West Seattle, Washington
03 Sunday
Even if this is potentially relevant to your family, you won’t be able to use this for a while, since there’s no class next week for Spring Break, but after that – Seattle Public Schools just launched a webpage that they promise will carry updated info about school-bus delays. See it here.
Three break-in reports to share tonight – one at a home, two involving cars – read on:Read More
(Scroll down for Saturday update – the seal pup didn’t survive)
Alki’s David Hutchinson shares that photo, along with this report:
A Harbor Seal pup “hauled out” before noon today at Alki Beach just east of the Bathhouse. Seal Sitters were on site along with Dan Campau of Seattle Parks & Recreation and set up a safety perimeter. Quite a number of people stopped by to observe and take photos. Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters said she thought it probably was a late season pup from last September judging by its size. The pup is still on the beach as of 2:55 PM.
4:53 PM: Added a video clip courtesy of Eilene Hutchinson:
Thanks to the Hutchinsons for sharing that sweet sight; you can find out all about seal pups on West Seattle beaches (and what to do if you happen onto one) at sealsitters.org.
2:56 PM: Sad news in comments – David Hutchinson reports the seal pup died early this afternoon. He says more details will be forthcoming on the Seal Sitters’ site at blubberblog.org.
The Alaskan Way Viaduct is scheduled to be closed 6 am-6 pm both days this weekend. No problem – no need to leave West Seattle! Plant trees with the Rotary Club of West Seattle, local Scouts, the city and others tomorrow … then, even though it’s a private event, you should be able to enjoy fireworks on Elliott Bay tomorrow night – right about the same time Earth Hour begins … help clean up Westwood on Sunday … join in efforts to fight hunger and raise $ for other causes … From tonight through Sunday, more than SEVENTY! events/activities on our list, sponsored by Skylark Cafe and Club, where you’ll find FREE live music and rockin’ food:Read More
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Seattle Parks Finance Director Carol Everson would have rather been almost anywhere else than in front of the Parks Board last night downtown, presenting a grim look ahead.
“I wish I weren’t here talking about this,” she grimaced from the podium at one point.
But talking is essential – not just to plan ahead for possible midyear cuts this year and all-but-certain cuts for the next two years, but to make sure you understand what Parks is facing, and what might eventually be requested to minimize the misery – maybe even the formation of a Metropolitan Park District (explained here) taxing authority.
Before the board meeting, we met briefly with the West Seattleites who are chair and vice chair of the board, Jackie Ramels and Neal Adams, and Superintendent Tim Gallagher.
Their message: If you care about city park services, please listen up and pay attention, because whatever is done to bridge the budget gap, it will affect the services delivered to you. And that was hammered home again during Everson’s briefing.
Part of the problem is good news with an underside of bad news.
As it looks two decades into the future regarding how to keep customers supplied with power, Seattle City Light has just announced a series of public meetings. One’s in West Seattle, 7 pm April 15th at Southwest Community Center. (Free compact-fluorescent bulb and low-flow showerhead for the first 100 to show up!) The full list, and details on the related process/topic, can be found here.
Today we welcome Tibbetts United Methodist Church as our newest WSB sponsor, and here’s what they’d like you to know: Tibbetts United Methodist Church – so well known for its twice-yearly rummage sales, known to others for the Preschool Co-op and other neighborhood services provided in the building. The Celtic Christmas Eve service entices new visitors each year, and the congregation’s environmental stewardship at Lincoln Park makes it stand out. 
Tibbetts is a small, but strong, congregation that is eager to get to know you by name. Pastor Joanne Brown, who has been leading the congregation since 2007, says, “We all need a place to be along our spiritual journey where we can sense the presence of God, know and be known by others, and to worship with and belong to a caring community. At Tibbetts we are a blend of doubters, seekers, and believers.” The Tibbetts community deeply values the diversity of folks involved in the congregation. The worship and community life is faithful and vital. No one is told what to believe here, but encouraged to grow in their individual faith. There is something for everyone at Tibbetts: Movie nights with dinner themes every month; a vibrant music program that includes vocals, music ensembles, and hand bells; a Hispanic Ministry program; and ongoing support for homeless families through Family Promise. Also included in the offerings are Men’s and Women’s Groups, plus a variety of other Fellowship activities each month. Tibbetts is a Reconciling Congregation living the way of Jesus in West Seattle and welcomes you to worship as a visitor with the hope you will become a friend. Visit the Facebook fan page for some fun: facebook.com/TibbettsUMChurch and the church website for more information: www.TibbettsUMChurch.org
COMING UP: The musical “Godspell” comes to church. This is your invitation to experience this 1970s musical classic as interpreted by the Tibbetts congregation – on March 28th at 10 am (Palm Sunday). Other upcoming events you won’t want to miss are the Maundy Thursday service on April 1st at 7:30 pm, and the annual Youth Pancake Breakfast on April 4th, Easter Sunday, from 8 am-9:45 am, with an invitation to stay for celebration of Resurrection at 10 am.
We thank Tibbetts United Methodist Church for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
Just in from the Port of Seattle – it’s offering a tour of two of its West Seattle parks, two facilities that some don’t realize are port-owned/managed. Read on for the announcement and how to sign up:Read More
22 ROUTE CHANGE?: Brian Zenk‘s music/video/collage is meant as a reminder that today’s the last day to weigh in on proposed changes to Metro Route 22 through Gatewood (online survey and info here)
OPENING DAY AT WESTWOOD VILLAGE LIQUOR STORE: The new store in what was part of the former Famous Footwear space opens to the public today, 11 am.
WEST SEATTLE STUDENTS AT ROBOTICS COMPETITION: The FIRST Robotics competition at KeyArena includes a team from Seattle Lutheran High School, among other West Seattle student participants. Admission’s free if you drop by – they’re competing till 5:30 today, then again tomorrow. (Streaming webcam promised here!)
SPEAKING OF SCHOOL: Today’s the last day of classes before a week of spring break for Seattle Public Schools (among others).
TAKE A HIKE: Nature Consortium‘s free monthly guided hike (not difficult) in the West Duwamish Greenbelt is today. Meet at 14th and Holly, 1 pm, RSVP to lisa@naturec.org
FREE CONCERT: It’s West Seattle Jazz Night, 7 pm at Madison Middle School, with performances by the jazz bands from Denny, Madison, Chief Sealth and special guests, the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra.
WSB SPONSORS’ EVENTS: Three in the spotlight –
WESTSIDE YOGA AND DOGA: Westside Yoga and Doga (WSB sponsor) invites you to its social benefit tonight for Dog of the Week, benefiting Dogs Deserve Better, 6-9 pm, full details on this flyer
MOUNTAIN TO SOUND OUTFITTERS: Today kicks off a three-day sidewalk sale at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska), including barbecues, late-night shopping tonight (business open till 9:30), raffles, and more – details online here
PHARMACA INTEGRATIVE PHARMACY: Dr. Catherine Orsi, ND, LMP, discusses Spring Immune Support at Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy in The Junction, 5-6 pm tonight.
Even more events/activities to be found on the WSB Events calendar page!
HIgh-school baseball season is starting to intensify. This morning we have a West Seattle High School report courtesy of assistant baseball coach Scott Meaker – looking ahead to games today and tomorrow, recapping wins on Wednesday, and also noting the big fundraising dinner/auction Saturday to raise money for fastpitch softball as well as baseball – read on:Read More
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