West Seattle, Washington

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month : 05/2011 388 results

Council gives final OK to ‘alley vacation’ for Junction project
May 2, 2011 6:17 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

The underground “alley vacation” for the two-building Conner Homes project between Alaska/California/42nd (south side) in The Junction won final approval from the City Council this afternoon on a unanimous vote. The Seattle Channel video above shows the entire afternoon council meeting – this item is 30 minutes in; Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, whose Transportation Committee (with only one member, him, in attendance) presided over the official public hearing last week before recommending approval (WSB coverage here), spent several minutes explaining the project to his council colleagues. Then, they voted 9-0 in favor of it. Next step? The permits will finish going through the system, now that this component of the project (which facilitates a large underground parking garage) is finalized. Then, as developer Charlie Conner told WSB last month, he doesn’t expect anything to happen in terms of construction any sooner than the end of the year – the businesses now on the site have leases till then.

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West Seattle traffic: ‘Slow Down’ rally planned for ‘I-35’
May 2, 2011 4:47 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | Safety | West Seattle news

(WSB video from October 2008 rally on 35th SW)
Concerned about safety on 35th SW, a rekindled topic here after the deadly motorcycle-car collision last month, and speeder-targeting police patrols? One of the High Point-area neighborhood advocates who has been working on the issue for years, Denise Sharify, just sent word of a “Traffic Slow Down Rally” planned for Wednesday, May 11th, 4-5:30 pm (weather permitting) – 2 1/2 years after the last one, which followed a crash that sent a student to the hospital. All are welcome to participate in this one; we’re checking on the exact gathering place.

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West Seattle businesses: New store for Nurturing Expressions
May 2, 2011 3:51 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

There’s no surer sign of a baby boom in West Seattle than a business boom in services for mothers with babies. Here’s the newest sign: Nurturing Expressions has just opened a store in The Junction. But owner Tracy Corey is no newcomer – she’s been running Nurturing Expressions since 2004, and is a board-certified lactation consultant (as well as a 20-year-veteran registered nurse). The store’s “we’re open!” announcement, however, says it’s not just a store for moms who choose to breastfeed their children: “Whether mothers choose to breastfeed, pump, bottle feed or do a combination, their team of consultants will support mothers and their babies through all stages of feeding.” For nursing moms, they have classes (here’s the current schedule), support groups, and merchandise, including breast pumps and nursing bras. And at the store, they have a private breastfeeding room where moms can get coaching and support. The store’s in Junction Tower – the same building as longtime WSB sponsor Westside Dermatology – 4746 44th SW (on the second floor). You’ll also find Corey and her coaching online – not just on the Nursing Expressions website, but also on Twitter as @theboobiecoach. (Photo courtesy Nurturing Expressions)

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Followup: More details on looming Alaskan Way Viaduct squeeze
May 2, 2011 12:35 pm
|      40 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news

(See 2:06 pm update at bottom of story, with bus info from Metro)
New information about the Alaskan Way Viaduct lane reduction that starts May 16th, according to WSDOT’s announcement this morning (here’s our earlier story). The media briefing wasn’t a presentation type of briefing but rather a Q/A opportunity availability with Viaduct project boss Ron Paananen. Here’s what we learned beyond what this morning’s announcement included:

*KEY POINT – THIS IS FOR A LONG, LONG TIME: The “2013” mention in the announcement is NOT the actual expected end date for this. Barring something unusual like a project stall, 99 will be down to two lanes each way, at least for this stretch, till the Central Waterfront replacement opens. If that’s the deep-bore tunnel, possibly late 2015. (And if the tunnel is tossed, Paananen warned, that would add at least 2 years to the replacement process.)

*FEWER LANES, SLOWER SPEED: The speed limit will drop as well as the number of lanes – to 35 mph. Heading north, toward downtown, the lane reduction and speed reduction will kick in, WSDOT says, just as soon as you get off The Bridge and get onto 99. It continues until roughly Royal Brougham Way (the street between the stadiums) before opening to three lanes each way again. Heading back south toward West Seattle, approximately the same stretch – Royal Brougham to the north, until Lander (which is a bit north of Spokane, the street The Bridge parallels).

*TRANSIT LANE DOESN’T RUN THE ENTIRE STRETCH: The mentioned-earlier northbound transit lane will NOT be through the actual work zone – it will be a partial stretch enabling buses that use The Viaduct to get a bit of a jump on traffic, but once they get to the actual work zone, it will be two lanes for everyone. (See the map atop our earlier story.)

*WHY DO THIS NOW? The reason one lane is being lost – on the west side of The Viaduct, in both directions – is because a few pillars for the new southbound replacement structure actually have to go through the footprint of the current one. So there will be pile-driving work right next to the travel lanes. How will that affect Viaduct stability? Paananen says they will monitor it carefully – the southern stretch has not had settling trouble in the past, but on the other hand, it’s technically more vulnerable, since the “fill” that changed the area from tidelands decades ago is deeper than it is under the rest of the viaduct.

We have a few other notes to add shortly. And if you have a “how is this going to work?” question that neither our coverage nor the WSDOT website is answering – PLEASE ask in comments, and we will do our best to pursue answers; WSDOT has a large and responsive media-relations team who (regardless of your view of the actual project merits) whom we are sure will pursue the answer for us/you.

2:06 PM UPDATE: Checked with Linda Thielke at King County Department of Transportation regarding Metro and the upcoming AWV lane reduction. For one – she says they will be out later this week with some information specifically targeted for bus riders whose routes will go through the construction zone. In the meantime, here’s the latest on bus-service increases past and possibly future as part of the “viaduct mitigation”:

To date, WSDOT has funded an additional 31 trips on routes: 21X, 56X, and 121. These trips were added a while back to make transit a good alternative for folks during the construction. Metro has seen ridership increase 11 percent on those trips (fall 2009 compared to fall 2010).

Right now, there is a proposal (not finalized yet) that would add more trips in October 2011. This would increase trips on the Rt. 120 funded by WSDOT and the Rt. 54 funded by Metro. And, the additional trips on the 21X, 56X, and 121 would continue.

Also, we’re seeing an uptick in inquiries about vanpooling and vansharing from the West Seattle area.

Here’s where you can find out more info about that.

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West Seattle scene: Renaming Beach Drive for its potholes
May 2, 2011 12:10 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | Transportation | West Seattle news

Just sent by Heath, with the observation, “How true.” (The structure on which the impromptu sign is duct-taped is along the Beach Drive waterfront, across from Me-Kwa-Mooks. It’s the framework for another of the wayfinding kiosks that are going up around the area – this one has been awaiting its permanent map and artwork inserts, as of our most recent drive past. A stretch south of this spot is in pretty good shape after a rebuild a few years ago, but further down, it’s arguably one of West Seattle’s ruttiest stretches.)

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Alaskan Way Viaduct closure, longterm lane reductions ahead
May 2, 2011 8:26 am
|      49 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news

As part of the south-end Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project – the major work that’s under way now and is proceeding regardless of whatever happens to the Central Waterfront section – weekend closures and longterm lane reductions are coming up starting in less than two weeks. They’ve long been part of the plan, but with two weeks to go, the alarm was sounded this morning by the state Department of Transportation, which is summoning media to a briefing in a few hours.

The closures will happen during the weekend of May 14-15. Longterm lane reductions kick in right after that. WSDOT announcement highlights ahead:Read More

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West Seattle Monday: What’s happening today
May 2, 2011 7:59 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Monday: What’s happening today
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza, photographed this morning)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

CONNER PROJECT, TUNNEL MEASURES ON CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: When the City Council meets at 2 pm, it will consider final approval of the “alley vacation” for the Conner Homes two-building Junction project (Alaska/California/42nd), following last week’s hearing before the Transportation Committee (WSB coverage here). Also on the council agenda (which you can see here in its entirety) are two of the measures that might go to a public vote regarding the Highway 99 tunnel, as well as reappointment of Southwest Design Review Board members Rob Murphy and Norma Tompkins, among other measures. As always, the council meeting will be live on Seattle Channel, seattlechannel.org or cable channel 21.

HI-YU MEMBERSHIP MEETING: With festival season fast approaching, West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival membership meets at 6:30 pm, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church hall.

FREE DANCE CLASS WITH BALORICO: 6 pm, try a free dance class with Balorico at Kenyon Hall – more at balorico.blogspot.com

EVENING BOOK GROUP: The monthly Evening Book Group meets tonight at Southwest Library, 6:45 pm; this month’s title is “Cloud Atlas” by Liam Callanan.

MONDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: Karaoke with Kelli at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), 9 pm

FOOD DRIVE CONTINUES: All month long, you can drop off food donations at PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor). Details here

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Unified Soccer League kickoff features Chief Sealth, West Seattle
May 2, 2011 6:13 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

It happened over the weekend in Interbay, but it was a big occasion for teams from both Chief Sealth International High School (above) and West Seattle High School (below):

They are making history as two of eight Seattle Public Schools high schools that have launched soccer teams for the new Seattle Public Schools Unified Soccer League in partnership with Special Olympics, which describes the international Unified Sports program as being for teams that include players “with and without intellectual disabilities,” training and playing together. On Saturday, all eight schools met for a series of round-robin games at Interbay as part of a special event dubbed The Kickoff. The games were preceded by opening ceremonies including a March to the Match. (Sealth’s band was originally scheduled to play, but it turned out that noise regulations didn’t allow that so early in the morning!) The other schools involved are Rainier Beach and Cleveland, in the “South Division” with WSHS and CSIHS, and Nathan Hale, Ballard, NOVA, and Ingraham, comprising the “North Division.” We also found the West Seattle area represented early Saturday morning by School Board president Steve Sundquist:

Joe Hampson, director of sports programs for Special Olympics Washington, explains that soccer is the pilot program for Unified Sports locally; elsewhere in the U.S., he says, basketball and golf are played too. They’re starting with soccer since it is now widely played by kids before they get to high school, it seemed like the perfect sport with which to begin. Competition for the new league continues next Saturday at Interbay.

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Osama bin Laden killed: The view from here
May 1, 2011 10:34 pm
|      39 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

If you’re still up, you’re probably watching cable news or checking national/world news sites for updates on the stunning announcement tonight that U.S. troops have killed Osama bin Laden, less than half a year short of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. (If you missed it somehow, the official White House recording of the president’s late-night statement – late Eastern time, anyway – is embedded above.)

Remembering the gatherings at Alki’s Statue of Liberty after the 2001 attacks, we went by a little while ago to see if anything spontaneous had broken out. At least at the time we went by, only a few people were by the statue – but a TV crew had broken out a large light to illuminate the statue as a backdrop for a live report, no doubt on “local reaction.” (Just down the street a block, the usual spring/summer-night Alki crowds watched as a car took off too fast, burning rubber.)

We haven’t seen official comments from local leaders yet, though King County Executive Dow Constantine observed via Twitter, “Good to have @BarackObama – Doesn’t bluster ‘Bring it On” or crow “Mission Accomplished” but patiently, wisely, competently gets the job done.” Also on Twitter, City Councilmember Tim Burgess said, “This is wonderful news for the whole world!”

A thread in the WSB Forums, headed simply “Bin Laden is DEAD,” has drawn a few comments.

Your editor here was working in Seattle TV news when 9/11 happened, executive-producing a morning newscast, in the control booth as the horrifying pictures from back east came in. Relatively quickly, we handed over most of our airtime to the network, as there was little to say locally, for a while. Feels that way tonight, so we’re going back to writing a few stories still left to tell from the weekend – but if there is a related West Seattle story you think should be told, please leave a comment, or let us know some other way.

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Update: House fire on 3rd SW, nobody hurt
May 1, 2011 7:13 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

7:13 PM: Big response to a house fire in the 9200 block of 3rd SW. We’ll be there shortly.

7:32 PM UPDATE: The fire is off Olson Place, as it heads downhill toward 509. Massive Seattle Fire presence visible in the right uphill (southwest) lane of Olson.

7:42 PM UPDATE: Fire Department spokesperson Lt. Sue Stangl is at the scene and tells us the fire started in the kitchen, and most of the fire damage is there, but a water pipe in the house has broken as well, so there’s water damage, and crews are working to pump out the water from the break. Nobody is hurt. But Lt. Stangl says the residents had just moved into the house today.

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3 weeks till West Seattle 5K and Seattle Summer Streets on Alki!
May 1, 2011 7:11 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from Seattle Summer Streets on Alki two years ago)
3 weeks from today, we can only hope for this same great weather as Alki’s summer kicks off in a big way – Sunday, May 22nd, starts with the West Seattle 5K, and then segues into Seattle Summer Streets (formerly known as “Car-Free Day”), with Alki Avenue SW closed till 5 pm.

For the 5K (organized by the West Seattle High School PTSA, with co-sponsors including WSB), you have till Thursday to register at the early-bird rate – you can sign up online here; after May 5, the price goes up. For Summer Streets, the Alki Community Council is co-hosting a big slate of entertainment, activities, vendors and community groups (along with SDOT, Children’s Hospital, and Cascade Bicycle Club), primarily between 56th and 63rd SW. We mentioned some of it in our coverage of the ACC’s last meeting, and this weekend, ACC secretary Sandy Payne shared more info:

Plans include live music, a talent show, kids’ games with prizes, face painting, a petting zoo, ultimate frisbee and other demostrations such as magic tricks, dog massage, dance, stand-up paddle board and skating demos, custom T-shirt screening, electric-bike test rides, a surf machine and skate ramp.

There will be opportunities to meet with members of many local community groups such as Seal Sitters, Whale Trail, Sustainable West Seattle, West Seattle Be Prepared, Alki Community Council, Alki Arts Fair, Skate Church, Breathe Deep Seattle …

They’ll have a full list of participants once the registration process is closer to complete – but wanted you to know that the street party will be even more like a party this year than in years past. And of course, all that fun doesn’t happen without a lot of volunteers – if you can pitch in, or participate some other way, here’s an update from the ACC website with information on what they’re still looking for to make the big day happen.

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Another West Seattle rescue: Injured gull on Alki
May 1, 2011 5:06 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | Wildlife

Second story of kindness that we’ve been privileged to receive and share this afternoon. This one’s from Zibby:

This morning I was walking on Alki around 11:30 when I noticed a large, adult glaucous -winged gull sitting in the middle of Alki Avenue, just in front of Pioneer Coffee. Traffic was crazy so I ran into the street and tried to shoo it out of the way – it was obviously injured, so I picked it up and took it down to the water where I watched it wobble and fall over quite a few times before deciding to get it away from the crowds.

I carried it over to Pioneer Coffee where a sweet employee found me a box and a neighbor gave me some material to cover the box with. …

I ended up taking the gull to PAWS wildlife rehabilitation center in Lynnwood. It made it through the long ride in traffic and they said it looked like he/she had likely been hit by a car or injured in some other manner. Anyhow, here’s to hoping the little one makes it and an update for everyone who helped out and was concerned.

From the PAWS website, here’s information on what to do if you encounter injured wildlife.

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Happening now: Super Deli Mart’s birthday barbecue bash
May 1, 2011 3:15 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Photo by Deanie Schwarz for WSB)
If you drove through 35th/Barton and wondered what the party’s for – West Seattle’s most famous convenience store (better known for connoisseur-level beer than for mini-mart staples like Beer Nuts) is throwing a barbecue/birthday bash today. WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz just stopped by, and reports that Super Deli Mart owner Min Chung is hosting a second-anniversary party to thank friends, customers, and vendors. It’s scheduled to last till 5 pm at 9051 35th SW.

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West Seattle story: ‘Just saw the BEST … act of kindness’
May 1, 2011 3:04 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Sarah posted this on our recently relocated West Seattle Blog Facebook page. With her permission, we’re republishing here:

Just saw the BEST good Samaritan act of kindness! A blind man was lost in the middle of California Ave at the bottom of Gatewood Hill. Walking back and forth between all lanes of traffic.

And a man on the side of the road tried to help but accidentally scared the man. So the woman in the car that had stopped opposite of me got out of her car, realized he was scared, put her foot in front of his cane, and helped him to the sidewalk. It was so awesome to see. I just wanted to share. If she happens to see this- thank you!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: ‘Pretty strange’; seeking witnesses
May 1, 2011 2:54 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Hannah acknowledges that the circumstances of her story regarding an acquaintance victimized by a thief are “pretty strange,” but she’s sharing it to ask if any witnesses are out there. Read on:Read More

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Speeder roundup: Police hit West Seattle’s Highland Park Way
May 1, 2011 11:01 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Results of yet another speeder roundup are on the Seattle Police SPD Blotter this morning – and the Saturday roundup is of note for two reasons: First, it’s not just West Seattle. Second, in West Seattle, the patrols included Highland Park Way, which some WSB commenters have suggested needs attention – details ahead:Read More

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Happening now: West Seattle High School baseball car wash
May 1, 2011 10:52 am
|    Comments Off on Happening now: West Seattle High School baseball car wash
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Meredith for the photo confirming that the West Seattle High School baseball team’s benefit car wash is up and running on this spectacular day. They’re scheduled to be at Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsor; 7901 35th SW) till 3 pm – and as previewed here, a $10 donation gets you a ticket to next Thursday’s M’s game!

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Update: ‘Low bridge’ closed for detective work
May 1, 2011 9:01 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police | West Seattle traffic alerts

9:01 AM: We’re receiving multiple reports that the “low bridge” is closed to car traffic, with police presence. We don’t yet know why but are on the way to find out. (Thanks to Bill for the original tip – he says he did get through via bicycle.)

9:23 AM UPDATE: We’re at the low bridge and can confirm, it’s closed to cars. One officer says it should reopen within the next 45 minutes or so. If you approach from the West Seattle side, you’ll be detoured onto Harbor Island. Police at the scene will only say this is “part of an ongoing investigation” – they are clearly looking for evidence of some kind; we’ll keep checking for details.

3:29 PM UPDATE: Still no additional information available, except that it was indeed the CSI team, following up on “an investigation,” and no one can say so far whether the investigation even relates to a West Seattle case. (And yes, the bridge has long since reopened.)

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West Seattle Sunday: What’s up, in addition to the sun…
May 1, 2011 8:40 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: What’s up, in addition to the sun…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Goslings! Photo by Robin Lindsey)
The schedule today’s nothing like yesterday (we published 19 stories in 24 hours here on WSB, scroll through when you get a chance!) – here are the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar; have a great day!

FERRY FARE CHANGES: Peak season begins for Washington State Ferries (which means fare changes)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm, The Junction (44th/Alaska). Returning vendors today: Langley Fine Gardens (plants) and Skagit River Ranch (meat).

GET YOUR CAR WASHED: West Seattle High School baseball car wash at Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsor), 7901 35th SW, 10 am-3 pm, ticket to 5/5 M’s game for every $10 donated (more details here)

WEST SEATTLE ROCK AND GEM SHOW, DAY 2: Panned for gold yet? Or spun the wheel (photo above)? Those are among the all-ages activities as the West Seattle Rock Club (WSB sponsor) presents the second and final day of its annual show and invites you in for free, 10 am-5 pm at the Masonic Hall (40th/Edmunds), again today. full details here.

FOOD DRIVE STARTS AT PCC: Food drive to feed needy kids during the summer months at all area PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor). Full details here.

DIAPER DRIVE STARTS AT C & P: During the month of May, bring a package of diapers to C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW) to donate to WestSide Baby and get a free coffee drink.

FINAL PERFORMANCE FOR ‘FOOLS’: Seattle Lutheran High School presents *Fools* by Neil Simon, 2nd and final time, 2:30 pm, SLHS gym, 4100 SW Genesee.

WEST SEATTLE BIG BAND @ JAZZ SUNDAY: West Seattle Big Band – celebrating its 15th anniversary (read its history, published here Friday night, courtesy of Jim Edwards) – is scheduled for Jazz Sunday at Admiral UCC Church (California/Hill), 7 pm. Free.

SUPER DELI MART’S 2ND ANNIVERSARY: The popular convenience store/beer shop at 35th/Barton is celebrating its second anniversary with a “barbecue/kegger,” according to their announcement on Twitter, 11 am-5 pm.

CERAMIC ART SALE: Mutablefire Studios is having a Mother’s Day sale from 10 am – 4 pm. There will be work from 5 different local ceramic artists available for sale. The studio is located at the corner of Othello SW & 44th Ave SW, one block west of California SW.

STORE’S GRAND OPENING: Hebert’s Den gift shop is scheduled to open at 35th/Henderson, 1-5 pm Full details here – store’s website here.

PICTURE YOUR PET: Professional pet photography shoot, 9-5:30 pm at Stella Ruffington’s Doggy Playcare, with Kathryn Sauber.

TREVOR RAS AT SKYLARK: Trevor Ras at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), 7 pm, $5 cover. Check out Trevor’s video!

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West Seattle weekend scenes: New ‘yarn bomb’; BMXers on Alki
May 1, 2011 12:50 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

Looks like West Seattle’s YarnCore “yarn-bombing” guerrilla-art collective has struck again, just in time for May Day. Melissa was passing by tonight and spotted them in action (above – she says they made her promise, no faces); then we received an anonymous photo from someone else with a closer-up look at some of the work at the Admiral Way Viewpoint:

One other weekend sight – Eric Shalit shares a photo of old-school BMX (bicycle motorcross) riders who hit Alki today:

(Photo courtesy Eric Shalit)
He tells their full story at his website, Tubulocity.

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