Fauntleroy Community Association reviews RapidRide revision
It’s been the hottest topic before the Fauntleroy Community Association board for months – the originally proposed design of the RapidRide bus stops by the Fauntleroy ferry dock, and concern the design could choke traffic — and it looks like there’s finally some progress. Tonight at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, FCA saw a new proposal presented by Metro’s Paul Roybal and Jack Lattemann, incorporating some of the group’s counterproposals. This one only has a curb bulb on the water side, only affecting northbound traffic – but it would also remove some of the parking in the park-and-ride lot. The revised plan would try to preserve the existing artwork at the bus stops, add a bike locker, and try to keep the traffic lanes more open. In discussion after an hourlong presentation, the FCA board decided they’ll draft a letter to Metro and King County Executive Dow Constantine saying they’re in favor of the revision and against the original plan (which was thoroughly explained on page 2 of FCA’s summer newsletter). FCA’s Susan Lantz-Dey got props for taking on a traffic study to make sure the county was dealing with accurate numbers – board members including Vlad Oustimovitch and president Bruce Butterfield thought that had helped move toward the changes.
The meeting also included an update on another long-thorny topic, a disputed path to lower Laurentide, and ongoing struggles over right-of-way access; a South Brace Point rep said their lawyer had found a 1945 easement filed by Ken Colman that covers the path, so the two sides are now in talks. Last but by no means least, the Fauntleroy Fall Festival is just one month away, 2-6 pm October 17th (with a fundraising pasta dinner this Friday); in addition to food, fun and festivities, nurses from Swedish will be there offering flu shots.
The Fauntleroy Community Association board meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy (old schoolhouse).
Car flipped in Arbor Heights, nobody hurt
Thanks to Christina for the cameraphone photo of a car that flipped in her Arbor Heights neighborhood, near 34th/100th SW – a few other people have texted/e-mailed. Just as we were writing this, our photographer arrived and confirms nobody’s hurt (which is why it wasn’t on the 911 log) – someone hit a parked car, theirs flipped, but everybody’s OK.
The flipped car already has been righted, but 34th is still partly blocked till everything’s cleared.
Tierra Landscape: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor
Today we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, Tierra Landscape, located in West Seattle. Walter Sepulveda, Tierra Landscape’s owner (left), brings more than 10 years of experience in landscape design and construction. Walter moved to Seattle from Argentina right after studying Forestry in Bariloche, at the University of Comahue. Tierra Landscape specializes in landscape design and construction. The mission of the organization is to design, build and maintain unique, modern, and creative landscapes that respond to individual needs. Tierra Landscape provides a complete array of residential and commercial landscaping services, including patios, walkways, fountains, and water features, outdoor kitchens and fireplaces, retaining walls, fences, arbors, and decks. While Walter was growing up, his family owned a brick warehouse where they built outdoor kitchens known in Argentina as Quinchos. His new line of outdoor kitchens and pizza ovens are based on this unique design. He encourages interested clients to visit his website at tierralandscape.net. Tierra Landscape also provides both commercial and residential maintenance services, including lawn care, irrigation, and seasonal planting. Residential landscape maintenance services range from one-time yard cleanups to weekly, monthly and seasonal maintenance programs. Tierra Landscape is offering 10% off patios to first-time customers, when you mention Tierra’s WSB ad.
We thank Tierra Landscape for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
Fundraiser funnyman: Pat Cashman @ SW Youth & Family Services
Some people just walk into a place and take right over. That’s Seattle funnyman Pat Cashman making himself comfortable in Southwest Youth and Family Services executive director Steve Daschle‘s office this morning. Daschle wasn’t around but truth is, SWYFS really didn’t mind Cashman getting comfortable – he’s the guy who’s going to keep things lively during their biggest fundraiser of the year, the XAFLAD! (Somali for “party”) auction/entertainment gala coming up September 24th (a week from Friday) at the Columbia Tower Club downtown. He was at SWYFS HQ in North Delridge this morning for a briefing – even as volunteers like Nancy continued to toil on the auction items – some of which have been grouped into theme baskets (this one’s easy to figure out):
SWYFS has more than 150 donated items going up for live and silent auction, according to Nanette Westerman, who along with Shayla Simoes stopped to chat while Cashman and SWYFS’s Cara Kroenke strategized for the big night. Most are in storage, awaiting the auction…
…but some items just aren’t shelf material, like a stay in Barcelona, Spain, or two tickets to a fancy dinner and show, and even a sneak peek inside the fabled women’s restroom atop the Columbia Tower (yes, females can go inside for free – but the successful bidder will get a tour even with XY chromosomes, Westerman says). Whatever the auction brings in, SWYFS is going to need it, she notes – she says she’s already getting phone calls inquiring what kind of help the agency will be offering at Christmastime: “Things are fairly dire out there.” (SWYFS wears many hats – public-school classes on site, violence-prevention programs, family-assistance programs, and more – and has a service area that also stretches outside West Seattle.) A few $60 tickets to XAFLAD! are left, and you can buy them online here.
One more ‘so long, summer’: Last Alki paddleboard event tonight
Greg Whittaker of Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) and Alki Kayak Tours shares two bits of news: First, tonight is the final Tuesday Night Stand-Up Paddleboard Demo Night – try a paddleboard for free, and/or race at 7 pm – it’s the last race of the season in the Northwest, Greg says. He adds, “West Seattle finished strong in the second annual Round the Rock event on Sunday at Seward Park. Local paddleboarder Tyler Hesse won his division for the 13-mile race around Mercer Island.” And Greg says he won his division in the 2.5-mile race, as did Kathy Kingen: “All and all, it is a strong showing for West Seattle for a new sport.” (Full results here.) Tonight’s paddleboarding event starts at AKT’s Seacrest HQ.
Before Alki Spud celebrates its 75th tomorrow, a chat with Carol
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Tomorrow morning, the longtime manager of Spud Fish and Chips on Alki will be at work before dawn.
They’re expecting quite the lunch rush – almost certainly a line, despite the fact it’ll be a Wednesday in autumn. The occasion? Spud turns 75 years old (and is sponsoring WSB to promote the occasion) – and throwing a party.
Manager Carol Kelly – at right with daughters Ashley and Tory, who were on duty with her there when we chatted Monday afternoon – has worked at Spud on Alki for about half the restaurant’s three-quarters-of-a-century lifespan … almost 38 years.
Just kind of happened that way, she explains – she graduated from West Seattle High School, and other members of her family were already working at Spud. “I really like working with the public … and it’s such a well-established place. … I enjoy it down here.”
Quite the view, of course, since from behind the counter – inbetween rushes – you can look right out at Alki Beach and Elliott Bay.
Tomorrow, the view will feature a lot of people, pomp and circumstance, and prizes.
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West Seattle Tuesday: 3 neighborhoods … and more music!
(West Seattle Bridge onramp, by smohundro, from the West Seattle Blog Flickr group)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, tonight’s big events again include chances to get involved in your neighborhood, and a chance to make music:
JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION, 6:30 PM, GINOMAI
Agenda highlights: An SDOT transportation planner visits to find out how the parking changes resulting from the city’s Junction parking study are going over. What’s working well? What’s not? What needs to change? JuNO president Erica Karlovits says, “It is important for the city to get feedback from our neighborhood.” Plus, an update on Dakota Place Park.
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, 7 PM, ADMIRAL CHURCH
Agenda highlights: A WSDOT rep is expected for an Alaskan Way Viaduct program; Summer Concerts at Hiawatha will be reviewed; the recent rulings on the California SW “upzoning” proposal (here’s our coverage archive) will be discussed, as will the decision not to “rechannelize” Admiral Way north of The Bridge; plus, the ongoing push for a 47th/Admiral pedestrian light.
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, 7 PM, THE HALL AT FAUNTLEROY
Agenda highlights: RapidRide update – this has been the hottest topic in recent months for FCA, as they have voiced serious concerns with the proposed design for the RapidRide stops by the Fauntleroy ferry terminal and its potential effects on traffic; also, the upcoming Fauntleroy Fall Festival (which has a fundraising pasta dinner coming up this Friday).
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS START REHEARSING, CHIEF SEALTH IHS:
Here’s our original announcement, with contact info if you’re interested in joining as the rehearsals begin.
Fauntleroy updates: 20 tons recycled! Plus, art deadline ahead
Fauntleroy Church‘s second recycling event of the year had an even bigger response than the first one – that’s the first of two Fauntleroy updates from Judy Pickens:
Sunday’s Recycle Roundup sponsored by the green committee at Fauntleroy Church relieved West Seattle residents of 20+ tons of recyclables. A steady stream of donors filled five large trucks with everything from computers to bicycles and dishwashers. 1 Green Planet will disassemble everything responsibly for use in making new products.
Now, a look ahead to a big event later this fall:
Judy continues:
Photographer Mark Morgan, shown here with a prospective customer, found last year’s art show at Fauntleroy Church well worth his time. Be among the West Seattle artists and crafters at the 2010 Fine Art and Holiday Gift Faire Nov. 19-21! Details and application form at www.fauntleroyucc.org. Deadline is Sept. 30. (Photo courtesy Enid Havens)
The day after 
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