We have decided to close. We had an OK year, but it’s just not enough to warrant going further into debt. We tried to renegotiate our rent to no avail. We had awesome guests and they made it worthwhile.

She added, “Today was our last day” (added) and just confirmed in response to our followup question, the closure has already taken effect. Avalon opened in January 2011, a few months after the shutdown of Café Revo (which had been in operation a year and a half); before that, the space had been home to a furnishings store.

(Stairway at 61st/Spokane, which will connect to another one above it as a result of this project)
From SDOT: Work starts Monday on a 2-month project to build a new staircase and path in the South Alki/Beach Drive area, at 61st/60th/Spokane (map). Read on for the full announcement:

Seattle Department of Transportation’s Roadway Structures crew will construct a new, paved path and staircase to connect the newly built staircase at 61st Street SW to the top of the slope at 60th Street SW. work will begin on February 6 and will be completed on or around April 1. The stairway will be completely closed starting February 13.

The lower stairway starting at 61st SW was constructed last year. At that time there was not enough funding to upgrade the dirt path above the stairway, linking it to SW 60th. The original stairway was built in 1945 and did not meet current standards.

This project is part of SDOT’s program to upgrade the 507 stairways that SDOT owns and is responsible for maintaining. The funding is provided by the Bridging the Gap transportation initiative.

Starting Monday, February 6 crews will remove the Laurel hedge grove to the South of the pathway to give them enough room to install and align the new staircase. This work is expected to take two to three days.

Starting February 13, the staircase and dirt path will be closed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until completion of the project. There will be a detour in place and a map posted at the top and bottom of the stairway. Crews will then install form work for the staircase and walkway that will be poured with concrete. Residents will likely hear heavy machinery and trucks operating at the site. The SDOT crew will work to minimize impacts to the surrounding residential community.

For further information, please contact SDOT Roadway Structure Manager at 206-684-8325

For information or to comment on bike/ped issues (bike runnels), contact SDOT’s “Bike and Walk” line at 206-684-7583 or send e-mail to walkandbike@seattle.gov .

SDOT’s Marybeth Turner also tells WSB, “The top stairway will have a ‘runnel’ for bikes like the bottom stairway.”

ADDED 3:53 PM: Our partners at the Seattle Times say workplace-safety investigators are on the scene.

ADDED 4:26 PM: Steve Hirsh, Vigor spokesperson, tells WSB: “A Vigor Shipyards employee was fatally injured shortly after noon today while at work on the drill rig ‘Kulluk.’ Vigor immediately instituted a safety stand-down at all of our facilities while we and safety officials thoroughly investigate the tragic accident.” The Kulluk has been at Vigor for work since midsummer.

White Center is where Justin Cline and Ann Magyar launched Full Tilt Ice Cream, and it’s where they’re adding an additional business space to facilitate more growth.

We were there two hours ago when Justin got the keys (from broker Mary K. Wynn, left) to the 16th SW space on the south block of downtown White Center that was briefly known as GAME Lounge, before that the Hang Around and The Wall, among other identities – like a fancy restaurant called Epicure.

But he has one other motivation besides more room to facilitate growth:

“Just knowing this won’t be another dive bar again.”

Toting son Moss, who’s about to celebrate his first birthday, Justin showed us around on behalf of WSB and our WC news site White Center Now.

The kitchen side of the 6,061-square-foot space will be manufacturing and warehousing for Full Tilt Ice Cream, and will enable them to do more whole sale selling. The other side – on the north – will be turned eventually into “some sort of retail space and artist gallery,” Justin explains.

It’ll enable Full Tilt to do many more things, even give tours to kids’ groups who just couldn’t fit into the space at the back of their original White Center location, opened three and a half years ago. (It’s spawned three other locations along the way – Ballard, Columbia City, U-District.)

The White Center space has alley access, even a deck out the back stairs.

Justin says they’ll start work this weekend on “basically gut(ting) it” – though they’re still debating the fate of some unusual interior features, like the wall of “big stones” – and hope to be using it in a big way within about two months. Even before then, he’s giving some space to Bike Works, to teach bicycle repair for the next six weeks.

Come be a part of the Gathering of Neighbors: Businesses and Community organizations from across the West Seattle Peninsula, all together, one day, one place, as “one community”.

April 21st, 2012 marks the return of the Gathering of Neighbors, this year sponsored by Visualizing Increased Engagement West Seattle(VIEWS) and SW Youth and Family Services. The combination of both community and businesses participants promises to have Chief Sealth High School bursting at the seams with booths full of information.

Attendees will experience, in one place and time, the tremendous wealth of services and goods available to them in their own neighborhoods right here in West Seattle. Entertainment and refreshments will be part of the celebration.

Part of our celebration will be appreciation for the artistic side of West Seattle, and we will be featuring a photo, logo, and essay contest. There were will be suggested topics and submission categories on the website, with prizes presented to the top selections the day of the event.

Are you part of a group or business who would want to participate? Download applications and more info at viewswestseattle.org or contact Rafael Garcia, rafa.les.gar@gmail.com , (206) 380-2066

Gathering Of Neighbors:
Date: Saturday, April 21st, 2012
Time: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Chief Sealth International High School,
2600 SW Thistle St

The U.S. Civil Rights Movement will be explored in a fascinating, four-course, non-credit series of classes offered by South Seattle Community College’s Continuing Education department.

South instructor Allen Stowers facilitates this exploration of the social justice movement from the early colonies to present day struggles. In-depth conversation and study of the formation of strategies, efforts and outcomes of the movement will be highlighted by specific focuses on Native American, Latino American, Asian American and African American struggles. Guest speakers, all former civil rights workers, will add their personal and historical perspectives to each session.

Classes may be taken separately or as a series. Each class meets from 9 am – 12 pm Saturday, on the South Seattle Community College campus. Cost for the four-class series is $99; taken individually, cost is $29 per class.

Saturday, February 25 Native American Civil Rights Movement
Saturday, March 3 Latino American Rights Movement
Saturday, March 10 Asian American Civil Rights Movement
Saturday, March 17 African American Civil Rights Movement
Register online at www.LearnAtSouth.org, or call (260) 934-5339 for more information.

(Photo courtesy WSSC)
WEST SEATTLE SOCCER CLUB REGISTRATION STARTS: It’s opening day for registration for WSSC’s “Champions League” spring soccer season. Go to westseattlesoccer.org and click the “registration” link on the left side. It’s an 8-game season, April 1-June 10, all games played Sunday afternoons (but no games on Easter, Mother’s Day, or Memorial Day weekend). Registration open for players 5-12, $50 for U-6 and U-7, $60 for U-8 to U-13, includes jersey (player gets to keep it after the season).

GRAND OPENING: Photosynthesis Massage/Boutique, home of Moving Massage, grand opening, 6-9 pm 3225 California SW. From FB: “Come to our grand opening party, to celebrate our newly-renovated, beautiful massage and skin care joint! We will have food, wine, music, art, gift certificates, and amazing jewelry by local artist Penguina Designs …”

WINE TASTING: At Bin 41, from 6-7:30 pm: Reininger, from the Walla Walla Valley. From the Bin: “Swing by to meet Justin Vajgert from the winery as we explore a line-up of Reininger wines with you including a 2000 vintage library wine available for reservation during the tasting only!”

(Photo courtesy Lisa Gluckman)
LIVE THEATER #1: West Seattle High School Drama Club presents “Year of the Duck,” student-directed by Tessa Jinneman, 7:30 pm at WSHS Theater, admission $7 at the door. (3000 California SW)

MARIONETTES: Little Pilgrim School hosts the mother-daughter team of “Puppets Please Marionettes” at 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church, 9140 California SW. (www.fauntleroyucc.org ). Child-sized marionettes with lots of audience interaction and participation. Everyone is welcome! As much fun for adults as they are for the kids (and a surprise ending!) $5 per family donation at the door. (206)932-5600.

LIVE THEATER, #2: At ArtsWest – “All Through the Night,” 7:30 pm. Tickets available online or at the box office, which opens today at noon.

MUSIC: 8-10 pm @ Salty’s on Alki, singer/songwriter Barbie Anaka with a mix of classic and contemporary jazz, in the lounge, no cover … 8:30 pm, Dirty Rice with Charlie Heinemann & The Repeat Offenders at The Benbow Room at the Heartland Café – here’s the Facebook event … At Skylark Café and Club, Nine N Out, Whiskey Radio, Skullbot at 9 pm …

BRIDGE CLOSURES CONTINUE TONIGHT: Same pattern as the last four weeknights – Fauntleroy Expressway (info here) and eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct (SDOT announcement here), both scheduled for 9 pm-5 am.

(Refresh for latest image from SDOT camera)
7:40 AM: Just getting word of this via multiple sources – multiple-car crash on the eastbound bridge, and at least one of the cars is facing the wrong way. Our most recent call says the bus lane and exit lane are blocked.

7:56 AM UPDATE: Good news – the scene has been cleared. (If there are any other traffic problems in the next hour or so of the commute, we’ll add them here.)

8:26 AM: There’s a report of a crash at 8th/Cloverdale involving a trash truck and an SUV. No word of any injuries but it’s said to be impending traffic to some degree.

Out of the WSB inbox tonight, that photo and this note:

My name is Gabriella and I am 15 years old. I wanted to share my experience because I found it touching and very sweet.

While on a bike ride to take photos today, I found a gift sitting on a bench with a note attached that read “To the finder of this gift” overlooking the Seattle skyline near Salty’s.

I sat on the bench and opened the card, which was from a woman remembering her younger sister today, which would have been her 59th birthday. The woman shared her younger sister’s interests, accomplishments and love of life, and how she died suddenly in 2001 due to a pulmonary embolism from a foot injury. The gift was left at this location because her sister’s ashes were scattered on Alki and she loved the view of the skyline.

In the letter, the writer asked the finder of the gift to please express their love to those they care about. She also said that she learned that “all our love, memories, and connections are still there as true and strong as ever” even after death. The writer expressed her deep love for her sister and that the best parts of her are still with her.

I hope the writer of this letter sees this and knows how much it touched me.

P.S. The gift was a LED head lamp for riding and was with a card that read, “May a luminous dream light the way.”

Thank you, Gabriella

Our neighbor that lives on SW Elmgrove, just east of California had their home burglarized in broad daylight on January 31st. The thieves took electronics, higher end clothing and purses, jewelry, etc. Although neighbors were home during the day and 1 noticed the back door of the house open for several hours, no one seems to have seen or heard a thing. Fortunately, our neighbors chocolate lab did not run away, even with the door open.

I am reporting this incident in the blog for 2 reasons: 1) I think it is important for neighbors to know what is happening in our community and 2) I hope these scum bags read the blog and know that we are on alert – move on to another target!!!

This one’s from Adriana, and it also happened on Tuesday:

My husband’s Toyota Tacoma was broken into around 11 PM. We live on 37th inbetween Dakota and Genesee. My husband parks his truck in the back in our driveway off the alley behind our house. He went down into his office right around 11 PM and before he turned on the light, he noticed that his truck light was on and the door was open. Before he really thought about it, he pounded on the window in his office and then opened it and yelled at the people in his truck.

The two men ran down the alley and my husband called the police. They were very quick to respond but since it was dark my husband could not give a very detailed description of the two men. They only stole a hunting type knife he had in his console. We are unsure as to how they entered the truck, there were no windows broken or lock damage (the truck was locked). They were two men probably in their early to mid-20′s, dressed in dark clothes and of average height and weight. As of yet no one was found. We hope that this is the first and last time our neighborhood sees this kind of crime. I’m pretty sure these guys were scared out of their minds, and they must have been pretty confident if they thought 11PM was late enough to start their break-ins!. Be on the lookout and don’t forget to lock up your cars and turn on your alarms!

Before you can see pirates and floats and royalty and classic cars and community groups strolling and rolling down the West Seattle Grand Parade route in midsummer, it takes a lot of work by West Seattle’s American Legion Post 160 parade coordinators – andm again this year, it’s going to take some monetary help from the community.

You might recall that last year was the first year that the city required organizations like Post 160 to cover the costs of no-parking signage along the parade route. It’s not cheap. This year, they’ll have to do it again. So Dave Vague asked us to share the request for your help:

The West Seattle American Legion Grand Parade is set for Saturday, July 21, 2012. Like last year, we are needing to turn to the West Seattle community to raise funds to help us put the parade on. We are trying to raise $5,000 this year to cover the expenses of putting up the street barricades, city permits, and trophies for the winning entries.

Donations can be sent to:
West Seattle American Legion Post 160
3618 SW Alaska St
Seattle, WA 98126
(206) 935-9407
or you can donate online at the parade website: thewestseattleparade.com

The parade doesn’t charge entry fees – if it did, it would have to pay a much higher price for permits, which would wipe out any benefit and any way of making a dent in this cost. They secured some community sponsorships last year, but individual donations also can make quite a difference in keeping this decades-old tradition alive. (The online-donation link goes to a page with a PayPal button; you can use PayPal without having a PP account – just scroll till you see the “pay with credit card” option.)

(Spokane Street Viaduct construction photo, from presentation at Wednesday meeting)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Get ready for another traffic crunch on the Spokane Street Viaduct section of the West Seattle Bridge. That was one of the toplines from Wednesday’s meeting of the South Portal Working Group, an advisory group convened mostly on behalf of the ongoing Alaskan Way Viaduct/Tunnel work, but typically briefed on other major road projects affecting our side of the city, so we usually cover this group’s quarterly meetings as a place to get MEGA-EARLY heads-up.

First – if you want to cut to the chase, here’s the entire 42-page presentation given to the group, covering the north and central area progress on 99 as well as components of more interest here. Tons of information.

Now, back to that aforementioned crunch: According to SDOT, sometime next month, all Spokane Street Viaduct traffic will have to be shifted onto the new north-side structure, so that work can be done on the old south-side structure for at least six weeks. When that happens, there will be three traffic lanes – one eastbound, and two westbound.

More on that – and other toplines from the meeting, including some discussion of last week’s eastbound bridge-closure backups, ahead:

That temporary constriction is part of the ongoing Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project. Asked again when it will be done, SDOT said that the deadline for the contractor is end of July, and that they’re pushing right up against it – in other words, not likely to finish early. Regarding the long-awaited 1st Avenue South on/offramp in the westbound direction – which we most recently were told wouldn’t be fully complete till summer – the current expectation is that it will be available as an offramp, perhaps this spring, before it’s usable as an onramp too.

As for the work on 99 – several aspects of potential interest include:

-WSDOT says working on what will be the northbound elevated section in SODO, parallel to the one carrying all the traffic now (which will eventually be the southbound section), will be “very challenging.” Some overnight closures are likely “later this spring.”

-The South Atlantic overcrossing work will start this summer.

-The bike/pedestrian path along the Alaskan Way South detour will go through some changes in the months ahead as work proceeds. Here are “before” and “after” maps from the Wednesday presentation:

Don’t expect anything to “get back to normal” for a VERY long time; WSDOT’s Matt Preedy explained that for the purposes of the 99 project, the detour “will be in place till late 2013/early 2014″ – and by then, the seawall project should be ramped up enough to keep the detour in place.

-Alaskan Way will be widened this spring between Yesler and Spring, taking out the old waterfront-streetcar tracks and paving over that part of the right-of-way.

-Viaduct strengthening work will start next month and continue through August. From the presentation:

March through August, project managers say, “crews will reinforce sections of the viaduct to withstand limited settlement due to tunneling.” They’ll put several hundred “micropiles” – steel pipes – into the ground to do that.

Also discussed:

LAST WEEKEND’S BRIDGE CLOSURE: SDOT offered some “observations” – first, they “competed with ourselves” regarding messaging for the Mercer Street work happening that same weekend. Mercer got citywide media coverage, the West Seattle Bridge did not. They also acknowledged that with the Fauntleroy Expressway Seismic Retrofit Project continuing, “We think we may have confused some people regarding what was closed at night and what was closed all weekend.” One of two West Seattle reps at the meeting, Pete Spalding, told the officials that the signage was “one of the biggest” problems – “There was nothing indicating that the roadway was closed ahead … it gave the time to get to Highway 99, and that was it.” SDOT’s reply: “We agree with that.” (This wasn’t the full official report we’re still expect from SDOT – it just happened to be one of the topics at Wednesday’s meeting.)

MORE ONLINE COORDINATION: This was also a recurring theme in the WSDOT presentation – that they would promise to coordinate project information and online updates between agencies and departments even more than it already is.

HIGHWAY 99 TIMBER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT: It’s still on the horizon, but no new details were shared. This is the timber-based elevated section of 99 just south of the West Seattle Bridge, and it is slated for replacement. (Last meeting of this group in October also featured a similar message.)

FUTURE MEETINGS: Viaduct project boss Linnea Laird announced this group will meet May 2nd, August 1st, and November 7th, all at 4 pm at the Sound Transit board room downtown.

Crews will be grinding and re-paving SW Myrtle St between 35th Ave SW and 32nd Ave SW through the weekend. Expect lane closures. Sidewalks will remain open. Buses will be rerouted around the area.

This is from the SDOT Seattle-Area Construction Lookahead – which has lots of other dates and locations of upcoming work, including the ongoing overnight West Seattle Bridge closures; see it here.