day : 03/02/2012 11 results

If you had to leave West Seattle for points eastward during the daytime last Saturday, you probably remember the bridge backup caused by what was supposed to be a weekend-long closure of the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct. The city had put out the word in advance, but not loudly and boldly enough, and worst of all in many eyes, there were no warning signs as you approached the bridge. After a deluge of complaints – and questions from us – SDOT promised a review of what went wrong with getting the word out and how that would be fixed for future closures. They also promised us the resulting report. We received it this evening; we’ll be writing a followup story, but there’s no point in you having to wait till then to read the report if you’re interested. It identifies 7 “issues” and how they’ll be addressed. Here’s the 2 1/2-page report, in memo form (PDF).

P.S. **No West Seattle Bridge closures scheduled this weekend**, once tonight’s eastbound SSV and Fauntleroy Expressway closures end by 5 am (the nighttime closures continue next week).

West Seattle photographer’s new views of South Park Bridge work

February 3, 2012 9:15 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| South Park | West Seattle news

(Click for larger image)
With our recent traffic woes, more than a few West Seattleites might have wondered how things are going with the new South Park Bridge. Gatewood photographer/pilot Long B. Nguyen answers the question by sharing these two views from over the project. What’s left of the old bridge – closed a year and a half ago, its drawspan removed – is right next to where the new one is being built; the squares you see in the water are the “main bascule piers” for the new bridge, according to its official county webpage. It’s expected to open in mid-2013. Here’s the view from directly overhead:

P.S. If you’re interested in ground photos, King County Road Services is working with a photographer to document the progress – you’ll find plenty of photos, including some from just two weeks ago, here.

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West Seattle restaurants: Avalon closes its doors

February 3, 2012 4:38 pm

| 74 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Last night, a reader sent us this Craigslist link listing Avalon, the year-old restaurant in Luna Park, for lease. We asked its owners for comment – and just received this, from co-owner Deb Breuler:

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.

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Work starts Monday as SDOT adds another Alki-area stairway

February 3, 2012 3:34 pm

| 24 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

(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:Read More

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Update: Worker killed at Vigor Shipyards on Harbor Island

February 3, 2012 3:32 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

3:32 PM: A worker at Vigor Shipyards on Harbor Island died after a 100-foot fall this afternoon, according to this KING5.com report. The Seattle Fire 911 log shows a medic “7-per response,” generally an indication of a major injury or medical situation, to Vigor’s address on 16th SW at 12:19 pm. We’re seeking more information.

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.

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Full Tilt Laboratories: Ice-cream enterprise adding a new White Center space

February 3, 2012 1:09 pm

| 28 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | White Center

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog/White Center Now editor

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: Read More

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West Seattle’s Gathering of Neighbors returns! Can you help?

February 3, 2012 11:25 am

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| Gathering of Neighbors | West Seattle news

The Gathering of Neighbors returns this year, with a new group of community volunteers leading the way, and, as Michael Taylor-Judd told the Southwest District Council night before last, they can use your help to make it happen! Here’s the official announcement:

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

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Car prowlers/vandals, again

February 3, 2012 10:50 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

We have multiple reports this morning of another street where parked cars were hit by prowlers/vandals – FLS reported at least two in the 37th SW/Hanford vicinity – “windows smashed in, vehicle ransacked.” Police were on their way when he e-mailed us earlier. Rena mentioned it on the WSB Facebook page, too. Earlier this week, at least half a dozen cars were vandalized on Beach Drive, according to this report from Beach Drive Blog. Even if damage wasn’t too serious and nothing was taken, police ask that you do file a report for these types of crimes, which at least helps them track trends and figure out where to focus more patrol resources.

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Explore the U.S. civil-rights movement @ SSCC

February 3, 2012 10:37 am

| Comments Off on Explore the U.S. civil-rights movement @ SSCC

| Announcements

From South Seattle Community College:

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.

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West Seattle Friday: Soccer; marionettes; music; traffic…

February 3, 2012 9:12 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

(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.

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West Seattle traffic: Bridge crash cleared

February 3, 2012 7:40 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(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.

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