West Seattle, Washington
04 Tuesday
If everything goes according to plan, a major new bicycling event in this area will include West Seattle on its route. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is planning its first-ever fundraising bicycle ride, 
called Obliteride, coming up in August. Obliteride organizers e-mailed WSB to let us know about some points of West Seattle interest, including the route possibility – too soon to say for certain because they are still working on permits. One of the main point people for the ride is a West Seattleite – Mark Grantor, senior events manager; his background and interest in the cause are detailed in a story on the Obliteride site. They’re planning four routes – 25, 50, 100 miles on August 10th, 180 miles with an overnight stop in Tacoma, August 10-11. There’s an entry fee plus a fundraising commitment. Details and registration links are here. If you’re not ready to ride but would like to help, they’re also enlisting an army of volunteers.
Just out of the WSB inbox – you’re invited to come talk about a topic that many say isn’t discussed often (and openly) enough:
This Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary of Hope Lutheran Church of West Seattle, the Hope Stephen Ministry group is hosting a discussion on community problems and opportunities related to current mental health legislation and issues, including those related to recent shootings and violence in the U.S.
Ann Christian, CEO of the Washington Community Mental Health Council, will respond to questions and present ways in which each of us can identify and help individuals in need and advocate for social change around this vital and ever-changing topic. This is a community-type meeting with no charge and all interested persons are welcome to attend.
Hope Lutheran Church is at 4456 42nd SW, just north of SW Oregon.
(West Seattle 5K 2012 photo by Debra Salazar Herbst)
Just four months from tomorrow – the morning of May 19th – the fifth annual West Seattle 5K will hit the street on Alki Avenue Southwest. Organizers are already signing up both runners/walkers and sponsors. (WSB has been a sponsor each year since the start, and we’re proud to be signing on again this year.) For runners/walkers, there are two incentives to sign up early: First, there’s a discount. Second, the first 100 people to register will qualify for a drawing to win a new pair of running shoes. The West Seattle 5K is a benefit for the West Seattle High School PTSA; registration and sponsorship information is all online at WestSeattle5K.com.
Still collecting opportunities for you to join in the MLK Day of Service next Monday on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We’ve mentioned the Nature Consortium work party, and now we’ve heard from Stu Hennessey of West Seattle Spokespeople: Stu’s inviting local bike riders to join Spokespeople “for a clean-up-under-the-bridge work party. Meet at 2 pm under the West Seattle Bridge along the bike path. Tools provided by the WS Tool Library. It’s getting messy under there. Work party should be no more than two hours.”
A break in the rain provides a chance for those interested in helping the encampment on West Seattle’s southeastern edge that calls itself Nickelsville. They’ve just issued an invitation for a volunteer cleanup this weekend:
NICKELSVILLE – EVENT – Nickelsville Clean-up Day!
Saturday AND Sunday 1/12 & 1/13 – from 9 am to 3 pmHelp clean-up our Eco Friendly Camp – Free Hot Meal for helping, Friendly Folks, Beautiful Weather, 2 very cute Goats!
*bring your work gloves, boots ‘n tools and come lend a hand*
Nickelsville is located at 7116 W. Marginal Way SW, between 2nd Ave SW and Highland Park Way SW
ADDED FRIDAY NIGHT: For those considering joining in, WSB Forums member and longtime Nickelsville volunteer JoB has elaborated on what needs to be done there – more than what you might assume a “cleanup” to be. Here’s her Forums post.
Chief Sealth International High School students Chloe Behar and Tia Collins have organized a student variety show as their senior project, benefiting Children’s Hospital, and are hoping you can come enjoy and support it tonight: “Doors open at 6:30 and the fun will start at 7 at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center! There will be numerous acts from around our school … and the community. There will also be food available for purchase! This is to support a great cause. Thank you so much.” More details on the complete version of their flyer; Youngstown is at 4408 Delridge Way SW. (More on what’s up today/tonight, later this morning.)
EDITOR’S NOTE: We often publish requests for volunteer help – and over the years, some have asked, what about a regular feature listing such needs? Fauntleroy resident Judy Pickens, who volunteers her time and talent to a variety of endeavors including local schools, is gathering and reporting information on volunteer needs at West Seattle schools where the need is greatest, and shares it here periodically.
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog
If you have resolved to help more in the community during 2013, area schools invite you to consider investing a couple of hours a week (or more!) to boost student learning.
Whether the task is tutoring math or putting up bulletin boards, every school volunteer makes a difference, for both students and teachers. An e-mail to the address given will bring you more information about any of the following opportunities to lend a hand during the new year:
At Highland Park Elementary (1012 SW Trenton)
Contact stpaolone@seattleschools.org
Ongoing: Adults or high-school-aged students to support classroom teachers with tasks such as listening to students read or copying/cutting; varies by teacher/grade – your choice. Pick any hours on any day, 9 AM-4 PM.
Ongoing: Adults or high-school-aged students to tutor students in a reading/math club. Mon., Tues. or Thurs., 3 PM – 4:30 PM.
********
At West Seattle Elementary (6760 34th SW)
Contact smtaylor@seattleschools.org
Ongoing: Adults to tutor fourth graders eager to improve their reading skills. 1-3 PM any day.
(Photo courtesy Nature Consortium)
Two weeks till Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day – which has become more than a holiday; it’s become the MLK Day of Service. We are often asked in the days leading up to it “where in West Seattle can I volunteer that day?” – and this year, we have an early heads-up from WS-based Nature Consortium, including the preceding Saturday. Here’s the NC announcement:
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Nature Consortium will host a Weekend of Service with two opportunities to volunteer in Seattle’s largest remaining forest, the West Duwamish Greenbelt. The events commemorate Dr. King’s life and legacy as the father of environmental justice. On Saturday, January 19 and Monday, January 21, volunteers can spend “a day on, not a day off” as part of an ongoing effort to restore the forest to healthy condition.
Nationwide, minority communities are disproportionately affected by pollution, and Seattle is no exception. The Duwamish River is a toxic waste site impacting thousands of residents in South Seattle, the majority of whom are people of color. Philip Pantaleo, a South Park resident and Nature Consortium volunteer, describes how environmental injustice has affected his diverse community.
“The soil in South Park was so contaminated with pollutants introduced by local industry that it was not safe to grow food in our front yards,” says Pantaleo. He volunteers in the West Duwamish Greenbelt to help improve environmental health in his neighborhood.
Extending over 500 acres in West Seattle, the West Duwamish Greenbelt plays a critical role in filtering the air and water pollution in the Duwamish River corridor created by urban runoff and industrial waste. Nature Consortium’s work in the West Duwamish Greenbelt will aid the restoration of the watershed, creating a healthier environment for South Seattle and allowing more equal access to its natural resources.
On MLK Weekend, Nature Consortium and volunteers will plant trees and other native plants in an area of the greenbelt known as the Soundway site, 32 acres of land the City of Seattle had intended to sell to developers. Community members including Nature Consortium banded together in 2004 to save the property from development and have since worked year round to restore the urban habitat.
In the spirit of Nature Consortium’s mission to “connect people, arts, and nature,” these outdoor events will also feature live musicians to entertain volunteers while they work. Saturday’s event will also offer free chair massage for volunteers provided by Essence of the Sun Bodywork and Massage as a show of gratitude for their hard work.
For more information or to register for a volunteer event, visit www.naturec.org.
Any other MLK Day service opportunities in West Seattle/White Center/South Park? Please let us know – editor@westseattleblog.com – so we can help get the word out. Thank you!
Local Special Olympics athletes are getting a helping hand from Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Knights of Columbus – and just by going to see a college-basketball game, you’ll be pitching in. SO benefits from half the ticket sales in a special promotion for this Thursday’s Seattle University basketball game vs. New Mexico (7 pm) – and some of its athletes will play at halftime. To get in on the special ticket deal, use this link and the code word “unified.”
Till 3 pm, Dianne Ainsworth – in our photo with husband Todd – is continuing to collect donated blankets at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor; 35th and Webster) to help people in need at Nickelsville and Union Gospel Mission stay warm. When Todd sent us the announcement a few days ago, he said that if you miss today’s dropoff window, you can still bring donated blankets to WSAW during its regular business hours.
South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) is famous for its food and beverage programs (among other things), so there’s no surprise its Gifts from the Earth benefit on January 26th features a lineup of star chefs and well-known wineries. Just out of the WSB inbox, the official announcement – read on:
The holidays are over, but the opportunities to give to people in need continue year-round. Here’s one of your first opportunities of 2013: West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor) is hosting a drive to collect blankets to help homeless people stay warm during these below-freezing nights. Co-owner Todd Ainsworth says his wife Dianne came up with the idea and plans to take the blankets to the Nickelsville encampment here in West Seattle and to the Union Gospel Mission (which helps people in South Park and White Center as well as operating its shelter downtown). The official collection time for the drive is this Saturday (January 5th), 9 am-3 pm, but Todd tells WSB they will also accept blankets dropped off during regular WS Autoworks business hours before then – or even after. They’re on the southwest corner of 35th/Webster (map).
On the brink of a new year, many are looking to the future – including those who help others explore West Seattle’s past. The Log House Museum has a volunteer-training session coming up January 5th and needs “more helpers, as many as we can get!” according to museum manager Sarah Baylinson. She says that longtime volunteer Carol Vincent will lead the training at 11 am on the 5th (next Saturday), including a “brief historical tutorial” as well as the basics of being a docent. The museum’s in Alki, at 61st and Stevens.
Two weeks after the Connecticut school massacre, another school is being made ready for the survivors of Sandy Hook, which may never reopen. It’s to be decorated with snowflakes made by well-wishers from across the country (this update from back East says some have even come from overseas!) – and today, you can be part of a West Seattle contribution. Just stop by Young at Art (5962 Fauntleroy Way SW) before 2 pm.
Another way to reach out to the survivors at Sandy Hook School in Connecticut: Theresa Anderson, proprietor of Young at Art (now at 5962 Fauntleroy), invites you to stop by between 10 am and 2 pm this Sunday to help make snowflakes to decorate the school that Sandy Hook students are now attending (the project is explained on this Facebook page). Share hot cocoa with neighbors and some warm wishes for those far away – Theresa says you can drop in any time during those four hours on Sunday.
Out of the WSB inbox, from Chelsea:
Myself and a small group of friends are planning to go caroling (including handheld keyboards) tonight in West Seattle and we have a little stage fright. We could use some backup! We’ve never done this before…
We’ll be on foot around the 35th & Holden area [map] starting around 6:30. If anyone in the neighborhood wants to join us, they can send an e-mail to chelseahumslovesongs@gmail.com for a meeting time and place.
Adults and kids of all ages are welcome! We are not professional carolers by any means. We are not sure what songs we are going to sing just yet. Feel free to bring your requests. Help us bring some holiday cheer to the neighborhood!
With five days left until Christmas, time is running out for the giving trees and donation drives around town, and some have wrapped up already. Two updates:
First, there’s still time to help out the families who will benefit from the giving tree at CAPERS in The Junction. Proprietor Lisa Myers shared the photo, and says:
The Hickman House Giving Tree is still going strong and collecting donations for the moms and kids who are recovering from Domestic Violence. Gifts for women and children are being accepted through the 23rd of December at CAPERS, 4525 California SW in The Junction. The outpouring of support has been fabulous this year.
There are a few things needed to round out the gifts already acquired:
****All household items: kitchen utensils, pots & pans, silverware, dishes, glassware, twin sheets & blankets
****Gift cards to local establishmentsHickman House is transitional housing in West Seattle for moms/kids who are victims of domestic violence and is under the umbrella of the Salvation Army. All gifts and gift-card donations go directly to the residents living at the facility. CAPERS has sponsored the Hickman House Giving Tree since 1990.
Meantime, a successful holiday-giving drives that recently wrapped up shared a report, and this photo of some of the young helpers:
This drive covered not only West Seattle, but three other communities:
EuropaKids International Preschool, with locations in West Seattle, Burien, and Edmonds, teamed up with Annie’s Nannies of Ballard over the past few weeks and sponsored a diaper drive for WestSide Baby. We put a challenge out to our parents to bring in 5,000 diapers for donation.
We held an internal contest between the individual classrooms and not only did our families meet this challenge, we ended up collecting over 7,858 diapers! As you know, Westside Baby helps families with children by collecting and distributing car seats, clothing, toys, and diapers to local families in need. The holiday is season is upon us and these donations are extremely important to families who need a little extra help. Thank you to the families and staff who participated in this event!
In addition to the CAPERS Giving Tree above, other giving opportunities are listed in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.
From Governor Gregoire‘s office:
In response to a request from Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, Gov. Chris Gregoire asks that the people of Washington observe a moment of silence at 9:30 a.m. local time on Friday, Dec. 21, out of respect for the families devastated by the Newtown tragedy.
Gov. Malloy has issued a proclamation declaring Friday, Dec. 21, to be a day of mourning throughout Connecticut. In solidarity with the people of that state, and recognizing that the deaths of these twenty children and six educators is a national tragedy, Gov. Gregoire requests Washingtonians join in this moment of quiet reflection.
“We are all heartbroken by this senseless violence,” said Gov. Gregoire. “Mike and I often think of those parents who will never again hug their first-graders. The courageous acts of the staff at Sandy Hook were truly selfless and heroic. The people of Newtown will long be in our prayers.”
In his letter to Gov. Gregoire, Gov. Malloy wrote, “In the last few days, the outpouring of love and compassion from your state and from around the world has been overwhelming, and the people of Connecticut will be forever grateful.”
In Connecticut, places of worship will also ring bells twenty-six times in honor of each life taken at Sandy Hook Elementary.
And a reminder that the next night – this coming Saturday, December 22nd – a 5 pm vigil is planned at the Alki Statue of Liberty (here’s our original story). Organizer Casey Ann Rasmussen, a West Seattle business owner, tells WSB today that the vigil will include speakers, including, from Families and Friends of Violent Crime Victims, executive director Marge Martin and board member Mark Roe, who also is Snohomish County’s prosecuting attorney.
Local animal advocates have launched the first of this year’s five installments of the “Wrap It Up” benefit – they do the wrapping, you decide how much to donate. In the top photo, texted from today’s wrapping site at Beveridge Place Pub, that’s David Walega of Art for Animals’ Sake and Teri Ensley from Furry Faces Foundation. Wrapping elves include Keri DeTore:
F3 is partnering with Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation in the gift-wrap sessions, which will continue:
*Thursday, Dec 20th, 6 – 9 pm, Beer Junction, 4511 California SW, West Seattle (during their weekly Beer Tasting)
*Saturday, Dec 22rd, 1 – 6 pm, at Elliott Bay Brewhouse & Pub; 255 SW 152nd, Burien
*Sunday, Dec 23rd, 1 – 6 pm, Beer Junction
*Christmas Eve (Monday, Dec 24th), 2 – 7 pm at Beveridge Place Pub
And today at BPP (6451 California SW and also in the midst of its specialty-bottle sale), Wrap It Up is scheduled to continue until 7 pm.
Big holiday help for the people served by the West Seattle Food Bank – on Friday, we were there as Nucor delivered tidings of great joy: A truck full of food donated by Nucor employees, and monetary donations totaling more than $20,000. Below, from left, Ryan Knoyle and Gerrit Reed from Nucor, and Eagle Hilton and Jason Wissbrod from Benchmark Industrial Services, which volunteered its trailer so the delivery could be done in one trip:
If you would like to help WS Food Bank – here’s the latest: When we last checked in with executive director Fran Yeatts, to ask about their biggest needs, her reply: “Turkeys and hams would be really appreciated to help with our holiday food distribution. One of the biggest ongoing needs for us is formula, specifically Similac Advance in the 12.4-ounce cans, and diapers, size 3, 4, 5, or 6. We can always use non-perishable food like canned protein, soup, fruit.” The food bank’s location and hours are here.
Friday was the second consecutive night with a Bookfair event at Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village. Thursday night, as reported here, it was Arbor Heights Elementary; Friday, Denny International Middle School. And again, we have a community-contributed photo to share: That’s 7th-grader Yahya, reading his poem “I Am From.” If you weren’t able to be there, you can still participate – over the next six days, Denny will get part of the proceeds from your B&N purchases if you use the special code listed in the explanation on the school website.
We’re continuing to add holiday-season giving opportunities to the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – including these two just in today. First, from Audrey at White Center Food Bank (whose jurisdiction includes West Seattle from Myrtle southward):
Do you have time next week to pass out food to clients at the White Center Food Bank at 10829 8th Ave SW? We need volunteers on the following shifts to help pass out holiday food:
Wednesday, December 19 (9:00 – 12:30 & 12:30 – 3:30)
Thursday, November 20 (9:30-12:30 &, 12:30-3:30)We also need people who are able to lift 35 pounds to help with inventory Monday, Dec. 31 from 9:00 am until done. We’ll be weighing everything in the warehouse.
If you can help, contact Audrey Zemke at audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org or 762-2848. Families and kids welcome.
Second, a clothing drive that’s under way till a January 3rd distribution. From Clarke at Neighborhood House‘s High Point Center:
The YELS program (Youth Empowered with Leadership Strengths), in conjunction with Neighborhood House, is sponsoring a winter clothing drive.
YELS is a youth leadership program for at-risk middle school and high school students living in low-income housing in High Point. Our program fosters leadership skills through environmental activism, community organizing and mentorship.
Between now and Jan. 3rd, we are collecting new or gently used winter clothing (i.e. hats, scarves, gloves, coats, socks, sweaters etc.) for the residents of High Point low-income housing. Clothes can be dropped off at our location (6400 Sylvan Way) or at Kol HaNeshamah/Alki UCC, 6115 SW Hinds/blockquote>
The Holiday Guide’s “Giving Opportunities” section also includes giving trees, toy drives, and more – most of which end some days before Christmas since time needs to be allowed for processing and distribution – please let us know if there are others to add!
‘Tis the season not only to give, but also to honor the givers: That’s what WestSide Baby did at Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) at lunchtime today, celebrating its dedicated volunteers with custom carols to the tune of “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph” (video above) – under the guidance of executive director Nancy Woodland, sporting antlers and a classic holiday sweater:
If you didn’t make it through the clip – Nancy announced that more than 600 volunteers had contributed more than 6,000 (update) 8,000 volunteer hours this year! Of that, she says, there’s a core of 20+ regulars. Other big numbers include how many local families WS Baby helps – 1,500 this month alone. And how many ways you can help – see their website – the “most essential items,” as noted there, are “strollers, portable cribs, bassinets, coats, pajamas, pants, diapers, and hygiene items such as diaper cream.”
P.S. You can help WS Baby at special events too – 5-8 tonight, as featured in our morning preview, there’s a Stella & Dot Jewelry trunk show at Umpqua Bank in The Admiral District; and e-mail went out today with invitations (extended to you too) to attend the February 10th benefit tea – get on the guest list here!
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