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day : 31/10/2014 15 results

Video: Skeleton Theatre goes ‘Beyond the Pale’ for 2014
October 31, 2014 9:59 pm
|    Comments Off on Video: Skeleton Theatre goes ‘Beyond the Pale’ for 2014
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That’s our on-the-fly video with the first few minutes of this year’s animatronics-and-more Skeleton Theatre show, “Beyond the Pale,” which debuted tonight on the lawn at 36th SW/SW Hanford and will continue tomorrow (Saturday) night. As previewed earlier, it’s the tale of a skeleton super-spy. The ST team proclaims it “by far the biggest show we’ve ever produced”:

Great night for outdoor animatronics, and as usual, it drew a crowd:

Check out the backstory, and previous years’ highlights, on the Skeleton Theatre website, where you can also meet the people behind the skeletons. This is the 9th year they’ve put on an elaborate animatronic/video Halloween extravaganza; it’s free of charge, but if you feel like donating to help them with the costs, show appreciation, etc., you can donate online (scroll down the home page).

Meantime, again, Skeleton Theatre also has shows tomorrow (Saturday, November 1st) night, running almost continuously between 6 and 9 pm.

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West Seattle Halloween scene: ‘Nightmare on 44th’
October 31, 2014 7:40 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Another stop for your Halloween rounds: “Nightmare on 44th,” a yard full of haunting scenes including animatronics, is a one-night-only spectacle, and awaiting your visit.

It’s a truly grave situation:

As noted in our West Seattle Halloween Guide, “Nightmare on 44th” is on the west side that very street, midblock between Charlestown and Andover (vicinity map here). Creator Dave has been tweeting behind-the-scenes pics, leading up to this one spooky night.

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Fauntleroy Creek salmon update, and an invitation
October 31, 2014 7:10 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Volunteers at Fauntleroy Creek have now counted 19 coho this week, and since the weather’s cleared up and there’s a chance of more fish, they invite you to come take a look this weekend. From Judy Pickens:

Salmon-watch volunteers on Fauntleroy Creek invite anyone who is interested to come down to the spawning reach on Saturday or Sunday afternoon between 12:30 and 3:30. Seeing coho spawners isn’t guaranteed but this “open creek” will be a chance to learn more about salmon and their habitat. Children are especially encouraged to come. Park on upper Fauntleroy Way SW, above the ferry terminal, and access the reach down the private driveway at 4539 SW Director Place.

Here’s a map.

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Update: Missing 73-year-old man found
October 31, 2014 6:28 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

6:45 PM UPDATE: The missing man’s son says he’s been found.

Read More

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West Seattle coyotes: Halloween sightings, and more
October 31, 2014 6:10 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Two coyote reports this Halloween: Paul tweeted about one in Fauntleroy, at California/Director, and we got a text about a “skinny coyote” near California/98th in Arbor Heights. Other reports in the past week or so include another one in Arbor Heights last Sunday, in which a coyote was interrupted while killing a cat (39th/100th); Upper Morgan (38th/Morgan); Puget Ridge (18th/Myrtle). If you’re new or haven’t seen these reports before, over the past six years we have received reader-reported sightings just about everywhere in West Seattle. This information from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife explains what to do if you see one (short answer – scare it away). Our previous coyote reports are archived here.

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Happening now: Trick-or-treating at Westwood Village for Halloween ’14
October 31, 2014 5:30 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Trick-or-treating at Westwood Village for Halloween ’14
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

It’s spooky inside Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) at Westwood Village, where storefront trick-or-treating is on until 7 pm. Unlike The Admiral District (WSB coverage here), most participants at WWV are handing out candy *inside* their stores – so you’ll just have to go in to see! Excellent costume-watching here, too:

Instead of candy at Giannoni’s Pizza, trick-or-treaters are getting bites of what the eatery is famous for:

More photos to come; more Halloween happenings are listed in our guide.

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Happening now: Trunk or Treat at Admiral Congregational Church
October 31, 2014 4:31 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

If you’re trick-or-treating at Admiral District businesses – head a bit further north and check out Trunk or Treat at Admiral Congregational Church – decorated cars and creative costumes, plus of course treats.

This is also happening until 6 pm.

The church is at 4320 SW Hill, just west of California. P.S. Remember, our list of everything happening from now until well into the night is at westseattleblog.com/halloween …

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Happening now: Admiral District trick-or-treating for Halloween 2014
October 31, 2014 3:52 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Right on cue, the rain has stopped and it’s excellent weather for trick-or-treating as The Admiral District gets things going for West Seattle’s 2014 Halloween. Almost every business we’ve stopped by/walked past on Admiral and on California is handing out treats. Get down here by 6 pm! Here’s some of who we’ve seen. At the Admiral Theater, manager Dinah is greeting trick-or-treaters:

On that same block, Don from Alki Mail and Dispatch is set up on the west side of California north of Admiral, since his business (at 47th/Admiral, and about to celebrate 25 years!) is a bit too far west otherwise:

Outside Atomic Boys, proprietors Parris and Kent are in full costume (they get to deal with candy all year long!):

At Pizzeria 22 (on SW College east of California):

At the Admiral Pub:

And the famous amazing appliance at Wiseman’s:

Lots of cool costumes:

Abiding in the Admiral Bird, where we’re temporarily stationed – The Dude:

Back to the businesspeople – insurance agent/musician Brent Amaker’s on trick-or-treat duty too:

Here’s Stu at Alki Bike and Board:

We’ll be adding more photos … see everything that’s happening around the peninsula (and a bit beyond) in our West Seattle Halloween Guide.

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Mars Hill Church disbanding, says its sites can go indie or be sold
October 31, 2014 2:14 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

For the first time since the latest round of controversy started roiling Mars Hill Church, its West Seattle site‘s future is in question. Today Mars Hill leadership announced online that it’s disbanding and that individual remaining churches will be able to either go independent, or will be sold:

…the board of Mars Hill has concluded that rather than remaining a centralized multi-site church with video-led teaching distributed to multiple locations, the best future for each of our existing local churches is for them to become autonomous self-governed entities. This means that each of our locations has an opportunity to become a new church, rooted in the best of what Mars Hill has been in the past, and independently led and run by its own local elder teams. …

The West Seattle Mars Hill building at 35th/Ida in Gatewood was previously Doxa Church, whose members joined forces with Mars Hill in 2006. That’s when Mars Hill bought the church for $180,000, according to county records, which show its appraised value at almost $3 million. Today’s announcement says, “All of Mars Hill’s existing church properties will either be sold, or the loans on the individual properties will be assumed by the independent churches, subject to approval by the lender …”

The online message about Mars Hill’s future is signed by Pastor Dave Bruskas, who has spoken for the church since its founder and Senior Pastor Mark Driscoll resigned earlier this month. He writes that Mars Hill is on a fast timeline for the reorganization plan – to be complete by the first of the year.

ADDED 8:50 PM: One more note on the Mars Hill purchase of the West Seattle church in 2006: As noted in the comment discussion below, we have found one more document, indicating that the purchase price was the “underlying debt” that remained on the property, while the equity beyond that was “a gift” from the seller. Even back in 2006, the county valued the property at almost $1.8 million.

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West Seattle Halloween: Bright Horizons kids visit Station 32
October 31, 2014 1:46 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

Sometimes for Halloween, you visit a haunted house; these West Seattleites visited a firehouse. We went along for the annual Bright Horizons “costume parade” across the street to Fire Station 32 on Thursday afternoon.

Parents (and other chaperones) were there to record the excitement too.

Even the stroller riders were captivated:

Capt. David Pagan was going to sound an alarm so the kids would know what it sounded like – but then one came in for real (a call for medical aid), and that ended the visit.

They won’t be able to do this next year – Station 32 will be torn down, with a new expanded station to be built in its place, starting around the end of this year (we’re checking to see how soon the 32 crew will be moving to their temporary site on 40th south of Alaska).

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18 haunting happenings for your 2014 West Seattle Halloween
October 31, 2014 12:07 pm
|    Comments Off on 18 haunting happenings for your 2014 West Seattle Halloween
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(Trailer for this year’s all-new Skeleton Theatre – info below)

From the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide, where this information (and more) is organized by category, here’s a chronological-order list of what’s up this afternoon/evening – trick-or-treating, spooky displays, parties/carnivals …

HALLOWEEN OPEN HOUSE CONTINUES: Until 6 pm @ IT Headquarters and PC Mobile Help. Fresh, local apple cider and treats for adults and kids. “Have a computer question? Don’t be scared! Our friendly techs will be handing out free advice all day long.” (5631 California SW)

ADMIRAL DISTRICT TRICK-OR-TREATING: 3-6 pm at participating merchants – look for those displaying this sign:

California/Admiral and vicinity.

HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST: 3-6 pm, stop by Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor). Prize winners will be announced on November 3rd. (41st/42nd/Admiral Way)

ADMIRAL CHURCH TRUNK-OR-TREAT: 3-6 pm, the church “will be holding a parking lot party, where members will decorate their cars and create a mini-neighborhood for our neighbors to bring their kids. Free for all, come and have fun!” (4320 SW Hill)

WHITE CENTER TRICK-OR-TREATING: 4-7 pm at participating businesses. The list is being updated on this Facebook event page.

STRAIGHT BLAST GYM TRICK-OR-TREATING & MORE: “Halloween Spook Night” at Straight Blast Gym/Seattle (WSB sponsor) in North Delridge offers “not just trick or treating in a safe environment – we’ll have at least a dozen trick or treating stations – but also a ton of different activities ranging from games, relays, obstacle courses, arts and crafts, prizes!” 5-7 pm, free; one adult over 18 must accompany kids. (5050 Delridge Way SW)

WESTWOOD VILLAGE TRICK-OR-TREATING: 5-7 pm at participating merchants.

CANDY-FREE TRICK-OR-TREATING: From Twitter: Candy-free option available at “the spider house” on 18th Ave SW between Graham & Myrtle.

HAUNTED HOUSE: 5:30 until “the end,” and its owners ask you to please bring a can of food for the West Seattle Food Bank. (3011 45th SW)

SKELETON THEATRE: 6-9 pm, directions and show info here. The animatronic skeletons are back with a new show, “Beyond the Pale“ – see the trailer at the top of this story. Show runs just under 20 minutes. (36th/Hanford)

‘NIGHTMARE ON 44th’: Animatronics and more in a spooky West Seattle yard. 6-9 pm Halloween night only – check in via Twitter and Instagram to see what’s new this year. (44th SW between Charlestown and Andover)

KIDS’ KARNIVAL: 6-8 pm, for kids through 5th grade, at West Side Presbyterian Church. (3601 California SW)

GRACE CHURCH TRUNK OR TREAT: 6 pm, Grace Community Church‘s invitation: “Cars are decorated; compete for who will win the Best in Show trophy or one of the many others! Family fun for everyone. Old fashioned cupcake walk, hot food, costumes and candy.” (10323 28th SW)

HALLOWEEN PROJECTIONS/STREET PARTY: Happening at 1626 Palm SW!

That’s a preview; starts at dusk.

‘COME AS YOU AREN’T’: Skylark Café and Club‘s 8th Annual “Come as You Aren’t” battle of the bands, starting at 7 pm, free. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

COSTUME CONTEST: Plus “Nuns Go Bump,” at Outwest Bar, 7 pm. (California/Brandon)

VERY OZZY HALLOWEEN II: 9 pm, with special guest Dressed to Thrill (KISS tribute) at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor). (6451 California SW)

COSTUME EXTRAVAGANZA: 9 pm, Halloween Burlesque Costume Extravaganza at the Benbow Room. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

See the Halloween Guide for not only the full today/tonight lineup, but also post-Halloween/All Hallows’ Eve events tomorrow, and even a “candy buyback” next week. And if your Halloween fun results in a photo to share, editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

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Voted yet? Ballot vans back in West Seattle, Greenbridge tomorrow
October 31, 2014 10:25 am
|    Comments Off on Voted yet? Ballot vans back in West Seattle, Greenbridge tomorrow
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

checkbox.jpgTuesday is Election Day; more like Election Deadline Day ever since our state converted to voting by mail. If you haven’t sent in your ballot yet, three of the next four days bring visits by the King County Elections ballot-dropoff vans. Same spots as recent elections – on the driveway into West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th SW) and on the street outside Greenbridge Library (9720 8th SW). Both locations are scheduled for 10 am-5 pm tomorrow and Monday, 10 am-8 pm Tuesday. No postage needed if you’re taking your ballot to a van or to the 24-hour dropboxes elsewhere in the county, but you DO need correct postage if you’re mailing yours. If you’ve already sent in/dropped off your ballot, track it online. Two other links of potential interest: Sample ballot here; pamphlet info here.

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Chief Sealth Class of 1965 looking ahead to 50-year reunion
October 31, 2014 9:49 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Out of the WSB inbox, from Ron Templin:

The Chief Sealth Class of 1965 will be having their 50-year class reunion on August 22, 2015 at South Seattle College. More information will be forthcoming as the planning process continues. We are looking for many of our graduates. Graduates can contact us by emailing us at Sealth1965@yahoo.com with their name, maiden name, address, and email address.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Halloween Friday
October 31, 2014 7:03 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Nothing scary about this morning’s commute so far. Rainy, but that’s nothing new lately. Remember that trick-or-treaters will be on the street this afternoon/evening – business-district events are 3-6 pm in The Admiral District, 4-7 pm in White Center, 5-7 pm at Westwood Village, and that’s just some of what’s happening – see our West Seattle Halloween Guide here.

REMINDER – ‘FALL BACK’ EARLY SUNDAY: Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 am Sunday, which means an hour of “extra” sleep tomorrow night for most.

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1st meeting in the books for next round of Highland Park levy-funded improvements
October 31, 2014 2:18 am
|    Comments Off on 1st meeting in the books for next round of Highland Park levy-funded improvements
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

If you missed this week’s first meeting about the next round of Parks and Green Spaces Levy Opportunity Fund improvements in Highland Park – don’t worry, two more chances are ahead. The first round was the spraypark completed and opened last year; now, the nearby park space is the focus of a community-initiated project to address park access and play-equipment suitability, as outlined in the original proposal.

Seattle Parks landscape architect Pamela Alspaugh and planner Jeron Gates were at Highland Park Elementary School for the project’s first community meeting this past Wednesday night. Two major issues for the park are the age of its playground equipment – which dates back to the ’90s – and its noncompliance with the accessibility laws. Also a concern: Safety and crime prevention, with suggestions for more lighting and CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design) features. Synergy with the school’s upgrade plans also was discussed; Highland Park Elementary parents are looking into grants, and it was suggested that play equipment for that project and this one be complementary rather than redundant. The Opportunity Fund project budget is $374,000 for design and construction, and it’s expected to be done in two years. A meeting early next year (no date yet) will bring a “schematic design” back to the community for review and discussion; then a “preferred design” will be presented in the spring.

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