(Fall colors on Delridge Way – photo by Flickr member old desolate, via the WSB Flickr group)
Long list of major local happenings for today/tonight – check it out!

FIREFIGHTER STORY TIME: 11 am, Southwest Branch Library, it’s your only chance this time around to bring kids to meet local firefighters and learn a fun, important lesson about fire safety. (35th/Henderson)

NORTHWEST CENTER TOUR: As previewed this morning, employers are invited to find out firsthand what it’s like to have an inclusive workforce, by touring NW Center’s nearby HQ at 12:15 pm. If you can’t make it today, there’s another tour next Thursday – details in our story. (7272 West Marginal Way S.)

HIGH-SCHOOL VARSITY SPORTS: West Seattle High School soccer is on the road today, 3:30 pm, playing Nathan Hale at Addams Playfields in the north end; both WSHS and Chief Sealth IHS varsity volleyball teams play on their respective home courts at 7 pm. (WSHS, 3000 California SW; Sealth. 2600 SW Thistle)

WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK OPEN HOUSE: 5-7 pm, celebrate an anniversary, a book, and the fight against hunger in our community. From Judi at WSFB:

Please join the West Seattle Food Bank at their 30th Anniversary Open House. Take a tour and learn how they serve the West Seattle Community. They’ll be serving appetizers and beverages as well as wine tasting with their partner’s Sozo. Get your “hot off the press” copy of “Hunger Immortal: The first 30 years of the West Seattle Food Bank, 1983-2013” written and autographed by long time WSFB board member Rev. Ron Marshall. The book will cost $30 with all proceeds going to the West Seattle Food Bank. Share with your friends, everyone is welcome! Thanks to event sponsors Husky Deli & Catering and Elliott Bay Brewery.

(35th and Morgan)

5 ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS: Plan your health-care future with expert help – free event (no RSVP required!) at Emeritus at Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor). Starts with refreshments at 5:30 pm; details in our calendar listing. (2326 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: New venues have joined the list/map for the fall quarter – including brand-new venue Pershing Hall in The Triangle – so take a fresh look at where to go and who to see for tonight’s Art Walk, 6-9 pm. Here’s the walking map/venue list, and here’s the official WSAW website with artist/venue previews.

CHIEF SEALTH IHS OPEN HOUSE/CURRICULUM NIGHT: For Chief Sealth International High School students’ families, it’s the big night to meet teachers and find out more about what’s happening this year. 6-8 pm. (2600 SW Thistle)

DESIGN REVIEW MEETING: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, the Southwest Design Review Board gets another look at 4435 35th SW, the mixed-use building that was first proposed in 2009, then shelved, then redesigned, and now working its way through the system. Here’s our preview, including a link to the design “packet,” showing what architect GGLO and developers Trinsic are proposing. All welcome at tonight’s meeting, which will include a public-comment period. (California/Oregon)

PARKS BOARD CONSIDERS BICYCLE-POLICY UPDATE: Seattle Parks is considering an update to the 20-year-old policy about bicycle use in parks, and the public hearing is at tonight’s Parks Board meeting downtown. Documents here and here – several West Seattle parks are named. Meeting’s at 6:30 pm at Parks HQ. (100 Dexter Ave. N.)

TEEN ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE COMMUNITY MEETING: 7-8:30 pm in the library at West Seattle High School – come talk about urgent community action to address teen drug/alcohol abuse, as detailed in the meeting announcement. (3000 California SW)

SEATTLE STAIRWAYS @ GSNC: Tonight’s regular meeting of the Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council includes a presentation by Cathy and Jake Jaramillo, authors of “Seattle Stairway Walks.” 7 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church. (3601 California SW)

RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE? From West Seattleite Brian Callanan – not happening in West Seattle, but includes local participation, and it’s a big topic for businesses and workers citywide:

The Seattle Channel is covering a hot topic Thursday night: The possibility of raising the minimum wage. It’s a huge part of the local political races in Seattle and the focus of a controversial ballot measure in the city of SeaTac this November. Come voice your opinions as part of our live studio audience in a forum at NewHolly Gathering Hall at 7054 32nd Avenue South at 7 pm. Admission is free, but please register at seattlechannel.org. More details here. Husky Deli’s own Jack Miller has agreed to be on our panel to talk about business impacts in West Seattle, so come out and let your voices be heard, too!

NIGHTLIFE: Big night here too! Music, pub quiz, open microphone, much more – see all the listings right on our calendar.