Luna Park 126 results

West Seattle weekend scene: Harbor/ Avalon/ Manning volunteers, cleaning & planting

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(1st two photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)

The organizers of this morning’s Harbor/Avalon/Manning work party said “rain or shine,” and they meant it! In the final hour, we found hardy volunteers under and around the bridge, cleaning up the area as well as planting trees and ferns.

avalonclean2

Don Brubeck from West Seattle Bike Connections sent the next photo – reporting that WSBC had three volunteers joining in, as the group planted five 5 Hogan’s Cedars:

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As mentioned in the announcements of this work party and one earlier in the year, this work is part of the preparation for a beautification project next year funded by a city matching-fund grant (volunteer work counts toward the “match”).

YOU CAN HELP: Luna Park-area community cleanup Saturday

November 3, 2016 2:58 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Luna Park-area community cleanup Saturday
 |   How to help | Luna Park | West Seattle news

Reminder from Roxane in the Luna Park area:

Our neighborhood, along with Luna Park Merchants and the Seattle reLeaf Tree Ambassador team, will be holding a work party to continue the clean up of the Avalon/ Harbor at Manning area on Saturday, November 5th, from 9 am until noon.

This is the second in a series of work parties to ready the site for the Neighborhood Street and Park fund grant work that will commence in February 2017 AND provide a green buffer for neighboring homes and businesses. Meet at the parking area of Luna Park Café. Help us remove aggressive weeds, care for the mature trees, and improve sightlines for pedestrians and traffic. We’ll provide tools, gloves, and instruction. No experience necessary.

WE WILL BE PLANTING SOME NEEDED TREES TOO! Here is the link for RSVPs.

Rain or shine!

Pedestrian hurt near Avalon ramp to West Seattle Bridge

Thanks for the tips – police and fire are in the Luna Park area investigating an incident that left a man unconscious and being rushed to the hospital. According to what we’re hearing via scanner, he’s about 50 years old and was on foot when hit by a car near the Avalon ramp to the bridge. If you’re heading out any time soon, avoid the area.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Another storage-unit break-in

1:38 PM: Burglars are still targeting local storage units in the Luna Park area. Most recently, we’ve had multiple reports of break-ins at Public Storage on SW Avalon Way; today, we have word of a break-in at nearby Stor-More (WSB sponsor) on SW Yancy. The victim says it happened late Friday night:

They broke into only our unit, apparently. We had a really good lock on the door but they cut the hasp — so essentially, they cut *around* the lock. They went through almost every box and threw stuff around and took jewelry and a few antique silver ornate serving platters. Mostly stuff they could sell easily.

Searching Tweets by Beat for the incident number (2016-320931), we noticed another burglary report this weekend (different incident #) for an “unoccupied structure on residential property” in the same block.

6:08 PM: As noted in comments, there are reports now of multiple break-ins at Stor-More this weekend. We’ll be following up on these and the PS break-ins, with police and with company reps, to see if we can find out about plans for increased security.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Home, storage burglaries

Reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:

STORAGE FACILITY HIT AGAIN: Two customers of the Public Storage facility in the 2900 block of SW Avalon Way have e-mailed to let us know burglar(s) have struck there again. One reports, “My unit along with about 15 others were hit overnight or sometime this morning.” She’s on a floor with “secure elevators” but was told that entry was made via emergency-exit stairwells. She says she’s moving her belongings somewhere else. The other victim who contacted us also reported being told that multiple units were broken into. We also reported last Sunday on multiple break-ins at the same facility.

MARINE VIEW DRIVE BURGLARY: Also via e-mail: “Today, around 12:30, my parent’s house in the area of 112th & Marine View Dr SW was broken into. The (burglars), possibly two of them, neighbors think were white males wearing construction vests & driving a dark SUV. Made entry through window & took the stolen items out the garage. Of the stolen items, the biggie was a safe. About 2×2.”

Thanks again for the Crime Watch reports – 206-293-6302 text or voice if it’s urgent (after you’ve called 911), editor@westseattleblog.com if it’s not.

YOU CAN HELP! Luna Park neighborhood cleanup next Saturday

One of West Seattle’s “gateway” areas is scheduled for some community TLC next weekend, and organizers – including community members, merchants, and Seattle reLeaf – hope you can help. Volunteers will gather in the lot between The Shack and Luna Park Café at 9 am for “weeding, cleaning up around the street trees, and spreading mulch. Come prepared wearing closed toe shoes and long pants. We’ll provide tools, gloves, and instruction.” They’ll be working until noon – lots of time to go to West Seattle Summer Fest after that! Interested? RSVP here.

P.S. This is intended as the first in a series of work parties to get ready for a potential Neighborhood Park and Street Fund grant to revitalize landscaping in the area north of the business district, under and near the bridge. The community member who wrote the grant application, Roxane Rusch, says the work will include the weedy area along SW Manning.

FOLLOWUP: Ruling in for Luna Park Café sign; fine cut in half

FIRST REPORT, 2:02 PM: Just in: Deputy Hearing Examiner Anne Watanabe‘s decision on Luna Park Café owner John Bennett‘s appeal of a $500 citation for an A-frame sign. We first reported two weeks ago that he had been cited for the sign, after two warnings to remove it; city rules say business owners can only have such signs adjacent to their business, but his café is half a block away.

The complaint targeted a group of signs at Harbor/Avalon, not just Bennett’s, we learned when he argued his appeal before Watanabe downtown eight days ago (here’s our report). She said she’d have a ruling in a week or so, so we’ve been checking the city website, where it was posted half an hour ago (read the ruling here). Watanabe affirmed the SDOT decision to cite Bennett for the against-the-rules sign, but reduced the penalty from $500 – the fine for using right-of-way without a permit – to $250, the usual sign-citation amount, noting SDOT wasn’t opposed to a reduction, since it was a first-time citation.

Examiner decisions are the final word so far as the city goes; to challenge a ruling like this, you would have to go to court. We’re seeking comment from Bennett and will update.

ADDED 2:32 PM: Bennett tells us via e-mail that he’ll decide next week what to do about it, adding, “I’m a little upset that the sign ordinances are selectively enforced. I also feel small businesses shouldn’t have to pay heavy fines.” (City reps said again in last week’s hearing that enforcement is by complaint – there may be routine rule-breakers out there, but there’s no enforcement unless someone complains, same as a variety of other non-criminal city code situations.)

Sign spat: Luna Park Café proprietor fighting $500 citation for nearby A-frame

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(One month after Luna Park Café was cited for an A-frame sign here, apartment complexes from Columbia City and The Triangle were back)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

You might have noticed fewer advertising A-frame signs on streetcorners in recent weeks.

For a while earlier this year, it seemed every intersection in West Seattle had a cluster on weekends – mostly advertising the bigger new apartment complexes around town, even a building in Columbia City, six miles away.

Then the city cracked down and issued warnings – with one local entrepreneur as a sort of bycatch.

John Bennett, owner of Luna Park Café, got a $500 citation for an A-frame sign his restaurant had long placed at Harbor/Avalon/Spokane (same location as the top photo), half a block from his café, meant to catch the attention of people coming off the bridge to head toward the West Seattle waterfront.

He’s fighting the citation and has an appeal hearing this week.

Read More

Next safety project: 30th/ Avalon/ Yancy/ Andover, with work starting soon

That’s a quick Instagram-video spin (mouse over the image to bring up the “play” button) around the treacherous intersection of 30th/Avalon/Yancy/Andover. Busy road, many residents, south edge of the Luna Park business district, RapidRide stop steps away … dangerous whether you’re on wheels or on foot. It’s been a concern for many years – and now improvements are on the way. This came in from project manager Brian Glas at SDOT this afternoon:

Starting as soon as late March, crews working for the Seattle Department of Transportation will add a curb extension, curb ramps, a striped crosswalk, and a flashing crossing beacon at the intersections of SW Avalon Way, SW Andover St, SW Yancy St, and 30th Ave SW.

As I’m sure you know, this junction of intersections does not have a marked crosswalk across the SW Avalon Way arterial. Also, the current sidewalks do not have curb ramps that are compliant with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, making access difficult for people with assistive devices (such as wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers). Please see the map in the attached project fact sheet for more details about the planned improvements.

The contractor has not yet finalized the construction schedule, but we wanted to give you and your readers a heads up of some general construction impacts. Crews will need to temporarily close SW Andover, SW Yancy St, and 30th Ave SW at SW Avalon Way as they build the improvements. They plan to close these side streets on a rotating schedule, to minimize impacts. There will also be intermittent single lane restrictions on SW Avalon Way while crews are working. During these lane restrictions, a flagger will be present to maintain two-way traffic. As of now, we expect King County Metro routes will not be impacted. We anticipate construction will last approximately 6 weeks, though the paving work is very weather dependent. As we know more about the traffic impacts during construction, we will distribute construction notices door-to-door in the project area and to the project email list.

This project is part of the Pedestrian Master Plan, which aims to enhance pedestrian safety, comfort, and access in all of Seattle’s neighborhoods. This project is also part of the Neighborhood Street Fund Program and was one of three projects the Delridge District Council submitted in 2015.

We also plan to send out project listserv email updates throughout construction. People can sign up to receive updates here.

Note that this does *not* include a signal, though one was decreed as “warranted” back in 2011 – before the signal was added at Genesee/Avalon nearby.

Bear sighting in West Seattle! Neighborhood’s newest mural

West Seattle’s newest mural has just been finished. If you don’t recognize the building via the telltale marquee – this is Shack Coffee in Luna Park, 2920 SW Avalon Way, where artist Jesse Link completed the mural less than an hour before we stopped by for a photo, according to Shack staff. Link’s mural spans the north wall, along the parking lot that Shack Coffee shares with Luna Park Café. You’ve probably seen Link’s work before; he’s been featured at several West Seattle businesses during monthly Art Walks. Checking online examples of his work, you’ll note that wildlife is frequently part of it.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen truck; swapped plates; bicycles found/sighted; mail theft

West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports to share:

LUNA PARK TRUCK THEFT: Bob discovered this morning that someone had taken his white Chevy Blazer from what’s supposed to be a secure garage at City View Apartments in the Luna Park area. License plate 105YGD – call 911 if you see it.

STOLEN PLATES: From Andi:

This morning I discovered someone had swapped my back license plate on my car with someone else’s. I have reported them as stolen, so if anyone sees plates ASU6665 call the police. The ones they put on the car were ANK8876, and the officer said he recognized them from a call this morning. I live on Trenton & Delridge [map] if anyone saw anything.

This happens more often than you might think, so it’s always worth a quick glance at your plates every time you go out to your vehicle, if it’s parked outside.

POSSIBLE STOLEN BICYCLES: Two posts in the WSB Forums regarding bicycles –
**Vintage Puch bicycle found in a Westwood/Roxhill-area backyard
**Redline bicycle frame spotted in Admiral in unusual circumstances

HIGHLAND PARK MAIL THEFT: In the 9400 block of 10th SW (map), Fran A spotted several mailboxes open this morning, with mail littered on the street, including an envelope that was supposed to contain her husband’s new driver’s license.

Update: Luna Park coffee shop The Shack hit, damaged

11:27 AM: Nobody hurt, but some damage at The Shack coffee shop in Luna Park, after a car crashed into the building this past hour. We’re heading over to find out more. Thanks to Eleanor for tweeting photos.

(Photo courtesy The Shack)
11:53 AM: Just back from The Shack. Owner tells us they’re still open for business – the damage wasn’t that serious – and also shared another photo from right after the crash, added above (note the T-shirt). Someone is already on the way to board up the damaged window.

12:17 PM: And their sense of humor was certainly left undamaged:

West Seattle restaurants: Duos’ lounge closing, catering continuing

Two years after opening its restaurant/lounge at 2940 SW Avalon Way in the Luna Park business district, Duos announced today that it’s closing that part of its business, while continuing with catering:

Thank you for all the support and love you have shown to us here at the restaurant. We value the relationships we have built with you and we will truly miss seeing you. Our last day open will be December 20th, 2014 – Our two year anniversary.

The restaurant has become such a growing success for us and we were getting busier every day! It is such a great feeling to have a loyal support base and it made our decision that much more difficult. Unfortunately, we share this building with our catering department which has also grown substantially over these past two years. As a result, providing quality food for both the restaurant and catering has proven to be difficult and space has become limited.

Our business growth has been a blessing for us and it pains us to know the outcome of Duos’ success means closing the restaurant. We will still have an active role in the community and continue to support and donate to the wonderful schools and organizations in the area. We will remain in this building, producing our great catered food and we will keep the space open as an event venue. We will be holding events at the space offering special menus, date nights, cooking classes, and fun wine maker dinners!

This was an industrial and then retail space until five years ago; Café Revo was the first restaurant there, in 2009-2010, followed by Avalon for a year, early 2011 to early 2012, and then Duos, which opened its lounge/restaurant in fall 2012.

Happening now: Party time as Luna Park Café celebrates 25 years

August 21, 2014 6:46 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Party time as Luna Park Café celebrates 25 years
 |   Luna Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Until 10 pm, whatever time you see on the clock at Luna Park Café is party time! Tonight’s the night the café celebrates its 25th anniversary, not only by hosting diners and imbibers as it does daily/nightly, but also with entertainment including live bands:

BrittMania, one of two bands playing during the celebration, is a Beatles tribute band – and that has bonus significance tonight, since this is the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ 1964 Seattle Center show. (P.S. If you double THAT number, you’ll get a century, which is how long it’s been since Luna Park’s namesake amusement park closed … read the history on the café’s website.) Anyway, lots going on at the party, as noted in our preview of this very busy day.

Luna Park Street Market to debut with 4 dates this summer

May 28, 2014 12:06 pm
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 |   Luna Park | West Seattle news

This summer marks the fourth year that Luna Park businesses will throw a Block Party – it’ll be on July 10th. That date also will be part of a new monthly event debuting this weekend: The Luna Park Street Market. On four Sundays – June 1st, July 10th, August 17th, and September 14th – the lot outside Ola (2942 SW Avalon Way) will “provide a fashion, accessory, music, shopping mecca,” according to the announcement. While you’re out and about this Sunday, you’re invited to stop by between noon and 3 pm.

In case you wondered: Big Seattle Fire response on Avalon

It was canceled fairly quickly, but it was so big that it caught a lot of attention, so here’s what emergency-radio traffic said about that big callout at Avalon/Bradford this past hour, in the Luna Park business district near the West Seattle Bridge: Someone reported that people were coughing inside a Metro bus because of some substance someone released – possibly mace or something like it. A “hazmat multiple casualty incident” response, with many units, ensued, but didn’t last long. Apparently the person who did it got off the bus, and the substance dissipated, and the bus continued on to 35th SW; no contamination was found. Seattle Police were reported to be looking for the person responsible.

Happening now: Luna Park Block Party, third annual edition

Get over to the west side of Avalon Way south of the bridge right now and check out the third annual Luna Park Block Party – bigger than ever, with more businesses having opened since last year, among other reasons. One of them is Duos Lounge, which opened last December, and is serving up paella tonight, along with Spanish music:

Outside Ola Salon next to Duos, you’ll find not only the My Violette retail truck, but also West Seattle Brewing Company, visiting from their brewery and future tasting room (reported here a year ago) in The Triangle. They tell us they’re hoping to open to the public by October 1st. Back to tonight: The fun stretches northward from Ola and Duos, too, including face painting at Luna Park Café. It’s all on till 9 pm.

West Seattle summer: 3rd annual Luna Park Block Party set

Just noticed this on the Luna Park marquee while passing through that business district – its third annual Block Party is now set for three weeks from today. And now we have the official announcement, featuring some new partners this year:

Ola Salon in the Luna Park neighborhood of West Seattle will be participating in the 3rd annual Luna Park Block Party, which they are leading along with Luna Park Café, on Thursday, August 15, 2013 from 6:00 pm-9:00 pm. This year’s party has more fun activities than ever, and will support two neighborhood nonprofits: Transitional Resources, a neighborhood mental health center, and Kitty Harbor, a cat rescue, rehabilitation and adoption center. Participants will also have a chance to get a preview of the new West Seattle Brewing Company’s offerings.

Read More

West Seattle Crime Watch: Ola burglarized; ‘stun’ item stolen

We start West Seattle Crime Watch with word of a business burglary overnight. From Natalie at Ola Salon in Luna Park:

Hi there, I wanted to let the community know that Ola Salon in West Seattle was broken into and (burglarized) last night. All of our retail, equipment, cash, checks, two laptops and more was stolen. Everyone is safe; we just want to give the community a heads up and to be aware of a robber in the neighborhood. If anyone happened to see anything, please let the police and the front desk at Ola know immediately. Thank you! 206-933-6702

We have another reader report – this one from Mona, who says she ordered something because of a crime report- and now it has resulted in one:

I came home around 5:30 PM today and found (an) empty package on my doorstep which was supposed to have contained the stun gun flashlight that a WSB reader recommended in (comments on) this post. I already filed a report. This happened near 17th avenue SW and Cambridge.

Happening now: Heels for Hounds – shoes, tunes, sips, tastes

Lots of time left to get to Ola Salon in Luna Park for Furry Faces Foundation‘s first-ever “Heels for Hounds” – not just a silent auction of some cute shoes (casual as well as fancy, as shown in the photo above), but also wine tasting, appetizers, and live music, all to benefit animal advocacy:

Ola’s at 2942 SW Avalon Way.

West Seattle’s Transitional Resources receives RealNetworks grant, too

March 2, 2013 9:43 pm
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 |   Luna Park | West Seattle news

After publishing the news earlier this week that West Seattle Helpline received a $10,000 grant from the RealNetworks Foundation, we found out Helpline wasn’t alone: Transitional Resources, headquartered in the Luna Park neighborhood, has received one too. Above are TR’s CEO Darcell Slovek-Walker and RNF’s Kevin Johnson. A TR spokesperson tells WSB, “This grant will go so far in helping us expand our onsite chemical-dependency services to provide intensive substance abuse help to our clients. We are so happy to see their support for the organizations in West Seattle who are doing so much for the community!”

West Seattle restaurants: ‘Soft open’ debut for Duos Lounge

(STORY UPDATED MONDAY with planned days/hours)

It’s been almost four months since Duos Catering moved into the former Avalon Restaurant spot at 2940 SW Avalon Way (as reported here in August). The owners said they planned to open a “neighborhood hangout” – and they’re finally ready. Last night, during their “soft open,” WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams stopped in, photographing both the small-plates food …

(Grass-fed beef sliders with applewood-smoked bacon, Tillamook cheddar, onion jam)
… and the people – here’s co-owner Benjamin Jury checking in with guests:

More of Nick’s photos ahead:Read More

Happening now: Luna Park Block Party, second annual edition

We’re on Avalon Way as its funky little business district opens its arms and its doors to evening visitors for the 2nd annual Luna Park Block Party. Top photo shows Sean Welch making a bowl at Avalon Glassworks, where you can enjoy some truly warm temperatures if you are missing true summer (don’t worry, you can also stand by their ginormous fan and feel Seattle-cool). The block party’s on till 9. Outside Java Bean Coffee, we spotted their long-famous red VW van:

Tonight’s host business is Ola Salon a bit further south along Avalon Way, where Sid Law is serenading Block Party-goers:

And Luna Park Café promises free facepainting, though – thinking ahead to Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade – we opted instead for a photo of “Bailey the Burger”:

The Luna Park Block Party’s on till 9 tonight.