West Seattle, Washington
26 Friday
(May 2009 photo by Eric Bell)
Julian was one of the volunteers that made the Alki edition of Seattle Summer Streets (aka “car-free day”) and West Seattle 5K possible last year – and this year, help’s needed again. SDOT and the West Seattle High School PTSA – which is presenting the WS5K again this year on May 23 (with WSB among the co-sponsors) – are putting out the call for volunteers for both of the day’s big events:
The West Seattle 5K Run/Walk is looking for volunteers to act as “Course Monitors” and assist with setting out marker cones before the race; monitor intersections for safety; and guide runners away from traffic and onto the marked 5K course.
Summer Streets is looking for volunteers to act as “Intersection Guardians” and monitor intersections for safety and invite passersby to come and play; help set up/take down barricades for street closure and local access; staff information tables and more.
For early birds, the first shift during the 5K is from 8:00 to 11:30 AM, the second shift is from 10:30AM to 2:00 PM, and the afternoon shift is from 1:30 to 5:00 PM. If you are interested in helping during the 5K, e-mail info@westseattle5k.com; otherwise fill out the online form at www.seattle.gov/transportation/summer_involved.htm.
Know what to do if you see a seal, whale or other marine mammal in trouble? You can get training – for free. Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters (who also shared the seal-pup photo above) sends word of two upcoming sessions – one outside West Seattle, one right here for prospective Seal Sitters:
SESSION ONE:
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the Seattle Aquarium
(1483 Alaskan Way).
This will be an open region-wide training by Kristin Wilkinson, NOAA stranding expert, in hopes of expanding a volunteer base trained to respond to marine mammals on the beach from South Puget Sound to Snohomish County. Learn about marine mammals in your area and how to report and respond to marine mammal strandings. If you are interested in responding to marine mammals in areas outside of West Seattle, we suggest you attend this session. Seal Sitters will be represented at the event and all are welcome to attend.SESSION TWO:
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010, from 6 – 7:30 pm at the West Seattle Admiral branch of the Seattle Library (2306 42nd Ave SW, West Seattle). This session will be a special training for those wanting to volunteer for Seal Sitters in West Seattle. A multi-media presentation with photos by first responder Robin Lindsey will illustrate our educational work in the community and the particular challenges of protecting seals and seal pups in an urban environment. Zoologist and education and science advisor Buzz Shaw will discuss biology and behavior of seals and other marine mammals of Puget Sound. Learn how to report and respond to marine mammal strandings. Seating limited to 70 with some standing capacity. Please contact us if you have any questions and keep an eye on the blubberblog for updates regarding participants.
Blubberblog.org is the frequently updated section of the Seal Sitters’ website – often with daily updates on who, and what, they are finding on local beaches, as well as other related news. (added) For those who asked about RSVPing, this Blubberblog item has that info.
Greg Whittaker of Mountain to Sound Outfitters (and Alki Kayak Tours) has been leading the charge for creation of a West Seattle Snowsports Council – a community-created nonprofit “with the vision of providing West Seattle youth with safe, reliable access to our local ski areas” – and they’ve set the date for their first meeting: 6 pm this Wednesday (5/12), at M22, 3602 SW Alaska (map). The announcement says, “We will need the support of community members interested in volunteering, every aspect from chaperones to secretary, treasurer, and a steering committee.” If you’ve got questions, call 206/935-SNOW.
(Click to see full-size project-overview graphic on SDOT website)
In case you’ve missed all the earlier coverage (archived here) … here’s your one-week warning: The next big closure related to the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project happens next Monday: SDOT will permanently close the 1st Avenue South onramp to the westbound West Seattle Bridge, so unless you get onto The Bridge from Beacon Hill, I-5, or 99, you’ll have to take the “low bridge.” This page on the city website lists not only that upcoming closure, but also the detour routes, and other ongoing restrictions. If you ride Metro, they’ve got a special section on their website collecting the information that’s been coming out over the past few months related to routes that’ll have to detour. Also note, that page points out three Fauntleroy ferry terminal-linked routes whose schedules will change next Monday: 116, 118, 119. The graphic above shows the future ramp configuration; the new 1st Avenue ramp is scheduled to open late next year.
Students at Little Pilgrim School, based at Fauntleroy Church, got unusual lessons this morning – a hard-hat tour of the construction/renovation going on at the church. Above, they’re peeking through a top-story window to have a look at their playground, which has been a staging site (but will be back open for them when school resumes in the fall); here they’re getting a show-and-tell from foreman Jimmy Dale and construction-crew member Phil McGrann.
Here’s a bonus video clip of the kids watching a forklift demonstration. Meantime, not far from Fauntleroy Church, it’s salmon-release time at Fauntleroy Creek:
Creek steward Judy Pickens forwarded that photo taken by Dennis Hinton, who also reports:
The Salmon in the Classroom program to raise and release coho for Fauntleroy Creek got into full swing last week. Three groups, from Roxhill Elementary (40 kids), KapKa Cooperative K-2 (35 kids) and West Seattle Moms (17 kids), released more than 300 coho fry in Fauntleroy Park, with upward of 1,700 more to come.
The fish, each just over an inch long, have been raised in classrooms since January as part of the State Fish and Wildlife program. Judy Pickens, from the Fauntleroy Watershed Council, coordinates the field trips with teachers and parents from about a dozen area elementary and preschools. Salmon releases will continue in Fauntleroy Park through the month of May.
You might have noticed SIFF’s on the marquee at the Admiral Theater – and the festival itself is less than two weeks away. Last year, the Seattle International Film Festival had showings at West Seattle’s historic moviehouse for the first time ever, and this year it’s back. 19 SIFF films will be shown at The Admiral – they’re listed here. The festival begins May 20; first film scheduled for The Admiral is May 21.
The date is now set for the technical-information meeting promised last month by King County Wastewater Treatment Division after concerned residents demanded more project data on the Combined Sewer Overflow 
There’s an update today regarding an event that’s been on the calendar a while: Walk with Us to Cure Lupus, this Saturday at Alki, now has a celebrity emcee – Seattle Seahawks defensive back Jordan Babineaux (photo courtesy ALR) – who has long been active in the cause. There’s still time to register to be a walker and/or sponsor for the event, which raises money to help the Alliance for Lupus Research; they’re hoping to raise $30,000 with the Seattle walk, and the web page shows pledges just past the halfway mark. The walk starts at the Alki Bathhouse at 10 am Saturday (last-minute signups at 9); here’s our coverage from last year; here’s how to register (or sponsor a walker who’s already signed up!).
This Sunday afternoon, you’re likely to see a lot more people than usual on the sidewalks of 35th SW and SW Thistle, through Gatewood and Westwood – part of a “Fun Run” (or walk) celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe Church‘s 50th anniversary, with many other special events to come. Read on for the full announcement and an explanation why the route will take parish members to Chief Sealth International High School‘s permanent site:Read More
Even before the King County Wastewater Treatment Division indicated this past week that it’s pushing back its timetable for deciding how to control Combined Sewer Overflows at Lowman Beach’s Murray Pump Station, concerned community members had scheduled a “Save Lowman Beach” meeting for tonight. 7 pm, Puppy Perfectors, 9629 17th Ave. SW (map) in White Center (original announcement here). 
Also tonight: West Seattle See Dogs‘ regular meeting and a special workshop for “Dream a Sound Future” – details on both are here. And long before evening falls, you can head over to Hiawatha to cheer on West Seattle High School vs. Seattle Prep as high-school baseball tournament play gets under way. (added) Chief Sealth International High School boys’ soccer is in the playoffs, also playing Seattle Prep today, 3:30 pm at Interbay. More in the WSB West Seattle Events calendar! (“Sun dog” at left, photographed by April Bolding)
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