West Seattle, Washington

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month : 10/2016 308 results

PHOTOS & VIDEO: West Seattle Halloween scenes
October 31, 2016 7:20 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

7:20 PM: Yes, it’s raining, but so far, that’s not keeping trick-or-treaters home, and it’s not stopping the spooky shows:

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That’s a photo texted (thank you!) from what we’re told is a great front-yard display at 2747 44th SW. Next, we’re stopping at Skeleton Theatre, 36th/Hanford…

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7:51 PM: The skeleton crew is in fine form, reprising “The Death of Rock,” telling the tale of the rise and fall of rock superstars Bonaparte.

The 20-minute show is continuous until 9 pm, then 6-9 again tomorrow. Our next stop, Nightmare on 44th (as in 44th SW, between Charlestown and Andover)…

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8:10 PM:The rain has lightened considerably (though you can hear it in our clip)!

Nightmare on 44th is on until 9 pm, and this is prime time to go look and listen. New additions this year. We’re heading out for one more stop …the Halloween light show on 38th SW between Genesee and Dakota, running until 10 (maybe a bit later) …

8:59 PM: Above, a bit of video from the 38th SW light show – we met creator Ken out front, along with visitors delighting in the lights and music. The Wicked Witch of the West from “The Wizard of Oz” appears, too.

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For now, that’s the end of our tour; we’ve just seen some late trick-or-treaters, though, so please remain extra watchful as the night goes on.

10:06 PM: Thanks to Lisa for e-mailing this photo:

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Lisa explains, “Our neighborhood SOGEN (South of Genesee) donned traffic-cone costumes with Werner. Great fun and it was easy to keep track of our kids. Fun was had by all!”

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WEST SEATTLE HARVEST FESTIVAL FOLLOWUP: Big fun, big benefit, and … more photos!
October 31, 2016 7:02 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Photos by Leda Costa for West Seattle Blog

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This year’s West Seattle Harvest Festival in The Junction was the biggest ever, and might have been even bigger if it hadn’t started to rain in the last hour.

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Rain and all, it was a success, and we have one more round of photos to share – as well as an update from the Chili Cookoff that raised money for the West Seattle Food Bank:

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As we reported in yesterday’s as-it-happened coverage, The Westy won – that’s JP Vidican at right, getting congratulated by past winner Jack Miller of Husky Deli. Judi Yazzolino from the Food Bank tells us the cookoff brought in almost $2,000 to help fight hunger.

Meantime, click ahead to see a new Harvest Festival gallery – the costumes, the activities, the pets, and more, as photographed by WSB’s Leda Costa: Read More

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UPDATE: King County deputy hits pedestrian at Roxbury/8th
October 31, 2016 5:37 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | WS breaking news

5:37 PM: A crash has Roxbury blocked at 8th SW. We’re on our way to find out more.

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5:51 PM: Photo added. Deputies at the scene aren’t commenting except to say that one person has been taken to the hospital. Their major crash-investigation unit is responding, so Roxbury is likely to be blocked here for a few hours. Some southbound traffic on 8th SW is getting through, though, our crew says.

6:01 PM: Sgt. Cindi West from KCSO confirms that this is a crash involving a deputy hitting a pedestrian. The pedestrian – male, adult – has been taken to Harborview but Sgt. West says his injuries are not believed to be serious; the transport is precautionary, and the crash investigators are coming to the scene because of the deputy involvement. Also, a traffic update from our crew: Westbound traffic on Roxbury is being diverted; the outside eastbound lane is open.

9:27 PM: We weren’t able to go back to check until now, but we’ve confirmed the intersection is completely clear.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: Sgt. West says the 65-year-old man who was hit was released from the hospital last night. Here’s how KCSO says it happened: “The deputy was northbound on 8 Ave SW and was stopped at the red light at Roxbury. When the light turned green he waited for traffic to clear so he could make a left turn to go westbound on Roxbury. The pedestrian was in the cross walk on the west side of the intersection crossing from south to north. The man had just reached the first westbound lane when he was hit by the bumper of the police vehicle making the left turn. The northbound light was green and the status of the pedestrian crossing light is unknown.”

She says the deputy was in an unmarked SUV, estimated to have been going 10 mph or less when he hit the pedestrian.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Avoid 4th Avenue S.
October 31, 2016 4:26 pm
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC ALERT: Avoid 4th Avenue S.
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

A gas-leak incident that’s been going on in the stadium zone for a few hours now may continue through the commute-home period – so if you usually take southbound 4th Avenue South, find an alternate route.

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YOU CAN HELP: Take it to the streets Tuesday with West Seattle Chamber’s cleanup crew
October 31, 2016 3:27 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

If you’re not already signed up for this, it’s not too late: Join West Seattle Chamber of Commerce members on cleanup patrol tomorrow afternoon. They’re meeting outside the California/Charlestown 7-11 at 4:30 pm Tuesday “to hand out supplies and form teams” – then they’ll fan out and pick up trash from there south to SW Alaska in The Junction. Last time, they got it all in an hour – the more who get involved, the faster it goes. It’ll be followed up by a visit to “a local establishment for food and drinks.” Want to be part of it? RSVP here.

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FOLLOWUP: West Seattle deer, seen again
October 31, 2016 1:38 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

In case you missed the story last night: A deer has found its way to West Seattle. And it’s been spotted again today, so we’re publishing this update. Last night, Peter tweeted a photo from 21st/Andover on Pigeon Point. Apparently the deer moved directly west/downhill, and has been seen this afternoon by the West Seattle Health Club at 28th/Andover. M, who reported that sighting, says it appears to be injured/limping, but has lost sight of it. If it is injured, the Seattle Animal Shelter should be notified, if it hasn’t been already – 206-386-7387. Deer are rarely seen in Seattle city limits, but commenter Scott pointed out last night that this could be the same deer first seen in the Union Bay area, and more recently in Beacon Hill, directly east of us.

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West Seattle development: High Point, Admiral, Morgan projects; new Junction building for sale
October 31, 2016 11:21 am
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Four notes today, three about in-progress projects, one about a recently completed project going up for sale:
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KEY APPROVALS FOR 35TH/GRAHAM: The latest development proposal for much of High Point’s most-visible vacant site has won two key approvals, according to a notice in today’s Land Use Information Bulletin. The project is described in the city files as “two 4-story structures, one containing 61 apartments above 5,604 sq. ft. of retail and one containing 41 apartments above 4,346 sq. ft. of retail and 2 live-work units. Parking for 110 vehicles,” mostly in an underground garage. The decision announced today opens a 2-week appeal period, filing deadline November 14th; here’s how that works. Here’s our April report on final Design Review approval for the project, called (at least at the time) Upton Flats.

DEMOLITION PERMIT FOR 2310 CALIFORNIA: Nine years after the first redevelopment proposal for this site that in the interim was briefly the home of Brickyard BBQ, a demolition permit has been issued. The current redevelopment plan appears to be the same one we mentioned a year ago – a 4-story building for a gym, child care, and four apartments. The demolition permit is for three buildings on the site.

NEW PLAN FOR 6921 CALIFORNIA: Last July, we reported that the then-owners had scrapped a plan for this house in south Morgan Junction to be rezoned and remodeled to include a restaurant. (They explained their decision in this comment.) Now there’s a new plan for the site – tear down the house and replace it with a fourplex. Online records show the site was sold to a construction company earlier this month.

JUNCTION BUILDING FOR SALE: One of the newest apartment buildings in The Junction is up for sale. The year-old Lofts at The Junction, 38 apartments at 4535 44th SW, is listed as an “unpriced offering” – you can find out more via this website.

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Celebration of life December 4th for Kathleen Rock Ramee, 1944-2016
October 31, 2016 10:10 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather December 4th to remember Kathleen Ramee, and are sharing this remembrance with the community:

Kathleen Rock Ramee, 72, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 1, 2016. She was born in Seattle to Edward Arthur Rock and Bernice Christine Lunde Rock. As a young adult, she traveled the world and stayed in Norway for a couple of years where she worked as a cook on a farm. She continued to live her Norwegian heritage throughout her life and passed on the traditions to her family. She lived many years in Wyoming, enjoying the wild west, and came back to her home in Seattle in 2004.

Her true calling was raising her girls as a single mom. She loved her kids more than anything and supported them in everything they did. Kathleen was adventurous, brave, independent, a free spirit and a true and wise friend. She loved good food, golfing, crocheting, travel, going to the casino and spending time with her daughters and grandchildren. Kathleen was vibrant and always lit up a room and will be loved and remembered by all that met her. She was a living example of her favorite Sophia Loren quote, “After all these years, I am still involved in the process of self-discovery. It’s better to explore life and make mistakes than to play it safe. Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life.”

She is survived by her daughters, Kimberly McDonald and Kelley Murphy, and her grandchildren, Celia and Cypress McDonald, and by her brother, Gordon Rock.

Please join us in celebrating her life on December 4, 2016 from 2:30 – 5:30 pm at the Sanctuary at Admiral in West Seattle. Please dress as mom would have liked – colorful and bright, with some sparkle thrown in for good measure.

In lieu of flowers or donations, please watch a beautiful storm with waves crashing upon the rocks, and hug your loved ones often and tell them you love them. That would make her smile knowing that love abounds.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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West Seattle Monday: It’s all about Halloween!
October 31, 2016 9:00 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

A photo posted by @nightmareon44th on

(The entrance to Nightmare on 44th, the only local Halloween attraction with an Instagram feed so far as we know!)

After a very busy Halloweekend, Halloween has arrived. From the WSB West Seattle Halloween (etc.) Guide, here’s what’s happening, where, and when:

TOT GYM PUMPKINPALOOZA: At Hiawatha Community Center, 11 am-1 pm: “The event is designed for kids ages 0-5 and will be $3 per child – games, prizes, costumes, and a bounce house.” (2700 California SW)

STATE FERRIES’ COSTUME CONTEST: First-ever costume competition for walk-on passengers aboard all Washington State Ferries sailing 3-6 pm. WSF is “encouraging all walk-on customers, young and old, to come aboard dressed for Halloween. On all sailings during this time, the captain or a crewmember will watch from the wheelhouse and select their favorite costume from the walk-on passengers. The lucky winner will be invited up to the wheelhouse to meet the captain for a behind-the-scenes tour of the ferry.”

WESTWOOD VILLAGE TRICK-OR-TREATING: Merchants at the shopping center welcome trick-or-treating 5-7 pm. (2600 SW Barton)

LIGHT SHOW: Halloween Light Show at the home of West Seattle Yuletide. 5-10 pm and maybe a bit later. (38th SW between Genesee and Dakota)

KIDS’ KARNIVAL: 6-8 pm, for kids through 5th grade, at West Side Presbyterian Church. Come enjoy crafts, bouncy house, games, slide and prizes! (3601 California SW)

FALL FEST/TRUNK-OR-TREAT: 6 pm at Grace Church: “Games, Prizes, Inflatables, Food Trucks, an appearance by the Seahawks mascot Blitz, and the 10th Annual Trunk or Treat!” (10323 28th SW)

MEEDS MANOR HAUNTED HOUSE: Tonight’s the night for the Meeds Manor Haunted House, 5-9:30 pm: “The haunted house will take you through the outside perimeter of our house with pirates, zombies, clowns, ghosts, and more. This event is FREE for all ages. We are collecting non-perishable food items for the West Seattle Food Bank. (5415 49th Ave SW)

ANIMATRONICS – NIGHTMARE ON 44TH: 6-9 pm, “Nightmare on 44th“: Animatronics and more in a spooky West Seattle yard. 10th anniversary! Rain OR no rain, it’s on, says creator David, who also notes: “This year we have new LED lighting throughout all of the shows – all of the graveyard shows have been rebuilt from scratch with some new music, better lighting sequences and a couple of new graves. The shows run on a 16.5 minute sequence loop.” (44th SW between Charlestown and Andover)

ANIMATRONICS – SKELETON THEATRE: The ST crew says “The Death of Rock” – a favorite from earlier this decade – is back this year. Shows tonight and tomorrow, 20 minutes long and running continuously, 6-9 pm each night – more info and a sneak peek at skeletontheatre.com – which is also where you can donate online to support the labor-intensive animatronic show. (36th SW/SW Hanford)

NON-HALLOWEEN EVENTS: Just a few – check our year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for those!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Halloween Monday updates
October 31, 2016 6:57 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Halloween Monday updates
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:57 AM: No current incidents in/from West Seattle.

One transit note for today – the West Seattle Water Taxi is now on its fall/winter schedule, which is weekdays only, am and pm commute periods only.

7:11 AM: Crash on I-5 northbound near Olive Way downtown is blocking two lanes and that might lead to some trouble before long if you’re headed that way.

7:18 AM: Thanks to Jim for the tip about a crash on 28th SW south of Roxbury: “28th SW is blocked South of the Safeway on Roxbury at about 99th. Cars are squeezing through 1 at a time. Avoid 28th Ave SW between 106th and Roxbury (limited cross streets here).” King County Sheriff’s Deputies and North Highline FD are there.

7:28 AM: WSDOT says the northbound I-5 crash downtown has cleared. Meantime, if you didn’t deduce it from the traffic cameras, yes, it’s raining.

8:02 AM: Reader report of a crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge just before the 99 exit. No SFD dispatch so no injuries, but be careful.

8:11 AM: Update on this from Gabriel: “Small fender-bender eastbound left lane before 1st Avenue exit. Large backup.”

8:25 AM: SDOT reports a crash at 2nd SW/Olson.

9:09 AM: Finally got a chance to go look at 28th and Olson lications to confirm they’re clear; they are.

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VIDEO: West Seattle High School students write letters to the next President
October 30, 2016 11:53 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: West Seattle High School students write letters to the next President
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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Though they are still a few years away from voting, some West Seattle High School students are having their voices heard this election year.

They’re participating in a nationwide project called Letters to the Next President. Each student is writing a letter to tell the next president about the most important social issue s/he should address.

WSHS teachers Kira Hopkins and Nicholas Rose decided to have their classes participate. The benefits are many, Rose told us – for one, the students, though too young to vote, “want to be heard.” Also, this project is honing skills from argumentative writing to research. That’s also what Hopkins told us in her original invitation to us to cover the project: “As a teacher, I’m excited about this project because students are practicing research and argument skills to become informed voters for the next generation. My students are excited about it because they get to write about an issue that matters to them and get involved.”

We visited the WSHS Library last week while some of Rose’s 9th-graders were working on their letters. We talked with two of them on video:

Karen wants the next President to focus on teen homelessness:

Morgan, meantime, is writing to the next President about health-care spending:

We asked Rose about other topics that students have chosen for their letters; immigration and police-related issues are popular, he told us.

The students’ final drafts are due this week. Their letters eventually will be uploaded to the Letters to the Next President website, which already is featuring more than 3,400 letters.

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West Seattle Halloweekend scene: Spooky tunes at Tibbetts
October 30, 2016 11:01 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

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Thanks to Alisa Minnig for the photo and report:

John Van Lierop, Jr. held his annual Halloween Piano Recital at Tibbetts United Methodist Church. There were over 20 costumed piano students performing appropriately spooky selections, capped off with Danse Macabre by Saint-Saens. There were also fun games like “Name that Tune” and “Spooky Musical Chairs.” There was even a surprise guest (see the back row) – looking for a few more last-minute votes, we think. :)

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West Seattle wildlife: Deer sighting on Pigeon Point
October 30, 2016 8:13 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   Pigeon Point | West Seattle news | Wildlife

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That photo was tweeted at us earlier this evening by Peter, who says he spotted the deer on Pigeon Point. Though we have published many wildlife sightings over the years, none of them involved deer, aside from this WSB Forums post from someone wondering earlier this year if there were any around. They are not uncommon around Western Washington overall, though, according to this state Department of Fish and Wildlife one-sheet.

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@ West Seattle Transportation Coalition: Electric vehicles, & more
October 30, 2016 7:28 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Is an electric vehicle in your future? The city has set a bold goal to dramatically increase the use of electric vehicles in Seattle, and that was the spotlight topic at this month’s West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting.

West Seattleite Chris Bast works with the city’s Office of Sustainability and Environment and spoke to the WSTC on Thursday night about Drive Clean Seattle, pursuing a goal of 30 percent electric vehicles by 2030:

Read More

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Have you seen this stolen truck?
October 30, 2016 5:57 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

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The photo is from G, who says his dark red 2014 F-150 pickup truck was stolen early this morning, between 1 am and 6 am, from the 7100 block of 47th SW. License plate C27527B. Call 911 if you see it.

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IT’S ON: Salmon drumming to call coho home to Fauntleroy Creek
October 30, 2016 3:28 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | Wildlife

ORIGINAL REPORT, 3:28 PM: Just got the word from Judy Pickens — salmon drumming at the Fauntleroy Creek overlook (SW Director & upper Fauntleroy Way) is a go for 5 pm. Judy adds, “In the event of rain, come to the green house below the viewpoint and we’ll drum briefly from the porch. The spawners we know to be in the cove will surely hear!” See you there.

8:38 PM: Adding video and photos.

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About 30 people gathered on and around the porch to listen to Pickens tell the story of the salmon along with a few rounds of drumming and singing led by Jamie Shilling.

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While no coho have been seen in the creek since five ventured in (and apparently out) briefly almost two weeks ago, Pickens told the gathering that some have been seen circling the mouth of the creek in Fauntleroy Cove. “The intent (of the singing/drumming) is to honor the determination of these fish to get to fresh water.”

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Volunteers are watching the creek, and if any spawners are seen, the locations will be noted with ribbons, and then those spots will be checked early next year for possible hatches. A few months later, hundreds of local students will visit to release 2,000+ salmon they’ve raised from hatchery eggs, as part of the Salmon in the Schools program, which Pickens and husband Phil Sweetland shepherd locally. The program was in danger earlier this year but as reported here recently, has been spared.

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AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE: West Seattle Harvest Festival 2016!
October 30, 2016 10:00 am
|    Comments Off on AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE: West Seattle Harvest Festival 2016!
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

10 AM: It’s on! Joining the Farmers’ Market for the next four hours, it’s the 2016 West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival. Starting right now, on Alaska between 44th and 42nd, and on California south of the market, Alaska to Edmunds, local businesses, schools, and organizations are offering fun activities. Everything’s free except the Chili Cookoff starting at 11 am – a $10 donation gets you a taste of each of the eight competing chilis, plus a vote, and the money goes to the West Seattle Food Bank. Then at 11:30, it’s the costume parade from Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska) around the festival/market zone, and at noon, business trick-or-treating begins. Explore the side-street businesses too – ReMAX, for example, has a noon-2 pm Haunted House on the NW corner of 44th/Alaska (that was canceled).

10:14 AM: Our first activity feature – “melting pumpkins” at the West Seattle Timebank booth. Here’s volunteer Cupcake, showing one off:

Thanks to Timebank leader Tamsen Spengler for the photo. The Timebank booth is on SW Alaska across from Twilight, which is just west of Easy Street. Go visit! We, meantime, are right in the heart of California/Alaska, and immediately west of us you’ll find free facepainting:

The costumes just might be the most-fun part of the festival every year. Even with more than an hour to go until the parade, many costumed people of all sizes are wandering. We’ve even seen Darth Vader (and survived the encounter):

This festivalgoer is costumed as cotton candy:

By the way, there’s free cotton candy (while it lasts) on SW Alaska by Easy Street.

11:07 AM: Chili time! That’s the number one question we’re being asked right now – where’s the chili? Answer: Look for the West Seattle Food Bank canopy right in front of KeyBank on the SW corner of California/Alaska. Here are the competitors:

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Number two most popular question – where does the Costume Parade start? Junction Plaza Park is on the NW corner of 42nd/Alaska, and the parade will head west from there, starting at 11:30. Many awesome costumes this year. Check out Sharknado and friend:

11:44 AM: The parade is making its way through the festival. And this year it’s MASSIVE! Hundreds of people. Led by the West Seattle High School Band:

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Here’s video from the start (looks like we’ll have to wait until we’re back at HQ for the full 6 1/2 minute clip):

Next up: Business trick-or-treating at noon. We’ve been asked how that works – look for merchants with candy OUTSIDE their businesses throughout The Junction.

12:15 PM: Trick-or-treating is now on! And activities continue. Westside School (WSB sponsor) is one of your stops on California between Alaska and Edmunds – there, you can play Plinko:

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Coworking center West Seattle Office Junction (also a WSB sponsor) is nearby and has a “critter pit”:

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Meanwhile, the Farmers Market continues until 2 pm as usual. Many vendors are in the spirit!

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We have some music here at California/Alaska, too – WSHS Band members, post-parade, are busking, as they’ve been doing to raise money for new instruments. And all the while, more cool costumes:

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12:58 PM: Final hour. The crowd has thinned a bit but still really festive – we are talking with organizers and participants about how big the festival is this year, so many people here in The Junction, it reminds us of Summer Fest. Thanks to everyone who’s stopped by to say hi – from our booth in the heart of Walk-All-Ways, we’ve had a front-row seat for it all.

1:19 PM: The crowd’s thinned further because the rain has returned. Next big thing: Vote-counting for the chili cookoff. Here’s a tweet with a look at the contenders’ offerings:

Still some good stuff at this week’s market, too.

1:30 PM: And the chili winners are:

#1 – The Westy
#2 – Brookdale Admiral Heights
#3 – Shadowland

Congratulations!

2 PM: The rain hasn’t stopped but the festival’s wrapping up.

P.S. We will have a separate photo gallery plus some other festival followups at midday Monday.

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DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: Highland Park Elementary celebration
October 30, 2016 9:49 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Photos by Leda Costa for West Seattle Blog

Miguel Gudino explainging the meaning behind the Dia de los Muertos altar he set up at the school.

While putting together this year’s WSB West Seattle Halloween (etc.) Guide, we’ve noticed more community Dia de los Muertos events than previous years … and we were invited to visit Thursday night’s big party at Highland Park Elementary. And along with food, games, and crafts, participants got to learn about this way of honoring the dead – above, HPE dad Miguel Gudino explains the altar he set up. Traditionally, you put fresh flowers, candles, and your loved one’s favorite foods on an altar like this, and on November 1st, all of these items are taken to the grave.

An example of a Dia de los Muertos altar. Highland Park Elementary dad Miguel Gudino put together an example of what an altar would look like at home. Traditionally, you put fresh flowers, candles, and your loved one's favorite foods at the altar. On November 1st, all of these items are taken to the grave.

It’s a celebratory time. And so the HPES event offered fun activities including facepainting – which drew a line:

The line for facepainting

AJ Purdie, a 4th grader at Highland Park Elementary, getting her face painted.

That’s fourth-grader AJ. Ahead, 10 more photos: Read More

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West Seattle Sunday: Halloweekend continues, from Harvest Festival to salmon drumming
October 30, 2016 6:52 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Halloweekend continues, from Harvest Festival to salmon drumming
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Happy Sunday! First, from the WSB West Seattle Halloween (etc.) Guide:

(WSB photo from 2015 Harvest Festival)

WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION HARVEST FESTIVAL: In the heart of The Junction, 10 am-2 pm, on California between Oregon and Edmunds, and on Alaska between 42nd and 44th. Schedule:

10 am-2 pm: Activity booths (free!)
10 am-2 pm: Farmers’ Market
11 am: Chili competition (KeyBank corner – 9 competitors – $10 gets you a taste of each and a vote, to benefit the West Seattle Food Bank)
11:15 am: Start gathering for costume parade
11:30 am: Costume parade, led by the West Seattle High School Marching Band
Noon: Trick or treating

ART GLASS PUMPKIN PATCH: At Avalon Glassworks in Luna Park, the Art Glass Pumpkin Patch continues: “Dozens of handmade glass pumpkins in all colors are available for purchase to decorate your home or give as gifts. See live glass blowing and pick your pumpkins. Glass-blowing demonstrations are free to watch; Pumpkins cost $20-$95 each. Also at the pumpkin patch, limited-edition glass apples to benefit White Center Food Bank.” Live glass-blowing 11 am-5 pm today. (2914 SW Avalon Way)

‘I SCREAM’: Halloween Hop at Shelby’s Bistro and Ice Creamery, noon-2 pm during Harvest Festival. Games, prizes, DJ. (4752 California SW)

HAUNTED HOUSE: Go get spooked in the Haunted House at the new location of ReMAX in The Junction, noon-2 pm during Harvest Festival. (4400 SW Alaska)

TRICK OR TREATING IN WHITE CENTER: Trick-or-treating 3-6 pm at participating businesses. More info on this Facebook event page. Plus, Kimya Dawson in concert at Full Tilt Ice Cream, 3 pm! (9629 16th SW)

PARTY AT THE LONGHOUSE: Duwamish Longhouse Halloween Party, 5-7 pm, Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center: “Lots of Halloween fun. Children of all ages. Family-friendly event. Games, prizes & refreshments. Free/$10 suggested donation per family welcome.” (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

LIGHT SHOW: Halloween Light Show by the people who bring you West Seattle Yuletide. 5-10 pm. New zombies this year, plus a talking pumpkin, and more. (38th SW between Genesee and Dakota)

HEEBIE-JEEBIES: The Heebie-Jeebies’ “all ages (kids encouraged) Halloween show at The Skylark – Seattle’s only Halloween band. $5 cover. 7 & 9 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

GHOST GAME X: The Cabiri in “Ghost Game X: For Life Eternal” dessert-theater cabaret at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 7:30 pm. Ticket info – see if any are left! – is in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

And from the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: If you missed it above – yes, there IS a Farmers’ Market during the Harvest Festival, in the street as usual, 10 am-2 pm as usual. (California between Oregon and Alaska)

UKESTRA SEATTLE: Ukulele music, live, at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)

SING & DRUM THE SALMON HOME: 5 pm, join the gathering at the Fauntleroy Creek overlook to sing, drum, dance, and wish for the coho’s homecoming. All welcome, all ages. BYO drum. (SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW)

LAST SUNDAY FOR WATER TAXI, AND EXTENDED SERVICE: This is the last weekend day of the year for the West Seattle Water Taxi, with the fall/winter schedule starting Monday, and it also will have extended service because of tonight’s Sounders FC playoff match, 6:30 pm vs. FC Dallas.

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YOU CAN HELP: West Seattleites collecting items to take to Standing Rock
October 29, 2016 10:41 pm
|      57 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

cannonballhighway

Two West Seattleites have been working on a plan to help the demonstrators who are gathered with the Standing Rock Sioux, 1,200 miles from here [map], trying to change the route of an oil pipeline. They are planning to travel to the site next month and collecting community donations if you are interested in helping. Here’s their message and plan:

BE A PART OF THE STANDING ROCK PROTEST AND HELP THE WATER PROTECTORS IN NORTH DAKOTA.

Standing between poisoned water and the people living from the Dakotas to New Orleans are a few hundred tents on the prairie. It gets very cold on the prairie in North Dakota.

THE PROBLEM:

The proposed path of the Dakota Access Pipeline goes under the Missouri River just a half mile from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, threatening the water of the entire region, from the Dakotas to New Orleans. The DAPL company expects construction to be complete in January, with highly explosive oil from the Bakken region ready to flow.

THE SOLUTION:

Move this “safe” pipeline back to its original route north of Bismarck and away from the water. This is the only thing the Sioux tribe and their supporters are asking for. This is why they are camping on the prairie in the direct path of the pipeline.

OUR PLAN:

We are driving from West Seattle, hopefully with a truck or trailer full of supplies, to the Standing Rock Sioux at Sacred Stone Camp for Thanksgiving to show our support for their cause and sacrifice in protecting the water. We would like to give you the opportunity to show your support and gratitude as well.

There are two ways you can support this.

1. We will be taking donated items (see list) at the following locations for the next 3 weeks.
2. You can make a direct financial contribution to those protesting. (see links)

MATERIAL DONATION SITES:

Saturdays: November 5th, 12th, and 19th, between 8 a.m. and noon.
Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 7141 California Ave SW.

Weekly: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (until the 19th)
Duwamish Tribal Services at 4705 West Marginal Way SW

*Please note that we are not a 501c3 charity and any donations are non-tax-deductible. Any financial donation should be made through the suggested links.*

SUPPLY LIST:
(as requested by the Sacred Stone Camp)

Warm Winter Clothes (good condition only please)

****Gloves, Wool Hats, Socks and Sweaters
****Insulated Coats and Pants

Sleeping Bags / Blankets for subzero temperatures
Thermal Bed Rolls
Winter Tents / Heavy Duty Canvas

DIRECT DONATION LINKS:

sacredstonecamp.org
standingrock.org
democracynow.org

We welcome any suggestions and comments from our community and will do our best to reply to WSB posts.

Giles Stanton and Cathy Morgan

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WEST SEATTLE HALLOWEEKEND: ‘Werewolf’ night at Meeples
October 29, 2016 10:01 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Halloweekend continues, with more big events tomorrow (Harvest Festival!) but in the meantime, tonight …

hosthank

As the slogan goes, every night is Game Night at Meeples Games (WSB sponsor) at California/Charlestown. But this is not just any night … dozens of players are gathered right now for the Halloween edition of “Werewolf,” led by legendary moderator Hank (top photo).

Not familiar with this role-playing game? Here’s how it works. The game began with a costume contest. The winners:

meepwinners

From left, #3 is Greg from “Over the Garden Wall”; #2, the Black Canary; #1, Lucius Malfoy from “Harry Potter.”

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NPR today, updated book release ahead for ultimate Cubs fan Steve Goodman’s biographer Clay Eals
October 29, 2016 7:49 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Tonight in Chicago, the Cubs are playing Game 4 of the World Series against the Cleveland Indians – the Cubs’ first World Series since 1945. If you’re a Cubs fan, you likely are familiar with the late Steve Goodman‘s songs “A Dying Cubs Fan’s Last Request” and “Go Cubs Go.” The man who literally wrote the book on Steve Goodman (photo at right by Bob Sirott) is West Seattleite Clay Eals, and that landed him on NPR this morning, as several WSB readers mentioned to us. If you missed it, the audio clip of his interview with NPR’s Scott Simon is above.

Eals’s award-winning book “Steve Goodman: Facing the Music” was first published in 2007 but has just been updated for a fourth printing that ECW Press will release in mid-December. You can pre-order a copy here.

SIDE NOTE: You almost certainly know Eals as executive director of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. Its annual benefit brunch happens to be exactly a week away – tickets are still available, here.

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2 events at local salmon creeks: Fauntleroy tomorrow, Longfellow next weekend
October 29, 2016 7:05 pm
|    Comments Off on 2 events at local salmon creeks: Fauntleroy tomorrow, Longfellow next weekend
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Fall is salmon homecoming season. There are two ways in the next week that you can celebrate, and learn, at two West Seattle salmon-spawning creeks:

(Spawners photographed by Dennis Hinton in 2011)

FAUNTLEROY CREEK: Tomorrow at 5 pm, join West Seattle neighbors at the Fauntleroy Creek overlook (SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW, across and upslope from the ferry terminal) for the traditional singing and drumming gathering to call the coho home. All welcome, all ages, bring your own drum or just bring your voice.

LONGFELLOW CREEK: Next Saturday (November 5), 11:30 am-1 pm, you are invited to Longfellow Creek in North Delridge for this event:

Join us as we walk a section of Longfellow Creek in West Seattle to investigate the health of one of our local salmon runs. Longfellow Creek, which flows from Roxhill Bog to Elliott Bay, provides spawning habitat for a population of coho salmon every year.

A group of dedicated volunteers is working with Soundkeeper to monitor whether the coho in Longfellow reproduce successfully or succumb to stormwater pollution in the river and die before spawning (a phenomenon known as pre-spawn mortality). Every day for the duration of the salmon run, teams are documenting their observations of live coho and dissecting the carcasses to check spawning condition. Come join our Saturday group of volunteers and see them in action!

Also at the event will be groups from the Nature Consortium, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, King County Conservation District, and the City of Seattle to talk about wetland recovery, native plants, rain gardens, and what Seattle is doing to reduce the effects of toxic stormwater runoff on salmon populations and other wildlife.

This is a great way to observe one of nature’s most amazing migrations, get a taste of scientific field work, and learn more about what you can do to restore the health of our local waterways. Be prepared to get dirty. Wear athletic clothing and shoes that can get wet. We will be walking along the creek through some muddy areas.

Meet at Dragonfly Pavilion (4107 28th SW); RSVP to kerry@pugetsoundkeeper.org or 206-297-7002.

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