(August 2008 photo by John LaSpina)
What do you need to know, and what can you do, about the state of the Duwamish River, the West Seattle-bordering waterway on which so much depends, from wildlife to industry? Tonight – Sustainable West Seattle convenes a Community Forum with leaders representing many facets of the complex situation, from the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition to the Duwamish Tribe to the federal Environmental Protection Agency. You’re invited to listen, learn, question, and discuss (just as a key document on cleanup alternatives is going public) 7 pm @ Camp Long Lodge (here’s our original preview; the SWS website has an updated list of panelists). 5200 35th SW … Also tonight: Family Story Time at High Point Library, 7 pm … This afternoon, flu shots are offered at Merrill Gardens-West Seattle (WSB sponsor), 4611 35th SW, 1-3 pm, followed by free Mega-Bingo; call 206-932-5480 for an appointment … Monday night also means weekly bingo at Alki UCC (6112 SW Hinds), doors open 5:30, first game at 6:30 … More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.

Reminder that the Alaskan Way Viaduct is closed again today for one of its regular inspections, scheduled to reopen at 6 pm (we’ll update if it happens sooner) … No need to leave the peninsula – as previewed last night, the Fauntleroy Fall Festival is 2-5:30 pm at the church/Y/schoolhouse (map) – the full schedule is here, from pony rides to art creation to environmental activities and tons more … Got a fall project? The new hours at the West Seattle Tool Library, as of this weekend, include 1-5 pm Sundays, north side of South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th SW … Today’s the day Avalon Glassworks is making customer-designed glass pumpkins – check if they still have spots available (2914 SW Avalon Way) … The West Seattle Farmers’ Market is open 10 am-2 pm as always, 44th/Alaska in The Junction … Also from the “every Sunday” department, it’s all-ages live-music night at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), 3803 Delridge Way, schedule here.

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar for today/tonight: Homecoming game for Chief Sealth International High School, with a barbecue on campus at 5:30 pm followed by the game vs. Nathan Hale at Southwest Athletic Complex, 7 pm … West Seattle High School plays Ingraham tonight at Northwest Athletic Complex, also at 7 … Live in a flood-prone zone? Today and tomorrow, you can get up to 25 sandbags, courtesy of Seattle Public Utilities, at Delridge Community Center (map), 8 am-4 pm each day, but be sure you or someone with you can lift/carry/load them (40 pounds each) … The Monday Artists are having a show today and tomorrow, 10 am-4 pm, Island View Community Room, 3033 California SW (map) … Concerned about city budget cuts? Here’s a chance to show your love for Alki Community Center – Friday Night Skating, $3/person, 6:45-8:45 pm. … And at Kenyon Hall tonight, a vocals/piano show described as a “program of show stoppers … the best of Bernstein, Purcell, Rossini, Loesser, Weill, Kern, Berlin, Herman, Porter, and more,” 7:30 pm, kenyonhall.org.

Brian Fenske shared that photo with the note: “A beautiful, sparkling afternoon [Wednesday] to go kayaking off Alki. Will it be our last of the year?” Whatever the weather looks like by tonight, it’s time to get out for the West Seattle Art Walk, with more than 40 venues from Alki in the north to Westwood and Fauntleroy in the south. We mentioned a few notable points in this preview yesterday – others include the annual bazaar at The Kenney during Art Walk, and a combination of photography, live music, and Wine Club at C & P Coffee. Art Walk hours overall are 6-9 pm; here’s the walking map … 3:30 pm at Merrill Gardens-West Seattle (WSB sponsor), you’re invited to an Oktoberfest Celebration with live entertainment by The Bonnie Birch Duo and seasonal refreshments; RSVP to (206) 932-5480 … In-progress screening of “Oil and Water” – previewed here earlier this week – at the Duwamish Longhouse tonight, 7 pm … That’s also the start time for a book fair at Bloom Preschool, which welcomes families to come check them out while shopping … Want to talk about the county budget?
Countywide Community Forums is organizing a discussion 7-9 pm at Freedom Church of West Seattle, 9601 35th Avenue SW – free dinner with Dick’s Drive-In burgers and shakes, but you need to RSVP online or by calling (206) 937-1417 … And the city budget gets another airing tonight – specifically, its potential effects on Parks facilities and programs – when the citywide Parks Board meets at 7 pm at department HQ downtown (100 Dexter N., agenda here).

(Delridge rooster, by Danny McMillin)
Two neighborhood-council meetings tonight – Fauntleroy Community Association, 7 pm, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), agenda includes final details for Sunday’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival, an update on RapidRide at the ferry terminal, and the two area Combined Sewer Overflow reduction proposals; also at 7 pm, Admiral Neighborhood Association, with the agenda including officer nominations for next year, the upcoming Admiral Treats and Treasures, and a presentation by Stu Hennessey from Sustainable West Seattle … It’s rehearsal night for the West Seattle Community Orchestras, and there’s room for more musicians, depending on what you play – check out this recent WSB Forums post by founder Toni Reineke for details … More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.

(From Run USA 2010 online gallery, used with permission – see many more here)
That’s West Seattle runner John Wallace III – wearing a T-shirt from West Seattle Runner! – as he got ready to run east from Los Angeles on Sunday morning, starting his hoping-to-set-a-cross-country-record odyssey (previewed here). Today, he’s starting day 2 of Run USA 2010. You can follow along through the many links from his main website (including Facebook). … Also looking ahead to today/tonight: Two neighborhood councils meet tonight – North Delridge at 6:30 pm, Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon); Pigeon Point at 7 pm, Pathfinder K-8 (Cooper) School, 1901 SW Genesee. … And Delridge Skatepark is on the agenda (with the bid situation undoubtedly to be discussed) at the citywide Skate Park Advisory Committee‘s meeting tonight, 7 pm at Parks HQ downtown … Did you know Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) has Munchie Mondays ($1 items 3-7 pm)? … More on the calendar.

The fall round of Duwamish Alive! cleanups are 10 am-2 pm today; click any tree icon on the Google Map above to see a spot that could use your help too … Cove Park in Fauntleroy (the little beach north of the ferry dock) has a work party too, 10 am-1 pm, followed by community members’ chance to talk about the park’s future after the Barton Pump Station expansion (preview here) … West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen has a community-chat opportunity 11 am-1 pm at Southwest Library … Same type of meeting for School Board rep Steve Sundquist, 11 am-12:30 pm at High Point Library … The fall Rummage Sale at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) continues 9 am-3 pm (here’s our Friday story) … Foster cats are at Hiawatha Community Center, awaiting new “forever homes,” noon-3 pm … Noon is also when the party starts at Full Tilt Ice Cream in White Center to support the Northwest Folklife Festival – The Not-Its perform, and a new ice-cream flavor debuts … As previewed last night, the memorial procession for GT Towing driver “Tony” Padilla leaves the Eastgate Park and Ride at 2 pm … Preview Seattle Opera’s “Lucia” tonight at The Kenney, 6:45 pm, free, with opera chorus maestro Beth Kirchhoff and two singers … Solar Epiphany‘s new solar showroom at 6016 California SW celebrates its grand opening 10 am-4 pm … more on the calendar!

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

No classes for Seattle Public Schools (calendar here) and some independent schools … High-school football is on as usual, though, with Chief Sealth International High School vs. Franklin at 5 pm, Memorial Stadium downtown, West Seattle High School hosting Rainier Beach, 7 pm, Southwest Athletic Complex, and Seattle Lutheran HS at La Conner, 7 pm … Don’t plan on taking the day-off crowd to Southwest Pool or local community centers (except for child-care programs): It’s a furlough day … The doors ARE open at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) for the renowned Fall Rummage Sale – 9 am-4 pm Friday, 9 am-3 pm Saturday. More details here. … Bowl tonight in Pins for Pennies to benefit Family Promise of Seattle, x pm, Roxbury Lanes … Going-out options tonight include the Twelfth Night Productions gala at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center, 6 pm … FLAVOR, concert/comedy/art show to benefit OneAmerica, 7 pm at Youngstown Arts Center, and An Evening of Cabaret with Sylvia and Tor, 8 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (more info here)

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: The Southwest District Council is scheduled to hear about potential local effects of Alaska Airlines’ “Greener Skies” proposal tonight (the same presentation was set for the Alki Community Council last month but didn’t happen after all), 7 pm at South Seattle Community College‘s board room … The city budget proposal is likely to be discussed by SWDC too, and at City Hall downtown, the council Budget Committee‘s all-day meetings continue – the departments making presentations today include Seattle Public Library at 3 pm – agenda here (includes links to the presenting departments’ budget outlines), all shown on Channel 21 and seattlechannel.org … Presented by Seattle Lutheran High School today at neighboring Hope Lutheran, 11 am-2:30 pm, “Understanding the Mysteries of the Teenage Brain” by Victoria Tennant, a presentation for teachers and other professionals but open to everyone ($40; e-mail brianabowen@clearwire.net) … The entertainment list includes weekly trivia (6:45 pm) and open mike (9 pm) at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), and Fine Films at Freshy’s presenting “Sweeney Todd” (2007), 7 pm.

The morning preview is later than usual because the bridge-backup story needed to stay atop the page till we got the “all clear.” So now, here are the highlights: One more reminder that today’s the last day to register to vote in the November 2nd election – if you want to do it the convenient way, online (you can also change your address that way too), or by postal mail (must be postmarked by today), details here … 3 library events: Baby Story Time at 11:30 am, Southwest Library and Evening Book Group at the same branch, 6:45 pm, plus Family Story Time at 7 pm, High Point Library … It’s Bingo Night at Alki UCC! Doors open 5:30 pm, games start at 6:30 … A series of four weekly Theater Improvisation classes starts at 10:30 am today, Senior Center of West Seattle … And Balorico’s monthly free dance class at Kenyon Hall is tonight, 7 pm. More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar (and please let us know if you’ve got something to add – today or beyond!).

(Photo from today’s WS Farmers’ Market added Sunday afternoon, courtesy Girl From Arizona)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Alki UCC is a community hub today, welcoming you to breakfast at 9 am, Blessing of the Animals during 10 am service, then the annual CROP Walk to raise money to fight hunger at 1:30 pm, details here (6112 SW Hinds) … The West Seattle Eagles also invite you to breakfast, steak and eggs for $9, 9 am-noon (4426 California Ave SW) … The day’s second Blessing of the Animals is presented by St. John the Baptist Church in the West Seattle High School parking lot at noon (3000 California SW) … Also at noon, join Spokespeople West Seattle for the West Seattle Farm and Fowl Tour bicycle ride, leaving the north end of South Seattle Community College (6000 16th SW) … 2 pm, 90-years-young writer/comedian/activist Georgie Bright Kunkel‘s one-woman show at the Admiral Theater (previewed here) … Pencil Me In For Kids‘ first fundraiser for next school year, a “Cookie Lee” jewelry sale @ the West Seattle Eagles, 4-6 pm … Special event at the weekly West Seattle Farmers’ Market: Apple tasting! Here’s the weekly Ripe and Ready list, 10 am-2 pm (44th/Alaska).

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: The “Walk ‘n’ Roll for Ataxia” on Alki, benefiting the National Ataxia Foundation in its fight against the not-so-well-known nervous-system disease (explained here), starts at 10 am from Alki Beach shelter #1 … 1 pm, Jack Block Park is the starting point for the FUNdraising food-bank benefit presented by longtime WSB sponsor SoundYoga (more details here) … 10 am-2 pm, Prudential NW team members are collecting food donations at local supermarkets … It’s Solar Washington Tour day – sample West Seattle solar scene starting at Solar Epiphany’s new offices (recent WSB feature here) at 6016 California SW, 10 am … West Seattle has 3 “Blessing of the Animals” events this weekend (as noted here); the first is 10:30 this morning, Providence Mount St. Vincent lobby … If your beloved pet happens to be a Dachshund, there’s a roundup at 1 pm at Westcrest Park‘s small-dog area today.

Quick “happening tonight” notes, later than usual because we dashed out to look for the orcas: Seattle Civic Dance Theatre invites you to Family Fun Night in their Fauntleroy Schoolhouse HQ tonight, 6-9 pm, details here … Two high-school football games tonight: West Seattle HS hosts Cleveland at Southwest Athletic Complex, 7 pm, and Chief Sealth IHS is on the road in non-conference play against Eastside Catholic in Sammamish, 7 pm.

(Photo of the morning: Recent shot of the West Seattle (Admiral) library branch, by Danny McMillin)
Events of note today/tonight in West Seattle and beyond – All Seattle Public Schools families in West Seattle are invited to Chief Sealth International High School tonight for the district’s “welcome back” night with district leaders, including Superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson, 6:30 pm … All Seattle Public Library branches, including the 4 in West Seattle, are closed till 1 pm today because of a citywide all-staff meeting … As of late last night, half a dozen tickets remained for Eat Local Now! (dinner/entertainment/silent auction celebrating sustainable local food, 6 pm at Sodo Park, co-sponsored by WSB), check here to see if any are left! (10:43 am update: Sold out!) … 6-8 pm at Shadowland, it’s a fall fashion show featuring five West Seattle boutiques, taking donations for the Gulf Restoration Network – details here with a shopping afterparty afterward till 10 at three of the participants … info here too … A new “just build the tunnel, already” group is rolling out its campaign to the media at 10 this morning on the downtown waterfront (Pier 62/63) … And this is the deadline to sign up for the Fauntleroy Art Show and Gift Faire Nov. 19-21. Get details and the application form at www.fauntleroyucc.org.

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: This is the first “early dismissal” day of the year for Seattle Public Schools – students are out two hours early so that teachers have professional-development time … And that’s not the only SPS note: West Seattle’s school board rep Steve Sundquist has a community chat availability at 11 am today, Delridge Library, plus, West Seattle High School‘s PTSA has its first meeting of the year tonight, 7 pm in the school library (all welcome, you do not have to be a member) … High Point Library is hosting Game On! for teens this afternoon, 3-5 pm, featuring Wii and Dance Dance Revolution games plus refreshments … The closest King County budget public hearing to West Seattle is at 6:30 tonight at County Council chambers downtown … The West Seattle location of Dream Dinners (longtime WSB sponsor) invites you to an Open House/tasting, east side of Jefferson Square (facing 41st SW), to try out their October menu – RSVP by clicking here and then going to “view sessions for October menu” – choose either 5:30, 6 or 6:30 (event password is “dinner”); call 206-938-5999 with questions … More on WSB West Seattle Events calendarthe calendar!

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: In addition to the Fauntleroy Church/YMCA dedication (previewed last night) at 2 pm, today’s list also includes free Sunday Yoga at Sound Yoga (WSB sponsor) 11 am-12:15 pm; Bowling for Bullies, a benefit to raise funds for, and awareness of, what organizers call “the amazing Pit Bull ‘breed'” and rescued dogs who need a second chance, partial proceeds to Bullseye Dog Rescue with rescue dogs on hand for adoption, 1:30 pm at West Seattle Bowl … and as always, the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm, The Junction (44th/Alaska), with apples and wild mushrooms among the new items on today’s Ripe and Ready list.

The forecast looks great. Here are five ways to do good today: Join JACK FM Radio for a beach cleanup 8 am-11 am, meet at Tully’s on Alki; West Seattle radio/Web personality Marty Riemer is hosting the event, and the first 50 people who sign in and then come back with a bag of beach trash each get a pair of tickets to the Jack Johnson concert in the Gorge … 2 West Seattle locations for National Drug Take-Back Day, 10 am-2 pm (full details here) … Go to West Seattle Produce for a Car Wash ‘n’ Shop event to benefit West Seattle High School Volleyball, 11 am-3 pm … Tonight the West Seattle Eagles host their first-ever Wild Game and Seafood Extravaganza to benefit the Sarcoidosis Foundation – $20/person for dinner, dancing, DJ, and silent auction – call (206) 938-4426 to check on ticket availability … Also tonight, a benefit at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center for Nepali women – details here; it starts at 6:30 pm … And that’s only part of what’s going on today – our full list of events and activities around West Seattle is here.

(Photo of the morning, by smohundro, from the WSB Flickr pool)
Welcome to fall! It officially arrived last night. A few notes from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: As the saying goes, you’re not getting older, you’re getting better. So consider having your voice heard during “Aging Your Way: Conversation for Community Change,” tonight at 5:30 pm at Fauntleroy Church … On the early end of the age spectrum, Toddler Story Time resumes today at High Point Library, 11:30 am … Got something to say about the possibility of using certain city tennis courts (there’s no official list yet) for non-tennis sports (dodgeball is most frequently mentioned)? The city Parks Board has a public hearing during its meeting tonight at Parks HQ downtown (100 Dexter N.), 7 pm … Traffic advisory: The outside eastbound lane is scheduled to be closed on the Admiral Way Bridge for drain work 9 am-3 pm … At ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), “reasons to be pretty” continues tonight, 7:30 pm (here’s its thumbs-up Seattle Times review).

ADDED 9:06 AM: Also notable – a big cross-town rivalry game at Hiawatha Playfield today – girls’ soccer, WSHS vs. Chief Sealth, both of whom are undefeated in conference play, 3:30 pm.

(Picture of the morning: Mike’s iPhone photo of our peninsula as seen from his workplace across the bay)
Feels like fall got here a week or so ago – but tonight, it’s here for real – just after 8 pm our time. Mark the occasion by watching the sunset from West Seattle’s Solstice Park (map) with Alice Enevoldsen, publisher of Alice’s Astro Info and NASA Solar System Ambassador – sunset’s at 7:07 pm, show up around 6:30 and talk about the universe … Also tonight, Highland Park Action Committee welcomes neighbors to come talk about what’s up in the neighborhood, 7 pm at HP Improvement Club (12th/Holden; map) … Feel like dancing? Beginning East Coast Swing (6:30 pm) and Zydeco (7:45 pm) classes continue tonight at Alki Community Center (5817 SW Stevens; map) – you can sign up there and/or call Lilli Ann with questions at 206-264-5646 … There’s more on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar! (And be sure to let us know if you’ve got something coming up and would like to see it on the calendar.)

(Picture of the morning: Before Monday got super-busy for SFD – with the SODO industrial fire and the Delridge fire/outage, among other calls – Deanie Schwarz photographed the Ladder 13 crew at Morningstar Deli in Highland Park)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meets for the first time since June, 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct meeting room (Delridge/Webster) … Merrill Gardens at West Seattle (WSB sponsor) is celebrating Active Living Week with a cruise theme, including cruise-travel presentations by AAA Travel at 1 and 6 pm, cruise-type activities including bingo (2:30 pm) and spa treatments, a gift shop, and games (call 206-926-9724 with questions) … Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor) starts the night with open turntables at 6, followed by the monthly Alauda belly-dance showcase … West Seattle Community Orchestras (formerly Westside Symphonette) rehearse at Chief Sealth International High School tonight … And while it’s not in West Seattle, this could be of interest: The city’s proposing new tree regulations, including some that are looser than current rules; they’ll be reviewed at an open house tonight at City Hall, 5:30 pm (with presentations starting at 6), details here.