West Seattle, Washington
03 Sunday
A few more scenes from around West Seattle this Halloween night:
Skeleton Theatre isn’t the only animatronic show in town – David Williams told us this morning about his annual show on 44th SW south of Charlestown – 16 minutes full of musical skull-duggery, shall we say:
And jolly jack-o-lanterns:
We’re putting that on the early checklist for next year. Meantime, back to skeletons: We stopped for photos after spotting this ghoulish skier on the side of a thoroughly-decorated house along SW Hinds a few blocks east of California SW:
Not far away, one of his compatriots was caught in a web of trouble:
Sprouting skulls graced a nearby stretch of lawn:
How about a few humans? Stephanie shared this trick-or-treat pre-funk in the Gatewood area:
And Aaron sent a photo of his house – in that spirited Admiral District again!
A few blocks east, we got late word of one house that had Elvis – the ultimate “undead” – singing out front. Human version this time, not animatronic! Got there just as he was telling the audience “See you later.” Darn.
ADDED 10:25 PM: Spooky – just after publishing this, we discovered that Eric had e-mailed us cameraphone video of “Elvis” (from a distance, but you can certainly hear him – and the crowd):
It’s a rock concert and rockumentary rolled into one at Skeleton Theatre. You know it’s serious, because the yard-turned-stage has people walking around wearing headsets – and the crew platform is right up over the SKELETON THEATRE sign. Once again this year, Chris Walker and friends have engineered the tale of a megagroup gone bad – and then gone back together – with the animatronic skeleton rockers onstage, interspersed with narrated video clips from their backstory on a big screen up above. You can sit or stand on the lawn to watch:
If you don’t get to 36th/Hanford to check it out before 9 tonight, you have six chances tomorrow (Tuesday) night, roughly at the top and bottom of the hour, between 6 and 9. We’ll add a video clip here after we get back to HQ.
ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: Though we haven’t gotten our clip going yet, Ted Johnson just shared his HD iPhone excerpt (thanks!). It starts with a section of the “rockumentary” and gets to the “live” singing after about the 5-minute mark:
Almost forgot to mention – this year’s production starts with a preview of next year. Otherworldly, shall we say.
Another round of business trick-or-treating is under way – this time at Westwood Village, where WSB sponsor Wyatt’s Jewelers‘ namesake Wyatt was handing out the treats when we stopped in (that’s dad/shop owner Kirk Keppler off to the right). Lots of kids out and about here too!
The new ownership of Westwood Village promised more candy this year; trick or treating continues till 7.
King County Water Taxi management says the Rachel Marie is now fixed (after breaking down during the Friday pm commute) and back on the West Seattle run, which means the Melissa Ann is back on the Vashon run. (One more reminder – the West Seattle winter schedule, Monday-Friday only and commute hours only, is in effect now; see it here.)
The trick-or-treating, and treasure-seeking, has begun! 45 stops on the map for Admiral Treats and Treasures this year (printable PDF here). Make as many stops as you can – then drop off your map as a drawing entry for one of two “treasure chests” (worth more than $300) at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor; 2326 California SW).
ADDED 4:54 PM: The trick-or-treaters continue to run wild. Well, actually, they’re crossing in an orderly fashion (there’s even a crossing guard!):
As the Material Girl, it’s Admiral Neighborhood Association president Katy Walum:
West Coast Entertainment has one of the best props on display – a Segway from the tours they’ve been giving around the area:
Outside Max and Quinn’s Atomic Boys Shop-O-Rama, we found co-namesake Max with parents Parris and Kent Sadow:
It’s the first Halloween in business for West Seattle Fabric Company (WSB sponsor):
Fresh off helping bicyclists navigate “Viadoom,” it’s Alki Bike and Board‘s Stu Hennessey:
And inside the historic Admiral Theater, you can get caramel corn from boss Dinah Brein:
CLICK AHEAD FOR EVEN MORE PHOTOS! Read More
Mayor McGinn plans another West Seattle visit this week. According to a media advisory sent out this afternoon, he’ll be at West Seattle High School this Wednesday morning “to call attention to the under-publicized benefits of school-based health centers funded by the Families & Education Levy.” That’s one of the measures on the ballot for the November 9th election. His visit will feature a tour of the WSHS health center, along with a group scheduled to include the CEO of Neighborcare – which operates the school centers – and an executive from Group Health.
FINAL WEEK FOR STOCKBOX GROCERS’ WEST SEATTLE PROTOTYPE: It’s the 8th week of Stockbox Grocers‘ “prototype” store at 24th/Holden – and the final week, since, as they’d warned all along, this was just a test. Stockbox founder Jacqueline Gjurgevich (at right, photographed as they prepared to open) says they’re having a sale: “The last day the store will be open is Sunday, November 6th although it may close earlier depending on when we sell out of inventory. We have 300 items in the store ranging from cleaning supplies to baking products to condiments to pasta and other staples. Dairy products and produce are also on sale. Most items in the store have been priced 20-75% off and people are flocking in to stock up on great deals. As a thank you to the Westhaven apartments and immediate vicinity we had a preview sale that started over the weekend and would now like to open up the sale to the greater West Seattle community.” They haven’t announced future, permanent locations but promise they’ll be back.
GUIDE TO SOUTH DELRIDGE/WHITE CENTER MARKETS: If you haven’t shopped some of the small-ish food stores in South Delridge/White Center, you might be missing a world of delights. If you’ve ever wanted to know more before venturing into one of the markets, the White Center Community Development Association has just granted your wish – creating a guide to nine of the markets. (See it as a PDF, here.)
Halloween creativity meets catch-phrase in North Admiral: Photographer/writer David Perry texted us (206-293-6302 any time) with word he was about to add the final touches to his gourd-geous “Occupy Dave’s Tree” display – protest signs. We happened to be in the area and detoured over just as he was about to head up the ladder to place the signs:
He says the display will be lit tonight for Halloween enjoyment – in the 2100 block of 42nd SW (map). … Here’s our list of other West Seattle Halloween sights/events.
(Click to see full-size PDF)
When we first reported on Metro‘s proposed 2012 changes last week, it looked like your first chance to see an official presentation in West Seattle would be Metro’s November 9th and 17th meetings. Now there’s late word of an earlier chance: Metro’s now on the agenda for this Wednesday night’s meeting of the Southwest District Council, 7 pm at South Seattle Community College‘s board room, and yes, as always, it’s a public meeting. Also on the agenda: A presentation about the changes SDOT is making on West Seattle streets to accommodate next year’s Metro West Seattle RapidRide debut (including SW Alaska rechannelization). SSCC’s at 6000 16th SW; the board room is in the Robert Smith Building – campus map here, building map here.
P.S. An online survey about the Metro proposal is now available, with questions about how it would affect you – you can take the survey here.
Thanks to Mike for sharing the photo of his Halloween decorations on 16th SW two blocks north of South Seattle Community College (and an appropriately spooked “bystander”). He says they don’t get many trick-or-treaters and wonders if maybe they’re doing something to scare them away … All set for YOUR Halloween? Here’s our highlights list (followed by two notes of non-Halloween events):
BUSINESS DISTRICT TRICK-OR-TREATING: Admiral District “Treats and Treasures,” 3-6 pm – here’s the map; here’s the list. … Westwood Village trick-or-treating, 5-7 pm (new ownership this year and they promise plenty of candy) … White Center trick-or-treating, 5-8 pm (participating merchants – check this FB page) in the heart of the 16th SW business district.
DAYTIME HAUNTED HOUSE: The Kenney (WSB sponsor) invites the community to join Kenney team members and residents in Community Room 2 for chills, thrills and laughter as they are walked/guided through a haunted house. (Remaining) showings are 1 hour each: 2:30 pm and a NEW special 4 pm showing for any children who might want to start their Halloween a little bit early after school. The Kenney will provide “goodie bags” with items other than candy (pencils, stickers, etc). for any child interested in taking one on their way out. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
HALLOWEEN CUISINE: West Seattle Cooking Club meets at Beveridge Place Pub, 2 pm, this week’s theme: Halloween-inspired culinary creations.
TRICK OR TREAT ON ROXBURY: Roxbury Spine and Wellness Clinic welcomes trick-or-treaters during their annual Halloween celebration from 3:30 -6:30 p.m. at 2656 SW Roxbury. Costume contest and more. Details here.
HOWL-O-WEEN PET-COSTUME PHOTOS: 4– 7 pm, Howl-o-Ween Pet Costume Photo Shoot, The Wash Dog, 6400 California SW. Furry Faces Foundation invites area residents to dress up their pets for a very special photo shoot that will help raise awareness of the importance pets play the lives of the elderly, even after they can no longer afford to take care of them. 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. No charge for the session, but either a bag of healthy pet food or a $5 donation to the Furry Faces Foundation is suggested.
SKELETON THEATRE: At 36th/Hanford, the animatronic production Skeleton Theatre is back! Full details on its official website; shows are 6-9 pm, every half-hour, tonight and tomorrow – here’s our preview from last night.
‘NIGHTMARE ON 44TH’: On 44th SW between Charlestown and Andover, more animatronics – David Williams sends word of his 16-minute loop between 6-9 pm, with: “Animatronic skulls singing ‘Grim Grinning Ghosts’ from Disneyland Haunted Mansion; pumpkins with lighting to the song ‘This is Halloween’; a Phantom Bride skull that sings ‘Phantom of the Opera’ during a lightning storm; and a graveyard with hidden animated surprises and lighting synced to music.” This is his third year, and it takes more than 3 months of work to put together!
HALLOWEEN KARAOKE: Costumed Karaoke with Kelli at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm.
(added) ADULT BINGO AT THE BRIDGE: Thanks to Ricki for the tip: Doors open at 7 pm for Halloween XXX Bingo at The Bridge (35th just south of Avalon), costume contest and all.
And from the non-Halloween-related file for today:
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Last chance to register if you’re not already, if you want to get in on next Tuesday’s election (details here).
PROPERTY TAX DEADLINE: Last day to pay without a penalty. Just go here. (Thanks to Forest for the reminder!)
NEW PAVERS AT CHIEF SEALTH: That’s one of the first fundraising pavers to be installed in front of the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium. The photo is courtesy of Friends of Sealth president Debbie Taylor, who explains, “Friends of Sealth is selling these pavers as a perpetual fundraiser to support scholarships for seniors and other activities for the students and alumni of Chief Sealth International High School.” She says they’ve been “endeavoring to get this paver project ‘on the ground’ throughout the Sealth renovation project and are well pleased that our first wave of pavers are ready for public viewing.” Want one (or more) of your own? Order them through the Friends of Sealth website, www.friendsofsealth.org .
SEATTLE LUTHERAN HOLIDAY GREENS SALE (AND GALA REMINDER): November starts tomorrow, which means the holiday season is roaring toward us. Got a reminder this morning that Seattle Lutheran High School is selling holiday greens – you can get the order form here. And the combined SLHS-Hope Lutheran School fundraising gala is now just a week and a half away – here’s our recent preview.
LAFAYETTE WALK-A-THON SUCCESS! The recent Lafayette Elementary PTA “Walk It To Win It” Walk-A-Thon was a “huge success,” reports Amy French (who also shared the photo). 
“Each grade of students had a 45 minute shift to walk and run laps to raise money for the PTA. Staff, teachers, students and parents all put in a great effort with blasting music and crowds cheering them on. A kindergartner ran 21 laps, which is 5 miles, and the most laps ran was 30. This event is special because the students raise the money themselves by getting pledges, and the Walk-A-Thon day is a wonderful demonstration of Lafayette Elementary’s fantastic community of students, parent volunteers and cheerleaders. The donations are still coming in, but we are expecting to reach our goal based on our generous business sponsorships and individual pledges to students. The Lafayette Elementary community would like to thank all the businesses and families who supported this event, as well as all the volunteers who made it happen! A special thank you to West Seattle Runner staff, who spent the entire day handing out water to the kids.”
What you see on Highway 99 north of the West Seattle Bridge is what you get … till the tunnel’s done (projected: end of 2015). The first commute is on, after a week in which WSDOT says it demolished 2,825 feet of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, resulting in 6,000 estimated truckloads of concrete rubble (to be reused in the tunnel project) and steel rebar (to be recycled). We’re watching traffic cams, traffic reports, and other sources and if there are any problems, we’ll note them here; your observations about the new route are welcome too!
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