West Seattle, Washington

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month : 09/2016 302 results

West Seattle new-restaurant update: New Luck Toy hoping for October opening
September 13, 2016 4:24 pm
|      37 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

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Almost six months after going public with their plan to turn the former Chopstix/Ho-Win into the new New Luck Toy, its proprietors are hoping to open next month.

As we continue following up on West Seattle’s next wave of restaurants/bars, we checked in today with Chef Mark Fuller, who you know best from Ma’Ono Fried Chicken and Whisky in The Junction. He and Patric Gabre-Kidan are partners in New Luck Toy (5905 California SW), which Fuller says will get its sign this Friday – you might already have noticed the facade’s being painted this week (photo above, taken shortly before publication). They hope to open in the second week of October.

In the meantime, the basics: New Luck Toy is not a restaurant with a bar – Fuller says it “is a bar that will offer a small menu (16-20 items) of classic Chinese-American dishes. 50 seats and a private karaoke room that will accommodate up to 8 people, cozily. Hours will be 4 pm til 2 am.”

About that menu – we asked for a sneak peek and – here it is! (Chef Fuller adds the qualifier that it’s a “sample menu” that “has changed a bit but is mostly the same.”) Beverages? “Frozen drinks and cocktails on draft.”

What’s the biggest reaction they’ve had? “The feedback we have received is that people are excited to have New Luck Toy in West Seattle again.”

If you’re new around here – the New Luck Toy was an old-school Chinese restaurant in the heart of The Junction, where Talarico’s is now (and has been for a decade), about a mile north of the NEW New Luck Toy. Chef Fuller notes that the interior decor will include “a couple original artifacts from the original NLT, thanks to several people in the community who helped unearth these pieces.” (It will have a few pieces of the old Ho-Win, too.)

And if you haven’t already figured it out – New Luck Toy will be 21+.

Looking for our other recent previews/updates? WSB restaurant stories are archived here, newest to oldest.

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20 mph on all ‘residential streets’? City Councilmembers to consider next week
September 13, 2016 2:50 pm
|      99 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

When Mayor Murray announced the “Vision Zero” plan more than a year and a half ago, the plan (p. 14) promised to start reducing speed limits on “residential streets” to 20 mph. By last summer, the change was made on a few streets in north West Seattle. Now, it’s going citywide. One week from today, the City Council’s Transportation and Sustainability Committee will consider the proposal that was announced this afternoon:

Mayor Ed Murray and Councilmembers Tim Burgess and Mike O’Brien today unveiled a proposal to enhance safety on Seattle’s streets by changing the speed limit on all residential streets from 25 to 20 MPH and streets in the center city from 30 to 25 MPH. The proposal is part of Seattle’s Vision Zero plan to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets by 2030.

“Having helped pass the Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill during my time in the legislature, I’m proud that Seattle will be the first city in the state of Washington to implement lower speeds on all residential streets,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “When combined with other elements of our ongoing Vision Zero work, such as redesigned roadways and data driven enforcement, lower speed limits will help make Seattle’s roads safer for all.”

Speed contributes to 25 percent of collisions citywide and 42 percent of downtown traffic fatalities every year. It is the critical factor in survivability for a crash. Pedestrians struck by vehicles traveling at 25 MPH are half as likely to die as those struck at 30 MPH.

“Studies show that lowering speed limits is one of the best ways to improve safety in our neighborhoods,” said Councilmember Tim Burgess. “Reducing speeds will not only reduce accidents and fatalities but it also brings peace of mind for those who use our sidewalks, including children and our elderly neighbors. The reduction we are proposing will not restrict mobility.”

In residential areas, going down to 20 MPH brings the entire neighborhood to existing school zone speed limits, making safer routes of travel for all. Vehicle safety in Seattle has improved significantly, but not for people walking and biking. Pedestrian and bicycle collisions make up seven percent of total crashes, but nearly half of fatalities. The new speed limit will apply to 2,400 miles of non-arterial streets and help enhance safe routes to schools, transit, parks and other destinations.

“The proposal presents the opportunity that exists to balance the need for safe passage with thoughtful engineering,” said Councilmember Mike O’Brien. “Reducing speed limits has a direct impact on safety and helps the City implement better design standards that will allow drivers, bikers, pedestrians and parents alike to breathe a little easier as we head back to school by bus, bike or single passenger vehicle.”

Downtown there has been a 20 percent increase in speed-related fatal collisions over the last four years. Signal timing has already been adjusted to the new 25 MPH speed limit and drivers are moving more efficiently through the center city. A 25 MPH speed limit fits the typical operating speed of vehicles in the downtown core today.

This change would mainly impact the off-peak hours when there are more high-end speeders and more severe collisions.

“Speed is the critical factor in crashes, and lowering speeds is essential if we want to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on our streets,” said Seattle Department of Transportation Director Scott Kubly. “You can save a life for only an extra minute more per trip.”

This speed limit is consistent with the Washington State speed limit for city streets and Seattle is the only city in King County with an arterial speed limit over 25 MPH. Also, 25 MPH is the speed limit in the overwhelming majority of city centers nationwide including cities like New York, Portland, Phoenix, Denver and Houston.

The City Council’s Sustainability and Transportation Committee will discuss and vote on the proposal at its September 20 meeting. The legislation will then go before the full council for a vote later this month. If passed into law, the City expects to begin rolling out speed limit changes in November.

If you’re not sure whether a street near you is “residential” – check this map. If it’s not an arterial or freeway, it’s residential.

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FYI: Most Seattle Parks facilities closed Thursday
September 13, 2016 1:51 pm
|    Comments Off on FYI: Most Seattle Parks facilities closed Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Just in from Seattle Parks:

Many Seattle Parks and Recreation facilities will be closed Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016 due to an all-staff in-service day. The majority of classes and programs will not be running.

The facilities and programs that WILL operate in our area are listed as:

West Seattle Golf Course

Also – the following “enrichment programs” at community centers:

Southwest

· Alki Community Center, School-Age Care
· Alki Community Center, Preschool
· Delridge Community Center, School-Age Care
· Delridge Community Center, Preschool
· Delridge Community Center, Rec Tech
· Hiawatha Community Center, School-Age Care
· Hiawatha Community Center, Preschool
· Hiawatha Community Center, Teen Programs
· High Point Community Center, School-Age Care
· South Park Community Center, School-Age Care
· South Park Community Center, Rec Tech

If you need to know about programs outside this area – see the full citywide list here.

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West Seattle Food Bank fun(draiser): Last call for tickets to ‘A Grand Affair’
September 13, 2016 1:08 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Food Bank fun(draiser): Last call for tickets to ‘A Grand Affair’
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Be part of a launch! The West Seattle Food Bank‘s is launching the new annual benefit “A Grand Affair” (with co-sponsors including WSB) this Friday, and the deadline for advance-priced tickets is tomorrow night:

Come and bring your friends to the West Seattle Food Bank’s first annual “A Grand Affair” fundraiser at Westland Distillery, 2931 First Ave. S. in SODO, this Friday, September 16th, 6 pm. Last two days to buy your tickets at $65 per person or $600 for a group of 10. These prices will end this Wednesday, Sept. 14th at 12 midnight. Tickets at the door will be $75 per person. You can purchase tickets here.

A Grand Affair will be a fun Roaring 20’s themed cocktail party with casino style gaming tables ($30,000 worth of chips included with your ticket), celebrity dealers and West Seattleite’s Marty Reimer & Jodi Brothers from 95.7 The Jet, Hosted wine, beer & Hors d’oeuvres, Whiskey Tasting with Westland Distillery and themed cocktails, Mary Pickford and The Daisy served by West Seattle’s Peel & Press and West 5.

Funds from A Grand Affair will be used to serve the thousands of adults, seniors and children in our community who are in need of nutritious and healthy food; diapers, baby food and accessories; books; pet food and community outreach services.

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FOLLOWUP: Motorcycle-crash victim’s family looking for answers
September 13, 2016 11:32 am
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

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(WSB photo, Saturday night: Police investigating at Spokane/East Marginal)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Ryan Overland‘s family is struggling to make sense of the crash that killed him.

The 39-year-old man who died after a bizarre motorcycle crash Saturday night (WSB coverage here) was so experienced, they say, there must have been some factor beyond rider error. They are hoping witnesses will come forward.

Police tell us only that the investigation is ongoing. The Traffic Collision Investigation Squad spent hours at two scenes related to the crash on Saturday night: Mr. Overland was found on S. Spokane Street north of East Marginal Way. He had fallen from the elevated roadway above – the ramp from Southbound Highway 99 to the westbound West Seattle Bridge. After his fall, his riderless motorcycle continued onto the bridge and finally stopped against the median, on the shoulder of the left lane. WSB commenters described the startling scene.

His family says Mr. Overland died at 1:30 am Sunday, about six hours after the crash. He did not live in West Seattle but was headed to visit a friend who lives on Alki. That’s according to his brother Casey Knox, who tells WSB that Mr. Overland worked as a cancer-research scientist in the private sector: “He loved what he did, always trying to make a difference in the medical field.” The family is raising money for funeral expenses via GoFundMe.

Trying to find answers is even more of a challenge. Says Knox: “We have had little-to-no contact with the police, as they haven’t received too much information about the incident, other than what was present. Trying to find out information seems impossible, but, I think this will help provide closure to many of us that were close to him. We all know how great of a rider he was, very defensive and always aware of his surroundings.” Knox says his brother taught him how to ride, and they both had traveled that same route any times before.

If you have any information that might help the investigation, TCIS detectives are at 206-684-8923; you can refer to the SPD incident number, 2016-328892.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Admiral & Fauntleroy meetings; Endolyne Choir’s invitation to young singers; more…
September 13, 2016 10:08 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Great Blue Heron in morning light at Duwamish Head – photographed by David Hutchinson)

Another beautiful late-summer day in progress. Looking ahead to afternoon/evening, here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

‘SCHOOL YOUR PARENTS’ NIGHT & TOTE-BAG GIVEAWAY: At High Point Library, 4-6 pm tonight, Friends of the Library will be giving out book bags while supplies last. And from 5-7 pm, it’s “School Your Parents” Night, which means:

– Meet this year’s Homework Help volunteers
– Learn about Library programs including Drop in Chess, High Point Evening Book Group
– Meet staff and volunteers!
– Learn about useful databases for children and adults
– Get a preview of High Point’s fall story times
– Scavenger Hunt, prizes, refreshments!

Free! (35th SW/SW Raymond)

SING WITH ENDOLYNE: Tonight, starting at 4:30 pm, at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Admiral, it’s the first rehearsals of the season for Endolyne Children’s Choir, which welcomes singers in grades K-10th. See our calendar listing for the start times for each group’s rehearsal tonight – prospective new members welcome. (3050 California SW)

JUSTIN KAUSAL-HAYES: Live music at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), 5-8 pm, no cover. (1936 Harbor SW)

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at The Sanctuary at Admiral, ANA’s biggest agenda items – as previewed here – include an SDOT briefing/update on the Admiral Way Safety Project, for which prep markings are in place, with the official work set to start in less than two weeks:

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Also on the agenda, a citizen who has been researching vehicle noise around the city. All welcome at the meeting. (42nd SW/SW Lander)

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, the FCA board meets, all welcome. From the Fauntleroy Flash newsletter, agenda highlights:

This month’s agenda includes a new member proposal, the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse Centennial, text donations, Endolyne Triangle planter boxes, City Light property, parking and ferry issues, a SW District Council update, and news about the upcoming Fauntleroy Fall Festival. If time permits, additional topics include school property protection, aging in place, Cove Park graffiti, noise, and new-neighbor bags.

(9131 California SW)

THE JUKEHOUSE HOUNDS: 8 pm, live at Parliament Tavern, no cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

MORE, OF COURSE … if you go to our full calendar, which also explains how to e-mail us YOUR event(s) to add to it!

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On White Center Now: County planning ‘enhanced shelter’
September 13, 2016 9:08 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

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(WCN/WSB photo)

While Seattle city leaders debate how to help people experiencing homelessness, King County is converting one of its buildings in White Center into an “enhanced shelter” for 70 people. From West Seattle to Burien, there’s no shelter of any kind that’s anywhere close to that size, says the county official who’s leading the project. Looking ahead to a community meeting this Thursday night in White Center, we’ve been reporting on this on partner site White Center Now. Our newest report – published early today – has full details of the county’s plan for the building at 8th SW/SW 108th – read it here.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates & alerts
September 13, 2016 6:51 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:51 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle, so far.

7:20 AM: Still relatively quiet. One transportation-news note, looking ahead to today:

SPEED LIMIT ANNOUNCEMENT: This is happening at noon in the U-District but will affect the whole city, so we’ll be monitoring: “The City of Seattle will announce a proposal for new speed limit measures to improve street safety. The proposed changes include reducing the speed limit on all residential streets and on center city streets.”

7:44 AM: Meanwhile, in the 35th-to-Avalon bus lane:

8:37 AM: Still quiet, otherwise, in this area. Another look ahead:

ADMIRAL WAY PROJECT @ ANA TONIGHT: 7 pm at The Sanctuary @ Admiral (42nd SW/SW Lander), this month’s Admiral Neighborhood Association includes SDOT project reps for the upcoming changes on Admiral Way west of California SW. The group also will hear from a citizen privately researching vehicle-noise issues in Seattle neighborhoods. Here’s our full preview.

8:57 AM: Seattle Fire is responding to a reported car fire at Delridge Way/17th SW. Just one engine so far but that can be a chokepoint in South Delridge.

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Delridge Grocery Cooperative: Getting closer to opening its store?
September 12, 2016 9:43 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

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(Andrea Wilmot with customer during last week’s farm-stand session)

By Linda Ball
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Andrea Wilmot works full-time as a financial analyst at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). But in her off-hours, she is motivated to bring healthy food to an area of West Seattle that she – and many others – describe as a food desert.

With no nearby supermarket, every Thursday this summer, from 4 to 7 p.m. she has been setting up a tent between the Delridge P-Patch and the Full Gospel Pentecostal Federated Church, for the farm stand operated by volunteers from the Delridge Grocery Co-op, which just might be on track to finally open as a real grocery store on the ground level of Cottage Grove Commons, the DESC-owned supportive-housing complex that opened almost three years ago in the 5400 block of Delridge Way SW.

Wilmot is president of the Delridge Grocery Co-op and manager of its farm stand.

Read More

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Dogs-only swimming fundraiser in Arbor Heights next week
September 12, 2016 8:22 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Pets | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2015)
The only West Seattle swimming event of its kind is back next week at Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club! In case you haven’t seen it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar yet, here’s the heads-up:

Bring your furry friends for a swim in the AHSTC pool during the week after the club closes.

11003 31st Ave SW

Tuesday-Friday, September 20-23, 5-7 pm
Saturday, September 24, 11 am-1:00 pm

We have some new treats in store for the pups this year!

This is a fundraiser for AHSTC teams used to purchase big ticket items and helps us to keep our team fees down. Suggested donation is $10/dog for one day or $25/dog for a pass and come as many days as you want! Be sure to invite your friends!

Basic details: Dogs must be healthy, up to date on shots and well socialized. Humans are responsible for their dog’s behavior (and poop). Running on the pool deck is encouraged! No people in the poo,l but you will get wet so dress accordingly.

Thank you for supporting AHSTC teams!

If you haven’t heard about this event before – this is after the last swim of the year in the pool for PEOPLE, and before the pool gets its post-season cleaning, and again, it’s dogs-only, no people. Here’s our report from last year’s event.

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Highway 99 tunnel machine back on the move after 2 weeks
September 12, 2016 4:54 pm
|    Comments Off on Highway 99 tunnel machine back on the move after 2 weeks
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Highway 99 tunnel | West Seattle news

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(August 31st photo by Vlad Oustimovitch)

WSDOT announced this afternoon that the Highway 99 tunneling machine is back on the move after a two-week stop to change cutterhead tools. Above is a photo of a used “tooth,” taken by Vlad Oustimovitch, a West Seattle resident who is a longtime member of the citizens’ advisory group and shared photos with WSB after a tour of the machine toward the start of the stopdown. Today’s WSDOT update says that as of lunchtime, “crews were tunneling north approximately 170 feet below First Avenue, just north of Union Street” and that the contractor “replaced a total of 14 large cutting tools during the two-week maintenance period. Bertha has moved from clay to a mixture of sand and gravel that wears down cutting tools more quickly. … The tools STP changed during this maintenance stop are the first parts of the cutterhead that contact the ground, making them crucial to the machine’s ability to excavate soil. STP will continue to inspect and replace these tools as needed during the course of mining. … The machine has tunneled more than 4,135 feet and is nearing the halfway point of its 9,270-foot-long journey.”

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FOLLOWUP: ‘Return’ of the Fauntleroy fish
September 12, 2016 2:44 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

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The Fauntleroy fish-ladder overlook hasn’t been the same since the fish were stolen from its art installation in June of last year. But new fish are arriving, thanks to the artist. The photo and report are from Fauntleroy Creek steward Judy Pickens:

Artist Tom Jay brought a big drill to begin installation of new coho and cutthroat sculptures at the fish-ladder viewpoint (upper Fauntleroy Way SW & SW Director). The original aluminum fish were stolen in June 2015. This time, Jay built the sculptures using several techniques that have proven to protect art from such vandalism. His “Stream Echo” installation at the viewpoint dates from 1998, when the city built the fish ladder and applied 1% of the construction cost to public art. The new fish will be duly welcomed at the annual salmon drumming on Sunday, October 30, at 5 pm.

The overlook is across Fauntleroy Way (and up the embankment) from the ferry dock.

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YOU ARE NEEDED TONIGHT! Here’s who needs you, where, and when
September 12, 2016 1:49 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU ARE NEEDED TONIGHT! Here’s who needs you, where, and when
 |   Delridge | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

The morning got away without our daily calendar preview, but we do want you to know about two meetings tonight involving groups that need more helping hands:

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Live and/or work and/or study and/or play in North Delridge? 6:30 pm, be at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center for tonight’s NDNC meeting. Agenda highlights announced today:

*SDOT’s plan to lower the speed limit on Delridge to 30

*Discuss the Top 5 in the next round of Neighborhoods projects which the District Council should be discussing and voting on this Wednesday, September 21st, at the monthly Delridge District Council meeting. Scroll down in this link to see the details.

*Talk about possible solutions for addressing problems with the convenience stores in our neighborhood.

Upcoming elections

(Regarding the first item – here’s our most-recent coverage.) Youngstown is at 4408 Delridge Way SW.

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU: 7 pm, Admiral Congregational Church. From outgoing president Jay Murray:

This will be the last West Seattle Hi-Yu meeting for the 2015-2016 fiscal year.Please come and bring a friend to celebrate the end of the West Seattle Hi-Yu summer festival year.

There will be a lot of decisions to be made about the continuation and re-organization of the West Seattle Hi-Yu, Inc.

Volunteers are needed to serve as officers and board members during the interim period. Volunteers are also needed to serve on the committee to re-organize as a 501 c 3 non-profit organization.

Membership applications will be available for the fiscal year of 2016-2017.

Thank you to all of the volunteer members of the board, parents and members of the Sr. Court, Jr. Court and Teen Ambassadors and all of the other individual, Service Club, and business members that have been a part of the West Seattle Hi-Yu organization to make it a success.

Admiral Church is at California SW/SW Hill.

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FOOD NOTES: Endolyne Joe’s, Original Bakery closed this week for roof work; A la Mode Pies finalizes opening date
September 12, 2016 11:58 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Two notes from the West Seattle food world:

ENDOLYNE JOE’S, ORIGINAL BAKERY CLOSED ALL WEEK: Thanks to Cindi for the tip. The owner of the Fauntleroy/Endolyne building (45th SW/SW Wildwood) that is home to Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) and The Original Bakery is doing work this week – so both are closed all week. Joe’s even made the cute altered logo at right and has this statement: “Due to landlord-related building improvements for other tenants, Endolyne Joe’s will be closed Monday, September 12th- Monday, September 19th. Regular business will resume September 20th.” The bakery, meantime, is usually closed Mondays anyway, and has posted that it too will reopen September 20th.

A LA MODE PIES FINALIZES WEST SEATTLE OPENING DATE: We’ve been reporting since April that A la Mode Pies is expanding to West Seattle – the official white-neon sign is now up outside its future storefront at 4225 SW Alaska (left photo, courtesy ALMP). Today, A la Mode has finalized the opening date first mentioned here last month: Monday, October 3rd. Hours will be 8 am-10 pm Sundays-Thursdays, 8 am-11 pm Fridays-Saturdays, with a happy-hour-style “pie time” starting at 3:14 pm daily. Savory pies (“with flavors like Slow Braised Beef and Potato, Spinach and Feta, Chicken Pot Pie, BBQ Pulled Pork”) will be offered as well as the “boozy milkshakes” that WSB readers were asked to help name (mentioned in the announcement, Admiral Apple and Genesee Grasshopper), six flavors of ice cream, and “PieFries – shreds of buttery pie dough sprinkled with parmesan and herbs or cinnamon and sugar.” As mentioned in earlier coverage, weekly pie-making classes are planned and regular customers will have “a front-row seat to the pie-making process.”

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Armed robbery starts in Roxhill Park, ends in Safeway
September 12, 2016 10:11 am
|      42 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

We just got details of an armed robbery on Sunday afternoon that started in Roxhill Park and ended at the nearby Safeway store. Thanks to the person who tipped us about it last night; they had heard about it secondhand but only knew about the part that happened at the supermarket, which is in unincorporated King County, so we contacted KC Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West for details. She says it happened around noon, and that the victim was “walking in the area of Roxhill Park when he was approached by … a lone black male on foot,” who “displayed a handgun and told the victim that if he did something wrong, he would shoot him.” The robber took the victim’s backpack and cash, Sgt. West says, but “told the victim he would give him his property back for $1,000.” So they went together to the ATM at the Shell station across Roxbury, but the victim couldn’t get money there, and they proceeded to the ATM inside Safeway. “There were other people waiting in line at the ATM so the victim yelled ‘he has a gun!’,” says Sgt. West, and with that, the robber ran away, “southbound.” He is described as around 18 years old, black, with a goatee, about 5’4″, 120 pounds, last seen wearing a black hooded jacket, camo pants, and “red basketball-type shoes.”

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COUNTDOWN: Orca Half, less than two weeks away
September 12, 2016 9:51 am
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: Orca Half, less than two weeks away
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

The first-ever Orca Half (Marathon) on Alki is now less than two weeks away – one of three big events on Sunday, September 25th, along with Seattle Summer Parkways (the latest incarnation of “car-free day”) and the Disaster Relief Cargo Bike Trials. Orca Half organizers tell us that they DO have some spots open for the run, so you can register now if you haven’t already (even though some parts of their website might say it’s sold out). West Seattle-headquartered The Whale Trail is the beneficiary (as previously announced here). Go here to find out more about signing up.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates and alerts
September 12, 2016 6:52 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates and alerts
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:52 AM: Good morning. The main traffic problem right now is affecting northbound I-5 – a fatal crash by the exit at 50th is reported to have led to a backup all the way past the West Seattle Bridge offramp and on toward Boeing Field.

7:01 AM: The aforementioned backup was compounded by a crash on NB I-5 at I-90, but that has cleared. If you’re heading north of downtown, the investigation at 50th continues.

ROAD WORK: The surface Spokane Street work east of the low bridge continues. This week it will include repaving between 11th and Manning.

METRO’S FALL SERVICE CHANGES: Most of the Metro changes that kicked in over the weekend do not involve routes in this area. But busy Route 120 does have a few. From the Metro website:

On weekdays, a new northbound Route 120 trip to downtown Seattle will leave 15th Ave SW & SW Roxbury St at 4:37 am. The two current northbound Route 120 trips leaving 15th Ave SW & SW Roxbury St at 6:14 and 7:53 am will be revised to leave at 6:17 and 7:55 am instead. Also, the northbound trip leaving Bay 3 at the Burien TC at 7:37 am will be revised to leave three minutes later at 7:40 am. These improvements are funded through a mobility contract between Metro and the City of Seattle.

7:58 AM: Nothing unusual reported right now in the immediate West Seattle/outbound-from-WS area. North of downtown, the 50th exit will remain closed until about 9 am, according to the State Patrol.

8:47 AM: From the scanner – crash on NB 99 in the stadium zone, vehicle and school bus, no children on school bus.

9:19 AM: SDOT is also showing a crash scene closer to the West Seattle Bridge exit.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Children’s Moonlight Festival at Vietnamese Cultural Center
September 11, 2016 11:56 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

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Late-in-the-day sun shone on the Children’s Moonlight Festival at the Vietnamese Cultural Center on Sunday afternoon. The Center invited community members to celebrate the traditional “mid-autumn festival,” featuring handmade lanterns:

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Dancers and singers performed:

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And the center’s flags were at half-staff in observance of the 9/11 anniversary.

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(added) Video of the Lion Dance, by the GDPT Van Hanh Lion Dance Team, courtesy of Lynda, via Instagram (mouse over image to reveal clickable “play” button):

A video posted by Lynda Bui (@olivemraz) on

While the center hosts several public events each year, you are also welcome to visit on Saturdays, noon-3 pm. Its address is 2236 SW Orchard, just north of Home Depot.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 2 more bicycles, found
September 11, 2016 9:18 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two more probably-dumped bicycles have turned up on West Seattle streets. Recognize either?

IN ARBOR HEIGHTS: From Dawn: “This bike was found on the side of the road, near 35th Ave SW and SW 112th.”

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Dawn brought it in off the street.

NEAR LINCOLN PARK: Lorraine reports, “For several days there has been a ladies’ purple Huffy bicycle with pink cables leaning against the railing on the sidewalk, about half a block north of the ferry dock on the east side of Fauntleroy Way.” Brian reported the same one and sent a photo:

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If your bike has been stolen but has not turned up “found,” be sure also to check with SPD – bicycles turned in to police are often posted on their @getyourbikeback Twitter feed.

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PHOTOS: Cake, climbing, fire, and flags as Camp Long celebrates 75th anniversary
September 11, 2016 7:18 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Kendra Okoro and Jessica Loui
(Volunteers Kendra Okoro and Jessica Loui, working at Camp Long’s Schurman Rock)

Going up? Many of those attending Saturday’s big party at Camp Long were: The all-day celebration marked the park’s 75th anniversary as well as its annual Mountain Fest. Photojournalist Leda Costa was there for WSB. Of course, there was an anniversary cake:

75th anniversary cake

West Seattle’s own Stuffed Cakes made it. Read More

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West Seattle weekend scene: Paella at C & P, to help Helpline
September 11, 2016 5:26 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scene: Paella at C & P, to help Helpline
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

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Thanks to Irene Stewart for photos from a sold-out benefit event happening right now at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), the paella party raising money for West Seattle Helpline (as announced here last month). Top photo shows one of Chef Joey Serquenia’s two “ginormous” (as Irene put it) pans of paella; below, some of the friends and supporters enjoying the late-summer sunshine along with their paella:

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Didn’t get a ticket to tonight’s event? Here’s how else to help Helpline, which provides emergency assistance to thousands of people every year.

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Door-to-door sellers: What you need to know
September 11, 2016 4:07 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   Door-to-door alert | West Seattle news

For the first time in a while, we’ve received a flurry of e-mails in the past few days with reports of/concerns about door-to-door sellers. You might not be aware of city law, so here’s a recap:

*Hours for door-to-door (residential) selling are limited to 8 am-9 pm.

*The seller’s employer has to be licensed and the seller (agent) has to have ID that shows the license and the agent’s name. Regarding the ID, “All licensees and agents shall conspicuously display on their outer clothing their residential sales license or residential sales agent licenses when selling.” Ask to see it before you even listen to a pitch. And beyond the ID: “Each residential seller or agent shall, immediately upon contacting the prospective buyer, disclose to the prospective buyer his/her name, company, and the product or service represented.”

*If you have a “no soliciting” sign by your door, it’s illegal for sellers to ignore it. If you don’t, you still have no obligation to listen to a pitch – city law includes the stipulation that “If requested to do so, (the agent) shall leave the premises immediately.”

You can read the rules in their entirety by going here..

A big exception – if someone is just asking you to donate to a charity (not describing a “sale” of something as a “donation”), they don’t have to be licensed. Also: The types of selling that don’t require licenses under Seattle law are “newspapers, or fresh or perishable food items.”

P.S. If you do buy something door-to-door – be aware of cancellation rights.

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9/11, 15 YEARS LATER: Alki Statue of Liberty tributes
September 11, 2016 12:56 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Alki Statue of Liberty | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

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While there’s no official observance planned at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza today, we stopped by at midmorning and found tributes already in place, on this 15th anniversary of 9/11. In the hours and days after the attacks, the statue became a focal point for Seattleites’ mourning and memorials, and that continues, to varying degrees each year.

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Five years ago, on the 10th anniversary, hundreds gathered for a vigil. So far today, the tributes are quieter – even this small one we spotted:

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As mentioned in our morning calendar highlights, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s Log House Museum – less than a block inland from Statue of Liberty Plaza, at 61st SW/SW Stevens – has brought out a 9/11-related display, today only. The museum is open until 4 pm.

P.S. If you are new, a bit more history — the statue itself was recast and returned to the beach in 2007, unveiled on September 11th of that year. One year later, the plaza – the result of a community-led project – was dedicated.

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