West Seattle Blog…

West Seattle Saturday: What’s up as Hallo-weekend continues

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
From the WSB Halloween 2012 page and our year-round West Seattle Events Calendar:

PANCAKE BREAKFAST FOR CLEAN WATER: Pancakes, bacon, fruit, orange juice, and coffee for $4/person – and the money goes to a good cause, clean drinking water in Kenya. You can be part of it by going to breakfast 8:30 am-11:30 am at West Side Presbyterian Church (3601 California SW).

WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: Ride a bike? Help advocate for West Seattle improvements! Following up on the Thursday meet-and-greet (WSB coverage here), the first WSBC meeting is at 8:30 am at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW.

WEST SEATTLE MONSTER DASH: The first-ever run/walk fundraiser for West Seattle’s Cooperative Preschools starts at 9 am, using the upper trails of Lincoln Park, with a kids’ dash following at 10 am. You can sign up at the park if you’re not registered there. Latest details here.

CULINARY ARTS OPEN HOUSE: South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) invites you to come learn about its acclaimed program – 9:30 am; details here.

LEARN ABOUT LANDSLIDES: The season of highest risk starts in October, and that’s why the city is presenting free landslide-awareness-and-prevention sessions – starting with one at 10 am today at SSCC; more info here.

UNDERWATER PUMPKIN CARVING: Scheduled for Alki, 10 am – participants from local dive clubs have an hour to carve, with public judging at 11 am. Here’s our recent preview.

GRETCHEN’S GRAINS DEMO – DON’T FORGET THE COUPON! West Seattleite Gretchen Williamson-Evans will demonstrate recipes with her Gretchen’s Grains 11 am-3 pm at PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (California/Stevens; WSB sponsor), and you still have a few more days to use the WSB coupon for GG – get it here.

WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY HALLOWEEN PARTY: 11 am-1 pm, kids 2-10 are invited to come decorate a mini-pumpkin and get a goodie bag – costumes encouraged. (California/Fauntleroy)

HALLOWEEN STORYTELLING: Storytime at Barnes & Noble at Westwood Village is going ghostly and ghoulish! In honor of the holiday, they’ll be doing Halloween stories at 11 am. Costumes welcome.

HALLOWEEN DOG PHOTOS: Halloween photos of the dog(s) in your life, at The Wash Dog (WSB sponsor). Since almost everyone has a camera, this year YOU are the photographer. We have the set-up: Hay bales, pumpkins, dog costumes to borrow (or bring your own) and of course, treats. Free!

LEGENDS OF LINCOLN PARK WALKING TOUR: Starts at 1 pm from the Lincoln Park parking lot across from Fauntleroy/Rose, rain or shine, with Peder Nelson as your guide, presented by the Log House Museum.

FULL TILT PUMPKIN FEST: 4 pm, pumpkin beers paired with floats and milk shakes, plus live music, at Full Tilt Ice Cream in White Center – more info here.

OKTOBERFEST DINNER: With the West Seattle Lions Club, 5:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon).

LONGHOUSE HALLOWEEN PARTY: Kids of all ages are invited to the Duwamish Longhouse Halloween Party, 6-8 pm; details and map here.

‘COME AS YOU AREN’T’ HALLOWEEN BATTLE OF THE BANDS: It’s the biggest party of the year at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW) – bands masquerading as other bands. Starts at 7 pm – no cover.

REILLY & MALONEY: The fabled folk duo, who you might have seen at Summer Concerts at Hiawatha just a few months ago, is at Kenyon Hall tonight, 8 pm (ticket info here).

MORE PARTIES/MUSIC/NIGHTLIFE: See the WSB Halloween page for details on parties at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), A Terrible Beauty, OutWest Bar, plus live music at even more venues, plus more of what’s up today/tonight!

Happening now: Admiral Treats and Treasures, report #1

That’s “Molly the Bubble,” we were informed, in the washing machine outside Wiseman’s Appliance and TV in The Admiral District, one of the places we stopped in the first hour of Admiral Treats and Treasures. Some businesses away from Admiral Junction set up tables there to catch more trick or treaters, like Life Care Center of West Seattle (WSB sponsor):

The trick-or-treating-and-more event continues till 6 pm – here’s the list of participants, along with a reminder to go to Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (2326 California SW; WSB sponsor) before you’re done, for a chance at the “treasure”! More photos in report #2 later tonight.

From the WSB Halloween page: Hallo-weekend about to begin

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
With Halloween on Wednesday this year, the next three days feature many more local events/activities than you’ll find on October 31st – so we wanted to direct your attention one more time to the WSB Halloween page, where we’ve listed everything we have heard about and have found (still time to add more if we’re missing something – editor@westseattleblog.com). That includes the business-district trick-or-treat events: Admiral Treats and Treasures 3-6 pm tomorrow, Junction Harvest Festival Sunday (10 am-2 pm with trick-or-treating noon-2), Westwood Village 5-7 pm on Halloween. Check out our list of West Seattle (and a bit beyond) activities for ALL ages – here.

Soup’s on, and game on! 3rd annual Great Soup-Off announced

Soup weather has arrived. And so has news of a chance to show your soupiest stuff. Just out of the WSB inbox:

The 3rd Annual Great Soup-Off of West Seattle

Saturday, November 3rd at 6 pm
Big Al Brewing
9832 14th Ave SW

Prepare your finest soup for a friendly competition with friends, family & neighbors!

Please bring:
…a soup to serve 10
…your own serving and eating ware
…and a friend

Children/youth are welcome! RSVP to mikhaila.gonzales@gmail.com

You be the judge: Underwater pumpkin-carving at Alki

(2011 photo courtesy Joyce Merkel)
Just out of the WSB inbox – one of the season’s most unusual pumpkin-carving competitions:

The annual Boeing Seahorse and Marker Buoys Dive Club Underwater Pumpkin Carving will take place Saturday, October 27th at the Alki Picnic Shelter on 63rd and Alki Avenue. Divers will enter the water at around 10:00 AM and will have one hour to carve their pumpkin in a minimum of 10′ of water. We need the public to help us judge the carved pumpkins. Judging will begin shortly after 11:00 AM. Categories are Artistic, Biggest, Scariest, Better off as Pumpkin Pie, and Best use of Sea Life. We hope to see you there!

We’ve added that to the WSB West Seattle Halloween 2012 page; if you’re having a public Halloween-themed event, and it’s not on that page, please send us the info – thanks!

Firefighter Story Times: High Point today, Admiral tomorrow

(Photos courtesy of Seattle Fire Department Public Information Officer Kyle Moore)
Seattle firefighters are touring library branches for Firefighter Story Times, teaching preschoolers fire safety. Today, Fire Chief Gregory Dean (above) led the team at the High Point branch. Firefighters from nearby Station 37 impressed the kids too:

And if you missed today’s event …

… you have another chance tomorrow, with a different crew of firefighters coming to the West Seattle (Admiral) Library at 10:30 am.

Happening now at Delridge P-Patch: Cider press in action

Cider time! Join North Delridge neighbors under a tent at the Delridge P-Patch (accessible from either Delridge or 25th, 5000 block) till 4 pm. When we dropped by, Cooper was one of the young helpers. BYO apples – washed – and give the cider press (on loan from the West Seattle Tool Library) a try! More info here.

West Seattle Cardboard Challenge: A day to play

(Video and photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
In that quick clip by WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams, you hear Marie LeBaron explain the West Seattle Cardboard Challenge – which became reality just about a week after she put out the call for venue ideas.

The Kenney (WSB sponsor) was the place, as Marie (above) announced, and local kids were the stars:

From left, that’s Patrick O’Leary, 8; Matt LeBaron, 9; and Ruben Smith, 7, checking out the puzzle game “Skittle Riddle.” See more, ahead!

Click to read the rest of West Seattle Cardboard Challenge: A day to play…

Followup: Site chosen for West Seattle Cardboard Challenge

Last Friday, we shared a request from Marie, who publishes Make and Takes – she was looking for a venue to hold a Caine’s Arcade Cardboard Challenge this Saturday (October 6th). Thanks to everybody’s help, she found one – The Kenney (WSB sponsor; 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW). For details of what’ll happen there 11 am-2 pm Saturday, and to RSVP, go here. And/or click ahead for more details from Marie: Click to read the rest of Followup: Site chosen for West Seattle Cardboard Challenge…

Happening now: CityFruit cider-pressing, bake sale

That’s Betsy from CityFruit pouring some just-pressed cider at West Seattle Nursery, where CF welcomes you to bring your own apples – or enjoy cider from theirs – till 4 this afternoon. Along with the free cider, we discovered it’s a baked-goods-and-more sale too – apple pies, plum jam … But the real fun is helping with the press:

This is the first of at least three cider-press events in West Seattle and vicinity this fall. On October 13th, at 1 pm, you can go to Village Green Perennial Nursery (WSB sponsor) to be part of theirs (details here, including pumpkin carving!); on October 14th, 1-4 pm, there’s a cider-press party in the North Delridge P-Patch (details here). And if you want to do some cider pressing yourself – you can check with the West Seattle Tool Library to see if theirs is available!

Leapin’ lederhosen! ‘Authentic Oktoberfest’ in West Seattle

Last year, when we mentioned this annual event in our daily preview, turned out it had long been sold out. So here’s an advance alert about the most festive Oktoberfest you’ll find in West Seattle – and possibly beyond – this fall. From the Austria Club of Washington, which also shared the photo:

Looking for an authentic Oktoberfest experience, but don’t have time to fly to Munich? Then come the the Alki Masonic Hall on Friday, October 19 (4736 40th Ave SW).

The Austria Club of Washington is hosting its traditional Oktoberfest with a star attraction: the 40-piece Blaskapelle Tourchester Lich returns to Seattle to blow the wanna-be ‘fests’ away. This German band last played here a dozen years ago to great acclaim. During breaks, our Enzian Schuhplattler will entertain. German food and Paulaner beer, as well as Austrian wine and soft drinks at reasonable prices. The admission fee ($25 in advance) includes dinner. Table reservations for parties of 8, please. Tickets must be paid and reservations made by October 15. Mail check, made out to ‘Austria Club of WA” to Ardis Maine-Wittmann, 15902 70th Ave W, Edmonds, WA 98026. For info, call Ardis at 425-745-0654 or visit us at austriaclubwa.com.

Take a walk on the West (Seattle) side: 3 Feet First events

As a new round of West Seattle In Motion – encouraging you to walk, bus, bike when you can if you’re not already doing any of the above – gets going, Feet First just announced three guided walks in WS “focused on the intersection between the built and natural environments,” led by Neighborhood Walking Ambassadors. 1 pm-3 pm Saturday, October 6th, Chas Redmond will lead you through the Fauntleroy Creek Watershed in 28-acre Fauntleroy Park (RSVP and get details here). 1-3 pm Saturday, October 13th, Bryan Fiedorczyk will take you on an urban hike through the Longfellow Creek Watershed – see everything from a beaver dam to large-scale public art (RSVP and get details here). And 1-3 pm Saturday, October 20th, “Seattle Stairway Walks” authors Cathy and Jake Jaramillo lead a stairway walk exploring “Alki From Above,” ending in Schmitz Park (RSVP and get details here). Feet First says all three of these walks are family-friendly – but space is limited, so use the links to RSVP ASAP if you’re interested.

Happening now: West Seattle Junction Car Show afterparty

From left, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) proprietor Lora Swift and Skylark Café and Club proprietor Jessie SK led the way as the first-ever West Seattle Junction Car Show afterparty scooter rally left the Hotwire vicinity just after 4 pm.

We rolled video as the riders rolled away:

Right now, they should be enjoying music and more at Skylark – you’re welcome to join in, even without a scooter – and then the fun heads to the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) for “Quadrophenia” at 8 pm.

Quick reminder: West Seattle Junction Car Show today!

(Early photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand, added 7:06 am – participants arriving)
Before we get to the full daily preview – a quick reminder that the fifth annual West Seattle Junction Car Show is an hour and a half away, 8 am-4 pm in the heart of The Junction. If you have a classic car, motorcycle, or scooter that meets the criteria, there’s same-day registration – info’s here. If you’re interested in going – it’s free (but bring $ for the raffles, which raise money for Pencil Me In For Kids). Whether you’re going or not, remember that California SW will be closed to traffic from Oregon to Edmunds, and SW Alaska from 44th to 42nd. But the weekly West Seattle Farmers Market IS ON, 10 am-2 pm as always – featuring the annual Zucchini 500 “races” for kids. Co-sponsors for this year’s Junction Car Show again include WSB (full list here), and we’ll be there reporting live all day. Two after-parties are in the works, a scooter rally and screening of “Quadrophenia” – more on those in today’s preview.

Holy Rosary WestFest 2012: Fun ‘n’ games, happening now

Celebrating fall in the waning days of summer, Holy Rosary School‘s family festival WestFest is on till 10 tonight – and while the outdoor attractions can be hair-raising:

… the gym full of games and treats is enough to keep you busy for a long time.

See more of what’s at the festival, ahead:
Click to read the rest of Holy Rosary WestFest 2012: Fun ‘n’ games, happening now…

Scooter rally Sunday, post-West Seattle Junction Car Show

(WSB photo from June 30th, scooters outside Skylark)
Even if your scooter isn’t “vintage” enough to show in the West Seattle Junction Car Show this Sunday (8 am-4 pm, with cars and motorcycles too; register here), you’re invited to join a scooter rally afterward. The West is co-sponsoring. The official announcement:

After the car show, The West is sponsoring a scooter rally which will meander through West Seattle stopping at landmarks, going along Alki Beach and other cool spots. It’s going to be hosted by two WS business owners, Lora Swift of Hotwire Coffee and Jessie Russo of Skylark Café and Club. The rally will start at Hotwire Coffee and end at Skylark Café. You can register (FREE!) for the rally now until 4 pm on Sunday, either via email with your name or at Hotwire.

Here’s a map:

Then 5-7 pm, live music and food/drink specials at Skylark ($5 cover), followed by, at 8 pm, the “Quadrophenia” screening at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), free.

Admiral Neighborhood Association, report #1: Dates for Treats & Treasures 2012, Summer Concerts at Hiawatha 2013

(WSB photo from Admiral Treats and Treasures 2011)
A quick note from tonight’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, with a full-length report to follow in the next 24 hours or so: ANA president Katy Walum announced dates for two things you might want to get onto your calendar. First, this year’s Admiral Treats and Treasures trick-or-treat (and more) event in the business district is set for 3-6 pm on Friday, October 26th. Second, next year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series is set for another six consecutive Thursdays, running July 25th (2013) through August 29th. (We’ll have all of those dates in the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar shortly in case you need to refer back!)

West Seattle weekend: One more summery day ahead

Thanks to JayDee for the sunset view from Upper Alki tonight! The forecast suggests one more summery day is in the works – likely getting into the 80s again – before clouds move in for Sunday. Outdoor events for tomorrow on the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar include the Street Fair at Holy Family School (20th/Roxbury), 10 am-4 pm tomorrow – with an outdoor movie Saturday night! – and the Grandparents’ Day celebration at Life Care Center of West Seattle (WSB sponsor), with a free community barbecue, 11 am-2:30 pm. And while you’re in Admiral, check out Sechin Tower‘s book signing event for “Mad Science Institute” at Atomic Boys, 1-4 pm. See more on the calendar – for tomorrow, Sunday, and weeks/months into the future.

Honey Badger DOES care … about the WS Junction Car Show

That’s the design for this year’s official West Seattle Junction Car Show, courtesy of show organizer Michael Hoffman from Liberty Bell Print and Design. The show (with co-sponsors including WSB) is one week from Sunday, and here’s his update tonight:

We have many preregistered cars and are looking forward to the day of show sign ups. Again, there will be a charity raffle to support West Seattle Rotary’s Pencil Me In For Kids. This program provides school supplies for children in need in the West Seattle area. Once again this year, the raffle will included an assembled $350 Weber gas grill donated by Junction True Value.

Regarding the shirt design, Michael explains, “To keep up with trends, this year’s shirt has a honey badger sitting on the car’s hood. After all, honey badger don’t care if he scratches the paint!” (Explained here, if you missed that trend …; last year’s shirt, you might recall, featured a coyote.) The show is 8 am-4 pm Sunday, September 16th, in The Junction, and motorcycles and mopeds are welcome this year too – all the details are on the official website.

AFTER THE CAR SHOW – A CLASSIC MOVIE! As a WSJ Car Show after-party, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) is screening The Who’s “Quadrophenia” – 8 pm Sunday 9/16.

New way to get ‘new’ clothes: West Seattle swap event

Mind Unwind in the Admiral District is the site of an event on September 16th that might provide a new way for you to get “new” outfits – a clothing swap! It’s being hosted/organized by $tyle Cents and we’re told they still have spots left, but the registration deadline is next Monday.

Drop your clean, consignment-quality clothing (no tears, stains, broken zippers, etc.) and accessories at Mind Unwind Friday or Saturday, September 14 or 15th from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Please bring between 10 and 20 (but who’s really counting?) clothing items and any additional accessories (including shoes, jewelry, purses and scarves)

Linda from Style Cents will help you decide what is a yay or nay and assist in creating new outfits on the spot! It’s a swap with a stylist!

All unwanted items will be donated to Jubilee Women’s Center

Drinks are part of the event, with Skinny Girl Margaritas as a sponsor. After you drop off your items on the 14th or 15th, the actual swap/sip/style event is 1-4 pm Sunday, Sept. 16th. Rhttp://mindunwind.org/event/tylecents-clothing-swap/egistration fee is $20 – sign up online here.

Update: Last of this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha

6:46 PM: We’re on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center – where the sun is shining on the south half of the field, but there’s a bit of an almost-autumn chill in the shade, as Curtains For You plays its first set of the last Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show this year. Come by – free popsicles for everybody who wants one (come see the Admiral Neighborhood Association at the east edge of the lawn – we’re right next to them), free face painting for kids – or, arm-painting …

… and free music, till 8.

7:42 PM: Another couple songs and they’re wrapping up. ANA president Katy Walum took the stage to thank this year’s sponsors, musicians, volunteers, and attendees. And – last but not least – her ever-supportive husband Erik Walum:

And Katy confirmed there’ll be a fifth season of Summer Concerts at Hiawatha! More to come in our wrapup of tonight, including a clip of Curtains For You (which will open for The Head and The Heart at the Paramount downtown on September 15th).

10:30 PM: Here’s the clip:

And we’ve been meaning during the season to mention the stage crew, Randy Knowles and Dave Grixoni, who’ve worked every concert in the series:

Dave is a letter carrier by day, around The Junction. He’s been working on the concerts ever since Katy Walum called him, having heard from someone that he knew something about sound systems. They talked about the Admiral setup – and eventually Katy asked if he could run the sound. Dave said Hiawatha had some great equipment (board, amps, speakers) so it shouldn’t be too hard. He had played in bands with Randy, and between the two of them, they had equipment if anything wasn’t readily available. They’d known each other since Randy’s days at a local store; Dave delivered the mail to the store, got to talking with Randy, and they decided to play music together.

Their first band, they told WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand, was the Neil Young tribute band Ragged Glory (which played the Hiawatha series its first year), and that’s morphed into Melanie and Her Blue Suede Dudes, much more bluesy, they say, than Ragged Glory.

Since they have worked together for so long, it only takes about an hour for them to set up, and the sound check for a 6:30 pm concert is usually 5 pm. So look for Dave and Randy next year – the unsung heroes behind the scenes (or, at least, the stage).

Camp Long’s new ‘Hub and Spoke’: Dessert auction/concert benefit ahead

You are invited to the Camp Long Dessert Auction & Coffeehouse Concert Fundraiser, 6:30 to 9 pm on Saturday, September 22nd. (The entrance to the 68-acre park is at 5200 35th SW.)

This event will also celebrate completion of the new “Hub and Spoke” element, phase 2 of Camp Long’s Ropes Challenge Course installation. Attendees can explore the Hub and Spoke on the Challenge Course from the ground, and purchase raffle tickets for a chance to be the first to explore the Hub and Spoke element in the air. Here’s how Camp Long describes it:

The Hub and Spoke element is both physically and mentally challenging, consisting of high platforms, interconnected activities, routes on slim beams, wobbly steps, and swings and ropes to clutch or walk on. Trained facilitators lead participants, always harnessed in safety equipment, through the course … A hub and spoke course is built like a wheel; activities radiate from a center hub with a large platform to the outside poles, which are then connected together by other activities.

Phase 1 of the Challenge Course was officially dedicated and opened with a celebration in September of last year. The Sept. 22 event is $10; raffle tickets will be on sale the entire evening, while homemade and local-business-made desserts are auctioned and local musicians play.