(C coach seen by Will on 4th Tuesday. Metro told us at the time it wasn’t route-testing, but …)

During the pm commute hours today, Metro routed West Seattle-bound buses off 1st Avenue to avert a pre-Seahawks traffic jam, even though the transit system started the week by saying alternate routing wasn’t really a option to relieve the chronic crunch. And suddenly there’s hope it might be an option after all. That came in the form of this statement from King County Executive Dow Constantine, billed :

Since before the Viaduct closure and demolition earlier this year, our community planned together for the ‘Seattle Squeeze’ – several years of construction that makes getting around downtown and the region challenging. We survived ‘Via-doom’ thanks to extraordinary efforts by transportation agencies and the public, who adjusted their schedules and routes.

This summer, downtown commuters have been frustrated as Metro travel times worsened due to continued work on the waterfront, preparations for expanded light rail service in 2021, new commercial developments, and other factors. Riders to West Seattle, Burien, and other locations using the SR99 corridor have experienced especially slow peak commutes in the afternoon.

We have taken steps to ease these impacts, but we are not satisfied and are committed to doing more. King County Metro staff continue to work together with the Seattle Department of Transportation to help keep buses, people, and goods moving.

With the opening this winter of a transit corridor on Columbia Street to the waterfront, and a new Alaskan Way South with transit priority in 2021, the situation will improve. But we are not willing to wait, and pledge to do all we can together to keep buses moving through this challenging period.

Tonight’s Seahawks game provides us the chance to see how an alternate rerouted pathway that uses Fourth Avenue South would work until Alaskan Way is once again open for buses. We hope it is successful and that we will learn new information that offers better solutions. But the downtown Seattle grid is at maximum capacity, and there are challenges with every option available to us.

Our future lies in a robust light rail and bus network, and a waterfront open to all. As the region rapidly evolves, we will do everything in our power to ensure the Seattle Squeeze becomes a minor inconvenience rather than a major headache.

So far we’ve heard mostly positive reviews; we’ll ask tomorrow about what will happen with that “new information.”

Two other related notes:

-City Councilmember Lisa Herbold is asking the mayor to get involved.

-West Seattle bus rider Charlotte has launched an online petition to urge that the buses be moved off 1st. You can “sign” it here.

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FRIDAY: Another West Seattle lemonade-stand fundraiser for immigrant/refugee families

August 8, 2019 9:10 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle news

The photo and announcement were sent by Randee:

Immigrant Families Together has put a call out to kids for lemonade stands to raise money for immigrant families. The kids at Taproot School are answering that call.

From 3:30 to 5:30 at the Fauntleroy Ferry terminal on August 9th, the families from Taproot School will be selling lemonade with all proceeds going to Immigrant Families Together. We want to not only raise money, but also to raise awareness and to inspire others to have their own stands to raise money for Immigrant Families Together.

Immigrant Families Together is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organization working to keep families together by providing bond money for parents, legal services, safe housing, clothing, food, cellphones among other vital services to help families have the best possible chance at receiving asylum.

For more information about how to help immigrant families stay together, hosting your own lemonade stand and to donate directly, please go (here).

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Scenes from August’s West Seattle Art Walk, with music

August 8, 2019 6:43 pm

| Comments Off on Scenes from August’s West Seattle Art Walk, with music

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

6:43 PM: The first “Art of Music” performance is happening on the southwest Walk All Ways corner at California/Alaska, as the August West Seattle Art Walk continues. The duo is How Short (Josh Hou and Andy Short). They’re scheduled to play until 7:30 pm, the first of a series of Art Walk-night performances presented by the West Seattle Junction Association. And of course, you’ll find art at multiple venues in The Junction and beyond:

That’s Amber Leaders, featured artist at Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor); the photo’s from Click! co-proprietor John Smersh. She’s there until 8; read more about her prints, cards, and pins on the Click! website. The full Art Walk map/venue list is in our preview.

ADDED 9:18 PM: If you’ve seen the posters/cards for this quarter’s Art Walks, you’ve seen Whitney LaRene‘s work:

Her work is featured this month at Flying Apron in The Junction (4709 California SW) – remember that most artists’ work can be seen (often with purchase information if you’re interested) all month long, not just on Art Walk Night. We also stopped at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), showing work by Nikki Hobensack:

Next West Seattle Art Walk: September 12th!

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ELECTION RESULTS, DAY 3: New numbers in Seattle City Council District 1

August 8, 2019 4:09 pm

| 29 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Just in, the third King County Elections report on the August primary. For the first several days, each new count adds thousands of ballots, so we’re continuing to watch the City Council District 1 race. Here’s the new tally:

Lisa Herbold – 11,326 – 49.47%
Phil Tavel – 7,556 – 33.00%
Brendan Kolding – 3,915 – 17.10%

D-1 turnout – 35.03% so far (the district’s total turnout in August 2015 was 29.3%)

Herbold’s percentage is up from 47.95% on Election Night; Tavel’s is down from 33.83%. Today’s count added 4,317 more ballots. The county says it’s received 27,471 ballots from D-1 so far, so it has at least 3,617 (and more possibly still trickling in via postal mail) left to count. Next update: Friday afternoon.

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AVALON/35TH PROJECT: What’s done, what’s next, plus some weekend work

August 8, 2019 3:46 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Luna Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

The weekly Avalon/35th project update from SDOT is just in. One zone of repaving is complete, another is just starting, and one closed road is reopening, among other highlights:

Paving is complete in Zone A and we have begun breaking the road in Zone C.

Zone A (SW Avalon Way from SW Spokane St to SW Yancy St)
To complete work in Zone A, we are continuing work on SW Avalon Way between SW Charlestown St and SW Andover St, including:

-Installing electrical work on the new bus island at SW Yancy St
-Opening SW Yancy St today
-Working on Saturday, August 10 to finish electrical work and begin curb ramp work
-Finishing work in Zone A as soon as the week of August 12
-Temporarily opening SW Charlestown St as soon as today, August 8. SW Charlestown St will close next week for curb ramp upgrades.

Zone C (SW Avalon Way from SW Genesee St to 35th Ave SW)

We are continuing work on SW Avalon Way between SW Genesee St and 35th Ave SW including:

-Breaking the north side of the road today, August 8
-Excavating the north side of the road as early as Friday, August 9
-Maintaining driveway access when safe and feasible during the workday
-Placing steel plates or building temporary driveways between 5 and 7 PM to maintain evening access
-Tentatively paving Zone C as early as the week of August 19
-Working on Saturday, August 10 to continue building the new road base

Zone E (35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St)

We are continuing work on 35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St, including:

-Excavating the west side of the road north of SW Snoqualmie St
-Beginning concrete paving as soon as the week of August 12
-Preparing road base which can lead to noise and vibrations
-SW Snoqualmie St remaining closed for staging
-Working on Saturday, August 10 to continue building the new road base
-We are monitoring the worksite on the weekends and will implement traffic control as needed.

Things we’ve heard from the community
Each week, we’ll plan to address a few common questions we’ve heard from your neighbors.

Where is work in Zone C starting?
Work in Zone C has started on the north side of SW Avalon Way between SW Genesee St and 35th Ave SW. Paving is anticipated to take place on the north side of SW Avalon Way as early as the week of August 19.

When are the intersection closures happening?
Intersection closures are anticipated to begin as soon as early September. We will update you through our email updates, post a detour map and work with local businesses to help maintain access during each weekend.

Will our trash still be picked up when construction is in our area?
We are coordinating with Seattle Public Utilities on trash collection so that your trash continues to be picked up when construction is in your area.

As noted earlier today, some additional street parking has opened back up on the west side of Avalon in the Luna Park business area.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Apartment garage burglarized twice

August 8, 2019 2:38 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

From Shay near 60th/Stevens:

Wanted to report that we’ve had two things stolen from our apartment garages (fully locked unless you have a key or garage door opener to enter/someone leaves the garage open…). First happened at some point Monday night (noticed Tuesday morning) and they stole a $500 amplifier. (Wednesday) afternoon, we noticed that my husband’s $4,000 mountain bike (which was mounted and locked/chained up) was stolen, which we think happened at some point (Tuesday) night. Our assumption is that the people who stole the amplifier came back with a chain cutter/saw and stole the bike.

We’ve reported the above for the police, but wanted others to be aware that theft seems to be on the rise. Make sure your garage doors shut when you leave & be on high alert.

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BIZNOTES: Luna Park parking, PCC progress, Papa Murphy’s postscript

August 8, 2019 12:18 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Three quick biznotes:

MORE PARKING FOR LUNA PARK BUSINESSES: As the Avalon/35th repaving-and-more project continues, an update today from John Bennett:

SDOT opened up 10 street parking spots for us on the west side of the street in front of Luna Park Cafe and Shack Coffee. They also predict that there will be parking on the east side opening up after the middle of August. This will help our parking problems down here temporarily. We thank all our dedicated customers for making the extra effort to get to Luna Park Cafe and Shack Coffee during this time of crazy construction.

SDOT’s next weekly construction update should be out later today.

PCC PROGRESS: Lots of questions about when the new West Seattle PCC Community Markets (WSB sponsor) store will open. We checked in with PCC and they’re stlll not ready to say anything but “fall” – yet. It’s been 2 years and 2 months since the old store closed. As you might have noticed in the WSB West Seattle Jobs Offered section (free listings for local businesses!), they’re having job fairs for the new store – next one 3-6 pm today at the Burien PCC (15840 1st Ave S.), and two more on August 21st and September 7th.

PAPA MURPHY’S POSTSCRIPT: After the abrupt closure of the Jefferson Square Papa Murphy’s a week and a half ago, we asked corporate HQ about it. They finally responded this week:

This location closed down without immediate plans to reopen. It is always sad news when a franchise owner decides to close their doors. It’s a tough decision, both personally and professionally, for them. We hope to be open again near you at some point in the future!

As PM fans probably already know, there’s one in White Center, 11202 16th SW.

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Hiawatha concert, Art Walk, more for your West Seattle Thursday!

August 8, 2019 10:59 am

| Comments Off on Hiawatha concert, Art Walk, more for your West Seattle Thursday!

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Highlights for the rest of your Thursday:

WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: Seattle Parks says afternoon sun and 70+ temps are expected, so it’s planning to open the pools: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open 11 am-8 pm, Hiawatha (Walnut/Lander) is open noon-6:30 pm, South Park (738 S. Sullivan) is open noon-7 pm. And the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open 11 am-8 pm.

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK, WITH ‘THE ART OF MUSIC’: 5 pm-late for this month’s West Seattle Art Walk – here’s the map/venue list:

And in The Junction, 6-7:30 pm, the first “Art of Music” outdoor performance – How Short will perform “happy swing and jazz” on the southwest corner of California/Alaska

BENEFIT TO BEAT BLOOD CANCER: 5-8:30 pm at Ounces. (3809 Delridge Way SW)

PLAN A FESTIVAL: First meeting to plan Roxhill Park’s World Music Festival, 6 pm at the picnic tables in the park. (29th/Barton)

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: 7 pm, “Henry IV” at Lincoln Park with GreenStage. Free! (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

EASY STREET IN-STORE: 7 pm, Twin Xl acoustic set and signing. Free. All ages. (California/Alaska)

SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: 6:30 pm on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center, the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s series of free Thursday night concerts continues with Ranger and the Re-arrangers. Bring your own chair/blanket. (Walnut/Lander)

PARLIAMENTALITY PRESENTS: “Funk/Jazz groove session with Bob Heinemann with Joe Doria, Ben Bloom, Grant Schoff.” 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

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COUNTDOWN: What you’ll find at Delridge Day 2019 this Saturday

August 8, 2019 9:40 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Delridge | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Two days until our area’s next big festival. Delridge Day, with co-sponsors including WSB. Organizers have just sent this update on what you’ll find:

The 2019 Delridge Day festival is this Saturday, August 10th, from 11 AM-3 PM at Delridge Community Center and Park [Delridge/Genesee]. This year’s festival will be our largest yet, with 50+ booths in our community area, and a number of new and returning festival features:

Rain City West Printing is sponsoring “The Eight Circle of Del” regional skateboard competition in the skatepark this year! The competition will be going on all day with registration beginning at 10:00 am, so don’t miss out on the chance to show off your skills and win some cool prizes for competitors of all ages! Registration is FREE and helmets are required.

Don’t know how to skate yet or feel intimidated by the skatepark? Skate Like a Girl will be back this year to offer lessons. Skate Like a Girl is a nonprofit organization empowering individuals, especially young womxn, to become strong, confident leaders who promote and implement equity through the vehicle of skateboarding. They believe that skateboarding is a tool to build confidence, resilience, and foster inclusive community.

Family-friendly martial-arts demonstrations will be on display thanks to local business Combat Arts Academy of Seattle, which offers programs for all ages and skill levels – whether you want to learn self-defense, get into shape, compete, or just have fun… they have a class for you, designed to help you reach your goals.

Once again, FREE picnic food will be provided as part of the annual Southwest Precinct Picnic, with support from returning sponsor the Seattle Police Foundation. Precinct Picnics provide opportunities for each precinct’s surrounding neighborhoods to come together and enjoy an afternoon of celebration with the officers who protect their families and businesses. The Seattle Police Department plans to make many officers and units available. Last year, they brought cars, a K-9 police officer, their Mounted Patrol (that happen to be based right here in our Delridge neighborhood), a Bomb Squad robot that was offering candy, and free ice cream and popcorn.

Our TWO entertainment stages will feature another great lineup of local live music and cultural groups as always, supported by returning sponsor PNTA, your experts in theatre and stage equipment:

· Khmer Dancers
· Brazilian Dancers
· Polynesian singer John Fanene
· Jazz Night School Band
· and much more…

We are excited to announce that this year’s GreenLife Festival, a dedicated summer programming area curated by Sustainable West Seattle. The mission of GreenLife is to facilitate a public space where topics of sustainability can be demonstrated and realized. Come check out their booths and learn about local initiatives to promote sustainability in West Seattle and beyond. Along with information, Alki Bike & Board will be hosting e-bike tours of the Puget Ridge Edible Park project and Diver Laura will have the VR Virtual Salish Sea on site!

And if that isn’t enough, our local Seattle Emergency Hubs group will be hosting the Urban Survival Skills Fair, offering an opportunity to gain a variety of preparedness-related skills and useful knowledge from experts!

The VieWS planning committee would like to give a shout-out to our Feature Sponsors, Rain City West Printing and Port of Seattle. We also want to recognize our Community Sponsors: Alki Bike & Board, Combat Arts Academy of Seattle, Nucor, PNTA, Seattle Parks & Recreation, and Seattle Public Utilities.

We are also supported by a generous grant from 4Culture, which provides funding and support for the cultural work that makes King County vibrant! And we are proud to be recognized as a Seafair community festival.

Without them, our other sponsors, and all of our volunteers, none of this would be possible! The sponsorship and vendor fees not only support the festival but also allow us to give back to the community, as VieWS will continue our tradition of donating a percentage of all fees to the ARC (Associated Recreational Council), which provides money to fund scholarships for Community Center classes at the Delridge Community Center, and to a local organization helping to educate and connect our neighbors.