West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Thanks to Susan and Kevin for sending that photo of their pirate pumpkins, from the wild seas south of The Junction. Next, a spacey creation:
“That’s no moon – that’s …” Stephen‘s Death Star pumpkin. Last but by no means least, two jack-o-lanterns from Myrbob:
Got one to share? Or spooky decorations? E-mail your pix to WSB! One more Halloweenish note – Remember the Thrill the World zombie dances on Saturday? Turns out that for the “official” world-record attempt – the West Seattleites (and their cohorts from the rest of the city) were the THIRD BIGGEST GROUP IN THE WORLD! Read all about it (and see more pix and video) at the Thrill the World-West Seattle blog.
As WSB continues covering the trial of the Alki 18-year-old charged with murdering the 33-year-old man he says sexually abused him for years, the defendant has concluded his testimony, and members of his family have taken the stand. Read on for today’s report from our courtroom correspondent:Read More
3 break-in cases in the latest update — a house (in an area where neighbors have just gotten word of a “48-hour burglary spree”), a car, and a store:Read More
West Seattle artist Kay Kirkpatrick is about to see her work “Salute” (design at left) installed at Boise State University‘s expanded student union, during a Veterans’ Day commemoration. “Salute” is a veterans’ memorial, created from a design chosen by BSU’s art advisory board after a search that initially targeted thousands of artists; the Nov. 11 ceremony will include an Apache helicopter flyover. Kirkpatrick has public-art installations much closer to home – most notably at the Southwest Precinct, with interior and exterior pieces (including the building’s stone “sign” at Delridge/Webster) that reference nearby Longfellow Creek (see photos here).
Now to a West Seattle author who’ll be at centerstage in Oregon next month: North Admiral resident Michael 
Stusser (photo at right) sends word he’s reading from his book “The Dead Guy Interviews” at the WordStock Festival, 5 pm November 9th at the Oregon Convention Center. He says, “It’s an amazing gathering of authors, hippies and literary types in Portland – if you – or anyone you know is within 400 miles that weekend, you should check it out.” Given that Portland is fewer than 200 miles away, that means all of us. Here’s a page on the WordStock website featuring his “interview” with Mark Twain.
So we just returned from a post-sunset neighborhood walk (hillside east of Lincoln Park), during which, clouds of tiny flies seemed to follow us every step of the way. Thought maybe it was just us. Then, as soon as we walked into the house and checked e-mail, the WSB inbox yielded this note from “DC”:
I live right near Ercolini Park and there have been a TON of nasty little flies all over the place this evening. Anybody know what causes that phenomena, and why this time of year? Seems weird.
We’ll fly into research mode – but in the meantime, maybe you’ve already got the answer? ADDED 6:55 PM: WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli wonders if these might be the culprits – he says there were “millions” in his garden this afternoon:
Thanks to Luckie for that video of the roof getting torn off 3038 44th SW (map) today. It was a century-plus-old house, to be replaced with a new house (city project page here); Luckie also uploaded another clip, showing the front of the house coming down. And she sent this photo of the end result:
Meantime, another demolition is apparently impending:
That’s 4532 42nd in The Junction (just north of Alaska), discussed here several times before, with comments describing its storied history – once upon a time, it was even a small hospital. After previous development plans went on hold for a while, the site plan reactivated earlier this year with a Design Review Board session (WSB coverage here); the demolition permit was granted a week and a half ago, with one tipster telling us the backhoe is reportedly expected this Thursday. As discussed at that DRB session in June, the project is set to be about 65′ high, with 35 residential units and 3,000 square feet of retail.
Looks like Arbor Heights resident Edda Mellas will have to spend a lot more time in Italy – her daughter Amanda Knox is now ordered to stand trial in the murder case that’s drawn international attention over the past year-plus. Here’s the latest, via the P-I.
We’ve been reporting since June (most recent WSB update here) on the proposal for “improvements” – likely a “play space” – at California Place Park in North Admiral (California/Hill; here’s a map). The city has just finalized November 6th as the date for the first of four public meetings. (P.S. Tonight’s the organizational meeting for an area Block Watch, 6:30 pm at the Admiral library branch.) Click ahead for the official park-meetings announcement, just in from the Parks Department:Read More
Passing by Peace Lutheran Church at 39th/Thistle this morning, we spotted these workers delivering voting apparatus to our official in-person polling place, with one week to go till Election Day (Tuesday 11/4). If you’re not sure where to vote – if you’re not doing it by mail – you can find out online. If you are voting by mail, you also have the option to drop off your ballot any time, day or night, at the Delridge Neighborhood Service Center (one of only two such official dropoff spots in the city), till 8 pm Election Night. If you’re looking for background information on ballot measures and candidates, we have lots of links on the WSB Election page (and we also are sponsored this month by the 34th District Democrats, whose ad in the sidebar links to their “sample ballot” with the candidates and measures they’ve endorsed, all the way down to the judicial races). And as for Election Night parties – so far we have two on the list: Skylark (WSB sponsor) on Delridge, and Big Al Brewing in White Center – this WSB Forums thread has been discussing other locations around the city – if you know of any other West Seattle/White Center events, partisan or nonpartisan, post ’em here or e-mail us – thanks!
Straight from the semi-fabulous vinyl collection at WSB HQ, that’s some of what co-publisher Patrick hopes he might get a chance to spin during the second monthly “Open Turntables” night tonight at Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor) – and if you have those old school things known as “records,” you’re invited to come down too. As proprietor Jessie Summa-Kusiak explained in her initial announcement: “You’ve got a lonely collection of vinyl — from hand-me-down gems to awesome yard sale finds. We’ve got the Technics turntables, atmosphere, and late night happy hour prices to turn your secret DJ dreams into reality. It’s easy and fun!” Bring “half an hour’s worth of vinyl and some friends to witness your debut”; signups start at 9 pm, the spinning continues till Skylark closes at 2, and the “late-night happy hour” is from 9 till 1. Skylark’s at 3803 Delridge (map).
Just out of the WSB inbox from the West Seattle High School Alumni Association: They are hoping to organize a bus for alumni to attend Friday night’s WSHS-Eastside Catholic conference title game at Memorial Stadium downtown – and they would need to have 25 people confirmed for the bus ASAP to secure the bus. Cost would be $5 per person; the bus would leave WSHS parking lot at 6:30 pm, back around 10:30. If you’re interested, call Christy Rowe ASAP – 206-932-6953 – or if you can’t call, e-mail carowe@blarg.net (also ASAP).
(Photo courtesy Shorewood Christian School)
For a second straight year, Mrs. Beth Gatlin‘s second-grade class at Shorewood Christian School is supporting a nonprofit group on the other side of the planet … with popcorn. Last year, they sold popcorn after school, 50 cents a bag, to help missionaries in India buy bicycles – their popcorn sales ultimately bought five bikes at $105 each. This year they are selling popcorn again, in part to raise money for the same missionaries – who now are trying to build wells to get water to villages, at $1000/well — but also to help a Costa Rican orphanage buy books. If you can’t get over to Shorewood Christian to buy popcorn, you can bring a donation to the school office, 10300 28th SW (map), or call the school office at 206/933-1056.
A little more than a week after we told you about that speed-radar sign going up on northbound 35th near Willow, two more are up: Southbound 35th near Brandon, and southbound Fauntleroy near Brandon (map). (Thanks to Bob Loblaw for the tip on the Fauntleroy sign, which as of our drive-by a short time ago was not yet activated, though the other two – which start checking your speed about a block before you get to them are.)
DOGA AT TWILIGHT: Got word from Twilight Artist Collective in The Junction that Barking Buddha Doga is headed their way; Brenda Bryan will teach a special class in what Twilight has dubbed its “lovely back gallery” on November 20th, $20, with part of the proceeds supporting Twilight and the arts. Space is limited; sign yourself and your canine companion up ASAP — you can do it right now by clicking the button at the bottom of this post on the Twilight blog. Speaking of dogs:
“BASSETS FOR OBAMA” UPDATE: We told you last week about that sweetly goofy little campaign video made by Westcrest Park Off-Leash Area volunteer steward Stevo McElhenney, starring his basset hounds Barkley and Buddy. Now we get word from Stevo that the video has made the Air America Top 10 video contest this week, with a $500 prize up for grabs – but he, Barkley, and Buddy need your vote; go here and look for the voting box in the lower right sidebar.
Out of the WSB inbox, from Shannon Felix at Avalon Glassworks:
My business networking group has rare openings for a chiropractor and massage therapist who want to grow their West Seattle businesses. If this is you, please come to Pegasus Pizza on Alki this Wednesday 10/29 at 8 am for networking with 30 other local business people who share referrals. It’s free and breakfast is included. This is the Westside Professionals chapter of BNI (Business Network International), a thriving group which already has a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist with whom to exchange word-of-mouth business referrals. For more information, contact Shannon Felix, sfelix@quidnunc.net, 206-937-6369. These two positions will be quickly filled. Bring business cards this Wednesday morning, if you are interested.
Shannon’s business, by the way, has what is the only West Seattle pumpkin patch we know of – an art-glass pumpkin patch!
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