day : 15/11/2019 10 results

(WSB file photo from West Seattle Lights)

While working on the just-launched 2019 WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, we discovered the website for a seasonal favorite, music-synched West Seattle Lights, had gone dormant. Its creator Jim Winder confirms that’s because the show is done after a decade. His message for you:

It is with deep sadness that I must inform the West Seattle Community that West Seattle Lights will not be up and running this year. Over the past few years it has become more and more difficult to try to run and maintain West Seattle Lights from my home in Maple Valley.

Growing up, Christmas Lights has always been a big part of my life…especially since my Grandmother only lived one block away from the Gais’ house in West Seattle. I do hope West Seattle Lights has also brought some great memories for you and your family. I especially want to thank the Helmstetler Family for allowing me to take over their home for two months out of the year … but most of all I want to thank you, the West Seattle Community for your generosity and your giving to our two main charities and the Very Special Charities we collected donations for. The West Seattle Food Bank and Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation have greatly appreciated your generous giving over the last ten years….so please remember them and any other charities this holiday season.

If you do get a need for a Sir Charles fix, feel free to come visit us out at Maple Valley Lights!! Again, thanks to you all for a great ten years!!

Jim’s show in Maple Valley is at 22629 SE 263rd Place [map]. We first featured his WS show in November 2009.

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AVALON/35TH PROJECT: What’s done and what’s not

November 15, 2019 7:59 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

From SDOT, an update on where the Avalon/35th project stands:

We have finished placing temporary striping on SW Avalon Way! We are currently installing new signs along the corridor to help guide people driving and biking. As you adjust to the new channelization, please drive carefully and allow everyone a little extra space.

This new design accommodates transit needs, north and southbound bike lanes, and adjusts parking on both sides of SW Avalon Way. For more information on the final design, see our final design plans and graphics on our website.

We wanted to highlight a few of the significant changes to SW Avalon Way, to help people driving, walking, and biking understand the new road design.

· Parking removal near curb ramps: We have restricted parking near curb ramps and intersections to increase visibility and safety for people walking and driving

· Parking after 10 AM in bus only lanes: People driving northbound on SW Avalon Way can park in the bus only lane between St Orleans St and SW Bradford St after 10 AM on Monda through Friday. Please do not park in front of curb ramps.

· Left turns onto SW Yancy St: People driving southbound on SW Avalon Way cannot turn left onto SW Yancy St and instead should travel south and turn left at SW Genesee St. This change is to ease traffic flow and create space on the road for protected bike lanes.

· Left turns onto SW Genesee St: People driving northbound on SW Avalon Way cannot turn left onto SW Genesee St and instead should travel north and turn left onto SW Andover St. This change is also to ease traffic flow and create space on the road for protected bike lanes.

· Left turns off SW Manning St: People driving are no longer able to turn left at SW Manning St and onto SW Avalon Way as it is not a safe turn for people driving with the new channelization. This change is also meant to ease traffic flow near the SW Spokane St, West Seattle Bridge onramps, and Harbor Ave SW intersection.

(Note: Crews will not be working Friday, November 29.)

Work near 35th Ave SW and SW Avalon Way Intersection:

We are rebuilding the northern 2 lanes on SW Avalon Way east and west of the 35th Ave SW intersection. This intersection will continue to change as work continues. Please drive slowly as our traffic control will shift frequently.

Please expect:

· No left turns for people traveling northbound on SW Avalon way at the 35th Ave SW intersection. People driving can turn right onto 35th Ave SW or continue straight on SW Avalon Way.

· Traffic delays at the 35th Ave SW and SW Avalon Way intersection due to temporary lane reductions

· One lane of travel in each direction on SW Avalon Way

· Right turns in and out of driveways at this time

Work is continuing in Zones C, D and E.

And a few Q&A’s from SDOT:

Can you legally cross a double yellow line?
Yes, if you are turning into a private driveway or alley, you can legally cross a double yellow line. This article from our blog and the Revised Code of Washington can help clarify questions about crossing a double yellow line. 

What is the difference between a solid white line vs a broken white line on the road?
Besides the edge of the roadway, a solid white line is used to indicate areas where lane changes are discouraged. Broken white lines indicated two or more lanes that are going in the same direction in areas where it is safe to change lanes.

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LIGHT RAIL: 2 more Sound Transit soil-sampling sites in West Seattle

November 15, 2019 6:39 pm

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| Sound Transit | West Seattle news

Thanks to Paul for the photo and the tip. Sound Transit has moved westward for its next rounds of soil sampling as environmental studies for West Seattle light rail continue. We hadn’t received advance notice this time, unlike previous rounds of drilling in other areas, but subsequently requested and received them from Sound Transit. First, the drilling shown above, under way at 39th SW and SW Genesee:

After that concludes next week, as this notice shows, they’re scheduled to move on to 35th/Avalon:

If you have questions about this – or anything else about the process, next week’s West Seattle neighborhood forum is a good time to ask – it’s at 6 pm Thursday (November 21st) at Alki Masonic Center (4736 40th SW). Earlier that day, the Sound Transit Board is scheduled to discuss I-976 (here’s the agenda).

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TUNNEL TOLLING: First 3 days of data show ‘diversion’ not as bad as it could have been

November 15, 2019 3:08 pm

| 27 COMMENTS

| Highway 99 tunnel | Transportation | West Seattle news

So how many people are dodging the Highway 99 tunnel now that tolls are being charged? We’re just out of a downtown briefing where WSDOT and SDOT reps shared the answer, which is basically: Not as much as feared. They cited Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday data, saying that over those three days, tunnel volume averaged no more than 30 percent below pre-toll levels. (There had been projections suggesting up to 50 percent “diversion.”) Alaskan Way, accessible from the pre-tunnel Dearborn exit from NB 99, had somewhat higher usage, but 1st and 4th were “typical.”

Too soon to declare a definitive trend, cautioned WSDOT’s toll-operations director Ed Barry and SDOT’s downtown-mobility director Heather Marx, but that’s what they have so far. About 75% of those going through the tunnel had eiiher a Good To Go pass or account, so the other 25 percent will be getting bills in the mail. (If you’re waiting for the system upgrade that will allow you to use GTG without putting $30 in the account first, that’s not going to be available until next year. We recorded the briefing/Q&A, held in SDOT’s Traffic Management Center, on video, and will add it after we get back to HQ.

ADDED 5:44 PM: Above, video of the entire briefing/Q&A, which lasted just under 15 minutes. Side note: Pre-briefing, we asked Marx about the pre-tunnel bus lane, the length of which was tweaked some weeks back. She said it’s “working exactly as planned” and that its importance will increase even further when buses switch to Alaskan Way, which she said is expected to happen in January.

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FOLLOWUP: Lincoln Park south play area project delayed again

November 15, 2019 2:11 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo, July 2017)

It’s been two and a half years since Lincoln Park‘s south play area was closed for safety concerns – and the rebuild has been delayed again. We noticed that a new update on the project website says the project won’t be going out to bid until early next year:

This project has experienced some unforeseen delays. We anticipate the bid will be advertised in early 2020, with construction beginning in spring 2020.

We asked Seattle Parks for details on those delays, given that it’s already been almost two years since community design input for the project. Spokesperson Karen O’Connor replies, “Currently, Planning and Development has over six play area renovations going on across the city, and we’ve had to make some adjustments in our scheduling to ensure that all these projects can keep making progress.”

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Hit-run victim looking for witnesses; early-morning possible-gunfire investigation

November 15, 2019 1:02 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Two items in West Seattle Crime Watch:

HIT-RUN: Anybody know who might have done that to Rebecca’s car in Seaview?

She says, “Came out (Thursday) morning to find my car had been hit while parked overnight in front of my house on 45th between Juneau and Findlay. I think I heard something (Wednesday night) around 9:30 pm. I’m interested if anyone has any information or saw / heard anything.” It’s been reported to police.

SUSPECTED GUNFIRE: We received multiple questions this morning about possible gunshots heard around quarter to 4 this morning near 40th/Edmunds, so we checked with police. They tell us they got multiple calls: “Officers searched the area, no damage, no evidence located.”

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COMMUNITY GIVING: Eastridge Church’s turkeys-and-groceries giveaway, one week from tomorrow

November 15, 2019 11:55 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, 2018)

Eastridge Church has just sent its annual announcement about the pre-Thanksgiving turkeys-and-groceries giveaway at both its campuses, including 39th SW/SW Oregon in the West Seattle Junction – 1,500 turkeys and bags of groceries (with coats available too), “given out first-come, first-served, with no demonstration of need required to receive the assistance.” They’ve been doing this for 16 years. It starts at 9 am Saturday, (corrected) November 23rd, and continues until they run out.

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Now through nighttime, what’s up for your West Seattle Friday

November 15, 2019 10:57 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(California Sea Lion, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Friday highlights!

HOLIDAY BAZAAR AND BAKE SALE: Happening until 4 pm today, and again 9 am-4 pm tomorrow, at Providence Mount St. Vincent. (4831 35th SW)

CARMILIA’S 17TH ANNIVERSARY: As previewed here earlier this week, Carmilia’s Boutique in The Junction is celebrating 17 years in business! Open 11 am-6 pm today and … there’s cake. Also “new deliveries and specials all day.” (4528 California SW)

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT: West Seattle High School‘s junior ASB is presenting a “Parents Night Out babysitting service” 5:30-10 pm, “for kids ages 3 (potty trained) to 11. Cost is $35 dollars per child or $30 with two or more cans of food that will be donated to the West Seattle Food Bank, if you sign up 2 or more kids it the price becomes $25 dollars per child. This includes pizza, snacks, crafts, games, and a movie! Many of the sitters are CPR trained.” Email wshsco2021@gmail.com ASAP to see if there’s still room. (3000 California SW)

LIVE MUSIC AND FOOD DRIVE: 6-9 pm at West Seattle Grounds, acoustic set by Laura Bermes – get a drimk discount if you bring a donation for the West Seattle Food Bank. (2141 California SW)

SKI MOVIE: “Return to Send’er.” Presented at 7 pm by Mountain to Sound Outfitters, at American Legion Post 160. Doors open at 6:30: “Come early for the cash bar and gear raffle.” Tickets at the door. (3618 SW Alaska)

SIGGIE THE VINTAGE MAN: Solo acoustic Americana, 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor).

No cover; all ages. (5612 California SW)

‘A FEW GODD MEN,’ CLOSING NIGHT: 7:30 pm, last chance to see “A Few Good Men” at West Seattle High School.

Ticket info here – veterans get in free. (3000 California SW)

THE SLAGS: 9 pm at Poggie Tavern. No cover. 21+. (4717 California SW)

PREVIEW THE WEEKEND … via our complete calendar and newly published Holiday Guide!

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WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY GUIDE: Here’s version 1.0. Got something to add?

November 15, 2019 9:58 am

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| Holidays | West Seattle news

With a big weekend of holiday bazaars beginning, and less than two weeks left until Thanksgiving, we’ve published the first version of our annual West Seattle Holiday Guide – see it here. Thanks to everyone who’s sent listings already; we’ll be updating daily, so please keep sending more – from shopping events to concerts, performances, celebrations, Santa photos, religious services, whatever your organization/school/etc. is doing that’s seasonal, now through New Year’s, westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch

November 15, 2019 7:15 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

7:15 AM: Good morning. Rain’s back. No incidents or alerts so far.

ON THE WATER: As announced yesterday, the Doc Maynard is back on the West Seattle Water Taxi run … Various changes on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth state ferry route – detailed here – while one vessel remains downsized.

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