West Seattle, Washington
27 Saturday
A new look and new identity for the midblock passage on the west side of the 4700 block of California SW, between Northwest Art and Frame and Puerto Vallarta – it’s now Mural Alley, dedicated during tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk. Lora Radford of the Junction Association was joined by contributors for the ceremony.
Maybe you joined muralist Stacey Sterling – seen in our video – during Summer Fest?
(WSB photo from last July)
Also part of tonight’s ceremony, Bob Henry, who’s been renovating West Seattle’s historic murals (as well as the new Mural Alley), talking about how he got involved:
Of course there was a ribbon-cutting:
The murals, like the one Blue Geisha Tattoo artists painted of movie star Hedy Lamarr, have plaques:
Go see the rest for yourself!
5:56 PM: As previewed on our “West Seattle Thursday” list, tonight’s edition of the West Seattle Art Walk is a big one! Above, that’s artist Lezlie Jane at a new WSAW venue – Brace Point Pottery in Arbor Heights (4208 SW 100th). She is known for so much public art, but this is her first solo show of paintings! You can meet her at the gallery until 8 pm. Much more coverage to come!
6:12 PM: More paintings – this time at Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW) in The Junction, with co-proprietor Frances Smersh. As explained on the Click! website:
Both her jewelry and her paintings have long been defined by organic forms and color. While we still carry a collection of Frances’ jewelry in-store, painting and drawing have become her primary creative outlet. As her young-onset Alzheimer’s Disease has progressed her paintings have become increasingly abstract. This show includes acrylic works on wood panels, ink on paper, and watercolor, which she has recently discovered a fondness for.
Her reception is continuing until 8 pm too.
Also in The Junction, until 7:40 pm, stop in at John L. Scott (4555 California SW) to enjoy the third Art of Music performance, this time featuring the Nathan & Roz Duo:
And at 7 pm, the Mural Alley dedication is happening on the east-side midblock in the 4700 block of California SW.
(More on the dedication in a separate report.)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The Sound Transit Board’s System Expansion Committee gave its support this afternoon to adding one West Seattle alternative to environmental studies – but didn’t rule out the other one.
The Board recommended inclusion of the Yancy/Andover Elevated option, because, said committee chair Claudia Balducci of Bellevue, it would have a lesser impact on the Youngstown residential neighborhood, and is likely to be comparable in cost to the project’s originally roughed-out routing.(Here’s the motion they approved [PDF].)
Discussion of and a decision on whether to study the Pigeon Point Tunnel will be left to the full board. It would require an estimated $200 million third-party funding and would likely be paired wth a Junction tunnel costing $700 million additional third-party documents – and as we reported earlier this week, no one seems to be working yet on what that “third party funding” might be.
Here’s the slide deck (PDF) shown at the meeting. We have a bit more to add later, but first, highlights of the discussion:
This week’s Avalon/35th repaving-and-more project update has a big headline: No third closure of that intersection expected after all. From SDOT:
Thank you for your patience during our intersection closure at 35th Ave SW and SW Avalon Way! Work during the closure was successful and we were able to open the intersection early! At this time, we do not expect to have a third intersection closure and are working on remaining intersection work during typical work hours.
As concrete paving continues in the same sections of the corridor, you may not hear from us as often. We will still be sure to let you know if things change and will reach out as work continues in new locations. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact us at: AvalonPaving@seattle.gov; 206-900-8734
Information by Zone
Zone C and Zone D (SW Avalon Way from Fauntleroy Way SW to just east of 35th Ave SW) Crews are excavating and completing concrete paving on the south side of SW Avalon Way in parts of Zone C and Zone D. Please note:
Crews will continue pouring concrete curbs and panels on SW Avalon Way east and west of 35th Ave SW
Crews will continue demolishing pavement in the western half of Zone D next weekZone E (35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St)
Crews have begun demolition on the east half of 35th Ave SW and will continue this week
Crews may begin pouring concrete panels on the east half of 35th Ave SW as early as the week of October 14 and will continue for the rest of OctoberAccess to the West Seattle Stadium and golf course will remain open during construction.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Two statewide ballot measures on which you’re about to vote were considered Wednesday night by our area’s biggest political organization, the 34th District Democrats.
And they got suggestions on how to take action on the climate crisis.
First, the ballot measures. In Seattle, they’ve been overshadowed by the City Council races, so you might not have heard much about them.
Referendum 88 will ask you whether to approve or reject a measure that passed the state Legislature, Initiative 1000, which would restore affirmative action, 21 years after a ballot measure outlawed it. The 34th DDs voted to endorse approval of R-88.
Initiative 976 is the latest car-tab-limiting proposal from Tim Eyman. Two high-level 976 opponents spoke: State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon said it would lead to – in this area – ferry cuts, bus-service “impairment,” and transportation infrastructure maintenance challenges. He acknowledged it was likely to be popular outside Seattle, so, “Every vote we turn out in this community (matters extra) … the way we defeat a Tim Eyman initiative is to run up the score in districts like the 34th.”
Also speaking against 976, King County Executive Dow Constantine, who added that 976 could be a threat to West Seattle light-rail funding. The 34th DDs agreed with the electeds and voted to oppose 976. Voting starts late next week, once your ballot arrives; the deadline is Election Night, Tuesday, November 5th.
Before the endorsement votes, the 34th DDs heard from a climate activist: Read More
Andre‘s blue 1990 Yamaha Zuma scooter was stolen from a condo parking lot in the 2300 block of 44th SW: “The scooter was probably stolen last night but I just noticed it was gone in the morning around 7 am. Someone probably just loaded the scooter in a truck and took off in the alley. They would need at least 2 people to lift the scooter in the truck.” If you see it, call 911.
Police are investigating whether two Wednesday afternoon robberies are connected. The victims in both cases were teenagers. We requested and obtained the reports for both; here are summaries of what police were told happened:
13-YEAR-OLD ROBBED NEAR SCHOOL: The first one happened near Madison Middle School around 3:40 pm. A 13-year-old boy was walking westbound on SW Hanford near 45th SW when a newer black Ford Explorer pulled up nearby. The driver and passenger got out and “approached him, demanding his belongings,” then one reached into his pocket and stole his iPhone. They got back in the car and left southbound on 45th. The victim described the robbers as: Black men, possibly in their 20s, one with a close-shaved head, gray Nike hoodie, black sweatpants, the other with a medium-length Afro, bright-red Nike jacket, black pants. This police report says a “similar” description was given for two suspects in the next robbery an hour later:
16-YEAR-OLD ROBBED AT WESTWOOD VILLAGE: Around 4:40 pm, a 16-year-old boy was robbed while walking near the east side of the Westwood Village Rite-Aid, the 9000 block of 25th SW. He said a “black-colored older SUV” pulled up near him and the front passenger called him over. He saw four people inside, described as: Black, male, 17 to 19 years old, three in black hoodies, one in a black jacket over a red hoodie. The front passenger, who had “a flat-top haircut,” stuck out his hand as i to shake the victim’s hand but then the victim noticed he was holding what appeared to be a handgun in his other hand in his lap. The victim started backing away; the front passenger got out and chased him, tackling him in a nearby “grassy area,” taking his Nike Airmax Plus shoes and iPhone. The victim then “ran home wearing only socks,” the report says.
One month into the new school year and fundraising season is revving up. At Lafayette Elementary (2645 California SW), today is Walk-A-Thon day, with students and staff taking turns out on the playground. With iffy weather this time of year, the event hasn’t always been sun-splashed, but this year, the weather’s perfect. Bake sale too, if you stop by to show support:
The Lafayette Walk-A-Thon is scheduled to continue until 1:30 pm.
(Fundraiser coming up at YOUR school? Be sure to send us info so we can share it with the community!)
(Pileated Woodpecker, photographed in Fauntleroy Park by Mark Wangerin)
Busiest day/night this week, and this is just some of what’s up in the hours ahead:
LAFAYETTE WALK-A-THON: Until 1:30 pm, it’s the annual fundraiser, with grades taking turns walking around the Lafayette Elementary playground. (2645 California SW)
MORE LIGHT-RAIL ALTERNATIVES? 1:30-4 pm, the Sound Transit Board‘s System Expansion Committee will decide whether to recommend including more routing alternatives in environmental studies for West Seattle to Ballard light rail. Here’s the agenda (PDF); here’s the public-comment summary that will be presented to the committee. The meeting in the ST boardroom downtown includes a public hearing. It’ll also be livestreamed. (401 S. Jackson)
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR’S STORY: Pete Metzelaar speaks at the Senior Center of West Seattle, 1:30 pm. (4217 SW Oregon)
SEATTLE PLANNING COMMISSION IN DELRIDGE: As previewed here, this advisory group is coming to West Seattle and will hear from community reps. There’s also a public-comment period. 4 pm in the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center Movement Studio. Here’s the updated agenda (PDF). (4408 Delridge Way SW)
NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY CELEBRATION: 5-7 pm at Hiawatha Community Center, a celebration for LGBTQ people and allies, with music, art, food, resources, more. (2700 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK, WITH MURAL ALLEY DEDICATION & MUSIC: Big West Seattle Art Walk tonight! Map/venue list here (PDF) and below:
(WSB is an Art Walk sponsor.) See the highlights here. Among them:
Frances Smersh exhibition @ Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) – 5-8 pm, the co-proprietor of Click! – who has continued prolifically making art as she deals with young-onset Alzheimer’s – is this month’s featured artist.
Lezlie Jane’s solo exhibition – Meet the artist who’s created so many beloved public-art works around West Seattle! It’s her first solo show of paintings, at Brace Point Pottery (4208 SW 100th), reception 5-8 pm.
The Art of Music – 6-7:40 pm, indoors this time:
The Art of Music is a series of performances by musicians presented by the West Seattle Junction Association (partial funding by: Seattle Office of Arts & Culture) and scheduled to take place on, and complement, Second Thursday Art Walk evenings. The third performance will take place inside the offices of John L. Scott Real Estate West Seattle (4445 California SW) beginning at 6:00 pm and providing 90 minutes of entertainment— featuring the Nathan and Roz Duo — adult contemporary top 40 from pop, soul and jazz standards for the entire family. Enjoy music, art on display, and specials offered by participating businesses in the Junction during the same evening!
‘Mural Alley’ dedication – Be at the walkthrough north of NW Art and Frame (west side of 4700 block of California SW) at 7 pm – details here.
CHIEF SEALTH IHS OPEN HOUSE/CURRICULUM NIGHT: Chief Sealth International High School families, it’s your night to find out more about what your student(s) are studying this year – details in our calendar listing. 6-8:25 pm. (2600 SW Thistle)
SOUTHWEST STORIES: 6 pm at Southwest Library, Jeff Smoot talks about his new memoir, “Hangdog Days: Conflict, Change, and the Race for 5.14.” (9010 35th SW)
CITY COUNCIL DEBATE: Phil Tavel and Lisa Herbold‘s next side-by-side in District 1 is 6:30 tonight at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, presented by CityClub. Details and RSVP link are here. Doors open at 6. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
IMPACT WEST SEATTLE: You can make a difference by giving! You’re welcome at the group’s quarterly meeting, 7 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building. (4217 SW Oregon)
‘SUNSET BABY’: 7:30 pm curtain tonight at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), “Sunset Baby” by Dominique Morisseau. Ticket info here. (4711 California SW)
CECIL MOSES & THE SG’S: Funk at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm. $5 cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE THE FULL LINEUP … for today, tonight, and beyond, via our complete calendar!
Next Tuesday afternoon, Chief Sealth International High School‘s slowpitch team plays for the Metro League championship! That news, and the photo, comes from Chief Sealth athletic director Ernest Policarpio, who says it’ll be the first time a CSIHS team has played for a Metro championship since the boys’ basketball team in 2011. The game’s against Cleveland, 4 pm Tuesday (October 15th) at the upper softball field at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle, across the street from CSIHS) and they hope to fill the bleachers with fans. This is just the second season for the program.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:58 AM: Good morning! No incidents or alerts so far.
99 & TUNNEL CLOSURE/BUS LANE WORK: Reminder, NB 99 is closing 11 pm Friday-4 am Monday from the West Seattle Bridge to the north end of the tunnel. And as we reported last night, SDOT says it will be “adjusting” the NB 99 bus lane during that time. (added) SB tunnel closure overnight late Friday/early Saturday, too.
FRIDAY NOTE: No classes tomorrow for Seattle Public Schools (and others who follow its calendar).
ADDED 8:18 AM – ANOTHER WEEKEND REMINDER: If you plan to use light rail this weekend, remember the SODO to Capitol Hill shutdown.
8:43 AM: EB bridge crash:
Collision on the West Seattle Bridge at mid-span blocking the center EB lane. Use caution. pic.twitter.com/4e0cG9EVT1
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) October 10, 2019
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