West Seattle, Washington
19 Tuesday
Congratulations to Matt Vaughan, owner of West Seattle-founded Easy Street Records, for winning King County’s “Small Business of the Year” award, presented by County Executive Dow Constantine at a celebration in Bellevue this week. We stopped by Easy Street in The Junction to photograph and talk with Vaughan afterward; he said the honor is “humbling” and means a lot coming from fellow West Seattleite Constantine. He also told us he was surprised – because one of the other two finalists is a cupcake company, and, well, “everybody loves cupcakes.” (We would have to point out here that everyone loves music, too.) Read the official county announcement of winners and runners-up, after the jump (including the “exporting” winner, Enprecis, a downtown-based company which we are told has four West Seattleites on its team):
The photo is courtesy of West Seattle photographer Machel Spence, who’s involved with the Wild Mushroom Show, which is actually at Magnuson Park in the north end (details here) today and tomorrow, but her photo goes so well with the damp forecast for our area (and the rest of the city) … But don’t let the rain keep you home! Much going on – including local businesses welcoming you to their grand opening/open house/anniversary events. Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
TIBBETTS UMC RUMMAGE SALE: 10 am-3 pm, the sale only comes twice a year! Second and final day to go browse and buy at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), 3940 41st SW.
BIOSWALE/RAINGARDEN OPEN HOUSE: If you live in Westwood or Sunrise Garden, go find out about the newest version of the plan for “green stormwater infrastructure” to reduce sewer overflows into Puget Sound by cutting down on what goes into the system uphill. 10 am-noon at Westside School (WSB sponsor) – here’s our preview, with a map.
PLANT SALE AT SSCC: Fall is THE time to plant perennials, and you’ll find deals at the South Seattle Community College Garden Center, 11 am-3 pm, north side of the campus at 6000 16th SW.
THREE OPEN HOUSE/GRAND OPENINGS:
*BodyLife Conditioning: Free Nia (10 am) and Yoga (11 am) classes, plus noon- 2 pm snacks and beverages to celebrate the grand opening at 5432 California Ave SW (more info on the BLC website).
*Stitch & Sew Studio: The new addition to the West Seattle Fabric Company family is having an open house today 11 am-4 pm (and tomorrow noon-3 pm), as reported in our story from last weekend. 5910 California SW.
*West Seattle Fight and Fitness, 5050 Delridge Way SW, 11 am-7 pm, details in the calendar listing.
PUMPKIN JUNCTION: Today marks the start of a pumpkin-beer/cider celebration at The Beer Junction (even beer floats/shakes with Husky Deli ice cream), which also adds four new taps today (20 total). Details here.
SW SEATTLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY CHAMPAGNE LUNCHEON: 11:30 am-1:30 pm, “Stand Tall for History” to celebrate SWSHS. The event’s at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor).
GET YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT RENOVATING/CUSTOM BUILDING ANSWERED – FREE! Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) just told us a few spots remain open in its free workshop at their West Seattle HQ at noon. Info here.
ADOPT-A-THON FOR FOSTER CATS: Come meet the kitties and their foster parents, and consider offering a forever home. Noon-3 pm at Alki Community Center – details in our preview from earlier this week.
SOUTHWEST LIBRARY COMMUNITY ART SHOWCASE – LAST CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE! Last day to sign up to be part of the showcase, which starts tomorrow – details here.
KIDS’ ART SHOW TO BENEFIT SMILE TRAIN: 1-4 pm at Young At Art Studio (now at Fauntleroy/Raymond) – details in our calendar listing. YAA’s Theresa just e-mailed to invite you to “grab some super-cute kids’ art. They have worked hard for this event and are so glad to help the kids who need help.”
CIDER PRESSING AT VILLAGE GREEN: Come see the antique cider press in action, and taste the results. Bring apples, pears, even plums, and containers; 1-4 pm at Village Green Perennial Nursery (WSB sponsor), 10223 26th SW.
MEMORIALS TODAY: Two obituaries/memorial announcements published here on Friday are for gatherings today, so here’s one more mention: “Stumbletown” Steve Adams, 1 pm, Feedback Lounge (6451 California SW; WSB sponsor); Darrell Locklin, 2 pm, Forest Lawn (6701 30th SW; WSB sponsor).
LONGFELLOW CREEK WATERSHED WALK: The second in the three-Saturday series of walks with Feet First is today, 1 pm-3 pm. Meet at the P-Patch at 25th and Thistle; more info here.
SEATTLE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: The Saints are back home to take on Orcas Island at West Seattle Stadium, 1:30 pm.
ALKI TRIVIA CRAWL: Starts at 3 pm. Find out about it here.
CLICK! TURNS 8 AND THROWS A PARTY: Tonight at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) at 4540 California SW, you’re invited to help proprietors Frances and John Smersh (below) celebrate their 8th anniversary in business (six years in The Admiral District, two in The Junction).
(WSB photo by Torin Record-Sand)
Beer, pretzels, donuts, guest DJs (including WSB’s own “dj pops” for the first hour, we hear). 5 pm-9 pm.
EVERGREEN COMMUNITY AQUATIC CENTER FUNDRAISER: The aquatic center is in White Center but West Seattleites use it too; they’re having their first-ever benefit auction 7 pm-midnight in Normandy Park. Find out more here.
CANDYLANDIA DANCE PARTY: Second Saturday of the month at The Benbow Room, starting at 9 pm, 4210 SW Admiral Way.
More nightlife – and other events – on the calendar!
10 am-noon today, King County Wastewater Treatment staffers are at Westside School (WSB sponsor) for an open house to talk about the changes to the proposal for “green stormwater infrastructure” to reduce combined-sewer overflows from the Barton Pump Station in Fauntleroy. The map above – which is from this newsletter sent by the county – shows the new plan for 19 blocks where the county wants to put in “bioswales,” down from more than 30 in earlier versions of the proposal, which is now up to the “60-percent design” stage. There’s also a new aspect to the plan – incentives for voluntary participation in the RainWise program to install raingardens. According to the agenda for the meeting – which you’ll find here, along with other documents – there’s no presentation; they’ll explain the format at 10 am, and then information tables are open till noon.
(This photo and the following 7 are by Nick Adams for WSB)
It seems so long ago – Thursday night, before the rain returned, a beautiful night to wander West Seattle and enjoy the monthly WS Art Walk sights and sounds – with most of the art staying on display all month long, so this report is really about places you can still go and art you can still enjoy, even if you weren’t out and about during Art Walk itself. We visited a variety of venues – starting in the north at Alki Arts, where local painter Cathy Woo (above) showed all-new work. See the others, ahead:
(Video of Sealth celebration after the game – more video, photos to come in 2nd report)
Just in from Southwest Athletic Complex: Chief Sealth International High School wins the Huling Bowl, 19-15 over West Seattle High School. Photos, video, and details in report #2, later. (For some of the game’s toplines, check out our live-event Twitter feed at @wsblive.)
A memorial service is planned at West Seattle’s Forest Lawn tomorrow afternoon for Darrell Locklin, who died a week ago at age 78. His family shares this remembrance:
West Seattle native Darrell Locklin was born February 21, 1934, and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1952. He entered the army in 1956, and was stationed at Killeen Base in Texas, where he earned commendations for scholastic achievement and finishing first in his class in special weapons training (despite a life-long dislike of guns). And he met Katherine Kelly.
They married in 1958, returned to Seattle, bought a house in 1964, and settled in to raise a family, and where they lived until his death. He put many hours and even years into improving the house. Even in the past year, when it looked and felt like it was finally done, he said he still had some things he wanted to do.
In 1970 he graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in social work and went to work for the Department of Social and Health Services. He transferred to the Department of Corrections and became a probation and parole officer. In 1984 he moved to Reynolds Work Release (a transition facility for offenders re-entering the community), and retired in 1995, completing a 20+-year career in social and public service.
His interests in life were varied. He played and coached softball, and coached both his children in little league baseball. He passed on (or tried to) his interest in baseball, cars, and hydroplane racing.
(Photos by Tony Bradley)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 7:11 PM: Big Fire Department response to the 6900 block of California Avenue SW right now, possible house fire, though the first engines are not seeing any flames.
7:14 PM UPDATE: Apparently a small fire that’s out, but there’s a big traffic backup because the fire units are blocking California SW northbound – avoid the area (California/Frontenac vicinity).
7:32 PM UPDATE: Firefighters are calling for Red Cross help for two adults and two children who got out OK but will need some place to stay.
7:59 PM UPDATE: SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore tells us this started as a kitchen fire and was indeed tapped within 10 minutes. Medics evaluated one person, but no treatment was needed.
11:59 PM UPDATE: Moore has more info on the fire – investigators confirm it was an accidental cooking fire, with damage estimated at $10,000 to the structure, $10,000 to contents.
Almost two months after we brought you first word of The Copper Coin, coming to the ex-Porterhouse spot in The Admiral District, it’s about to open. Proprietor Aaron Shepherd just sent word:
We are aiming to open our doors at 5:00 on Monday the 15th for our soft opening, and then follow that up on Wednesday with our Grand Opening. Starting Wednesday we will be serving lunch and dinner seven days a week, with hours from 11:30-11:00 Sunday-Thursday and 11:30-12:00 Friday & Saturday. A Sunday brunch will be added to the lineup in about 4 weeks.
We are excited to open our doors to the neighborhood and to finally welcome everybody to our dining room. The neighborhood’s support and enthusiasm has been fantastic. Just last night, we had delicious cake delivered to us by Brent Amacher, our State Farm neighbor.
As noted in our August story, Shepherd is a co-owner of the popular Hill’s Neighborhood Restaurant. He told us then that he wants The Copper Coin (website here) to be “a good neighborhood joint.”
Thanks to Chris for the tip via Twitter – most of the “rechannelization” striping is in on the north end of Delridge Way SW, basically between the south side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center and the West Seattle Bridge. Above, our dashcam view driving the northbound side just now; next, the southbound view:
The rechannelization was announced as part of a plan announced last spring to speed up Route 120 buses – we just happened to wind up behind one while our camera was rolling on the southbound side. As you might notice in the video, some painting remains to be done – bike lane and bus lane stenciling, for example. Here’s the county’s explanation of what was changed (see the link in that page’s sidebar).
From the just-published edition of West Seattle High School‘s online newsletter Westside Weekly, edited by Bev Corey:
Girls Volleyball Team Currently #1 in the Metro Sound Division with an Undefeated Record!
WSHS Volleyball is currently 9-0 in the Metro Sound Division, 9-3 over all. All the volleyball teams (Varsity, JV, JVC) are improving with every match. The Varsity team has 2 matches remaining this season. The big rematch will be against Chief Sealth, who is 2nd in the division, on Wednesday, Oct 17th in our house!!! This happens to be Senior night also. We will be honoring four seniors, Captains Maddie Collins, Ellen Cleveland, Athena Lamyuen and Nanna Darden. The Metro Tournament at the end of the month should be very tough – 9 out of the last 12 years, the 3A State champ has com from our League!! The girls are excited to compete and stir things up at Metro’s.
The Wednesday volleyball game between WSHS and CSIHS is at 7 pm next Wednesday in the WSHS gym (3000 California SW). Their last faceoff was September 24th (WSB photo coverage here).
(RapidRide C bus photographed near Seattle Center this afternoon)
As West Seattle bus riders conclude the second week of Metro’s RapidRide C Line launch and other service changes, the numbers we’ve requested have arrived – ridership and number of buses before and after – along with an update on what Metro is considering to address ongoing concerns. Here’s the full text of the reply we received:
Current Ridership Indicators
Metro along with its riders in West Seattle has seen the crowded conditions and unfortunate pass-ups of some riders on the RapidRide C Line and the Route 120 since our fall service change period began on September 29. All indications are that RapidRide C Line ridership, and ridership on the entire body of service Metro operates between West Seattle and Downtown Seattle is up substantially from last spring in the first two weeks since its launch. At this time Metro has only raw data from several in person field counts for service operating via the Alaskan Way Viaduct. In a four day peak period count of passenger loads entering downtown in the morning and exiting downtown in the afternoon/evening, buses have about 25% more people on board than routes in spring 2011 and about 18% more than in the spring 2012 (February to June) period. In real numbers, passenger counts averaged 2537 with a high of 2611 in the morning and 2830 with a high of 2919 in the afternoon.
These passenger counts were conducted between 7 and 9 a.m. at the Seneca and 2nd Ave intersection and between 4 and 6 p.m. at the Columbia and 2nd Ave bus stop on Thursday 10/4 and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10/9, 10 and 11.
Peak Commute Period Bus Trips between West Seattle and Downtown via the viaduct or SODO before and after this service change
With hours to go till the big football game, West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School vying for the Huling Bowl, the two schools’ marching bands have spent the past few hours on the field practicing – that’s Marcus Pimpleton coaching them from the ladder in our top photo. The big focus was marching when we got there – so our video includes some drumming and a little singing but to hear the instruments, you’ll just have to be there tonight:
Here’s our earlier preview, including game info and history from one of the game’s sponsors/namesakes. Pregame barbecue at 5, game at 7, Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
Tomorrow at the Feedback Lounge, friends and family will gather to celebrate the life of “Stumbletown” Steve Adams. Feedback co-proprietor Jeff Gilbert sends this remembrance:
It is with profound sadness that we announce the loss of West Seattle resident and fixture “Stumbletown” Steven E. Adams, 56, who unexpectedly passed away on October 8, 2012.
A lifelong West Seattle resident, Steve was extremely passionate about his neighborhood, family, friends, sports, his beloved cat Scully. He was also a prolific songwriter and collaborated on several community charity music projects and even recorded three albums of original material.
Steve attended West Seattle schools and graduated from Western Washington University. He went on to work for the Boeing Co. for the last 26 years.
In 2006, Steve was named King County Big Brother of the Year. An endlessly enthusiastic and positive personality, he said recently, “I like a little about everything. I need to have good books, good music, good food and great friends. I’ve been lucky enough to have all fall into my world.”
Steve is preceded in death by his parents; Bill and JoAnn Adams, and is survived by his wife Mary Anne Spada, sons Matt Adams and Eric Adams, brothers Kevin Adams (wife Terry) and Tim Adams, plus, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and in laws, along with a community of friends who will miss him.
Steve was a wonderfully free spirit. In keeping with his character, his celebration will be held at the Feedback Lounge (6451 California Ave SW, West Seattle) at 1:00 PM, Saturday, October 13.
We reported two days ago that the long-closed, then sold and rebranded, gas station at Fauntleroy/Alaska, now Fauntleroy Shell (4580 Fauntleroy Way SW), could open as soon as today if tech work was complete. We stopped by a little while ago to check – the store and mini-mart are open. The station had been closed more than a year, since shutting down in the middle of what had been a rebranding from 76 to Arco.
Fairly quiet day on the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar, besides the Huling Bowl football game (previewed here earlier), but one daytime exception: It’s the first of two days for the semi-annual Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) rummage sale – till 4 pm today, and 10 am-3 pm tomorrow, 3940 41st SW. Never know quite what you’ll find among what our grandma called bric-a-brac:
Elsewhere in West Seattle, tonight’s music highlights include duo The Old Way visiting Kenyon Hall at 7:30 pm. See more – and take a peek ahead at the weekend (and beyond) – on the calendar! (Tip: Mouse over and click the right-side “plus” on any calendar line to expand it, with an option then to go to the page with full details and a location map.)
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
Welcome to the third edition of the daily WSB traffic/transit report, a dedicated space each weekday (weekends if necessary) for updates on the roads and buses, from you and from us. While it goes live each morning, we’ll updating it with any notable traffic/bus news throughout the day, and we hope you will do the same. You will always find the current edition linked under the BIG STORIES heading on the sidebar. We start Friday with some notes:
*No classes today for Seattle Public Schools (and independent schools following the SPS calendar).
*Rain is indeed moving through the region as forecast (here’s the radar – thanks to Patrick K for the link) – share what you’re seeing, when you can do so safely (no driving/reading/typing, please!).
Two Metro-related notes so far today:
*County Councilmember Joe McDermott‘s office confirms a tip we got from Lisa – explained by McDermott staffer Michelle Allison: “In order to give (Denny) students a bit more time to catch the bus, the Route 22 2 pm southbound trip from Alaska Junction will be adjusted to depart five minutes later. School gets out at 2:10 and the bus has been going by at around 2:15, which was tight for the students. Starting next week, the bus will pass the SW Thistle/26th Ave SW stop by about 2:20.” Councilmember McDermott’s latest “e-newsletter” is all about the bus changes – in case you missed it on yesterday’s traffic/transit thread, here’s the link again.
*Jon Grant has started a petition “to return bus service to Arbor Heights.” He writes:
The new schedule changes have been a calamity to many in our neighborhood.
For anyone who does not commute during peak hours and cannot or does not own a car, this means walking quite a distance to catch the once an hour bus that only runs til between 6 and 7 pm. Before 9 am (on weekends, during the week we have the 21X) or after 6/7 pm (everyday) the closest stop is 35th and Barton, up to 2 miles for some Arbor Heights residents.
My son is 8 and he has had to walk with either myself or my wife that long walk 6 times in the past 10 days that the new routes have been in effect. I truly worry about what we and others in our area will do once it gets colder and darker – the hills are steep, the lighting poor, and in many places the sidewalks are nonexistent or unusable for disabled residents.
If you could, please post the link to my petition. If the response is good, I will deliver the first batch of signatures to Seattle City Councilman Tom Rasmussen this Monday at Sustainable West Seattle’s transit forum.
The goal is to have some sort of transit every 30 min run the Arbor Heights loop.
Here’s more on the forum Jon mentioned – 7 pm Monday, Senior Center of West Seattle (Oregon/California), tackling all facets of West Seattle transportation, with a panel including county and city reps.
10:10 AM UPDATE: Trouble on the ramp from the eastbound bridge to northbound 99 – one of our team members just saw it and we also have a reader note: “I was just on the bridge and a semi has died at the end of the on-ramp from the west seattle bridge to Highway 99. Its location is blocking all vehicles from getting past it and people are backing off the on-ramp.” (Our info on this is about 10 minutes old so if you have been through and saw the ramp open again, please comment – it’s out of webcam range.) Metro has issued an advisory:
Routes 21, 120, 125 and RapidRide C Line are temporarily rerouted off of the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct, due to an incident. Metro service heading toward downtown Seattle is rerouted via 4 Av S until further notice. Expect delays for RapidRide C Line until the incident is cleared.
11:00 AM UPDATE: Metro says the ramp is clear and bus service is back to normal, which means other traffic can use the ramp now too.
2:35 PM UPDATE: Metro has sent the numbers we’ve been looking for – ridership estimates before and after the changes, and number of runs on the corridor. Way too much info to add to this story so we’ve published it separately – find the story here.
3:48 PM UPDATE: From WSDOT – “On SR 99 southbound just north of W Marginal Way (MP 25) there is a collision blocking the HOV lane. Medical Aid, Fire Assistance, and the WSP have arrived on the scene.” This is in the 1st Avenue South Bridge vicinity, according to the Seattle Fire 911 log.
4:30 PM UPDATE: Via Twitter, Chris says the rechannelization striping (related to Route 120) appears to have been done today in North Delridge. We’re off to check.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Tonight, West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School face off on what is now their shared home field, in the annual quest for the Huling Bowl.
Rather than out-and-out rivalry, it’s a celebration of community, points out Sam Reed, athletic director and activity coordinator for Sealth, which is this year’s host: A barbecue, the two schools’ bands and cheer squads performing together, for starters (more later).
But what about the game’s namesakes – the Huling family?
The name might not be familiar to the high schools’ players and students, since it’s been more than five years since the family’s name topped signs and buildings along Fauntleroy Way and Alaska Street, on sites that are now largely taken over by other businesses, like Trader Joe’s and Les Schwab Tires.
But while their namesake auto businesses are gone, the family is still deeply involved in the community, particularly in the support of education.
On Thursday, one day before Game Day, we sat down to talk with Steve Huling (Chief Sealth Class of 1965) and Sam Reed – not only about the game, but about the Huling Bowl’s origins.
Huling is a lifelong West Seattleite. He notes that he grew up at a house on Erskine Way, not far from Uptown Espresso, where we interviewed him.
Though he went to Sealth – where his graduating class numbered 700, suggesting a school population twice today’s 1,300 – he had cousins that went to West Seattle High School, and his best friend went to WSHS, also a ’65 grad. So many longtime West Seattleites who went to one of the schools have friends and relatives who went to the other, he considers it a “blended family.” Reed concurs, noting this game almost could be held without separate seating sections.
“Our family has always been particularly interested in education and youth and helping the community, it’s kind of what we do,” Huling told us, as he started to tell the story of how the Huling Bowl came to be.
How do you get early word of development/construction projects planned for your neighborhood – and if one goes to Design Review, what’s that like? Those were among the questions answered at this week’s monthly meeting of the Admiral Neighborhood Association – which also included other topics such as pursuing a grant to get a long-sought traffic signal:
We’ve learned there are two fundraising walk/run events coming up in Lincoln Park before the month is out. 
We’ve already mentioned the Monster Dash on October 27th, benefiting West Seattle’s Cooperative Preschools (WSB sponsor). But before that, October 21st is the date set for Miles for Midwives 2012. Organizers explain:
Miles for Midwives takes place every autumn to raise awareness around the benefits of midwifery and the important work of Washington midwives! Your participation helps to ensure that families in Washington State have greater access to quality women’s health care and the lower health-care costs associated with utilization of midwives. Proceeds from Miles for Midwives benefit the Washington Affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives and the Midwives’ Association of Washington State.
You can register online by going here – it’s $25 if you sign up by October 18th, one week from tonight. On Miles for Midwives Day, on-site registration starts at 8 am, a “kids’ lollipop run” at 9:45, then the official run/walk (not officially timed, by the way) at 10 am, near Shelters 1-2 in the south end of the park. It’s a 2.5-mile loop along the perimeter, down to the water, around Colman Pool, back up into the park, and we’re told it’s stroller-/pet-friendly.
Update on West Seattle’s newest restaurant/bar, Marination ma kai at Seacrest Boathouse: Co-proprietor Kamala Saxton sends word tonight that after a week with a “limited menu,” they are adding hot breakfast, shave ice, and fish and chips as of tomorrow. The hot-breakfast offerings include Breakfast Sliders, Sunrise Burrito, Biscuits and Gravy, and Loco Moco; for lunch/dinner, they are adding the promised fish and chips, with kimchi or miso tartar sauce and a ponzu malt vinegar. If you haven’t been yet, they have adjusted their hours to 8 am-8 pm weekdays and 9 am-“late” on Saturdays and Sundays.
(No rain yet! Tonight’s sunset, via Twitter, by @sudsymaggie)
Four warnings today about the rain that seems to be finally heading this way:
First, the National Weather Service has issued a “special weather statement” – see it here.
Second, even though the first bouts of rain are NOT expected to be heavy, it still could cause power outages, says Seattle City Light. They explain why – and what you can do to try to lessen the chances – in this update.
Third, WSDOT warns about a potentially rainy commute tomorrow:
Drivers can do their part to keep traffic moving by following these basic tips for driving in wet weather: leave plenty of following distance between vehicles; focus on driving and not on the cell phone; and check conditions and traffic before leaving. Drivers may also want to add 15 minutes or more to their commute.
Drivers who get into a collision should: move to the right to get out of traffic; stay in the vehicle until help arrives; and never stand or walk into traffic for any reason.
WSDOT crews are planning for the wet commute as well. Incident responders will be out in full force clearing roads and helping drivers along the key commute corridors, including Interstate 5, Interstate 405, State Route 520, Interstate 90, State Route 99 and State Route 16 throughout Seattle, Bellevue, Everett and Tacoma.
Our brand new daily traffic/transit thread (for your updates and ours, starting in the early morning and accessible throughout the day) will track the situation too.
Fourth, award-winning environmental activist Laura “Diver Laura” James has a reminder on behalf of tox-ick.org:
With the rains coming, it is imperative that we do our best to pick up the errant dog poop that is lurking beside the sidewalks on the grassy hills and planting strips. This poop is FULL of badness (such as e. coli and parasites such as Giardia and Roundworms) There are baby seal pups in the waters around our large storm outfalls, its up to US to help protect them!!! Even if its not YOUR dog’s poop, please pick it up! Its a race against time (and rain)!
Additionally, if you are out walking and see small bits of roadside garbage, cigarette butts, bottle caps, pens, candy wrappers, plastic bags, etc… Take a moment to pick it up and get it into a garbage can, otherwise that trash has a one way ticket directly into Puget Sound via the storm drains! Don’t let it add to the Underwater Garbage Patch off Alki Beach!
We’ll of course track the weather, the traffic, and everything related, 24/7 as usual, including our new every-weekday-morning (weekends as needed) “traffic/transit today” open threads with commenters’ reports as well as updates from us.
(Google Street View car near WSB HQ in July 2011 – thanks to Tony for the reminder comment!)
Two people have mentioned this to us today so far, so we’re sharing it: Google Maps‘ “Street View” 360-degree photography apparently has been updated for West Seattle – so if you have a minute, you might want to go see if that goes for your neighborhood. We can attest to one change: For a LONG time, if you looked at the Google Street View for California/Edmunds in The Junction, you would have seen the West Seattle Summer Fest road-closure signs and tents … from three or four years ago. Now, it’s a clear view (see here).
When Metro launched RapidRide C Line and a fleet of changes twelve days ago, you might recall, brand-new Route 50 had a partial West Seattle re-route from the start, since it couldn’t use its full intended westbound route until a long-awaited traffic signal was installed at Avalon and Genesee. So when is that signal finally going in? many asked. The most recent estimate was “by Thanksgiving,” and it looks like that’ll happen, since we’ve just learned that work might start as soon as next week. That’s according to John Vander Sluis of SDOT, who says the construction notice has just gone out to the neighborhood, saying the following:
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will be starting construction in your neighborhood soon. SDOT is preparing to install a new traffic signal at the intersection of SW Avalon Way and SW Genesee Street. The traffic signal will improve safety for everyone who uses the street and provide safer transportation options for you and your neighbors to reach local destinations. This project was requested by the community through the Neighborhood Project Fund, a city-administered program that works with communities to prioritize and build neighborhood projects. This location meets the criteria for a new traffic signal because of the traffic and pedestrian volumes at this intersection, as well as the past collision history.
The purpose of this project is to improve safety for all road users. Specifically, the project will:
· Improve the safety for drivers and pedestrians accessing and crossing SW Avalon Way from SW Genesee Street by installing a new traffic signal;
· Indicate the preferred crossing point for pedestrians by installing four new marked crosswalks;
· Improve accessibility for people with mobility challenges by installing six curb ramps;
· Replace damaged sidewalk near the new curb ramps.SDOT anticipates that construction will begin within the next week and last about one and a half months, depending on the weather. Some parking will be restricted during construction and SDOT will place “no parking” signs 3 days before construction begins.
And in fact, just after hearing from Vander Sluis, we spotted SDOT workers on the southeast Avalon/Genesee corner, examining plans (above). The community request mentioned above, by the way, was spearheaded by North Delridge community advocate Mike Dady.
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