West Seattle Blog…

Getting ready for tomorrow’s West Seattle 5K & Summer Streets on Alki

Signed up for tomorrow’s fifth annual West Seattle 5K (with co-sponsors including WSB) already? Get yourself to West Seattle Runner (California/Charlestown; WSB sponsor) by 6 pm tonight to pick up your packet and bright-yellow official T-shirt! The team there to help you includes student volunteers like the National Honor Society members we photographed earlier this afternoon. Or – if you’re not signed up already, you can register there till 6, and avoid standing in line on race day.

That, of course, is TOMORROW, with the WS5K run/walk starting near the Alki Bathhouse just after 9 am. The weather forecast looks ever-more-promising (now “partly sunny”). Remember that with the 5K followed by SDOT Summer Streets on Alki 11 am-5 pm – what began five years ago as “car-free day” – there are closures, detours, and parking restrictions, as shown on the city’s map below:

See an even-more-detailed map here. We’re boothing at Summer Streets for the first time ever; we’ll be in the western zone between 62nd and 63rd (or so). That’s also where the day’s biggest event is scheduled to start around 1 pm – the Alki Beach Creeps-presented Costumed Bike Parade – and they are inviting everyone and anyone to join in. Other activities – entertainment and lots more – are listed here.

West Seattle 5K this Sunday: Register online by tomorrow!

The Walking on Logs sculpture by the pullout near the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge is decked out in advance of the fifth annual West Seattle 5K, coming up this Sunday (May 19th). Thanks to race director Jeff Mensing for the photo! Three timeline points ahead for WS5K, which is organized by and benefits the West Seattle High School PTSA in its work to help the school and its students:

ONLINE REGISTRATION ENDS TOMORROW: You can sign up until Wednesday at westseattle5k.com.

PACKET PICKUP/IN-PERSON REGISTRATION SATURDAY: Noon-6 pm (May 18th) at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) at California/Charlestown.

RACE DAY SUNDAY: The race starts just after 9 am. Alki and Harbor Avenues will be closed along the usual WS5K footprint, to Don Armeni; then most of the waterfront roadway will reopen around 11, except for the stretch that will be closed until 5 pm for the Alki edition of Seattle Summer Streets (aka “car-free day”), 56th to 63rd. Here’s the map:

WSB is co-sponsoring West Seattle 5K again this year as we have since the start, and will be an on-site participant in Summer Streets, which features some big fun this year highlighted by the Alki Beach Creeps’ Costumed Bike Parade at 1 pm – see you there!

Also ahead: West Seattle 5K and ‘Summer Streets’ May 19th

Another big, fun event is getting close: Be like Jennifer and Zorro in our 2012 photo above, and get your feet/paws into the West Seattle 5K! The fifth annual fundraising run presented by the West Seattle High School PTSA is just two weeks from tomorrow, with more than a thousand runners expected to fill Alki Avenue again this year, starting just after 9 am on Sunday, May 19th. WSB is proud to be a West Seattle 5K co-sponsor, as we’ve been every year since the first one in 2009 – hope to see you out in the street again this year! You have until May 16th to sign up online, if you haven’t registered already – do it right now by going here (kids 6 and under, by the way, are free).

P.S. – a reminder that once the West Seattle 5K’s wrapped up by 11 am, it’s the sixth annual “Alki car-free day,” aka Seattle Summer Streets, with more activities than ever promised this year – including the Alki Beach Creeps’ Costumed Bike Parade at 1 pm.

Happening now: From gleaming gems to grab bags, at West Seattle Rock Club’s annual show

The West Seattle Rock Club is presenting a Rock and Gem Show for all ages again this year – not just all ages of visitors, but those exhibiting and demonstrating span a wide age range too. Above, behind one of the demonstration tables, that’s Oz; next, trying out the grab bag while visiting, is August:

Displays created by collectors young and not-as-young include rocks, gems, even petrified wood:

Vendors have a few tables, too, if you’re interested in buying for your own collection – or even gifts (lots of jewelry):

Admission’s free – and there are drawings for door prizes! Just get to the Masonic Temple (40th and Edmunds) before the annual show’s second and final day wraps up at 5 pm.

West Seattle weekend scene: Healthy Kids Day at the Y

The chillier, cloudier weather did NOT mean a break from dunk-tank duty for Josh Sutton from the West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor), but as usual, he was smiling anyway. The rain isn’t expected in till later, so the bouncy toys and other outdoor activities remained available too:

Indoor fun, too! If you see this right after we publish it, you have till 1 pm to get over to the Y’s main location in The Triangle; one component of HK Day – no joining fees for new memberships – does continue all weekend.

Happening now: Happy 4th birthday, Feedback Lounge!

(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
As we’ve been mentioning in our daily calendar-highlight roundups, Feedback Lounge (6451 California SW; WSB sponsor) is spreading its 4th-anniversary celebration over four nights – but tonight’s the actual anniversary; April 25, 2009, is when The Feedback opened the doors for, as the slogan atop its website goes, “people who like their cocktails to rock, their food to rock, and their rock to rock.” GM Bradi Jones is at center with the cake she created; other original Feedback team members in the photo include co-proprietor Jeff Gilbert at right; his co-conspirator Matt Johnson didn’t make it into the shot, too busy at the bar! The Feedback’s home page details what’s up the next two nights as the party continues – including the reunion tomorrow of the Memphis Radio Kings! (As for what will be in store when the Feedback turns five NEXT year, Jeff says it’s something unimaginably huge. You heard it here first.)

Got tweens or teens? Saturday celebration at SW Teen Life Center

Just out of the WSB inbox – big “Youth Appreciation Day” event Saturday at Southwest Teen Life Center:

Target, Seattle Police, and Southwest Teen Life Center are hosting a celebration for youth this Saturday, April 20th from noon – 4p at Southwest Teen Life Center – 2801 SW Thistle. Activities (appropriate for ages 11 and up) include;

· Outdoor Games – (Potato Sack Race, Three-legged Race, Relay Races, Water Balloon Toss, etc.)
· Karaoke
· Austin Foundation Fitness Obstacle Course
· Interactive Video Game Experience (Xbox Kinect)
· Food and Refreshments

Update: A plan to put the party back into Alki’s ‘car-free day’

(WSB photo, May 2012)
With a month and a half to go until Alki’s car-free day, aka Seattle Summer Streets – coming up May 19th, right after the West Seattle 5K wraps up – one beach resident says the event needs more fun. So Guy Olson is hoping to inspire others by organizing a two-part event that he hopes will turn into something big:

I have 2 DJ’s, one band, and “The Bubble Man” committed so far. My home has a large balcony in the heart of Alki Beach, overlooking the beach, in the middle of the nearby bars/restaurants, and the avenue. My plan is to have all the performers perform from the driveway directly next door and the bubble artist on my patio/deck/balcony.

And that’s just for starters. For the next part of the plan, you, your family/friends/kids/schoolmates/etc. are invited to join in:

The biggest idea, which I will need the most help with, is: “West Seattle’s Largest Costumed Bicycle Parade.”

This parade will begin at 1:00 pm on May 19, 2013. The parade will begin at 63rd and Alki Avenue continuing to Seacrest Park on Harbor Avenue and then looping back to El Chupacabra on Alki Avenue. This will be the “finish line” and the place for our post-parade party. … I’m hoping for a huge turnout and to make this “Alki Car-Free Day” a very memorable experience for everyone I possibly can.

So mark your calendar, and think sun – as noted at the end of last year’s WSB report, we haven’t really seen it since the first “car-free day” in 2008! – and if you have a bike, be ready to join Guy’s parade.

P.S. As noted on the city’s official Summer Streets page, citizen-organized events like this are welcomed – so if you have an idea, get going with it too!

SATURDAY NOTE: Guy clarifies that this is being planned in conjunction with the Alki Beach Creeps Bicycle Club – you’ll remember them for the big cleanup at Constellation Park last month.

West Seattle’s 2013 egg hunts: At Hiawatha CC, with royalty

(Earlier egg-hunt coverage: Thriftway photos here; Delridge CC video here)

During our first 2013 round of egg-hunt coverage this morning, we also checked out the scene at Hiawatha Community Center – photographing the youngest hunters as they swarmed the tennis court. This egg-hunt site featured royalty:

From this year’s West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court, that’s Princess Olivia, Queen Madison, and Princess Emily – by the way, Hi-Yu still could use more volunteer help with this year’s float and events, and would love to see you at their meeting this Monday night (April 1st; details here). Ahead – four more scenes from Hiawatha’s hunt:

Click to read the rest of West Seattle’s 2013 egg hunts: At Hiawatha CC, with royalty…

Happening tonight: World Dance Party in South Park

One more option for tonight besides all the cool things we already previewed in our “West Seattle Saturday” roundup – the World Dance Party, held periodically around the area, is in nearby South Park, and WSB, along with our partner site The South Park News, is co-sponsoring. Here are the details:

The party of parties, the World Dance Party (WDP), is happening tonight! The WDP is a FREE multigenerational and multicultural potluck and dance party. I truly hope you can join us. Here is some more information:

World Dance Party is a fun, FREE event designed to get neighbors to interact and to celebrate each other’s culture and diversity. Everyone from all backgrounds and ages is welcome. It’s a potluck! Several multicultural dances are taught by volunteer instructors in 20-minute mini-lessons, then everyone dances. That’s it. There’s no other agenda. No fundraising. No lectures. Just food and dancing and community.

WHERE: South Park Community Center: 8319 8th Ave. South, Seattle,

WHEN: Saturday, March 23rd, 2013; 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm

WHO: Dance Instructor lineup at the World Dance Party 8 includes:
• West African Dance
• Hula Dancing
• Senior Sliders Line Dancing
• Harlem Shake
• Laotian Dancing
• Jarabe Tapatio/La Raspa
• Salsa Dancing
• And more

Happening now: Tibbetts UMC, West Side PC sales, day 1

Rummage/garage/yard-sale season is officially launched, with the start of the annual concurrent two-day sales at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) and West Side Presbyterian Church. Above, need a new wardrobe? Tibbetts has togs. Below, the midmorning crowd at West Side:

Among the items we spotted – power tools, musical instruments, calligraphy art, and at WSPC, you’ll even find a bake sale. The two sale sites are just blocks apart – Tibbetts is at 3940 41st SW, selling till 4 pm today and again 9 am-3 pm tomorrow (Saturday); WSPC is at 3601 California SW, selling till 5 pm today and 9-2 tomorrow.

P.S. Before you ask, yes, we’re again presenting West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day this year – just two months away, on Saturday, May 11th – watch for registration details in a few weeks.

Happening now: ‘Oscar is in the house!’ at Feedback Lounge

From Bradi Jones (pictured with Oscar himself), general manager at the fab Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), where the stars are shining tonight:

Happening now at the Feedback Lounge! Oscar is in the House! If you have your limo driver drop you off to enter through the “VIP entrance” (the back), Oscar will greet you with the red-carpet experience!! Front entrance, less paparazzi!!!

We gave the paparazzi some tips for the night, that the best photo ops were going to be coming from the back. So if you want to fly under the media radar, I’d have your driver drop you off at the front! Goooo Oscar!!!!!

Not too late to go – the opening monologue’s just under way as we write this. The Feedback’s at 6451 California SW in Morgan Junction.

2 weeks till sale season: West Side Presbyterian’s announcement

March 8-9 will launch spring/summer sale season in West Seattle – we’ve already published one reason why, and here’s the other! From West Side Presbyterian Church:

Come to West Side Presbyterian March 8th from 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday March 9th from 9 am to 2 pm. Over 200 families contribute to this famous sale! Quality clothing, housewares, furniture, jewelry; real and costume, books, and more! Free coffee available all day and baked goods for sale. All proceeds from this sale benefit youth-outreach programs at West Side Presbyterian Church. 3601 California Ave SW, 206-935-4477

Two side notes:

1. WSB-sponsored West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day is May 11th – we’ll start talking here (and on the WSCGSD Facebook page) about signups in just a few weeks.

2. When time comes for your own garage/yard sale – here’s how to share the news via WSB.

West Seattle sale season! Tibbetts sets the rummage-sale date

The days are longer, the temperatures are higher, and rummage-sale/garage-sale season is in view! Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) has just announced the plan for its big spring sale:

Spring Rummage Sale
Friday, March 8th from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm and
Saturday, March 9th from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

“A” is for Appliances
“B” is for Baby stuff
“C” is for Cookware
“D” is for Dresses
“E” is for EVERYTHING . . .

Everything you could possibly want or need, all at prices “not of this century.” This twice-yearly event is coming right up and will feature usual bargains galore! Furniture, bikes, BBQs, and garden items outside. Plenty of clothing for all ages, jewelry, toys, games and other great stuff inside.

Tibbetts UMC is at 3940 41st SW, online at tibbettsumchurch.org and on Facebook here.

SIDE NOTE #1 – The ninth annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, coordinated by WSB, isn’t far away either: Saturday, May 11th. Watch for our registration-dates announcement next month.

SIDE NOTE #2 – If you are having your own sale, any time of year, here’s how to list it for free on WSB.

Happening now: Pancakes with a purpose, at Hiawatha

Hotcakes were the hot ticket for breakfast in West Seattle this morning, judging by the turnout at Hiawatha Community Center‘s annual benefit breakfast. The pancakes and sides were cooked up outside …

… and served fresh inside, as fast as staffers and volunteers could work:

Festive fruit, too:

We’ll be checking on the final tally – which goes to make sure that everybody who wants to take part in Hiawatha’s programs can do just that, regardless of their financial situation. A flyer handed out at the breakfast included highlights of upcoming programs and events, which you can browse in the newest West Seattle Community Centers (WSB sponsor) catalog, online.

Swap till you drop! Women’s-clothing swap to benefit Early Days

Ready for a wardrobe refresh? This might be the ticket: A benefit women’s-clothing swap coming up three weeks from today in West Seattle, presented by and benefiting Early Days, a support organization for moms of babies. Read on for the official announcement:

Click to read the rest of Swap till you drop! Women’s-clothing swap to benefit Early Days…

Help WestSide Baby serve 22,000 kids, with your seat at the table for 12th annual Tea

(WSB photo from 2012 WestSide Baby Tea)
There’s still room at the table for you, at one of the biggest parties of the year – the WestSide Baby Benefit Tea, coming up February 10th, just one week from this Sunday. With auction items, surprises, and tea and treats in/on fine china, the party’s become so big that even though WS Baby is headquartered here in the West Seattle/White Center area, the benefit will be in its second year in a spacious room at the Hilton Seattle Conference Center a short way south. Tickets are $30, tables for 10 start at $250 – and you’ll be helping thousands, as WS Baby’s update explains:

WestSide Baby served 17% more local children in 2012 with essential items such as diapers, car seats, cribs and clothing valued at $1.6 million. That means 22,000 children received what they needed with most of those items being gently used things coming from local families passed through our doors to others. “We saw a great increase in need and a fantastic increase in support and volunteers in 2012 that allowed us to provide more to the most vulnerable among us, children in need,” shares Nancy Woodland, Executive Director of WestSide Baby. “The majority of what we give comes from local families and goes to support other local families. This is why our theme is ‘Families Helping Families, it’s just so simple. When one family is having a hard time, another can help. Our Tea gathers together many parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who inspire others in their own family to help. ”

Click to read the rest of Help WestSide Baby serve 22,000 kids, with your seat at the table for 12th annual Tea…

Summer Streets ‘car-free day’ on Alki planned for May 19th, post-West Seattle 5K

(WSB photo from Summer Streets on Alki, May 2012)
When West Seattle 5K organizers announced earlier this month that registration had opened for the fifth annual edition of the big benefit walk/run on Alki, we asked if WS5K would again segue into Seattle Summer Streets – the annual city-sponsored “car-free day.” This week, race director Jeff Mensing says, they received confirmation from the city that it is indeed planned that way this year – so you can mark your calendar for May 19th, to start off with the run/walk, continuing with activities in the heart of Alki. The West Seattle 5K is a benefit for the West Seattle High School PTSA; registration and sponsorship information (WSB is a sponsor again this year) is all online at WestSeattle5K.com.

Two weeks till 3 chances to walk West Seattle stairways

(Photo by Cathy Jaramillo)
If you haven’t already spotted this event in the WSB calendar – it’s time to step up and sign up to be part of Stairway Walks Day on February 9th, with volunteer Feet First Neighborhood Walking Ambassadors leading walks on routes from West Seattle-residing Cathy and Jake Jaramillo‘s new book “Seattle Stairway Walks.” Three of the routes are in West Seattle, and while the guided walks are free, you have to sign up because there’s a cap on participants – same goes for the routes in other neighborhoods, in case you want to take the opportunity to celebrate public stairways off the peninsula. Just go to this page on the Brown Paper Tickets website and sign up for free “tickets” for whichever walk interests you (preview the routes here) – they all run 10 am-noon on Saturday 2/9, two weeks from today.

Youth music: Southwest Seattle Super String Saturday tomorrow; Denny/Sealth concert last night

Two youth-music notes today:

First, whether you’re interested in enjoying a mini-concert, exploring youth-music resources, or both, tomorrow’s the day for the free Southwest Seattle Super String Saturday event, presented by the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle), including a mini-concert by the SYSO:

The community is invited to hear the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO) perform excerpts from (its recent) Benaroya Hall concert at a free mini-concert on January 26th at 10:30 am at Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium.

After the mini-concert, Seattle Youth Symphony musicians will mentor younger musicians who participate in the SYSO in the Schools program at Arbor Heights, Concord, Gatewood, Roxhill, Sanislo, Highland Park and West Seattle Elementary schools, as well as at Denny International Middle School. These student musicians will have the opportunity to participate in master classes, chamber ensemble demonstrations, and play side-by-side with Seattle Youth Symphony. SYSO thanks media sponsors West Seattle Blog and Classical KING-FM for their support of Southwest Seattle Super String Saturday. For more information about the event, contact Kathleen Allen, SYSO Director of Education, Communication and Partnerships at kathleen@syso.org or 206.362.2300.

You can find out more about SYSO here.

Second, band musicians from Denny and Sealth presented the schools’ third and final winter concert last night, and Denny principal Jeff Clark shared photos:

(Those are the Denny Beginning and Junior Bands.) He says it was a great night:

What a thrill it was to hear the fantastic music performed by our amazing bands at Denny and Sealth (Thursday) evening. Equally impressive as the sound of the music was the number of our scholars performing: 73 in the DIMS Beginning and Junior Band, 70 in the DIMS Senior Band, 19 in the DIMS Jazz Band, and 70 in the CSIHS Symphonic Band! Music is thriving in our pathway thanks to our outstanding students, families, and teacher, Mr. Pimpleton!

More photos ahead:

Click to read the rest of Youth music: Southwest Seattle Super String Saturday tomorrow; Denny/Sealth concert last night…

Your move! West Seattle Chess Tournament ahead for youth

Student chess player in the house? Don’t miss the chance to sign up for the West Seattle Chess Tournament, just announced for February 23rd at Schmitz Park Elementary, presented by the Chess Mates Foundation. Full details and registration link ahead:

Click to read the rest of Your move! West Seattle Chess Tournament ahead for youth…

West Seattle’s Polar Bear Swim 2013, report #1: Your photos

<

Sunny again this year for West Seattle’s traditional Polar Bear Swim on Alki – with hundreds heading into the xx-degree water for at least a quick dunk. Our first report features community-contributed photos – above, by David Christensen, who explained that his wife “decided this was the year to join the polar bear plunge. … It was 32 F at the time.” (Water temperature in the 40s.) Next, from Russ Walker‘s Flickr gallery, what happens AFTER everybody runs into the water:

And another scenic view of swimmers on the run back to the beach, courtesy of Pat Binns:

Also, Andrew Jacobs was there for the first time, and just e-mailed to let us know you can see his splashy – literally – photos here. Thanks, all, for sharing (and if anyone else wants to add to this roundup, editor@westseattleblog.com)! Meantime, contributing photojournalist Nick Adams was there on assignment for WSB, and you’ll see his work in report #2 later today. Happy sunny start to 2013!

West Seattle New Year’s Eve: 3 things to do long BEFORE midnight

(1/1/12 Needle fireworks, photographed by David Hutchinson)
You already know about the midnight fireworks – visible from anywhere there’s a view of the Space Needle, or from anywhere there’s a screen (via KING 5). But long before we get to midnight – here are three things you can do BEFORE your late-night celebration of choice:

NEW YEAR’S EVE WALK: The Emerald City Wanderers have again organized “healthy, scenic walks” for tonight and tomorrow. Both start from St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (California/Hanford, just south of West Seattle High School) and you can start any time between 4 and 7 pm today, 9 am-noon tomorrow. No charge, no competition, just show up and find out about the routes (different 5K and 10K routes each day).

LABYRINTH WALK: 6-8 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW), in the Vashon Room (enter through the lower-level door off the parking lot on the west side of Fauntleroy Schoolhouse). Suggested $5 donation benefits the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse capital campaign. More info here.

NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT PARADE, AND MORE: At 6 pm, the annual New Year’s Eve noisemaking parade takes off from the Highland Park Improvement Club, strolling through nearby – followed by the “Sage Comet” in the parking lot, and then indoors, new for this year, starting around 7, a special New Year’s Eve edition of the all-ages Corner Bar.

For the late-night parties, etc. – see the Holiday Guide!

Winter break fun: Sign up ASAP for WSHS Mini Cheer Camp

Last June, Bev Corey shared that photo from the West Seattle High School Cheerleaders‘ Mini Cheer Camp for elementary-age students – and now they’re planning another one, coming up a week from Saturday; there’s still time to sign up:

The West Seattle Cheerleaders will be holding a Mini Cheer Camp Saturday, January 5th in the West Seattle Gym from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

K-5th grade kids will have a great time learning fun cheers and making crafts with the Westside cheerleaders. Campers will receive a T-shirt, pom poms, official team hairbow, picture of themselves with the cheerleader of their choice AND perform as an honorary West Seattle Cheerleader at an upcoming home basketball game!

The cost of this camp is $40. Registration paperwork and payment are due by December 31, 2012. Space is limited so register early to ensure your spot.

Contact Bev Corey at 206-423-5450 or coreym_b@comcast.net or Christina Ruzzine at caruzzine@seattleschools.org if you have any questions.

The registration form is part of the official brochure/flyer – which you can find here.

UPDATE: The form link has changed because of some problems – so if you tried before and had trouble give it another try! – and Bev says the deadline is now extended to January 2nd.

Christmas Ship heads to West Seattle, with big Alki party

(Christmas Ship setting sail one night in 2009, by Michelle Edwards)
A big highlight of the holiday season is just days away: The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival (WSB sponsor) drops anchor off West Seattle shores this Friday and (twice) Saturday. Its first stop is 9:15 pm Friday at Don Armeni Boat Ramp; then on Saturday, 4:35 pm at Lowman Beach Park, and 5:25 pm at Alki Beach (Bathhouse vicinity). Every stop is festive, but the Alki visit will include a major celebration onshore, starting more than an hour before the Christmas Ship and its fleet arrive. The Alki Advisory Council, the citywide ARC, and Seattle Parks are sponsoring a 4-6:30 pm celebration with choirs, caroling, hot drinks, and pastries at the Alki Bathhouse. Besides the singers onboard the Christmas Ship itself – scheduled to be the Dickens Carolers for all three West Seattle stops Friday/Saturday – you will also see and hear the Endolyne Children’s Choir (featured in our video coverage of this past Saturday night’s Junction Tree Lighting), the Seattle Lutheran High School Band, the Seattle Women’s Chorus, and the Hope Lutheran Church Band. Everybody welcome!

SIDE NOTE: If you want to see – and/or ride aboard – the Christmas Ship the rest of the season, the schedule has a multitude of options; see it here.

West Seattle Halloween 2012: Not just trick-or-treating

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
The six days of Halloween – stretching back to last Friday – have finally reached the big day/night itself. For the list of what’s happening this afternoon/evening, we point you one more time to the WSB West Seattle (and vicinity) Halloween page – with events including Westwood Village trick-or-treating (5-7 pm), the White Center Pumpkin-Carving Contest (bring your jack-o-lantern), Skeleton Theatre (which is all-new this year, as previewed here Tuesday), “Nightmare on 44th,” bar parties, and more. (We added two more events overnight; if you notice something still missing, we have time to make additions – please e-mail the info to editor@westseattleblog.com ASAP. Thanks!)

West Seattle Hallo-weekend scenes: Monster Dash; Thriftway party

On a day/night full of fun events around West Seattle, we stopped by two this morning:

MONSTER DASH: And they’re off! The first-ever West Seattle Monster Dash to raise money for local Parent Cooperative Preschools was a spirited sprint (or stroll) along the trails of upper Lincoln Park. We didn’t quite catch them running by, but many took up the invitation to be in costume:

Watch the official Monster Dash website for results/recap.

THRIFTWAY PARTY: Ever wonder what Michele, whose many roles at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) include being your summer benefit-barbecue host, does in the offseason?

Today, we found Michele and friend over at the in-store dining area for the annual Halloween party, a crafty event:

Next big event at WST: A holiday tasting event next Thursday (November 1st), 4-7 pm.