John Loftus shared the Tuesday photo of a rare sight – a surf scoter on the sand at Alki. John writes, “Surf Scoters are a diving sea duck that winters in small flocks off our shores. Thousands were killed in a San Francisco Bay oil spill a few years ago and, although they are not endangered, scientists say their numbers have declined 50 to 70% over the past 40 years. While it’s not at all unusual to see Surf Scoters a hundred yards or so out on the water, this is the first time in 20 years at Alki that I’ve ever seen one standing on the shore. I hope he hadn’t encountered an oil slick. This is another good reason why otherwise law-abiding Seattleites should not run their dogs on the beach.” Speaking of wildlife:

LIVE CHAT RE: SICK ‘STARFISH’: The mysterious disease that’s been killing off sea stars in our area and many others, mostly on the West Coast, will be discussed in a live chat at noon today, including West Seattle’s “Diver Laura” James. Details here, including the chat link.

Some of what else is on the calendar:

PUBLIC SAFETY, CIVIL RIGHTS, TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE: 2 pm, this Seattle City Council committee’s agenda includes another vote related to federal Homeland Security grant money – no cameras mentioned this time, but you can read the documentation for yourself via the agenda. (City Hall, 4th/James downtown; live via Seattle Channel)

TALKING TUNNEL TOLLING: The advisory committee that’s working on recommendations for tolling the Highway 99 tunnel meets at 3 pm today at the Puget Sound Regional Council offices in Pioneer Square. Here’s the agenda; most recently, they were looking at a toll around $1-$1.25. (1011 Western, Suite 500)

CASSIS OPENS: 4 pm, first night at West Seattle’s newest restaurant, a French bistro on Alki. Here’s our Tuesday night preview. (2820 Alki SW)

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: Live or work in eastern West Seattle? Come see what reps from local groups/organizations are talking about. 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, with agenda highlights as follows:

7:00 p.m. Introductions; announcements; approve previous meeting summary – All
7:10 p.m. Volunteers for CNC committee on development/land use – Cindi Barker, Morgan Community Association
7:25 p.m. Introduction and Q&A with Captain Steve Wilske, Seattle Police Department
7:55 p.m. Seattle reLeaf /Tree Ambassadors – Katie Gibbons, Seattle Public Utilities
8:05 p.m. Large Projects Fund – Department of Neighborhoods
8:10 p.m. City Neighborhood Council report/other DNDC business items:
-Neighborhood Park and Street Fund applications
-March annual DNDC meeting
-Gathering of Neighbors/Delridge Day 2014

(4408 Delridge Way SW, room 106)

SEATTLE CLASSIC GUITAR SOCIETY OPEN-MICROPHONE NIGHT: 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), an open-microphone event for guitarists of all skill levels – details in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)

COMEDY NIGHT AT FEEDBACK LOUNGE: West Seattle’s Mona Concepcion hosts the latest monthly laughfest, starring Cris Rodriguez and featuring “a killer lineup of the city’s top comedians.” Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm, free. (6451 California SW)

LOTS MORE FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT … on the calendar (and days/nights/weeks beyond, too) – see it all here!