(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.

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar listings for today/tonight: High Point Library (35th/Raymond) adds a new Family Story Time on Mondays, 7 pm, starting tonight … 7 pm is also start time (at the Senior Center of West Seattle) for Sustainable West Seattle‘s monthly Community Forum, tonight addressing the question “After Peak Oil – How Do We Transition?” … Fauntleroy Children’s Center hosts a parent meeting on kindergarten readiness, 6 pm (call 206-932-9590 to sign up) … Meet Navos CEO David Johnson, Ed.D., for a look “Inside Navos” at the West Seattle campus (2600 SW Holden), 6 pm … It’s the second session of fall for Bingo on Alki at Alki UCC, 5:30 pm … And it’s the first Monday for now-open-7-days Skylark Café and Club, starting at 3 pm … More on the calendar!

Some of what’s happening now around West Seattle – The surprise sunshine (which Cliff Mass explains here) is gracing Holy Rosary‘s WestFest, where inflatable rides (with some non-inflatable components too) are a new addition this year – it’s in and around the school, north of Genesee, between 41st and 42nd SW. Inside you’ll find a bake sale, among other things (near a busy kitchen!).

WestFest continues till 10 pm; the stage schedule is here. A bake sale’s also part of the book sale at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) till 3 this afternoon, 3940 41st SW – look close and you’ll find lots of readable treasures:

Books for all ages are on the tables in Adams Hall, on the lower level of the church’s south side. And further north, another work party is just wrapping up at the old Genesee Hill School:

Tina sent photos from the fourth community cleanup at the schoolyard – these volunteers are standing by a big pile of donated mulch that’s keeping weeds from growing back in areas that were tidied up last month. You’ve still got one more chance to pitch in with the Genesee Schmitz Neighborhood Council – coming up October 16th.

Quick notes on some of today’s highlights:

BOOK SALE: Stock up on fall/winter reading at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), selling books from 9 am – 3 pm in the lower level of Adams Hall. (3940 41st SW)

GENESEE HILL GARDEN-BUILDING: The Genesee Schmitz Neighborhood Council works on the community gardens at the closed Genesee Hill School again today, starting at 9 – tools provided. (Genesee/51st)

CROSS-COUNTRY MEET: Lots of action in Lincoln Park during the annual Sundodger Invitational cross-country meet starting at 9 am – more than 1,000 college athletes competing.

WESTFEST AT HOLY ROSARY 10 am-10 pm – more here, and the stage lineup announcement is here. (42nd/Genesee)

SCHMITZ PARK WALKING TOUR: Presented by the SW Seattle Historical Society, 10 am – meet at 58th and Stevens; a target=”_blank” href=”https://westseattleblog.com/2010/09/southwest-seattle-historical-society-presents-schmitz-park-walking-tour-september-18th”>more details here.

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER’S COMMUNITY CHAT: Open availability to talk with school board rep Steve Sundquist,, Southwest Library, 11 am. (35th/Henderson)

DUWAMISH TRIBE FUNDRAISER: Fry Bread for Justice fundraiser at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, noon-4 pm, with proceeds benefiting the tribe’s legal fund as it continues to fight for formal federal recognition. Fry bread $3, coffee $1, with the film “Princess Angeline” shown at 2 pm. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

SQUARE ONE CLEARS OUT: 1-3 pm, now-closed Square One Books is giving away its bookshelves and selling other store decorations. (Jefferson Square)

NEED A BETTER HEAD SHOT? As previewed here yesterday – a pro photographer will be at Avalon Glassworks in the Luna Park business district 1-5 pm, with your chance to get a great-looking head shot, in exchange for a donation ($40 suggested) to the White Center Food Bank.

HIGH POINT CELEBRATION: The ceremony to rename High Point Playfield as Walt Hundley Playfield is set for 2 pm. (34th/Myrtle)

JIMI HENDRIX TRIBUTE: He’s been gone 40 years as of today – but not forgotten, and Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) will make sure of that with a Jimi Hendrix tribute starting tonight at 6. (6451 California SW)

WATER TAXI: Different boat scheduled today through Wednesday – regular one’s in for work. (But the county’s changed its note about the fill-in – now it says it’ll be the Rachel Marie‘s “twin,” Melissa Ann.)

(UPDATE: Photo added 10:43 am – the “park” is still being assembled)
PARK(ING) DAY: 9 am-3 pm, West Seattle has one temporary “park,” near Easy Street in The Junction.

SQUARE ONE SWAN SONG: 11 am-1 pm, bookshelf giveaway and decoration sale (details here).

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth vs. Cleveland, Memorial Stadium at 5; West Seattle vs. O’Dea, WS Stadium at 7; Seattle Lutheran at Tenino, 7.

FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER: Pasta dinner starting at 5:30 pm!

HIAWATHA COMMUNITY CENTER OPEN HOUSE: 6-8 pm, open house to find out about fun fall programs (entertainment and kids’ activities tonight too!).

WESTFEST: Holy Rosary’s fall festival starts with 6-10 pm fun tonight (stage lineup and more details here).

SKIFFLE: Help Youngstown Arts Center keep its All-Access youth programs free! Party’s at 7, details here.

YOM KIPPUR: West Seattle synagogue Kol HaNeshamah has a Kol Nidre service at 7:30 tonight, 1st Presbyterian downtown. Details in our recent story about new Rabbi Zari Weiss.

3 highlights for tonight from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Alaska Airlines‘ “Greener Skies” proposal – which could change air-traffic patterns over our area – gets a forum before the Alki Community Council, 7 pm at Alki UCC; tonight’s “An Evening of Inspiration” for Transitional Resources, 6 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy; also at 6, the West Seattle Tool Library debuts its “Ask an Expert” series for DIY’ers – full details here.

(Big tugboat spotted in Elliott Bay yesterday, post-fog, by David Hutchinson)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: The 75th anniversary celebration at Spud Fish and Chips on Alki, previewed here yesterday, starts with a ceremony at 10:15 am (remember to bring donations for the West Seattle Food Bank to get the $2.75 today-only special for $1.75) … Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association is one of the partners in the new Strength of Place Village in White Center, breaking ground this morning at 11 am … At 5:30, it’s one of the final meetings of the Citizens Advisory Group for the Murray Basin Combined Sewer Overflow Project (time, location, schedule here) … Also tonight, it’s the 2nd design meeting for the future West Seattle Golf Course driving range, as previewed here yesterday, 7 pm @ the golf course clubhouse … The Delridge Neighborhoods District Council also meets at 7, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center … And West Seattleites are invited to the big presentation tonight at Benaroya Hall, starting at 7 pm, about Reshaping Seattle’s Central Waterfront – contenders for “the role of lead designer” on the waterfront, post-Viaduct, will make their case for getting the job, and the city is hoping for bigtime public involvement (they’ve even been advertising the event on neighborhood-news sites like ours). … More on the calendar!

(West Seattle Bridge onramp, by smohundro, from the West Seattle Blog Flickr group)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, tonight’s big events again include chances to get involved in your neighborhood, and a chance to make music:

JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION, 6:30 PM, GINOMAI
Agenda highlights: An SDOT transportation planner visits to find out how the parking changes resulting from the city’s Junction parking study are going over. What’s working well? What’s not? What needs to change? JuNO president Erica Karlovits says, “It is important for the city to get feedback from our neighborhood.” Plus, an update on Dakota Place Park.

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, 7 PM, ADMIRAL CHURCH
Agenda highlights: A WSDOT rep is expected for an Alaskan Way Viaduct program; Summer Concerts at Hiawatha will be reviewed; the recent rulings on the California SW “upzoning” proposal (here’s our coverage archive) will be discussed, as will the decision not to “rechannelize” Admiral Way north of The Bridge; plus, the ongoing push for a 47th/Admiral pedestrian light.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, 7 PM, THE HALL AT FAUNTLEROY
Agenda highlights: RapidRide update – this has been the hottest topic in recent months for FCA, as they have voiced serious concerns with the proposed design for the RapidRide stops by the Fauntleroy ferry terminal and its potential effects on traffic; also, the upcoming Fauntleroy Fall Festival (which has a fundraising pasta dinner coming up this Friday).

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS START REHEARSING, CHIEF SEALTH IHS:
Here’s our original announcement, with contact info if you’re interested in joining as the rehearsals begin.

(Photo added 10:44 pm, from first post-summer edition of Bingo on Alki)
Three quick notes, two involving weekly activities resuming after summer hiatus: First, Fran e-mailed to say that Monday night Bingo on Alki resumes tonight, 6:30 pm at Alki UCC – you’re welcome to play any Monday night. Second, Mary Pat from Alki Community Center sends word that Friday night skating is back this week:

Come start off school in a fun way! Bring your family to Alki Community Center for Friday Night Skate. Enjoy free hamburgers, chips and lemonade. Cost is $3 per person. (Skaters & nonskaters) You may bring in your own clean skates or borrow them from us. Come enjoy our new sound system. Time is from 6:45 – 8:45 p.m. For more information please call 684-7430. Alki Community Center is located at 5817 SW Stevens St. Skate Night will continue every Friday, excluding October 8th, November 12th & 26th, December 24th & 31st.

Finally: Seven weeks to go till Halloween. We mention that only because the dates are set for two big trick-or-treating events (and we are already starting to get inquiries!): Admiral Treats and Treasures is set for 3-6 pm, Friday, October 29, according to Parris from Max and Quinn’s Atomic Boys; the West Seattle Junction trick-or-treating event is set for 1-3 pm Saturday, October 30th. We’ve got a message out to see what’s planned at Westwood Village this year. This’ll all be on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, where we already have other fall events, even the West Seattle schedule for the Christmas Ship!

After a very busy weekend in West Seattle (just scroll down the WSB home page and see the proof), today/tonight are relatively low-key: For everyone who started school last week, it’s the start of the first full week of classes. … On the neighborhood-meeting calendar (here’s our preview of the entire week), North Delridge Neighborhood Council previews its new website and gets an overview of two city $ programs during its meeting at 6:30 tonight, Delridge Library … Weekly rehearsals for Seattle Glee Clubs‘ no-audition, male-and-female Prelude group start in West Seattle tonight – contact info’s in this preview … And on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, you’ll find all the regular Monday night excitement, including Bingo at Alki UCC.

The full list of what’s up today/tonight is in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup. 5 highlights, in order of appearance:

BRING YOUR RECYCLABLES TO FAUNTLEROY CHURCH, 9 AM-1 PM: When 1 Green Planet was there previously, they filled multiple truckloads. It’s a great chance to get old electronics and some other hard-to-recycle items out of your basement. Here’s more info on what they’ll accept; here’s a map. Also, the Second-Time Sale continues 11 am-1 pm in the church’s Fellowship Hall.

HOLY FAMILY COMMUNITY STREET FAIR: A salsa cookoff’s part of what you’ll find today as 20th SW is closed south of Roxbury (map) for a second day, 9 am-4 pm. More info here.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: It’s year-round and it’s on again today, 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska – here’s the latest Ripe ‘n’ Ready list of what’s new and what’s fresh.

WESTSIDE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION DEDICATES NEW CHURCH: Before the first WSUU service in the stately old brick church at California/Othello at 10:30 am, a ribboncutting is planned for 10:15 by the main entrance. (Here’s our Saturday night preview, with photos of the renovated church.)

ALKI FAMILY FUN DAY: Noon-7:30 pm, the Alki Community Council presents a day full of free activities and entertainment, kicking off in earnest with a dog parade at 12:25 pm (limited to 45 dog/owner pairs – preregistration ends at 12:15 pm), continuing through a bluegrass concert 5-7:30 pm, with a kids’ talent show, professional magic show, lawn games, and more along the way. It’s all happening at/near the Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza. Here’s the full schedule as published here earlier this week.

ENDOLYNE JOE’S PIG ROAST: 5:30-8:30 pm, the Fauntleroy restaurant (a WSB sponsor) invites you to its Calle Ocho Parking Lot Pig Roast ($15 adults, $7.50 kids). More info on their site.

COLMAN POOL’S FINAL DAY: West Seattle’s famous saltwater outdoor pool closes after today, till 2011. Here’s the schedule.

You’ll find the full list of what’s up today/tonight by going to the West Seattle Weekend Lineup – from ongoing events like the first weekend of “reasons to be pretty” at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) to weekend-long events like the Second-Time Sale at Fauntleroy Church (starts @ 9 today) to onetime events like the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s quarterly cleanup (previewed here – meet at Metropolitan Market [WSB sponsor] at 9 am). Camp Long has three nature-exploration events for all ages today (the list is here); buy and try healthy food during the festive Delridge “Night Market” by the Super 24, 4-8 pm; cheer Seattle Lutheran HS football as they host North Beach, 7 pm at West Seattle Stadium; Redline Music and Sports continues its pre-closing celebration with the cover band Groove Surfers and a chance to win a guitar. Full list here (and a preview of tomorrow, too).

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: It’s a furlough day for staffers at community centers and pools including Southwest Pool … After nonconference games last weekend, the varsity football teams for Chief Sealth International and West Seattle High Schools are both in action tonight – Sealth hosts Ingraham, WSHS visits Nathan Hale, both at 7 pm … The White Center Community Development Association celebrates at its annual fundraising dinner and auction tonight, South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center, 6 pm … “reasons to be pretty” continues its first week at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm … Also in The Junction, the Discovery Shop, which raises money for the American Cancer Society, is having a “half off everything in the store” sale through Sunday … More on the calendar!

(Thanks to Jazmin for sharing that photo taken Monday night from the higher elevations of 42nd SW)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Ribboncuttings today at renovated Chief Sealth International High School (9:30 am) and the new location of Westside School (4 pm) … It’s the first day of school at Seattle Lutheran High School, Tilden School, and Hope Lutheran School … Pathfinder K-8 has its back to school barbecue tonight, 5 pm (Facebook invite here) … The Seattle Public Library system reopens today after its week-plus budget-cut shutdown, except for the West Seattle (Admiral) branch, where roof work is scheduled to continue till a planned reopening on Saturday … Southwest Pool reopens today after a maintenance closure … And a couple traffic/work-zone alerts: 3 weeks of pump station maintenance work starts at Lowman Beach this morning, and there’s an overnight closure alert for 4th Avenue South for the next week and a half, north of The Bridge – details here. Even more on the calendar!

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: West Seattle’s first high-school football game of the year is tonight – Chief Sealth International High School (season schedule here) hosts Port Angeles for a non-conference game, 7 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex (West Seattle HS and Seattle Lutheran HS both play tomorrow) … Also tonight, the FiaFia! celebration co-presented by Southwest Youth and Family Services, 5-7 pm … and live music at venues including Coffee to a Tea in The Junction, which sends word that Shaun Cox Leonard plays 8-10 tonight, and Skylark Café and Club, with no-cover live music as always, … More on the calendar!

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: The new Alki Arts studio is offering encaustic-painting classes starting tonight at 7 – call to get the latest on space! … In The Junction, Bin 41 (WSB sponsor) has a huge event tonight for Cabernet fans, 6-8 pm – full details here … And as previewed here Wednesday, it’s the grand finale for the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series (co-sponsored by WSB) – come to Hiawatha’s east lawn to enjoy the fabulous West Seattle Big Band, 6:30 pm, free!

Welcome to September! Here are some of the highlights for today and tonight from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: The local community-council/organization leaders who comprise the Southwest District Council meet tonight at 7 in the South Seattle Community College board room, with an agenda including a presentation about the West Seattle Junction Neighborhood Plan … Tonight’s the night for a sneak-preview tour of Chief Sealth International High School renovations, one week before classes start, as a fundraiser for the Friends of Sealth scholarship fund – details here, starts 6 pm … The final certification of King County primary election results is scheduled today, and then it’s on to November … As previewed last night, lane closures are planned on the Admiral Way Bridge today … Tonight in The Junction, WSB sponsor Bin 41 plans the first of two consecutive nights of tastings – this time it’s Spanish wines, 5:30-7 pm (more details here) … See the calendar for more!

A few of the West Seattle highlights for today/tonight: West Seattle Elementary starts today, eight days before most other Seattle Public Schools, because of its improvement plan (here’s our Monday report on the back-to-school barbecue with new principal Vicki Sacco) … Speaking of back-to-school barbecues, Roxhill Elementary has one today (and, have you signed up yet to help rehabilitate the R?) … The second major Feet First event in West Seattle in four days: Tonight, walk and talk in The Triangle with City Council Transportation Committee chair Councilmember Tom Rasmussen (details here) … And Alki Community Center presents the summer-ending Alki Community Picnic tonight @ Alki Playfield – they’re providing the food starting at 5:30 pm, The Board of Education‘s providing the music starting at 6, and they’re planning to sell $10 bike helmets too … There’s more on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar (and share your event with us any time – even if it’s months away; the calendar already stretches into next year).

12:36 PM UPDATE: We have confirmed that tonight’s concert with The Board of Education is still on but will now be located inside the Alki Community Center (5817 SW Stevens Street). The Feet First event is unchanged. The Walk & Talk with CM Tom Rasmussen begins at Rotary Viewpoint Park (at 35th and SW Alaska) promptly at 6 pm. Feet First Director Lisa Quinn tells us that the first ten people who show up tonight will receive a free Feet First umbrella!