West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(Photos by David Hutchinson)
From a distance, if you saw those dark protrusions offshore, you might have wondered if they were orcas. If you watched for a while and noticed they didn’t seem to be moving, you might fear something worse. Someone in fact called Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network on Friday afternoon, worried what they were seeing was a dead whale. Nope – “a small group of California Sea Lions thermoregulating,” explains David Hutchinson of SSMMSN. Here’s a closer look:
We’ve reported on this before – almost every winter – the behavior is also known as “sailing.” Nothing to worry about. But if you do see a marine mammal on the beach – or appearing to be in distress offshore – the Seal Sitters hotline is 206-905-7325 (905-SEAL).
(File photo by Jason Enevoldsen)
As promised, we’ve added a list of Teal Pumpkin Project participants – offering treats for kids with food sensitivities/allergies – to the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide. We’ve mentioned the TPP several times over the years, dating back to this overview in 2015. If you’re planning to offer alternate treats too, let us know – westseattleblog@gmail.com – so we can add you to the list!
For the first time since 2019, a costumed crowd at Lincoln Park helped West Seattle Cooperative Preschools raise money via its Halloween-season tradition, the West Seattle Monster Dash. Above is our video of hundreds of runners/walkers starting the main “dash”; below, the children who signed up for the Kids’ Dash, split into two age groups:
Of course costume-watching was also part of the fun:
See the race results here.
It’s the only trick-or-treating event where you can get free trees (up to four per Seattle property!) as well as candy: Trick or Trees is happening outside the Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), including a closed half-block of SW Kenyon south of the store:
Along with Halloween, this also celebrates Dia de Muertos, with Cocina MX32 selling food, and music too, with Mariachi Alma Nueva:
(added) For Dia de Muertos, an ofrenda was set up inside the store:
If you can give, there’s a donation box on a table outside the store, collecting cold-weather clothing for Highland Park Elementary:
That’s just part of what you’ll find. If you can be there at 3 pm, there’s a pet-costume contest! Trick or Trees continues until 4 pm.
Thanks for the tips! Multiple reports of orcas in the area, seen from Alki Point and in Elliott Bay.
12:35 PM: Until 3 pm today, you’re invited to visit the section of Fauntleroy Creek where dozens of salmon spawners have shown up in the past week. Much of it runs through private property, so you’re asked to first go to the public fish-ladder overlook at SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW and await word from a volunteer to come down. Kids welcome if accompanied by adults; dogs OK if leashed.
3:30 PM: The only salmon we saw while there was the carcass above. Judy Pickens of the Fauntleroy Watershed Council – who offered cookies to creek visitors – told us that fish died after spawning, not at the hands (or claws, or teeth) of a predator.
Three reader reports this morning:
EARLY-MORNING INTRUDER: Via email:
In regards to the police call at 4:10 am on 4700 block of Findlay, that was our house; a woman had locked herself into our enclosed porch in a state of mental crisis; our video picked her up at 1:58 am. She banged on our door at 4 and woke us, claiming her name was Brenda and her dog was in the house. We called 911 and the police assessed her and had an ambulance take her to Harborview. She told them she was from Lynnwood and they have no idea how she got here. She systematically dismantled our porch but no harm otherwise.
BLACK PICKUP STOLEN: Texted report and photo:
Our black 1996 Dodge Ram Sport got stolen at 3:28 this morning. B48188V. This was on California Ave SW – between SW 100 and SW 98th! Saw truck drive down street, stop beside truck, then drive on; a few seconds later, someone walked up, got in passenger side, a few seconds later was driving down the street. Police were notified. Incident # 2022-290812.
(3:04 PM UPDATE: It’s been found, thanks to multiple tips.)
ABANDONED BICYCLES: Via email:
These bicycles were found in the ravine at the top of Sumner (Way) and Fairmount Canyon. Likely stolen, they are at the top of Sumner.
(Photographed in The Arroyos by Anjanette Nelson-Wally)
Lots happening today/tonight. First, from the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide:
COFFEE SHOP TRICK-OR-TREATING: Youngstown Coffee is handing out Halloween candy and offering 20% off their Twilight-themed seasonal menu. During open hours 8 am to 4 pm. (6032 California SW)
COSTUMED RUN: West Seattle Monster Dash costumed run/kids’ dash – fundraising for West Seattle Cooperative Preschools – returns in-person, 9 am at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW).
TRICK-OR-TREAT AT THE BEACH: 2nd annual Alki Beach Trick-or-Treat, 10 am-2 pm, at businesses along Alki Avenue – here’s the map.
HALLOWEEN STORY TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW), 10:30 am.
TRICK OR TREES: Big event at at Highland Park Corner Store, noon-4 pm. Candy, pet costume contest (3 pm), free trees, more! Also a donation drive.
WC CARNIVAL: Halloween Carnival at the Log Cabin at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd, White Center), 2-5 pm.
BEER GARDEN TRICK-OR-TREATING: 2-6 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) plus a pumpkin bounce house for kids under 8. Free!
OLG CARNIVAL: Halloween Carnival at Our Lady of Guadalupe (35th/Myrtle), 4-7 pm, including a food drive – full details in our calendar listing.
LIGHT SHOW: Music-synched Halloween lights at West Seattle Yuletide, 6-9:30 pm nightly, 38th SW between Dakota and Genesee.
SCARY SHOW: “Halloween frights” with lights, sounds, ghosts at at 5206 23rd Ave SW.
SPOOKY EXPERIENCE: Nightfall Orphanage, spooky experience at 4544 51st Place SW, 7-10 pm. No admission charge, but charity donations requested. Details here.
SKYLARK’S HALLOWEEN TRADITION: “Come As You Aren’t” Halloween Battle of the Bands at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), doors 7, music 8. 21+. $20 at the door.
HALLOWEEN SHOW: Happening in Gatewood, 7:30 pm and 8 pm showtimes, 37th/Austin. Weather-dependent – no show if it’s raining.
PARTY AT THE PUB: Halloween Drag Show & Costume Contest at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 9 pm: “Featuring the legendary Queen Andrew Scott and Sneaky Boo. It will be packed, so please message us asap to reserve a table or show up early and grab an empty seat.”
PARTY AT THE POGGIE: Poggie Tavern Halloween Party, 9 pm-1:30 am. (4717 California SW)
Now, the non-Halloween events happening today/tonight, from the year-round West Seattle Event Calendar:
DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY: 10 am-2 pm, drop off your unwanted/unneeded/expired prescription drugs at the Southwest Precinct (10 am-2 pm)
MORNING MUSIC AT C & P: 10:30 am-noon, Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in-person gathering in West Seattle, free but registration required; details in our calendar listing.
YOUR CHANCE TO SEE SALMON: “Open creek” at Fauntleroy Creek, noon-3 pm. Go to the fish-ladder overlook at SW Director/upper Fauntleroy Way and a volunteer will invite you down to creekside. Volunteers haD seen 31 spawners as of late Friday afternoon!
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: Open to visitors noon-3 pm, as noted here. (2234 SW Orchard)
WINE TIME: The tasting room at Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) – selling wine by the glass or bottle – is open 1-6 pm. (5910 California SW)
EVENING MUSIC AT C & P: 7-9 pm, Dan Lundin performs at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
Something to add? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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