West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(WSB file photo)
Just hours until our area’s biggest fall fun at the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival, 10 am-2 pm Sunday. Here’s what you need to know:
STREET CLOSURES: The festival closes an extra block of California SW, which will be off-limits to motorized vehicles between SW Edmunds and SW Oregon from early Sunday morning until late Sunday afternoon, as will SW Alaska between 44th and 42nd.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Yes, it’s part of the festival, in its usual spot on California north of SW Alaska, usual time, 10 am-2 pm. The market includes Applepalooza – taste fall’s fave fruit, starting at 11 am, plus a scavenger hunt.
HARVEST ACTIVITIES: You’ll find most of these on California south of Alaska, *free* fun presented by more than 30 organizations and businesses during the entire duration of the festival. (See the long list of activities here!)
ROOT BEER GARDEN: Bring $3.50 if you want to try a 16-ounce root beer with Husky Deli ice cream – Easy Street corner of California/Alaska.
CHILI COOKOFF: Nine venues are competing for this year’s title – bring $10 to buy your flight of a taste from each starting at 11 am at the KeyBank corner of California/Alaska, and you’ll get to vote on who you think should win! The money goes to the West Seattle Food Bank.
COSTUME PARADE: Gather at Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska) before 11:30 am (you can make a musical instrument there starting at 10) and follow the West Seattle High School Marching Band around the festival grounds!
TRICK-OR-TREATING: Businesses will have treats starting at noon – some of the booths, too.
WHAT’S NEW – IRISH DANCING: Late addition to the program, Celtic Arts Northwest will perform at California/Alaska at 1 pm. (That’s where we’ll be throughout the festival, with as-it-happens coverage … see you there!)
Last Saturday night, we mentioned the Southwest Youth and Family Services Night of Giving Gala – including an award for West Seattle mega-volunteers Jim Guenther and Sandy Adams. We noted that we hoped to hear more about it, and now we have the full story on their award and other highlights of the big event, courtesy of SWYFS development coordinator Adriana Zazula:
It was a downpour over the Georgetown Ballroom last Saturday night, but that did not stop more than 200 people from attending Southwest Youth & Family Services (SWYFS) Night of Giving Gala. Amongst the guests were elected officials City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, County Council Chair Joe McDermott, State Rep. Eileen Cody, and State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon. Each came to the event with the assurance of hearing “Voices of Our Community.” And that they did. From one-on-one conversations with SWYFS staff about program needs to poetry readings and music performed by current participants.
Perhaps the most passionate voice came from SWYFS Executive Director Steve Daschle on how the current political climate is affecting our families and an equally powerful testimony as to the impact of SWYFS programs from former participant, Yohan Lara Aguilar.
Another spotlight was also put on fellow West Seattle residents Jim Guenther and Sandy Adams, presented by board chair Laura Ware. Since 2009, Southwest Youth & Family Services recognizes outstanding volunteers who have made a significant contribution to our work with the Weeks Family Volunteer Award. In honor of Ben and Roberta Weeks and their children, SWYFS selects a volunteer for their abiding commitment to improve the West Seattle community and exemplify our mission of partnering with families to transform their futures.
Jim and Sandy have done so much for the West Seattle community at large over the years. Fellow community members wanted to contribute the testaments to their legacy, one of which was Managing Director of ArtsWest, Laura Lee. Lee said, “Sandy and Jim are two of the most genuine, giving, caring people that I have had the privilege of knowing. I think of them both with hands outstretched, love in their hearts, and an energy and spirit that never flags or dims. Sandy has been a crucial volunteer, taking on some of the most un-glamorous and difficult work for ArtsWest. She has a lightness in her step only matched by the lightness in her heart. Jim is smart. One of those people that you really should pay attention to every word he says because it comes from a place of such intellect and experience. He gives generously and freely and is passionate about connecting people to important work. They are both not in anything for the short-term glory or the gain, they are committed to a life of giving and a spirit of generosity.”
Jim and Sandy have taken a great interest in all aspects of the work of Southwest Youth & Family Services, including our education center, our academic and enrichment programs at New Futures. Jim has consistently taken the time to get to know our families and youth and understand the hardships that they face. Together, Jim and Sandy have donated funds for vans, technology, post-secondary scholarships, and more for our students. Their contributions allow for another chance for our youth to access what is necessary for them to transform their futures.
Southwest Youth & Family Services would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to event sponsors International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Nucor Steel, Amerigroup Washington, Tom & Linda Daschle, Potter Construction, Molina Healthcare, King County Housing Authority, and Alaska Airlines, as well as all the guests and volunteers who participated and supported the 2017 Night of Giving Gala.
You can be part of SWYFS too – here’s how to volunteer; here’s how to donate.
Some local businesses go big on seasonal fun – especially West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction, where the Kids’ Halloween Party today offered the opportunity to decorate mini-pumpkins – and to admire mysteriously masquerading store staffers:
Next big event at Thriftway is next Thursday (November 2nd), 4-7 pm – the legendary Holiday Taste!
(WSB photos)
5:24 PM: The Addams Family photo booth is just part of the fun at the Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) Community Halloween Party, all welcome, happening at 41st SW/SW Andover until 7 pm. Games and treats – costumes not required – lots of fun decorations!
7:25 PM: More photos, above and below, including the cakewalk:
Less than a week after this year’s gathering to call the coho home to Fauntleroy Creek, two have shown up. Creek steward Judy Pickens says Mark Ahlness‘s photo above shows the first one, seen yesterday afternoon: “It reverted to the culvert and appeared again this morning.” She adds, “Then another, with full color, came in this afternoon. That’s a firm two now, perhaps a pair.” So you are invited to come to the creek tomorrow afternoon (Sunday, October 29th) – volunteers will be at creekside 2 pm-3:30 pm. They can’t guarantee you’ll see one but you can take a look and ask questions. As Judy says, “People interested in taking a chance on seeing spawners will be welcome. Children should bring a parent and dogs should stay safely at home.” Come to the fish-ladder viewpoint (SW Director & upper Fauntleroy Way SW, across from the ferry terminal) and a volunteer will invite you down.
Some came in costume … some just came dressed as, well, runners and walkers. Our video shows the start of this morning’s sixth annual West Seattle Monster Dash at Lincoln Park, with hundreds joining the fun to raise money for West Seattle Cooperative Preschools. It’s an all-ages event:
Costume creativity abounded – here’s a hummingbird:
And a witch:
This guy said he wasn’t entirely sure what he was supposed to be:
The Monster Dash also provided an opportunity for family photos – posing here are the Preedys:
(This year’s West Seattle Monster Dash was graced with much better weather than last year!) Almost 200 participants chose to be timed in the 5K, and you can see the results here.
After Drug Take-Back Day dropoffs filled four bags at the Southwest Precinct, what you see above is the start of the fifth. It’s your chance to get expired, unneeded, and/or unwanted prescription drugs out of your home, safely and securely. No liquids, sprays, gels, inhalers, needles. This is on until 2 pm at 2300 SW Webster.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes this morning:
ALKI HIT-RUN: From Russ and Kim:
Our 2002 Volvo S60 was parked on SW Stevens street in front of our house (last night). Around 11 pm we heard a crash outside and saw a pickup truck zooming away. It had clipped the front of our car as it turned right down the alley the leads down to Alki Ave.
The whole front of our car was taken off. Called SPD and they responded quickly and are looking for a pickup — a big one that might be carrying two barrels in its back (according to our neighbor, who caught a brief look).
We are fine. Just an annoying hit-and-run. SPD is on the lookout, but if anyone sees a pickup — probably a larger one — with damage to its front right side, please let us know.
DUMPED ITEMS: The photo and report are from Teresa:
She found the items in the parking lot at 3700 California SW early Friday morning and turned them over to police: “The purse on top still had the wallet, ID and cash inside. I did not look in the rest of the bags but high heels were falling out of a tote. I don’t remember the person’s name but the address on their ID said Marysville.” So contact SPD if you know whose these are.
Thanks to James Bratsanos for the fall colors! First on our highlights list, from the WSB West Seattle Halloween Etc. Guide (which we’re updating daily through next week):
WEST SEATTLE MONSTER DASH: 6th annual West Seattle Monster Dash in Lincoln Park to benefit South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools. 9:30 am 5K, 10:30 am kids’ dash, 11:30 am awards ceremony and costume contest. Registration info here. (Fauntleroy/Cloverdale)
WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY HALLOWEEN PARTY: Annual kids’ Halloween party at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), 11 am-1 pm. Decorate a mini-pumpkin and win a treat bag! (Fauntleroy/Morgan/California)
TIBBETTS UMC HALLOWEEN PARTY: 5-7 pm at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor): “Halloween is coming right up, and it’s time to paint some pumpkins! Tibbetts United Methodist Church extends an open invitation to the public to join us for the Community Halloween Party. We welcome all to this FREE and fun gathering that includes a warm meal, pumpkin painting, a few carnival games, and of course some candy. We will be serving hearty fall soup and savory pumpkin soup. Please join us in the Fellowship Hall.” (NE corner of 41st Ave SW and Andover Street)
HALLOWEEN LIGHT SHOW: Halloween Light Show by the people who bring you West Seattle Yuletide. 6-10 pm nightly through Halloween – probably a little later tonight. (38th SW between Genesee and Dakota)
HAUNTED HOUSE: First of three nights (also Sunday and Tuesday) for Larringtons Ranch Haunted House. 7 pm-10 pm. Suggested for ages 10 and up. Free “but we accept donations of cans toward support of the local food bank.” (Erskine Way/SW Hudson)
‘GHOST GAME XI’: The Cabiri in “Ghost Game XI: Beyond The Veil” dessert theater at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, doors open 7:30 pm. Full details here; buy your ticket(s) here. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
‘COME AS YOU AREN’T’: Skylark Café and Club‘s 12th Annual “Come as You Aren’t” battle of the bands, starting at 7:30 pm, $15 cover, 21+ – see the lineup here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
‘WEREWOLF’: Spend the night playing Halloween Werewolf – 8 pm at Meeples Games. Get there early to get signed up. Costume contest during intermission. Recommended for 12+. (3727 California SW)
COSTUME & KARAOKE CONTEST: At Mac’s Triangle Pub in South Delridge, 9:30 pm-1:30 am. (9454 Delridge Way SW)
There’s even more in the Halloween Etc. Guide!
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And now, from our year-round West Seattle Event Calendar:
DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY: 10 am-2 pm, take your no-longer-needed/usable/etc. prescription drugs to the Southwest Precinct for dropoff, no questions asked. (2300 SW Webster)
HELP BEAUTIFY HIGHLAND PARK: Traffic circles need you! 10 am – 12:30 pm: 10th Ave SW & SW Thistle — remove overgrowth & dead plants; 2 pm – 4:30 pm: 12th Ave SW & SW Kenyon — remove summer annuals.
SOUTHWEST ART SHOWCASE PICKUP: From Southwest Library – it’s time to pick up the art exhibited by community members all month – 95 pieces by 43 neighborhood artists! Here are some of them:
If you’re among the exhibitors, get to the library, 10 am-6 pm today, 1 pm-5 pm Sunday. (9010 35th SW)
‘DISCOVERING SEATTLE PARKS’: 11 am at White Center Library:
Hear about some of the best parks in the city from West Seattle resident Linnea Westerlind, author of the guidebook “Discovering Seattle Parks: A Local’s Guide” (Mountaineers Books 2017). Linnea has researched and visited every single one of Seattle’s more than 400 public parks, and now she shares the best and most interesting public spaces in this new book. Free slideshow presentation and Q&A. Books available for purchase.
(1409 SW 107th)
FALL WINE RELEASE: Day 2 at Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) – releasing the 2013 BLACK Red Wine Blend, and the 2014 Rhyme & Reason Syrah. Tasting room open 2-7 pm. (5910 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS’ GALA: Doors open 6 pm at Alki Masonic Hall in The Junction for a night of dining, dancing, bidding to help WSCO help youth musicians – featuring the West Seattle Big Band. More details in our most-recent preview. (40th SW/SW Edmunds)
BLUEGRASS & BEYOND: 3-Play Ricochet at Kenyon Hall, 7:30 pm. (7904 35th SW)
THE DENNY BLAINE GROUP & THE MOBERLYS: Seattle rock pioneers hit the stage! 9 pm-midnight. $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
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