Search Results for 'ge'

[BlairJohnson]

The way I understand the law, drivers must stop for pedestrians if they step off the curb in a crosswalk (marked OR unmarked). If the pedestrian is standing up on the curb or sidewalk, drivers can legally drive in front of them.

So I wish more pedestrians understood that if they intend to wait for all the traffic to clear, they would stay up on the sidewalk, back from the curb. Sometimes I see a pedestrian up ahead standing off the curb in the crosswalk, so I come to a stop, only to have them just stand there. Finally, I have to gesture “oh well” with my hands and drive in front of them, risking a ticket.

When I am a pedestrian (and I walk frequently) I make sure I communicate my intentions clearly to motorists.

[nyx]

I don’t like the current forums at all, although I am glad you’re adding this feature. The layout and typography isn’t particularly nice compared to other forums, and the user interface is sort of clumsy. You should improve that tiny little >> you have to click on to reply, for example! That’s just making it unnecessarily hard for us. Also, remove the line at the bottom of every page “Put code in between backticks“. We aren’t posting formatted code here and “backtick” isn’t a word any real person uses anyway.

You don’t need to use the regular WSB sidebar on this part of the site, either, it’s just wasting space. Ditch the links to the monthly archives (no one’s clicking on those anyway, folks…) and category links. Those things point to content that’s separate from the forums, so it’s irrelevant here. Once that’s gone, use the full width of the content area for the forums.

Given the homespun feel of this thing, I suspect you don’t have the admin tools necessary to handle these forums if they see any real growth. I expect it will get out of hand quickly if there are lots of people posting often on lots of threads. I would encourage you not to try to build your own here, just go with a free hosted site like Proboards (http://www.proboards.com/index.html).

[pabloa3]

Here is the site for pedestrian laws:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/walk/Laws.htm

I know I’ve been guilty of not yielding to peds at unmarked intersections on 35th…quite honestly, I’m sure everyone has been guilty of this. Drive down 35th at almost anytime and there is always going to be someone waiting to cross at some intersection…most of the time cars don’t stop. Not exactly the safest street for a car to just stop on. However, it is not always obvious that the ped is there to cross – many times I’ve seen cars stop only to have the ped just stand there.

My big beef are peds that cross against their light or in the middle of the block…I see this issue much more frequently as a driver. As a ped, I’m not often bothered by crossing fauntleroy, California, or 35th…there are always breaks in the cars (even by the ferry dock – I’ve crossed there many times)…no use risking your life attempting to get traffic to stop both ways when you can just wait for a break in traffic.

[BlairJohnson]

At either end of Delridge:

•Uptown Espresso at the north end of Delridge has a nice atmosphere, comfortable seating and impressive menu board chalk art. Good coffee too.

•Cafe Rozella at the south end of Delridge has an intimate atmosphere and interesting artwork. Good people watching out in front if the weather’s nice. Events like music nights. Community spot to find out what’s happening in South Delridge and White Center. And of course good coffee too.

[TheVelvetBulldog]

Another nod for Sleepless on Alki–nice, smooth mochas. Re: Java Bean–WOW! I have never had a bad experience there, I’m sorry to hear that others have. Don’t forget the new Bubbles on Delridge–really cozy, comfy atmosphere, good coffee and sandwiches too!

[linnea]

We use Harrahs on California Ave. in the Admiral District, by Blockbuster and in back of Click!. Ron and his partner are reliable and good, always keeping the cost to the customer in mind. They also maintain a service record on your vehicle(s)so they get to know them. They are all about cars.

[robm]

IMO, the West Seattle take-out burger hierarchy goes like this:

1) Circa

2) Jak’s

That’s it. The Elliot Bay burger is totally hit and miss. Too risky if you’re doing take-out.

[flowerpetal]

We have always felt good about the service we have gotten at Dere Automotive on 35th and Barton. The shop manager is Lee, nice guy, always upbeat and friendly. Never had any problems with the work done there.

[Wes]

Circa is the best I have found in West Seattle.

[swimcat]

The 35th/Avalon SBUX is the worst! I have complained numerous times to the staff and to corporate, and nothing improves, they just sending me free drink coupons. The new SBUX at Jefferson Square is great though- quick, friendly barristas and a fully stocked pastry case. And if you go in the morning you don’t have to deal with the bad parking since no one is there.

My favorite though is the coffee at Thriftway. Great prices, friendly baristas and grocery shopping all in one stop. I order Americano’s, and I’m always impressed there is a beautiful, thick crema on top. As Wes suggested above, if you want to tell the good from the bad or mediocre, just order a shot and drink it straight.

[BlairJohnson]

Related to this topic is pedestrian right-of-way on sidewalks. Some people seem to think the sidewalks are their property. Maybe back before the area was platted and subdivided and annexed to the city it was. Now it is city property. Cars parked across the sidewalk can be ticketed. And property owners who fail to keep vegetation from growing over the sidewalk can be assessed a charge if the city has to cut it back. I suspect the people who block the sidewalk in front of their house are the same ones driving in front of pedestrians in the crosswalk.

[squareeyes]

I have firsthand experience!

According to an entomologist I spoke with in Puyallup about five years ago, WS is the northernmost area that has subterranean termites (let’s call them ST’s). They apparently have no interest in any areas east of here. ST’s need food and moisture, so if you have areas of standing water around your house try to fix that. Also remove any wood that may sit close to your house.

In my case, I discovered ST’s when they ate through a bit of caulk at the doorway of my mudroom. Mudroom has a cinderblock foundation (bad!), and the ST’s came up through the holes in the cinderblock and ate most of the mudsill and partway up the vertical supports. A handy friend removed the drywall inside and a few rows of siding outside to effect repairs and we tried to fill in as many cinderblock holes with quikcrete that we could access.

Cascade Pest Control was the only company I found in Seattle that deals with ST’s. He had to dig a shallow trench around the affected area, mix up several gallons of Termidor, and fill the trench with it. Termidor doesn’t repel ST’s, they go through the treated soil, and take it back to the nest where it kills everyone. It continues to work for five years. Next summer will be five years for me so I plan to have Cascade back for another treatment, just to be safe. It’s not cheap – cost around $400 just to treat around the mudroom, would be $1200-$1500 to treat around my 800 square foot house. If I remember correctly, Cascade will guarantee for five years if you treat around the entire structure, in my case I only did the one room so no guarantee.

I could go on for an hour about ST’s. I find them both horrifying ($$$) and fascinating.

If the inspector you used at time of purchase didn’t notice any damage to the mudsill in the crawlspace perhaps this is an early discovery. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[LauraLou]

I have to cross 35th each day at an intersection to catch the bus. This means I’m crossing an “unmarked crosswalk.” (FYI all intersections are unmarked crosswalks and drivers are supposed to yield to pedestrians.) I can’t remember the last time a car actually stopped for me, though. Last June or July, probably.

The City took away several crosswalks on 35th because they were unsafe. (??) Then said that in fact, all intersections are crosswalks so there should still be plenty of places to cross safely. Uh-huh, whatev.

I typically practice what I call “defensive crosswalking” when in a crosswalk. That means I wave to the oncoming driver, which tends to help get their attention, and even try to make eye contact, before venturing out.

I think some drivers don’t think they have to stop unless the ped is IN the crosswalk. That’s very untrue. If you are a ped and standing on the curb waiting to step out until it is safe, you absolutely have the right of way, and if the driver gets cited, the ticket is pretty steep.

I think Councilmember Richard Conlin is very tuned into pedestrian issues. If your email to the mayor was ignored (shocking!) I’d try Conlin’s office.

[BobLoblaw]

Drivers don’t stop at ANY crosswalks in West Seattle, or downtown. This is a huge pet peeve of mine. I catch the bus at the park and ride below the West Seattle bridge and I always have a difficult time getting drivers to stop. The crosswalk I use was faded away and I called the city and metro. Within DAYS the crosswalk was repainted. However, drivers still do not stop unless I step into the crosswalk and force them to. Sometimes they just swerve around me into the other lane. Last spring my husband bought two buckets, put gravel in them, and made bright orange flags for me to use in that crosswalk. They’re gone now! The flags were taken and somebody dumped out the gravel and took the buckets. I have e.mailed the mayor about how to make our crosswalks safer, but got no response, other than my name was added to his monthly newsletter. His campaign to improve crosswalk safety needs to start with the drivers, not the pedestrians. Pedestrians in a marked, and unmarked, crosswalk at an intersection have the legal right of way, not the driver. What we need is drivers blowing through occupied crosswalks to be ticketed!

[thrasher]

I don’t have a very well-tuned coffee palate, but I’d like to add another recommendation for Bird On a Wire. I buy my beans there regularly since they are 2 blocks from my house and they always have fresh stock and are pretty reliable. However, they do take a little longer making drinks than some large chain stores, so just give yourself a few extra minutes.

[WSB]

Worst thing that ever happened to us on this front didn’t exactly happen to us – but to the person who stopped for us – We (child included) were at the bus stop across from the Fauntleroy ferry, waiting for cars to stop so we could use the crosswalk to get over to the dock. Someone heading southbound on Fauntleroy finally stopped. Just as we were about to step into the crosswalk, another car roaring up from behind them rear-ended the first car, pushing it right to where we would have been in the crosswalk. We called 911, of course, and others rushed over to help, but boy, that was too close for comfort. For some reason people are not interested in stopping at that crosswalk – we stood there just the other day, waiting for a chance to cross, and no one ever bothered to stop; we just had to wait till there was no one coming at all.

[Sue]

I’m right there with ya – I cross Fauntleroy at Dawson every morning for the 54X and it’s a miracle I haven’t been run down yet. Even my cane doesn’t deter them from threatening me. I’ve been spit at, screamed at, had middle fingers waved at me, all as if I’m jaywalking – which I’m not.

[k]

i agree with the elliot bay comments! a great burger every time. i am a huge fan of the hawaii five 0! yum! also, super good fries. be sure to get a side of tartar sauce for the fries.

[LauraLou]

Hello! We need a contractor for a small remodel job in our home, which includes removing a wall and sealing off a door. Anyone have any recommendations? I’d appreciate hearing from people who have personally hired the contractor you recommend, as opposed to contractors themselves or real estate agents racking up referrals. Thanks!!

[spana]

I’ll go out of my way to get a coffee from Cupcake Royale and also <3 Sleepless on alki for drive-thru.

[Sue]

Katherine, you can change the passwords. click on “member” below your name and it brings you to your profile. click on the “edit this information” link and you can change it there.

[beth]

I am glad someone brought up this issue. I moved to WS 3 months ago and I am seriously missing the great burgers from Red Mill, Burgermaster, Dicks, and Kidd Valley. Not one of them resides in West Seattle, yet there are multiples of each in North Seattle. We need to take action and demand a good take out burger joint in West Seattle!!!!!!

[san]

Hello West Seattle! I am a new home owner and am a little horrified about a new, likely termite discovery. :( I have scheduled an inspection, and have become increasingly nauseated at the prospect of infestation, damage, costs to exterminate or repair. . . Has anyone had any experience with this? Could really use some advice. ( or just a stiff drink!) thanks!!

[TheVelvetBulldog]

Hi All: I’m looking for a new pad in WS (current pad is down by Alki) and there is so little to be found!! Does anyone out there own, or know of, any small gems in your neighborhood, such as a mother-in-law home, or a duplex or triplex that perhaps isn’t being widely advertised? Basically anything except one of those big-box apartment buildings. Thank you!

[BobLoblaw]

Does Allstar Fitness have tanning? My club on the Eastside does and they charge a lot less because it’s not a huge money maker, just a nice service for clients. Just a suggestion.