Even before the King County Wastewater Treatment Division indicated this past week that it’s pushing back its timetable for deciding how to control Combined Sewer Overflows at Lowman Beach’s Murray Pump Station, concerned community members had scheduled a “Save Lowman Beach” meeting for tonight. 7 pm, Puppy Perfectors, 9629 17th Ave. SW (map) in White Center (original announcement here). Also tonight: West Seattle See Dogs‘ regular meeting and a special workshop for “Dream a Sound Future” – details on both are here. And long before evening falls, you can head over to Hiawatha to cheer on West Seattle High School vs. Seattle Prep as high-school baseball tournament play gets under way. (added) Chief Sealth International High School boys’ soccer is in the playoffs, also playing Seattle Prep today, 3:30 pm at Interbay. More in the WSB West Seattle Events calendar! (“Sun dog” at left, photographed by April Bolding)

Two late additions to the WSB West Seattle Events calendar are coming up tomorrow, so in case you hadn’t heard previously, here’s a look ahead:

DREAM A SOUND FUTURE: Seattle Parks’ Environmental Learning Centers (which include Camp Long) and Sustainable Seattle are co-sponsoring a regional competition to envision our area’s future – read all about it here. If you’re interested in entering “Dream a Sound Future,” you’ll want to be at the next West Seattle workshop for prospective entrants – Monday night, 6-8:30 p.m., at Southwest Community Center, 2801 SW Thistle. (Elementary/middle/high-school students interested in participating have their own version of the challenge, with a showcase planned at the upcoming Sustainable West Seattle Festival/Delridge Day on June 5th – entry deadline is May 25; read more here.)

SEE DOGS: “It takes a community to raise a guide dog,” as Ruth Oldham says, and your next chance to join this community is 6:30 tomorrow night at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor), 2326 California SW.

We will be joined by volunteers and young puppies from our Phinney Ridge group, Guide Puppies of Seattle. There is bound to be lots of fun and energy! The West Seattle See Dogs club is actively looking for volunteers to spend a year or so teaching puppies good house manners and introducing them to the world. Come and meet our raisers and greet puppies in training. We also are always in need of folks who can support our various activities and events.

Want to know more? Here’s a Facebook event listing with contact info.

The forecast suggests an encore for the sunny weather that preceded last night’s super sunset (photographed by Alki’s David Hutchinson) – perfect for Mother’s Day activities including professionally photographed pics on the patio at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), noon-4 pm, part of the proceeds benefiting WestSide Baby; glass-blowing demonstrations at Avalon Glassworks – meet and talk with the artists as they create art glass! – 10 am-4 pm; shopping at West Seattle Farmers’ Market (here’s this week’s fresh sheet), 10 am-2 pm; and two special events at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), the Girls Rock benefit 3-6 pm and Team Tracy benefit 7-10 pm (both all ages, which is Skylark’s usual Sunday mode) – they’re both explained here – or you could just stay at Skylark all day if you start with brunch (9 am-3 pm). P.S. If you’re thinking Mom’s Day dinner also/instead, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) has the wildly popular Sunday ribs on the menu at 5, Mother’s Day music at 6.

(Wednesday night photo by David Rosen from SlickPix Photography)
Maybe a little odd to start the day with an end-of-day shot, but the photo of last night’s sunset, near Luna/Anchor Park, came in overnight, and one of tonight’s major events is on the waterfront in the evening, so … The annual Day of Prayer gathering is tonight at Statue of Liberty Plaza on Alki, 6:30 pm, 10 local churches participating, full details here … Also tonight, the Lafayette Elementary Playground Committee is hosting a community meeting to vote on designs for the play structure and surrounding area at the Lafayette playground. The meeting is at the Lafayette library from 7-8 pm … This one’s downtown, but West Seattleites are involved in League of Women Voters of Seattle, which invites you to a forum about the Seattle Port Commission at 7:30 pm at Seattle First Baptist Church – speakers include Port CEO Tay Yoshitani; admission’s free, full details at www.seattlelwv.org … back in West Seattle, it’s the Friends of the College dinner at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor), Brockey Center, 5-8 pm (full details here). More for today/tonight/beyond, on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.

That’s the Westside Symphonette combined strings and junior orchestra, rehearsing last night at The Hall at Fauntleroy, where both of the Symphonette’s orchestras are performing their spring concert “Classical Elegance” tonight (more details here). … This afternoon, you are invited to show your support for local law enforcement at the annual Seattle Police Memorial ceremony, with Mayor McGinn scheduled to be among those in attendance, noon at Dignity Memorial/Forest Lawn (map) … Also at noon, King County Executive Dow Constantine is scheduled to speak to the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of West Seattle at Salty’s on Alki. … For the regular Tuesday happenings, check the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.

(Friday photo taken at Alki by Chas Redmond)
The weather of course is the biggest thing so far today – with the wind advisory continuing in effect till 7 pm. If things aren’t too crazy, you might check out the last minus tide we’ll see for a few weeks, -0.6 just before 3 pm today – not as low as the photo above from Friday afternoon, but low enough for tidewalking. Otherwise, no major public meetings tonight – West Seattle Hi-Yu members meet at 6:30 pm, St. John the Baptist Church, just as festival/parade season starts to kick into high gear; you can check the WSB West Seattle Events calendar for regular Monday night happenings, including bingo at Alki UCC Church. (Are we missing something of note? Add a comment – thanks!)

Since it’s the final day of the Feinstein Challenge – first explained in this March story – anything you do for your local food banks today COUNTS EXTRA. For White Center Food Bank, which serves part of West Seattle – donate here. For West Seattle Food Bank – go here – and if you are attending tonight’s fundraiser Instruments of Change (6 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy, with WSB among the event sponsors), consider giving extra. ALSO TODAY/TONIGHT: Bake sale/plant sale/mini-bazaar at Providence Mount St. Vincent, 9 am-4 pm in the front lobby … The “Fauntleroy Fledglings” star in tonight’s edition of the “Sweet, Sweet Music” coffeehouse concert series at Fauntleroy Church, 7:30 pm (dessert included!) … Seattle filmmaker Gina Robertson‘s debut “Coffee” is screened and celebrated with the work of awardwinning filmmakers in a special event at Youngstown Arts Center starting at 8 pm … More coming up later in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup!

Busy day/night: Events this morning include Seattle School Board member Steve Sundquist holding a community chat, West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 10 am, and the West Seattle Democratic Women‘s monthly meeting at West Seattle Golf Course‘s banquet room, with guests including State Sen. Joe McDermott – registration at 11:15 am, RSVPs were due yesterday but you can try 935-3216 ASAP to see if there’s room … 5 West Seattle restaurants are participating in Dining Out for Life/Seattle (here’s the list along with info on whether they’re donating part of lunch proceeds, dinner proceeds, or both) … Tonight’s events are topped by the High Point Neighborhood Association‘s community meeting (6 pm, High Point Neighborhood Center) in the wake of last Friday’s attack on a local woman; HPNA plans to announce how the community can help her … West Seattle-founded Northwest Hope and Healing, which helps breast-cancer patients around the region, raises money with its Style ’10 fashion show at Showbox SODO tonight (tickets still available online; several West Seattle boutiques participating; photo from Style ’08) … “Guernica” author Dave Boling reads and sells books at Southwest Branch Library 6:30 tonight, co-sponsored by Square One Books (WSB sponsor) … If you’ve got a daughter 8+, a special talk about puberty is set for 7 tonight at Southwest Community Center … 6 pm, Pathfinder K-8 has its Health Fair (and PTSA meeting).

Big night around West Seattle – and beyond. The marquee event is happening outside WS but with ramifications here and around the city: The first chance for citizens to speak out about the city budget is coming up at 5:30 tonight (sign-ins for speakers at 5), NewHolly Gathering Hall on Beacon Hill (map). There seems to be no question more major cuts are ahead; if you don’t want certain services cut, what do you think should be cut instead? First chance to speak out. … In West Seattle, the Highland Park Action Committee meets tonight, with topics including the West Seattle Reservoir Park project and this year’s Westwood Vilage Street Fair, 7 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club … In The Junction, ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) opens its new production, Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s “Tell Me on a Sunday,” tonight, 7:30 pm … What can you do to fight underage drinking in our community? The Southwest Healthy Youth Partnership needs you, 7 pm at Seattle Lutheran High School … West Seattle Elementary invites you to come visit the campus as it celebrates Literacy Night, 6:30-7:30 pm, full details and map here … In honor of National Poetry Month, Poetrybridge features a reading by Kerry Cox followed by open mike for all, 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee … Writer/activist Georgie Bright Kunkel sends word that her committee to educate the public about “corporate personhood” meets at 7 tonight in the Westwood Village area; call 935-8663 for specifics.

Transportation tops the list for tonight: Still not sure how you’re going to get through a tangle of traffic-affecting work between here and downtown in the next several years? Drop by the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement open house, Madison Middle School, 6-8 pm … Or, if you are going to be more affected by the South Park Bridge closure June 30, that’s also the time window for tonight’s meeting to present the draft closure plan (Machinist Hall in South Park) … Tonight’s also the Fauntleroy Fall Festival Fundraiser at Endolyne Joe’s, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the big event – starts at 5 pm for dinner, followed by late-night happy hour with live music at 8 … Also: Two free classes for your health – a free “Intro to Yoga” workshop at SoundYoga (WSB sponsor) – 7 pm, but please call/e-mail to sign up … Westwood Curves offers “Healthy Fats,” a free class at 10:30 am or 6:10 pm (246-7900 to register).

(Photo courtesy Windermere West Seattle in The Junction)
From the West Seattle Weekend Lineup list for today, one-of-a-kind events: 9 am-4 pm at the Joint Training Facility on the southeastern edge of West Seattle (map), you’re invited to come watch the Fire Muster, with 200 Fire Cadets/Explorers, ages 14-21, competing – it’s explained here. 10 am at Lincoln Park‘s south beach, Restita DeJesus of the Seattle Wushu Center in West Seattle will lead a free observance of World Tai Chi/Qigong Day, no experience required … 11 am at Duwamish Waterway Park in South Park (map), a blessing will be offered for the Salish Sea – the Northwest’s waters – with local healers joining in; more here … As previewed again last night, the West Seattle (Westcrest) Reservoir Park project’s third public meeting is at 10 am at Southwest Community Center (map), with the first look at the design direction that’s being taken following earlier meetings … Got something to shred? Do it at the free “Spring Clean” event offered this afternoon by Windermere-Fauntleroy (details here) … LOTS more, including the second/final day of donation dropoff before the first-ever Lafayette Sports Swap tomorrow – the full list is here. (ADDED 10:44 AM: Windermere in The Junction says they have the shredder truck right now – till noon – drop off in the parking lot behind their office – they shared a photo of the truck which we’re adding atop this story.)

(Seagull & sea star, photographed earlier this week by Kristina at Constellation Park)
Ever feel like you bit off more than you can chew? No worries; the highlights today from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar aren’t too overwhelming. If you love to browse but can’t wait for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on May 8th (official registration tally later today, now that signups are closed), St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church is entering the second 2-day stretch of its big rummage sale, 9 am-3 pm today (and tomorrow), California SW & SW Hanford … The West Seattle Garden Club meets in a new location, Delridge Community Center, 10 am-2 pm, “Our Patio Garden” study session in the morning and “Vegetable Gardening 101” in the afternoon … Several notable school events: Dropoffs begin for the Lafayette Elementary playground-benefit Sports Swap (details here) … Sanislo Elementary family and supporters are having a Celebrate Sanislo party/mini-auction 6-10 tonight at Alki Masonic Temple … West Seattle High School‘s talent show is at 7:30 in the school theater … the Chief Sealth High School baseball team’s spaghetti dinner/auction starts at 6 in the cafeteria (Sealth/Boren) … And Hiawatha Community Center shows you how worms can help save the planet during Eco Family Fun Factor, 6 tonight. More later in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup!

BRIDGE AND VIADUCT REMINDER: Today’s the day for the “rolling slowdowns” on the West Seattle Bridge, noon-3 pm and 11 pm-1 am, plus 8 pm-10 pm on the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct, for a film crew (here’s our original story – note the additional info in comments).

SOUTH DELRIDGE/WHITE CENTER COMMUNITY SAFETY COALITION: The volunteer group that looks at crime and other safety issues in the south end of West Seattle, as well as White Center – usually with Seattle Police and King County Sheriff’s Office reps in attendance – meets tonight at 6 pm in the WC DSHS office (9650 15th Ave SW).

2 MORGAN JUNCTION EVENTS: The weeklong 1st-anniversary celebration at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) continues with $3.65 anniversary shirts on sale while they last. And kitty-corner at West Seattle Thriftway, you can check out the “Spring Fling” appetizer tasting 3-7 pm.

Now that the power outage is over, a few quick notes on today’s highlights from the WSB Events calendar: Statewide earthquake drill at 9:45 am … Landmarks Board hearing for the Bloss House (here’s our previous story) at Municipal Tower downtown, 3:30 pm … Morgan Community Association meeting (agenda here) at The Kenney, 7 pm … Delridge Neighborhoods District Council (presentations including Spokane Street and Alaskan Way Viaducts updates) at Youngstown Arts Center, 7 pm.

(Harbor Avenue gosling and parent, photographed by David Hutchinson)
Want to curl up … with a good book? The monthly reading group at High Point Library meets at 6:30 tonight to discuss the 2010 Seattle Reads featured work, “Secret Son” by Laila Lalami … The West Seattle Tool Library, closer to launch after two recent successful donation drives, needs YOUR help tonight – join the people working on it as they meet at 7 pm at Uptown Espresso in The Junction (full details and background here) … Crosstown rivalry in boys’ varsity soccer today, West Seattle High School at Chief Sealth HS, 3:30 pm … Tonight at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), the weekly Spin Your Wax open-turntables event at 6 is followed by the monthly Alauda bellydancing showcase, 7:30 … More on the WSB Events calendar!

(Sunday photo from Lincoln Park, shared by Gabe)
EAGLE-EYED CRIMEFIGHTERS: The intrepid West Seattle Crime Prevention Council has moved its meeting for this month only; it’s TONIGHT at the Southwest Precinct, 7 pm.

DINE AT DUKE’S, HELP KIDS SKATE: Tonight if you dine at Duke’s on Alki between 4 and 10 pm, a portion of the proceeds go to Lafayette Elementary to help buy new rollerskates for the PE program.

FEEDBACK LOUNGE BIRTHDAY WEEK BEGINS: This week, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) celebrates its first anniversary, with nightly specials, new rock ‘n’ roll art exhibits and more. Today’s special: $3.65 sliders and fries, open till close.

KNIT NIGHT: Seattle Yarn invites knitters to begin the week with a night of needle arts, crafting, food and drinks, starting at 6:30 pm at Endolyne Joe’s.

ZERO WASTE: That’s the topic for Sustainable West Seattle‘s monthly community forum, 7-9 PM, Senior Center of West Seattle.

KITTY CATS IN PIRATE HATS: It’s the first-ever comedy showcase tonight at Shipwreck Tavern, 8:30 pm, presented by the “Uh-Oh Dudes.”

COUNTDOWN TO GARAGE SALE DAY SIGNUP DEADLINE: Continuing the last week of registration for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, which is 9 am-3 pm May 8 – go here (registration deadline is this Thursday night, 4/22, 11:59 pm).

(Today’s sunrise, photographed by Robin Lindsey)
There’s a Southern flavor to two of the spotlight events today: At noon, you can enjoy gumbo at Hope Lutheran Church followed by music at 1:30 pm from Total Experience Gospel Choir, all to raise money for New Orleans relief (admission by free-will donation), and at 3 pm, it’s the final performance of the Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor) play “The Miss Firecracker Contest” at Youngstown Arts Center.

Also from the West Seattle Weekend Lineup: The WS Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm as always (here’s the latest Ripe ‘n’ Ready list) … while you’re in The Junction, a special aromatherapy presentation is happening 11 am-noon at Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy (WSB sponsor) … also at 11, the Humane Society MaxMobile brings adoptable pets to Next to Nature (till 3) … while you’re in The Junction, at 1 pm, head on over to the Holy Rosary School gym to cheer on the Cub Scout Pack 793 Pinewood Derby … then between 2 and 5 you can mosey southbound to Morgan Junction for the “Live Rock ‘n’ Roll Auction” at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) to help Animals First Foundation raise money to help pets. Have a great day!

10 am is the magic moment today – that’s when all the fun starts. First – if you can spare time to help with the annual Duwamish Alive! cleanups – here’s the list of sites (many in West Seattle) – they’re all beginning at 10 am (2009 photo at left); that’s also the first moment of the Tax-Free For All (a discount that in effect has retailers paying the tax for you) sale day in The Junction, with participant list and coupon link here; and in The Triangle, lots of free fun activities for Healthy Kids Day at the West Seattle YMCA (which like the WS Junction Association is a current WSB sponsor) … but that’s not all. Go here for a direct link to the full list of what’s up for your cloudy-but-not-cold West Seattle Saturday.

That photo’s from last Sunday, during the King County Water Taxi (WSB sponsor) celebration at Seacrest. We predict more sun-basking ahead, judging by the forecast – 60s and sunny, projected through Sunday. Also ahead today:

SAFEWAY REZONING HEARING: Since the Admiral Safeway project requires rezoning, that means a mandatory public hearing before the city Hearing Examiner. If you’ve got something to say about it, that hearing is set for this morning, 9 am, in the Hearing Examiner’s chambers at the Municipal Tower downtown. (Here’s our original March preview of today’s hearing.)

GOT ROOM FOR A NEW PET? Today the Seattle Humane Society Maxmobile is scheduled to bring adoptable pets to Petco in The Junction, 2-5 pm (more here)

‘THE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST’: Tonight marks the start of the second and final weekend of Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor) presenting “The Miss Firecracker Contest” at Youngstown Arts Center – full details here, 7:30 pm.

SKATE NIGHT’S BACK: After a week off for Parks furloughs, Friday Skate Night is back in full swing tonight at Alki Community Center, $3, skates available on site.

BIG RUMMAGE SALE: As noted here last night, it’s the first day of the St. John the Baptist Church “Fabulous and Famous Rummage Sale” – 9 am-3 pm.

(Alki photo from Wednesday, courtesy Chas Redmond)
POLICE LEADERSHIP AT ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: What’s the outlook for a safe spring/summer at the beach? Southwest Precinct Capt. Joe Kessler and Lt. Norm James will be at the Alki Community Council meeting tonight to talk about it. 7 pm, Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds). P.S. The spring issue of the Alki News Beacon is available online – get it here.

FREE COMPOST: A six-week giveaway of Cedar Grove compost – recycled Seattle yard waste – starts today. You can find a coupon here for two free bags; some West Seattle neighborhoods will actually find the free compost delivered curbside to their homes (if you don’t want it, just leave it and it’ll be picked up) – those neighborhoods got advance notice in the mail.

WEST SEATTLE RESERVOIR PARK DESIGN: The Seattle Design Commission gets a look this morning at the newest “design concept” for the added park area created by the undergrounding of West Seattle Reservoir next to Westcrest Park. The presentation is scheduled for 10:30 am in the Boards and Commissions Room at City Hall downtown. (And a reminder, the next public meeting about the park plan is a week from Saturday.)

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER AT HIAWATHA: Thanks to Tim McMonigle from the West Seattle Soccer Club for sending word that the next two WSHS home soccer games have been moved to the brand-new field at Hiawatha next to the school. The Wildcats play Nathan Hale today and Ingraham a week from today, both games at 3:30 pm.

TRAIN FOR THE WEST SEATTLE 5K: Six weeks till the second annual edition of the West Seattle 5K (co-sponsored by WSB), which again this year will kick off a Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets “car-free” day on Alki, May 23rd. Starting tonight at Alki Community Center, a running coach leads a training course for beginning runners to get ready for the WS 5K. Call 206–684–7430 to ask about registration for the class.

SPEAKING OF REGISTRATION: One week left to sign up for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – sales large and small all around the peninsula on May 8, 9 am-3 pm, in a one-day celebration of person-to-person recycling, neighbor-meeting, whatever you love about holding and/or visiting garage/yard sales. Register your individual/group/block sale by next Thursday – here’s where to start.