West Seattle, Washington
16 Saturday
That’s our on-the-fly video with the first few minutes of this year’s animatronics-and-more Skeleton Theatre show, “Beyond the Pale,” which debuted tonight on the lawn at 36th SW/SW Hanford and will continue tomorrow (Saturday) night. As previewed earlier, it’s the tale of a skeleton super-spy. The ST team proclaims it “by far the biggest show we’ve ever produced”:
Great night for outdoor animatronics, and as usual, it drew a crowd:
Check out the backstory, and previous years’ highlights, on the Skeleton Theatre website, where you can also meet the people behind the skeletons. This is the 9th year they’ve put on an elaborate animatronic/video Halloween extravaganza; it’s free of charge, but if you feel like donating to help them with the costs, show appreciation, etc., you can donate online (scroll down the home page).
Meantime, again, Skeleton Theatre also has shows tomorrow (Saturday, November 1st) night, running almost continuously between 6 and 9 pm.
Another stop for your Halloween rounds: “Nightmare on 44th,” a yard full of haunting scenes including animatronics, is a one-night-only spectacle, and awaiting your visit.
It’s a truly grave situation:
As noted in our West Seattle Halloween Guide, “Nightmare on 44th” is on the west side that very street, midblock between Charlestown and Andover (vicinity map here). Creator Dave has been tweeting behind-the-scenes pics, leading up to this one spooky night.
Volunteers at Fauntleroy Creek have now counted 19 coho this week, and since the weather’s cleared up and there’s a chance of more fish, they invite you to come take a look this weekend. From Judy Pickens:
Salmon-watch volunteers on Fauntleroy Creek invite anyone who is interested to come down to the spawning reach on Saturday or Sunday afternoon between 12:30 and 3:30. Seeing coho spawners isn’t guaranteed but this “open creek” will be a chance to learn more about salmon and their habitat. Children are especially encouraged to come. Park on upper Fauntleroy Way SW, above the ferry terminal, and access the reach down the private driveway at 4539 SW Director Place.
Here’s a map.
Two coyote reports this Halloween: Paul tweeted about one in Fauntleroy, at California/Director, and we got a text about a “skinny coyote” near California/98th in Arbor Heights. Other reports in the past week or so include another one in Arbor Heights last Sunday, in which a coyote was interrupted while killing a cat (39th/100th); Upper Morgan (38th/Morgan); Puget Ridge (18th/Myrtle). If you’re new or haven’t seen these reports before, over the past six years we have received reader-reported sightings just about everywhere in West Seattle. This information from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife explains what to do if you see one (short answer – scare it away). Our previous coyote reports are archived here.
It’s spooky inside Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) at Westwood Village, where storefront trick-or-treating is on until 7 pm. Unlike The Admiral District (WSB coverage here), most participants at WWV are handing out candy *inside* their stores – so you’ll just have to go in to see! Excellent costume-watching here, too:
Instead of candy at Giannoni’s Pizza, trick-or-treaters are getting bites of what the eatery is famous for:
More photos to come; more Halloween happenings are listed in our guide.
If you’re trick-or-treating at Admiral District businesses – head a bit further north and check out Trunk or Treat at Admiral Congregational Church – decorated cars and creative costumes, plus of course treats.
This is also happening until 6 pm.
The church is at 4320 SW Hill, just west of California. P.S. Remember, our list of everything happening from now until well into the night is at westseattleblog.com/halloween …
Right on cue, the rain has stopped and it’s excellent weather for trick-or-treating as The Admiral District gets things going for West Seattle’s 2014 Halloween. Almost every business we’ve stopped by/walked past on Admiral and on California is handing out treats. Get down here by 6 pm! Here’s some of who we’ve seen. At the Admiral Theater, manager Dinah is greeting trick-or-treaters:
On that same block, Don from Alki Mail and Dispatch is set up on the west side of California north of Admiral, since his business (at 47th/Admiral, and about to celebrate 25 years!) is a bit too far west otherwise:
Outside Atomic Boys, proprietors Parris and Kent are in full costume (they get to deal with candy all year long!):
At Pizzeria 22 (on SW College east of California):
At the Admiral Pub:
And the famous amazing appliance at Wiseman’s:
Lots of cool costumes:
Abiding in the Admiral Bird, where we’re temporarily stationed – The Dude:
Back to the businesspeople – insurance agent/musician Brent Amaker’s on trick-or-treat duty too:
Here’s Stu at Alki Bike and Board:
We’ll be adding more photos … see everything that’s happening around the peninsula (and a bit beyond) in our West Seattle Halloween Guide.
For the first time since the latest round of controversy started roiling Mars Hill Church, its West Seattle site‘s future is in question. Today Mars Hill leadership announced online that it’s disbanding and that individual remaining churches will be able to either go independent, or will be sold:
…the board of Mars Hill has concluded that rather than remaining a centralized multi-site church with video-led teaching distributed to multiple locations, the best future for each of our existing local churches is for them to become autonomous self-governed entities. This means that each of our locations has an opportunity to become a new church, rooted in the best of what Mars Hill has been in the past, and independently led and run by its own local elder teams. …
The West Seattle Mars Hill building at 35th/Ida in Gatewood was previously Doxa Church, whose members joined forces with Mars Hill in 2006. That’s when Mars Hill bought the church for $180,000, according to county records, which show its appraised value at almost $3 million. Today’s announcement says, “All of Mars Hill’s existing church properties will either be sold, or the loans on the individual properties will be assumed by the independent churches, subject to approval by the lender …”
The online message about Mars Hill’s future is signed by Pastor Dave Bruskas, who has spoken for the church since its founder and Senior Pastor Mark Driscoll resigned earlier this month. He writes that Mars Hill is on a fast timeline for the reorganization plan – to be complete by the first of the year.
ADDED 8:50 PM: One more note on the Mars Hill purchase of the West Seattle church in 2006: As noted in the comment discussion below, we have found one more document, indicating that the purchase price was the “underlying debt” that remained on the property, while the equity beyond that was “a gift” from the seller. Even back in 2006, the county valued the property at almost $1.8 million.
Sometimes for Halloween, you visit a haunted house; these West Seattleites visited a firehouse. We went along for the annual Bright Horizons “costume parade” across the street to Fire Station 32 on Thursday afternoon.
Parents (and other chaperones) were there to record the excitement too.
Even the stroller riders were captivated:
Capt. David Pagan was going to sound an alarm so the kids would know what it sounded like – but then one came in for real (a call for medical aid), and that ended the visit.
They won’t be able to do this next year – Station 32 will be torn down, with a new expanded station to be built in its place, starting around the end of this year (we’re checking to see how soon the 32 crew will be moving to their temporary site on 40th south of Alaska).
(Trailer for this year’s all-new Skeleton Theatre – info below)
From the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide, where this information (and more) is organized by category, here’s a chronological-order list of what’s up this afternoon/evening – trick-or-treating, spooky displays, parties/carnivals …
HALLOWEEN OPEN HOUSE CONTINUES: Until 6 pm @ IT Headquarters and PC Mobile Help. Fresh, local apple cider and treats for adults and kids. “Have a computer question? Don’t be scared! Our friendly techs will be handing out free advice all day long.” (5631 California SW)
ADMIRAL DISTRICT TRICK-OR-TREATING: 3-6 pm at participating merchants – look for those displaying this sign:
California/Admiral and vicinity.
HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST: 3-6 pm, stop by Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor). Prize winners will be announced on November 3rd. (41st/42nd/Admiral Way)
ADMIRAL CHURCH TRUNK-OR-TREAT: 3-6 pm, the church “will be holding a parking lot party, where members will decorate their cars and create a mini-neighborhood for our neighbors to bring their kids. Free for all, come and have fun!” (4320 SW Hill)
WHITE CENTER TRICK-OR-TREATING: 4-7 pm at participating businesses. The list is being updated on this Facebook event page.
STRAIGHT BLAST GYM TRICK-OR-TREATING & MORE: “Halloween Spook Night” at Straight Blast Gym/Seattle (WSB sponsor) in North Delridge offers “not just trick or treating in a safe environment – we’ll have at least a dozen trick or treating stations – but also a ton of different activities ranging from games, relays, obstacle courses, arts and crafts, prizes!” 5-7 pm, free; one adult over 18 must accompany kids. (5050 Delridge Way SW)
WESTWOOD VILLAGE TRICK-OR-TREATING: 5-7 pm at participating merchants.
CANDY-FREE TRICK-OR-TREATING: From Twitter: Candy-free option available at “the spider house” on 18th Ave SW between Graham & Myrtle.
HAUNTED HOUSE: 5:30 until “the end,” and its owners ask you to please bring a can of food for the West Seattle Food Bank. (3011 45th SW)
SKELETON THEATRE: 6-9 pm, directions and show info here. The animatronic skeletons are back with a new show, “Beyond the Pale“ – see the trailer at the top of this story. Show runs just under 20 minutes. (36th/Hanford)
‘NIGHTMARE ON 44th’: Animatronics and more in a spooky West Seattle yard. 6-9 pm Halloween night only – check in via Twitter and Instagram to see what’s new this year. (44th SW between Charlestown and Andover)
KIDS’ KARNIVAL: 6-8 pm, for kids through 5th grade, at West Side Presbyterian Church. (3601 California SW)
GRACE CHURCH TRUNK OR TREAT: 6 pm, Grace Community Church‘s invitation: “Cars are decorated; compete for who will win the Best in Show trophy or one of the many others! Family fun for everyone. Old fashioned cupcake walk, hot food, costumes and candy.” (10323 28th SW)
HALLOWEEN PROJECTIONS/STREET PARTY: Happening at 1626 Palm SW!
That’s a preview; starts at dusk.
‘COME AS YOU AREN’T’: Skylark Café and Club‘s 8th Annual “Come as You Aren’t” battle of the bands, starting at 7 pm, free. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
COSTUME CONTEST: Plus “Nuns Go Bump,” at Outwest Bar, 7 pm. (California/Brandon)
VERY OZZY HALLOWEEN II: 9 pm, with special guest Dressed to Thrill (KISS tribute) at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor). (6451 California SW)
COSTUME EXTRAVAGANZA: 9 pm, Halloween Burlesque Costume Extravaganza at the Benbow Room. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
See the Halloween Guide for not only the full today/tonight lineup, but also post-Halloween/All Hallows’ Eve events tomorrow, and even a “candy buyback” next week. And if your Halloween fun results in a photo to share, editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
Tuesday is Election Day; more like Election Deadline Day ever since our state converted to voting by mail. If you haven’t sent in your ballot yet, three of the next four days bring visits by the King County Elections ballot-dropoff vans. Same spots as recent elections – on the driveway into West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th SW) and on the street outside Greenbridge Library (9720 8th SW). Both locations are scheduled for 10 am-5 pm tomorrow and Monday, 10 am-8 pm Tuesday. No postage needed if you’re taking your ballot to a van or to the 24-hour dropboxes elsewhere in the county, but you DO need correct postage if you’re mailing yours. If you’ve already sent in/dropped off your ballot, track it online. Two other links of potential interest: Sample ballot here; pamphlet info here.
Out of the WSB inbox, from Ron Templin:
The Chief Sealth Class of 1965 will be having their 50-year class reunion on August 22, 2015 at South Seattle College. More information will be forthcoming as the planning process continues. We are looking for many of our graduates. Graduates can contact us by emailing us at Sealth1965@yahoo.com with their name, maiden name, address, and email address.
(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Nothing scary about this morning’s commute so far. Rainy, but that’s nothing new lately. Remember that trick-or-treaters will be on the street this afternoon/evening – business-district events are 3-6 pm in The Admiral District, 4-7 pm in White Center, 5-7 pm at Westwood Village, and that’s just some of what’s happening – see our West Seattle Halloween Guide here.
REMINDER – ‘FALL BACK’ EARLY SUNDAY: Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 am Sunday, which means an hour of “extra” sleep tomorrow night for most.
If you missed this week’s first meeting about the next round of Parks and Green Spaces Levy Opportunity Fund improvements in Highland Park – don’t worry, two more chances are ahead. The first round was the spraypark completed and opened last year; now, the nearby park space is the focus of a community-initiated project to address park access and play-equipment suitability, as outlined in the original proposal.
Seattle Parks landscape architect Pamela Alspaugh and planner Jeron Gates were at Highland Park Elementary School for the project’s first community meeting this past Wednesday night. Two major issues for the park are the age of its playground equipment – which dates back to the ’90s – and its noncompliance with the accessibility laws. Also a concern: Safety and crime prevention, with suggestions for more lighting and CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design) features. Synergy with the school’s upgrade plans also was discussed; Highland Park Elementary parents are looking into grants, and it was suggested that play equipment for that project and this one be complementary rather than redundant. The Opportunity Fund project budget is $374,000 for design and construction, and it’s expected to be done in two years. A meeting early next year (no date yet) will bring a “schematic design” back to the community for review and discussion; then a “preferred design” will be presented in the spring.
Saturday night – the night after Halloween – brings the end of an era at West Seattle’s historic Admiral Theater – the last of the monthly “Rocky Horror Picture Show” events with shadow cast, after a decade. From The Admiral’s Dinah Brein:
Saturday night, November 1, will mark the final live shadow-cast performance of the Vicarious Theater Company as they shadow-cast The Rocky Horror Picture Show on the Admiral Theater stage.
The cast has performed here for over ten years and many of the original cast members are still involved.
“We have enjoyed our time with the Vicarious Theater group immensely,” said theater manager Dinah Brein. “They’ve been like a family to us. We’ve watched many of the cast members meet, fall in love, and even get married from their time here at the Admiral. I think the only one that will be sorry to see them go is the janitor. That was a lot of rice and toast to clean up over 10 years. We could have probably fed a small country.”
Come say goodbye to the cast and catch the show, this Saturday night, November 1st. Doors open at 11:30 and the ticket price is $6.00 – cash only (exact change preferred). You must be at least 17 or accompanied by an adult to attend as the pre-show and the movie are rated. R.
In case you’re wondering, we talked to Dinah while stopping by The Admiral for the “I Am Eleven” event on Tuesday night; still nothing new to report re: the theater’s future.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Members of the abruptly shuttered West Seattle (Athletic) Club are wondering when its successor, the West Seattle Health Club, will open.
We talked this afternoon with Dan Lehr, who is managing the transition for property owner John Pietromonaco, who is now the club owner too.
“Possibly as early as Sunday, maybe sooner,” Lehr told WSB in a phone conversation.
Thanks to Rachelle for calling us about an hour ago and asking what was up with the massive line outside The Skylark in North Delridge. Research ensued, and here’s what we know: An 18-year-old online-video star named Taylor Caniff is here to meet his fans. He’s famous mostly for clips on Vine (:06, endlessly looping) and YouTube. Samples in this YT compilation of some of his Vines:
According to this tweet (he has 1.5 million Twitter followers), he’s officially holding court for the next three hours:
RT if your coming to Seattle tomorrow!!! pic.twitter.com/fdjl6klJvP
— Taylor Caniff (@taylorcaniff) October 30, 2014
And if the line we found around quarter till 5 is any evidence, he’ll be busy. Listen to the fans scream as his RV rolls up:
He lives in Indiana; an online bio says he’s been posting videos to YT since 2012, Vine since 2013.
Four West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports to share:
LITTLE FREE LIBRARY TARGETED: If you have a Little Free Library in your neighborhood, have the closest neighbors keep an extra-close watch on it. Last night, somebody targeted this one in Seaview with a suspected firework/explosive. Neighbors heard a loud noise; police were called. Its sturdy craftsmanship kept the damage light. Our photographer wasn’t even sure he’d found the right one, but finally detected its door was a bit crooked.
APARTMENT BUILDING BREAK-IN: From JM:
I wanted to alert our West Seattle neighbors about a robbery that happened yesterday, October 29th around mid day maybe 1-3:PM in the heart of California Avenue at zip 98116 about 3 blocks south of PCC/West Seattle High School. The tenants of one apartment came home to find their apartment broken with their jewelry, climbing gears and laptop missing. The burglars also broke into the individual storage units cutting and twisting the padlocks in the 1st floor and emptied two suitcases full of valuable East Indian sarees. Officer J Barnes from Seattle Police Dept. was there inspecting the storage units and taking statements from tenants who were violated.
CAR PROWLERS STRIKE, AGAIN: From Kate:
Our car was broken into for the third time in recent months while parked in front of our house last night. We are near 36th Ave SW and Dakota. It sure feels like car prowls are on the rise. It doesn’t seem to matter if the car is locked or not, they are getting in regardless, but thankfully not smashing windows.
PACKAGE THEFT: From Dave in Seaview: “We had a UPS package stolen in the 5900 block of 49th. Folks should be careful with home shipping!”
Thanks again to everyone for sharing alerts that we can share communitywide. While we listen to the scanner and monitor SPD’s tweets and maps, many noteworthy incidents do NOT surface in any of those channels, for various reasons – and even if they do, there’s no info beyond an incident type/vicinity – so your tips and reports are vital. Always call the police *first* – then let us know when you can.
3:55 PM: Avoid 8th/Roxbury for a while if you’re heading out – a crash is blocking at least part of the intersection. No word yet on injuries or other circumstances; we’re en route to check.
4:06 PM: Won’t be blocked for too long, per scanner – tow trucks have been called. Northbound Metro on 8th is affected for a bit, though.
4:30 PM: The tow trucks were there when our crew arrived a short time ago. One lane on Roxbury was blocked eastbound, and 8th was blocked pending removal of the cars. No injuries, we’re told.
Will light rail for West Seattle be written into Sound Transit‘s forthcoming long-range-plan update? Two West Seattle-residing elected officials said at a ST board meeting today that they will support amending the plan to call for “high-capacity transit service” for WS in that update: County Executive Dow Constantine (who chairs the board) and County Councilmember Joe McDermott (who’s a board member). Here’s the news release:
King County Executive and Sound Transit Board Chair Dow Constantine and King County Council and Sound Transit Board member Joe McDermott today moved to add future high-capacity transit service to West Seattle and Burien to the Long-Range Plan now being prepared for Sound Transit.
(SCL OUTAGE MAP: MOBILE VERSION HERE. OUTAGE HOTLINE: 206-684-7400)
2:17 PM: Several reports that the electricity is out in multiple parts of West Seattle. This might be linked to what’s reported as an “electrical fire/explosion” near the Delridge Library. So far, we have reports from The Junction, Admiral, near Camp Long. (Here on the Upper Fauntleroy/Gatewood line, so far, we just had a flicker, power’s still on.) Let us know if it’s out where you are.
2:22 PM: Thanks to everyone who’s texting/commenting/Tweeting etc. about their power status. Some traffic signals are out – and please remember, that means when you approach one, it’s a four-way stop. Meantime, we’re headed off to check out the reported electrical fire that might be part of it. We’ve also just heard that Schmitz Park Elementary is without power. (added) Madison Middle School reported to be out too. (added) Lafayette is reported out as well.
2:25 PM: City Light says at least 4,250 homes/businesses/etc. are without power. IF your power is out – IMPORTANT ADVICE: Unplug what you can. After being out of power for 16 hours last weekend, several things around our house were damaged by the surge when it came back on. Some who didn’t lose power are reporting their cable/Internet *did* go out.
2:34 PM: See comments – some businesses are affected, too. If you haven’t already seen it on the City Light outage map, we’ve added a screengrab above showing the areas affected. Note that there are often gaps in the map – if you’re not shown, be sure they know you’re out, 206-684-7400. No estimated restoration time yet (and remember, those are ALWAYS just “guesstimates”); our crew is near the reported electrical-fire scene, trying to track down SCL.
2:44 PM: From the scanner – even police are being told they have no ETA for repairs yet, so they’re trying to figure out if they can get any help at intersections. AGAIN – if no power, it’s a four-way stop.
2:52 PM: We found a City Light truck taking a look at a transformer west of Greg Davis Park. Meantime, from SCL via Twitter:
Crews set a 6 pm initial estimate for restoration of service in West Seattle. Estimate likely to change as they learn more about the damage.
— Seattle City Light (@SEACityLight) October 30, 2014
Also via Twitter, Seattle Public Schools confirms the three schools we’ve mentioned as being affected are the only three:
West Seattle Power Outage at these schools: Madison, Schmitz Park, Lafayette
— Seattle Schools (@seapubschools) October 30, 2014
3:12 PM: No updates on the repairs but the cause is now listed as “equipment failure.” Remember that unlike last weekend’s outage, this one is affecting many businesses – in comments, Junction True Value says it’s letting customers in one at a time, cash only, since somebody might *really* need something. Also in The Junction:
Police are helping with traffic where they can. (That’s Community Police Team Officer Jon Flores in The Junction.)
3:17 PM: Back on!
Power has been restored in West Seattle. Crews were able to isolate a faulty piece of equipment and route around the problem.
— Seattle City Light (@SEACityLight) October 30, 2014
The schools that were out confirm they’re back on – they’d been getting calls from worried parents. If you are NOT back on, please make sure you call City Light; the outage hotline is 206-684-7400.
Hours until Halloween, and pre-Halloween fun is already happening:
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
West Seattle’s city-run community centers always scare up a long list of Halloween activities (as featured in their quarterly brochure). Today’s Toddler Pumpkinpalooza was for the very-little ones:
Pumpkinpalooza is held annually at High Point Community Center, where costumed cuties spent two hours this morning with crafts and games, and even a bouncy toy:
For older kids, tonight brings Delridge Community Center‘s biggest Halloween event, 5:30-7:30 pm; other centers’ spotlight events were last weekend.
TRICK-OR-TREATING TOMORROW: In addition to neighborhood trick-or-treating, three local business districts welcome you on Friday (The Junction’s trick-or-treating, you probably know, was during last Sunday’s Harvest Festival):
THE ADMIRAL DISTRICT: 3-6 pm Halloween, with participating businesses mostly on Admiral Way and California for a few blocks radiating out from where those streets meet. (Check down side streets including 42nd SW and College, too.)
WESTWOOD VILLAGE: 5-7 pm Halloween, merchants at West Seattle’s only mall (WSB sponsor) are welcoming trick-or-treaters.
WHITE CENTER: 4-7 pm Halloween, businesses around WC’s sprawling business district are planning their biggest event yet. See the list of participants on our partner site White Center Now.
Along with the business-district trick-or-treating mentioned above, several local churches are having Trunk-or-Treat parking lot events and Halloween-alternative festivals. You can see ALL the aforementioned listings – and more, including several All Hallows’ Eve events – by browsing our one-page West Seattle Halloween Guide, which we’ve been updating daily. (Not too late to let us know if anything for tonight, tomorrow, Saturday is missing!)
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