(Steller’s Jay vs. immature Bald Eagle at Alki Point madrona snag, by Danny McMillin)
Here’s hoping the sky will be blue again later today! From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar (where you’ll find even more of what’s up today):

WEST SEATTLE ROCK AND GEM SHOW: 47th annual show by the West Seattle Rock Club (WSB sponsor), Alki Masonic Hall, 40th/Edmunds, 10-5 today and tomorrow, lots of activities for all ages, full details here – this year’s theme is “Gold Rush”; come pan for gold!

CELEBRATE MYRTLE RESERVOIR PARK: Myrtle Reservoir Park dedication, 10:30 am, including live music and more, 35th and Myrtle.

NEW PARK IN WESTWOOD? 1 pm today, come to Southwest Community Center to talk about the possibility of a new park site, with the use of Parks and Green Spaces Levy money. Suggest a site, and/or what you would like to see in a site. (Meeting preview here.)

BARTON P-PATCH MEET-AND-GREET: Barton Street P-Patch is hosting a meet-n-greet at the future P-Patch site from 10 am – 2 pm. Anyone interested in the development of the garden, volunteer and garden opportunities is welcome to stop by (34th/Barton) for information.

2 DRUG TAKE-BACK DROPOFF SPOTS IN WEST SEATTLE: National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day has two locations in West Seattle, drive-through at Admiral Way Viewpoint and Southwest Precinct, 10 am-2 pm. No questions asked, no ID required, take your old prescription drugs and drop them off. (More details here.)

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY, FEEDBACK LOUNGE! Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor, 6451 California Ave SW) is holding a “We’re Turning Two” party, 6 pm until closing. Food and drink specials and “the balloons of mystery.”

KENNEY BRUNCH: 10:30 am, it’s The Kenney Foundation‘s spring fundraiser brunch/auction, which raises money to help residents stay at The Kenney after outliving their financial resources. Champagne bar and silent auction in the lobby, brunch in the community rooms, with guest speaker, former mayor Greg Nickels.

TOTAL EXPERIENCE GOSPEL CHOIR AT MERRILL GARDENS The famed choir performs at 2 pm at Merrill Gardens at Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor; 2326 California Ave SW). RSVP to 206-938-3964 to see if there’s still room.

FREE YOGA: Free yoga at Sound Yoga (WSB sponsor), 10:30 am (details from the WSB Forums)

NEW YEAR CELEBRATION: Cambodian New Year celebration in White Center all day; SW 98th will be closed east of 16th SW. Details here.

TRUNK SHOW AT CLICK! Seattle blacksmith artist Erica Gordon of Steel Toe Studios will show you how to keep your pants on with her handmade belts and buckles during her trunk show at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor, 4540 California Ave SW), 11 am — 5 pm.

WSHS BASEBALL AT THE SAFE: West Seattle Wildcats baseball vs. Highline Pirates at Safeco Field – free! 4 pm. Enter on the home-plate side

COME HELP RESTORE THE FOREST: Green Seattle Partnership project at Schmitz Park. See complete event info here.

READY TO GET OUT ON THE WATER? Alki Kayak Tours says they’re “so stoked the weather is finally getting warmer,” they’re offering 2-for-1 kayak tours and Stand-Up Paddleboarding classes this weekend.> (Tell them you saw it on WSB.)

Male harlequin ducks are so splendidly colored, you might think they are … royal, in the spirit of this day’s big whole-world-is-watching event. Thanks to David Hutchinson of Alki for photographing the harlequin-duck couple along the Harbor Avenue shore. Now, on to the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

RESTAURANT HISTORY GOES TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER: This morning brings the Charlestown Street Café auction (at the site of the 4-weeks-closed restaurant at California/Charlestown), 8-10 am preview, 10 am auction – details here; auction catalog online here.

STUFF THE VAN! Spring cleaning? West Seattle Girl Scouts want to turn your unwanted items into treasures! Help the Brownies of Troop 40890 – 2nd graders from Lafayette, Schmitz Park, Alki Elementary Schools – help critically ill children at Seattle Children’s Hospital and homeless families at Wellspring Family Services. 3:45-5 pm today, bring used children’s DVDs, gently used blankets, gently used children’s PJ’s to West Side Presbyterian Church (3601 California SW). Look for the black EuroVan!

MADISON’S SPRING FLING: Spaghetti dinner & family fun at Madison Middle School 6 – 9 pm, hosted by the Music Boosters and the PTSA. Live Music featuring the Madison Jazz Band, Senior Band and Orchestra. Cake Walk tickets available for 50 cents. Ice Cream Sundae Bar for $2.50. Fifth-grade reconnaissance opportunity. Tickets at door: $7/adult; $4/10 and under.

‘SHIPWRECKED’ IN THE JUNCTION: “Shipwrecked! An Entertainment …” continues at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, 7:30 pm.

‘FOOLS’ AT SEATTLE LUTHERAN: Seattle Lutheran High School Drama presents the comedy “Fools” by Neil Simon, tonight at 7:30 pm (and Sunday at 2:30 pm). At the SLHS Gymnasium, 4100 SW Genesee, $5 adults, $2 children 7-14, children under 7 are free

‘WOMEN, WINE, AND WELLNESS’: Roxbury Spine and Wellness Clinic is providing a night of free pampering as well as socializing and networking for local businesses, with food, wine, chair massages, beauty consultations, personal training, and even a DJ, plus giveaways! Register online!

(WSB iPhone photo taken Tuesday during a near-sunbreak on Alki)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

7100 DELRIDGE DESIGN REVIEW: Design Review Board meeting for 7100 Delridge, 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, here’s our preview with the graphics/info that board members will review.

DINING OUT FOR LIFE: The citywide restaurant event to raise money for Lifelong AIDS Alliance; four West Seattle restaurants are participating, as reported here on Wednesday. And here’s the full citywide list.

HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE WITHOUT GOING BROKE: Information session at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle, map and directions), 7 pm – 8:30 pm. See full details here

MEET THE MIDDLE SCHOOL FACULTY: At 4:30 pm today, faculty for Westside School (WSB sponsor)’s new Middle School are available to meet and talk with parents in the school’s multipurpose room (interested prospective future parents as well as current students’ parents). Participants will include new humanities teacher Glyn Jenkins, new science instructor Sara Harper-Smith (via video conference), math teacher David Preston, athletic director Devin McQuiston, Spanish teacher Veronica Hellar, and Mandarin Chinese teacher Su-Chen Wang. (Bios here.)

SCIENCE FAIR: Tonight, the future scientists of Sanislo Elementary show their work, 6-8 pm.

REMINDER: THE WATER TAXI’S BACK; Just in case you missed yesterday afternoon’s announcement, the county says the West Seattle run is back in service today.

(Photo from Alki last week, by Kenna Klosterman)
WATER TAXI OUT OF SERVICE THIS MORNING … and maybe longer; the county will provide updates. As announced yesterday afternoon, the West Seattle Water Taxi will NOT run this morning because it’s getting a “defective weld” repaired. Keep an eye here and on the WSB Facebook page and Twitter feed for the latest.

UP EARLY? And, in the construction trades? Westside Professionals would love to meet you this morning, 8 am, The Kenney. Here’s the Facebook invite explaining what it’s all about.

WALT HUNDLEY PLAYFIELD TURF: 6:30 pm tonight, be at Southwest Library for a meeting about the Parks and Green Spaces Levy $1 million renovation project that’ll bring new synthetic turf to the playfield next to High Point Community Center.

HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: Help shape goals by joining in discussion at tonight’s meeting of the Highland Park Action Committee meets, 7 pm, Highland Park Improvement Club (12th/Holden).

OPENING NIGHT! “Shipwrecked! An Entertainment...” opens at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), 7:30 tonight, running through May 21st.

PLAYGROUND UPDATE: The Lafayette Playground Committee is holding its monthly meeting to update the community on its playground effort. It will be held this Wednesday, April 27 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. In Lafayette Elementary‘s library. Come and hear an update and see how you can help in the final fundraising stages!!!!!

SCIENCE! Denny International Middle School science fair, 6-8 pm

DUWAMISH CLEANUP PUBLIC MEETING: EPA Public Meeting: Boeing Plant 2. 6 pm at South Park Community Center, 8319 8th Avenue South. Food and Spanish interpretation will be available.
6 pm: Open House
7 pm: Presentations by Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition and EPA
8 pm: Public testimony: Your comments are needed!!

POETRY AND STORYTELLING: Free, all ages, monthly series with a featured reader followed by open mike for stories and tales (short and tall) from 7 pm – 9 pm. Via poetrybridge.net at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW.

RESUME WORKSHOP: Free workshop “Effective Resumes” at SSCC WorkSource – see full story here

Even more on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!

(Photo taken near Luna/Anchor Park during last week’s low tides, shared by Neal Chism)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

JUNCTION PROJECT @ CITY HALL: As previewed last night, the official public hearing for the Conner Homes Junction project’s “alley vacation” is at 9:30 am at City Hall before the City Council Transportation Committee; it’ll be live on Seattle Channel, cable 21 or seattlechannel.org.

ONLINE CRIMEFIGHTING/PREVENTION: What can you really find out from police online? That’s what’ll be revealed in a briefing tonight at the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network meeting, Southwest Precinct, 6:30 pm – full details here.

WRITING AND HOMEWORK HELP: Today, tomorrow, and every Tuesday/Wednesday through mid-June, there’s help for kids ages 8-18 at Neighborhood House‘s High Point Center (6400 SW Sylvan Way), 3 – 5 pm. Hosted by 826 Seattle/Greenwood Space Travel Supply Company staff and volunteers. Details here.

PAVING CONTINUES: If the weather holds, SDOT paving crews plan to lay a new surface of asphalt in the eastbound lane in the 2400 block of Sylvan Way SW (at the curve by Home Depot), after removing the old surface yesterday.

BE INSTRUMENTAL: West Seattle Community Orchestras welcome new members to their practice sessions at Chief Sealth International High School – details here

TRIVIA AT THE FEEDBACK: Rock music trivia every Tuesday night at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm (wish them a happy early birthday – their party is just four days away).

(Saturday photo from West Seattle’s Sunset SW, shared by Jeff Johnson)
One more weekend photo just to keep those memories alive till the next warm day … Here are a few highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

BACK TO SCHOOL: Seattle Public Schools classes resume today after a week of spring break.

ROAD WORK: If the rain doesn’t get in the way, today’s the day SDOT was scheduled to grind off the old asphalt on Sylvan Way (at the Home Depot curve), with new asphalt to follow tomorrow. (If rescheduling eventually ensues, we’ll add the update here.

BOOK-IT AT LIBRARY BRANCH IN ADMIRAL: As part of “Seattle Reads ‘Little Bee’,” you’re invited to the West Seattle Library Branch (2306 42nd SW) at 7 tonight as Book-It Repertory Theatre presents staged readings from the book by Chris Cleave.

WEST SEATTLE SEE DOGS: Find out about raising a guide-dog puppy at the local club’s semimonthly meeting, 6:30 pm, lobby of Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor), 2326 California SW.

SING IT: Karaoke with Kelli at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), 9 pm.

(Photo shared by Leo Shaw)
The egg hunts are listed separately (find them here), but there’s a lot more happening too! Full list on the WSB West Seattle Events page; here are a few highlights:

WINE SALE: 2nd and final day of the Northwest Wine Academy Spring wine sale at South Seattle Community College (6000 16^th Avenue SW), noon-4 pm. Details here.

ED HUME AT BRIDGE PARK: “Thinking outside of the pot” gardening demonstration with Ed Hume at Bridge Park (3204 SW Morgan Street), 2 pm. Free. Details here.

EYES ON THE SKIES: Mariners Salute to Armed Forces Night means two EA-18Gs are scheduled to fly over Safeco Field just before 6 pm – could mean a (loud) West Seattle flyover, so this is your heads-up, just in case.

OPEN HOUSE: Take a look inside Link Apartments (WSB sponsor), during its 11:30 am-3:30 pm open house today (since it’s so clear, don’t miss the rooftop deck).

BENEFIT DINNER/AUCTION AT WEST SEATTLE EAGLES: West Seattle Eagles benefit dinner, silent auction and live music to benefit the Mukilteo Magic, a special group of athletes who compete in track and field competitions throughout the region. All monies raised at the event will be used to send the team to the “Summer Olympics” at Joint Base Lewis McChord in June. All-you-can-eat spaghetti and meatballs with Caesar salad and garlic bread from 6-7:30. Cost for dinner is $10. Following dinner, live music by Vincent Blackshadow, a 15-year-old rock superstar; Call for the Priest, a Judas Priest cover band; and a short set by My Sisters Machine. $6 cover for music. All are welcome! Please use the back door, on the alley by Lady Di’s.

LIVE AT KENYON HALL: From Kenyon Hall:7:30 pm, the AMA Trio: accordion, clarinet, Venezuelan and Mexican harp, violin, cuatro, guitar, bombo, maracas, and vocals. Reserved table seats are $14. Row seating is $12 general and $10 seniors. With a reservation, row seating is only $10 general and $8 seniors. Elementary, middle, & high school students are $5. Preschool children are free; Root Beer Floats are still only a buck. To make a reservation, e-mail kenyonhall@earthlink.net.

(Photo by Travis Tyler, looking toward West Seattle from M/V Hyak during Monday’s 6 am moonset)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

EARTH DAY IN THE FOREST: This is the “official” Earth Day, and though many celebrated with cleanups and forest restoration last weekend, there’s some today – EarthCorps (Facebook page here) will be helping out in the West Duwamish Greenbelt (16th Ave SW and Brandon), 10 am – 2 pm.

EARTH DAY FREEBIES: Take old vases/jars to Fleurt (NW corner of California/Oregon in The Junction) to recycle, and get a free mini-house-plant. (Tomorrow too!) … West Seattle Thriftway is celebrating Earth Day with a bag giveaway (with $20 purchase) and free baby trees (while supplies last).

GOOD FRIDAY: Looking for a church service? Check the special WSB West Seattle Easter page.

PASSOVER: Fourth night of the festival. No publicly announced special events, but you can check with West Seattle’s Kol HaNeshamah or Torah Learning Center directly.

EGG HUNT: Most of them are tomorrow but tonight there’s one for teens only! Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW): Teen Night Egg Hunt for ages 12-18 at 8:15 pm, billed as “the biggest outdoor teen night hunt in West Seattle!” Free, but bring a flashlight and goodie bag. (More egg-hunt info on the WSB West Seattle Easter page.)

DAY OF GIVING: “Day of Giving” for Seattle Lutheran High School – watch for students out and about, doing volunteer work!

SSCC WINE SALE Northwest Wine Academy spring wine sale at South Seattle Community College ((6000 16^th Avenue SW), noon-4 pm today and tomorrow. Full details here

WEST SEATTLE GARDEN CLUB: The season’s finally here! Join the club at Daystar Retirement Village (2615 SW Barton, Bldg One) 10 am – 2 pm. A coffee social and registration half-hour precedes the business meeting, a commentary on design and horticulture exhibits and a review of two gardening books by club member Nancy Lechner. Brown bag lunch at 12 noon, with beverages and dessert served by the club. “How to Keep Honey Bees” is the subject of beekeeper Nancy Beckett at 1 pm. Visitors are welcome. Donation $5.

PHOTOS, MUSIC, WINE TONIGHT ON ALKI: At Alki Arts (2820 Alki SW), 6-10 pm, there is a photography exhibit by Brad Wright, blues music by Jeff Hays and Eric “Two Scoops” Moore, wine tasting by O Wines.

BIN 41 TASTING: K Vintners and Charles Smith wines at bin 41 (4707 California Ave SW), 5:30-7 pm.

Thanks to David Hutchinson for sharing that photo of a seagull regaling its own reflection. David is part of the Alki Community Council meeting, which happens to be having its monthly meeting tonight, 7 pm, Alki UCC (6112 SW Hinds), agenda includes the Summer Streets “car-free day” on May 22nd (the day starts with West Seattle 5K – signed up yet?) and The Whale Trail. Also of note:

SYLVAN WAY SPOT PAVING: Scheduled to be done today and tomorrow.

LOW TIDE: Not as low as the past two days, but still a good one for beachwalking – 2:04 pm, -2.1. Thanks to Lisa Stencel for sharing this colorful closeup from her beach visit during yesterday’s low tide:

MAUNDY THURSDAY: Looking for Holy Week church services? That’s part of what you will find on the WSB Easter page (along with egg hunts and brunches). Still not too late to let us know if we are missing something – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!

(Clouds over the Sound last Thursday, shared by Jeff Johnson)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

EARTHQUAKE DRILL: Statewide, whether you’re at work, home, or school, today’s the day to “Drop, Cover, and Hold” at 9:45 am. From the state, here’s info on how to do it – no matter where you are.

MORGAN’S QUARTERLY MEETING: The Morgan Community Association has a busy agenda for its quarterly meeting tonight, with topics including the Murray Pump Station combined-sewer-overflow project (short discussion, not a formal county presentation), Solstice Park (with a Seattle Parks guest), Zipcars, a traffic-circle request for 38th and Graham, the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative (with a guest speaker), and an update on the Morgan Junction Community Festival (coming up in June). Everyone’s welcome to MoCA’s meeting, which starts at 7 in the lower-level meeting room at The Kenney, 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW.

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: The monthly gathering of reps from community groups and major organizations around eastern West Seattle is at 7 tonight, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), and you’re welcome to come early for the strategic discussion at 6 pm, taking a broader look at the area’s challenges and goals. The 7 pm agenda includes a presentation on where the Elliott Bay Seawall Replacement Project stands, as well as a review of area proposals for city Large Project Grants.

LOWEST TIDE OF THE MONTH: 1:16 pm today, -2.5 per our favorite chart. Tidewalking time!

(Monday rainbow photo, shared by Greg Daly)
Seen the WSB Easter page yet – egg hunts, church services, brunch notes? Find it here. The first of the egg hunts happens this morning:

TODDLER SPRING EXTRAVAGANZA: At High Point Community Center, Ages 2 – 5. A morning of fun and activities, including a very special bunny visit especially for toddlers. There will be games, crafts for the children, and an egg hunt (11 am sharp) with age-appropriate prizes and candy. Activity fee $5.

2ND-LOWEST TIDE OF THE MONTH: 12:31 pm today … not sunny but not so bad for tidewalking if you can get out! -2.4 tide; even lower tomorrow (here’s the chart).

TRAFFIC SAFETY @ WSCPC: As previewed here yesterday, the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meets tonight at Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster), 7 pm, with traffic safety on the agenda – guest, Jim Curtin, the community traffic liaison for SDOT.

TEEPA SNOW AT THE MOUNT: 7-9 pm in the Chapel at Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW), you are invited to come hear Teepa Snow, a nationally recognized expert on ways to understand and better help people living with dementia. She will lead a discussion on non-traditional stress management for the person with dementia and their caregiver – with a focus on humor and positive interactions. Free, public welcome.

KIDS BOWL FREE: If you pass West Seattle Bowl this afternoon, you might see the promotional bus for this nationwide campaign. They’re scheduled to visit around 1 pm, while making a tour of Seattle-area bowling centers (Roxbury Lanes and White Center’s Magic Lanes are on the agenda afterward). (But you don’t have to stop in to get the “bowl free” deal – WS Bowl tells is they already are signing up kids for free games all summer long, and you can register online at kidsbowlfree.com/wsbowl.)

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS Always open to new members, and Tuesday night is practice night – details here and at the WS Community Orchestras website.

COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE IN HIGHLAND PARK: 3rd week for the Highland Park Improvement Club-hosted Community Acupuncture Clinic, 11 am-3 pm (here’s our story from last week).

ROCK TRIVIA AT THE FEEDBACK: Rock music trivia every Tuesday night at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm

FAMILY STORY TIME: At the Seattle Public Library’s Delridge Branch (Delridge/Brandon) — with Amy! 7 pm.

Think you’re off to a tough job this morning? So are some of the littlest birds in our urban forest – Trileigh Tucker shares the photo and this explanation:

All over Lincoln Park, chickadees have found holes in decaying trees that make perfect places to raise their babies. We have both Black-capped Chickadees and Chestnut-backed Chickadees here in the park. This is a busy time of year for the little parents as they scramble to feed their young; both parents fly back and forth from their nest holes to nearby shrubbery looking for seeds and small bugs. This photo is of a Black-capped Chickadee cleaning its nest this morning, trying to keep up with the housework while its mate looks for food!

Now, on to the daily preview: This is a momentous day for at least three reasons: Federal tax-deadline day (e-file by midnight or get the envelope postmarked by this evening – ); Passover starts at sunset; it’s Spring Break for Seattle Public Schools. A few more highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

REMEMBERING CHEF JOSEPH BREWER: The community is invited to his memorial at Lincoln Park picnic shelter 3, 4-7 pm (full details here, as announced over the weekend)

PREPAREDNESS TRAINING: Earthquake safety/readiness and more, 6 pm tonight at Southwest Precinct, led by city expert Debbie Goetz, presented by West Seattle Be Prepared and West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network, as previewed here.

SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE TALKS PERMACULTURE: Biochar, Puget Ridge Edible Park, and the Community Orchard of West Seattle are all on the agenda as Sustainable West Seattle‘s April community event digs into permaculture. 7 pm at Camp Long Lodge – and you’re welcome to join the pre-forum potluck at 6:30.

LOW TIDES: As we write this, a big bright moon is on its way to setting, which reminds us that means tidal extremes – some good beachwalking low tides start today; here’s the chart.

SING IT!: Karaoke with Kelli tonight, at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), 9 pm

(Added 10:12 am – Pete Spalding, Heather Hsu, Barbara Schneider at WS Food Bank donation station outside Metropolitan Market)
We previewed several of today’s biggest events extensively here just last night – for Tax-Free Day in The Junction, the Green Home Tour, Duwamish Alive!, Y Healthy Kids Day, get details by going here; for toplines on Green Up Delridge!, the HP3 environmental-adventure race, and Westcrest Park tree-planting – go here. And we’ll be publishing as-it-happens coverage throughout the day, here and via Twitter (@westseattleblog) and Facebook (“like” WSB’s semi-new page at facebook.com/westseattleblog)

Meanwhile, here’s some of what else is up:

DONATE FOOD! West Seattle Food Bank Feinstein Challenge Food Drive, 9 am-5 pm, Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) – WS Food Bank will be at the store to take food and monetary donations (because of the Feinstein Challenge, they count extra through the end of this month).

Also today, a popular restaurant turns into Memory Lane:

(Video by Deanie Schwarz for WSB)
ZIPPY’S FINAL DAY IN WEST SEATTLE: That’s Kelly, recounting the top four burgers on the hit list, as she and her co-workers prepare to serve you on the last day at Zippy’s Giant Burgers’ original Highland Park location, serving food till they’re out or till 4 pm (whichever comes first), 16th/Holden (planning to reopen 4/25 in new 9614 14th SW location)

FREE SWIMMING: It’s APRIL POOLS DAY. Seattle Parks and Recreation will join other public and private swimming organizations throughout Washington to celebrate the 18th Annual April Pools Day – 10:30 am-noon, water safety and more, at Southwest Community Center and Pool (2801 SW Thistle Street).

FOOTBALL AND CHEER SIGN-UPS: SWAC Football & Cheer is holding sign-ups at the Roxbury Safeway from 11 am – 2 pm. Serving Boys & Girls ages 7-14 More details: www.swaccougars.org.

PREPAREDNESS MONTH CONTINUES: Our daily reports will resume this weekend. In the meantime, today’s big event is the Communications Academy at South Seattle Community College (details here)

EARTH DAY AT THE LONGHOUSE: Duwamish Longhouse (4705 W Marginal Way SW) Earth Day Weekend at the Duwamish Longhouse free admission, special exhibit: Holding Mother Earth Sacred. Today: Indian frybread available, 10 am – 4 pm; dedication of canoe launch site with Blue Heron Canoe, 1 – 2 pm Saturday; Seattle Storytellers Guild: Earth Day Stories, First Nations, All Nations takes place 1:30 – 4 pm.

THRIFTWAY BARBECUE SEASON: West Seattle Thriftway’s first Fundraising BBQ of the Year will be held today to benefit quake/tsunami relief.

ANIMAL REIKI: Free Animal Reiki Demonstration with Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing, 3:00-4:00 p.m. at Mud Bay – Admiral District, 2611 California Ave SW, West Seattle. This event is free and open to animals (and people) who would like to experience a sample of energetic support for mind/body/spirit or learn more about Reiki. Please bring your animal companion on leash or in a carrier. (More information here)

DOG SOCIAL TONIGHT: 2nd Annual Dog Social at Muttley Crew Cuts (4200 SW Admiral Way Suite C), 7-10 pm. Socialize with other dog owners while your K9 friends play. There is a raffle and $2 dogs, beer and wine (w/ ID), and snacks. All proceeds go to English Springer Rescue America (ESRA). Facebook Event page here

Thanks to Kim Schwarzkopf for sharing her video of a two-part wildlife sighting near Lincoln Park … first, you’ll see aerial action … then, watch a spirited sea lion … she’s edited with a soundtrack too. Now, on with today’s preview from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

PLANT SALE: Hosted by Lions Club of West Seattle, 5 – 8 pm (and again tomorrow, 9 am-2 pm), Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon). Tomatoes, fuchsias, rhodies, geraniums, and more! All proceeds benefit the community through college scholarships for local youth, support for local non-profit agencies, and assistance for the hearing and sight impaired.

BIG BAND DINNER DANCE: Food, music, and dancing tonight to raise money for Chief Sealth International High School‘s Jazz Band 1. 6-11 pm in the CSIHS Galleria (2600 SW Thistle), $15 for adults and students, $7 for children under the age of 10, Italian dinner plus music by the West Seattle Big Band as well as CSIHS Jazz Band 1.

VAUDEVILLE AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm, Kenyon Hall presents vaudeville with Connie Corrick, Hugh Hastings, Lou Magor, Silent Movies with Master of the Mighty Wurlitzer Bob White, and special guest Casey MacGill, taking a break from his Blue 4 Trio with a solo turn at the Chickering. Reserved table seats are $14. Row seating is $12 general and $10 seniors. With a reservation, row seating is only $10 general and $8 seniors. Elementary, middle, & high school students are $5. Pre-school children are free. To make a reservation, please e-mail kenyonhall@earthlink.net with your request.

MOVIE NIGHT IN HIGHLAND PARK, WHICH ISN’T SO ‘FAR, FAR AWAY’: Movie night at Highland Park Improvement Club – they say their licensing terms won’t allow naming the movie, but think 1977 space classic! Speaking of classics:

MONKEES TRIBUTE: Local band Gear Driver is doing a Monkees Tribute Show at The Shipwreck Tavern (4210 SW Admiral). Opening act EJ Grooves stage at 9 pm, Gear Driver performs favorite cover songs at 10 pm, and their Monkees Tribute begins at 11 pm.

(Alki Beach, 1920, from the Seattle Municipal Archives via Flickr, click pic to see larger version)
ART WALK NIGHT!: More than 30 venues are on the map for the monthly West Seattle Art Walk – follow that link for details on who’s showing art where, and the full venue list – 6-9 pm. Watch WSB for a preview later this morning with some of the individual venues’ highlights.

‘HOOD HUNT: The ‘Hood Hunts are a series of grass-roots non-competitive scavenger hunts around the city, and ‘Hood Hunt #10 (Facebook event page) is tonight in West Seattle. The Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) is the starting point; meet there to start any time between 6 and 7 pm. There are 20 checkpoints in half a square mile.

COMMUNITY CENTER OPEN HOUSE: High Point Community Center (3920 34th Ave SW) is holding a preschool and school-age programs open house, 6:30-7:30 pm. See full details here

TRIANGLE PLANNING, PHASE 2: West Seattle Triangle Advisory Group starts looking at Phase 2 of Triangle planning, Senior Center of West Seattle, 6 pm (here’s a preview)

EQUITY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY: That’s the topic of a community forum at 7 pm at the Freedom Church in West Seattle (9601 35^thAvenue SW). Sponsored by Countywide Community Forums of King County.

(Photo of the Olympic Mountains’ “The Brothers” by Long Bach Nguyen; click photo for larger version)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

ABUZZ ABOUT BEES: Curious about beekeeping? Come to the April CoolMom meeting, 7 pm at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor).

JOIN THE WEST SEATTLE GARDEN TOUR COMMITTEE: 6:30 pm, West Seattle Garden Tour Committee meeting and potluck – you don’t have to be an expert gardener to volunteer to help with the tour! E-mail for location: info@westseattlegardentour.com.

JOB-SEARCH WORKSHOP: Free workshop “The New Job Search in the New Economy” at South Seattle Community College WorkSource, 4:30 pm – see full story here.

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS LOOK AT LABOR: In light of the Wisconsin fight and other developments local and national, the 34th District Democrats’ meeting tonight is centered on a look at the history of labor organizing and “defense of the middle class.” 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy.

Q/A WITH YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REP: Informal discussion with Steve Sundquist, president of the Seattle School Board, Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), 11 am -12:30 pm.

(Charlestown water tower by smohundro from the WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS: Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, Admiral Congregational Church basement meeting room (California/Hill), 7 pm, agenda including the recent labor protests at the Admiral Safeway construction site (with the union and the targeted subcontractor planning to send reps); also scheduled to be at the meeting, City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen … Fauntleroy Community Association board meeting, 7 pm, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW).

STUDENT ART EXHIBIT: Opening reception for student art exhibit IDENTITY at South Seattle Community College Art Gallery (6000 16th Ave SW), 12 – 1:30 pm at Jerry Brockey Student Center. Click for gallery hours and information about future exhibits. – See full details here

PTA MEETING: Sanislo Elementary School PTA meeting, 6:30 pm

PERSONAL SAFETY NETS: Personal Safety Nets free lecture and workshop at Alki Arts (2820 Alki Ave SW), 7-8:30 pm. Led by Judy Pigott and Ben Kaufman (for info, call 206-659-0665).

POETRY CONSULTATIONS: At High Point Branch Library (35th/Raymond), 6:00-7:45 pm, members of poetrybridge will be present to comment on poems (works in progress.) Poets are asked to call the branch to register – 206-684-7454.

FAMILY STORY TIME: At the Seattle Public Library‘s Delridge Branch, it’s “Family Story Time” with Amy at 7 tonight (Delridge/Brandon).

NIGHTLIFE: Rock music trivia at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm … singer-songwriter night at Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor), see the calendar here … Open-mike night at Mac’s Triangle Pub (drum kit provided!), 8 pm.

BENEFIT CD CO-PRODUCED BY WEST SEATTLEITE: “Every Mother Counts,” co-produced by David Legry of West Seattle, goes on sale today in participating Starbucks stores, with $8 from the sale of each CD going toward maternal-health programs in coffee-growing countries. Legry worked with Christy Turlington to create the multi-artist benefit effort, with a long list of stars participating, including Patti Scialfa (preview her song here). Turlington explains the effort here (companion to a forthcoming documentary she produced).

SPACE-SHUTTLE DECISION: With the Museum of Flight just over the ridge, we’re watching to see what NASA announces at 10 am our time – will Seattle get a shuttle?

(From the WSB Flickr pool: Photo by Danny McMillin – M/V Kaleetan last Wednesday)
4 highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

KIDS’ BOOK FAIR: At Freshy’s Coffee (2735 California SW) – 4 pm to 7 pm. Six children’s book authors (four that are from West Seattle!) reading from their books and signing autographs. See who, and which books, here.

ALSO AUTOGRAPHING TODAY: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis at Easy Street Records in The Junction.

MUSIC AT THE MARKET: At today’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm inThe Junction (44th/Alaska), market manager Catherine Burke says there’ll be live music with KT and Hoops (10-1). Plus, Master Gardeners are back for the season.

SPRING SALE: The St. John’s the Baptist Episcopal Church Arts & Crafts Cooperative is having its first of two sales this year, 9 am-2 pm, parish hall at 3050 California SW.

This morning’s featured photo is courtesy of Julie Clegg – she’s just put up a display of photos inside Mud Bay in the Admiral District, where you can see them today (and all month long). She’s at baileyandbanjo.com (or on Facebook here) and also has a new “dog lifestyle line” at lickslobberdrool.com with 10% of the proceeds going to fight canine cancer. Now, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI SPRING/SUMMER SCHEDULE STARTS: It’s now running all day long (instead of just commute hours), plus Friday/Saturday nights, Mariners/Sounders game nights, and weekends. Here’s our preview from last night.

EL CHUPACABRA OPENS ON ALKI: The new bar/Mexican restaurant in the old Casa Feliz spot, which we first told you about back in January, opens today. (Here’s our update from earlier this week.)

2 PLACES TO ROLLER SKATE: Yes, it’s the second night for the Southgate Roller Rink (first-night coverage here), but the Friday Night Skate Program at Alki Community Center continues too! $3/person, bring your skates or borrow some, 6:45-8:45 pm every Friday night.

‘SWEET, SWEET MUSIC’: 7:30 tonight, Fauntleroy Church sanctuary, with the church’s chancel choir opening, the Chief Sealth International High School Honor Choir closing, and inbetween, clarinetist Emma Pierce will team with SSM organizer Bronwyn Edwards Cryer on the piano. $5 at the door ($15/family) includes dessert in the narthex after the performance. You’ll also have a chance to donate toward the honor choir’s upcoming trip to Carnegie Hall. Details at www.fauntleroyucc.org.

RAINBOW BINGO! “Putting on the Ritz” Rainbow Bingo at West Seattle Senior Center (4217 SW Oregon St), food and drinks at 6 pm, music and entertainment begins at 6:30. $15 prepaid donation to play, $20 at door ($10 prepaid for SCWS members, $15 at the door). Call 206.932.4044 ext. 4 for a reservation.

(Photo by Shawn McNurney from the WSB Flickr pool)
Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

SOUTHGATE ROLLER RINK OPENS: 8:30 tonight in White Center (9646 17th SW); coverage of last night’s “soft open” is on our partner site White Center Now.

MDA LOCK-UP: More than 100 business and community leaders in West Seattle will be ‘locked up’ today to help the Muscular Dystrophy Association of King County, which explains: “These jailbirds are being accused of having a big heart for Jerry’s Kids and will ‘serve time’ while raising ‘bail’ to fight neuromuscular disease.” This year’s West Seattle Lock-Up is hosted by Angelina’s Family Italian Restaurant. Watch for a “bail me out” note from your favorite local leader, or call (206) 283-2183 for info.

WEST SEATTLE BE PREPARED: Preparedness training tonight at the Senior Center of West Seattle, 6-7:30 pm. Full details on the WSBP site.

OPEN MIKE NIGHT AT FRESHY’S: 1st and 3rd Thursday “open mike” night at Freshy’s Coffee. Beverage discounts for those who show up to perform! Open mike starts at 7 pm.

READ THE KORAN IN FOUR WEEKS: At First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, Pastor Ron Marshall‘s unique instruction session begins – as news-relevant as it was when he started teaching it eight years ago. Call 935-6530 to see if there’s still room.

NOT IN WEST SEATTLE, BUT RELEVANT TO ALL: West Seattle resident Lucy Gaskill, a member of the League of Women Voters of Greater Seattle, invites you to attend “Ain’t got no money honey.” This public forum on our economic future is sponsored by the LWV and will be held at Seattle First Baptist Church (1111 Harvard Avenue at Seneca), 7:30 – 9 pm. At this forum government experts will outline our options, shedding light on the revenue predictions in the near future and budget challenges facing our elected officials. Beth Goldberg, Seattle city budget director; Tom Goodwin, chief economist with King County’s office of Economic and Financial Analysis; and Marc Baldwin with Washington State’s Office of Financial Management will share the spotlight.

(Photo by Danny McMillin)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

WESTSIDE AWARDS: The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual awards breakfast starts at 7:30 am, Salty’s on Alki (here’s the original announcement of the winners).

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: Monthly meeting at South Seattle Community College board room, 7 pm, guests include city Info Tech rep and Council President Richard Conlin.

‘GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE’ MEETING: Community meeting to update King County’s “green stormwater infrastructure” proposal for Combined Sewer Overflow control in the Barton Pump Station’s basin, Westside School (WSB sponsor), 6:30 pm (details in this preview).

RESTAURANT BENEFIT FOR JAPAN RELIEF: Red White Unite restaurant fundraiser for Japan includes Spring Hill and Pagliacci participating (metro area-wide list here)

HORSESHOES: The Brickyard BBQ is hosting a horseshoe league. Play begins tonight at 6 pm. Sign-up at the Brickyard or call to reserve a spot. Teams consist of two players and play two matches a night.

NEW – SPANISH-PRACTICE GROUP! Quiere practicar hablar en espanol? New regular group for Spanish practice in West Seattle. La idea es 1-1.5 horas completamente en espanol. All skill levels are welcome, but ideally you should be able to make yourself understood in Spanish, even if your vocabulary is poor. At C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), 5612 California Avenue SW. We will meet for 1.5 hours, from 6:30-8 pm. Ability Level: Conversational Spanish to fluent, some English words OK. If you have questions, concerns, or want to RSVP, e-mail Jen at jenifer.mcintyre@gmail.com.

Monday night sunset photo below, courtesy Sarah. List below, courtesy WSB West Seattle Events calendar.
BRIDGE LANE CLOSURE TODAY, BETWEEN COMMUTES: City crews will be out clearing drains on the West Seattle Bridge today from 35th/Fauntleroy to 1st Avenue South, on the outside eastbound lane, 9 am-3 pm.

LIVING WELL WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS: Today and every Tuesday afternoon, 1-3:30 pm through May 3rd, at the Senior Center of West Seattle. Call 932-4044 to see if there’s space.

ROTARY LUNCH: Rotary Club of West Seattle weekly luncheon meeting, noon at Salty’s on Alki: Terry Davis, Partners for Work Steering committee member within Rotary District 5030 will lead the program. District Governor John Matthews will share stories of involvement, in particular, partnership with King County. Debbie Moore will be introduced as the new Partners for Work Coordinator.

TASTE OF DREAM DINNERS OPEN HOUSE: Tired of takeout, but no time to cook night after night after night? Dream Dinners (WSB sponsor) might be your dream come true. Show up at their West Seattle location on the outer east side of Jefferson Square, along 41st SW at 5:30, 6, or 6:30 to taste the April menu or even sign up to put together a dinner.

ANNIVERSARY SALE RESUMES: Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) resumes its 6th anniversary sale, which started last Saturday; 10 am-6 pm.

INFO NIGHT FOR MARATHON TRAINING: American Heart Association Start! – Training Info Night, West Seattle Runner (3727 California Ave, suite 2-A), 6:30pm. For runners training for their first half marathon. To RSVP or for more information, visit Start Training Puget Sound or e-mail jennifer.murdock@heart.org or call (206) 694-7330.

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: West Seattle Community Orchestras welcome new members as they resume practicing – details here

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY REGISTRATION, DAY 2: We started signups yesterday afternoon and had 18 sales by last night! Be part of the city’s biggest Garage Sale Day (Greenwood has the oldest but mentions 100+ sales – last year, WS had 200+!) Info about, and the link for, registering can all be found here. The 7th annual WSCGSD, presented/coordinated by WSB, is May 14th.

This morning’s photo is courtesy of Lisa Stencel – on a morning when the grayness is back, a different viewpoint on water! Meantime, highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

BEACHSIDE CAFE´OPENING DAY: New owners have reopened the old Alki Bakery space as of 7 am today (here’s what they’re offering).

SPRING QUARTER BEGINS AT SSCC: South Seattle Community College‘s spring quarter starts today.

WEST SEATTLE PRESCHOOL FAIR: 5:30-7:30 tonight, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW), free (more details in yesterday’s preview)

WEST SEATTLE LITTLE LEAGUE: The league‘s first games are scheduled today.

PAJAMA DRIVE FOR FOSTER KIDS: Sleep Country USA starts collecting them today – their local outlet is in Westwood Village, just south of Eats Market Café.

LIBRARY STORY TIME: The High Point Library has a Family Story Time on Mondays at 7 pm! All families are welcome to enjoy songs, rhymes, games, and books. (More info here)

ADMIRAL SAFEWAY: Seattle City Council will consider Admiral Safeway agreement changes because of the project change, doubling the number of residential units – 2 pm meeting.