West Seattle, Washington
17 Sunday
(Photos by Nate Luke Photography)
Big outdoor-adventure fun tomorrow in West Seattle: In honor of Camp Long‘s 75th birthday, it’s a free day of activities, geared toward ages 10 to 20. Included are archery, a high-wire challenge course, rock climbing, rifle shooting, Dutch Oven cooking, orienteering, firebuilding, tomahawk throwing, geocaching, robotics, S’mores-making.
The Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Seattle Parks are among the organizers, and you’ll also find SPD and SFD there, with a police cruiser and fire engine available for tours, as well as the Highland Park-based SPD Mounted Patrol visiting (after noon). The event runs 10 am to 3 pm tomorrow (Saturday, March 5th), and coordinator Michael Grueter says the activities will be running continuously, so just stop by and find your fun. He adds that the weather should be best in the morning, so get there early! The entrance to Camp Long is at 5200 35th SW.
P.S. If you’re getting there by car, park at West Seattle Stadium a short distance north – shuttle buses will take you to and from Camp Long – that’s explained here, along with lots more info about what’s happening, what to bring, etc.
Just out of the WSB inbox, the most attention-grabbing calendar-event title we’ve seen all day: Nerdy 30s and 40s of West Seattle: Inaugural Drinks. Kati says this 7 pm event on March 11th, at The Bridge (California/Graham), is to: “Meet new friends and have fun in West Seattle! We are a group of sociable nerds in our 30s and 40s interested in meeting other sociable nerds for fun times on the peninsula.” You can RSVP and join the Meetup group by going here. And it’ll be in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar soon – thanks again to EVERYONE who sends info to share there (editor@westseattleblog.com, at least a week in advance).
While city-run community centers, pools, libraries, and other facilities are closed for the holiday, the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) is open regular hours today. Here are four current/upcoming events/programs they’re spotlighting:
YOUTH INDOOR SOCCER SIGNUPS: For ages 3 to 8, registration is under way for both members and community participants for this year’s youth indoor soccer season, which starts with practices the week of February 29th, games the week of March 19th, last day of the season April 23rd. You can sign up in person or online.
KIDS’ NIGHT IN: For ages 4-10, a “splendid slumber party” at the Y, 6:30 pm Saturday (February 20th) to 8 am Sunday. Games, tumbling, dancing, scavenger hunt, movie, snacks, light breakfast … for members and community participants. Sign up online.
CLOTHES FOR THE CAUSE: The Y’s Tween Thursday program is teaming with C4TC on a clothing and textile drive that’s under way now. Surplus clothing/household linens? Drop them off at the West Seattle or Fauntleroy YMCA through February 28th (when the drive ends with the Clothes for the Cause truck on site 1-3 pm). More info, and a list of what they can and can’t accept, is here.
FREE PARENT CHILD SWIM LESSONS are now included in family memberships, starting at 6 months old, continuing through 35 months. Registration opens tomorrow (Tuesday, February 16th) for members, for the next session, March 1st-April 23rd. Online signups will be here.
(WSB photo from 2015 Float Dodger 5K)
July 23rd might sound like a long way away. But it’s less than half a year – and today there’s reason to look forward to the Float Dodger 5K walk/run that precedes the West Seattle Grand Parade. Lori McConnell from Float Dodger-presenting West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) explains:
Today our race went LIVE! Special discount registration price of $17!! floatdodger5k.com
This year it is benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as always. BUT we are ADDING the West Seattle Food Bank as the other beneficiary. We are excited to announce this new partnership/collaboration.
Tonight at 7 pm at the store, we we will host an info night about Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training program so folks can learn more. Complete with wine and snacks!
WSR is at 2743 California SW in The Admiral District.
Saturday is Neighbor Appreciation Day in Seattle, and the city has some celebrations planned. We’ve already mentioned the open house at Fire Station 37 (11 am-1 pm, 35th SW/SW Holden). Here’s what else in West Seattle is on the list made public today:
Celebrate Neighbor Appreciation Day with The Nature Consortium
Join the Nature Consortium and Seattle City Councilmember Lisa Herbold in celebrating Neighbor Appreciation Day! We will be restoring important forest habitat in Seattle’s largest remaining green space, the West Duwamish Greenbelt. Visit naturec.org/volunteer to register. 10 am-2 pm. Pigeon Point Park @ Pathfinder K-8, 1901 SW Genesee.
West Seattle Timebank Neighbor Appreciation Day
Meet your neighbors and learn about the West Seattle Timebank. There will be refreshments and activities for kids. Noon-2 pm, High Point Library, 3411 SW Raymond.
Southwest Pool Neighbor Appreciation Day Swim
Join us for a free swim and refreshments to celebrate Neighbor Appreciation Day! 1-2 pm, Southwest Teen Life Center, 2801 SW Thistle
Here’s the full list of what’s happening for Neighbor Appreciation Day around the city.
That’s one of the 10 takers the Washington Technology Industry Association had for its version of a post-New Year “Polar Plunge” this morning at Alki Beach. Frosty fog had just lifted at the beach, but was still visible around Duwamish Head:
The water – 50ish – was warmer than the air – 40ish.
This was just one event on a very busy calendar for WTIA – see it here.
Just received an announcement about this – a second organized “Polar Plunge” at Alki Beach this year, this time presented by the Washington Technology Industry Association. They’re planning to take the plunge on Saturday (January 9th) at 9:30 am. They’re inviting “WTIA members, non-members, friends, and family 18 and up.” We’re checking to see where on Alki they’re planning to gather, since the announcement just mentions the beach’s general official address. In the meantime, if you’re interested, RSVP via the link toward the bottom of this page.
Don’t just play games – make them! That’s the invitation Delridge Library has for students 9-13, during an upcoming multi-day special event, December 14-17, involving designing games with the system you see in the demonstration video above:
This 4-day workshop will be taught by the creator of BlockStudio, a new system that lets novices create games and animations rapidly, without using code. Students will learn how to turn their creative ideas into interactive software, and tackle progressively harder challenges each day. The final day will consist of a show-and-tell session, where students will show off their creations to each other. All games and animations created during this workshop will be playable after the workshop is over. For ages 9 – 13.
The library calendar shows the workshop happening 4-5:30 pm each of those four days. It’s free, but registration is required, so call the branch (5423 Delridge Way SW) to find out how – 206-733-9125 it’s open 11 am-6 pm today.
From our West Seattle Holiday Guide, two of the many West Seattle events happening now:
At the Junction True Value (WSB sponsor) Holiday Open House – on until 2 pm at 4747 44th SW – helping the West Seattle Food Bank is a highlight. You can buy one of the raffle tickets that Sara (above) is selling, and/or bring a nonperishable food donation – the barrel’s right out front. New guest at the open house this year – an early visit from Santa Claus:
You’ll find him by the front door, steps away from the table of treats that also await you:
JTV is also your holiday-decorations headquarters – from lights to wreaths to tree and yard ornaments, and beyond.
Our West Seattle Saturday preview lists other open houses happening today and also a lineup of bazaars, including the one at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), also until 2 pm. Volunteers there include Betsy, ready to cheer for the Cougars tonight:
The Tibbetts bazaar (3940 41st SW) is highlighted by handmade items – hurry over to see for yourself if you haven’t already.
Boo! That’s an undersea Halloween scene, courtesy of Jim Bodoia, who found the “grinning Wolf Eel out just past the Alki Statue of Liberty.” Here’s a sampling of what was happening on the surface:
Neither the rain nor the wind – both at a tolerable level when we stopped by – got in the way of Skeleton Theatre at 36th SW & SW Hanford. After years of brewing up an all-new, all-out show each Halloween, this year the crew offered what they dubbed “Plan B” – a retrospective with skeleton stars from past years.
Rock ‘n’ roll, big belting ballads, you’ll hear it all if you go for encore night tomorrow (Sunday), 6-9 pm, 10-minute shows continuously with a few minutes of resetting inbetween.
Indoors, we found a full house at Meeples Games (WSB sponsor):
Meeples invited folks in to play “Werewolf“ on Halloween night. Storyteller Hank had all in thrall when we walked in:
Meeples (upstairs at 3727 California SW) is a happening place – just browse their calendar for proof.
Earlier in the evening, one last round of business trick-or-treating happened at Westwood Village:
That photo is courtesy of the folks at Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor), whose namesake Wyatt – son of proprietors Kirk and Joni Keppler – was handing out the candy.
Last but by no means least: Every year, neighborhood decorations seem to get bolder and brighter. Doug B sent a photo of his spooky yard in Seaview:
Thanks to everyone who’s shared photos and event info over the extended Halloween season (editor@westseattleblog.com) – now we move on to winter holidays, with bazaars and art shows starting as soon as NEXT weekend!
2:11 PM: Can’t wait until nightfall to trick or treat? One of the Halloween afternoon events happening right now is at the Log House Museum on Alki, where the Southwest Seattle Historical Society is hosting its first-ever “Family Halloween on the Porch.” We just stopped by the museum’s big covered porch, and if you can, you should too – for a little trick-or-treating, a few treats (cider and cookies), some storytelling, and what can be spookier than history? Go inside the museum and see what happened in West Seattle long ago. The museum’s at 61st and Stevens, and the party’s on until 3 pm.
ADDED 2:48 PM: It really *is* a family event – with enough room to pull up a corner of the porch and read:
Teen volunteers from the National Honor Society at West Seattle High School are helping too, including at the craft table:
Next up for SWSHS – the Champagne Gala Brunch one week from today – updates here.
(West Seattle’s “Great Pumpkin”: 400+ pounds and hungry, says Nick. Near 48th/Dawson)
Stormy Saturday, but lots going on because it’s Halloween. The FULL list of what’s up is in our West Seattle Halloween Guide – so please go there to see it all – we’re featuring some highlights here, followed by the non-Halloween highlights:
BUSINESS TRICK-OR-TREATING: Until 1 pm, a costume gets you candy at HomeStreet Bank (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) – no masks, for security reasons … White Center business trick-or-treating at noon, participant list here , and don’t miss Kimya Dawson in concert at Full Tilt Ice Cream, 1 pm! … West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) will have candy 1-5 pm and “adults in costume or those with a race bib from Run Scared 5K will enjoy 10% off all purchases.” (2743 California SW) … Westwood Village shopping center’s trick-or-treating is 5-7 pm. (2800 SW Barton)
FAMILY HALLOWEEN ON THE PORCH: 1-3 pm, for the first time, the Log House Museum welcomes you to Family Halloween on the Porch, with trick-or-treating, story time, cider & cookies, more. (61st SW & SW Stevens)
TEAL PUMPKIN PROJECT: Trick-or-treating with food allergies/sensitivities? Find alternative treats at some local homes. Read about it here, including the crowd-sourced map of where to go.
HAUNTED HOUSES: 5-9:30 pm, “Visit Chris & Jessica Meed’s all ages Halloween Night Haunted House at their new location. Admission is free but they ask that you bring non-perishable food donations for the West Seattle Food Bank.” (5415 49th SW, at Brandon) … 7-9 pm, Haunted House presented by Clown Mania. (5007 Erskine Way)
(Photo courtesy Skeleton Theatre)
SKELETON THEATRE: 6-9 pm (directions and show info here). The crew says that this year it’s “a retrospective with skeletons from different casts singing songs from previous shows. The show is about 10 minutes long and will run continuously.” (36th SW & SW 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 tonight at West Side Presbyterian Church, for kids through 5th grade. Bring a non-perishable food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank. (3601 California Ave SW)
TRUNK OR TREAT: 6-8 pm at Grace Community Church: “There will be a variety of trunks and various vehicles creatively transformed in family-friendly themes. Suitable for all ages. Each trunk will distribute treats for costumed visitors. Bring cans of food or dry goods to donate to the White Center Food Bank barrels located on the patio.” (10323 28th SW)
HALLOWEEN LIGHT SHOW: Presented by the folks behind West Seattle Yuletide. 6-10 pm or so, featuring a 4-foot Singing Pumpkin, a 6-foot dancing skeleton, and a full-size animated Wicked Witch of the West. (4120 38th SW)
LIVE MUSIC: The Skylark‘s famous “Come As You Aren’t” battle of the bands, 7:30 pm, $10 cover, 21+ (3803 Delridge Way SW) … At the Poggie Tavern, Hamnivore plays the music of Ween, no cover, 21+ (4717 California SW) … Halloween Spectacular at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
‘WEREWOLF’: Spend Halloween night at Meeples Games (WSB sponsor) playing the “classic guessing and bluffing game WEREWOLF“! Starting at 8 pm. See the Meeples announcement for details. (3727 California SW)
And in non-Halloween events …
HIGH-SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT: Metro League games from morning through night at Chief Sealth International High School, which is competing, too, with a loser-out game under way right now vs. West Seattle High School. (2600 SW Thistle)
DROP OFF YOUR BALLOT! Tuesday night is your deadline to vote – big decisions include your first-ever District 1 City Councilmember, the $930 million city transportation levy, and more. You can mail your ballot for the cost of a stamp OR drop it off for free at the ballot dropoff vans you’ll find today, 10 am-5 pm, at West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th SW) and outside Greenbridge Library (8th SW just south of SW Roxbury). They’ll be back Monday and Tuesday.
OSBORNE & VOSS: 7:30 pm, Jane Voss and Hoyle Osborne perform Jazz Age music live at Kenyon Hall. (7904 35th SW)
TIME FOR A CHANGE: At 2 am tonight (technically early Sunday), Daylight Saving Time ends and clocks “fall back” an hour.
(WSB photos)
Big night at Hiawatha Community Center, with two levels of activities and decorations for the annual Halloween Carnival! Down in the gym, games and activities were geared for kids over 5:
Upstairs, activities were at a smaller scale, still offering big fun:
Wherever the carnivalgoers went, it was another chance to show off their costumes:
So much fun this past week – and Halloween itself isn’t even here yet! Check our West Seattle Halloween Guide to see what’s happening tomorrow.
P.S. You can preview what’s ahead at Hiawatha and West Seattle’s other city-run community centers for the rest of this fall – including the winter holidays – by browsing the regional brochure.
(WSB photos)
Tonight at Delridge Community Center – a Halloween carnival that had everyone aglow. It was lights-out in the gym for the Glow-In-The-Dark Party, with crafts and games.
Best part – all this fun was for free:
So was the Delridge Grocery “pop-up pumpkin patch,” sporting little spotlights:
Partygoers had the chance to take pumpkins home – just in time to turn them into jack-o-lanterns!
P.S. This was one of the events listed in our WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide – still dozens more ahead for tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday – go here to see what’s yet to come.
(WSB photo from 2015 West Seattle Car Show)
The folks at West Seattle Autoworks and Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsors) are already planning next year’s West Seattle Car Show and want you to know that the date is set. This will be the show’s second spin on the north side of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) on Puget Ridge, where it moved this year after seven years in The Junction. The official date: August 27, 2016, not only earlier in the summer, but also on a Saturday instead of a Sunday. Fewer conflicts on many fronts, says WSAW’s Todd Ainsworth, from other shows to football to weather. So now you know!
Just two weeks until school’s out for Veterans Day on November 11th, and we’ve heard of at least one special school-holiday event: Melinda Fredricks and the West Seattle High School Cheer Team invite kids K-5 to the annual Mini Cheer Camp, 10 am-1 pm that day in the WSHS Gym. If you’re interested, you’ll want to register your kid(s) TODAY – because it’s the deadline to guarantee a T-shirt.
Campers will enjoy a day of fun and excitement learning cheers, jumps, making crafts and spending time with the WSHS Cheer team! All campers will receive pom =-poms, a hair bow, T-shirt, pennant, and photo with the cheerleaders! All campers are also invited back to show off their new talents at the Girls Varsity Basketball game Friday, December 4th, at halftime!! We are looking forward to seeing many returning campers as well as many smiling new faces. Bring your friends!! The more the merrier!!
Here’s the official flyer. Contact Melinda ASAP for a registration form and/or if you have questions – melindafredricks@comcast.net
Our video shows the starting-line scene in just under a minute, as the annual West Seattle Monster Dash got going at 9 this morning in what was at the time the spooky, semi-foggy forest of Lincoln Park. Check out the costumes! Organizers say it was the biggest turnout ever for this family-friendly 5K – accompanied with a kids’ dash afterward – which raises money for the West Seattle Cooperative Preschools. Almost 200 people are listed in the official timed results. ages 6 to 65!
Pumpkin-painting and face-painting are happening in the West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) Deli right now during the store’s annual Kids’ Halloween Party continues.
This is the first year for face-painting; your artist is Annie. Party’s on until 1 pm – costumes encouraged!
If you hadn’t noticed its ghostly debut on the WSB navigation bar (or, the inside-pages list on your phone) Thursday – we’re calling your attention to the West Seattle Halloween 2015 page, now live, three dozen events so far. They’re not all on Halloween – it’s a two-weekend extravaganza again this year. Carnivals and other kid stuff, bar parties, business-district trick-or-treating … all in one place. Most of the events were already on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, but we make a special page for easy reference/sharing. Something missing? Please send it ASAP – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
West Seattle Helpline wants to remind you that its 6th annual “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” dinner and auction is only three weeks away:
This event raises critical awareness, support, and funds to ensure that all of our neighbors have a place to turn when they need help getting back on their feet after a crisis.
This year, we’ll be featuring:
*A cocktail hour with live music, fun activities and a silent auction
*A three-course meal with beer and wine from local breweries and wineries
*A live auction including vacations and one-of-a-kind experiences
*Our famously competitive (and delicious) dessert dash!
It’s 6-9 pm Friday, November 13th, at The Hall at Fauntleroy. You can get your ticket(s) right now by going here.
(2013 West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival trick-or-treating photo courtesy Brian Presser of TouchTech Systems)
The slate is set for this year’s local business-district trick-or-treating:
*West Seattle Junction, noon-2 pm this Sunday (October 25th) during the Harvest Festival (co-sponsored by WSB, starting with “harvest activities” at 10)
*Admiral District, 3-6 pm Friday, October 30th
*White Center, noon on Halloween (Saturday, October 31st)
*Westwood Village, 5-7 pm on Halloween (Saturday, October 31st)
Lots of other Halloween-season events are also already on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, and our traditional one-pager showing them all together is in the final stages, so if you have an event coming up – whether kid stuff, grownup stuff, or all ages – please get us the info ASAP, editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
(WSB photo, December 2014)
Every year in early December, the Rotary Club of West Seattle brings holiday gifts and fun to about a hundred local students in need via its annual Children’s Shopping Spree. The rest of the year, the club has other events and donation drives to raise money for its charitable projects, including the spree. You’re invited to be part of a fall fundraiser that’s now just eight days away:
Saturday, October 24, 2015, the Rotary Club of West Seattle will host its 2nd annual Oktoberfest from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Alki Masonic Hall, 4736 40th Ave SW. Free parking is available in the lot adjacent to the hall.
The festivities will include German & local microbrew BEER, authentic German FOOD, an Oompah BAND, and a RAFFLE.
Net proceeds from the event will be used to support the Club’s charitable projects. Tickets are $45 and may be purchased (must be age 21 or older) on the Club’s website.
(Photo taken in Westwood area this week by Michael Zaton)
Weekend’s almost here! First, a lot happening this Friday – from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREEBIES AT EX-WESTSIDE CAMPUS: 10 am-3 pm at the former Westside School (WSB sponsor) campus at EC Hughes in Sunrise Heights, it’s a giveaway of school furnishings they haven’t been able to donate already, as previewed here. First-come, first-served. (7740 34th SW)
DROP OFF YOUR ART FOR SOUTHWEST LIBRARY SHOW: The annual Southwest Library Community Art Showcase is about to begin, and today is the second of three days you can drop off your work (and/or upload your song/s!) to be part of it. The library’s open 10 am-8 pm. Details in our preview. (35th SW & SW Henderson)
WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: 5-7 pm, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society-presented literary series starts its third year, tonight featuring Stephanie Guerra:
Words, Writers & West Seattle presents … from Avenue Collection on Vimeo.
Meet and hear from her at Westwood Village Barnes & Noble. (2800 SW Barton)
CORNER BAR AT HPIC: Starting at 6 pm, the monthly night o’fun at Highland Park Improvement Club – DJ Evan at 6, Dub Lounge International with live reggae at 7:30. (12th SW & SW Holden)
FREE FAMILY NIGHT AT THE Y: 6-8:25 pm at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle, EVERYONE is welcome:
Invite your friends and neighbors for a free evening of family fun! Play on the mats, swing on the rings, climb and slide on the inflatable obstacle course, run on the track and go swimming. Get your family moving together! FREE AND OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY. Non-members, please bring a donation for the West Seattle Food Bank.
6:00 – 8:00 pm – gym & running track
7:35 – 8:25 pm – open swim in the pool
(36th SW & SW Snoqualmie)
ART & MUSIC TRIVIA: 6:30-8 pm, it’s “Drink ‘n’ Think” art and music trivia at Admiral Bird. (California SW & SW Admiral Way)
FIVE BUCK BAND: 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), pop ‘n’ rock, ’60s-’70s plus some of what’s new. (5612 California SW)
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Two games on the peninsula – West Seattle High School is home at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) tonight vs. Roosevelt, 7 pm, which is also when Eastside Catholic visits Seattle Prep at West Seattle Stadium.
BLUES & BOOGIE-WOOGIE: That’s what you’ll find at Kenyon Hall tonight, 7:30 pm, with Orville Johnson and Casey MacGill. (7904 35th SW)
HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS UP: See it all on our complete calendar.
| 1 COMMENT