 2nd, Seahawks star Richard Sherman‘s first Wingstop opened earlier this month at Westwood Village, and a “grand opening” was planned this weekend. We checked back yesterday but aside from some freebies (5 free wings per person until 6 today and again 1-6 tomorrow), they had no official word on if or when Sherman himself might turn up. This afternoon, he did make an appearance, as evidenced by his Instagram selfie published around mid-afternoon.

Meantime, in The Junction …

Musicians from two legendary rock bands visited Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) on Friday, and TRG’s Instagram feed showed the proof. Cheap Trick was in the area for a concert last night in Auburn.

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PHOTOS: West Seattle Car Show 2016
August 27, 2016 11:42 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | Puget Ridge | West Seattle news

(UPDATED EARLY SUNDAY with winners added to our earlier as-it-happened coverage – scroll down)

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11:42 AM: In the north lot at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) on Puget Ridge, we’re in the second hour of this year’s West Seattle Car Show. It’s all about the details – the door locks in our top photo are on the 1965 Ford Falcon next to our booth in the heart of the show. Wide variety of cars, including a 1992 Ferrari:

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Not a big car fan? How about hydros?

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Adjacent attractions that are welcoming Car Show-goers include the Northwest Wine Academy and Seattle Chinese Garden, both right here along the north side of the campus. Wondering about the weather? It’s been cloudy and breezy so far this morning, but no rain, and none expected, so no need to worry about that. It’s even looking like the sun WILL appear, as forecast, before too long. Best viewing time is before 3 pm, when the trophies will be handed out – they’re ready and waiting:

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We’re off to check out the kids’ activities – more coverage to come. See the show schedule here!

12:25 PM: This is also a good place to be for lunch. Nibbles and Kebab Brothers are here, just north of the Wine Academy building. Inside that building on the east side of the Car Show zone is where you’ll find ongoing kids’ crafts, a race track, and $1 hot coffee as well as $5 wine/beer, plus snacks (including $1 popcorn).

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And the sun has JUST broken through!

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From right before the sun showed up, a quick Instagram-video spin around a section of the show:

The Disco Cowboys are onstage after 1:30 pm.

1:18 PM: More reasons to take a close look at the cars – the ’60 Cadillac (fins and all) on the other side of our booth sports this detail:

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If you’re here at the show, be sure to get a BINGO slip to take around to the booths (including ours) to get the squares marked off – this will be your FREE entry into the drone drawing. Also, 50/50 Raffle tickets – fundraising for nonprofits (the White Center Food Bank is here!) – are on sale at the info booth, which is under a blue canopy on the northeast side of the show zone here in the SSC north lot. Prime time to come see the cars, the hydros, the people is until 3 pm, when the trophy winners will be announced.

2:32 PM: The Disco Cowboys are onstage now and if you haven’t heard them before, they’re exactly what the name says:

… disco music, done cowboy style.

2:57 PM: And the show finale … drawing and trophy time. This year, something new – the trophy-winning cars got a bit of advance notice and have been moved over near the stage for the presentation, so everyone can get one more look at the winners, rather than hearing the winners listed and trying to remember which was which.

ADDED EARLY SUNDAY: The winner list, and photos. In the order announced, as announced, with some photos (sorry we didn’t get them all!):

1954 and older: 1939 Pontiac

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1955-1959 domestic: Packard

1960-1964 domestic: ’64 Pontiac

1965-1969: ’65 Ford Falcon (also featured in our top photo)

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1970-1974: VW Camper

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1975-1989: 1976 Buick Wagon

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1990-present: 2007 Corvette

Best Truck: 1974 Chevy

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Best European: 1958 MG

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Best Asian Import: Isuzu Impulse

Alternate Fuel or Electric Vehicle: 1966 Buick Skylark

Best Motorcycle: 1967 Norton

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Best Woman-Owned Vehicle: 1969 Dodge Dart

Best Junior-Owned (Under 21): VW GTI

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Best ‘Survivor’: 1957 Pontiac Station Wagon

Judges’ Choice, Best Stock Vehicle: 1998 Ferrari

Judges’ Choice, Modified: ’67 Camaro

People’s Choice Award, in honor of show founder Michael Hoffman: 1938 Auburn

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O’Reilly’s Trophy: 1967 Chevelle

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South Seattle College-presented Best Student Car: 1995 Toyota Pickup

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The awards were announced by West Seattle Hi-Yu youth, with the assistance of West Seattle Autoworks’ Todd Ainsworth, still in his Disco Cowboys singing gear:

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This was the third year that WS Autoworks and Swedish Automotive coordinated the West Seattle Car Show, and the ninth year for the show overall.

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2nd Design Review for PCC-site project Thursday: See the revised ‘early’ proposal
August 27, 2016 11:14 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

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(Rendering of ‘preferred alternative’ from new packet prepared by Hewitt Architects)

Five days until the Southwest Design Review Board takes its second Early Design Guidance look at the mixed-use development proposed for 2749 California SW, the current and future site of PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor). The “design packet” for Thursday’s 6:30 pm meeting is now available for review – see it here. The project is still in the first phase of Design Review, which deals with size and shape – “massing” – so most of what you’ll see reflects that, rather than full details of what the project eventually will look like. Here’s the current description, taken from the new “packet”:

• 4 story mixed-use structure

• 2 stories of below grade parking for 40 commercial use stalls and 112 stalls for residential use; access to the parking via the alley.

• Approx 112 residential units over a podium comprised of an approximately 25,000 sf for general sales and services (retail), residential lobby and leasing functions at the ground level.

• Residential outdoor garden terraces and enclosed amenity spaces within the proposal’s three stories above the ground level.

• Existing 11,427 sf surface parking lot to the west of the alley with 31 parking stalls to remain as an accessory use to the proposed general sales and services use (retail).

The meeting, which will include a public-comment period, is at 6:30 pm September 1st at the Sisson Building/Senior Center in The Junction (Oregon/California). If you can’t be there, you can send comments to the project’s assigned city planner – crystal.torres@seattle.gov – who is also the designated recipient for comments involving aspects of the project outside the Design Review scope.

P.S. Here’s our report on the project’s 1st Design Review meeting last month.

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West Seattle Saturday: Car Show, painting party, benefit sales, music, movie, more…
August 27, 2016 7:57 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Added – WSB photo from West Seattle Car Show setup)

Welcome to Saturday and cooler weather – comfortable conditions for everything that’s happening today/tonight! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

PARKING LOT PAINTING PARTY: 9 am-1 pm, help get the parking lot at Louisa Boren K-8 STEM ready for the new school year. (5950 Delridge Way SW)

TIBBETTS GARAGE SALE: 9 am-1 pm, the hall at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) is full of treasures, as previewed here last night. Bake sale, too. (3940 41st SW)

(added) WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL CAR WASH: The WSHS volleyball team is raising money today with a car wash, 9 am-3 pm, at Les Schwab in The Triangle: “Please come out and support to help us get new equipment! $10-$20 donations suggested! Go, Wildcats!!!” (Fauntleroy/Alaska)

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(Added – WSB photo from West Seattle Gear Grab setup)

WEST SEATTLE GEAR GRAB: End-of-summer-season blowout for Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor), Mountain to Sound Outfitters, and West Seattle Cyclery, parking-lot sale, 9 am-4 pm. (42nd SW/SW Oregon)

WEST SEATTLE CAR SHOW: 10 am-4 pm (trophies presented at 3) in the north lot at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), it’s a new day and a new month for this year’s West Seattle Car Show. Music, food, kids’ activities, tour and sip at the Northwest Wine Academy, the nearby Seattle Chinese Garden – there’s lots to do – see our Friday preview with schedule details. Enter the “BINGO” drawing to win a drone (free), and/or the 50/50 raffle. The WS Car Show supports SSC’s Automotive Tech program. (6000 16th SW, north entrance)

LINCOLN PARK TREE WALK: Guided walk reveals what you didn’t know about the trees in Lincoln Park – meet at the kiosk in the park’s north (main) lot at 10 am – details in our calendar listing. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

SOUTHWEST LITTLE LEAGUE YARD SALE: 10 am-4 pm today (and tomorrow), SWLL‘s fundraising yard sale is happening in Arbor Heights, as previewed here. (3522 SW 102nd)

CASPAR BABYPANTS BENEFIT CONCERT: 10:45 am at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, kindie-rock superhero Caspar Babypants plays West Seattle for the second time in three days, this time to raise money for Pike Market Child Care and Preschools, as explained in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

WILDCATS JUNIOR FOOTBALL & CHEER DONATION DRIVE & SCRIMMAGE: Starting at 11 am at Southwest Athletic Complex – textile-dropoff donation drive in the parking lot goes until 4 pm, scrimmages (free for spectators) in the stadium go until 7 pm. Details in our preview. (2801 SW Thistle)

CHUCK DIESEL INVITATIONAL: This annual fun(draising) golf tournament tees off today, 11:30 am-3 pm, at West Seattle Golf Course – info here – raising money for youth golf via The First Tee of Greater Seattle. (4600 35th SW)

ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: 1-4 pm, visit West Seattle’s historic lighthouse – it’s your second-to-last weekend for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary‘s summer tours. (Alki SW/Beach Drive SW)

IN-STORE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Teen musician Jason Kertson is live at 7 pm at Easy Street Records, free, all-ages; details in our calendar listing. (California SW/SW Alaska)

INTERNATIONAL POP OVERTHROW: Day 3 of this mega-music showcase at The Skylark starts at 7:30 pm – details in our calendar listing. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

OUTDOOR MOVIE IN ARK PARK: 8 pm at ARK Park next to Arbor Heights Community Church, you’re invited to bring your blanket/chair and watch the Disney movie “Inside Out,” free. Concessions available for purchase. And if you can, bring donations for a school-supplies drive to help students in need. (42nd SW/SW 102nd)

AND THERE’S MORE! Take a quick look at our complete calendar.

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