Thanks to Mark Wangerin for the photo of a pigeon guillemot that’s now sporting its springtime look. As we bask in unexpected sunshine, here’s what’s ahead for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SEEDS FOR EARTH DAY: With your coffee (or any other purchase) at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) today, get a packet of wildflower seeds, in honor of Earth Day. (4410 California SW)

MINI-PLANTS FOR EARTH DAY: Also in The Junction, an Earth Day traditiona at Fleurt (celebrating its 5th anniversary!) – drop off an unwanted pot or jar, get a mini-plant. (4536 California SW)

BLOOD DRIVE: The Bloodmobile is at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) 10:30 am-4:30 pm today, with a break from 12:30 pm-1:30 pm. All who can donate are welcome to stop by and do so; more info here. (6000 16th SW)

GET OUT OF THE (HOME) OFFICE: Noon meetup at West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor) for entrepreneurs, at-home workers, etc. – come network, take a break from the usual setting, see what everyone else is up to. (6040 California SW)

BEACH CLEANUP FOR EARTH DAY: 2:30-4 pm, join the local Surfrider Foundation chapter in cleaning up Alki Beach, as previewed here.

YOUTH-LED COMMUNITY DISCUSSION ABOUT SAFETY: 5:30 pm at High Point Community Center, be part of a youth-facilitated discussion about community safety, world-café style – explained here. (6920 34th SW)

TALK ABOUT SPACE! NASA Solar System Ambassador Dr. Ron Hobbs is at Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) at 6:30 pm, and the community is invited:

Dr. Hobbs’ presentation, titled “Exploring Strange New Worlds; A Space Exploration Update,” will introduce exciting developments in space exploration. This talk is aimed to inspire upper elementary and middle school students and their families. Admission is free of charge. An RSVP is requested by email at events@explorer-west.org.

In this special Earth Day Explorer presentation, Dr. Hobbs will talk about the new frontiers including the latest discoveries in comets, dwarf planets, and the Mars rover. With the goal of igniting enthusiasm and imagination of the new frontiers that lie in outer space, Dr. Hobbs will also illustrate the ways that the discoveries from these missions will impact our life on earth.

Please note the RSVP request above. (10015 28th SW)

HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: 6:30 pm potluck, 7 pm meeting at Highland Park Improvement Club – as previewed here, a new city employment initiative will be discussed. Plus, District 1 City Council candidate Chas Redmond. (12th/Holden)

COMEDY SHOWCASE: 8 pm at Feedback Lounge, hosted by West Seattle’s own Mona Concepcion, it’s the Jay Wendall Walker 55th Anniversary Show – laugh it up! (6451 California SW)

AND THIS IS JUST THE START … see everything else happening today/tonight (and beyond) by going to our calendar.

Thanks to “Diver Laura” James for the video from Constellation Park at low tide – one place you might consider being when the tide’s out to -1.7 feet again at 1:31 pm today. (Check tides – as well as forecasts, sun/moon times and phases, and more – on the WSB West Seattle Weather page, any time.)

Also for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

DROP-IN CHESS: 4-5:30 pm at High Point Branch Library, kids/teens welcome to stop in and play, all skill levels, coaches/game sets on hand, free. (35th/Raymond)

TUESDAY TUNE-UP FUNDRAISER: 6:30-8:30 pm, enjoy live music at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) while helping raise money for Ladybug House during the Tuesday Tune-Up – details here. (1936 Harbor SW)

CITY ATTORNEY AT CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct, find out about local crime trends, ask questions about neighborhood concerns, and hear from this month’s special guest, City Attorney Pete Holmes. All welcome. (Webster/Delridge)

WEST SEATTLE QUILTERS: Join them tonight at 7 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle. (Oregon/California)

SEE INTO THE FUTURE … more events for today, plus what’s up tomorrow and way beyond, all on the calendar page.

If you’ve been out of town and/or offline all weekend … you might have missed the unusually vivid sunsets. Above, that’s a Sunday night photo shared by DLBJ; we also featured Saturday night’s view here, Friday night photos here (also – on Facebook and on Instagram). A stream of smoke from Siberia gets the credit. Thanks to EVERYONE who shares photos – sunrises, sunsets, wildlife, breaking news – editor@westseattleblog.com or texted to 206-293-6302. Now, on with what’s up for today/tonight:

HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Home games – 3:30 pm, West Seattle HS baseball vs. Lakeside at Hiawatha (2700 California SW); 4 pm, Chief Sealth IHS softball vs. Ingraham at SWAC (2801 SW Thistle).

REGIONAL MEETING ABOUT SPECIAL EDUCATION: 6 pm at West Seattle High School, as announced by the district: “Learn about changes in Special Education in Seattle Public Schools, and ask questions. … Interpreters will be available for Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, and Chinese. Supervised children’s activities will be provided.” (3000 California SW)

ONLINE MEETING ABOUT TRANSPORTATION LEVY: Can’t make it (or don’t want to go) to a face-to-face meeting about the Transportation Levy to Move Seattle? 6 pm tonight, check out SDOT’s “online meeting” – explained here (with a registration link).

FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30 pm at High Point Branch Library – bring the family! Free & fun. (35th/Raymond)

PIGEON POINT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Meets at 7 pm in the cafeteria at Pathfinder K-8 School. (1901 SW Genesee)

DEADLINE FOR GRAB-AND-GO BENEFIT ORDERS: Over the weekend, we mentioned this Relay for Life-West Seattle team benefit – your chance to preorder grab-and-go ravioli dinners for tomorrow night. It’ll be too late to mention in the “West Seattle Tuesday” preview; check out our earlier story for how to place an order.

THAT’S NOT ALL … see our calendar for more.

(Last Friday’s sunrise, photographed by Lynn Hall)

Happy Sunday! From the calendar:

POSSIBLE FLYOVER ALERT: The Mariners-Rangers game at 1:10 pm at Safeco Field is the annual Salute to the Armed Forces. That often means a flyover/flyby, which often goes over West Seattle before and/or after. So now you know. The pre-game ceremony starts around 12:20 pm.

Also today/tonight:

WEST SEATTLE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB BREAKFAST: Already an amateur-radio operator? Or, interested? 9:30 am, you’re invited to the monthly breakfast meeting of the West Seattle Amateur Radio Club. New location – Young’s Restaurant. (9413 16th SW)

ALKI STAIRWAY WALK! Beautiful day to get out on foot. Join West Seattleites Cathy and Jake Jaramillo of “Seattle Stairway Walks” for a FREE Alki-area stairway walk from the Log House Museum, 10 am. (61st/Stevens)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: More new arrivals every week. 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Alaska)

SDOT @ FARMERS’ MARKET: Want to talk to SDOT about the draft Transportation Levy – or something else? The city says SDOT reps will be at the WSFM 10 am-2 pm.

GREYHOUND ‘MEET AND GREET’: 11 am-1 pm at Mud Bay in Admiral – details here. (2611 California SW)

GET A DEAL ON WEST SEATTLE 5K REGISTRATION: 1-5 pm at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), sign up for the May 17th West Seattle 5K at the lowest rate available. (2743 California SW)

FREE SHREDDING: 1-4 pm at High Point Branch Library – please see the listing for info on how much you can bring. (35th/Raymond)

MUSIC X 2 AT C & P: Two acts on the calendar today at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – Jamtime, 1-4 pm, and Gary Benson, 5-7 pm. (5612 California SW)

‘PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE’: Third performance for Twelfth Night Productions‘ new production “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” by Steve Martin. Matinee today – 3 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Tickets are available online. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

CLASSICAL ELEGANCE AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm, Kenyon Hall is where you’ll find an elegant program of classical music – details here. (7904 35th SW)

EVEN MORE … on our calendar.

(Photo by Trileigh Tucker – two eagles in flight over Lincoln Park)

Happy Saturday! It is a day of “Days,” as you’ll see in these highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

RECORD STORE DAY: Under way now at Easy Street Records – lots of special events, continuing through the 10 pm show by The Sonics – check the ESR website for who’s there and what’s up. (California/Alaska)

TAX-FREE DAY IN THE JUNCTION: All-day sales at 30 participating businesses – listed on the West Seattle Junction Association website – including WSB sponsors AAA, Click! Design That Fits, Curious Kidstuff, Emerald Water Anglers, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse, Vain, Wallflower Custom Framing.

BOOK DRIVE: 9 am-1 pm, as previewed here, Miss Seattle, Taryn Smith, is at Merryweather Books in The Junction to collect donated children’s books for families being helped by Mary’s Place. (4537 California SW)

AQUARIUM SOCIETY AUCTION: 9 am preview, 10 am bidding, continuing until 1 pm at the West Seattle Christian Church Activity Center, it’s the annual Greater Seattle Aquarium Society Auction – details here. (4400 42nd SW)

DUWAMISH ALIVE: 10 am-2 pm, work parties at 11 sites on the Duwamish River and/or in its watershed. Preregistration was requested, but we suspect they wouldn’t mind if you showed up somewhere to help.

SHOPPING SPREE: 10 am, be at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) to cheer on the winner of a drawing as part of a West Seattle Food Bank fundraiser – the prize, a time-limit shopping spree in the store. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)

APRIL POOL’S DAY: Free safety event at Southwest Pool (and fun, too!), 10:30 am – details here. (2801 SW Thistle)

DONNA PARKER @ KENYON HALL: 2 pm, internationally recognized organist plays The Mighty Wurlitzer at Kenyon Hall. (7904 35th SW)

BABYWEARING INTERNATIONAL: 2:30-4:30 pm, the Seattle chapter meets at High Point Branch Library – details here. (35th/Raymond)

‘RING OF HONOR’ FOR BOB DOWDING: 6 pm, a special tribute for the longtime Seattle Lutheran High School teacher/athletic director who passed away earlier this year.

ROO FORREST AND FRIENDS: Live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

‘PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE’: Night two for Twelfth Night Productions‘ new production “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” by Steve Martin, billed as an “Off-Broadway absurdist comedy.” Curtain time is 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Tickets are available online. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

4 options for tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, starting with theater:

(Photo by Barbara M. Fuentes)
‘PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE’: Twelfth Night Productions opens its new production, “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” by Steve Martin, an “Off-Broadway absurdist comedy (that) places Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in a Parisian cafe in 1904.” Curtain time is 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Tickets are available online. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

Also tonight:

FREE MOVIE NIGHT AT HPIC: Doors open 6 pm, children’s short at 6:15 pm, main feature at 7. More info plus movie hints here. (12th/Holden)

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP AT SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN: Two sessions, first one 7 pm tonight – see our listing for details and how to check if there’s still room! Seattle Chinese Garden is on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)

ALBUM RELEASE SHOW: Michele D’Amour and The Love Dealers, 9 pm, Feedback Lounge, “high energy, danceable blues with a touch of funk and R&B,” marking the release of their new album “Ante Up.” (6451 California SW)

Six quick reminders for the rest of today/tonight, before it’s too late:

SW ROXBURY SAFETY PROJECT ‘OPEN HOUSE’: Questions about the changes planned for SW Roxbury? 3-4:30 pm, SDOT‘s at Southwest Branch Library. (35th/Henderson)

DESIGN REVIEW FOR NEW EYE CLINIC: The 7520 35th SW project‘s 3rd review by the Southwest Design Review Board, 6:30 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle. (Oregon/California)

SMOKING BAN IN CITY PARKS? 6:30 pm public hearing before city Parks Board. (100 Dexter)

WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK: Also at the Senior Center – 6:30 pm potluck, 7 pm meeting; details here.

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm, Alki UCC, with a Homestead update. (6115 SW Hinds)

LIVE MUSIC: 6:30 pm, Greg Miller at Admiral Bird (California/Admiral); 7 pm, Dawes in-store at Easy Street Records. (California/Alaska)

(WSB photo taken at Seacrest this morning, after the West Seattle Water Taxi sailed away)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, six highlights for this afternoon/evening:

‘LITTLE MERMAID’ SINGALONG: The Southwest Branch Library spring-break singalongs for kids/teens continue, 2:30-4:30 pm – details in our listing. (35th/Henderson)

FREE YOGA CLASS: 6 pm at Delridge Community Center – no charge, but please call to register. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

FREE BICYCLE-MAINTENANCE CLINIC: 6:30 pm, Cycle U in West Seattle offers its free monthly clinic in bike maintenance and fixing flats – details here. (3418 Harbor SW)

MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), MoCA‘s quarterly meeting. The agenda:

7:05 Elections: All meeting participants may vote
New Officers:
Vice President – Jason Wax
Secretary –
New Executive Board Members
SW District Council Representative – Tod Rodman
Executive Board – Cindi Barker and Tod Rodman

7:15 District 1 Candidate messages – 5 minutes each
• Lisa Herbold
• Phillip Tavel
• Tom Koch

7:30 MoCA Minute Updates
• NEW ‘Little Library’ for Morgan Junction Park
• 10 years already!! The Morgan Junction Festival
• Future Morgan Junction Park Expansion & SW Eddy Street
• Hub Drill and Hub-a-thon – April 17, April 18, and May 9
• California Avenue streetscape improvement request

7:35: Special Guest – Dove Alberg – Director, Capital Development and Construction Management, Finance and Administrative Services, City of Seattle.

8:00 Old Business
Morgan cut-through traffic study
Morgan Junction Business Association
New Bike Racks
SW Precinct Advisory Committee
Sidewalk Improvement Grant
Nazarene Church Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Receivership Committee report – Proposed By Laws Changes

8:35 New Business
Report from SW District Council – Design Review Concerns
YMCA Expansion Endorsement
Neighborhood Conservation District proposal
Workshop – Things to know now that you are 50

The meeting rooms are on the lower level of The Kenney. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Agenda:

7:05 p.m. Welcome & Introductions

7:15 p.m. North Delridge Action Plan

7:30 p.m. “Aging Your Way: Things to Know Now That You’re 50”

7:40 p.m. Levy to Move Seattle

8:10 p.m. Update on NPSF

8:15 p.m. DNDC Member Additional Updates & Announcements

8:30 p.m. Closing Remarks/Other Items

(4408 Delridge Way SW)

WORDSWEST LITERARY SERIES:This month, “Death and Taxes: The National Poetry Month Special with Kelli Russell Agodon and January Gill O’Neil”:

7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). Read more about WordsWest here! (5612 California SW)

AND OF COURSE … there’s more on the calendar.

(Band-tailed pigeon in Fauntleroy Park, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Flying on into the Tuesday highlights from our calendar:

‘WEST SIDE STORY’ SINGALONG: 2:30-5 pm at Southwest Branch Library, kids and teens are welcome to sing along with the classic musical movie – more info here. (35th/Henderson)

WATER RATE INCREASE? 2 pm at the City Council’s Public Utilities and Neighborhoods Committee meeting, discussion starts on the projected water-rate increases – reported and discussed here last Friday. Watch live via Seattle Channel – or go to City Hall. (600 4th Av., downtown)

‘BEGINNING WINE TASTING’ CLASSES: Three-class series begins at 6 pm at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – info here, including how to sign up ASAP if there’s room! (6000 16th SW)

JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle:

Our guest speaker will be discussing RPZ parking and how to request modifications to the current RPZ criteria which do not work for our neighborhood: Margo Polley, Strategic Adviser at Seattle Department of Transportation. We will also be joined by some team members of the Dept. of Neighborhoods to talk about small sparks grants and the PACE program. … JuNO is looking for a webmaster and committee leaders & community event planners.

All welcome. (Oregon/California)

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at The Sanctuary at Admiral – agenda includes SDOT briefings on Admiral Way bike-lane plans west of California SW and 20 mph plans in neighborhoods near West Seattle High School. (42nd/Lander)

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm business meeting in the conference room at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. (9131 California SW)

NIGHTLIFE TOO … check the calendar!

(Satyr Anglewing butterfly, photographed by Trileigh Tucker)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP: Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s/dementia? At 1:30 pm, a twice-monthly support group meets at Providence Mount St. Vincent – details here. (4831 35th SW)

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. So far, here’s what’s on the agenda – but it’s YOUR community meeting, so if you have an idea, concern, question, be there. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

SW LIBRARY EVENING BOOK GROUP: 6:45 pm, this month’s Evening Book Group at the Southwest Branch talks about “The Painter” by Peter Heller – info (and next month’s title!) here. (35th/Henderson)

ADMIRAL LIBRARY EVENING BOOK GROUP: The West Seattle (Admiral) Branch‘s Evening Book Group gathers tonight too, 6:45 pm; this month’s book is “The Worst Hard Time” by Timothy Egan – more info here. (2306 42nd SW)

BROWSE THE CALENDAR to see what else is up today/tonight – and beyond.

(Common loon, photographed at Lincoln Park by Mark Ahlness, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Good morning! Some of what’s on our calendar for today:

COMMUNICATIONS ACADEMY: It’s the second day of the big annual regional emergency-communications gathering at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), with another full slate of presentations, starting with a keynote about amateur (ham) radio’s vital role. For the public, the most noticeable aspect is a passel of communications vehicles parked toward the south end of campus. (6000 16th SW)

WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: 11 am pickup games on Sunday mornings are now at Fairmount Playfield. (Fauntleroy/Brandon)

WEST SEATTLE SOCCER CLUB: Today’s the first day of “another record-breaking spring season” on fields all over West Seattle, WSSC’s Tim McMonigle tells us: “Over 1,400 kids and over 250 coaches will be out on the pitch today, starting at 1 pm. The theme is Champion’s League again, in which the kids don jerseys patterned after the teams that are still in the Champion’s League over in Europe. This year, we are combining with our sister recreational club, Highline Soccer Club, which serves the Burien, SeaTac and Des Moines area. We normally do that in the fall, but this is the first time we’ve done it in the spring.” Find out more about WSSC, including game schedules, at westseattlesoccer.org.

PRINCESS ANGELINE NATIVE TEA PARTY: The 5th annual event at the Duwamish Longhouse, 1-3 pm, hosted by Princess Angeline‘s great-great-grandniece, Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen – more info here. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

FREE GARDENING TALK: 1 pm at West Seattle Nursery, learn about “Cool Season Gardening” from author Bill Thorness. (California/Brandon)

CATSINO: 2 pm-6 pm at Beveridge Place Pub, bid on silent-auction items and play just-for-fun games to raise money for local animal-rescue organizations – details here. Note that BPP is 21+. (6413 California SW)

UKULELE MUSIC @ C & P: 3-5 pm, Arden Fujiwara performs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – read about Arden and his music here. (5612 California SW)

LADIES’ MUSICAL CLUB: 3 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, free classical-music concert with works by French composers. (2306 42nd SW)

(Golden-crowned sparrow, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Happy Saturday! First, a transportation note:

WATER TAXI NOW RUNNING WEEKENDS TOO: This is the first Saturday since the West Seattle Water Taxi moved to its spring/summer schedule, which includes weekends. See the schedule here.

Now, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FOOD DRIVE: The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle will have volunteers at West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan; WSB sponsor), PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (California/Stevens; WSB sponsor), and Junction QFC (42nd/Alaska), 9 am-3 pm, to collect food for local food banks. Buy extra while you’re shopping, or if you already have nonperishable items ready to give, go to any location to drop it off.

MEGA-RUMMAGE SALE: 9 am-3 pm on the Oregon side of Hope Lutheran Church, a big rummage sale to raise money for missionary work in Mexico. (Oregon/California)

OPEN HOUSE & SALE: 10 am-6 pm, Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) continues its 10th anniversary open house with giveaways, refreshments, specials, and the ongoing storewide sale. (added) We stopped by for a pic of proprietors Kirk and Joni Keppler:

(Westwood Village, north of Barnes & Noble)

INTERNATIONAL TABLETOP DAY: 10 am-midnight, celebrate at Meeples Games (the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s Emerging Business of the Year) with a day of FREE fun – competitions, raffles, learn-to-play sessions, and more – see the calendar listing for details. (California/Charlestown, upstairs)

SPRING OPEN HOUSE: 11 am-2 pm at West Seattle Nursery, with speakers, free espresso, and other reasons to stop by. (California/Brandon)

LOVE LEGOS? Ages 5-12 invited to the West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 3-4:30 pm – details here. (2306 42nd SW)

(added) BASEBALL BENEFIT DINNER/AUCTION: West Seattle Booster Club Spaghetti Dinner and Auction benefiting the West Seattle High School Baseball Team is tonight, 5 pm to 8 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church (WSB sponsor), $10 donation per person for a delicious meal and great time. (3601 California SW)

DIVERSE HARMONY: 7 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, free concert by the singers whose choir made history as the first “queer/straight alliance” chorus – see our preview. (3050 California SW)

COFFEE & MUSIC: Steve Beck, Steve Peterson, and Jim Moore perform at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

FRIENDS FOR FEET: 7:30 pm benefit at Feedback Lounge, explained here. (6451 California SW)

BENEFIT FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS: 8 pm at West Seattle Eagles (all-ages until 10 pm), the annual benefit for Mukilteo Magic & All Aboard athletes – live music and more. (4426 California SW)

THAT’S ONLY PART OF WHAT’S UP TODAY/TONIGHT … full list on our calendar.

Because of today’s breaking news, we’re referring you directly to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar to see what’s on the schedule today/tonight, rather than publishing a list of highlights. Please also note that it’s the last day of school for Seattle Public Schools before next week’s spring break; for faith-based schools, today is the last day of post-Easter break and they’ll be back in session next week.

Thanks to Don Brubeck for the sunrise view from the Alki Trail. A beautiful Thursday is under way…

TODDLER STORY TIME: 11:30 am at High Point Library. Free! Details here. (35th/Raymond)

GET OUT IN THE ORCHARD: 4-6 pm today and every Thursday in season, visit the Community Orchard of West Seattle and help out with urban gardening and orchard maintenance. Learn while you’re there, as explained here. North end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)

Then tonight:

FIRST WEST SEATTLE ART WALK OF SPRING! While The Junction is the heart of the Art Walk, you’ll find participating venues in other neighborhoods too – including Gatewood, Sunrise Heights, and White Center. Here’s the map/venue list:

In addition to the previews you can find on the official Art Walk website, here are announcements we’ve received:

*5:30-8 pm, 20th anniversary of West Seattle Wine Cellars (6026 California SW), free tasting of French wines tonight
*6 pm, The ProletariYacht Club opens at The Building (4316 SW Othello)
*6 pm, Wallflower Custom Framing and Shooting Gallery (4735 42nd SW; WSB sponsor) features photographer Marlin Greene with Landscapes & Wildlife of Eastern Oregon and Washington
*6 pm, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW; WSB sponsor) hosts artist Ginny Gensler
*6 pm at Merryweather Books (4537 California SW), book signing with Theresa McCormick
*6:30 pm at Emerald Water Anglers (4502 42nd SW; WSB sponsor), Little Edie performs, plus Writers on the Fly
*7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Mary McGough opening reception

Also tonight:

SECOND THURSDAY OUT! 6 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, LGBTQ event with no-host happy hour and movie (“Sordid Lives“). All welcome; no membership or RSVP required. (Oregon/California)

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: The West Seattle/South Park rep on the School Board, Marty McLaren, has her next informal “community conversation” meeting at 6 pm tonight, West Seattle (Admiral) Library.

‘STAR TREK’ NIGHT TO BENEFIT DELRIDGE GROCERY: 7 pm at Skylark Café and Club – details here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

‘PAJAMA GAME’ AT WSHS: The West Seattle High School Drama Club‘s current production – second-to-last chance to see it! 7:30 pm curtain time at the school theater. (3000 California SW)

MORE! on our calendar.

(Photographed by Ryan O’Keven in Admiral on Tuesday – thanks to everyone who ID’d this as a Spotted Towhee!)

Noontime until nighttime, check out the West Seattle Wednesday highlights:

GET OUT OF THE HOME OFFICE … and network with other nontraditional workers/entrepreneurs during the weekly West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor) meetup – details here. Starts at noon. (6040 California SW)

HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: West Seattle High School plays varsity softball vs. Nathan Hale at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) and varsity baseball vs. Garfield at Hiawatha (2700 California SW), both at 3:30 pm.

HEALTH CARNIVAL AT HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY: Community welcome! Here’s the announcement:

Join us at Highland Park Elementary from 5:30-7:30 to celebrate the many ways students stay healthy. There is something for everyone! We will have food, insurance assistance, Zumba, family games, raffles, face paint, and much much more. This event is cosponsored by Communities in Schools of Seattle and Neighborcare.

(1012 SW Trenton)

BOARD MEETING @ SENIOR CENTER OF WEST SEATTLE: 5:30-7 pm at the Senior Center, all are welcome at the monthly board meeting. (Oregon/California)

AMERICAN LEGION POST 160: All those who have served or are serving are welcome at Post 160, which is also home to the West Seattle Veteran Center. The post’s monthly meetings are at 6 pm on the second Wednesday. (37th/Alaska)

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 CANDIDATES’ FORUM: The next major forum in the first-ever City Council District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) race is at tonight’s 34th District Democrats meeting, 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy. (9131 California SW)

‘PAJAMA GAME’ AT WSHS: The West Seattle High School Drama Club‘s current production starts its second and final week, 7 pm curtain time at the school theater. (3000 California SW)

OPEN MICROPHONE @ THE FEEDBACK: 8 pm, hosted by Sheila Kay and The Wolftones, with Mikel Rollins on sax and bass. Go get on stage at Feedback Lounge! (6451 California SW)

THOSE ARE ONLY THE HIGHLIGHTS … our calendar is where you’ll find even more for today/tonight.

(Merlin, photographed at Alki Point last Thursday by Gary Jones. Click photo for larger image)

Lots happening in West Seattle tonight:

NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICTS? City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen‘s been working on a plan to make them possible – but wants to know what you think about the idea. Come talk about it at 6 pm at High Point Community Center; more info here. (6920 34th SW)

‘DRINKING LIBERALLY’: New political meetup group gathers again, 6 pm at Pizzeria 22 in Admiral. (4213 SW College)

SW ROXBURY PLAN: 6:15 pm at Southwest Branch Library, join the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council for its monthly meeting, including SDOT’s presentation of the final plan for making SW Roxbury safer. Agenda also includes hearing from City Council District 1 candidate Lisa Herbold, plus updates on ongoing WWRHAH projects/concerns. All welcome. (35th/Henderson)

‘WIZARD OF OZ’ AT GATEWOOD: Remember those adorable photos of Gatewood Elementary first-graders’ “Wizard of Oz” production? Tonight at 6:30 pm is their encore performance, open to the entire community, at the Gatewood cafeteria. (4320 SW Myrtle)

WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: 6:30 pm meeting at HomeStreet Bank, with agenda detailed on the WSBC website. All welcome. (41st/Alaska)

INTERESTED IN SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ‘HIGHLY CAPABLE’ PROGRAMS? The districtwide advisory committee meets at 6:30 pm tonight, Fairmount Park Elementary, which happens to be one of the schools on the new K-12 HC “pathway” planned in this area. (38th/Findlay)

LOTS MORE for today/tonight – find it all on our calendar!

(Dark-eyed junco – photographed by Trileigh Tucker)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU: 7 pm monthly meeting tonight – come find out about helping Hi-Yu as a volunteer, as last year’s float has its last hurrah at a parade next weekend and construction of the new float gets ready to begin. The nonprofit, all-volunteer organization is “celebrating 81 years as a community festival by providing free, fun, family-friendly activities, events, community float traveling to parades in Western Washington and scholarships,” as the meeting announcement points out, and can’t do that without your support. Hi-Yu meets at Admiral Congregational Church. (California/Hill)

(added) DENNY MS PTA: 7 pm, school library, with the agenda highlights listed as: “Update on the Common Core State Standards and the SBAC test and how the school will use the results.” (2601 SW Kenyon)

TRIVIA/QUIZ NIGHT As usual, Monday night brings options for fun brain-exercising: Listings include trivia at Christo’s on Alki (7:15 pm, 2508 Alki SW), trivia at OutWest Bar (7:30 pm, California/Brandon), Quiz Night at Skylark (7:30 pm, 3803 Delridge Way SW), plus pub quiz at Shadowland (8 pm, California/Oregon).

EVENING MEDITATION: 7:30 pm Buddhist-meditation class at Sound Yoga (WSB sponsor). See the center’s full weekly schedule here. (5639 California SW)

LOOK FURTHER INTO THE FUTURE … check out the calendar!

Did you get up, or stay up, to see the eclipse? “Diver Laura” James shares the photo; we can confirm that it was visible on and off until the clouds completely took over the western sky, a short time before it went total. But now – on with the rest of our Saturday. First, from the WSB Easter & More page:

WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY EGG HUNT: 9 am, the popular kickoff to Easter weekend fills the aisles of WS Thriftway (WSB sponsor) with fun! Always a line, so don’t be late. For ages 1-10. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)

COMMUNITY CENTER EGG HUNTS: 10 am, four local community centers have egg hunts (usually broken into subgroups by age – ask when you arrive): Alki, Delridge, Hiawatha, High Point (if you need addresses, go here).

EASTRIDGE CHURCH EGG HUNT AT LINCOLN PARK: 11 am in the meadow of upper Lincoln Park. (Fauntleroy/Rose)

Non-egg-hunt highlights for today/tonight:

TAI CHI ON THE BEACH IS BACK: 9 am Saturdays, starting today, the 2015 series of free Tai Chi sessions at Alki Beach, led by Lao-Shi Caylen Storm. (60th/Alki)

‘206 BANG OUT’ BASKETBALL: 9 am-3 pm, the West Seattle High School Junior Class‘s benefit tournament is happening in the school gym. (3000 California SW)

SANISLO BOOK SALE: 10 am-2 pm, browse/buy books and support Sanislo Elementary‘s 4th-grade camping trip – treats for sale, too. (1812 SW Myrtle)

BAMBOO WORKSHOP AND GARDEN TOUR: 10 am-3 pm at the Seattle Chinese Garden – details here. North end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)

PRINCESS ANGELINE FILM MARATHON: At the Duwamish Longhouse in West Seattle – 11 am, 12:20 pm, 2 pm showings of this hour-long film telling the story of Chief Seattle‘s daughter. Free admission/parking. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

SW SEATTLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION: 11 am at the SWSHS’s Log House Museum, come hang out to find out how you can help out – first, go here to see the big list of what’s needed! Side note: The museum’s open today, noon-4 pm, as always, but will be CLOSED on Easter Sunday. (61st/Stevens)

PINE LAKE CELLARS TASTING ROOM: Noon-5 pm, try the award-winning wines of Pine Lake Cellars (WSB sponsor) right here in West Seattle. (3400 Harbor SW)

WEST SEATTLE MEANINGFUL MOVIES: 6:30 pm, doors open at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center for WS Meaningful Movies‘ screening of “White Like Me: Race, Racism, and White Privilege in America.” Sunday’s Encouragement March to Terminal 5 will be discussed, too. (6400 Sylvan Way)

TEAM SURVIVOR NW BENEFIT: 7 pm, come to Kenyon Hall for music and more, celebrating Team Survivor Northwest‘s 20 years of defying cancer. (7904 35th SW)

‘PAJAMA GAME’ AT WSHS: 7:30 pm curtain time for the West Seattle High School Drama Club presentation of this Tony Award-winning musical.

(Photo courtesy Laura Martin)
Ticket info here. (3000 California SW)

LIVE MUSIC @ WEST SEATTLE EAGLES: Rhapsody Duo performs tonight, 8-11 pm. Members and guests welcome; $5 cover. (4426 California SW)

EVEN MORE … on the calendar.

Highlights for the rest of today and tonight include a West Seattle couple known for walking and writing:

CATHY & JAKE JARAMILLO @ WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: The authors of “Seattle Stairway Walks” are in that clip, inviting you to tonight’s edition of WWWS, 5-7 pm at Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village, presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. More info here. (2800 SW Barton)

SPEAKING OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY: Out of school early today? Take a trip to the Log House Museum, which is open noon-4 pm as usual. (61st/Stevens)

FRIDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES: 1 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, today’s movie is “Fargo.” (Oregon/California)

HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Chief Sealth International High School varsity teams have home games at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – baseball vs. Nathan Hale and softball vs. Rainier Beach, both at 4 pm. West Seattle High School‘s varsity baseball team has two on-peninsula games as well – 3:30 pm baseball at Hiawatha (2700 California SW) vs. Ballard, 3:30 pm softball at SWAC, also vs. Ballard.

GAME NIGHT AT CORNER BAR: It’s Game Night at this month’s edition of Corner Bar at Highland Park Improvement Club, 6 pm, full details here. (12th/Holden)

BIN 41 TURNS 5: 6-7:30 pm, the weekly wine tasting at Bin 41 celebrates the Junction wine shop’s fifth anniversary. Local winemaker Darby English is in the spotlight. (4707 California SW)

‘PAJAMA GAME’ AT WSHS: 7:30 pm curtain for the West Seattle High School Drama Club production at the WSHS Theater. (3000 California SW)

PASSOVER & GOOD FRIDAY: For Good Friday services, check local churches’ schedules, linked from our WSB Easter & More page. Meantime, Passover begins at sundown tonight. (You can always find sunset/sunrise times on the WSB West Seattle Weather page.) No public events that we know of.

(Added: View from outside Salty’s [WSB sponsor] after today’s Westside Awards breakfast – story to come!)

Our daily preview begins with highlights from the WSB Easter & More page, where you’ll find local egg hunts, services, more:

TODDLER EGGSTRAVAGANZA: At High Point Community Center, activities 10 am-noon for ages 0-5, $5 fee. (6920 34th SW)

MAUNDY THURSDAY: Church schedules for the week are linked from our Easter & More page too, including three WSB sponsors: First Lutheran Church of West Seattle (4105 California SW) has 11:45 am and 7 pm services; also, Tibbetts United Methodist Church (3940 41st SW) is open for Labyrinth Walking 6-9 tonight; and West Side Presbyterian Church (3601 California SW) has 7:30 pm worship.

Now, from the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

TAI CHI, QIGONG FOR 50+: 2 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle with Sifu Viola Brumbaugh – details here. (Oregon/California)

PITCH IN AND HELP … at the Community Orchard of West Seattle, for this week’s 4-6 pm Health & Harvest work party. North side of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)

‘PAJAMA GAME’ OPENS AT WSHS: 7:30 pm performance tonight as the new production by the West Seattle High School Drama Club starts its run at the WSHS Theater – more info in our calendar listing. (3000 California SW)

(UPDATED 12:52 PM: Don Smathers memorial has moved indoors, to Easy Street Records)

(Photo by Jonathan S.: – Double rainbow from the Fauntleroy ferry on Tuesday)

Happy April!

TWO THINGS THAT GO UP TODAY IN SEATTLE: First, the minimum wage. It’s not anywhere near $15 yet – that’s being phased in over several years. Today, it’s either $10/$11 – here’s where to figure it out. Second, the sales tax. The one-tenth-of-one-percent increase starts today, as approved by voters last year to pay for transit. This means you’ll pay a penny more tax on a taxable $10 purchase, a dime per $100, a dollar per $1,000. (The other part of the voter-approved funding, the $60 car-tab fee, doesn’t kick in until June.)

Now, from the calendar:

NETWORKING/HOME OFFICE/ETC. MEETUP: Get out of the house and into West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor), if only for an hour! Free – bring your lunch if you want.

MEMORIAL FOR DON SMATHERS: 5 pm at Junction Plaza Park – if you knew Don, you’re invited. Here’s what we published after news of his death – with many warm tributes added in the comment section. Since the weather’s been volatile recently, if there’s any last-minute change, we’ll post an update here as well as via the WSB Facebook and Twitter feeds. Otherwise, see you at the park. 12:52 PM UPDATE: New location – Easy Street Records. (California/Alaska)

INTERESTED IN COMMUTING BY BICYCLE? Or at least a bit curious? Free class tonight at Cycle U in West Seattle, 6:30 pm – details here. (3418 Harbor SW)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: Whether by bike, car, bus, truck, feet, or … transportation remains the local hot-button topic, and SDOT is at the heart of the agenda for tonight’s 6:30 pm meeting at the Senior Center of West Seattle. At 6:40 pm, SDOT director Scott Kubly is back to talk about the Transportation Levy to Move Seattle (following last night’s open house); at 7:10 pm, SDOT communicators with two more topics, Arbor Heights microsurfacing and Admiral Way bike lanes. All welcome. (Oregon/California)

And stay tuned for this:

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY REGISTRATION STARTING BY TONIGHT: The big day is May 9th, and every year we start signups right about now so we can get everything lined up well in advance. Planning to have a sale this year? When the form is ready to go later today/tonight, we’ll publish announcements here on WSB and on the official WSCGSD page at westseattlegaragesale.com.

(Olympic Mountains, photographed last weekend by James Bratsanos)

Five highlights for today/tonight:

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE $900 MILLION TRANSPORTATION LEVY? Tonight’s the West Seattle meeting about the first draft of what’s headed for the ballot this November – 6-8 pm at WSHS. Here’s our report from the day the levy was announced, including what we found out about what’s in it for WS. (3000 California SW)

WHAT’S IN THE NEXT SCHOOL DISTRICT LEVIES? Looking even further ahead, Seattle Public Schools is previewing its operations and building/technology levies, planned for February 2016, and asking your thoughts, in a meeting at 6:30 pm at Fairmount Park Elementary – details here. (38th/Findlay)

THE SONICS AT EASY STREET: 7:30 pm at Easy Street Records in The Junction, Northwest rock legends The Sonics are signing copies of their first album in FIFTY years! (California/Alaska)

DEADLINE DAY! DISCOUNT REGISTRATION FOR WEST SEATTLE 5K: Sign up for the May 17th West Seattle 5K Walk/Run by tonight and get the lowest price. Here’s how.

DEADLINE DAY! NAME THE NEW SCHOOL: Today’s your last chance to suggest a name for the new school being built on Genesee Hill – here’s how.