West Seattle, Washington
27 Thursday
(September 2009 photo by Christopher Boffoli)
… two months later, it’s a clothing-optional swim at Southwest Pool, just announced on Twitter. Seems the folks behind the bike ride also sponsor a series of skinny-dipping evenings at city pools – usually at Ballard Pool, but a closure there has just been extended, so this Saturday night’s swim has moved to West Seattle’s only city-run indoor pool. It’s a private rental, 8-10 pm (hours the pool would otherwise be closed), raising money for the World Naked Bike Ride events (like the one in West Seattle two months ago) and the Gardens Everywhere Bike Parade – more info here (ticket prices and a whole long list of rules, regulations and prerequisites) if you’re inclined to join them.
Tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk rocks at the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) with the Seattle premiere of “Double Down Live,” West Seattle filmmaker Jamie Chamberlin‘s two-disc production of tour footage from the band — 1980 for one disc, 2008 for the other. Screening’s at 7 (with another one post-Art Walk at 10). And that’s just one of many stops on the map – get it here – which ranges all over West Seattle:
Not far from the Feedback, it’s Harvest Time at The Kenney – one of the spots on this month’s Art Walk collecting nonperishable food donations for the two food banks that serve West Seattle – art includes watercolors, jewelry and live piano/vocals – Brock Mason Photography will also be there offering professional-quality family portraits in front of a decorated holiday tree – and you can nosh on “autumn comfort foods” provided by the catering team from The Kenney.
Heading north, Emerald Spiral (5910 California SW) features Iris Muranaka’s work and acoustic music by Why Ask Why; C and P Coffee‘s Wine Club tasting event coincides with Art Walk night – 6-8 pm, the theme is Thanksgiving wine, with Christy Hemovich from Grape Expectations offering suggestions for holiday meals. (While Art Walk itself is free, this event at C&P has a $15 tasting fee; RSVP to candpco@comcast.net)
On to The Junction, Twilight Artist Collective opens a new show tonight, surveying contemporary Northwest ironwork by members of the NW Blacksmith Association, curated by Lisa Geertsen and Andy Blakney of Firelight Forge, with an opening reception during Art Walk 6-9 pm.
Wallflower Custom Framing (WSB sponsor) also has an artists’ reception, opening a group show of “Puny Pictures”:
The show includes 23 artists with 162 pieces, says Wallflower’s Kelly Rae Cunningham, who’s among the artists. Wallflower is across 42nd from Jefferson Square.
Continuing north, there’s also a reception at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), with artist Todd Martin, who explains: “The show: ‘Head Shots, if animals were celebrities,’ is based on the idea of what it would be like if the paparazzi chased animals instead of celebrities.” Hotwire is one of the locations collecting food-bank donations, along with nearby Ginomai, Alki Bathhouse, ActivSpace, The Kenney, Sterling Images, and Bird on a Wire Espresso. Many more of the shows, from Alki in the north to Fauntleroy in the south, are previewed on the official Art Walk website; download the printable walking map here; again, official Art Walk hours tonight are 6-9 pm.
If you like live theater, your cup runneth over in West Seattle this weekend – and that’s why we call it theatrically thrilling. At right is a photo from “The Diviners,” which Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor) is opening tonight at Youngstown Arts Center and describes as “the story of a disturbed young man named Buddy who holds the ability to divine water in a town where water and faith are in short supply. When a charismatic preacher who has lost his faith comes to town, the two outcasts find a common bond and help each other divine for truth, faith and hope.” Then, of course, the story takes a turn – you’ll just have to see for yourself. Also playing tonight (and tomorrow): “Invasion From Mars” 
at West Seattle High School, two final shows re-creating the classic radio drama, 7:30 both nights – and the theatrical trifecta is rounded out by ArtsWest with “Measure for Pleasure,” continuing this weekend. Also in store, great benefit dinner/auction events for Arbor Heights Elementary and Admiral Church … artists’ reception for the Community Art Show at Southwest Branch Library … the closing-weekend sale (and cat adoptions!) at All the Best Pet Care on Alki … More than 50 events/activities in all, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club:Read More
Rhonda from The Mortgage Porter (WSB sponsor) has put up a Flickr gallery of kiteboarders riding the wind off Lowman Beach this morning – see more photos here. Meantime, the Halloween fun continues – the Growing Gardeners Appreciation Event at West Seattle Nursery, continuing till 2 pm:
The little toy trucks in the lower right of this next photo are among the treats for nursery visitors:
And till 1 pm, there’s trick-or-treating at West Seattle Thriftway
Thriftway employees joined the fun too. Love, peace, and produce!
Plug in to what’s next via the WSB Halloween page.
Too bad the magic wand doesn’t work when it comes to gutting pumpkins! These are photos shared by Holly Rikhof (thank you!) from last night’s Pathfinder K-8 pumpkin-carving party – perhaps the biggest en-masse jack-o-lantern carve-a-thon on the peninsula each Halloween. And a good chance to get face-to-face with the end result:
Then, of course, the classic group shot:
We’ll be out and about today but would love to include your pix in the WSB Halloween coverage too – e-mail them, tweet them, share them on the WSB Flickr group or share them with us on FB (we’re at facebook.com/westseattleblog) – thanks and have fun – more coverage to come, with Trick or Treat at The Junction coming up 1-3, Halloween Howl at Hiawatha 2:30-4:30 pm, Westwood Village trick-or-treating 4-7 pm, and more ….
The windy weather’s not scaring away trick-or-treaters in the Admiral business district – that first shot is our drive-by photo from the Admiral/California intersection. Out of the car, we got candy-handing-out action at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) with co-proprietor John Smersh greeting trick-or-treaters:
And near Admiral Theater (where goofy-scary Theatresports improv is onstage at 8 tonight), Don Wahl from Alki Mail and Dispatch set up a table to meet candy-seekers who might not otherwise make it several blocks west on Admiral to his place:
More than two dozen other merchants are participating (here’s the map), continuing till 6 pm; tomorrow, it’s Trick or Treat at The Junction from 1 pm to 3 pm and Westwood Village trick-or-treating 4-7 pm. Lots more before, during, and after, of course.
No need to count sheep this weekend – even if they are faux sheep like Hester the pug – you get an extra hour of sleep. Of course it’s Hallo-weekend TOO, but the West Seattle Weekend Lineup needs to give the end 
of Daylight Saving Time (2 am Sunday, your clock “falls back” an hour) and the impending election (get your ballot mailed or drop-boxed by EOD Tuesday!) a little love too, so this is dedicated to them. Much of what’s on the list is on the WSB Halloween page – but we have NON-Halloween activities too – more than SEVENTY events/activities in all, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club:Read More
(WSB photo from Admiral business district trick-or-treating in 2008)
A couple more advance notes before we publish the West Seattle Weekend Lineup – The first of three business-district trick-or-treating events in West Seattle is just a few hours away – Admiral Treats and Treasures is 3-6 pm; here’s the map – remember to stop by Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) when you’re done, to enter the raffle. Right after that, indoor fun begins all around the peninsula, including the special Halloween edition of West Seattle Junction Movies on the Wall – “Nightmare Before Christmas,” 7 pm in the big new West Seattle Christian Church Activity Center (4400 42nd SW) – free! Bring a food-bank donation if you can. Tonight also features more high-school football: West Seattle High School plays Seattle Prep at Memorial Stadium at 5 pm (we’ll tweet from the game at @wsblive). Also, Seattle Lutheran High School plays Chief Leschi at West Seattle Stadium at 7 pm; since the match won the channel 13 “Game of the Week” poll, you’ll see a clip on TV later tonight. Chief Sealth High School plays at Lakeside tomorrow, 1 pm.
Among the many Halloween Eve options today/tonight (all here), two pumpkin events of special note: First, noon today is the pumpkin-carving contest and chili cookoff at Keller Williams Realty in The Junction (4452 California SW) at noon (details on the Halloween page); bring chili and/or the pumpkin you already carved – they’ll be displaying entries during tomorrow’s Trick-or-Treat At The Junction. Then tonight, one of the biggest carve-a-ganzas in West Seattle each year – the Pathfinder K-8 pumpkin-carving spectacular (Eric shared the photo above last year, saying those were only about HALF the jack-o-lanterns!). Laura sent us extra details: It’s at Pathfinder (1901 SW Genesee) 5:30-7:30 pm tonight, come in costume, B-Y-O-P, soup and snacks provided, but please bring a pumpkin dessert, bowl and spoon for soup, and carving tools as well as the aforementioned pumpkin. We’ll be scaring up more previews later …
Recognize the West Seattle Helpline luminary who’s among the mystery greeters for the Nightmare on Morgan Street masquerade ball/Helpline fundraiser at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor)? The party continues till closing time tonight, and it’s a great cause, since Helpline just keeps expanding its scope – we reported recently on the Clothesline clothing bank now helping seniors, too. Meantime, some at tonight’s party managed to rustle up costumes that economized on the need for clothing:
From left, Shannon and Andrea ready to shake things up. And there’s even more Halloween partying tomorrow night at Feedback Lounge – the Zombie Dance Party for two roller-derby squads – one of whom is already named on one of the jack-o-lanterns below:
Just added a few more events to the Halloween page, by the way – not too late for us to add anything that you see missing!
As mentioned earlier, the Halloween/Harvest festivities are gearing up bigtime as of today. Many family activities are at your friendly neighborhood city-operated community centers, like High Point CC, where we dropped in on Toddler Pumpkinpalooza this morning. Above, some of the young artists, ready for their close-up(s) – and here are some of the finished creations:
Tomorrow night, High Point and several other community centers have carnival-style events – all listed on the WSB Halloween page, where you’ll get the full rundown, from trick-or-treating to trunk-or-treating to 21+-only revelry. (And if you have a jack-o-lantern or decorations pic you’d love to share with thousands of your neighbors, send it this way or add to the WSB Flickr group!)
Tonight, things start getting so wildly Halloweenish, it’s scary. In a good way. From the WSB Halloween page (laden with pre-Halloween events too), the highlight of the night, Nightmare on Morgan Street, benefiting West Seattle Helpline, at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor). Costume contest – and more. Then Friday night, a different “Nightmare”:
“Nightmare Before Christmas” is the special Indoor Movies on the Wall, Halloween edition, presentation – 7 pm tomorrow at West Seattle Christian Church Activity Center (42nd south of Genesee), bring a food donation to get in on the raffle, bring your own chair/blanket, FREE! (Lots of room, so if you’re checking out other Friday afternoon/evening activities first – like Admiral Treats ‘n’ Treasures [map here!] – you should still be able to get a spot even if you show up at the last minute.)
Just a few nights till Halloween – and the fun really gets into gear tonight at 6 pm, with pumpkin-carving and a monster-movie double feature at Freshy’s Coffee. 
That’s one of many events on the WSB Halloween page. There are of course the events ON Halloween – such as the one where you might find characters such as those at left; the guy in the horns, second from right, is one of our fellow Seattle neighborhood newsies, Jordan from Wallingford’s own Wallyhood, who will be over here on the peninsula Saturday night as mastermind of “Hive Mind Halloween XV: Things That Go Bump in the Night” (that’s his wife in the pic sporting the then-bump who has since debuted as Baby Z). HMH starts at 9 pm Saturday at Youngstown Arts Center, costumes REQUIRED, 21+, $20 at the door, all proceeds benefit Youngstown and Room to Read, which builds schools and libraries in countries including Nepal and Cambodia, providing scholarships for girls there too. The Halloween page also includes the trick-or-treating lowdown – Admiral on Friday (check the map with the list of participants), The Junction and Westwood on Saturday, with lots of other players too. (And remember you get an extra hour for revelry Saturday night, since Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 am Sunday, when we’ll “fall back” an hour.)
PUMPKIN DECORATING AT WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: It’s the Sunday before Halloween, and kids of all ages (even the “kid at heart” ages) are welcome to try their hand today. Meantime, here’s the Ripe ‘n’ Ready list for today’s market, open 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska.
FAUNTLEROY CREEK DRUMMING: 5 pm, bring a drum if you have one (but don’t worry if you don’t – your presence is what matters) to the Fauntleroy Creek overlook across the street (and up the embankment) from the ferry dock (map). This is an annual tradition to help “call the salmon home” to the restored creek.
PLUS … other events this afternoon include the second of 2 days of Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival screenings at Admiral Theater, an open house at the brand-new Lien Animal Clinic building, and more – see the West Seattle Weekend Lineup!
VIADUCT CLOSURE: Right about now, the Alaskan Way Viaduct is scheduled to close for the first of two days of inspections, as routinely happens twice a year. Today’s closure is scheduled to end at 5:30 pm to accommodate Sounders traffic; tomorrow’s shutdown is slated for 6 am-6 pm. (A few hours into the closure, the mayor and governor are scheduled to gather alongside The Viaduct for the ceremonial signing of the tunnel deal validated by the City Council this week.)
350 DAY: It’s the International Day for Climate Action. Big event in West Seattle: CoolMom and Sustainable West Seattle are is creating an edible garden on a plot donated by C & P Coffee (who answered this). You can join in – starting at 10 am. Then at 12:30, SWS leads a bike ride from Seacrest to Seattle Center, where events will culminate in the formation of the numbers 3, 5, 0 at 3:50 pm. Read more on the SWS website.
LESBIAN & GAY FILM FESTIVAL IN WEST SEATTLE: For the second year, the festival has screenings in West Seattle, at Admiral Theater starting at noon today and tomorrow – five films today and two tomorrow.
HELP SAMOAN DISASTER VICTIMS: 9 am to 1 pm, you can take donations to an event at Evergreen High School in White Center (map). See what’s needed, and find out more about the event, by going here.
WEST SEATTLE EAGLES’ OKTOBERFEST NOTE: They sent word yesterday they had trouble getting the right permits, so they’ve canceled the beer/sausage event, but are still doing breakfast and flag football.
Lots more! See the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.
Halloween-themed events for this weekend (and the week ahead) are also part of the WSB Halloween page – but in the meantime, all kinds of other fall fun is happening this weekend too – from tonight’s West Seattle High School Homecoming/Huling Bowl game (previewed here) to drumming the salmon home at Fauntleroy Creek (previewed here), 1st weekend for “Measure for Pleasure” at ArtsWest, West Seattle playwright Keri Healey at Hugo House tonight, West Seattleites participating in the 350 Day of Climate Action on Saturday, West Seattle Eagles‘ Oktoberfest breakfast and flag football, and more – plus DON’T FORGET THE VIADUCT CLOSURE! More than 50 events/activities in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club:Read More
Double bill at Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor) again tonight – after “Spin Your Wax” open turntables at 6 (bring your “records” and play them!), the new monthly belly-dancing showcase is back 7:30-8:30 pm. Highland Park dancer/designer/activist Dina Johnson (who shared the photo from September’s show) forwards the announcement:
Come one, come all for another great night of dancing in West Seattle! Brought to you by Angela, Medea and Raqs Steady Eddie and of course the fair folks of Skylark Cafe. All ages welcome! Free! (but if you like the dancing, please tip us at the end) Delicious food and drinks. October’s show will feature Kat, Odori, Keiko, Pandora, Imei, Raqs, Steady Eddie’s students, Najma, and your hosts.
Skylark is at 3803 Delridge (map).
We’ve had a slew of Halloween-related events on the Events Calendar page 
for a while but have finally organized them onto one special West Seattle Halloween page. The events start this week and run through the day after Halloween; we’ve grouped them by type (trick-or-treat events, etc.). Besides including the ones we’ve received notes about, we’ve looked around online, but realize we may not have found everything, so if yours is missing, we appreciate a note (e-mail, Facebook, whatever works for you) with a bit of information, even if it’s just a weblink – we’ll continue updating this as the listings come in. Now through Halloween, you can find the list any time by clicking the Halloween tab in the navigation bar below our header.
The West Seattle Weekend Lineup is stuffed with possibilities for today/tonight. Among them: See Valentine’s Performing Pigs (featured in the above clip produced a few months ago by our partners at seattletimes.com) at High Point Community Center at 10:30 am … Go dig in to help at the semiannual Duwamish Alive! cleanup/restoration event – your choice of sites, 10 am … Go support local artists/craftspeople by shopping the Homemade Brigade at Freshy’s Coffee, all day (starting @ 10) …. Get fed and help others get fed by attending tonight’s White Center Food Bank Harvest Dinner/Auction, 5:30 pm. Lots more here!
Sunday’s the big day – celebrate fall – the weather certainly is reminding us that it’s here – 2-6 pm Sunday in the heart of Fauntleroy! But first, work to help our greenspaces and watersheds at tomorrow’s Duwamish Alive! volunteer day, and then there’s tomorrow night’s Harvest Dinner/Auction to benefit the White Center Food Bank – wait, did we mention the performing pigs tomorrow morning at High Point Community Center? And if you’re ready to drive a bit, you can take the Remodeled Homes Tour either day this weekend to see the home for which Weitzel Construction (WSB sponsor) won an award! More than 50 events/activities in all in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club:Read More
Quick notes on 6 more upcoming West Seattle events just announced: The West Seattle Eagles have just announced their first-ever Oktoberfest, coming up on October 24th, including beer/brats/sauerkraut, flag football, and kid/adult Ms. Oktoberfest costume contests … The West Seattle High School Radio Players open “Invasion from Mars, featuring The Shadow” on October 29th … Also that night, Alki Idol starts a new competition season at Bamboo … Keller Williams Realty in The Junction is having a chili cookoff and carved-pumpkin contest at noon October 30th … Furry Faces Foundation is presenting its 2nd annual Catsino at Beveridge Place Pub 2-6 pm Nov. 14 (flyer), followed by the Morgan Junction Pet Adoption Stroll the next day (flyer) … More details on these events and TONS of others are on the WSB Events Calendar page.
We’ve been adding Halloween events to the WSB Events calendar as fast as they come in – and here’s another: The Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) now has two bashes Halloween week – 6 pm Thursday 10/29 it’s the “Nightmare on Morgan Street” masquerade ball (poster) to benefit West Seattle Helpline; 8 pm Friday 10/30, it’s the “Zombie Dance Party” (poster) benefiting teams from the Rat City Rollergirls and Jet City Rollergirls. (Halloween-style fun starts heating up this weekend – if you have an event, make sure it’s on our calendar – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!)
ADDED 12:33 PM: Another announcement has come in: 2:30-4:30 pm Halloween afternoon at Hiawatha Community Center, West Seattle Dawg, Muttley Crew Cuts and The Wash Dog are presenting a pet-friendly event, Halloween Howl, including a dog costume contest and pet psychics. Rex at WS Dawg says they’re selling tickets now – it’s a benefit for West Seattle Food Bank.
Two reminders from Carol Johnston at the Senior Center of West Seattle (SE corner of California/Oregon):
HARVEST FESTIVAL: This Tuesday, 10 am-2 pm, free admission. Check out bazaar crafts with new items and collectibles, a bake sale, flu shots by Safeway pharmacists (free with Medicare Part B and $30 for everyone else), and $3-$7 lunch.
LAST RAINBOW BINGO OF THE YEAR: Friday 10/23, with a Halloween theme – costumes encouraged, and there will be a parade! Doors open at 5, bingo starts at 7 with caller Sylvia O’Stayformore assisted by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. $15 in advance, $20 at the door, call Margie for reservations/info at 206-932-4044.
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