West Seattle, Washington

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Spotlight Stories

You can help! West Seattle Girl Scouts collecting school supplies to help other kids
August 8, 2014 9:04 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Less than four weeks until the new school year, and kindhearted West Seattleites are working to make sure that no kid goes without the school supplies s/he needs for success. Among those collecting donations: West Seattle Girl Scout Troop 45077, working with Pencil Me In For Kids, taking donations earmarked for scholars at Highland Park Elementary. We received word of their drive, and the photo, from troop leader Kari:

All of the girls have boxes at their homes and are collecting from friends, family, and neighbors. They also have a donation box at Mind Unwind, located at 2206 California Ave SW. Their goal is to be able to donate 34 backpacks filled with school supplies to Highland Park Elementary and are collecting donations until August 17th. So, they don’t have much time to meet their goal and could use everyone’s help.

(Kari’s original note also included a request for publication from Sophia, who is a troop member as is Kari’s daughter Morgan.) The fine print on the sign toward the right side of the photo says they’re looking in particular for:

*Rulers
*Notebooks
*Children’s books
*Paper
*Pencils
*Pens
*Backpacks
*Highlighters
*Erasers
*Glue/glue sticks
*Binders

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; weekend alerts
August 8, 2014 6:57 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy Friday! No issues on the main routes through/from West Seattle so far this morning. Other notes:

WEEKEND PREVIEW – Here’s the city roundup of what’s happening where, through Sunday, with potential traffic effects.

TRANSPORTATION NEWS: Thursday pm, we had a lot of it –
*RapidRide route change? SDOT confirmed what a tipster told us, that it’s studying the feasibility of moving the outbound SW Alaska RapidRide stop east of California, so the C Line could use California instead of Edmunds/44th/Alaska.
*Road work: Next week, SDOT crews are scheduled to pave part of Roxbury and improve traction on the Charlestown/Genesee hills.

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West Seattle Crime Watch followup: How one man’s alleged multi-neighborhood rampage began here
August 7, 2014 11:55 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Maybe you saw it on the SPD Blotter – a bizarre rampage of sorts on Wednesday that started in West Seattle and moved into other parts of the city before the suspect was arrested. We followed up today in search of specifics which were missing in that overall summary but were contained in the partial report we obtained. The 37-year-old suspect, shown in public databases with a West Seattle address, was reported to have started by showing up outside Providence Mount St. Vincent, ranting and yelling first about the facility and then, “about North Korea,” in a manner described by one witness as “almost mad or crazy.”

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And more road work: SDOT to try traction improvements again on Charlestown, Genesee
August 7, 2014 9:34 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Transportation seems to be the theme tonight. One more round of road work announced by SDOT for next week – this is another try at the traction improvements that didn’t quite work out the first time around on two of West Seattle’s steepest hills, back in May (with a different method). Tonight’s announcement:

The Seattle Department of Transportation will conduct shot blasting to make traction improvements at two locations in West Seattle and one in Magnolia next week. Shot blasting will propel a high-speed stream of abrasive material at the street surface to roughen it and create a better grip for vehicles. Dates are subject to change. Flaggers will be on site at road closures to provide local access and guidance. This work will be completed in a single weekday at each location and will take place between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. The following describes the scheduled roadway closures:

Aug. 12: SW Charlestown Street between 49th Avenue SW and California Avenue SW (local access only)
· Work zone is SW Charlestown Street between 47th Avenue SW and 45th Avenue SW

· Eastbound traffic detoured via 49th Avenue SW, SW Admiral Way, and California Avenue SW

· Westbound traffic detoured via California Avenue SW, SW Admiral Way, and 49th Avenue SW

Aug. 13: SW Genesee Street between SW Avalon Way and Delridge Way SW (local access only)
· Work zone is SW Genesee Street between SW Avalon Way and 30th Avenue SW

· Eastbound traffic detoured via SW Avalon Way, SW Yancy Street, 28th Avenue SW, SW Andover Street, and Delridge Way SW

· Westbound traffic detoured via Delridge Way SW, SW Andover Street, 28th Avenue SW, SW Yancy Street, and SW Avalon Way

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West Seattle road work: SW Roxbury paving next week
August 7, 2014 6:21 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

During this past week’s two meetings on the SW Roxbury Safety Project (WSB 7/31 coverage is here, 8/4 coverage here), SDOT’s Jim Curtin mentioned that paving was imminent for the stretch between 25th and 27th SW. And indeed, the announcement has just arrived:

Paving crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation will work on Southwest Roxbury Street on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 12 and 13 of next week. They will pave the stretch of Roxbury between 25th Avenue Southwest and 27th Avenue Southwest, working from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. One travel lane in each direction will remain open. A Police Officer will be stationed at each intersection to assist traffic. All sidewalks and crosswalks will remain open.

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West Seattle traffic alert: Crash on NB 35th at Henderson
August 7, 2014 5:33 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

5:33 PM: Thanks to the person who texted about a crash on northbound 35th SW at Henderson (by the library), blocking at least one lane. We’re off to check it out – update to come.

5:47 PM: Confirmed at the scene that one lane northbound is blocked, all others open. No injuries. One of the vehicles involved is on the other side of the fire truck in our photo, above; the scene will be clear when that vehicle is towed.

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Move RapidRide route to California SW in The Junction? SDOT is looking at it
August 7, 2014 3:48 pm
|      64 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Should the outbound RapidRide C Line run on California in the heart of The Junction instead of jogging onto Edmunds, 44th, and Alaska? Checking out a reader tip that this was under consideration, we asked Metro – which in turn pointed us to SDOT, whose Marybeth Turner confirms it:

We have been looking for projects to improve the speed and reliability for the RapidRide C Line. One of the projects that was identified is to move the stop on California and Alaska to the east so the RapidRide bus can use California Avenue. This would save about a minute of travel time.

We are currently conducting a feasibility analysis to see if there is enough room and the what costs are involved. No decision has been made on whether this project will go forward. … We plan to reach out to the community to discuss the options this fall.

Back in 2008, when RapidRide’s West Seattle route was still under development, there was some talk of having it turn onto Alaska from California, but concerns voiced at the time included how it would affect the walk-all-ways intersection.

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Barton eviction fight: Court hearing tomorrow afternoon
August 7, 2014 2:02 pm
|      37 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(July 18th WSB photo: Jean and Byron Barton, center, in the house’s basement, with police and supporters)
Tomorrow afternoon, a King County Superior Court judge will preside over a hearing related to Triangle Property Development‘s attempt to take physical possession of the Morgan Junction house where Byron and Jean Barton are still living, three weeks after deputies evicted them. We know this because the advocacy group that has been campaigning to keep the Bartons in the house has sent word of a protest outside the courtroom before the hearing. Triangle’s court filing – reported here on July 29th – is the latest development in the case; the Bartons also have legal action pending, contending that the house was illegally foreclosed on before being auctioned off last April, which is when Triangle bought it. The Bartons re-entered the house near 41st and Holly shortly after deputies removed them on July 18th, including carrying Byron Barton, who uses a wheelchair; that means Seattle Police could arrest them for trespassing, but a week and a half ago, Mayor Murray told them on July 21st to “stand by” while the case went through the courts.

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Followup: USS Constellation’s final voyage to start tomorrow; special Foss website will track the tow
August 7, 2014 12:35 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(US Navy photo: USS Constellation in Elliott Bay during Seafair, 1996)
New information today about the last voyage of the USS Constellation, the aircraft carrier that’s about to be towed away from Bremerton after a decade, and that will pass West Seattle shortly after the start of its 18,000-mile tow to a Texas shipbreaking yard. Foss Maritime – whose ocean tug Corbin Foss is scheduled to tow the “Connie” – just let us know about a special website it’s set up to chronicle the journey; see it here. The trip is now set to start early tomorrow afternoon (Friday, August 8th), according to Foss, which says harbor tugs will bring it from Bremerton, and rendezvous with the Corbin Foss off Blake Island. You’ll be able to see it from West Seattle (primarily Beach Drive/Alki) once it’s out of Rich Passage and northward-bound into Puget Sound. The Constellation is one of the last few non-nuclear carriers to be scrapped; it’s been mothballed at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard since it was decommissioned in 2003. It (and the Corbin Foss) will stop at Long Beach, California – last U.S. port – around the 16th.

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New playground for Pigeon Point! Pathfinder project gets grant, announces ‘paint party’
August 7, 2014 12:13 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools


(Click image to see full-size site plan/design by Johnson Southerland as PDF)
The new playground for Pigeon Point is getting ever closer to reality. Pathfinder K-8 Playground outreach co-chairs Holli Margell and Toni Wells are sharing the following update that includes a chance for you to help out at an upcoming “paint party”:

The Pathfinder Playground Revamp was awarded the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Matching Fund large grant! Thanks to the City of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods for helping us really get the ball rolling with our new design. Our playground is now 40% funded, and our fundraising team has kicked into gear to help us get the rest of the way there.

August Paint Party:

August 21st, the playground is getting a little facelift in preparation for our new design. With a Capital One $4,000 grant for the school, we are having a work party to do projects all over the school–and the playground is one of them. That means we can get started painting the braided stream and adding new features like a labyrinth and accurate US map. The foursquares, hopscotch, and old marking will be refreshed too.

Are you ready to help us on August 21st? We need 6-8 folks ready to help lead the volunteers for the day, help organize supplies the day before, and a few creatives to help us make stencils to add some critter prints to the playground. Interested? E-mail pathfinderplayground2014@gmail.com – thank you!

New design (above):

The school district is still working on the feasibility of the fence changes, but we expect that to be part of phase one. If fundraising needs are met, and the bids come in as expected, the equipment and surfacing of the blue areas will also be included in Phase 1, which could start Summer 2015.

The playground is on the north side of the Pathfinder campus at 1901 SW Genesee (map).

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Hiawatha concert, DIY Bikes under the bridge, wildfire benefit, more for your West Seattle Thursday night
August 7, 2014 11:11 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photo taken at Alki Beach: ©2014 Eric Shalit)

A special stop for bicycle commuters is among the highlights for tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

DIY BIKES – UNDER THE BRIDGE: Per the following announcement:

Bicycle commuters coming home from work tonight may find a surprise under the West Seattle Bridge. The West Seattle Tool Library’s Fixers Collective and DIY Bikes will be doing their monthly workshop under the West Seattle Bridge” “It’s been a long summer so far and many of our daily bicycle commuters have not found the time to work on their bicycles or take them into a local shop. We are coming to the riders to make ourselves more available.” The West Seattle Tool Library and DIY Bikes are projects of Sustainable West Seattle.

HEALTH AND HARVEST: 5-7 pm tonight and every Thursday, you’re welcome at the Community Orchard of West Seattle for a lesson in urban gardening, teamed with a mini-work party. Northeast side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)

BENEFIT FOR EASTERN WASHINGTON FIRE VICTIMS: Proceeds tonight at Matador-West Seattle (and five other restaurants elsewhere in the city) go to a fire benefit organized by Band of Brothers Northwest – details in our preview. (4546 California SW)

WATCH THE GAME AT THE CASK: Tonight’s pre-season Seahawks game is onscreen at The Cask (WSB sponsor) in The Admiral District, 6 pm. (2350 California SW)

SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: Tonight, it’s The Guessing Game, 6:30 pm on the east lawn at Hiawatha (along Walnut), free – BYO chair/blanket, picnic, etc. Presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association – here’s our preview with a peek at the band. (2700 California SW)

MORE MUSIC … see individual West Seattle venues’ listings for tonight on our calendar!

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Second Design Review Board meeting set for 7520 35th SW clinic
August 7, 2014 9:51 am
|    Comments Off on Second Design Review Board meeting set for 7520 35th SW clinic
 |   Development | West Seattle news

No meetings scheduled this month for the Southwest Design Review Board – if there’s no project ready to review, they don’t meet – but one is now on the city docket for next month: 6:30 pm Thursday, September 4th, has just been penciled in as the second “Early Design Guidance” session for the proposed eye-care clinic at 7520 35th SW. The first one last month (WSB coverage here) raised so many questions about configuration of the site and the clinic building – which will be entirely medical/commercial, no residential component – that the project team was sent back to the drawing board.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates
August 7, 2014 6:21 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! Today’s traffic (etc.) watch is on.

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West Seattle wildlife: Whale sighting; coyote report; raccoons…
August 7, 2014 2:02 am
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

It’s a wild place we live in … three reader reports to share:

WHALE WATCHING: Heard about the humpbacks in the area this past week or so? Colleen saw one and shared the photo:

A little late since this was Saturday night…..While boating with friends from West Seattle to Bainbridge Saturday evening around 5:15, we spotted a whale … We were so excited, our pictures are not that good. … It was awesome and unbelievable to be so close (our friends turned off their Bayliner’s engine as we watched the whale).

COYOTE REPORT: From Paul in North Admiral:

Just thought I’d pass on news of a coyote sighting in front of my house (Monday) morning on 42nd Ave between Seattle and Atlantic Streets in North Admiral. 4:30 am, I was leaving to go fishing, and a neighbor was walking his dog. We all must have come upon the coyote at the same time, and it took off running. Healthy looking adult. I’ve seen one here before, but it’s been several years.

RACCOONS: From Sean in Gatewood:

Spotted this mom and four youngsters at 8:30 (Monday) morning in my backyard. Very cute, but I’d prefer they dig holes elsewhere.

The state has advice on dealing with raccoons and coyotes – the former, here; the latter, here. (And lots of other species too – see the sidebar on either of those pages for the links.)

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The Guessing Game up next for Summer Concerts at Hiawatha
August 6, 2014 9:00 pm
|    Comments Off on The Guessing Game up next for Summer Concerts at Hiawatha
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That’s The Guessing Game, third up in this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, with co-sponsors including WSB. You’ll see and hear The Guessing Game live at 6:30 pm tomorrow (Thursday, August 7th). Find out a bit more about the band – which released its first album “Holy Crow” in May – via this online interview with leader Jeff Rouse. Then pack up your chairs/blanket/picnic dinner/etc. and make plans to be on the east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center for a free night of music.

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Charlestown Court not worthy of landmark status, says Landmarks Preservation Board, again
August 6, 2014 5:53 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle history | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(County archives photo of the building now known as Charlestown Court)
We’re at the Municipal Tower downtown, where the city Landmarks Preservation Board voted this afternoon to reject landmark status for Charlestown Court. The building is proposed for demolition to make way for an 8-unit townhouse project.

This was the second time the Tudor-style 1920s-era brick fourplex at 3811 California SW had been nominated; the last time, in a process that played out 2007-2008, the board said “no,” but development proposals then stalled until the current one, and the city said too much time had elapsed for them simply to refer to that previous vote, so the process needed to start again.

Before today’s presentation about the building, Paul Cesmat said he has owned it since 2007 and declared it has structural issues – “the brick’s not structurally sound, the chimney has issues, this has been pointed out to us … and we have insurability issues … I feel that this building does not meet historical criteria … and it’s not structurally worth saving.” It is wood-framed without concrete backing the brick, he explained in response to a question later.

The presentation focused on changes made to the building, including its windows, contending the changes made over the years affected the fourplex’s “physical integrity.” The photo you see at the top of the story was shown, with the comment “It’s a shame that’s not there any more.” (The nomination document from the June meeting, including photos and history, can be seen as a PDF here.)

In pre-vote discussion, board members said basically that while you could consider it “handsome” or “charming,” it just didn’t “rise” to landmark status.

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West Seattle traffic-alert update: Eastbound bridge lanes open again after car-fire response
August 6, 2014 5:10 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle traffic-alert update: Eastbound bridge lanes open again after car-fire response
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

That camera view shows the eastbound bridge is partly blocked – looks like the right lane and the bus lane – near the peak of the high-rise because of a car fire. (See other camera views on the WSB Traffic page.)

5:51 PM: It appears this might clear soon – camera shows a tow truck on scene.

5:55 PM: And – all lanes open again.

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Election 2014: 2nd vote count widens lead for Park District measure
August 6, 2014 4:44 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle politics

Quick note in case you’re wondering: The second ballot-count update is out for the August 5th election, and the proposal to create a Seattle Park District has widened its lead a bit. Last night, the yes vote was 52.4 percent; today, it’s 52.7 percent. Next ballot-count update will be out by this time tomorrow.

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You can help! Restaurants including Matador in The Junction to donate proceeds to Eastern Washington fire victims tomorrow
August 6, 2014 4:19 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

(Central/Eastern Washington wildfire photos taken this week by Long Bach Nguyen)
The aerial photos by Long Bach Nguyen are dramatic enough – imagine the devastation of the fire victims on the ground, one by one, family by family. Tomorrow, a West Seattle restaurant is one of six around the city participating in a fundraiser to help, in connection with a nonprofit.

The announcement:

*To aid those stricken by the massive fires in Eastern Washington, local non-profit Band of Brothers NW is banding together with successful restaurants Matador, Ballard Annex Oyster House, and Kickin’ Boot Whiskey Kitchen along with the Northwest community to provide aid to the hundreds of families in need, and they’re asking the public for help. There are four ways the public can help in this effort:

*** Visit any of the four Matador locations (Ballard, West Seattle, Redmond, Tacoma), Ballard Annex Oyster House, or Kickin’ Boot Whiskey Kitchen in Ballard on August 7th where 100-percent of all sales from open to close will go directly to families affected by the massive Eastern Washington wildfires. All restaurants will also be accepting cash donations as well as gift cards for donation as well with 100-percent of all of these donations going directly to fire victims. A special guest appearance from Michael “The Wanz” Wansley the Grammy Award winning-singer of “Thrift Shop” for Macklemore will take place at Matador in Ballard where he’ll be signing autographs and taking photos with those who donate.

*** Go to www.bobnw.org to provide a monetary donation in any amount. One-hundred percent of donations to Band of Brothers NW will go directly to families affected by the devastating wildfire in Eastern Washington. Your gift enables Band of Brothers NW to provide gift cards for items such as food, water, medical supplies and other necessities following the devastating effects of the wildfires.

*** Mail gift cards to the Band of Brothers NW office at 8750 122nd Avenue Kirkland, WA 98033.

*** Use your online voice to raise awareness and let others know how you’re helping through social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. using the hashtag #WeCareEWFires.

…The massive fires burning in the Methow Valley, and through much of Eastern Washington, have burned more than 200,000 acres. An estimated 100 homes in towns such as Pateros, Brewster, Alta Lake and others have been destroyed, and roughly 2,000 firefighters are working in Eastern Washington communities with an additional 1,000 National Guard troops and active duty military potentially being called in to help.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Another hit-and-run driver sought
August 6, 2014 3:45 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Crime Watch: Another hit-and-run driver sought
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

A hit-and-run driver damaged two vehicles belonging to one Seaview household between 1 am and 5 am this morning – and the victims have collected enough debris to “get a part/model number,” traced to an early 2000s black Toyota 4-Runner, so they’re hoping you can help find the vehicle. The debris left behind included a “newer Toyota center hubcap/cover with logo on it”; it likely would have “emerged southbound out of the alley between 50th and 51st onto Hudson, heading west.” See anything in that area? Know of a vehicle matching the description that suddenly has damage it didn’t have last time you saw it? Contact SPD; the victims have filed a report (and have given police the information about the debris, too).

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West Seattle Car Show goes ‘open class,’ and you can sign up now
August 6, 2014 2:24 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Update on the West Seattle Car Show, set for September 14th with Swedish Automotive and West Seattle Autoworks (both WSB sponsors) carrying on from its late founder Michael Hoffman: It’s registration time! And, as requested by many, the WS Car Show is now “open class,” meaning there are no longer specific requirements for year, etc. But there’s still a limit – only so many spaces along the streets in the heart of The Junction – so if you’re interested, go here to sign up now it’s first come, first served. (If you don’t want to register online, you can get a form by e-mailing wscarshow@gmail.com or calling 206.938.8685.)

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What the police/medical response in Admiral is about
August 6, 2014 12:28 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Several people have texted about a large police response in the Admiral area, in the 4300 block of SW College. Here’s what we know: It’s being investigated as some kind of an assault. The victim is being treated; a suspect was being sought; it was initially described as a case of domestic violence. That’s all we know, pending a call back from police.

ADDED: We finally heard back from police late in the day – a voice-mail message, while we were covering a hearing, so no chance for followup questions, and we don’t know the victim’s condition but one thing to add: The response was so big at least in part because there was a report the suspect was armed with a knife.

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Halfway there! Youngstown Cultural Arts Center mural update
August 6, 2014 11:51 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Just stopped by the mural project outside Youngstown Cultural Arts Center for a quick update. We reported last week on the start of work on what was a blank 200-foot wall along Delridge Way SW beneath the center’s parking lot, with participants in a summer arts-jobs program, same one that led to the signal-box mini-murals last year. This mural is still scheduled for completion and “unveiling” one week from tomorrow; its features so far include not just Northwest beauty like water and mountains but also a hint of the nearby maritime industry (the iconic red cranes).

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