West Seattle, Washington
28 Tuesday
Add another party to your fall schedule! The West Seattle Community Orchestras (WSB sponsor) are seeking your support as they provide an opportunity for musicians young and not-as-young to learn, grow, and entertain. Here’s the announcement of their upcoming benefit:
A gorgeous trombone quartet tribute for Japan in early 2012; a world-premiere woodwind composition in 2011. The West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ Fall Gala on November 10 is sure to present a musical surprise that engages and highlights the contributions and talents of local musicians. Celebrate and support local music November 10th at the Highland Park Improvement Club beginning at 5:30 pm with a silent and live auction and of course, performances by members of all three of WSCO’s orchestras. Food by local chef Rose Zhu and a cash bar will round out the evening. Tickets now available via WSCOrchestras.org, $25 adults and $10 children 12 and under.
WSCO operates three orchestras for musicians of all ages and abilities, each group meeting weekly for rehearsals with two concerts yearly. Students through grade 12 receive free membership in any of the orchestras which includes coaching, mentoring and of course performance opportunities. WSCO believes the intergenerational nature of the orchestras offer great musical experiences for all participants, providing opportunities to learn and grow together. To purchase tickets and view auction items: WSCOrchestras.org – To donate auction items: WSCOauction@gmail.com
School-fundraiser dinner/auction season is beginning, and one of the first on the schedule is Chief Sealth International High School‘s “Passport to Excellence” event on November 9th at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Not only are they selling tickets and taking donations, they’re also looking for business sponsors:
Sponsorship levels start at $50; having our event expenses underwritten by sponsors helps us direct the proceeds from the auction to the many programs and activities that Chief Sealth PTSA, Chief Sealth Athletics, and Denny-Sealth Performing Arts support throughout the year. We are expecting more than 200 attendees and will provide visibility to our sponsors at the event and via our website and messages out to our 1300 families! Of course we’d love community members to come join us at the event and/or donate items and services, too. Ticket sales and item donations can be handled online as well.
Detailed information can be found at chiefsealthptsa.org/auction.html
Sheryl shared the photo, along with this report:
Girl Scout Troop 40766 donated a check for $100 to Tent City [“Nickelsville”]. The money was raised last year through cookie sales. Because there is no electricity or running water at Tent City, the girls decided to contribute money toward their expenses. Nickelsville residents pay over $1600 a month just for portable toilets and sanitation.
The girls encourage anyone to also help contribute. Checks can be made out to Nickelsville and mailed to 3229 Harbor Ave SW Seattle, WA 98126. The girls will personally deliver your checks. All donations are tax deductible.
Thank you for caring about our neighbors in need.
(2010 Duwamish Alive! photo by Cliff DesPeaux for WSB)
Whether you paddle on the river, or walk into the watershed, there’s a multitude of ways you can help during the twice-yearly Duwamish Alive! cleanup next Saturday. All ages welcome! Choose a volunteer site here – or read on for details in the official announcement:
Read More
Speaking of football: In connection with the Seahawks‘ upcoming Thursday Night Football game vs. the 49ers, Gatewood Elementary is up against a San Francisco school in an online vote for $1,000 in grant money. P.E. teacher Alex Beaty had been seeking crowdfunding to pay for equipment so students can “move to music”; the NFL picked up his proposal and ran with it, all the way to the special football tie-in. It’s a no-strings-attached type of vote – just a click, as often as once an hour – go here before Thursday!
We’ve learned there are two fundraising walk/run events coming up in Lincoln Park before the month is out. 
We’ve already mentioned the Monster Dash on October 27th, benefiting West Seattle’s Cooperative Preschools (WSB sponsor). But before that, October 21st is the date set for Miles for Midwives 2012. Organizers explain:
Miles for Midwives takes place every autumn to raise awareness around the benefits of midwifery and the important work of Washington midwives! Your participation helps to ensure that families in Washington State have greater access to quality women’s health care and the lower health-care costs associated with utilization of midwives. Proceeds from Miles for Midwives benefit the Washington Affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives and the Midwives’ Association of Washington State.
You can register online by going here – it’s $25 if you sign up by October 18th, one week from tonight. On Miles for Midwives Day, on-site registration starts at 8 am, a “kids’ lollipop run” at 9:45, then the official run/walk (not officially timed, by the way) at 10 am, near Shelters 1-2 in the south end of the park. It’s a 2.5-mile loop along the perimeter, down to the water, around Colman Pool, back up into the park, and we’re told it’s stroller-/pet-friendly.
If there were a co-op grocery store on Delridge Way, what would you like to see it carry, and how would you like to see it operate? If you can spare six minutes, Delridge Produce Cooperative is still accepting responses to a survey it launched a few days ago – short, anonymous, but extremely helpful to an up-and-coming organization that is in talks for the retail space planned in the 5400 block of Delridge Way when the DESC supportive-housing building opens – not just for produce, but for a co-op grocery store that would carry much more. The survey is here.
The official WSB mascots, both adopted from shelters as adults, are making a cameo tonight to point out that the Seattle Animal Shelter is bringing foster cats to Alki Community Center this Saturday (October 13), noon-3 pm. “If you have room in your home and your heart for an orphaned animal, this is a great opportunity to come and see some of the wonderful pets available from our foster-care parents,” says Don Jordan, Seattle Animal Shelter director, in the official news release. (We found our tortoiseshell at one of these adopt-a-thons, 10 years ago!) There of course are lots of great adoption opportunities in West Seattle year-round, but the city only comes by every so often. More fine print about the process, after the jump:
As our photo from this morning shows, Roxhill Park is a very busy construction zone right now, with the skatespot and playground-renovations site both in progress. As mentioned here last week, the community build date for the new Roxhill Castle play structure is coming up fast – just a few weeks away, November 2-6 – but could be canceled/postponed if enough volunteers can’t be rounded up. The company that made the old Roxhill Castle – which was deteriorating and had to be replaced for safety’s sake – and the new one, Leathers and Associates, only puts in “community-built” structures – as the slogan on their website puts it, “Community-built builds community.”
Local advocate/organizer Mat McBride is spearheading the community aspect of this project and was making the rounds of three meetings last night (we heard him speak to the North Delridge Neighborhood Council) to explain what’s needed – 70 volunteers (must be at least 18) per shift per day during the build. Plus, tools and food for those volunteers. If you can lend a hand, please sign up ASAP – if “a certain level of volunteer commitment” is not achieved soon, “the build dates might be canceled,” he says. It’ll just take a few hours out of a day – but you’ll be making a difference for all the kids who will play there in the years ahead. Sign-up information and more is on this website: roxhillcastle.wordpress.com – or just go here. Questions about the project? roxhillcastle@gmail.com
It’s calendar-marking day. Something else you won’t want to miss – less than two weeks away! The official announcement:
The White Center Food Bank will host its 8th annual Harvest Dinner and Auction on October 20 at South Seattle Community College’s Brockey Center beginning at 5:30 pm. The event will feature a live and silent auction with items ranging from wine collections to weekend getaways at premier northwest locations. Tickets (pre-registration only) are $65 and available at whitecenterfoodbank.org or by calling our offices at 206-762-2848.
White Center Food Bank serves West Seattle from SW Myrtle Street through White Center to SW 140th in Burien, bordered by Highway 509 and Puget Sound. In 2012 we are on track to serve 60,000+ individuals, much like 2011. The need in our community remains high for food assistance as record numbers throughout our state face food insecurity – many for the first time in their lives. Seniors are particularly feeling the pinch and our outreach efforts are expanding to serve this special client group that often finds themselves unsure of how to ask for help, and where to get it. We place a special emphasis on fresh, healthy foods that promote and maintain health for all our clients, from babies to seniors, as well as providing shelf-stable pantry items.
Your favorite neighborhood nonprofits are thrilled to get donations any time – but they’re also happy to have you join in on gala celebrations, too, in the fun-draising mode, and two more are coming up:
(Space Needle from an airplane, 1962 – explained in this WSB story)
SOUTHWEST SEATTLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY: The SWSHS “Stand Tall for History” Gala Champagne Luncheon is just a week away, Saturday, October 13th, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor). From the announcement:
With the Seattle skyline and Elliott Bay as the backdrop, the historical society will celebrate the Gala theme by enjoying a stimulating audio-visual program by Alan Stein and Paula Becker, authors of “The Future Remembered: The 1962 Seattle World’s Fair and Its Legacy.”
From the construction of the 604-foot-tall Space Needle to the antics of Elvis Presley, this presentation by Stein and Becker just two days shy of the 50th anniversary of the close of the 1962 fair is designed to entertain and inform. As a bonus, copies of their acclaimed coffee-table book will be available for sale and inscription.
In line with the theme, attendees will be able to write their own memories of the 1962 fair, for placement in a time capsule to be maintained by the historical society.
Besides the World’s Fair theme, those who attend will enjoy a silent auction of unique items with a historical flair, as well as the eagerly awaited tradition called the Dessert Dash. It all will be topped off with champagne.
Tickets for the Gala are $75 apiece ($25 for children age 4 to 12) and are available at the historical society’s Log House Museum, 3003 61st Ave. S.W., open noon to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, or by calling 206-938-5293.
WEST SEATTLE HELPLINE: From executive director Tara Byrne:
The West Seattle Helpline is having its annual fall fundraiser dinner with the theme “Give the Gift of Warmth and Light” at the Duwamish Longhouse on Saturday, November 10th from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Tickets are on sale now for $95 at wshelpline.org. A delicious dinner will be provided and there will be a silent auction and a video about who we serve and what we do. All proceeds will benefit families facing emergencies in West Seattle. This fundraiser will help us work towards empowering our neighbors to gain back self-sufficiency after facing an emergency by providing warm clothes for families, rent and utility assistance, school supplies, and bus tickets. The need is the greatest in the fall and winter months.
Two food drives that will be all the more successful with YOUR help:
ALL MONTH LONG: Sound Physical Therapy has challenged other clinics in West Seattle for “a good-natured competition to celebrate National Physical Therapy Month.” All month long, they’ll accept food donations – and at month’s end, the West Seattle Food Bank will weigh the donations and announce who “won.” Even if you’re not a client, stop by the nearest clinic and drop off a donation! Also participating (we’ve linked each name to their website so you can find the clinic): Highline PT, Life in Balance, BioJunction Sports Therapy, Southwest Hand Therapy, Cascade Dizziness and Balance, Kinetic Physical Therapy. (The “wish list” for the food bank is the same one in the next item.)
THIS FRIDAY NIGHT: The Rotary Club of West Seattle invites you to a food drive that’s also a fun way to wind up the week. From publicity chair Dave Nichols:
The Rotary Club of West Seattle is known as the fun club. While we have serious meetings and have serious goals to help the community, on the First Friday we meet at a West Seattle watering hole for fellowship and libations.
This Friday (October 5th), we will be meeting at The Cask, located at 2350 California Ave SW, from 5 pm till 7 pm. In order to be a little serious, we would like to ask the community to stop by to meet their local Rotarians and drop off a food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank. We will have a donation barrel set up at the front door.
The West Seattle Food Bank serves around 900 families a week and consistently distributes more than 100,000 pounds of food each month. As far as our food donations go, The West Seattle Food Bank purchases about 12% of its food, and rely on local businesses, grocery stores, farmer’s markets and individual food drives for the rest.
While all donations help, a wish list from the West Seattle Food Bank follows:
Diapers
Baby formula
Protein items (including tuna, peanut butter, beans)
Reusable, Paper & Plastic Bags
Canned soup
Ensure
Pet Food
Hygiene items
Fresh produce
Office supplies like copy paper
EDITOR’S NOTE: Again this year, local volunteer/community advocate Judy Pickens is talking with local schools about roles you can fill, if you can spare a little time to volunteer. Here’s her first compilation of the new school year.
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog
The new school year brings new opportunities to make a difference in area schools by volunteering to do a one-time or ongoing task. Each school has its own personality but all have in common a culturally diverse student body, including many students new to English.
Because of increased enrollment in our public schools, they also have in common classrooms that are bursting at the seams. When class size goes up in an already culturally and academically diverse classroom, a teacher’s need for volunteer support becomes critical to each child’s having a successful year.
An e-mail to the address given will bring you more information about any of the following opportunities to lend a hand.
*************
At White Center Heights Elementary (10015 6th SW)
Contact Angelica.Ponce@highlineschools.org
Ongoing: Adults for crossing guard before (8:40-9:10 AM) and after (3:44-4:00 PM) school. Pick your day/shift M-F.
Ongoing: Adults for playground supervision, 12:02-1:00 PM. Pick your day M-F.
Ongoing: Adults to help supervise students during lunch, 12:05-1:10 PM. Pick your day M-F.
*************
At Highland Park Elementary (1012 SW Trenton)
Contact stpaolone@seattleschools.org
Ongoing: Adults or older teens to support classroom teachers with tasks such as listening to students read or preparing materials; varies by teacher/grade. Pick any hours/days M-F, 9 AM-4 PM, and grade.
*************
At West Seattle Elementary (6760 34th SW)
Contact smtaylor@seattleschools.org
Ongoing: Adult to help with the composting program during lunchtime, 11:15-12:45. Pick your day, M-F.
Ongoing: Adult to help monitor students during breakfast,, 8:10-8:35 AM. Pick your day, M-F.
Ongoing: Adults or older teens to support classroom teachers with tasks such as tutoring students one-on-one or preparing materials; varies by teacher/grade. Pick any hours/days 9 AM-3 PM, and grade.
One-time: Adults to help escort students during picture day, Oct. 15, 9 AM-2:30. Shift or all day.
One-time: Adult or older teen to clear and till the school garden. At your convenience.
School-fundraiser season kicked off almost as soon as the school year did – and this week’s launches included the start of pledging for the October 19th Walk-A-Thon at West Seattle’s most populous elementary school, 
Lafayette in the Admiral District. The logo for this year’s Walk-A-Thon was unveiled at an assembly this week, along with the motto: “Fire It Up!” (Which keeps with the theme that debuted at the assembly we visited earlier this month, when new principal Shauna Heath entered aboard Seattle Fire Engine 29.) Lafayette’s goal this year is $65,000, to pay for student programs they would otherwise lose, and the goal will include community contributions as well as pledges collected by students. Just two more days to become a sponsor, according to Lafayette’s announcement:
This year as a courtesy to our local business’ we are doing a “one-ask” procurement process – which means we only approach a business once this school year. Business donations are due September 29th to ensure we recognize their sponsorship on our various pieces of media that will highlight their company’s involvement. For more info, contact Leslie at wolfie2748@msn.com or visit www.mylafayette.org
P.S. If you’re inviting the community to participate in YOUR school fundraiser too, let us know!
We spotlight volunteer opportunities now and then, and tonight, we have an announcement from Merrill Gardens at Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) – where activity director Stephany Wong is looking for people to help their residents have fun!
We are currently looking for volunteers to help us with our fun and exciting activities program. Currently we could use your help with calling bingo, current events, fireside readings, music and entertainment, art classes, walking club, going on outings with a group and so much more.
Please contact Stephany Wong at the Admiral Heights Merrill Gardens for more information on how you can be a part of our fun community. 206-938-3964 or admiralheights@mgmail.org
Though today’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s is wrapping up along Lake Union right about now, it had West Seattle representation – this group headed out this morning from The Kenney (WSB sponsor). Participants included residents and staffers. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the walk’s beneficiary, 35 million people are affected by Alzheimer’s worldwide, and this is National Alzheimer’s Month – find out more here.
Two more food drives for the White Center Food Bank (which serves south West Seattle too):
VILLAGE GREEN NEXT SATURDAY: Bring donations to Village Green Perennial Nursery till 4 pm today Saturday, September 29 – look for the barrel. 10223 26th SW.
CHICO’S NEXT FRIDAY/SATURDAY: Shop at Chico’s at Westwood Village next Friday and Saturday (September 28-29), and if you bring a nonperishable-food donation, you’ll get a 10 percent discount on your purchase.
Thanks to Bryan and Janet Jones for photos from the grounds of the former Genesee Hill school, where the community gardens are getting some TLC from neighborhood and Seattle Pacific University CityQuest volunteers. That work’s going on till about 2 pm.
But it overlaps with another event you can join in, too – from 1 till 3 pm, make mosaic stepping stones with Bright River Studio artist Terri Goodwin. Just bring “a colorful old plate or tile to break up for the mosaic” and “dress for mess.” You’ll get to keep your finished creation.
ADDED: Afterward, Janet sent out this summary:
Today was a gold star day at the school, with several long-awaited tasks accomplished, as follows:
Four new basketball nets installed
Some playground sweeping
All summer debris transferred to the dumpster
Ivy pulled from the Dakota hedge
Wildlife area tidied
Blackberries trimmed
Wood chips wheelbarrowed to beds – wildlife area and behind play structure
Two and a half trash bags of litter picked up.
Photos with story posted to the wsblog
Stepping stone artThank you one and all!
Six more Thursday nights till the November 6th election – which means six more chances for you to be part of a unique joint-effort phone bank in support of marriage-equality Referendum 74. We photographed the volunteers tonight in the room where they’ve been working at the building shared by Alki UCC and Kol HaNeshamah. They would love to have more volunteers – training and food are provided; you’re asked to bring a laptop and cell phone. It’s a standing listing for 5:30-8:30 pm Thursdays on the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar – see it here.
(SIDE NOTE: If you are just starting to pay attention to this fall’s issues – Referendum 74 started with the Legislature and Governor Gregoire making same-sex marriage legal; opponents gathered signatures to put the new law to voters as a referendum. If the majority of voters vote to approve R-74, the law is affirmed; if more voters reject it, it is overturned. Read the full text of the law here.)
Last month, we published a call for tutors from a program called Invest in Youth that helps students at four Seattle Public Schools including Roxhill Elementary. They are glad to report that some prospective tutors have stepped up – but they need three more for this school year, so they can help the maximum number of students who could benefit from the program. Orientation is coming up next week, and tutoring sessions start the first week of October; tutors in this program visit Roxhill after school on Tuesdays. To find out more and/or sign up – go here.
(WSB video from start of last year’s first-ever Beat the Burn 5K – this year it’s at Jack Block Park)
New info today about Beat The Burn, the 5K fundraiser coming up September 30th at Jack Block Park and along the West Seattle waterfront: They point out it’s not ONLY a 5K – it’s also a community festival with everything from food trucks to kayaking to the legendary Bubbleman:
The Port of Seattle Fire Department/Local 1257 Firefighters and the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters Burn Foundation would like to invite you to bring the family and join us on Sunday, September 30th at Jack Block Park on the scenic West Seattle Waterfront.
The BEAT THE BURN 5K RUN/WALK event is open to all runners, walkers and family members of all ages. Join us for a fire engine siren start, live music by SLACKER, a local band favorite, health and safety displays, Lumpia World and Sweet Wheels food trucks, entertainment, beer garden, a kid’s area. And don’t miss the Alki Kayak Tours standup paddle board and kayak demonstrations at 11:00 a.m., the Bubbleman at 11:30 a.m. and the Northwest Disaster Search Dogs in action at 12:45. And we’ll have hourly drawings for $100 Gift Cards compliments of Salty’s and a $200 Gift Card from El Gaucho for the first runner across the 5K finish line. And don’t forget to pick-up your 2012 Firefighter Calendar; we’re giving away 100 copies!
Come meet the firefighters at Jack Block Park and join us for a fun outing on the West Seattle waterfront. It’s all for a great cause – to help send young burn survivors ages 7-17 to Camp Eyabsut. Thank you. Register at saveburncamp.org
For another week – till Wednesday 9/26 – you can also register in person at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor).
If you haven’t heard yet about the big Alki Beach cleanup that is part of International Coastal Cleanup Day this Saturday … go sign up! Sponsors including Puget Soundkeeper Alliance would like to know how many people to plan for. You can sign up outside Duke’s on Alki starting at 10 am Saturday – the cleanup runs till noon, followed by an afterparty till 2 – but they say early online signups are even better. Read all about it here.
Sunday, bring your classic (1979 or earlier) car, truck, motorcycle, or moped to the fifth annual West Seattle Junction Car Show – details here – or, if you don’t want to enter, plan to come wander the (closed) streets in the heart of The Junction, 8 am-4 pm. It’s free to see, but fundraising raffle tickets are sold to help Pencil Me In For Kids – which buys school supplies for kids in need – and here’s where you can help BEFORE the show: Organizer Michael Hoffman from Liberty Bell Print and Design is still looking for more donated raffle prizes. Just about anything, he says, but gift certificates are popular (especially for massages!), so if you have something to donate, to help kids, please call Michael at 206-935-1212 or Liz at 206-935-0904.
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