When the meteor-shower talk started rising beyond a dull roar last night, Christopher Boffoli went out to the Me-Kwa-Mooks vicinity along Beach Drive in search of an early view. He reported only two meteors in 40 minutes – but great stargazing. (We noticed the latter even from our near-lots-of-streetlights Upper Fauntleroy porch.) Tonight, however, should be a different story. This is the night the annual Perseid meteor shower is peaking – maybe almost a meteor a minute, if you have a good view. Via Twitter, @martha_kang points us to this NASA link for the best information – they’re keeping watch at the space agency too. (Added: Links from Katie – here and here – and from Mac – here.) If you can stay up late enough, NASA suggests the best viewing is after midnight; let us know what you see, and from where! Or try this live feed which is linked from that NASA page – video AND audio:

This is by no means a complete list of everything happening over the next five days – but some highlights to mention in advance:

‘SEUSSICAL JR.’ OPENS WEDNESDAY: The junior theater students at ArtsWest are putting on the show – and you’re invited. More information here, including a link to buy tickets.

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK THURSDAY: Artists and venues are on the official WSAW website; 6-9 pm, all over the peninsula. WSB sponsors participating include Bin 41 wine shop, where Washington winemaker Brian Carter will be pouring for a tasting concurrent with Art Walk, and for the first time, the Barton Street Lofts in Westwood are joining the Art Walk, with a multi-artist show.

SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA THURSDAY: Pearl Django featuring guest vocalist Greta Matassa, free, 6:30 pm, east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center.

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS’ GARDEN PARTY FRIDAY: State Sen. Joe McDermott is confirmed as the MC for the buffet and auction at West Seattle Nursery, and organizer Chris Porter says one of the popular auction items will be “a cocktail party hosted by the elected state leaders of the 34th LD, for which there are only 50 tickets available and they go fast.”

WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES IN THE JUNCTION SATURDAY: “Wayne’s World” is on screen at dusk in the courtyard by Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) and it doesn’t look like a rainout THIS week. Full details here.

OUTDOOR MOVIE ON ALKI SATURDAY: At Coastal, the movie is “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.”

C & P COFFEE ARTS/CRAFTS FAIR ON SATURDAY: 9 am-3 pm. The announcement just came in today:

This will be a one day, free event featuring unique, local arts and crafts for sale at the coffee shop. Jewelry, toys, clothing, prints, paintings, furniture, and more. If you have any questions or you are interested in selling your work, please contact Cameron at: candpco@comcast.net

CITYDOG MAGAZINE ‘COVER DOG’ SEARCH ON SUNDAY: Starts at noon, West Seattle Thriftway. Details here.

More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!

The first baby seal sighted on West Seattle shores this season may or may not be part of today’s happenings – but David Hutchinson sent that too-cute-not-to-publish photo, with this info, so we’re starting with it:

Primo, the seal pup, spent some time around noon today at Alki Beach resting on a sand bar at low tide. If you see him, keep a respectful distance and be sure to contact Seal Sitters at 206-905-SEAL. (Photo taken with a telephoto lens)

Meantime, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Almost two weeks after the reinstallation of the West Seattle Rotary Viewpoint Park totem pole (WSB video coverage here), you’re invited to its rededication at 5 pm. Those expected to be on hand include its carver, Robin Young (who we interviewed last December, not long after the pole was stolen). The park’s at 35th/Alaska … One neighborhood meeting scheduled tonight: Fauntleroy Community Association‘s board, 7 pm, at the schoolhouse (9131 Fauntleroy SW) … Looking for something to do with your toddler? Camp Long‘s Tot Trek goes tidepooling at Me-Kwa-Mooks at 10:30 am (registration’s required so call 206-684-7434 to see if there’s room) … Tonight, it’s trivia at Feedback Lounge, 8 pm, and open turntables at Skylark Café and Club, 6 pm (both WSB sponsors) – and remember Skylark has live music on Tuesdays now too (tonight: 9 pm, Rachel Goodrich; 10 pm, Timmy Sunshine and the Conductors) … And there’s more, on the calendar.

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: This morning at 11 am, Holy Family Catholic Church (9622 20th SW) is the site of the memorial for U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jarod Newlove, the West Seattle sailor held captive and killed last month in Afghanistan. As noted here last week, the family’s announcement invites the public to attend the service as well as the events that will follow – including a procession from Holy Family to Tahoma National Cemetery, where he will be buried at 2 pm with full military honors. (Details and map links here; also, here’s his obituary as it appeared in Sunday’s Seattle Times [WSB partner].)

Also today: West Seattle’s two city Neighborhood Services Offices are closed for a furlough day (Junction and Delridge), as are the others around the city; and tonight, the North Delridge Neighborhood Council meets, 6:30 pm, Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon).

(added 8:23 am) For Blue Angels fans – we have word from WSB’er Lori, who went to the Museum of Flight to find out if they’re leaving today, that they’re heading out this morning. Fat Albert, she says, is scheduled to go wheels-up at 9 am.

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: We previewed both last night, but another quick reminder – you can tour Delridge with Mayor McGinn, starting 10 am from the Neighborhood Services Center at Delridge/Brandon; “Star Trek” is the scheduled West Seattle Outdoor Movies presentation tonight at dusk in the Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) courtyard, but subject to rainout, so check here/Facebook/Twitter for the show’s status if the weather doesn’t improve. Also, two events happening now: A cleanup at West Seattle Rotary Viewpoint Park to get ready for next Tuesday’s rededication (volunteers welcome, just head over), and a fundraising sale for West Seattle High School‘s football team, till 3 pm in the school parking lot. Other fundraisers today/tonight include a benefit spaghetti dinner for the West Seattle Eagles Auxiliary – all welcome, nonmembers too – 5:30-7 pm – and the breakfast fundraiser happening right now, till 11, at 9800 8th SW for an area family recovering from a fire. What else is up? Calendar’s here.

MISSING MURAL: Notice what’s not in that photo? Ken Beres sent it and wondered why the “Press Day” mural had disappeared from the side of 4727 44th SW. We called the nearest office – Terry Gangon‘s insurance agency – and were told the building’s being painted, so the mural (closer look at it here) was removed but will be restored. (Working to find out more specifics bout this.)

ROAD CLOSURE ALERT: Writing about this Friday’s registration party for the Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run to benefit Northwest Hope and Healing, we noticed something new – confirmed by NWHH’s Shari Sewell – this year, Alki Avenue will close for the run, instead of having more than 1,000 people to run on the sidewalk/bike path. She says, “It’s the same route as the WSHS 5k back in May. The closure runs from Alki at 63rd (near the old Pegasus Pizza) to Don Armeni boat launch, from 8 am until 11 am (will re-open earlier if all participants are off the course). Our 5k route turns around at Anchor Park but the police will be directing folks up California Ave off Harbor if they live along the route. There will be one northbound access lane along Alki open for folks who need it.” Again, that’s a three-hour closure the morning of August 29th.

BARBECUE BASH BAGS ALKI: While working ahead on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, we discovered that the Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association is NOT bringing its Evergreen State BBQ Championship to Alki this fall, though it’s been a fixture for years (here’s our coverage from last year). We e-mailed PNBA president Anthony James to ask why they’re changing the location to Duvall – jump ahead for his reply:Read More

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: It’s “Night Out” in neighborhoods coast to coast, including dozens in West Seattle that have signed off to block off their streets for parties. Even if you’re not having one – do take note, you may drive your usual route home from work, and suddenly find a barricade requiring a detour; official hours are 6-9 pm. Some neighborhoods have bands; some are ending the night with outdoor movies! Thanks to everyone who e-mailed (etc.) to let us know we’re welcome to drop by for a photo; we’ll be out and about, reporting “live” (here and via Twitter), starting right at 6. … Tonight, hundreds of friends and family are expected at the Sealth/SW Athletic Complex baseball field (north of Westwood Village) for a candlelight vigil remembering West Seattle sailor Jarod Newlove, found dead in Afghanistan last week. It starts at 8 pm. (Organizers asked that our original announcement include their request for the media to stay away; WSB is honoring that request.) … By the Super 24 on Delridge, it’s the second “Night Market” to celebrate community and sell fresh food, 4-8 pm (here’s our coverage of the last one) … And on Alki, as noted here last night, free live music by Michael Powers, 6 pm, by the Bathhouse, bring chairs/blankets/nonperishable food-bank donations. … P.S. You may also see the Blue Angels in the sky over (probably just eastern) West Seattle at some point today – they’re due to arrive at Boeing Field/Museum of Flight “mid-afternoon,” and once there’s OFFICIAL word of a specific arrival window, we’ll publish a separate update. … More on the Events calendar!

Thanks to Oliver for sharing the foggy view from atop The Bridge this morning; once it’s time to drive back the other way, the forecast promises afternoon sunshine. Not too busy a day on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar; if you can donate blood, the Puget Sound Blood Center mobile unit would love to see you at West Side Presbyterian Church (3601 California SW), 1-6 pm; as noted in our election update on Thursday, candidates in both of our area’s big races – State House Position 2 and King County Council District 8 – will be at a forum at Courthouse Square on Vashon (a short ferry ride away but remember that Friday afternoon traffic is busy), 7-9 pm; two events in The Junction – Bin 41 (WSB sponsor) has a 5:30-7 pm wine tasting with Marie-Eve Gilla from Forgeron Cellars, and Easy Street Records has an in-store concert with LeRoy Bell, 7 pm; also at 7, a breast-cancer-fighting fundraiser – silent art auction – presented by Team Tracy at Kenyon Hall (35th/Kenyon); GreenStage presents more Shakespeare in the Park (Camp Long) with “As You Like It” (free/donation, 7 pm); at Alki Kayak Tours from 5-8 pm, there’s a big kayak demo-fleet sale co-presented by Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor).

That video by West Seattle’s Captive Eye Media gives you a quick preview of “Side Show,” resuming its run at ArtsWest tonight and continuing through Sunday, 7:30 pm … Tonight’s also the monthly Poetrybridge event at C & P Coffee, with featured poet Dobbie Reese Norris and open-mike poetry, 7 pm … Before we get to that, as previewed last night, the West Seattle Rotary Viewpoint Park totem pole is scheduled for reinstallation this morning, 10 am-ish … The High Point Market Garden farm stand is open 3-7 pm, 32nd/Juneau … And on the Highway 99/Viaduct front, the South Portal Working Group – citizen advisors who’ve been reviewing state/city proposals for what happens on our side of the project (including how it all ties together) – meets at 4 pm at the Sound Transit board room downtown (there’s also Viaduct-related demolition work on the downtown waterfront today, by the way, at Pier 48) … Busy day/night with even more going on; see the rest on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.

That’s one of our leftover getting-ready shots taken before the West Seattle Grand Parade on Saturday. Apropos to nothing today except we wanted to use it somewhere, and the morning preview is often a place we feature a nice, if unrelated, photo. Now on with the preview:

… Wait, that photo IS semi-relevant, in that it was taken outside Lafayette Elementary, across the street from Admiral Safeway. And this morning, the Admiral Safeway redevelopment project’s “alley vacation” is on the agenda for the City Council Transportation Committee (9:30 am, City Hall downtown, public comment WILL be taken; or watch Seattle Channel online or on TV). This “alley” isn’t something you’d really recognize as one – it’s part of the back lot, leading to the loading docks, but it is an official city right-of-way, so permission is required for it to be given up to the new development, and to get that permission, developers have to show what the city – and in turn, you, the citizen – are getting in return. That’s all been detailed in numerous hearings we’ve covered along the way, and in this document that’s part of the morning presentation. The city departments that have reviewed it say they have no objection. If the committee OK’s it today, and the full council after that, Safeway has said work could start in early September.

ALSO TODAY/TONIGHT: Deadline for feedback on the Admiral Way “rechannelization” project, as mentioned Monday (all the info’s in that link) … The 34th District Democrats‘ annual summer picnic, at Lincoln Park; check their website for details … Trivia at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction, 8 pm – where, if you missed The World’s Most Incredible Amazing Wondrous Guitar back on Saturday night, they point you to a photo … More? Yes – on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.

(Photo by Steve Mohundro, taken in Genesee area)
No need to move at a snail’s pace as the week comes to an end. Got a bike? Work downtown or beyond? Today’s your last chance to join City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen biking to work from Weather Watch Park on Beach Drive, 7 am (here’s our story about the Wednesday ride) … 1 pm this afternoon, join the Nature Consortium at 14th/Holly for a free guided eco-hike through part of the West Duwamish Greenbelt (here’s our feature about the restoration work there); meet at 14th/Holly … Restaurant note: Skip from Angelina’s in the Admiral District asked us to share the word that they are ending weekday lunch after today (more here) … Tonight’s highlights include more Shakespeare in the park – check the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar for today/tonight: GreenStage‘s Shakespeare in the Park makes its 2010 West Seattle debut tonight with “As You Like It,” 7 pm at Lincoln Park (follow the signs from the north parking lot) … If you prefer indoor theater, this is the second night for “Side Show” at ArtsWest, 7:30 pm … South Delridge/White Center Community Safety Coalition discusses crime and other safety-related concerns at 6 pm at the White Center DSHS office (9650 15th SW) … And you’re invited to help out with the food garden at St. James Annex (9421 18th SW) with Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle‘s next round of “drop-in gardening,” 6:30 pm. … More of today/tonight’s events here.

(“Side Show” dress-rehearsal photo by Edgar Riebe from Captive Eye Media)
OPENING NIGHT FOR ‘SIDE SHOW’: The newest production at ArtsWest in The Junction opens tonight: “Side Show” is a presentation of the Musical Theater Apprenticeship program (16-21 year-olds), described as a “beloved cult musical.” Read more here. It plays through August 1st.

CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT AT DELRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL: Tonight the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council‘s monthly meeting (7 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center) features Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin as its special guests. Besides opening remarks from him, there is always Q/A time for these types of appearances, so if you have something to bring up – no shortage of hot topics these days! – this is your chance. Also on the agenda, two Department of Information Technology reps talk about the city’s newest online/open-data initiatives. (Preceding this meeting is the 6 pm “Strategy Delridge” discussion, to which you’re also invited.)

PRODUCE AND SOCCER IN HIGH POINT! Two events this afternoon/evening in High Point – First, it’s the next weekly edition of the High Point Market Garden Farm Stand, 32nd/Juneau, 4-7 pm; second, Seattle Sounders FC defender Taylor Graham joins HP Community Center‘s “how to play soccer” session at 6 pm at Commons Park – and they’re inviting EVERYBODY to come out and play!

MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Jampacked agenda as usual for the Morgan Community Association quarterly meeting (7 pm at The Kenney) – see it here.

More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!

THE REMINDERS: The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council is on hiatus till September, so no meeting tonight (though if you’re interested in south WS, the South Delridge-White Center Community Safety Coalition‘s next meeting is 6 pm Thursday at the DSHS building in WC). On a related note, it’s exactly two weeks till Night Out, neighborhood-building/crime-fighting block-party night all over the area – 6-10 pm August 3rd – sign up now so you’ll be cleared to shut down your street for the occasion! (and let us know if we can stop by).

THE SPECIAL EVENTS: As previewed here, West Seattle Hi-Yu Concert in the Park, featuring the WS Big Band and WS Volunteer Recognition Awards presentation, 7 pm (free!) on the Hiawatha Community Center east lawn … The new Alki Arts gallery/events space (here’s our story about its opening) is the site of the ChickChat networking/coaching event at 6 pm tonight (ticket info and other details here) … And the comedy show to raise money to fight Alzheimer’s, organized by West Seattleite Emily Meyer, is 8:30 tonight at Comedy Underground – here’s our preview with the details … More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!

Thanks to Dina Johnson for sharing that photo from last year’s Mediterranean Fantasy Fest, with dancers Lisa Yasmine (a West Seattleite) and Katia Sahar. Tomorrow and Sunday, 11 am-7 pm, MedFest takes over Hiawatha once more, inside and out, with more than 275 dancers from all over the West Coast – more info here. (11:10 pm note, a commenter points out a discrepancy between these hours, which we received as a submitted events-calendar announcement, and what’s on the MedFest website – we’d go with the latter – here’s the schedule of performances.) It’s one of tomorrow’s headlines that we’re previewing tonight – plus, a lot is going on at the beach:

(2008 Alki Car Show photo by David Hutchinson)
8 am-4 pm, the annual Alki Classic Car Show will line the boardwalk …here are the details from an earlier preview. You should be able to enter a car same-day if you’re not already signed up. Also on Alki:

(Photo by Joe Mabel, from Wikimedia)
At Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) it’s a first-ever event – the Painted Garden Art Festival, tomorrow and Sunday, 10 am-4 pm. Artists from a multitude of mediums will be at the historic museum, some of them working while they display! Admission free – and if you drop by at 2 or 4 pm, a 30-minute Alki history tour will be available.

Earlier, we previewed West Seattle Outdoor Movies‘ debut tomorrow night; later, we’ve got a few more events to preview! In the meantime, see the WSB West Seattle Events calendar for more of what’s happening – including Sunday’s marquee event, the West Seattle Garden Tour (co-sponsored by WSB).

(Last Wednesday’s sunrise, photographed by Susan DuTemple)
The sun will show up later, the forecasters promise. Today’s big events are outdoors: The Fun Fest at Hiawatha Community Center/Playfield runs 11 am -3 pm with carnival games, refreshments, dunk tank, children’s entertainment, face painting, more. Entertainment starts at 11:15 and carnival games at 12 noon; $5 for an all-day carnival bracelet. … During the noon hour @ the Hiawatha festival, the West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court will be coronated … Tonight at 6, celebrate the first anniversary of the Delridge Community Center Playground, built in a day by local volunteers with the help of KaBOOM! … This afternoon, it’s raspberry pickup for the Rotary Club of West Seattle Berry Sale (WSB sponsor), and that means some available for walkup purchase, 2-6 pm today (and 9 am-3 pm tomorrow) behind Admiral Safeway … 7 pm tonight at Fauntleroy Church Fellowship Hall, Stage Struck summer campers present “Oliver” (donation at the door) … Swimmers take note, Colman Pool is scheduled to be closed to the general public today through Sunday for swim-meet competition.

Thanks to Melanie for sharing great-blue-heron photos so awesome we had to share two. And beach news is in the morning preview: When the Alki Community Council meets tonight, one of its agenda items is a discussion of off-leash dogs at the beach – a rep from Seattle Animal Shelter will be on hand; another special guest is Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Benjamin Kinlow. ACC meets 7 pm, Alki UCC church (61st/Hinds). … TRAFFIC REMINDER: 10 pm-5 am tonight, Highway 99 closes both ways along a stretch through SODO for installation of more overhead signs … And speaking of 99, Mayor McGinn seems to be going full-bore with doubt-raising about the proposed tunnel – this afternoon he’s invited media to a briefing we’re planning to cover, with a “strategic infrastructure expert” who’s going to talk about what the invite calls “risks associated with the state’s proposed deep-bore tunnel project.” … One other note from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Drop-in gardening at St. James Annex (9421 18th SW) with Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle, 6;30 pm – a great chance to do some gardening if you don’t have space of your own. And now, Melanie’s other cool heron photos, as we fly off into the day:

That photo’s from the sizzling sunshine of last Wednesday afternoon, when the High Point Market Garden farm stand opened for the first time this season. Today, round 2 – look for the tent next to the big, beautiful mini-farm at 32nd/Juneau, 4-7 pm. Also happening in High Point today – the library branch invites teens to come play games, 2-3:30 pm, and HP Community Center sponsors round 2 of soccer instruction, 6 pm at Commons Park. … Tonight at The Hall @ Fauntleroy, the 34th District Democrats will discuss I-1098, the income-tax initiative, and are also scheduled to hear a briefing on Burien issues (here’s the agenda), 7 pm … Also at 7, Fine Films at Freshy’s is showing “The Triplets of Belleville” tonight, in honor of Bastille Day … and in White Center, the Jubilee Days carnival at Steve Cox Memorial Park starts at 7, with fireworks at dusk.