day : 16/05/2016 10 results

UPDATE: First night of bridge closures for Fauntleroy Expressway

May 16, 2016 10:52 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

10:52 PM: The barrels and barricades blocking the 35th/Fauntleroy entrance to the eastbound West Seattle Bridge are just one sign that the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-cushion-re-replacement project is finally under way. This is the first of dozens of expected overnight closures of the west end of the bridge so that crews can jack it up a bit from surface Spokane Street so more than 500 cushions can be re-replaced, four years after their original replacement, which turned out to have a design flaw. In addition to the eastbound ramp closure, if you are heading westbound on the bridge, you’ll have to exit at Delridge – Mike reports that the going is a bit slow because of that, and while under the bridge checking on the work, we noticed the heavier volume of vehicles coming off the ramp. The crews were staging in the center area when we went by.

The closure is scheduled to continue until 5 am, and to be repeated tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday nights, 9 pm-5 am. No closures are scheduled Friday and Saturday nights, and SDOT says the closures will be delayed until 11 pm on nights with Mariners or Sounders games where crowds of 20,000+ are expected. We’ll have reminders in our weekday morning traffic coverage as well as, for the Sunday closures, in our morning “what’s happening today/tonight” lists.

5 AM: This “live” camera verifies that the first night’s closure is over and the bridge has reopened.

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BIZNOTE: Grand ‘reopening’ celebration for Elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu next Sunday

May 16, 2016 8:57 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Health | West Seattle news

Elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of Seattle invites you to its Grand Reopening next Sunday (May 22nd). This is the big gym at 5050 Delridge Way SW, known previously as Straight Blast Gym of Seattle (WSB sponsor). From the announcement: “Recent events have allowed the two female owners of BJJ gyms to come together and grow our communities and provide a number of martial-arts programs such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai, along with Strength and Conditioning classes for both youth and adults! We’d like to invite the community to our event and check out the mini clinics that will be held. There will be a gathering of people of all skill levels and interests.”

That photo is from this past Sunday, when they had a staff meeting with other Elite groups from around the metro area. Next up before the Sunday event, they’ll be doing renovations and rebranding this Wednesday through Friday, “which will include transformation of both the inside and outside facilities!” And then on Sunday, set for 1-4 pm, here’s what you can enjoy:

Join us in celebrating a new chapter as we open our doors and start our journey as a part of the Elite team.

Elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offers year-round programs for the entire family for kids and adults of all ages and skill levels, in a fun and safe environment.

1:30 and 3:30 pm
Take part in either a Muay Thai, Strength & Conditioning, or Kids clinic. A short 30-minute class with highly experienced coaches, you’ll have fun and learn something new. All skill levels welcome.

2:30 pm
BJJ clinic with Professor Miriam Cardoso, head professor of Elite – 5x World Champion; check out her technical jiu-jitsu skills and coaching!

* Stop by for some local eats and fun!
* New student and family specials!
* Raffle Prizes

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Washington State Ferries plans changes to speed things up @ Fauntleroy terminal

May 16, 2016 5:35 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

From Washington State Ferries:

Starting Monday, May 23, all vehicles except motorcycles and bicycles must stop at the tollbooths at the Fauntleroy Terminal to purchase and/or redeem tickets. Motorcyclists and bicyclists will continue to be processed near the Terminal building at the west end of the dock.

To speed up the loading process during peak travel times, a bypass lane will be provided for pre-ticketed vehicles only (no sales). New signage has been installed in front of and on the toll booths to indicate when the pre-ticketed bypass lane is open, in addition to providing other important information. Please pay attention to signs and watch for instructions from WSF staff at the Fauntleroy Terminal.

Please note that as a safety precaution, WSF will not allow passengers to be dropped off or picked up at the terminal when the pre-ticketed bypass lane is open. Passengers can be picked up/dropped off in the load zone just south of the Terminal on Fauntleroy Way during these times. Customers with disabilities that prevent them from using the walkway at the terminal should notify WSF staff upon arriving at the terminal that they will need a closer pick-up/drop-off point.

This change is being implemented to speed vehicle processing and loading times. Thank you for your cooperation!

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West Seattle Outdoor Movies 2016: Time for suggestions!

May 16, 2016 3:23 pm

| 74 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

So much summer fun is approaching – including West Seattle Outdoor Movies, a free six-Saturday-night series in the courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) at California/Genesee, with sponsors including WSB. Opening night of this year’s series is exactly two months away – July 16th – which means it’s time for a WSOM tradition, your suggestion(s)! Here’s what not to suggest, since they’ve been shown in recent years:

2015’s movie lineup was “Zoolander,” “Singles,” “Raising Arizona,” “Big Hero 6,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Rocky Horror Picture Show”

2014’s movie lineup was “Gravity,” “Spice World,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” “The Blues Brothers,” “The Goonies,” “Frozen”

*2013′s movie lineup was “Goldfinger,” “Devil Wears Prada,” “Muppets,” “Avengers,” “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” “This Is Spinal Tap”

*2012′s movie lineup was “Pretty in Pink,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Lion King,” “Iron Man,” “Yellow Submarine,” “Top Gun”

The goals otherwise, besides avoiding recent reruns, are “relatively family-friendly” (obviously, as you can see from the lists above, it’s not all G-rated!) and “entertaining.” So if you have a movie to suggest, please post a comment – thank you, and set your calendar reminders for July 16, 23, 30 and August 6, 13, 20!

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West Seattle history: What’s beneath the Talarico’s facade

May 16, 2016 12:54 pm

| 20 COMMENTS

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

12:54 PM: Thanks to David Williams for the photo and first word that a bit of Junction history is exposed right now – in front of Talarico’s Pizzeria at 4718 California SW. The restaurant doesn’t open until 3 today so we haven’t yet reached anyone to ask for details of the work (and the sign’s fate) but an online permit filing has the notation, “Install 45 lineal feet of rigid canopy on storefront with no signage or graphics.” Meantime, Mike Phelps also sent a photo, which we’ve cropped for a closer look:

Mike adds, “The revealed signage predates (the old) New Luck Toy. Predates me; interesting to see if any readers remember or have photos.” The recently released West Seattle Junction Historical Survey says this building dates to 1950.

1:51 PM: As “Chemist” points out in comments, the address is identified on this Junction-history site as having belonged to “Star Radio” before New Luck Toy in 1950.

5:30 PM: During a brief stop at Talarico’s this afternoon, we learned this work is part of a bit of remodeling of the entire front, including the windows. The sign, we’re told, is from when Schuck’s was in part of the building. No plans to preserve it, so if you’re interested in seeing it in person, get down there fast. The work is only expected to take a few days.

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West Seattle whales: Orcas reported off south WS shore

May 16, 2016 12:53 pm

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Via text (thank you!): A “small pod of orcas” is reported to be in view right now between The Arroyos and Vashon Island, mid-channel. Even if that’s too far south for you – they’ll have to head north eventually!

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WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Seattle City Council resolution would urge Sound Transit to consider WS tunnel

May 16, 2016 11:57 am

| 40 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

As proposed in the draft plan for Sound Transit 3 – the 25-year outline for expanding light rail around the region, expected to go to voters in November – West Seattle would be served with an elevated line. Some community advocates think a tunnel would be better, once the line gets across the Duwamish River (currently envisioned as happening via its own new bridge). With the proposed final plan just weeks away, the City Council is expected to pass a resolution shortly offering its feedback to ST. Here’s what’s mentioned about that in the draft of the council resolution, which you can read in full here:

The ST3 package should include a light rail extension from Downtown Seattle to the West Seattle Junction, including a grade-separated alignment through West Seattle. The ST3 package should allow for future consideration and evaluation of a tunnel alignment through West Seattle, if cost savings within the ST3 program or additional funding resources become available.

We asked City Councilmember Lisa Herbold for comment on whether she supports this language; she is the “alternate” member on the City Council Transportation Committee, which will consider the resolution at its 2 pm meeting tomorrow (Tuesday, May 17th). We just received a reply through her legislative assistant Newell Aldrich: “The resolution incorporates language suggested by CM Herbold and the WSTC — we worked with them on the WS section. We all wanted to ensure there was equivalency with the Ballard section (i.e. listing a potential tunnel option if funding allows).”

WSTC is a reference to the West Seattle Transportation Coalition. As a side note to this, you might recall that the WSTC ran a survey about WS light rail this spring, before the ST3 draft plan came out. In WSB comments, some have wondered when those results would be released. Former WSTC board member Joe Szilagyi, who led the group’s online presence during his time on the board, published them in this Medium.com post today.

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5 options for your West Seattle Monday

May 16, 2016 9:40 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Barn swallow, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Before we get to today’s highlights – if you’re here mostly for the bird photos, you might love a Saturday event just announced by the Duwamish Longhouse – a presentation on “Birds of the Duwamish Valley.” It’ll be in our calendar shortly; here’s their announcement.

Now, to today/tonight! – highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

EARLY DAYS: Drop-in support group for new parents, 10:30-noon. Suggested donation $10, but no one will be turned away. Info in our calendar listing. Meets at Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. (4746 44th SW, Suite #201)

AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP: All welcome, 2 pm at Southwest Library. This month’s title is “Animal Dreams” by Barbara Kingsolver. (35th SW/SW Henderson)

TINKERLAB DROP-IN: 6-7:30 pm, fun STEM-based crafts for all ages, free, at Delridge Library.
(5423 Delridge Way SW)

HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY PTA: The end of the school year is already in view, but that’s no time to disengage – if you’re in Highland Park, the HP Elementary PTA would love to see you at tonight’s meeting. From president Holly Briscoe:

Come out to help finalize the PTA’s Vision, Mission, and Core Values that we have been crafting this year, join in on the conversation about school accessibility, and take a walk around the school to help brainstorm projects for upcoming community service events. Have you considered being on the PTA Board, or would you like to nominate someone for next year? Now is the time! PTA meeting at 6:00. Snacks will be provided. Spanish interpreters will be available. Child care provided by City Year. All are welcome!

(1012 SW Trenton)

OLD-TIMEY COUNTRY MUSIC … with Collapsible Rodeo at Parliament Tavern, 8 pm, no cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

MORE … on our complete calendar!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 4 reader reports and your chance to bring concerns to local police

May 16, 2016 9:07 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Four reader reports from the weekend in West Seattle Crime Watch, plus a reminder about this month’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting:

INSTRUMENTS STOLEN: Another case of musical instruments stolen from a car. They may well already be up for sale somewhere – that’s what happened in another recent case – so Brandon, who plays in a band called Black Bone Exorcism, hopes you’ll be on the lookout. Here’s the flyer including his contact info. He says the gear all has “stickers and marker spots for settings …” A police report is filed.

TOOLS STOLEN: Leschi residents visiting West Seattle report that their Toyota Tacoma parked in the Les Schwab parking lot at Fauntleroy/Alaska was broken into on Saturday night “and approximately $2,000 of tools (were stolen) and some items of little monetary value but lots of sentimental value. Please be on the lookout for these that might have been tossed aside. Name ‘Solem’ written on some.”

WINDOW BROKEN: Late last night, around 10 pm, somebody broke a window on Reed’s car at 11th/Barton. “Nothing stolen, just a broken window. Filed a police report.”

SIDESWIPES: This might be a warning as much as anything else, Adam reports, if you park in this area:

Within the last week, I have seen 3 or 4 different instances of sideswipes of parked cars within one block of The Sanctuary (Lander and 42nd).

There were two (recently) that seemed a little bizarre. Both were on 41st Ave SW between Lander and Admiral. Police were on the scene at about 7:15 am when I drove by. What makes it strange is it seemed like the parked cars rammed into the cars parked in front of them and it didn’t seem like those cars were hit from behind. Both instances were on different ends of the block. Another instance was on Lander at the Safeway. The other happened in front of the Sanctuary on 42nd Ave SW.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL TOMORROW NIGHT: 7 pm tomorrow (Tuesday, May 17th) is the monthly meeting at the Southwest Precinct with your chance to hear about local crime trends and bring concerns to Seattle Police. WSCPC president Richard Miller also usually books a guest and this time, it’s a rep from city code compliance – which relates to issues including “nuisance houses.” The precinct is at 2300 SW Webster.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates; nighttime bridge closures set to start

May 16, 2016 6:21 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:21 AM: Good morning! It’s a somewhat-soggy Monday so far. No incidents in/from West Seattle. But we’re reminding you again that the city says the Fauntleroy Expressway quake-safety-cushion-re-replacement work starts tonight, which means the west end of the bridge is scheduled to close starting at 9 pm, as explained here.

8:50 AM: First notable incident of the morning, and an alert for surface traffic – Mickey reports via Twitter, “An accident involving a train and semi at Spokane and Alaskan Way – no apparent injuries. @SeattlePD on scene.”

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