(Male hooded merganser, photographed in High Point by Mark Wangerin – click for closeup view)

Happy Saturday!

FIRST, A TRAFFIC ALERT: Reminder that the tower crane at Aura (35th and Avalon) is scheduled to come down today, blocking four lanes of 35th SW most if not all of the day, as previewed here. We will be checking out the scene a bit later for an update.

(Added, with photo above: Traffic is using the two NB lanes.)

Now, from our calendar:

BALLOT DROPOFF VANS: Sent in your ballot for Tuesday’s school levies yet? If not, two King County Elections dropoff vans are in the area today – 10 am-5 pm at West Seattle Stadium (the crane takedown mentioned above might complicate things somewhat), 4432 35th SW, and Greenbridge Library, 9720 8th SW.

OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-2 pm, drop in to see the Community School of West Seattle (preschool). Adults only; details here. (9450 22nd SW)

FREE TAX PREP: 10 am-2 pm, another chance to drop in and get free tax-prep help via the United Way of King County @ West Seattle Food Bank – details here. (35th SW/SW Morgan)

SOUTHWEST LITTLE LEAGUE SIGNUPS: 11 am-2 pm at the Steve Cox Memorial Park Log Cabin in White Center:

All boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 16 are welcome. If your child lives or attends school between SW Juneau St. and 128th St. SW, you are probably within the Southwest Little League boundary! Divisions include T-Ball, Coach-Pitch, Minors, Majors, 50/70 and Juniors. Tryouts for Minor & Major divisions will be held Saturday, February 20th, 2016, at Steve Cox Memorial Ball Park. Please visit www.southwestlittleleague.org for more information about signing up for Southwest Little League.

(1321 SW 102nd)

VIETNAMESE STORY TIME: Stories, songs, and rhymes in Vietnamese, 11:30 am at Delridge Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

MERCADO AT HPIC: 1-5 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club: “Pop Up Mercado: Corazon Fuerte. … Music, Food, Art, Apparel, Handmade Gifts, and Jewelry. Buy something sweet for your sweetie(s) while supporting local artists and small businesses. This event is FREE and for all ages.” (12th SW/SW Holden)

WINE AND CHOCOLATE: 2-7 pm at Viscon Cellars‘ (WSB sponsor) tasting room, wines will be paired today (and next Saturday) with chocolates from Seattle’s own Intrigue Chocolate Co.. (5910 California SW)

HOME-BUYING CLASS: 3-5 pm, free but registration required – our calendar listing explains how. With HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) and RE/MAX Realty. (4727 44th SW)

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: As noted here on Friday, Westside School (WSB sponsor) has its varsity boys-basketball team in the CYO championship game at 4:30 pm today vs. St. Edward. The game’s at Bishop Blanchet. (8200 Wallingford Ave. N.)

NO CHILI LEFT BEHIND: Chili cook-off and auction fundraiser at Seattle Lutheran High School, 6 pm. Info in our calendar listing. (4100 SW Genesee)

LATIN JAZZ: Totiyo Y Amigos play C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

LOW-TIDE BEACH WALK: 8:30 pm, check out nighttime low tide at Constellation Park with Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists. Free. Look for the canopy. (63rd SW/Beach Drive)

MORE FOR TODAY/TONIGHT, AND BEYOND … on our complete calendar.