Tully’s on Alki is the best interior space, for sure. And I’m with ya, MissK, I would rather drive to Spokane and back for a latte than go to Java Bean.
As a frequent pedestrian, I sometimes have a driver stop for me on Fauntleroy, and then get upset that I don’t go. The problem is, I appreciate that they stopped, but usually it’s the other side of the street, and the car on the side I will first cross is racing towards me and I am not sure they will stop, so I cannot safely cross. Meanwhile, the nice person who did stop is pissed off at me because I’m not crossing. I can’t assume that everyone will stop, so I need to be safe. I may have right of way, but that doesn’t mean I should just start walking in front of oncoming traffic!
Then one time they did all stop, I started crossing, and someone decided to drive *around* the stopped traffic (in the parking lane) to blow through the intersection and almost hit me in the crosswalk.
I, and a few neighbors, were in touch with people about putting in a crosswalk or traffic light or at the very least some pedestrian crossing signs, but they gave us the runaround for a very long time and then didn’t get back to us. Then I tried contacting the SW Precinct, telling them what’s been going on here with no one yielding to us, and they emailed back saying that pedestrian safety was very important, and they were going to come out and take a look and start ticketing people who don’t yield. That never happened. I’ve never seen a cop car yet during my morning commute, nor has the situation changed. I don’t know what else I can do to get the rules enforced, other than praying I don’t get hit someday.
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.
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).
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.
Ymm, Szechuan Chef in Bellevue off of 148th in the old KMart shopping center is the best Chinese food around and worth the drive to the eastside (I avoid the eastside at all possible costs too!). For local chinese, I love Lee’s. I don’t care if it’s Fusion, it’s tasty!
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.
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.
I’ve only been to Fastan in West Seattle, but I do recall seeing tanning beds at All Star Fitness. If you choose that option, I’d bring my own spray bottle since their lazy employees probably don’t clean the beds often. There’s a tanning place on California between the Alaska and Admiral Junction (north of Charleston, I think) that looks reputable, but I’ve never been. I went to a great place in Bellevue growing up that would keep my pre-purchased tans on record for years. In fact, I bet I still have some over there, which is pretty cool and what you would expect from all tanning salons.
I am almost tempted to have a nice sign made reminding folks that the speed limit really is still 30 (even if you’re running late for the ferry) and you should please always stop for pedestrians (even if you’re running late for the ferry)! And walk the ferry line parking route with the signs.
I make every effort to stop for pedestrians since my brother was hit in an unmarked crosswalk a few years ago. Has anyone noticed that it’s nearly impossible to see pedestrians at crosswalks on California when it’s dark and raining though? If there were a pedestrian crossing, I wouldn’t notice until I was 25 yards away which is too close to stop safely. At least I learned in my defensive driving class 15 years ago to pay attention to EVERYTHING on the road, not just cars.
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.
Funny you should mention it, my wife and I were discussing the same thing last night. We’ll have to look into it.
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!!
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!
For those of us that fully understand that UV rays are bad but like to soak up some fake sun before going on vacation pay special attention when signing up for those “specials” at Fastan.
Here’s what happened to me:
Between 8/14/2006 and 12/7/2006 I purchased Tanning sessions from Fastan on Fauntleroy. I went into the store today (12/27/2007)for a session and was told that my credits had expired. Like rubbing salt in an open wound I was then told that if I wanted to sign up for an additional package, I would be credited the expired tans. I remember thinking, “so let me get this straight, I didn’t use all the tans I previously purchased, but if I buy more tans that I probably won’t use, then you’ll do me a favor and give me back what I already paid for.”
I expressed my disappointment in their policy with hope of some good explanation by the sales representative but only got what appeared to be a well rehearsed response of “we tell all of our customers that they expire
While I was in the store, I noticed that none of the advertised specials that were prominently displayed mentioned that the credits would expire after any set period of time. When I inquired as to why there was no written disclaimer, the sales representative told me they verbally tell customers at point of sale and that it is stated in the contract that is signed. I asked to see an example of this contract where it was stated in writing that my tans would expire and wanted to see where I signed acknowledging this, and they could not produce one for me. If I wanted a copy I was then told that I would have to get it from their corporate office. What is most confusing is that some of my tanning credits are set to expire in 1 year while others last two years. At no point in time do I recall this being explained to me, as I would have been reluctant to purchase as many credits as I did. I’m not really into tanning but go before vacation so I don’t burn on the first day when exposed to sun.
In the end I asked for the regional manager and was only given a first name and a phone number which I later learned was their Burien location. When I asked for the managers last name, i was told that she didn’t know it. Seriously, who doesn’t know their boss\managers last name. Anyways, I’m done with Fastan, they may have gotten my unused tanning credits but lost a customer.
Anyone have a good recomendation on where I should go for fake sun?
Believe it or not, the Triangle Pub in White Center has some pretty crazy good burgers. The place may look a little rough around the edges, but the bar tender was extremely nice and cooked all our burgers to order and then packed them in to-go boxes along with a mountain of fries. Cost couldn’t have been more than $6. Not gourmet, but a lot of bang for your buck. ‘‘Citysearch Page for Triangle Pub’‘.
Location: ‘‘9454 Delridge Way SW’‘
P.S. Sorry if the links are borked…first post to the forums.
Oh, yes – how could I forget about Jaks? They do have a great burger.
I understand that you can take knives to be sharpened to the meat dept. at Westwood QFC…you might want to go and see if they’ll do your scissors for you…not sure of the cost, but it shouldn’t be a whole lot
I wouldn’t recommend Amante. We’ve tried them a few times and were pretty underwhelmed.
Luciano’s also has more than Pizza -Gyros, sandwiches, pasta, etc. They are much better than Amante, IMO.
Also, if you like Indian try Maharaja. It’s surprisingly good.
I’ve yet to find acceptable Thai delivery in West Seattle. For now, I’ll continue to get take out from Buddha Ruksa. The garlic chicken is to die for!
There’s a place that has been there about 6 months called the Golden Thread and it is across from Corry’s drycleaner on California. In a small building on the left if you are going West down California toward Admiral. She did a great job, very professional and rates were fairly reasonable. She is my new tailor and I used to drive to the U Village!
Hello,
As the New Year comes upon us so do the resolutions. I would like to kick start my fitness routine. I would love to find a gym or personal trainer that is in West Seattle. I belonged to All Star a few years back. I would like to get your take on the different gyms or your personal trainers. Also if you could include the cost that would be great too.
Thanks so much and Happy New Year
I would like to throw in my two cents and say that Diva Espresso makes a decent cup of coffee. C&P have GREAT baristas and the atmosphere is nice. Java Bean in my books is a NO GO!! I would rather wait in a line of 10 cars up at the 35th SBUX.
Sue…I’ve actually considered printing notes that I can leave on someone’s windshield. The other’s that I so love are the ones who park in the grid next to the handicapped space, like it’s there for them to park on. I need space to open my door all the way, and that sure doesn’t help.
One of my issues with crowded parking lots is when people take handicapped spots when they don’t have a handicapped placard or plate. We went to the farmers market yesterday and saw there was one last handicapped spot, but the woman in front of us pulled in. As we began to pass her, she got out of the car we noticed she did not put up a placard, so we beeped at her and held up ours. She was visibly very annoyed that we called her on it, but to her credit she did pull out of the spot. I can’t stand when people think the rules don’t apply to them because they’ll be there “just a second” or whatever their excuse is.
