(Ferries at Fauntleroy, by Flickr member planet lb, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

(added) SPRING TASTING EVENT: West Seattle Thriftway (Fauntleroy/California; WSB sponsor) is inviting shoppers to their spring tasting event 4-7 pm. Among the vendors who are scheduled to demonstrate is Maria Esztergalyos, a West Seattle mom who has launched a line of vegan, soy-free, wheat-free, gluten-free, nut-free, refined-sugar-free sauces and spice rubs called Palmera Naturals (and is crowdfunding via Kickstarter in hopes of expanding).
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WEST SEATTLE ART WALK! It’s the April edition – your chance to explore dozens of venues around the peninsula that will be showing art, most with the artist(s) on hand, 6-9 pm. Preview venues and artists on the official website. Here are a few notes:

SHANTI’S SILENT AUCTION DURING ART WALK: During Art Walk tonight, Shanti Salon and Spa (WSB sponsor) will host a special silent auction that’s also an Earth Month event – student art from K-5 STEM at Boren, 6 pm to 8 pm to celebrate Earth Month and raise funds for Puget Soundkeeper Alliance.

FIREFLY’S ART WALK DEBUT & DONATION DRIVE: Firefly Café and Creperie at California/Genesee is debuting on the Art Walk tonight – and also inviting you to bring a car seat to donate to WestSide Baby; proprietor Charell Estby is matching every car seat donation with a package of diapers for WS Baby.

WEST SEATTLE OFFICE JUNCTION’S ART WALK DEBUT: Also making its first appearance on the WS Art Walk, the new co-working space West Seattle Office Junction at 5230 California SW.

CAMERA DONATION DRIVE BEGINS: Art for Animals’ Sake is starting another collection of digital-camera donations so it can help underserved youth with art projects. You can drop them off at Mind Unwind or Beveridge Place Pub.

DESIGN REVIEW FOR 3829 CALIFORNIA & 3210 CALIFORNIA: As previewed last night, two projects are on the agenda tonight for the Southwest Design Review Board – the second meeting for a 29-apartment project at 3829 California at 6:30 pm, the first meeting for a 166-apartment proposal at 3210 California SW at 8 pm. Both meetings are at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon).

(added) WANT TO LEARN ABOUT RAINGARDENS? Special session tonight at South Seattle Community College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), Chan Building, room CDC-102, 6-8:30 pm. More info here.

DUWAMISH ROWING CLUB MOVIE NIGHT: 6:30 pm at Georgetown Stables, help raise money for the Duwamish Rowing Club – serving communities also including West Seattle and South Park – full details here.

‘PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE’ AT WSHS: Second-to-last chance to check out this year’s spring student musical at West Seattle High School, 7:30 pm – see westsidedrama.com for details.

(Brant photographed by Danny McMillin; shared via the West Seattle Blog group on Flickr)
We missed the chance to publish the morning roundup of calendar highlights, but here are 5 notes for tonight:

QIGONG CLASSES: 6:45 pm, a 10-week series taught by Sifu Viola Brumbaugh starts at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor). Details here.

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: 7 pm tonight, The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW). From chair Marcee Stone-Vekich, tonight’s agenda highlights:

We will begin with a memorial for Booth Gardner. At 7:30, we will start with a program regarding the proposed district elections for Seattle City Council. There will be a speaker for and against. Speaking for is John Bush and speaking against is former Seattle City Councilmember and Judge Jim Street. At about 8:10, there will be a short presentation on public campaign financing for Seattle.

WSHS STUDENT MUSICAL: “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” starts its second and final weekend, 7:30 pm at the West Seattle High School Little Theater (3000 California SW). Info’s at westsidedrama.com.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 160 MEETING: From Commander Kyle Geraghty:

The West Seattle American Legion Post 160 will be holding a General Meeting on April 10, 2013 at 8 pm. The Legion Hall is located at 3618 SW Alaska Street. The Post will be holding elections for board members to serve during the 2013-2014 time frame. All eligible Veterans are encouraged to attend.

KING COUNTY ONLINE SERVICES OUTAGE: The county’s online services and website are scheduled to be out for maintenance 9 pm-10 pm.

Lots more on the calendar, including nightlife – find it here.

(Photo by Laura Joyce, shared via the WSB Facebook page)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find many more listings for tonight/tomorrow and beyond):

COUNCIL COMMITTEE TALKS ‘GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE’: Just getting under way – as previewed here last week – the City Council’s Transportation Committee meeting includes a review of the “concept” for the bioswales (raingardens) planned in Westwood/Sunrise Heights to help control Barton Pump Station combined-sewer overflows. (Watch live via Seattle Channel, online or cable 21)

SEALTH VS. WSHS SOCCER: Friendly cross-town rivals face off at 4 pm today, Southwest Athletic Complex. (2801 SW Thistle)

FAMILY HEALTH AND FITNESS NIGHT @ CONCORD: South Park’s Concord International School has big fun planned 5:30-8 pm – details here. (723 S. Concord)

RAISE A FUTURE GUIDE DOG! Check out the world of guide-puppy-raising with West Seattle See Dogs, whose regular semimonthly meeting is at 6:30 pm, lower-level meeting room at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way; WSB sponsor)

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Regular monthly meeting at 7 pm, lower-level meeting room, Admiral Congregational Church. Find the agenda here. (California/Hill)

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Regular monthly board meeting at 7 pm, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. Agenda includes update on “Celebrate Lincoln Park” events, previewed here last weekend. (9131 California SW)

(Sunday night’s sunset deserves one more look! Thanks to Don Brubeck for the photo)
Four highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

TODDLER INDOOR GYM: Weather’s still dicey; got a little one who needs to run around someplace besides the living room? 1-4 pm, it’s drop-in time at the Delridge Community Center “indoor gym” – details in our calendar listing.

HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Three ballgames are scheduled today – from our calendar listing of this week’s high-school highlights:

3:30 pm: Baseball – West Seattle HS Boys Varsity vs. O’Dea, at Hiawatha
4:00 pm: Baseball – Chief Sealth IHS Boys Varsity vs. Lakeside, at Southwest Athletic Complex, baseball field.
4:00 pm: Softball – West Seattle HS Girls Varsity vs. Holy Names Academy, at Alki Playfield

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 6:30 tonight at Delridge Library (Brandon/Delridge), join this neighborhood council talking about topics including the future of Delridge Way itself, plus a presentation about the DIY Bikes program.

PIGEON POINT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm tonight at Pathfinder K-8‘s cafeteria, join the northeasternmost neighborhood group in West Seattle to talk about local issues.

Lots more – including three trivia/quiz nights! – on the calendar.

(Black-capped chickadee with big-leaf-maple bud, by Trileigh Tucker)
Another drizzly day – but no need to stay home for the entirety of it! (Although, if you are heading south, remember the I-5 lane closures when you head back this way.) From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

MASTER GARDENERS AT WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: You know it’s growing season when the Master Gardeners return to the Farmers’ Market to answer your questions! 10 am-1:45 pm most Sundays till fall – details here. (44th/Alaska)

BACKYARD COTTAGE OPEN HOUSE: Not in WS, but not too far – West Seattle’s Ncompass Cottage Company (WSB sponsor) is showing off its newest project in Seward Park, and that’s potentially of interest to anyone looking at building a backyard cottage. 1-4 pm open house. (6335 Wilson Avenue S.)

BENEFIT WOMEN’S SELF-DEFENSE CLASS: 1:30 pm at Seattle Integrated Martial Arts – details here. (4159 Fauntleroy Way SW)

CATSINO: A silent auction and just-for-fun casino-style games are the hallmarks of this annual fun(draiser) for animal advocacy organizations – 2-6 pm at Beveridge Place Pub; details here. (6451 California SW)

MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: Singer-songwriter Alan Ehrlich performs 3-5 pm – details here. (5612 California SW)

CANCER’S A DRAG: 5-7 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), Booze, Balls & Bingo presents a drag-bingo benefit for cancer-fighting Team Tracy – details here. (6413 California SW)

8:53 AM: We missed it, but at least a few people in West Seattle didn’t, judging by the morning inbox: There was a 3.5 earthquake in the South Sound (centered west of Key Center) just before 2 am. Here’s its infopage. Not major by any measure, but also, on the stronger side of “small” earthquakes. No reports of damage (that we can find). Those who e-mailed us about feeling it here described it as a short, sharp shake.

3:06 PM: As the day goes on, people are talking about preparedness, since a quake is always a jolting reminder – here’s a great place to start: westseattlebeprepared.org.

(Male red crossbill photographed recently @ Fauntleroy Park by Mark Wangerin)
Despite dire predictions, there’s blue sky out there now as Saturday gets into high gear. Here are some of the highlights for today/tonight:

TRAFFIC REMINDER: Lane closures on I-5 northbound, just south of West Seattle, all weekend – WSDOT‘s infopage is here.

HELP OUT IN LINCOLN PARK: Friends of Lincoln Park, as previewed last night, is working 9 to noon (and you can join late), removing invasive plants.

KIWANIS FOOD DRIVE: 9 am-3 pm, the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle will have members and Key Club students outside four local grocery stores, collecting food and money for the West Seattle Food Bank. Find them at WSB sponsors Metropolitan Market (42nd/Admiral), PCC Natural Markets (California/Stevens), and West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy) and at QFC (42nd/Alaska).

HELP OUT IN NORTH DELRIDGE: Also previewed last night – the ND Neighborhood Council‘s Beautification Committee takes on the 23rd/Juneau staircase 10 am-noon – details, map here.

NOT WEST SEATTLE BUT – IT’S YOUR CITY HALL TOO! It’s the annual open house at Seattle City Hall downtown, 10 am-2 pm. Here’s the lineup of events – with West Seattle involvement including demonstrations by South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) culinary students.

WEST SEATTLE BEE GARDEN WORK PARTY: Lots of community help is needed with the final preparations/construction for this unique new West Seattle feature (here’s our recent story about it). 10 am-2 pm, prep work is planned today – find out more here (including a link for participation in future work parties if you can’t do it today; also, if you can contribute $, here’s how).

FIND OUT ABOUT VOLUNTEERING TO HELP WITH HISTORY: 11 am-1 pm at the Log House Museum, it’s this month’s introductory session for would-be Southwest Seattle Historical Society volunteers. Our preview has details. (61st/Stevens)

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER ANNIVERSARY SALE / WEST SEATTLE 5K SIGNUP EVENT: The West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) third-anniversary sale continues today and tomorrow – and today from noon-4 pm there’s a special incentive to drop by: Sign up for this year’s West Seattle 5K (co-sponsored by WSB), and get the early-registration discount, which is no longer available online.

CAMP LONG CHALLENGE COURSE: 1-5 pm today, visit West Seattle’s own Camp Long Environmental Learning Center and be among the first to check out the new Hub and Spoke high (ropes) course, as well as getting a closer look at the low course, and joining the 3 pm ribbon-cutting celebration. Here’s our preview from earlier this week. (5200 35th SW)

WOMEN-ONLY SWIMS/LESSONS START AT SW POOL: When Mayor McGinn visited West Seattle recently, his second stop, after the much-covered Admiral District tour, was Southwest Pool, to join in a celebration of the expanded women-only swimming/lessons program (here’s our coverage of the event). Today’s the official start of the program – see the 2:30-4:30 pm schedule here. (2801 SW Thistle)

CHIEF SEALTH BASEBALL DINNER/AUCTION: 5-7 pm in the Sealth Galleria, spaghetti dinner and silent auction to raise money for the baseball program – tickets available (cash/checks) at the Galleria door. (2600 SW Thistle)

**Saturday night note: canceled for rain; will be rescheduled** OWLING IN SCHMITZ PARK: Head out on an adventure with West Seattle naturalist Stewart Wechsler, 7-9 pm – details here.

WSHS MUSICAL: Another chance at 7:30 pm to catch the West Seattle High School Drama Club‘s spring musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” in the WSHS Theater. (3000 California SW)

‘NEXT FALL’ FINALE: 7:30 pm, it’s your last chance to see ArtsWest‘s current production. (4711 California SW)

LIVE MUSIC! See the calendar listings here – from alt-pop at C & P Coffee, jazz at La Romanza Bistro, and 2 bands at Feedback Lounge (all WSB sponsors) to the second night of the Mighty Wurlitzer Spectacular at Kenyon Hall, the monthly midnight “Rocky Horror” show @ The Admiral, and more.

The photo is from our visit to the WSHS Theater last night just before the first performance of the school’s spring student musical – which is part of the event that headlines today’s calendar preview:

‘TASTE OF THE ARTS’ WSHS BENEFIT: Starting with art, appetizers, and beverages at 6 pm in the St. John’s Church hall next door (3050 California SW) and moving to the West Seattle High School theater (3000 California SW) at 8 pm for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” it’s this year’s “Taste of the Arts” WSHS benefit. We just checked and it looks like you can still get the $20 advance discount ticket online – go here. Otherwise, it’s $25 at the door.

Also today/tonight:

TRAFFIC ALERT: 8 pm tonight, the I-5 northbound lane closures just south of the West Seattle Bridge begin for a second weekend. Here’s the official WSDOT alert.

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S 3RD ANNIVERSARY SALE: Today through Sunday, West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) is celebrating its third anniversary. From proprietor Tim McConnell: “All regularly priced merchandise is 20% off. And that means everything; shoes, apparel, and accessories. We will be having drawings, giveaways, and other goodies all weekend.” (California/Charlestown)

HIGHLAND PARK ‘CORNER BAR’: Tonight, spring on over to the HP Improvement Club for this month’s edition of the Corner Bar – all ages welcome, starts at 6 pm. (12th/Holden)

BIN 41 CELEBRATES 3RD ANNIVERSARY: Tonight’s tasting at Bin 41 wine shop in The Junction, 6-7:30 pm, is also a third-anniversary party – local winemaker Darby English will be there. Details on the Bin 41 website. (4707 California SW)

‘FIRST FRIDAY’ AT FEEDBACK LOUNGE: 5-7 pm, the Rotary Club of West Seattle invites you to stop by Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) for their monthly combination of fun and service, this time focused on ShelterBox:

ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families who are affected by disasters, at the time when they need it the most. All the equipment needed for one family to survive for that critical time after a disaster is included in one box, a ShelterBox. Come out and meet your local Rotary members and our own ShelterBox team.

(5612 California SW)

SEE & HEAR THE MIGHTY WURLITZER: Kenyon Hall‘s amazing organ is in action tonight at 7:30 pm – as detailed here. (7904 35th SW)

SECOND-TO-LAST NIGHT FOR ‘NEXT FALL’: 7:30 pm at ArtsWest – details in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)

COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY REGISTRATION CONTINUES: 45 garage sales signed up in three days for the 9th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, coming up Saturday, May 11th, coordinated/presented by WSB again this year. Got stuff to sell during the big day of sales on May 11th? Join the fun and register now!

P.S. The WSB West Seattle Event Calendar has the FULL list of what’s up today/tonight!

First time all week we’ve had time to run the traditional calendar preview; today, aside from the morning traffic trouble, things are busy, but in a good way. So here are a few highlights:

‘PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE’ AT WSHS: The West Seattle High School Drama Club‘s spring musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” premieres tonight at 7:30 pm. The second standalone performance is Saturday, but tomorrow – Friday night – you can catch a special performance as part of the WSHS fundraiser “Taste of the Arts” which includes more than “just” the show – details on that are here.

WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION FASHION SPRING FLING: Four Junction fashion shops join forces again for a special evening shopping event starting at 7 pm – details in our calendar listing.

‘CIRCLE OF SINGLES’: Singles 55+ are invited to join this group leaving the Senior Center of West Seattle café at 5 pm for a trip to the Museum of Flight, where it’s free-admission night. Details in our calendar listing.

NIGHTLIFE – MUSIC, COMEDY, DJ’ING, KARAOKE, QUIZ: Listings for Duos, Benbow Room, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), OutWest, and Terrible Beauty are in the calendar – find them here, and open any individual listing by clicking the “plus” sign on the right side of its line!

(Added 9:04 am: Easter Bunny and friends just before West Seattle Thriftway egg hunt)
Happy Saturday! It’s the start of what forecasters promise will be a weekend full of sunshine. (And one traffic alert: lane closures on northbound I-5 just south of the West Seattle Bridge.) Here are the highlights, starting with the egg-hunt info (from our updated list):

WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY EGG HUNT: 9 am Saturday, Fauntleroy/California/Morgan, ages 1-10 – indoor hunt but the line forms outdoors.

SEATTLE PARKS AND REC COMMUNITY CENTERS’ EGG HUNTS: 10 am at Alki, Delridge, Hiawatha, High Point, South Park Community Centers (addresses in calendar listing), ages 3-11

EGG HUNT @ LINCOLN PARK: 10 am; this is presented by Eastridge Church but it’s open to the entire community.

BARNES & NOBLE EGG HUNT: 11 am, first-ever egg hunt in the Kids’ Department, in conjunction with the regular weekly storytime. “Little ones are encouraged to bring Easter baskets to hold their goodies,” says Melissa from B&N. (Westwood Village Shopping Center)

Also today/tonight:

PIONEER COFFEE’S LAST DAY: The Alki coffee shop is closing after losing its lease, as first reported here in January; per Facebook, it’s an all-day goodbye party.

FRIENDS OF SCHMITZ PRESERVE: 9 am, join them at the Admiral/Stevens entrance for the monthly work party – details in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE FIGHT AND FITNESS OPEN HOUSE: This new WSB sponsor welcomes you to come check out its facilities at 5050 Delridge Way SW – just drop by any time between 11 am and 3 pm.

CENTER FOR MOVEMENT AND HEALING OPEN HOUSE: This new business is on the second floor of 7901 35th SW, right next to Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsor), and you’re welcome to stop by 4-6:30 pm (street parking only, they ask). Performances and mini-classes of tai chi, nia, yoga, dance.

LIVE MUSIC: C & P Coffee, La Romanza, Feedback Lounge (all WSB sponsors), Kenyon Hall, Benbow Room ALL have individual listings on the calendar for tonight!

WESTSIDE BURLESQUE REVUE: 9:30 pm at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW) – see the lineup in our calendar listing.

(4755 Fauntleroy Way SW’s proposed northeast corner; rendering by Fuller Sears Architects)
Will the 4755 Fauntleroy Way megaproject finish the Design Review process tonight? It’s part of the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

HOLY WEEK CHURCH SERVICES: As Easter approaches, some West Seattle churches have Maundy Thursday services today/tonight; our annual list includes information we have received/found about those as well as Good Friday/Easter events – find it here.

FIREFIGHTER TRAINING: In case you missed the alert here Wednesday afternoon, it’s under way right now at the Lowman Beach buildings that the county plans to demolish as part of its sewer-overflow-control project.

WEST SEATTLE LIONS CLUB: The special guest at today’s noon lunch meeting at the Senior Center of West Seattle (Oregon/California) will talk about the history of the Philippines.

ALKI ELEMENTARY CENTENNIAL – AND GROUP PHOTO! We’ve previewed this event a few times (including here), and now it’s time – Alki Elementary is celebrating its centennial, starting with a 5 pm group photo outside the school for past and present students and staff, and events indoors 6-8 pm. All welcome, of course, whether you have/had ties to the school or not.

COMPOST DEMONSTRATION: 6 pm with “Johnny Rotten” at the Community Orchard of West Seattle (north end of the South Seattle Community College [WSB sponsor] campus, 6000 16th SW) – details in the calendar listing.

VINTAGE DIY/NIGHT MARKET: 6-9 pm at Twilight in The Junction – details here.

THE WHALE TRAIL TALKS PORPOISES: The third in The Whale Trail‘s popular series of talks is at 6:30 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California; WSB sponsor) – with researcher John Calambokidis talking about harbor porpoises in our regional waters. Here’s our original preview (also including other participants who’ll update you on our seas and shores); just note that ticket sales are over, so your $5 suggested donation will be accepted at the door.

4755 FAUNTLEROY WAY BACK TO DESIGN REVIEW: This is the 400-apartment, Whole Foods Market-including proposal for Fauntleroy/Alaska/40th SW, and tonight it’s going before the Southwest Design Review Board for what might be its final meeting in this stage of the process. The newest design proposal is outlined in this “packet” (note that it’s a big download, 92+ MB) – the rendering at the top of this story is what the architects envision for the northeast corner of the site at Fauntleroy/Alaska. Public comment is welcome, regarding the design, and you’re also welcome simply to observe – the meeting starts at 6:30 pm upstairs at the Senior Center of West Seattle (Oregon/California). Our previous coverage includes the project’s Design Commission review earlier this month, its second Early Design Guidance meeting last November, and its first EDG meeting last September.

Before the county-purchased former residences across from Lowman Beach Park are demolished for a new sewage-storage tank, they’ll be a training site for Seattle firefighters – starting tomorrow. Here’s the announcement just in from the county:

Vacant properties scheduled for deconstruction in West Seattle will be used to provide Seattle Fire Department personnel with training opportunities on March 28 and 29.

King County acquired the properties in 2012 to site new facilities that will be built as part of the Murray Avenue Combined Sewer Overflow Control project.

Beginning Thursday, March 28, firefighters will conduct training drills in four buildings in the 7000 block of Beach Drive Southwest in Seattle between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Drills could include cutting into roofs and tearing down drywall inside the buildings. Doors and site fencing removed during these activities will be replaced at the conclusion of activities around 5 p.m. The site and training activities will be monitored by fire department leadership.

During the training exercises, neighbors can expect increased activity, the presence of emergency vehicles on Beach Drive Southwest, and a temporary reduction in parking near Lowman Beach Park. Traffic control measures and site security will be in place during training hours, and Seattle Fire Department personnel will clean up and secure the property after training is complete.

Additional information about the project is available at kingcounty.gov/environment/wtd/Construction/Seattle/MurrayCSOStorage.aspx.

(Early-morning Lincoln Park fungi, photographed Monday by Machel Spence)
From the (frequently updated!) WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

MARRIAGE EQUALITY RALLY DOWNTOWN: As noted here yesterday, West Seattleite Marley Blonsky is lead organizer for a rally at the federal courthouse at noon today, meant to show coast-to-coast support for same-sex marriage in light of the marriage-equality case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: 7 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club (12th/Holden). Agenda details in our calendar listing.

POEMS AND STORIES: The monthly readings/open-mike event at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) starts at 7 pm – details at poetrybridge.net.

3RD WEEK FOR ‘NEXT FALL’: Been to ArtsWest‘s latest production yet? Next chance is 7:30 tonight.

FULL MOON: Per this month’s edition of “Skies Over West Seattle.” Moonrise is 8:29 pm, per the WSB Weather page, where you can check moonrise/moonset, sunrise/sunset, tides, and of course forecasts, any time.

This week, the daily preview seems to be taking an unplanned brief break from bird photos. These pals turned up in the WSB inbox, courtesy of Eric Shalit from Box Turtle Design – that’s his little Piggy with poodle friend Django, who belongs to Eric’s friend, West Seattle author Conrad Wesselhoeft. Now on to the calendar highlights:

SANISLO ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL SEARCH: As reported here Monday, a community meeting is planned after school today, 3:40-4:40 pm, so that parents and other interested parties can participate in the search for a principal to succeed Ernie Seevers (who is retiring after this year).

CAREGIVER FOR AGING FAMILY MEMBER? Come to Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) at 6 tonight for the next open forum on aging, caregiving, and family dynamics – get support and guidance, and share your story/advice if you choose to. 2326 California SW.

WEST SEATTLE BLOCK WATCH CAPTAINS NETWORK: 6:30 pm at the Southwest Precinct meeting room (Webster/Delridge), WSBWCN is scheduled to hear from precinct commander Capt. Joe Kessler, from Community Police Team Officer Jon Kiehn with CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design, around your home) advice, and a victims’-advocacy program rep.

DESC ADVISORY COMMITTEE: The community advisory committee focused on issues relating to the DESC Supportive Housing project under construction in North Delridge meets tonight at 6:30 pm, room 106 at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). Site/vicinity issues including the alley and drainage are on the agenda.

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS’ CONCERT: Rescheduled from last week, WSCO’s second spring concert, “Songs of America,” 7 pm at Chief Sealth International High School auditorium (2600 SW Thistle), free but donations appreciated.

Those are just a few highlights – find MANY more listings on our calendar!

It happened on Friday, but word is just now getting around: A federal ruling has in effect given the West Seattle-headquartered Duwamish Tribe another chance at federal recognition, something they have been seeking for more than 35 years. As reported today by Indianz.com, federal Judge John Coughenour has told the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs to re-evaluate the Duwamish petition. The tribe was on the brink of gaining recognition in the final days of the Clinton Administration in early 2001, but the incoming (George W.) Bush Administration reversed the decision. Our partners at The Seattle Times quote Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen as saying, “I’m in a delighted state of shock” about Friday’s decision. Case documents are linked here. (File photo of Cecile Hansen by Christopher Boffoli)

(Monday morning submarine sighting with the Olympic Mountains as a backdrop, by Don Brubeck)
Relatively quiet day on the calendar. A few notes:

PASSOVER BEGINS: Tonight is the first night of the Jewish festival of freedom, Passover, which concludes April 2nd.

LEARN/PRACTICE SPANISH: Drop-in conversation class at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon), 1 pm. Details here.

FAMILY STORY TIME: 7 pm at High Point Library (35th/Raymond). (Watch our calendar for other library story times around West Seattle throughout the week.)

TRIVIA/QUIZ: Three West Seattle venues offer it tonight – all listed on the calendar (mouse over and click the “plus” sign on the right side of any calendar line to see more information and the link to the full listing).

‘BANKERS CARE’ FOOD DRIVE: Through April 5th, drop off nonperishable food donations at Washington Federal, Dakota/California north of The Junction or California/Fauntleroy in Morgan Junction, which is part of the Bankers Care food drive for Northwest Harvest, which supplies local food banks.

ADDED: ANDREW’S LETTERMAN SPOTLIGHT *TONIGHT*: Update from the Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) PR team – CBS made a mistake when they announced over the weekend that national bagging champ Andrew Borracchini‘s appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman had been moved, so it’s now back to TONIGHT (Monday).

(Spring = animal babies! WSB photo from Saturday’s Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights [sponsor] pop-up petting zoo)
Quick highlight roundup before the morning gets too much farther along (but please remember that the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar is there for you 24/7 source any time you want to browse what’s up for the current day or days/weeks/months ahead):

AIKIDO ANNIVERSARY: Aikido of West Seattle celebrates its 25th anniversary today with refreshments and musical performances, 12:30-4 pm. Details and map here.

‘SHIFT CHANGE’: Free showing of the new locally produced documentary, 2:30 pm at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW) – more info in this WSB Forums post.

NEW DAY/TIME FOR WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: The club for people who love preparing and sharing recipes – with a theme for each meeting – has moved to Sunday afternoons, twice monthly, as we reported earlier this week. At 3 pm today, you can join them at Beveridge Place Pub, with a recipe featuring breakfast cereal.

ARTISTS’ TRUNK SHOW: Edie’s Shoes in The Junction is hosting two artists, handmade toddler apparel and jewelry, 5-8 pm, with refreshments – details here.

CLASSICAL ENSEMBLE AT KENYON HALL: Trio Pardalote performs tonight at 7:30 pm – details here.

Remember the eastbound bridge’s ramps to northbound I-5 and Beacon Hill are still closed. Have a great Sunday!

(Red-breasted sapsucker, photographed by Trileigh Tucker)
Welcome to the first Saturday of spring! So much going on; the following is only part of what’s on the calendar:

TRAFFIC ALERTS – RAMP CLOSURES AND DELRIDGE DETOURS: Two traffic-alert reminders this weekend – from the east end of the West Seattle Bridge, the ramps to Northbound I-5 and Beacon Hill are closed all weekend as part of the I-5 Spokane St. Interchange Special Bridge Repair project. Also, if you aren’t a regular Delridge Way driver and therefore might not traveled this way since Wednesday, a reminder that the Delridge repaving project has moved to Phase 2 and southbound traffic is detoured around the Thistle-to-Trenton work zone.

FAIRMOUNT RAVINE CLEANUP, THE SEQUEL: Two weeks after their annual cleanup, Fairmount Ravine neighbors and friends are returning this morning to do what they couldn’t finish. You are invited to join them; meet at Fairmount and Forest (just east of the east side of Hiawatha) at 8;30 am.

SCOUTING FOR FOOD: Reminder that Boy Scouts might be in your neighborhood today leaving door-hangers about the Scouting for Food drive – details here.

SANISLO BOOK SALE: 10 am-2 pm, Sanislo Elementary has a book sale – and bake sale! – to raise money for its annual 4th-grade field trip to Camp Sealth on Vashon Island. 1812 SW Myrtle (map).

BOWL WITH THE COMMODORES: 10 am-noon, the Seafair Commodores raise money for the summer festival’s scholarship program, with their annual Bowl-A-Thon at West Seattle Bowl. Here’s our preview story.

SPRING SKI/GEAR SWAP: 10 am-6 pm, at the VFW Hall (3601 SW Alaska), sponsored by across-the-street Mountain to Sound Outfitters.

SPRING PETTING ZOO: 10:30 am-noon, drop by Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (2326 California; WSB sponsor) for “Zoo for You!”, a spring petting zoo with bunnies, chicks, chickens and guinea pigs. All welcome!

DELRIDGE GROCERY MEMBERSHIP LAUNCH/LUNCH: 11 am-1 pm, drop by Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) and find out more about the Delridge Grocery co-op – including buying a membership!

STORY TIME AT BARNES & NOBLE: From Melissa at Westwood Village B&N –

Just wanted to let folks know that everyone’s favorite aardvark, Arthur, will be joining us for our storytime Saturday at 11 am! We’ll be reading “Arthur’s Pet Business” and “D.W. the Picky Eater”, as well as having treats and fun with Arthur!

MAYOR TOURS ADMIRAL DISTRICT: Mayor Mike McGinn has accepted the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s invitation to tour the district, and is scheduled to be here 1-2 pm today. The tour is set to start from Admiral Safeway (2622 California SW) and end at Alki Mail and Dispatch (47th/Admiral); see the detailed schedule here.

EAGLES’ BENEFIT DINNER FOR MAKE-A-WISH: Pot-roast dinner at the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ to benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation, 5:30-7:30 pm.

JAZZ WITH YOUR DINNER @ LA ROMANZA: Live jazz starts at 6 pm for music during dinnertime at La Romanza Bistro Italiano in The Junction (4521 California SW; WSB sponsor) every Saturday night.

DOUBLE FEATURE: Repo! The Genetic Opera and The Devil’s Carnival, Episode 1, one night only at The Admiral Theater (2343 California SW), 7 pm – details and ticket link here.

TWILIGHT HOSTS apertureSTOP! A night of spoken word and photography at the gallery/boutique in The Junction (SW Alaska next to Easy Street), 8 pm – details in our listing.

LIVE MUSIC AND OTHER NIGHTLIFE: Follow these links to individual listings –
*Gary Benson at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW, WSB sponsor), 6 pm
*The Kings of Mongrel Folk, in concert at Kenyon Hall, 7:30 pm
*West Side Glory variety show @ Skylark, 8 pm
*Dead Sonics, Weird-Ons at Benbow Room, 9 pm
*A Leaf, “melody-based indie folk-rock,” at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9:30 pm

(Thursday’s sunrise, by Don Brubeck, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Bundle up! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – where you will find even MORE of what’s up today/tonight:

ONE MORE TRAFFIC-ALERT REMINDER: 10 pm tonight through 5 am Monday morning, the West Seattle Bridge ramps to northbound I-5 and Beacon Hill are closed for the Spokane Street Interchange Bridge Repair project. Info and detour suggestions here.

WEST SEATTLE GARDEN CLUB: Monthly meeting 10 am-2 pm today at Daystar (2615 SW Barton) – including a 1 pm presentation on ephemerals. Details in the calendar listing.

RAINBOW BINGO: This time the theme is “Dress Like Your Favorite Celebrity.” Doors open at 6, bingo at 7 at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon in The Junction).

‘SILENCE IS LOUD’: At Dubsea Coffee in White Center’s Greenbridge neighborhood tonight, a student project shines a light on suicide prevention during a night of art and performance – 7-9 pm, details in our listing.

NIGHTLIFE TONIGHT: Our listings include (follow the links)
*Sid Law at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6
*Triangular Jazztet at Duos, 7:30
*Three bands at Skylark, 8
*The Slags and Apehead at Poggie Tavern, 8:30
*Midnight Factories, Skyline Divine at Benbow Room, 9

DEADLINE FOR SCULPTURE ARTISTS: Today’s the deadline to submit a Statement of Qualifications if you are interested in Seal Sitters‘ “Year of the Seal” project – here’s our previous story with details.

(Salmonberry blossom shared by “Old Desolate” via the WSB Flickr group)
First full day of spring, and many more flowers to come! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, some of what’s up today/tonight:

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCH: Hear the secrets of business success from local entrepreneurs (including WSB sponsor Ventana Construction) during today’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce lunch, 11:30 am at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way; WSB sponsor).

NEED AN ORCA CARD? You can get one at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon; WSB sponsor) today at 12:15 pm – details in our calendar listing.

PROTEST MARCH: Supporters of the Idle No More movement is planning a protest march from downtown to the SSA HQ on Harbor Island, to oppose the Whatcom County coal-terminal proposal. Here’s the Facebook event with timeline and route map; this could affect low-bridge users in late afternoon.

NATURE CONSORTIUM GALA: Tonight’s the night for the Nature Consortium‘s new-format gala, “Deep Roots,” at West Seattleite-owned Herban Feast’s SODO Park, with WSB among the event sponsors. 6 pm – details and map in our calendar listing. (Just before publishing this, we checked with Lindsay at NC, and there are a few tickets left – call her at 206-229-5984 ASAP if you are interested.)

ASK AN EXPERT: WSB sponsor LD Arch Design is one of tonight’s experts at the West Seattle Tool Library – from the Facebook event page, tonight’s experts and topics, available for free consultation:

Sustainable Home Renovations | Mighty House Construction
Edible Gardening + Urban Farms | Gray Sky Farm
Architecture and Interior Design | LC Arch Design

ATE runs 6-8 pm – just drop in.

ALSO AT THE TOOL LIBRARY – ARE YOU SHOVEL-READY? The Fixers’ Collective can help you get ready for shoveling season – 6-9 pm at the West Seattle Tool Library (northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW.

NIGHTLIFE – MUSIC AND COMEDY: Check out the individual performance/venues’ listings on the calendar page!

(Seattle Chinese Garden photo by Amy Converse)
Spring arrived before dawn – so we’re marking the change of seasons with the plum blossoms at the Seattle Chinese Garden (open Saturdays 11:30 am-3:30 pm) on Puget Ridge. Stormy day in store – including a wind advisory that just took effect; here are the highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (and beyond):

LIVING WITH ANIMALS: 11 am-12:30 pm, you can talk with a wildlife expert about backyard wildlife and domestic animals – coyotes to chickens, and more – during a drop-in event at Neighborhood House‘s High Point Center. Details here.

TELEPHONE TOWN HALL: Local state legislators Sen. Sharon Nelson, Rep. Eileen Cody, and Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon are having their annual Town Hall meeting over the phone this time around. If your phone rings around 6 pm, it might be them – you’ll be prompted how to join. You can also call in if you don’t get a call – our calendar listing has the details.

DELRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL: 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meets, with an agenda including “visioning” for the north half of Delridge Way (the bridge to Orchard) and what you’d like to see it become.

BACKYARD COTTAGES/’STAY AT HOME’ STRATEGIES FOR SENIORS: West Seattle-headquartered NCompass Cottage Company (WSB sponsor) is presenting this workshop tonight – off-peninsula, but hot topics! – at the Phinney Neighborhood Center HQ (6532 Phinney Avenue N.), 7 pm. Details in our calendar listing.

34TH DISTRICT REPUBLICANS: Every so often when we’re mentioning the area’s largest political group, the 34th District Democrats, somebody asks, what about the 34th District Republicans? And we reply, if they let us know about their meetings, and/or put up online announcements as do the 34th DDs, we’d be happy to mention them too. Now they have! We received e-mail announcing the 34th District Republicans are meeting tonight and every third Wednesday, 7 pm, at Round Table Pizza in Burien (15730 1st Ave South). Tonight’s program includes a discussion of the Seattle petition drive for electing City Councilmembers by district.

SPRING EQUINOX SUNSET WATCH: If the weather isn’t too bad, 7:13-ish tonight is when Alice Enevoldsen will be at Solstice Park (upslope from the tennis courts at Fauntleroy Way/Lincoln Park Way) for her 16th quarterly Equinox/Solstice Sunset Watch. We’ll check in with her late in the day for the official word. Details are on her website.

‘NEXT FALL,’ WEEK TWO: ArtsWest‘s acclaimed drama starts its second week, 7:30 pm.

LIVE JAZZ: We were asked the other day on Twitter about live jazz in West Seattle. We do have some calendar listings for it – including this one from Duos Lounge in Luna Park, 7:30-9:30 pm tonight with Jazz Connection.

That’s just a bit of what’s going on today/tonight – full list here!

(Lincoln Park beach; photo from last Sunday, by Nick Adams for WSB)
Busy day/night! Classes, meetings, performances, and more are listed in full on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, but we’re highlighting five events for tonight:

FAUNTLEROY FOOD FEST AND MEMBERSHIP MEETING: It’s the annual membership meeting for the Fauntleroy Community Association – become a member or renew your annual membership, while enjoying samples from local food-and-beverage establishments (including WSB sponsors Bird on a Wire and Endolyne Joe’s – full list on the FCA website), 6 pm.

Also tonight:

WORLD WATER WEEK RESOURCE FAIR PLUS ‘MR. TOILET’: The highlight of World Water Week at Chief Sealth International High School is something you are invited to be part of – a resource fair to learn about water issues (with participants including “Diver Laura” James on behalf of the runoff-fighting tox-ick.org campaign) at 6 pm, then at 7 pm, the keynote speech by Jack Sim, founder of the World Toilet Organization, who’s come thousands of miles to help you understand what’s at stake and how to help.

GEORGIE BRIGHT KUNKEL @ SOUTHWEST LIBRARY: The local activist, writer, and nonogenarian will be at Southwest Library at 6:30 tonight for a presentation about her brother, 1930s track star Norman Bright, featured in the book “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand, for which Georgie was interviewed. More details in our calendar listing.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT GRAFFITI VANDALISM? That’s what the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council is scheduled to talk and learn about tonight, with the help of the Seattle Police graffiti detective. 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct meeting room (Delridge/Webster), as previewed here. Crime trends will be discussed too, and you’ll have a chance to bring up neighborhood concerns; all welcome.

SEATTLE POLICE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS MEETING: Last week, Alki; tonight, Belltown is the site of an SPD meeting to answer questions about the surveillance-camera system that started going up unannounced in January (here’s our ongoing coverage archive, newest-to-oldest, since then). All welcome – 7 pm at Belltown Community Center; there’s a map and more preview info in this story we published earlier today.

(Surf scoter off Alki, by Patrick McCaffrey)
After a very busy weekend – with coverage from the green glow of the Northern Lights to green costumes on canines – it’s on with the new week. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, six notes for the rest of today/tonight:

CITY COUNCIL VOTE ON SURVEILLANCE-SYSTEM PARAMETERS: It’s not specifically about the system including West Seattle cameras that were installed unannounced, but the proposal that the council will consider during its 2 pm meeting today will, the city says, be used to vet policies before it is activated. Details are in this story from Saturday. There’s a public-comment opportunity at the start of the meeting.

ALSO @ COUNCIL – CAR 2 GO EXPANSION: The agenda at 2 pm today also includes an increase in permits for Car2Go, which launched in Seattle without including our side of the city, but says it’s changing that (as noted here last week). If you can’t get to City Hall for these or any other Council proceedings, you can watch live via the Seattle Channel, on cable or online.

ANNIVERSARY CAKE: The 25th anniversary celebration at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) continues with cake today marking the anniversary of its reopening following reconstruction after the 1997 fire. All customers are welcome to drop by for a slice starting at 4 pm.

SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE: Dig into sustainable gardening with SWS at its community forum tonight – 6 pm on the north end of the South Seattle Community College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, in the Horticulture Center/Community Orchard of West Seattle vicinity – details here (and be there to see who wins a $1,000 grant).

FAMILY STORY TIME: At High Point Library (35th/Raymond) tonight, 7 pm.

‘ON STAGE’ DISCUSSION @ ARTSWEST: Go behind the scenes of ArtsWest‘s acclaimed current production “Next Fall” during a free event in the theater, 7:30 tonight, explained here.