Seal Sitters update: Training tomorrow; no pup proliferation yet
We mentioned this briefly earlier today, but wanted to give it a more prominent shoutout: West Seattle’s Seal Sitters, who keep watch to protect baby seals whose moms leave them on local beaches while off hunting, have another volunteer-training session tomorrow night; we noted a decent turnout for their first one last month, which happened on a weekend afternoon — this time, it’s at night, 7-9 pm tomorrow at Alki Community Center, all welcome. When Janette Wilson from the Seal Sitters called WSB this afternoon to remind us about this, we asked how seal-pup season was going so far, and she admitted they’re “a little worried” — they’ve only responded to one pup sighting, a dramatic difference from last year, when things started getting busy in August. But she also noted that the chum run is yet to arrive, and that may bring some pups, so they want to have a full volunteer corps ready. If you want to find out more before showing up for tomorrow’s session, there’s contact info on the Seal Sitters‘ site.
Alki Car-Free Day followup: Our questions, city answers
A couple leftover photos from Alki’s Car-Free Day, to go with answers to a few questions we asked SDOT spokesperson Rick Sheridan. First, we reported during the event that we did not see anyone ticketed or towed, so we asked him to confirm, and he replied: “No cars were ticketed or towed for the event. SDOT worked aggressively to notify residents and businesses about the parking restrictions, and it paid off with no real parking issues on Sunday.” Next question, we asked about costs — some citywide reports cited $45K as the price tag for all three Car-Free Day events — Sheridan replies: “We do not have a definitive breakdown of costs yet. If the city decides to hold similar events next year, one of the items we will explore is the feasibility of sponsors.” Speaking of next year, that was the third question we asked – how/when will it be decided if the city will do this again? Answer: “It may be a little early to determine the process for next year’s plan. Car Free Day on Alki was a great event, however, we want to evaluate the results of all three Car Free Days and determine whether Seattle should hold similar days next year.” General SDOT feedback how-to can be found here.
Mayor proposes cutting down on tree-cutting
City leaders have talked a lot lately about saving trees and even increasing the city’s “tree canopy” — and yet the tree-cutting doesn’t seem to have slowed. This afternoon, the mayor’s office sent a news release about “interim regulations” just proposed to “close a loophole” — take a look and see what you think:Read More
West Seattle development updates: Harbor Properties’ trio
That’s the newest rendering of the building that Harbor Properties is developing at 38th/Alaska (the site of a former Huling garage as well as West Seattle Montessori). And it now has a name: Link. We sat down recently with Harbor executives to get updates on this project and the other two that Harbor has in the pipeline in West Seattle — Mural, which is under construction, and the unnamed proposal for what’s currently the site of West Seattle’s only motel (36th/Alaska). Read on to see what we found out:Read More
Eastbound lower Spokane St. closure approaches: New details
We’ve been updating you on the upcoming closure of lower eastbound Spokane Street, starting right where you get off the eastbound West Seattle Bridge at 1st (or affecting you sooner if you are driving on the surface from someplace further west) — as first reported here last Wednesday, the closure is now scheduled to start a week from tomorrow (see the detour route above), and this morning Seattle Public Utilities — whose water-main project marks the start of the work — has sent a news release with more specifics on exactly what it’s doing and where (plus other Sodo effects, for those who work/do business in that area):Read More
Reader report: “Commendation for bus riders and driver”
That’s the subject line on this note just out of the WSB inbox, from Marco:
Just got off the 21 bus in Downtown. In West Seattle a youth thought he had to entertain the back of the bus with loud music from his speakers. Of course, he turned it down every time the bus stopped, so the driver wouldn’t hear.
After we crossed the bridge a lady doing crosswords finally had enough and asked him to use headphones instead. But she was ignored, so a male passenger tapped the guy’s shoulder and ask him to turn it down.
Now the ‘musician’ was ready to pick a fight, because somebody touched him and two of his friends were quick to show support, shouting obscenities and threats, while other passengers announces solidarity with the ‘tapper’.
Eventually, the bus driver heard the commotion at the end of the bus and announced with good humor that he would stay at the bus stop and call somebody to mediate. Faced with a delay and a possible run-in with the authorities the ‘music-gang’ left the bus, under cheerful good-byes from the rest of the passengers.
I just want to say thank you to everybody that kept cool and a bus driver that skillfully defused the situation. I really appreciate having no violence on my Monday morning commute ;)
Happening this week, installment #1
Lots happening in the week ahead, so we’ll try doing previews in installments. First: Tomorrow night. The big Tuesday night event is the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce-sponsored transportation forum at West Seattle High School — open-house format 6-7, moderated Q/A 7-8 pm. The Chamber has gathered reps who are experts on all the pieces of the increasingly complex getting-in-and-out-of-WS transportation puzzle – Alaskan Way Viaduct, Spokane Street Viaduct, Metro buses, Water Taxi, etc. Two neighborhood groups that usually meet on the second Tuesday of each month have changed their plans because of the forum, and two have not – Admiral Neighborhood Association will have a short business meeting at 8 pm at WSHS after the forum; Junction Neighborhood Organization is canceling its meeting so members can attend (and rallying volunteers for the Gateway Cleanup coming up this Saturday). Still on as usual tomorrow night: Westwood Neighborhood Council (7 pm Tuesday, Southwest Community Center, focusing on its current top issue, the future of the current Denny Middle School site) and Fauntleroy Community Association (7 pm Tuesday, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse). One more Tuesday night note: Another Seal Sitters training session, 7 pm at Alki Community Center (here’s our coverage of the one they had last month).
West Seattle scenes: 3 more weekend pix
Congratulations to the Westcresters team (click that pic for a full-size version so you can see everyone better!) for their achievement in this weekend’s PAWSWalk – they raised more than $4500! (Some of it, from a doggie-treat bake sale at Westcrest last weekend, and we hear some WSB’ers stopped by.) Next, a different view of Sunday’s Car-Free Day on Alki (our full coverage is here):
Babs sent that after returning from what she termed a “glorious bike ride.” And speaking of glorious, we got this next shot while at the Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza for the Saturday sunset concert (coverage here):
Don’t mean to jinx anything, but there are indications next weekend might be nice too. Lots going on – including the West Seattle Gateway Cleanup and the Evergreen State Barbecue Championship on Alki; we’ll be previewing the big events in the next day or two.
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