West Seattle Blog…

Happening now: Halloween Art Jam at Feedback Lounge

What could be scarier than creating art in front of an audience? The Halloween Art Jam is happening right now at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction. When WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli stopped by about an hour ago, three artists were busily working – and a fourth was on the way, according to Feedback proprietor Jeff Gilbert. Above, that’s Eric Osborne; next, Steve Klinkel:

He told Christopher they’re expecting to keep going until at least 11 pm – so if you’d like to see the works in progress … which will eventually be available for sale, by the way – head on over to 6451 California SW – Vblast is part of the lineup too:

Jeff, ever the impresario, says he has another art event in the works — 10 artists, 10 easels, they all paint a portion of each one. But first – The Feedback has more Halloween fun to scare up – check out the calendar to see what’s up.

Drumming and running: New Fitness for Vitality series starts

Live music in Lincoln Park this morning for … a 5k/10k run/walk! It’s the first of personal trainer Annette Herrick‘s latest three-run/walk Fitness for Vitality (WSB sponsor) series, and this time, inviting people to “Run with Drums,” she has live music planned for each one. They start with a kids’ dash – among this morning’s participants, above from left, Emma, Jack, Morgan, Megan, and Ryden. Below, first adult across the finish line – Rich Camacho:

Yes, these are chip-timed runs! Today’s drumming, by the way, was courtesy of Arturo Rodriguez and his Latin Ensemble (we’ll add video later); next two runs are October 23 (accompanied by the Hamana Don Band) and November 20 (accompanied by Vamola), both also in Lincoln Park. You can register (and/or find out more) here.

New after-school program launching at Alki Community Center

Registration starts this week for a new program called “Enrichment on Alki,” for kindergarteners through fifth graders, at Alki Community Center. ACC’s Angelica Boyden explains, “Currently for the Fall quarter we have between 40 and 45 after-school enrichment classes that will be available to the youth from Alki Elementary as well as the greater West Seattle community. Some of these programs include, but are not limited to: Drama, Dance, Art, Creative Writing, Origami, Chess, Legos, Zumba, Yoga, and Academics. The program for the fall quarter is set to start the week of October 17th and run for 8 weeks through the week of December 16th, with no classes being held Thanksgiving week, Nov 21st-25th. The program also consists of a winter and spring quarter as well.” Here’s the flyer with more information.

New event coming up in West Seattle: ‘Fall Food Swap’

Jill from Seattle Swappers just sent word that her group’s Fall Food Swap will be in West Seattle, 2-4 pm at High Point Neighborhood Center (6400 Sylvan Way). It’s free, but you’ll need a ticket, and there’s a limited number available. Full announcement (and ticket link) ahead: Click to read the rest of New event coming up in West Seattle: ‘Fall Food Swap’…

Food trucks in West Seattle: Highland Park to follow ‘Chowdown’

If you are a food-truck fan, you no doubt are counting down the days till Sunday, when the Mobile Chowdown will take over the heart of The Junction with more than 20 food trucks (listed here), 11 am-5 pm, all ages, no admission fee. Turns out that the Mobile Chowdown will be something of a preview for what the Highland Park Improvement Club hopes will be a weekly, growing food-truck gathering! On the following Saturday, October 8th, what you might call a new West Seattle node of food trucks will debut. You probably already know that Marination Mobile and Parfait Ice Cream, both of which will be at Mobile Chowdown, have been at 35th/Graham on Saturdays. Now, HPIC is inviting food trucks to use its spacious parking lot on Saturdays – and the first two official takers are Lumpia World and I Want Curry Now, both of which will also be at Mobile Chowdown this Sunday. So to review:

*Mobile Chowdown in The Junction this Sunday (October 2nd), 11 am-5 pm, California SW from Edmunds to Oregon, one-time event
*HPIC food-truck Saturdays start October 8th, 11 am-3 pm, 12th/Holden, recurring

P.S. On October 8th, you can make a day/night of it at HPIC – they are having a Harvest Dinner potluck that night at 6 pm, asking participants to “bring their own homemade food to share, plus a plate to leave behind, which will become part of the community kitchen we are building.” Cabaret and musical entertainment and a no-host bar. (If you’ve never been to HPIC, maybe this reference will help – a few blocks east of where Zippy’s used to be.)

New West Seattle group forming: ‘Strategy’ board games

Gene sent word of a new group he’s forming in West Seattle, starting this Sunday:

This is a new group, which I hope will meet twice monthly. We play primarily “European” strategy board games, such as Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, and Dominion. These games are more complex than many typical board games, but new players who don’t mind some complexity and strategic thinking are welcome.

Date: Sunday, September 25, 2011
Location: Uptown Espresso, 4301 SW Edmunds St (California and Edmunds)
Start time: 1:00 PM. There is no set end time, but Uptown Espresso closes at 10 PM.

I will be bringing around 15 games myself, but the more options we have the better, so bring what you are interested in playing if you can. If possible, most of the group should purchase at least a coffee, as we are using their space. Contact Gene at egene1@yahoo.com with any questions.

There’s also a Yahoo! group he’s suggesting you join if you’re coming on Sunday or interested in future meetings – check it out here.

If you are attending or interested in future meetings please join this Yahoo group:

Happening now: West Seattle Junction Car Show 2011, 1st report

It’s on! The fourth annual West Seattle Junction Car Show (with co-sponsors including WSB) is under way till 4 this afternoon:

California SW is lined with classics:

And look closely to see added touches:

No admission charge for the car show – but you can stop by the booths in the California/Alaska vicinity to buy a T-shirt or raffle tickets (benefiting charity). This is a judged car show, and toward day’s end, we’ll find out who gets the trophies!

ADDED 11:52 AM: Drier weather!

More to come.

Tonight in West Seattle: Movie, WestFest, “nerdprov,” more

Missed our window for the standard morning preview again, but there are a few things tonight you might want to know about if you hadn’t heard yet (and there’s even more on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar page):

OUTDOOR MOVIE: The 4th grade class at Schmitz Park Elementary is hosting an outdoor movie night, featuring the movie “Rio” (trailer above), to benefit their trip to Islandwood. On the playground (unless it rains, in which case it’s in the cafeteria) at 5000 SW Spokane, doors at 5:30, movie at dusk around 7:30 pm, $3/person, kids 3/under free. Pizza will be available for purchase by the slice, along with drinks, popcorn and other snacks. All items will cost $2 or less. Bring a blanket, sleeping bag, pillow or something comfortable to sit on and plan to join us for dinner and a movie!

WESTFEST AT HOLY ROSARY: The 2-day festival kicks off with fun 6-10 pm more info here – food, beer garden, bingo, kids’ bouncy rides, entertainment (see the schedule here). 42nd/Genesee.

WINE, WOMEN, AND BIN: Weekly wine tasting at Bin 41 wine shop in The Junction with Mary Tuuri Derby from DaMa Wines, 6-7:30 pm, described by Bin 41 as one of Walla Walla’s “premiere female winemakers.”

GEEK GIRL CON IMPROV: Support Seattle’s upcoming Geek Girl Con with a night of improv theater at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 8 pm – full details here.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Two 7 pm games scheduled, West Seattle HS vs. O’Dea at West Seattle Stadium , Chief Sealth IHS hosting Cleveland at Southwest Athletic Complex.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE FEEDBACK: One of those rare nights for live music at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction, 9 pm.

P.S. ALL WEEKEND – CHEERING THE 3-DAY WALKERS: The Susan G. Komen breast-cancer-fighting 3-Day Walk isn’t going through West Seattle this year, but many West Seattle women are walking, and if you’d like to go to an official “cheering station” to root for them – here’s the list of times and locations.

West Seattle community centers: Ballroom dance; Reptile Man

As this week’s big announcement reminded us all – use your city-run community centers, or risk losing ‘em. You’ve already heard about this weekend’s biggest community-center events in West Seattle (Delridge Day and Hiawatha’s Centennial) – but there’s more:

DELRIDGE DANCING: Every month, there’s a ballroom-dancing event at Delridge Community Center, and we just got the announcement that it’s coming up again this Friday afternoon, 1:30-3:30 pm. Billy writes, “As always, you will enjoy and dance to the beautiful music of Lauren Petrie. And get a chance to win a surprise prize.”

(March 2011 photo from PhinneyWood.com, used with permission)
REPTILE MAN AT HIGH POINT: Saturday morning at 10:30 am, High Point Community Center plays host to the famed Reptile Man. If you buy tickets at HPCC ahead of time, it’s $3/person; on Saturday, $5/person ($15 max per family) at the door.

Another birthday celebration Saturday: Hiawatha’s centennial

(A moment in early Hiawatha history: Kids at play in 1912)
So many big events around West Seattle this Saturday! We’ve talked about the Delridge Day/Delridge Skatepark Grand Opening festivities and Holy Rosary’s WestFest (which starts Friday night; here are the newest details) – and there’s one more festival-grade celebration: the Hiawatha Community Center/Park Centennial. You’ve probably seen the posters and signs for various events 11 am-5 pm; we just checked in with Seattle Parks to get a more-specific schedule, in case you want to do some early weekend-planning:

11 am: 5k walk/run, Olmsted Presentation, Pickleball Tournament
Noon: Class Demos, Olmsted Park Tour
12:30 pm: 3 on 3 Tournament
2 pm: Mayor McGinn will welcome the crowd; community members speak; barbecue starts; face-painting; jumpy toys; Balloon Buffoon
2:45 pm & 3:45 pm; Live music

We know Trevor Ras and Boomerang Summer are on the bill (they sent their own announcement today. So while you’re enjoying all the West Seattle festivities on Saturday, stop by and wish Hiawatha a happy birthday, too. Might even be as much fun as this:

(Another moment in early Hiawatha history: Skookum Club Stunt Night, 1913)

Lafayette school-playground dedication Tuesday: Party details

Before Seattle Public Schools classes start Wednesday, some West Seattle schools have big pre-school-year events Tuesday. And we have new details tonight on one of them: The playground dedication at Lafayette Elementary in the Admiral District. It’s been a long road for volunteers and donors, and they are inviting you to help them celebrate, 5-7 pm Tuesday evening. One of the Play It Forward Project leaders, Holly Grambihler, describes it as a “fun, free event for the community,” with the ribbon-cutting set for about 5:15 pm. The Junction QFC is hosting a free barbecue – hot dogs, salads, chips – Holly explains that the store’s new manager, Jill Hamilton, “is a West Seattle native and grad of WSHS. She’s very excited to be back in our area and to get involved in our community. She stepped up and volunteered their donation and services to help our event!” Live music will be courtesy of the Toucans steel-drum band (recently seen at the grand opening of the Admiral Safeway across the street); jump-rope artistry will be courtesy of the Lafayette Popcorns team; and a Seattle Sounders FC player (TBA) is scheduled to appear. Holly says fun playground prizes are in store for a “kids’ only” raffle, and two last additions – treats from the new Safeway and from Little Rae’s Bakery. Never been to the Lafayette playground? It’s on the west side of the school, alongside SW Lander, west of California SW (map).

Last-minute invite: Stargaze tonight with NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen

Aside from the forest-fire-smoke haze, the skies are clear, and it could be a great night for stargazing. Since a comet and a supernova just might be visible, West Seattle’s NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen – whom you might know for throwing solstice/equinox sunset-viewing parties (like this one) – is inviting you to Solstice Park tonight at 9. She’ll have telescopes, and expert guidance on what to look for. Solstice Park is upslope behind the Lincoln Park Annex tennis courts (Alice’s site has an excellent map to guide you).

Star Anna concert @ Admiral this Thursday, and bring diapers!

(July 2011 photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Thursday is both the first day of September and the last show in this year’s Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series (with co-sponsors including WSB) – and one of our area’s hottest rising stars, Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs, provides the grand finale. Our photo is from her Junction-rocking performance at Easy Street Records last month. The show’s free as always BUT – go buy some diapers and bring them to donate to WestSide Baby, and ANA president Katy Walum says you’ll get a free Popsicle! 6:30 pm Thursday, east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW, but the lawn faces Walnut), bring your own chair/blanket – and a box/bag of diapers! (Who knows, you might even see a celebrity.)

‘Alki Overlook Stairway Walk Adventure’: Are you up for it?

(1937 city photo of Schmitz Park Bridge, one of the sights planned for the “adventure’)
Turns out there are two Alki events this Sunday potentially involving you and your feet (etc.): Along with the Alki Beach 5K benefit run/walk, there’s also the “Alki Overlook Stairway Walk Adventure“:

This Sunday at 10 AM, everyone’s invited to the first of three West Seattle stairway walks happening between now and mid-October. Jake and Cathy Jaramillo, authors of a blog and an upcoming book on Seattle stairway walks, will take you on a scenic byway loop along four major stairways between Schmitz Park and Alki Beach. The walk features vistas over Alki, a stroll next to Alki Beach, and a meander through shaded, old-growth Schmitz Park. It will cover 3.4 miles and take about two hours. There will be an elevation gain and loss of 300 feet, with some short but moderately steep sections near the end. For all the details, go to the Feet First website.

Bonus – it’s free! P.S. Jake and Cathy’s website Seattle Stairway Walks is here.

Video: LeRoy Bell & His Only Friends @ Hiawatha

LeRoy Bell and His Only Friends have made some new friends tonight on Hiawatha Community Center‘s east lawn, and there’s still time to get here before 8 pm and be part of the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s weekly Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show. Video:

Music’s great, and the PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) Kid Picks van is here as usual with samples of healthy treats:

As much fun as the music is, it’s also fun to watch neighbors and friends catching up with each other – it’s like one big neighborhood party, with many families bringing dinner, kids running around, etc. Tonight’s guest emcee, West Seattle-residing City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen:

Two more shows in this year’s series (with co-sponsors including WSB) after tonight – Caspar Babypants next Thursday, and be sure to have the kids bring coins for the Wellspring drive (donors get the chance to win a custom CB song, as noted here earlier this week), and Star Anna for the final show on September 1st – ANA president Katy Walum says that night will include a diaper drive for WestSide Baby (early warning, get some before then and have them ready to bring along)! P.S. If you have any questions about the new Umpqua Bank branch coming to the Admiral District, Umpqua had reps here tabling tonight and they say they’ll be back next week. So far, it’s looking like a mid-October opening for the branch, they say.

One more upcoming event to mention – signs around the field are promoting the 100th birthday celebration for Hiawatha itself, coming up 11 am-5 pm Saturday, September 17th, with festivities including a 5K, basketball and pickleball tournaments, a barbecue, and concert.

Ahead: West Seattle Rainbow Bingo; South Park ‘Lucha Libré’

2 lively local events up ahead, in West Seattle and South Park:

After a few months on hiatus, Rainbow Bingo returns to the Senior Center of West Seattle one week from tomorrow – Friday, August 26th, with Sylvia O’Stayformore (“Seattle’s Effervescent Hostess“). The night starts at 6 with Mariner Dogs, Teriyaki Chicken Burgers, Sloppy Joes, and cold drinks; 6:30 pm, music and entertainment; 7 pm, Tropical Rainbow BIngo! Admission by donation, and prepaying early gets you a discount – check out the Senior Center website at sc-ws.org.

Before then – South Park has a larger-than-life street party this Saturday:

The “Lucha Libre” Mexican-wrestling spectacular will be shakin’ the street 4-8 pm this Saturday (August 20th) at 14th and Cloverdale in South Park (map) – kids’ activities start at 4, the wrestling starts at 6. South Park is alive and kickin’, bridge or no bridge – construction’s starting to rev up, and you can check that out while you’re there – and they’re inviting their West Seattle neighbors (and the rest of the region!) to come join the party. Check out their new catchtheculture.org website, too.

Happening now: Endolyne Joe’s pig roast; Festival of India

Two events continuing till 8 pm: At Endolyne Joe’s in Fauntleroy – the pig roast is under way (and if you don’t like pork, they’re offering chicken too – live music there, and at another event continuing till 8:

At Alki, it’s the Festival of India, which continues tomorrow, noon-8 pm, if you don’t see this till later tonight.

4 more weekend notes: Water/Spirit ride, Endolyne Joe’s pig roast, ‘Dog Days of Summer,’ Husky ice cream @ museum

Four more notes about one-time-only events this weekend:

WATER AND SPIRIT BIKE RIDE: Tomorrow’s the 4th annual Water and Spirit Ride, described by organizers as “a 40-mile bike ride with some of the most beautiful scenery in the Pacific Northwest, including three ferry crossings and a farmers market!” You can sign up till 9 tonight by going here, or sign up tomorrow morning at the start/finish line at Salty’s on Alki, starting at 6:15 am (cash/check only). You can depart from there at either 6:30 or 7:30 am (the first leg goes downtown to catch the first ferry of the ride route). Ride proceeds will benefit Family Promise of Seattle and Scholastic Journey.

ENDOLYNE JOE’S PIG ROAST: 5-8 pm Saturday, Endolyne Joe’s in Fauntleroy is having a pig roast – second year in a row. Here’s the full menu and pricing.

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER BEERFEST: Hot dogs and beer at West Seattle Nursery on Sunday afternoon, noon-4 pm, with donations benefiting Furry Faces Foundation. Adoptable pets will be there too, according to this post in the WSB Forums.

HUSKY DELI ICE CREAM @ LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: On Sunday afternoon, 1-3 pm, you’ll find Husky Deli’s Jack Miller serving up his famous ice cream for $2/scoop during an ice-cream social at the Log House Museum courtyard (61st/Stevens), celebrating the deli’s 79th anniversary. Live piano music by Verona Morgan Ryan, and coffee by White Center’s Dubsea Coffee.

Happening now: West Seattle Art Walk; Alki ‘Admiral’ concert

A sunny summer evening in West Seattle, and there’s plenty to do. Till 9 pm, you can wander the dozens of venues participating in this month’s West Seattle Art Walk. We’ve stopped by two – above, we went to Mural Apartments (WSB sponsor) to check in on Glenn Case‘s mural, begun last month. He says it’s close to completion. (While you’re at Mural, you can also stop by Wallflower Custom Framing on the ground floor and see work by Amy Bengston and Urban Guy Allen.) On the south end of the map, we visited The Kenney (WSB sponsor), where Anita West is the featured artist:

Her Middle East-inspired work is hanging in The Kenney’s halls. This one is titled “Turkish Coffee”:

You’ll also find refreshments at The Kenney (among other stops) – while we were there, CEO Kevin McFeely was playing the role of bartender. And just before we published this, we got word of a live band outside Windermere Fauntleroy in Morgan Junction – photo to come. You can browse the Art Walk venues at the official website (and if you go to The junction, remember it’s Shop Late Thursdays night too). If you go to the beach – Alki Arts is on the Art Walk map, and not far from free live music. Yogoman Burning Band is performing at the beach courtesy of the Admiral Neighborhood Association’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series (co-sponsored by WSB), on the road for this night only.

The music continues till 8; we’ll have a clip in a bit.

ADDED EARLY FRIDAY: The video!

Next week, the concert is back on the east lawn of Hiawatha – LeRoy Bell and His Only Friends, 6:30 pm Thursday, August 18th.

Big night for stand-up paddleboarding, including a premiere!

That’s a preview of “Explore: Catalina,” a stand-up paddleboarding “adventure film” that’ll have its Seattle premiere next Tuesday (August 16th) as part of a big night at Seacrest. Greg Whittaker from Alki Kayak Tours says it’ll be shown outdoor at the Alki Crab and Fish lounge right next to his business, at the end of an evening that starts with SUP demos at 6 pm (first 40 people free), continues with the weekly SUP race at 7, and then the movie – free – at 8. Raffles too. (Co-sponsors for the evening include WSB sponsor Mountain to Sound Outfitters, which is celebrating the launch of its online store – discount code here; the full sponsor list is on the official flyer, which includes even more details.)

Video: Massy Ferguson @ Summer Concerts at Hiawatha

Another perfect night on the east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center, with at least 250 people here – by our estimate – to enjoy the music of Massy Ferguson, for the second week of this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association.

If you see this shortly after it’s published, still time to drop by and catch a little music; there’s a balloon-twister for the kids, and the Hiawatha Tae-Kwon-Do Club putting on an intermission demonstration as we speak. (photos added)

Hip-hop dancers showed their moves, too, and we’ll add video later. For the last number, all the kids were invited onto the stage:

Next week – the concert will be on Alki instead of at Hiawatha (only location change this year), featuring Yogoman Burning Band, 6:30 pm Thursday (August 11th).

SIDE NOTE: More outdoor music in West Seattle tomorrow night – first of four summer outdoor concerts at Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor), with The Haggis Brothers performing at 6 pm. Also free, also BYO chair/blanket.

2 outdoor concerts this week, with The Mount starting its series

Once again this summer, two outdoor concert series are serenading our peninsula. The Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha are entering their second week, with Massy Ferguson (above, in WSB video from West Seattle Summer Fest 2010) performing this Thursday night, 6:30 pm, on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW, but the concert zone faces Walnut, to the east). Then on Friday, it’s the first of four shows – like Admiral, free! – for this year’s edition of the Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) summer concert series:

That’s a 2010 clip of the Haggis Brothers, who were in the West Seattle Grand Parade a week and a half ago. They’ll take the stage on the south side of The Mount (4831 35th SW) at 6 pm this Friday night. Popcorn and snow cones are free; starting at 5:30 pm, you can buy dinner, beer, and/or wine. For both concert series, bring your own chair/blanket.

West Seattle weekend scene: ‘Alki Classic’ pedaling along

Yes, that WAS a juggling unicyclist you saw along the Alki Trail this afternoon – along with a group of other unicyclists, bicyclists, other cyclists, and/or jugglers:

They got together for what they call the “Alki Classic” – biking and barbecuing. They headed out from a spot along Harbor Avenue near the West Seattle Bridge, and planned to follow the shore all the way to Lincoln Park.

ADDED 10:36 PM: Video as the cyclists went by – including Nate, the juggling unicyclist: