West Seattle Blog…

Just in time! West Seattle’s community-center egg hunts beat the rain

The rain held off until JUST after the simultaneous egg hunts at West Seattle-area city-run community centers – above and below, our photos from High Point CC:

Next two are from Hiawatha CC, shared by Jason Grotelueschen:

We also went to South Park CC:

And (added late Saturday night) thanks to Tom from the Southwest Advisory Council for sharing photos from their egg hunt and April Pools Day events:

Alki and Delridge CC’s had egg-hunt events too.

West Seattle Thriftway’s 2014 egg hunt: Aisles of smiles

9:42 AM: Our first photo in from the first egg hunt of the day – West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), popular as ever – this little egg-seeker just wanted to stop down and enjoy his finds!

ADDED 11:02 AM: Thanks to Mike Katz for sharing this photo:

Eleanore and Mimi meet the Easter Bunny! Many thanks to Thriftway for their 27th annual Easter Egg Hunt! We had such a great time. We’d like to thank all the staff for putting in such a wonderful community event.

ADDED 3:24 PM: More WSB photos, starting with a different “Easter bunny” encounter in the store:

Egg hunters and families just kept streaming in:

Treasure even turned up by the coffee bar …

… and we spotted a basket at a checkstand …

… and a chance to recycle the plastic eggs on the way out!

Thriftway has dozens of its own photos from today on the store’s Facebook page.

Style ’14: Fashion, fun, fundraising to help cancer patients, 2 weeks away

(2011 WSB photo by Stephanie Chacharon)
Two weeks and two days until your chance to enjoy a fun and fashionable night and help Northwest Hope and Healing, the West Seattle/West Seattleite-founded and -run organization that helps cancer patients. Tickets are on sale now for “Style ’14,” which includes a runway fashion show that features models who are also breast-cancer survivors, as well as prize drawings, a fund-a-need event, and more. It’s on Thursday, May 1st; you can just attend the show, or you can buy a VIP ticket which includes a pre-event party, cocktail reception, “heavy appetizers,” reserved seats, and a thank-you gift. Doors open at 6:30 pm for VIP, 7 pm for general admission, and the show starts at 7:30 pm; it’s a 21+ event. Though it’s outside West Seattle, at Showbox SODO, not only does it involve NWHH’s West Seattle leadership, it also involves West Seattle businesses including West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), Carmilia’s, Coastal, Ola, Twala Intimates, and more, as well as West Seattleites who are on the volunteer planning committee. You can buy your ticket online here (see the left sidebar of that page).

Going to West Seattle egg hunts? Here’s the Saturday schedule

(WSB photo from 2013 Thriftway egg hunt)
If you have one or more kids determined to have the most fun possible at the Easter Eve egg hunts in West Seattle and vicinity on Saturday – here’s where to go, and when:

9 am – West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan; WSB sponsor) egg hunt

10 am – Seattle Parks & Rec community center egg hunt of your choice:
*********Alki – 5817 SW Stevens – is billed as for ages 11 and under
*********Delridge – 4501 Delridge Way SW – for ages 3-11
*********Hiawatha – 2700 California SW – for 3-11
*********High Point – 6920 34th SW – for 3-11
*********South Park – 8319 8th Ave. S. – for ages 1-10

11 am – Eastridge Church egg hunt at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) – bring donations for the diaper drive for WestSide Baby

We’re still adding other special weekend events to the calendar, so if you have something for Saturday/Sunday (including services), it’s not too late – editor@westseattleblog.com.

West Seattle Cup: You in? Registration open now; team captains’ applications due tomorrow

The West Seattle Cup soccer tournament/festival for local kids and families continues to take shape. We first mentioned it here in January – and now it’s just two months away. From organizer Terry Kegel:

Wanna meet Clint Dempsey, shake hands with your favorite Sounders players, and do a victory lap in front of 40,000 fans at CenturyLink field? 64 lucky parents and children will get this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. How? Sign up by this Friday to be a captain in the West Seattle Cup! The West Seattle Cup is a free World Cup-style soccer tournament and community festival for elementary-age children and their parents taking place at Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point on June 14th-15th, 2014. The event is FREE, thanks to a grant from the Department of Neighborhoods awarded to community projects, in addition to donations from local businesses.

All 448 participants get free t-shirts and other prizes. The 64 team captains must apply by this Friday to get free Sounders tickets and the VIP field pass to meet the players right after the game. Do you have an elementary-age child? Choose your country and register as a parent-child duo online at westseattlecup.org/play or in-person at the West Seattle YMCA or
Neighborhood House High Point Center. Learn more at
westseattlecup.org or on Facebook.

Photos: ‘Catsino’ fun(draising) games, auction @ BP Pub

You can’t have a “Catsino” without cats. So there you go. Little fluffballs, inspiration for a fun afternoon of Furry Faces Foundation fundraising:

Vegas-style games – just for fun – give the benefit its name; there’s a silent auction, too:

And people! Longtime WSB’er Mike (aka “miws”) is volunteering:

Running one of the tables, you’ll find, of Washington Beer Blog and Beer Church fame, Kendall Jones and Kim Sharpe Jones:

Also with a table, Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) – that’s co-proprietor Anne Higuera with the chips:

Catsino is on until 6 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW).

3rd annual ‘Taste of the Arts’ ahead at West Seattle High School

Just a week and a half until your chance to enjoy student artists’ work – performing arts, visual arts, culinary arts – in the third annual West Seattle High School “Taste of the Arts” benefit. It’s set for Saturday, April 5th, with the visual and culinary arts awaiting you 6-7:30 pm that night in the St. John’s Episcopal Church hall next to WSHS, and then the Westside Drama performance of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at 8 pm in the school theater. See the official flyer here for full details; meantime, you can buy tickets online now, here.

Bowl with Seafair Commodores in West Seattle on Saturday!

You don’t have to wait until summer for a taste of Seafair – you’ll find it at West Seattle Bowl this Saturday, according to Seafair Commodores chief of staff Kathryn Bohot:

Looking for a little Saturday morning fun? Look no further! The Seattle Seafair Commodores will host their 22nd Annual Seattle Seafair Bowl-A-Thon on Saturday, March 22, at the West Seattle Bowl. This event is our yearly fundraiser to secure funds for the Seafair Scholarship Program for Women.

Whether you are an avid bowler or the gutter-ball king or queen, this event is for everyone! It’s always a great time and provides you a chance to support those who want to further their education.
Here’s the details!
o Contribution: $50 per bowler or $250 for a team of 5. Children 12 and under $25.
o What’s Included: Shoes, ball and games (Scores are calculated on your first 2 games)
• When: Saturday, March 22nd
• Time: 9:30 am until Noon
• Where: West Seattle Bowl 4505 39th Avenue SW

To register in advance, contact Kathryn Bohot, Chief of Staff, at chiefofstaff@seattlecommodores.com or call 817-994-6898. We’ll see you on Saturday!

Don’t just watch whales – find out about their history and evolution, at The Whale Trail’s next West Seattle event

(Protocetus; image provided by The Whale Trail)
How did whales get to be whales? That’s the next installment in what we can safely say is West Seattle’s most popular lecture series – though it’s never just a lecture! – organized by The Whale Trail. And you’ll want to get your ticket now for “Biology & Evolution of Whales: The Historic Return of Mammals to the Sea,” presented by Jim Kenagy, Curator of Mammals, Emeritus, Burke Museum, and Professor of Biology, Emeritus, University of Washington. He’ll speak at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm Thursday, March 27th:

Why do whales and dolphins have finger bones in their flippers? Did you know that today’s cetaceans are descended from ancestors who once lived on shore, and then returned to the sea?

Join us on March 27 to hear more about this amazing chapter in evolution.

This is the third in a series of Orca Talks 2014 hosted by The Whale Trail in West Seattle. The program also features updates from “Diver Laura” James (tox-ick.org) and Seal Sitters. Buy tickets ahead of time and we’ll save you a seat!

You can do that by going to this brownpapertickets.com page. (Kids are free!)

What’s cooking? New classes at Delridge Community Center

(Past students @ DCC cooking class)
Want to expand your repertoire in the kitchen? Delridge Community Center is highlighting two upcoming classes: Make your own hummus and pita bread, this Saturday (March 1st) 11 am-1:30 pm, $25/person, info/registration here – and on March 18th, learn how “to make some staples of a Indian food such as dahl soup, samosas, cauliflower with potatoes, and chicken in a sweet red pepper sauce,” 5:30-8 pm class, $27/person, info/registration here. (Or sign up by calling 206-684-7423.)

You can help! Get crabby at the Masonic Hall on Sunday

Lots and lots of great fundraisers coming up around West Seattle – many are in our calendar, many in queue for mentioning here on the main page, but this is the only one we’ve seen featuring shellfish, and it’s two days away. For crab fans, from Gary:

Alki Masonic Lodge #152 is hosting its annual New England Style Crab Boil on Sunday (February 23), 4:00-7:00 pm at the Alki Masonic Hall, 4736 40th Ave SW. $30 per person (under 12 free). Meal features dungeness crab, clams, mussels, corn on the cob, and boiled potatoes, served family style with salad and clam chowder. (Steak is available for those guests who don’t favor seafood). All proceeds will help fund the annual Masonic School Awards Program. Contact Martin Monk, 425-681-5024, for information. Tickets are available at the door.

Youngstown Thrive 8 to celebrate birthday of historic Cooper School’s transformation

(WSB file photo)
It’s a birthday party – and something of a rebirth-day party. Nearing its eighth anniversary, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center is continuing its rolling revamp/relaunch and inviting you to “Thrive 8” on March 1st, two weeks from Saturday. The announcement is more than a “here’s what’s happening at our gala” – it’s also context for what’s happening behind the scenes:

Back in what was known as “The Golden Age of Youngstown,” people would flock to the historic Frank B. Cooper School for youth programming, classes and public events, including Youngstown’s popular old-school dance parties.

With the transition of staff and economic issues that can plague any nonprofit, events were put on the back burner while Youngstown’s parent organization, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA), re-grouped to strategize the next phase of the organization, leaving Youngstown somewhat quiet while they worked behind the scenes on the planning.

With the hiring of Director David Bestock in 2012, himself a Youngstown resident, passionate performing artist and long-time arts advocate, DNDA has put the leadership of this once-vibrant arts hub as a top priority. And not only is Bestock focusing on revamping its arts programming and promoting its facilities as a competitive public-event-rental venue, he is inviting the community to re-invest and join the momentum towards a complete revitalization. The first step, in that vein, was an Open House attended by hundreds last fall.

This spring Bestock introduces Youngstown Thrive 8, a dance party that is both for families and party goers.

“In late February, we turn 8 years old,” says Bestock. “So we’re throwing a party for our community. There will be live bands, DJs, arts activities, fun for the whole family and then a late-night dance party.”

Change is definitely underway at Youngstown. Under Bestock’s leadership, last summer, Youngstown was an integral part of the Delridge Mural Program, which paid at-risk youth to work with teaching artist Andrew Morrison to paint murals on twelve traffic signal boxes along the Delridge corridor.

(WSB photo, August 2013)
Bestock sees these community outreach events as essential to Youngstown’s re-vitalization and future.

“We know there are folks out there who used to come to every one of our dance parties back in the day,” continues Bestock. “With The Thrive, we are hoping our friends, new and old, will come back to Youngstown and enjoy a night of dancing and community”.

The public is invited to join in on the birthday activities- from live bands to DJs to kids’ arts activities and other surprises, The Thrive has something for everyone.

YOUNGSTOWN THRIVE 8
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2014 | 6- 9p Family friendly fun | 9p- 1a 21+ Dance Party
LIVE BANDS | DJS |KID ART | FOOD&DRINK | CASH BAR |NEW YOUNGSTOWN MERCH
Tickets: $10 Adults -$5 Kids (12 and under) brownpapertickets.com

Pancakes for Sunday breakfast! Tomorrow at Hiawatha CC

(WSB photo from February 2013 pancake breakfast at Hiawatha)
No cooking to do, no dishes to wash, but you get a full belly and a warm feeling you’ve helped your community … all that can be yours for $6 or less tomorrow (Sunday) morning at Hiawatha Community Center. It’s the annual pancake breakfast to raise money to help make sure rec-program participation is within everyone’s reach. $6 is for age 13 and up, $5 for ages 3-12, $4 if you’re 65+, free for 2 and under. Breakfast is served 8 am-noon tomorrow; Hiawatha is at 2700 California SW, just north of West Seattle High School and its sizable parking lot.

Just hours left to get your ticket to Sunday’s WestSide Baby Tea

If you don’t already have a ticket to Sunday’s gala Benefit Tea helping local families via WestSide Baby – time’s ticking toward the deadline to get yours – 4 pm tomorrow (Wednesday). From WS Baby executive director Nancy Woodland:

500 people are already signed up for the 13th Annual Benefit Tea on Sunday (2 pm, Sea-Tac Hilton Conference Center) and we hope you will come too. It’s an afternoon of incredible impact and community support of local children in need.

The Tea supports WestSide Baby operations and programs, allowing us to serve more local children with critical items to keep them safe, warm and dry. Guests are asked to give in support of our mission to provide essentials to local children in need.

My personal promises to you as our guest:

1) You will be inspired by our Tea Speaker and program.
2) Your gifts will immediately serve local children in need.
3) You will leave knowing you are part of something amazing.
4) If this happens to be your first fundraiser, we’ll make it fun and very easy!

Keynote speaker is Joanne Samuel Goldblum, executive director of the National Diaper Bank Network. WS Baby says no, you do not HAVE to dress up fancy – they just want to see you there!

P.S. WSB is proud to be among the sponsors of Sunday’s event, along with more than two dozen other local businesses (among them are businesses who are also members of our sponsor team – Ventana Construction, Jackson, Morgan & Hunt PLLC, Wyatt’s Jewelers, Fauntleroy Chiropractic, Budget Blinds, West Seattle Design Build, and Massage Envy-West Seattle).

Step up ASAP! Signups start for Stairway Walks Day

(‘Alki From Above’ route 2012 photo courtesy Cathy Jaramillo)
Three West Seattle routes are on the lineup of 18 citywide for this year’s Feet First Stairway Walks Day – and registration has JUST opened so you can reserve a spot before they’re all gone! On the Fauntleroy-area route, you’ll travel on the city’s second-longest stairway (SW Thistle near Lincoln Park); on the “Alki From Above” route, you’ll walk among old-growth trees; on the Longfellow Creek/Pigeon Point route, you’ll climb Puget Ridge. See the signup page for full descriptions, including how many steps up/down for each route. Each walk is guided and each starts at 10 am on Saturday, February 8th; $5 donation per person is suggested.

P.S. Even the non-WS routes have a local link – all 18 are from West Seattleites Cathy and Jake Jaramillo‘s “Seattle Stairways Walks.”

Fauntleroy chili cookoff Saturday: Room for 1 more competitor

Just in from Judy Pickens in Fauntleroy:

The third annual Fauntleroy Chili Cook-Off needs one more chef to fill out the list of competitors – meat or vegetarian, your choice. The cook-off will be Saturday, January 25, 6 pm, hosted by Fauntleroy Church (9140 California Ave. SW). Call 206-932-5600 for details about putting your favorite recipe up against prior winners and other hopefuls hot to win the crown.

Lots of room for attendees, of course; those details are in our calendar listing.

Hoop it up! West Seattle hula hooper organizing community jam

That’s Seaview resident and hula hooper Mary Decker, who’s sponsoring a free Community SpinJam later this month and has room for more local hula hoopers to RSVP. It’s at 8 Limbs in The Junction at 2 pm Sunday, January 26th – RSVP via Facebook by going here. Mary says all ages are welcome, adding “when I say all ages, I really mean it. This is not just for kids. In fact, the hoops I make are large and heavy, much easier for an adult to use than those tiny lightweight ones we know from the olden days. Kids can use them too, though!”

Invade Alki! Fire the cannon during parades! Be a Seafair Pirate!

(2012 WSB photo by Nick Adams)
There’s a little bit of pirate in everyone, they say. Or, for some, a LOT of pirate. If that’s you – maybe you want to consider joining the notorious band known as the Seafair Pirates, who sent scurrilous word early today that they are recruiting:

Opportunity knocks, you swabs! The rare chance to join an organization hailed by the Seattle Times as “Seattle’s best respected cheesy thing,” awaits you! For sixty-five years the Seafair Pirates have been tickling the Emerald City’s funny bone. Are you cut out to help the Pirates continue to provide this vital community service?

The deal is the same as the pitch used by all navy recruiters; JOIN UP AND SEE THE WORLD! (Japan, Mexico, Canada, Ballard!) Of course like the navy you’ll work for your passage, but that’s all part of the life of adventure we’re offering you.

If you think you’ve got what it takes, find out more about the Seafair Pirates Candidate Program at www.seafairpirates.org/Candidate. If you don’t wish to apply electronically you can reach us at Seattle Seafair Pirates, PO Box 30674, Greenwood Station, Seattle, WA 98113, or by telephone, 206-521-3300. So get your note in that bottle now!

The Seafair Pirates originally banded together in 1949 in conjunction with the first Seafair to promote Seattle’s summer celebration while having fun and serving the community. Despite their bad-guy image, the Pirates make dozens of appearances annually at hospitals, nursing homes and charity fund raisers. During the height of Seattle’s SEAFAIR Celebration, they appear at several events and parades each day.

2nd West Seattle Chess Tournament now open for student signups

(WSB photo, February 2013)
The second-annual West Seattle Chess Tournament is in the works for February 8th, and players from kindergarten through 8th grade are welcome to sign up starting now. Last year was the first year for this tournament hosted by the Schmitz Park Elementary Chess Club (in cooperation with the Lafayette Chess Club) and sponsored by ChessMates; SP is the site again, and players from all over the peninsula are welcome. Organizers say, “This is a great opportunity for children in West Seattle to try out a chess tournament in a local and intimate venue; all children are welcome, they need not have participated in a chess club.” For more info – on participation and/or supporting the tournament – e-mail coach Jeremy Higgins at dangerscience@gmail.com.

New Year’s resolution: Check out West Seattle community centers

If you’re looking for more fun, fitness, education, and/or entertainment in the New Year – you just might find it in the ongoing programs and special events at our area’s city-run community centers. Every quarter, a brochure comes out listing what’s ahead at Alki, Delridge, Hiawatha, High Point, and South Park Community Centers, as well as at Southwest Teen Life Center and Southwest Pool. You can pick up a paper copy at any of those locations or scroll through the PDF version here.

Two events coming up this month, showcased by the centers: First – a new cooking/baking series kicks off with a challah-baking workshop at 5:30 pm Thursday, January 9th, at Delridge CC (see brochure page 18). Second – the popular Reptile Man at High Point CC, as part of the Fabulous Family Fun series, 10:30 am Saturday, January 18th, $5 per person if you pay in advance (see brochure page 4).

West Seattle New Year’s Eve: Highland Park Improvement Club finalizes Not-So-Silent-Night Parade, Corner Bar plan

Continuing our previews of ways you can celebrate New Year’s Eve without leaving West Seattle:

(December 31, 2012, WSB photo by Nick Adams)
Highland Park Improvement Club has finalized the schedule for its New Year’s Eve extravaganza. Once again this year, the Not-So-Silent-Night parade through the nearby neighborhood will kick it off – all ages welcome. Gather with noisemakers, flashlights, etc., in the HPIC parking lot at 12th and Holden starting at 6 pm. The parade – fifth annual, by our count – heads out at 6:30 or “when everyone’s ready.” After half an hour or so, it’s back to the HPIC parking lot for the don’t-miss Sage Comet fire performance around 7; then inside for the special New Year’s Eve edition of HPIC’s popular pop-up Corner Bar, otherwise a “first Friday” fixture. 8-10 pm, Choroloco plays Brazilian jazz; DJs Rich and Evan take over from 10 pm “until 2014.” You don’t have to be a Highland Park’er to join the party – they welcome one and all.

Happening now: Have breakfast with West Seattle Kiwanis, and Santa!

Don’t throw the bread in the toaster or pour the cereal into the bowl – go have breakfast (if you haven’t already) with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle!

It’s been a tradition for more than half a century. They – and Santa Claus (below, with Kiwanian Mike LaFranchi)! – are in action until 11 am at the Masonic Center (40th and Edmunds).

Just $10 at the door, and kids under 10 eat free; proceeds benefit Children’s Hospital cancer research and the Kiwanis’s community work.

(Linda Cox and Warren Lawless of the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle)
And bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots if you can! More details here. (Photos added 9:15 am)

West Seattle Bowl benefits: Beer Church this Saturday, Seahawk Cliff Avril for United Way next month

Two notable benefits ahead at West Seattle Bowl:

15TH ANNUAL BEER CHURCH TURKEY BOWL: This Saturday night, the West Seattle-headquartered Beer Church hosts its annual fundraiser and food drive for the West Seattle Food Bank. Checking the website, there might be a lane or two available, but even if there’s not, you are invited to come by, drop off a food donation, enter a fundraising raffle, and try “all three versions of this year’s Beer Church ale.” Read all about it here.

LIVE UNITED, BOWL UNITED PRESENTED BY TEAM AVRIL: Cliff Avril of the 10-1 Seattle Seahawks is hosting a fundraiser for United Way of King County on December 30th – and West Seattle Bowl expects other Hawks players to be there. $35/person, $175/lane (up to six people). Sign up fast if you’re interested!

Prizes! Middle-schooler reading marathon next Saturday

All 6th, 7th, and 8th graders – whether in public school, private school, or homeschooled/unschooled – are invited to join in a Reading Marathon next Saturday. It’s happening at six Seattle Public Library branches around the city, including the Southwest Branch here in West Seattle. Teen-services librarian Cheresse Thoeny shares the announcement:

What is the Reading Marathon? Your chance to read for six straight hours at a Seattle Public Library branch.

Why would I want to do that?

· For every hour you read, you’ll receive a prize. Read all six hours and you might win a fabulous grand prize!

· If students from your school read the most total hours, your school receives the Reading Marathon Champions banner—and bragging rights.

· There will be plenty of free snacks and pizza will be served.

· You can bring a pillow, bean bag, or anything else to make things comfy.

· You can read anything you want (book, e-book, magazine, comic, etc.) as long as you read it silently. (What about audiobooks? Check with a librarian ahead of time.)

To join in, just show up at the Southwest Branch Library (35th and Henderson) between 11 am and 5 pm next Saturday (November 16th).

Don’t put away the costumes yet! Kids of all ages invited to Chief Sealth Unified Halloween on Saturday night

This year’s last Halloween hurrah is Saturday night at Chief Sealth International High School - and while it’s student-organized and publicized, it’s not just for high-school age youth – all ages are invited. Here’s the announcement:

This Saturday at 5 PM, Chief Sealth will be hosting a carnival/party to bring together and unify kids with and without disabilities. The event is also a fundraiser, with all of the profits going to Chief Sealth Club Unify! To get in, it costs $5, if you bring a cake or any other kind of dessert for the cake walk. Without a dessert, it costs $10. Kids under the ages of 10, get in for $3. There will be a cake walk, relay races, dancing, movies, and more! There will also be a costume contest (with prizes) so make sure to dress up! It will be a lot of fun and the more the merrier!! So spread the word to whoever and bring a friend! (:

More West Seattle Halloween scenes: Westwood trick-or-treating, ‘Nightmare on 44th,’ more

All over West Seattle, diabolically decorations dotted neighborhoods as night fell on Halloween 2013. Above, that’s a photo shared by Dotti, explaining that Halloween is her husband’s birthday. For many others, you might as well subtitle it Candy Day – along with the Admiral District trick or treating we featured earlier, Westwood Village welcomed treat-seekers in the early evening – we photographed this one outside Giannoni’s Pizza:

Also at Westwood – check out the furry trick-or-treater at Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor):

In the Genesee area, “Nightmare on 44th” drew crowds – almost 200 visitors, tweeted creator Dave – a yard full of elaborate effects, with animatronic skeletons amid lights, sound, surprises:

That’s where we found these pumpkins, from cheery to eerie:

One more Halloween scene: Tim at The Kenney (WSB sponsor) shared this photo of their own “Golden Girls”:

Since Halloween fell on a Thursday, our event guide still has listings for Friday night and even Saturday – check ‘em out!

West Seattle Thursday: Halloween happenings for today/tonight

(Decorated home at 38th/Hanford; photo courtesy Siobhan)
It’s here – the haunting holiday of Halloween. Today’s daily preview is a spooktacular collection of highlights from the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide, starting with the biggest local event:

ADMIRAL DISTRICT TRICK-OR-TREATING: 3-6 pm, it’s time for trick-or-treating at businesses in The Admiral District, participating merchants – look for businesses displaying this sign:

No treasure hunt or raffle prizes this year, “just good old-fashioned trick-or-treating.” No list but we DID hear from Emeritus at Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor), 2326 California SW, which is participating and extends a warm welcome to trick-or-treaters.

METROPOLITAN MARKET KIDS’ COSTUME CONTEST: While you’re in The Admiral District for trick-or-treating, join in the Kids’ Halloween Costume Contest 3-6 pm at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor). Winners in the three categories will receive $25 Toys “R” Us gift cards; drop by today, and then vote over the next three days. (41st/42nd/Admiral Way)

FREE HALLOWEEN FAMILY SKATE: Southgate Roller Rink and Full Tilt Ice Cream present a FREE Halloween Family Skate from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm at the rink. Costume contest, candy giveaways, a guest DJ, more. (17th SW south of Roxbury, White Center)

WESTWOOD VILLAGE: 5-7 pm is the time you can go trick-or-treating at participating venues in the Westwood Village shopping center

SKELETON THEATRE: 6-9 pm (tonight AND tomorrow), don’t miss this year’s edition of Skeleton Theatre, 6-9 pm (directions and show info here). The animatronic skeletons are back, reprising the space-themed “Ulna 13” from last year with updates! Shows “roughly on the hour and half-hour.” (36th/Hanford)

NIGHTMARE ON 44TH: 6-9 pm tonight only, animatronic and spooky “Nightmare on 44th” is back! 44th Ave SW between Charlestown and Andover. See behind-the-scenes photos on Twitter at @NightmareOn44th.

KIDS KARNIVAL: 6-8 pm, it’s a Kids Karnival at West Side Presbyterian Church, promising “carnival games, bouncy house, giant slide, a box maze, prizes and more! This event is geared for young children through 5th grade. It is a fun, safe alternative to trick-or-treating!” Admission free BUT there’s a donation drive for emergency kits for people in need – here’s what you can bring:

Hand warmers, socks, granola bars, small-amount gift cards, beanie hats, travel sized toothpaste & toothbrush, bars of soap, hand sanitizer, $ donation to purchase these items!

WSPC is at 3601 California SW.

TRUNK OR TREAT: Grace Community Church Trunk or Treat, 6-8 pm, free family event with car trunks filled with goodies, games, hot drinks, food. (10323 28th SW)

(In the planting strip in the 9400 block of 13th SW; photo courtesy Lisa)
GHOST GAME VII: The Cabiri in ‘Ghost Game VII: The Wild Hunt’ @ Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 8-9:45 pm. Tickets available here; 16 and over only. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

OZZY-WEEN: Halloween Ozzy Osbourne tribute at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9:30 pm. (6451 California SW)

HALLOWEEN KARAOKE: It’s “Scary-Oke” for Halloween at Outwest Bar, 9 pm-2 am. (California/Brandon)

ZOMBIE HOMECOMING: Zombie Homecoming 18+ event hosted by Southgate Roller Rink and the Rainier Roller Girls! 9 pm-midnight, $12 @ the door. Costume contest, raffle, 21+ bar, and much more! (17th SW south of Roxbury, White Center)

More Halloween (etc.) events for tonight and the next two nights – in our guide; today’s non-Halloween happenings are on our regular calendar.