Inauguration Day countdown: Shoes, service, labradoodles
Three items of West Seattle news related to next week’s inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States:
SHOE DRIVE: The WSB Forums shoe-collection drive has just kicked off. Read all about it here; collection boxes are now in place, including the one shown at left at Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. Another one’s set up at Full Tilt Ice Cream in White Center. Please take new (or lightly used) shoes to one of those spots between now and Inauguration Day; they will all be donated to Soles4Soles (read about that organization here). If you have a question, here’s where it’s being discussed in the forums. And here’s the official flyer.
DAY OF SERVICE: One day before Inauguration Day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday 1/19, is a National Day of Service – and Laura calls our attention to a link where you can find West Seattle-area events and opportunities. We found five atop the list in this configuration; if you know of more West Seattle service opportunities that day or the preceding weekend, please add a comment here, or e-mail us (editor@westseattleblog.com) – thanks!
WEST SEATTLE LABRADOODLES: Dog lovers know the Obama family has been talking about bringing a new pet to their new home, and in an interview yesterday (see the video here), the President-elect revealed they’re considering either a labradoodle or a Portuguese water dog. Longtime WSB’er Amy Gates is a labradoodle breeder – here are two of hers:
Amy is the owner of Sound Labradoodles, breeding multigenerational labradoodles. She tells WSB, “This means our dogs breed true — we’re not just putting a poodle and a labrador together. Australian labradoodle breeders have refined the breed over the past 30 years, including infusing a few other breeds like Irish Water Spaniel into the breed.” She says the breed is appealing to the Obama family because of the allergy-friendly aspect (Malia Obama is allergic to most dogs): “Due to the breed refinement, our dogs are more reliably non-shedding and allergy friendly. A simple poodle-lab cross will not have a reliable result. It might shed, and it might cause allergies.” Amy also says Labradoodles are perfect for the kind of busy environment that’ll constitute life as First Dog: “Labradoodles are really people-focused. They were first bred as service dogs, and many labradoodles are still used as service dogs and therapy dogs. This means they can be trained to be very calm and patient with lots of people around, which is definitely a factor in the Obama household!” Amy’s website is at www.soundlabradoodles.com.
West Seattle snow aftermath: Bridge may be re-striped sooner
As everyone who drives The Bridge is more than well aware, it’s been without many of its lane markings since Snowstorm ’08. We checked back today with SDOT’s Rick Sheridan to ask about any update on when that problem might be fixed, and indeed, he just told WSB it now MIGHT be just a matter of days:
> As we need warm, dry weather to apply the lane markings, SDOT is closely monitoring the weather and pavement conditions. The paint will not adhere if it is raining and takes a long time to dry if too cold. The forecast for the upcoming week appears to have a break that will allow SDOT to restripe the West Seattle Bridge. We will keep a close eye on this high priority location and will perform the work as soon as the weather allows. A traffic advisory will announce the work before we start.
Viaduct decision reportedly made: Deep-bore tunnel
Thanks to Frank for the tip – this is breaking in citywide news media right now. The formal announcement reportedly is to be made tomorrow. ADDED 12:08 PM: Added the graphic from the state’s original announcement of eight possible “scenarios” for replacement of the Viaduct’s Central Waterfront section. When the “final two” were announced several weeks ago, this was not among them, but was mentioned as a candidate for future study. Here’s a link to the informational handout that accompanied the graphic during the original “8 scenarios” announcement. Keep in mind, that’s just the deep-bore-tunnel version that was proposed during the original review; so far, there is no official report of exactly what configuration might be the focus in this new agreement – there’ve been sketches of a double-stack type of tunnel, rather than side-by-side. 2:34 PM NOTE: One of West Seattle’s two Stakeholders Advisory Committee members, Vlad Oustimovitch, tells WSB he’ll reserve comment until after the stakeholders are officially briefed on proposal details tomorrow morning. We meantime have received official word of the media briefing planned after that; the listed attendees are not only the three executives that have been involved in this all along — governor, mayor, and county executive – but also Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani. ADDED 3:21 PM: Statement from West Seattle’s King County Councilmember Dow Constantine:
The combination of a deep-bore tunnel and a surface boulevard is a very good compromise proposal to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. This solution—combined with improvements to the Spokane Street Viaduct and the creation of a new stadium interchange for State Route 99—will maintain access for West Seattle and South King County residents to and through downtown Seattle. The removal of the old viaduct will help reconnect downtown to our historic waterfront. And, because the tunnel will not share the alignment of the old viaduct structure, we also have the opportunity to maintain traffic on the SR 99 corridor during construction.
The challenge to Seattle and King County is to provide the other surface and transit improvements needed to make local transportation work. We now must consider how this work will be funded, how quickly it can be implemented, and how we will be able to sustain the needed transit service in the future.
As of today, by the way, Councilmember Constantine is officially council chair. ADDED 7:30 PM: We’ve also been in contact with West Seattle’s other rep on the Stakeholders Advisory Committee, Pete Spalding, and while he too is reserving detailed comment until after tomorrow morning’s briefing (the stakeholders will be briefed at 7:30, before the media at 8:30), he says, “I think this is the best of all worlds for our West Seattle community.”
Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Three Tree Montessori
While WSB is all about West Seattle, on occasion we receive sponsorship inquiries from folks whose businesses and organizations are not based here, but do serve, and enthusiastically welcome, West Seattleites. That’s the case with a new WSB sponsor we’re welcoming today, 
Three Tree Montessori. The school is in Burien (just blocks from a Burien business that’s popular with West Seattleites – Trader Joe’s!). At left, a few of their elementary students; as with all new sponsors, we offered Three Tree Montessori a chance to tell you something about themselves: “Montessori is a time-tested, child-centered developmental education method that is focused on the individual child’s potential, giving the child hands-on experiences that nurture the love of learning. Montessori emphasizes collaboration, self-expression, and self-motivation in beautiful learning environments which foster respect, peace, and joy. Come meet the staff and see Three Tree Montessori‘s beautiful classrooms with outdoor extensions to garden and play areas for children ages 12 months through 12 years at our open house: Saturday, January 31st from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Immediate openings are available in our half-day Toddler and Elementary programs.” Three Tree Montessori is at 220 SW 160th in Burien (here’s a map), 206-242-5100, and online at threetree.org. WSB welcomes Three Tree Montessori to our sponsor team, whose current members are listed on this page, where you’ll also find information on how to join them!
Snowstorm followups: City, county briefings both under way
Both councils are tackling Snowstorm ’08 followups this morning (in addition to other agenda items), and both meetings have now begun, live online and on cable TV – the Seattle City Council, seattlechannel.org or cable 21; King County Council, kingcounty.gov or cable 22. We’re monitoring both and will post here if anything major is revealed/announced, with wrapups later. City councilmembers, by the way, have a big meeting later today too, announcing their collective and individual priorities for 2009 at 2 pm, with public comment to follow.
Time to think baseball: Little League registration starts tomorrow
The next two Tuesday nights, it’s sign-up time for West Seattle Little League. Cami e-mailed us the official announcement: “Grab your glove – It’s time to register for Little League! In-person registrations will be held on Tuesday, Jan 13th and Tuesday, Jan 20th – 7-9 pm at West Seattle High School, Rm. 212. West Seattle Little League teaches not only baseball, but lessons learned through teamwork, dedication and pride. Divisions include T-ball, Coach-Pitch, Minors, Majors, Juniors and Seniors. T-ball through Majors play most games at Bar-S Fields, at 6464 SW Admiral Way. For forms, payment and more information, go to westseattlelittleleague.com.” Registration also is under way now for West Seattle Pee Wee Baseball — details on that, coming up later.
Wanted: Your opinion! West Seattle Wayfinding kiosk art
Another reason to think about spring and summer here in the heart of winter: A request for your opinion on the type of art that could grace the West Seattle Wayfinding kiosks to be installed at key walkable points around West Seattle, thanks to a $100,000 city-matching-funds grant. Two workshops have been held in recent months to invite more community involvement with kiosk development; now the “pilot” kiosk is in progress near the Delridge Library, and project leaders want your thoughts on art concepts for the kiosks that will go up in other West Seattle neighborhoods, to provide information and direction for those on foot – read on:Read More
Looking ahead: Major West Seattle issues on the agenda all week
Lots going on this week. This is all on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar too, in case you lose track:
MONDAY
–City Council briefing on snowstorm response, next steps: 9:30 am, City Hall (live online or on TV)
–County Council briefing on snowstorm response, 9:30 am, County Courthouse (live online or on TV)
–Denny Middle School Site Redevelopment Design Team, 7 pm, Denny Library
TUESDAY
–“Scoping meeting” for proposed West Seattle jail site, Brockey Center at SSCC, 6:30 pm
-Community meeting re: Cooper Elementary “program closure,” Cooper Library, 7 pm
–Junction Neighborhood Organization meeting with transit and parking updates, 6:30 pm, Ginomai
–Fauntleroy Community Association meeting, 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy
–Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, 7 pm, Admiral Church
WEDNESDAY
–2nd Delridge Skatepark meeting, 6 pm, Youngstown Arts Center
–34th District Democrats meeting and reorganization election, 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy
THURSDAY
–Mayor’s “open house” promising one-on-one chats with citizens about snowstorm response, 6:30 pm, Southwest Community Center
–City/county-led public meeting about Seacrest dock changes to facilitate year-round Elliott Bay Water Taxi, 7 pm, Alki Community Center
Again, this is not EVERYTHING that’s happening, but those are the biggest events on the radar, so far. (Know of something major we somehow missed? Please let us know — thanks!)
Trumpeting a request: Westside Symphonette needs brass
From Toni Reineke with Westside Symphonette, West Seattle’s community orchestra:
We are short 3 trombones, 1 or 2 trumpets, and at least one French horn player … we have great strings this year (though we could always use more, especially violas). We even have an oboe player!
We started our winter/spring session last Tuesday but players are welcome to join any old time. They could call me at 206-243-6955 or e-mail tonireineke@comcast.net.
Next rehearsal is at Chief Sealth (in the Boren Building) this coming Tuesday, January 13.
Alki seal pup update: Back at sea after “17-hour nap”
(Saturday photo, by Colby)
The harbor-seal pup who decided to climb the Alki boardwalk-to-beach staircase across from Pegasus is back out to sea, after an all-day/all-night vigil by the Seal Sitters, on whose behalf Brenda just posted this update in the comment section following our Saturday coverage:
A little past midnight on Saturday, the juvenile pup Forte aptly lived up to his name by returning to the sea at low tide. He had a little trouble navigating the big steps on Alki back down to the beach, but he demonstrated his strength and health by doing so after enjoying his 17 hour nap in the middle of the city’s busiest beach.
We are happy to see the pup back in the waves and wish him good fishing, safe journey, and calmer seas! Thanks to NOAA and their full-time stranding expert, Kristin, for her good advice.
Thanks to all the intrepid Seal Sitter volunteers who kept vigil over Forte all those long, chilly hours and to the West Seattle neighbors who showed concern and care by keeping their distance and just letting the pup rest amidst us.
Keep your eyes out for any other pups on our beach. We are so fortunate to share our shores with wild animals. It’s what makes our neighborhood a little larger than just us, a little more welcoming to all. For further information on Forte’s big day on Alki Beach and more photos, see the Seal Sitters blog at www.sealsitters.org
And thanks so much for the West Seattle Blog’s concern and coverage.
Your neighborhood Seal Sitters
Seacrest TV shoot update: “Detonation” pictures, video
(For original report with background on what this is about, go here)
1:56 PM UPDATE: Adam shot photos separate from the webcam, and here are two of them (above and below).
Note the burning car tipped on its side; WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand, who was covering this on the ground, says hydraulics were used.
ADDED 4:23 PM: Three WSB video clips – first, the car (a BMW) as it burned:
Second, the fire being put out:
Third, a hooded contestant arriving at the shoot:
The plot of “The Phone” apparently involves contestants answering ringing cell phones in major cities, and embarking on an action-packed race for cash prizes. We’ll watch to see when it’s scheduled to premiere — and we’ll be looking to see when this episode turns up. One more photo: Adam snapped the helicopter that was participating in the shoot – note the attached camera:
Published earlier in the afternoon:
1:12 PM UPDATE: Much better pictures from the webcam mentioned below, sent by Adam (thank you AGAIN!). What follows is what we originally posted at 12:54 pm:
That’s a screen grab from a couple minutes ago via the camera.eastalki.com webcam set up across the street from Seacrest, where – as first reported here yesterday – the TV show “The Phone” is shooting today, and their promised “detonation” simulating a car explosion was just set off. Lots more pix/video to come later. (Reminder, the parking restrictions remain in effect till 6 pm.)
Another update on how to help Zack the (now) three-legged cat
You may recall the saga of Zack the cat, a stray taken in by Jane, who then discovered he’d suffered a serious leg injury, apparently from a car, and needed costly surgery. Jane was absolutely unable to pay for it herself, and out of desperation – after many tears – e-mailed WSB to ask if we might forward a request for help in covering the costs; we first told you about Zack and Jane right after Christmas. One of the reasons Zack wound up switching hospitals, to get treatment at a lower cost, was guidance from the West Seattle-based nonprofit Furry Faces Foundation. F3’s Teri Ensley tells us donations have now reached about $500 and adds this update:
First, may we say that West Seattle People continue to show what an amazing neighborhood this is to live in. Thank you for your caring and for your outreach to Zack and Jane. Having met both of them (thanks to WSB’s posting), we can say that Zack is a very lucky cat to have found Jane and she is delighted with this laid back, sweet cat…even when he is (was) in pain. Zack is up and around; can jump up on the bed; etc., so doing very well with his recovery from the two surgeries as he was neutered at the same time. As we like to say ‘It’s Hip To Be Snipped’. ; )
Jane, Furry Faces Foundation (F3) and Lien Animal Clinic decided to transfer Zack’s care and surgery to Furry Faces Foundation account, so he did not have to wait for the donations to come in before having his surgery (a week ago) Friday. Zack’s surgery cost $1239.90 and all donations towards Zack’s care may be mailed to/made in person at Lien Animal Clinic at 3710 SW Alaska St, 98116. Folks may make the check out to Furry Faces Foundation or to Lien Animal Clinic (with ‘Zack’ or ‘Furry Faces Foundation’ referenced on the check). Lien will ensure all funds go to Zack’s care, under F3. Additionally, they have offerred to keep a list of Zack’s donors so thank you cards may be written.
If our community donations happen to not cover the entire amount, there is a generous individual that will pay the difference. We are not mentioning his name as we do not have permission to do so. If the donations more than cover Zack’s costs, then the overage will remain in F3 ‘Oliver’s Fund, which helps animals whose humans are financially restricted with unexpected Vet bills and pet food. We will be sure to update the WSB as to the funds donated.
West Seattle weekend scenes: Low tide; smooth sailing; cleanup
Lina Rose says she and husband Scott Rose are glad they saw the most recent edition of the West Seattle Weekend Lineup – they decided to go on last night’s low-tide walk across from Me-Kwa-Mooks, organized by Camp Long, and their memorable discoveries included the beautiful creatures shown in Scott’s photos above and below:
Lots of future Camp Long adventures ahead – browse online here. Earlier in the day, a different sight on Puget Sound – the Three Tree Point Yacht Club‘s Duwamish Head Race (thanks to Hopey for the heads-up it was happening), photographed by Gary J:
And first thing Saturday morning, dozens of volunteers — including the mayor — fanned out in the South Delridge/White Center business district for a Clean-and-Green spruce-up event:
Those two pix are WSB staff photos, but the great Puget Sound pix preceding it came from WSB’ers – if you have a photo to share with your West Seattle neighbors (and others who use WSB to keep in touch with WS), please e-mail us any time at editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
Update: “Gunshot”-type sounds confirmed as fireworks (whew)
ORIGINAL 11:37 PM POST: We don’t have anything official on this but since we’ve received multiple e-mail from various locations, we’re throwing it out for starters in case anyone happens to be close to the epicenter of whatever happened – the notes we have so far report something within the past hour or so that sounded like gunshots. Nothing obvious on the scanner right this moment, and no “assault with weapons” or major aid calls. The locations from which people have e-mailed us with reports of hearing this include 41st/Alaska, 40th/Edmunds, and 41st/Edmunds – the latter note is from someone certain that it happened within a block of their location, but they haven’t heard sirens or anything else tell-tale. ADDED 11:58 PM: Just to reiterate, there is absolutely no proof this was (or wasn’t) shots – some in comments speculated fireworks. We are unlikely to get any official information tonight. ADDED 12:10 AM: Alice, who’s a reliable source, says she lives in the area and confirmed visually it was fireworks. Thanks; that’s the value of this type of post when multiple reports of concern come in – usually someone DOES know something more concrete that we have no way of finding out otherwise, so thanks for the info-sharing.
Update: More details on TV show shooting at Seacrest tomorrow
ORIGINAL 4:13 PM POST: Thanks to JBC for the first tip on this — the Seacrest parking lot will be off-limits tomorrow as will a lot of parking in the area along the east side of Harbor Avenue, 6 am-6 pm, because a film/video crew will be in action. Someone we asked at Seacrest would only say “film” but Adam says his building nearby has been notified it’s a “TV pilot.” (We saw one obvious prop – a makeshift A-board sign for a nameless “Water Taxi” with three tiers of ticket prices that bear no relation to the pricing of the real Water Taxi, which of course is out of service till spring.) We’re off to do more online research in hopes of securing details, but wanted to get word out ASAP about the parking restrictions for tomorrow. 4:41 PM UPDATE: Just got a photo of the notice (thanks again to Adam). Will retype the text here momentarily. Two things of note: Alki Crab and Fish WILL be open during the shoot (which the notice says will last about six hours), and one part of the production will include “the detonation of a charge which will simulate a car explosion.” 4:57 PM UPDATE: To read the entire text of the notice with details about what they’re doing tomorrow, including that “detonation,” and why there may be some intermittent traffic control in the area tomorrow too — plus which show is apparently involved — click ahead:Read More
Update: Alki harbor seal gets a name, and is doing OK
ORIGINAL 3:29 PM POST: Thanks to Colby for the tip and the photos – a baby seal is up on the landing between two waterfront staircases on Alki, across from Pegasus. The area is taped off and under Seal Sitters guard. (4:16 PM P.S.: A commenter asked if it’s alive – Colby’s note included this: “Aside from a little blood on his nose, he (or she?) appears to be resting. Every so often, one might catch a peek of him taking a nice restful breath.”)
7:42 PM UPDATE: Lots of great updates in the comments – thank you all! – most recently, this, from Lynn:
Update from the Seal Sitters: the NOAA biologist discerned from our photos of the Alki pup, which we named Forte which means strong in Spanish, that the wound on his nose is a superficial and not life threatening. Forte is underweight for this time of year but all other signs suggest good health (I.e. Stretching in the banana pose, alertness, steady and calm breathing, no coughing and no discharge from mouth, nose or eyes.) It is natural for a seal to haul out on our beach to rest after foraging and these big storms. Thanks to eveyone for keeping their distance and allowing the pup for sharing our shores. We are grateful to NOAA for their guidance and we will keep the WSB updated. If you want to volunteer for watching over Forte, call 905-SEAL (7325).
This just in from 
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