Though the weather is gray, local gardens are bright – so here’s the orange peony blooming in Paul Francis‘s West Seattle backyard, which he and his wife found so striking, they wanted to share the photo. (Thank you!) On with the rain-or-shine daily highlights – after one more photo:

LOW-LOW-LOW TIDE: Even lower than yesterday (which is when Monty photographed those mussels – thanks!) – today, it’s down to -3.8 at 12:05 pm; beach naturalists will be out at Constellation and Lincoln Parks starting at 10 this morning.

TRANSIT OF VENUS VIEWING: If the sun gives a hint of appearing, so that we’d be able to see Venus crossing (but don’t look AT the sun!) you should be able to find NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen at Solstice Park – details are on her website.

TUESDAY NIGHT VOLUNTEER FRENZY @ WESTSIDE BABY: 5:30-7:30 pm tonight – our recent story on WS Baby’s added volunteer opportunities includes info on how to pitch in.

LIVE ART BASH: At Mind Unwind in the Admiral District. 6-9 pm – don’t work on your project/idea alone, come collaborate/co-conspire!

DELRIDGE PRODUCE COOPERATIVE TRIVIA NIGHT @ SKYLARK: $5 suggested donation to help DPC work toward a healthy-food store on Delridge. And of course, the trivia topic is … food! 6:30 pm at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW).

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL PTSA: Last meeting of the year for the WSHS PTSA; join them for a look back and ahead, 7 pm, school library.

MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL CONCERT: Madison has two concerts this week – first up, the band performs tonight in the school commons (45th/Spokane), 7 pm.

Even more (for today/tonight, and beyond!) on the calendar.

(Barton P-Patch – designed as a “web”! Thanks to photographer/pilot Long Bach Nguyen for the view)
Just like Saturday, looks like the weather’s likely to get better as the day proceeds; here are some highlights for another almost-summer weekend day in West Seattle, from our calendar:

CURIOUS KIDSTUFF’S ANNIVERSARY SALE: 14th anniversary of the toy store in The Junction, with 25 percent off everything in the store – AND (as explained here earlier this morning) paying with cash/checks means an extra discount PLUS a nonprofit donation. Sale continues now till 5 pm today, 4740 California SW.

FURRY FACES FOUNDATION PLANT SALE: Hundreds of plants, with proceeds going to help animals through the work of F3. 3809 46th SW, 10 am-4 pm today.

AT THE MARKET – SIGN UP FOR THE KIWANIS CLUB’S MOTORCYCLE POKER RUN: Look for the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle at the WS Farmers’ Market 10 am-2 pm today (usually on the northeast corner) and get a free beverage if you sign up for the June 23rd Motorcycle Poker Run.

ORGANIC VEGGIE SALE: 10 am-1 pm, Marguerite Lynch and family are selling organic homegrown vegetables outside their North Admiral garden (44th/Hill), with part of the proceeds benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank.

LOW TIDE – WITH BEACH NATURALISTS AVAILABLE: 10:32 am, the first of four days’ low tides below -3 (which is REALLY low), and you can explore with the help of an expert, as Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are out at Constellation and Lincoln Parks.

SHARE YOUR HOME WITH A NEW FRIEND: Cat-adoption event today with Friends of the Animals Foundation at Next to Nature in The Junction, 11 am-3 pm.

TOUR THE ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Second day of 1-4 pm Saturday/Sunday public openings at the lighthouse (where Alki Avenue and Beach Drive meet) – as noted in our story about yesterday’s Seafair Admiral’s Tea.

GRAND OPENING: A member of the Rat City Business Association (WSB sponsor) is celebrating their grand opening today in downtown White Center – The Center Studio, with yoga, Pilates, massage, and dance. 3 pm-6 pm (9611 16th SW, map in our listing)

ACOUSTIC COUTI: 3-5 pm, live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW.

(Walkway at Jack Block Park, photographed by Doug B, who you can also find on Flickr)
Welcome to the weekend! From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar, some of the highlights for today/tonight:

LAST SUPr ENDURANCE EVENT: Under way right now at Alki Kayak Tours, “a daylong celebration promoting the up and coming sport of stand up paddleboarding (SUP). This event will feature an endurance event which will determine who can stand on the SUP the longest. There will be challenging aspects along the route which will test SUP participants’ skills. The rules are simple, you must only use your feet in this contest. Any other part of your body touching the board will disqualify you.” More info here. (Update – We checked in at AKT around 11 – this has been rescheduled in hopes of a day with better weather!)

GARAGE SALES GALORE: Three weeks after West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2012, our neighbors to the south are having their annual multiple-sale day – Shorewood on the Sound Streets of Sales, 9 am-4 pm today. Find the sales on this Google map.

WEST SEATTLE GARAGE SALES, TOO: Several for this weekend are listed in the WSB Forums‘ Freebies/Deals/Sales section, where you can list yours for free any time.

FURRY FACES FOUNDATION PLANT SALE: More than 1,500 plants to choose from, all types, 3809 46th SW (map), from 10 am-4 pm – it’s the second and final weekend of this popular plant sale to raise money for F3’s animal advocacy.

CISCOE AT WEST SEATTLE NURSERY: 10 am this morning, the gardener/broadcaster will do his radio show live from West Seattle Nursery (California/Brandon).

RECOVERY GARDEN CLEANUP: Volunteers will be at 26th and Brandon from 10 am to 1 pm to continue the work that last year’s volunteers (some of whom will be there to mentor them) started. All welcome to come help.

STUDENT’S SALE TO HELP A SOLDIER: We reported earlier this week on 7th-grader Kyle Joyce‘s announcement of a sale to help put together a care package for his former coach, who’s been deployed overseas. The sale is 11 am-4 pm today at 6001 SW Admiral Way.

KITTY HARBOR’S OPENING WEEKEND: You’re likely to see a line along Harbor Avenue SW just north of the bridge right before noon, which is when shelter/adoption center Kitty Harbor begins its first adoption weekend of the summer season.

LIVE MUSIC AT VILLAGE GREEN: As announced by Village Green Perennial Nursery proprietor Vera Johnson, “Shade Byron banjo player from ‘Bottom of the barrel’ and Jasmine Byron, fiddler and traveling musician, will be gathering up a crew of fun musicians to play some music … Visiting from Santa Cruz for a short time – we are happy to welcome them here!” 1 pm, 10224 26th SW.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM IDENTITY THEFT: Free workshop 1-3 pm today at Peace Lutheran Church (39th/Thistle), details here.

CARNIVAL IN ARBOR HEIGHTS: Big fun at Arbor Heights Elementary – as described in our calendar listing, 3-6 pm.

AARON DANIEL’S BENEFIT SHOW FOR AARF: A one-man band you have to see/hear to believe, Aaron Daniel, performs tonight at the Feedback Lounge (6451 California SW; WSB sponsor) as part of a benefit for Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation; silent auction too; 8 pm.

‘ROCKY HORROR’: First Saturday of the month ends with a toast, among other things, as the Admiral Theater opens its doors to “Rocky Horror Picture Show” fans for the monthly midnight showing.

(Sleeping hummingbird, photographed by Machel Spence)
Welcome to a new month! Here are the highlights for today/tonight:

EARLYBIRDS: If you see this within an hour or so of when we’re publishing it, you’re in time to go meet the West Seattle Earlybirds Toastmasters Club, meeting Friday mornings, 7:30 am, ArtsWest in The Junction.

HARBOR ISLAND TRANSFORMATION: Remember our story almost two weeks ago about Harbor Island People for the Environment? Come celebrate their cleanup/beautification achievement 4-6 pm today at 13th/Florida on Harbor Island.

WSHS ALL-SCHOOL REUNION: Whenever you went to West Seattle High School, you’re welcome at this annual event, which starts with classic cars on display along SW Stevens, 4:30 pm. The schedule of events is in our calendar listing.

SEALTH ATHLETICS BENEFIT GOLF TOURNAMENT: On the links at Rainier Golf Course and Country Club this afternoon! Here’s our most recent preview.

NEW TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION LOCATION IN WHITE CENTER: The Technology Access Foundation‘s project at Lakewood Park is open for previews tonight, 5-8 pm – more on our partner site White Center Now.

BATTLING BULLYING: Free screening of “Finding Kind,” suitable for 11 and up, at Pathfinder K-8 (details here).

TR RITCHIE AT C & P: Live music tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), with TR Ritchie, 6-8 pm, an “unreconstructed folkie.”

TAKE A STAND FOR SAFETY: The long-awaited “safety walk” along Beach Drive is tonight, 6:30 pm, planned in response to the still-unsolved March murder of Greggette Guy, but magnified, in terms of the importance of community safety, by what has happened more recently. Meet at Emma Schmitz Viewpoint; all welcome.

WINE TASTING: Bin 41 is “showcasing some neat Austrian wines including a couple cult Gruner Veltliners perfect for pairing with fresh asparagus and Copper River salmon. 6-7:30 pm.” 4707 California SW in The Junction.

MUSICA SACRA AUCTION AND WINE TASTING: 7 pm tonight, The Sanctuary at Admiral, your chance to support the chorale (find out more about Musica Sacra here).

PRIVATIZED LIQUOR, DAY 1: Voted in last fall, in effect as of early today. More on this later today, but it’s now on sale, basically, at all but 1 West Seattle supermarket, all drugstores, the two former state stores, and Target.

Via the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar – just a few things scheduled:

TODDLER STORY TIME AT LOCAL LIBRARIES: Two sessions today (like other library events – free!) – 11 am at Southwest Branch (35th and Henderson), 11:30 am at High Point Branch (35th and Raymond).

WINE TASTING: Tonight’s the weekly free tasting at West Seattle Cellars (WSB sponsor), 5:30-8 pm (details here).

FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT AT SANISLO: Celebrate students’ work and summer reading! 6-7:30 pm (details in the calendar listing).

FUTURE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION: Sanislo teacher Marquita Prinzing is among the panelists for a discussion tonight that’s not happening in West Seattle, but also involves local organizers: “Moving Forward in Public Education: Ideas That Work,” presented by Parents Across America, 6:30 pm at Rainier Beach High School‘s auditorium (map and address in the listing).

WEST SEATTLE’S ONLY BURLESQUE: The monthly show is tonight at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW), 9 pm. $7 advance (check here online), $9 door, 21+.

Those owls were photographed this week in Fauntleroy Park, according to Flickr member Inohuri, who shared images via the West Seattle Blog group pool. An owling walk through another local park is one of the highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar, but we begin with a road reminder:

OFF-RAMP REMINDER FOR EASTBOUND SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT: In case you’ve missed (or forgotten) the previous reminders, including this one from last night, today’s the day … That also means northbound bus reroutes in SODO (the advisory’s linked from our preview story, too).

BARTON PUMP STATION PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING: Major work is about to begin on the project to expand the capacity of the King County Wastewater Treatment Division’s pump station just north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock. Tonight, as previewed again earlier this morning, the county promises to discuss timelines, effects, and other updated details at a community meeting, 6;30 pm, Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW).

DENNY/SEALTH JAZZ CONCERT: The first of three Wednesday night student concerts by Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School musicians in the Sealth auditorium (2600 SW Thistle) is tonight, 7 pm, featuring the schools’ jazz groups.

OWLING IN SCHMITZ PARK: Naturalist Stewart Wechsler plans a walk through Schmitz Park tonight to seek out, and talk about, its owls. 8 pm; more details on his website.

COMEDY QUARTET, THREE-FOURTHS FROM WEST SEATTLE: Mona Concepcion, Cait Parks, and Jeffrey Robert are West Seattleites and also happen to be 3 of the “4 G’s“ comedy group performing tonight at Wing It in the U-District. They’re hoping friendly faces from the peninsula will be in the crowd. 8 pm; details and ticket link here.

(Railroad bridge over the Duwamish River, by Don Brubeck, shared via the WSB Flickr group pool)
Happy post-holiday-weekend Tuesday! Half a dozen highlights, from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

TRAFFIC ALERTS TONIGHT: As announced last week, the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct (West Seattle Bridge between 99 and I-5) is scheduled to be reduced to one lane 9 pm-5 am as crews work on the realignment that will reopen the 4th Avenue South offramp and close the 1st Avenue South offramp for the next two weeks.

CHEER ON A WINNER! The winner of a $500 Western Family shopping spree at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) goes down the aisles this morning at 10 am and the store invites spectators to cheer him on.

CHACO CANYON’S FIRST ‘$2.50 TUESDAY’: Starting today, 3 pm-close on Tuesdays, organic wine, beer, or cider will cost you only $2.50 at Chaco Canyon Organic Café (38th/Alaska in The Triangle).

K-5 STEM AT BOREN DESIGN TEAM: The group planning for the launch of West Seattle’s new public school meets tonight at 6:15 pm, Madison Middle School (45th/Spokane).

‘HOW TO CONDUCT PRODUCTIVE MEETINGS’: West Seattle Toastmasters Club 832 invites you to join them in exploring this topic, 6:30 pm at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor).

LAST SCHEDULED DAY FOR WEST SEATTLE’S STATE LIQUOR STORES: As announced last week, the Junction and Westwood stores are scheduled to close after today – two days before they would have had to close as part of the transition to privatized liquor; the state decided to close its stores in phases (the White Center state-run store will close after tomorrow). Both are scheduled to reopen Friday under private ownership, according to what their respective new owners have told WSB.

Planning an event in West Seattle/White Center/South Park? Please let us know so we can calendarize it! No need to write up a full news release – who/what/when/where/why/weblink (and/or Facebook event link) will do – just plain text in your e-mail, please; e-mail to editor@westseattleblog.com – preferably at least a week in advance, though if you have something planned for weeks or even months from now, go ahead and send it!

(Photo by Eric Larse)
WEST SEATTLE MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE: 2 pm today at Forest Lawn Cemetery (WSB sponsor) east of High Point, presented by American Legion Post 160 and Forest Lawn, everyone welcome. More Memorial Day notes:

BUS/FERRY SCHEDULES: Sunday schedule today for Metro, the West Seattle Water Taxi and its shuttles (but no Vashon Water Taxi today), and Sound Transit Express buses (including Route 560). For Washington State Ferries, the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is on a regular weekday schedule.

TRASH/RECYCLING (ETC.) PICKUP: If Monday is your pickup day, Seattle Public Utilities says everything’s on the normal schedule.

LIBRARIES: Seattle branches closed, King County branches closed.

COMMUNITY CENTERS: City-run centers are closed.

LIQUOR STORES: The state says the Junction store (41st/Alaska) is open, 10 am-7 pm.

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: No mail delivery, and post offices are closed.

BANKS: Closed.

SCHOOLS: Seattle Public Schools are closed, as is South Seattle Community College.

‘FREE PARKING DAY’ FOR CITY PAY STATIONS/METERS: If you’re heading toward a neighborhood with paid street parking, no worries, it’s free today, according to this city webpage.

Just a few notes from the calendar as the holiday weekend continues:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: No holiday here! 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska as always. Market managers are touting tomatoes as among the new arrivals this week.

VEGETABLE STAND: Organic gardener Marguerite Lynch and family are selling some of their harvest at 44th/Hill, 10:30 am-1 pm, with half the proceeds to benefit the West Seattle Food Bank.

BENEFIT BEERFEST: West Seattle Nursery is selling beer and hot dogs starting at 1 pm today to benefit team member Ingrid Nokes as she fights breast cancer.

MUSIC IN THE GARDEN: Village Green Perennial Nursery (WSB sponsor) is hosting Sawesome, live music including banjo, autoharp, and saws, 1 pm, 10223 26th SW.

WS COOKING CLUB, SUNDAY SESSION: Been meaning to check out the West Seattle Cooking Club, but unable to make their usual Monday afternoon meeting times? Here’s your chance. Today, they’re meeting 1-3 pm at Beveridge Place Pub, with the theme “Picnic Food”; you bring yours, and try theirs.

(Another ‘Heron-zilla’ photo! This great blue heron was atop Marcia‘s garage near West Seattle Golf Course)
Happy holiday weekend! From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

PADDLEBOARD RENTALS ON THE BEACH: Mountain to Sound Rentals soft-launches today with stand-up paddleboard rentals right on the beach at Alki, 55th/Alki SW, with other rental items to be added later. Details in our earlier report.

BUSINESS ANNIVERSARY: Tram’s Salon is marking one year at 4110 California SW, with discount haircuts, snacks, cake, and gifts, 9 am-7 pm today and tomorrow.

(Added photo, taken just as the e-cycling event was beginning, 10 am)
ELECTRONICS RECYCLING: 10 am-3 pm, Friendly Earth is at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral – our preview points you to info on what they’ll take and what they won’t.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL BOOKFAIR AT B&N: At Westwood Village Barnes & Noble, 10 am-4 pm, it’s a Bookfair to benefit Our Lady of Guadalupe School. Make any purchase there – or online or at another B&N – through 5/30 and use the special code that’s in the event-calendar listing, and part of the proceeds benefit the school. Also during today’s Bookfair, “surprise readers from (the) school community” on the hour/half-hour.

WSHS GRAD NIGHT CAR WASH: 10:30 am-3 pm, go get your vehicle washed to benefit West Seattle High School‘s safe-graduation-night activities. Car wash is at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor), 7501 35th SW.

FILIPINO FOOD FESTIVAL: Alki Lodge invites you to their Filipino Food Festival tonight, 5-8 pm, with proceeds benefiting community outreach (4736 40th SW).

LIVE MUSIC: Tonight’s scheduled shows include Neil Young tunes by Melanie and David at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm … Those Guys with special guests Wrecking Yard, 9 pm, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) …

(Great blue heron south of Alki Point, photographed by Zane F. Ware)
Welcome to the holiday weekend! Here’s some of what’s up if you’re NOT taking flight and leaving town:

WEST SEATTLE GARDEN CLUB’S MAY MEETING: The Garden Club meets 10 am-2 pm and you’re invited to all or part of the meeting, which includes a presentation about lavender. Full details here; you’ll find the club at Daystar (2615 SW Barton).

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: Never seen Bob “Bobcat Bob” Rice perform? Not to be missed. See him tonight at C & P (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm (5612 California).

DINNER JAZZ AT LA ROMANZA: Music with your meal? Friday nights you’ll find it at La Romanza Bistro Italiano (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, starting at 6.

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL TALENT SHOW: The WSHS junior class is presenting the talent show as a fundraiser, 7 pm, $5 with an ASB card and $7 without (3000 California SW).

LIVE MUSIC AT SKYLARK: Nightrain, Punk Funk Mob, Pony Time, Orca Team, starting at 8 at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW).

LIVE MUSIC AT FEEDBACK LOUNGE: “Funkiness” is promised in tonight’s performance by The Flat 5 at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9 pm (6451 California).

LIVE MUSIC AT THE BENBOW ROOM: Blackline and Prelude 2A Pistol, 9 pm, Heartland Café’s Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way).

Thanks to Bob Bussman for sharing photos of an eagle getting takeout at Lincoln Park. (Several WSB’ers have sent photos lately of eagles dining; a few were a bit gory.) We’ve added one more of his images at the end of this story. But first – here’s what’s on the events/activities menu today:

WEST SEATTLE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN: The WSDW monthly meeting is at midday today – starting with the 10:30 am discussion group. Full details on discussion and lunch, here.

SCHOOL CONCERTS: More orchestra concerts at local schools today, as previewed in our report on Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras‘ coaching program: According to the SYSO list, Arbor Heights Elementary concerts are at 1:30 and 6 pm, Gatewood Elementary concerts are at 2 and 6 pm.

ARTIST RECEPTION AT THE MOUNT: 4-6 pm, Providence Mount St. Vincent‘s Intergenerational Art Show and Sale continues with an artist reception. Details here. 4831 35th SW.

2 WINE TASTINGS: At West Seattle Cellars (WSB sponsor), 5:30-8 pm, German wines are in the spotlight – and the bottles, and the glasses. Free. Full details in our calendar listing; 6026 California SW … At Bin 41 (4707 California SW), 6-8 pm, it’s all about Chardonnay tonight – details here.

4724 CALIFORNIA PROJECT, 1ST DESIGN REVIEW: Five weeks after our first report on this 100-unit project proposed for the former Petco storefront, it goes to the Southwest Design Review Board for “early design guidance.” Public comment is welcome. 6:30 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). Our preview from last night is full of info-links, including our previous reports and even the “Community Guide to Design Review” if you haven’t been to a DRB meeting before.

And now, another eagle-with-fish photo from Bob:

Thanks to everyone who shares photos for potential WSB publication! You can e-mail us any time – or share via the WSB pages on Facebook or on Flickr.

The list of scheduled events is thinning out as the holiday weekend approaches, but there are a few to note, from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar and elsewhere:

SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CONSTRUCTION: *No* bridge closure scheduled tonight, but some surface closures/changes continue – here’s the SDOT rundown.

STUDENT WRITERS READ AT THE CENTRAL LIBRARY: Again tonight, student writers from Seattle Public Schools are reading their work at the downtown library HQ (6-8 pm) and we are told that one of tonight’s readers is Chief Sealth International High School student Emily Sjostrom.

‘ONE LESS TRUCK’ AT HPAC: Tonight’s monthly meeting of the Highland Park Action Committee will include information on the city’s upcoming every-2-weeks-trash-pickup pilot project, which – as reported here a week ago – will include 200 HP households. HPAC meets at 7 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club, 12th/Holden.

DOUBLEHEADER AT SKYLARK: Trivia at 7 pm, open mike at 9 pm at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW).

POOL AT ROCKSPORT: Wednesday nights are pool tournament nights, 8 pm at Rocksport in The Junction.

From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

TRAFFIC ALERT – BRIDGE AND VICINITY TONIGHT: Again tonight, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to close from I-5 to Highway 99 – meaning no West Seattle Bridge access from I-5 or Beacon Hill – 10 pm-5 am. (Please note that the closures don’t always start at the exact minute advertised – last night we crossed the bridge eastbound at 10:15, noted westbound was still open, but upon return maybe 15 minutes later, it was closed.) Some surface-street closures too – full details from SDOT, here.

FERRY NOTE: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth is back to three boats a day earlier than expected (the live Vessel Watch confirms this), as promised by Washington State Ferries.

REGISTRATION STARTS FOR COMMUNITY CENTERS’ SUMMER PROGRAMS: Thanks to our friends at Ravenna Blog for the reminder on this one – at noon today, you can start registering for this summer’s programs at city-run community centers, pools (including Southwest and Colman Pools here in West Seattle) and environmental-learning centers (including Camp Long). Link and details are on the Parks home page.

WRITERS IN THE SCHOOLS: Today and tomorrow, readings at the Seattle Public Library downtown feature students from all over the region, and today’s lineup includes Jessada Brown and Adrianne Hall of Sanislo Elementary School.

MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS: As mentioned in our story about the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras’ coaching for orchestral music in local elementary (and other) schools, Highland Park Elementary has orchestra concerts at 1:30 and 6:30 pm today.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT HEARING FOR SCHOOL LEVY PROPOSAL: Though the levy plan isn’t finalized yet, Seattle Public Schools is having hearings on the draft environmental impact statement for its next BEX (Building Excellence, construction-focused) levy, and there’s one 5-6 pm tonight at Roxhill Elementary (30th/Roxbury) – here’s our original preview.

SUP RACE NIGHT: A seasonal weekly tradition – starting at 6 pm at Alki Kayak Tours at Seacrest (1660 Harbor Avenue SW) – details here.

FREE MOVIE NIGHT AT SKYLARK: It’s a new feature – and tonight “Shaun of the Dead” and “Zombieland” will be screened at Skylark Club and Café, starting at 7 pm (3803 Delridge Way SW).

NO BLOCKWATCH CAPTAINS’ NETWORK MEETING – BUT RSVP FOR THE PARTY! The West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network has decided *not* to have its regular monthly meeting tonight after all, but DOES renew its invitation to local captains to RSVP for the *free* celebration coming up exactly one month from tonight – register online ASAP, here.

(Great blue heron on Arbor Heights rooftop, photographed by a nearby resident)
Welcome to the week before Memorial Day … summer is in view, despite the weather, which we’re still warned will be rainy and windy today. From the calendar:

SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CLOSURE AND OTHER TRAFFIC ALERTS: The westbound Spokane Street Viaduct – the West Seattle Bridge between I-5 and Highway 99 – is scheduled to be closed from I-5 to Highway 99 from 10 pm to 5 am tonight, while one lane will be closed on the eastbound SSV 9 pm-5 am. This means you won’t be able to get to the West Seattle Bridge from I-5, but you WILL be able to exit from southbound 99 to the bridge. There are some other closures on the surface – the details are here.

FERRY ALERT: As announced last week, the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth state ferry run is on a two-boat schedule today and tomorrow because of an overlap between one boat being out for inspection and another out for repairs.

AT THE LIBRARIES: Lots going on every week at West Seattle’s branches of the Seattle Public Library – today, that includes an Afternoon Book Group at 2 pm at Southwest Library (reading “The Moonstone” by Wilkie Collins) , and Family Story Time at 7 pm at High Point – find all the info via the SPL Calendar of Events.

GET RAW WITH THE COOKING CLUB: “Raw” is the theme for dishes to make and bring to today’s meeting of the West Seattle Cooking Club, 3 pm, Beveridge Place Pub.

WOMEN’S STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING: Monday nights at Alki Kayak Tours (Seacrest Boathouse, 1660 Harbor Avenue SW), it’s time for women to get out on the water, starting at 6 pm.

BUDGET CONVERSATION: The third and final edition of the City Council’s three budget conversations – looking ahead to fall – isn’t in West Seattle, but it’s as close as this round of conversation is getting – 6 pm at New Holly.

LEARN ABOUT GROWING ORGANIC FOOD: Seattle Tilth is on hand 6:30 pm tonight at Chaco Canyon Organic Café (WSB sponsor).

SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE’S ENERGY FAIR: No, it doesn’t have to be sunny for solar power to work. Learn about alternative energy of all kinds and whether it might be right for you, as Sustainable West Seattle’s monthly community forum takes the shape of an Energy Fair this month. 7-9 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon).

(“Live” image from traffic camera over the Alaskan Way Viaduct, looking north)
ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT STILL CLOSED: It’s scheduled to reopen by 5 tomorrow morning; it’s been closed all weekend for reinforcement work looking ahead to tunnel construction beneath it.

WEST SEATTLE 5K AND SEATTLE SUMMER STREETS: The no-parking zones along the beach are already in effect; the 5K walk/run starts just after 9, and the Summer Streets activities just after 11, both of which mean traffic advisories and bus detours for Alki until 5 pm. Links – including the full list of activities/events during Summer Streets – map, and more, here.

FURRY FACES’ PLANT SALE, DAY 2: Above, just some of the plants on sale at 3809 46th SW during Furry Faces Foundation’s annual plant sale, continuing today, 10 am-4 pm.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Here’s what’s new, according to the WSFM Facebook page: “Puget Beach Shellfish is back for spring! Rockridge Orchards has JAPANESE CUKES. And Alpenfire Cider will be sampling their local fizzies!” 10 am-2 pm at 44th and Alaska in The Junction.

SUPER DELI MART ANNIVERSARY PARTY: The store at 35th and Barton is celebrating its third anniversary and inviting the community to a free barbecue, 11 am-6 pm.

CELEBRATING PEONIES: That’s what’s happening today at the Seattle Chinese Garden on the north side of the South Seattle Community College campus, noon-4:30 pm.

MUSIC AT C & P: Jamtime performs, 1-4 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW.

GLEE CLUB IN CONCERT: Never mind the clouds, the songs are about sunshine and summer as the Seattle Metropolitan Glee Club performs at 4 pm at Peace Lutheran Church (39th/Thistle).

ECLIPSE, THOUGH IT’S NOT LIKELY TO BE VISIBLE: The radar suggests virtually no chance of this, but in the “anything can happen” spirit, that partial solar eclipse is happening late today – here’s the preview we published the other day.

FRANK FEST! Celebrate the music of Frank Sinatra with Tony La Stella performing after dinner (6 pm) tonight at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor). Details here.

SHOWCASE OF NEW PLAYS: Final night for this three-night showcase at ArtsWest, 7 pm. Whose plays are up tonight, you ask? Info here.

So far, we’ve reported on Bike to Work Day and the St. John’s rummage sale, but for more of today/tonight’s highlights – including the WestSide Baby fun(draiser) “Shake, Rattle & Roll” tonight, and the Seattle Police Memorial ceremony this afternoon – we’ll have to point you to the WSB Events Calendar (where you can preview some of this weekend’s events too).

P.S. If you missed this last night – here’s our roundup of major traffic alerts ahead, including this weekend’s Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 closure and the Sunday advisories on Alki.

Six days after the 8th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, garage/yard/rummage sale season rolls on – and there’s a biggie these next two days, at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. We stopped by during prep work on Thursday and found, among other things, what you see above – a Wild West outfit made from duct tape. Many more-conventional items too, of course:

St. John’s is just south of West Seattle High School, at California/Hanford. The sale runs 9 am-3 pm today and tomorrow.

Mystery solved, regarding the unusual flight pattern – and noise – that many heard over north West Seattle last night (as reported here); we contacted Sea-Tac Airport‘s media officer Perry Cooper, who researched it and, along with the airport’s noise officer, just called back with what they found out: A quirk in the weather caused Sea-Tac and Boeing Field to be in opposite flows; almost always, they are landing/taking off in the same “flow,” according to Cooper, but a “weird wind” last night caused Sea-Tac to be in south flow, Boeing Field to be in north flow, “so in order to make sure there would not be any conflicts, the jets taking off from Boeing Field were being routed (over) West Seattle.” So unless the wind quirk happens again, it was a one-time thing.

(Photo by Danny McMillin, taken south of Alki Point, shared via Flickr)
WESTBOUND SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CLOSURE TONIGHT – AND 1 LANE CLOSED EASTBOUND: After scattered shorter closures recently, the entirety of the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to be closed tonight, as part of the continuing work in the final months of the project to widen it, 10 pm-5 am. And this time, the eastbound stretch also is scheduled to be reduced to one lane, 11 pm-5 am. Details here, from SDOT.

AND REMINDER, ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT/99 CLOSURE THIS WEEKEND: 11 pm Friday to 5 am Monday, crews are scheduled to continue reinforcing the AWV in advance of the tunneling that will happen beneath it. (Full details here from WSDOT.)

PIZZA BENEFIT FOR SANISLO: 11 am-11 pm today, Red Star Pizza is donating ten percent to Sanislo Elementary, according to the school’s PTA.

WEST SEATTLE NOONERS’ MEMBERSHIP EXTRAVAGANZA: Local businessperson? The West Seattle Nooners group (WSB sponsor) is interested in meeting you at its Membership Extravaganza today, noon at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – read all about it here.

WEST SEATTLE CELLARS WINE TASTING: In addition to pouring at the Taste of West Seattle (next preview), West Seattle Cellars (WSB sponsor) is having its regular Thursday night tasting too – 5:30-8 pm, full details here. (Don’t forget to check out the WSB coupon for first-timers.) 6026 California SW.

TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE: The 7th annual benefit for West Seattle Helpline is bigger than ever – with a long list of food/beverage providers participating. If online ticketing is closed by the time you check this link, there might be some left at the door – 6:30 pm is when the main event begins. The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW; remember it’s 21+ only)

FIRST PTA MEETING FOR K-5 STEM AT BOREN: The school opens in less than four months, and families are deciding now how to organize their PTA – as a PTSA affiliated with that larger group, or maybe as an independent smaller group. Be part of the launch, 6:30 pm at Southwest Library (35th/Henderson).

‘BYE BYE BIRDIE’ CONTINUES: It’s West Seattle High School‘s spring musical, and you can cheer the student actors, singers, and musicians tonight at 7:30 pm. Ticketing info and more on the Westside Drama website.

In the past hour or so, we’ve received multiple notes asking why planes are taking an out-of-the-ordinary route over north West Seattle tonight; several people also brought it up in the comment section on today’s story about a Boeing Field alert for NEXT week. As far as we know, this has nothing to do with that alert; we are checking around to see what we can find out, but so far, all we’ve turned up is an alert about taxiway work at Boeing Field (see the right sidebar here) that doesn’t sound as if it would be related. If anyone “in the (aviation) know” is out there, either a comment or a note – editor@westseattleblog.com – would help! Thanks!

11:44 PM UPDATE: So far comment discussion has zeroed in on a runway closure at Sea-Tac that was scheduled to start two days ago – here’s their announcement.

Next week, through Memorial Day, events at the Museum of Flight just might make things a little noisier over West Seattle. So a community alert is being circulated by Boeing Field, which is run by King County – read on:Read More