Check out the sea lion hitching a ride on a southbound ship between West Seattle and Blake Island on Monday! The photo, just texted to us, was taken from a tugboat escorting the ship; the texter says the ship was traveling very slowly and that the sea lion eventually jumped back into Puget Sound, no harm done. Thanks for the photo – editor@westseattleblog.com or 206-293-6302 any time.

Jumping into Tuesday, (mostly) on land:

LOW-LOW TIDE, WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: Today’s low tide is -1.8 feet at 10:26 am, and Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are out until noon at Constellation and Lincoln Parks.

OPENING RECEPTION AT SSC: “Sightseeing through the Eyes of Northwest Landscape Artists” is the new exhibit at the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) gallery; its opening reception is noon-2 pm today – more info in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)

PORT COMMISSION: At the commission’s public meeting at 1 pm today at Pier 69 on the downtown waterfront, the agenda includes an item related to the modernization project for Terminal 5 in West Seattle, authorizing the Port’s CEO to spend $5 million more “test piles.” Details are linked from the agenda. (2711 Alaskan Way)

KALEIDOSCOPE PLAY-AND-LEARN: 1:30-3 pm at High Point Library, for kids 3-5 – explained here. (35th/Raymond)

PLUTOPALOOZA PHONE HOME! Also at High Point Library, today’s the day – the New Horizons spacecraft will “phone home” after its historic Pluto flyby, and that’s expected around 6 pm – this event with West Seattle’s own NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen includes activities for kids (added: she’s prepping them now!) …

… as well as information for all ages while the “phone home” moment is awaited. (35th/Raymond)

TRAFFIC SIGNAL COMPLETION CELEBRATION: As previewed last week, the Admiral Neighborhood Association and SDOT are hosting a 6:30 pm event to commemorate the completion of the 47th/Admiral/Waite traffic signal/crosswalks project. (SW corner of 47th/Admiral)

JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle – see the agenda in our earlier preview. (Oregon/California)

CONCERT IN THE PARK: 7 pm on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center, enjoy the West Seattle Big Band‘s annual Hi-Yu Concert in the Park – free; BYO chair/blanket – and come cheer as WSBB’s longtime director Donn Weaver receives the Orville Rummel Trophy for Outstanding Community Service in advance of this Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade. (2700 California SW)

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Because of the traffic-signal event mentioned above, ANA’s regular 7 pm meeting will be at a different location, Alki Mail and Dispatch. (47th/Admiral)

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm FCA board business meeting – all welcome – at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse board room. (9131 California SW)

EVEN MORE HAPPENING TODAY/TONIGHT … see for yourself on our calendar!