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
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
West Seattle filmmaker Jamie Burton Chamberlin sends word that “ZZ Top: Double Down Live” is now out on DVD – “the first historic concert performance ever to be approved for release by the band,” he says. It packs “28 years of hard rock, blues and boogie” into almost 2 hours. Disc 1 features footage from a 1980 performance in Germany; Disc 2 comes from Chamberlin’s travels with the band in 2008, documenting more than 70 shows in the U.S. and Europe, with performances, interview clips and backstage footage. In connection with the international release, Chamberlin says “Double Down Live” will have its Seattle premiere at the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) on November 12th, in conjunction with the next West Seattle Art Walk. Earlier this year, we covered the screening of Chamberlin’s “Gearhead” at West 5 – the venue’s first-ever movie showing!
The 18th annual Southwest Community Art Showcase starts Monday at the Southwest Branch Library – but it’s not too late to be part of it – just call 206-684-7455 or stop by the branch (35th/Henderson; map), but do it before the library closes today (6 pm). The reminder comes from Julie Enevoldsen of Friends of the Southwest Branch Library; she adds, “Artists of any age and artwork of any medium are welcome.” The show will run through Nov. 15, with a meet-the-artists reception at 2 pm Nov. 7.
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.
VENTANA CONSTRUCTION WINS AWARD: Longtime WSB sponsor Ventana Construction announced it’s made the annual Top 500 List published this fall by Qualified Remodeler Magazine, which has been putting together the list for more than 30 years, with data compiled by Harvard’s Center for Joint Housing Studies. Ventana owner Clarence Higuera says, “To be recognized at the national level is a real honor for us. It’s confirmation that our focus on exceptional quality and customer service sets our company apart.” (Above, one of Ventana’s most recent projects.)
Meantime, maybe you’ve seen this new sight while driving southbound on 35th:
RED STAR MURAL: Red Star Pizza, the new name, under new owners, for what was Pizza Time (7514 35th SW), has acquired a sort of alien theme, its owners smilingly admit, after one of its workers started sketching whimsical aliens on a board inside the store. Those drawings cleared the way for the mural that’s now on the north side of the building. Red Star, by the way, has finally updated its website to reflect the new location/name.
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 whichWeitzel 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.
The huge highlight of tonight’sAdmiral Neighborhood Association meeting was an update on the Admiral Safeway redevelopment project – sneak peek of what the Southwest Design Review Board will see/hear a week from Thursday. That’ll take us a while to put together so first, 4 short notes from the meeting:
SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: The success of this series (which we were proud to co-sponsor) left no question that ANA would do it again next year. Katy Walum said they’re planning a six-concert series again, but to avoid bumping too close to the West Seattle Hi-Yu Concert in the Park, which will be later than usual in 2010, they will start the Thursday night series on 7/29/2010 and continue it till 9/2/2010.
ADMIRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT TRICK-OR-TREATING: Parris Sadow from Max and Quinn’s Atomic Boys Shop-O-Rama is spearheading the event – as noted here a month ago, the date/time is set for the day before Halloween, Friday 10/30, 3-6 pm, but she had a few additional details, such as, 31 businesses are signed up to participate – centered around Admiral/California (no further south than Wiseman’s Appliance, and as far north as the building just past Click! Design That Fits [WSB sponsor]).
ANA OFFICER ELECTIONS: The current officers have to step down because of term limits – three one-year terms – so nominations are being taken now for elections at next month’s meeting. Nominees so far include Jim Del Ciello and Katy Walum for president and Ann Limbaugh for vice president.
MAYORAL ELECTION STRAW POLL: It’s been a tradition for ANA president Mark Wainwright to get each meeting going with an icebreaker – asking a question, then going around the room to get everyone’s answer. Tonight, it was “who do you back for mayor?” No winner emerged — Mallahan/McGinn/undecided virtually tied. (As Karl de Jong pointed out, ballots go into the mail tomorrow, so voting will start by the end of the week.)
This Thursday night’s West Seattle Candidates’ Forum (7 pm, Youngstown Arts Center) has gained a pre-show attraction: Nancy Folsom announced that the artists chosen for the Delridge Community Center Playfield projectwill be there that night at 6 pm to meet anyone interested in talking about what’s meant as a companion creation to the future skatepark (site at left). She says Zachary Bohnenkamp, John Osgood and Kevin Sullivan were chosen from nine artists/groups that sent letters of interest, adding that the team was chosen “because of the artistic merit of their work, their experience in public art projects, and their ability to work collaboratively with a community. I want to note that all the submissions were strong and the decision wasn’t easy, and I am grateful to all the artists for considering our project. The ten reviewers included two neighbors, a person from the skateboard park design team, a city Parks Department person who can advise on feasibility, two Youngstown Cultural Arts staff, and the director of the Service Board, a tenant organization of YCA that mentor youth. People have been generous with their time and help, which has been invaluable. We are currently working on identifying funding sources, developing a project plan, and the artists are starting to investigate ideas for the piece. I hope the neighborhood will take this opportunity to get to know the artists and to give the artists an opportunity to get to know us.” Come for the artists (6 pm), stay for the forum (7 pm), Thursday at 4408 Delridge Way.
West Seattle artist Karen Lyons shares news of an “online studio tour” in which she’s participating, to celebrate Halloween and to raise money for bat conservation. It’s a fun site to wander if you have at least a few minutes to spare – halloweenstudiotour.com – and you can contact Karen at woosel@wildmail.com if you want to know more.
The Eat Local Now! event Sunday night is sold out – hope you got your ticket – but if not, we hereby encourage you to “eat local” this weekend in a variety of ways: Support West Seattle restaurants, markets, Farmers’ Market vendors and other food purveyors! WS has 100+ places to chow down, including WSB sponsors Cafe Revo, Endolyne Joe’s, Feedback Lounge and Skylark Cafe and Club (which sponsors the WS Weekend Lineup!). And there are cooking classes at West Seattle PCC (two this weekend that still have space). Other weekend highlights include a WSHS Grad Nightfundraising car wash, first Board Game Afternoon on Sunday at Southwest Library, and “Art in the Garden” opens Saturday at West Seattle Nursery. Read on for our list of 50+ events and activities:Read More
ORIGINAL 7:22 PM REPORT: Back at WSB HQ to put up a few pix from our West Seattle Art Walk ramblings so far – heading back out to see more. (For blanket disclosure, all three of these first photos are from WSB sponsor locations.) Top photo is painter Paul Creasman, who is showing at M3 Bodyworks – 5410 California SW, upstairs, quite the party, lots of beer, catering by seasonalpalate.com, stop by till 9 pm. In North Delridge, we caught up with photographer Jenny Jimenez:
Her exhibition “Show Me Your TIFFs” features 10 years of music photography and is at Skylark Cafe and Club – two walls of photos – 3803 Delridge Way, and she’s there in person till 9 pm tonight too. (Plus live music – singer-songwriter Damien Jurado and Amy Blaschke.) Artists are on hand at many venues but not all; we dropped in at Dream Dinners, where Betty Olson Vacca‘s paintings are on the walls but the creating’s being done by clients:
Dream Dinners is on the 41st SW street side of Jefferson Square (4701 41st). Our next stops include Feedback Lounge to see how the punk-rock pumpkin carving is going. More later. Beautiful night. Here’s the Art Walk map – even if you don’t want to go far, there are likely venues near you. ADDED 11:29 PM: Photos from four more venues we made it to – first, two punk-ins from the Feedback Lounge carve-a-thon:
Showing at The Kenney, here’s artist Jan Hahn, who lives in the Ballymena building:
Back in The Junction, Dave Sheely showed his jewelry at Cherry Consignment – we liked his display card, too:
And in the Admiral District, Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) continues to feature the work of Rachel Austin, which debuted during their recent 5th anniversary party:
Click! proprietors Frances and John Smersh say Austin is coming up from Portland to discuss her work in person during an event Nov. 21. Meantime – next West Seattle Art Walk is November 12th.
Quite the breeze out of the north, late this afternoon – Alki looked more like an open-ocean beach than protected waters. Matching the wave energy, music and rhythm energy by the Bathhouse:
That was one of two religious processions we covered today – though this one was without advance notice; we just happened by – our story on the other one, the Holy Rosary centennial procession to St. John the Baptist, is coming up.
It’s definitely fall. While some of the 50-plus events on this weekend’s list are out-and-out fun (like Family Fun Night at Seattle Civic Dance Theater in Fauntleroy tonight!) there’s also a lot of practicality – the Seattle Solar Tour, CROP Walk, flu shots, the WSUU Rummage Sale (well, the amazing Frogsquatch will be fun) … Read on to see it all, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club – read on!Read More
From Cherisse, teen librarian at Delridge Library – an invite to an event at noontime today:
We would like to invite middle and high school homeschooled students and West Seattle residents to join us in marking Banned Books Week. Professional actors from Book-It Repertory Theatre will present readings from banned or challenged books, and there will be a short discussion about the Freedom to Read after the presentation. The program is free, open to the public, and best suited to those 13 years old and up because of the mature themes of some of the books that will be presented.
What: Danger: Books! A celebration of intellectual freedom
Books: Call of the Wild by Jack London
Summary: Stolen from home and sold into a harsh life as a sled dog in northern Canada, Buck must quickly learn to survive.
The Controversy: Jack London’s writing was censored and banned in several European dictatorships in the 1920’s, and his books were burned by Nazis.
Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser
Summary: Brendan and Gary, who have been mercilessly teased and harassed by jocks who rule their school, take their classmates hostage at a school dance.
The Controversy: There have been several concerns over the book’s realistic depiction of school violence.
Uncle Bobby’s Wedding by Sarah. S. Brannan
Summary: Chloe’s favorite uncle Bobby is getting married to his boyfriend Jamie and she fears that he won’t have time for her any more.
The Controversy: Challenged at the Douglas County Libraries in Castle Rock, Colo. (2008) where a resident wanted the book to be removed from the library and placed in a special area or labeled as inappropriate for children because it features same-sex marriage.
As noted here two weeks ago, the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival is returning to West Seattle’s Admiral Theateragain this year. The festival runs October 16-25; according to its website, the Admiral screenings are on the final two days, with five films on Saturday 10/24 and two on Sunday 11/25 – here’s the schedule. Tickets went on sale today; here’s info on how to buy them. ADDED 1:55 PM: Another festival note, from West Seattle’s State Sen. Joe McDermott, via Facebook: “West Seattle filmmaker Michael Culpepper‘s short After All That shows on Saturday, October 17, at 2 pm at the Egyptian Theater!” (Here’s that link.)
(9/28/08 photo by David Hutchinson) Northwest Hope and Healing expects more than 1,000 runners and walkers for the second annual Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run (WSB sponsor) this Sunday – still time to sign up – just go here – you’re helping NWHH help breast-cancer patients. Meantime – not sure yet what you’re doing tonight? Rainbow Bingo returns to the Senior Center of West Seattle tonight (doors open 5 and there’s a ukulele pre-show!), and it’s Family Fun Friday at Hiawatha Community Center as well as Family Skate Night at Alki Community Center, and Family Night at the West Seattle Family YMCA (WSB sponsor), as well as KISS Pre-Concert-Ticket-Sale Party night at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor). Also this weekend – Tibbetts UMC‘s centennial and two food drives, just part of more than FIFTY events/activities in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club – read on!Read More
When local pilot Long Nguyen sent a few more West Seattle aerials the other day, we knew this one would be perfect for today’s preview mentioning that the Westwood Neighborhood Council is meeting for the first time in several months – what you see above (click for a larger view) is Westwood Village in the foreground, with Southwest Athletic Complex, Southwest Community Center, and the Sealth-Denny project beyond. SWCC (2801 SW Thistle) is where the WNC is meeting tonight, 7 pm; here’s the flyer. What should be in the Seattle Public Schools 2010 levy measure? Be at Madison Middle School (3429 45th SW) at 6:30 pm to discuss. More politics today too – West Seattle Democratic Women present a debate between City Attorney Tom Carr and challenger Pete Holmes during their 11:30 am lunch meeting at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW); call 206-938-5706 this morning to see if there’s still room. And tonight’s the High Point Library (35th/Raymond) reading by “Crow Planet” author Lyanda Lynn Haupt (6:30 pm). Even more on the WSB Events calendar – see for yourself here.
Meantime, a local author who’s gaining new national attention for her latest work will be at High Point Library tomorrow night: We talked with Gatewood’s Lyanda Lynn Haupt in July about her book “Crow Planet” (story here), which has since been reviewed by the New York Times (read that here). She speaks at HP Library (map) at 6:30 pm tomorrow; her appearance is sponsored by Junction independent bookstore Square One Books (WSB sponsor). (You can also read Haupt’s more-frequent writing at her website The Tangled Nest.)
(Twitpic from Monday night’s Pearl Jam concert at KeyArena)
West Seattle Pearl Jam fans (and others from around the city) are talking about the band’s 1st of 2 KeyArena concerts right now – on Facebook, on Twitter, in bars, at home, wherever. Among them, Olivia, who noted on Facebook that PJ leader Eddie Vedder urged the crowd to vote for fellow West Seattleite Dow Constantine for King County Executive. (Dow, of course, has been rocking the vote in various venues, including the Mudhoney intro we video’d at West Seattle Summer Fest.) According to Olivia, EV then quipped that Krist Novoselic (formerly of Nirvana) told him to say that.
EATERY FOR SALE: It’s a blind listing but you’ll probably have the same guess we did, regarding this CL item about a Junction restaurant “across from California at Edmunds” offered for $300,000. (No, it’s not the shuttered Ama Ama – that’s for sale by name at $199K.) We’ve got a message out looking for confirmation. TUESDAY AFTERNOON NOTE: The very first commenter found the listing that confirmed it’s Tom Yum Koong.
Got word from the countywide organization 4Culture that a long list of groups getting a total of $250,000 federal stimulus money to help protect arts-related jobs includes West Seattle’s ArtsWest, which will receive $7,500. Checked with AW to see what the money will be used for; Rachel Jackson tells WSB, “That money will go into our AIF (Artistic Improvement Fund), and will specifically go to paying our actors. Unlike other theaters our size (non-equity houses) we pay our artists an hourly wage instead of just a stipend.” The full list of stimulus $ recipients is here. (ArtsWest is currently in the midst of its season-opening run, with “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” continuing till October 3rd.)
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 
at 
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 
VENTANA CONSTRUCTION WINS AWARD: Longtime WSB sponsor 
The huge highlight of tonight’s 
will be there that night at 6 pm to meet anyone interested in talking about what’s meant as a companion creation to the future skatepark (site at left). She says Zachary Bohnenkamp, John Osgood and Kevin Sullivan were chosen from nine artists/groups that sent letters of interest, adding that the team was chosen “because of the artistic merit of their work, their experience in public art projects, and their ability to work collaboratively with a community. I want to note that all the submissions were strong and the decision wasn’t easy, and I am grateful to all the artists for considering our project. The ten reviewers included two neighbors, a person from the skateboard park design team, a city Parks Department person who can advise on feasibility, two Youngstown Cultural Arts staff, and the director of the Service Board, a tenant organization of YCA that mentor youth. People have been generous with their time and help, which has been invaluable. We are currently working on identifying funding sources, developing a project plan, and the artists are starting to investigate ideas for the piece. I hope the neighborhood will take this opportunity to get to know the artists and to give the artists an opportunity to get to know us.” Come for the artists (6 pm), stay for the forum (7 pm), Thursday at 
West Seattle artist Karen Lyons shares news of an “online studio tour” in which she’s participating, to celebrate Halloween and to raise money for bat conservation. It’s a fun site to wander if you have at least a few minutes to spare – 
As noted here two weeks ago, the 
Meantime, a local author who’s gaining new national attention for her latest work will be at 
Got word from the countywide organization
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