(Evening Grosbeak in West Seattle, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Happy Tuesday! Looking ahead to the rest of today/tonight, as we do most mornings:

GIVEBIG: The one-day donate-a-thon is on, and for the third consecutive year, we have a local list you can use to find the special links for your favorite West Seattle/White Center/South Park nonprofits (and some you might not have realized have local ties). Find the list here – and give by 11:59 pm tonight to help make recipients eligible for part of a “stretch fund.” P.S. Our page also includes information on “Dine Out for Hunger,” with participating White Center restaurants donating part of their proceeds today/tonight to the White Center Food Bank as part of this day of giving.

WEST SEATTLE MONTESSORI OPEN HOUSE: “Preschool Preview” open house today at West Seattle Montessori (WSB sponsor), with multiple sessions through 1:30 pm – details in our calendar listing. (11215 15th SW)

WESTWOOD-ROXHILL-ARBOR HEIGHTS COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 6:15 pm, monthly meeting at Southwest Branch Library, all welcome. From the agenda (published in full on the WWRHAH website):

6:15-6:30: Introductions & Community News; SWDC looking for volunteers to form a Land Use Committee; May 17th Citywide Emergency Drill …

6:30-6:35: Elections – Slate:
Chair: Amanda Kay Helmick * Co-Chair: Eric Iwamoto * Secretary: Joe Szilagyi

6:35-7:00: Committee & Neighborhood Council Updates

7:00-7:30: Seattle Public Utilities, Cheryl Eastberg: Update on Roxhill Bog Rehydration Project

7:30-7:40: Other Business

(35th/Henderson)

TALK ABOUT HOMELESSNESS: Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Life, Justice, and Peace Commission invites you to join an “interactive discussion” about homelessness in our community, 6:30-8 pm at the OLG Parish Life Center. Short film planned along with guest Elissa Knight from Catholic Community Services FAITH program (or Faithful Action in Transforming Homelessness). Light refreshments. (35th/Myrtle)

WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: What better time than Bike Month to get involved with West Seattle Bike Connections? Tonight’s monthly meeting is at 7 pm at HomeStreet Bank in The Junction; details on the WSBC website. (41st/Alaska)

‘GIRL RISING’: Screening tonight at the historic Admiral Theater, 7 pm, organized by local Girl Scouts, as previewed here. (2343 California SW)

BLUES TO DO: Tuesday night is blues-day night at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm, this time around with Michele D’Amour & The Blues Dealers. (6451 California SW)

MORE … for today, tonight, tomorrow, beyond, on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar.

(Robin, photographed by Trileigh Tucker)
Early-bird busy day, with three breaking-news incidents (fire coverage here, crash updates here) before 8 am. Now, highlights from the SCHEDULED events for the rest of the day:

COUNCIL CONSIDERS MINIMUM-WAGE PROPOSAL: 2:30 pm today at City Hall, the City Council Minimum Wage and Income Inequality Committee takes its first official look at the minimum-wage-increase proposal announced last week by Mayor Murray. Agenda’s here; you’ll be able to watch live via Seattle Channel, online or cable. (4th/5th/Cherry)

CYCLE U 10TH ANNIVERSARY RIDE/PARTY: Meet at Cycle U at 5 pm for a bike ride commemorating 10 years in business, followed by a 7 pm party. (3418 Harbor SW)

FAMILY STORY TIME: Tonight’s story time for families is at High Point Library, 6:30 pm. (35th/Raymond)

HI-YU MEETING AND CANDIDATES’ ESSAY READING: West Seattle Hi-Yu‘s monthly meeting is tonight at 7 in the hall at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church – interested community members welcome! – and it will include another judged event for the three Senior Court candidates, reading essays aloud. (California/Hanford)

LOOK AHEAD … to tomorrow, next week, next month, on our main calendar page.

In honor of today’s spotlight event, the 2nd annual West Seattle Bee Festival, we share another photo of a recent honey-bee swarm, courtesy of Sandra Braun. We reported on the swarm two weeks ago; if you see one, don’t panic, call a beekeeper – see this page from the Puget Sound Beekeepers’ Association. Now, to the big event (at which the bees will be in their enclosure):

WEST SEATTLE BEE FESTIVAL AND PARADE: A parade, picnic, and festival celebrate the start of the second year of the West Seattle Bee Garden on the north side of High Point Commons Park. Come “bee” in the parade, for starters – gathering at 10 am at West Seattle Elementary School (6760 34th SW), parading at 11 to the park (31st and Graham) for music, food, crafts, face-painting, more. Don’t let a showery forecast get in your way. More in our recent preview.

Also ahead for your West Seattle Sunday:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always. (44th/Alaska)

WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: Now at Fairmount Park, 11 am; details in our listing. (5400 Fauntleroy Way SW)

HOLY ROSARY CENTENNIAL MASS: 11:30 am, Archbishop J. Peter Sartain will celebrate Mass in honor of the centennial of Holy Rosary School, at adjoining Holy Rosary Church. Reception in Lanigan Gym, with time-capsule opening, afterward. (42nd/Genesee)

LEARN ABOUT LINCOLN PARK: A naturalist will lead you on a walk to explore and learn about the history of Lincoln Park. Meet at 1 pm in the north parking lot. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

RAIN 2 RIVER WALK – NOTE, NEW MEETING PLACE: Join in an educational walk and get a free ticket for a Duwamish River boat tour in the future! Today’s walk has a NEW meeting place, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, but the same previous schedule, 1:30-4 pm. Details in our listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

MATINEE FOR ‘HAIR’: The classic musical is onstage at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), with a 3 pm matinee today. Ticket and show info here. (4711 California SW)

10:29 AM: Though we still don’t know what they were, we’re mentioning this because we’re getting inquiries in all our channels: In the 5 am hour, multiple explosion-type sounds startled people awake in neighborhoods including Gatewood and High Point. Jeremy says it “shook (his) windows.” We’ve checked the police and fire logs and so far haven’t found any obviously related incidents – for example, if it were gunfire, and police found evidence, it would be logged as such. If you happen to know what it was – maybe somebody with fireworks in your neighborhood – help solve the mystery!

7:27 PM: Still a mystery. SPD Lt. Paul Leung, who was working at that hour, says he doesn’t recall any related calls, and there were no warrant services in the area (so much for the flashbang theory).

(Friday afternoon rainbow, by Jason Grotelueschen)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

HI-YU COMMUNITY BREAKFAST: Until 11 am, you’re invited to enjoy breakfast at the Masonic Center with West Seattle Hi-Yu, including the three Senior Court candidates’ talent performances at 9:30 am (9:33 am update, we just stopped by and now it’s looking more like 10-ish). Details here. (40th/Edmunds)

FAIRMOUNT PARK PTA CHARTER MEETING: Community members as well as future families and staff of Fairmount Park Elementary, reopening this fall after seven years of closure, are invited to come be founders of its PTA, with a charter meeting just getting under way now (9 am, followed by 10 am social hour) at Alki Elementary, as previewed here last night. (3010 59th SW)

CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE #1: First of two days for the Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation‘s giant rummage sale, 9 am-3 pm; details in our calendar listing. (7141 California SW)

CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE #2: Also 9 am-3 pm, it’s the second of two days at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church‘s big sale. (3050 California SW)

‘JANE’S WALK’: As previewed here, meet at the Charlestown water tower for a Feet First-sponsored, neighborhood-walking-ambassador-led tour of West Seattle development, reminiscing about the past, looking toward the future. 10 am-noon. (39th/Charlestown)

PRE-CRYPTICON MAKEUP CONTEST: The PNTA store in North Delridge is hosting the early rounds of the horror-movie-makeup contest that will have its finals at Crypticon Seattle on Memorial Day weekend, as previewed here. Round 1 at 10:30 am, round 2 at 12:30 pm, public welcome. (2414 SW Andover)

WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY BARBECUE SEASON BEGINS: 11 am, the grill fires up outside West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) for another season of benefit barbecues. Go say hi to Michele and company! (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)

KONZUK TRUNK SHOW AT CLICK! Karen Konzuk‘s “simple, modern” jewelry designs are highlighted in her trunk show at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor), 11 am-5 pm today. (4540 California SW)

GRAND OPENING PARTY AT MY THREE LITTLE BIRDS: The new kids-stuff shop in Morgan Junction celebrates its official grand opening today, 11 am-2 pm. (6959 California SW)

CATTYWAMPUS: The pop-up kid-stuff shop at Center Studio (WSB sponsor) in downtown White Center is back today, 12:30 pm-6:30 pm; details in our calendar listing. (9611 16th SW)

BUILD BRIDGES! Fun competition for kids at High Point Library, 2-4 pm; details in our calendar listing. (35th/Raymond)

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION AND APPRECIATION PARTY: 4-7 pm, Sustainable West Seattle is throwing you a party in The Admiral District – find out about its programs and people and how you can help. (4200 SW Admiral Way)

LAFAYETTE PLAY’S FINAL NIGHT “Aesop’s Fables” is Lafayette Elementary‘s annual production, with its third and final show at 7 pm at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium. Doors open at 6:30; public welcome. No admission fee, but a donation box will be set up at the door to help with the costs of the production. (2600 SW Thistle)

‘INEQUALITY FOR ALL’: West Seattle Meaningful Movies presents “Robert Reich’s passionate argument on behalf of the middle class,” 7 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. Admission free, donations accepted. Details in our calendar listing. (6400 Sylvan Way)

GROW IT, SHOW IT … ‘HAIR’: The Age of Aquarius is back with the classic musical onstage at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Ticket and show info here. (4711 California SW)

THOSE GUYS: The “fourth annual farewell show” for Those Guys, also featuring Wrecking Yard, rocks the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) starting at 9:30 tonight. (6451 California SW)

That’s West Seattle from the air at night, courtesy of Michael Brophy, who shared the photo via the WSB Facebook page last night. (Side note: We are thrilled that 14,600+ people “like” the FB page, but please note that it’s one of our side channels – the website here is the ONLY place to find all the news we report, plus the continuously updated Event Calendar, Forum discussions, lost/found pets, the restaurant guide, traffic, weather, etc.!) And from the aforementioned calendar:

ST. JOHN’S RUMMAGE SALE: 9 am-7 pm, first of two days at the church’s big sale. (3050 California SW)

WORDS, WRITERS, & WEST SEATTLE: Get an early start on the weekend by stopping by Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village to meet authors Mike Hickey (“Counterclockwise”) and Arleen Williams (“Running Secrets: The Alki Trilogy”), both South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) instructors whose works are featured in this month’s edition of “Words, Writers, & West Seattle,” also presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, whose website features this preview. (2800 SW Barton)

HPIC CORNER BAR: The monthly pop-up-bar extravaganza at Highland Park Improvement Club opens its doors tonight at 6 pm, and then features jazzy live music by the Ellis Brothers starting at 6:30 pm. (12th/Holden)

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL ARTISTS’ WORK ON DISPLAY: Tonight’s Student Art Show at the Seattle Art Museum downtown (where it’s also Teens’ Night Out) features the work of West Seattle High School students, as listed here – congratulations! You can see the show starting at 6 pm. (1300 1st Avenue)

MESSIAH SING-AND-PLAY-ALONG: Tonight’s the night for the “Messiah” singalong/play-along (it was really meant to be an Easter-season work!) at West Side Presbyterian Church, doors at 6, music at 7, all welcome, bring a vocal score if you have one. Details in our recent preview. (3601 California SW)

LAFAYETTE PLAY Tonight and tomorrow, cheer for young performers in Lafayette Elementary‘s annual production! Here’s the announcement and a photo we received:

Lafayette Elementary will present its school play, Aesop’s Fables, (continuing tonight and tomorrow) at 7 p.m. at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium.

It’s a modern adaptation of 12 of Aesop’s beloved stories, plus some added songs, performed by 80 third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders. Doors open at 6:30, and the public is welcome. No admission fee, but there will be a donation box at the door to help with the costs of the production.

(2600 SW Thistle)

WSCO KARAOKE FUNDRAISER: 7 pm, go sing at Kenyon Hall to benefit the West Seattle Community Orchestras, which provide opportunities to local musicians of all ages (and free-admission concerts for the community). Ticket info is in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)

May is Bike Month. Thanks to Don Brubeck for the above view from the path; scroll down, meantime, for a DIY Bikes event among tonight’s listings. Speaking of which, this first day of May is a hot one in calendar terms as well as impending high temperature in the 80s, with a variety of events on the way, including these:

LOYALTY DAY: Did you know the first day of May is not just May Day but also Loyalty Day? Find out more at noon today, when the VFW Auxiliary invites you to a ceremony at VFW Post 2713 in The Triangle. (3618 SW Alaska)

SPRING TASTE: West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) invites you to drop by and sample the tastes of spring, 4-7 pm. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)

DIY BIKES – THE TRUTH ABOUT WHEEL TRUING: From the announcement: “The truth is, you can do it once you have learned some of the tricks of the trade. This workshop is offered by DIY Bikes in cooperation with the West Seattle Tool Library, 5-8 pm. DIY will provide the tools and the knowhow. Bring your own wheels to work on or help others with their wheels.” The WSTL is on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

CELEBRATE MAY DAY AT THE COMMUNITY ORCHARD OF WEST SEATTLE: From the announcement: “Get ready for a long and prosperous growing season. Start by building your soil. This week at COWS (Community Orchard of West Seattle) we will be showing the public how to build rich and lasting soil beds using the lasagna garden method. This May Day edition of our usual Thursday ‘Health and Harvest’ starts at 5 pm with the soil-building class between 5 and 6 pm. COWS is located at the north end of the South Seattle College campus.” (6000 16th SW)

ALKI ELEMENTARY PTA: 6:15 pm tonight in the school library. From the announcement:

-Meet Madison Middle School Principal, Dr. Robert Gary, and PTA President, Julie Howell, at a special presentation geared toward 5th grade families
-Insights from “Positive Discipline,” a parenting program led by Violet Borghesi
-Budget Committee will present the proposed 2014-2015 budget for review

(3010 59th SW)

‘STYLE ’14’ FASHION SHOW: West Seattleite-founded/-led Northwest Hope and Healing presents its annual fundraising fashion show “Style ’14,” tonight at Showbox SODO, with lots of West Seattle businesses and volunteers involved; tickets available at the door – 6:30 pm for VIP level, 7 pm general, more details in our most-recent preview. (1700 1st Ave. S.)

DESIGN REVIEW FOR 3211 CALIFORNIA: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, it’s the last Southwest Design Review Board meeting scheduled for a while. Just one project this time, Early Design Guidance for the proposed 63-apartment, 4-live-work-unit, 63-parking-space building at 3211 California SW, as shown on this map from the design “packet”:.

See renderings (remember, this is the “massing” phase, so it’s all about size/shape) and details by previewing the full “packet” here. As always, there will be a public-comment period. (California/Oregon, upstairs)

VILLAGE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: The cooperative school for K-2 students invites prospective families to its open house 6:30-8:30 tonight on the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus; details in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER: Community prayer gathering at 7 pm at Shorewood Foursquare Church; details in our calendar listing. (10300 28th SW)

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL: Four months after the murder of Stephen Jeffries, Jr., in South Delridge, no arrest yet, so family and friends are gathering for a candlelight vigil in the neighborhood where it happened – community invited. 7:30 pm; details here. (Across from 9215 16th SW)

‘HAIR’ AT ARTSWEST: Second week under way for the new, yet classic, production at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) curtain time 7:30 pm. (4711 California SW)

Even with all that, you’ll still find MORE on the WSB calendar!

Eileen and Michael shared that view of a baby starfish seen during a round of low-ish tides earlier this month. With the weather getting even warmer, conditions will be perfect for beach-walking, if you can make the time. Lura pointed out that while they’re not mega-mega-low tides, the daily low tides during the next two days are fine for exploring: -1.5 feet just before 12:30 pm today, and -1.4 at 1 pm tomorrow. You can check tides on the WSB West Seattle Weather page any time, by the way. And from our calendar, more highlights:

BABY STORY TIME: 11:30 am, High Point Branch Library, intended for babies 4 months old to 12 months old. (35th/Raymond)

HOME OFFICE/CO-WORKING MEETUP: Noon-1:15 pm at West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor), details here. (6040 California SW)

CHEER FOR ALL FOUR TEAMS! 4 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex in Westwood, Chief Sealth International High School varsity teams host West Seattle High School teams in softball and baseball games. (2801 SW Thistle)

PATHFINDER K-8 PLAYGROUND, FIRST COMMUNITY DESIGN MEETING: All interested community members are welcome/encouraged to come kick off the next phase of the playground-upgrade process, including kids, 5:30-7 pm at the school on Pigeon Point. Read more about the project here; we also previewed the meeting here. (1901 SW Genesee)

OPEN MICROPHONE NIGHT … at Skylark Café and Club in North Delridge, 9 pm, 21+, with some unique features you can read about here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MORE! on the calendar.

(Ready for the warm weather? Somebody is! Spotted Monday north of The Junction, shared on our Instagram feed)
Along with sitting outdoors and enjoying the weather as soon as you can, here are a few other options for the rest of your day/night, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, where you’ll always find even more:

DROP-IN CHESS: Kids and teens are invited to stop by the High Point Branch Library at 4 pm for drop-in chess. (35th/Raymond)

JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: Development is the perennial hot topic for the recently revived Junction Neighborhood Organization (JuNO), and tonight the one in the spotlight is 4439 41st SW, 40 apartments and 5 parking spaces, with neighbors voicing concerns and preparing for a community meeting procured via petition. 6:30 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle. (California/Oregon)

TEENS, POT, BOOZE: How best to talk to your tweens/teens about it? Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) invites you to get some practical advice tonight via “Teens, Marijuana, Alcohol, and Reality… Setting the Framework for Healthy Communication.” EW adds, “The expert speaker is Dr. Kevin Haggerty from the Social Development Research Group of the University of Washington Department of Social Work. Parents, caregivers and their children (middle-school-aged and older) are invited to attend.” Here’s the Facebook event page. (10015 28th SW)

TUESDAY TUNE-UP: Live music at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), raising money for the Sexual Violence Law Center, 6:30-8:30 pm; details in our calendar listing. (1936 Harbor SW)

STEPS AT STEVENS, COMMUNITY DESIGN WORKSHOP #1: You’ve heard about the project to create a safer, more-attractive passageway into West Seattle High School – now, you have the chance to help shape it, as previewed here. WSHS Commons, 7 pm. (3000 California SW)

BLUES TO DO: 8 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), it’s your weekly dose of the blues. this week with Miles from Chicago and special guest Teri Derr; details in our calendar listing. (6451 California SW)

MORE NIGHTLIFE, MORE DAYTIME EVENTS … awaiting you in the calendar.

(Sunday’s subtle rainbow; photo by Don Brubeck)
Brand-new week, during which we’ll start a brand-new month. But not quite yet. Here are highlights for today/tonight, the third-to-last day of April, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

PARKS DISTRICT TO THE BALLOT? The proposal to raise extra money for Seattle Parks by forming a Park District will go to voters in August, if the City Council finalizes that plan at its 2 pm meeting today. Public comment will be at the start of the meeting, which you can watch live via Seattle Channel, online or cable. (City Hall)

OPERA PREVIEW: “Multimedia lecture” at West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library, 6:30 pm, previewing Seattle Opera‘s upcoming production “The Tales of Hoffmann.” Free. (2326 42nd SW)

FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30 pm at High Point Branch Library. Free. (35th/Raymond)

COCKTAIL CINEMA: Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) – which just celebrated its fifth anniversary! – pairs movies and cocktails, and tonight it’s “The Jerk” (Steve Martin) with a cocktail creation titled the Soda Jerk, 7:30 pm on the big screen. (6451 California SW)

NEW MOON: From the most-recent edition of “Skies Over West Seattle,” that’s what you’ll find (or not find!) in our skies tonight.

LOOK INTO THE FUTURE! … check out our calendar to see what’s happening in the days and weeks ahead.

(Another fabulous Alki bald-eagle closeup by Gary Jones)
Good morning! Possibilities for your Sunday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

RECYCLE ROUNDUP: Less than a week after Earth Day, you get the twice-annual chance to go to the Fauntleroy Church parking lot to do the kind of recycling you just can’t do at curbside. As we reminded again last night, no TVs! Here again is the list of what 1 Green Planet will and will not take – free but if you appreciate the opportunity, you will have the chance to make a free-will donation to the church’s Green Committee, which organizes this event. (9140 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always. (44th/Alaska)

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Charell at Firefly Café and Creperie says the new Junction Church across the street is putting up its third Little Free Library today and, “If anyone would like to help out, they could use some volunteers. They are meeting at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Should be done around noonish.” The church is across the street from her café. (4157 California SW)

ROCK AND GEM SHOW: Displays, activities, and more in the second and final day of the West Seattle Rock Club‘s annual rock fest, 10 am-5 pm at the Masonic Center. (40th/Edmunds)

MEET THE INAUGURAL POET: At High Point Library, 11 am, meet Richard Blanco and join in a discussion with the writer and other readers about his memoir, “For All of Us, One Today: An Inaugural Poet’s Journey.” Details in our calendar listing. (35th/Raymond)

FREE SELF-DEFENSE SEMINAR FOR WOMEN: As noted here last night, there’s still room in the free “Warrior Woman” self-defense seminar at Straight Blast Gym of Seattle, 12-3 pm. (5050 Delridge Way SW)

FIRST MATINEE FOR ‘HAIR’: The Age of Aquarius returns with the classic musical onstage at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), 3 pm. Ticket and show info here. (4711 California SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) presents David Grixoni and Paul Luczak with “the coffeehouse sound.” (5612 California SW)

VENDOR FAIR: Local artists/entrepreneur selling their wares at Mind Unwind in The Admiral District, 4:30-7 pm. (2206 California SW)

(West Seattle from the Space Needle, tweeted last night by @alkiamyratz)
Sunny and busy Saturday, under way! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, some of your options for the hours ahead, but first:

TRAFFIC ALERT: Reminder that the Admiral Way offramp from the westbound bridge is scheduled for closure 8 am-~3 pm today (SDOT says it’ll reopen earlier if the work is done).

(WSB photo, added 9:49 am)
FREE SHREDDING: At C & P Coffee Company, 9 am-noon, Roger Steiner of IHeartWestSeattle.com co-sponsors a free shredding event. (C&P and IHWS are both WSB sponsors.) Here’s a page full of information on what to shred and what not to shred; also, a message from Roger: “Just a heads-up to everyone planning to stop by: the truck will only be on-site until noon, so please bring a reasonable amount of materials. As a general guide, we think we can accommodate everyone at a pace of 2 to 3 file boxes. Thanks!” (5612 California SW)

JUNCTION PLAZA PARK CLEANUP: Join the Junction Neighborhood Organization at 9 am. (42nd/Alaska)

STAIRWAY CLEANUP AT DELRIDGE/MYRTLE: 9 am-noon Saturday. Details here.

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL SPRING CLEAN: The NDNC invites you to meet them at 10 am tomorrow at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW) for Spring Clean, with groups tackling various tasks including the stairway at Delridge/Genesee. Bags, pickers, refreshments provided – just “show up in conference clothes”!

THREE MORE STAIRWAY CLEANUPS: Five in all in West Seattle as part of Feet First‘s citywide day of stairway cleanups, also including, from 10 am-noon: 46th/Hanford, 49th/Genesee, 58th Place/Carroll.

REWARD-FUND FUNDRAISER: As reported here two weeks ago, the family of murder victim Stephen Jeffries, Jr., is having a fundraiser at Puerto Vallarta in The Junction, 10-1, to raise money for the reward fund in hopes of finding his killer. (4727 California SW)

DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY: SPD’s Southwest Precinct is the West Seattle dropoff spot for the twice-annual opportunity to bring in unneeded/expired medicine and get rid of it safely and anonymously. That includes liquid, as long as the lid/cap is tight; more info here. 10 am-2 pm. (Delridge/Webster)

ROCK AND GEM SHOW: Literally tons of fun (and rocks/gems) at the West Seattle Rock Club‘s annual rock fest, 10 am-5 pm (today and tomorrow) at the Masonic Center. (40th/Edmunds)

HEALTHY KIDS DAY: The West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) presents its annual festival of family fun, 10 am-1 pm; details in our calendar listing. (36th/Snoqualmie)

WORLD TAI CHI DAY AT THE SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN: Be part of the 10 am event, explained here. The garden is on the north side of the SSC campus. (6000 16th SW)

NORTHWEST GREEN HOME TOUR: Three West Seattle stops – two homes, as well as the greening project at Highland Park Improvement Club – are part of the self-guided tour; info in our calendar listing. Tour hours are 11 am-5 pm.

TALES AMONG THE TREES: Learn the forest’s story through storytelling at Lincoln Park, 2-4 pm; details in our calendar listing. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

SPRING TEA AND DESSERT, WITH HARP: Soothing harp music accompanies the spring tea/dessert event at 2 pm at High Point Community Center; details in our calendar listing. (6920 34th SW)

NIGHTLIFE/ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT too … see the calendar!

(Pond at South Seattle College Arboretum, by “old desolate,” shared via WSB Flickr group)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, some of what’s up for today/tonight:

FOOD BANK SHOPPING SPREE AT THRIFTWAY: You’re invited to cheer on the West Seattle Food Bank during the shopping spree donated by the winner of the WS Thriftway (WSB sponsor) contest, 10 am; details in our preview. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Still on spring break? Check out the home of West Seattle history, noon-4 pm on Alki Beach. Find out more about the museum here. (61st/Stevens)

RAINBOW BINGO: “Wild, Wild West” is this month’s theme for Rainbow Bingo at the Senior Center of West Seattle (WSB sponsor). Doors open for refreshments at 6 pm, bingo starts at 7 pm. But call ASAP for reservations! Information’s here. (California/Oregon)

‘BOBCAT BOB,’ LIVE: Popular musician Bob “Bobcat Bob” Rice is live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) tonight, 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

SINGERS AND SONGWRITERS MUSIC FESTIVAL: Music, silent auction, refreshments at Grace Church to benefit summer day camp program, 7 pm; details in our listing. (10323 28th SW)

MIGHTY WURLITZER SPECTACULAR: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall, it’s the “Mighty Wurlitzer Spectacular” with a Buster Keaton silent movie. Details here. (7904 35th SW)

‘HAIR’ AT ARTSWEST: First weekend for the new, yet classic, production at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) curtain time 7:30 pm. (4711 California SW)

FEEDBACK LOUNGE ANNIVERSARY: Celebrate The Feedback’s 5th anniversary with “A Very Ozzy Celebration,” 9 pm; details here.

(Photo by Don Brubeck, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

DINING OUT FOR LIFE: Today/tonight brings the annual citywide restaurant/bar fundraiser Dining Out for Life benefiting Lifelong AIDS Alliance, with six West Seattle and White Center establishments participating, as previewed here earlier this month.

PACIFIC ISLANDER ACCESS TO COLLEGE NIGHT: Special event at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor); details in our calendar listing. Brockey Center, 6-8 pm. (6000 16th SW)

THE WHALE TRAIL PARTY: Instead of a lecture/presentation this month, The Whale Trail invites you to a celebration/fundraiser as their work extends along the West Coast and the greater “whale trail,” as explained in our preview. At C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6:30 pm. (5612 California SW)

DELRIDGE NIGHT OUT: The fourth Thursday of the month, 7-11 pm, it’s a benefit for the future Delridge Grocery at Skylark Café and Club, with live music starting at 8, as explained in our calendar listing. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

‘HAIR’ AT ARTSWEST: It’s night two of the new, yet classic, production at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) curtain time 7:30 pm. (4711 California SW)

…and even more on the calendar!

Thanks to Lise for sharing her photo of birds in the buffet line! Before the day moves too much further along, four notes for tonight:

SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT COMCAST? As noted here yesterday, the city is reviewing citizens’ opinion of its service, as it prepares a potential franchise renewal. The franchise technically only involves the cable-TV service, but the city also has been soliciting opinions regarding its Internet service as well. If you have something to say about Comcast service and/or how you think Seattle’s cable service should be, be at High Point Community Center at 6 pm. (6920 34th SW)

CUB SCOUT INFO NIGHT: 6:30 pm, it’s Cub Scout Pack 799’s “Join Scouting Night” at Arbor Heights Elementary. From the announcement: “We will have leaders from the Pack as well as the Seattle Scouting Council to talk to boys and their families about joining our exciting Pack. Boys who attend will have the chance to build their own Pinewood Derby Car, and then come back on Friday night to race their car in our Annual Pinewood Derby Race!” (37th/104th)

POETRY & STORYTELLING: Fourth Wednesday of the month means it’s time for poems and stories at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

OPENING NIGHT FOR ‘HAIR’ AT ARTSWEST: The ’60s reappear in the ’10s! The new production at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) opens tonight, curtain time 7:30 pm. (4711 California SW)

LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY: We opened registration three weeks ago, and tonight we close it just before midnight, so mapmaking can begin. If you haven’t signed up your sale for the big day (9 am-3 pm Saturday, May 10th) yet – hurry! Here’s the form.

Something to say about Comcast? We just found out the city has scheduled a community meeting in West Seattle TOMORROW NIGHT (Wednesday 4/23) about the city’s cable-franchise renewal process. (Thanks to Deb and Karen of the Block Watch Captains’ Network – which by the way has an unrelated meeting tonight – for the tip.) The cable-franchise meeting is at 6 pm Wednesday, High Point Community Center (6420 34th SW), with a chance for you to tell the city what you think about Comcast, as it gets ready for a potential 10-year franchise renewal. If you can’t make it to the meeting, and haven’t filled out the city survey, it’s still open – go here; other ways to have your say are here.

One thing that might be on your agenda today – whale watching! Carolyn Newman got that photo this morning (and also got the visitors on camera Monday). Thanks to everybody who’s called and texted – we’ve been sharing updates here as well as on Twitter and on Facebook. Meantime, other highlights for today/tonight:

BALLOT DROP-OFF VAN UNTIL 8 PM: It’s Election Day, which really means “ballot-dropoff-or-mailing deadline day.” No stamp needed IF you use a King County Elections dropoff box or van; our area has two of the latter until 8 pm tonight – West Seattle Stadium (enter off northbound 35th just south of Avalon Way) or Greenbridge (east side of 8th SW just south of SW Roxbury). We should get one round of results tonight around 8:15-8:30, and we’ll publish them here on WSB as soon as they’re available.

EARTH DAY/WEEK AT FLEURT: Today through Sunday (April 27th), Fleurt (WSB sponsor) in The Junction celebrates Earth Day/Week by offering you an incentive to recycle a vase/container – for every donated vase/container turned in, Fleurt will give you a mini-plant! (4536 California SW)

SPA DAY AT THE SENIOR CENTER: 2-7 pm, one admission price gets you up to five spa services (or you can buy a la carte) during this special event at the Senior Center of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) – details on the center’s home page. (California/Oregon)

CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL PTSA, DIFFERENT LOCATION: 7 pm, the Chief Sealth IHS PTSA meets NOT at the school, but this time, at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. From president Ted Reed:

For the first time, the PTSA at Chief Sealth Int’l High School is going mobile with its general meeting. It will be held at the High Point Neighborhood House. Come hear Principal Aida Fraser-Hammer discuss the process of bringing the school budget to completion. As an initial proposal from the school district – to its final version approved by the teaching staff – the Chief Sealth annual budget is a work-in-progress throughout the year. She will also detail the budget for the upcoming school year. We’re also proud to have Marty McLaren, Seattle School Board Director, presenting the latest news from the district. She will discuss the State Court’s decision to “fully” fund education in the State. If there is an eventual windfall from the State, does have the District have a plan for its use? Priorities?

(6400 Sylvan Way)

WEST SEATTLE BLOCK WATCH CAPTAINS NETWORK: 6:30 pm at Southwest Precinct, with tonight’s special topic, SPD’s online information, what’s helpful, what would be more helpful, what’s in the works. (Delridge/Webster)

NIGHTLIFE: Jazz, blues, trivia, karaoke, singer/songwriter showcase – see the listings on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. (Mouse over the right side of any line on the calendar and click the “plus sign” to open it for more information.)

(Female Anna’s Hummingbird, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
A selection of what’s up for today/tonight:

TODDLER EGGSTRAVAGANZA: Still time to get to High Point Community Center for this 10 am Easter-time little-kid fave. Details in our calendar listing. (6420 34th SW)

WINE AND BUNNIES: From South Seattle College (WSB sponsor):

1-5 PM at South Seattle College’s Northwest Wine Academy student-produced wines and Pastry Arts student creations will be on sale. From egg-shaped cakes to chocolate bunnies and hot cross buns, South will have you covered!

Tomorrow too. (6000 16th SW)

COMMUNITY ORCHARD OF WEST SEATTLE: Drop-in volunteer opportunity every Thursday, 5-7 pm, explained here. North end of SSC campus. (6000 16th SW)

DESIGN REVIEW X 2: Two projects go back to the Southwest Design Review Board for second-round Early Design Guidance reviews – 3824 California SW (30 townhomes/live-work units) at 6:30 pm, 4505 42nd SW (45 apartments) at 8 pm. See our preview of both hearings, including links to the “packets” with renderings and info, by going here. (Both meetings are upstairs at the Senior Center, California/Oregon)

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL BOARD MEETING: 7 pm at Alki UCC, but a location change: “Because of Maundy Thursday service in the Parlor, we will meet in the Choir Practice Room on the third floor next to the church office.” Board-meeting format but all welcome. (6115 SW Hinds)

FLASHLIGHT EGG HUNT: No, teens are NOT too old to hunt for eggs – this special event starting at 8:15 pm at Hiawatha Community Center is just for them; details in our calendar listing. (2700 California SW)

NIGHTLIFE: Multiple West Seattle venues have listings on our calendar!

Another beautiful West Seattle bird – this time, a horned grebe in all his looking-for-love splendor, photographed by Mark Wangerin. On shore – and in the sky – highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

PROPOSITION 1 CAMPUS RALLY: As previewed on Friday night, South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) students are rallying in support of the Metro/roads proposal for which ballots are due a week from tomorrow. Clock Tower plaza on campus at noon. (6000 16th SW)

HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Though it’s spring break for Seattle Public Schools, three local teams have home games today – West Seattle High School baseball is coming off a 5-0 win over Nathan Hale last Friday:

(Photo by Greg Slader: Pitcher Jake Magera, who threw six shutout innings Friday)
The Wildcats play Seattle Prep at Hiawatha this afternoon at 3:30 pm. Meantime, Chief Sealth International High School has two teams playing at Southwest Athletic Complex this afternoon at 4 – softball vs. Holy Names, baseball vs. O’Dea. (Schedule is per Metro League’s website.)

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Tonight’s monthly meeting at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (Room 103) is at 6:30 pm, with agenda items including a letter of support for the Pathfinder K-8 playground project and a conversation with Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council chair Amanda Kay Helmick. All welcome. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

FOOD BANK WORK PARTY: Part of the PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) Food Bank program, 7 pm at West Seattle Food Bank, volunteers welcome; details here. (35th/Morgan)

PASSOVER … The Jewish festival of freedom begins at sundown tonight and continues for eight days. (Seders are on the schedule later this week at West Seattle’s Kol HaNeshamah synagogue.)

LUNAR ECLIPSE: As detailed in our most recent edition of “Skies Over West Seattle“ by Alice Enevoldsen, a total eclipse of the moon starts just before 11 pm tonight and continues for more than three hours. The big question is whether the weather will cooperate; the forecast foresees clouds tonight.