Gray day so far, so we’re featuring another brightly highlighted bird, photographed by Mark Wangerin, who explains it’s “a Golden-Crowned Kinglet female. These birds are very common around here, although seldom noticed… They are small and flit around a great deal. They are in constant motion. The very-high-pitched squeak you hear on a walk through a local park is likely them.” Speaking of busy – here are the calendar highlights for today/tonight (you’ll find even more here):

LOCAL BALLOT MEASURE FOR METRO, ROADS MONEY? One week after the proposed county ballot measure was presented – seeking approval for a Transportation Benefit District to charge $60/year license-tab tax and .1 sales tax – the County Council’s Transportation Committee is being briefed during a meeting under way now in council chambers at the courthouse downtown. Here’s our preview; you can also watch live on KCTV.

RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS: All are welcome to a free lunchtime presentation at the Senior Center of West Seattle, with a rep from the King County Long-Term-Care Ombudsman Program. No charge for the presentation, but if you’d like to have lunch while you’re there, a $3-$6 donation is suggested, and you should call for reservations ASAP. Info’s in our calendar listing. (California/Oregon)

EVENING BOOK GROUP: This month’s title for the High Point Branch Library‘s evening book group is “The Story of a Marriage” by Andrew S. Greer. 6:30 pm. (35th/Raymond)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: 7 pm, first meeting of the year, with crime updates, your chance to share neighborhood concerns, and a chance to learn about the Seattle Animal Shelter and animal-related issues from one of its top managers, Ann Graves. All welcome; Southwest Precinct meeting room. (Delridge/Webster)

SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE: 7 pm at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), it’s the SWS annual meeting, including a review of 2013 achievements and a look ahead to what’s planned for this year. Board elections, too. Details on the SWS website. (5612 California SW)

LIVE IN-STORE CONCERT @ EASY STREET: Deadkill performs at Easy Street Records, 7 pm. (California/Alaska)

BELLY-DANCING: The monthly Alauda showcase, free and open to all ages, is at 7:30 pm at Skylark Café and Club. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

‘BLUES TO DO,’ WEEK 3: Third week for the new Tuesday series at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), live blues, streamed online too. Tonight it’s Rippin Chicken, 8 pm. Full details in our calendar listing. (6451 California SW)

LOTS MORE … on the calendar!

(ILWU Local 19 shared this pic earlier in the week – it has a flag-flying wager going with Bay Area counterparts)
Happy Game Day! Some ideas for passing the time until 3:30 pm kickoff … from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

TRAFFIC ALERT UNTIL 10 AM: If you’re heading off-peninsula early, remember the northbound I-5 lane closures are scheduled to continue until 10 am – check this WSDOT camera to see if they’re still in effect.

HELP WITH AN EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT: Again today, your help would be welcome in the West Duwamish Greenbelt near South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor), building a turnpike. Planned work hours today are 9 am-2 pm, so you’ll wrap up by gametime! Hot drinks and lunch provided; bring your own gloves. Meet Scout Tristan and your fellow volunteers in the north parking lot of SSCC at 9. (6000 16th SW)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Still filling out the beverage lineup for game day? WSFM says Eaglemount Cider is back today, as are the herbal ales of Propolis Brewing. 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Admiral)

WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: 11 am at Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point. Find out more about the league via its Facebook page. (31st/Myrtle)

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Come see and hear Jamtime with bluegrass and “old-time music” at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 1-4 pm. (5612 California SW)

CHAMBER MUSIC FROM THE DARK SIDE: Music Northwest presents this concert, 3 pm at Olympic Recital Hall on the south side of the South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) campus – see the lineup/program in our calendar listing.

WATCHING THE GAME: Lots of options – as long as you get there early! Here are some recommendations courtesy of WSB Facebook friends.

More listings of what’s up before, during, after the game … see our calendar!

We start today’s highlights list with a traffic reminder:

Until tomorrow morning, WSDOT is closing multiple lanes (the number might fluctuate) on northbound I-5, not too far past the entrance from the West Seattle Bridge. So 99 or other alternatives are recommended! Or – don’t leave the peninsula at all, because PLENTY is going on:

WEST SEATTLE LIONS CLUB PANCAKE BREAKFAST: As previewed here yesterday, the Lions Club of West Seattle hopes to see you this morning, 8 am-11 am, for a benefit breakfast with pancakes, sausage, eggs, orange juice, coffee, and tea on the menu, only $6/person, $4 for kids under 10, free for kids under 4. Senior Center of West Seattle. (California/Oregon)

HELP WITH AN EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT: 9 am-3:30 pm, your help would be welcome in the West Duwamish Greenbelt near South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor), building a turnpike. Hot drinks and lunch provided; bring your own gloves. Meet Scout Tristan and your fellow volunteers in the north parking lot of SSCC. (6000 16th SW)

SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES: The Cove School at 9:30 am (details in our calendar listing), Community School of West Seattle 10 am-2 pm (calendar listing here).

REPTILE MAN: 10:30 am at High Point Community Center, bring the kids to be thrilled by the famous Reptile Man! If you haven’t bought tickets in advance, it’s $7 at the door. Details in our calendar listing. (6920 34th SW)

MEMORIAL WALK/35TH SW SAFETY: Join safety-advocacy groups in honoring the memory of 69-year-old James St. Clair, killed while crossing 35th last month, with a memorial walk starting at 1 pm outside High Point Branch Library (35th/Raymond), proceeding south to where he was hit (35th/Graham), and concluding at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center (Sylvan/Lanham) to talk about safety with city reps and others.

MUSIC AT HOTWIRE: 5:30-6:30 pm, singer/songwriter Andrew Wurtz performs at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), also featuring vocalist Madison Boyce. (4410 California SW)

MEET THE ARTIST: 7 pm at ArtsWest, free event celebrating the new Dee Dee Redux exhibition by artist Deborah Faye Lawrence – details in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)

MEET THE AUTHOR: Danny Bland reads from “In Case We Die” tonight at Twilight Gallery/Boutique, 8 pm, free – details in our calendar listing. (4306 SW Alaska)

KISS TRIBUTE: Check out the all-star lineup for KISS Unplugged tonight at 9:30 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) – members from more than a dozen local bands. (6451 California SW)

LOTS MORE ON THE CALENDAR – including more nightlife options; see for yourself here!

(Trailer for “Despicable Me,” on the big screen at HPIC tonight)
If you haven’t already checked the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for tonight – LOTS going on, and here’s just a sampling, four events to consider:

‘WHAT DO YOU LOOK LIKE AT NIGHT?’ West Seattle Bike Connections is going to help you answer that:

This evening we are inviting any cyclists, runners, roller-bladers, and walkers who are ever out in the dark-hours to come by and be video-taped to see how they appear to those around you.

See first-hand from another point of view just how well, or not, your lights and/or reflective gear work from all angles and in different lighting situations.

We will be meeting at Jack Block Park (just south of Salty’s) on Harbor Ave, arriving at roughly 5-5:15 and going until 7 at the latest when the park closes.

Enter the park from Harbor and follow the road (SW Florida St) back and around the curve to the left, we plan to meet there just at the road straightens out. We hope to SEE you there.

FREE MOVIE NIGHT AT HPIC: Bring your minions to Highland Park Improvement Club, where “Despicable Me” is tonight’s movie – 6:30 pm, doors open; 7 pm, movie time. No admission charge; concessions available for purchase; bring your own pillow/blanket and/or use an HPIC chair. (12th/Holden)

BOBCAT BOB: The local legend plays on, 7-9 tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). Jazz, blues, folk, country, R&B, more. (5612 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SHOW’S FINALE: The West Seattle High School student-directed winter show ‘The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon’ wraps up its three-performance run tonight in the WSHS Theater, 7:30 pm. More info here. (3000 California SW)

Go, Hawk! OK, so it’s not a SEAhawk – it’s an immature Cooper’s Hawk, according to Mark Wangerin, who shared the photo – impressive just the same. Now, on to tonight’s calendar highlights:

CHARTER-SCHOOL PITCHES: Three prospective South Seattle/Highline-area charter-school operators make their pitches at a meeting tonight in White Center, part of the official process in which the state will decide whose application(s) to approve. The first presentation is at 5, then one at 6, and one at 7, all detailed in this preview on our partner site White Center Now. It’s happening at the Technology Access Foundation‘s Bethaday Learning Space in Lakewood Park. (605 SW 108th)

FASTSIGNS GRAND OPENING: One of West Seattle’s newest businesses, FASTSIGNS (WSB sponsor) in Upper Morgan, is hosting its official grand-opening party tonight, in conjunction with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly After-Hours event, but all community members are invited to stop by, 5:30-7:30 pm. (6323 35th SW)

VOLUNTEER AT WESTSIDE BABY: Third Thursday of the month means an evening volunteering opportunity at WestSide Baby – 6-9 pm: “Come and help us sort donations and fill orders for local children! Snacks and drinks provided, Spaces are limited so please RSVP to Shana – shana@westsidebaby.org” P.S. Teens are welcome, including those meeting service requirements for graduation – parent permission is required; forms can be found on the WS Baby website. (10027 14th SW)

DESIGN REVIEW DOUBLEHEADER: First meeting of the year tonight for the Southwest Design Review Board, and it’s another doubleheader – at 6:30 pm, they review the 100-plus-apartment project 3078 SW Avalon Way (design packet here); at 8 pm, 4433 42nd SW, aka the 80-unit project “Junction Flats” (design packet here). Both meetings are upstairs at the Senior Center of West Seattle; both will have public-comment periods. (California/Oregon)

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm at Alki UCC, with topics including this week’s citywide meeting on lowrise development, and a look at the year ahead. (6115 SW Hinds)

GENESEE-SCHMITZ NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church – details in our calendar listing. (3601 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT PRODUCTION: The West Seattle High School student-directed winter show ‘The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon’ has its second performance in the WSHS Theater tonight, 7:30 pm. More info here. (3000 California SW)

MUCH, MUCH MORE … on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, for today, tonight, and far beyond.

Thanks to David Syferd for sharing the photo of a California sea lion he described as “a new Beach Drive neighbor.” Here are some ways you can get out and meet your human neighbors – or at least find out what they’re up to:

FREE CO-WORKING DAY: 10 am-3 pm, you are welcome to co-work for free at West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor) – bring your work, your lunch, your collaborative spirit. (5230-B California SW)

TRANSPORTATION FORUM FOR ISSUES AFFECTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: As previewed here on Tuesday, this discussion is set for 2 pm today at West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library. (2306 California SW)

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Lots of it! From our preview of this week’s schedule: The Chief Sealth International High School girls’ basketball team is home tonight vs. Holy Names, 5:45 JV, 7:30 varsity; the Seattle Lutheran High School basketball teams are home vs. Bear Creek tonight, girls at 5:30 and boys at 7; the West Seattle High School girls are home tonight vs. Rainier Beach, JV 5:45 pm, varsity 7:30 pm.

MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 16 items on tonight’s agenda for the quarterly meeting of MoCA – from development to the city’s “pedestrian-mapping” project to the date of this year’s Morgan Community Festival – see it here. All welcome, downstairs meeting room at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, with the agenda including the potential Seattle Parks ballot measure and whether district-council boundaries might change to align with the new City Council districts. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

‘THE BROTHERS GRIMM SPECTACULATHON’: West Seattle High School‘s student-directed winter show opens in the WSHS Theater tonight, 7:30 pm: “The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm are turned on their heads in this fast-paced, rollicking ride as two narrators and several actors attempt to combine all 209 stories ranging from classics like Snow White, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel to more bizarre, obscure stories like The Devil’s Grandmother andThe Girl Without Hands.” More info here. (3000 California SW)

FREE COMEDY: Tonight’s the monthly comedy lineup at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), hosted by West Seattle’s own Mona Concepcion. 8 pm, free! See the lineup on the FL website. (6451 California SW)

FULL MOON: As noted in Alice Enevoldsen‘s most-recent Skies Over West Seattle report, tonight’s the full moon – check the moonrise/moonset times (hey, the sky COULD clear here and there) on the WSB Weather page.

MUCH, MUCH MORE … on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, for today AND tonight. Check it out!

The red-breasted merganser photographed by Mark Wangerin just might be suggesting you not duck your civic responsibilities – there’s a LOT going on today/tonight, mostly community meetings, plus music and sports. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

PLAY CHESS! Drop-in games for kids/teens, with a coach on hand, all levels, this afternoon at High Point Branch Library, 4 pm, details in our calendar listing. (35th/Raymond)

HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: From this week’s lineup – boys-basketball games at home tonight for both Chief Sealth International High School (vs. O’Dea, JV at 5:45 and varsity at 7:30, 2600 SW Thistle) and West Seattle High School (vs. Rainier Beach, JV at 5:45 and varsity at 7:30, 3000 California SW)

HIGH POINT MEMORIAL WALK: An update on the plan for a memorial walk in honor of the pedestrian killed last month at 35th and Graham is part of the agenda for tonight’s High Point Neighborhood Association meeting. 6 pm, Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. Full agenda here. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS/SOLUTIONS: For months, the West Seattle Transportation Coalition has been working toward this meeting with reps from multiple levels of government that deal with transportation in our area, to pose serious questions and get real answers about the plan (or perhaps the lack of one) for our area’s transportation troubles. 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL PTSA: This is the perfect time of year to get involved if you aren’t already – lots going on, and you’ll hear about it all at tonight’s meeting, 7 pm, school library. (3000 California SW)

EVERY-OTHER-WEEK TRASH? As previewed here last weekend, a Seattle Public Utilities rep will brief the Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting about the possibility of every-other-week garbage pickup going citywide next year. 7 pm, lower-level meeting room on the south-facing side of Admiral Congregational Church. (California/Hill)

NEW RULES FOR ‘LOWRISE’ DEVELOPMENT IN NEIGHBORHOODS? Not in West Seattle, but of interest citywide – a city Department of Planning and Development meeting sparked by neighborhood petitions is set at Capitol Hill’s Lowell Elementary tonight, 6:30 pm, to talk about possible changes to city rules that allow extra height for some so-called “lowrise” developments. (1058 East Mercer)

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: The public’s always welcome at FCA’s monthly board meeting, 7 pm at the historic schoolhouse. (9131 California SW)

COMMUNITY LEGAL CLINIC: Free legal help, by appointment, starting at 7 pm – see our calendar listing for details of how to get an appointment. Senior Center of West Seattle. (California/Oregon)

‘BLUES TO DO,’ WEEK 2: Second week for the new Tuesday series at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm, live blues, streamed online too. Tonight it’s Elnah Jordan & friends, celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Full details in our calendar listing. (6451 California SW)

MORE NIGHTLIFE … listed on the calendar! Click the right side of any line to expand a listing.

WEST SEATTLE PRESCHOOL FAIR: 5:30-7:30 pm tonight at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (California/Hanford). Here’s the list of two dozen participating schools and vendors (among them, WSB sponsors West Seattle Montessori, Westside School, and A Kids Place Dentistry).

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 6:30 pm tonight at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) in room 103, it’s the monthly NDNC meeting. Topics include defining the boundaries of North Delridge as part of the group’s bylaws review, upcoming grant deadlines, and overall 2014 planning.

(Micro-scene in Schmitz Park, photographed by Machel Spence)
Happy Sunday! Today’s calendar is a little busier:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Year-round – 10 am-2 pm today; see the produce calendar here, but remember it’s more than produce. Cider, meat, fish, baked goods, cheese … (44th/Alaska)

REMODELING/CUSTOM-BUILDING WORKSHOP: 2 pm at Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), free workshop – but call to see if there’s room, and if there’s not, get on the list for the next one! (California/Findlay)

STRAUSS, DEBUSSY, CHOPIN, PIAZZOLA … are the composers whose work is set to be featured today at 3 pm, West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library, by the Ladies Musical Club. Free concert! (2306 42nd SW)

WEST SEATTLE GREEN SPACE COALITION: 3 pm, Delridge Branch Library. As most recently mentioned here, this is the citizens’ coalition asking Seattle City Light for more time to be part of determining the best plan for the future of former substation sites in West Seattle and vicinity. All welcome. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

COOK SOMETHING FRENCH … and bring it to today’s West Seattle Cooking Club meetup, 3 pm at Beveridge Place Pub. (6413 California SW)

GO SWIMMING! Various public swim sessions are on the Sunday schedule at Southwest Pool. (2801 SW Thistle)

(Thanks to Sam on Alki for the photo of this morning’s rainbow!)
Power-outage coverage is winding down after five hours, and the weather is in something of a lull too. If you’re looking for things to do before/after The Big Game (1:35 pm), check the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar. Not TOO busy, but some options – including multiple venues with live music tonight, long after the game’s over.

The wind was already kicking up when we photographed the #12 flag flying with Old Glory at Alki Lumber on Thursday. That’s one sign of Seahawks spirit already in … and then we just received this photo from Al, taken on board “a school bus somewhere in West Seattle”…

And visible from outside the bus:

Signs of spirit at your business/workplace/school/house? Share a photo (or let us know where to go take one)! Along with game anticipation, a few things are happening today/tonight:

INDOOR GYM FOR TODDLERS: Got a little one who needs to burn off some energy, despite the fact this isn’t really playground weather? It’s indoor-gym time at Southwest Teen Life Center, 11 am-2 pm – just show up. $2 drop-in fee. (2801 SW Thistle)

HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Here’s who’s competing “at home” today – Chief Sealth IHS swim meet vs. Eastside Catholic, 3:30 pm at Southwest Pool (2801 SW Thistle) … West Seattle HS gymnastics meet vs. Holy Names Academy, 4 pm at WSHS (3000 California SW) … All three local high schools’ basketball teams are on the road tonight.

JONNY WOODS: Acoustic pop at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. (5612 California SW)

FLAT 5: Live tonight at the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9 pm. Says the Feedback, “We pretty much told THE FLAT 5 that since they’re the all-time most requested band here … that they should just move in.” (6451 California SW)

SPEAKING OF SEAHAWKS SPIRIT: Russell Investments says its building will display #12 in lights facing Elliott Bay – visible from anywhere in West Seattle you can see downtown – again tonight. (See the Wednesday night photo here.)

(From “old desolate” via the WSB Flickr group – captioned, “The blackberries always win”)
Happy Wednesday! Lots on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar today – here’s a sampling:

NEW YEAR, NEW BABY? The drop-in support group for parents of babies up to 1 year old, Early Days, meets Wednesdays, noon-2 pm, at Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. Details in our calendar listing. Just show up! (4746 44th SW, #201)

ENTREPRENEUR/CO-WORKING MEETUP: Noon-1:15 pm, drop by new WSB sponsor West Seattle Office Junction to meet and talk with other local entrepreneurs, telecommuters, etc. – get feedback and inspiration. (5230-B California SW)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL’S NEW MEETING SPOT: The council that includes reps from groups around what the city calls the Southwest District – mostly western West Seattle – has changed meeting locations, starting tonight. 6:30 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle, the big upstairs meeting room. Topics include the possibility that city leaders might seek to re-map districts to correspond with the new City Council districts – reducing 13 districts citywide to 7 – here’s an overlay map of how the current city districts correspond to the new council districts:

Tonight’s full SWDC agenda is here. The council usually meets on the 1st Wednesday, but that of course was New Year’s Day. (California/Oregon)

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: As previewed here last weekend, a big agenda here too – awards, legislative update, health-care-reform progress report. See the agenda on the 34th Dems’ site here. Meeting starts at 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy, south side of the historic schoolhouse. (9131 California SW)

PUNK ROCK AEROBICS: 7 pm at Hiawatha Community Center, a new series starts, for ages 11 and up. More in our calendar listing. (2700 California SW)

FOOTNOTE: Did you know the location of Elm Place SW, in today’s featured photo, without looking it up? We didn’t! So here’s the map.

(Photo by Brandon Husby, taken at Seacrest, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Caught up yet? It’s starting to get busy. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FREE CO-WORKING: 10 am-3 pm, bring your computer, your work, your lunch to West Seattle Office Junction ‏(WSB sponsor) and co-work for free. (5230-B California SW)

CLAYMATION FOR TEENS: At Southwest Teen Life Center, teens can learn claymation for free, in a new series of classes starting 4:45 pm today; details in the calendar listing. (2801 SW Thistle)

WWRHAH: The Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council meets tonight at 6:15 pm at Southwest Branch Library, with an agenda including followup on last week’s Roxhill Park/Westwood “transit hub” walking tour. (35th/Henderson)

WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: Monthly meeting at 6:30 tonight – details in the calendar listing on the WSBC site.

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Chief Sealth International High School boys host Lakeside, varsity game at 7:30 pm; West Seattle High School boys are on the road at Seattle Prep.

‘BLUES TO DO’ DEBUT: First night of the new Tuesday series at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm, live blues, streamed online too. First in the lineup: Polly O’Keary & The Rhythm Method with special guest Seattle Slim. Full details in our recent preview. (6451 California SW)

BIZNOTE: The Wash Dog (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction is closed today through Thursday for annual maintenance.

(Sanderlings photographed Sunday at Constellation Park by Matthew Olson; click image for larger view)
If you’ve been off on holiday break – welcome back! It’s been busy. Today, the schedule’s relatively low-key. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

‘THE HAPPINESS PROJECT’: Four-week session starts noon today at West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor) – details here – free, but check before going to see if there’s still room to sign up, since space is limited. (5230-B California SW)

INAUGURATION DAY: Not in West Seattle but of citywide interest – in the grand lobby at City Hall, 3:30 pm today, it’s the formal inauguration for new Mayor (and former West Seattleite) Ed Murray (who actually took the oath of office at home on New Year’s Eve), new Councilmember Kshama Sawant, re-elected councilmembers Sally Bagshaw, Nick Licata, and Mike O’Brien, and re-elected City Attorney Pete Holmes. Details here; the public’s invited – get there early! – as is the case with the inauguration celebration tonight, 7 pm at Benaroya Hall. If you’re not going, you can see this afternoon’s ceremony live via Seattle Channel, online as well as via cable.

OIL-PAINTING CLASSES AT ALKI BATHHOUSE: 6 pm, a new series of classes begins – more info here. Check directly with Alki Bathhouse re: registration. (60th/Alki)

‘RIGOLETTO’ PREVIEW: Going to the Seattle Opera‘s new production? Check out the preview at the West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library tonight at 6:30. (2306 42nd SW)

(Male bufflehead near Alki Point at sunset, photo by Danny McMillin, shared via WSB Flickr group)
One last day before everything gets back up to full post-holiday speed, with classes resuming Monday at Seattle Public Schools (and most independent schools). So we hope you will have a restful Sunday. If you’re looking for something to do – some options:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: New vendors today, market managers say – Farmbox Greens, Eaglemount Cider, Terra Fleurs, and Palmera Naturals (headed by West Seattle entrepreneur Maria Esztergalyos). 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Admiral)

WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: 11 am at Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point – should be a sunny if chilly morning to get out and play! Find out more about the league via its Facebook page. (31st/Myrtle)

PROBIOTICS SAMPLING: 11 am-2 pm at Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing. (41st/42nd/Admiral Way)

REMODELING EXPO: If you’re going to this big event that’s in its third and final day today at the Convention Center downtown, 11 am-5:30 pm, look for West Seattle firms including three WSB sponsors – Ventana Construction (booth 313), Potter Construction (booth 518), and NCompass Construction (booth 811).

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Roo and the Few perform at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)

ROLLER DERBY – FOR SKATERS, NOT SPECTATORS: New program starting at Southwest Teen Life Center, Sundays and Tuesdays – details here. (2801 SW Thistle)

That time-lapse video is the work of Craig Howard, who recorded the Seacrest-vicinity scene as New Year’s Eve unfolded and then made way for New Year’s Day. Now, here we are already on the first weekend of the New Year, and many are watching the water again …

HIGHEST TIDE OF THE YEAR: This morning and Sunday morning, high tide hits 13.3 feet – highest of the year. No storm surge, so no trouble’s expected, but if you’re by the water, you’ll notice it’s way up there, as explained here. 7:22 am today, to be precise. (P.S. Remember that you can find a tide chart any time on the WSB Weather page.)

CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING: Get the tree out of the living room before it’s a fire hazard – between 10 am and 2 pm, you can drop it off at the West Seattle Rainbow Girls‘ annual tree-recycling fundraiser in the lot at the Masonic Center in The Junction, $5 suggested donation. More info here. (40th/Edmunds)

TEEN RUNNERS’ GROUP: Today is the kickoff meeting for the new group that West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) is hosting for teen runners, 11 am. Details here. (California/Charlestown)

VOLUNTEER WITH SWSHS: Today’s the monthly info session for prospective volunteers at the home of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, the Log House Museum at Alki, 11 am. Here’s our preview. (61st/Stevens)

FREE E-CYCLING: Have the holidays left you with old electronics to recycle? In nearby South Park, there’s a free dropoff event today, 1-4 pm – info in our calendar listing. (8201 10th Ave. S.)

WEST SEATTLE MEANINGFUL MOVIES: As previewed here last week, “Dirt: The Movie” is the first West Seattle Meaningful Movies presentation of 2014. 6:30 pm, dessert and mingling; 7 pm (free!) movie, Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. (6400 Sylvan Way)

VERY OZZY NEW YEAR: 9:30 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), it’s an Ozzy Osbourne tribute! (6451 California SW)

FIRST ‘ROCKY’ OF 2014: The monthly first-Saturday midnight screening of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” is tonight at Admiral Theater. Not too late to toast the New Year! (2343 California SW)

Look! A sunbreak! That’s what we found at Seacrest, checking out this morning’s extra-high tide (the next two mornings bring the highest tides of the year!). And while the calendar doesn’t really start revving up until next week, we have items of note for this afternoon/evening:

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: School’s not back in session until Monday but our area’s two biggest high schools hit the court tonight – playing each other. A full afternoon/evening of basketball with West Seattle High School visiting Chief Sealth International High School begins with girls’ junior varsity at 3:15 pm, continuing with boys’ JV at 4:45 pm, girls’ varsity at 6:15 pm, and boys’ varsity at 8. (2600 SW Thistle)

‘WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE’: The series of monthly appearances by West Seattle authors continues 4-6 pm today at Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village with Robert Spector, author of “The Mom and Pop Store.” Here’s our most-recent preview; here’s the home page for the series on the Southwest Seattle Historical Society website. (2800 SW Barton)

FRIDAY NIGHT SKATING: Checked out Alki Community Center‘s weekly roller-skating session? 6:45-8:45 pm, per Seattle Parks‘ quarterly brochure. (5817 SW Stevens)

LIVE MUSIC: Find it tonight at The Cask in The Admiral District, with Jamie Tippett and Adam Ludwig, 8 pm … And at Skylark Café and Club in North Delridge (3803 Delridge Way SW), it’s Seacastle and Something in The Trees, 9 pm.

And outside West Seattle, but featuring local businesses:

REMODELING EXPO: If you’re going to this big event today (noon-8 pm) through Sunday at the Convention Center downtown, look for West Seattle firms including (updated) three WSB sponsors – Ventana Construction (booth 313), Potter Construction (booth 518), and NCompass Construction (booth 811).

(Thanks to Vanessa for the photo from Sunday sunset at Lincoln Park!)
Looking for something to do in West Seattle on this quiet between-holidays Monday?

ORIGAMI FOR TEENS: At Delridge Branch Library, 2-3:30 pm, Teen Space presents a chance for 12-18-year-olds to make origami masterpieces; more info here. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

EXTRA SWIM SESSIONS AT SOUTHWEST POOL: With school still out and many others on holiday vacation, Southwest Pool has two bonus swim sessions again today – lap swim from 3-4 pm, public swim 4-5:30 pm. (2801 SW Thistle)

SEAHAWKS STAR HOSTS BOWLING BENEFIT: At West Seattle Bowl, tonight’s the night for the United Way benefit first mentioned here last month – hosted by Cliff Avril of the Seahawks. Some of his teammates are expected to be part of it. Looks like the bowling lanes are sold out for the two sessions, 5-7:30 pm and 8-10 pm, but spectator tickets are still available. (39th/Oregon)

FAMILY STORY TIME: High Point Branch Library hosts it tonight – bring the kids, all ages, free! 7:30 pm. (35th/Raymond)

LOW-LOW TIDE: -2.4 at 9:10 pm tonight, if you’re up for a late-night low-tide walk. (New Year’s Eve, it’ll be even lower!)

(Saturday photo from Beach Drive looking toward Lincoln Park, by JayDee)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, options for your final Sunday of 2013:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Yes, even between Christmas and New Year’s, the market is on! 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Alaska)

WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: Drop in and join the game, 11 am at Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point. (31st/Myrtle)

TALK TO THE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: Last scheduled date in the West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s “listening tour” is noon-2 pm at the Delridge Uptown Espresso. (3845 Delridge Way SW)

FOLK-ROCK: The Mondegreens perform at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) 3-5 pm today. (5612 California SW)

WRAP WITH WSCC: “Wrapped” is the theme for today’s West Seattle Cooking Club meeting – make something wrapped and bring it to share at Beveridge Place Pub at 3 pm. (6413 California SW)

NIGHTTIME LOW-TIDE BEACH WALK: Join a Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalist and explore Constellation Park south of Alki Point at 7:30 pm (about an hour before the -1.5-foot low tide).

(Yellow-rumped warbler, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
It’s that quiet time between major winter holidays, but we’ve still found a few calendar highlights for today/tonight:

BLOOD DRIVE: Supplies run low during the holidays, so if you can donate blood, Puget Sound Blood Center hopes you will stop by the Bloodmobile at 42nd/Alaska 9 am-3 pm today (but not during the 11:30 am-12:30 pm break).

BONUS FAMILY SWIM: City-operated Southwest Pool has added extra public swims for the holidays, and one of them is today – 10:30 am-noon, an added “family swim” session. (2801 SW Thistle)

NOT TOO LATE FOR POST-CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS-LIGHTS VIEWING: Can’t guarantee everyone is still turning theirs on, but the big displays do go on until 2014 arrives – including the Menashe family lights (5605 Beach Drive SW) and the music-synched West Seattle Lights – bring food donations! and check the schedule here (39th/Charlestown). P.S. Here’s our West Seattle-wide map.

AUSSIE ROOTS MUSIC … with Blake Noble, solo performance at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8:30 tonight. (6451 California SW)

LATE-NIGHT MUSIC: Lavender Lucy (with special guests) and Cynthia Alexander, 11 pm at Skylark Café and Club. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MORE NIGHTLIFE LISTINGS … on our calendar!

Wonderful sunrise today – thanks to those who shared photos! The one above is courtesy of Don Brubeck, taken along the Alki Trail. A few notes, including highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:

‘FLASH MOB’ FOR USPS WORKERS: As announced here earlier this morning, you’re invited to show up for a show of appreciation at the Junction Post Office at noon today – old-school “flash mob” style (no, you don’t have to dance, but you can sing a few lines!). (4412 California SW)

POST-HOLIDAY ‘GARAGE SALE’: WSB sponsor Junction TrueValue continues its big post-Christmas sale, including storewide closeouts and big discounts on Christmas decorations/lights to stock up in advance of next year. Look for updates on the JTV Facebook page. (44th/Edmunds)

SCHOOL OPENING: A new preschool called Alki Beach Academy celebrates its opening at 5 pm, with Caspar Babypants on hand to perform. (2414 SW Andover)

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: Roy H. Kauffman performs original songs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

WSHS BASKETBALL ON THE ROAD: We’ve heard that some West Seattleites read WSB while out of town to keep up with what’s up – so we’re mentioning that if you happen to be visiting the Wenatchee area, you can root for West Seattle High School in the Wenatchee Holiday Classic, one game each today and tomorrow. Tonight: 7 pm at Wenatchee High School.

SNOW LOVERS’ HOLIDAY PARTY: 8 pm at nearby Pershing Hall, join Mountain to Sound Outfitters for a holiday party geared to everybody who loves snow and snow sports; admission by donation to benefit the Northwest Avalanche Center. Details in our calendar listing. (3618 SW Alaska)

LIVE MUSIC AT SKYLARK CAFE & CLUB: The Feelgood Band of the Year and Snaketopus, 9 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)