West Seattle, Washington
26 Sunday
(Photo by Jerry Simmons, pre-windstorm)
The wind has calmed and the weekend continues, with another two-part list today – first, the Hallo-weekend #1 events:
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION HARVEST FESTIVAL: This is West Seattle’s biggest fall festival! 11 am-2 pm in The Junction (the Farmers’ Market starts at 10 am as usual but everything else is at 11 or later), with California closed between Oregon and Edmunds, Alaska closed between 42nd and 44th. From the West Seattle Junction Association, here’s the schedule (with trick-or-treating at booths and businesses starting right after the parade):
11:00 – 11:30 AM
–Costume Parade led by the West Seattle High School Marching Band (meet at Junction Plaza Park, 42nd SW and SW Alaska)11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
–Activity Booths + Sidewalk Trick-or-Treating + Free Kids’ Area + Cornhole Games11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
–Chili Cook-Off
Taste your way through nine local favorites competing for the title of Best Chili in West Seattle! For $20, you’ll get a flight of chili samples and a voting token to crown your favorite. All proceeds benefit the West Seattle Food Bank. Tickets at KeyBank corner, chili served inside ArtsWest.11:30 – 11:45 AM
Rain City Ropeworks Performance – All-Ways Intersection12:00 – 12:20 PM
Seattle Thrillers Performance – All-Ways Intersection12:30 – 1:00 PM
Pie-Eating Contest + Chili Cook-Off Winner Announcement1:00 – 2:00 PM
Halloween House Music with Jack Chandelier
DIA DE MUERTOS TIN ART WITH VAQUERO AZUL: Visit Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) to make this seasonal art! 1-3 pm, drop-in.
SPOOKY MUSIC: The Seattle Met Singers will feature “spooky music” during their 2 pm concert at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW)
SPOOKY TRIVIA: 9-11 pm at Poggie Tavern (4717 California SW).
For our second list – here’s what else is up, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more listings!) and inbox:
WESTIES RUN CLUB: This week’s 9 am Sunday Funday run starts at Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon).
WEST SEATTLE SKI SWAP, DAY 2: Get geared up for snow-sports season! Shop this year’s Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor)-presented swap 10 am-4 pm at the West Seattle VFW Hall (3601 SW Alaska), second and final day.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: As mentioned above, it’s open as usual, and part of today’s festival – usual spot on California between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in fall produce season , plus lots of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, prepared foods, condiments, more.
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE:One more week to visit Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) to see what artists are showing this year! Open today 10 am-6 pm.
FREE NIA CLASS: 10:30 am, first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska).
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
HUSKIES PLAYERS AT CVS: The converted-to-CVS drugstore at 5217 California SW is hosting an 11 am-1 pm ommunity event involving UW football players.
POT YOUR OWN FALL ANNUALS: While supplies last! 11:30 am-3:30 pm at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor).
BE READY! Alice Kuder‘s fun “Ready Freddy Preparedness Party“ is back, to get you on the journey to peace of mind for knowing you’re ready for a disaster which will probably never happen. 1 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Kick back and enjoy your Sunday afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) is the gathering place for this monthly meetup, 3 pm, but arrive early to get your beverage and chat. Our calendar listing has details on this month’s book/movie.
CONVERSATIONS ON ART: Part of an open house/art display 3-5 pm at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW).
PAINT AND SIP AT THE PUB: 3-5 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); our calendar listing has info and the registration link.
WELCOME THE COHO HOME: Rain or shine, Fauntleroy Creek‘s salmon spawners will be welcomed with singing and drumming at upper Fauntleroy Way and SW Director at 4 pm, all welcome to join, as previewed here.
LIVE AT EASY STREET: 5 pm, Kassa Overall album-release party at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) – free, all ages.
MONTHLY TRIVIA AT MR. B’S: 5-8 pm at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW).
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: 7:30 pm, free to play. (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, Sunday nights are live music nights with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that we could add to the WSB community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Seattle Police are investigating gunfire again, second early morning incident in a row in West Seattle. This time, after numerous 911 calls from people who thought they heard gunfire, they received a report from someone who said they saw it – reporting an “Asian man, mid-to-late 30s, medium to heavy build, green jacket, in a blue Subaru” firing shots into the air at 27th/Roxbury. No injuries or property damage so far; police were heading that way to see if they can find evidence.
7:35 PM: Thanks to Sarah for first word of the first significant outage in West Seattle since the Wind Advisory kicked in this afternoon: A tree is down on a line at 45th SW and SW Hemlock [map], a couple blocks east of Lincoln Park, and 117 homes are out of power.
Police are blocking off streets in the area, which is along a set of “switchbacks” used as a cut-through from California SW to Fauntleroy Way SW.
7:48 PM: Not West Seattle, but we just got a tip and a question about this: Just south of White Center, the Ambaum Boulevard curves are blocked by a fallen tree, so if you have to head south, find an alternate route (like 1st Avenue S.).
8:54 PM: Sarah sent the pic of a City Light truck in the vicinity. This remains the only outage of note in West Seattle, and throughout its service area, City Light only has a bit more than 1,000 customers are out, although the wind is starting to sound more fierce outside.
9:07 PM: And in fact, police were just dispatched for a reported tree into a house in the 8300 block of 46th SW.
9:28 PM: Just got another texted report, a tree down at 26th SW and SW Juneau in North Delridge. (Police report no injuries or damage, just blocking Juneau at 25th.) No other outages mapped yet, though a texter at 28th SW and SW Thistle reports losing power, and the wind continues to roar where we are (on a hill over Lincoln Park, southwest exposure).
9:40 PM: Added reader photo of 25/26/Juneau tree above. Not far from there, SFD is now responding to someone stuck in their car after a possibly live wire came down on it. … In Admiral, another “wire down” call at Fairmount and Belvidere, “sparking quite a lot” per dispatcher. … Tree down on High Point Drive per dispatch; brief outage near 35th/Avalon per texter … And another dispatch for a tree down in a front yard somewhere on 42nd SW … SFD says the person stuck in their car is out safely but a tree/wire is pulling down a pole so they’ll be blocking off 26th SW and SW Findlay vicinity.
9:57 PM: Even more trees/limbs down – dispatch just ticked off several, including 30th SW and SW Kenyon, California SW and SW Alaska, 4800 block SW Spokane, California Avenue and California Way … Texter says a tree’s down on SW Orchard near Home Depot, “cops on scene clearing,” and that the nearby signal on Delridge is out. … North end of Fairmount now has a 22-home outage … Texter says 26th SW and SW Roxbury signal is flashing red all ways … 4000 block of 18th SW, tree down, per dispatch … Tree into wires in 4700 block of 47th SW …
10:14 PM: SCL map now shows 145 out in Westwood/Sunrise Heights (above) and 9 out on Beach Drive.
10:30 PM: Tree down in 6700 block of 21st SW is reported to have hit at least two cars, per SPD.
10:46 PM: More trees down, per dispatcher – Admiral Way and SW Spokane; 2700 block Alki Avenue.
11:17 PM: The wind has calmed considerably, at least here in Upper Fauntleroy, and no new “tree down” reports in the past half-hour plus.
The Beach Drive power outage, meantime, now maps at 80 homes (screengrab added above). City Light is up to 34,000+ customers out around its service area, so repairs might take a while.
11:35 PM: Dispatcher reports trees down at California SW and SW Raymond north of Morgan Junction, and California Way and Harbor SW.
12:17 AM: According to police on the scene, the California/Raymond tree is blocking the southbound side of California. (Photo added above, sent by Adam.)
12:36 AM: Wire hanging low over Admiral Way on approach to eastbound West Seattle Bridge – that’s how dispatch described it, and while typing this, we got a text from Dan, who called it in and says it’s a tree branch hung up on the wire about a quarter of the way down the hill; another wire reported down outside a home at Marine View Drive and SW 102nd.
1:36 AM: Lots of cleanup ahead once this calms down. Here’s a texted photo from 48th SW and SW Holly:
2:32 AM: Another tree-down dispatch, this time for 20th/Holden. Meantime, checking SCL’s map, none of the local outages appear to have been resolved yet.
PHOTOS BY OLIVER HAMLIN FOR WSB
Hundreds of walkers and runners of all ages took to the trails at Lincoln Park this morning, starting off Saturday with the West Seattle Monster Dash. It wasn’t just one dash – there were separate dashes for preschoolers and toddlers, and for older kids.
The grownups, and hardiest young competitors, ran and/or walked 5K through the park. Costumes were encouraged.
Full results are here. The top finisher was 36-year-old Kevin Rovegno:
Second finisher was 52-year-old Tiff Koehn:
No matter the speed, Monster Dash’ers are always spirited:
The day’s big winners were the West Seattle Cooperative Preschools, for which the Monster Dash is a fundraiser. (You can donate to them any time here.)
Missing a bicycle like this? The photo and report are from WSAtty:
Found abandoned/stolen bike in alley near 20th Ave SW and SW Cloverdale St. Hope it can find its way back to its owner.
If you think it’s yours, contact us and we’ll connect you.
(WSB photos)
Also in The Triangle, Seattle Fire Station 32 opened to community members for two hours this afternoon, hosting a Fire Safety Fair. It wasn’t just a chance to learn about fire prevention – it was also a chance to be reminded that firefighters spend more of their time on medical calls than actual fires:
“Hands-only CPR” demonstrations were part of the fair. SFD teaches CPR classes for community members periodically.
Station 32 is home to West Seattle’s biggest lineup of vehicles – Battalion 7, Ladder 11, Medic 32, and Engine 32.
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
Busy day at the VFW Hall in The Triangle for day 1 of the two-day West Seattle Ski Swap, coordinated by Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor), whose Noah, Reese, and Luke were on duty when we visited:
The hall is full of skis, snowboards, boots, and related gear so you can get ready for snow-sports season:
The team tells us it’s been busy all day, and they’ve got “a ton of steals”:
The Ski Swap is on at 3601 SW Alaska until 5 pm, but if you can’t get there by then, it’s open tomorrow too, 10 am-4 pm. And here’s a reminder that mountain snow is on the way – a screengrab a few minutes ago from a camera at Stevens Pass:
Shortly after we received two mid-morning inquiries about possible gunfire the texters heard around 4:15 this morning, police were dispatched to 29th SW and SW Cloverdale around 11 am after someone found casings. We’ve listened to the archived police-radio audio from the original call, and police found casings in that area shortly after the 4:15 am 911 calls, too. No report of injuries, and no description of who fired the shots – the only thing mentioned in the original dispatch was that some callers heard “tires screeching” immediately afterward.
12:13 PM: A sunbreak is gracing the Alki business district as Alki Beach Trick-or-Treat begins. While it might be stormy later, this is a great time to get to the beach with costumed kids and collect treats from local businesses, along Alki Avenue between 63rd and 57th. Stop at the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) and make an origami jack-o-lantern! It’s all on till 2 pm. More photos later!
2:37 PM: As promised, here are some of the sights WSB’s Torin Record-Sand saw along Alki Avenue:
Above are Matt and Elyssa Cichy – co-proprietors of Gary’s Place (where we photographed them) and West Seattle Arcade – who organized this year’s event with the Alki Community Council, which had reps on trick-or-treat duty too:
It was a lively scene, even with a squall moving through after the sunbreak:
The final business-district trick-or-treat event of this Hallo-weekend #1 will be during the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival tomorrow, right after the 11 am costume parade – we’ll see you there too!
The Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster) is one of two Seattle Police precincts accepting dropoff disposals on this Drug Take-Back Day. Before 2 pm, go to the community room off the public parking lot, and you’ll find crime-prevention coordinator Matt Brown. He has some freebies too while they last, like secure drug lockboxes.
Dropped-off drugs had already filled two boxes when we stopped by and they had started a third.
10:59 AM: Among the many events on our two-part list today, the Alki UCC Autumn Festival is happening now, and Aly sent this:
Alki UCC Autumn Festival has started! Enter to win our Alki UCC great pumpkin, shop the artists’ booths, treat yourself at the bake sale.
Alki UCC is at 6115 SW Hinds, and the festival continues until 4 pm.
6:41 PM: Update from Aly:
And the winner is … Diane J; our great pumpkin weighed 88.5 and Diane guessed her weight – at 87.5 she won the prize.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Too early to say how the weather‘s going to affect thing, but please let us know of any changes/cancellations (call/text 206-293-6302). Otherwise, here’s what’s scheduled – it’s the biggest day/night of Hallo-weekend #1, so we start with the seasonal events (followed by a separate list of everything else):
WEST SEATTLE MONSTER DASH: 9:30 am 5K costumed trail run, 10:30 am kids’ dash, raising money for cooperative preschools. Upper central Lincoln Park. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
AUTUMN FESTIVAL & ART MARKET: Plus bake sale! 10 am-4 pm at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).
MAKE ORIGAMI JACK-O-LANTERNS: 10 am-2 pm at the Log House Museum (61st SW & SW Stevens), in conjunction with Alki trick-or-treating. Speaking of which:
ALKI BEACH TRICK-OR-TREAT: Noon-2 pm, trick-or-treat at Alki Beach businesses. The official website lists who’s participating.
HOWL-O-WEEN IN HIGHLAND PARK: Noon-4 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), including food, pumpkin decorating, and a pet costume contest at 3 pm.
WITCHES AND WARLOCKS PADDLE: 1 pm from the rocky beach at Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW).
BEER GARDEN TRICK-OR-TREATING: That’s part of the Ounces Halloween Party, 2 pm-5 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
ADMIRAL DISTRICT HALLOWEEN BAR CRAWL: 3 pm-9 pm, participant list on Admiral Neighborhood Association website, with one change – at 5 pm it’ll be at Pizzeria 22 instead of Arthur’s. Starts at Good Society (California SW and SW Lander).
CANCELED TRAIL OR TREAT: 3:30-7 pm at Camp Long‘s cabins (5200 35th SW).
AUTUMN CYBORG UNICORN STORY HOUR: 5:30-7 pm, Halloween-themed and costumes encouraged, open-mic story hour at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW).
UPDATE: TRUNK OR TREAT: 6:30-8 pm at Hope School‘s north parking lot gym (41st SW and SW Genesee).
Here’s the rest of the West Seattle list for Saturday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Kick-start your weekend with a run! West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) leads Saturday 8 am free group runs!
VACCINE CLINIC: 9 am-3 pm at Madison Middle School (3429 45th SW), open to all, but follow that link to get an appointment first.
HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free 9 am community meditation at Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska) – register here.
INTRODUCTORY WALK: First of two sequential weekly walking events – meeting at the same spot, 47th SW and Fauntleroy Way, first at 9:30 am for a flat-terrain 1-mile walk.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: That’s followed by this 10 am walk, which you can join even if you didn’t go on the introductory walk. Meet at 47th SW and Fauntleroy Way.
WEST SEATTLE SKI SWAP: Get geared up for snow-sports season! Shop this year’s Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor)-presented swap 10 am-5 pm at the West Seattle VFW Hall (3601 SW Alaska), first of two days.
DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY: Got expired and/or no-longer-needed medication? Dispose of it easily, quickly, no questions asked 10 am-2 pm at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster) today.
GREEN SEATTLE DAY AT PIGEON POINT PARK: Join DNDA in restoration work, 10 am-1 pm. (1901 SW Genesee)
SSC GARDEN CENTER: The Garden Center at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW, north end of campus), is open 10 am-3 pm.
SCHMITZ PARK PRESERVE TOUR: 10 am, meet at 5463 SW Stevens to join a tour of this forested park.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: Last week to shop at this market! Open 10 am-2 pm, Saturdays through October, in and around the courtyard at Hope Academy in South Delridge (9421 18th SW). Fresh produce, cooked-on-site food, sweet treats, body-care products, more, with a focus on BIPOC farmers/vendors!
EAST MARGINAL WAY CELEBRATION: The corridor project is just outside West Seattle but in particular of vital importance to those who bike/walk between the peninsula and downtown. Ribbon-cutting, rides, and more. 10:30 am gathering at East Marginal/South Hanford.
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
FREE WRITING GROUP: Back in session this week, 10:30 am, info in our calendar listing.
OPEN HOUSE AND FREEZER SALE: Learn about Dream Dinners and buy pre-prepped meals, 11 am-1 pm, outer Jefferson Squqre (4701 41st SW).
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW)
FIRE SAFETY FAIR: Visit Station 32 (37th/Alaska) noon-2 pm to see the station and learn about fire safety.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open noon-4 pm on Saturdays. (61st SW/SW Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open for you to enjoy wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: On the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus:
The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room, Wine Bar, and Retail Store are open Thursday-Saturday from 1-6 pm. Come taste and purchase our student-produced wine! The Northwest Wine Academy features a large tasting room and retail store. While tasting one of our current releases, you can request a tour of our barrel room and bottling area.
RAT CITY RECON AT THE RINK: Noon-1 am music festival at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center).
FREE MASSAGE: 3-5 pm walk-in clinic offering short, specific massages at Nepenthe. (9447 35th SW)
FUNDRAISING DINNER FOR A CLEANER ALKI: As previewed here, 5:30 pm at West Seattle Eagles. $14 per person, cash only, membership not required.(4426 California SW)
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Paul Gerard, singer-songwriter. All ages, no charge.
LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Gus Englehorn,7 pm at Easy Street (4559 California SW), free, all ages.
OPEN MIC AT THE SKYLARK: 7:30 pm tonight it’s a special session of Open Mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: Saturday spinning starts at 9 pm – tonight it’s DJ Topspin at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW).
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Our Saturday list concludes as usual with 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
Got a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The National Weather Service has our area under a Wind Advisory alert starting at 1 pm today, continuing through 5 am Sunday. They’re expecting “southeast to southwest winds 15 to 30 mph, with gusts 35 to 45 mph expected at times.” We’ll be tracking any resulting trouble as always – if you have anything to report, once you’ve notified authorities, we’re at 206-293-6302, text or voice.
For Brandi Carlile, launching “Returning to Myself” meant returning to a familiar, beloved venue … Easy Street Records. That’s where she chose to perform on release day for her new album, a special show for those buying “Returning to Myself” through Easy Street, a show that maxed out shortly after the surprise announcement earlier this week. Then those who got a spot lined up around the historic Hamm Building – here’s how it looked two hours before showtime:
(Photo sent by Hayk)
Once the doors opened at 6, it was a full house of fans:
And more looking in from the street, until the “garage door” was partly opened:
Carlile not only sang the title track and first single from “Returning to Myself,” but also one of her most-loved songs, “The Story“:
And back to the new album, with “Church and State“:
Carlile last took to the Easy Street stage in a surprise appearance with her longtime band members the Hanseroth Twins eleven months ago. Meantime, Easy Street has several in-store shows most weeks – go here to see who’s next.
When City Councilmembers start proposing budget amendments next week, District 1’s Rob Saka plans to suggest funding for the all-wheels area, aka skate dot, at Morgan Junction Park. That’s according to both skate-dot advocacy coalition MJAWA and a list of likely budget amendments from Councilmember Saka’s office. To cover the $850,000 that Parks now says the skate dot would cost (backstory here), MJAWA spokesperson Matt Johnston says, the idea now is for Saka to propose $700,000 be written into the city budget, which MJAWA then says would unlock an additional $150,000 in Saka Proposed Amendments 10-24-25Parks matching fund money. They’re lining up supporters to speak at the council’s Tuesday (October 28) 9:30 am meeting as well as the November 6 public hearing, and they’re explaining more about what happens next in this post on the MJAWA website.
SIDE NOTE: Here’s the full list of budget amendments Councilmember Saka is considering, also including the Camp Long restoration project; official proposals are due next week, and then go into formal review with eventual council votes on whether to include them in the budget.
Another annual Halloween-season tradition is shining bright! We’ve shown this in previous years and every year it’s a don’t miss sight. The photos were sent by Chuck, who wrote, “My neighbor Jason carves 100 pumpkins every year. All with differing features and each one lit. It’s quite a display.”
And those are just SOME of them! They’re on Genesee Hill, near 52nd SW and SW Dakota. … With one week left until Halloween, there’s still time to show your decorations, or your favorite sighting … photos are appreciated at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The mascot awaits hundreds of runners of all ages tomorrow (Saturday, October 25) morning at Lincoln Park! The weather won’t stop this year’s West Seattle Monster Dash, 9:30 am in the central upper park, with the starting line near Shelter #1 (as shown in this park map). It’s a fundraiser for the West Seattle Cooperative Preschools and it’s not too late to register – the Monster Dash 5K is at 9:30 am, and the Kids’ Dash is 10:30 am. Lots of fun family activities too. Costumes encouraged!
(File photo courtesy A Cleaner Alki)
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
More than six months after learning a critical grant would not be renewed, community-cleanup group A Cleaner Alki is still working on new ways to keep their efforts around the peninsula and beyond going strong.
“We have to figure out how to make it sustainable,” says founder Erik Bell, who is continuing to support 4-6 cleanups a week, despite “burning my candle at both ends.” The funds from a 2-year Department of Ecology grant ran out in June.
Bell says the group is now counting on the continued support of some long-time monthly donors. Some others have employer matches to their donations and there is occasionally a corporate group who does cleanup as a public service, but he’s feeling the funding gap. He recently met with District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka to talk about potential new sources of funding, and is open to community input about grants that might be a good match for ACA. Donations are made through the non-profit Seattle Parks Foundation, which serves as its fiscal sponsor – that does not mean bankrolling the group, just helping it process donations.
This weekend ACA is getting a boost of community support from a Saturday night dinner at the West Seattle Eagles (4426 California Ave SW). This is the second fundraising dinner put on by Anne and Ron Weglin, who did the first in July. They’ll have teriyaki chicken with rice, marinated cucumbers, and key lime pie available from 5:30-7 pm. You don’t need to be a member to attend and a live band is scheduled to play after the dinner. (Dinner is $14/cash per person, all ages until 10 pm.)
Bell will also be tabling at the upcoming Joiner Jamboree, a gathering of 40+ community groups and clubs on November 8 that West Seattleites can learn about and consider joining. The Jamboree takes inspiration from the documentary “Join or Die,” which is being shown the previous night, and explores the correlation between thriving democracies and how much citizens connect with each other by joining clubs and associations. “It speaks so much to what we’re doing and how people are feeling,” says Bell. When he started ACA several years ago, he had in his mind that the cleanup would be the main goal. But he was surprised to find that it’s turned out, “The cleanups are a byproduct of doing community-building and fellowship. We’ll get some stuff done, but you’re talking to the person next to you. It’s what’s missing in our society: Making connections, knowing your neighbors, feeling that your civic duty is to make your community better.”
For more information about A Cleaner Alki, including a link for donations, go to ACA’s website. “Join or Die” will be screened Friday, November 7, at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation (7141 California Ave SW) from 7-9 pm; doors open at at 6:45 pm with a discussion following the movie. The Joiner Jamboree will be Saturday, Nov. 8 at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California Ave SW) from 11 am-3 pm.
PHOTOS BY OLIVER HAMLIN FOR WSB
3:30 PM: As shown in our screengrab from the Admiral/California traffic cam, Admiral District trick-or-treating is under way, with umbrellas joining treat bags as accessories this year! The participants stretch from Avamere and Mioposto (WSB sponsor) in North Admiral to Shug’s and Welcome Road Winery (WSB sponsor) at California/Charlestown – the map is on the Admiral Neighborhood Association website, but we’ve heard from businesses NOT on the map that are participating too, like Alki Mail (47th/Admiral) and Zelda Zonk (2210 California SW), so there’s a ton of treats to be had! It’s continuing until 6 pm; photojournalist Oliver Hamlin is out on the route for WSB, and just caught up with West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) proprietors Lori and Tim:
6:12 PM: Adding more photos from Oliver:
Erica Brady of FIT4MOM and son Levi:
Destiny Itano of Seattle Yarn guarded the candy bowl, dressed as a shark in a sweater.
Note their crowd bracing against the rain:
The Grobe family chose Pokémon themed costumes:
We found Heat Miser and Snow Miser outside West Wings:
Rebecca Rice of Arthur’s conjured up a witch outfit:
So did Modern Roots proprietor Jessica Forsythe:
And Freda McCrae at Brookdale Admiral Heights, appreciating a trick-or-treating hot dog:
Then there was “Hugz the Clown”:
Avian King is proprietor of The Summerland, a new business:
The Moore family had a milk-and-cookies theme going:
At Mission Cantina, the giant skeleton was in the spotlight.
And even more characters:
More trick-or-treat events are ahead this weekend, starting with Alki Beach businesses noon-2 pm Saturday, Trail or Treat at Camp Long cabins 3:30-7 pm Saturday, Trunk or Treat at Hope School 6:30-8 pm Saturday, and during the Junction Harvest Festival 11 am-2 pm Sunday!
2:10 PM: No injuries, and no visuals, but possible traffic effects from a two-car crash on the westbound West Seattle Bridge. We had trouble verifying the location until a friend reported it’s “at the curve by the statues … one car is spun around and there is a second car involved.”
2:45 PM: Thanks to those who’ve since sent photos, including the one above. As you can see, the barrier’s been pushed out of position, which adds an extra element to clearing the scene – and getting through it safely.
The video and photos were sent by Bill, one of multiple victims of overnight vandalism that damaged multiple car windshields:
Smashed a bunch of windshields on Avalon last night in West Seattle. Here’s a couple photos, but there’s a lot more car smashed.
My car is barely drivable for a one-way trip to work early morning as a healthcare provider. Hopefully it’s replaced before I start my way home.
We’ll add the police-report number when we get it (please let us know if you were also a victim and already have one).
Going into the busy Friday afternoon commute period, the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route remains down to two boats. M/V Sealth went out of service this morning, in need of repairs, and it’s at the WSF Eagle Harbor facility (Bainbridge Island) to get worked on, so M/V Issaquah and M/V Cathlamet are on the 2-boat schedule (timetables are linked here). Compounding matters, the South Vashon route (Tahlequah-Point Defiance) had some cancellations this morning too.
(WSB photo, 2023 salmon welcome)
After watching the forecast for days, Fauntleroy Watershed volunteers have decided to go ahead with what might be an abbreviated – yet spirited as always – community salmon-welcoming gathering on Sunday. From Judy Pickens:
With an atmospheric river poised to flush pollutants out of Fauntleroy Creek this weekend, the annual drumming on Sunday afternoon will sweeten the invitation for spawners to come in from the cove.
Salmon lovers are a hearty bunch, willing to put up with a little or a lot of rain to give our coho a spirited welcome. Those with drums or other instruments can be under cover for what may be an abbreviated program starting at 4 pm Sunday near the fish-ladder viewpoint (SW Director & upper Fauntleroy Way SW). The sound of drumming will draw you down to creek level.
The drumming will kick off Salmon Watch 2025. Two dozen volunteers will be checking the lower creek daily to document the number and condition of the coho that come in (last year they counted a record 347).
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