(Panorama from Harbor Island, by Jim Edwards)

Interested in development? Two local meetings might interest you. Lots of entertainment tonight too. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

DESIGN REVIEW X 2: Two Alki projects are on the agenda for the Southwest Design Review Board tonight – 6:30 pm, second review for the 1307 Harbor SW mixed-use project that includes the ex-Alki Tavern site, details and project packet linked here; 8 pm, 1250 Alki SW, the ~100-apartment project known as Perch, as previewed here on Wednesday. Both meetings have public-comment opportunities; both are upstairs at the Sisson Building, home of the Senior Center of West Seattle. (California SW/SW Oregon)

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Earlier meeting time tonight so that members can get to the aforementioned Design Review Board meeting for Perch. ACC starts at 6:30 pm in the parlor at Alki UCC, with topics including Statue of Liberty Plaza maintenance plus a discussion with the VP of real estate for West Coast Self-Storage, regarding a “new development that will involve a street vacation for 29th SW, east of Harbor and north of ActivSpace,” according to ACC president Tony Fragada. (6115 SW Hinds)

WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK: 6:30 pm potluck, 7 pm meeting at the Senior Center of West Seattle – perfect time to get involved with the West Seattle Timebank – details in our calendar listing. (California/Oregon)

DENNY/SEALTH CONCERT: 7 pm at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium, free concert featuring the Denny Junior Bands, Denny Junior Orchestra, Beginning Orchestra, Denny Jazz, and Mariachi. (2600 SW Thistle)

OPEN MIC – UNPLUGGED! At C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. (5612 California SW)

BELLY DANCING: Monthly free, all-ages Alauda showcase at The Skylark, 7:30 pm. (3803 California SW)

OPENING NIGHT FOR ‘REALLY REALLY’: Official opening night at ArtsWest Playhouse for “Really Really” – details in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)

‘GEEKS WHO DRINK’ TRIVIA NIGHT: 8 pm at Treehouse Lounge in The Admiral District – details in our calendar listing. (2206 California SW)

LOTS MORE ON THE CALENDAR – see it all here.

Thanks to Don Brubeck for the view of the Duwamish from the Spokane Street fishing pier, photographed during what he describes as a “misty ride to work” today. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

LAFAYETTE KINDERGARTEN TOURS: 9:30-10:10 am today. If you don’t see this until it’s too late, note that Lafayette Elementary is also having tours on February 4th, 1:15 pm-2:15 pm. (California/Lander)

LAST DAY FOR GENERAL STORE SEATTLE’S CLOSING SALE: 10 am-6 pm today, it’s the final day of the closing sale for the all-local-merchandise The General Store Seattle (WSB sponsor) – 40 percent off everything, both in-store and online. (3400 Harbor SW)

SWEET PEA COTTAGE OPEN HOUSE: 4-6 pm at Sweet Pea Cottage preschool/kindergarten; kids and parents welcome. (7141 California SW)

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: 4:15 pm at district HQ in SODO. Agenda includes vote to authorize possible closure of before-/after-school child-care programs around the district to make room for more school homerooms, as discussed at local board rep Leslie Harris‘s community-conversation meeting last weekend. (3rd S./S. Lander)

MoCA’S QUARTERLY MEETING: Special time, 6 pm, for the Morgan Community Association‘s quarterly meeting, so it’ll be done in time for the HALA discussion to follow (see next item). Agenda details here. At The Kenney (WSB sponsor), lower-level meeting rooms. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

ALL ABOUT HALA: The Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda is one of the biggest topics in the city right now and will be for a long time. What’s it really about, and what do you need to know? A West Seattle-wide briefing will be presented tonight after the Morgan Community Association‘s regular quarterly meeting. The HALA discussion starts at 7 pm – details here. At The Kenney. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

CYBERBULLYING: Parents from all over West Seattle are invited to tonight’s special presentation by the Madison Middle School PTSA with important information for families, 7 pm, as previewed here. (45th/Spokane)

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT COUNCIL: 7 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Discussion topics are expected to include the newly announced plan for a “safe parking” lot in Highland Park for people who live in their vehicles, and a discussion about the city’s forthcoming People, Dogs, and Parks Plan, with Citizens for Off-Leash Areas (COLA) providing a guest. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

LOTS MORE … on our full calendar.

MoCA HALA

MADISON CYBERBULLYING

BALLOTS GO OUT

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BLOOD DRIVE: Can you donate? Consider going to the Clock Tower at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), 10:30 am-4:30 pm, with a 12:30-1:30 pm break. (6000 16th SW)

ENCOURAGING BACKYARD COTTAGES: Not in West Seattle, but of interest: 6 pm at the Filipino Community Center, a city-presented gathering ” to get public input on potential land use code changes that would encourage greater production of backyard cottages (also called detached accessory dwelling units or DADUs).” More info here. (5740 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way S.)

LIVE MUSIC AT SALTY’S: 5-8 pm, Justin Kausal-Hayes performs at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) – more info here. (1936 Harbor SW)

EVENING BOOK GROUP: 6:30 pm at High Point Library; this month’s title is “Kindred” by Octavia Butler. All welcome. (35th SW/SW Raymond)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Come hear from and talk with local police, and hear from an insurance-industry expert on the latest tactics used by car prowlers/thieves. 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct, all welcome. (2300 SW Webster)

TRIVIA NIGHT TO BENEFIT THE SENIOR CENTER: As previewed here on Monday, you’re invited to play trivia with host Phillip Tavel (the longtime Talarico’s trivia host) at, and to benefit, the Senior Center of West Seattle. Doors open at 7 pm, play starts at 7:30 pm. Here’s how to sign up in advance. (California SW & SW Oregon)

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: 7:30 pm, the West Seattle HS boys-varsity team hosts Rainier Beach. (3000 California SW)

STARLIGHT SINGER/SONGWRITER NIGHT: 9-11 pm at Shadowland. (California/Oregon)

AND THERE’S MORE ... on our complete calendar!

Thanks to Trileigh Tucker for sharing the photos of Pacific Wrens she found near Pelly Place this weekend, “singing softly back and forth. They have a lovely mellifluous complex song; if you haven’t heard it, take a listen.” Perhaps a love song, she surmised. (And remember – you can now click most WSB photos to open a “lightbox” window with a much-bigger view.) Today would be a great day for bird-watching, park walks, other ways to enjoy nature … and here’s what else is up:

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: We usually only feature home games but since it’s a holiday, you might be interested in going crosstown to cheer on the West Seattle High School varsity teams, playing as part of an MLK Day slate at Garfield High School – boys vs. Eastside Catholic at 1:30 pm, girls vs. Rainier Beach at 3 pm. (400 23rd Ave.)

SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE: MLK Day has long been a Day of Service, and Sustainable West Seattle invites you to honor that intention by getting involved with the group – at any level that interests you, including leadership. Here’s more on tonight’s meeting, 7 pm (following a 6:30 pm meet-and-greet) at Admiral Bird. (California SW & SW Admiral Way)

QUIZ NIGHT: 7:30 pm at The Skylark, free and all ages – info in our calendar listing. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

TRIVIA NIGHT: 7:30 pm at Christo’s on Alki. (2508 Alki SW)

.

Good morning! The Steller’s Jay photographed by Mark Wangerin is in honor of the Seahawks – we couldn’t find a bird in West Seattle that was blue AND green. As you can do with most of our photos now, click this one if you’d like to open it in a much-larger, “lightbox” view (then click outside that window to return to the page, no “back” button required).

TAILGATE PARTY: Doors just opened (at 9) at Highland Park Improvement Club. All ages welcome. (12th SW and SW Holden)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, on the street in the heart of The Junction. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 11 am-4 pm on Sundays. Working on a list of projects for the new year? Check it out, on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

CAT ADOPTIONS: Kitty Harbor is concluding a special mid-winter adoption weekend, noon-3 pm. (3422 Harbor SW)

JAMTIME, LIVE: At C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 1-4 pm. (5612 California SW)

WEST COAST SWING DANCE: You’re invited to join the Seattle West Coast Swing Dance Club at Alki Masonic Center tonight. DJ/instructor is Andy Vanosdale; there’s an intermediate lesson at 4 and 5 pm, dancing 6-10 pm, newcomer/novice competition, too. $7 members, $11 guests. More at seattlewcswing.org. (4736 40th SW)

BUILDING HEALTHY CONNECTIONS: Find out how at the Emotional Fitness Zone‘s January meetup, 4-6 pm. RSVP/fee required – more info here.

FOOD DRIVE: The “ton-and-a-half” drive at Straight Blast Gym of Seattle (WSB sponsor) is extended because the West Seattle Food Bank isn’t picking up until Tuesday – so you have two days left to donate:

(5050 Delridge Way SW)

LIBRARIES ARE CLOSED TOMORROW … so if you need something, go today. If you’re new to the area, here’s a list/map of branches, including the five in West Seattle and South Park.

Thanks to Mark Wangerin for yet another beautiful West Seattle bird photo – this one’s a yellow-rumped warbler. Try clicking it to see a full-size photo in a “lightbox” frame – then click back outside the window to get to the page; that’s a new viewing feature enabled by our technical overhaul. Meantime, it’s a quiet Saturday, since it’s a holiday weekend, but we have a few notes and events, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

HIGHWAY 99 TRAFFIC ALERT: Just north of downtown, southbound 99 is down to one lane on Aurora until noon.

OPEN HOUSE: The Community School of West Seattle preschool has an open house today – adults only – 10 am-2 pm. (9450 22nd SW)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Perfect time to go see the new Ivar Haglund display and what else is new at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Log House Museum on Alki, open noon-4 pm. (61st SW & SW Stevens)

TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REP: The first “community conversation” meeting for West Seattle and South Park’s newly elected School Board rep Leslie Harris is 3-4:30 pm – you can drop in at any time – at Southwest Library. (35th SW & SW Henderson)

LIVE MUSIC: Enjoy live hard rock music at The Skylark, 9 pm, featuring The Big Bad, The Flying Tortugas, and White Horse. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Highlights for tonight:

‘TRAFFIC GARDEN’ MEETING: Our area’s first “traffic garden” is in the works for Dick Thurnau Memorial Park in White Center. You’re invited to a community meeting at 5:30 pm at TAF’s Bethaday Community Space at the park. (605 SW 108th)

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: 6-9 pm! Here’s the map and venue list:

Go see the previews of art/artists at wsartwalk.com.

WESTSIDE SCHOOL: 6:30 pm, it’s the lower-school Exhibition of Learning at Westside School (WSB sponsor), featuring the projects/demonstrations the students are showing off. (10404 34th SW)

LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY PTA: 6:30 pm in the school cafeteria (child care in the gym) – meeting info here. (California SW & SW Lander)

BAKED POTATO DINNER: Another notable event to the south – the New Start Alternative High School Key Club in the Highline School District will again, in conjunction with the Kiwanis Club of White Center, hold its Annual Baked Potato Dinner complete with loaded baked potatoes, salad, beverage and dessert and music. 6:30-8:30 pm, adults $15 or two for $25.(614 SW 120th)

(Alki eagle, by SurferLucas, from the WSB Flickr group)

Continuing with our daily highlight lists (our comprehensive calendar will return along with our full website, whose overhaul has gone into overtime) – here’s your preview for the rest of this rainy Wednesday:

HARBOR SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6:30 pm at K-8 Harbor School (WSB sponsor) on Vashon Island, with this special invite for West Seattle families:

For West Seattle families interested in attending, please RSVP by phone at 206-567-5955 or by e-mail at admissions@harborschool.org. Shuttle service will be offered to West Seattle attendees walking on at the Fauntleroy ferry terminal and arriving on Vashon. Attendees wishing to utilize the shuttle must RSVP prior to the event.

(15920 Vashon Hwy. SW)

FREE IRISH SET DANCING: 6:30 pm at Kenyon Hall:

Join us for an evening of Irish Set Dancing (Irish square dance). From 6:30 to 7 pm there will be instruction in the basics, then traditional dancing 7 pm to 9 pm. No partner is necessary. Jim Belcher will teach and call. Call Connie with questions; 206-935-5648. Sponsored by Puget Sound Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann.

(7904 35th SW)

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy. Tonight’s agenda (see it here) for our area’s biggest political organization looks ahead to the rest of this big election year and features a panel on youth homelessness. (9131 California SW)

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

TREEHOUSE LOUNGE OPEN MICROPHONE: Sign up at 7:30 pm, music at 8, hosted by Alan Sobel – come perform at tonight’s edition of the twice-monthly open-microphone event at Treehouse Lounge in The Admiral District. (2206 California SW)

TRIVIA: 8:30 pm, the famous Talarico’s Pizza trivia night hosted by Phillip Tavel. (4718 California SW)

Please continue to send upcoming events, as we will be catching up the calendar once it’s back in service. editor@westseattleblog.com – plain-text information in the body of your e-mail, NOT attachments – at least a week in advance. Thank you!

(OUR CALENDAR SPONSOR IS MEEPLES GAMES

Our regular calendar will be back when our overhauled site is up – meantime, our daily highlight lists continue, and here’s what’s happening today/tonight:

LIBRARY STORY TIMES: Baby Story Time at Southwest Library, 10:30 am (35th SW/SW Henderson); Toddler Story Time at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 10:30 am (2306 42nd SW); Family Story Time at Delridge Library, 7 pm (5401 Delridge Way SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT SALTY’S: Justin Kausal-Hayes performs at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), 5-8 pm. (1936 Harbor SW)

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6:30-8 pm at Hope Lutheran School. (42nd SW/SW Oregon)

CHIEF SEALTH PTSA: 7 pm meeting, all welcome, in the Confucius Center at Chief Sealth International High School. (2600 SW Thistle)

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Choosing new leadership and looking at the future of the former interim Fire Station 29 site are two major agenda items, as previewed here. 7 pm, all welcome, The Sanctuary at Admiral. (42nd SW & SW Lander)

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: The FCA board meets at historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 7 pm, all welcome. (9131 California SW)

And a look even further ahead:

WINTER’S HIGHEST TIDES, NEXT THREE DAYS: This will happen before our daily preview is published the next three days, so we’re mentioning it now – the highest high tides (“king tides”) of winter are happening the next three mornings, 12.9 feet – 7:35 am Wednesday, 8:14 am Thursday, 8:55 am Friday.

(Originally published on our backup site during our technical overhaul)

The WSB West Seattle Event Calendar remains temporarily out of view during our official website’s overhaul work. We’re still presenting daily event highlights, so here’s what we have for today/tonight:

TEEN SERVICE LEARNING: Teenagers interested in service learning through the Seattle Public Library are invited to a 4 pm meeting at Southwest Library – but be sure to read this first. (35th SW & SW Henderson)

WEST SEATTLE PRESCHOOL FAIR: 5:30-7:30 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church – see the list of participants here – they include WSB sponsor West Seattle Montessori School. (3050 California SW)

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: The Chief Sealth International High School girls-varsity team hosts Shorewood Christian School, 6 pm. (2600 SW Thistle)

NDNC MEETING: Second Monday means it’s meeting night for the North Delridge Neighborhood Council, 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

DENNY PTSA MEETING: 7 pm, PTSA meets at Denny International Middle School. (2601 SW Kenyon)

OUR CALENDAR SPONSOR IS MEEPLES GAMES:

Seahawks-watching is no doubt the top event of the day, and if you’re not watching at home, you’re no doubt ensconced in your favorite place by now. But it’s not the only thing on the agenda:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, see what’s fresh. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

‘GAINS FOR GOOD’ TO SUPPORT THE SMERSHES: 10 am-4:30 pm competition at CrossFit LOFT in The Junction, benefiting the fund for John and Frances Smersh dealing with her recent diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s. The Gains for Good website explains, and includes various ways to help. (4142 California SW)

‘CELEBRATION OF WOMEN COMPOSERS’: At 3 pm, that’s the theme for the Ladies Musical Club concert at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library. Instrumental and vocal performances of work by Viardot, Bonis, Chaminade, Kinkel, Lang, Tailleferre, Beach, Mari. Admission’s free but space is limited so, be early to be sure you get a seat! (2306 42nd SW)

ALLISON PREISINGER, LIVE: 3 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor):

Allison Preisinger; a local singer-songwriter that performs folk pop/rock. Northwest musicians and fans have described Seattle singer-songwriter Allison Preisinger’s music as raw and honest. Her writing and performances provide a combination of the sincerity of an unplugged Eric Clapton with the melodic poetry of a solo Joni Mitchell.

(5612 California SW)

TROY NELSON AT SHADOWLAND: DJ Troy Nelson is at Shadowland in The Junction 9-11:30 pm Sundays. (4458 California SW)

ROAD CLOSURE ON PIGEON POINT SUNDAY NIGHT: Reminder that work is scheduled ~6 pm tonight to ~5 am tomorrow along 22nd SW in Pigeon Point, repairing the sewer line north and south of Andover. Not only will 22nd SW be closed for the work, so will the 22nd/Andover intersection, says Seattle Public Utilities. If the work isn’t done by 5 am, a second closure will be necessary Monday night. Look for the detour signs along Delridge and Andover; people who live off Andover east of 22nd will need to access their homes via SW Oregon, per SPU.

(OUR CALENDAR SPONSOR IS MEEPLES GAMES)

Good morning! Our regular event calendar will be back when this weekend’s technical overhaul is done. In the meantime, here’s our list of what’s happening today and tonight:

REMINDER – PILE-DRIVING AT THE PORT: As reported on Thursday, the Port of Seattle plans to start pile-driving work today at West Seattle’s Terminal 5 as part of this “testing” announced before Christmas, preparing for its modernization project – “about 27 piles … at the edge of the Terminal 5 wharf.” Today’s work is scheduled between 9 am and 5 pm.

POLAR PLUNGE: 9:30 am near the Alki Statue of Liberty, the Washington Technology Industry Association is presenting a Polar Plunge. They’re inviting “WTIA members, non-members, friends, and family 18 and up.” RSVP via the link toward the bottom of this page. (61st SW & SW Alki)

TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon at K-5 Tilden School (WSB sponsor): “We invite interested parents to a casual open house; chat with teachers and specialists, visit classrooms, and ask questions.” (4105 California SW)

NW MONTESSORI OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon open house for prospective parents at Northwest Montessori, which serves 2 1/2-6 year-olds. (7344 35th SW)

LONGHOUSE ANNIVERSARY 10 am-5 pm at Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center:

Open house, concert, and reception. Celebrate the heritage of Greater Seattle’s First People, Chief Seattle’s Duwamish Tribe. Open house, 10-5, visit exhibit areas and art gallery. Festivities include: 11 am Film — Princess Angeline, 12 pm Film — Chief Seattle’s Speech. 1-2 pm Artist Reception — Katrina Lane: Unique Native Vision. 2 pm Concert — Stories by Roger Fernandes. Duwamish Heritage Group will invite friends to join in song and dance.

This marks “the 7th Anniversary of the building of the first Duwamish Longhouse since the last one was burned down in West Seattle in 1894 to push the Duwamish off their land. In 1851, there were over 90 Duwamish Longhouses. Opened in 2009, the Longhouse is a traditional cedar post and beam structure designed in the Puget Salish Longhouse style. It houses a Native Art Gallery, Duwamish History Museum, Gift Shop, Duwamish Tribal Offices, and traditional Longhouse. Admission and parking are free, donations to support the longhouse’s ongoing operation are always welcome.

(4705 W. Marginal Way)

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: The West Seattle HS boys-varsity team hosts Stadium HS at 6:30 pm. (3000 California SW)

MUSIC AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: Starting at 9 pm:

Cross Rhythm Trio featuring Ben Bloom, Jason Gray and Grant Schroff of Seattle’s afro-psycho-beat band Polyrhthmics. No cover.

(4210 SW Admiral Way)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

STUDENT AUTHORS @ WORDS, WRITERS, & WEST SEATTLE: 14 student authors from Madison Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School are in the spotlight at Words, Writers, & West Seattle, 5-7 pm tonight at Barnes & Noble in Westwood Village, presented as always by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. (2800 SW Barton)

FAMILY-FUN NIGHT @ THE Y: West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) invites you to a night of family fun, starting at 6 pm – obstacle course, swimming, more – details in our listing. (4515 36th SW)

LIVE MUSIC: Acoustic singer/songwriter Ann Gates Fiser at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW) …

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL HOME GAMES: Chief Sealth IHS girls varsity hosts Seattle Prep at 6:30 tonight (2600 SW Thistle) … West Seattle HS girls varsity hosts Eastside Catholic at 8 tonight (3000 California SW) … Chief Sealth IHS boys varsity hosts Seattle Prep at 8 tonight.

LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … via our year-round calendar. Please note it will not be accessible while our overhaul work is under way this weekend (starting around 6 tonight), but we will have daily preview roundups with highlighted events on our temporary site Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Two views from early today, as we start our daily preview – above, Lynn Hall shows us the pink sunrise light on the Olympics; below, the crescent moon, from Chris Frankovich:

Now, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

STORY TIMES: We list the local library story times on our calendar as often as possible, so if you’re interested, browse the calendar from time to time to look ahead. Today’s lineup includes Baby Story Time at 11:30 am and Somali Story Time at 5 pm, both at High Point Library. (35th SW & SW Raymond)

HOME OFFICE/COWORKING MEETUP: Noon today, get your new year in gear by networking – free weekly meetup at noon at West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor). (6040 California SW)

Tonight:

(WSB photo from Monday’s City Council meeting)

COUNCILMEMBER LISA HERBOLD @ SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: Two days after her first meeting as our area’s City Councilmember, Lisa Herbold will be “in the district” for what’s billed as a “casual conversation” during tonight’s Southwest District Council meeting. All are welcome at SWDC, whose participants are representatives from community councils and other organizations in western West Seattle. 6:30 pm at the Sisson Building/Senior Center in The Junction. (SW Oregon & California SW)

JIM PAGE AT C & P: Singer-songwriter Jim Page is at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) tonight, 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

And, one more time:

HELICOPTER REMINDER: As noted here on Tuesday, Seattle Fire says a Black Hawk helicopter from the National Guard is expected to land at the Joint Training Facility in southeast West Seattle sometime today. (9401 Myers Way S.)

(California Sea Lion, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Before the morning ends – quick look at some of what’s up for the rest of today/tonight:

WESTSIDE BABY REOPENS: Donating? The holiday closure is over and WestSide Baby‘s back open to accept donations of diapers and other items needed by thousands of local families. (10002 14th SW)

LIVE MUSIC: 5 pm at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), Justin Kausal-Hayes performs (1936 Harbor SW); 9 pm at Shadowland in The Junction, it’s the weekly singer-songwriter showcase (California/Oregon).

WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: First meeting of the year – 6:30 pm, HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. Details on the WSBC website. (41st SW & SW Alaska)

SEEKING SERENITY IN 2016? Join the West Seattle Shambhala Meditation Group tonight, 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Details in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

WWRHAH SKIPPING JANUARY: No Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council meeting tonight – WWRHAH will be back for the first Tuesdays of February, March, and beyond.

LOOK AHEAD … via our complete calendar.

(Thanks to Jim Spraker for the view of The Brothers on Sunday morning, just before the clouds moved in)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – where you can look days, weeks, months into the future any time – the highlights for today/tonight:

CITY COUNCIL INAUGURATION: The 2 pm City Council meeting today begins with the inauguration ceremonies for councilmembers, including District 1’s Lisa Herbold (as previewed here New Year’s Day). Public’s invited, though the chambers are expected to fill, so last-minute arrival is not recommended. Second floor of City Hall downtown. (4th/5th/James)

COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD’S VICTORY PARTY: After the big meeting, the new D-1 councilmember is having a belated victory party at the Chelan Café, 5 pm, since the election wasn’t settled until more than a month after the voting ended. (3527 Chelan SW)

FAMILY STORY TIME: High Point Library invites you to this year’s first evening story time for families, 6:30 pm. No charge, ever. (35th SW & SW Raymond)

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU: The heart of winter is the time to plan for summer. The first meeting of the year is when West Seattle Hi-Yu members and participants listen to ideas for the year’s theme, which leads to development of the next version of the last West Seattle neighborhood-rooted float. All welcome, 7 pm, Admiral Congregational Church. (California SW & SW Hill)

NIGHTLIFE: Trivia and more – see the listings/venues on the calendar!

P.S. – BUSINESS BREAKS: Two local businesses are on post-holiday breaks today and a ways beyond (any others? please let us know).

(Photos above and below are by Mark Wangerin: Double-crested Cormorant with Pacific Staghorn Sculpin)
While we hope you’ll find some time to rest during this post-holiday-season weekend, our calendar does offer some options:

‘WEST SEATTLE GET FIT’ TRAINING RUN: 8 am, meet at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) as this year’s free “couch-to-half-marathon” training program gets going. (2743 California SW)

TREE-CYCLE WITH THE RAINBOW GIRLS: 9 am-2 pm in the parking lot outside the Alki Masonic Hall in The Junction, drop off your tree with the West Seattle Rainbow Girls‘ annual fundraiser, by donation – more info in our preview. (4736 40th SW)

SPECIAL SATURDAY STORY TIME: 11 am, bring the kids to the monthly Saturday family story time at West Seattle (Admiral) Library. (2306 42nd SW)

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY REOPENS: 11 am-4 pm, first day for the West Seattle Tool Library after its holiday break. On the NE side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

IVAR EXHIBIT AT LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Noon-4 pm, visit the home of West Seattle’s history, and enjoy the visiting exhibit that spotlights the life and times of West Seattle entrepreneur Ivar Haglund. (61st SW & SW Stevens)

LAST WEEKEND FOR WEST SEATTLE YULETIDE: This just might be the last of the lights for this holiday season. West Seattle Yuletide, music-synched lights, plans to run through this weekend. Schedule’s on the WSY website. (38th between Dakota and Genesee)

LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … via the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar.

Before we get to the event list – the mountains, putting on another show as 2015 wraps up! Above, Wednesday evening’s sunset glow on the Cascades, from Monica Zaborac; below, this morning’s sunrise glow on the Olympics, first one from Chris Kanit:

And from G. Adams:

Thank you to everyone who’s contributed to another awesome year of community photography! Now, highlights for your West Seattle New Year’s Eve, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (which includes New Year’s Day events too):

WHICH RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN? Here are the ones that answered our calls for information about New Year’s Eve and/or New Year’s Day hours.

LAST SWIMS OF THE YEAR: At Southwest Pool, two sessions today – adult/senior swim at noon, senior water exercise at 1:30 pm. (2801 SW Thistle)

NEW YEAR’S EVE WALK: From Emerald City Wanderers:

Walk with us to bid adieu to 2014 and welcome 2015! It’s a great way to enjoy New Year’s Eve and Day, walking with family, friends and other kindred spirits. We’ll have 5 and 10 kilometer walks on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, different routes each day. And there’ll be hot soup to chase away any chills.

Start any time between 4 and 7 pm, from St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church; no fee, noncompetitive. Bring a flashlight. (3050 California SW)

NOT-SO-SILENT-NIGHT PARADE: You’re invited to join in the classic neighborhood parade, starting at Highland Park Improvement Club at 6 pm. “Assemble in the parking lot at 6 pm. Bring noisemakers, flashlights, lanterns – whatever is necessary! Parade starts when everyone is ready!” Followed by the Sage Comet Performance in the HPIC parking lot. (12th SW & SW Holden)

AFTER THE PARADE – CORNER BAR, COSTUME CONTEST, MORE: Continuing at HPIC, “DJ Doctor Lehl and DJ Evan will host The Dance Extravaganza from 8 pm until 2016, administering to our needs. 9 PM Costume Contest! We encourage everyone to dress up or come in costume. There will be cash prizes ( for the best costumes: 1st Place: $100, 2nd Place: $50 and 3rd Place: $25! Results to be determined by our unimpeachable judges and popular acclaim. We are doing this early enough so that the kids can also participate. Keepsake photos by RL Carroll. Your favorite local beer on tap, wine by the glass and a Champagne Bar with liqueurs and fresh fruit. Non-alcoholic drinks also available.” (12th SW & SW Holden)

KID-FRIENDLY NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY: 7 pm-9 pm, ending with the East Coast ball drop, at Admiral Bird – details in our listing. (California/Admiral)

NEW YEAR’S EVE SERVICE: At Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Gatewood: New Year’s Eve Burning Bowl Service, 7 pm. “As the year draws to a close, we invite you to join in the long-celebrated ceremony of the Burning Bowl; an opportunity to come together in community, to release the closing year, and to set intention and create open space to welcome the New Year. A spiritual ceremony involving fire as a cleansing ritual, this service incorporates letting go of the negative and unnecessary while clearing space for new possibilities in our lives. The burning bowl ceremony will be held in a quiet, contemplative setting encircled with music, readings, silence, and chanting. Everyone is welcome!” (7141 California SW)

BAR PARTIES: We’ve heard from two venues (anyplace else? comment!)

The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
9 pm: Hostile Makeover, Smashing Flannel
21+
Buy your ticket here

Parliament Tavern (4210 SW Admiral Way)
NYE Spectacular with Parliamentality House Band, 9 pm, 21+. Ring in 2016 with the Parliamentality House Band featuring Bobby Heinemann (bass), Colin Higgins (guitar), Marc Fendel (alto sax), Kevin Nortness (tenor sax) and Olli Klomp (cosmic dust collector). They’ll be dropping the funk all night long as we welcome the New Year. No cover! Champagne toast included!

LAST NIGHT FOR WEST SEATTLE LIGHTS: Final night of this year’s schedule for the now-legendary music-synched lights. On until midnight! Don’t forget a nonperishable-food item to drop in the bin in front of the house for the West Seattle Food Bank – or go to the WSL website to see how to help. (3908 SW Charlestown)

AND ABOUT THE FIREWORKS … of course you have many spots in West Seattle with great views of the Space Needle fireworks across the bay. Just don’t wait until the last moment to go look, especially if you’re thinking of a sea-level spot … it can be gridlock on the road and shoulder-to-shoulder on the shore as midnight gets closer.

If you can do it, our top recommendation for your to-do list today is to enjoy our spectacular West Seattle scenery. Thanks to Chris Frankovich for the photo of the Olympic Mountains’ best-known peaks, The Brothers, fully visible and snow-covered on this sunny morning. Now here’s what else you might consider for your list, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

TECH HELP: West Seattle (Admiral) Library offers free one-on-one help with tech tools and services they have available, noon-3:45 pm today. Unlike most library events, you have to make an appointment in advance – our calendar listing explains how. (2306 42nd SW)

(added) BASKETBALL LIVE STREAM: If you can’t get to Mountlake Terrace High School to cheer on the undefeated West Seattle High School boys’ varsity basketball team vs. MTHS, you can watch the live stream at 3 pm – go here. (WSHS beat Marysville-Pilchuck in the MTHS Holiday Tournament on Tuesday, 60-43.)

WEST SEATTLE GET FIT: At 6:30 pm, it’s one more informational session for the free program at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) taking you “from couch to half-marathon” in the new year. Our preview has the details. (2743 California SW)

EXPRESS YOURSELF: Open-microphone night at The Skylark, one more time before it’s 2016 already. 8:30 pm (after 7:30 pm signups) – more info here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

PLAN YOUR NEW YEAR’S EVE/DAY: West Seattle options – from parties to parading to plunging, with workouts and walks (and more!) inbetween – are atop our West Seattle Holiday Guide. Still time to add anything we’re missing – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

Looking to learn more in 2016? The Field Trip Society sends word it’s headed this way for the first time. From “field tripper in chief” Cambria Cox:

We offer classes and adventures for curious grownups … a great way to kick off the new year is to learn about fermenting and probiotics at our workshop on January 10th at the Puget Ridge Co-housing Kitchen from 2:00 – 4:00. Hadar Iron from In Ferment will be teaching the class. You can learn more about us and see our winter schedule at fieldtripsociety.com.

P.S. More places you can find classes/workshops in West Seattle:
–WS Community Centers (WSB sponsor)
–Continuing Education at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor)
–Seattle Farm School

(Other suggestions?)

(Red-breasted merganser, photographed by Matt Olson)

While getting ready for the changing of the calendar – see the New Year’s Eve/Day listings in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – there’s plenty to keep you busy today/tonight too. From our regular year-round calendar:

GIVE A LIFE-SAVING GIFT: As previewed here on Monday, today’s the day you can donate blood and help local college student Dennise Lopez, who’s co-hosting the drive, earn scholarship money. 10-noon and 1-4 pm at Holy Family. (20th SW & SW Roxbury)

MORNING MOVIE: “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” will be shown at Southwest Library, 11:30 am. Snacks provided! (35th SW & SW Henderson)

‘LET IT GO … LET IT GO …’: Sing along with “Frozen” when the movie’s shown at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 3 pm. (2306 42nd SW)

DROP-IN CHESS: 4:30 pm at High Point Library, kids/teens of all skill levels welcome.

Q & A 4 FUN: Trivia at Parliament Tavern, 8 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

(Cooper’s Hawk, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Some of what you can check out today – from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY SOCCER: Yes, there’s a pickup game! 7:30 am at Delridge Playfield, per the WSSS FB page. (4458 Delridge Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: There’s Ultimate today too! 10 am at Walt Hundley Playfield, per the WSUFF FB page. (6920 34th SW)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, with live music today by Tinker’s Dram. (California SW between SW Oregon & SW Alaska)

LEGO MANIA! At Southwest Library, for ages 5-12, 2-3:30 pm – details in our listing. (35th SW & SW Henderson)

MICHAL, LIVE: Singer/songwriter Michal performs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)

‘WONDERFUL LIFE,’ LAST CHANCE: 3 pm at ArtsWest, it’s the final performance of “Wonderful Life” – tickets available online. (4711 California SW)

Also:

HOLIDAY CHURCH SERVICES: Several special post-Christmas/pre-New Year services today – see the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.