SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CONSTRUCTION: *No* bridge closure scheduled tonight, but some surface closures/changes continue – here’s the SDOT rundown.

STUDENT WRITERS READ AT THE CENTRAL LIBRARY: Again tonight, student writers from Seattle Public Schools are reading their work at the downtown library HQ (6-8 pm) and we are told that one of tonight’s readers is Chief Sealth International High School student Emily Sjostrom.

‘ONE LESS TRUCK’ AT HPAC: Tonight’s monthly meeting of the Highland Park Action Committee will include information on the city’s upcoming every-2-weeks-trash-pickup pilot project, which – as reported here a week ago – will include 200 HP households. HPAC meets at 7 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club, 12th/Holden.

DOUBLEHEADER AT SKYLARK: Trivia at 7 pm, open mike at 9 pm at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW).

POOL AT ROCKSPORT: Wednesday nights are pool tournament nights, 8 pm at Rocksport in The Junction.

TRAFFIC ALERT – BRIDGE AND VICINITY TONIGHT: Again tonight, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to close from I-5 to Highway 99 – meaning no West Seattle Bridge access from I-5 or Beacon Hill – 10 pm-5 am. (Please note that the closures don’t always start at the exact minute advertised – last night we crossed the bridge eastbound at 10:15, noted westbound was still open, but upon return maybe 15 minutes later, it was closed.) Some surface-street closures too – full details from SDOT, here.

FERRY NOTE: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth is back to three boats a day earlier than expected (the live Vessel Watch confirms this), as promised by Washington State Ferries.

REGISTRATION STARTS FOR COMMUNITY CENTERS’ SUMMER PROGRAMS: Thanks to our friends at Ravenna Blog for the reminder on this one – at noon today, you can start registering for this summer’s programs at city-run community centers, pools (including Southwest and Colman Pools here in West Seattle) and environmental-learning centers (including Camp Long). Link and details are on the Parks home page.

WRITERS IN THE SCHOOLS: Today and tomorrow, readings at the Seattle Public Library downtown feature students from all over the region, and today’s lineup includes Jessada Brown and Adrianne Hall of Sanislo Elementary School.

MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS: As mentioned in our story about the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras’ coaching for orchestral music in local elementary (and other) schools, Highland Park Elementary has orchestra concerts at 1:30 and 6:30 pm today.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT HEARING FOR SCHOOL LEVY PROPOSAL: Though the levy plan isn’t finalized yet, Seattle Public Schools is having hearings on the draft environmental impact statement for its next BEX (Building Excellence, construction-focused) levy, and there’s one 5-6 pm tonight at Roxhill Elementary (30th/Roxbury) – here’s our original preview.

SUP RACE NIGHT: A seasonal weekly tradition – starting at 6 pm at Alki Kayak Tours at Seacrest (1660 Harbor Avenue SW) – details here.

FREE MOVIE NIGHT AT SKYLARK: It’s a new feature – and tonight “Shaun of the Dead” and “Zombieland” will be screened at Skylark Club and Café, starting at 7 pm (3803 Delridge Way SW).

NO BLOCKWATCH CAPTAINS’ NETWORK MEETING – BUT RSVP FOR THE PARTY! The West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network has decided *not* to have its regular monthly meeting tonight after all, but DOES renew its invitation to local captains to RSVP for the *free* celebration coming up exactly one month from tonight – register online ASAP, here.

(Great blue heron on Arbor Heights rooftop, photographed by a nearby resident)
Welcome to the week before Memorial Day … summer is in view, despite the weather, which we’re still warned will be rainy and windy today. From the calendar:

SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CLOSURE AND OTHER TRAFFIC ALERTS: The westbound Spokane Street Viaduct – the West Seattle Bridge between I-5 and Highway 99 – is scheduled to be closed from I-5 to Highway 99 from 10 pm to 5 am tonight, while one lane will be closed on the eastbound SSV 9 pm-5 am. This means you won’t be able to get to the West Seattle Bridge from I-5, but you WILL be able to exit from southbound 99 to the bridge. There are some other closures on the surface – the details are here.

FERRY ALERT: As announced last week, the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth state ferry run is on a two-boat schedule today and tomorrow because of an overlap between one boat being out for inspection and another out for repairs.

AT THE LIBRARIES: Lots going on every week at West Seattle’s branches of the Seattle Public Library – today, that includes an Afternoon Book Group at 2 pm at Southwest Library (reading “The Moonstone” by Wilkie Collins) , and Family Story Time at 7 pm at High Point – find all the info via the SPL Calendar of Events.

GET RAW WITH THE COOKING CLUB: “Raw” is the theme for dishes to make and bring to today’s meeting of the West Seattle Cooking Club, 3 pm, Beveridge Place Pub.

WOMEN’S STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING: Monday nights at Alki Kayak Tours (Seacrest Boathouse, 1660 Harbor Avenue SW), it’s time for women to get out on the water, starting at 6 pm.

BUDGET CONVERSATION: The third and final edition of the City Council’s three budget conversations – looking ahead to fall – isn’t in West Seattle, but it’s as close as this round of conversation is getting – 6 pm at New Holly.

LEARN ABOUT GROWING ORGANIC FOOD: Seattle Tilth is on hand 6:30 pm tonight at Chaco Canyon Organic Café (WSB sponsor).

SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE’S ENERGY FAIR: No, it doesn’t have to be sunny for solar power to work. Learn about alternative energy of all kinds and whether it might be right for you, as Sustainable West Seattle’s monthly community forum takes the shape of an Energy Fair this month. 7-9 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon).

(“Live” image from traffic camera over the Alaskan Way Viaduct, looking north)
ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT STILL CLOSED: It’s scheduled to reopen by 5 tomorrow morning; it’s been closed all weekend for reinforcement work looking ahead to tunnel construction beneath it.

WEST SEATTLE 5K AND SEATTLE SUMMER STREETS: The no-parking zones along the beach are already in effect; the 5K walk/run starts just after 9, and the Summer Streets activities just after 11, both of which mean traffic advisories and bus detours for Alki until 5 pm. Links – including the full list of activities/events during Summer Streets – map, and more, here.

FURRY FACES’ PLANT SALE, DAY 2: Above, just some of the plants on sale at 3809 46th SW during Furry Faces Foundation’s annual plant sale, continuing today, 10 am-4 pm.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Here’s what’s new, according to the WSFM Facebook page: “Puget Beach Shellfish is back for spring! Rockridge Orchards has JAPANESE CUKES. And Alpenfire Cider will be sampling their local fizzies!” 10 am-2 pm at 44th and Alaska in The Junction.

SUPER DELI MART ANNIVERSARY PARTY: The store at 35th and Barton is celebrating its third anniversary and inviting the community to a free barbecue, 11 am-6 pm.

CELEBRATING PEONIES: That’s what’s happening today at the Seattle Chinese Garden on the north side of the South Seattle Community College campus, noon-4:30 pm.

MUSIC AT C & P: Jamtime performs, 1-4 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW.

GLEE CLUB IN CONCERT: Never mind the clouds, the songs are about sunshine and summer as the Seattle Metropolitan Glee Club performs at 4 pm at Peace Lutheran Church (39th/Thistle).

ECLIPSE, THOUGH IT’S NOT LIKELY TO BE VISIBLE: The radar suggests virtually no chance of this, but in the “anything can happen” spirit, that partial solar eclipse is happening late today – here’s the preview we published the other day.

FRANK FEST! Celebrate the music of Frank Sinatra with Tony La Stella performing after dinner (6 pm) tonight at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor). Details here.

SHOWCASE OF NEW PLAYS: Final night for this three-night showcase at ArtsWest, 7 pm. Whose plays are up tonight, you ask? Info here.

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION HUBS’ DRILL: Two of West Seattle’s “hubs” are activated this morning for a drill in which volunteers are running through a scenario of dealing with the aftermath of a terrorism attack. We just took that photo as the Fauntleroy hub volunteers were gathering for their briefing. The drill, which includes amateur-radio operators as well as volunteers elsewhere in the city, is scheduled to continue till noon.

SPRING CLEAN! Puget Ridge, Highland Park, and White Center have Spring Clean events under way now through early afternoon. If you’re not volunteering – still time to get involved on Puget Ridge! – at least give ‘em a thumbs-up as you pass by.

FURRY FACES FOUNDATION PLANT SALE: Buy plants, help animals! 3809 46th SW, 10 am-4 pm (continues tomorrow too, if you don’t make it to the sale today).

TIBBETTS CHURCH BOOK SALE: 10 am-1 pm at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) – go get your summer reading lined up!

COFFEE WITH YOUR CONGRESSMAN: One year ago, U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott came to C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) in West Seattle for an hour-long Q/A session with constituents. This morning he’s at Dubsea Coffee in White Center (8th about a block south of Roxbury), 10 am.

STUDENTS’ TOMATO-PLANT PROJECT: Remember that Arbor Heights classroom, growing tomato plants to give away and sell? Today’s their day at Roxbury Safeway, till about 1:30.

EUROPAKIDS OPEN HOUSE: EuropaKids International Preschool (WSB sponsor) is adding a new location this fall, but today’s open house, 10:30-noon, is at their current location, Southwest Teen Life Center/Neighborhood Service Center, 2801 SW Thistle.

REGISTER FOR TOMORROW’S WEST SEATTLE 5K: 1-4 pm today, you can sign up at West Seattle High School, whose PTSA organizes the walk/run.

WHAT ARE THE LINCOLN PARK OWLS UP TO THESE DAYS? Maybe in the mood for love, says naturalist Stewart Wechsler, who’s leading an owling walk through the park starting at 6:30 tonight.

SHOWCASE OF NEW PLAYS: Second of three nights at ArtsWest features works by five playwrights, 7 pm.

NORTHWEST CHORALE’S FOOD-BANK BENEFIT: 7:30 pm at Holy Rosary – enjoy classical vocal music, free, with free-will offering as a food-bank benefit.

Much more on the calendar!

P.S. If you missed this last night – here’s our roundup of major traffic alerts ahead, including this weekend’s Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 closure and the Sunday advisories on Alki.

Six days after the 8th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, garage/yard/rummage sale season rolls on – and there’s a biggie these next two days, at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. We stopped by during prep work on Thursday and found, among other things, what you see above – a Wild West outfit made from duct tape. Many more-conventional items too, of course:

St. John’s is just south of West Seattle High School, at California/Hanford. The sale runs 9 am-3 pm today and tomorrow.

(Photo by Danny McMillin, taken south of Alki Point, shared via Flickr)
WESTBOUND SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CLOSURE TONIGHT – AND 1 LANE CLOSED EASTBOUND: After scattered shorter closures recently, the entirety of the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to be closed tonight, as part of the continuing work in the final months of the project to widen it, 10 pm-5 am. And this time, the eastbound stretch also is scheduled to be reduced to one lane, 11 pm-5 am. Details here, from SDOT.

AND REMINDER, ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT/99 CLOSURE THIS WEEKEND: 11 pm Friday to 5 am Monday, crews are scheduled to continue reinforcing the AWV in advance of the tunneling that will happen beneath it. (Full details here from WSDOT.)

PIZZA BENEFIT FOR SANISLO: 11 am-11 pm today, Red Star Pizza is donating ten percent to Sanislo Elementary, according to the school’s PTA.

WEST SEATTLE NOONERS’ MEMBERSHIP EXTRAVAGANZA: Local businessperson? The West Seattle Nooners group (WSB sponsor) is interested in meeting you at its Membership Extravaganza today, noon at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – read all about it here.

WEST SEATTLE CELLARS WINE TASTING: In addition to pouring at the Taste of West Seattle (next preview), West Seattle Cellars (WSB sponsor) is having its regular Thursday night tasting too – 5:30-8 pm, full details here. (Don’t forget to check out the WSB coupon for first-timers.) 6026 California SW.

TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE: The 7th annual benefit for West Seattle Helpline is bigger than ever – with a long list of food/beverage providers participating. If online ticketing is closed by the time you check this link, there might be some left at the door – 6:30 pm is when the main event begins. The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW; remember it’s 21+ only)

FIRST PTA MEETING FOR K-5 STEM AT BOREN: The school opens in less than four months, and families are deciding now how to organize their PTA – as a PTSA affiliated with that larger group, or maybe as an independent smaller group. Be part of the launch, 6:30 pm at Southwest Library (35th/Henderson).

‘BYE BYE BIRDIE’ CONTINUES: It’s West Seattle High School‘s spring musical, and you can cheer the student actors, singers, and musicians tonight at 7:30 pm. Ticketing info and more on the Westside Drama website.

11:44 PM UPDATE: So far comment discussion has zeroed in on a runway closure at Sea-Tac that was scheduled to start two days ago – here’s their announcement.

Community Notice

We have been advised by the Museum of Flight that upcoming flight events may create noisy conditions for communities surrounding Boeing Field, such as the neighborhoods of Georgetown, Beacon Hill, Magnolia, West Seattle; and portions of Renton and Tukwila:

Beginning on May 21 and lasting through Memorial Day weekend, the Museum of Flight is hosting B-17 Bomber tours and rides on the Seattle-born Aluminum Overcast; and a range of vintage military aircraft sponsored by the Cascade War Birds Fly In.

Residents should be aware that these aircraft are sanctioned by permits from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and are intended for the enjoyment of pilots, fans of aviation history, and the general public.
KCIA is an open-access airport and is not authorized to restrict any aircraft 24/7. To file a noise complaint, please contact 206-205-5242; or online at KCIANoise@kingcounty.gov.

(Butterflies are here! Photographed in West Seattle by Machel Spence)
From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

EARLY DISMISSAL DAY: Seattle Public Schools are out two hours early today.

HIGH-SCHOOL POSTSEASON GAMES: The Chief Sealth International High School soccer team’s first state playoff game is today vs. Shorewood HS at Shoreline Stadium (18560 1st Ave NE). In the district softball tournament, Sealth plays Liberty at 2 pm at Lower Woodland Park (Green Lake Way and N. 50th); West Seattle High School plays Mount Si, also at 2 pm at Lower Woodland.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: The final vote on hiring José Banda as superintendent is on tonight’s agenda, as is the revised proposal for changing next year’s transportation plan – one that the district says will mean little if any change in bell times, unlike the one that was withdrawn after its appearance, with no public input, sparked concern (see the new one here). The meeting’s at 6 pm, district HQ in SODO (2445 3rd Avenue S.). **added** We also have learned that the public-comment section will include speakers on behalf of Middle College High School, the public high school based at South Seattle Community College, which is facing a move to a new location, as was confirmed during last week’s BEX IV levy work session covered here.

PATHFINDER K-8 PLAYGROUND ADDITION KICKOFF: The community’s invited to this dinner meeting to talk about transforming the school playground, as explained here. 6 pm, Pathfinder cafeteria (1901 SW Genesee).

WINE AND WISDOM: The monthly “mingle” sponsored by Savvy Seattle Women is at 6 tonight, Prudential Northwest Realty offices in Jefferson Square.

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: Tonight’s meeting (7 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW) includes a county presentation about the bioswales/raingardens proposed in parts of Sunrise Heights and Westwood to reduce combined-sewer overflows at the Barton Pump Station by the Fauntleroy ferry dock.

‘BYE BYE BIRDIE’: The second week of West Seattle High School‘s spring musical continues, 7:30 pm. Ticketing info and more on the Westside Drama website.

More on the calendar!

(“Bye Bye Birdie” photo courtesy WSHS Drama)
Lots to do/see/hear tonight, from sports to musical theater to symphonic music to art:

HEALTH AND HARVEST: The weekly tour/work party at the Community Orchard of West Seattle is 2-4 pm Tuesday afternoons (6000 16th SW, north end of South Seattle Community College campus)

LIVE ART BASH: And you can be among the “stars” – bring your project/quest for inspiration to Mind Unwind in the Admiral District for this weekly event, 6-9 pm, explained on the M/U website. (2206 California SW)

WSHS BASEBALL PLAYOFF GAME: There’s only one high-school-baseball postseason game on the schedule in the area tonight and West Seattle HS is in it, facing Liberty at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, 6:30 pm. (1321 SW 102nd)

WORLD PREMIERE ON THE PROGRAM: West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ second of two spring concerts is tonight, 7 pm, Chief Sealth International High School auditorium, with new works including “Fantasies and Fugues” by WSCO conductor Rob Duisberg, Ph.D. Admission free, donations accepted. (2600 SW Thistle)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: In addition to the monthly police-leadership briefing on crime trends, tonight’s program includes a special guest on victims’ rights. 7 pm, Southwest Precinct meeting room (southwest side of building, off Webster west of Delridge)

‘BYE BYE BIRDIE’ ADDS TONIGHT: You’re invited to the WSHS theater at 7:30 tonight for an added night of the school’s spring musical (last Friday was a last-minute scrub, so this week’s run starts a night early). Ticket information is on the Westside Drama website.

More on the calendar – including what’s up tomorrow, next week, next month …

Mid-May has been looking more like mid-July lately; Jody Baker shares the photo of Sunday’s crowd at Alki Beach. Today’s supposed to get into the low 80s, though unless there’s an en-masse sickout, the beach should be a little quieter. Besides the weather, here are highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

WESTBOUND SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CLOSURE LATE TONIGHT (technically early Tuesday): 2-5 am Tuesday, that short section of the westbound bridge at 99 will be closed again, as explained here. (And looking way ahead, remember NEXT weekend, the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed all weekend.)

BIKE AND BUS? FREE RIDE! As mentioned here Sunday night, if you take your bike on a Metro bus (or Sound Transit lines operated by Metro, including the 560), you get a free ride all week. First-come first-served for the bike racks, though.

STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING FOR WOMEN: Monday nights at Alki Kayak Tours (Seacrest Boathouse, 1660 Harbor Avenue SW), it’s time for women to get out on the water, starting at 6 pm, and tonight the weather should be perfect.

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Their monthly meeting is at 6:30 pm, Delridge Library. The agenda’s on the NDNC website; it’s a busy one, with updates from parks to roads to festivals.

AT THE LIBRARIES: Three events tonight at Seattle Public Library branches in West Seattle, all featured on the SPL Calendar of Events: Evening Book Group at Southwest Library, 6:45 pm, reading “The Reluctant Fundamentalist“; Seattle Reads ‘The Submission’ Book Group at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, also 6:45 pm; and Family Story Time at the High Point Library, 7 pm.

NEW HOURS, NEW MENU AT FEEDBACK LOUNGE: New for spring/summer – The Feedback (WSB sponsor) opens at 4 pm Mondays-Thursdays, 11:30 am Fridays-Sundays (full details on their home page), and a new menu will debut today.

WEST SEATTLE SPORTSMEN’S CLUB KIDS’ FISHING POND: The annual tradition is under way now till 11 am (unless all the fish are caught sooner) at Seacrest. We stopped by around 7:30 am and John Zigalla was kind enough to “test the waters.” The club sets up the portable pond, stocks it with about 200 rainbow trout (there are a few BIG ones!), supplies the poles, and the kids get to keep “their” fish.

STAMP OUT HUNGER! Get the bag of food out to your mailbox! Now! Or by your door if your mail arrives there. The letter carrier’s one-day drive is explained here.

PINEWOOD DERBY: From Cub Scout Pack 793:

Are you looking for something fun to do this weekend? How about coming over to the Holy Rosary Gym on Saturday May 11th at 4PM to cheer on your West Seattle Pack 793 Cub Scouts as they have their annual Pinewood Derby! The scouts have been working hard over the last 3 months to perfect their cars. The big event is on Saturday starting at 4 PM. We will have food and drinks available, so please come enjoy this pre-Mothers day event!

WANNA RACE TOO?
We are looking for individuals and businesses as well for a future event! We know that the scouts in all of you would like to enjoy this iconic Cub Scout tradition. We have the track. We have the space. But we are looking for the interest from you! At both the practice and the main event, we will have sign up sheets for an event later this summer to be determined. Please come by to share your enthusiasm for the event and provide your contact information. If you would like to participate as a business, we will provide you with sponsorship packages once the date has been determined.

TROOP 284 SPAGHETTI DINNER AND AUCTION: Tonight, starting at 5, at Our Lady of Guadalupe School Hall! (34th/Myrtle) Details in the calendar listing.

LULU SMITH TRUNK SHOW AT CLICK! In addition to all that garage-saling, there’s fun stuff at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) – with a Lulu Smith trunk show 11 am-5 pm AND there’s chocolate. Really. More info/links in the calendar listing.

THE MAMA-LOGUES! Just in time for Mother’s Day. Tonight at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – details including ticket info here.

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL ARTS BENEFIT: 6 pm tonight, including the 8 pm performance of “Bye Bye Birdie” and a lot more, with proceeds benefiting arts programs at WSHS. Details here.

AND … you can also just get a ticket to see “Bye Bye Birdie” but please note it’s at 8 pm tonight instead of 7:30.

‘THE REHEARSAL ROOM’ AT SEALTH: 2nd of 3 performances for Chief Sealth International High School‘s original student musical “The Rehearsal Room,” 7:30 tonight. Tickets are available online as well as at the door.

Lots more on the calendar! And if you missed them elsewhere, West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day maps and info, here; see the list of sales benefiting nonprofits, here.