(Reflections on Longfellow Creek; photo by “old desolate” via the WSB Flickr group pool)
Happy Sunday! (The sun IS expected to appear later.) From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Langley Fine Gardens from Vashon Island is scheduled to return today with their popular plants; Grain Expectations is a new vendor with baked goods. 10 am-2 pm (44th/Alaska)

ANNIVERSARY SALE: Third and final day for the second-anniversary sale at West Seattle Runner (3727 California SW; WSB sponsor), open 10 am-5 pm. (And while you’re there, register for the new West Seattle Float Dodger 5K, coming up July 21st.)

WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: The WSUFF season begins! You’re invited to join in at Fairmount Playfield, 11 am. (Fauntleroy Way SW/SW Brandon)

DEMOCRATIC CAUCUSES: Local Democrats are invited to gather at 1 pm with others from their precincts at locations around the 34th Legislative District; the 34th District Democrats‘ website has a special page with information including a lookup to find where your precinct is meeting.

CISCOE AT VILLAGE GREEN: The famous Northwest-gardening guru comes to Village Green Perennial Nursery (WSB sponsor) today, 1-2 pm. As noted in our Saturday preview, the nursery is also hosting a beekeeping seminar and Master Gardener clinic. (10223 26th SW)

DUBSEA BIKES: White Center’s ongoing program for free minor repairs to get bicycles back on the road has its next session today, 2-4 pm, White Center Food Bank (8th SW/SW 108th)

LIVE MUSIC: At C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Jamtime plays, 1-4 pm; at Skylark Café and Club, all-ages show with God-des & She and Clutch Douglass, 4 pm (3803 Delridge Way SW).

More on the calendar!

(Crow and bald eagle at Alki Point, photographed by Gary Jones)
Welcome to a sunny Saturday! From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

REBUILDING TOGETHER SEATTLE: All day long, RTS is fixing up the home of a local couple with the help of 50 volunteers from Safeway; you may see them at work at the project site in the Charlestown/Genesee area.

WEST SEATTLE LIONS’ PLANT SALE: Continues 9 am-3 pm today, upstairs at the Senior Center of West Seattle. (Our photo is from the sale’s first session last night.)

ALKI BIRD WALK: Who knows, you might see something like the sight in the photo atop this roundup! Free guided walk sponsored by the Audubon Society; meet at the Alki Bathhouse at 10 am.

AQUARIUM SOCIETY AUCTION: For the first time, a regional group of aquarium enthusiasts is having its annual auction at the West Seattle Christian Church Activity Center. 10 am start time, no official end time – details here.

HELP CLEAN UP NORTH DELRIDGE: Join the Spring Clean event this morning – 10 am-noon, meet at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW; details here).

EUROPAKIDS INTERNATIONAL PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10:30 am-noon, EuropaKids International Preschool (WSB sponsor) welcomes prospective families to their current facility at Southwest Teen Life Center/Pool (with an added area location in the works), 2801 SW Thistle, details here.

WEST SEATTLE NURSERY OPEN HOUSE: “Bees, Birds and Bouquets” is the theme for one of spring’s most popular business open houses – it’s a garden party, really, with free espresso and appetizers, as well as chances to explore and learn. 11 am-3 pm at West Seattle Nursery (California/Brandon), details here.

TRUNK SHOW AT CLICK! DESIGN THAT FITS: Sarah Loertscher is back at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) two nights after the West Seattle Art Walk for a trunk show of her jewelry art, 11 am-5 pm (hot off the runway, as explained here!).

OPENING DAY AT PUGET RIDGE GARDEN CENTER: On the north side of the South Seattle Community College campus, the center is open for shoppers/visitors just once or twice a month in spring, and today’s your first chance to stop by, 11 am-3 pm.

GLASS ARTIST CREATES HANGING PLANT GLOBES: All of this weekend’s gardening-related activities might put you in the mood for this unique art demonstration, happening at Avalon Glassworks, 11 am-4 pm (Avalon Way just south of the West Seattle Bridge).

MUSICAL STORYTIME: The regular Saturday storytime at Barnes and Noble/Westwood Village has special guests today: Katy Webber and Pearl Jenkins of Musikal Magik. 11 am, all welcome.

SPRING BREAK SKATE: Local football/cheer organization SWAC invites you to come skate with them 5-7 pm at Southgate Roller Rink, to help support local kids’ participation by raising money for helmets. If you register for this year, you skate free. Pizza and soda available at the event, too! Details here.

DOG SOCIAL: Saturday night out, with your canine companion! 7-10 pm at Muttley Crew Cuts, and it’s a fun(draiser) – explained here.

CANDYLANDIA: The monthly dance party, 9 pm, Benbow Room (details here).

Even more on the calendar – see for yourself here.

BRIDGE REMINDER: Thanks to pilot/photographer Long B. Nguyen for the view of the West Seattle Bridge during Day 1 of the traffic switchover – today is Day 2, with all 4 lanes of Spokane Street Viaduct traffic (2 east, 2 west) squeezed onto the new north side of the structure (right side of the photo). We’ll be talking with SDOT around noontime today to see what they have to say after a day and a half of commutes in this configuration. Also this morning:

WEST SEATTLE TRADER JOE’S OPENS: The years of rumors, dashed hopes, endless comment discussions, and finally, remodeling at 4545 Fauntleroy Way SW are over and as the banner behind Timothy and friends (thanks for sending the photo!) says, the store opens at 8 am today. (Trivia point: The original developers of “The Hole” to its west were at one point going to develop this site too, as a mixed-use project; we covered the announcement in May 2008. They did not buy it, though, just had an option, and it expired when everything fell apart.) P.S. As of 7 am, there is one person in line (photo coming up in separate story).

Meantime, TJ’s isn’t the only opening today:

Fleurt (WSB sponsor) will open in its new, bigger Junction location, not far from its old one, at 10:30 this morning (here’s our original report), 4536 California SW. We’ll take a look inside once it’s open!

Also today:

GOOD LUCK IN THE GLOBAL READING CHALLENGE FINALS! Today’s the day that the team George’s Magicians Treasures from Alki Elementary, one of the two co-winners in the citywide finals (WSB coverage here), goes downtown for the finals-via-video against Canadian students, 10 am at Seattle Public Schools HQ in SODO.

WEST SEATTLE LIONS’ PLANT SALE: Today and tomorrow, the West Seattle Lions’ Club has its annual plant sale at the Senior Center of WS (California/Oregon in The Junction); the first session is 5-8 pm tonight.

WEST SEATTLE YACHT CLUB OPEN HOUSE: From mingling to dancing, lots happening, and you’re invited, 6:30-10 pm at the Alki Masonic Lodge (40th/Edmunds) – full details on the Facebook event page.

MR. IRRESISTIBLE: This West Seattle High School fundraising tradition is tonight at 7.

‘LOVE LETTERS’ OPENING NIGHT: 7:30 pm, the first of five performances, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, presented by Twelfth Night Productions, whose website has full details.

More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!

(Catharine found these 2 on her fence this morning. “Not sure what was so interesting on top of the fence!” she says)
Things are a little quiet here midweek, so just a few highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

TONIGHT’S OVERNIGHT CLOSURES, FOLLOWED BY A BIG CHANGE TOMORROW: Again tonight, southbound 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct and eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct are both closed 10 pm-5 am. Different reasons – pre-tunnel-work reinforcement for the former, the ongoing Widening Project for the latter. Then – as reported here yesterday – first thing tomorrow morning, when the Spokane Street Viaduct (aka West Seattle Bridge between 99 and I-5) reopens, all four lanes of traffic will be using the newly built north side, while crews begin a few months of work repairing/resurfacing the old south side. Narrower lanes and lower speeds, so – tomorrow and beyond – don’t leave late.

EAST MARGINAL WAY GRADE SEPARATION DEDICATION: Perhaps the least-glamorously named recent road project – it’s the structure you see off the south side of the WS Bridge just west of 99, built by the Port of Seattle to get traffic over the tracks. The Port’s dedicating it at 2 pm today.

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Sunday’s Democratic precinct caucuses are just part of the agenda for tonight’s meeting of our area’s biggest political group. They’re also planning a candidates’ forum for some of this year’s statewide races. More agenda highlights here. 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW)

CHIEF SEALTH PTSA: Tonight at 7 pm in the school library, the Chief Sealth International High School PTSA has its next general meeting. Agenda highlights and guests are on the calendar-listing page.

MADISON PTSA: The Madison Middle School PTSA is also meeting at 7 tonight, we just noticed via the school website.

(added) WEST SEATTLE COOLMOM: ‘Family-friendly garden swap,’ per the announcement just received: “We have a fun, family-friendly meeting planned this month. We’re continuing our spring gardening theme. Please bring your seeds, starts, and gardening tips and join us for a seed and start exchange! Kids are welcome this month – we’ll have egg cartons and art supplies so the little ones can decorate their own compostable seed-start containers!” 7 pm, C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW.

More for today – and way beyond! here.

(Trillium photographed by Machel Spence)
From the new-format WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

CLOSURE REMINDERS: Tonight, TWO overnight closures of note – both 10 pm-5 am – the southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/99, and the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct, more details here.

LAST DAY FOR DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE CENTER: In the final phase of a somewhat complicated plan first announced seven months ago at a mayoral news conference in West Seattle (WSB coverage here), the Delridge NSC – where you pay city/utility bills and get info on city services, among other things – closes today for good, at 6 pm. One week from today, at 10 am Tuesday, April 17th, the new NSC opens at the former Southwest Community Center, adjacent to SW Pool (2801 SW Thistle).

FASHION SHOW/LUNCH: At Senior Center of West Seattle, 11:45 am – but call to see if they have room. (California/Oregon)

SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ISSUES/CONCERNS/IDEAS? West Seattle’s school-board rep Marty McLaren welcomes you to a community conversation at Delridge Library, 1:15-3:15 pm. (Delridge/Brandon)

LOW TIDE! 2:23 pm, -2.1 feet, second-lowest tide (yesterday was the lowest) this month (chart here).

CROSSTOWN SOCCER MATCHUP: West Seattle High School hosts Chief Sealth International High School in a boys-varsity soccer match at Hiawatha, 3:30 pm.

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm, Admiral Congregational Church lower-level meeting room (California/Hill), full agenda’s on our calendar-listing page.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW).

DENNY INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL PTSA: Meets tonight, 7 pm, school library (2601 SW Kenyon).

BABY KETTEN KARAOKE: No, that’s not a typo. It’s not your average karaoke, either. 9 pm, Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW).

(Thanks to Laura James for chronicling what was up – with people as well as water/wildlife – on Alki this past Saturday!)
Welcome to a new week! From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

ROAD WORK: Tonight, “only” one major closure – the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct, 10 pm-5 am. This means you won’t be able to get to I-5 from the West Seattle Bridge during those hours; there are a few other ramp/surface changes too. Here’s our list, as it stands, of closures announced for this week, both city (WS Bridge) and state (99/Viaduct) – we will update it if anything else is added.

WATER TAXI REMINDER: If you haven’t seen the story from earlier this morning – starting today, the West Seattle Water Taxi is now on its all-day, every-day spring/summer schedule. That means the 773/775 free shuttles’ schedules have changed for the season, too.

EARTHQUAKE-HAZARDS REPORT: During this morning’s City Council “briefing” meeting – the first of two full-council meetings held most Mondays – federal experts will talk with councilmembers about a new report on local quake risks. We previewed it here last Thursday, when the agenda and presentation slides were made public. The meeting starts at 9:30 am and will be live on Seattle Channel (cable 21 as well as online); this briefing is expected to start around 10:15 am.

(added) WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: Today’s ingredient is greens! Bring something cooked with ’em. 3 pm, Beveridge Place Pub. (More info at westseattlecookingclub.org)

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 6:30 pm, Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon) – our calendar listing will connect you with agenda info.

(added, spotted via Twitter) ROXHILL ELEMENTARY PTA: 6:30 pm, school library. (30th/Roxbury)

PIGEON POINT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm, Pathfinder K-8 cafeteria (1901 SW Genesee) – and check out the neighborhood’s remodeled website!

(added) ‘FLAT EARTH SOCIETY’ GUEST DJ @ WEST 5: 9 pm tonight, per West 5‘s Dave Montoure: “DJ BackBackon (the irrepressible Matt Lukin, alumnus of Mudhoney, Melvins).”

Thanks to Jana for that view of the clouds that loomed late on Friday – today’s forecast is “sunny”! Five egg-hunt events are a big part of the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, but first a traffic reminder:

VIADUCT/99 SCHEDULED TO BE CLOSED ALL WEEKEND: Till 5 am Monday (and of course we’ll let you know IF it reopens sooner). Here’s what the closure’s about. You can check traffic cams here.

FIRST EGG HUNT – WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY, 9 AM: “Over 50,000 eggs, filled with goodies and prizes!” says the store. The Easter Bunny is on hand, too. Don’t be late to this one – the line forms outside and it’s usually a sizable one. Kids 1-10. Free. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)

SECOND EGG HUNT – LIFE CARE CENTER OF WEST SEATTLE, 11 AM: Thousands of eggs, Easter Bunny photos, and a fire truck. Free. (4700 SW Admiral Way)

THIRD EGG HUNT – EASTRIDGE CHURCH, AT LINCOLN PARK, 11 AM: Hunt with 10,000 eggs, and other activities including a big inflatable slide. Free. (More info on the calendar page)

FOURTH EGG HUNT (ACTUALLY MORE THAN ONE) – WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY CENTERS’ COMBINED EVENT AT SWAC, 11:30 AM: New this year, a mega-celebration at Southwest Athletic Complex, replacing the individual egg hunts the centers presented before. Bouncy toys, Caspar Babypants concert, and multiple egg hunts/egg trots – here’s the schedule:

EGG HUNT SCHEDULE

11:40 a.m.—3 yrs & under
12:00 p.m.—4 to 6 yrs
12:10 p.m.—7 to 9 yrs
12:20 p.m.—10 to 12 yrs
12:30 p.m.—13 to 17 yrs
12:30pm– Egg Trot 4-12yrs
12:40 p.m.—Adult
1:00 p.m.—Seniors
1:00 p.m Egg Trot 13-17
1:15pm Egg Trot Adults/Seniors

MAIN STAGE EVENTS
FEATURING
1:30 p.m.—Caspar Babypants!

If you didn’t buy a wristband in advance – required for adults AND kids – it’s $5. (2801 SW Thistle)

FIFTH EGG HUNT – DURING EASTER TEA AT VILLA HEIDELBERG, 2 PM: Reservations required – details, including pricing, on the event’s calendar page. (4845 45th SW)

And now, the non-egg hunt, non-traffic highlights:

K-5 STEM AT BOREN DESIGN TEAM: Long meeting today, to determine school’s curriculum. 8:30-noon at district HQ in SODO (map on our calendar-listing page)

FRIENDS OF LINCOLN PARK WORK PARTY: 9 am, meet across from Fauntleroy/Rose (map and info here)

LAST CHANCE TO TOUR EX-FIRE STATION 37 BEFORE SALE OFFERS ARE DUE: The second and final open house, 10 am-2 pm today. Offers are due on April 20th. (More info & location – calendar listing)

WINE, FOOD, ART AT ADMIRAL SAFEWAY: Special event, noon-4 pm, details here. (2622 California SW)

CRAFTS AND DRAUGHTS AT SKYLARK: “West Seattle’s monthly craft fair,” as it’s described on the event’s Facebook page. Happy hour food and drink pricing! 4-7 pm (3803 Delridge Way SW)

WINE, ART, MUSIC AT ALKI ARTS: Tonight at the beach, 6-9 pm, C. Sharp Art opening at Alki Arts, with wine tasting and live music. (2820 Alki SW)

OWLING IN LINCOLN PARK: Longtime West Seattle naturalist Stewart Wechsler will take you on a tour! 7-10 pm – details on his website.

‘ROCKY HORROR’ AT MIDNIGHT: Start your Easter Sunday with … “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The monthly midnight screening at Admiral Theater (2343 California SW)

And even more events are listed here.

(WSDOT photo of work to build the northbound 99 bridge south of The Viaduct. *Not* why it’s closing this weekend, but cool pic)
It’s Good Friday and the first night of Passover – and the Alaskan Way Viaduct is scheduled to close for the weekend at 11 pm. Here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar listings for today (see the full set here):

ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT CLOSED ALL WEEKEND: Scheduled for 11 pm tonight through 5 am Monday (and of course we’ll let you know IF it ends sooner) – they’re doing work to reinforce The Viaduct in advance of future tunnel construction; this work started during the previous weekend-long closure last month.

TOUR THE C-SPAN ‘ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE’ BUS: It was at Chief Sealth International High School yesterday, and today 2:30-4:30 pm it’ll be at High Point Neighborhood Center, open to anyone (particularly youth) interested in touring it. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

CHEER STATE-RANKED LOCAL STUDENT ATHLETES: Speaking of Sealth, its undefeated, #9-in-the-state boys’ varsity soccer team hosts Rainier Beach at 4 pm today at Southwest Athletic Complex. (2801 SW Thistle; watch for our closeup report about the team later today)

SEDER AT KOL HANESHAMAH: A “family-friendly, interactive” Seder marks the first night of Passover at Kol HaNeshamah, 5:30 pm. Details here.

HI-YU BRU DEBUT: The newest West Seattle/White Center charity-fundraiser beer debuts at multiple venues tonight, 6 pm. Details here.

SHAKESPEARE DINNER THEATER: 6 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, dinner and a play! Details here.

‘THRIVE THROUGH CANCER’ FUNDRAISER: A new support organization to help young adults through their battle with cancer, started by West Seattle cancer survivor Rose Egge, has a kickoff fundraiser at Bin 41 in The Junction tonight, 6-8 pm. Details in our calender listing.

HIGH POINT NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT: 7-8:30 pm at HP Neighborhood Center, resource tables, refreshments, and West African music and dance by Gonsango. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’: Madison Middle School‘s first musical has the first of two performances tonight, 7 pm – details here.

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY REGISTRATION CONTINUES: Into the fifth day of registration, and we have about three dozen sales so far – join the fun 9 am-3 pm Saturday, May 12th – details here, including the link to the registration form.

A holdover photo from Tuesday evening’s memorable rainbow sightings – Jessica caught the rainbow over the totem pole at West Seattle Rotary Viewpoint Park (35th/Alaska). Whatever today holds weather-wise, we do know some of what’s on the schedule. From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

ROAD WORK: No bridge closures scheduled tonight, but some ramp and surface changes around the bridge – detailed here. ***Updated at 4 pm, SDOT now says the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct WILL close overnight again tonight.*** And we’ll be checking on the progress for the paving work south of The Junction.

TODDLER EGGSTRAVAGANZA AT HIGH POINT COMMUNITY CENTER: Activities start at 10 am, with an egg hunt at 11 am (“sharp”!) – details on the event-calendar page. (6420 34th SW)

TOWN HALL AT SSCC ON TRAYVON MARTIN CASE: Noon-1 pm at Brockey Center on the south side of South Seattle Community College‘s campus, it’s a Town Hall on race and social-justice issues evoked by this nationally discussed Florida case, with “an open forum followed by small-group discussions.” (6000 16th SW)

WINE TASTING AT WEST SEATTLE CELLARS: Thursday is “free tasting” night at new WSB sponsor West Seattle Cellars, 5:30-8 pm. Tonight, Italian Wines from Vias Imports (details here), with Chris Zimmerman, who according to WS Cellars’ newsletter is bringing “food tidbits” to enhance the experience. (P.S. If you’re a first-time visitor to WS Cellars, check out this offer.)

BEX IV SCHOOL-LEVY COMMUNITY-INPUT MEETING: The first draft of possibilities for next February’s ballot levy – which could range from half a billion to more than three-quarters of a billion dollars – includes a proposal that would close Roxhill Elementary and “merge” its “program” into Arbor Heights Elementary, one and a half miles away. (Here’s our coverage of a Tuesday night meeting at AH.) Other West Seattle possibilities include building a new Schmitz Park Elementary at closed Genesee Hill, as well as reopening Hughes Elementary (now being leased by Westside School [WSB sponsor]), and possibly renovating and reopening Fairmount Park Elementary. One option also includes an addition to West Seattle Elementary. What do you think – about these ideas, or something you would rather see instead? The only West Seattle meeting about the first draft of district options is 6:30 pm tonight, Denny International Middle School. Preview the meeting materials with links on the right side of this district page. (2601 SW Kenyon)

MUNICIPAL LEAGUE CIVIC AWARDS HONOR KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND WSB: The 6:30 pm event’s happening in SODO – at West Seattleite-owned Herban Feast/SODO Park – but we’ll be there to represent because WSB is an honoree: The Municipal League of King County is presenting its 58th annual Civic Awards tonight. The big-name West Seattleite on the list is King County Executive Dow Constantine, who’s receiving the James R. Ellis Regional Leadership Award. We’re honored to accept the Government News Reporting of the Year Award, explained on the Muni League website as being for “comprehensive coverage, high-quality reporting and strong commitment to covering important local government issues.”

RELAY FOR LIFE WEST SEATTLE: From organizers, via the R4LWS Facebook page: “Our next team captain meeting is (tonight), April 5th, 7 pm at Bridge Park – ALL team captains, team members, and prospective participants are welcome. Come out and get your questions answered and learn more about relay, and help us plan the event of the year! Questions? please ask! Hope to see you all there!” The cancer-fighting-fundraising relay is June 15-16. (3204 SW Morgan)

MAUNDY THURSDAY: Holy Week services continue at many local churches; Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) sent us word of their Maundy Thursday service tonight, 7 pm (details on the event-calendar page; 3940 41st SW).

An anonymous Fauntleroy photographer shares one more image from the Tuesday evening storm (and rainbows afterward – did you see our roundup of WSB’ers’ photos?) … since the National Weather Service says we could see thunderstorms later today, too. The weather may not keep a schedule, but some events do, and here are the highlights from the recently revitalized WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

ROAD WORK TRAFFIC ALERTS: Same ones as Tuesday: First, again tonight, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to be closed 10 pm-5 am, so you won’t be able to exit to the West Seattle Bridge from I-5 or Beacon Hill during that time. Here’s the SDOT alert.. … Also, work will continue on the repaving of a block-plus of California SW from Hudson to Dawson, south of The Junction.

2 WEST SEATTLE WALKS FOR NATIONAL WALKING DAY: If you’d like to join with others in walking along Alki in honor of National Walking Day, one group is scheduled to meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza at 10 am, while another plans to meet at the Bathhouse at 5:30 pm. Details here. (2701 Alki Avenue SW)

BABY PEPPERS: A new session of this support group for parents with babies 5-12 months old (slightly older than those in PEPS) starts at 10:30 this morning at Bright Horizons-West Seattle. More details, including the registration link, here. (4530 38th SW)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: Per the agenda we’ve added to the calendar-listing page, presentations about the downtown Waterfront/Seawall project and Community Power Works energy assessments/incentives program (WSB sponsor) will bring special guests to tonight’s monthly meeting of reps from community groups and organizations around western West Seattle. 7 pm at South Seattle Community College‘s board room (6000 16th SW).

Thanks to Doug B for sharing photos of the submarine seen off West Seattle shores early today (see another, larger image on his Flickr page). Meantime, from the new-look-new-features WSB West Seattle Events calendar, some of what’s up today (follow the link to the calendar page for even more happenings for today/tonight):

ROAD WORK TRAFFIC ALERTS: Once again tonight, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to be closed 10 pm-5 am (Wednesday night too), and that means drivers cannot exit to the West Seattle Bridge from I-5 or Beacon Hill. The city rundown of the closure(s) is here. … And this is the day that SDOT is starting to repave a block-plus of California SW from Hudson to Dawson – we just checked with Marybeth Turner from SDOT and she confirms (from the scene!) that the work has begun.

CYCLE UNIVERSITY’S NEW LOCATION: Per the announcement published here last month, they’re scheduled to open their bigger new digs on Harbor Avenue SW (just south of ActivSpace) today. Here are their hours. (3418 Harbor Avenue SW)

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP: Monthly meeting at Providence Mount St. Vincent, 2:30 pm – our calendar listing has more info. (4831 California SW)

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: You’re invited to come tour West Seattle Christian Preschool on the northeast edge of The Junction and meet the staff. 5-7 pm. (4425 41st SW)

WINE TASTING: Special Tuesday tasting, 6-7:30 pm, at Bin 41 in The Junction, with James Cahill of Soter Vineyards in Oregon. (4707 California SW)

MERGE ARBOR HEIGHTS/ROXHILL ELEMENTARIES? It’s one possibility the district is floating as the BEX IV levy planning moves to a more intense stage, and school-community members want to talk about it publicly before the official BEX IV feedback meeting later this week. So tonight at 7, there’s a community meeting – “ALL community members welcome,” as one parent put it in a reminder note to us this morning – in the AH cafeteria. Here’s the original announcement we published a few days ago. (3701 SW 104th)

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL PTSA MEETING: 7 pm tonight in the school library. More info on the WSHS PTSA website. (3000 California SW)

If you work off-peninsula and get homesick sometime today – or just need a brief break for beauty – check out Laura James‘ lovely video montage of West Seattle beauty, shot this past weekend. (Yes, that’s “Diver Laura,” but this is all above water.) Meantime, we start the day with highlights from the spruced-up WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

ROAD WORK TRAFFIC ALERTS: Late-night/early-morning drivers, note that the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct will be closed 10 pm-5 am tonight (and the following two nights), which also means you won’t be able to get to the West Seattle Bridge from I-5. The city explains it all, here.

SAFEWAY KICKS OFF MONTHLONG FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN: This morning at 10 am at Admiral Safeway, according to company spokesperson Sara Osborne, three members of the KING 5 Morning News team – Mark Wright, Tracy Taylor, and Jake Whittenberg – will each “team up with a Special Olympics athlete/Safeway employee to see who can bag groceries the quickest and most carefully, and each team will walk away with money to donate to local Easter Seals and Special Olympics programs.” (2622 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: Got recipes involving olives? Make one (or more) and take it to the West Seattle Cooking Club meeting at 3 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW).

HEARTLAND TURNS 2: Five nights of special events marking the Heartland Café/Benbow Room second anniversary wrap up tonight with a 21+ event that even includes free fried chicken 6-8 pm – details here.

FAMILY STORY TIME: 7 pm tonight, with the children’s librarian at the Seattle Public Library‘s High Point branch (35th/Raymond) – details here.

TEAM TRACY KARAOKE AUCTION: Fundraiser for the fabled 3-Day Walk breast-cancer-fighting team at Skylark Café and Club. Bid on singers – the highest bidder picks the song. Bidding starts at 7, singing starts at 9 with Karaoke Kelli.

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY REGISTRATION: Scheduled to start today – watch for the announcement (and link) this afternoon or evening, soon as we’re sure all systems are go. The 8th annual lots-of-garage-sales-all-over-the-peninsula extravaganza is 9 am-3 pm May 12th.

David Hutchinson shares the shot from last weekend’s yacht race – might be a LITTLE too windy out there right now for safe sailing! But here are some highlights from the perked-up WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always (by the way, someone asked on the WSB Facebook page if they are open on Easter Sunday – answer: yes). And there’s something new, per the WSFM FB page – a kombucha vendor just joined:

Veteran farmers from Stoney Plains, new bakery start-ups at Grain Expectations, naturally fermented teas from CommuniTea Kombucha and Ebey Prairie are on the scene with wholesome goodness for YOU!

NATURE CONSORTIUM BRUNCH: NC tells us this benefit event (co-sponsored by WSB) is sold out, but just in case you pass The Hall at Fauntleroy around noontime – or in case you have reservations and need a reminder! – that’s what’s up.

HAM TASTINGS: Getting ready for Easter dinner? Two sessions of Kurobuta ham tastings at Metropolitan Market in Admiral (WSB sponsor) today, noon-2 pm and 3-6 pm.

‘THRIVING IN MENOPAUSE’: Special event at Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy in The Junction, noon-4 pm.

BIG DAY FOR YOUTH SOCCER, PART 1: It’s kickoff day for the West Seattle Soccer Club spring season, with games at eight fields around West Seattle. From WSSC’s Tim McMonigle:

We have another record enrollment of 1,337 kids and we’re excited to start another season. … It’s an eight game season, with no games on Easter, Mother’s Day or Memorial Day weekend. For those that missed the spring season, our fall season registration will begin on June 1.

BIG DAY FOR YOUTH SOCCER, PART 2: The Highline Premier FC organization is inviting community members to its summit at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 3-5 pm. Read all about it here.

BIKE RIDE FROM WHITE CENTER THROUGH WEST SEATTLE AND BACK: DubSea Bikes and friends are on the road! Ride starts in downtown WC at 3 pm. Details here.

Over the past month-plus, we’ve been somewhat laboriously converting the WSB West Seattle Events calendar to a new format – instead of the old cluttered page of text, it’s, well, a real online event calendar. Today, with 22 events on the list from 9 am to 9 pm, we invite you to check out the page for yourself. Same address as always – westseattleblog.com/events – but each listing leads to its own page; mouse over any line on the page, look for the plus sign, click it to expand that line for the basics on that event, and to see the listing in its entirety, click “read more.” Those links will each take you to an event’s standalone page, usually including a map, and when possible, the entirety of the original announcement. So this enables us to bring you many more details about what’s happening. We’ll still publish daily highlights roundups here on the home page most days, but this morning, time is short, and the list is long, so we invite you to take a minute and explore. Have a great Saturday!

From the recently revamped WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

WINE TASTING AND FOOD PAIRING: At Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor; 2320 42nd SW), Washington wine, paired with Kurobuta ham, roasted lamb, and Columbia king salmon. Tasting 5-7 pm.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT: Little Pilgrim School hosts “Family Movie Night” tonight at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), 6-8 pm. The newest “Winnie the Pooh” movie will be shown, free (games, concessions, and a raffle are planned – details in our calendar listing).

‘BOBCAT BOB’ AT C & P COFFEE: A favorite at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) (5612 California SW), “Bobcat Bob,” performs tonight, 6-8 pm.

BIN 41’S ‘ALMOST 2ND ANNIVERSARY’: Tonight – The Bin’s own wines, two vintages of both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and releasing their first-ever Cabernet Sauvignon, as they get ready to celebrate the shop’s second anniversary. 6-7:30 pm (4707 California SW), full details here.

FINAL WEEKEND FOR ‘LITTLE VOICE’: 7:30 pm at ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery (4711 California SW), second-to-last performance for “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.”

JAZZ AND BLUES AT KENYON HALL: Casey MacGill and Orville Johnson play the hall (7904 35th SW) tonight at 7:30 – more info on the KH website.

LIVE MUSIC AT SALTY’S: Singer/songwriter Barbie Anaka performs at Salty’s on Alki, 8-10 pm.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT HEARTLAND: 9 pm, live music at Heartland Café/Benbow Room in the Admiral District, during the second night of a five-day second-anniversary celebration (here’s our preview story).

LATE-NIGHT TEEN PROGRAM TEMPORARILY MOVED: Since the Southwest Teen Life Center is closed for maintenance till mid-April, tonight’s programs will be at High Point Community Center.

Thanks to David for that view of the work under way this stormy morning in The Junction, as crews continue work on stations and stops for Metro’s RapidRide C Line, replacing Route 54 this September. Meantime, here’s what we’ve dug up from the remodeled WSB West Seattle Events calendar for today/tonight:

DONATE BABY ITEMS FOR ‘MOBILE TWEETUP’ STOP @ NURTURING EXPRESSIONS: WSB sponsor Nurturing Expressions in The Junction (4746 44th SW) is a scheduled stop for today’s “Mobile Tweetup” as KIRO TV’s Jenni Hogan collects donations for babies whose families are in need, 10 am-1 pm. Full details (and Jenni’s Twitter link!) in our calendar listing.

FREE WINE TASTING: West Seattle Cellars‘ weekly Thursday night tasting, 5:30 pm-8 pm, featuring their April Collector’s Club wines and two bonuses. WSC says: “We’ve got a wine with familiar grapes from an unexpected place; a grape we’d never even heard of, but found irresistible; and more.” Details of tonight’s tasting are here.

SEE CAFE ROZELLA’S NEW LOOK: The coffee shop and gathering place at 9434 Delridge Way SW has an all-new look, and is showing it off with a “reopening” party 6-9 pm (though it hasn’t been closed), everyone invited.

HELP CRAFT AN ARTS PLAN FOR SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: The district is touring the city gathering public comments on an arts-education plan, and wants to hear from West Seattleites at 6:30 tonight, Chief Sealth International High School. (Full details on this listing’s page from the WSB calendar.)

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ‘AFTER HOURS’: Joined the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce yet? Tonight’s the monthly “After-Hours” mingle event, this time at Global Diving and Salvage, 3840 West Marginal Way SW, 5:30-7 pm.

FREE ‘BRING THE SPA HOME’ CLASS AT SHANTI: Tonight, learn how to do at-home hand and foot treatments! 6 pm Thursday, a free class to help you work a little spa style into your home life, at Shanti Salon and Spa (WSB sponsor) in the Admiral District, 2138 California SW.

SANISLO PTA – PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES WELCOME TOO! 6:30-7:30 pm in the Sanislo Elementary library (1812 SW Myrtle). Child care provided.

CRIME TRENDS AND CRIME PREVENTION IN NORTH DELRIDGE: Live between the bridge and Boren? You’re invited to a community meeting with Seattle Police leadership at 7 tonight at the Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster). Our preview from earlier this week explains what it’s about.

SPRING FASHION FLING: Four Junction stores, plus West 5, are teaming up for a night of shopping and door prizes, 7-10 pm – more details on The Junction’s website.

WESTSIDE BURLESQUE AT SKYLARK: 9 pm – West Seattle’s only regular burlesque revue. Ticket info here. Skylark’s at 3803 Delridge Way SW, just south of the West Seattle Bridge.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT HEARTLAND: 9 pm, live music at Heartland Café/Benbow Room in the Admiral District, as the kickoff to a five-day second-anniversary celebration (here’s our preview story).

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

PUBLIC LIBRARY STORY TIMES: 11:30 am at Southwest branch (35th/Henderson), it’s Preschool Story Time; 5 pm at High Point branch (35th/Raymond), it’s Somali Story Time.

K-5 STEM AT BOREN DESIGN MEETING: It’s the second meeting of the Design Team – which includes community members – for this new West Seattle public elementary school. 6:15 pm at district headquarters in SODO; details and map in our calendar listing.

‘GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE’ MEETING: A meeting tonight will present the next steps in the county’s plan to reduce combined-sewer overflows (CSO) at the Barton Pump Station by building “green stormwater infrastructure” – raingardens, bioswales – uphill in some parts of Sunrise Heights and Westwood. 6:30 pm, Westside School (7740 34th SW); here’s our preview story from last week.

HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: Agenda highlights are here; the meeting’s at 7 pm (optional 6:30 pm potluck precedes it), HP Improvement Club, 12th and Holden.

LAST WEEK FOR ‘LITTLE VOICE’: Tonight at 7:30 pm, it’s the fourth-to-last performance of “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice” at ArtsWest.

(Danny McMillin‘s ’10-shot combo’ of an eagle taking off from Alki; larger view on Flickr)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

CLOSURES AGAIN TONIGHT: As part of the ongoing Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project, the 1st Avenue South offramp will be closed from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, and the 1st/Spokane intersection will be closed too, both 9 pm tonight till 5 am Wednesday.

DELRIDGE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE: The group reviewing issues related to the DESC Delridge Supportive Housing project meets again, 6:30 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW)- the agenda (see it here) includes a presentation by the Delridge Produce Cooperative, a prospective tenant for the building’s commercial space, as well as time for public comment.

WEST SEATTLE BLOCKWATCH CAPTAINS NETWORK: The group’s agenda tonight – see it here – is centered on planning Block Watch Captains’ Appreciation Day. 6:30 pm, Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster).

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS’ ANNUAL OUTREACH CONCERT: From the WSCO announcement:

The West Seattle Community Orchestras’ Debut and Intermediate Orchestras will perform at 6:30 pm at Highland Park Elementary thanks to a 4Culture grant from King County. … Highland Park’s own music teacher and WSCO Debut Orchestra conductor Daniel Hershmann -Rossi will lead his group through four pieces including Offenbach’s Can Can and Handel’s Sarabande. Toni Reineke, Ph.D., Intermediate Orchestra conductor, along with assistant conductor Anton Coleman, will lead their group through Smith’s Rites of Tamburo, Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever, along with several other pieces. Concert is free to all; donations gladly accepted at the door to support Highland Park’s music program; a bake sale sponsored by the Highland Park PTA also benefits school programs.

3 WEST SEATTLE TEAMS IN READING CHALLENGE FINALS: Tonight’s a huge night for Global Reading Challenge teams from Alki (George’s Magician’s Treasures), Arbor Heights (Da Peeps), and Roxhill (Stoehr’s Superstars) – citywide competition with seven other teams at the downtown Central Library, 7 pm. Good luck, all!

(On the beach at Cove Park, by Karen/”old desolate” via WSB Flickr group pool)
From the remodeled WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

VIADUCT’S OPEN AGAIN: As noted earlier this morning, the weekend inspection/maintenance closure ended on schedule (half an hour early, to be precise). Remember that another weekend closure is coming up in early April, from Friday night 4/6 through Monday morning 4/9, so work can be done to reinforce the structure in advance of work on the 99 tunnel.

CLOSURES TONIGHT: As part of the ongoing Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project, the 1st Avenue South offramp will be closed from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, and the 1st/Spokane intersection will be closed too, both 9 pm tonight till 5 am Tuesday.

REMINDER, SOUTHWEST POOL IS CLOSED: Details in our Sunday story. The pool reopens April 16th, and will celebrate an official “grand opening” with special events on April 17th.

ELLIOTT BAY OPENS LAKE CITY LOCATION: 11 am today, 12537 Lake City Way NE, the West Seattle-founded company opens its third location (#2 is in Burien). Want a peek, even if you’re not going to be up that way any time soon? The West Seattle-headquartered Washington Beer Blog has a preview.

RESCUE DRILL THAT YOU MIGHT SEE FROM HERE: We mentioned it last week, and if everything’s still on schedule, today’s the day, noon’s the time, Blakely Rock off south Bainbridge is the place, and you just might see this all from West Seattle shores. Details in the listing page on our calendar.

WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: This time around, the West Seattle Cooking Club meets at Big Al Brewing in White Center – with “pub food” as the theme. 4 pm.

FREE POKER & KARAOKE AT SKYLARK: Doubleheader on Monday nights – free poker at 6:30 pm, Karaoke with Kelli at 9 pm – more details are linked from the Skylark Café and Club events calendar (3803 Delridge Way SW).

FLAT EARTH SOCIETY AT WEST 5: It’s a Monday night tradition at West 5 in The Junction, with guest DJs “spinning the rarest and fairest vinyl from deep within their respective LP collections.” Tonight at 9, it’s an all-jazz set by former KTUH disc jockey Dick Walker.

ONE WEEK TILL WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY REGISTRATION: It’s that one day of the year when West Seattle turns into Garage Sale Paradise. We didn’t invent it but this is our fifth year running it and we are excited as always – May 12th is sale day, sales around West Seattle big and small, depending on who decides to join in! Watch for more details here and at westseattlegaragesale.com as this week unfolds – registration starts next Monday, April 2nd (no exact time yet, gotta make sure all online systems are go).

That’s the latest image from the camera watching the West Seattle Bridge eastbound. It was backed up much of Saturday during the first day of the Viaduct/Highway 99 closure, so it’s worth checking as the closure continues today; that’s one of the transportation notes topping our list of highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT/HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURE CONTINUES: The stretch of 99 between the Battery Street Tunnel and West Seattle Bridge is scheduled to remain closed until 5 am Monday. These closures sometimes end early; if this one does, we’ll publish an update here as well as on the WSB Facebook page and in the WSB Twitter feed.

STATE FERRIES SWITCH TO SPRING SCHEDULE: The new Washington State Ferries schedule takes effect today, and it includes the return of three-boat weekend service on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route.

WEST SEATTLE GEAR SWAP, DAY 2: Winter gear of all types. Mountain to Sound Outfitters is presenting the swap/sale, with more details here. 11 am-3 pm at the VFW Hall, 3602 SW Alaska.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Today and every Sunday, 10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska.

GIVE A DOG A HOME: Dog-adoption event today, 11 am-2 pm, at Mud Bay West Seattle (2611 California SW in the Admiral District). In partnership with Homeward Pet.

A HAND UP FOR MIKE: Friends of Mike, aka “miws” in the WSB Forums and site comments, are inviting you to a silent auction/benefit in his honor today, 1-4 pm, at Feedback Lounge (6451 California SW; WSB sponsor). Mike is climbing out of homelessness triggered by a health crisis that cost him his job and then his apartment; he’s in transitional housing and working toward permanent housing and stability (read more about him here), but “a hand up” from friends, neighbors, and community members can make a big difference. Full details in the event listing page from the WSB calendar. (Special request from organizers: “While there will be PayPal available for donations and auction payments, we’re asking for cash and checks to minimize the PayPal fees.”)

OPEN HOUSE: Unified Outreach invites you to an open house today at Ginomai Art Center in The Junction to find out about its free “industry-level cartoon and animation training using Adobe Flash.” 3-5 pm at 4401 42nd SW; meet volunteers and students, and enjoy snacks/beverages. Find out more about the program at UnifiedOutreach.com.

LIVE MUSIC: Mike Buchman at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW, 3-5 pm … Note that Skylark Café and Club has NO music tonight – it’s closing after brunch for repair work.

(Friday afternoon photo, some of the skis awaiting today’s Gear Swap, see below)
First Saturday of spring! Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

TRAFFIC REMINDER – VIADUCT/99 CLOSED: From the Battery Street Tunnel to the West Seattle Bridge, inspection/maintenance closure is scheduled for the entire weekend. (We’ll let you know if it reopens before the announced time of 5 am Monday.)

HAPPENING NOW – DONATE FOOD! If Scouting For Food participants didn’t leave a note at your door asking you to leave food for them to pick up in today’s food drive, you can still pitch in – go to 44th/Ferry before 11 am and drop off a donation for the West Seattle Food Bank. Here’s our reminder from Friday. **Added** And there are also Scouts at West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan) till noon to accept donations.

SUPER SALE TO BENEFIT TEAM TRACY: 10 am-3 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), megasale to raise money to fight breast cancer. For photos/details of what’s on sale, check out the event page on Facebook.

PLANTING PARTY AT SANISLO WETLAND: 10 am-1 pm (meet in front of the school at 1812 SW Myrtle). Hundreds of trees need to get into the ground in this Puget Creek headwaters wetland. Details in our Friday preview.

FOREST RESTORATION AT WESTCREST PARK: 10 am-2 pm (9000 8th SW), join EarthCorps to help the park’s extensive forest. Full details on their website

WEST SEATTLE GEAR SWAP, DAY 1: Winter gear of all types on sale – and winter’s not really over yet anyway! Mountain to Sound Outfitters is presenting it, with more details here. 10 am-6 pm at the VFW Hall, 3602 SW Alaska.

SKATE ‘N’ BAKE: Skating party and bake sale at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW) to benefit Arbor Heights Co-Op Preschool, 10 am-12 pm. $7 tickets at the door – with $1 off if you bring a can of food for the White Center Food Bank!

EUROPAKIDS PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: EuropaKids International Preschool, 10:30 am-noon at Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle, back entrance), which is their half-day location, but they’ll be talking about their new full-day location, opening this fall.

COMETA PLAYSCHOOL OPEN HOUSE AND FREE CONCERT: 11 am-1 pm at Cometa Playschool, 3212 California SW, with special guest singer/songwriter Felipe Cañete . Including more info about new toddler program.

TEA CEREMONY: Seattle Chinese Garden hosts “a rare demonstration of a Han style ancient Chinese tea ceremony from 1:30 to 2:30 pm. There will be time for questions after the ceremony. The suggested donation is $7 for the general public and $5 for garden members.” North end of South Seattle Community College campus, 6000 16th SW.

OCCUPY WEST SEATTLE: Meeting 2-5 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club (12th/Holden).

FAUNTLEROY CHILDREN’S CENTER 25TH ANNUAL AUCTION: Doors open at 5:30 pm tonight at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW). Dinner at 7, live auction at 8. Bob Watt will once again serve as our auctioneer, with emcees former Mayor Greg Nickels and KING TV’s Jim Dever. Check if tickets are still available: (206) 932-9590.

CHIEF SEALTH BIG BAND DINNER/DANCE: 6-10 pm tonight at the school (2600 SW Thistle), a night of food, music, and dancing, featuring not only student musicians but also the West Seattle Big Band. Dance-only tickets are available too. Full details here. *Schedule update, added 12:35 pm – doors open at 5:30 pm, music starts 6:30 pm, dinner at 7 pm*

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: 6-8 pm, Gary Benson. C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) is at 5612 California SW.

‘WEST SEATTLE HAPPY HOUR’ AT ADMIRAL PUB: 2 weeks after Alki Crab and Fish closed at Seacrest, its owners are continuing to offer the menu faves at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), and that’s where fans, many from the local diver community, are inviting you to come support them and mingle, 7-10 pm tonight. Full details on this event’s WSB calendar page.

‘RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE’: Second-to-last weekend for the comedy at ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery in The Junction, curtain time 7:30 pm.

ROCK 4 CLEAN WATER: Benefit featuring live music from Fiasco, Bonobros, and Sue Quigley, presented by EcoBeauty Salon and Spa tonight at Feedback Lounge (6451 California SW; WSB sponsor), with prize drawings. Starts at 8 pm. $10 suggested donation.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE BRIDGE: Jenny sends word that True Romans plays at 9:30 pm, no cover. 35th SW just south of Avalon.

EVENT CANCELLATION: In case you had tickets but hadn’t heard, the WSHS father/daughter dance scheduled for tonight was canceled.

LOOKING AHEAD – 7 WEEKS TILL WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY: May 12th is the big day this year, and registration will open April 2nd – one week from Monday. Keep an eye out here and at westseattlegaragesale.com (which you can browse for details of past WSCGSDs, if the event is new to you!).

(Photo by Karen – “old desolate” on Flickr – forsythia, we think)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

TRAFFIC ALERTS: The 1st Avenue South offramp from the eastbound bridge will be closed 9 pm-5 am overnight tonight. Also closed overnight – 10 pm to 5 am – westbound access to the low bridge. More info on those city-scheduled closures here (and don’t forget, the Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 will be closed all weekend, starting at 6 am Saturday).

WEST SEATTLE GARDEN CLUB: Today’s meeting is already under way but you can still drop in – full details on the program, which continues till 2 pm, are here. It’s happening at Daystar Retirement Village, 2615 SW Barton.

GEAR SWAP DROPOFF: Again today from 3-7 pm, you can drop off winter gear at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska) for this weekend’s West Seattle Gear Swap. Details here.

EXPLORER WEST AUCTION: 5:30 tonight, the Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) gathers at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Details in our recent preview.

WINE TASTING: Ron Coleman of Tamarack Cellars at Bin 41 in The Junction, 6-7:30 pm. From their announcement:

If you’ve been to Walla Walla to take in the wine scene, you’ve likely enjoyed a visit at Tamarack Cellars and a refreshing conversation with owner/winemaker Ron Coleman. We had the pleasure of meeting Ron during our trip to Walla Walla last September. We’re pleased to welcome him to the bin to share a line-up of their wines with you, including their always super tasty DuBrul red.

COMEDY VAUDEVILLE EXTRAVAGANZA: That’s the headline for tonight’s show, headlined by comedy juggler Matt Baker, at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) – details here.

(“Inch worm” moth larvae at Lincoln Park, photographed by Machel Spence)
Winter just won’t let go, even though all the creatures and plants of spring, big and small, are determined to move on. At least we didn’t get the snow here on the peninsula. From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, highlights for today/tonight:

WSHFC TALKS DESC FINANCING: 1 pm downtown, the last chance for public comment regarding financing of the proposed 66-unit Delridge Supportive Housing project at 5444 Delridge Way SW. Here’s our preview from last night.

GEAR-SWAP DROPOFF: Mountain to Sound Outfitters is having its semi-annual gear swap Saturday and Sunday – but first, you need to drop off your no-longer-needed gear! Today and tomorrow, 3 pm-7 pm at M2SO (though the swap will be at the VFW Hall across the street this weekend), which is at 3602 SW Alaska. More details here.

WINE TASTING: At West Seattle Cellars, 5:30-8 pm: Wines from Gecko Wine Company and Michael Florentino Cellars, with winemaker Brad Sherman.

SUNRISE HEIGHTS PREPAREDNESS TRAINING: Sunrise Heights is gearing up to be sure neighbors are ready for anything, with the help of a city grant, and a special 2-hour Sunrise Heights Emergency Preparation and Planning (SHEPP) session tonight is a major step. Join neighbors in the multipurpose room on the north side of Westside School. Snacks and pizza provided; supervised play area for kids available. 6-8 pm; more details here.

MULTI-CULTURAL NIGHT DURING WORLD WATER WEEK AT SEALTH: Families are invited to sample food and enjoy student entertainment at 6 pm at Chief Sealth International High School.

WEST SEATTLE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN: Starts with dinner at 6, West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th Ave SW). More details on the WSB calendar entry, and at westseattledemocraticwomen.org. Screening and discussion of “Inside Job” about the global financial crisis. Reservations required, call (206) 935-3216 or e-mail wsdwomen@yahoo.com ASAP to be sure there’s still room.

TAKE ONE HOUR TO HELP PUGET SOUND, AND WSHS: Tonight, with just one hour, you can find out simple ways to help Puget Sound by preventing/reducing toxic runoff from everyday activities – AND you can help West Seattle High School win a $1,000 grant for a raingarden project – which they’ll get if at least 50 people show up. 7 pm at WSHS – details here.

‘LITTLE VOICE’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm curtain time for tonight’s performance; details and online-ticket-buying link on the ArtsWest website.

LIVE MUSIC: 9 pm, Lian Light, Jori & The Push, Death’s Three Daughters at Skylark Café and Club; 10 pm, jazz at Locöl (details here).

UPDATE, SOUTHBOUND VIADUCT CLOSED TONIGHT, AND FULL CLOSURE THIS WEEKEND: Just a reminder in case you have missed the announcements – southbound Highway 99 is closed overnight tonight, from Denny Way to the West Seattle Bridge; then that same entire stretch of 99 and Alaskan Way Viaduct is scheduled to close in both directions from 6 am Saturday till 5 am Monday for inspection and maintenance work.