First – thanks to Guy and Joy Smith on Alki Point for the photo from this past weekend, which they ID as Common Mergansers: “We’ve learned from watching and reading that they’re normally in rivers and lakes, but in spring and fall they spend time in salt water if it’s on their migration route. They fly fast and swim fast and have the habit of all swimming in the same direction with their heads under water when looking for fish. When they dive, they dive as a group. They have serrated teeth on their bills for holding the fish. They nest in tree cavities and the chicks jump out when they’re still covered with down.”

Now – swimming into highlights for the rest of your Tuesday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – where you can look ahead days, weeks, months at a time, any time:

FLU-SHOT CLINIC: Need a flu shot? Everyone (West Seattleites ages 4+) is welcome at the 3-7 pm clinic at Chief Sealth International High School. Details in our preview. (2600 SW Thistle)

DINE OUT FOR ‘HOMES OF HOPE’: 5-10 pm tonight at Pecado Bueno in The Junction, all-you-can-eat taco bar with proceeds going to help All Souls Church (WSB sponsor) build a home for a family in need in Mexico. (4523 California SW)

(added) WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASTICS FUNDRAISER: Dine at Talarico’s in The Junction today/tonight and a percentage of proceeds will be donated to the WSHS Gymnastics program. (4718 California SW)

FAMILY STRATEGIES! Get inspiration and education 6:30-8:30 pm tonight at Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) – community welcome for free presentation “Start with What Works: Executive Skills Strategies for Families“; details in our calendar listing. (10015 28th SW)

WEST SEATTLE SHAMBHALA MEDITATION GROUP: Need a little more serenity in your life? 6:30 pm, you’re welcome to join this weekly group at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Read about the group here. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME CONCERNS? Bring them to Southwest Precinct leadership during the monthly West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting tonight, 7 pm, in the precinct’s community meeting room. (2300 SW Webster)

TUESDAY TRIVIA: 9 pm at the new Parliament Tavern – signups start at 8. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

SIXTEEN LISTINGS IN ALL on today’s calendar – see the rest here.

(Photo by Kevin Freitas: Mt. Baker, seen from West Seattle, at sunrise last Thursday)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB: Monthly breakfast at Young’s Restaurant, 9:30 am, “open to members as well as non-members interested in Amateur Radio and emergency communication.” (9413 16th SW)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm today and every Sunday, in the street. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

MEET THE GREYHOUNDS: 11 am-1 pm at Mud Bay in The Admiral District, meet hounds from Greyhound Pets Inc. (2611 California SW)

JAMTIME, LIVE: 1-4 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), come enjoy live music on your Sunday afternoon. (5612 California SW)

SALMON DRUMMING: BYO drum(s) to Fauntleroy Creek’s fish-ladder overlook at 5 pm for the annual gathering to drum, sing, and dance to call the coho spawners home. (Fauntleroy Way SW [upper] & SW Director)

THAT’S JUST A SAMPLE … other listings for today, tomorrow, and beyond are on our complete calendar.

Thanks to Don Brubeck for the photo of the Duwamish River – which is at centerstage for one of today’s biggest events, part of the following list from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE AT SEALTH: 8 am-4:30 pm, Chief Sealth International High School hosts the annual Northwest Conference on Teaching for Social Justice. (2600 SW Thistle)

CAMPUS BEAUTIFICATION: 9 am-3 pm at Louisa Boren K-5 STEM, all welcome to help – details here. (5950 Delridge Way SW)

WESTSIDE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon, open house for families interested in all grades taught at Westside School (WSB sponsor), PreK through 8th. Details in our calendar listing. (10404 34th SW)

DUWAMISH ALIVE! 10 am-2 pm (after 9:30 am registration), the twice-yearly mega-work party along the river and in its watershed is happening today. If you haven’t already signed up – see the list of locations here, pick one, and go! Can’t decide? Here are the West Seattle sites that were most in need of more volunteers when we checked earlier this week.

REPTILE MAN! 10:30 am in the Fabulous Family Fun series at High Point Community Center – info’s in our calendar listing. (6920 34th SW)

SEE ART, MAKE ART: 1 pm at the Southwest Library, in conjunction with the ongoing Community Art Showcase, a “drop-in felt monster project led by Seattle artist and educator Lene Sangster.” (35th SW & SW Henderson)

FREE2LUV PRESENTS ‘ROCK KINDNESS’: 1-5 pm at the South Park Community Center, West Seattle-based Free2Luv has a big event:

October is Bullying Prevention Awareness Month and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray has proclaimed October 17th Free2LUV ROCK KINDNESS Day, inviting the community to become advocates for kindness. To mobilize the community around bullying prevention, Free2Luv®, Taco Time NW and Clear Channel Outdoor have teamed up to host a ROCK KINDNESS empowerment day for underserved youth at South Park Community Center October 17th from 1 – 5 p.m. The ROCK KINDNESS event will engage, enlighten and inspire youth to be their best selves and use their voices for good. Festivities will kick off with the Mayor welcoming participants and leading them in taking Free2Luv’s Kindness pledge. “Most kids witness bullying every day,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “We can change this by speaking out, respecting and embracing one another, and building each other up. Together we can work to end bullying in our schools and communities.” ROCK KINDNESS Day will feature an interactive Free2BeME art project, “Make Your Own Taco” bar hosted by Taco Time Northwest, a billboard photo op presented by Clear Channel Outdoor, inspirational video messages from the Seahawks, the Storm and Free Celebrity Ambassadors and culminates with an inspirational concert by teen musician Maddy Vance. Vance has penned a powerful anti-bullying anthem titled ‘Crashing Down’ for Free2Luv that will be performed to inspire youth to stay strong and remind them they are not alone.

(8319 8th Ave. S.)

‘LISTEN TO SEATTLE’: 2 pm at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, an encore of this “75-minute original program of narration and music is inspired by the life and words of Chief Seattle, weaving indigenous customs and local history with jazz composition and improvisation” with the Steve Griggs Ensemble. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

WCFB HARVEST DINNER & AUCTION: The White Center Food Bank’s big benefit dinner and auction is sold out, so this is mostly a reminder if you’re a ticketholder – it’s at the Brockey Center at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), starting with a champagne reception and silent auction at 5:30 pm. (6000 16th SW)

‘DEAR ARMEN’: 8 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. From our calendar listing: “An interactive-theatre experience blending traditional Armenian dance, erotic performance, monologue and live music, Dear Armen weaves together the voices and struggles of three generations of gender nonconforming Armenians.” (4408 Delridge Way SW)

WEST SIDE GLORY: “West Seattle’s quarterly somewhat queer variety show” returns to The Skylark, 9 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

THAT’S NOT ALL … lots more listings for today and beyond on our complete calendar.

(Killdeer, photographed at Alki by Mark Wangerin)
Your weekend begins in a matter of hours. Some of what’s up:

POP-UP MUSEUM: 2-5 pm in the lobby at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), the Southwest Seattle Historical Society invites you to bring your “School Daze” memories to share at this “pop-up museum,” previewed here earlier this week. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

MOVIE NIGHT AT HPIC: Highland Park Improvement Club invites you to movie night, with doors opening at 6, kids’ short at 6:15, main feature at 7 – find out what’s showing by checking out HPIC’s online preview. (12th SW & SW Holden)

SCHOOL-AGE FAMILY NIGHT @ THE Y: 6:30 pm, FREE fun at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) – that includes non-members – for families with K-5 kids. Includes free open swim at 7:35 pm. Details in our calendar listing. (36th SW & SW Snoqualmie)

ALKI SKATE NIGHT: This is the last Friday night skate at Alki Community Center until November 7th, so get your skate on, 6:30-8:30 pm. (5817 SW Stevens)

HULING BOWL: The annual crosstown high-school football game is tonight – 7 pm, at Southwest Athletic Complex, West Seattle High School vs. Chief Sealth International High School, trophy and all. If you only make it to one local HS game this year – this is it. Marching bands too! Here’s our coverage from last year, when CSIHS won for the third consecutive year. (2801 SW Thistle)

MUSIC AND COFFEE … and other beverages. Kick back in a comfortable community coffeehouse as Drew Martin performs live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. (5612 California SW)

PEARL JAM TRIBUTE: “Washed in Black,” 8 pm at The Skylark – get your tickets in advance online. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE? You might find it on our complete calendar.

Before we get too much further into the afternoon, five quick highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (which has many more listings for the rest of today/tonight):

WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK: Your next chance to find out about membership is tonight’s orientation starting at 6 pm, followed by a potluck at 6:30 and membership meeting at 7, at the Senior Center of West Seattle. (California SW & SW Oregon)

EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: This is an open house for families considering enrolling at Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor), 6:30-8 pm. (10015 28th SW)

WHAT WOULD YOU ASK THE DISTRICT 1 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES? This might be the last pre-election forum in West Seattle for D-1 candidates Shannon Braddock and Lisa Herbold. 6:30 pm at High Point Library; we moderate; audience questions too. P.S. Our video coverage of last night’s forum is still in the works; see our coverage of Tuesday’s D-1/P-8/P-9 forum here. (35th SW & SW Raymond)

DESIGN REVIEW X 2: Details (including links to the design “packets”) are in our development roundup published this morning – 6:30 pm, 1250 Alki SW; 8 pm, 9021 17th SW. Both at the Sisson Building in The Junction. (California SW & SW Oregon)

‘A NIGHT OUT FOR NEPAL’: Miss the former Duos Lounge? It’s the location – and caterer – tonight for a benefit to which you’re invited, 7-10 pm, raising money for UNICEF’s Emergency Relief for children in Nepal – full details in our calendar listing. (2940 SW Avalon Way)

(Fall flowers – photo by Max)

Made it to the middle of the week! Here’s what’s ahead for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

COWORKING/NETWORKING MEETUP: Noon-1:15 pm at coworking/meeting space West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor):

Our informal brown bag lunches for freelancers, independent business professionals, creatives and entrepreneurs working from home or coffee shops. Please RSVP on our meetup page. We talk about business ideas, share skills, get feedback on projects, collaborate, and network.

All welcome. (6040 California SW)

NEED AN ORCA LIFT CARD? 1-6 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center, it’s a new weekly West Seattle drop-in opportunity to get one. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

‘PINK OUT’ VOLLEYBALL NIGHT AT WSHS: You’re invited! From West Seattle High School head volleyball coach Staci Stringer:

Tonight, the West Seattle Girls Volleyball team will be hosting Cleveland High School for our annual “Dig Pink” game. JVC Will host Kennedy and JV will play Cleveland at 5:45 PM.

Varsity plays at 7 PM and we would love to invite the community to grab their pink and come support a great cause and cheer on the Wildcats! For every Dig, the Varsity girls team will be donating money to support breast cancer research! Come join the Wildcats for our Pink Out!!

In the gym at WSHS. (3000 California SW)

MADISON CURRICULUM NIGHT: 5:45 pm, drop-in library help available, followed by 6:30 pm Curriculum Night for Madison Middle School families. (45th SW & SW Spokane)

HARBOR SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6:30 pm tonight, Harbor School (WSB sponsor) on Vashon Island, has an open house, with a special invitation to West Seattleites – a shuttle is offered, but you need to RSVP ASAP (see how in our calendar listing). Harbor is now a K-8 school. (15920 Vashon Highway SW)

CUB SCOUT ‘JOINING NIGHT’: Happening tonight:

Cub Scout Pack 799 of Arbor Heights invites you and your boy to our “Joining Night”!
When: 6:45 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: Arbor Heights Elementary Cafeteria
For: Boys in grades 1-5

The boys will enjoy making and racing their own Stomp Rockets with current Cub Scouts, while parents and families will have the opportunity to learn about Pack 799. If you have any questions in advance, please contact our Cubmaster, Matt Andersen, at pack799cubs@gmail.com or (206) 300-5100. Thanks, and hope to see you there!

That’s the interim Arbor Heights school at Boren. (5950 Delridge Way SW)

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 CANDIDATES @ 34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, during the 34th District Democrats‘ monthly meeting, an hourlong forum/debate with City Council District 1 candidates Lisa Herbold and Shannon Braddock. We’re on the question-asking panel, along with former Rep. Velma Veloria and Sustainable West Seattle‘s Stu Hennessey. Full details on the 34th DDs’ website. (9131 California SW)

FIXING SCHOOL FUNDING: 7 pm at Fairmount Park Elementary, you’re invited to a conversation about what’s happening, and not happening, with school funding – the situation that’s the underpinning of this past week’s uproar over teacher cuts, among many other things. Here’s our preview. (3800 SW Findlay)

MORE! Here!

(Neighborhood fall colors, by Flickr member yel0rose, via the WSB Flickr group)

Looking ahead to the rest of the day and tonight via the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SCHOOL FUNDING RALLY: 4 pm outside Seattle Public Schools HQ, parents from West Seattle and elsewhere are organizing a rally sparked by this past week’s news of teacher cuts – if you’re concerned about the state of public education, be there. (3rd Ave. S. & S. Lander)

SING WITH ENDOLYNE CHILDREN’S CHOIR: It’s “Bring a Friend Night,” an open-rehearsal event for young singers interested in the choir, which actually starts at 4:30 pm:

BAFN is an open rehearsal, free for any child in grades K-10 who is interested in an evening of holiday music singing and hot cocoa.

Rehearsal Times:

Debut (grades K-2): 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Encore (grades 3-5): 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM
Advanced (grades 6-10): 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

This is happening in the reception room at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. (3050 California SW)

DEMOCRATIC DEBATE-WATCHING PARTY: Looking for someplace to watch tonight’s Democratic presidential candidate debate at 5:30? Krista in Gatewood is hosting one of the Bernie Sanders supporters’ parties and has room – check here.

CANDIDATE FORUM/DEBATE FOR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 & POSITIONS 8-9: 6:15 pm mingling, 6:45 pm debating at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center, presented by the WS Chamber of Commerce and WS Transportation Coalition. See the schedule here. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

TUESDAY TUNE-UP, BENEFITING WESTSIDE BABY: 6:30 pm at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), live music “by Piano-man and Emcee Victor Janusz with Robertson Witmer on accordion and MD Dixson on saxophone,” no cover but raffle benefits WestSide Baby – details in our calendar listing. (1936 Harbor SW)

ORCA TALK: What do orcas and ants have in common? Erich Hoyt – who filled The Hall at Fauntleroy last time The Whale Trail brought him here – is back as TWT’s new season of Orca Talks begins, tonight at 7 pm – details in our preview. (9131 California SW)

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm, The Sanctuary at Admiral. (42nd SW & SW Lander)

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

CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL PTSA: 7 pm in the Confucius Room. (2600 SW Thistle)

MORE ON THE CALENDAR FOR TODAY/TONIGHT … see it all here.

(This fierce-looking little bird is a bushtit, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Happy Monday! Very busy weekend. If you didn’t check in with the news, we covered a lot … just keep rolling on down the main page. First, our look ahead to the rest of today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP: 1:30 pm at Providence Mount St. Vincent, it’s the twice-monthly meeting of this free “support group for unpaid care partners, family members and friends of individuals with memory loss.” (4831 35th SW)

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, with an agenda – according to its online announcement – including “the #50 Metro bus, and recaps of recent neighborhood events such as the mayor’s walk.” (4407 Delridge Way SW)

EVENING BOOK GROUPS: 6:45 pm at Southwest and at West Seattle (Admiral) libraries. All welcome. WS (2306 42nd SW) is reading “Dirt Music” by Tim Winton; SW (35th SW & SW Henderson) is reading “The Tenth Muse” by Judith Jones.

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

JOSH RITTER AT EASY STREET RECORDS: 7 pm, free, all-ages in-store concert – but ESR says CD pre-order is the only way to guarantee entry. (California SW & SW Alaska)

FROM ‘SKIES OVER WEST SEATTLE’: Tonight’s the new moon. Haven’t read the latest SOWS yet? See what’s coming up, starting next weekend!

TIME TRAVEL … by looking into the future via our complete calendar.

(Sun after the storm – Saturday photo by JayDee)

Good morning! Fall fun today, and most of it waiting for you AFTER the football game. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

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

SOLSTICE PARK P-PATCH FALL HARVEST AND CRAFT FESTIVAL: 1 pm-4 pm, get a jump on today’s fall fun with:

Pumpkin Carving, Hot Apple Cider, Roasted Corn on the Cob, Organic Produce and Herbs, Homemade Preserved foods, Plant and Craft Sales, etc.

The P-Patch is on the hill between the tennis courts and the solstice/equinox viewing zone. (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW)

FREE GARDENING CLASS: 1 pm at West Seattle Nursery, Jenn Dowell leads a free class about “Winter Cover Crops.” (California SW & SW Brandon)

FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL: 2 pm-5 pm in and around three venues on both sides of the 9100 block of California SW: The Hall at Fauntleroy, Fauntleroy Church, Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor), you’ll find fun for all ages, from music to crafts to bouncy toys to pony rides to an old-fashioned cake walk! Here’s the schedule of activities/entertainment/more:

See it here as a PDF. (added) Also, courtesy of the Fauntleroy Fall Festival FB page, the detailed menu of food that’ll be on sale (with prices):

RALLY FOR SCHOOLS: After the Seahawks game ends – approximately 2 pm – you’re invited to join parents from local schools facing teacher cuts, for a rally in Admiral Junction to raise more public awareness of what’s going on. Wear your school colors, bring noisemakers/signs. (SW Admiral Way & California SW)

LADIES MUSICAL CLUB: 3 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, free classical concert – details here. (2306 California SW)

RICHARD HUGO TRIBUTE: 6 pm at the historic White Center Fieldhouse, it’s a tribute to legendary local poet Richard Hugo, in music and film – details in our preview. (1321 SW 102nd)

(Photo by Sam Nizam)

Happy Saturday! Highlights for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

DON’T TOSS IT, DONATE IT! West Seattle Jr. Football and Cheer are hosting a clothing and textile drive today:

Dropoff will be at West Seattle High School. There Will be a Clothes For The Cause trailer parked at the north end parking lot from 9 AM to 5 PM. We all have unwanted textiles that are out of fashion, not needed, or no longer fit. Instead of discarding surplus clothing and household linens, give them a second life through supporting West Seattle Jr. Football and Cheer.

Accepted items: clothing new and old, paired shoes (any kind, any condition), towels – bath, kitchen, rags, blankets, sheets, quilts, backpacks, curtain/drapery, purses, belts, tablecloth, placemats, stuffed animals.

(3000 California SW)

CLASS FOR HOMEBUYERS: WSB sponsor HomeStreet Bank is a co-sponsor of this class focused on “winning the bidding war and using creative financing to purchase more home.” RSVP if you see this early enough. 10 am-noon at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

NORTH SHOREWOOD PARK PLANTING: 10 am, come help with TLC for a neighborhood park, as explained here. (10061 21st SW)

VIETNAMESE STORYTIME: 11:30 am at Delridge Library, stories, songs, and rhymes in Vietnamese. All welcome. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

CAT ADOPT-A-THON: Noon-3 pm at High Point Community Center, more than a dozen kittens, including Robbie:

… as well as mature foster cats, are waiting for you to give them a brand-new home. (6920 34th SW)

MAKE POM-POM ANIMALS: 1 pm at Southwest Library, it’s part of “See Art, Make Art,” in connection with the ongoing Community Art Showcase – details here. (35th SW & SW Henderson)

FREE HEALTH FAIR: BendnMove is hosting a free Health and Wellness fair from 1-4 pm. Organizers say you’ll find “10 West Seattle health practitioners on site to discuss options for achieving or maintaining optimum health.” (3270 California SW)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, CLICK! It’s the 11th anniversary of Click! Design That Fits (longtime WSB sponsor), and you’re invited to the party tonight!

(Photo by Jared Chandler)
Join Click! proprietors John Smersh and Frances Smersh for the 5-8 pm party:

*Sparkling beverages and snacks

*Photo booth (professional photographer will be on site 6-7 pm)

*20% off all in-stock items (excluding our featured artist)

Full details here. (4540 California SW)

HARVEST DINNER AND TALENT SHOW: 6 pm potluck dinner – bring a dish to share! – and talent show at Highland Park Improvement Club. Go here to see what it’s all about. (12th SW & SW Holden)

BON-FULTON: Live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

PINT, DALE, WHATEVERLY BROTHERS: Big bill tonight at 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall – check it out here. (7904 35th SW)

FIRST SHOW AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: Stuporhero, Blanco Bronco, Lux Fontaine, Coke & Snickers are all on the bill, 9 pm at the new Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

Something else you can do today/tonight …

MAKE A CAKE FOR THE FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL CAKE WALK TOMORROW: The festival is 2-5 pm Sunday, but cake dropoff is at noon, so by the time we mention it again in the Sunday morning preview, it’ll be pretty much too late for you to bake and decorate a cake, so go get details on the FFF website now – and see some of last year’s entries in our 2014 coverage.

(Dark-eyed junco, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FRIDAY AFTERNOON MOVIE: “A Knight’s Tale” (2001), 1 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle. (California SW & SW Oregon)

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT: 5:30-8:30 pm at Admiral Congregational Church – details here. (California SW & SW Hill)

FRIDAY NIGHT SKATING: 6:30-8:30 pm, go skate at Alki Community Center! (5817 SW Stevens)

HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Two games are being played in West Seattle tonight, both at 7 pm, Ingraham visits Chief Sealth International High School at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – it’s homecoming night for the Seahawks! Also – Bainbridge visits O’Dea at West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th SW)

CHRIS & LYLE: Live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

NODDY & QUALIA: Electropop music at The Skylark (21+), 9 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

WEEKEND PREVIEW: Go browse our complete calendar to see what’s up. The biggest event of the weekend will be Sunday afternoon’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival – if you missed our preview, complete with activity/entertainment schedule, see it here!

Looking ahead to the rest of your Thursday, here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, starting with the biggest event of the day/night:

(Click image to see larger version of the map/venue list)

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: It’s the second Thursday, which means Art Walk night, 6-9 pm. Every quarter the map/participant list changes, and this time around, more than 20 West Seattle venues are welcoming you to come see what’s on display. Highlights are on the official WS Art Walk website; this quarter’s participants include WSB sponsors Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (featuring Todd D. Martin; 4410 California SW), Emerald Water Anglers (42nd SW & SW Oregon), Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; featuring Deanna Baldi), a group show at Wallflower Custom Framing (4735 42nd SW), and South Seattle College (6000 16th SW), where the gallery show is “The Growing Visibility of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.”

Also: At Windermere West Seattle (4526 California SW), artist Sheila Lengle is presenting her show “Prevail!” with 15 percent of tonight’s sales going to the fight against breast cancer – Sheila herself is a survivor. Windermere’s Kim Tingley will match the amount raised tonight.

Also happening today/tonight:

PATHFINDER K-8 PLAYGROUND GRAND OPENING: 3:30 pm, the community-built playground welcomes community members to visit to celebrate its grand opening! (1901 SW Genesee)

COMMUNITY ORCHARD OF WEST SEATTLE: Fall shifts the time and tasks for the weekly work party at the orchard, which you’ll find at the north end of the South Seattle College campus, 4-6 pm, all welcome! Details in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)

FREE GARDENING CLASS: At West Seattle Nursery, you’re invited to learn how to “Make Your Bed,” a free gardening class with Jeannine James, 5-6 pm. (California SW & SW Brandon)

SECOND THURSDAY OUT! Starts at 6 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle – details in our calendar listing. (California SW & SW Oregon)

CHIEF SEALTH IHS OPEN HOUSE: Dinner 5:30-6 pm, open house 6-8 pm for Chief Sealth International High School families, who “will have the opportunity to follow your child’s schedule, meet their teachers, and get general information from administration and staff.” P.S. If you’re going, bring donations for the CSIHS Clothing Closet! (2600 SW Thistle)

ROXHILL ELEMENTARY OPEN HOUSE: 5:30-7:30 pm, for current Roxhill families. (9430 30th SW)

WINE TASTING AND MUSIC: 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)

OF COURSE THERE’S MORE – please take a minute to see our complete calendar for everything that’s up today/tonight/beyond.

Young writer in the family? West Seattle’s VFW Post 2713 has just announced its annual essay contest for students:

All students in private, public, or home school are eligible to compete. First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded for each grade, while first place winners will advance to state and possibly national levels with greater prizes. The competitions are:

Youth Essay – Grades 3rd, 4th, 5th
Topic “Why is America my favorite country?”
Prizes: 1st $50, 2nd $25, 3rd $15
Rules and entry forms here

Patriots Pen – Grades 6th, 7th, 8th
Topic “What Freedom Means to Me”
Prizes: 1st $50, 2nd $25, 3rd $15
Rules and entry forms here

Voice of Democracy – Grades 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Topic “My Vision for America”
Prizes: 1st $100, 2nd $50, 3rd $25
Note: Each state winner is eligible for a $30,000 scholarship.
Rules and entry forms here

Deadline for all entries is November 1st. Good luck!

(Steller’s Jay, photographed on Tuesday by Mark Wangerin)

Your daily look into the future – the next 12 hours or so of it, anyway – from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (which always includes more daily happenings than what we highlight here, so please jump over and browse through when you get a minute):

FREE MUSIC/MOVEMENT CLASS … for toddlers! 10:30 am Wednesdays at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center; details in our calendar listing. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

WSHS CURRICULUM NIGHT: Families of current West Seattle High School students are invited to “Curriculum Night” at 6:30 pm. From the school newsletter: “Pick up a copy of your student’s schedule and a map of the building in the Commons. Administration, counselors and other school support staff will be on hand to greet you. Spirit gear, PTSA memberships and auction tickets will be sold. Our Culinary Arts students will be serving cupcakes, coffee, and cold drinks. After the opening, you will go to each of your student’s classes for 10 minutes. Don’t miss this important night to connect!” (3000 California SW)

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION: 6:30 pm at Delridge Community Center, featuring a performance by Joyas Mestizas. Refreshments too! (4501 Delridge Way SW)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at the Sisson Building in The Junction. Agenda highlights:

6:40 p.m. West Seattle Timebank
-Tamsen Spengler, President

6:50 p.m. Port of Seattle – Terminal 5 Modernization Project
-Paul Meyer, Environmental Manager

7:10 p.m. Move Seattle – Proposition 1 Discussion
-Let’s Move Seattle Campaign, CM Tom Rasmussen & Anthony Auriemma
-Keep Seattle Affordable, Eugene Wasserman

(California SW & SW Oregon)

TONIGHT’S TRIVIA: 8:30 pm at Talarico’s Pizzeria in The Junction. (4718 California SW)

And something you can do any time today/tonight:

EARLYBIRD DEADLINE FOR SOUTHWEST SEATTLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY GALA: From SWSHS executive director Clay Eals: “Today (Wednesday) is the early-bird deadline to save on Champagne Gala Brunch tickets – $85. People can purchase them at that price online or by dropping a check (in an envelope) in our museum mailbox (61st/Stevens) by midnight.” Here’s a new video invitation, featuring Catherine Gruye Alexander, daughter of the first Homestead chef in 1950, Bob Gruye – she and brother Rob will be speaking at the gala, which is themed “Coming Home to the Homestead“:

Also announced by SWSHS – the live auction of the November 7th gala will include log sections of the Homestead. More info on the gala, happening at Salty’s on Alki and with The Kenney as presenting sponsor (both are also WSB sponsors, and WSB is a media sponsor for the gala) can be found here.

(Today’s sunrise from Sunrise Heights, tweeted by @MetPatrick22)

Four weeks until Election Day; your ballot will arrive next week, so tonight is a great chance to check out your City Council choices, among other options highlighted below – from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

MATH BUDDIES: 4 pm drop-in program (first-come, first-served) for K-5 kids to get math help at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, explained here. (2306 42nd SW)

WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: Open agenda for tonight’s monthly meeting, 6 pm at HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) in The Junction – check out WSBC’s website for details and for other recent news about the group. All welcome. (SW Alaska & 41st SW)

‘LAND USE 101’ AT WWRHAH: Find out how to figure out what it means when a sign suddenly turns up on your street indicating something’s about to be torn down or built, whether there’s any chance for public comment, and more, in community advocate and former land-use planner Deb Barker‘s “Land Use 101” presentation, the main event at tonight’s Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council meeting, 6:30 pm at Southwest Library. (35th SW & SW Henderson)

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES: Tonight brings the first of four forums in West Seattle over the next 10 nights. This one’s at 6:30 pm at Fauntleroy UCC Church, presented by the Westside Interfaith Network and League of Women Voters, featuring candidates in the three races that’ll be on ballots here – District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) and at-large Positions 8 and 9. (9140 California SW)

‘BOOKTOBERFEST’ TRIVIA: Tonight, librarians challenge you to trivia at Westside Public House in The Junction, as “Booktoberfest” continues. 7:30 pm – info in our calendar listing. (4752 California SW)

And a biznote:

WHY BAKERY NOUVEAU IS CLOSED: A reader was worried to see the shop dark and a sign on Bakery Nouveau‘s door in The Junction; no worries, it’s just maintenance work – today’s the second and final day of a two-day closure.

(Alki photo by Michael Zaton)

Looks like one more day of the endlessly blue sky and sea. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today/tonight:

DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: 4-7 pm, Homework Help volunteers are available at High Point Library, for K-12 students. (35th SW and SW Raymond)

SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOUNDARIES/STUDENT ASSIGNMENT PLAN MEETING: No big boundary changes in the current West Seattle plan, but the ones that are in the works for next year – explained in our preview – are the subject of a meeting tonight, 6:30 pm, at Schmitz Park Elementary. (5000 SW Spokane)

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU: 7 pm at Admiral Congregational Church, it’s the monthly meeting for West Seattle Hi-Yu, which is currently inviting youth to apply for its new Ambassador Program. Come to the meeting to see how you can help with anything and everything Hi-Yu is up to. (California SW & SW Hill)

‘BOOKTOBERFEST’ AT SKYLARK: 7:30 pm, match wits with librarians, who are going around the city this month for special events like this round of “bookish and library-themed trivia” at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … by browsing our complete calendar.

(Golden fall color at Lincoln Park – photo by Larry Buckley)

Happy sunny Sunday! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, fall freshness abounds. (California SW, between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

FREE COMPOST! 11 am-2 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club – you dig, you haul, up to half a yard per household. (12th SW and SW Holden)

ANNIVERSARY SALE: 11 am-5 pm, it’s the second and final day of the anniversary “garage sale” at Second Gear Sports (WSB sponsor), as previewed here. (6529 California SW)

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: At least three planned in West Seattle today – bring your animal companion(s) and/or photo(s):

11:30 am – Peace Lutheran Church, per sign outside. (39th SW & SW Thistle)
1 pm – St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church @ WSHS parking lot next door – details in our calendar listing. (3000 California SW)
1 pm – Pigott Chapel at Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW)

CROP WALK: Join the walk along Alki Beach to raise money and awareness in the fight against hunger, as previewed here. 1 pm start from Alki UCC. (6115 SW Hinds)

SOUTHWEST LIBRARY COMMUNITY ART SHOW RECEPTION: 2-4 pm, meet the artists whose work is on display for the 24th annual community art show at Southwest Library. Coffee and dessert, too. (35th SW and SW Henderson)

IRISH SONGS OF MISCHIEF AND SORROW: 3 pm concert presented by Music Northwest at Olympic Hall on the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. Ticket and RSVP info here. (6000 16th SW)

MORE, OF COURSE … on our complete calendar.

So far, police haven’t found the source of something very loud within the past 15 minutes or so in South Delridge or White Center. Via the scanner, we heard an SPD dispatcher say reports were coming in from the King County side of the line too, but no word of anything definitive, no reports of any injuries, so we might never find out – just thought we’d mention it for the “others heard it too” files, if nothing else.

(Flicker in Lincoln Park, by Mark Ahlness, from the WSB Flickr group)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

NORTH ADMIRAL TREE WALK: Join volunteer Al for a walk to see the area’s most majestic trees, 10 am-noon; meet outside the West Seattle (Admiral) Library. (2306 42nd SW)

SECOND GEAR SPORTS ANNIVERSARY SALE: It’s been two years since Second Gear Sports (WSB sponsor) opened in Morgan Junction, and the shop is having a sale all weekend to celebrate. 10 am-6 pm today. (6529 California SW)

‘FIND IT, FIX IT’ COMMUNITY WALK: As previewed here again on Friday, this is the first time Mayor Murray‘s “Find It, Fix It” Community Walk program has come to West Seattle, after nine walks elsewhere in the city over the past year. The goal is to identify problems and how the city and neighbors can team up to fix them. The route is set to start at Louisa Boren K-8 STEM (5950 Delridge Way SW) at 11 am and end at the Delridge P-Patch (5078 25th SW) at 1 pm.

iPAD BASICS: 11:30 am, free class at High Point Library, but you have to RSVP – our calendar listing has the info. (35th SW & SW Raymond)

CIDER SOCIAL: Right after the aforementioned Find It, Fix It walk, the Delridge P-Patch is hosting a Cider Social, 1-4 pm, with fresh-pressed apple cider – bring apples if you have them! (5078 25th SW)

SEATTLE LUTHERAN HOMECOMING: 1:30 pm vs. Evergreen Lutheran at West Seattle Stadium, the Saints play their homecoming football game. (4432 35th SW)

WEST SEATTLE BIG BAND BENEFIT: 7 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, join the West Seattle Big Band for the third annual “Dance MS” benefit – details in our preview. (California SW & SW Oregon)

WHAT ELSE IS SCHEDULED TODAY? Browse our complete calendar here.

We’ve heard from a few people reporting an explosion of some type shaking them up in eastern West Seattle – particularly Riverview – early this morning. Thanks to Jeff for pointing out a specific call on the Seattle Fire 911 log – 500 South Myrtle (map), on the east shore of the Duwamish River, directly east of Riverview (and South Park), which cross-references to Seattle Boiler Works, had a short-lived SFD response for a “minor explosion” just before 7 am. We haven’t yet reached SFD to ask about injuries, but the call was closed out (meaning emergency personnel all left) in less than an hour.

With a gray start to the day, we’re hauling out a blue-sky pic from last weekend (recognize that path?). And now, we’re looking into the future – here’s what’s happening for September’s grand finale, today and tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

‘SWIM DUWAMISH’ FINALE: 11 am at Seacrest Pier, help welcome local swimmer Mark Powell, who’s been swimming the Duwamish River and its connecting tributaries in increments over the summer, as chronicled here. (1660 Harbor SW)

BABY STORY TIME: Today, High Point Library is where you’ll find story time for newborns through one-year-olds, 11:30 am. (35th SW & SW Raymond)

LUNCHTIME MEETUP: West Seattle’s only coworking center, Office Junction (WSB sponsor), invites entrepreneurs, at-home workers, coffee-shop workers, etc., to the weekly noon brown-bag meetup. (6040 California SW)

HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN FARM STAND FINALE: 4-7 pm, it’s your last scheduled chance this season to buy fresh produce right next to the urban mini-farm where it was grown by local gardeners. (32nd SW & SW Juneau)

GREENWAY/RAINGARDEN INFO MEETING: A “drop-in session” at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge tonight, 6-7:30 pm, will offer information about the under-construction Delridge-Highland Park Greenway and the Delridge Natural Drainage System project. (9050 16th SW)

‘ROCK FOR FAULKNER’ BENEFIT: The Tea Party is live in-store tonight at Easy Street Records, but it’s more than a show:

In support of KISW‘s Hall of Famer, Cathy Faulkner, we are helping raise funds for her husband’s battle with cancer. The Tea Party will be performing an intimate acoustic set at Easy Street at 7 pm, followed by a signing & photo session. Ticket pre-orders for the event are $20 and include one ticket to the show and a copy of The Tea Party’s latest release …

Go here to find out more AND to pre-order your ticket ASAP. (California SW & SW Alaska)

MORE … on our complete calendar.

(California sea lion, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Highlights of what’s up today/tonight, featuring listings from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

NATIONAL COFFEE DAY: Go wish WSB’s coffee sponsors Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW) and C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW) a happy “National Coffee Day”!

BABY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at Southwest Library – songs, stories, rhymes for wee ones up to a year old. (35th SW & SW Henderson)

QUILT SHOW AND LUNCHEON: 11:45 pm lunch, 12:30 pm quilt show at Senior Center of West Seattle – check to be sure there’s room! (SW Oregon & California SW)

NORTH DELRIDGE ACTION PLAN: Come find out about the draft plan and talk about your hopes and dreams for the area – including the future of Delridge Way and vicinity as a “multimodal corridor” – during a 6-8 pm workshop at Delridge Community Center; details in our calendar listing. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

CHANGE DESIGN REVIEW? The city’s been working on “improvements” to the Design Review program, and is having two open houses – neither is in West Seattle, but at 6 pm tonight in Columbia City, it’s the closest one. Details here. (4721 Rainier Ave. S.)

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION WITH SCHOOL BOARD REP: West Seattle/South Park’s rep on the Seattle Public Schools board, Marty McLaren, has her next community-conversation meeting tonight at High Point Library, 6-8 pm. (35th SW & SW Raymond)

CHANGE SCHOOL START TIMES? TALK PROPOSED ‘BELL TIMES’ TONIGHT: For the second consecutive night, Seattle Public Schools is bringing a big topic to a meeting in West Seattle. 6:30 pm, the next round of discussion about changing “bell times” – school schedules – is happening at Chief Sealth International High School. See the superintendent’s Draft Proposal by going here (note, for example, that West Seattle High School would start an hour later than it does now, and Denny IMS & Madison MS would start almost 2 hours later than they do now); more info about the meeting here. (2600 SW Thistle)

MORE! for tonight, tomorrow, beyond on our complete calendar.