West Seattle, Washington
15 Monday
A little more today from SDOT on the source-of-much-discussion Admiral/California signal timing. Here’s what Marybeth Turner found out for us:
SDOT did change the signal timing around a month ago and has been actively monitoring the traffic since then. Based on our observations, the corridor is operating very well during the AM and PM peak times. We will make some minor changes to the signal timing at the intersection of California Ave SW & Admiral Way SW for the off-peak and weekend periods. That will extend the green time for eastbound and westbound traffic within the next couple of weeks. If your readers have additional concerns, please e-mail them to SDOT at traffic.signals@seattle.gov
Please do take her up on that request – comments on this item are great TOO (and when you e-mail us about concerns, that helps us ask authorities the right questions), but if you also send them to SDOT as requested here, they’ll also circulate directly into mailboxes that matter.
(looking north on Fauntleroy from just south of Holly)
Thanks to John C for noting that the long line of “no parking” signs along Fauntleroy Way east/south of Morgan Junction has been followed up by what appeared to be lines for bike lanes, and work crews like the one you see above. That stretch indeed is identified as a bike-lane prospect in the citywide Bicycle Master Plan (get a closer look at West Seattle plans here); we asked SDOT‘s Rick Sheridan for details on what exactly is being done right now:
As part of the Bicycle Master Plan, SDOT is adding new bike lanes and sharrows on Fauntleroy Way SW from California to the ferry terminal. Your readers can basically expect to see a bike lane on the northbound side and sharrows on the southbound side. To accommodate the new bike facilities, we are shifting the center line in some locations and reducing the width of the two-way left turn lane. No parking will be lost due to the changes. Weather permitting, the work should be completed by the end of next week.
Over the next few days, we will also be installing bike lanes uphill and sharrows downhill on Sylvan Way SW from Delridge to High Point.
One of the most recent citywide-media reports about developer Michael Mastro – forced into Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings, with properties including the half-done 35th/Avalon building as well as Harbor Ave land and the West Water condo conversion – focused on his “Friends and Family” investors. That’s what appears to be at the heart of charges just announced by the state – read on for the news release:Read More
When we published this update a week and a half ago on the new Shipwreck Tavern (4210 Admiral Way), they were on track for an October 10th opening – but as we’ve seen with many new restaurant/store projects, you never know for sure till you get there, so we just checked with Shipwreck proprietor Chris Long, who says tomorrow IS definitely opening night. Chris told WSB contributing reporter Mary Sheely that the doors open at 6 pm tomorrow, Colby Imus & the Good Lieutenants will play, music starts between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. – there may be more than one act but they’re the only ones confirmed. Twelve beers on tap including the old standbys like Bud and Bud Light and also selections like Rogue Dead Guy Ale, Manny’s Pale Ale, Mud Shark Porter, Stella Artois, Red Hook, and Jubelale.”
The Eat Local Now! event Sunday night is sold out – hope you got your ticket – but if not, we hereby encourage you to “eat local” this weekend in a variety of ways: Support West Seattle restaurants, markets, Farmers’ Market vendors and other food purveyors! WS has 100+ places to chow down, including WSB sponsors Cafe Revo, Endolyne Joe’s, Feedback Lounge and Skylark Cafe and Club (which sponsors the WS Weekend Lineup!). And there are cooking classes at West Seattle PCC (two this weekend that still have space). Other weekend highlights include a WSHS Grad Night fundraising car wash, first Board Game Afternoon on Sunday at Southwest Library, and “Art in the Garden” opens Saturday at West Seattle Nursery. Read on for our list of 50+ events and activities:Read More
Two notes, both cooked up in this WSB Forums thread but worth noting here too: Marination Mobile will NOT be at its usual High Point spot tomorrow – it’s part of the Mobile Chowdown in Interbay 11 am-3 pm (map). Meantime, a quick update on Rancho Bravo Tacos‘ plan to come to West Seattle (first reported in April); checked with proprietor Freddy and he said he’s aiming for a mid-November start. He also had a question for YOU regarding the site (the old West Seattle Motors lot [map]):
How about some ideas from your beloved readers about what to do with the building on the property since the taco stand will be outside?
Last night at The Hall at Fauntleroy, we checked in on the second of two West Seattle open houses regarding the King County Wastewater Treatment decisions-to-be-made about how to handle “combined sewer overflows,” which happen (on average) at least four times a year, a million gallons of stormwater/untreated sewage into Puget Sound each time, from the Murray (Lowman Beach) and Barton (by Fauntleroy dock) spots. Talked with KCWT’s Martha Tuttle for two points of clarification: (1) The CSO plans are separate from the still-in-the-works plans to upgrade the underground pump stations at Murray and Barton. (The latter, she says, is on track for construction in 2011; Murray will be sometime “later” – Tuttle points out there’s already been a fair amount of upgrading at that site.) (2) Look for another round of meetings in late January where KCWT will return with the proposed “alternatives” (from the four general types described in our report on the Wednesday night meeting); then decisions will be made in May. She says that despite King County budget woes, these projects ARE in the budget – the overflows are a situation the county is required by law to fix. (P.S. Next time there’s a storm – check out the real-time CSO info for West Seattle on this county page.)
Two quick reminders before we get to the full West Seattle Weekend Lineup later: First, Seattle Public Schools (and most others) have no classes today. Second, Tibbetts United Methodist Church‘s big semiannual rummage sale starts today – 9 am-4 pm, 3940 41st SW.
More than a few West Seattle schools had open house/curriculum night events on Thursday night – and some were combined with added special features, as was the case at Arbor Heights Elementary, where teacher Mark Ahlness shared photos. The Arbor Heights PTSA reports that more than 500 people came for dinner, and were served ably by around 30 volunteers, among them, Cub Scout Troop 799, whose scouts set up the tables, tablecloths and chairs. Leftover food was taken to a shelter in White Center. Next up, as the next picture hints, AH has its first-ever dinner/auction fundraiser coming up November 6th at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor).
Cheryl suspects this solicitor was legit and is planning to check tomorrow, but wanted to share the story anyway:Read More
Seattle Post-Globe has coverage of the mayoral candidates’ participation in the midday candidates’ forum at Youngstown Arts Center that focused on housing issues. Among other things, the article notes both support approval of the housing levy that’s on next month’s ballot. Mayoral and council candidates are expected back in West Seattle for the only major forum targeting issues of specific importance to WS, one week from tonight, 7 pm 10/15, also at Youngstown.
ORIGINAL 7:22 PM REPORT: Back at WSB HQ to put up a few pix from our West Seattle Art Walk ramblings so far – heading back out to see more. (For blanket disclosure, all three of these first photos are from WSB sponsor locations.) Top photo is painter Paul Creasman, who is showing at M3 Bodyworks – 5410 California SW, upstairs, quite the party, lots of beer, catering by seasonalpalate.com, stop by till 9 pm. In North Delridge, we caught up with photographer Jenny Jimenez:
Her exhibition “Show Me Your TIFFs” features 10 years of music photography and is at Skylark Cafe and Club – two walls of photos – 3803 Delridge Way, and she’s there in person till 9 pm tonight too. (Plus live music – singer-songwriter Damien Jurado and Amy Blaschke.) Artists are on hand at many venues but not all; we dropped in at Dream Dinners, where Betty Olson Vacca‘s paintings are on the walls but the creating’s being done by clients:
Dream Dinners is on the 41st SW street side of Jefferson Square (4701 41st). Our next stops include Feedback Lounge to see how the punk-rock pumpkin carving is going. More later. Beautiful night. Here’s the Art Walk map – even if you don’t want to go far, there are likely venues near you. ADDED 11:29 PM: Photos from four more venues we made it to – first, two punk-ins from the Feedback Lounge carve-a-thon:
Showing at The Kenney, here’s artist Jan Hahn, who lives in the Ballymena building:
Back in The Junction, Dave Sheely showed his jewelry at Cherry Consignment – we liked his display card, too:
And in the Admiral District, Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) continues to feature the work of Rachel Austin, which debuted during their recent 5th anniversary party:
Click! proprietors Frances and John Smersh say Austin is coming up from Portland to discuss her work in person during an event Nov. 21. Meantime – next West Seattle Art Walk is November 12th.
ORIGINAL 7:21 PM REPORT (FOOTBALL): The final from Memorial Stadium downtown: West Seattle High School 46, Cleveland 0, second straight shutout for the Wildcats. More to come. (You can read some of the highlights in the stream from our live tweets – @wsblive.)
ADDED 9:54 PM: From co-publisher Patrick, who covered the game: The Thursday night edition of Wildcat football saw West Seattle defeat Cleveland, 46-0. The West Seattle High defense was the standout on the night. Cleveland was held to only one first down in the first half, and their best drive stalled on the 31. The Wildcats also forced several turnovers, including a blocked punt that was recovered by senior Emmet Holte. After the game, coach Davis Lura talked about Emmet and the play of the special teams.
The Wildcats are now 5-1 (4-0 in conference play). As for West Seattle’s other two high school varsity football teams: Chief Sealth travels to Clatskanie, OR, for a game at 3 pm Saturday, while Seattle Lutheran has this week off.
GIRLS’ SOCCER: Thanks to Sandy for the report: WSHS 3-0 over Sealth in girls’ soccer today.
Maybe it’s the rush before the winter weather hits. Another one just in from SDOT:
SDOT will rebuild the west side of the roadway and repair the sidewalk from 6543 to 6551 Beach Drive Southwest starting Monday, October 12. The road will be reduced to one lane for three weeks with a flagger to guide traffic during the day.
Just got word from Mary Ellen Cunningham of Friends of Dakota Place Park (map) that the dedication is set for 3:30 pm October 22nd “rain or shine.” The exterior work is done, including the art installation (photo), and as reported here last week, the city is putting together funding to finish the interior of the historic substation building on the site so that it can be used as a satellite facility for Hiawatha Community Center programs.
From SDOT this afternoon, word of a downtown project that will close the Columbia Street onramp to the Alaskan Way Viaduct from Friday night until (probably) Sunday morning – read on:Read More
Mark Hewitt, former owner of Tillicum Village, called with news that the native artwork that decorated the front of the former TV headquarters on Avalon Way (see left side of the Google Street View image above) is now gone; he noticed this around 7:30 last night. This photo taken a short time ago shows plywood where it was removed:
Hewitt says it’s a 6 foot tall by 1.5 foot wide piece of art that was designed on Vancouver Island, and he is offering a $100 reward for its return w/no questions asked. You can call him at 935-1413. ADDED 10:26 PM: We’ve received a better photo of the panel:
That’s Baron the German Shepherd, a 4-year-old male, one of the pets at West Seattle Thriftway right now, till 3 pm, with the Humane Society’s Maxmobile, looking for their “forever homes.” Michele at Thriftway adds that besides additional dogs, “Also in the truck are adoptable cats. One kitten, a few adolescents and some adults.”
A former West Seattle car lot is now home to a bicycle business. 3 weeks ago, we briefly mentioned the impending move of Cycle U to an ex-Huling site; now, they’re two days away from opening, so here’s a closer look.
Story and photos by Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
After standing vacant for two years, the former home of the Huling (then briefly Gee) Chrysler dealership is getting a new tenant. And this time, it’s all about the bikes. Cycle University will hold its first class this Saturday in the space at 4550 Fauntleroy (map). And according to founder Craig Undem, cycling coach Ed Ewing, and manager Brad Loetel, a former car dealership is the perfect place for bicycle training classes, sales, and repair.
Cycle U’s signature blue and orange now adorn the walls, but the building’s giant windows, offices, and a partial wall down the middle of the main floor all are all intact. In a humorous nod to the former occupants, a sign reading “We Want You Very Satisfied!” has been left above one of the offices – after all, Undem says, Cycle U wants to satisfy their customers, too.
“We’re bicycle coaches first,” says Undem, a professional coach who has raced in the World Championships of Cyclocross, won a World Cup medal in Mountain Bike Racing, and placed second in the US in Elite Criterium Championships. “I think that the advice that people get will set us apart.”
The first phase of West Seattle’s Cycle U will be their trademarked InCycle classes.
From City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen‘s office: A date is set for the ceremony to officially add a name to the West Seattle Bridge – not replacing that utilitarian name — in honor of former Councilmember Jeanette Williams, who helped secure the federal funding that made The Bridge possible. It’s been almost three months since the council passed the resolution. The ceremony is planned for 12:30 pm October 23rd, at a still-to-be-finalized location under The Bridge – that’ll be almost a year to the day since Ms. Williams’ death last October.
Headlines from Wednesday night’s meeting of the Southwest District Council: Two briefings regarding changes in the ways citizen-proposed projects get money from certain city funds. One set of changes, for the Neighborhood Street Fund, didn’t draw much controversy as SDOT’s Krista Bunch explained things, but the other, for the Neighborhood Matching Fund, did. Read on:Read More
HIGH SCHOOL EVENTS: In addition to West Seattle High School Curriculum Night, starting at 6:30 pm (as previewed here last Sunday), tonight is also Open House night at Chief Sealth High School, starting with free dinner at 5:30 pm (the evening’s agenda is on the CSHS website). Then remember – no school tomorrow districtwide.
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: In addition to some of the venues we mentioned in this preview (the punk-pumpkin-carving at Feedback Lounge [WSB sponsor] is a don’t-miss), tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk (6-9 pm) also includes: At C & P Coffee, the 2nd Thursday wine club “will be raising a glass to wine club member Elizabeth Bachman as she shares her photographs with her first West Seattle show: ‘Out for a Walk’,” according to C & P proprietor Cameron. At Cherry Consignment in The Junction, West Seattle jewelry designer Dave Sheely is the featured artist. And we have a few more details on the bazaar we mentioned at The Kenney — it includes an Oktoberfest theme, with beer ‘n’ brats. By the way, if you missed young artist Romy Ehrsan‘s work at Shoofly Pie last month — you can catch it tonight. Many more highlights on the WSAW site, and here’s the newest walking map (it changes quarterly) of all 60+ venues, from Alki Bathhouse in the north to Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) in the south, and all over the peninsula inbetween.
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli, first published here in August)
Thanks to Don for the tip that Mashiko‘s Hajime Sato (profiled here in August, just as he was gaining widespread fame for focusing on sustainable sushi/sashimi) is scheduled to be on Food Network tonight, 9 pm. Read all about it on this Mashiko webpage. And a reminder – he’s one of the chefs participating in this Sunday’s Eat Local Now! benefit dinner/auction/entertainment event (see the lineup here) – 5 pm 10/11 at Alki Masonic Hall in The Junction – tickets available here.
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