This morning’s photo is courtesy of Machel Spence, whose Coffee to a Tea with Sugar show of her natural photography – focusing on fungi – is wrapping up this morning with a sale. 8:30-11 am, she’s selling remaining prints half-price in hopes of taking fewer back home! Also happening in West Seattle today/tonight: It’s the start of the second semester for Seattle Public Schools, and West Seattle High School is switching to its new bell schedule (which is detailed online here) … It’s also the last day you can vote for Lafayette Elementary‘s “Play It Forward” project in the Pepsi Refresh competition (go here to see how) … Do another good deed by joining this week’s edition of fundraising Scrabble at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), 7 pm registration, 7:15 pm game (details here) – $5 to play … And at 7 pm it’s Family Story Time at High Point Library with children’s librarian Amy … More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!

That photo by Lisa came along with her beautiful photo of low-tide beach life shown here last night – just imagine warm sunshine as you join the Polar Plunge at Alki Beach at noon today, to raise money for Special Olympics/Washington. If you’re not already signed up, you can register any time after 9 am, at the Alki Bathhouse. WSB is proud to co-sponsor this event again this year, and we hope to see you there! Also from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, including a few of interest off-peninsula:

DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE ANNIVERSARY: 10 am-3 pm today, the Duwamish Tribe invites you to celebrate the second anniversary of its West Seattle longhouse (4705 West Marginal Way SW).

MERRILL GARDENS-ADMIRAL HEIGHTS ANNIVERSARY: At 2:30 pm, you’re invited to 2326 California SW for music and refreshments to mark its 10th anniversary.

CITY HALL OPEN HOUSE: 11 am-2 pm, you’re invited to tour the headquarters of city government with the schedule including a performance by West Seattle’s Caspar Babypants at 12:45 pm. 5th and Cherry downtown.

CITY COUNCILMEMBERS’ COFFEE CHAT: As mentioned here last night – this isn’t in West Seattle but local youth-sports advocates are going to the Corner Café on First Hill, 9 am-11 am, to take their concerns about park/playfield fees to City Councilmembers Sally Clark and Sally Bagshaw.

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION: The Chinatown-International District Business Association has been advertising this event here and elsewhere around the city to be sure to get the word out that everyone’s invited – 11 am-4 pm at Hing Hay Park, 423 Maynard Avenue S. (map). Full details here.

The Mount Rainier lenticular cloud, photographed Wednesday by Christopher Boffoli, evokes the spirit of this morning’s fog down here – except, nobody had to drive in it. Be careful out there. Meantime, a busy day/night ahead: The West Seattle Democratic Women hear from renowned political strategist Cathy Allen at their 11:30 am lunch meeting (West Seattle Golf Course) – call 206-935-3216 to see about a last-minute RSVP … Next to the golf course, tonight’s the night for the Camp Long ropes-course meeting, 7 pm at the lodge (more details here) … School events tonight include the Pathfinder K-8 PTSA meeting and auction kickoff, 6:30 pm; Lafayette Elementary open house, 6:30-8 pm (more details here) … Sanctuary at Admiral is having an open house, 5-8 pm, RSVP to 206-937-8464 … Residential design is in the spotlight as Lidunn Øverdahl Cain discusses “The Changing House,” 6:30 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library … And Seattle Housing Authority leadership is expected at tonight’s High Point Homeowners’ Association meeting at High Point Neighborhood Center, 7 pm. … Lots more in the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, including free workshops on goal-setting and home-buying – go here.

P.S. From partner site White Center Now: This is opening night for the new bar Company (4 pm, 9608 16th SW).

(Kate Witt in “Emilie,” opening tonight at ArtsWest, photo by Michael Brunk)
Must just be the day for new names. Highland Park Action Committee is expected to talk about theirs — and vote on new leadership – when they meet at 7 tonight, in the Highland Park Improvement Club building (12th/Holden) … Listen and, if you feel like it, read, too, during the monthly PoetryBridge gathering at C&P Coffee Co. (WSB sponsor), 5612 California Ave SW, 7-9 pm, more at www.poetrybridge.net … Got Seattle Public Schools questions/issues? West Seattle’s School Board rep Steve Sundquist has a community chat 11 am-12:15 pm at Delridge Library … It’s “Social Security 101,” free, at The Kenney, 6 pm, just RSVP to 206-937-2800 … At ArtsWest in The Junction, it’s opening night for “Emilie,” running through February 20th (tickets available online), and meet playwright Lauren Gunderson after tonight’s show … And various road closures just outside West Seattle continue tonight; see the SODO and West Seattle sections here … Much more on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!

(Photo by David Hutchinson, taken along Harbor Avenue)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Road-closure reminders – westbound Spokane Street Viaduct, East Marginal/S. Spokane, and a stretch of 1st Avenue South near the stadiums are all closed tonight (the first two 10 pm-5 am, the 1st stretch, a little earlier) … Learn how to keep your family safer during a special presentation, open to all, tonight at Denny International Middle School, 6 pm (details here) … West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network hears Block Watch history (and more) from retiring Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow, 6:30 tonight at Southwest Precinct, all welcome even if you’re not a BW captain (Delridge/Webster) … Movie afternoon at Merrill Gardens-West Seattle (4611 35th SW; WSB sponsor), with “Singin’ in the Rain” at 1 pm (free, call 206-932-5480 to reserve your seat) … Practice night for West Seattle Community Orchestras, which welcome new members – details here … Nancy Whitlock of the Nature Consortium is the guest speaker at Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s weekly lunch meeting, noon at Salty’s, details here … “Writers and Tellers” are invited to Dubsea Coffee in Greenbridge (9910 8th SW) tonight, youth @ 5 and adults @ 6, to share your written work, all genres; then at 8 pm, it’s a 21+ writers’ open mike at Triangle Pub (9454 Delridge Way SW), both events ending with a “Big Fat Liars’ Club” storytelling competition … Or if you just want to listen, it’s Family Story Time at the Delridge Library branch with Amy, 7 pm.

(Photo of the day, thanks to Melanie: Sea lions feeding off Jack Block Park)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: The day starts with another chance to see a really high tide, 13.1 feet at 8:01 am … Tonight, two road closures of note just outside West Seattle – this one is new:

The contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to widen the Spokane Street Viaduct will close East Marginal Way at South Spokane Street for three nights next week. Crews will demolish the overhang along the upper roadway to prepare for Harbor Island off-ramp construction. The closures begin each night at 10 p.m. from January 24 through January 26 and end by 5 a.m. the following morning.

During this work, southbound East Marginal Way traffic will be allowed to head west at South Spokane Street to West Seattle, as well as make a U-turn under the viaduct to continue southbound on East Marginal Way. Northbound East Marginal Way traffic will be required to head east on South Spokane Street, detouring north on First Avenue South to South Hanford Street. A uniformed police officer will be positioned at First Avenue South to allow left turns.

In addition, westbound Spokane Street Viaduct closures resume tonight through Wednesday night, 10 pm-5 am. … Also tonight: West Seattle See Dogs meet at 6:30 pm at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor), 2326 California Ave SW … It’s the weekly nonprofit-fundraiser Scrabble tournament at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), 7 pm registration, 7:15 pm game (details here) – $5 to play … Family Story Time at High Point Library is tonight at 7 pm … West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) Indoor Youth Soccer registration continues today- information here.

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

JEREMY PECK MEMORIAL: What was first planned as a candlelight vigil to raise awareness of the search for him, is now a memorial, with all welcome. 4:30 pm, here’s 4215 SW College; our most recent report, which includes a link you can follow to donate to help his family handle expenses.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska as usual; here’s an updated list of what you can expect to find today.

CAT ADOPT-A-THON: Also in The Junction, Friends of the Animals Foundation is at Next to Nature with adoptable cats, noon-3 pm.

RUMMAGE SALE: Second day of Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation‘s weekend-long rummage sale, 9 am-2 pm, 7141 California SW, enter through the parking lot on the north side.

TOOL LIBRARY: Reminder that the West Seattle Tool Library is open every weekend; Sunday hours are 1 pm-5 pm, in the Chan Building/Garden Center (north side of the campus) at South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th SW.

The photo is from West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2009 (this year’s edition is 5/14). In it, the Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation rummage-sale mascot “Frogsquatch,” who’s back in action today as they hold their first rummage sale in their new building, 7141 California SW, 9 am-3 pm … West Seattle Montessori/West Seattle Academy (WSB sponsor) welcomes you to their open house today, 1-3 pm, 11215 15th SW … Also having an open house, Community School of West Seattle, 10 am-2 pm, 9450 22nd SW … Trying to get something done around/with the house/garden? Consult someone at Ask An Expert at West Seattle Tool Library, noon-2 pm (details here) … The memorial service is at noon today at Howden-Kennedy for Ann Owchar (full details here) … If you see this first thing in the morning, the winter’s highest tides are here – 13.3 feet at 6:52 am (we’ll see the same thing tomorrow) – check it out here. … More on the calendar!

(Paddleboarder in a West Seattle sunset, by Danny McMillin, shared via the WSB Flickr group pool)
Something about that photo just says “weekend.” But before we get there: The rain’s supposed to taper off by afternoon, which means it might be perfect in time for the Nature Consortium‘s monthly eco-hike through the West Duwamish Greenbelt (RSVP to lisa@naturec.org), 1 pm @ 14th/Holly … 1st Friday of a two-Friday “defensive driving” workshop starts this morning at 9 at the Senior Center of West Seattle; call 206-932-4044 to see if there’s room …. One more late-night/early-early-am closure of the WESTBOUND Spokane Street Viaduct, meaning you can’t get onto The Bridge from I-5 or Beacon Hill (details here) … West Seattle High School‘s Winter Concert is at 7:30 tonight, WSHS Theater, free but donations accepted … Feel like dancing this afternoon? Senior Dance @ Delridge Community Center, 1-3pm, $3. Betty McLain leads you through lines, mixers, and other dances to music from the 40’s to present. … And at Alki Community Center tonight, another round of Friday Night Skating, 6:45-8:45 pm, $3 person, bring your own skates or borrow them. … More on the calendar!

School events top our quick look at today/tonight’s highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar; it’s Choice Night/Information Night at West Seattle High School, 6:30-8 pm (new PTSA newsletter‘s online too); Denny International Middle School‘s winter concert is in the auditorium at Chief Sealth International High School, 7 pm; families interested in the new Bright Horizons child-care center that will open in Link (WSB sponsor) are invited to an information session at Cupcake Royale, 4-7 pm (more info here); also in The Junction, the local office of AAA Washington is marking its “Million Member Celebration” with a day of refreshments, discounts and contests, 9 am-6:30 pm (4701 42nd SW). … Tonight’s major community meeting: Alki Community Council, with Topic A “where do we go from here?” 7 pm, Alki UCC (here’s our preview).

TRAFFIC ALERT: Another closure tonight for the WESTBOUND Spokane Street Viaduct (the I-5 to SR-99 section of the West Seattle Bridge), 10 pm-5:30 am.

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Spokane Street Viaduct construction closures – WESTBOUND ONLY – start tonight through Friday night, then again Jan. 24-26 (details here) … The next round of All-Access afterschool classes at Youngstown Arts Center starts today, with orientation at 3:30 pm, then a 4-6 pm kickoff event … Chief Sealth International High School‘s PTSA meets at 7 tonight, room 222 … 2 major community meetings: Delridge Neighborhoods District Council at Youngstown, with “Strategic Delridge” discussion 6-7 pm, meeting intros/reports start at 7, scheduled guests from the Department of Neighborhoods and West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network; the Morgan Community Association is at The Kenney, 7 pm, full agenda online here … And if you see this early, the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s breakfast briefing by a West Seattle bird expert is at 7 am at Be’s Restaurant (here’s our preview). … Outside WS: SDOT invites you to tonight’s seawall meeting.

(Photo shared by JJ – looking south from Constellation Park, south of Alki Point)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: West Seattle Little League‘s first in-person registration of the year was “snowed out” last Tuesday, but the weather looks fine for tonight, West Seattle High School library, 6-8:30 pm, full details at WSLL website …Two major community meetings on the list: Sustainable West Seattle‘s Community Forum (Senior Center of West Seattle, 6:30 pm, preview here), and West Seattle Crime Prevention Council (Southwest Precinct, 7 pm, preview here). … West Seattle Community Orchestras practice tonight at Chief Sealth International High School for the first time in the new year details here … Sanislo Elementary‘s PTA meets at the school tonight, 6:30 pm … Are you the (unpaid) caregiver for a loved one, dealing with stress and relentless demands on your time? A course called “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” will be offered at the Senior Center of WS (California/Oregon), 1-3 pm Tuesdays from today through Feb. 22nd, free; call to register – 206-932-4044.

UPDATE 7:05 pm: The Sustainable West Seattle meeting is moved to Coffee To A Tea, in the Alaska Junction. Happening now! (until 9pm)

(From WSB Flickr group pool: Fireboat Leschi, photographed Friday by Danny McMillin)
Lots of early openings around the peninsula this morning to invite people in for The Big Game; the ones we’ve seen/heard mentioned are added here. Also happening today: Sustainable West Seattle/WS Tool Library promises a home-brewing demonstration at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm … The weekly “adult/big kid pickup soccer game” is still happening Sundays at 10:30 am … Just got word of a free organ-music concert by Linda Knebel, 2 pm at Hope Lutheran Church, public welcome … Dogs/handlers “positive training” flash mob at Westlake Plaza downtown, 3 pm, co-organized by West Seattle-based Service Dog Academy (details here).

(Photo courtesy Aviva Furman)
While mulching material was being moved to the new site of the future Community Orchard of West Seattle, that little salamander turned up. Not sure if s/he will be there, but you’re invited to pitch in at an orchard-site work party and design workshop today – details here … Also from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Need a little more purring around the house? Though technically closed for the season, Kitty Harbor is opening today for a special one-day adoption event, noon-6 pm, with more than 50 cats and kittens from local rescue groups. 3422 Harbor Avenue SW. … A little ways up the road, divers at Alki Cove 2 will be part of the Seattle Aquarium‘s Giant Pacific Octopus Census, 9 am-1 pm … Need help paying your utility bills? Assistance is available – but you might not know how to find it, so there’s a special sign-up event continuing today (and tomorrow) at Southwest Youth and Family Services, 9 am-3 pm (details here) … Looking to move? New WSB sponsor Link – the almost-done building in The Triangle – is officially pre-leasing; look for the Airstream along 38th SW between Fauntleroy and Alaska, 8 am-5 pm … If you’re looking to fix up the place where you live now, West Seattle businesses are part of the Remodeling Expo at the Convention Center downtown today (and tomorrow), including WSB sponsors Potter Construction and NCompass Cottage Company (find show info here) … Another downtown event featuring a West Seattleite: An afternoon of poetry with Eugenia Toledo, 2-4 pm at Central Library … And West Seattle Community Clinic is having one of its periodic events offering free health exams to women 40-65 who are uninsured or underinsured – call to check if they have any appointments open; 206-937-9722 (if they’re booked up … Also call on this one before you go: Learn the history of High Tea, at Merrill Gardens West Seattle (WSB sponsor), 4611 35th SW, free, but RSVP to 206-932-5480 … Finally, a reminder about the West Seattle Eagles‘ dinner tonight to benefit the family of Brian Teachout – here’s our preview with details. … More on the calendar!

(Wednesday photo of Fairmount Springs’ chronic Fauntleroy Way puddle)
Rain remains in the forecast (“special weather statement,” in fact) … but we’re used to it, right? Also on the Friday schedule: If you see this before 9 am, you are welcome to go meet the West Seattle Earlybirds Toastmasters at ArtsWest, during their 7-9 am open house this morning … Almost next door at Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy (WSB sponsor), a 2 pm event promises info to help you figure out which supplements can boost your immune system … Exercise can help too, and Friday Night Skating at Alki Community Center might be the ticket – $3/person, BYO skates or borrow them, 6:45-8:45 pm … Live music tonight at Skylark Café and Club (calendar here) and C & P Coffee (calendar here), both WSB sponsors … SIDE NOTE: Exactly four months from today, it’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, sponsored/organized by WSB (second Saturday in May every year, this year that’s May 14)!

The weather may be the talk of the town but there’s more on tap today. From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: The free Seattle Symphony concert at South Seattle Community College, presented by the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, is tonight at 7 pm, more details here … PCC Natural Markets‘ West Seattle store (WSB sponsor) is celebrating its remodeling project with a 2-6 pm open house this afternoon … The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual meeting luncheon is at 11:30, High Point Neighborhood Center … And the 34th District Democrats elect new officers tonight, The Hall at Fauntleroy, 7 pm – here’s who’s running.

(Friday sunset photo by Mark Dale)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar as well as previous coverage:

SEARCH FOR JEREMY PECK: Anyone who can help with the search for the West Seattle resident who hasn’t been seen since early Christmas Eve morning is asked to join searchers meeting at Puerto Vallarta in The Junction at 10:30 am. Here’s our most recent update.

SPOKESPEOPLE WEST SEATTLE BIKE RIDE: As organizer Stu Hennessey puts it, “Spokespeople West Seattle will not concede the forgone conclusion that baby boomers will bankrupt Medicare. Baby boomers grew up on two wheels, and two wheels will keep them healthy and decrease their health-care costs.” Join the group for a 38-mile ride starting at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza at 11 am. Two levels of moderate pace.

‘AMAHL’ FINALE: Last show today at 3 pm for Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor)’s 14th annual production of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” by Gian Carlos Menotti at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, The Junction (44th/Alaska). Here’s what’s listed as “new this week” on market managers’ Ripe and Ready list:

Mead – Honey-based alcohol beverage– Delicious! – from Rockridge Orchards. Considered the oldest alcoholic beverage in the world (Bronze Age) made from fermented honey and water… limited quantities and it sells out quickly.
Cippollini Onions – organic from Pipitone Farms
Frozen Cherries – Sonata, Bing and Santa Rosa cherries). Tonnemaker Family Orchards
Frozen Roasted Peppers – Sweet and Hot varieties from River Farm
Dried Herbs – basil, oregano, rosemary, CATNIP!

And via Twitter, Hotcakes – a chocolatey creation – says they’re premiering at the market today.

(Friday afternoon rainbow photo shared by Erik)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar page – among other sources:

SEAHAWKS FLYOVER FYI: Via Twitter, the team announced, “A pair of Navy EA-18G Growlers will conduct a flyover near the end of the national anthem on Saturday.” Military flyovers at the stadiums often go over West Seattle, so we’re sharing the heads-up. (The team’s playoff game vs. New Orleans starts at 1:30 pm.)

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR MATT DURHAM: The West Seattle photojournalist and Woodinville firefighter, who died of cancer nine days ago at 45, will be remembered at 1 pm today at Overlake Christian Church in Redmond, all welcome. Details including a map are here.

CHRISTMAS-TREE RECYCLING: Want to get rid of your tree before the (potential) snow? Today’s the West Seattle Rainbow Girls‘ recycling event, 9 am-2 pm, Masonic Hall parking lot, 40th/Edmunds. (Suggested donation $5.)

SCHOOL FAIR/OPEN HOUSES: There’s a school fair at SSCC 10 am-1 pm, plus Westside School (WSB sponsor)’s open house 1-3 pm – here’s our preview from last night.

ELVIS COMPETITION: Two West Seattleites in the Elvis competition in SODO tonight – full details here.

Those are just a few of the highlights. More on the calendar. As for the forecast – there’s a chance of snow showers tonight/tomorrow.

(Jack Block Park entrance, taken by Nakean, shared via the WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar page: It’s opening night for this weekend’s four-performance run of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” by Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor) at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (tickets available online) … Friday-night skating returns tonight to Alki Community Center (5817 SW Stevens) after a few holiday-season weeks off – $3/person, bring your own skates or borrow them, 6:45-8:45 pm … Grand opening celebration at new 35th/Barton 7-11, free food, drinks, other treats 11 am-1 pm … Cleaning house after the holidays? Northwest Center’s “Big Blue Truck” is in West Seattle Fridays-Sundays, 44th Av SW & SW Edmunds, 9 am – 5 pm. … P.S. If you see this early, another wave of “king tides” is under way, and a 12.5-foot high tide hits West Seattle at 7:26 this morning (next wave is later this month, peaking at 13.3 feet January 22-23).

PHO AROMA CLOSED TILL FRIDAY: So says a note on the door of the Delridge restaurant, according to a photo sent by WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen. The note says the closure is because of a “family emergency.” We’ll make a note to check back Friday if Pho Aroma indeed reopens – let us know if you see them open sooner.

LOCOL OPENING THIS WEEKEND? If you’ve driven by the in-progress beer/wine/food spot Locöl at 35th and Kenyon lately and seen people inside – those are still “soft open” events for friends/family, according to proprietor Kyle Duce. We checked in with him again this afternoon to ask about an official grand-opening date. He says they should know tomorrow, and are hopeful it will finally be this weekend. Here’s our most recent story.

HAPPY NEWS FROM THE WSB PETS PAGE: With so many lost cats reported and never found – all the coyote activity in West Seattle, among other things, can lead you to fear the worst sometime. But tonight we have just received word of a lost cat posted on the WSB Pets page, finally found after six weeks. At left, that’s Eddie, posted on the Pets page on Thanksgiving. Tonight, we got a note from someone whose friend had spotted a similar-looking cat, and in short order, we heard from Eddie’s owner Melissa, who said he was finally home. We’ve also added several more lost/found pets to the page, which is among the WSB features we’ll be improving in the months ahead – low-tech as it is, it’s helped reunite many pets and owners in its three years of existence, so if you have a lost/found/sighted pet to report, please let us know. (And if you don’t see it on the page shortly thereafter, do send a reminder – our mailbox gets a little bollixed sometimes – working on that too.) P.S. Just noticed tomorrow is the third anniversary of the day we launched the Pets page — January 5, 2008. Thanks to everyone for helping the dogs, cats, birds (and a few others) get safely home.

(Anchor/Luna Park photo by Flickr member Nakean, from the WSB Flickr photo pool)
Part of today’s look ahead is warmer, if cloudier, weather – last night was the last subfreezing night expected for a while. Also, one more road reminder, if you haven’t already been through it, today is the day 1st Avenue South is down to one lane each way by the stadiums until April, because of Alaskan Way Viaduct south-end replacement work, which also brought southbound changes to some Metro routes that previously used 1st Ave. S. in that area, including a few serving West Seattle. Besides that reminder, the schedule’s light today; folk-rocker Abi Grace is onstage at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor) tonight at 9 (heard about their menu changes yet?), and it’s trivia night at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor).

NON-WEST SEATTLE P.S. In case you are interested in seeing this: The Seattle Fire Department has sent word that the traveling Patriot Flag, a 9/11 memorial, will hang between two 100-foot ladder trucks at Seattle Center between 2 and 2:30 this afternoon, south side of the International Fountain. It’s traveling between fire departments across America (previous stop: Olympia), final destination New York City for the 10th anniversary this September.