West Seattle, Washington

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day : 31/10/2013 11 results

West Seattle Halloween 2013: Skeleton Theatre blasts off
October 31, 2013 10:19 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Halloween 2013: Skeleton Theatre blasts off
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Back from Halloween rounds – including a stop at Skeleton Theatre, which as usual is playing again tomorrow, so you still have a chance to go if you didn’t get to 36th/Hanford tonight. It’s an updated version of last year’s production “Ulna 13,” a space saga starring the animatronic protagonists – lights, sound, dialogue, bones and all:

A team of friends/neighbors works hard to make the (free, but you can donate online) show happen every year – their story’s on the ST website. If you haven’t been before, here’s a map; the stage is in the elevated front yard of the home on the southwest corner of 36th/Hanford, and Friday’s showtimes are expected to be roughly on the hour/half-hour between 6 and 9 again.

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Update: West Seattle power outage in south Morgan Junction
October 31, 2013 5:41 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

5:41 PM: Kati reports, “Our townhouse complex near California and Myrtle is without power – heard a pop and a flash.” She’s the only report so far, and there’s nothing on the Seattle City Light outage map – though we know from the PREVIOUS outage, there are old “feeders” in this area (slated for replacement within the next two years) and that means SCL doesn’t know you’re out unless you call. Let us know if you’re affected.

6:03 PM UPDATE: It’s now on the City Light map (screengrab above) – 26 customers (each customer could be a home, a business, a building, so the number of people affected is invariably higher than the “customer” number). Cause not yet known; restoration guesstimate, 8:30ish.

10:36 PM UPDATE: Update from Kati in comments – the power’s back.

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West Seattle Halloween 2013: Admiral District trick-or-treating
October 31, 2013 5:07 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

For one more hour, it’s trick-or-treat time in The Admiral District – mostly outdoors, except for the special setup inside Emeritus at Admiral Heights (photo above; WSB sponsor), with residents lining the lobby at 2326 California SW to hand out treats. While the lovely parasol in our next photo makes a fine accessory, the weather’s been dry, and we’ve even seen a bit of sun.

Maybe a little calendar confusion? Look who turned up inside Alki Bike and Board (2606 California SW):

Over at Atomic Boys, things were rockin’:

Decisions, decisions!

We suspect the hat gave away the true identity of Brent Amacher:

Adding more photos later; participating Admiral businesses are offering treats until 6 pm.

ADDED: Thanks to Vanessa for this photo taken at Wiseman’s Appliance – where else would you find a washing machine with a smile?

Another Admiral business took its show on the road – well, the sidewalk:

Segway-touring clients went bananas for a gorilla-led tour with West Coast Entertainment, photographed around the corner by Hiawatha.

On the creative north edge of the business district, we found Monica and daughter at West Seattle Fabric Company:

And Krystal at Mind Unwind:

Lots of other participating businesses too, across more than a half-mile of storefronts. Go check ’em out during the upcoming winter holidays, too (if not sooner).

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West Seattle development updates: Special meeting for no-parking Junction project; Design Reviews confirmed; more
October 31, 2013 3:40 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

Six West Seattle development updates today – starting with a special public meeting for one of the projects proposed without parking spaces:

SPECIAL MEETING FOR 4535 44TH SW: This five-story, 36-apartment building on the west side of The Junction (map) currently includes no parking. Neighbors concerned about that and other aspects of the “Lofts at The Junction” project circulated a petition last summer seeking a special public meeting to address that and other State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)-related concerns, and that meeting has just been officially scheduled and announced. The meeting is set for 6:30 pm Tuesday, November 19th, at Hope Lutheran School (42nd/Oregon); here’s the formal notice. This is separate from the Design Review process, in which this project passed Early Design Guidance in May (WSB coverage here), with an early-stage proposal including the sketch you see above; it still has to go through at least one more Design Review meeting, and there’s no date for that yet.

Meantime, today’s edition of the city’s twice-weekly Land Use Information Bulletin also included confirmation of the next two Southwest Design Review Board sessions, both on November 21st, as reported here earlier this month:

3210 CALIFORNIA: As first reported here more than two weeks ago, this 5-story, 143-apartment, 168-parking-space mixed-use building (map) is scheduled for its next review at 6:30 pm Thursday, November 21st, at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon). See the official notice here.

3078 AVALON WAY: As first reported here 11 days ago, this 8-story, 108-apartment, 61-parking-space residential building (map) is scheduled for its second and possibly final review at 8 pm during that same November 21st meeting; its first review was more than a year ago. Here’s the official notice.

Also in today’s bulletin:

6917 CALIFORNIA SW: This is the official published notice regarding the 30-apartment, no-parking building in Morgan Junction (map) that we’ve mentioned twice, first on October 16th; the clock is now ticking on its official comment period, through November 13th.

4522 DELRIDGE WAY SW: This four-house proposal (map) also was mentioned here back on Monday; the official notice of its land-use-permit application is in today’s bulletin, with a comment period through November 13th.

3947 SW KENYON: The city is taking comments through November 13th on an application to split one lot into two at this Gatewood location (map). Separate from this application, the city website shows applications to build two new homes on the site.

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West Seattle Halloween scenes: Trick-or-treating, costumes @ The Mount
October 31, 2013 1:46 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

And the Halloween photos drift spookily in … This one is from the Intergenerational Learning Center at Providence Mount St. Vincent where, as The Mount’s Anna Cronin explained in sharing it, Halloween is for both the very young and the young at heart.

P.S. We’ll be out and about later today/tonight, but we always appreciate your photos, too, so if/when you have a Halloween scene to share, editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

ADDED 2:25 PM: First photo in after this one ALSO happens to be from The Mount:

Judy shares the photo of her mom Helen (“the clown”) and Connie (“the nice witch”) dressed up today while in the Elder Care program.

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Tell them what you think: Fauntleroy ferry-route survey
October 31, 2013 12:43 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(Ferry leaving Fauntleroy at sunset Sunday; WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
Washington State Ferries is expecting to revise its schedule for the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run (aka the “Triangle route”) for the first time in a long time, since the vessel assignment is changing next year and adding capacity. WSF has just completed two open houses, on Vashon Island and in Kitsap County, and is also inviting comments via an online survey. We took a look at the survey; it seems geared toward regular ferry riders, but the third page includes an open-comments area, so if you have something to say about other potential effects of the change – traffic, transit, etc. – take it anyway. The survey starts here. This is one of the last public-comment opportunities before WSF comes out early next year with a draft of the revisions.

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Followup: Another sunfish perspective, before its Alki display
October 31, 2013 12:07 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

One day after we showed you the caught-in-Puget Sound ocean sunfish that was on display outside Alki’s Sunfish restaurant, a new look and perspective from one of the first to see it on shore after a Muckleshoot fishing crew brought it in. From journalist John Loftus:

Here’s a photo I took of the sunfish a few hours after it was landed on a dock on the Duwamish River.

Its weight has been estimated at 300-350 pounds. Wikipedia notes that the Monterey Bay Aquarium had a young specimen that arrived weighing 26 pounds and weighed 880 pounds just 15 months later, so it seems safe to say that, contrary to what one’s intuition may suggest, this is not an old fish.

You will also note a semicircular spot on its side where a pectoral fin used to be, apparently a healed-over wound. The fin, larger than a man’s hand, was present on the other side of the fish. It’s possible that the loss of this fin may have hindered the sunfish’s ability to navigate properly, resulting in its gradual weakening and disorientation. While very rare in Puget Sound, ocean sunfish are quite common all around the world and, unfortunately, are frequently caught in nets set for other fish.

I spent some time with the fish after it was moved to Sunfish on Alki, where it attracted a constant stream of curious visitors. Most found it fascinating. A few found it repulsive, a perception that was greatly exaggerated in KUOW’s report this morning. The owner of Sunfish and I both thought that the giant fish was very beautiful.

John Loftus, Editor
Muckleshoot Monthly

(Yes, that’s the 1st Avenue South Bridge in the background.) We looked but haven’t found a link to the KUOW discussion he mentioned; if you missed the link in the Wednesday report, The Seattle Times (WSB partner; paywalled) has updated its story. Here’s information about the species via National Geographic.

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West Seattle Thursday: Halloween happenings for today/tonight
October 31, 2013 10:44 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: Halloween happenings for today/tonight
 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

(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.

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Community cleanup Saturday: Bike path under West Seattle Bridge
October 31, 2013 9:11 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

You’ve probably heard about Green Seattle Day in the West Duwamish Greenbelt on Saturday. We just received word of a separate, community-organized cleanup that can use as many hands as it can get: The proprietor of Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsor) is rallying volunteers to help him pick up trash along the west stretch of the bike trail under the West Seattle Bridge 9 am-11 am Saturday. Here’s the announcement:

Please join Dave Winters of Swedish Automotive for an impromptu cleanup under the West Seattle Bridge! The bike path from the bottom of Avalon Way near Luna Park Café heading east alongside and under the bridge toward downtown has become trashed with litter, styrofoam packing pellets, and other debris and needs cleanup!

Dave will be there with the old, yellow Swedish Automotive Van with garbage cans and bags from 9 to 11 am this Saturday, November 2nd. His goal is to clean the area between Luna Park Café and the Chelan Café. If you find yourself with time and desire to help this Saturday, please stop by with gloves, rakes and brooms, and we’ll get it cleaned up. The van will be parked under the west end of bridge (that’s the West Seattle end) in the first curb cut next to the bike trail. Let’s clean up Seattle! Hope to see you there!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Halloween commute – trick or treat?
October 31, 2013 6:12 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Halloween commute – trick or treat?
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:12 AM: How scary – or not – will the Halloween commute be? We’re off and rolling for Thursday. On the other side of the day, do note that trick-or-treating at Admiral District businesses is set for 3-6 pm today, so extra care is vital in that area, no matter what mode of transportation you’re using. Meantime, here’s the bridge cam that usually points west:

P.S. The rest of the Halloween event lineup is in our special guide.

9:18 AM: We seem to have made it through the bulk of the morning commute without a major problem. However, a medic response near Holden/Highland Park Way right now is reported to be a crash; we’re checking it out for potential traffic effects.

9:38 AM: Our crew says the uphill side of the intersection – south/westbound from Highland Park Way on to Holden/9th – is blocked right now. Two pickups collided; one person was going to the hospital via private ambulance.

Tow trucks have arrived so it’s not likely to be blocked too long.

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Duwamish River: Taking a look toward its future, ‘for all’
October 31, 2013 3:24 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Sustainable West Seattle | West Seattle news

(2011 photo by Danny McMillin)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“The Duwamish really needs our help.”

So began this month’s Sustainable West Seattle community forum about our city’s only river.

How can you help? One way is through simple personal action, particularly when it comes to reducing/preventing stormwater/runoff-pollution, a campaign crystallized at Tox-Ick.org, whose champion “Diver Laura” James emceed the forum. She told those in attendance that just days earlier, she had spoken about it to 800 high-school students outside West Seattle.

Another way: Realize that the process of determining a cleanup plan for the river – so polluted in spots, it’s a “Superfund” site – is the process of determining whether it can be “A River for All.” That’s the vision of the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, whose coordinator James Rasmussen spoke at the forum, recapping the comment period just concluded on the Environmental Protection Agency‘s proposed cleanup plan for the river – a plan which would leave 62 percent of the river “under monitored natural recovery, which basically means, ‘we’re not going to do anything with it’.”

DRCC, however, wants to “kickstart that with enhanced natural recovery,” and is very intent on “source control” – addressing the source of pollution, present and future as well as past – being part of the plan.

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