West Seattle, Washington
04 Saturday
(‘Alki From Above’ route 2012 photo courtesy Cathy Jaramillo)
Three West Seattle routes are on the lineup of 18 citywide for this year’s Feet First Stairway Walks Day – and registration has JUST opened so you can reserve a spot before they’re all gone! On the Fauntleroy-area route, you’ll travel on the city’s second-longest stairway (SW Thistle near Lincoln Park); on the “Alki From Above” route, you’ll walk among old-growth trees; on the Longfellow Creek/Pigeon Point route, you’ll climb Puget Ridge. See the signup page for full descriptions, including how many steps up/down for each route. Each walk is guided and each starts at 10 am on Saturday, February 8th; $5 donation per person is suggested.
P.S. Even the non-WS routes have a local link – all 18 are from West Seattleites Cathy and Jake Jaramillo‘s “Seattle Stairways Walks.”
Just in from Judy Pickens in Fauntleroy:
The third annual Fauntleroy Chili Cook-Off needs one more chef to fill out the list of competitors – meat or vegetarian, your choice. The cook-off will be Saturday, January 25, 6 pm, hosted by Fauntleroy Church (9140 California Ave. SW). Call 206-932-5600 for details about putting your favorite recipe up against prior winners and other hopefuls hot to win the crown.
Lots of room for attendees, of course; those details are in our calendar listing.
That’s Seaview resident and hula hooper Mary Decker, who’s sponsoring a free Community SpinJam later this month and has room for more local hula hoopers to RSVP. It’s at 8 Limbs in The Junction at 2 pm Sunday, January 26th – RSVP via Facebook by going here. Mary says all ages are welcome, adding “when I say all ages, I really mean it. This is not just for kids. In fact, the hoops I make are large and heavy, much easier for an adult to use than those tiny lightweight ones we know from the olden days. Kids can use them too, though!”
(2012 WSB photo by Nick Adams)
There’s a little bit of pirate in everyone, they say. Or, for some, a LOT of pirate. If that’s you – maybe you want to consider joining the notorious band known as the Seafair Pirates, who sent scurrilous word early today that they are recruiting:
Opportunity knocks, you swabs! The rare chance to join an organization hailed by the Seattle Times as “Seattle’s best respected cheesy thing,” awaits you! For sixty-five years the Seafair Pirates have been tickling the Emerald City’s funny bone. Are you cut out to help the Pirates continue to provide this vital community service?
The deal is the same as the pitch used by all navy recruiters; JOIN UP AND SEE THE WORLD! (Japan, Mexico, Canada, Ballard!) Of course like the navy you’ll work for your passage, but that’s all part of the life of adventure we’re offering you.
If you think you’ve got what it takes, find out more about the Seafair Pirates Candidate Program at www.seafairpirates.org/Candidate. If you don’t wish to apply electronically you can reach us at Seattle Seafair Pirates, PO Box 30674, Greenwood Station, Seattle, WA 98113, or by telephone, 206-521-3300. So get your note in that bottle now!
The Seafair Pirates originally banded together in 1949 in conjunction with the first Seafair to promote Seattle’s summer celebration while having fun and serving the community. Despite their bad-guy image, the Pirates make dozens of appearances annually at hospitals, nursing homes and charity fund raisers. During the height of Seattle’s SEAFAIR Celebration, they appear at several events and parades each day.
(WSB photo, February 2013)
The second-annual West Seattle Chess Tournament is in the works for February 8th, and players from kindergarten through 8th grade are welcome to sign up starting now. Last year was the first year for this tournament hosted by the Schmitz Park Elementary Chess Club (in cooperation with the Lafayette Chess Club) and sponsored by ChessMates; SP is the site again, and players from all over the peninsula are welcome. Organizers say, “This is a great opportunity for children in West Seattle to try out a chess tournament in a local and intimate venue; all children are welcome, they need not have participated in a chess club.” For more info – on participation and/or supporting the tournament – e-mail coach Jeremy Higgins at dangerscience@gmail.com.
If you’re looking for more fun, fitness, education, and/or entertainment in the New Year – you just might find it in the ongoing programs and special events at our area’s city-run community centers. Every quarter, a brochure comes out listing what’s ahead at Alki, Delridge, Hiawatha, High Point, and South Park Community Centers, as well as at Southwest Teen Life Center and Southwest Pool. You can pick up a paper copy at any of those locations or scroll through the PDF version here.
Two events coming up this month, showcased by the centers: First – a new cooking/baking series kicks off with a challah-baking workshop at 5:30 pm Thursday, January 9th, at Delridge CC (see brochure page 18). Second – the popular Reptile Man at High Point CC, as part of the Fabulous Family Fun series, 10:30 am Saturday, January 18th, $5 per person if you pay in advance (see brochure page 4).
Continuing our previews of ways you can celebrate New Year’s Eve without leaving West Seattle:
(December 31, 2012, WSB photo by Nick Adams)
Highland Park Improvement Club has finalized the schedule for its New Year’s Eve extravaganza. Once again this year, the Not-So-Silent-Night parade through the nearby neighborhood will kick it off – all ages welcome. Gather with noisemakers, flashlights, etc., in the HPIC parking lot at 12th and Holden starting at 6 pm. The parade – fifth annual, by our count – heads out at 6:30 or “when everyone’s ready.” After half an hour or so, it’s back to the HPIC parking lot for the don’t-miss Sage Comet fire performance around 7; then inside for the special New Year’s Eve edition of HPIC’s popular pop-up Corner Bar, otherwise a “first Friday” fixture. 8-10 pm, Choroloco plays Brazilian jazz; DJs Rich and Evan take over from 10 pm “until 2014.” You don’t have to be a Highland Park’er to join the party – they welcome one and all.
Don’t throw the bread in the toaster or pour the cereal into the bowl – go have breakfast (if you haven’t already) with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle!
It’s been a tradition for more than half a century. They – and Santa Claus (below, with Kiwanian Mike LaFranchi)! – are in action until 11 am at the Masonic Center (40th and Edmunds).
Just $10 at the door, and kids under 10 eat free; proceeds benefit Children’s Hospital cancer research and the Kiwanis’s community work.
(Linda Cox and Warren Lawless of the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle)
And bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots if you can! More details here. (Photos added 9:15 am)
Two notable benefits ahead at West Seattle Bowl:
15TH ANNUAL BEER CHURCH TURKEY BOWL: This Saturday night, the West Seattle-headquartered Beer Church hosts its annual fundraiser and food drive for the West Seattle Food Bank. Checking the website, there might be a lane or two available, but even if there’s not, you are invited to come by, drop off a food donation, enter a fundraising raffle, and try “all three versions of this year’s Beer Church ale.” Read all about it here.
LIVE UNITED, BOWL UNITED PRESENTED BY TEAM AVRIL: Cliff Avril of the 10-1 Seattle Seahawks is hosting a fundraiser for United Way of King County on December 30th – and West Seattle Bowl expects other Hawks players to be there. $35/person, $175/lane (up to six people). Sign up fast if you’re interested!
All 6th, 7th, and 8th graders – whether in public school, private school, or homeschooled/unschooled – are invited to join in a Reading Marathon next Saturday. It’s happening at six Seattle Public Library branches around the city, including the Southwest Branch here in West Seattle. Teen-services librarian Cheresse Thoeny shares the announcement:
What is the Reading Marathon? Your chance to read for six straight hours at a Seattle Public Library branch.
Why would I want to do that?
· For every hour you read, you’ll receive a prize. Read all six hours and you might win a fabulous grand prize!
· If students from your school read the most total hours, your school receives the Reading Marathon Champions banner—and bragging rights.
· There will be plenty of free snacks and pizza will be served.
· You can bring a pillow, bean bag, or anything else to make things comfy.
· You can read anything you want (book, e-book, magazine, comic, etc.) as long as you read it silently. (What about audiobooks? Check with a librarian ahead of time.)
To join in, just show up at the Southwest Branch Library (35th and Henderson) between 11 am and 5 pm next Saturday (November 16th).
This year’s last Halloween hurrah is Saturday night at Chief Sealth International High School – and while it’s student-organized and publicized, it’s not just for high-school age youth – all ages are invited. Here’s the announcement:
This Saturday at 5 PM, Chief Sealth will be hosting a carnival/party to bring together and unify kids with and without disabilities. The event is also a fundraiser, with all of the profits going to Chief Sealth Club Unify! To get in, it costs $5, if you bring a cake or any other kind of dessert for the cake walk. Without a dessert, it costs $10. Kids under the ages of 10, get in for $3. There will be a cake walk, relay races, dancing, movies, and more! There will also be a costume contest (with prizes) so make sure to dress up! It will be a lot of fun and the more the merrier!! So spread the word to whoever and bring a friend! (:
All over West Seattle, diabolically decorations dotted neighborhoods as night fell on Halloween 2013. Above, that’s a photo shared by Dotti, explaining that Halloween is her husband’s birthday. For many others, you might as well subtitle it Candy Day – along with the Admiral District trick or treating we featured earlier, Westwood Village welcomed treat-seekers in the early evening – we photographed this one outside Giannoni’s Pizza:
Also at Westwood – check out the furry trick-or-treater at Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor):
In the Genesee area, “Nightmare on 44th” drew crowds – almost 200 visitors, tweeted creator Dave – a yard full of elaborate effects, with animatronic skeletons amid lights, sound, surprises:
That’s where we found these pumpkins, from cheery to eerie:
One more Halloween scene: Tim at The Kenney (WSB sponsor) shared this photo of their own “Golden Girls”:
Since Halloween fell on a Thursday, our event guide still has listings for Friday night and even Saturday – check ’em out!
(Decorated home at 38th/Hanford; photo courtesy Siobhan)
It’s here – the haunting holiday of Halloween. Today’s daily preview is a spooktacular collection of highlights from the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide, starting with the biggest local event:
ADMIRAL DISTRICT TRICK-OR-TREATING: 3-6 pm, it’s time for trick-or-treating at businesses in The Admiral District, participating merchants – look for businesses displaying this sign:
No treasure hunt or raffle prizes this year, “just good old-fashioned trick-or-treating.” No list but we DID hear from Emeritus at Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor), 2326 California SW, which is participating and extends a warm welcome to trick-or-treaters.
METROPOLITAN MARKET KIDS’ COSTUME CONTEST: While you’re in The Admiral District for trick-or-treating, join in the Kids’ Halloween Costume Contest 3-6 pm at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor). Winners in the three categories will receive $25 Toys “R” Us gift cards; drop by today, and then vote over the next three days. (41st/42nd/Admiral Way)
FREE HALLOWEEN FAMILY SKATE: Southgate Roller Rink and Full Tilt Ice Cream present a FREE Halloween Family Skate from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm at the rink. Costume contest, candy giveaways, a guest DJ, more. (17th SW south of Roxbury, White Center)
WESTWOOD VILLAGE: 5-7 pm is the time you can go trick-or-treating at participating venues in the Westwood Village shopping center
SKELETON THEATRE: 6-9 pm (tonight AND tomorrow), don’t miss this year’s edition of Skeleton Theatre, 6-9 pm (directions and show info here). The animatronic skeletons are back, reprising the space-themed “Ulna 13” from last year with updates! Shows “roughly on the hour and half-hour.” (36th/Hanford)
NIGHTMARE ON 44TH: 6-9 pm tonight only, animatronic and spooky “Nightmare on 44th” is back! 44th Ave SW between Charlestown and Andover. See behind-the-scenes photos on Twitter at @NightmareOn44th.
KIDS KARNIVAL: 6-8 pm, it’s a Kids Karnival at West Side Presbyterian Church, promising “carnival games, bouncy house, giant slide, a box maze, prizes and more! This event is geared for young children through 5th grade. It is a fun, safe alternative to trick-or-treating!” Admission free BUT there’s a donation drive for emergency kits for people in need – here’s what you can bring:
Hand warmers, socks, granola bars, small-amount gift cards, beanie hats, travel sized toothpaste & toothbrush, bars of soap, hand sanitizer, $ donation to purchase these items!
WSPC is at 3601 California SW.
TRUNK OR TREAT: Grace Community Church Trunk or Treat, 6-8 pm, free family event with car trunks filled with goodies, games, hot drinks, food. (10323 28th SW)
(In the planting strip in the 9400 block of 13th SW; photo courtesy Lisa)
GHOST GAME VII: The Cabiri in ‘Ghost Game VII: The Wild Hunt’ @ Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 8-9:45 pm. Tickets available here; 16 and over only. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
OZZY-WEEN: Halloween Ozzy Osbourne tribute at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9:30 pm. (6451 California SW)
HALLOWEEN KARAOKE: It’s “Scary-Oke” for Halloween at Outwest Bar, 9 pm-2 am. (California/Brandon)
ZOMBIE HOMECOMING: Zombie Homecoming 18+ event hosted by Southgate Roller Rink and the Rainier Roller Girls! 9 pm-midnight, $12 @ the door. Costume contest, raffle, 21+ bar, and much more! (17th SW south of Roxbury, White Center)
More Halloween (etc.) events for tonight and the next two nights – in our guide; today’s non-Halloween happenings are on our regular calendar.
A chance to get and a chance to give, right now at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor). Art projects and treats are what kids can get during the store’s annual Halloween Party, continuing until 1 pm in the deli dining area (one of today’s featured activities in the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide). And then, as part of Thriftway’s month-long hunger-fighting campaign, the White Center Food Bank is on hand for donations until 3 pm:
West Seattle Thriftway is at California/Morgan/Fauntleroy in Morgan Junction.
(WSB photos by Katie Meyer)
It was a night to yell BOO! as much as to yell BINGO!
The Senior Center of West Seattle scared up almost 200 people – a sell-out crowd – for its almost-Halloween edition of Rainbow Bingo. Click ahead for more photos!
One of the newest additions to the dozens of events in our West Seattle Halloween Guide: The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition‘s Toxic Terror Boat Tour is back for another year. It’s happening Sunday (October 27th) at 2 pm, leaving from West Seattle’s Harbor Island Marina. From DRCC:
Several spooky guides will lead you on a two-hour boat tour of the Duwamish River Superfund site. You’ll hear stories of local Native American supernatural legends, early-settler stories from Georgetown and South Park neighborhoods, and learn about the terrifying realities of toxic chemicals in the Duwamish River! You will also learn about the natural and human history of the Duwamish Valley, environmental health and (in)justice, and the future of Seattle’s very own Superfund cleanup site on this guided boat tour.
Costumes are not obligatory but are strongly encouraged. This year we are requesting a $25 (adults) and $15 (kids) fee. 100% of your proceeds will go to our ongoing education and outreach programs.
RSVP ASAP to save your seat(s) – do it on this Brown Paper Tickets page.
Halloween is ten days away but since it’s on a Thursday, many – but not all! – of the events are this weekend. From community-center carnivals to business-district 
trick-or-treating, we’ve gathered together all the upcoming Halloween/harvest/fall-festival events from our calendar and you’ll find them in one place, westseattleblog.com/halloween – or click the HALLOWEEN tab beneath the header photo on any WSB page. If you haven’t let us know about your business/organization/school’s event, though, it might not be there – but it’s not too late for us to add it; e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com. No need for a long announcement – just send the basics, and if you have a web and/or Facebook link for the event, please include it. Thanks!
Exactly three weeks until the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Champagne Gala Lunch – perfect time to get your ticket. SWSHS has landed a well-known West Seattleite, broadcaster Dave Beck, as speaker; here’s the newest update on the November 9th event:
With an inspiring program featuring Dave Beck, a dessert dash, a silent auction full of intriguing items, good friends, great food, a historic West Seattle setting, and “the best view of Seattle in Seattle,” the annual Champagne Gala Lunch is a can’t-miss date.
In fact, it promises to be as fun as its centennial theme: “Tripping the Lighthouse Fantastic”!
The event, the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, November 9th, at Salty’s on Alki, 1936 Harbor Ave. SW.
Tickets are $75 adults, $45 teens 13-18, $25 children 4-12, and children under 4 free. Order yours by visiting loghousemuseum.info and using the “Make a Donation” button toward the bottom of the home page, specifying that your donation is for ticket(s) to the gala.
Beck, the featured speaker, has been a genial fixture of Seattle’s public-radio airwaves and classical-music scene for 28 years, and he has deep roots in West Seattle.
His parents’ livelihood stemmed from Boeing, and from age 10, Dave grew up in Fauntleroy, attending Gatewood Elementary School, Denny Junior High School, and Chief Sealth High School before graduating in music from the University of Washington.
He has lived in West Seattle since 1996, first in Westwood and since 2006 in Admiral.
Best known for his award-winning, on-air conversations with local, national and international luminaries in all fields of culture, Dave is an accomplished and busy cellist who recently joined KING-FM as on-air classical-music host.
From 1985 through the summer of 2013, he carved an impressive career as producer, host and music director at KUOW-FM for insightful programs that included “Weekday,” “KUOW Presents,” and “The Beat.”
For the Champagne Gala Lunch, Dave will bring a constellation of stories from his interviews of well-known West Seattleites, as well as reflections on why he and his family chose – and continue to choose – West Seattle as their home.
You can also call 206-938-5293 to reserve seat(s) at the SWSHS gala, and if you’re still deciding, go here, where you’ll also find a video invitation by Beck, and a two-minute video history of event sponsor Nucor Steel. (WSB is a media sponsor for the gala – see you there!)
It was a staple, almost a cliché, decades ago .. the Tupperware party. You might not have heard much about it lately – but it’s never really gone away. Proof: There’s a big fun one this Friday night at the Senior Center of West Seattle (WSB sponsor). Tickets are free; the Tupperware benefits local seniors. The announcement:
Senior Center of West Seattle announced plans today to host a first of its kind Tupperware party to raise funds for Seattle seniors. The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 18th, at the Senior Center, located at 4217 SW Oregon Street, in The Junction.
Entertainment for the event will be provided by Seattle’s very own Sylvia O’ Stayformore & LaTrina Bidet, who will also be acting as the mistresses of ceremony and co-hosts for this landmark charity event.
“We are very excited to be hosting such a groundbreaking and unconventional event to raise funds and create awareness about the various services offered by our organization to the community,” said Karen Sisson, the Executive Director at The Senior Center of West Seattle.
According to Sisson, Tupperware products will be available for purchase throughout the evening, with up to 40% of all the proceeds being donated to The Senior Center. She added that the event is open to all age groups, and promises to be a memorable night full of good food, fun, and laughter, for all the guests.
Among the supporters of this spectacular event are Trader Joe’s, Nerium Skin Care, and the nonprofit organization, Gays for Good/Seattle. Event guests will be able to sample delectable offerings from a menu of 1950’s retrothemed cuisine, prepared specially for this occasion.
A limited number of tickets for this free event are available via The Senior Center website at www.sc-ws.org or by calling (206) 932-4044. All donations are accepted and greatly appreciated.
Three weeks after we brought you word of the first West Seattle Wedding Showcase, it’s hours away: Tomorrow (Sunday), 1-4 pm, at Dakota Place Park (California/Dakota). If you’re getting married or thinking about it, come meet West Seattle vendors (see the list in our original announcement) who can help make your wedding local, local, local – admission is free and there’ll be door prizes.
Thanks to everyone who has sent Halloween-season event info since our call for it last night, as we start putting together the annual special one-stop WSB page of treats, frights, festivals, costume contests, etc. One of particular note, as families mark their calendars – Parris Sadow from Atomic Boys announces:
The Admiral District will be providing candy to trick-or-treaters on Halloween…Oct 31st…from 3-6 pm. No frills, just a great afternoon of simple old fashioned trick-or-treating.
The list of participating stores/groups is usually available a bit closer to event time. Meanwhile, if you missed it, West Seattle Junction trick-or-treating will be part of the second annual Harvest Festival, with streets closed in the heart of The Junction on Sunday, October 27th, and fun activities/games along with the in-the-street-for-a-day Farmers’ Market.
If your business, group, school, church, etc., has a seasonal event ahead, please let us know ASAP – just a short note with the basics in the text (no attachment/flyer/poster needed) to editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
(Photos by Holli Margell)
It’s a North Delridge fall tradition – cider-pressing! Blustery weather couldn’t stop this year’s edition, and so the West Seattle Tool Library-loaned cider press was set up under a canopy at the Delridge P-Patch, and friends and neighbors of all ages got busy collaborating, like Lily and Cooper above. Below, Harpo (with mom Amanda Leonard) will likely have to wait a year or two.
If you missed the cider event, another chance to meet North Delridge neighbors is coming up when the neighborhood council meets, 6:30 pm Monday, October 14th, at Delridge Library.
Exactly three months until Christmas! No, we’re not trying to rush things, but the clock IS ticking on the West Seattle Lights/Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular contest announced a month ago – “Name That Snowman,” on behalf of the new emcee the synchronized-holiday-lights show will have this year, an 8-foot-tall talking, singing snowman. The contest details and rules are on the West Seattle Lights website; the winner gets to push the button and turn on the lights on opening night of this year’s show, 7 pm Saturday, November 30th (3908 SW Charlestown).
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