West Seattle, Washington
25 Friday
First El Rey del Taco (north of Home Depot for 2 1/2 years now), then Taqueria Contreras (by Super 24 for 2 months now), now, meet Beloved Mexico, the latest taco truck to park itself in West Seattle. As you might guess from the surroundings in the photo, it’s in the West Seattle Produce lot along Fauntleroy Way south of SW Alaska. Though it’s painted with a Web address, we checked and the site’s not up yet; Janine – who sent us a tip about the truck, as did Kathleen (thanks!) – says the truck operators told her they’ll be there daily from “about 10:30 am to 8 pm.”
Two years after the stalled buses of Snowpocalypse (right) – one year after a virtually problem-free mild winter – Metro is taking steps today to make sure it’s ready, and its riders are ready, in case this winter turns out to be more like 2008-2009 than 2009-2010. Metro boss Kevin Desmond is briefing the King County Council this morning at 9:30 am; you can watch live on cable channel 22 or kingcounty.gov/council. And Metro’s just sent out a news release with reminders about the route-specific e-mail/text alerts you can sign up for now in case something goes awry with your bus (or the Water Taxi!), whether it’s snow, rain, bridges, or any other trouble. See it here (links included). We’ll have more on the Metro briefing later. (P.S. Our preview on the plan that never had to kick in last year was in this November 2009 story.) 9:43 AM UPDATE: The briefing has just begun. 10:46 AM UPDATE: The briefing’s over. No big surprises but we are working on a separate summary – we’ve also asked for the graphics from the presentation, so that we can share that info if you missed the briefing.
ADDED 4 PM: The summary’s been sidetracked but here, courtesy of Linda Thielke at the KC Department of Transportation, is the PowerPoint presentation given today – including an example of how the Metro website will look when they kick into severe weather mode. Interesting points included the county’s “memorandum of understanding” with the city of Seattle and its commitment to helping plow key in-city bus routes, particularly, they say, SODO.
As school resumes this morning after Halloween weekend, one local class has not only the weekend activities to discuss, but also the excitement that concluded the week: Dano Beal‘s 2nd-grade class from Lafayette Elementary found out the truth about spiders. Above, they’re at Camp Long on Friday, getting briefed by naturalist Stewart Wechsler before going out on a spider hunt. But first, back at school on Thursday, they showed off their own spiders, built primarily from edible material such as vegetables:
One of the requirements: The creations had to represent real spiders. This one nested in a box:
Many of the students were quite excited to show off their spiders’ attributes – some took great pride in insisting theirs were particularly deadly (this was before the Camp Long myth-debunking session). For example, this piece of paper demonstrated the relative distance a spider can jump :
The Thursday classroom event was billed as a “Creepy, Crawly Tea,” including this spooky brew:
Mr. Beal explained that spiders are a subject that not only gets students’ attention, but is also a topic they can really dive into.
Tomorrow (Monday) morning, the King County Water Taxi‘s West Seattle-Downtown run starts its new schedule: morning and evening commutes only, Mondays-Fridays. Here’s the full schedule. And note that until the Rachel Marie is back in service (still undergoing repairs from last month’s crash), the Sightseer is handling the run, which means to and from Pier 55.
One year after the murder of Seattle Police Officer Tim Brenton – a West Seattle High School graduate – at 29th and Yesler in Leschi, hundreds of people gathered this afternoon to turn the site into a tribute to a hero, as a community-created memorial was dedicated. Officer Brenton’s widow Lisa was there with their children, including son Quinn:
The occasion was personal, not just for the family but for the Leschi neighbors who came together to make the memorial reality – and yet also formal:
Among the SPD leadership on hand, Seattle Police Chief John Diaz remembered Officer Brenton as the kind of hero we need more of:
West Seattle was represented at the dedication:
From left, Southwest Precinct Advisory Council chair Pete Spalding, SW Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen, and his predecessor, now-West Precinct commander Capt. Joe Kessler. We also saw teams from the SPD Mounted Unit, which is based in Highland Park (and facing an uncertain future because of proposed budget cuts):
Also covering this afternoon’s event, our partners at the Seattle Times – you can see their report here, and fellow neighborhood-news site Central District News (see their story and photos here).
SIDE NOTE: Not specifically related to this project, but in a similar spirit – the Behind the Badge Foundation, an organization set up to help families of law enforcers killed in the line of duty, has a fundraising event this Thursday night, Dine Out to Remember Our Fallen. A percentage of proceeds from participating venues will go to BBF. Among them, according to the event’s Facebook page, are Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), Salty’s on Alki, Elliott Bay Brewery, Puerto Vallarta, Christo’s on Alki, Pegasus Pizza, Talarico’s, and Brickyard BBQ, plus there’s a special benefit concert that nights at Bamboo Bar and Grill. The list of participants also includes Liberty Bell Printing in The Junction as a sponsor.
Till 9 pm, it’s Skeleton Theatre 2010 – “The Death of Rock” – West Seattle’s own animatronic Halloween extravaganza, at 36th/Hanford (map). Thanks to the WSB’er who just texted that photo … we’re heading over shortly to check it out and hope to add video here later.
ADDED 11:59 PM: Two clips – first, a bit of the “Beyond the Music” story of the band Bonaparte, shown on a big screen above the stage, punctuating the songs:
And a bit of Bonaparte’s quite-original, quite-appropriate musical artistry:
Even in a bit of mid-evening drizzle, an appreciative crowd filled the lawn:
Side note – if you walk up 37th along the block south of Hanford, you might see this lovely lass who looks like she should be hanging out with the band:
P.S. If you missed it tonight, Skeleton Theatre is scheduled to run continuously 6-9 pm again tomorrow (Monday) too. This is the fifth year Chris Walker and friends have put on an animatronic tour-de-force … explore the official website for the background (and to find a button to chip in a few bucks if you enjoyed the show!).
Since pumpkins are part of the photo, we’re kicking off this final roundup of West Seattle pumpkins with this photo, and “news alert!” explanation, from Chris Henggeler:
Admiral family awakes to enormous spider in house. Local scientists believe the spider originally hitched a ride in a container from southeast Asia and disembarked at the Port of Seattle. It’s thought that the insect was exposed to toxic waste at the Aluminum Plant and has now taken up residence at the corner of 39th and Lander. The family is trapped in the house waiting for emergency services and animal control to arrive.
Will they escape? Only time will tell. In the meantime, more West Seattleites’ pumpkins for all to enjoy, trapped or not. First, from Kate, Pat, and Neil:
Next, a brainy pumpkin from Carl:
From SeaChanty51:
Adam carved this howling-wolf pumpkin:
Vanessa shares this, explaining that’s Elmo on the right:
Dan and Heidi shared their pumpkin group:
Finally, this pumpkin pic’s from EE:
One more round of BIG THANKS to all the pumpkin-photo-sharing WSB’ers – scroll through our Holidays archive to see the others shared over the past week-plus. ADDED 11:34 PM: To bookend this with spiders – one more, from Todd, who says it’s at 38th/Lander in the Admiral District:
Till 7 pm, you can join this year’s final round of business-area trick-or-treating fun at Westwood Village. We wandered over during the first hour for a look at both the littlest trick-or-treaters …
… and the most-macabre treat-hander-out’ers (this next scene was from Fresh Vitamins):
Look who wound up in Westwood, perhaps taking a wrong turn on his way back to Springfield:
Also welcoming trick-or-treaters this afternoon were White Center businesses; photos are up on partner site White Center Now.
We’ve covered discussion of this concern at recent Highland Park Action Committee meetings – and now HPAC is circulating an online petition. Received from HPAC chair Dan Mullins, with this explanatory text:
Please help keep our West Seattle neighborhoods safe
Stop dangerously low-flying aircraft.The residents of south West Seattle are very concerned about neighborhood safety and insist that the FAA require pilots using King County Airport (Boeing Field) to follow the federal regulations with regard to required minimum altitude.
Please join us in demanding that King County Airport work with the pilots and the FAA to ensure that planes are operated in accordance with all current federal safety regulations.
Please click on the link below and sign our on-line petition and then forward this letter to your members and neighbors.
Here’s the petition link; if you click through to the site, you’ll also see more details of what the neighborhood is saying about low-flying aircraft. (We’re also checking with HPAC regarding what’s the next step – after this petition, what they hope to do next.)
Miscellaneous notes this Halloween afternoon:
TRICK-OR-TREAT AT THE PRECINCT: Didn’t have this on the WSB West Seattle Halloween list till SPD Blotter published the news this morning. Kids in costume are invited to trick-or-treat at the Southwest Precinct – and other Seattle Police precincts – 5-8:30 pm tonight. (Delridge/Webster; here’s a map.)
ADMIRAL TREATS OR TREASURES WINNER: Part of the Friday afternoon Admiral trick-or-treating event involved a drawing at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor):
That’s one of the winners, Lafayette Elementary fifth grader Aidan Ewing. The basket he won included a skateboard from Alki Bike and Board; all prizes in the baskets were donated by Admiral merchants.
SPOOKY SIGHTING AT WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Dina Lydia Johnson shares this photo:
The purple carrots, including the entwined pair, were spotted at today’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market, which also hosted a round of pumpkin decorating.
‘FACE YOUR FEARS’ INVITATION: The people currently running the “Nickelsville” homeless camp that might get a permanent site (as reported last week) are having a Halloween open house they’re calling “Face Your Fears,” inviting people concerned about the possibility the camp might move to one of seven spots (two in West Seattle). Till 6 pm, they’re welcoming visitors at their current site, University Congregational United Church of Christ, 16th NE/NE 45th (map).
ADDED 6:03 PM – HALLOWEEN AT TIBBETTS UMC: Earlier this week, we published Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) organist John Van Lierop, Jr.’s preview of the church’s All Hallows Eve plans. Today, Wendy Hughes-Jelen shares a photo and reports how it went:
Pictured here is the leadership team at Tibbetts United Methodist Church this morning: Black butterfly Elizabeth Nye (Praise Team Director), creepy organist John Van Lierop Jr. (Music Director) and Head Pirate Rev. Dr. Joanne Carlson Brown. Much of the congregation came in costume, and the handbell choir also played a “spooky” piece, also in costume. You can enjoy their photos and videos at www.facebook.com/TibbettsUMChurch
Another example of WSB community collaboration: First, we got a note asking “what’s that white ship off Lowman Beach?” – a question we could only partially answer ourselves, replying with the ship’s ID via MarineTraffic.com (but no info on what it’s up to). Shortly afterward, without us even having noted the question publicly, Trileigh e-mailed to share the photo above and this information on what the ship’s doing:
I thought your readers might be interested in seeing the R/V Thompson, UW Oceanography’s research vessel, visible from West Seattle this morning. This is the first day of a four-day deployment as part of the ongoing PRISM project: Puget Sound Regional Synthesis Model. Readers can find out more about PRISM at www.prism.washington.edu/story/Observing+the+Sound. Pretty impressive!
Thanks, Trileigh!
Exactly one year ago, a Seattle Police Officer with West Seattle roots was murdered in the Leschi area. Today, a memorial to West Seattle High School graduate Officer Timothy Brenton will be dedicated in the same area – a community-created memorial. The dedication is at 3 pm; here’s more information from SPD Blotter.
The actual day/night is finally here – and despite all the activities of the past few days, there are still more on the schedule. For one – Skeleton Theatre, the animatronic extravaganza at 36th and Hanford, is scheduled to run 6-9 pm tonight (here’s our preview). And in addition to neighborhood trick-or-treating, two shopping areas welcome trick-or-treaters today – Westwood Village 4-7 pm and White Center 3-5 pm. More on the WSB West Seattle Halloween list. And from the regular WSB West Seattle Events calendar, pumpkin carving is a special feature of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market today, 10 am-2 pm, and the Halloween Ski Swap continues at the VFW Hall (3601 SW Alaska) 10 am-4 pm. Have fun and be safe!
Yet more West Seattle pumpkins on parade! Those two are courtesy of Steve M – he carved the Jawa, while Elizabeth carved Hello Kitty. Next one is the creation of 8-year-old Josh:
Dana shares this one, crediting it to her “very talented husband Dan”:
Still more pumpkins to come!
When Andrea Mercado hung out with the “paranormal investigators” who visited the Log House Museum a few weeks ago (WSB coverage here), she said, they seemed to detect some kind of presence. At the Southwest Seattle Historical Society Halloween brunch today at Salty’s on Alki, she showed up as the presence they said they’d detected – “a spirit who had died in a farming accident.” This is her final weekend running the museum, as announced recently. Meantime, another uniquely “spirited” event today – the Duwamish River tour billed as “scary” – Sharron Meeks shared photos including the leafless South Park Bridge from the water:
Spooky stories, as promised by the announcement of the tour, were provided by guides like the Snohomish Tribe’s Mike Evans:
Some hot Halloween happenings are under way right now, like “Come As You Aren’t” at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor) and Hive Mind Halloween at nearby Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (remember, the Pai’s food truck outside is open to anyone, hive-minding or not, till 2 am).
Final score from Memorial Stadium downtown: Eastside Catholic 47, West Seattle High School 13.
ADDED 9:44 PM: More from the game, including video:Read More
One month ago, we shared the news that we – and you – were in the final running for a national Online Journalism Award. Tonight, your editor here is at the awards banquet in Washington, D.C., the final event in the Online News Association‘s annual conference – and we won! We’ve just had the thrill of accepting that award on behalf of not just the WSB team but all of West Seattle. (Tough competition – the other three finalists were projects by CNN, CBC, and the LA Times.) Too dark in here to add a photo of the trophy yet but we will later. Trophy at right. Most importantly, THANK YOU for your collaboration in sharing West Seattle news, information, and discussion 24/7 … collaboration that has drawn national attention and now, formal recognition of its extraordinary nature. We are honored to be working with you and for you, 24/7.
9:18 PM: The archived video of the awards banquet is online now – if you’re interested in the WSB announcement and acceptance, it’s about 22:30 in.
3 West Seattle Crime Watch reports tonight – a car break-in with loot including a child’s prized skateboard, a custom model you would know if you saw; a home break-in with loot including a distinctive cutting board and a wedding video; and a case of gas siphoning. Read on:Read More
Till 6 pm tonight, it’s the first day of the first annual West Seattle Halloween Ski Swap is under way at the VFW Hall (3601 SW Alaska), benefiting the West Seattle Snow Sports Council. Haunted house, too! Mastermind – Mountain to Sound Outfitters proprietor Greg Whittaker, here in Viking garb, with wife Kara Whittaker and their son:
The ski swap continues tomorrow, 10 am-4 pm, if you don’t get there today.
Never mind the rain, the Halloween show must go on. And so it is, at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) where photo sessions are under way, as a fundraiser for WestSide Baby and the West Seattle Food Bank – Hotwire proprietor Lora just sent that photo. Good place to take shelter, as you can see from this angle:
And come admire the merchants’ Halloween spirit – like the team from Forsythe Studio:
Junction trick-or-treating continues till 3 pm – more photos to come. ADDED 4:18 PM: As promised!
Umbrellas were suddenly the perfect accessory for trick-or-treating!
An angelic sighting at Terjung’s:
As always, costume creativity, and cuteness, abounded:
Two more area business-district trick-or-treat events are yet to come – both tomorrow – White Center 3-5 pm, Westwood Village 4-7 pm.
Fairmount Playground‘s upgrades are done and it’s open for the serious business of having fun. “Granny Annie Lenssen” shares this photo of someone who already gave it a test run:
Just wanted to send you this photo of my grandson, the official First One To enjoy the newly updated park with the ferry, swings, climbing net, and more. You can tell from his expression that he’s loving it! And this is in pouring rain! The workers had just removed the fence and said he was the first one to visit!
That’s the Pai’s food truck (Thai/Hawaiian, they tell us) – which you can check out tonight at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm-2 am, even if you are not going to the event that’s drawn it there, Hive Mind Halloween. Another big event on the Halloween schedule today: Trick or Treat at The Junction, 1-3 pm – with lots of special events at various Junction venues, including photos at Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) and Senior Center of West Seattle. Plus, Donna Ryan Photography is again offering their space on SW Alaska (next to Cupcake Royale) for parents of small children:
I will be opening my studio space to parents for feeding and changing on Saturday (trick or treat) from 12-4pm. There will also be Halloween craft activities for toddlers. In short, a rest place and break from the chaos.
Outside The Junction, events include the West Seattle Thriftway Halloween party and Growing Gardeners Appreciation Day at West Seattle Nursery. Plus a fundraiser for Family Promise of Seattle is part of this event at Chief Sealth International High School:
The Associated Student Body (ASB) of Chief Sealth International High School is a hosting a youth Halloween Carnival from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. This event will feature a large bounce house sponsored by the Chief Sealth PTSA and a variety of games run by students with plenty of candy and prizes! Every kid will leave a winner! There is no entry fee although donations are gladly accepted at the door with all proceeds benefitting the Class of 2011 Grad Night activities. In addition, ASB is supporting a local organization, Family Promise of Seattle, and all money that is raised from kid’s face painting will go directly to them. Family Promise of Seattle helps newly homeless children and their families by getting them off the streets and into a stable, supportive environment that moves them toward self-sufficiency. The Halloween Carnival welcomes all children ages 5-12 years and their families to the Chief Sealth International High School Galleria (2600 SW Thistle). Make sure you come in costume and leave the face painting to us!
On the grownup side – WSB sponsor Skylark Café and Club‘s annual “Come as You Aren’t” bash is tonight:
The premise – bands pretending to be someone else, visually and musically. 3803 Delridge Way SW, be there.
Again, the Halloween stuff is all on the WSB West Seattle Halloween list – have a great day/night!
One more reminder – the 1st Avenue South Bridge, northbound only, is scheduled to be closed today, 7 am-3 pm. Here’s the original announcement. We’ll publish an update if we get word of an earlier reopening.
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