West Seattle Wednesday: Traffic; politics; PTSA meetings…

(Catharine found these 2 on her fence this morning. “Not sure what was so interesting on top of the fence!” she says)
Things are a little quiet here midweek, so just a few highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

TONIGHT’S OVERNIGHT CLOSURES, FOLLOWED BY A BIG CHANGE TOMORROW: Again tonight, southbound 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct and eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct are both closed 10 pm-5 am. Different reasons – pre-tunnel-work reinforcement for the former, the ongoing Widening Project for the latter. Then – as reported here yesterday – first thing tomorrow morning, when the Spokane Street Viaduct (aka West Seattle Bridge between 99 and I-5) reopens, all four lanes of traffic will be using the newly built north side, while crews begin a few months of work repairing/resurfacing the old south side. Narrower lanes and lower speeds, so – tomorrow and beyond – don’t leave late.

EAST MARGINAL WAY GRADE SEPARATION DEDICATION: Perhaps the least-glamorously named recent road project – it’s the structure you see off the south side of the WS Bridge just west of 99, built by the Port of Seattle to get traffic over the tracks. The Port’s dedicating it at 2 pm today.

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Sunday’s Democratic precinct caucuses are just part of the agenda for tonight’s meeting of our area’s biggest political group. They’re also planning a candidates’ forum for some of this year’s statewide races. More agenda highlights here. 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW)

CHIEF SEALTH PTSA: Tonight at 7 pm in the school library, the Chief Sealth International High School PTSA has its next general meeting. Agenda highlights and guests are on the calendar-listing page.

MADISON PTSA: The Madison Middle School PTSA is also meeting at 7 tonight, we just noticed via the school website.

(added) WEST SEATTLE COOLMOM: ‘Family-friendly garden swap,’ per the announcement just received: “We have a fun, family-friendly meeting planned this month. We’re continuing our spring gardening theme. Please bring your seeds, starts, and gardening tips and join us for a seed and start exchange! Kids are welcome this month – we’ll have egg cartons and art supplies so the little ones can decorate their own compostable seed-start containers!” 7 pm, C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW.

More for today – and way beyond! here.

Chuck and Sally's Van Man April 11, 2012 (8:47 am)

Worst part of spring around here: raccoon mating season that brings them out in the daylight. They’re not so cute when their caterwauling keeps you up or wakes you up. I’ve had both happen, recently. Not a fan…

35this35mph April 11, 2012 (9:13 am)

Not trying to feed them but the Easter Bunny left 20 hard boiled eggs and we retrieved 14… Found a little debris. Assuming the racoons got an Easter treat too!

raincity April 11, 2012 (9:20 am)

We’ve had racoons digging up areas of our lawn, which is a new one for us. Kind of a mess with lots of little clods of dirt all around. We saw the perps and the seemed not impressed with us trying to scare them off.Anyone know why they might do this?

Trileigh April 11, 2012 (9:25 am)

I’m betting that what was so interesting for those cute little guys was at the bottom of the fence, not the top!

Love wildlife, but.... April 11, 2012 (9:57 am)

Racoons have shared “toilets” – they will invite friends and family once they have decided on a good place to go – and they have decided to make the top of my wooden fence their preferred place to poop. Trust me, you do not want this! Do yourself a favor and put repellant on the top of the fence before they decide to elect your fence the family toilet.

Tony April 11, 2012 (10:09 am)

@raincity- I’ve watched them doing the same thing in my yard before in order to [successfully] capture and eat voles.

angel April 11, 2012 (10:22 am)

Not a fan of raccoons!

Jtk April 11, 2012 (10:49 am)

The little clods of dirt usually mean MOLES… The raccoons may have been trying to sniff them out… but the little/medium mounds of dirt mean you have moles…

raincity April 11, 2012 (11:24 am)

We don’t have the mole mounds right now(we’ve had those in the past) it’s like they are big squirrels digging for nuts. They rip the chunk of grass up, poke around and move on to the next section. Maybe moles are on the way again. I was wondering if it was grubs or something.

Karen April 11, 2012 (12:18 pm)

We’ve had problems over the years with raccoons digging in the yard as well. I think it’s the ‘dog’ in them. They’ve actually dug huge pits in the ground, and we’ve covered them with chicken wire.

Jiggers April 11, 2012 (12:19 pm)

Don’t leave cat food out either. They love that sh**!

Jiggers April 11, 2012 (2:28 pm)

Here’s a racoon helping itself to the cat food with the cat right there. Kitty has no claws I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJZMunpgOtI

ca April 11, 2012 (2:55 pm)

ugh we have a ton in our yard, they like our pond and FISH!!! We have tried everything except electric fence, which I dont really want to not do. Any suggestions? side note, anyone know of people who can help us with a pond/maintanance and advice? we are kinda newbies….thanks west seattle friends! :)

Snow Wimp April 11, 2012 (3:41 pm)

Not a big raccoon fan. I think Davy Crockett had it right…

Jeff April 11, 2012 (4:55 pm)

Short of the electric fence, traps, or a very quiet .22, I don’t think you will keep the raccoons out of your pond ca.

dsa April 11, 2012 (9:55 pm)

Large flat tippy rocks around the pond’s edge are supposed to work. The theory is that they are afraid of falling in the pond when the rock tips forward as they test it with their paw and it moves.

Mike April 11, 2012 (11:28 pm)

Don’t leave garbage out, don’t leave pet food out, don’t have ponds, don’t have bugs in your lawn, … that’s all I can think of for now. Otherwise, just appreciate that they don’t break into your car and steal things.
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Also, don’t try to corner them, you’ll be going to the hospital and need to get a lot of nasty shots you don’t want to have. They are incredibly smart and you might think you’ve got them fooled and they’ll figure out a way to get around your traps, fences, electrical shock and more. Also, don’t have pet doors on your garage or house, you’re just inviting them in with that.

Neighborly April 12, 2012 (12:03 am)

I believe they were here first…,

Jeff April 12, 2012 (7:20 am)

That’s a popular sentiment Neighborly, but in the case of raccoons and coyotes it isn’t necessarily true. They thrive on our garbage and pets.

ca April 12, 2012 (10:43 am)

thanks everyone. I agree with Jeff…I know neighborly but they are pests…like rats etc. I am a animal lover, I am not trying to kill them for goodness sakes. Just looking for options to steer away from my pond. Mike I dont leave garbage or pet food out. Cant help the pond, came with the house, so why not try to enjoy! :) Never would I corner, we talked to a wildlife person awhile ago. He said spray with water, shot in behind with bb gun….but they just dont care. Lol little buggers! :) Thanks for everyones input though.