(Thanks to Robert Spears for sharing the Saturday double-eagle sighting from Alki, via the WSB Facebook page)
OK, so it’s cloudy, misty, breezy. The fun must go on.

WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST, FINAL DAY: Rain or shine, the festival carries on – once things get under way for the day at 11 am (an hour later than Friday/Saturday), we’ll start our “live” coverage, and we’ll have updates if the weather leads to any changes in scheduled events. Scheduled closing time today is 5 pm. Here’s the live cam courtesy of SDOT:

Vendor list and map: 3 ways to view – searchable list, PDF list, zoomable map – and if you haven’t shopped the year-round Junction merchants’ sidewalk sales, last chance!
Music schedule: Here (first performance at noon, Black Bangs on the California Stage)
Alaska Stage schedule: Here (first performance 1 pm, Duwamish Dixieland Jazz Band)
GreenLife schedule: Here (first event 11 am, with a food-preservation presentation by Christina from Sustainable West Seattle)
We’re reporting live again throughout the day, based out of the Information Booth, where we and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce volunteers also have free WS Art Walk buttons plus flyers with handy info about other summer events including the full schedule for West Seattle Outdoor Movies (co-sponsored by WSB, as is Summer Fest), which start next weekend in the courtyard by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor).

WEST SEATTLE GARDEN TOUR: It’s happening right now! All the info about the nine open gardens and the noon lecture are in the ticket books – which you can get at the locations listed on the right side of this page. The self-guided tour is on till 5 pm today, and we can affirm from last year’s tour, umbrellas welcome. Remember, there’s an indoor event included in the ticket price too – the noon lecture at The Kenney (WSB sponsor).

YES, THE FARMERS’ MARKET IS ON: The West Seattle Farmers’ Market is always a popular feature on the final day of West Seattle Summer Fest – 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska as always; just remember, if you haven’t been to The Junction during the festival, California SW is closed between Edmunds and Oregon (and part of the block between Oregon and Genesee), while SW Alaska is closed between 44th and 42nd. The Junction parking lots accessible from those streets themselves are open.

WS STOPS ON WHITE CENTER GARDEN TOUR: The WC Garden Tour has several stops in south West Seattle. 10 am-4 pm; info on our partner site White Center Now.

ROCKSPORT’S LAST DAY: After two nights rockin’ with Hell’s Belles, the Rocksport Bar and Grill is scheduled to close after today – one of the businesses closing/moving at California/Alaska/42nd because the Equity Residential (formerly Conner) two-building apartments/retail development is about to get under way. Unlike most of the other businesses on the block, they are *not* moving to another location; their fixtures and other items will be auctioned off on July 24th.

UPDATE – ROCKSPORT ALREADY CLOSED: There’s a sign on the door that says they sold out of food and liquor last night (we’ll add a photo to our Summer Fest coverage), so they’re not opening today – last night was it.

A few more happenings are listed on the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar.

That’s the “live” city traffic cam at California and Alaska, which we’ll dub Summer Fest Cam for the next three days, in honor of West Seattle’s biggest party of the year, starting at 10 this morning. We’ll be reporting live throughout Summer Fest, while helping out at the central Information Booth (wave at us as you walk by, or stop to say hi!) right at that intersection. But first, to start the day, some handy Summer Fest links *and* other Friday highlights:

WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST LINKS: Today’s official hours are 10 am-8 pm, with the beer garden and music running later. Here’s the festival-zone map:

The main music stage is on California north of Oregon, with a few acts and other community performances/events on the “Alaska Stage” east of California. The kids’ zone is near Wells Fargo, north of Alaska and off 44th SW; GreenLife, with a focus on sustainability how-to’s (tons of demonstrations and presentations!), is west of California, north of Edmunds, on the south side.

Vendor list and map: 3 ways to browse – searchable list, PDF list, zoomable map
Music schedule: Here (first performance 12:45 pm)
Alaska Stage schedule: Here (first event 1 pm)
GreenLife schedule: Here (first event 12:45 pm)

Also today/tonight:

FINAL WEEKEND FOR XANADU: You’re already in The Junction for Summer Fest, why not go cheer the young performers who’ve spent the past few weeks singing and acting the hearts out? “Xanadu” at ArtsWest ends its run Sunday, and tonight it’s onstage at 7:30 pm.

BOBBY DARIN TRIBUTE: At Kenyon Hall tonight, 7:30 pm, Bob De Dea salutes Bobby Darin in Singin’ and Swingin’ with Bobby D. More details on the KH website.

SUMMER FEST AFTERPARTY: Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction has live music tonight and tomorrow, billing itself as “the official WSSF aftershow party” venue – tonight at 10, it’s Gunn and the Damage Done.

And that’s only part of what you’ll find on the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar.

Thanks to Don Brubeck for the photo! Forecast says the fog will clear away as it has the past few days – it’s peeking through even as we finish this roundup – and we should have sun for Summer Fest Eve/Art Walk/everything else happening tonight. Highlights:

JUNCTION STREETS CLOSE AT 6 PM: That’s when the West Seattle Summer Fest setup begins – since the peninsula’s biggest party of the year happens the next three days, it’s a big night of work to get ready. But also …

SUMMER FEST EVE IN THE STREETS: The setup is usually fairly low key, and that’s why fun stuff happens in the street on the night before Summer Fest, too. Bubbleman will be outside Elliott Bay, 6 pm; the Yada Yada Blues Band plays outside West 5 – as previewed here. AND …

SHOP LATE THURSDAY IN THE JUNCTION: Wander the streets AND the shops, till 9 pm, at participating merchants (listed here).

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: In The Junction, in the Admiral District, on Alki, and other locations around West Seattle, tonight is the monthly Art Walk night, and even outside the Summer Fest zone, the spirit is more festive than ever on the July Art Walk night. Preview some of the venues and artists via the official Art Walk website; get your walking map/venue list here. Among the highlights: “Summer Lovin’,” themed John Travolta (!), group show opening at Twilight Artist Collective. 6-9 pm.

WINE CLUB AND LIVE MUSIC: At C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW):

Relax with a glass of wine and feel the warmth of Choro Tocando and the music of Brazil. Wine club meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month. Join us as we explore a new theme each month and feel free to bring an appetizer! $5.00 tasting fee or wines by the glass or bottle. 21 and older please.

BIG NIGHT AT THE WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Ask an Expert, *plus* the Tool Library’s mobile-unit debut, and a visit from Spark Truck, all happening tonight, 6-8 pm, at the Tool Library’s Youngstown Cultural Arts Center headquarters (4408 Delridge Way SW)

WHITE CENTER (ETC.) ANNEXATION INFO MEETING: If you’re on the county side of the line and want to know more about the Burien annexation measure coming up on the November ballot, the next informational session is tonight at 6 pm, Dubsea Coffee in Greenbridge (8th SW, a block south of Roxbury).

DRUM CIRCLE ON ALKI: Second edition of this new weekly tradition. 6:30 pm, meet near the Alki Statue of Liberty. Details here.

DESC DELRIDGE PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 6:30 pm at Youngstown – agenda details here.

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Their agenda tonight includes a resolution related to the SODO arena proposal (read the text here). More meeting info at 34dems.org; meeting’s at 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW).

GENESEE-SCHMITZ NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Outdoor meeting tonight, on the upper playground of the Genesee Hill School campus, 7 pm.

(Osprey with its catch – photo by Danny McMillin, shared via the WSB Flickr group pool)
Welcome to West Seattle Summer Fest Eve-Eve. As the Friday-Saturday-Sunday festival – preceded by tomorrow night’s West Seattle Art Walk, and more! – approaches, there are still a few other things happening around the peninsula:

BABY PEPPERS: A new session of this group for parents of babies 5-12 months old starts today, 10:30 am, at Bright Horizons in The Triangle (38th south of Fauntleroy). Details here.

SLURPEE FREEBIES: It’s 7-11, and that means participating local 7-11s (you’ll have to doublecheck with yours – WS has seven!) are giving away free 7.11-ounce Slurpees.

OR, A MORE ADULT BEVERAGE: Wednesday wine tastings at South Seattle Community College continue, 1-4 pm. Details here.

MARKET GARDEN FARM STAND: Fresh-grown produce, sold next to the mega-garden where it’s grown, at the weekly High Point Market Garden Farm Stand, starting 4-7 pm today – details and map in our calendar listing.

NIGHTLIFE: At Skylark Café and Club, trivia at 7 and open mike at 9.

PUBLIC-COMMENT PERIOD: Today’s the deadline listed by the city for commenting on the proposed million-gallon underground-storage-tank project across from Lowman Beach (to handle combined-sewer overflows). Details are in our previous story, as well as the link for commenting.

(Thanks to planet_lb for that view of Monday’s sunrise, reflected off M/V Issaquah, via the WSB Flickr group pool)
Before the day gets too much busier, here are a few notes for tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

POTLUCK PRECEDES ADMIRAL MEETING: Come meet your Admiral neighbors again this month before the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s monthly meeting – 6 pm potluck, 7 pm meeting, lower level of Admiral Church (California/Hill). Topics tonight will include the upcoming Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series (first show July 26th!).

LINCOLN PARK ZIPLINE PROPOSAL @ FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: As previously reported, tonight will be the first public presentation about the proposal, with Parks reps at the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s monthly meeting, which is moving to a larger room at The Hall at Fauntleroy (old schoolhouse, 9131 California SW) so that everyone interested, pro/con/undecided, can attend and see for themselves. 7 pm. (The WSB coverage archive is here.)

NEW SPONSOR, CHARITY BENEFIT FOR FEEDBACK’S TUESDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Feedback Lounge co-proprietor Matt Johnson sends word of some new additions to their weekly trivia night:

Feedback Lounge’s Tuesday Trivia is now sponsored by Venom Vodka, a West Seattle-owned distillery. Mark Micelli, co-owner of Venom, is also a Seattle firefighter, and is very involved in Seattle’s Bravest charity – Feedback Lounge is helping to support that by donating a buck from each Venom vodka drink back to Seattle’s Bravest charity. Kicks off Tuesday night, 8 o’clock, with your hosts Chachi Beck and Bradi Jones, and continues every Tuesday.

MORE NIGHTLIFE TONIGHT: Trivia at The Bridge, 8:30 pm … Baby Ketten Karaoke at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm … Starlight singer/songwriter showcase at Shadowland, 9 pm.

More, including regular weekly meetings, on the calendar.

Coverage of the police chase/arrest pre-empted our morning preview but here are a few reminders: First, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is still closed (scheduled to reopen by early Monday morning), so you still can’t get to the West Seattle Bridge from I-5 or Beacon Hill; you CAN get to it from 99. Second, today’s a special day at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market – many vendors are offering sales/discounts; 44th/Alaska, till 2 pm. Third, WSB sponsor Little Rascals Preschool has an open house, 1-4 pm (details here). More on the calendar.

(Photographer/pilot Long Bach Nguyen‘s view of Alki during low-low tide earlier this week – click for larger view)
Happy first weekend of real summer! Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar – and a few neighboring events too – plus, a bridge-closure reminder:

WESTBOUND SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CLOSURE: Yet another reminder – all weekend long, you can’t get to the westbound West Seattle Bridge from I-5 or Beacon Hill. You *can* get to it from 99.

LINCOLN PARK WORK PARTY: Warm weather means a growth boost for invasive plants as well as the ones that belong … so the Friends of Lincoln Park are out this morning starting at 9 am, and you’re welcome to join them.

SEAFAIR PIRATES’ LANDING: The pirates themselves aren’t expected to storm the shore till sometime between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm, but you’ll find vendors and activities around the heart of Alki Beach Park (Bathhouse vicinity, in particular) starting around 9:30 am, and continuing afterward (a pirate-costume contest for kids is scheduled later in the afternoon). Full details on the Seafair website.

LITTLE LEAGUE TOURNAMENT: West Seattle Little League hosts a district tournament at Bar-S (64th/Admiral) this weekend and all are welcome to come watch – more details here.

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Open noon-4 pm – so while you’re on Alki, check out this collection of West Seattle history, 61st/Stevens.

JUBILEE DAYS GOLF TOURNAMENT: Want to support White Center Jubilee Days? Play golf at Glen Acres today – tournament at noon. Details here.

TOUR THE ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Something else you can do while at the beach, post-Pirates in this case – the historic lighthouse at Alki Avenue/Beach Drive is open for tours on summer weekends, 1-4 pm.

COLMAN POOL SCHEDULE CHANGE: Again today, Lincoln Park’s outdoor pool opens at 3 pm because of a swim meet. (Details on the Colman Pool website.)

LUCHA LIBRE! The popular Mexican sport of masked wrestling returns to South Park for a street-party style celebration that starts with activities at 3 pm, wrestling after 5. Details and map in our calendar listing.

‘ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW’: First Saturday of every month, fans of this classic converge on the Admiral Theater, costumes, accessories (toast!) and all, for a midnight screening.

We were up at dawn covering a story for White Center Now when we saw Vashon early riser @sudsymaggie tweet that beautiful photo looking toward the sunrise “behind” West Seattle, from the north Vashon ferry dock. She kindly agreed to share it (thank you!). Now that another sunny day is under way, here’s what’s ahead:

ROAD WORK, BRIDGE CLOSURE: Three things to note today:
–Till 9 am, SDOT is scheduled to have the Admiral Way offramp from the westbound high-rise bridge CLOSED for installation of a temperature sensor (as we first reported here).
–The California/Fauntleroy work we mentioned yesterday – bollixing up the busy intersection at the heart of Morgan Junction – is expected to continue today, so detouring might be wise.
–TONIGHT AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to be closed — from 10 pm tonight to 5 am Monday. It’s one of several notable Seattle road closures this weekend, as SDOT explains here.

‘CATCH THE BUG FOR NATURE’: Nature walk at Camp Long (5200 35th SW) – meet at the lodge -10 am, with West Seattle naturalist Stewart Wechsler. Full details here.

KIDS’ GARDEN: Free – bring your kid/s to Village Green Perennial Nursery (WSB sponsor) to learn and have fun, 2-4 pm, 10223 26th SW (more info on this Facebook event page).

COLMAN POOL SCHEDULE CHANGE: Because of a swim meet, the schedule is different again today; the pool won’t open to the public till 3 pm. Changes detailed here.

DROP-IN TAI CHI AT SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN: 4:30 pm – details here. North end of South Seattle Community College campus (6000 16th SW).

ROLLER SKATING AT ALKI COMMUNITY CENTER: 6:45-8:45 pm – the Friday night tradition! More info here.

LIVE MUSIC: Bob “Bobcat Bob” Rice at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW), 6-8 pm … Barbie Anaka at Salty’s (1936 Harbor SW), 7-10 pm … Trip Like Animals & Dead Man at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm … Not From Brooklyn and I Will Keep Your Ghost, 9-11 pm at the Heartland Café’s Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way)

POGGIE TAVERN BENEFIT DANCE CONTEST: 9-11 pm, to raise some $ to help the Poggie as it continues recovering from the fire that shut it down for almost a month this spring. Full details in our Thursday preview.

P.S. – EXACTLY ONE WEEK TILL WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST! The huge three-day outdoor party in The Junction starts a week from today. If you haven’t started planning your schedule – which bands to see, where to go when – ALL the info you need is on the official website.

(Sand pattern from Wednesday’s low tide, by “old desolate” via the WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

LIBRARY STORY TIMES: Three this morning at local libraries – the systemwide events calendar lists them all.

ONE LAST LOW-LOW TIDE: Today’s low tide is -2.7 feet at 12:35 pm, still low enough that the Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are out too (11 am-2:30 pm, locations here).

COLMAN POOL SCHEDULE CHANGE: Because of a swim meet, the schedule is different for the next three days; today, the pool won’t open to the public till 3 pm. Changes detailed here.

SHOP LATE THURSDAY IN THE JUNCTION: It’s weekly all summer long, 6-9 pm. See the list of participating stores/restaurants by going here.

NEW DRUM CIRCLE: Should be a beautiful night for this – a Thursday night drum circle is forming at Alki, starting at 6:30 pm. Details are in the calendar listing.

NIGHTLIFE: Free poker and live music at The Bridge (4439 35th SW) starts at 6 pm … Jim Page plays C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW), 6-8 pm … At Skylark Café and Club, it’s In Cahoots and The Goddamn Devil, 8 pm …

(That’s Schmitz Park in the center of pilot/photographer Long Bach Nguyen‘s image)
Happy day-before-the-4th! If you’re looking for holiday info, find it on the WSB West Seattle 4th of July page; as for today, here are a few notes:

NO BRIDGE CLOSURES TILL THE WEEKEND: Since we usually start the daily preview with an update on what’s closed today/tonight – we’ll note here that everything’s open. No 99 closures are scheduled for the rest of the week; the Spokane Street Viaduct has nothing planned until a Thursday night lane closure and then the full-weekend westbound closure (both detailed here).

LIBRARY STORY TIMES: There are three in West Seattle on the Seattle Public Library calendar today – see the list here.

LOWEST TIDE OF THE MONTH: It’s down to -3.4 feet at 11:03 am today, and the Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are out too – 10 am-2 pm at Constellation Park south of Alki Point and at Lincoln Park (usually near Colman Pool).

FUNDRAISER FOR FIRE-AFFECTED PETS: Tonight at Beveridge Place Pub, a special beer offering, to raise money for pets affected by the Colorado fires, 6-9 pm, details here.

STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING: Haven’t had time to check out the Tuesday night races before? Maybe tonight! 6 pm from Alki Kayak Tours‘ HQ at Seacrest.

NIGHTLIFE: Jason Sees performs at Löcöl tonight, 7 pm … Trivia That Rocks at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm … Baby Ketten Karaoke at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm …

(Photo by Trileigh Tucker, who muses about birds, and more, here)
Working this week? The midweek holiday will lead to a lot of odd schedules. Still some activities to share, so here are the calendar highlights for today/tonight:

TRAFFIC ALERT: The westbound Spokane Street Viaduct will close 10 pm tonight till 5 am Tuesday (as noted in our list of this week’s closures). Reminder – the 1st Avenue onramp to the westbound SSV is now available to emergency vehicles if they need it, so don’t be startled if you happen to see that in action; the city doesn’t expect it’ll be ready for everybody else till the whole project’s done around summer’s end.

MONDAY ARTISTS: If you’re a watercolorist – even a beginning one – you’re invited to check out Monday Artists, a group that meets Mondays, 9:30 am-noon, at Island View Apartments across from West Seattle High School (3000 block California SW). Details here.

LOW-LOW TIDE: Beach-walk alert! For the next three days, low tides are below -3 feet. Today, it’s -3.1 at 10:16 am. You can find volunteer Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists on the shore at Lincoln and Constellation Parks 9:30 am-1 pm.

SALAD DAY: The West Seattle Cooking Club invites you to bring a salad to share, while enjoying others’ creations, at their weekly meeting, 3 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW).

DANCE! New series starts with Balorico at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) – details here.

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE 4TH OF JULY … this year’s holiday-info page is up.

(Fairmount Ravine greenbelt, photographed by Long Bach Nguyen – note bridge toward upper right)
Happy July! Today’s forecast remains cloudy but the 4th is looking better … in the meantime, from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar, highlights for today/tonight:

TRAFFIC ALERT: Southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 is supposed to reopen by 9 am, after its two-night, one-day closure. No other closures/changes planned for today.

PLASTIC-BAG BAN, PAPER-BAG FEE: Today’s the day it starts. Again, in a nutshell, stores are not supposed to offer plastic shopping bags any more, unless they are sturdy, thick, reusable plastic; if you didn’t bring your own bag and want a paper bag, they’re supposed to charge you at least a nickel. Here’s the city’s infopage.

PET FOOD DRIVE: Alki Mail and Dispatch (47th/Admiral) is collecting pet food for two nonprofits all month long, starting today (they open at 9).

RETURN OF THE LOW-LOW TIDES: Today is the first of five days of low-low tides – 9:27 am, -2.5 feet, per our favorite chart (Tuesday will bring the lowest tide, -3.4 feet, along with the full moon.) And 9:30 am-12:30 pm, you will find Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists on the shore at Lincoln Park and south of Alki Point.

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

REGISTRATION PARTY FOR FLOAT DODGER 5K: Noon-4 pm, stop by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor; California/Charlestown) to sign up for the first-ever Float Dodger 5K before the West Seattle Grand Parade on July 21st – get $5 off the fee, shop the store at a discount, and a variety of other fun detailed here.

COLMAN POOL, DAY 2: Thanks to Venkat for this Instagram view of the pool on reopening day Saturday:

Today is day 2, and the schedule – starting with noon lap swimming – is here.

ALKI ARTS’ 2ND ANNIVERSARY: Noon-8 pm, the little-gallery-that-could throws a big party to celebrate 2 years at the beach. Music and more; details here.

‘XANADU’ MATINEE: 3 pm, it’s the first matinee, ending the first week, of the musical “Xanadu“‘s run at ArtsWest in The Junction.

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: 3-5 pm, Heather O’Neill performs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW).

A day or so after we showed you the plastering operation that was the final stage of major renovation work at Colman Pool, local photographer/pilot Long Bach Nguyen shared that image of the pool partly filled. It’s since been completed – fully filled, too! – and reopens today, which is just one of the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

REMEMBER – SOUTHBOUND VIADUCT/99 IS CLOSED … and scheduled to remain that way till 9 am Sunday.

EX-WEST SEATTLEITE ASTRONAUT PILOTS SUPER GUPPY TO MoF: Today is the day the not-far-from-West-Seattle Museum of Flight celebrates the arrival of the crew cabin from the space-shuttle trainer it’ll house in a permanent exhibit. As reported here 2 weeks ago, it’s arriving in a Super Guppy cargo plane piloted by astronaut Greg Johnson, a West Seattle High School alum. The whole day’s schedule, starting at 9:30 am, is on this page of the MoF website.

FREE ELECTRONICS RECYCLING & SHREDDING: The West Seattle Junction Association-presented event is happening 10 am-1 pm today in The Junction’s parking lot along 42nd SW between Alaska and Oregon. More details here.

PET ADOPTION EVENT: Room in your heart and home for a new friend? Go to Umpqua Bank (WSB sponsor) in Admiral (just north of Admiral Safeway) 10 am-1:30 pm today. Details here.

EXPLORE RIVERSIDE: Southwest Seattle Historical Society walking tour, with Judy Bentley and Frank Zuvela, 10 am-noon, learning about the fishing community founded near the mouth of the Duwamish River. Details here.

‘INVENTORY BLOWOUT’ PLANT SALE AT SSCC: 11 am-3 pm at Puget Ridge Garden Center on the north side of the campus (6000 16th SW), 30 percent off all plants.

COLMAN POOL REOPENS: Noon today is the first session of 2012 for the outdoor pool at Lincoln Park, which has undergone major renovations – new plaster, mostly new deck, new piping and electrical work and boiler and more – in recent months. Here’s its webpage, including a schedule link. (And here’s our most recent story about the renovations.)

K-5 STEM PLAYDATE: Families enrolled in or interested in West Seattle’s new public school are invited to a playdate at the south Lincoln Park playground, 2-3 pm today (details here).

WEST SIDE MUSIC ACADEMY BANDS @ SKYLARK: Thanks to the tipster who let us know that West Side Music Academy‘s rock bands – Rhythm Jam, Beginning Rock Band and Beginning Girl Band – will be performing at 4 pm at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW). Free, all ages.

DUWAMISH TRIBAL SERVICES’ GALA DINNER/AUCTION: Tonight at the Duwamish Longhouse (4705 W. Marginal Way SW), 4:30-8 pm, it’s the benefit gala – details here.

GRAND OPENING PARTY: Cycle U (3418 Harbor SW) is throwing a grand-opening party at 6 pm in honor of its recent move.

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT: The Twitch plays “unplugged rock” at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm … Acoustic blues at Kenyon Hall, Orville Johnson with Grant Dermody and John Miller, 7:30 pm … Disco Cowboys, John Hammock and the Rooster Run Band at Skylark, 9 pm … West Side Sally at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9 pm … The Badlands, Local Dudes at The Benbow Room, 9 pm.

Way outside West Seattle, but of local note:

EMERALD DOWNS CELEBRATES ‘WEST SEATTLE BOY’: The 21-race-winning 13-year-old named West Seattle Boy is retiring at the South King County track, and special events galore are planned today – detailed here.

West Seattle photographer Machel Spence shares the photo from Lincoln Park – a bird (ID, anyone?) that had just caught a flicker (which, Machel says, it’s standing on). Might be a good day to visit a park, as the calendar is quieting down with the holiday approaching. (Or walk through on your way to Colman Pool when it opens tomorrow!) A few highlights for today/tonight:

SID LAW AT C & P: The coffeehouse announces tonight’s musical guest: “One of our favorites … Sid Law from 6-8 pm at C & P Coffee. Covering a century of music from the 1920’s to the present, Sid Law has taken the art of the one man band off the streets and into a wide variety of venues. Equally at home in any style, Sid sparkles with beautiful original arrangements from the Great American Songbook, country, or rock and pop, as well as enchanting audiences with improvised soundscaping flourishes.” Check out this YouTube clip.

ROLLER SKATING AT ALKI COMMUNITY CENTER: The Friday night skates are back and you’re invited tonight, 6:45-8:45 pm, details here, including a map to the center if somehow you’ve never been!

LIVE MUSIC AT SKYLARK: Four acts on the calendar tonight – Friday Night Gumbo, Cassie Correlle, Quinn Deveaux, Dillon Warnek. 8 pm (3803 Delridge Way SW).

LIVE MUSIC AT FEEDBACK LOUNGE: Flat 5 is at The Feedback (WSB sponsor) tonight, described on the FL website: “If you missed ’em last time, this is your chance to catch THE FLAT 5 and their funked-up R&B grooves as they return to The Feedback Lounge by popular demand. We dare you not to shake that which needs shaking.” 9 pm (6451 California SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT THE BENBOW ROOM: Intisaar, Sweetlix, per the Heartland Café calendar, 9 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

Oh, and then there’s the downtown thing you’ve been hearing a lot about:

SEATTLE GREAT WHEEL: Thanks to West Seattle-based Craig Harrold Photography for sharing the photo. It opens today. Craig says West Seattle architect Robin Murphy worked on some of the adjacent structures, so check ’em out while you’re there. Official SGW website here. If you take a ride, let us know – and on the first sunny day, we’d love to see a photo of West Seattle from 175 feet up!

(An Alki Ave.-crossing river otter, in Alex‘s photo, shared via Guy – who’s photographed one too)
From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

TRAFFIC ALERTS FOR TODAY/TONIGHT: From our day-by-day combined list of closures: The closure of eastbound surface Spokane St. between 4th and 6th continues all day today and all night. Southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 will close again tonight, 9 pm-5 am. (And another reminder, it’s scheduled to close 11 pm Friday-9 am Sunday, too.) We don’t have word from SDOT whether the SW Alaska rechannelization work will continue today, but if you are Junction/Triangle-bound, be ready to possibly wade through a construction zone.

BENEFIT CHERRY SALE: As previewed here Tuesday, the parents of a Green Lake woman fighting a brain tumor plan to set up alongside Emma Schmitz Overlook (on Beach Drive across from Me-Kwa-Mooks) 11 am-1 pm today to sell cherries to raise money for her ongoing expenses. (Here’s an update on what type of cherries they’ll be selling.)

WADING POOL UPDATE: Depending on the weather, this is scheduled to be opening day for the Delridge wading pool. Check the hotline at (206) 684-7796 to see if the city will open its pools today (it did yesterday!).

FIREWORKS SALES IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS: They’re banned inside the Seattle city limits, but if you’re reading this in White Center or another part of unincorporated King County, personal fireworks go on sale at noon today, but can only be used – in the areas where they’re legal – on the 4th of July.

TEEN SKETCHBOOK/FAN ART: 12-18-year-olds are invited to bring their work to the Southwest Library today (35th/Henderson), 1-2 pm. Details here.

‘SHOP LATE THURSDAY’ IN THE JUNCTION: 6-9 pm – participant list here, including Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) and Twilight Artist Collective teaming up on a T-shirt sale – promising lots of cool art-print designs, 20 percent off. Also: Sweetie Boutique is celebrating its 9th anniversary, 7-10 pm, with a sale and raffles.

DESIGN REVIEW MEETING FOR 3829 CALIFORNIA SW: A proposed 30-apartment building gets its Early Design Guidance review before the Southwest Design Review Board at 6:30 tonight, Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon). Here’s our report from last week, including a link to the design “packet.”

WEST SEATTLE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN: This month’s WSDW meeting at the West Seattle Golf Course is Movie Night, with “Fair Game: My Life as a Spy,” the Valerie Plame Wilson story, at 6:30 pm, followed by a discussion, preceded by dinner/hors d’oeuvres. If interested, call ASAP to see if there’s still room – contact info and other details are here.

XANADU, NIGHT 2: ArtsWest‘s youth-apprenticeship musical based on the roller-disco movie skates across the stage for its second night, 7:30 pm.

BURLESQUE: 9 pm at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW) – check for online ticket availability (or buy at the door).

Those are the tables and chairs placed in Junction Plaza Park by the West Seattle Junction Association. They are this morning’s “photo of the day” in honor of their continued existence – when we reported their installation two-plus weeks ago, a few commenters predicted they’d vanish within a few weeks; we countered good-naturedly with faith in humanity (despite 30 years in news). The tables/chairs have been there almost three weeks, so three cheers for optimism … and for a place to enjoy lunch in the park. On with the calendar highlights:

TONIGHT’S TRAFFIC ALERT: From our custom-combined list of this week’s closures, day-by-day: Just one for today/tonight – the southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed overnight, 9 pm-5 am. (P.S. Wherever you’re heading, and whenever, the WSB Traffic page has all the West Seattle-relevant cameras.)

TRYING TO DECIDE ABOUT RETIREMENT LIVING? West Seattle’s senior/retirement-living communities are joining forces for a Town Hall-style event to share information and answer questions, 2 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon). Details here.

STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING: The lack of summer sun doesn’t stop this summer series of Tuesday night racing. 6 pm, Alki Kayak Tours at Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW); details here.

OPEN HOUSE: Arbor Heights Cooperative Preschool (10404 34th SW) invites prospective families to visit; starts at 6 pm – more info here.

BLOCKWATCH CAPTAINS NETWORK: This month’s meeting is all about getting ready for Night Out block parties on August 7th, as previewed here last night. Tonight’s meeting is at 6:30 pm at the Southwest Precinct meeting room, Delridge/Webster.

HI-YU WHITE ROSE RECEPTION: It’s a reunion and a celebration for Hi-Yu royalty past and present as the heart of the summer West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival season nears. 7 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9131 California SW), details here.

(Sunday afternoon photo from Lincoln Park’s north beach)
Happy Monday! Remember that school is now out for just about everyone, so while on one hand that means no “school zone” speed limits, it also means, be extra careful for kids of all ages out and about. Meantime, highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

TRAFFIC ALERTS: No bridge or Viaduct closures tonight, but during the day today, there will be some restrictions NB/SB through the 4th Avenue South/S. Spokane St. intersection, on the surface, related to the bridge-widening project. Details on our combined list of this week’s closures, broken out day by day.

MONDAY ARTISTS: If you’re a watercolorist – even a beginning one – you’re invited to check out Monday Artists, a group that meets Mondays, 9:30 am-noon, at Island View Apartments across from West Seattle High School (3000 block California SW). Details here.

MADISON SIGNBOARD COMMITTEE: As previewed here last night, tonight’s the first meeting of a committee deciding whether to recommend a zoning “departure” (exception) for installation of a digital illuminated signboard on the east facade of Madison Middle School’s gym. 6:30 pm, school library (45th/Spokane).

NIGHTLIFE: At West 5, it’s “Flat Earth Society” DJ Night on Mondays – tonight at 9, Catbutter spins … Mondays are also Pub Quiz nights at Shadowland, 8 pm.

WADING POOLS THAT *WOULD* BE OPEN … whenever the weather starts getting into the sunny/70 mode, Lincoln Park would have already had its opening day (it’s the one open every day, weather permitting), and today would be opening day for the Hiawatha pool. More info here.

STILL SEEKING SUMMER-CAMP OPTIONS? Over the weekend, we added to our list of local camp programs that have said they still have room. Some start this week – others, later in the summer – see the list here.

Happy first Sunday of summer! From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

BENEFIT CAR WASH: The Chief Sealth International High School cheerleaders are raising money for cheer camp through a car wash 10 am-2 pm today at the John L. Scott lot in the 5200 block of California SW.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Summer fruit is in the spotlight. 10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska.

VCA WEST SEATTLE OPEN HOUSE: The veterinary clinic at 5261 California SW is having an open house 11 am-2 pm – details here.

IF IT WERE SUNNY AND HEADED FOR 70 … this would be the second day of operation for the Lincoln Park wading pool. Just FYI. Whenever that warm weather DOES arrive, it’ll start the season.

SUMMER KICKOFF BARBECUE: Noon-4 pm, free barbecue at Super Deli Mart (35th/Barton), details here.

(added) DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE EXHIBIT OPENS: From the announcement about today’s opening reception, 1-3 pm:

“Taqw-seblu”, Skagit tribal elder Vi Hilbert (1918-2008), is credited with saving Lushootseed– the language spoken by Chief Seattle. In a series of legacy albums produced by Paul Eubanks, the cultural future was permanently preserved in the ancestral stories and wisdom of Taqw-seblu and other tribal elders. It was their wish that the culture be preserved by sharing it – with the goal of making the material available to all who seek it, now and in the future. Paul Eubanks, an adopted grandson of Taqw-seblu, honors these elders with photos, prints and a series of presentations that illuminate the background stories regarding the production of these legacy albums.

The longhouse is at 4705 W. Marginal Way SW.

BLOCK-BY-BLOCK BIOSWALE MEETINGS IN WESTWOOD: King County is having the Westwood editions of its block-by-block meetings about the Barton CSO Project – proposing bioswales for parts of Sunrise Heights and Westwood, to divert runoff – at 1 and 3 pm today; locations here.

WEEKEND DAYTIME MEETING FOR WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: If you’ve been meaning to check out the West Seattle Cooking Club but couldn’t make it to their usual Monday afternoon meetings – here’s your chance, 1 pm, Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW), with the theme “Breakfast.”

TOUR THE LIGHTHOUSE: Just another reminder that the Alki Point Lighthouse is open for tours 1-4 pm on summer Saturdays and Sundays.

(See this RapidRide bus up close and personal @ Morgan Junction Festival today)
Lots going on, no matter what the weather does! From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

TRAFFIC REMINDER: Yet another reminder, the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 is closed for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon (till 3:30 pm) and that’s just one of a multitude of closures, as well as bus detours, so if you’re leaving the peninsula … expect the unexpected.

LOOKING FOR YARD SALES? HAVING ONE? Check out the WSB Forums’ Freebies/Deals/Sales section – posting is free. (Be sure to include the date/s in the subject line.)

WEST SEATTLE KIWANIS POKER RUN: The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is raising money for Children’s Hospital, with its annual Motorcycle Poker Run, Classic Car Show, and barbecue. Check-in 8:30-9:30 am at 40th/Edmunds (and if you didn’t pre-register, no worries, you and your bike can just show up!), then they’re off! Details here.

HELP CLEAN UP AT THE LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: As previewed here earlier this week, volunteer help is appreciated today at West Seattle’s only museum – the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s Log House Museum – 9 am to noon. Just show up (61st/Stevens)!

SANISLO WETLAND WORK PARTY: Factoid from Steve Richmond: “Did you know a mature cedar tree can intercept more than 400 gallons of rainfall per year, reducing polluted stormwater runoff that will otherwise foul Puget Sound? Evergreen trees intercept twice the rainfall as deciduous trees, particularly during winter.” 10 am-1 pm today, you can help take care of native plants at the Sanislo School Wetland, 1812 SW Myrtle. Help appreciated even if you have as little as an hour to spare. Meet in front of the school. Bring gloves, hand pruners if you have them (write your name on yours), =and wear sturdy shoes/boots and long sleeves/pants. Snacks and water provided (bring a bottle).

MORGAN JUNCTION COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: Clouds and showers won’t stop the free fun – 10:30 am-7 pm, live music/performances (The Bubbleman at 11:30 am is a fave with the kids), the “Bark of Morgan” dog parade/contests at 2 pm, ongoing “Bite of Morgan” food sampling, dozens of booths with community organizations and businesses (we’ll be reporting live; come say hi!) – details, map, schedule here.

CELEBRATE SPRINGER ON ALKI: Native dancers, kids’ activities, stories about the amazing work a decade ago that reunited Springer the “orphan orca” with her family … it’s all part of the celebration that The Whale Trail is hosting today (including unveiling their new signs), 11 am-3 pm at Alki Bathhouse. Details on TWT’s website.

HAM RADIO FIELD DAY: Go learn about amateur radio and say hi to local “hams,” during their round-the-clock marathon in the field on the southeast side of the South Seattle Community College campus (6000 16th SW), 11 am today till 11 pm tomorrow. They’re not just hobbyists – they’re a vital link in the local emergency-preparedness ecosystem, too – and they invite you to come check out what’s going on. More info here.

WALK FOR THE BABIES: As previewed here earlier this week – a 5K walk around the track at West Seattle Stadium 3-5 pm today to raise money for a one-of-a-kind facility that helps newborns, between hospital and home, recover from prenatal drug exposure. You’re welcome to join in and/or pledge.

BOWLING FOR BOOBS: Fight breast cancer with a charity bowl-a-thon at West Seattle Bowl (39th/Oregon), starting at 6 pm, benefiting two nonprofits. Details here.

SALSA ON ALKI – WEATHER PERMITTING: If the weather isn’t too wet, it’s the second edition of this summer’s salsa-dancing sessions on Alki (near the bathhouse). Organizers advise checking the Facebook event page around noon to see if it’s on. If it is, it starts around 6 pm.

BLUEGRASS AT KENYON HALL: The Convergence Zone Bluegrass Band (appropriate name for a day like this) plays Kenyon Hall at 7:30 pm.

AFTER THE FESTIVAL – DJ @ THE FEEDBACK: Tonight at 8 pm, segue from the Morgan Junction Community Festival into the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) for DJ SheZaHipChick.

(Baby eagle in the Duwamish Head Greenbelt, photographed this week by Kathy Weitz)
We know many independent-school students in West Seattle are already out – but today is the long-awaited final day for Seattle Public Schools students, so we wish them and their families “happy summer!” Here are other highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY: That’s what AmericanWest Bank in The Junction is celebrating today, with free refreshments 11 am-2 pm at their branch (41st/Alaska) and a food truck on site if you’re interested in buying lunch there (Raney Brothers BBQ).

WORLD HARMONY RUN AT THE MOUNT: At 2 pm, the World Harmony Run Torch visits Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW).

LIVE MUSIC: Pat Smith at 3 pm at Bridge Park (3204 SW Morgan), RSVP requested … “Bobcat Bob” at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) 6-8 pm (5612 California SW) … Jazz singer Barbie Anaka at Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW), 8-10 pm … Sightseer, Lush Tones, and More of Anything at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm … Jason Sees at the Heartland Café‘s Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way), 9 pm … The Dolly Rottens and Death’s Three Daughters at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor; 6451 California SW) at 9:30 pm …

SATIRICAL SONGS: That’s what you can expect at “Live from the Starving Ear” with Roy Zimmerman tonight at Kenyon Hall, 7:30 pm.

SUNSET NATURE WALK: Naturalist Stewart Wechsler leads a Lincoln Park walk to commemorate the “latest sunset of the year,” meet at 8:45 pm; details on his website.

FYI – BLOCKWATCH CAPTAINS’ PARTY: If you see police around the VFW Hall in The Triangle, don’t worry, it’s actually a happy occasion – they might be stopping in to say hello to the Block Watch captains of West Seattle, whose first-ever Appreciation Party, organized by the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network (with co-sponsors including WSB), is happening there tonight, including dinner and dancing.

FYI – ROTARY INSTALLATION BANQUET: That’s the big event at The Hall at Fauntleroy tonight, 6-9 pm, as the Rotarians celebrate outgoing president Sue Lindblom and incoming president Andy Horner.

(Thanks to Alex for sharing the raccoon-family photo from “somewhere along Longfellow Creek”)
Welcome to the first full day of summer! Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

BRIDGE CLOSURE TONIGHT: If you missed the announcement on Wednesday, SDOT added another westbound closure of the Spokane Street Viaduct (plus one eastbound lane) for tonight, 10 pm-5 am – as noted on our updated “this week’s closures” page.

LIBRARY STORY TIMES: Every so often, we like to remind you of these weekly events at your friendly neighborhood Seattle Public Library branch. Today, Southwest Library (35th/Henderson) presents Preschool Story Time, 11-11:30 am; Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon) has its own edition, 11:15-11:45 am; High Point Library (35th/Raymond) has Toddler Story Time, 11:30-noon.

FAREWELL RECEPTION: The Kenney (WSB sponsor) is saying farewell to CEO Kevin McFeely (as reported here), and there’s a reception at 4:30 pm (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW).

‘CIRCLE OF SINGLES’: Event for singles 55 and over at Salty’s on Alki, 5 pm – details here.

WINE TASTINGS: Two tonight: West Seattle Cellars, 5:30-8 pm, Spanish and Portuguese Wines, from Casa Ventura, with Laura Stiff (6026 California SW) … Bin 41, 6-8 pm, with Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon, sharing not only wines but also excerpts from his new book “Been Doon So Long: A Randall Grahm Vinthology,” and autographing it too (4707 California SW).

WEST SEATTLE FIXERS’ COLLECTIVE: Meeting tonight at the West Seattle Tool Library (northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW), 6 pm.

K-5 STEM AT BOREN DESIGN TEAM: The team of community, school, and district reps working on West Seattle’s new public school meets at 6:15 pm in the library at Madison Middle School (45th/Spokane).

SANISLO ICE CREAM SOCIAL: Current and new Sanislo Elementary families are welcome! 6:30 pm (details on the calendar).

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: The monthly ACC meeting is tonight, 7 pm, at Alki UCC Church (62nd/Hinds) – agenda here.

Thanks to Monty for this morning’s view of Mount Rainier, out in all its splendor just in time for summer to officially arrive at 4:09 pm today. Here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar for the rest of today/tonight:

TONIGHT’S SCHEDULED BRIDGE CLOSURE: The westbound lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct are scheduled to be closed, along with one eastbound lane, 10 pm-5 am. (We’re checking to see if this plan is changed at all by this morning’s opening of the 1st Avenue S. offramp, which according to last week’s announcement was not supposed to happen till tomorrow.)

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: In both public comments and on the agenda, there are items of interest for West Seattle at tonight’s meeting of the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors. The list of public-comment speakers includes several who plan to address the announcement (first reported here Friday) that Middle College High School will move from South Seattle Community College to portables at the Boren Building, which also will be home to the new K-5 STEM elementary. The agenda includes next year’s budget, with funding for reopening Fairmount Park – to come from past-levy-related money rather than next year’s BEX IV levy – among the line items. Board meetings now start at 4:15 pm, with the public-comment period at 5, at district HQ in SODO; here’s the agenda.

DINNER AND MUSIC AT THE SENIOR CENTER: Doors open at 5 pm for a turkey dinner and live music at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon), headlined by Casey MacGill. Details here; reservations requested.

2 HOT TOPICS AT DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: Tonight’s 7 pm meeting of the council with reps from organizations around eastern West Seattle has two hot topics on the agenda: the proposed Delridge rechannelization, and the plan for 200 Highland Park homes to get trash service every other week as part of the city’s pilot project starting next month. Public’s welcome; the meeting’s at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).

SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNSET WATCH: As previewed here last night – be at Solstice Park around 8:45 pm and watch the sunset (expected just after 9) with West Seattle-residing NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen. Her website explains the event, and how to get to Solstice Park if you haven’t been there before.

More on the calendar!