Got some texts about an unpleasant scent in the air in the Highland Park area. The Seattle Fire Department got calls too about a “chemical odor,” and Engine 37 was briefly logged to a call checking it out in the 11th/Kenyon area – but SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore says they couldn’t find the source.

(Frost in the greenspace by Pathfinder K-8, by Flickr member Chroni, shared via WSB Flickr group)
Five highlights for tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (for traffic alerts, see our daily roundup):

WINE TASTING AT THE CASK: 6-9 pm with Yakima Valley winemaker Mark Wysling. (2350 California SW)

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: Busy agenda for DNDC, 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), including an update on the Delridge repaving project as its first week concludes, an update on the Bicycle Master Plan, and presentations about contenders for Neighborhood Street Fund grants, seeking endorsements from the district council. Full agenda is in the calendar listing. All welcome.

MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Also a busy agenda for the quarterly meeting of Morgan Junction’s community council, 7 pm, lower-level meeting room at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor). Topics include the Bicycle Master Plan (you’ll recall a plan for a bike lane on Morgan was tabled last year), an update on the Lowman Beach sewer-overflow-control project, and a lot more – see the highlights in our calendar listing. All welcome.

SPACE-CLEARING WORKSHOP: Free 7 pm workshop at Alki Arts (2820 Alki SW) with Robyn M. Fritz from Alchemy West – details here.

STUDENT-DIRECTED PLAY AT WSHS: “A Bad Year for Tomatoes” is this year’s student-directed play at West Seattle High School, and tonight is opening night, 7:30 pm in the WSHS Theater, directed by Jo Clark. Details in our calendar listing and on the Westside Drama website.

(New platform off 3000 block of Alki; Jason shared the photo of its first known visitors)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more of what’s up today/tonight):

DROP-IN CHESS FOR KIDS/TEENS: Starts at 4 pm, High Point Library (35th/Raymond).

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: Young or not-so-young musician? You can show up and join! The WSCO‘s various groups rehearse at various start times, 5:30 pm and onward, on Tuesday nights at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle).

WEST SEATTLE LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION: While the league is now offering online signups, tonight is the first of two in-person-registration events, 6-8 pm at the West Seattle High School Library (3000 California SW). Details in the calendar listing.

NIGHT HIKE IN SCHMITZ PARK FOREST: Take advantage of the dry weather by taking a nighttime hike with naturalist Stewart Wechsler. Tonight, the ancient forest of Schmitz Park, 6:30 pm, details here.

K-5 STEM’S FUTURE: The K-5 STEM at Boren PTA meets tonight, with the school’s future permanent campus – not yet decided by the district – a topic of discussion. Seattle Public Schools’ Southwest Region Executive Director of Schools Carmela Dellino and School Board rep Marty McLaren are expected to be there. 7 pm, cafeteria.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Crime concerns in your neighborhood? Question for police? Want to hear about what they’re seeing in crime trends? The citizen-volunteer-led WSCPC has its first meeting of 2013 at 7 pm tonight, Southwest Precinct meeting room (Delridge/Webster).

ALAUDA BELLY-DANCING SHOWCASE: The monthly event at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW) is tonight, 7:30 pm.

Thanks to Mark Wangerin for the photo of sanderlings in flight. We’re flying right into a busy week – it’s already been a busy morning – so before things get too much further along, here are highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

TRAFFIC-ALERT REMINDER – OVERNIGHT 99 CLOSURE: One more reminder, southbound Highway 99 between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Bridge will close overnight for each of the next four nights (and again Monday-Thursday nights each of the following two weeks) for work on the new SODO overpass, 10 pm-5 am. For other traffic alerts, planned and unplanned, check the daily traffic/transit tracker here on WSB (the link is always atop the BIG STORIES list on the sidebar).

STATE LEGISLATURE: Not happening in West Seattle, but the Legislature’s 2013 regular session starts today, and we thought that would be a good occasion to remind you who your legislators are and how to contact them:
Sen. Sharon Nelson – contact info here
Rep. Eileen Cody – contact info here
Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon – contact info here

WEST SEATTLE PRESCHOOL FAIR: The 4th annual WS Preschool Fair is happening at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (California/Spokane, just south of West Seattle High School) 5:30-7:30 pm. Free to families who want to find out about local preschools; children welcome to come along.

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Everyone’s welcome at the NDNC’s regular monthly meeting, 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). Our preview is part of this story published last night.

Something to add to the WSB calendar? Please e-mail us – at least a week in advance, please, and include all information in the text of the e-mail, NOT in an attachment – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

(Sorry, no “seahawk” photos available, but this bald eagle photographed at Alki Point by Danny McMillin seems to be in the appropriate spirit)
Happy Sunday! We know rooting for the Seahawks in their division-title game against Atlanta is at the top of most lists. So, first, here’s our updated list of who told us they’re open early for game-watching and/or early food takeout/delivery:

Pioneer Coffee
Christo’s On Alki
The Bridge
West Seattle Eagles
Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor)
Beer Junction
Elliott Bay Brewing
Beveridge Place Pub
OutWest Bar
Zeeks Pizza (WSB sponsor)
Mac’s Triangle Pub
Pegasus Pizza
Alki Tavern

For the specific times – and other details (specials, etc.) if the venue shared that info – check out each listing on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. (If you don’t usually use the calendar page – mouse over the right side of any line to show a “plus” sign on which you can click; that opens a preview, with a “read more” link if you want to see the listing’s full page, usually including address, map, and more.) Any place missing? Please add it in the comments.

Other highlights today:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always, 44th/Alaska in The Junction.

MEET THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: At the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens), noon-4 pm today, it’s a chance to meet and hear from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s new executive director Clay Eals. Just drop in – or make plans to be there at 2 pm for the program. Details here.

DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE ANNIVERSARY: The Duwamish Tribe‘s longhouse at 4705 W. Marginal Way SW celebrates its fourth anniversary 1-4 pm today, including refreshments and a free concert from 2-3 pm by Northwest Native flutist & storyteller Paul Cheoketen Wagner. The Longhouse’s message: “Support the ancestors — donations in support of the continuing operation of the Longhouse are always welcome.”

HIGH POINT LIBRARY ‘SUNDAYS ARE SPECIAL’ CELEBRATION: If you missed the news last week, all Seattle Public Library branches are now open Sunday afternoons, thanks to funding from the library levy passed by voters last year. And each of the newly reopened-on-Sunday libraries will celebrate that status sometime over the next few months; 2-3:30 pm today, visit the High Point Library (35th/Raymond) to join in the “Sundays Are Special” event (detailed here).

ROBB BENSON AT SKYLARK: All-ages live music, starting at 3 pm, Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way).

LOTEM NAMLING AT KENYON HALL: Tibetan storytelling, musician, and activist Loten Namling performs at 6 pm at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW). Here’s our preview from when his tour stop here was announced.

WEST SEATTLEITES PERFORM WITH GARFIELD JAZZ: 7 pm, the Garfield High School Jazz musicians – including West Seattleites – are in concert, but note it’s a different location from the original announcement – now at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center. There’s a map in our calendar listing.

(Thanks to Tony for sharing the photo – Anna’s hummingbird, 41st/Dawson area)
With the big Seahawks game tomorrow, we know many minds may already have turned to Sunday. But don’t look past this big slate of highlights for Saturday. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (and ongoing traffic coverage):

TRAFFIC ALERTS THIS WEEKEND: The I-5/Spokane St. Interchange Bridge Repair project continues – this weekend’s closure, till 5 am Monday, involves ONLY the Columbian Way ramps from Beacon Hill to the West Seattle Bridge and 6th Avenue. Also, remember that the first phase of the Delridge Way repaving project means southbound Delridge is closed (for about two months) between Trenton and Henderson, with a few other effects.

FOOD DRIVE: Till 1 pm today, a food drive organized by Gay For Good Seattle is happening at PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor; California/Stevens).

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: At The Cove School, 9:30-11 am, details here.

SCHOOL BOARD REP’S COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: Something to ask West Seattle’s school board rep Marty McLaren? She’s at the Delridge Library 10:15-12:15 for a community conversation.

GRETCHEN’S GRAINS DEMO: The West Seattleite who’s trying to make it easier to cook with whole grains is doing a demonstration at 11 am at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor, California/Fauntleroy/Morgan).

OVERWHELMED BY DEBT? Occupy West Seattle is sponsoring community conversations about debt, starting with one at 2 pm today at Salvadorean Bakery (south side of Roxbury just west of 17th).

NATURE WALK AT CAMP LONG: West Seattle naturalist Stewart Wechsler will lead interested walkers through Camp Long to check out salamanders, edible nettles, and more, 3:30 pm – details here.

1ST ANNUAL LINDA CRANK MEMORIAL DINNER: 5-7:30 pm at the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ, with a menu including homemade smoked lasagna – details in the calendar listing.

CHIEF SEALTH-NANKAI FRIENDSHIP BASKETBALL GAME: Huge international sports and cultural event tonight at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium – the visiting girls’ basketball team of Nankai (China) vs. the Sealth girls, plus a lion dance, mayoral appearance, and more. It all begins at 6 pm; tickets available only at the door – details here.

FROM LIVE MUSIC TO THE CANDYLANDIA DANCE PARTY … tonight’s nightlife is all on the calendar – click the right-side plus sign in any line on the calendar (and then “read more,” if you need to) for details on each individual entry.

FAUNTLEROY CHILI COOK-OFF: 6:30 tonight, it’s on! And you’re invited to come taste, Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW) – info here.

PERSONAL SIDE NOTE: NEED AN ICE SCRAPER? We mentioned the WSB-branded ice scrapers (given away at two festivals last fall) this morning on the WSB Facebook page and a couple people asked how to get one. That inspired us to make our remaining stock available tonight at Skylark Café and Club, 6-9 pm, during an event we hadn’t publicized here otherwise because it’s sort of personal and WSB is about you, not us … the young artist in our family is having a silent auction to raise $ for the production of a one-man play. Maybe you’ll be out and about anyway; stop by Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW) any time between 6-9 if so. First come, first serve for a scraper, while supplies last. (The donated auction items are pretty cool too – signed books by local authors and a few other things including a Full Tilt Ice Cream certificate, Hotwire Coffee card, Skylark swag …)

That’s one of the temporary stop signs on Barton by Westwood Village – related to the detours that are now in place for southbound Delridge traffic between Henderson and Trenton, because of the Delridge repaving project. As a note we received this morning reminds us, it might catch you by surprise if you don’t live or routinely drive along that section of Delridge and so haven’t been paying attention to our ongoing coverage. This is day two of what will be a yearlong project in five phases – Phase 1 will take about two months. Our daily highlights include another traffic alert:

I-5/SPOKANE INTERCHANGE BRIDGE REPAIR, WEEKEND 2: This is a state project, and includes different closures on ramps around the interchange for most weekends over the next few months. This weekend, you will NOT be affected unless you are trying to get to the West Seattle Bridge from Beacon Hill – the Columbian Way ramps to the bridge and to 6th Avenue will be closed, 10 tonight till 5 am Monday. Our update from earlier this week includes a link to this weekend’s revised detour map.

BEEDA AT C & P: Guitarist Beeda, from L.A., performs tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm.

ROVING REPTILE MAN: He’s at Alki Community Center tonight at 6:30 pm – details here.

DUETS AT KENYON HALL: Anne Jones and Paul Klein at 7:30 pm, in the historic hall at 7904 35th SW. Details in our calendar listing.

THREE BANDS AT SKYLARK CAFE AND CLUB: Tonight at 8 pm, Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW) presents Static Producer, Sterling Witt, and Dead Language.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE CASK: Tonight at The Cask in The Admiral District, it’s Katie Voss, live at 8 pm.

NIGHTTIME LOW-TIDE WALK: The weather will be cold but should be dry for this – low tide is almost -3 late tonight, and that’s low enough for great exploring. Join Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists at 8:30 pm, Constellation Park – details in our calendar listing.

JONNY SMOKES AT FEEDBACK LOUNGE: 9:30 pm, check out his one-man show at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor; 6451 California SW).

Even more of what’s up tonight can be found on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!

In case you didn’t see that photo last night on the WSB Facebook page, we wanted to share it here too – Kevin Schafer sent the first otter-sighting photo in a while, from right in the heart of the beach business district. Meantime, a quick reminder about five major events tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: 6-9 pm tonight, from Alki to Gatewood! Two dozen venues are participating this time around – here’s the winter-quarter walking map, and here’s the official website, with previews from many venues.

DESC ADVISORY COMMITTEE TONIGHT: Construction is under way for the 66-unit homeless-housing building in the 5400 block of Delridge Way SW, but there are still issues to discuss and decisions to make, long before it is completed and opened. Tonight is another chance for community members to come hear updates and ask questions at the Advisory Committee‘s meeting – 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – here’s the agenda.

NEW GENESEE HILL SCHOOL’S DESIGN: The Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council meets tonight at Schmitz Park Elementary for a look at the “initial conceptual design” of the new school planned for the Genesee Hill Elementary site. 7 pm, 5000 SW Spokane, details on the GSNC website.

BENEFIT FOR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL: Chief Sealth students Chloe and Tia are organizing a student variety show at 7 pm tonight at Youngstown (4408 Delridge SW) as their senior project, benefiting Seattle Children’s Hospital. Details in our preview from earlier this morning.

JUNCTION FLATS DESIGN REVIEW: 8 pm tonight at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon), Junction Flats – a 71-apartment project proposed for 4433 42nd SW – gets its first review. See our preview from last night, which now includes a link to the design “packet,” which the city didn’t post online until this morning.

EVEN MORE OF WHAT’S UP TODAY/TONIGHT … including live music and wine tastings tonight … on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar.

Highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SUPPORT GROUP FOR MOMS WITH BABIES: Year old or younger, if there’s a baby in the family, you’re invited to the Early Days drop-in support group at Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) in The Junction (4746 44th SW, buzz in), noon-2 pm Wednesdays. Updated details in our calendar listing.

BLUE ANGEL #7 FLYING IN: Whether it’s truly audible or visible depends on how the weather goes, but as noted here yesterday, Blue Angels jet #7 is due at Boeing Field around 12:30 pm for the Seafair winter meetings.

NIGHT HIKE WITH THE OWLS … and raccoons, and more. Naturalist Stewart Wechsler resumes his series of nature walks with this one scheduled for Lincoln Park, 6:30 pm. He says light rain won’t cancel but “more intimidating” weather might – so even if you already have RSVP’d, do check. If you haven’t – RSVP information and more is on the calendar.

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS REORGANIZATION: West Seattle’s largest political group has its annual “reorganization” meeting tonight to vote on leadership positions. Candidates are featured on this webpage. The meeting’s at 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy (south side of Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 9131 California SW).

CAPACITY/ASSIGNMENT PLAN CHANGES @ SCHOOL BOARD: The meeting starts at 4:15 pm as usual, with public comment at 5 pm (there’s already a waiting list), and the introduction of new items including the Short-Term Capacity Management/Student Assignment Plan changes scheduled after that (so 6 pm-plus). District HQ in SODO; the agenda is here.

CHIEF SEALTH PTSA: Topics for tonight’s 7 pm PTSA meeting at Chief Sealth International High School‘s library include a discussion of teenage-suicide prevention. More agenda details here.

See the calendar for other today/tonight listings (and beyond) – wellness classes, sports, music, and more.

(December 2012 photo of one of the Lincoln Park/Fauntleroy resident white geese, by Doug Branch)
New year, new chances to get involved with local community groups – two regular meetings tonight are part of our highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

OPEN HOUSE: South Seattle Community College’s new student-success center for Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander students will hold an open house today – details in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: Winter session starts tonight at Chief Sealth International High School, and musicians at all skill levels are welcome – rehearsals start at 5:30 pm and continue at other times throughout Tuesday nights; details on their home page, and here’s the preview we published on Monday.

ALKI ELEMENTARY PTA: Now that winter break is over, not only have classes resumed, so have PTA/PTSA meetings, and tonight, there’s one at Alki Elementary School, 6:30 pm.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Tonight’s FCA business-meeting agenda includes a discussion of Celebrate Lincoln Park, the communitywide event being planned for April. Public welcome. 7 pm, board room at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW).

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: A look ahead to 2013’s slate of events is on the agenda for tonight’s first ANA meeting of the year, 7 pm, lower-level meeting room at Admiral Congregational Church (California/Hill).

LIVE JAZZ AT OUTWEST BAR: 7:30 pm, live jazz quartet TUTU will perform at OutWest (California/Brandon), the first of four Tuesdays in January. Details here.

BABY KETTEN KARAOKE: 9 pm at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW) – sing it!

For more of what’s up today and tonight – check out the calendar!

It’s back-to-school day for Seattle Public Schools – the last to return from holiday break. Stormy weather’s moving in. And the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar is back in gear too. Among the events listed for today/tonight as the new year gets down to business:

WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: 3 pm today at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW), with the theme “$5 Dishes” – cook one without spending more, and bring it to share. Details in the calendar listing.

COAL MOVIE: 6:30 tonight at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Pastoral Center (35th and Myrtle), “Dirty Coal: The Toxic Addiction” will be screened. Details in the calendar listing.

FAMILY STORY TIME: 7 pm at the High Point branch of the Seattle Public Library (35th and Raymond) – which, as of yesterday, is one of the branches open on Sundays, and SPL is looking for your opinion on Sunday programming – take the survey here.

PUB QUIZ: On an otherwise quiet night for nightlife, Monday night pub quiz is a staple on the Shadowland calendar, 8 pm.

Thanks to Mark Wangerin for sharing the photo of a killdeer at Jack Block Park earlier this week – one of about 30 he says were there that day. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, highlights for today:

TRAFFIC ALERT: Another reminder – the southbound I-5 and Columbian Way (Beacon Hill) ramps to the West Seattle Bridge are closed all weekend. Here’s why.

BLANKET DRIVE HAPPENING NOW: As previewed earlier in the week, West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor) at 35th and Webster is collecting blankets today, to help homeless people stay warm here in the heart of winter. Bring donations by before 3 pm.

CHRISTMAS-TREE RECYCLING HAPPENING NOW: Haven’t put your tree out yet? Here’s one way to help a local youth group by taking it to them instead of having it sit on the curb (or driving to the transfer station). The sixth annual West Seattle Rainbow Girls Christmas tree recycling fundraiser is happening now at the Alki Masonic Hall, 40th and Edmunds, till 2 pm. Suggested donation $5; no flocked trees, please.

DRUM, DANCE, SING OPEN HOUSE: Free introduction to this program for ages 3 and up at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), noon-1 pm – details here.

REMODELING EXPO: Not happening in West Seattle, but lots of West Seattle participation – including WSB sponsors NCompass, Potter Construction, and Ventana Construction. At the Convention Center all weekend (info here) – till 8 pm tonight (and again tomorrow).

BENEFIT FOR JOSHUA WATLER: Also in the “not in West Seattle, but lots of WS participation” – at Bison Creek Pizza in Burien (630 SW 153rd) tonight, starting at 5, a silent auction/raffle benefit is happening to help area community organizer Joshua Watler in the fight of his life, against leukemia. Details on our partner site White Center Now.

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT: Check our calendar page for listings from C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), Skylark Café and Club, The Cask, and The Benbow Room.

Thanks to Craig Howard for the barred-owl photo from the Bonair hill (between North Admiral and Alki) taken Wednesday night – he explained that “we’ve looked for owls there ever since you reported on owls buzzing people. We found a barred owl in the dark we tried to follow around from tree to tree – it stayed close. I think it might have been eyeing our dog. Got a wonderful shot of it, and thought your readers might enjoy it.” Meantime, highlights for today/tonight:

INTERCHANGE PROJECT CLOSURES: Yet another reminder that the Spokane St. Interchange Vicinity Special Bridge Repair project starts this weekend. We first reported on this in November; 11 weekends have closures planned in the next few months, but NOT the same ramps, and NOT every weekend. This weekend, from 10 pm tonight through 5 am Monday, two ramps will be closed: Southbound I-5 to the West Seattle Bridge, and Columbian Way (Beacon Hill) to the bridge. Here’s the latest update, with a map.

BLOODMOBILE AT PCC NATURAL MARKETS-WEST SEATTLE (WSB sponsor): As the holiday season wraps up, Puget Sound Blood Center is on the road to replenish supplies. Walk-ups welcome – California and Stevens, 9 am to 3 pm (closed for break 11 am-noon).

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Big day/night with home games at our area’s two biggest high schools. First, the West Seattle High School schedule for today/tonight vs. visiting Franklin HS, from the Metro League website:

3:15 pm Girls JV Game
4:45 pm Boys JV Game/C Game
6:15 pm Girls Varsity Game
8:00 pm Boys Varsity Game

And the Chief Sealth International High School schedule for today/tonight vs. visiting Nathan Hale HS, also from the league website:

3:15 pm Girls JV Game
4:45 pm Boys JV Game
6:15 pm Girls Varsity Game
8:00 pm Boys Varsity Game

Seattle Lutheran High School teams are back in action tonight too, on the road at Tacoma Baptist.

LIVE MUSIC: See the WSB Event Calendar‘s section for today, where we have listings for C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) and Skylark Café and Club. (If your venue has live music, keep us updated so we can include it in our calendar! editor@westseattleblog.com)

When Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield tweeted that photo today from aboard the International Space Station – two weeks after his arrival – his caption noted that you might see Pike Place Market if you look closely. Never mind the market; West Seattle’s in the heart of the photo! We wouldn’t have seen this if not for West Seattleite Bill Schrier retweeting the picture. Click here for a larger version via Twitter. (The ISS, according to this NASA webpage, is in “low Earth orbit,” more than 100 miles up, making one full orbit of Earth every hour and a half.)

(Photo courtesy Patrick Dunn)
Make it a more sustainable New Year with “the joy of tinkering,” as Patrick Dunn from the West Seattle Tool Library puts it, reminding us that the West Seattle Fixers Collective meets at the Tool Library tonight:

The Fixers Collective aims to prolong the life of the things we own, learn how things work, and save a few resources along the way. Bring us your broken things and we’ll help you fix them or just bring yourself and help us fix other people’s stuff. We’ll work on most non-gas items that you can carry in. We can’t always guarantee that we’ll fix it but we’ll give it our best shot!

The West Seattle Fixers Collective meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month from 6-9 pm at The Tool Library. The next meeting will be (tonight), January 3rd, 6-9 pm.

The WSFC got national attention over the holidays, too – featured in this story about the worldwide Fixer Movement! P.S. If you haven’t been to the Tool Library, it’s on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).

12:33 AM: Have just received two reports of this, one a text, and then this e-mail from Chas in Gatewood:

no images – but sitting upstairs looking west (past my computer screen) just saw a giant green fireball enter over what looked like Kitsap peninsula – green streak coming from high in sky (limit of window) turning yellow and ending in large (5 times apparent diameter of moon) green fireball just above what looked like the mountains – couldn’t really tell how far it was except for the brightness and detail suggested it was relatively close (within hundred/or so miles)
about 3 minutes ago for timing (like 12;20 or thereabouts)

We had heard of a possible meteor shower tonight. Looking it up now.

12:48 AM UPDATE: Thanks to “Meteorologist Patrick” (as we know him) Kelly – who mentioned via Twitter that it’s the Quadrantid meteor shower, which Space.com is covering here. This WashingtonPost.com story has details too – apparently the shower is peaking right now (convert the WP times to three hours earlier, of course).

12:55 AM: Someone at the National Weather Service saw it too:

Forecaster here observed a bright fire ball falling from the NW at 1220am. Possible meteor! @westseattleblog observed this as well.

— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) January 3, 2013

1:39 AM: West Seattle’s own NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen has shared some info in comments, starting here. She suggests that anyone with a west-facing surveillance camera should check to see if it caught anything around 12:20 am (and if you have any kind of image, still or video, please let us know, would love to add it to the story – thanks!).

(Mt. Baker, as seen from 35th/Myrtle on New Year’s Day afternoon; photo by Karen Derby)
Slowly revving back up to post-holiday reality … as is the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, from which most of today’s highlights spring:

TRASH/RECYCLING/YARD WASTE – AND CHRISTMAS TREES: Reminder that again this week, because of the Tuesday holiday, Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday city pickup is on a one-day delay (so if you get Tuesday service, it should be picked up today, etc.). And you are welcome to put your Christmas tree out at curbside, or take it to the transfer station, free through January 13th – here again are details on that.

SSCC’S WINTER QUARTER BEGINS: Today is the first day of winter quarter at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor). Many other area schools (including all Seattle Public Schools) don’t go back till next Monday.

THREE LOCAL STORY TIMES … today/tonight in West Seattle, at your local public libraries. See them all on the Seattle Public Library Calendar of Events!

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL – NEW TIME, NEW LOCATION: The monthly meeting of reps from community councils and other organizations around western West Seattle is now at 6:30 pm on first Wednesdays, at Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle). As previewed here last week, tonight’s agenda includes presentations by applicants for city grants to fund traffic-safety (and other) projects. Come see what your neighbors are proposing – public’s welcome.

TRIVIA AT SKYLARK: 7 pm, weekly trivia with Brittanica is back at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW). Here’s how it works.

MONA CONCEPCION AT COMEDY UNDERGROUND: As previewed here on Tuesday – Mona’s the only West Seattleite in a showcase of new comics at Comedy Underground in Pioneer Square at 8 tonight (our preview included a link to buy a ticket online for half the door price).

LIVE MUSIC: Tonight’s listed venues include Benbow Room and Locol.

(added) BONUS PHOTO: Thanks to Pamela Neithercott for sharing views from Alki Point – including an eagle headed for the knoll:

(Murky early morning in Lincoln Park – photo by Machel Spence)
The fog is lifting – we see some blue sky as we get ready to publish this – so say hello to sunshine on this second-to-last day of 2012! Here’s what’s up:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always! 44th and Alaska. Fresh winter vegetables, apples, cheese, meat, bread, soup, lots to check out.

SNOWFLAKES FOR SANDY HOOK: Also 10 am-2 pm – stop in at Young at Art (5962 Fauntleroy Way) any time before 2 and make a snowflake to be sent to Connecticut to help decorate the school that Sandy Hook’s students are now attending. Theresa from YAA says that if you haven’t talked about the incident with your kids, don’t worry – just let them know you’re making a snowflake to help decorate a school.

WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: Game’s on! 11 am at Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point (34th/Myrtle).

SHOPPING FOR NEW YEAR’S BEVERAGE(S)? Three WSB sponsors would be pleased to see you today: Capco Beverages Premier Liquor and Wine (41st and Alaska) is open 10 am-5 pm – here’s a coupon you can use; West Seattle Cellars (6026 California SW) is open noon-5 pm and continuing its annual sale; Stottle Winery‘s tasting room is open noon-6 pm (3400 Harbor Avenue SW);

CLOSING DAY FOR ‘WINTER WONDERETTES’: A 3 pm matinee today at ArtsWest is your last chance to see this year’s holiday musical “The Winter Wonderettes.”

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Roll Acosta performs 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW. More info here.

ALL-AGES OPEN MIKE: 3 pm at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW).

NEW YEAR’S EVE/DAY REMINDER: If you haven’t finalized your New Year’s Eve/Day plans yet – check out the updated list in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide. Last call to add info – just e-mail us the who/what/when/where at editor@westseattleblog.com!

(Alki surfbirds, photographed last weekend by Danny McMillin, shared in the WSB Flickr group)
While you get ready for New Year’s Eve/Day celebrations (checked the Holiday Guide yet?), it’s a semi-quiet weekend, but still some activities/options:

TWO BLOOD DRIVES: If you can donate, this is the time of year when your blood donation is needed more than ever – and today, it’s convenient, with the Puget Sound Blood Center‘s Bloodmobile in The Junction 9 am-3 pm, 4700 block of 42nd SW (break 11:30-12:30) and at Holy Family‘s Tice Hall (18th/Roxbury), 10 am-4 pm (break noon-1 pm).

2 SHOWS ON ‘WINTER WONDERETTES’ 2ND-TO-LAST DAY: Tomorrow’s the final performance of “The Winter Wonderettes” at ArtsWest, but you have TWO chances to see the show today – 3 pm and 7:30 pm (tickets online here).

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Legend Heart performs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) 6-8 pm tonight, 5612 California SW.

‘BLUES, BALLADS, BOOGIE WOOGIE’ AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm, with Orville Johnson & Casey McGill – e-mail Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) for a reservation ASAP, kenyonhall@earthlink.net.

‘WEST SIDE GLORY 4’: 8 pm tonight at Skylark Café and Club, billed as “a queer variety show,” for 21 and over. The performer lineup’s on the Facebook event page.

THE BOURBONITES AT THE FEEDBACK: Rock out, Americana-style, at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 6451 California SW, 9:30 pm tonight with The Bourbonites.

(Along Longfellow Creek; photo by Ryan Schoeb, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Counting down to New Year’s Eve – and still adding to the NYE/New Year’s Day listings in the WSB Holiday Guide (let us know if something’s missing! editor@westseattleblog.com) – but in the meantime … here are a few notes for today/tonight:

NEW E-READER? NEED HELP? Another drop-in clinic today for anyone interested in downloading e-books and audiobooks. It’s at Southwest Library (35th/Henderson), 2-4 pm.

WINE TASTING AND SALE: 5:30-8 pm, it’s the weekly free-tasting night at West Seattle Cellars (WSB sponsor), featuring January Collector’s Club wines. Also – the year-end sale is on.

‘WINTER WONDERETTES’: Final week continues for this year’s holiday musical at ArtsWest in The Junction, 7:30 pm.

LIVE MUSIC AT SKYLARK: Avenue Music, The Horticulture Club, Chelle Epiphany, and The Black Tones, 8 pm, at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW).

(Eagles above Alki Point, 12/23/2012, by Danny McMillin, from the WSB Flickr group pool)
… and fewer non-wildlife creatures are likely to be stirring, so we’re not publishing a standalone traffic/transit tracker today. But there’s a transportation reminder here along with other notes:

TRANSIT TODAY: Metro is on a “reduced weekday” schedule for the rest of the week. The Water Taxi is back in service, regular schedule. And as of last night, the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry run was back to three boats (check here for updates).

TRASH ETC. PICKUP TODAY: If you have Tuesday service, you’re supposed to get pickup today – everybody’s delayed a day for the rest of this week (and next week, same thing, Tuesday-Friday pickup will be a day later).

TREE-RECYCLING PICKUPS START TOO: Today through January 13th, dropoffs or pickups – explained here.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30 am at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library – details here.

GET AN E-READER FOR CHRISTMAS? Drop-in clinic on e-books and audiobooks at Southwest Library (35th/Henderson), 2-4 pm.

POETRY AND STORYTELLING: Monthly event at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW) is tonight, 7-9 pm, with featured readers Rayn Roberts and Ian Hegwood, followed by open-mike readings – more info here.

‘WINTER WONDERETTES’: Final week for the holiday production at ArtsWest in The Junction, 7:30 pm.

YOUR TURN: Open-mike night at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW), 9 pm.