West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Two Sunday events of note before tomorrow arrives – and remember, tonight’s the night we “fall back” an hour – First, The Whale Trail and Killer Whale Tales, both led by West Seattleites, present the first-ever OrcaFest at Alki Bathhouse tomorrow, 11 am-3 pm. It’s free, with kids’ activities, storytelling, info about Puget Sound orcas, and more – details here. Second, the West Seattle Democratic Women celebrate the centennial of women’s right to vote in our state with a movie and discussion tomorrow at Admiral Theater – “Iron-Jawed Angels,” telling the suffragettes’ story, followed by a discussion led by Alki activist Libby Carr. 4 pm, $10 at the door. (Even more Sunday activities on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!)
One week from today, you can kick off holiday-shopping season in the greenest of ways at CoolMom‘s annual Toy Swap ‘n’ Sale, 9 am-1 pm Saturday, Nov. 13, at Fauntleroy Church. Those two mini-electric cars are among the donations in so far – but CoolMom‘s looking for more. You get a $5 discount on your Swap ‘n’ Sale purchases if you turn in a bag of donations. CoolMom executive director Terri Glaberson says they’re accepting lots of things for the sale – just gather up what you don’t need any more!
We are short on our gently-used toy collection (that includes baby gear, kids furniture, books, games, puzzles…) and need your help in filling our bins.
The sale really is fantastic and benefits two great non-profits [WestSide Baby and CoolMom], motivates you to clean out your closets… AND provides families in West Seattle with a way to purchase holiday toys at CRAZY low prices. When you make a donation, just put your name in the bag and you get a $5.00 credit at the sale.
Have the kids help; they may love to give away a few toys and then get some new ones at the toy swap. Great fun and it doesn’t break the bank.
CoolMom has dropoff sites conveniently located at Gatewood Elementary, Community School of West Seattle, PCC, C&P Coffee on California and Small Clothes.
If you have big items you would like to donate, but can’t drop them off at a bin, Terri would happily pick them up or you can drop them off the day of the sale (but please let her know that you will be dropping them off at the sale). Contact her at 206-280-2828 or terri@coolmom.org.
The banner’s been hung by the Chief Sealth International High School Galleria front doors with care – in hopes that you and many other West Seattleites soon will be there! (Apologies to the original author!) The 2010 Gathering of Neighbors is under way, till 4 pm today. Workshops and even a keynote speaker for the first time – plus a food truck available at lunchtime – just c’mon over and wander through. (Workshops, including our social-media primer, are in the classrooms on the west side of the Galleria, at 11:30 and again at 1:30.) More soon!
11:22 AM UPDATE: There’s a Galleria overview from about 10 minutes ago. Among the organizations in our line of sight – West Seattle Chamber of Commerce (here’s Patti Mullen):
Also, Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, Sustainable West Seattle, West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network (here’s Karen Berge):
Plus: West Seattle Be Prepared, 34th District Democrats, Morgan Community Association, WestSide Baby, Highland Park Action Committee, Lafayette Elementary Play It Forward Project – to name just a few. Also the West Seattle Community Orchestras, West Seattle Food Bank, Alaska USA, Chief Sealth PTSA … and the Nature Consortium and DNDA (whose executive director Derek Birnie is on the right in this next photo):
We’re told the Pai’s Thai/Hawaiian food truck is already set up here, too.
12:58 PM UPDATE: We’re done with our first social-media-primer workshop (and the three workshops including food-growing, solar energy, and “kid zone”) – another round of all four is coming up in half an hour – we’re in the classroom at the far southwestern corner of the Sealth Galleria (through the front door, extreme left turn. Principal John Boyd is now speaking – talking about what it really means to be an international school, teaching “global perspectives” and world languages, among many other things – and will be introducing former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice shortly.
1:04 PM UPDATE: Former Mayor Rice is talking about the community-building work he now does with the Seattle Foundation, after remarking on the strength of the West Seattle community, and the aspects of a strong community that he’s seen around the Galleria here at the Gathering of Neighbors.
He urges everyone to stay focused on “what’s good for the community” – the same way that in our families we focus on “what’s good for the family.” He concludes – “Keep on doing the work that you’re doing … everyone has a role to play and a place to stand” to strengthening a community. “We’ll say at the end, ‘all is well, all is well’.”
3:06 PM UPDATE: Update – the event’s ending now – rather than going till 4. So if you haven’t been here yet, we’ll see you next year! Thanks to everybody who joined us for the social-media discussion/workshops – they were a blast.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
This weekend’s Lafayette Elementary Sports Swap – drop off donations/consignment till 3 pm today, shop and “swap” 9 am-3 pm Sunday (flyer here) – is the current fundraiser for a longrunning project that’s suddenly attained new urgency: Upgrading the playground for West Seattle’s most populous public elementary school.
The playground-upgrading project has been under way for years (Lafayette is one of the schools our son attended, and we recall fundraisers up to six years ago!) – but now, there’s a “use it or lose it” component: A $100,000 city Neighborhood Matching Fund grant for Phase 2 (outlined here) that MUST be matched with cash and other contributions by the end of January, or else it goes away.
To get the job done, there’s now a catchy campaign name – Play It Forward – and parent volunteers specifically focused on marketing (including production of the explanatory video you can watch atop this story). We chatted recently with the Lafayette moms who are project co-chairs, to find out why this is a matter of concern beyond even the 530-plus families with students at the school now:Read More
Quick reminders: Gathering of Neighbors at Chief Sealth International High School, 11 am-4 pm, see you there! (more details in our Friday preview) … Another dropoff day for Lafayette Elementary‘s Sports Swap, 9 am-3 pm (sale is tomorrow; info’s here) … SWAC junior-football playoff games at Southwest Athletic Complex, 9 am and 4 pm … Holiday alert! Wreath-making workshop at Alki Bathhouse, 10 am … Also at 10 am: Delridge Adopt-A-Street and Green Seattle Day (both previewed here) … Avalon Way 7-11 “grand opening party” (previewed here) noon-2 pm … Artists’ reception at 2 pm today for the Southwest Library community art showcase … “Comfort Food Throwdown” to raise money for Family Promise of Seattle, 5-8 pm at St. John the Baptist Church Hall … Free lacrosse clinic, 7:30 pm at Hiawatha Playfield … Live music schedule for C&P Coffee is here, and Skylark Café and Club here (both are WSB sponsors) … LOOKING AHEAD: Just one week till the CoolMom Toy Swap ‘n’ Sale – donate a bag of toys, get a $5 discount – full details here.
More details announced by the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle for their traditional community pancake breakfast, coming up December 4:
The annual West Seattle Community Pancake Breakfast will be carrying on a tradition that is looked forward to by a growing number of adults and kids. Folks look forward to this chance to renew long- standing friendships and to make new ones. For the 64th year, the event will be sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle. At the club’s weekly booth at the West Seattle Farmers Market, club members are being asked, “When’s the Pancake Breakfast?”
For the record, it’s always the first Saturday morning of December – this year, it’s December 4. “As usual, we’ll be at the Alki Masonic Building, 4736 40th Ave. S.W. Breakfast will be ready at 7 a.m. and we’re closing at 11 a.m.,” Dr. Steve Leifheit, breakfast chair announced.
Loyal patrons claim, “THE CAKES ARE GREAT!” “They ought to be,” chimed West Niver, president of the West Seattle Kiwanis Club; “we’ve been making them for over 63 years. The recipe is so treasured, Sig Staaksted, who traditionally mixes the batter, keeps the recipe in his billfold”.
Kiwanis is a “hands-on” service organization. “However,” declared Niver, “it still takes some financial resources to support helping young kids, teens and adults who are facing stiff challenges these days. Our time-honored assistance to schools and youth organizations requires funding, as well. “By supporting this event, generous folks help us meet those needs,” Niver concluded.The breakfast will also provide an opportunity for patrons to donate new, unwrapped “Toys for Tots.” Marine reservists will be on hand to accept the toys. Children to 12, accompanied by an adult, will be offered a free photo with Santa.
Adult ticket donations are $5 each ($6 at the door) and kids, to 12, just $3. Mail orders may be sent to PO Box 16128, Seattle, WA 98116. Phone inquiries will be received at 206-938-8032, or stop by the Kiwanis tent at the West Seattle Farmers Market each Sunday.
The West Seattle Kiwanis club is one of the first service clubs established in West Seattle, and was started in 1929. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle offers you the opportunity to share your experience, knowledge, and time in service to the community. This service is great fun and builds fellowship with other members. Excellent, diverse programs can be enjoyed at our weekly meetings. Membership is open to all men and women who possess a genuine interest in serving the community.
The club meets at 7am every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, and Noon every 2nd Wednesday, at Be’s Restaurant in the Junction, at 4509 California Ave SW. Park in rear lot and enter the rear door.
(Dining-room photo courtesy of, and used with permission from, Tuscan Tea Room)
Proprietor Aimee Pellegrini sent word overnight that she has set the official opening date for her Tuscan Tea Room and Romanza Floral in The Junction (4521 California SW, next to the new Wing Dome):
We will be open on Tuesday!! Our Tea/Coffee bar is open at 8:00 am and the dining room/floral bar at 10:30. We are accepting reservations for dining or please stop in for a cuppa and treat!
The Tearoom is a unique multi-purpose business. There are many different ways to use it and we are excited to see how our patrons will enjoy it from your daily beverage, lunch, or a specialty tea party, to planning your wedding flowers or grabbing a quick gift.
Tuscan/Romanza is on Facebook here, and on the Web here. (Our first report on this in-the-works business was back in June.)
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