West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
The trick-or-treating, and treasure-seeking, has begun! 45 stops on the map for Admiral Treats and Treasures this year (printable PDF here). Make as many stops as you can – then drop off your map as a drawing entry for one of two “treasure chests” (worth more than $300) at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor; 2326 California SW).
ADDED 4:54 PM: The trick-or-treaters continue to run wild. Well, actually, they’re crossing in an orderly fashion (there’s even a crossing guard!):
As the Material Girl, it’s Admiral Neighborhood Association president Katy Walum:
West Coast Entertainment has one of the best props on display – a Segway from the tours they’ve been giving around the area:
Outside Max and Quinn’s Atomic Boys Shop-O-Rama, we found co-namesake Max with parents Parris and Kent Sadow:
It’s the first Halloween in business for West Seattle Fabric Company (WSB sponsor):
Fresh off helping bicyclists navigate “Viadoom,” it’s Alki Bike and Board‘s Stu Hennessey:
And inside the historic Admiral Theater, you can get caramel corn from boss Dinah Brein:
CLICK AHEAD FOR EVEN MORE PHOTOS! Read More
Mayor McGinn plans another West Seattle visit this week. According to a media advisory sent out this afternoon, he’ll be at West Seattle High School this Wednesday morning “to call attention to the under-publicized benefits of school-based health centers funded by the Families & Education Levy.” That’s one of the measures on the ballot for the November 9th election. His visit will feature a tour of the WSHS health center, along with a group scheduled to include the CEO of Neighborcare – which operates the school centers – and an executive from Group Health.
FINAL WEEK FOR STOCKBOX GROCERS’ WEST SEATTLE PROTOTYPE: It’s the 8th week of Stockbox Grocers‘ “prototype” store at 24th/Holden – and the final week, since, as they’d warned all along, this was just a test. Stockbox founder Jacqueline Gjurgevich (at right, photographed as they prepared to open) says they’re having a sale: “The last day the store will be open is Sunday, November 6th although it may close earlier depending on when we sell out of inventory. We have 300 items in the store ranging from cleaning supplies to baking products to condiments to pasta and other staples. Dairy products and produce are also on sale. Most items in the store have been priced 20-75% off and people are flocking in to stock up on great deals. As a thank you to the Westhaven apartments and immediate vicinity we had a preview sale that started over the weekend and would now like to open up the sale to the greater West Seattle community.” They haven’t announced future, permanent locations but promise they’ll be back.
GUIDE TO SOUTH DELRIDGE/WHITE CENTER MARKETS: If you haven’t shopped some of the small-ish food stores in South Delridge/White Center, you might be missing a world of delights. If you’ve ever wanted to know more before venturing into one of the markets, the White Center Community Development Association has just granted your wish – creating a guide to nine of the markets. (See it as a PDF, here.)
Halloween creativity meets catch-phrase in North Admiral: Photographer/writer David Perry texted us (206-293-6302 any time) with word he was about to add the final touches to his gourd-geous “Occupy Dave’s Tree” display – protest signs. We happened to be in the area and detoured over just as he was about to head up the ladder to place the signs:
He says the display will be lit tonight for Halloween enjoyment – in the 2100 block of 42nd SW (map). … Here’s our list of other West Seattle Halloween sights/events.
(Click to see full-size PDF)
When we first reported on Metro‘s proposed 2012 changes last week, it looked like your first chance to see an official presentation in West Seattle would be Metro’s November 9th and 17th meetings. Now there’s late word of an earlier chance: Metro’s now on the agenda for this Wednesday night’s meeting of the Southwest District Council, 7 pm at South Seattle Community College‘s board room, and yes, as always, it’s a public meeting. Also on the agenda: A presentation about the changes SDOT is making on West Seattle streets to accommodate next year’s Metro West Seattle RapidRide debut (including SW Alaska rechannelization). SSCC’s at 6000 16th SW; the board room is in the Robert Smith Building – campus map here, building map here.
P.S. An online survey about the Metro proposal is now available, with questions about how it would affect you – you can take the survey here.
Thanks to Mike for sharing the photo of his Halloween decorations on 16th SW two blocks north of South Seattle Community College (and an appropriately spooked “bystander”). He says they don’t get many trick-or-treaters and wonders if maybe they’re doing something to scare them away … All set for YOUR Halloween? Here’s our highlights list (followed by two notes of non-Halloween events):
BUSINESS DISTRICT TRICK-OR-TREATING: Admiral District “Treats and Treasures,” 3-6 pm – here’s the map; here’s the list. … Westwood Village trick-or-treating, 5-7 pm (new ownership this year and they promise plenty of candy) … White Center trick-or-treating, 5-8 pm (participating merchants – check this FB page) in the heart of the 16th SW business district.
DAYTIME HAUNTED HOUSE: The Kenney (WSB sponsor) invites the community to join Kenney team members and residents in Community Room 2 for chills, thrills and laughter as they are walked/guided through a haunted house. (Remaining) showings are 1 hour each: 2:30 pm and a NEW special 4 pm showing for any children who might want to start their Halloween a little bit early after school. The Kenney will provide “goodie bags” with items other than candy (pencils, stickers, etc). for any child interested in taking one on their way out. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
HALLOWEEN CUISINE: West Seattle Cooking Club meets at Beveridge Place Pub, 2 pm, this week’s theme: Halloween-inspired culinary creations.
TRICK OR TREAT ON ROXBURY: Roxbury Spine and Wellness Clinic welcomes trick-or-treaters during their annual Halloween celebration from 3:30 -6:30 p.m. at 2656 SW Roxbury. Costume contest and more. Details here.
HOWL-O-WEEN PET-COSTUME PHOTOS: 4– 7 pm, Howl-o-Ween Pet Costume Photo Shoot, The Wash Dog, 6400 California SW. Furry Faces Foundation invites area residents to dress up their pets for a very special photo shoot that will help raise awareness of the importance pets play the lives of the elderly, even after they can no longer afford to take care of them. 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. No charge for the session, but either a bag of healthy pet food or a $5 donation to the Furry Faces Foundation is suggested.
SKELETON THEATRE: At 36th/Hanford, the animatronic production Skeleton Theatre is back! Full details on its official website; shows are 6-9 pm, every half-hour, tonight and tomorrow – here’s our preview from last night.
‘NIGHTMARE ON 44TH’: On 44th SW between Charlestown and Andover, more animatronics – David Williams sends word of his 16-minute loop between 6-9 pm, with: “Animatronic skulls singing ‘Grim Grinning Ghosts’ from Disneyland Haunted Mansion; pumpkins with lighting to the song ‘This is Halloween’; a Phantom Bride skull that sings ‘Phantom of the Opera’ during a lightning storm; and a graveyard with hidden animated surprises and lighting synced to music.” This is his third year, and it takes more than 3 months of work to put together!
HALLOWEEN KARAOKE: Costumed Karaoke with Kelli at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm.
(added) ADULT BINGO AT THE BRIDGE: Thanks to Ricki for the tip: Doors open at 7 pm for Halloween XXX Bingo at The Bridge (35th just south of Avalon), costume contest and all.
And from the non-Halloween-related file for today:
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Last chance to register if you’re not already, if you want to get in on next Tuesday’s election (details here).
PROPERTY TAX DEADLINE: Last day to pay without a penalty. Just go here. (Thanks to Forest for the reminder!)
NEW PAVERS AT CHIEF SEALTH: That’s one of the first fundraising pavers to be installed in front of the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium. The photo is courtesy of Friends of Sealth president Debbie Taylor, who explains, “Friends of Sealth is selling these pavers as a perpetual fundraiser to support scholarships for seniors and other activities for the students and alumni of Chief Sealth International High School.” She says they’ve been “endeavoring to get this paver project ‘on the ground’ throughout the Sealth renovation project and are well pleased that our first wave of pavers are ready for public viewing.” Want one (or more) of your own? Order them through the Friends of Sealth website, www.friendsofsealth.org .
SEATTLE LUTHERAN HOLIDAY GREENS SALE (AND GALA REMINDER): November starts tomorrow, which means the holiday season is roaring toward us. Got a reminder this morning that Seattle Lutheran High School is selling holiday greens – you can get the order form here. And the combined SLHS-Hope Lutheran School fundraising gala is now just a week and a half away – here’s our recent preview.
LAFAYETTE WALK-A-THON SUCCESS! The recent Lafayette Elementary PTA “Walk It To Win It” Walk-A-Thon was a “huge success,” reports Amy French (who also shared the photo). 
“Each grade of students had a 45 minute shift to walk and run laps to raise money for the PTA. Staff, teachers, students and parents all put in a great effort with blasting music and crowds cheering them on. A kindergartner ran 21 laps, which is 5 miles, and the most laps ran was 30. This event is special because the students raise the money themselves by getting pledges, and the Walk-A-Thon day is a wonderful demonstration of Lafayette Elementary’s fantastic community of students, parent volunteers and cheerleaders. The donations are still coming in, but we are expecting to reach our goal based on our generous business sponsorships and individual pledges to students. The Lafayette Elementary community would like to thank all the businesses and families who supported this event, as well as all the volunteers who made it happen! A special thank you to West Seattle Runner staff, who spent the entire day handing out water to the kids.”
What you see on Highway 99 north of the West Seattle Bridge is what you get … till the tunnel’s done (projected: end of 2015). The first commute is on, after a week in which WSDOT says it demolished 2,825 feet of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, resulting in 6,000 estimated truckloads of concrete rubble (to be reused in the tunnel project) and steel rebar (to be recycled). We’re watching traffic cams, traffic reports, and other sources and if there are any problems, we’ll note them here; your observations about the new route are welcome too!
Yes, the rollercoaster week of “Viadoom” is in our rear-view mirrors. But things are different tomorrow, in various ways:
VIADUCT/HIGHWAY 99: Both directions were open again by 1 pm Saturday. Our subsequent report includes dash-cam video recorded as we tried the trip in both directions. It’s narrower in spots, and the speed limit is lower, so we’ll be publishing commute updates again in the morning with word on how that’s shaking out.
(Melissa Ann on the West Seattle run last Monday morning, which it’ll also handle today)
WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI: The Rachel Marie, which broke down during the pm rush hour on Friday, is not yet ready to return, so its twin Melissa Ann, which usually handles Vashon, will be on the West Seattle run tomorrow morning (the Spirit of Kingston will fill in for Vashon). Remember that the new winter schedule starts tomorrow, which means commute hours only (here’s the new schedule) – first trip from Seacrest is 6:45. Also, for those who asked, the WT will NOT be running late for the Sounders game on Wednesday, or any other fall/winter sporting event – the staffing doesn’t permit for that, the county says.
METRO: Buses were scheduled to be back on their “Viaduct routing” as of this morning. Metro says it will watch closely to see how the new configuration – including the two-lanes-each-way elevated section – affects their schedule. Their official advisory:
Routes 21 Express, 37 southbound, 54, 54 Express, 55, 56 Express, 113, 120, 121, 122 and 125 have returned to their regular routing using the new viaduct bypass in SODO. The temporary stops at 4 Av S & S Lander Street and 4 Av And Jackson St Island will no longer be served. Expect some delays in service on the bypass due to narrow lanes and lower speed limits and please be aware that bus times may be longer (than) before the viaduct was demolished.
(“Energizer station” last Wednesday; photo courtesy WSDOT)
BICYCLES: Cascade Bicycle Club was planning one more “energizer station” tomorrow morning starting at 6:45 at the west end of the “low bridge” to cheer on riders, particularly those who tried two-wheel commuting for the first time (or returned to it) last week.
(“Spur” the guitarist – photo courtesy Skeleton Theatre)
The all-out animatronic extravaganza Skeleton Theatre is back this Halloween, confirms Maia Low, spouse of creator Chris Walker: “The show is basically the same this year – Bonaparte’s Reunion Concert. There is added video and more effects this year. We’ll be running the show from 6:00-9:00 pm on Monday, Oct. 31 and Tuesday, Nov. 1 on the hour and the half hour.” Bonaparte (get it?) is a legendary, albeit skeletal, rock band. Their video-recorded reminiscences, “Behind the Music” style, are part of the show, on a big screen over the animatronics onstage. You’ll find Skeleton Theatre in the yard (visible from the street) at 36th/Hanford (map). You can see our coverage from last year, including video, by going here. The show’s free, but the crew appreciates online donations to help cover expenses.
The first-ever White Center Pumpkin Carving Contest is in the judging phase till about 8 pm; drop by and pick your fave! Five pumpkins were on display when we dropped by just after 7 – including John Tarrant‘s “Angry Birds” entry, above. You’ll find the pumpkins under a canopy right in front of Mac’s Triangle Pub on the north side of Delridge/16th/Roxbury – and the entries will be on display during White Center business-district trick-or-treating (5-8 pm) tomorrow night, too. (See a few more photos on our partner site White Center Now.)
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports received so far today – one involving purses stolen at a local church, and a request to be on the lookout for them; the other, one household whose cars have been targeted twice in two weeks. Details ahead:Read More
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
From “street disorder” to outdated laws, more than a dozen West Seattle businesspeople shared concerns with Mayor Mike McGinn during the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s most recent “Lunch With LEO” (local elected officials) brown-bag-lunch conversations.
The businesses/organizations represented at the event earlier this month at the Senior Center of West Seattle spanned the peninsula, from Alki Kayak Tours in the north to Reflections Dental Centre (Westwood Village) in the south, from West 5 in The Junction to Huling Brothers Properties in The Triangle to South Seattle Community College on Puget Ridge – and more.
While generally listening sympathetically, at one point, the mayor did challenge an assertion about local police presence.
That giant pumpkin has become what must be one of West Seattle’s biggest jack o’lanterns. When Dawson mentioned his 300- and 400-pound pumpkins here, we couldn’t help asking for photos. He obliged with a sequence of eight – starting with the biggest pumpkin, pre-carving. Read on to see the other photos, including the finished creation!Read More
Congratulations to another winning team! From Travis, who also shared the video:
Folks, your West Seattle community has a winner in its presence!!! Its your 7,8,9 year-old West Seattle Wildcats youth football team! There’s even some 6-year-old development players that have seen some good playing time this year during games!
We’d like to take this time to invite you to the Northwest Junior Football League 89ers championship game hosted at Shoreline Stadium next Saturday, November 5th at 9:00 AM. Come get introduced to the West Seattle Wildcats playing for their championship after a great season of youth football. If you have a child you are interested in getting into the great game of football, or you want a winning team from your community to root for, or you just want to see some high-flying offense and hard hitting defense, come and cheer and experience youth football at its finest!
The 89er Wildcats this year have averaged 32 points of offense per game, with an average margin of victory over 20 points.
Travis’s report continues:Read More
If you missed Saturday’s coverage (with video showing what it’s like to drive the new route, both directions) – yes, The Viaduct is now open, ahead of schedule; that’s the latest live image, above. Metro buses return to their Viaduct routing as of this morning. So if you have to leave the peninsula, you have that option, but why leave? Here’s what’s up:
“DINE AND DRINK FOR PINK”: Part of today’s food/beverage proceeds from 7 participating West Seattle establishments go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, organized by Team Tracy. All day/night. More details on this Facebook event page.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am – 2 pm, The Junction (44th/Alaska). From market management:
Jonboy caramel apples, anyone?! Organic Honeycrisp apples dipped in infamous caramel. Don’t be scared! … We got eggs, raw milk, butter now & local ancient grain flours coming soon! … Thanks to all who gathered for our Pear-Fect event last week – we raised $185 for the WS Food Bank! Cheers! Next week, join us for our “Eat Local for the Holidays” event! Chef demo, tastings, coupons, recipes … hooray!
FALL DAKOTA PLACE WORK PARTY: Grab your gloves, a trowel or a shovel and join a work party at Dakota Place Park. 1-4 pm. Rain or shine. Weeding, pruning, more. For more information, please contact Jennifer at cargalj@comcast.net
HALLOWEEN PORTRAITS AT FAUNTLEROY SCHOOLHOUSE: Help support the schoolhouse’s new mission as a center for community activity, and get a professional photo of your Halloween “look,” with the expertise of Gail Ann Photography! 1-3 pm at the schoolhouse (9131 California SW)
HAUNTED BOAT TOUR The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition‘s annual spooky sailing with your chance to hear local Native American supernatural legends, spooky settler stories from Georgetown and South Park, and learn about the terrifying toxic chemicals in the Duwamish River. The tour happens rain or shine. Guests must RSVP through Brown Paper Tickets ($25 donation). Leaves Harbor Island Marina, 1 pm today.
CONCERNED ABOUT HEALTH CARE? 34th District Health Action Team of Health Care For All -WA is having a meeting today at 2:15 PM, at Southwest Library (35th/Henderson) meeting room. From organizers: “Everyone is invited who is concerned about health care in this country. On Sunday, we plan is to read, view and discuss HB 1096 and SB 5601. The possibility for Universal Health Care for Washington citizens is alive.”
TRICK OR CAN: “Trick or Can,” 3-5 pm. HPFC Eagles soccer-team members plan to go door to door in some West Seattle (and vicinity) neighborhoods collecting food-drive donations – so have a can or two ready just in case! (Here’s our previously published preview with more details.)
MUSIC NORTHWEST: Music Northwest Concert Series 2011 – “Ein Feste Burg:
Music for Reformation,” 3 pm. At First Lutheran Church of West Seattle (4105 California SW). Seattle Pro Musica directed by Karen Thomas. See website for tickets and more information.
WAR OF THE WORLDS: Twelfth Night Productions‘ production of “War of the Worlds, A Live Radio Play.” 4 pm today at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), tickets available online at Brown Paper Tickets (brownpapertickets.com/event/199850), or at the door.
WINTERNACHT: 6 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. It’s The Cabiri’s fifth-annual Ghost Game production, second-to-last performance. Dessert included. Purchase your ticket at brownpapertickets.com/event/188904.
WHITE CENTER PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST: First ever! Bring your carved pumpkin to Triangle Park at 16th and Roxbury between 6 and 7 pm; judging starts at 7. More info here.
EVIL DEAD, THE MUSICAL: 7:30 pm at ArtsWest in The Junction, the musical based on the cult-favorite movies. (More info, including ticket-purchase link, here.)
FOOD TRUCK NOTE: Snout and Co. food truck NOT here at 35th/Graham (expected back next weekend).
The family of longtime West Seattle residents Harvey and Helen Spicer asked us to share news of their memorial service, next Saturday at 2 pm, Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 6701 30th SW, for those who knew the couple and want to attend. Daughter-in-law Marci, who sent the information, also provided the photo. The Spicers were found inside their home a week and a half ago; she was 80 and he was 79.
Two reports for West Seattle Crime Watch – a vandalized van used by a coach for special-needs kids, and a hit-run victim looking for witnesses – read on:Read More
Last weekend, canopies were up in the Fauntleroy Church parking lot for the Fauntleroy Fall Festival. Saturday, a very different kind of event – one of the periodic Emergency Communication Hubs drills, as part of West Seattle Be Prepared‘s ongoing readiness efforts. Appropriately enough, given the leaves covering the ground, the scenario (detailed here) this time around was a windstorm – folded within the context of a major onslaught of winter weather that started with freezing temperatures. “Hubs” are volunteer-run stations at preplanned locations that would coordinate communication in the event regular channels and methods are thrown into chaos by disaster – here’s the current map (from a preview on the WS Be Prepared blog-format website):
The hubs scheduled to participate in the Saturday drill – part of a larger citywide practice, since other neighborhoods now have “hubs” too – included Alki and North Delridge as well as Fauntleroy, which was led by Gordon Wiehler, sporting an official “hub cap”:
In addition to citizen volunteers who were role-playing in the disaster scenario, future volunteers were on hand too, like Katie (with Cooper):
Volunteers is the one thing WSBP can always use more of. Sometimes that includes people to be the official hub point person – just this week, while covering the Highland Park Action Committee‘s monthly meeting, we heard that neighborhood needs hub leadership help. Contact WSBP through the info here if you want to help in your neighborhood – even if it doesn’t have its own hub yet. P.S. One more preparedness note – Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare (SNAP) offers a free class at Southwest Library this Thursday night, as noted by WSBP.
(Kenaia, right, at Metro championships earlier this month, where she finished 8th)
(Photo by Desiree Gross)
From Chief Sealth International High School cross-country coach Jason Glover:
For the first time since Gretchen Benson in 1989, a Sealth runner will be heading to the state cross-country meet in Pasco this coming weekend. Sophomore Kenaia Neumann earned her way by placing 16th in the Metro-Kingco district meet at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah last Thursday. She ran a school record 19:43 for 5k (3.1 miles, for the metrically challenged). The only other time Sealth women have run at state was as a team in 1975. They won the championship that year, making them the only school in state history with a 100% winning record at the state meet.
The championships are next Saturday.
Thanks to Jeff for sending the photo after spotting the OPEN sign at Mawadda Café in the Admiral District. We had gone by just yesterday and noted work still under way – but tonight it’s open, confirms WSB contributor Keri DeTore, who reported our original July story about the popular Mediterranean restaurant adding a West Seattle location. Mawadda is open 7 days a week, 11 am to 10 pm, so there’s still time to get there tonight if you see this soon after we publish it! It’s at 2352 California SW (formerly Museum Quality Framing, between The Cask and Wells Fargo).
This event wasn’t on our calendar – too bad; we suspect they could have charged admission! Karen White shared the photo from the annual “Pumpkin Seed Roast-Off” this afternoon in her neighborhood near The Junction. We sent a followup question and got a reply from Karen’s daughter Kerry, reporting the results:
She won 1st place with candied jalapeño pumpkin seeds. Paul won 2nd with pumpkin spiced dark chocolate sea salt seeds and Reese won 3rd place.
The White’s are the undefeated champs. My Dad and I are both previous winners.
Oh, and Brady got the “special” award for his burnt seeds. We had 22 entries this year!
So if you’re making a jack-o-lantern, think twice before you just toss the seeds!
Thanks to Jamie Kinney for sharing photos of tonight’s breathtaking sunset – from before, and after.
Forecast says rain tomorrow … but maybe we’ll get lucky again.
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