West Seattle, Washington
29 Friday
Another cold night begins … and the West Seattle Giving Spirit sustains the Westside Neighbors Shelter, our next spotlighted organization in our holiday-season series. Three times a week through year’s end, WSB is bringing you this special holiday-season opportunity to learn more about, and support, some of our area’s hardworking nonprofits, in partnership with the Learning Communities Foundation. Tonight – consider this one-of-a-kind shelter:
On a freezing night in 2019, Keith Hughes opened the doors of the American Legion Hall to a handful of people with nowhere to sleep safely and stay warm. As Commander of American Legion Post 160, he was used to assisting veterans; however, he knew he also had to respond to the emergency needs of the men and women huddled outside his door.
Since then, Westside Neighbors Shelter has expanded to act as a morning warmup center year-round, with hot drinks and breakfast. From November into March, the hall becomes a sleeping room filled with cots, giving unhoused adults a place to stay warm and dry when the outside temperatures fall to dangerous levels. Hot dinners and breakfast are provided by the local community. People experiencing homelessness can shower and get clean clothing. All adults are welcome, regardless of gender, whether or not they’re a veteran.
Westside Neighbors Shelter is a volunteer-operated emergency shelter; it currently receives no funding from government sources. The shelter has only one paid employee: a security professional who watches the hall when it’s occupied overnight. Community donations of money, labor, and supplies help provide food, heat, and basic sanitation for the increasing number of people unable to find a place to live in West Seattle and Burien.
As word of this place grew, so did the number of men and women hoping for a hot meal, a shower and clean clothes, and a place to shelter from a freezing night. The number of people seeking shelter here has risen dramatically–from up to 20 per night in 2019 to up to 40 per night in 2023. “I don’t see that stopping or even leveling off,” says Keith.
Keith estimates that last winter the shelter handed out 1,300 pairs of socks, 800 stocking caps, 800 pairs of gloves, 500 sets of clothing, and 400 winter coats. “We take care of a lot of people here. I am sure it’s 500 or 600 individuals over the winter,” he says.
“We’re providing temporary emergency sheltering. Most of the people who come here are on a journey to find permanent housing solutions, and this is a stopover on the journey.”
“We don’t get a lot of feedback from people who are here for one or two nights and move on. But out of the core of longer-term clients, we have had our successes with those who have been able to find interim housing solutions, and those who have come to their own realization that they need professional help for mental-health issues, alcohol and drug overuse issues, and we have sometimes been able to help them find resources to meet their needs. Those resources are outside of this facility, because we can’t provide those resources directly here at this time,” says Keith.
Your support can keep dozens of people safe and warm every night this time of year.
DONATE HERE
VOLUNTEER HERE
WHAT’S NEEDED MOST
LEARN MORE ABOUT WESTSIDE NEIGHBORS SHELTER
Scroll through our archive of West Seattle Giving Spirit spotlights here, and watch for the next one on Monday!
Another holiday-season tradition in West Seattle! The Duwamish Tribe Longhouse has opened its doors to Native arts and crafts creators for this year’s holiday-season Native Art Market. It’s always a mix of new and returning vendors – among the new, Wilma Gloria, of the Tulalip Tribes, with creations including hats and belts woven from cedar:
In her arms is Lovey. They’re near the great-room door, as is Ixtlixochitl Salinas (White Hawk):
Some fair participants are creating on site, including Britt Rynearson from the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation:
She’s creating “kinship circles”:
There are many other vendors to browse, with creations including drums, combs, ornaments, paintings, and body care. While you’re there, also visit the exhibits for the Cultural Center and learn about Duwamish Tribe history; fry bread is for sale toward the back of the great room. The fair continues until 5 pm today and again 10 am-5 pm Saturday and Sunday at 4705 West Marginal Way SW; if you’re driving, note there’s parking on both sides of Marginal (and crossing flaggers if you end up parking on the east side of the street).
Just texted:
Awesome homemade Christmas tree sales and goodies (cookies and warm drinks) being sold on our neighbors’ front lawn right now … 48th Ave sw just north of Hudson. Very pretty trees salvaged from a woodland thinning project. Hoping you could spread the word.
PS – Open until 5 pm today and tomorrow, we’re told.
Thanks to Blair for the tip. This was the scene outside Bang Bar Thai Restaurant in The Junction this morning – its planters were broken into pieces across the doorway. Nobody was around when we went by for the photo so we don’t have additional details yet.
If there’s anything guitar-related on your holiday list, get down to Thunder Road Guitars (6400 California SW; WSB sponsor) right now – with an in-store purchase, you get lunch from the Dick’s Drive-In burgers-and-shakes truck, which is at the store until 2 pm. (If you miss the truck, the sale lasts longer – online as well as in-store – through Small Business Saturday.)
10:08 AM: That’s 13-year-old Nathan Tavel, warming up moments ago for his hour-long bowl-a-thon at West Seattle Bowl. He’s the only bowler here before the official opening time, raising money for local food banks. So far pledges are covering $2.09 per pin, $68 per “turkey” (three or more consecutive strikes). We’re here to watch and to update. Nathan’s bowling on lanes 23 and 24; he bowls 216 in his youth league and has been doing bowling fundraisers for more than four years.
10:15 AM: $500 raised for the food banks so far. Pledges were accepted up till Nathan started bowling; this is also being streamed on social media, with Nathan’s dad, community advocate Phil Tavel, narrating.
10:20 AM: First “turkey” (three strikes in a row), raising $68 more. … Moments later, another one. … and that string ran to 11 in a row by our count.
10:29 AM: Almost midway through, Nathan threw his first perfect game – 300. He’s picking up steam as this rolls on. “Nathan’s crushing it,” his dad declared. Nathan himself is a young man of few words, so far.
10:43 AM: “Holding up well,” the bowler allowed. So far he’s knocked down 1313 pins, with 41 strikes and 6 turkeys, raising just over $3,000.
10:52 AM: Another turkey. Nathan will be bowling until about 11:05 since this started just after the top of the hour.
11:00 AM: Just a few minutes to go. Nathan’s remained calm and steady throughout this – and his dad informs us he’s now up to 2123 pins, 60 strikes, and nine turkeys – that’s almost $5,000 for the food banks.
11:16 AM: Final total, just past $6,200, to be split between West Seattle and White Center Food Banks – 2,577 pins, 73 strikes, 12 turkeys. If you pledged, watch for your PayPal invoice; prize winners will be notified too. (And now the bowling alley’s open for regular bowling for the day.)
Here’s what’s happening around West Seattle and vicinity today, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and our Holiday Guide:
(Wreaths at Holy Rosary Tree Lot)
HOLY ROSARY TREE LOT: This year’s Holy Rosary Tree Lot, on the north side of the campus, is scheduled to open today. Part of the proceeds go to local nonprofits.
Open Friday, November 29th through Tuesday, December 17th.
HOURS
Opening day: Friday: 9 am – 9 pm
Monday – Thursday: 4 pm – 8 pm
Friday: 4 pm – 9 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 9 am – 9 pm
(Off 42nd SW north of SW Genesee)
PINS FOR THE PANTRY: 13-year-old Nathan Tavel is doing a bowling fundraiser for both the West Seattle Food Bank and the White Center Food Bank called “Pins for the Pantry.” Go to www.nathantavelbowling.com to pledge. He’s bowling for an hour today, before the bowling alley opens, and he will raise money based on his pin total for that one hour. You can pledge up until 10 am today; he bowls 10-11 am.
INDOOR PLAY: Need an indoor place for your little one to play on this chilly day? 10 am-11:30 am, you’re welcome to “Stay ‘n’ Play” at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).
DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE NATIVE ART MARKET: This is your annual chance to buy from Native artists and crafters the weekend after Thanksgiving. 10 am-5 pm daily through Sunday. Food vendors too. And now there’s more parking! (4705 West Marginal Way SW)
JET CITY LABS’ SMALL-BIZ MARKET: Today is the first date, 10 am-2 pm, that you can stop in to see who’s selling what at Jet City Labs for all your holiday needs, whims, and dreams! (4547 California SW)
BLACK FRIDAY AT THUNDER ROAD GUITARS: Deals in-person and online PLUS the Dick’s burgers-and-shakes truck on site for Friday buyers, noon-2 pm. See full preview here. (6400 California SW)
MOUNTAIN TO SOUND OUTFITTERS SALE: 15 percent off all weekend in honor of their 15 years in business. (3602 SW Alaska)
SSC GARDEN CENTER: “Garden Center will be closed Thursday-Saturday November 28th-30th. We will reopen with poinsettias, holiday swags and more on December 5th!”
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visit the home of West Seattle’s history, noon-4 pm. (61st SW & SW Stevens)
QI GONG AT VIVA ARTS: 12:15 pm-12:45 pm Fridays. More info in our calendar listing. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM: “The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room will be OPEN on Black Friday-Small Business Saturday November 29th-30th 1-6 pm for our 72$ case sale! Come by for this opportunity to enjoy our 2016 and 2017 vintages for $72 for 12 bottles!” – in the north lot of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
VISCON CELLARS: Season’s just right for the ambience of this cozy tasting room/wine bar, open for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm – at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Acoustic guitarist Lew Jones live at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover.
HANSEROTH TWINS AT EASY STREET: Performance, meet and greet, and signing, 7 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW).
AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
THE SLAGS: Live at West Seattle Brewing (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW), 8:30 pm, no cover.
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ B——– tonight! (4547 California SW)
JARAY’S DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buzsy at Jaray’s Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).
Are we missing anything? If you have something else to add to our event lists, calendar, and/or Holiday Guide, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(You might see some congestion here – Easy Street opens at 7 am for Black Friday)
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to your post-Thanksgiving Friday, November 29.
SCHOOLS
No classes at Seattle Public Schools and most if not all other schools today.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Mostly cloudy, high in the mid-40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:35 am, while sunset will be at 4:20 pm.
(Foggy Thursday photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
TRANSIT
Water Taxi today – Back to regular service today.
Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Sealth as the “ghost boat.” Check here for last-minute changes.
Metro buses today – Regular schedule today. (Here’s all the Metro holiday-weeked info.)
ROAD WORK
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the south half of the bridge is closed, with one lane each way on the north side. Fairmount Avenue remains closed beneath the bridge.
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
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