No last dinner at Charlestown Café: Closed tonight, no power

6:41 PM: Tonight, the Charlestown Street Café was to be serving its last dinners, since it’s closing for good at 3 pm tomorrow – but when Dave got there a little while ago, he found that note on its door, saying it’s closed tonight because the power is out, back in the morning at 7 am. (The outage is shown on the City Light map – just one customer, just that spot, “cause unknown.”)

7:59 PM UPDATE: WSB contributor Kathy Mulady, who’s covered the Charlestown’s travails since 2006 and reported the WSB followup after the closure announcement, talked to the Seattle City Light crews that are on scene right now. They told her a transformer blew and they’re waiting for a new one. Oddly, Kathy adds, the outage didn’t affect the big sign out front. It, perhaps defiantly, blazes on.

Update: Delridge reopens after fire call leads to road closure

5:14 PM: A fire call in the 4500 block of Delridge Way SW, just south of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, has traffic blocked off on Delridge in that area right now, so avoid the area if you can. We’re arriving at the scene; some engines are being canceled, but our crew reports a “burned door” visible on this multiplex.

5:40 PM: Added a photo – the building in the background is the one where the fire happened. Our crew at the scene says Delridge has reopened to traffic. No report of any injuries related to the fire.

5:50 PM: Firefighters at the scene tell us the fire was caused by an “unattended dryer.” No one was home at the time except a dog that fire crews rescued. The unit’s residents won’t be able to go back inside tonight, though.

7:07 PM: One more photo added – showing the aforementioned burned door.

West Seattle businesses: Happy anniversary, Wyatt’s Jewelers!

It’s been a day for balloons, punch, cupcakes, the candy jar, and raffling today at Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) in Westwood Village, celebrating its 6th anniversary with a sale starting today. We managed to catch co-owner Kirk Keppler this afternoon during a brief break in a busy day. If you see this before 6 pm, there’s still time to drop by and wish them “Happy Anniversary” – they’re closed Sunday/Monday, but the sale lasts all month, resuming next Tuesday.

West Seattle help for Japan: Shelley’s sale; Anthony’s dog walk

Both of these events started with one person’s idea, magnified by help from and participation by others: The first day of Shelley Lebert‘s community garage sale for Japan relief at 3014 45th SW was already going full speed when we stopped by this morning. Shelley (holding the sign) was so excited about the team effort that had made it happen, she gathered some of the other volunteers with her when we asked to take a photo. All the while, garage-salers kept pulling up out front; if you go before the end of today, or 9 am-4 pm tomorrow, be sure to note there’s lots of stuff BEHIND the house.

In front, there’s also a fundraising bake sale:

Shelley was thrilled the sun came out this morning and the weather dried out; she told us how hard the volunteers had worked in the midst of the drippy weather yesterday, sorting donations and buying tents just in case. Again, 9 am-4 pm again tomorrow, 3014 45th SW.

Meantime, along Alki this afternoon, you might have spotted the group dog-walk to raise awareness for the plight of pets in the quake/tsunami zone:

CL shared that view across the street from the dog walk’s starting point at Anchor Park; this is the walk that Anthony from Left Coast Dog Service announced yesterday – that’s his trademark green van with a Japanese flag draped on the side. We counted dozens of dogs and people by the time they grouped up and took off; we have a video clip to add later. too:

(If you’d like to donate to those helping animals affected by the Japan disaster – here’s the link on Anthony’s banner.)

Also happening now: Pet Adoption Stroll; ‘Earth Month’ at CAPERS

April 2, 2011 1:51 pm
|    Comments Off on Also happening now: Pet Adoption Stroll; ‘Earth Month’ at CAPERS
 |   Environment | How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

Scenes from two more West Seattle events happening this afternoon: That’s Sabra from Purrfect Pals with Chantou, a 1-year-old female who is one of three cats (the other two are 1 and 8) brought to Pet Elements in search of “forever homes” during this afternoon’s Morgan Junction Pet Adoption Stroll. You’ll find dogs at Stella Ruffington’s, 7003 California SW. The Pet Adoption Stroll (details in this WSB Forums post) continues till 4 pm. In The Junction, meantime, it’s Earth Month at CAPERS:

Lisa from CAPERS shared that photo – she explains, “CAPERS kicks off earth month with a showcase of products that are ‘Green’ for your home. (Today till 3 it’s) Meyer Wells Reclaimed Wood Furniture, Caldrea Homekeeping, Oecotextiles in the house showcasing the green aspects of design. Don’t miss the BPA-free waterbottles & red wine resistant linens too.” They’re at 4521 California SW.

Happening now: Kiwanis Club of West Seattle food drive at 5 stores

April 2, 2011 11:57 am
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Kiwanis Club of West Seattle food drive at 5 stores
 |   How to help | Kiwanis Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

Till 3 pm, there are five places you can donate nonperishable food to the West Seattle Food Bank via the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle’s one-day food drive. We caught up with West Seattle Kiwanians and Key Club members outside PCC Natural Markets‘ West Seattle store (WSB sponsor) above, and fellow Kiwanians from Rainier Valley (with help from WSHS Key Club) at Jefferson Square Safeway below:

More information about the food drive, including the full list of stores, is here.

Southgate Roller Rink update: Here’s the skating schedule

(COURTESY LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: White Center Mardi Gras Parade 1947 passes Southgate rink)
Here’s an update you just might want to throw a parade for: As first reported here and on partner site White Center Now last weekend, Thursday night is grand-opening night for the newly renovated Southgate Roller Rink in White Center. Southgate’s been publishing updates on Facebook (check out the photo of the 300 newly arrived rental skates!) but now also has updated its website with full details on the skating-session schedule and prices (which include skate rental if needed) – you can see it here (including a beginners’ class on Sundays). Here’s how to find the rink. (And if you missed it – here’s our original February story breaking the news of the rink reopening.)

West Seattle Saturday: Glad the sun’s out – much to do!

April 2, 2011 7:59 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: Glad the sun’s out – much to do!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Scenes from Lincoln Park by West Seattle photographer Machel Spence)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

FOOD DRIVE: Kiwanis Club of West Seattle and Key Club members will be outside five local supermarkets 9 am-3 pm collecting nonperishable-food donations for the West Seattle Food Bank – PCC, Metropolitan Market, West Seattle Thriftway, Jefferson Square Safeway, Junction QFC.

Two events to raise money/awareness as Japan continues recovering from the earthquake/tsunami disaster:

GARAGE SALE FOR JAPAN RELIEF: Admiral Neighborhood garage sale to benefit Japan relief, 9 am-4 pm today and tomorrow, 3014 45th SW. (Original announcement here – map to the sale site is here)

MASS DOG WALK: Everyone, with or without dogs, welcome to join to help call attention to the plight of Japanese pets, post-quake. Meet at Anchor Park at noon and walk westward toward the Alki business district. Full details here.

And a whole lot more going on:

WESTSIDE SCHOOL AUCTION: Westside School (WSB sponsor)’s 22nd annual auction, Showbox SODO, 1700 1st Avenue South, doors open at 5 pm. Full schedule of events in school newsletter.

LAST DESIGN MEETING FOR BARTON STREET P-PATCH: Third and final design meeting for the 34th/Barton P-Patch, 1:30-3:30 pm, Southwest Community Center.

MORGAN JUNCTION PET STROLL: As Furry Faces Foundation says, “Don’t just shop – adopt!” Two locations where you can meet and adopt new furry family members – Pet Elements and Stella Ruffington’s. Noon-4 pm today; full details in this post from the WSB Forums.

CLOSING NIGHT FOR ‘DISTRACTED’: Last chance to see ‘Distracted‘ at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm (tickets available online)

SECOND-TO-LAST SHOW FOR ‘RUMORS’: Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor) presents Neil Simon’s “Rumors” again tonight at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 7:30 pm (tickets available online)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, WYATT’S JEWELERS: Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) is kicking off their 6th Anniversary with an Open House Celebration 10 am to 6 pm. Refreshments, balloons, and free jewelry cleaning! Their anniversary sale continues for the entire month of April (center of Westwood Village)

NATIVE PLANT SALE: Go Natives! will have a Native Plant Sale at 3225 47th Ave SW (follow the signs), 10 am – 3 pm. You can request specific plants from their inventory such as some nice Trillium and lots of other stuff. If you can’t make it over till after 3 pm please call 206.542.1275 by early Saturday morning to make other arrangements.

SLAGS AT SKYLARK The Slags (opening for The Resets) at Skylark Cafe & Club (WSB sponsor), 3803 Delridge Way SW. 10 pm, $5 cover.

DIGITAL BOOK ROADSHOW: Seattle Public Library presents the “Digital Book Roadshow” at the West Seattle Branch (2306 42nd Avenue SW), 2-4 pm. Want to learn more about e-books and e-book readers? Come to this event where they will provide an overview of Library e-books and let you test drive various e-book readers. Presentations at 2 and 3 pm, hands-on tryouts after each.

FAUNTLEROY CLEANUP: The Fauntleroy Community Association‘s annual “Spring Clean” work party will be Saturday, April 2, 9 AM – noon in Cove Park (adjacent to the ferry terminal). Bring gloves and your favorite gardening tools for a general spruce-up. Children old enough to work safely and independently are especially welcome.

LINCOLN PARK CLEANUP: The forests of Lincoln Park are turning green and the trillium are up. It’s a great time to be in the woods, and here’s your chance. Join the Friends of Lincoln Park as we restore the Lincoln Park forests by removing invasive plants and planting natives. Today from 9 am to noon. Meet at the kiosk in the north parking lot, across Fauntleroy Way SW from SW Rose St. Bring garden gloves and hand clippers, or we’ll have extras.

MOVIE NIGHT AT TIBBETTS: “Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the park.”. If your allergies are kicking up, we know springtime has arrived. We also know it means time to oil up your mitts, bust out the “M’s” ballcap and get ready for a season of America’s Favorite Pastimes. Baseball, Eating and Movies! It’s also a great time to join Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor, 3940 41st Ave SW) for “Baseball Movie Night.” With the M’s first home stand fast approaching, now is a great time to slide into the season. Beginning at 6 pm, we pay homage to baseball food! “Slider” hamburgers and other ballpark favorites. After dinner, stick around and watch our featured movie “A League of Their Own.”

CAKES, CHAMPAGNE, PERFUME: New commercial bakery Baked. is having a Marie Antoinette-inspired cake tasting at Knows Perfume (4536 California SW) from 6 to 9 p.m. All cakes will be decorated in a grand style befitting a queen, so whether you’re looking for a wedding or special occasion cake (or just love cake), come sample Red Velvet, Lavender, Tiramisu, and Dark Chocolate while sipping champagne and sniffing the gorgeous perfumes carried by Knows. Baked. and Knows will be holding raffles for $50 gift certificates towards cakes and perfume.

WII BOWLING: From Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor): We will be having a Wii bowling tournament from 10 am to 2 pm at our Admiral Heights Location. The competition will be fierce between the seniors at Admiral Heights, Northgate, and Northgate Plaza. The winner of this tournament will go on for the grand prize.

‘ROCKY HORROR’ NIGHT: At midnight: The Rocky Horror Picture Show complete with shadow casting is presented at The Admiral Theater on the first Saturday of each month – that means tonight!

Preparedness Month, first report: West Seattle Be Prepared


View West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs in a larger map

Once again this year, WSB is taking time every night in April – proclaimed Disaster Preparedness Month in our state – for at least a tidbit of special coverage (sometimes more) to help you get closer to the goal of being ready for anything. This time, we are going to focus specifically on earthquake preparedness, still so top-of-mind following the recent Japan megaquake/tsunami disaster, preceded by the New Zealand quake. But first out of the gate, the most important thing we can do is make sure you are tapped into West Seattle Be Prepared, a volunteer-led effort with online and offline components. The biggest one is the designation and mapping of “Neighborhood Emergency Communication Hubs” around the peninsula. As explained on this page of the West Seattle Be Prepared website, the hubs are “emergency community gathering sites in case a major disaster occurs that makes it impossible to get information and help in the usual ways.” Check the map (above, and here, with a downloadable/printable version here). Know your nearest hub. If you don’t see one near your neighborhood – that’s only because volunteers haven’t come forward yet to designate and plan one (maybe you can help?). Hub or no hub, bookmark and browse West Seattle Be Prepared; also check out its new blog-format site, with more-topical information, like a newly launched events calendar; join the WSBP group on Facebook; and “follow” @wsbeprepared on Twitter. Saturday night, we’ll start getting down to quake-preparedness specifics. If there’s anything specific about earthquake preparedness or earthquake risks you’ve long wondered about, leave a comment or e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com, and we’ll be sure to find experts to address it during our month of coverage.

Spirited Junction fundraiser #2: Beer Church @ West 5

(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
And the second spirited Friday night fundraiser in The Junction – At West 5, the West Seattle-based Beer Church released its new batch of Pale Ale, brewed with Schooner Exact Brewing. Because fundraising is as embedded in Beer Church’s DNA as the beer itself, there is of course a beneficiary – Pints for Prostates, described on the Beer Church website as “a grassroots campaign to increase awareness among men about the need for regular health screenings and PSA testing.” At the event, right to left, Beer Church’s Kendall Jones and Kim Sharpe-Jones and “members” Dave Hutchinson and Matt McClung:

WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen reports that Beer Church Pale Ale 2 – featuring (updated) FOUR different hops and FOUR different malts – was distributed to Beveridge Place Pub and Elliott Bay Brewing as well as to West 5 (very limited quantity, so hurry!) Donated ingredients, labor and expertise came from not only Schooner Exact but also Larry’s Brewing Supply, Yakima Chief Inc. and Snipes Mountain Brewing.

Spirited Junction fundraiser #1: Bin 41’s anniversary party

(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Their official first anniversary – as noted here – was two weeks back, but tonight was the night the owners of Bin 41 wine shop in The Junction set aside for the party, and they welcomed plenty of guests. Bin 41 owners T. Frick and Jon McNamara also donated the night’s $5 tasting fee – as they have done the past several tastings – to Japan quake/tsunami relief.

Guest winemakers tonight were from West Seattle – from left in the photo above, winemaker Chris Gorman, Bin 41’s Jon McNamara, winemaker Darby English, Bin 41’s T. Frick McNamara. Surprises were promised – and those turned out to include raffles, with prizes including the Argentinian wine boxes Jon holds below:

The guest winemakers were pouring Cabernets and Syrahs, WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen reports: Gorman poured his “Pixie,” 100% Syrah, and “Zachary’s Ladder,” which is a Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Petit Verdot mix, named after his son. Darby poured from his original line, but his main feature was an unveiling of his new line “Live Wire”; he poured a Cabernet Franc and a Syrah from Live Wire.

Alki Homestead review déja vu: Restoration? Reconstruction?

(WSB photo from 1/16/2011)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

It’s come up before, and now it’s come up again:

To reopen the city-landmarked Alki Homestead (originally the Fir Lodge), will it take restoration, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or some combination of all of the above? The scope of the proposal came up this morning downtown as owner Tom Lin and his architect team from Alloy Design Group returned to the Architectural Review Committee of the city Landmarks Preservation Board for a third review, with historic-preservation advocates watching from the sidelines.

The same question arose when Lin and a different architect brought a different proposal to the committee a year and a half ago, as reported here. Back then, they were proposing adding “other uses” to the site – a bar, maybe a bed-and-breakfast – but that plan was scrapped, and the new plan is all about bringing the Homestead back as a restaurant and banquet facility.

But how can it be done, when it needs a new foundation and a new roof – and some degree of replacement inbetween? “Tricky” is one word that was used.

Read More

Spring colors, the feathered version: ‘Bright little birds’

A little more relief from the relentless gray: “Bright little birds,” as Trileigh Tucker describes them. She shared the photos while reporting:

The first Rufous Hummingbird of the season showed up at my feeder on Monday! These gorgeous little aerial jewels show up in early spring after migrating an incredibly long distance – all the way from Texas and Mexico. If readers are interested, there’s a migration map available … along with a link you can click to animate the migration. Such a tiny bird flying such a long way to come visit us during the spring and summer!

I’m also attaching a photo of one of our resident birds, only slightly larger than a hummingbird – a golden-crowned kinglet. They stay with us all winter long and provide a bright spot in the rainy woods!

Grocery shopping tomorrow? Get extra for West Seattle Kiwanis food drive

Five West Seattle grocery stores, six hours, one day of service for the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle – tomorrow, 9 am-3 pm, Kiwanis and Key Club members will be collecting nonperishable food donations for the West Seattle Food Bank, outside Metropolitan Market and PCC West Seattle (both WSB sponsors) as well as West Seattle Thriftway, Junction QFC, and Jefferson Square Safeway. (And this is still that time of spring when donations to food banks count extra – as explained here.)

West Seattle schools: Seattle Lutheran’s new football coach

Just in from Seattle Lutheran High School principal Mark Henderson: A new football coach is on board for SLHS. Jim Wright most recently was on the coaching staff at Eastside Catholic High School. Read on for Seattle Lutheran’s full announcement:Read More

New concept in court fight over The Hole: How about talking it out?

(WSB photo of ‘The Hole,’ taken in February)
How much time, how much money, and how much work do you put into court fights over a complicated (as most parties describe it) case, before just saying, “Can we sit down and talk this out?” This afternoon — after the end of yet another court hearing in the ongoing legal fight over issues related to the stalled project that has left The Hole in the heart of West Seattle instead of the once-envisioned apartments/Whole Foods/Hancock Fabrics project — King County Superior Court Judge Susan Craighead asked the question: “Have you (lawyers) started talking about mediation yet?” Not really, they said, but it might not be a bad idea, several of them allowed – unofficially, of course, since they have to consult their clients. (And the parties who were not represented in court today, since the afternoon’s proceedings didn’t involve everyone in the case.)

Read More

West Seattle Crime Watch: Package theft; SWAT aftermath

April 1, 2011 1:45 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Crime Watch: Package theft; SWAT aftermath
 |   Crime | Highland Park | Triangle | West Seattle news

Two notes in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon. First, from Jeff:

For the 2nd time in the past 3 months we have had packages stolen off our front door that were delivered by UPS (w/online confirmation of delivery). We live (in the 900 block of) SW Austin Street [map] and the our front door can only be seen if someone is coming from the East of SW Austin (i.e. someone coming from the apartments on the corner of Holden & Highland Park). I spoke to a UPS driver the other day and mentioned that there have been reports of packages stolen from previous posting on the blog but, he wasn’t aware of any recent incidents.

Meantime, a followup on Wednesday’s SWAT standoff at the Seattle West Inn (which will temporarily close as of Monday, as reported here yesterday) on Wednesday.

Police responded to our request for more information with the narrative from their report. It includes new information, including a mention of something we had heard on the scanner but not had confirmed till now – that the man has a record. Read on:Read More

Think summer: Suggestion time for West Seattle Outdoor Movies

(WSB photo from 7/18/2010, biggest opening-night crowd ever for WS Outdoor Movies)
Drippy, murky weather, and just one easy antidote (unless you have a private plane you can take to the tropics at a moment’s notice) – dream of summer. Here’s one way to do it: Suggest a movie for this summer’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies (with WSB again among the sponsors)! If you are a new arrival, here’s the backstory: Every summer, the parking courtyard alongside Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) in The Junction turns into an outdoor moviehouse for six consecutive Saturday nights – concessions are sold as fundraisers, there’s always some kind of wacky pre-movie entertainment, you bring the chairs and blankets. And when spring arrives, you suggest the movies! Every year there are some licensing-terms constraints, so even if something seems like the absolute popular choice hands-down, there might be an obstacle, but don’t let that get in your way – if there’s something you would love to enjoy under the stars (and one night last year, hardy souls even stayed through some rain), suggest it now! (If you’re worried about being redundant, here’s last year’s lineup.)

P.S. Two more Hotwire notes, while we’re at it – the Peeps drinks are back (there’s another way to beat the gray-sky blues) – read more about them in the latest Hotwire newsletter – and Hotwire is offering table space for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (May 14th, 9 am-3 pm, sales all over West Seattle – 200 last year! – registration opens Monday). If you don’t have room for your own sale, e-mail Lora to reserve a free courtyard spot: info@hotwirecoffee.com. (And if you use Facebook, you can “like” the WSCGSD page for updates and for the chance to post wall info about your own sale when May 14th gets closer!)

West Seattle help for Japan: Group dog walk at Alki tomorrow

The earthquake/tsunami victims and survivors of Japan include pets – and a West Seattle entrepreneur has just announced he’s leading a “mass dog-walk” at Alki tomorrow. Anthony Hardt of Left Coast Dog Services invites “all people and dogs” to join him at noon at Anchor (Luna) Park, from which they’ll head west toward the Alki business district. Hardt tells WSB they’ll accept donations if participants want to participate, but they also will “have a big banner showing a secure website with PayPal so folks can donate online” to this Japanese animal-advocacy organization.

West Seattle restaurants: Opening day for Chaco Canyon Café

The doors are open, the kitchen is in action, and the display case is stocked at Chaco Canyon Organic Café, which opened at 7 am this morning on the south side of the brand-new Link (WSB sponsor) building at 38th/Alaska. Here’s another view:

The wall in that photo is where the future retail items will be set up; as owner Chris Maykut had noted recently, that would follow Opening Day by a few weeks; the Kid Zone also has some elements yet to be added, and the beer/wine license is still in the works. But they’re open and serving vegetarian/vegan food, till 9 tonight; hours, menu, and other info can be found on the Chaco Canyon website.

Still too soggy for West Seattle Little League Jamboree

First it was set for last Saturday … then, because of soggy weather, this Saturday … and now West Seattle Little League president Mark Terao just sent word that the WSLL Jamboree is off again, with the league’s focus turning to trying “to get the fields ready for the first game of the regular season on Monday, April 4th.” He adds, “We will redesign the Jamboree and give all of the kids an opportunity to be announced and run out on the field during the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new concession and storage building. Once that day is determined, we will make the announcement.”

Food composting starts Tuesday at WSHS – buckets needed!

If you have a 5-gallon bucket (or more than one!) to spare, West Seattle High School can use it. Jennifer Hall explains why:

Our YMCA Earth Service Corps has been getting West Seattle High School students and staff ready for a “Compost Test Drive” to be held on Tuesday, April 5. Cedar Grove Composting will be partnering with us, as we get our program up and running. They are helping us out by delivering a trial compost dumpster on Monday. We are also looking for donations of five gallon buckets to be used for food scraps and napkins in classrooms, in offices, and in our staff lounge. We are also going to be using the buckets as liquids buckets, and encouraging better recycling of milk cartons and cans at our school. Students will be able to earn community service hours by helping us out at lunch times, before and after school.

We are a little apprehensive; food composting at WSHS is going to be a big undertaking. But we are also excited, and feel that food composting is the right thing to do for our school environment, for our community, and for our future.

If readers would like more information about food composting at West Seattle High School, or if anyone would like to help us out by donating a bucket or volunteering, please e-mail or call Jennifer Hall, West Seattle High School Earth Service Corps Advisor – jlhall@seattleschools.org, 206-252-8845.

West Seattle Friday: From bake sale to ‘Hypnosteria,’ & much more

Those are before and after photos from Day 1 of Community School of West Seattle‘s bake sale to raise money for Japan relief – Day 2 is today. Director Sarah Airhart reports:

The Community School of West Seattle has been busy baking for the last 2 days for their bake sale and (Thursday) they raised $570 in ONE HOUR of selling. All funds will be donated to the Red Cross to aid the Japan relief efforts on behalf of a former preschool teacher from Japan, Mayuko. The bake sale will be refreshed (today) with more goodies so please stop by from 12 to 1pm.

CSWS is at 9450 22nd SW (here’s a map). Speaking of goodies:

CHACO CANYON CAFE OPENING DAY: When you check out Chaco Canyon Café at Link (WSB sponsor), 38th/Alaska – which opens at 7 am today – take a look over the door to the “community room” on the restaurant’s north side. Owner Chris Maykut surprised us with a West Seattle Blog-inscribed “brick” (lower left of the photo), on behalf of WSB’ers’ support for his WS expansion – which started when we published the question of whether you were interested in a vegetarian/vegan organic café (results: big “yes”). If you want to say you were there on Day 1, they’re open till 9 pm.

CHIEF SEALTH BASEBALL AUCTION/DINNER: Spaghetti dinner and three types of auctions (live, silent, dessert) – starts at 5:30 pm in the school Galleria; full details here.

RUMORS’ RESUMES AT YOUNGSTOWN: APRIL 1-3: Neil Simon’s “Rumors,” presented by Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor) at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, third-to-final show is at 7:30 tonight – schedule and tickets here.

FREE LAWN CARE CLASS: Elementary Lawn Care at West Seattle Nursery, 6-7 pm tonight, free, with WSN owner Mark Smith leading the class.

BIN 41 CELEBRATES YEAR ONE: First anniversary celebration, 5:30-7:30 pm, at Bin 41 wine shop in The Junction: Darby Winery and Gorman Winery featured; savory snacks; surprises, 5:30-7:30 pm, raising money for Japan earthquake relief by donating 100 percent of the $5 tasting fee.

BEER CHURCH ALE RELEASE: Also in The Junction: Celebrate the release of Beer Church Pale Ale. Join Beer Church at West 5, 6-9 pm. One dollar for every pint sold will be donated to Pints for Prostates, a non-profit organization that works to increase prostate cancer awareness. Prize raffle included.

YOUTH MEDIA INSTITUTE SILENT AUCTION: Youth Media Institute “No Fooling” Silent Auction takes place at Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th Avenue SW), 6 pm – 8 pm.

TERESA TUDURY AT KENYON HALL: Bay Area vocal artist Teresa Tudury returns to Kenyon Hall (7904 35th Ave SW), 7:30 pm. Reserved table seats are $14. Row seating is $12 general and $10 seniors. With a reservation, row seating is $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.

PUGET RIDGE MEANINGFUL MOVIE: “I Bring What I Love” by Youssou N’Dour. At Puget Ridge Cohousing Common House, 7020 18th Ave. SW (at Myrtle), 7:15 pm. Discussion to follow. “I Bring What I Love” is a musical journey about the power of one voice to inspire millions. Youssou N’Dour won a Grammy for his album Egypt. Watch trailer here.

HYPNOSTERIA AT SENIOR CENTER OF WEST SEATTLE: Hypnosteria comedy show with Kevin Colllins, hypnotist. Evening schedule:
5:00 pm Happy Hour with Hooter Girls serving
6:30 pm Chicken dinner
7:30 pm Hypnosis Show
9:00 pm Live DJ Dance Music
Donation $20 members/$25 non-members for fundraiser by Senior Center of West Seattle. Reservations, please — call 206.932.4044.

TRAFFIC ALERT: 1st Avenue closes at Spokane northbound again overnight tonight, 8 pm-5 am, which means reroutes for buses 21, 22, 56, 85 night owl.