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month : 08/2012 310 results

Duwamish River Festival 2012: Celebrating water, nature, people
August 25, 2012 10:30 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   South Park | West Seattle news

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
The Duwamish River represents much of West Seattle’s eastern border – and while it was in and around South Park, today’s Duwamish River Festival was for everyone in the region to celebrate the river, and each other. Above, Alki Kayak Tours (WSB sponsor) guide Jimmy Pasch on one of AKT’s free river kayak tours. Back on shore, the Duwamish Tribe‘s T’ilibshudub (Singing Feet), with Ashley Shelafoe in the forefront:

Also from the Duwamish:

The festival celebrated many cultures as well as the life in and around the river itself. The Rainier Vista Khmer Dance Group also performed:

So did Mexican folkloric dancers Flokórico Guelaguetza:

Children played games – Brian Coyotecatl reached for a disc during a fishing game:

Catherine Harris turned heads in her crab costume:

Back on the river, signs of the many cleanup and restoration projects under way:

And the tours continued:

They educated all ages – including, in the next photo, 7-year-old Rea Williams – about the river’s status as both habitat and industrial zone:

The festival featured lots of education onshore too, especially from the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, which presented the festival. DRCC’s James Rasmussen spoke with Mayor McGinn:

The mayor will be back in this area next Tuesday (August 27) for a Town Hall at Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle).

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Seattle Lutheran High School football: New coach Jeff Scott debuts on ‘Media Day’
August 25, 2012 7:31 pm
|    Comments Off on Seattle Lutheran High School football: New coach Jeff Scott debuts on ‘Media Day’
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports


(Click image to see larger size)
Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand

Seattle Lutheran High School‘s football season starts one week from tonight.

This afternoon, the players, coaches, and cheerleaders took to the West Seattle Stadium field for a “Media Day” full of photo sessions and drills, under a perfect blue sky – SLHS blue, of course.

The invitation came from the Saints’ new head football coach, Jeff Scott, who posed with his staff:

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West Seattle power outage: Fairmount Avenue trouble
August 25, 2012 5:43 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news


(Screenshot from the City Light outage map)
5:43 PM: Thanks to Helen for the tip: There’s a small power outage around Fairmount Ravine – 21 homes, according to the Seattle City Light outage tracker – with a downed tree/wires reported to be to blame. (Bev says, via Facebook, Fairmount is blocked between Harbor and Forest.)

9:51 PM UPDATE: City Light has updated the marker to 13 homes, with power expected back for them around 1 am. We also have added a photo shared by Helen, showing the problem.

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Camp Long’s new ‘Hub and Spoke’: Dessert auction/concert benefit ahead
August 25, 2012 5:11 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

You are invited to the Camp Long Dessert Auction & Coffeehouse Concert Fundraiser, 6:30 to 9 pm on Saturday, September 22nd. (The entrance to the 68-acre park is at 5200 35th SW.)

This event will also celebrate completion of the new “Hub and Spoke” element, phase 2 of Camp Long’s Ropes Challenge Course installation. Attendees can explore the Hub and Spoke on the Challenge Course from the ground, and purchase raffle tickets for a chance to be the first to explore the Hub and Spoke element in the air. Here’s how Camp Long describes it:

The Hub and Spoke element is both physically and mentally challenging, consisting of high platforms, interconnected activities, routes on slim beams, wobbly steps, and swings and ropes to clutch or walk on. Trained facilitators lead participants, always harnessed in safety equipment, through the course … A hub and spoke course is built like a wheel; activities radiate from a center hub with a large platform to the outside poles, which are then connected together by other activities.

Phase 1 of the Challenge Course was officially dedicated and opened with a celebration in September of last year. The Sept. 22 event is $10; raffle tickets will be on sale the entire evening, while homemade and local-business-made desserts are auctioned and local musicians play.

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Clear sky, choppy seas for rowers’ Great Cross-Sound Race 2012
August 25, 2012 12:23 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Last year, racing individually in The Great Cross-Sound Race round-trip from Alki, Evan Jacobs and Tyler Peterson placed third and sixth respectively; today, rowing together, they finished first. Their announced time of 59:03 was 9-plus minutes over the course record they set together in 2006, but today, wind and waves factored into Sound Rowers‘ annual race, which drew more than 30 participants:

They headed out to Blakely Rock, off Bainbridge Island, and back, starting just after 9 this morning. Don Kiesling was second to finish:

Finishing third, Christian Roth and Josh Proctor. Among the sights at sea before the rowers started crossing the finish line, the U.S. Coast Guard was even out keeping an eye on things:

On shore, Peterson and Jacobs (who also are past North American Open Water Rowing champions) had a welcoming party:

And then some help getting everything back on shore:

You can watch later for full race results on the Sound Rowers website.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Blue Heron Canoe, festival-bound
August 25, 2012 11:04 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scene: Blue Heron Canoe, festival-bound
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

We’re an hour away from this year’s Duwamish River Festival – and this group of festivalgoers is paddling there. The Blue Heron Canoe left West Seattle’s Don Armeni Boat Ramp just after 9 am to head toward and down the river to Duwamish Waterway Park, where the festival (free!) is happening noon-4 pm – entertainment, education, boat rides, bouncy house, more. Shortly after leaving the dock, the canoe moved into sunlight sparkling off the water – that photo’s on the WSB Facebook page. Beautiful morning!

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West Seattle Saturday: From the Sound to the river to the screen …
August 25, 2012 8:37 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: From the Sound to the river to the screen …
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sign of imminent fall? Get out and enjoy the rest of summer! Photo by Machel Spence)
Happy weekend! From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar (where you will find the full list of what’s happening today/tonight in and around West Seattle – these are just a few notes and highlights):

CITYWIDE TRAFFIC ALERTS: Here’s the SDOT roundup of what’s happening where this weekend.

ROWING RACE FROM ALKI: Sound Rowers‘ Great Cross-Sound Race is scheduled to start off Alki at 9 am, headed west to Blakely Rock and back – details here.

MEGA-RUMMAGE SALE: The Westside Unitarian Universalists are having another big rummage sale, 9 am-3 pm at 7141 California in Gatewood – details in the calendar listing.

SHREDDING FUNDRAISER: 9 am-noon at 3720 California SW, benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – details here.

DUWAMISH RIVER FESTIVAL: First come the 9 am-noon Walk/Bike/Paddle events to get there; then noon-4 pm at 7900 10th Avenue South in South Park, the festival! Entertainment schedule and event highlights are in our preview from Friday.

LOG HOUSE TO LONGHOUSE BIKE TOUR: A history lesson on two wheels! Meet at the Log House Museum on Alki (61st/Stevens) – ride scheduled to start at 10 am.

REC TECH TEENS SHOW THEIR WORK: Teens from Delridge Community Center and Southwest Teen Life Center invite you to a screening of their creations downtown, 11 am today – find out more here.

SEATTLE LUTHERAN FOOTBALL: New Seattle Lutheran High School football coach Jeffrey Scott says “Media Day” today is actually open to everyone:

As a way to show our appreciation to our fans and the community, the Seattle Lutheran football team will be doing a Media Appreciation Day at 1 pm at West Seattle Stadium. It is free to get in!! Please come out and meet the players and staff. We have invited special guests from the Seahawks, UW,WSU and a host of media outlets. We are inviting the West Seattle community to come out and enjoy media day with the Seattle Lutheran High School Football team.

‘TOP GUN’ WRAPS UP OUTDOOR-MOVIE SERIES: “Top Gun” screens at dusk in the Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) courtyard at 4410 California SW, as the final West Seattle Outdoor Movies presentation of the season. It’s more than a movie – there’s preshow entertainment, free pizza, benefit concessions and raffle … detailed in our preview from last night with full details.

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT: Several venues – see the listings on the calendar.

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West Seattle Outdoor Movies finale on Saturday: ‘Top Gun’ with free pizza, preshow music, more
August 24, 2012 11:32 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Outdoor Movies finale on Saturday: ‘Top Gun’ with free pizza, preshow music, more
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

Tomorrow night, “Top Gun” is on the big screen in the Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) courtyard (4410 California SW) as the grand finale to this year’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies season, and the weather’s looking good. We featured the movie’s trailer earlier this week – so the clip above is a different preview, the official music video for the big love song from the 1986 hit, Berlin‘s “Take My Breath Away” (with movie scenes as well as the musicians in a vaguely relevant setting). The movie’s co-sponsors are bringing something extra – Pagliacci Pizza will have free pizza; Jackson, Morgan & Hunt PLLC (WSB sponsor) has put together a “Top Gun” basket for the raffle benefiting WestSide Baby – including tickets to the Museum of Flight! – and there’ll be live preshow music by Jeremy Serwer and the Spaghetti Benders. The movie’s expected to start around 8:15 pm; come early, stake out your spot, get your pizza, buy raffle tickets (concessions will benefit WS Baby too), and enjoy summer’s last movie night.

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West Seattle wildlife: Raptor and raccoons
August 24, 2012 8:20 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Two West Seattle wildlife photos to share tonight – first, received a little while ago from contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli, a young bird he identifies as a juvenile bald eagle (commenters ID it as a hawk): “I just spotted this guy sunning himself on a utility wire over my alley near the Junction.”

Next, Alki photographer David Hutchinson spotted these two baby raccoons on the beach earlier this week:

Thanks to everyone who shares photos with the community via WSB – along with sharing by e-mail, you’re also welcome to contribute to the WSB Flickr group any time!

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City’s new paid-sick-leave law: West Seattle Chamber offers free workshop
August 24, 2012 5:07 pm
|    Comments Off on City’s new paid-sick-leave law: West Seattle Chamber offers free workshop
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

The city’s new rules about employer-paid sick leave and safe time are about to take effect, so the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce is co-sponsoring a workshop to help businesses be sure they’re in compliance. It’s next Tuesday (August 28th), 5:30-7 pm at Neighborhood House‘s High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way SW). The workshop is free but the Chamber requests that you pre-register – you can use this link to do that online right now, or call 206-932-5685. (If you’re not sure whether the new law applies to your business – the city offers lots of info here.)

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Update: Opening time for new 1st Avenue S. ramp
August 24, 2012 2:52 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news

When SDOT announced late Thursday that the long-awaited new 1st Avenue South onramp/offramp from the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct would open next Friday (WSB coverage here), they hadn’t set a time yet – but now they have. Just heard from project spokesperson Paul Elliott that the ramp will be open by 6 am Friday (August 31st).

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Duwamish River Festival: What you’ll see; how to get there
August 24, 2012 2:41 pm
|    Comments Off on Duwamish River Festival: What you’ll see; how to get there
 |   Fun stuff to do | South Park | West Seattle news

(WSB photo of boat rides during 2008 Duwamish River Festival)
Sunshine is expected again tomorrow, so it’ll be a great day to spend part of your Saturday a short distance east of West Seattle, at Duwamish Waterway Park in South Park, for the annual Duwamish River Festival.

The day will start with the Walk/Bike/Paddle fundraiser to help support the festival and get you there in a fun way – starting at 9 am, with departures from West Seattle. Not too late to sign up! Check out the options here.

Once you get to the park (7900 10th Ave. S. – map), here’s the entertainment and activity lineup, courtesy of Alberto Rodriguez at the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition:

T’ilibshudub/“Singing Feet”, Duwamish Tribal Youth Dance Group – 12-12:30 p.m.

Flokórico Guelaguetza, Mexican folkloric dance – 12:45-1:15 p.m.

Rainier Vista Khmer Dance Group, the longest running Cambodian Culture Dance Group in Seattle that presents our Khmer heritage – 1:30-2:00 p.m.

Vicious Puppies Crew, mind-blowing break dancing youth group – 2:15-2:45 p.m.

Supersones, Rootsy, acoustic Cuban dance music from the Northwest’s premier Son band – 3-3:50 p.m.

We will have a bouncy house that will be going from 12:30-4:00 p.m., a dunk tank that will be happening for 10 minutes every half hour … we will have raffles inbetween acts, last year’s Seafair Queen (Veronica Quintero) will be our bilingual MC, a fire truck for the first couple of hours, boat and kayak tours, a free water taxi running from Georgetown to South Park, a bicycle repair shop (throughout the whole event), free lunch (tamales, hot dogs and salad), interactive educational booths and many other things.

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Thinking about remodeling? Free advice from Ventana Construction tomorrow
August 24, 2012 12:59 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

If you have been thinking and/or dreaming of remodeling, you might as well take local experts up on their offer of free advice, no obligation. Award-winning Ventana Construction (longtime WSB sponsor) is hosting another free workshop at its West Seattle headquarters tomorrow (northeast corner of California and Findlay) and you’re invited – noon to 1 pm, with information about custom building too. Here’s the Facebook page for the event; just call 206-932-3009 ASAP to RSVP. (P.S. If your potential remodeling zone is the basement, check out what Ventana co-owner Anne Higuera shared with houzz.com.)

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West Seattle traffic alert: Road closure Sunday for Alki Beach 5K
August 24, 2012 11:58 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle traffic alert: Road closure Sunday for Alki Beach 5K
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Before you check out for the weekend – a traffic reminder for Sunday morning. Alki Avenue SW will be closed approximately 8-11 am Sunday, from 63rd SW eastward, for the annual Northwest Hope and Healing-benefiting Alki Beach 5K. (In case you’d like to sign up – there’s registration info in our detailed preview from earlier this week.)

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West Seattle Friday: Rainbow of Hawaii at The Mount’s summer finale; Alki rollerskating; more
August 24, 2012 9:59 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sanderlings on Alki, photographed by Danny McMillin, shared via Flickr; his first sighting since late winter)
Highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

BACK-TO-SCHOOL RESOURCE FAIR: 11 am-1:30 pm at Neighborhood House‘s High Point Center. Free backpacks and school supplies available for families who attend a workshop. More info here.

TAI CHI AT SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN: Drop-in class with Restita DeJesus from the Seattle Wushu Center, 4:30 pm. The garden is on the north end of the South Seattle Community College campus (6000 16th SW).

SUMMER CONCERTS AT THE MOUNT, SEASON FINALE – ALOHA! Rainbow of Hawaii performs at 6 pm at Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) in the parking lot/courtyard area on the south side of the campus (4831 35th SW). The show is free; starting at 5:30 pm, if you’re interested, dinner/drinks can be purchased; tonight’s dinner entree is a jerk chicken sandwich with mango salsa, and hot dogs/hamburgers (including veggie options) are available too.

WINE TASTING: At Bin 41 in The Junction, 6-7:30 pm, “wacky wines with Greg from Cordon. … Greg shares our passion for being open minded and trying new things. … He’ll be pouring a Tokaji Furmint Sec from Hungary, a white made from Romorantin (local grape in the Cheverny appellation of the Loire Valley, a Carignan from the Languedoc Roussilon region, a hearty red from the Duoro region of Portugal and another fun red.”

SKATING AT ALKI COMMUNITY CENTER: 6:45-8:45 pm, the almost-weekly roller-skating event; more info in our listing.

NIGHTLIFE: At Skylark Café and Club, some of the folks who brought you Morning Glory Drag Brunch (which recently had its finale) are launching the West Side Glory variety show, tonight at 8 pm, details on this Facebook event page … Barbie Anaka sings at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), 8 pm … At Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), Chloroformula and special guest Brad Yaeger & the Country Gentlemen perform, 9 pm … And announced by Bamboo Bar and Grill on Alki:

West Seattle resident DJ Aussie will be playing the hottest tunes, mixing them with your favourite old skool, 70s, 80s, 90s, today, and top 40 hits! GM John will be there with us, as well as Security. Come and enjoy an awesome night out with your friends partying, and ‘shaking ya tail feather.’ 10 pm-1 am

And at The Bridge:

Billy Joe Huels of the Dusty 45s playing with special guests. This guy is amazing and we are expecting quite a show on the dance floor! Lots of great swing dancers are expected to make an appearance. Honky Tonk Party!!!

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Update: 1 hurt in head-on hit-run crash on 35th near Camp Long
August 23, 2012 11:29 pm
|      63 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Photo courtesy Tina D)
FIRST REPORT, 11:29 PM: Via the scanner, police say southbound 35th is closed at Dawson right now (by Camp Long) because of a crash – described as a hit-run. They say witnesses report the vehicle that took off after the crash was a black Jeep Liberty likely to have serious front-end damage. (Call 911 if you have any information on that.) No word of injuries so far; we’re off to check it out.

12:22 AM: Back from the scene. Thanks to Tina for sharing the photo added atop the story; WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli was already there when we arrived to check it out – the next three images are his:

Witnesses told us the driver of the mangled Mini, hit head-on, was taken to the hospital, but did not seem seriously hurt; the scene, however, was aptly described by Christopher as a “car-parts explosion.”

The Mini’s engine wound up on the west sidewalk of 35th; other pieces and parts were in the planting strip and the street, the full width of 35th. There was word a car on the other side might have been “nicked.” One tree on the west side was knocked down, and witnesses told us two others were damaged.

1:36 AM: Added photos from Christopher. The wrecked Mini has been taken away on a flatbed tow truck; a standard tow truck arrived fairly quickly, but the car was in no shape to roll away with that kind of truck, so a flatbed had to be brought in instead.

9:38 AM UPDATE: Just checked with SPD to ask if there was any news of the reported second car having been found. According to media liaison Det. Mark Jamieson, while the final report is not available yet, information in the system matches what we reported above; officers checked 35th as far south as Barton for any sign of the other vehicle (that’s the direction in which it was reported to be traveling) and found nothing. SDOT crews had to be called to help clean up the scene, since the debris (including the downed tree) had spread so widely.

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West Seattle scene: Late-summer moonset
August 23, 2012 11:27 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks to Jamie for sharing tonight’s moonset, photographed from Fauntleroy. Forecast looks good for the weekend, by the way – sunny Friday after some morning clouds, sunshine Saturday and Sunday too, highs projected in the 70s all three days.

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Video: Caspar Babypants, mayor, & huge Hiawatha concert crowd
August 23, 2012 11:20 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

Caspar Babypants drew the biggest crowd we’ve seen so far this summer at the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series. Tonight’s show also drew a big-name emcee, Mayor Mike McGinn, who worked the crowd while not onstage:

He’ll be back in West Seattle next Tuesday for a Town Hall meeting at Southwest Teen Life Center. Speaking of teens, cheerleaders from Hiawatha-neighboring West Seattle High School helped out with the benefit barbecue offered before and during the concert:

Some came with their own dinner instead. We couldn’t help but admire the bike-borne setup brought by Sean and Kelley:

Back to the music. Here’s Caspar Babypants on video with the tale of Harold the Horse:

Next Thursday night (August 30th) is this year’s final concert in the Hiawatha series (brought to you by sponsors including WSB) – Curtains for You performs on the community center’s east lawn at 6:30 pm.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen bikes; prowler interrupted
August 23, 2012 9:31 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

More bike thefts top tonight’s West Seattle Crime Watch reader-report roundup. From Imelda:

We are living on 61st and Spokane St. We forgot to close our garage last night and … our two bicycles and one of my kayaking booties were stolen (the other shoe was lying in the driveway). Our bicycles are unique, since they are from Germany, and have fixed lights, a baggage carrier in the back, and guard plates. Both look identical, one is for men, one for women. They were black, brand is Tallard. We are paying a reward, no question asked. We brought them all the way from Germany, and would really love to have them back. If you see them or know where they are please call 206 935 5839

Imelda says a neighbor had a lawn mower stolen last night, too.

And a Westwood resident says alert neighbors interrupted a car prowler:

If anyone had their car prowled in the 35th/36th & Barton/Cambridge corridor last night you may want to contact (police). Our dog alerted us to activity in the alley behind our house and then we heard neighbors yelling. A male in black pants, red tee-shirt and baseball cap was seen trying the door of the neighbors car parked in the driveway at the rear of their house. When alerted he tossed a box full of spoils and took off running up the alley toward Roxbury. A neighbor (me) followed him while other neighbors talked to a police car that had just pulled up and collected the belongings from the street. He was tracked going through back yards and up and down 36th until 3 squad cars descended and picked him up at 36th & Roxbury. Not sure if he was taken into custody or not.

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Spokane St. Viaduct’s westbound 1st Avenue South on/offramp opens August 31
August 23, 2012 5:02 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news

(SDOT photo of the nearly complete offramp side of the new ramp, taken earlier this month)
Just announced by SDOT:

With the project approximately 95 percent finished, major elements of the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project are nearing completion.  The combination westbound on/off ramp at First Avenue S and S Spokane Street will open to motorists next Friday morning, August 31. The on-ramp provides the only westbound access to the viaduct and the West Seattle Bridge from SODO, and its opening will eliminate the need for SODO motorists to take the detour across the low level swing bridge. 
 
The old westbound off-ramp at Fourth Avenue S and on-ramp at First Avenue S had to be closed and demolished to make room for the widened viaduct structure. 
 
Construction activity on the upper viaduct deck is also nearing completion, with the permanent barrier between east and westbound traffic installed.  Westbound motorists are now traveling in the final lane configurations, and the eastbound on-ramp from Harbor Island has reopened.
 
The most significant and visible work yet to be completed is the repaving of the eastbound off-ramp at First Avenue and the intersection with S Spokane Street at the bottom of that ramp.  As such, the off-ramp remains closed until late September.   North/south traffic on First Avenue in the construction area has been reduced to one lane in each direction, while the northbound lanes will be fully closed for three nights during the last week of August.

The old 1st Avenue South onramp closed for demolition in May 2010. Unlike that ramp, you won’t take 1st all the way to Spokane to get onto the bridge; the entrance to the new ramp is actually on 1st, more than a block north of Spokane.

ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: For those who asked about buses – yes, they will use this ramp too. The reply from Jeff Switzer at King County DOT:

This construction milestone will be good news for bus riders going to West Seattle. Starting Aug. 31, bus riders will have a faster and more reliable trip using the new First Avenue South ramp to the West Seattle Bridge, and buses will be less likely to face delays due to trains or when the lower Spokane Street bridge needs to open for marine traffic.

Metro buses have traveled a revised route since May 17, 2010, including Routes 21, 22, 35, 56, 57, 85, 116, 118 & 119 traveling East Marginal way to the lower level Spokane Street bridge to get to West Seattle. Opening the new First Avenue South/South Spokane Street on ramp will decrease travel times on these routes. We’re coordinating with the city so that we can revise our bus routes accordingly as soon as the ramp is officially open.

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West Seattle development: 1,500-plus potential units in pipeline
August 23, 2012 4:27 pm
|      40 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

This week, the crane went up for the Oregon 42 project at 42nd and Oregon in The Junction (thanks to LB for the photo). And today came the notification that 4724 California has applied for its land-use permit (here’s the notice, including a link for public comments), along with a formal announcement of the 1st Design Review meeting for 3078 SW Avalon Way, as first reported here a week and a half ago.

With these and other projects under way, there’s always a commenter or two who asks “How many units are in the works, anyway?” We have finally taken an unofficial count, while making a Google Map of the ones we know about. If all these projects are built, they together total more than 1,500 new residential units (apartments, with a smattering of “live-work”) in West Seattle over the next few years:


View Major active/upcoming West Seattle development, August 2012 in a larger map

A few caveats:

*Our list does not include a few sites for which projects were initiated a few years ago but seem to have stalled; these are the active, reactivated, or newly proposed sites on which we have reported in recent months

*There’s a chance we might have missed something, though we monitor a variety of sources, online and in the physical world. Click any marker for a short summary of what’s proposed – if you know of a major (20 units or more) project not on the map, please let us know!

*Even though it’s unlike any other project in the pipeline, we have included the DESC Delridge Supportive Housing project and its 66 units, as both the construction and operation of that facility will be significant to the community too.

As we did with a similar map in 2008 (we’re working on a “whatever happened to …” look at that), we’ll update this as things change, and revisit it as our comprehensive coverage of West Seattle development continues.

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Video: Sen. Patty Murray talks tax bill @ Husky Deli
August 23, 2012 1:34 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

FIRST REPORT, 1:34 PM: That’s Husky Deli owner Jack Miller with visiting U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, there right now – as previewed here on Wednesday – to talk about the tax-cut-extension bill that’s cleared the Senate but not the U.S. House. We’ll add video later of what Sen. Murray, Miller, and others at the news conference had to say. (In case you are wondering, no, this is not a campaign visit – Sen. Murray won a new six-year term two years ago.)

ADDED 2:25 PM: Video of the event in its entirety (only 16 minutes):

Miller introduced Sen. Murray by talking about his 80-year-old family business and its 40 or so employees, and the challenges of competing against “big stores,” as well as the importance of tax breaks. Sen. Murray said that taxes will go up unless Senate Bill 3412 is passed to extend current tax cuts. In addition to those who you will see speaking in the video – Merryweather Books owner Mary Clark follows Sen. Murray – other local business reps were on hand:

From left with Miller, Junction-based attorney Jerome O. Cohen, West Seattle Junction Association‘s Liz Schroeder, and West 5 owner Dave Montoure (who also chairs the WS Chamber of Commerce board).

There were lighthearted moments too: The senator drew laughter by noting she was happy to be at Husky Deli even though she’s a Cougar. And before she left, she of course had some of the famous Husky ice cream:

In the background of that photo, by the way, you might recognize another Junction business proprietor – Jody Hall, owner of the Cupcake Royale stores here and around the city.

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Heads up: Partial outage of city online services later this month
August 23, 2012 12:43 pm
|    Comments Off on Heads up: Partial outage of city online services later this month
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

If you do business with the city online – or frequently use its online databases/websites – heads up: A $2 million maintenance/repair project is going to affect many of those services during several days surrounding Labor Day weekend, and in some cases even sooner, so if you have something important to do (including bill-paying, in person as well as online), take care of it as soon as you can. The city just published a detailed rundown of this outage’s effects – you can read it here.

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