West Seattle, Washington
27 Wednesday
The day after Thanksgiving has a new title. Yes, it’s already known as Black Friday. But this year, you can get the day going via West Seattle Track Friday. Between 9 am and 11 am on Friday, November 24th, at Hiawatha Playfield/Track (2700 California SW), West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) and P3|Running welcome you to the West Seattle version of what they describe as …
… a community-based movement to mobilize people to support charitable giving. Participants run laps on a nearby track to raise awareness and funds for causes that they care about. Track Friday is held the day after Thanksgiving to encourage people to reunite with old and new friends, burn off some Thanksgiving Day calories, and put a little love and giving spirit back into a day that has become synonymous with commercialism.
P3 owner Michele Pettinger is raising money to fight Parkinson’s Disease, which her mom has, but you can choose your own charity too. You can just show up between 9 and 11 and walk/run whatever you choose to – and/or you can participate in fun events just added to the plan, a 400-meter dash for kids 11 and under at 9:30, an 800-meter dash for tweens/teens 12-17 at 10 am, and a 1-mile race for 18 and up at 10 am. All the details are in our calendar listing for Track Friday.
P.S. Do you have an event to add to our calendar and forthcoming West Seattle Holiday Guide, which covers pre-Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day? Let us know ASAP: editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
(WSB reader photo by Candace from Christmas Ship’s past visit)
As we continue assembling this year’s WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – we’ve received this announcement of a brand-new West Seattle holiday event, a fun(draiser) for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. Reservations required, and the announcement explains how:
If you have ever wanted to watch and listen to the Argosy Christmas Ship Cruise in comfort and hang out with some super-awesome people, please join with us for “Seasonal Sounds On The Sound” at Harbor Park Condominium complex, 1727 Harbor Avenue SW, on Saturday, December 9th, 2017!
This 21-and-older event is from 3 pm – 6:30 pm and includes live holiday music on site, beverages, and food, along with a FRONT ROW seat for the Argosy Christmas Ship stop along Harbor Avenue!
This hosted holiday fundraiser benefits the SW Seattle Historical Society.
You may know about the Log House Museum on Alki Beach, but there are many other things that our local historical society does to promote the heritage and history of this area. (Most recently, think “We ❤ The Junction” campaign which successfully landmarked both the Campbell and Hamm buildings at the Alaska Junction, “Words, Writers & West Seattle” on the first Friday of each month at Barnes & Noble, ongoing school assembly programs, and more.)
A suggested donation of $50 per person is appreciated and will be a wonderful opportunity for you & a date to ring in the holiday spirit and still leave time to enjoy other holiday activities that day!
Details below – and remember… all proceeds benefit the SWSHS! Space is limited so RSVP by emailing director@loghousemuseum.info right away!
While “Seasonal Sounds on the Sound”is a special one-time only event, December 9th is one of two days this season with Christmas Ship stops off the West Seattle shore – three stops that night, one stop on December 14th, all listed on our calendar and on the official Christmas Ship website.
“Thank you” was said in many ways tonight as American Legion Post 160 in The Triangle hosted its annual free drop-in dinner for veterans and others connected to the armed services, along with their families. In the photo above are Cameron Foisy, Malia Geraghty, and Ana Geraghty, students at Holy Rosary School, where thank-you cards were made, along with Gatewood Elementary.
Once the first wave of guests – who ranged in age from babies to seniors – got their spaghetti and garlic bread, Post 160 Commander Keith Hughes offered a few words. He began with gratitude that Veterans Day is a holiday about celebrating those who are still with us, and gratitude for their service:
He also paid tribute to the service that so many continue to provide, even after they leave the military – a tribute that rang true, at the dinner cooked and served by volunteers, most of whom had also spent part of the day placing and removing flags in the West Seattle Junction.
Dinner guests also heard from Chelsea Clayton, a West Seattleite who works for U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, who read a letter from the senator, who began it by describing herself as the daughter of a World War II veteran:
In the letter, Sen. Murray promised she would “never stop fighting for those who fought so bravely for us.”
Throughout dinner, special music this year – patriotic songs performed by Sandra Walker:
Hughes explained she was a late addition to the program – he spoke at another local Veterans Day event earlier in the day, heard her play, and invited her to be part of the Post 160 dinner. She accompanied Hughes as he sang “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” with guests invited to join in singing its chorus, before dinner resumed.
P.S. Post 160 – at 3618 SW Alaska – is also home to help for veterans year-round.
This is one of the few holiday bazaars where you’ll find a bar. Drinks and even lunch are available as the Highland Park Improvement Club‘s 2017 Holiday Bazaar continues until 3 pm. You can buy home-baked treats too, cookies, of course, and also Mike’s peach cobbler and sweet potato pie (available in individual sizes!):
(That’s Christie with Mike – she’s HPIC’s bazaar organizer, among other roles.) On behalf of Highland Park Elementary PTA, these guys will sell you cookies:
And so will a group of Girl Scouts:
Lots of non-food items, of course, including Lashanna‘s unique wares:
And if you like to celebrate your sense of place – stuff stocking with these switch plates and other items made with local maps:
HPIC is at 12th and Holden. Next holiday event is on Sunday, November 19th – wreathmaking (bring your own greens, tools, etc. and enjoy good company with your neighbors, 1-4 pm)!
The Fauntleroy Fine Art and Holiday Gift Show is on! Until 8 pm tonight, you can visit the Fauntleroy Church Fellowship Hall (9140 California SW) to browse and buy from what 17 artists (listed here) are offering. We stopped by late this afternoon for a quick preview – including garden art by Dee Miller:
Underwater images by Jen Vanderhoof:
And fiber art by Mary Anderson:
If you don’t get there tonight, the show continues 10 am-4 pm Saturday and 11 am-2 pm Sunday.
Just happened onto a group from the Disabled American Veterans‘ local Chapter 23 (headquartered at 4857 Delridge Way SW) with blue forget-me-nots at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor). They’re only there until 1 pm today but will be at the Chelan Café 8 am-1 pm tomorrow.
(WSB file photo)
If you haven’t already seen it in our calendar – Eastridge Church in The Junction is once again offering its annual turkey-and-groceries giveaway. Starting at 9 am Saturday, November 18th, outside its building at 39th SW/SW Oregon [map], hundreds of free turkeys and bags of groceries will be available, as well as coats, gloves, and Bibles. First-come first-served, no questions asked, no demonstration of need required. (If you know someone on the Eastside who could benefit, they’re also doing the same thing, as usual, at their Issaquah campus – more details on the Eastridge website.)
P.S. This will also be in our soon-to-be-published WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, a comprehensive and frequently updated list that covers Thanksgiving through New Year’s. If you have anything we should include – donation drive, open house, bazaar, decorations displays, services, concerts, etc. – please e-mail the info to editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you! (And thanks to everyone who already has!)
(WSB photo, 2016 Veterans Day dinner)
Local veterans, active-duty personnel, guard and reserve members, and their families are all invited again this year to a free Italian dinner this Veterans Day at West Seattle’s American Legion Post 160. The post’s announcement explains, “This is but a small thank you for all who have served our nation in uniform, whether in our outside our borders.” It’s a drop-in dinner, so to be part of it, just come to Post 160 – 3618 SW Alaska – between 5:30 and 7:30 pm Saturday (November 11th)
Want to step up your cooking/serving game a bit as the holiday season nears? Highland Park Improvement Club tells us there’s still room in a unique “class” – it’s also a demo and a dinner – set for tomorrow (Sunday) night. Master Sommelier Reggie Daigneault and classically trained Chef Jennifer Asmundson will lead you through “a magnificent food and wine extravaganza” with the menu including pumpkin-spice brie, smoked-salmon crudite, pumpkin soup, roast turkey, and dessert, plus two wines paired with each course, bubbly on arrival, sherry at the end. HPIC’s info page, with a ticket link, is here.
Inside the cozy converted Craftsman house that holds C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), you have your first chance of the season to browse a holiday arts-and-crafts fair.
Among the artists you’ll meet – Bill Reiswig, who many know as co-founder of Sustainable West Seattle, now based in Olympia:
You’ll find vendors in both main rooms at C&P, so don’t just stop at the front room! The fair is on until 2 pm today, at 5612 California SW.
P.S. This is one of 14 arts/crafts fairs and bazaars on the seasonal list we published earlier this week – if yours isn’t there yet, please send us info as soon as you can, so we can also get it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and forthcoming West Seattle Holiday Guide.
Three weeks until Thanksgiving but never too soon to plan – and that’s why West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) is hosting its annual Holiday Taste event right now. Above, the samples include lots of cheeses … below, locally crafted ice cream from Sweet Lo’s:
And of course, main-course samples:
About 50 vendors this year, Thriftway tells us! Stop in (4201 SW Morgan) before 7 pm to taste for yourself.
(WSB photo from 2016 Highland Park Improvement Club holiday bazaar)
Along with shopping at fabulous independent West Seattle bricks-and-mortar businesses this holiday season, you have beaucoup bazaars/art-and-craft sales to visit, starting as soon as this Saturday! We have already received (updated) 14 announcements for the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – and if you have something to sell, four are still accepting vendors, so we’ll start with those:
SALVATION ARMY CRAFT FAIR: 10 am-5 pm Saturday, November 11th, at the Salvation Army center in South Delridge. Booths can be purchased via this link or e-mail Capt. Lisa Barnes at lisa.barnes@usw.salvationarmy.org. (9050 16th SW)
ALKI MASONIC CENTER HOLIDAY BAZAAR: 9 am-4 pm Saturday, November 25th. Potential vendors can e-mail Sue at alkict21events@gmail.com or use this form. (4736 40th SW)
FAUNTLEROY SCHOOLHOUSE HOLIDAY MARKET: 4-8 pm Friday, December 1st, and 9 am-3 pm Saturday, December 2nd. Potential vendors can e-mail denise@fauntleroyschoolhouse.org. (9131 California SW)
THE KENNEY HOLIDAY BAZAAR: 10 am-3 pm Saturday, December 2nd, at The Kenney. Handmade items! Potential vendors can call Danette for more information and to reserve a space, 206-937-2800. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
Other bazaars/fairs we have received notice of, so far:
C & P HOLIDAY ARTS FAIR: Just two days away! 8 am-2 pm Saturday, November 4th, at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). Unique local arts & crafts. (5612 California SW)
FAUNTLEROY FINE ART & HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW: 5-8 pm Friday, November 10th; 10 am-4 pm Saturday, November 11th; 11 am-2 pm Sunday, November 12th, at Fauntleroy Church. (9140 California SW)
HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB HOLIDAY BAZAAR: 10 am-3 pm Saturday, November 11th, at Highland Park Improvement Club, with more than 20 vendors signed up. (1116 SW Holden)
SHOREWOOD HOLIDAY BAZAAR: 10 am-4 pm Saturday, November 11th, at Shorewood Elementary. 60+ vendors, and more – details in our calendar listing. (2725 SW 116th)
THE MOUNT’S BAZAAR AND BAKE SALE: 9 am-4 pm, Friday-Saturday, November 17-18, at Providence Mount St. Vincent – details in our calendar listing. (4831 35th SW)
TIBBETTS UMC HOLIDAY CRAFT BAZAAR: 10 am-2 pm Saturday, November 18th, at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor). Bake sale as well as art, crafts, gift baskets, more. (3940 41st SW)
PEACE LUTHERAN HOLIDAY CRAFT BAZAAR: Arts and crafts, silent auction with themed baskets, fair trade/global gifts, bake sale at Peace Lutheran Church … 10 am-4 pm Saturday, November 18th, and noon-3 pm Sunday, November 19th. (39th SW/SW Thistle)
ARROWHEAD GARDENS HOLIDAY CRAFT BAZAAR: 10 am-4 pm Saturday, November 18th – details in our calendar listing. (9200 2nd SW)
OLG FAIR TRADE SALE: 9:30 am-1 pm Sunday, November 19th, at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center – details in our calendar listing. (35th SW/SW Myrtle)
DUWAMISH NATIVE HOLIDAY GIFT FAIR: 10 am-6 pm Friday-Sunday, November 24-26, at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse in West Seattle. Details in our calendar listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
Having a bazaar, art/craft fair, or other holiday-related sale this season, but haven’t sent us info yet? Please do that as soon as you can! Nothing fancy needed, no graphic/poster, no attachment, just write the basics in the body of your e-mail to editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
(WSB photo, Thanksgiving 2016)
Thanksgiving is three weeks from today and it’s time to start talking holidays. If you haven’t already seen the listing in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, this year will be the 19th for the free, open-to-all Thanksgiving dinner at The Hall at Fauntleroy. It’s a chance to give as well as receive, as explained in the announcement:
Expect a full sit-down meal, from salad to unlimited trips to the dessert bar. Hours will be noon to 3 pm, with seating whenever you arrive.
This meal is for all comers. If cooking is too much for you this year or your plans change at the last minute, come. Many guests arrange to meet friends or family members there.
A feature of this dinner in the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California Ave. SW) is the giveaway table for guests in need. Donations of kids clothing are encouraged, with an emphasis this year on new socks (any size) and blankets. Pies, cookies, and other desserts are especially welcome.
Bring donations to The Hall at Fauntleroy on Thanksgiving 10 am – 1 pm or call 206-932-1059 to arrange your drop-off the afternoon before.
P.S. If you have a holiday-season event to announce, please send us the information as soon as you can (editor@westseattleblog.com – plain text in the body of your e-mail) so we can get it into the calendar and the forthcoming WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – thank you!
From Amanda:
It was suggested to me that I email you regarding a moment that happened tonight as we were trick or treating.
My son was going up to a house and these two young Muslim girls, maybe 14-16, went up at the same time.
They were so excited, but as they got up there the man at the door yelled at and shamed them for being too old and not wearing costumes.
It broke my heart, they left nearly running away, upset. I don’t understand the hostility, because I grew up doing this until about 17. Also, these kids are not allowed to dress up, from what I was told. I feel like it was completely uncalled for, and hateful.
I want to try to reach out to the community and see if we can somehow get these girls candy. I feel like a lot of the Somali Muslim population in High Point may be new to this country and maybe these girls hadn’t gotten to experience Halloween before, and this man totally ruined their experience.
People need to meet others with love and empathy, and it has bothered me all night that this took place.
And a few more West Seattle Halloween scenes before the night is out … thanks to everyone who sent photos! The one above is from Chris O’Claire, who explains, “I love this crowd – they are always a theme. You featured them last year as the cones. This year they are jellyfish. They call themselves SoGen. And the Halloween chair is Lori Sherick.” Below, a photo from Victoria Gnatoka:
More to come!
If you’re staying out a bit late this Halloween night, you are invited to wander the “Haunted Pumpkin Patch” at 2130 Alki Avenue SW until about 10:30 pm. We added it to this year’s WSB Halloween Etc. Guide earlier this week after hearing from mastermind Tawd, who posed for us with son Liam when we stopped by a little while ago:
As he explained, he has worked in the “Halloween industry” for 20 years, and decided to bring more of the seasonal spirit to Alki.
As for the pumpkins:
Picture-perfect Halloween night, everywhere we went.
At Skeleton Theatre. Which happens tomorrow night too, btw (36th/Hanford) pic.twitter.com/2WDmOgNgYc
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) November 1, 2017
Night 1 of Skeleton Theatre got off to a late start – they were still “debugging” when we first stopped by around 6:30 – but all’s well now and they are just starting the final performance of the first night.
As promised, it’s full of “pop culture” references, including movie dialogue and music, from “Wizard of Oz” to a wizard named Harry, and more:
From 'Wizard of Oz' to the wizard named Harry, it's indeed a pop-culture-palooza at Skeleton Theatre this year! pic.twitter.com/0S8aSxSUGI
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) November 1, 2017
With music, dialogue, lighting, and a pro (all-volunteer) crew wearing headsets, this is always a quality production – more comedic than spooky (although skeletons are spooky in almost any context).
Good crowd gathered around the corner of Hanford and 36th:
Scheduled showtimes tomorrow (Wednesday, November 1st) are between 6 and 9 pm.
Also at @NightmareOn44th pic.twitter.com/BR6DRks0jp
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) November 1, 2017
We just stopped by Nightmare on 44th, the animatronic Halloween show lining the walkway through the front yard of a house on 44th SW between Charlestown and Andover (map; look for the orange lights and the gold/purple-lit wreath over the entrance).
David Williams adds new touches every year and documents his work on social media so you can get in the Halloween mood early. Lots of delighted spectators, as you can hear in this clip, once the Skull Brothers started “singing”:
At @NightmareOn44th (44th between Charlestown and Andover) with enthusiastic spectators pic.twitter.com/mrqDru2J7o
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) November 1, 2017
One night only!
See it before 9 pm.
4:47 PM: How often do you get to trick-or-treat at a haunted jewelry store? The decorations are up and the candy is out at Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor), which sent the photo as Westwood Village (2600 SW Barton) trick-or-treating kicked off. We’re on our way for more photos.
5:15 PM: We’re here and the crowd’s big and steady!
At Wyatt’s Jewelers, they had counted 400 kids after just the first hour! The candy-hunting continues until 6 pm here too. (See the rest of tonight’s Halloween happenings in our guide.)
(WSB photos)
3:34 PM: This year, businesses in The Admiral District decided to offer trick-or-treating on Halloween, and it’s happening right now!
The heart of the business district is at Admiral/California, but it stretches out a few blocks to the north, east, and south. Above, that’s Tena at A Kids Place Dentistry for Children (2617 California SW; WSB sponsor).
3:52 PM: Not as crowded as years past, so if you are still thinking about it, just pack everybody up and head over. Like the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival on Sunday, we’re seeing some theme-costumed families:
4:15 PM: Getting busier. We’ve also heard there was an early wave before 3 pm – Lafayette Elementary gets out at 2:25 pm, so maybe that’s why. Here’s the scene inside Brookdale (2326 California):
And across from The Historic Admiral Theater – a candy-consuming mummy:
More photos to come.
It’s on until 6 pm!
(WSB photos)
Trick or treating started early for some kids in West Seattle. We stopped by Providence Mount St. Vincent a little while ago as students from The Mount’s preschool started parading around the building in costumes, delighting staffers as well as residents.
Their chaperones got into the spirit too:
Later today, we’re told, the older students – 4- and 5-year-olds – get to judge the grownups’ costumes.
P.S. More than a dozen ways to spend the rest of your Halloween are here!
(Halloween Eve sunset, photographed by Chris Frankovich)
Today/tonight, it’s all about Halloween. From the WSB West Seattle Halloween Etc. Guide and year-round Event Calendar:
ADMIRAL DISTRICT BUSINESS TRICK-OR-TREATING: 3-6 pm, it’s time for business Trick-or-Treating in The Admiral District. Look for the “participating” sign at businesses in the California/Admiral area.
WESTWOOD VILLAGE TRICK-OR-TREATING: 4-6 pm, trick-or-treaters are welcome around the shopping center. (2600 SW Barton)
MEEDS MANOR HAUNTED HOUSE: 5-9:30 pm: “Come visit the Meeds residence on Halloween night in the Seaview neighborhood. We have sweet treats and plenty of scary tricks. Admission is always free but we will be collecting non-perishable food donations for the West Seattle Food Bank.” (5415 49th Ave SW)
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH TRUNK-OR-TREAT: 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Christian Church with “decorated trunks full of candy, parked in our lot directly behind our Sanctuary. Inside our gym everyone can enjoy a warm beverage, cookie decorating, face painting, and a small bounce house for the youngest kids.” (4400 42nd SW)
SKELETON THEATRE: The southeast Admiral animatronic attraction Skeleton Theatre is back – 6-9 pm tonight and tomorrow. The theme: “Back to Our Roots” – by request, “a show consisting of pop-cultural clips” like the early days, “with a few new tricks” and ending with “one original scene” previewing next year. Free – but you can donate online! (36th SW/SW Hanford)
NIGHTMARE ON 44TH: Animatronics and more in a spooky West Seattle yard. 6-9 pm. Creator David Williams sends this photo of a new “crypt wall” that’s part of the show. See more on Twitter and Instagram. (44th SW between Charlestown and Andover)
GRACE CHURCH TRUNK-OR-TREAT: Trunk Or Treat at Grace Church, 6-8 pm. (10323 28th Ave SW)
HALLOWEEN LIGHT SHOW: 6-10 pm, possibly running later tonight depending on turnout, Halloween Light Show by the folks who bring you West Seattle Yuletide. 6-10 pm nightly – probably a little later on October 28th and 31st. (38th SW between Genesee and Dakota)
HALLOWEEN TRIVIA AND COSTUME CONTEST 7-9 pm at Ounces. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
LARRINGTONS RANCH HAUNTED HOUSE: 7 pm-10 pm. Suggested for ages 10 and up. Free “but we accept donations of cans toward support of the local food bank.” (Erskine Way/SW Hudson) …
‘HAUNTED PUMPKIN PATCH’ ON ALKI: 7:30 -10:30 pm, “visitors are welcome to walk through the haunted pumpkin patch in our front yard, full of carved pumpkins, skeletons, zombies, and giant spiders.” And they’ll have candy tonight for trick-or-treaters. (2130 Alki Ave SW)
OTHER SPOOKY DECORATIONS: See the Halloween Etc. Guide for locations readers told us about.
HALLOWEEN NIGHT MUSIC: 9 pm-midnight at Parliament Tavern, Hallo-WEEN Spectacular! w/ Boys Club (Ween Tribute) and The Heebie Jeebies, who are the ultimate holiday party band for the end of October as they play the scariest tunes in town. Boys Club follows it up with a tribute to Ween featuring the album “White Pepper” in its entirety. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
PREVIEW NOVEMBER AND BEYOND … via our full calendar (and get your winter-holiday events to us ASAP! editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!)
We stopped by 36th/Hanford at dusk to say hi to the Skeleton Theatre team, who were working hard to get West Seattle’s most extensive animatronic Halloween extravaganza ready for the next two nights, on, and behind, the front-yard stage:
As noted in the WSB West Seattle Halloween Etc. Guide, Skeleton Theatre mastermind Chris Walker tells us, “The theme this year is ‘Back to our Roots.’ Through the years people have asked us to do this again, so we’re going to do a show consisting of pop culture clips – like we did for the first two years of Skeleton Theatre a decade ago, with a few new tricks added in. We will end with one original scene: It’s a preview for the new show that we’ll be putting up next year.” The show is set to run continuously 6-9 pm Halloween night and the night after (Tuesday and Wednesday; here’s a map). Free but if you are moved to help the Skeleton crew cover their costs, there’s a donation button on their webpage (where you can also catch up on the backstory – ST has been a tradition since 2006!).
| Comments Off on NEW HOLIDAY EVENT: West Seattle Track Friday