West Seattle Wednesday: New Metro proposal, and much more

(Pileated woodpecker digging for termites in a Highland Park utility pole; photo by Mike York)
Our daily preview is often about what’s likely to make news today/tonight, in addition to activities/events from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, traffic alerts, etc. And indeed, a news preview tops today’s list:

REVISED METRO PROPOSAL DUE OUT TODAY, DISCUSSED IN WEST SEATTLE TONIGHT: Sometime today, Metro is expected to publish its revised “restructuring” proposal for West Seattle’s route system, meant to take effect this September when Rapid Ride Line C launches here. The first proposal circulated late last fall and stirred some controversy by proposing to cut service in some areas; a Metro rep told the Admiral Neighborhood Association in December that the cuts in North Admiral would be softened a bit for this revision, but we haven’t heard any other previews, so we’re awaiting Metro’s release of the full revision (watch here). THEN – Metro is on the agenda to talk about it at tonight’s Southwest District Council meeting, public welcome, 7 pm at the board room at a target=”_blank” href=”http://southseattle.edu”>South Seattle Community College (which is in the Robert Smith building front-center on the campus at 6000 16th SW).

ALSO ON THE SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL AGENDA: Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, who chairs the Parks and Neighborhoods Committee (renamed/refocused from last year), is scheduled to visit.

BRIDGE CLOSURES CONTINUE TONIGHT: Same pattern as Monday and Tuesday night – Fauntleroy Expressway (info here) and eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct (SDOT announcement here), both 9 pm-5 am.

AND SPEAKING OF BIG ROAD PROJECTS: The Alaskan Way Viaduct South Portal Working Group meets for the first time in a few months, for a briefing on/discussion of how the tunnel and South End projects are affecting this side of the bay, 4 pm, Sound Transit board room downtown.

EARLY DISMISSAL FOR SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENTS: Today is a two-hour early-dismissal day for school staffers’ professional-development work.

ON STAGE IN THE JUNCTION: At ArtsWest – All Through the Night, 7:30 pm. Purchase tickets online, or through the ArtsWest Box Office: 206-938-0339.

GET GROWING: At the West Seattle Tool Library tonight, “Introduction to Indoor Winter Gardening,” 7-9 pm. From the announcement: “There’s no reason to let the cold weather stop your veggie gardening. Learn how to grow an indoor winter garden quickly and easily, as well as how to get things started for the spring ahead.” Instructor is Christina Hahs. Sign up online: http://wstoollibrary.org/calendar/introduction-to-indoor-winter-gardening/

NIGHTLIFE: At 8 pm, it’s weekly Quiz Night at Beveridge Place Pub, explained by BPP as: “This is a weekly event we have been hosting at the pub for about 10 years, it is a great mix of regulars, new players, tough questions and good times. $2.00 a person, teams of 2-6 people. Winning team takes 80% of the pot, 2nd place the other 20%. There’s even a prize for last place, AND beverages that get you “bonus points”!”

TIME TO BUY! Tickets are scheduled to go on sale for Northwest Hope and Healing’s STYLE ’12 tenth annual Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good! fashion show, 7 pm Showbox SODO. nwhopeandhealing.org.

JoanE February 1, 2012 (9:37 am)

Very funny coincidence – just heard a woodpecker (or peckerwood as my old friend from Virginia used to say) outside and then found your photo atop this column. Alas, I’ve tracked the sound to the giant evergreens two doors down but have never seen the birds. Probably for the best as we have several skilled and agile kitties in the hood.

buddsmom February 1, 2012 (10:13 am)

Cutting the route 21 all but for M-F rush hours is utter nonsense! Not everyone in Arbor Heights owns a car or qualifies for ACCESS. To cut out service to that degree means people, will have to walk a great distance in both directions to have ANY access to bus service. I do not work 9-5, M-F and this puts me at risk of not being able to get to work….or shop, or go to medical appointments,or enjoy the theater,or dine out without having to take a cab.Let alone the riders who choose transit over public parking to go to a game.There HAS to be a middle ground. Perhaps only run the 21 once an hour during the weekdays and weekends or run a shuttle through the loop to the transit hub. You simply cannot strand people who DEPEND on Metro as their only source of transportation!

Karen Lyons February 1, 2012 (10:17 am)

Looks like the poor guy is trying to create a nice nest hole to attract a Spring mate. Doubt the utility department is going to go along with the plan.

luckymom30 February 1, 2012 (10:39 am)

WSB has the best pictures!

enviromaven February 1, 2012 (10:49 am)

The inspiration for Woody Woodpecker…always a thrill to see and hear them!

BD February 1, 2012 (11:50 am)

Same goes for cutting the 37! The 37 is the only service serving Beach Drive and the north peninsula that goes straight downtown. Connecting with all the local service shuttles is not viable. I think they believe the Water Taxi makes this route unnecessary, but there are many areas on Beach Drive that will have no viable service once this is cut. Also the Water Taxi breaks down frequently, leaving no back up solution which the 37 serves.

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