Search Results for 'Ba'

[Gina]

Saw sports bag with red, white and blue pom-poms, hair bow and track suit in bushes, contents strewn about. Grace monogram on bag. No identification other than that. Zipped bag up and placed by Lafayette school front door on bench. No valuables in bag, only items of use to owner.

[delasquaya]

Good evening to you Santina,

Hope & trust this finds you well this rather damp eve. I’m Kyle Bailey.

Interested in becoming your ideal Admin Assistant and emailed you my resume a short while ago.

Thanks kindly for your attention & time. Looking forward to connecting with you.

With appreciation,
Kyle I. Bailey

[LoveWS]

Westseattle7, wow. You mentioned you circled back to only talk to the person, not intimidate them. After listening to your rants and your tone, I certainly don’t believe you. You are coming across as entitled and angry, for petes sake, get a car!

[waynster]

No NO NO …..AS a Retired Vietnam era /cold war vet I say No.. parades like theses are complete bull-crap. Who does this 3rd world dictators communist country’s (Russia and China) and France. Now where does Cadet Bone Spurs ( I wish I could take credit for that name That belongs to a war hero from Illinois US Senator Tammy Duckworth) fit in… he wants too show off the biggest hot air balloon the USA has …. his arrogant ego….who else has one of those his buddy Putin…. NO parade ….

anonyme I think your right small hands small penis anyone know his shoe size …lmao

[WSB]

(Offered by SPD on behalf of Southwest Precinct Community Police Team Officer Todd Wiebke, also cross-posted on social media … see editor’s note at the end)

“… he was covered with the evening news … had an old pair of wool socks on his hands…Craig Morgan 2003. This is one of my favorite country songs.

A friend pointed out that it has been awhile since I wrote. I tried to say that I was out of stamps, but she saw through that right away. The truth is I am just tired. I laughed the first time I saw the beer commercial that advertised, “To the misery! Dilly Dilly!!” Then it hit me, that this is where I indeed go, everyday, dilly dilly.

I get a bunch of emails from my neighbors telling me about the return of the motorhomes, or the new tent, or the lady in the car. And I say THANK YOU. Thank you for the email, thank you for the patience, thank you for the opportunity. I cannot fix every situation, sometimes I make no difference at all. But I will always take my at bat.

This week I dealt with crisis, with narcotics, with heartache, and with liars. Sometimes all at once, sometimes one at a time.

I am helpless to unlock the doors when dealing with a person trapped in a horror inside of their own mind. Lord, I try, but I am a limited man with just a little skill. I wish we could solve this one aspect of the conflagration.

I dealt with heroin, and meth…again and again and again. It is what it is. I have two young ladies that have proudly kicked the needle. I am there for them when they need me. I think they are going to make it out of the woods.

I met with heartache. I stopped the world, stepped into a quiet place with this man, and shared what I could. You see, police deal with tragedy all of the time, we don’t get called to the good times. I finally figured out how to talk to people about it, most of us never do. I again emptied out my wallet because this man needed coffee and breakfast a lot more than I did. I am a rich man, I should do more.

I dealt with a liar. I won’t go into details, but it looked like I was being a mean cop with no heart. Be careful of what you think you are seeing. I have my cameras on, I stand open for review, and I stand behind my decisions if and when I need to take action.

And so we continue. A little smarter, a little more worn, a little more tired. Reserve your judgment of others, but trust it when you think you should call 911. We are kind of awesome and would love to help.

I still love coming to work. We have an awesome city with the ability to adapt and overcome. The only way to lose is to not try. We are trying to solve this crisis, and we will not lose. We are open 24/7/365. We still make house calls. Call us when you need us. Email us when you need to. Say Hi and wave when we look grumpy…we need a smile sometimes too.

==============
(Editor’s note: If you aren’t already familiar with Officer Wiebke, he is the CPT’s point person on issues related to people experiencing homelessness. Especially in areas such as Myers Way. You can reach him at todd.wiebke@seattle.gov)

[boomdancestudios]

Boom Dance Studios is looking for Instructors to add to their team for School Year and Summer Camp Roles. We work as Independent Contractors that develop partnerships with a variety of organizations to provide Dance and Language classes to the community. We do not have our own physical space; therefore, these classes are held off site at our partnerships locations.

Must be reliable, have experience teaching children, experience in your specialty, committed, and take a general interest in Children’s well-being during their time with you. We are looking for the following:

– Toddler Dance/Movement
– Ballet
– Spanish
– Cheer (Summer Camps ONLY)
– Kids Yoga

Areas that we service for classes include West Seattle (predominantly), Rainier CC and Garfield CC.

Please email santina@boomdancestudios.com with your resume.

[JanS]

kudos to anyone who calls them back…they deserve what they get

not that I’m encouraging anyone to be mean and evil…oh, no, no, I would never do that (smirking)

• This reply was modified 8 years, 3 months ago by JanS.

[HRGDIVING]

Global Diving & Salvage, Inc. is the largest diving contractor on the West Coast, based out of Seattle, WA, a leading provider of marine construction and infrastructure support services in the United States, and an internationally recognized casualty responder.

We are currently seeking a Senior Accountant to join our team in Seattle, WA. The Senior Accountant is responsible for the preparation and maintenance of company financial records, related reports and tax returns, and preparation of quarterly and annual reports.

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Financial Report and Analysis:
• Develop and maintain accounting or financial reporting records.
• Prepare journal entries and account reconciliations for accuracy and compliance with company policies and applicable accounting principles.
• Produce financial statements and other reports and review for accuracy.
• Participate in month-end close procedures, to include balance sheet account reconciliations, completion of assigned journal entries and sales/COGS analysis.
• Prepare monthly revenue recognition analysis and reconcile revenue, deferred revenue, and deferred revenue roll forward.

Budgeting:
• Perform trend and variance analysis to support month and quarter end close.
• Support quarterly earnings and ongoing budget and forecasting processes.
• Perform weekly/monthly auditing, analysis and scorecard reporting
• Deliver actionable insights through monthly/quarterly financial reports, and trend/variance analysis

Business Intelligence:
• Create and publish dashboard reports to help management monitor the financial health of the business.
• Collaborate on the design, development, maintenance, and delivery/presentation of forecasting models, metrics, reports, analyses, tools, and dashboards

General:
• Maintain and develop various accounting systems and processes in area of responsibility. Recommend and implement improvements to existing systems, controls, work processes and procedures affecting month-end and quarter-end financial close, account analysis preparation and financial reporting.
• Assist with training of less experienced team members and facilitate cross-training amongst the team.
• Assist in prioritizing work and coordination of special projects or audits.
• Informs and advises management on issues, escalates issues as appropriate.
• Assist in assessing internal controls, including risk assessment and review of risk areas
• Knowledge and ability to back fill when team members are out of the office
• Development and ongoing preparation of month-end financial reporting packages, other internal management reports, and external bank compliance reporting
• May lead or support special projects as assigned.

Qualifications
Education
BS degree in Business with a concentration in Finance or Accounting required

Experience
2+ years of Cost Accounting required
7+ years in Accounting Field required, preferably in a construction environment

Knowledge/Skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint
Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel
Experience with ERP Software
Previous experience with Microsoft Dynamics Navision preferred
Previous experience with revenue recognition, preferably in a related field
Extensive knowledge of GAAP revenue recognition
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Advanced organizational skills
Strong attention to detail
Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner
Must demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness
Excellent interpersonal and team skills
Must demonstrate ability to be highly flexible and is adept at managing expectations and handling large amounts of information
Ability to work independently with limited supervision
Ability to tactfully interact with a wide range of personalities

Physical / Mental Requirements
Perform work in an office setting
Ability to lift 30 lbs

Equal Employment Opportunity
Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the objective of Global Diving & Salvage, Inc. to obtain qualified employees consistent with position requirements: to seek, employ, promote, and treat all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion/creed, handicap/disability, marital status, genetic information/history, military/veteran status, or any other characteristic or condition protected by law.
Global will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with Global’s legal duty to furnish information. (41 C.F.R. 60-1.35(c))

If you are a candidate with a disability in need of an accommodation in the application process, please contact 206-623-0621 or email hr@gdiving.com.
Job Location
Seattle, WA Apply online at http://www.gdiving.com/about/employment

[PangolinPie]

Oh – what happens if you call back? Share the fun! :D

[esheymc]

High Point Community Center has several classes to choose from (day & eve). It is a good place to start as it is affordable and a good way to test the waters to see if ballet is a good fit for your child. My daughter did it and enjoyed it when she was there.

[Litespeed]

I just received one of those bogus calls from a scammer claiming to be with Seattle City Light telling me if I don’t pay my bill they will come and shut my power off within the hour. If you get one of these, please disregard. If you want to have fun, call them back at 888-343-2419.

[Michael Waldo]

My employer has dental coverage but it is capped at $1,500 a year. I had one crown last year and that blew my whole rest of year. Had to pay cash for cleaning and a cavity fill. Crazy. Why is dental insurance so bad?

[TSurly]

Mark nailed it. Your entitlement to ride on the trail as you see fit ends where the safety and wellbeing of pedestrians begins.

There is an inherent risk with cycling in a urban environment. If you think riding on Harbor Ave and Alki Ave bad, how do you handle riding downtown or elsewhere? If you feel unsafe riding in the street, use your legal right to take the lane. Thats what I do on around Alki to avoid being doored by people exiting there vehicles and to control the traffic behind me. If that isn’t a viable solution for you, then perhaps you need to reevaluate your choice of having a bike as your primary source of transportation.

Blaming dogs, kids and women with strollers is weak.

[mark47n]

There doesn’t have to be a posted speed limit to be considered reckless.

I think you are acting entitled in the negative sense.

You are hung up on the “legal sense” It all goes out the window when you act like it’s your path and other users are in your way.

I don’t care if you’ve been riding on it since you were a kid in short pants or since last week. It’s. Not. Your. Path.

This trail is only marginally similar to the Burke-Gilman and not similar at all to the Interurban.

I think I’ll stick with being the cyclist who occasionally blows a stop sign rather than the guy who rants because there are walkers on the multiuser path.

[westseattle7]

Let me clarify: I do always yield to pedestrians on the Alki trail, and I have never collided with anyone. I also will sometimes hop onto the street to avoid the worst bottlenecks (at duwamish head for example). I only hit 20 going on the longer straightaways where ped traffic tends to be nil, and when there is heavy summer tourist traffic I do cruise slower out of a sense of safety.

That being said, the attitudes expressed here are exactly the ones I’m fighting against. To TSurly, yes I am an entitled cyclist, as in I am ENTITLED to use designated trails on a bicycle, by the law. Go ahead and check out the Seattle Municipal Code. There is no speed limit for bicycles on city trails. SDOT has the Alki Trail in bold green on their bicycle map (indicating a major BIKE route). I’m not going to be shamed or called a “jerk” for exercising my legal right to ride by bike on a bike trail.

Yes, it’s mixed use also. No one disputes this. Like with the waterfront trail downtown, there are clear delineations between where cyclists and pedestrians should be. In fact, the downtown trail completely separates the two by wide park space. Everyone rides fast on that trail. People commute on it. Speeds up to 20 mph are common. No one is going to question a cyclist’s right to commute through the downtown park at speed, because it’s a vital route folks need to use.

Some people see the Alki Trail as a boardwalk. That’s fine if you do, but know that it is B.S., and a concept that exists in your mind, not legally. For me, that trail is a vital commuting corridor, no different from the Burke, the Interurban, or any other mixed use trail in Seattle. These are highways for cyclists, and my commute is long indeed, so I have a need to travel at speed.

I know many cyclists on Alki prefer to take the road. Good for you. I am not one of you. I don’t feel especially safe on Seattle streets mixing with multi-ton vehicles, and for that reason take trails whenever possible. Alki Ave SW has other hazards, like people racing in the street, and traffic becomes abysmal in the summer with everyone looking for parking and cruising around.

So it’s not for me. I choose to take the trail instead. That’s my right to do so, and no one is going to shame me out of it because the bourgeoisie have decided in their mind that trail is for strollers and tourists. I’ve been riding my bike on that trail since I was a kid. I’m not going to start risking my life on the road because some folks feel they get to decide arbitrarily what the best usages are.

Oh, and BTW when I ride on the road, I get constant shit from drivers who are pissed I’m not on the nearby trail. You can’t win as a cyclist in this city. People will criticize you no matter where you ride. I’m sticking to the bike trails, whether the car-centric transplants who move here like it or not.

[westseattle7]

Let me clarify: I do always yield to pedestrians on the trail, and I have never collided with anyone. I also will sometimes hop onto the street to avoid the worst bottlenecks (at duwamish head for example). I only hit 20 going on the longer straightaways where ped traffic tends to be nil (east side of trail), and when there is heavy summer tourist traffic I do cruise slower.

That being said, the attitudes expressed here are exactly the ones I’m fighting against. To TSurly, yes I am an entitled cyclist, as in I am ENTITLED to use designated trails on a bicycle, by the law. Go ahead and check out the Seattle Municipal Code. There is no speed limit for bicycles on city trails. SDOT has the Alki Trail in bold green on their bicycle map (indicating a major BIKE route). I’m not going to be shamed or called a “jerk” for exercising my legal right to ride by bike on a bike trail.

Yes, it’s mixed use also. No one disputes this. Like with the waterfront trail downtown, there are clear delineations between where cyclists and pedestrians should be. In fact, the downtown trail completely separates the two by wide park space. Everyone rides fast on that trail. People commute on it. Speeds up to 20 mph are common. No one is going to question a cyclist’s right to commute through the downtown park at speed, because it’s a vital route folks need to use.

Some people see the Alki Trail as a boardwalk. That’s fine if you do, but know that it is B.S., and a concept that exists in your mind, not legally. For me, that trail is a vital commuting corridor, no different from the Burke, the Interurban, or any other mixed use trail in Seattle. These are highways for cyclists, and my commute is long indeed, so I have a need to travel at speed.

I know many cyclists on Alki prefer to take the road. Good for you. I am not one of you. I don’t feel especially safe on Seattle streets mixing with multi-ton vehicles, and for that reason take trails whenever possible. Alki Ave SW has other hazards, like people racing in the street, and traffic becomes abysmal in the summer with everyone looking for parking and cruising around.

So it’s not for me. I choose to take the trail instead. That’s my right to do so, and no one is going to shame me out of it because the bourgeoisie have decided in their mind that trail is for strollers and tourists.

I’ve been riding my bike on that trail since I was a kid. I’m not going to start risking my life on the road because some folks feel they get to decide arbitrarily what the best usages are. Oh, and BTW when I ride on the road, I get constant shit from drivers who are pissed I’m not on the nearby trail. You can’t win as a cyclist in this city. People will criticize you no matter where you ride. So I’m sticking to the trails.

[HRGDIVING]

Global Diving & Salvage, Inc. (Global) is the largest diving contractor on the West Coast, based out of Seattle, WA, a leading provider of marine construction and infrastructure support services in the United States, and an internationally recognized casualty responder.

We are currently seeking an Equipment Technician to support our Pacific Northwest Operations. The Equipment Technician is responsible for maintenance, and upkeep of equipment used in the Pacific Northwest Region and for providing support for daily regional operations and ongoing regional field projects.

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Maintenance, test and calibration of life support equipment (including breathing air compressors, high pressure gas systems, dive radios and other ancillary commercial diving equipment)
Video recording and communications equipment
Trouble shoot, repair and test equipment to company and regulatory standards
Loading and unloading of equipment to and from jobs
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Experience

1+ years job related experience required

2+ years maritime experience and knowledge of diving support equipment preferred

Knowledge/Skills

Knowledge of diving support equipment

Previous experience working with:

Hydraulics (new builds, trouble shooting and repairs)

Electrical (AC and DC power supplies and control circuits)

Quincy Air Compressors

Pneumatic and hydraulic tools

Low and high pressure breathing air and gas systems

Standard and Metric Plumbing

Driver’s license

Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

Valid and Current First Aid (FA), Basic Life Support Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (BLS CPR), Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), & Divers Alert Network (DAN O2)

Ability to meet Department of Transportation (DOT) or Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Physical & associated fitness ability requirements

Ability to work with a team and independently

Familiarity with best practices in commercial diving industry

Ability to proactively identify issues and offer solutions

Occasional travel to project sites and regional offices

Available for after hour emergency response on occasion

Current GDS mandatory training and other required programs

Read, understand and comply with all employer’s policies and applicable governmental regulations, as they relate to their qualifications or performance while engaging in company operations

Physical / Mental Requirements

Must submit clean driving record for the past three years

Ability to lift 25-50lbs repetitively

Must be able to with stand the following for up to 8-12 hours per day in all weather conditions (Sun, Rain, Sleet and Snow): stand, walk, push pull, squat, crouch, bend, stoop, crawl, kneel, climb stairs and ladders; repetitive reaching, repetitive hand use

Perform work in an a warehouse and field setting

Travel in the PNW region as needed

Must pass Pre-employment drug test

All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Equal Employment Opportunity

Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the objective of Global Diving & Salvage, Inc. to obtain qualified employees consistent with position requirements: to seek, employ, promote, and treat all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion/creed, handicap/disability, marital status, genetic information/history, military/veteran status, or any other characteristic or condition protected by law.

Global will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with Global’s legal duty to furnish information. (41 C.F.R. 60-1.35(c))

If you are a candidate with a disability in need of an accommodation in the application process, please contact 206-623-0621 or email hr@gdiving.com.

Job Location

Seattle, WA

Apply online at http://www.gdiving.com/about/employment

Job Location
Seattle, Washington, United States
Position Type
Full-Time/Regular

[HRGDIVING]

Global Diving & Salvage, Inc. is the largest diving contractor on the West Coast, based out of Seattle, WA, a leading provider of marine construction and infrastructure support services in the United States, and an internationally recognized casualty responder.

We are currently seeking an Environmental Dispatcher to join our team in Seattle. The Environmental Dispatcher is responsible for operations support on 24-hour a day, seven days a week basis. This includes receiving and responding to daily environmental calls, scheduling and dispatching Environmental crews in the PNW region, and for maintaining client relations. The position requires a Monday through Friday work schedule, in addition to afterhours work for on-call response situations and crewing needs.

Position Essential Job Functions

Assigns work schedules to environmental employees on a daily basis
Adjusts crewing as necessary to accommodate customer schedule changes
Receive and respond to all daily Maritime emergency and non-emergency calls
Provide after hours on-call response every other week
Identify nature of calls, evaluate/prioritize incoming projects and follow through to completion
Monitor and coordinate crews, equipment, and assignments in the environmental division
Ensure that customer’s needs are met and are satisfied with the level of service, communicate any discrepancies
Communicate regularly with Environmental Operations Manager regarding scheduling conflicts, staffing concerns, operational questions, etc.
Create, enter and maintain up to date job files until completion of job; including daily logs, tailgate safety sheets, purchase orders
Audit daily logs, tailgate safety sheets, and time cards for accuracy, completion, and appropriate signatures
Maintain timecards in accordance with information from the dailies submitted, and project pay scale
Acquire materials and supplies as needed; including obtaining purchase orders for field crews
Facilitate emergency operations by providing administrative support such as booking hotel accommodations, arranging transportation, etc.
Product sales calls, orders, and fulfillment
Keep informed and continue enforcement of the company’s safety programs and procedures
Some Invoicing for short term projects and re-occurring work
Perform occasional administrative work in the field
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education

4 year college degree (B.A. or B.S.) preferred

High school degree required

Experience

2 years experience in marine or construction industry preferred

3 years supervisory or scheduling experience preferred

Knowledge/Skills

Ability to read maps to determine locations and job sites

Must have a valid driver license and acceptable driving record

Must meet HAZMAT physical requirements

Must demonstrate professional and respectful demeanor when working with all levels of associates

Ability to think clearly and act quickly in emergencies

Must possess positive attitude and strong work ethic

Intermediate computer skills including experience with Microsoft Office Suite

Must show ability to work independently and to successfully demonstrate understanding of our environmental business and ability to meet our clients’ needs

Ability to develop quality reports for management

Intermediate Microsoft Suite skills (Outlook, Access, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

Must have a strong maritime background with a thorough understanding of the day to day operations

Ability to tactfully interact with a wide range of personalities

Ability to organize workload and prioritize projects in an ever-changing environment

Ability to work under pressure

Physical / Mental Requirements

Ability to work any day of the week both night and day

Available for after hour emergency response

Available to travel as needed (estimated to be less than 5%)

Equal Employment Opportunity

Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the objective of Global Diving & Salvage, Inc. to obtain qualified employees consistent with position requirements: to seek, employ, promote, and treat all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion/creed, handicap/disability, marital status, genetic information/history, military/veteran status, or any other characteristic or condition protected by law.

Global will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with Global’s legal duty to furnish information. (41 C.F.R. 60-1.35(c))

If you are a candidate with a disability in need of an accommodation in the application process, please contact 206-623-0621 or email hr@gdiving.com.

Job Location

Seattle, WA

Apply online at http://www.gdiving.com/about/employment

Job Location
Seattle, Washington, United States
Position Type
Full-Time/Regular

[westseattle7]

Mixed use means mixed use, but there are clearly marked, separated paths for pedestrian and wheel based traffic. Mixed use doesn’t mean anything goes. And you’re right, Myrtle-Edwards is level and on the water, but that example proves my point exactly. On the waterfront trail, bikes and pedestrians are siphoned onto separate paths (like on Alki but with better median separation). During rush hour that trail is a major commuter route for bicycles who routinely cruise at 15-20 mph (I used to pedal this route daily and people would pass me going at that speed). No one bats an eye at fast cycling on the centennial trail, even though it meets all your requiremnents for a “boardwalk.” But “boardwalk” is not a legal concept, except in the minds of some. These are crucial bicycle highway routes with separated paths and bike bicycle symbols painted on the pavement. Yes others can use the bike path too, but then there should be a reasonable expectation if you do so bikes will be whipping by (and signaling and yielding appropriately). It’s not for some to declare this trail is for “cruising” because that’s what they use it for. I use it for commuting. I shouldn’t be forced off a marked bike trail because some are uncomfortable with the path being used as legally intended. I’m not trying to be an a-hole here, just trying to live my life safely and exercise my legal ability to pedal at speed on a marked bike path I’ve been cycling on since I was a kid.

[BCR]

Hi, I am looking for information on a ballet/dance type class for my 2.5 yr old daughter. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

[waynster]

Lets Just be glad they don’t do it after baseball ball games …..

streets near you… http://www.gocomics.com/nonsequitur/2018/02/06

[mark47n]

As a cyclist who battles for space on the local roads I would say that 20mph on the bike path may be a trifle excessive. Hell, cruising among the peds at 15mph feels dodgy. If I’m cruising around Alki at those speeds I’m on the road. I feel this is not just for the safety of other, it’s for my safety. I know, I know, I’m selfish, the problem I continually run into (get it?) is that if I slam into a pedestrian or a stroller is that I’ll not only be liable, in spite of the clearly marked demarcations and physical divisions between bike path and pedestrian path, is I’ll get hurt. I cope with that by diving into the road way and taking my chances there. In my experience drivers are predictable. That mom walking her stroller and lab while jabbering on her phone via earbuds and slurping down some Starbucks has no awareness that I’m coming up on her in spite of my bellowing “ON YOUR RIGHT!!!” at the top of my lungs. When she veers suddenly or her dog bolts or the child leaps out of the stroller to make a break for it I’m sucking pavement and I’ll be liable.

There are places where the bike path is the way but around Alki? Probably not.

[sierra]

Was it dark green? I had one stolen out of my vehicle a few months back.

[westseattle7]

Seeing as this is Seattle, and complaining about bicycles is a time-honored tradition among motorists, I thought maybe I could offer a cyclist’s perspective.

I live near Alki. I work downtown. My bicycle is my primary mode of transportation, exercise and recreation. I do not own a vehicle. In fact, I moved to this part of town in part because I wanted to integrate cycling into my commute. Like most cyclists in this neighborhood, I use the Alki Trail, which keeps me away from cars who don’t want to share the road with cyclists anyways. So far so good, right?

Well, apparently not. Just yesterday I passed a jogger on the trail (which is fine, it’s mixed use), who snidely remarked “why don’t you slow down?!” to me as rode by. I was so taken aback by this absurd comment that I actually circled back to talk to the guy. He apparently saw me coming back, and quickly high-tailed it across the street (in true Seattle, passive-aggressive fashion). I wasn’t planning on intimidating him, I honestly wanted to answer his question face to face, because this is a constant annoyance for me.

Yes, I do need to go fast. I have a tight commuting schedule and when I bike for exercise I also need to ride fast. Usually I cruise about 15 mph, sometimes up to 20 while on the trail, but rarely faster than that because there are just too many people not paying attention. What’s more, this is my right as a cyclist. Car drivers are constantly complaining that bike riders are still on the street ignoring the nice new cycle tracks and bike lanes. Well here I am. A genuine cyclist using a bicycle path for biking. Who woulda thunk?

So let me go ahead and shout this out loud: That trail is a ROAD for cyclists. We have no other route to go from Alki. That is it. So for those of us who truly commute (or just choose to recreationally bike), we need to go fast on that trail. Yes, it is a “mixed use” trail, but its primary and original function of that path was as a dedicated lane for bicycles (there are walking paths on the side). To tell a cyclist to slow down on a bicycling path is like jogging in the middle of the street and yelling at the cars to go slower. If you jog in the bike path, you’re going to have bike zipping by you at 10-20 mph. That’s. What. It’s. For.

Now, since everyone likes to complain about cyclists breaking traffic laws, sliding past cars, blowing stop signs, etc., let me share with you the things I see on a daily basis on that trail: people walking in the bike trail, sometimes spread out over the ENTIRE path, moms with three strollers wide blocking most of the path, people walking dogs, letting the dog’s leash extend all the way over the trail (a dangerously common sight), families spread out over the trail letting small children run all over it, people jogging / walking / rollerskating on the wrong side of the path, creating bottlenecks, people walking in the middle of the path, rollerskating moms with two strollers and a dog taking up the entire path, giant groups of tourists hogging the whole trail, etc. etc. etc.

I mean I could go on forever. Mostly these people are 1) not paying any attention to their surroundings, 2) have headphones or earbuds in, 3) have no concept that they are on a bike route and need to yield space for cyclists to pass. Meanwhile, I am expected to shout “on your left” or ring a bike bell to everyone else on the path (whether they should be there or not), even if make no effort to ever look behind them. I’ve had to dodge dog s***, broken glass, needles and unsupervised toddlers left to wander unattended on the trail. On more than one occasion I’ve had small children run straight in front of my moving bike and nearly crashed trying to avoid them. Would you let your kids just run out into the middle of the street? What would people say about parents who were that neglectful?

But whatever, I mostly don’t complain because what’s the point? Who to even complain to? It’s just one of those things you shrug and sigh at, but move on. All I can do is keep cycling.

And this is what I want to say to that jogger (and to anyone else who thinks bikes go “too fast” on the Alki Trail): I am not slowing down and I’m not taking guff from people like you who think the trail belongs to them alone. There is no speed limit on Seattle bike trails, and nor should there be. Cyclists have the right to commute and recreate at velocity. It’s called a bike trail for a reason. Learn the etiquette, stay on the right, pay attention, and you will be fine. But you’re going to have fast bicycles zipping by you if you run in the bleeping BIKE TRAIL. This is the only piece of pavement we have in this cyclo-phobic city that is completely at level grade and on the water, and it is the only bicycle connection from Alki to downtown.

So if you want bikes off the road, then they need to be on bike trails. And they need to go fast for trips to be efficient. We’re not going anywhere. We’re not slowing down for you. Get used to it.

RANT OVER. Thanks for reading!

[Ladyblahblah]

My dog absolutely loses his mind with fireworks, but I hate the Patriots so much I joked that if the Eagles won and people started shooting off fireworks, I’d just deal with the barking. Sure enough, as soon as the game was over we started hearing fireworks, but my dog didn’t make a peep. Guess he hates the Pats, too.