West Seattle, Washington
03 Sunday
(WSB photo from June open house)
In early June, SDOT held an open-house meeting to talk with community members about the SW Avalon Way repaving/rechannelization plan once it reached the “30 percent design” phase. They promised they’d be back in the fall once it hit the next milestone, “60 percent design.” That’s apparently running a bit ahead of schedule, because SDOT says it’s there now and they’ll be here next Thursday (August 23rd) to talk about it at another open house. The updated design hasn’t been made public yet – we’re expecting to see it in the next few days, before the meeting – but a postcard sent to area homes and businesses to announce the open house says in part:
Based on your feedback, we’re providing more parking on SW Avalon Way and taking some measures to reduce peak-hour neighborhood cut-through traffic.
The “30 percent design plan” shown in June proposed removing about a dozen street parking spaces on the west side of Avalon in the Luna Park business district. In addition to repaving/rechannelizing Avalon, the proposal also would pave three blocks of 35th SW between Avalon and Alaska, and one block of Alaska between 35th and 36th. This Thursday’s open-house meeting is set for 5:30-7:30 pm at American Legion Post 160 (“the building with the cannon out front”), 3618 SW Alaska.
5:23 PM: That’s the view from Don Armeni Boat Ramp, now that the wildfire smoke has moved back in as predicted. Also just in, this alert from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency:
This is an air quality alert for August 19, 2018, from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and the local health jurisdictions of King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Air pollution is increasing due to wildfire smoke and may cause health problems.
Wildfire smoke is building across the Puget Sound Region. Air quality is becoming UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS in some areas already, and this is expected to spread to the rest of our region tonight or by Monday morning. With winds pushing smoke from British Columbia and the fires in the Cascades in our direction, we expect poor air quality to continue through Wednesday.
Current air quality levels in Darrington are UNHEALTHY for everyone. We could see levels become UNHEALTHY in other parts of our region over the next few days.
Check the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s website for the most recent conditions.
Wildfire smoke can cause a range of health problems:
Trouble breathing
Asthma attack
Coughing
Stinging eyes
Irritated sinuses
Headaches
Chest pain
Fast heartbeatSensitive groups should take precautions, including: children, older adults, and people that are pregnant, have heart or lung issues (such as asthma and COPD), or that have had a stroke.
Stay indoors when possible.
Limit your physical activity outdoors, such as running, bicycling, physical labor, and sports.
Close windows in your home, if possible, and keep the indoor air clean. If you have an air conditioner, use the “recirculation” switch. Use an indoor air filter if available.
If you do not have an air conditioner, consider finding a public place with clean, air-conditioned indoor air like a public library or a community center.
Avoid driving, when possible. If you must drive, keep the windows closed. If you use the car’s fan or air conditioning, make sure the system recirculates air from inside the car; don’t pull air from outside.
Schools and daycare providers should consider postponing outdoor activities or moving them indoors.
N95 or N100 rated masks can help protect some people from air pollution. These masks are usually available at hardware and home repair stores. Please check with your doctor to see if this appropriate for you.For more information on ways to reduce your exposure, see the Washington Department of Health’s Smoke From Fire tips.
As always, check with your health-care provider for more specific questions and concerns.
6:48 PM: The PSCAA has updated the health alert and now says, “Air (pollution) levels are going up more quickly than expected in the Puget Sound Region and we are reaching levels UNHEALTHY for everyone in some areas. We recommend everyone stay indoors when possible.”
We’ve been reporting on the community members and neighbors working to bring more events to Roxhill Park. The next one is the first Family Movie Night in the park, this Friday (August 24th)! The movie is the animated classic “Wall-E.” If you haven’t already seen it in our calendar, here’s the invitation from Roxhill Park Champions:
Bring blankets and low chairs to the central lawn in Roxhill Park starting at 7:30 pm.
Show starts at dusk just after 8:15 pm. Children must be with an adult to watch the film.Popcorn, sweets, and bottled water will be provided to the first 100 attendees.
The film screening and refreshments are being brought to you by the community-led Roxhill Park Champions in partnership with the Seattle Parks Commons Program.
The park is at 29th/Barton.
(Photo courtesy Southwest Seattle Historical Society)
Before and during last weekend’s SPF30 festival on Alki, we featured the custom guitar auctioned off to raise money for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. SWSHS shares the photo of the winning bidder, Eastside musician John Stephens, who picked it up this past week. SWSHS executive director Jeff McCord notes that the guitar “was donated by Terry and Ryan Martin of Walla Walla Guitar Company,” and adds:
The sale of the guitar has generated a $2,225 donation value for the historical society, plus buyer John has even donated the $50 shipping fee which he was entitled to getting back since he picked it up locally. Pictured are Sub Pop Guitar buyer John Stephens (left) and historical society supporter Mike Shaughnessy (right), who donated his time selling the guitar on his music-themed eBay account.
Thanks especially go out to Walla Walla Guitar Company, Mike (for his time and care on the eBay auction) and to Sub Pop, Thunder Road Guitars, Easy Street Records, and all of the other friends and supporters who helped spread the word about this special musical instrument.
If you somehow missed it … SPF30 (WSB coverage here and here) was a free music festival on Saturday, August 11th, celebrating legendary Seattle label Sub Pop Records‘ 30th anniversary.
P.S. The SWSHS has a big event next Saturday – “Fired Up Family Day” 11 am-1 pm August 25th – in the Homestead parking lot at 2717 61st SW; here’s our calendar listing.
(June 26th photo by Kay)
As mentioned in our Saturday coverage of the Duwamish River Festival, we learned while there that a community meeting is planned this Wednesday for updates on the June 26th barge fire. The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition has organized the meeting for 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesday (August 22nd) at the Georgetown campus of South Seattle College (6737 Corson Ave. S.). From the flyer:
We have put together an opportunity to hear short presentations from the Washington State Department of Ecology, the US Environmental Protection Agency, Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle Fire Department, and Puget SoundKeeper, all of whom have some level of expertise with (Seattle Iron & Metal)/the barge fire/the barge fire response. The agenda will also include a dedicated portion of time for community members to ask questions and receive answers. Please join us to learn about the fire, the response, the repercussions, and next steps.
The fire caught the attention of people for many miles around as it spewed thick black smoke into the sky on an otherwise clear summer evening. No injuries were reported; the next day, SFD said the fire had been ruled “accidental” with damage estimated at $1 million. Wednesday’s meeting will be in the Gene Colin Educational Hall on the southwest side of the SSC Georgetown campus; here’s a map.
Good morning! Here are highlights for your Sunday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
GIVE LINCOLN PARK A LITTLE LOVE: Join Friends of Lincoln Park for a forest-restoration work party to start your Sunday, 9 am-noon. All ages welcome. More info in our calendar listing. Meet at the north parking lot kiosk. (Fauntleroy/Rose)
OPEN-AIR BOUTIQUE, ART SALE, FOOD DRIVE: 9 am-4 pm, it’s the second and final day of well-known West Seattle artist Sheila Lengle‘s sale. Bring canned food for the West Seattle Food Bank. (7757 15th SW)
FUNDRAISING CAR WASH: This U14 girls’ soccer team is raising money for travel today by washing cars:
10 am-6 pm, you’ll find them at the West Seattle Les Schwab. All proceeds support their campaign to travel to North Carolina and compete for the national championship. (Fauntleroy/Alaska)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, see what’s fresh here in the late summer! In the street in The Junction. (California between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
WADING POOLS: Your West Seattle wading pools: Lincoln Park (11 am-8 pm; 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) and the last day of the season for Delridge (noon-6:30 pm; Delridge/Genesee)
CITYDOG MAGAZINE COVER DOG MODEL SEARCH: Noon-2 pm, bring your pup to West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) and have their photo taken for a chance to be on the cover of West Seattleite-founded CityDog Magazine! $10 fee benefits Doney Memorial Pet Clinic. (4201 SW Oregon)
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: The US Coast Guard Auxiliary leads 1 pm-4 pm tours (arrive by 3:45 pm) at historic Alki Point Lighthouse – third-to-last chance this year! (3201 Alki SW)
JAMTIME: Old-time and bluegrass music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 1-4 pm. (5612 California SW)
MUTTS & MARTINIS: A “yappy hour” raising money for Furry Faces Foundation, 2-6 pm – read all about it here. At Cascade Heights in White Center. Humans must be at least 21 years old. (9832 15th SW)
‘LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL’: 3 pm closing performance of “Legally Blonde” with Twelfth Night Productions at the West Seattle High School Theater. (3000 California SW)
SQUARE DANCE AND POTLUCK: Wrap up your weekend with neighbors and friends at South Park Hall, 5 pm. (1253 S. Cloverdale)
PREVIEW THE WEEK AHEAD, AND BEYOND … by checking out our complete calendar.
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