West Seattle, Washington
10 Wednesday
With just seven weeks to go till Christmas, we have an update on the Charlestown lights-synched-to-music show, officially the Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular: The family friend who created the show, Jim Winder, says its new website, at westseattlelights.com, is now up and running, so a banner’s up at the house too – and they’ve been working to install the display as well:
On Friday, a crew from KING 5’s Evening Magazine came over to cover the installation process; no exact date is set yet for the feature to be on TV, but the date IS set for the Opening Night Ceremony: 7 pm Saturday, November 27th. Zach Lystedt will be the special guest who turns on the lights. He’s a high-school student who survived a sports injury and now campaigns for safety:
A charity chosen by Zach’s family, Pushing Boundaries, will be the beneficiary of any donations showgoers care to make on night 1; other nonprofits that’ll benefit from donations are listed here, along with donation button. Something else new this year: Some nights they’ll do Christmas-music karaoke! More info on this page – including how to sign up in advance via e-mail.
(Look closely and you’ll see some of the new lighting atop the ArtsWest building)
Exactly one month till this year’s tree-lighting ceremony in The Junction on December 4th – and this year, it’ll be in Junction Plaza Park, instead of the 44th/Alaska parking lot where it’s been held the past few years. (The first year we covered a ceremony for WSB, 2006, it was on the site that’s since become the park!) 
Meantime, we also learned from West Seattle Junction Association director Susan Melrose at last night’s Southwest District Council meeting that the Junction’s holiday lighting will be different this year – instead of hanging lights in Junction trees, you will find the tops of “Downtown West Seattle” buildings outlined in lights, plus the trademark Junction wreaths will have additional lighting, for a “brighter, more festive experience,” as Melrose puts it. As previously noted, you can also mark your calendar for three Hometown Holidays Sundays in The Junction, December 5th, 12th, and 19th (the 5th is when the West Seattle Volunteer Recognition Awards will be announced – separate from the tree-lighting ceremony this year – nominated someone yet? do it now!). Watch wsjunction.org for even more holiday-happenings details to come.
Once again this holiday season – yes, it’s the holiday season, with Thanksgiving just three weeks from today! – the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival is raising money by selling special ornaments. You can place an order by phone or look for them at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market starting this Sunday, says Hi-Yu Vice President Deena Mahn:
It’s time for West Seattle Hi-Yu’s Annual Ornament Sale!!! This year we have 3 beautiful handmade ornaments to choose from. Each ornament is approximately 7-8 inches long and was designed and created for Hi-Yu by glass artist Zeus Rudner. We met him at this year’s Issaquah Salmon Days parade! The cost of each ornament is $15.00, and will help support this year’s Senior Court Scholarship program, float building and our festival events! They make great gifts for family, friends, neighbors, teachers, coworkers, clients and yourself!! Pre-orders are being taken now with our first shipment coming in mid-November; please call (206) 935-6517 to place your order. Ornaments are also available for purchase from any Hi-Yu member and will also be sold at the Farmers’ Market in November. Thanks for your support!
That’s Christopher Boffoli‘s WSB video from last year’s New Year’s Day polar-bear swim at Alki. Never too soon to start planning the next one; we just heard from Angelina Shell, who is ready to organize it but looking for coffee donations, for starters. If you can help – e-mail her at angelina.shell@gmail.com!
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.
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
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!
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.
The photo and explanation are from John Van Lierop, Jr., organist at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor).
This year, All Hallows’ Eve (Halloween) falls on a Sunday. At Tibbetts United Methodist Church in West Seattle, the minister, Rev. Dr. Joanne Carlson Brown, is encouraging her members to dress in costume for that Sunday. Even though Halloween originated as a pagan holiday, it also has Christian roots as churches celebrate All Saints’ Day the next day. Oct. 31 also happens to be Reformation Sunday, when the Protestant churches mark the anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg church. Rev. Brown, who will be dressed in costume, believes in a God who delights in us and loves laughter and fun as well as praise.
In the photo are John, “dressed as he will be on Halloween Sunday,” with two of his piano pupils, Kira and Nicholas Branch, who also attend Tibbetts (which is at 3940 41st SW).
Thanks yet again for sharing so many great pumpkin photos this past week – This round begins with one from Chef Jason Todd Rice at The Bohemian, who also wants to make sure you know they have a special cocktail with proceeds going to help Sofia Goff from now-closed Café Revo – just ask for “La Sofia.” Meantime, Meredith shared this group:
And two from Todd:
If you have a pumpkin pic to share for the final two roundups tonight and Halloween night – please use this address: westseattleblog@gmail.com … our main one’s having a few technical challenges at the moment and might not be fixed till later Saturday. Thanks and have a great time this weekend!
Till 6 pm tonight, masquerading merchants and boo-tiful businesspeople are awaiting trick-or-treaters at participanting Admiral District businesses, for Admiral Treats and Treasures. (Recognize those two?)
Here’s the map link, if you don’t have it already. Tomorrow 1-3 pm, it’s Trick-or-Treat in The Junction (with lots of bonus events, from photo sessions to costume contests – check the WSB West Seattle Halloween page), and 4-7 pm on Halloween, you can scare up some candy by trick-or-treating at Westwood Village. ADDED 5:04 PM: More photos from this afternoon’s Admiral event:
That’s your Admiral Neighborhood Association, with a table along the north side of the cleaners at California/Admiral. Lots of creative costumes all over the neighborhood:
That’s 2-month-old Leo in the pot. Then there’s the double-bagged duo we spotted:
And throngs everywhere:
Next it’s on to tonight’s carnivals and other events … WSB West Seattle Halloween all here. ADDED 11:06 PM: One last thing – video of trick-or-treaters encountering the famous Alki Bike and Board spider:
They’re getting ahead of Halloween celebrations at The Kenney; its Activities Department is putting on a Haunted House today; they shared this photo from the first “showing,” and they’re getting ready for one more at 3:30 pm in Community Room 3, in case you’re in the neighborhood (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW). Remember, lots of other Halloween activities in the hours ahead – and tomorrow and Sunday – see our list here.
After two years with a pirate theme, West Seattle’s famous animatronic outdoor Halloween production is going rock ‘n’ roll for Halloween 2010. Last night we dropped by the 36th/Hanford (map) headquarters of Skeleton Theatre for a peek at what’s in store. Behind the scenes, it looks a little like a mad scientist’s workshop:
The stars of this year’s show – “The Death of Rock” – is Bonaparte, “famous rock band from the ’60s,” performing their greatest hits. Between the sets, we’re told, it’s something like a “Behind The Music” video. Here’s Chris Walker tinkering with one of the band members as spouse Maia Low looks on:
We rolled video as Chris continued working to get ready for the show:
You can catch Skeleton Theatre playing continuously in the front-yard stage (you’ll be standing on the sidewalk, or maybe across the street) 6-9 pm Sunday night (Halloween) and Monday night (November 1st). Chris and Maia say a lot of people have tried to donate $ – it’s free to watch – on site in past years, and while appreciated, it’s been a little challenging to deal with, so they ask that if you are so moved to offer something for all the work that goes into Skeleton Theatre, you donate online (the button’s on the home page).
Thanks to Lashanna for that photo from last night’s annual Pathfinder K-8 Pumpkin-Carving Party – taken as the masterpieces were displayed. That’s a glowing prelude to what’s basically, this year, a three-day Halloweekend. The full list of Halloween-related events is on the WSB West Seattle Halloween page. Today’s centerpiece is Admiral Treats and Treasures, the first of four West Seattle/White Center business-district trick-or-treating events – 3-6 pm, here’s the updated official map. Community-center carnivals, a free family swim, and lots more on the docket too. Also: Tonight it’s time for the first-ever West Seattle Halloween Ski Swap gear dropoff, at VFW Hall, 3601 SW Alaska, 4-7 pm – this is a benefit for the West Seattle Snow Sports Council. Also tonight, it’s Halloween Rainbow Bingo at Senior Center of West Seattle (doors open 6, bingo at 7). Lots of live entertainment, like most Friday nights – among the special events is Sweet, Sweet Music with a lively lineup of performers at Fauntleroy Church, 7:30 pm – full details on this Facebook event page.
We’re featuring West Seattle pumpkins through Halloween, and tonight, three more examples of creative carvings – first, Megan carved half a dozen pumpkins, both in honor of her two Admiral workplaces (including WSB sponsor Shanti Salon and Spa) and “just for fun.” Next, Bill Schrier – who among other things is webmaster for the 34th District Democrats – has some political pumpkins in this picture:
From left, that’s Alexandria, Ryan, Lara, and Bill. And from MargL‘s three-member family, a three-pumpkin family:
Sent your pumpkin photo yet? We’ve got room for more the next three nights! Here’s how to send ’em.
(WSB photos by Ellen Cedergreen)
The Halloween wave is rolling in … and first to arrive, Toddler Pumpkinpalooza in two sessions today/tonight at High Point Community Center.
Other city-run community centers in West Seattle have celebrations tomorrow (and HPCC has another one)- but this one ushered in the festivities:
They got to show off costumes – like Clarabel above – and decorating skills:
Not only is High Point CC doing a second round of Pumpkinpalooza right now, they’ve also got a Freaky Fall Festival planned tomorrow night (Friday) at 6, same time as Halloween Carnivals at Alki and Hiawatha Community Centers; also tomorrow night, Southwest Pool has a free Halloween Family Swim at 7 pm. (Tons of other activities for all ages at multiple West Seattle venues, all listed on the WSB Halloween page.)
For the next four days/nights, it’s almost ALL about Halloween. Our all-in-one-place, by-category-of-event West Seattle Halloween list is here; from that list, High Point Community Center has two Toddler Pumpkin-Palooza sessions today, 10-noon and 5-7 pm ($5/child); The Sanctuary at Admiral shows the 1922 silent film “Nosferatu” (a “Dracula” adaptation) tonight, with live pipe organ, 7:30 pm ($5 person, also collecting nonperishable food items for West Seattle Food Bank). From the rest of the WSB West Seattle Events calendar – 3 fundraisers tonight: Pegasus Pizza on Alki is raising $ for the Livestrong Foundation, 4-11 pm; Beer Junction‘s tasting event benefits 2 animal-advocacy groups, 5-8 pm; tonight’s monthly WS Tweetup raises $ for breast cancer, 5:30-7:30 pm @ Endolyne Joe’s. On the not-West-Seattle-but-it’s-being-followed-here-closely front, today’s the day that the two firms still in the running to design/build a tunnel to replace the Central Waterfront section of the Alaskan Way Viaduct are supposed to officially present their proposals. More on the calendar (and again, the Halloween page, with dozens of events from now through Nov. 1, is here).
Busy news night tonight, so we’ll just show two West Seattle jack-o-lanterns for you to admire – Karen shared the “friendly vampire” in the top photo – and this spider came in anonymously (is it yours?):
Browse our “Holidays” archive to see the pumpkins we’ve shown the past few nights; if you have one to show off, please share a photo – e-mail address (etc.) here! And if you’re looking for West Seattle Halloween activities, there are dozens in the next five (yes, even Nov. 1) days/nights – full list on the WSB Halloween page.
“Stella and her pumpkin from Tony’s,” is how Justin captioned that before sending it in, as our pumpkin-photo-share-a-thon continues. (By the way, we asked Tony’s last weekend about the impending seasonal break – they told us they’ll be closing after Halloween, till reopening for Christmas trees.) Then we have Andrew‘s pumpkin, which looks a little spooked:
With a classic literature theme, the Mahrt family pumpkins – they note they have a child who’s dressing up as “Thing One” this year:
“The Nightmare Before Christmas” spawned Kimi‘s pumpkin:
Share yours – here’s how.
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