West Seattle Sunday: BYOB(ags); low-low tide; Float Dodger 5K signup party…

(Fairmount Ravine greenbelt, photographed by Long Bach Nguyen – note bridge toward upper right)
Happy July! Today’s forecast remains cloudy but the 4th is looking better … in the meantime, from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar, highlights for today/tonight:

TRAFFIC ALERT: Southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 is supposed to reopen by 9 am, after its two-night, one-day closure. No other closures/changes planned for today.

PLASTIC-BAG BAN, PAPER-BAG FEE: Today’s the day it starts. Again, in a nutshell, stores are not supposed to offer plastic shopping bags any more, unless they are sturdy, thick, reusable plastic; if you didn’t bring your own bag and want a paper bag, they’re supposed to charge you at least a nickel. Here’s the city’s infopage.

PET FOOD DRIVE: Alki Mail and Dispatch (47th/Admiral) is collecting pet food for two nonprofits all month long, starting today (they open at 9).

RETURN OF THE LOW-LOW TIDES: Today is the first of five days of low-low tides – 9:27 am, -2.5 feet, per our favorite chart (Tuesday will bring the lowest tide, -3.4 feet, along with the full moon.) And 9:30 am-12:30 pm, you will find Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists on the shore at Lincoln Park and south of Alki Point.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska as always.

REGISTRATION PARTY FOR FLOAT DODGER 5K: Noon-4 pm, stop by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor; California/Charlestown) to sign up for the first-ever Float Dodger 5K before the West Seattle Grand Parade on July 21st – get $5 off the fee, shop the store at a discount, and a variety of other fun detailed here.

COLMAN POOL, DAY 2: Thanks to Venkat for this Instagram view of the pool on reopening day Saturday:

Today is day 2, and the schedule – starting with noon lap swimming – is here.

ALKI ARTS’ 2ND ANNIVERSARY: Noon-8 pm, the little-gallery-that-could throws a big party to celebrate 2 years at the beach. Music and more; details here.

‘XANADU’ MATINEE: 3 pm, it’s the first matinee, ending the first week, of the musical “Xanadu“‘s run at ArtsWest in The Junction.

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: 3-5 pm, Heather O’Neill performs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW).

Maggie July 1, 2012 (6:41 am)

Out of curiosity, what bridge is that? It was the first thing I noticed when I saw the picture. (Love all the green belts we have in Seattle!) Also, love that Instagram of the pool!

GayCynic July 1, 2012 (8:03 am)

Working with the Seattle Bag Tax & Ban is pretty easy here in W. Seattle.

Drive to Safeway over on Roxbury, and shop w/o the nanny state, the cross-contamination issue of reusable bags, w/o additional charges for grocery bags – and keep getting those free garbage bags.

Of course, if enough folks do that, city revenues may be affected.

Norma July 1, 2012 (9:19 am)

Re: Fairmount photo
The bridge is on Admiral Way and you can see the Admiral Safeway in the upper right hand corner. I thought I was seeing a pool as well but on Google Earth it actually looks like a roof on a structure. Great photo!

West Seattle Wanderer July 1, 2012 (9:38 am)

Anyone know where I can donate some cloth bags? I have way more than I need and would like to see them used by people who’ve said the bag tax is a burden for them.

WestSeattleSteve July 1, 2012 (9:42 am)

That’s the Admiral Way bridge, halfway between California Ave and the viewpoint overlooking Elliot Bay.

Dee July 1, 2012 (9:48 am)

It’s the Admiral Way bridge.

DF July 1, 2012 (10:06 am)

FOLKS WHO LIVE ALONG GREENBELTS LIKE THIS ONE IN NORTH ADMIRAL PLEASE DO NOT HAVE FIRES OUTDOORS AND PUT THESE FRAGILE ECOSYSTEMS AT RISK. IF YOU CHOOSE TO BREAK THE RULES AND HAVE A FIRE IN THE BACKYARD FIRE PIT DO SO RESPONSIBLY. AND IF IT’S YOUR NEIGHBOR WHO IS HAVING A FIRE PLEASE CALL THE AUTHORITIES AND REPORT THEM.

Uncommon Sense July 1, 2012 (10:08 am)

The idea that a person would drive miles out of town because they’re too lazy to bring their own food transportation receptacles is pretty backward.

happy July 1, 2012 (10:26 am)

Long Bach Nguyen, I really like your photos and appreciate that you share with WSB. Please continue!

Anne July 1, 2012 (10:44 am)

I wish all those going to Roxbury Safeway well-it means more room for me & fewer parking woes at my local stores!Happy travels!

Rick July 1, 2012 (10:56 am)

It’s called choice, and mine is not denigrate those who choose to use it.

Mack July 1, 2012 (11:24 am)

I did the math, and it doesn’t make sense for me to drive to Roxbury. Let’s say I get seven bags of grocery, that’s 35 cents extra. That is also one tenth of a gallon of gas. I would burn more than a tenth of a gallon of gas going out of my way to Roxbury.

huh July 1, 2012 (11:38 am)

DF, what are these rules (laws?)about backyard fires? What about grills/BBQs?

T. July 1, 2012 (11:45 am)

@ West Seattle Wanderer: you can bring your bags to bin 41 wine shop in the Junction. We started a loan-a-bag program in June to offer reusable bags folks bring in to our customers who forget theirs. We take the bags home to wash and then reuse them at the bin, both wine bags and standard cloth bags. We also recycle corks (natural cork, no plastic). Cheers!

Diane July 1, 2012 (11:58 am)

@Rick; thanks for adding some class to the conversation
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@West Seattle Wanderer; thanks for thinking of others less fortunate; I think Umpqua Bank at Admiral is a drop off site for West Seattle Helpline
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@bin 41 wine shop; thanks for setting a great example for washing reusable bags; most people do not sanitize their bags, and it’s so important