West Seattle, Washington
02 Wednesday
(WSB photos, video unless otherwise credited)
10:58 AM: Halloween in The Junction is on! The costume parade, led by the West Seattle High School Marching Band, will soon leave Junction Plaza Park and head around the Farmers’ Market, then around the extra block that’s closed for today’s celebration, California between Alaska and Edmunds. Trick-or-treating is getting under way – find candy outside participating businesses as well as at booths south of Alaska. The Seattle Thrillers are set to perform at noon, and there’s a surprise performer – The Bubbleman is here.
We’re helping hand out candy (while it lasts!) near Walk-All-Ways. See you here!
11:20 AM: The parade is over (added: video) …
(Photo by Holli Margell)
… and the trick-or-treating has ramped up.
11:50 AM: Huge turnout. Hundreds of pieces of candy already distributed. (We’ve gone to the store in search of more.) In the booths here on California south of Alaska, you’ll find local schools and organizations with treats and activities, like Westside School (WSB sponsor):
And Tilden School (WSB sponsor):
Coming up: Thrlllers perform here at Walk-All-Ways at noon.
12:19 PM: Many creative costumes!
Everything stopped dead in its tracks, of course, when the Seattle Thrillers started their show:
They’re also doing a slow-speed audience-participation version:
The Bubbleman – who’s emerged from retirement – remains here close to our booth, with low-key bubbly fun:
The party’s on until 2 pm. (And yes, we found more candy.)
12:45 PM: The pace has slowed. More time to appreciate the costumes!
If we were judging, we’d have to say this multi-holiday family wins:
And we have to go out on another candy run!
1:31 PM: New phenomenon this year – non-costumed adult trick-or-treaters. (Hey, the free candy’s for everyone!) Meantime, we should note that it’s not just those of us who have been hanging out in the street who are handing out treats – your Junction businesses are at the heart of this, long before it turned into a block pqrty – this is presented by the West Seattle Junction Association! It’s an especially big day for kid-oriented businesses, like Curious Kidstuff:
And 3 Little Birds:
And a visiting-for-the-day business, from south of The Junction – West Seattle Nursery:
Thanks to everyone who’s stopped to say hi, too!
2 PM: Party’s over, as somebody just said. We’ll be adding video and more photos later.
7:19 PM: Still in the process of doing that. Meantime, regarding the comment discussion about leaving Alaska open to cross-traffic this year, Marco says he emailed WSJA and executive director Chris Mackay has replied that they’ll definitely return to doing that next year.
Anybody rocking a troll costume for Halloween? In today’s featured photo, Lincoln Park’s troll Bruun Idun gets a visit from the Northup family’s bearded dragon Athena. Thanks to Ashley for sending the photo! … Meantime, this is another two-part list day, starting with events from the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide, topped by the big celebration in The Junction:
HALLOWEEN IN THE JUNCTION, An extra block of California SW, between Alaska and Edmunds, will be closed to motor-vehicle traffic for Halloween in The Junction. The trick-or-treating event starts with the West Seattle High School Band-led costume parade at 11 am, and continues until 2 pm – look for participating merchants all around The Junction, as well as treat and activity booths on California between Alaska and Edmunds.
Here are the other Hallo-weekend events:
FRISBEE: West Seattle Ultimate Frisbee Family‘s sixth annual Halloween Game, 10 am. Bring treats to share! Prize for best costume. Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle).
HALLOWEEN PADDLING: Witches and Wizards Paddle, 11 am from north beach at Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW) – bring your own board – details in our calendar listing.
FALL FEST: West Side Presbyterian Church Fall Fest, 4-6 pm, activities and chili. Costumes welcome. (3601 California SW)
NORTH DELRIDGE TRICK-OR-TREATING: Combat Arts Academy (5050 Delridge Way SW) invites families to a trick-or-treat event, 4-6 pm. RSVP requested – info is in our calendar listing.
SPOOKY SHOW: Nightfall Orphanage, spooky experience at 4544 51st Place SW, 7-10 pm each night (extended hours Halloween). No admission charge, but charity donations requested – food or funds.
And from the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, the rest of what’s happening today/tonight:
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Now they’re running on Sunday mornings too – meet at 9 am at Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon).
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Community art still on display at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), open 10 am-6 pm.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is open as usual between SW Alaska and SW Oregon on California, offering fall fruit and vegetables as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from cider to kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list. The market will be in its usual location on California north of Oregon, with the Halloween celebration centered in the block south.
PEGASUS POP-UP: Last day. Pegasus Book Exchange is celebrating its “40th-ish” anniversary with a pop-up at California/Oregon – book and merch sales 11 am-6 pm.
‘BALANCE DUE’: All are welcome as Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill) starts a three-part series on “Balance Due: The Price the Duwamish Paid for Seattle’s Development,” 12:30 pm. More info here.
FREE ART WORKSHOP: Drop-in workshop in printmaking and watercolor with artist Eileen Jimenez at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), all ages, no registration required, 1-3 pm (but you can stop by for just part of the time).
FISHING: 2 pm at Emerald Water Anglers (4502 42nd SW; WSB sponsor), “Tim Arsenault of Bridge Fishing products will be joining us in the shop for the release of his much-anticipated Torrent Spey Head. Tim will be talking about his philosophy on line design and spey casting.”
BOOK/FILM CLUB: 3 pm, monthly gathering of the West Seattle Classic Novels (and Movies) Book Club at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor): “Discussion of two novellas by Henry James: ‘The Turn of the Screw’ (1898; 138 pages) and ‘The Aspern Papers’ (1888; 106 pages).” All welcome.
LIVE MUSIC: Also at C & P, five-woman band Moon Candy performs, 3-5 pm,
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
Something for our calendar – one-time or recurring? Or for our upcoming West Seattle Holiday Guide? Email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Hallo-weekend began with almost 300 mostly costumed people running 5K through Lincoln Park for the West Seattle Monster Dash. Cheering them on – the mascot monster:
Reasons to cheer included not only the costumes but also the cause: The Monster Dash is a fundraiser for South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools, which serve hundreds of local families at five West Seattle/White Center locations. But it’s also just plain fun.
Here are the results. The 5K was followed by two short fun runs just for kids.
Thanks again for all the great Halloween-display photos, videos, and tips! More to show you tonight:
That’s the Patch family’s “haunted yard” at 5206 23rd SW – nightly “through Halloween from dusk till 9:30. Come see the show and walk the graveyard. Full bars on Halloween night.” They sent video too:
In Gatewood, Yma says, “Come say hi to our ‘pets’ out front! Portland St off California, mid block. Across the street from Berg’s Pumpkin Patch“:
And Joseph sent the next photo with the warning, “Quick heads up. Alert! The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man was spotted. Corner of Manning and 53rd. Be Advised”:
They’re hoping to welcome lots of trick-or-treaters on Halloween night. (Scroll through our Halloween coverage archive for all the displays we’ve shown this season!)
Meantime, check our Halloween Guide for what’s happening through the big night – including Halloween in The Junction tomorrow, starting with the 11 am costume parade led by the West Seattle High School Marching Band, followed by trick-or-treating at businesses and booths, until 2 pm. See you there!
Before tonight’s full moonrise, this morning brought a beautiful almost-full moonset. Thanks to Chris Frankovich for the photo above and James Bratsanos for the photo below. No weather alerts tonight, but morning lows are still expected to drop into the 30s until clouds and rain return, currently forecast for Tuesday/Wednesday.
Tomorrow’s moonset is 8:59 am, so it’ll be a little too light for views like those.
ADDED: Tonight’s full moon, photographed by Jerry Simmons:
4:39 PM: This might be the most unusual trick-or-treating experience in West Seattle this Halloween season … Trail or Treat at Camp Long. Until 8 pm, you’re invited to the park at 5200 35th SW to visit some of the park’s cabins for trick-or-treating in partnership with local businesses/organizations that have “adopted” cabins for the occasion. Nature activities are happening too. Get a map outside the lodge, follow the lighted paths! You can roast marshmallows over a campfire at one shelter to make s’mores:
5:54 PM: More photos! The Washington Native Plant Society offers mask-making at one cabin:
Girl Scouts are greeting trick-or-treaters at another:
Nature activities include the opportunity to learn about owls and spiders:
Camp Long told us earlier this month that this is the first time they’ve had Trail or Treat since 2005!
Those are the biggest “treats” at Trick or Trees, happening until 4 pm outside Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) – free trees, thanks to DIRT Corps and the Duwamish Valley Youth Corps! All sizes, various types – even small ones you can grow in a container. You can also groove to the sounds spun by DJ Dr. Lehl:
If you haven’t had lunch yet, you have fresh-grilled options (and a big covered seating area to enjoy themO:
The folks from Highland Park’s community organizations HPAC and HPIC are there too, as co-sponsors – you can get an update on the HPIC (Highland Park Improvement Club) rebuilding plan:
At 3 pm, there’s a pet-costume contest, with prizes from Highland Park’s own Addy’s Pet Shop. Note that one block of SW Kenyon, between Highland Park Way and 10th SW, is blocked off for the party. If you want a free tree, get over there soon – there was still a good selection during our visit about half an hour ago, but it’s first-come first-served.
The next round of West Seattle business-district trick-or-treating is on! Until 2 pm, at least half a dozen businesses at Alki Beach (see the map here) are welcoming trick-or-treaters, along Alki Avenue between 57th and 63rd. Trick-or-treating with a view!
Lots of families here to enjoy it.
(WSB photo)
Sitting outside the Southwest Precinct, ready to collect your donations for the West Seattle Food Bank – and/or unwanted/expired prescription drugs for safe disposal – are, from left, SPD Officer Matthew Roberson, SPD Crime Prevention Coordinator Sarah Lawson, and Yuri Bolivar and Donna Kelly with Drug-Free Youth. Drug Take-Back Day happens twice a year, but adding a donation drive for food and warm clothing, to benefit WSFB and its Clothesline clothing bank, is new. They’ll be there until 2 pm, at 2300 SW Webster (the public lot entrance is just east of The Home Depot’s south entrance). The wish list of requested donations is here.
10:56 AM: Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route is running with only one boat right now because M/V Kittitas is out of service with a “radar issue.” Getting a replacement is likely complicated by the fact the Seattle-Bremerton run’s lone boat is also out of service with mechanical trouble. More info on the WSF bulletins page.
1:42 PM: As commenter Erik points out, Kittitas has been repaired and is back in service.
(“Spooky insect” photographed recently by Steve Bender in his West Seattle garden)
Our daily list is in two parts again today – first, from the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide, seasonal special events today/tonight:
MONSTER DASH: Halloween fun on the run! West Seattle Monster Dash costumed run/kids’ dash – fundraising for West Seattle Cooperative Preschools – 9:30 am at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW).
GLASS PUMPKINS: Last day! Art-glass pumpkin patch @ Avalon Glassworks (2914 SW Avalon Way), noon-4 pm.
UNDERWATER PUMPKIN CARVING: The Sea Horse Dive Club jumps into the Sound at Alki Beach at 10 am to carve pumpkins for 11:30 am judging.
TAILS TO ASTONISH SPOOKTACULAR: Tails to Astonish welcomes costumed visitors – free candy and comics – to their third annual Halloween Spooktacular, 11:30 am-7 pm. (4850 California SW)
TRICK OR TREES: Noon-4 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), free trees, treats for kids, pet costume contest (3 pm), food/beverages for purchase, more fun.
TRICK-OR-TREAT AT ALKI BUSINESSES: Businesses along Alki Avenue SW between 57th SW and 63rd SW welcome trick-or-treaters, noon-2 pm. Also a special dance performance at Statue of Liberty Plaza, 1 pm.
CHURCH PARTY: Trinity Church welcomes all to its costumed Halloween Party with Pumpkin Carving, Carnival Games, Snacks, Drinks, and Music. 1-4 pm. (7551 35th SW)
WITCHES’ TEA PARTY: Witches’ Tea Party at My NecessiTea (3237 California SW), 1-3 pm. Tickets required.
WHITE CENTER TRUNK-OR-TREAT: All are welcome at Trunk or Treat at White Center Eagles (10452 15th SW), 1-2:30 pm.
OUNCES TRICK-OR-TREATING: 2-6 pm, Beer Garden Trick-or-Treating at Ounces, bring your costumed kids for trick-or-treating and activities. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
TRICK-OR-TREAT AT WHITE CENTER BUSINESSES: WC Trick-or-Treat Fest, various locations around downtown WC, 2-6 pm.
WHITE CENTER CARNIVAL: Teen-presented Halloween Carnival at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd), 2-5 pm.
OLG CARNIVAL + OKTOBERFEST: 3-6 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe (35th/Myrtle), Halloween Carnival plus Oktoberfest tent for the adults. More details here.
TRAIL-OR-TREAT AT CAMP LONG: 4-8 pm, Trail or Treat will find trick-or-treaters following lighted pathways to some of the park’s cabins for treats offered by local organizations/businesses, plus nature-themed activities. Details in our preview! (5200 35th SW)
BAR CRAWL: Admiral Halloween Weekend continues with the Heroes and Villains Bar Crawl, starting at 4 pm – list of venues/times here.
SKATING AND POETRY, WITH COSTUMES: Free skating is part of this event – also including poetry, and costumes – at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), 4:30-8 pm.
WEREWOLF, WITH COMEDIANS: Play and “laugh until you die” at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), 7 pm. Get your ticket(s) here.
SPOOKY SHOW: Nightfall Orphanage, spooky experience at 4544 51st Place SW, 7-10 pm. No admission charge, but charity donations requested – food or funds.
SPOOKY STORIES: Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound Halloween Spooktacular at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), 7:30 pm – details and reservation link in our calendar listing.
AT THE SKYLARK: Come As You Aren’t annual bands-performing-as-other-bands event at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 7:30 pm. $20.
HALLOWEEN DRAG: 9 pm at Admiral Pub (2305 California SW), with costume contest.
(Friday photo by James Bratsanos)
Now the non-Halloween events, from the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE GROUP RUN: Get your weekend going with this weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) group run, All levels welcome. Meet at the shop by 8 am.
DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY & FOOD DRIVE: 10 am-2 pm, something extra added to the twice-yearly Drug Take-Back Day dropoffs at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster) – a food/clothing drive. The requested donation list is in our calendar listing.
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: You can admire the community art on display at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), open 10 am-6 pm.
SOUTH DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET FINALE: Last scheduled day of the season for the weekly farmers’ market on the grounds of Hope Academy (9421 18th SW), 10 am-2 pm – prioritizing vendors of color, presented by African Community Housing & Development.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Fall is planting season, and you can shop for student-raised plants at the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) Garden Center, open 10 am-2 pm on the north end of campus.
MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Learn about Marco’s music here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
PEGASUS POP-UP: Pegasus Book Exchange is celebrating its “40th-ish” anniversary with a pop-up at California/Oregon – storytime at 11 am, book and merch sales 11 am-6 pm. Also today: Open house with Pegasus owner Fred Epps.
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm, with student-produced wines available. North end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)
BURGERS & BEATS: Saturday night food and music at Revelry Room – burgers start at 6, DJs at 9. (4547 California SW, alley side)
COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: 7-9 pm, Guitar Gil at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), no cover, all ages.
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
‘GREAT NIGHT’: New Saturday night program for young adults 18+ to hang out 7 pm-midnight, at Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle).
BIBLIOTEKA: Seattle band live in-store at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 7:30 pm. Free, all ages.
SOUND BATH: 7:30 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $40.
Planning a concert, open house, show, sale, event, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, Halloween or holiday-season happening, or ? If the community’s invited, get your event on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
2:20 AM: Police are at the California/Charlestown 7-11 right now after the clerk reported a robbery. It happened just before 2 am. So far the robbers are described as at least three men with at least two guns – one rifle, one pistol – wearing black hoodies and black masks. They got away in what the clerk described as a white van (believed to be a newer Kia Carnival), last seen heading south on California; police have discussed with dispatch the possibility the same vehicle and robbers were involved in a holdup on East Marginal Way earlier tonight. SFD also has responded to the robbery scene because the clerk reported chest pains. This is the second West Seattle 7-11 robbery in four days; the 35th/Avalon store was held up early Tuesday.
2:47 AM: An officer gave dispatch updated descriptions: 4 in the van, 3 went into the store. All 3 were described as white or Hispanic men, 18-25, The one that had the “long gun: was 5’8″-5’10”, black sweatpants, blue shoes; the one with the handgun was in a gray sweatshirt, red mask, black pants; the third was about 6′, all-black clothing, blue gloves.
Two weeks after a jury found 44-year-old Jaycee C. Thompson guilty in a one-hour crime rampage that included a North Delridge murder and South Delridge shooting, he’s been sentenced. King County Superior Court Judge Mark Larrañaga ordered Thompson on Thursday to spend just under 60 years im prison; 18 of those years are mandatory “enhancements” for using a gun in every crime for which he was convicted. In June 2022, he shot and killed 56-year-old Anthony “Gonzo” Gonzalez, described as a “friend,” at a Delridge encampment, shortly after shooting and wounding a 35-year-old man – also someone he knew – two miles away in South Delridge. Thompson, a convicted felon, had been released from jail one week before the shootings, over prosecutors’ objections, as explained in our original story on his arrest. His sentence – 718 months in prison – matched what the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office recommended.
In tonight’s Halloween-decoration spotlight, Jason has again adorned his corner (52nd/Dakota) with dozens of jack-o’-lanterns! Some years he’s had a hundred. Go count this year’s lineup while admiring them! Thanks again to everyone who’s shared decoration-location photos/video/tips – we have more to show you before Halloween arrives; you can scroll through our coverage archive to see everything we’ve already shown. And plan the rest of your Hallo-weekend with our West Seattle guide – we’ll be adding more events before the night’s out!
(Sign installed at project site in Lincoln Park last Monday)
In her weekly newsletter, circulated tonight, our area’s City Councilmember Lisa Herbold comments publicly for the first time on the Lincoln Park pickleball-court project. She notes receiving an “overwhelming” amount of emails from project opponents, and says she sent Parks and Recreation Superintendent AP Diaz a letter today, with questions as well as a request for a public meeting. Here’s the full text of her letter:
Dear Superintendent Diaz,
I am writing today about the installation of the pickleball court at Lincoln Court. I have shared with hundreds of constituents the Seattle Parks and Recreation position that impacts to wildlife will not increase and may be reduced as relates to emissions. I have told my constituents, as you have:
The…”site has been used as a storage facility for the maintenance crews that service all West Seattle’s parks. Meaning that several times a day, vehicles and large trucks are pulling into this site to load and unload equipment and materials. When this site becomes a pickleball court, SPR will consolidate our maintenance facilities into one location in a different part of Lincoln Park. In our view, any disturbance to wildlife the pickleball court will bring will be equivalent, and potentially lessened as we are removing vehicle emissions from this location.”
Similarly, the Associated Recreational Council (ARC) wrote:
“Lincoln Park was considered as a potential location for dedicated courts through work with a consultant and community engagement in SPR’s 2020-2021 Outdoor Pickleball Plan. The plan offsets an additional active use to Lincoln Park by relocating the SPR grounds storage facility to the crew headquarter location. This will remove trucks, along with their emissions and traffic, driving in and out of this actively used part of the park.”
The public response I have received has been overwhelming. I have received about 1,300 emails strenuously objecting to this characterization of this installation as not having wildlife impacts.
I have also received several requests for “an official SPR plan or study.” Seattle Parks and Recreation, similarly to the ARC, has referred to this document, saying: “Through work with a consultant and community engagement, Lincoln Park was considered as a potential location for dedicated courts in SPR’s 2020-2021 Outdoor Pickleball Plan.” Yet, my quick perusal of the documents linked within the above link suggests that Lincoln Park as a location was first discussed at the May 25, 2022 open house. It appears that this was a citywide meeting. Lincoln Park appears to have been identified in a “break out session. I would like to know how many people were in attendance in the Southwest breakout session. Is there a specific “Lincoln Plan” that informed the discussion in the breakout session? Or was Lincoln Park identified in more of a “spit-balling” exercise? No one denies that Lincoln Park was put on a list, but no one seems to understand how it got on the list.
I understand the analysis and position that no SEPA analysis is needed. But meeting with community members who are pleading to be heard is the least we can do. I have joined Bird Connect on birding tours in Lincoln Park. I appreciate how vulnerable wildlife is there. Birds Connect Seattle reports that:
“More than 160 species of birds have been reported at Lincoln Park. That’s approximately 64% of all bird species that occur in Seattle from a park that represents just 0.25% of our land area.”
A constituent also reports that “ sustained, repetitive noise will disrupt this well-established ecosystem function by marginalizing wildlife and pushing them further out to areas that don’t have as much available prey, as well as pushing prey species out.” Why is it that we do not believe that this will occur?
I have also read the concern the plan in in contravention to the Public Involvement Policy for Parks Planning Processes and for Proposals to Acquire Property, Initiate Funded Capital Projects, or Make Changes to a Park or Facility. Can you comment whether you believe that to be the case? Some may remember that this policy was updated in 2022 on the request of former City Councilmember Nick Licata in response to a public outcry related to another Praks project, the Queen Anne Bowl.
Please consider hosting a meeting to hear the concerns. If you do, I will join you. I look forward to your response, as well as answers to these questions:
-How many people were in attendance in the Southwest breakout session?
-Is there a specific “Lincoln Plan” that informed the discussion in the breakout session?
-Why is it that we do not believe that sustained, repetitive work will not impact wildlife (are there studies)?
-Is DPR proceeding in a way that is consistent with the Parks Involvement Policy linked above?
-Will DPD meet with the public to discuss the plan?Thank you for your kind consideration of my request and questions. Thank you as well for all you do to support our precious parks system and all of us who use them.
Best,
Lisa Herbold
District 1 Councilmember, Public Safety and Human Services Committee Chair
We’ll be checking next week to see how Parks responds.
(WSB photo – Skeleton Theatre stage site)
After more than a decade and a half, the West Seattle front-yard animatronic Halloween show Skeleton Theatre is about to hang up its (bone) spurs. We stopped by the corner of 36th/Hanford after the Skeleton crew started building this year’s stage/set, and they told us this would be their last year. The website‘s not updated yet for this year, but it has tons of history on this longtime local Halloween favorite, which dates back to the mid-’00s (they even did an online version for pandemic year 2020). It’s usually full of corny jokes, lighting and sound effects, and of course, the animatronic skeleton stars. All they would tell us about this year’s show is that it’s called “Junior,” and that the name would make sense when we see the show. The schedule is the same as previous years – Halloween night and the night after (October 31-November 1), 6 pm-9 pm, more or less continuous shows with a reset break between them.
3:23 PM: It’s the traditional kickoff to Hallo-weekend – West Seattle’s first round of business-district trick-or-treating, happening right now in the Admiral District. The onslaught of trick-or-treaters hasn’t quite arrived yet, but the businesses at and around Admiral/California are ready and waiting – above, the Bebop Waffle Shop crew; below, the folks at Baked Custom Cakes:
And don’t miss the spooky ceiling-dwelling spider at Alki Bike and Board (WSB sponsor):
Here’s what the Circa crew cooked up:
This year the trick-or-treating is just the first event in an expanded slate – some grownups-only events are happening too. See it all on the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide page, including the full list of where and when you’ll find special trick-or-treat events in the next few days. This one in Admiral is on until 6 pm – more photos later!
5:44 PM: As promised – more scenes from around the Admiral District!
Lots more trick-or-treating this weekend – again, see the list in our Halloween Guide!
That’s the long-vacant-and-vandalized house at the far north end of Delridge Way, officially known as 3804 23rd Avenue SW, in our photo from late Thursday afternoon. Earlier this month, thanks to a reader tip, we reported on an “emergency order” by the city, as part of a longrunning investigation of violations, telling the owner to “close” the house immediately, among other things. It’s since been boarded up and cleaned up, but not because the owner took action.
A reader sent us that photo on Tuesday. An accompanying photo showed a junk-hauling truck with a company name we recognized as a city contractor we’ve seen before at encampment cleanups. We subsequently asked the Department of Construction and Inspections about the property’s status; here’s the reply from spokesperson Bryan Stevens:
An Emergency Order (EO) was issued on October 10 under case 1056926-VI for a vacant building open to entry, outdoor debris, and vegetation. The EO required compliance from the property owner by October 16. The required maintenance was not completed by the property owner, so SDCI commissioned a contractor to secure the lower openings and complete the cleanup to close out the EO condition. The cost will be billed to the property owner along with related inspection fees. The building will continue to be monitored via monthly inspections through our Vacant Building Monitoring Program. However, the public should continue to file a complaint if they notice the building open to entry or additional debris. Complaints can be filed online or via phone at 206-615-0808.
We asked about the amount that’ll be “billed to the property owner”; Stevens said he wouldn’t be able to get that for us until next week. The site has had various development plans under various owners over the year; most recently, there was a proposal to renovate the house, but that plan doesn’t appear to have advanced beyond an early stage.
(WSB photo)
The signage is now covered at what was The UPS Store in Jefferson Square. In case you missed it, The UPS Store, Inc. told us Wednesday that the store no longer was affiliated with the corporation, and that’s why the corporate website labeled it “permanently closed.” The business remains open, however, just not as a UPS Store. We went back this morning and talked to a manager who said that they’re not sure what’s going to happen with the business next, but here’s what’s happening now: They plan to be open 9 am-4 pm daily. If you get mail there, that’s still accessible. Same with package deliveries. But in terms of outgoing packages, all they can accept are pre-labeled returns. Meantime, we’re trying to reach the owners to see if we can find out more about the business’s future.
SIDE NOTE: After hearing from a concerned customer of the now-ex-UPS Store, Bree at Alki Mail & Dispatch sent us a note with an offer for anyone else with concerns: “If they are able to have their packages redirected to us here at Alki Mail (4701 SW Admiral Way), we would be happy to hold them and keep them safe. We usually charge a $4 holding fee for non-mailbox customers, however, in light of the situation, for anyone coming from the UPS store, we will be happy to provide this service to them for free for the time being. We also have mailboxes available for rent for those in need and we can also accept pre-labeled packages across all the carriers but unfortunately, we cannot accept any QR code returns. I’m here for my community and want to do whatever I can to help!” (Any other local providers of similar services with similar offers are welcome to contact us too. Readers had several suggestions in the comments on our previous story.)
Thanks to Jen for the photo and report: “Chief Sealth sophomore Federica Dilley qualified for state with a podium finish in 14th place at the Girls 3A all-SeaKing District 2 cross country championships. She had a PR time of 19:11.” That’s for a 5K race. Here are the full results. The state championships are scheduled for November 4 in Pasco.
(Bird’s Nest Cup Fungi, photographed at Seattle Chinese Garden by Rosalie Miller)
Two-part list for today/tonight. First, from the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide, starting with today’s biggest event:
ADMIRAL TRICK-OR-TREATING: The biggest event for today/tonght is Admiral District business trick-or-treating, 3-6 pm. Look for businesses at and around California/Admiral with signs indicating they’re participating. Streets do NOT close for this, so if you’re driving through the area, please be extra-careful.
Also from the Halloween Guide listings for today/tonight:
PUMPKIN BEER: Pumpkin Junction, second-to-last day – pumpkin beers on tap at The Beer Junction (4511 California SW), open noon-midnight today.
GLASS PUMPKINS Art-glass pumpkin patch @ Avalon Glassworks (2914 SW Avalon Way), noon-4 pm.
SPOOKY SHOW: Nightfall Orphanage, spooky experience at 4544 51st Place SW, 7-10 pm each night. No admission charge, but charity donations requested – food or funds.
STEPHANIE’S LIFELINE BINGO BENEFIT: 6-11 pm bingo party and costume contest in White Center, fundraising for this West Seattle-based nonprofit. Details in our calendar listing.
MEEDS MANOR HAUNTED HOUSE: The legendary Meeds Manor Haunted House is opening for a 7-9 pm benefit night tonight (and then not until Halloween). Details in our calendar listing. (3011 45th SW)
‘ROCKY HORROR’: Rocky Horror Picture Show! 8 pm at Admiral Pub (2305 California SW).
HALLOWEEN DRAG – ** SOLD OUT! ** West End Ghouls, annual Halloween spooktacular version of the monthly drag extravaganza at The Skylark, is sold out.
Now, from the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s what else is happening today/tonight:
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Open 10 am-2 pm for plant shopping, north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
STAY ‘N’ PLAY: Free drop-in indoor gym for kids 5 and under and their caregivers, 10-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE CONTINUES: 10 am-6 pm, Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is open – you have one more week to see the work displayed by community members in its annual Southwest Artist Showcase.
PEGASUS POP-UP: Pegasus Book Exchange is celebrating its “40th-ish” anniversary with a pop-up at California/Oregon – storytime at 11 am, book and merch sales 11 am-6 pm.
SCRABBLE CLUB: You’re invited to play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café inside the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room/wine bar open 1-6 pm on the north side of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), student-produced wine by the glass or bottle.
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room/wine bar open – wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
SILENT DISCO: Dance like nobody can hear you! 6:30-8:30 pm at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).
COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: 7-9 pm, folk-rock music with Dublin Abbey at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). No cover, all ages.
DANCE NIGHT AT THE SPOT: Fridays are DJ Dance Night at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! (4547 California SW)
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather November 18 to celebrate the lives of Larry and Sherron Richter. Here’s the remembrance being shared with their community:
Larry James Richter
(December 20, 1944 – April 20, 2022)Larry Richter of West Seattle died peacefully on April 20, 2022 at the age of 77 from Alzheimer’s and prostate cancer. A West Seattle native, he graduated in ‘63 from WSHS and was a member of the ‘61 Metro All-City Championship Golf Team, along with his brother Ed. For his first job, Larry walked down the hill to the golf course to collect balls from the driving range for just pennies a ball. In addition to being an avid golfer since childhood, one of his greatest joys on the golf course was meeting his wife of 57 years, Sherron. Larry enjoyed the outdoors such as boating, camping, fishing, and walking around the neighborhood with his cat Midnight.
Larry’s many accomplishments include playing golf for and graduating from UW, being a C.P.A. and small business owner, YMCA board member, Vietnam vet, but he was most proud of his children, Jen (Jenny) Parker and Katie Demorest, as well as his grandchildren Renee, Rachel, and Kenny. He was a loyal friend and devoted family man who was loved by many.
Sherron Lynn Richter
(May 13, 1945 – June 29, 2023)Sherron, also a life-long resident of WS, passed away June 29, 2023 after fighting a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 78. While she loved spending time with her kids and grandkids, she was ready to join her husband Larry in heaven.
A Chief Sealth HS grad, she had a passion and talent for sewing and arts-n-crafts. She made the cutest fabric dolls and pencil toppers that she sold at local events. Sherron would play an occasional round of golf with friends and family before her MS made that impossible.
Sherron devoted her life to her husband Larry and kids Jenny and Katie, always making them her #1 priority. She was always there to chauffeur her kids, step up as a Girl Scout leader, PTA president, Bluebird leader as well as timing hundreds of hours at swim meets. Sherron helped Larry with his tax business often into the wee hours year after year. Those of us who were lucky enough to know her were loved.
****
A combined celebration of life for Larry and Sherron will be held November 18 at the West Seattle Golf Course at 2 pm. Light appetizers will be served, so please RSVP to Richtercelebration@gmail.com by November 8th. In lieu of flowers, the family has recommended a donation in their honor to the Alzheimer’s Association, American Cancer Society or Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, October 27th.
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunny, high in the upper 40s, frost advisory this morning. Sunrise today is at 7:45 am; sunset, 5:59 pm.
HALLO-WEEKEND
For the next three days, and again on Tuesday, lots of trick-or-treating and other special events, so be extra-careful! Our <strong>West Seattle Halloween Guide has the full list, but especially note that Admiral District trick-or-treating 3-6 pm today is usually very busy, and on Sunday, “Halloween in The Junction” closes an extra block of California – south of Alaska – for a costume parade, trick-or-treating, and activities 11 am-2 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Water Taxi – Regular schedule today – now on fall/winter schedule, still 7 days a week, but no late-night service Fridays/Saturdays.
Metro – Regular schedule today; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use Vessel Watch to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – southeastern route across the river:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on Twitter/X shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!
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