Why dress as a vampire or Star Wars character when you can bring history to life? Costumes are welcomed and encouraged at the big annual Southwest Seattle Historical Society fundraiser – here’s an updated announcement:

Please join us for the SW Seattle Historical Society Annual Gala taking place at the Salty’s on Alki Event Room, featuring a special Salty’s Brunch, Silent Auction, Raffle, Dessert Dash, and whimsical entertainment.

Each table will represent one decade of the 16 that have passed since The Denny, Low, Boren, and Terry Party arrived at Alki Beach, “The Birthplace of Seattle.” Costumes are encouraged and will be enjoyed by all.

Date: Saturday October 22nd, 2011
Time: 11:30 am to 2:30p m
Place: Salty’s on Alki
Tickets $65-adults. $25-12 and under. Children under 4, free

Please RSVP to (206) 938-5293

Want to learn how to not just speak to those in power, but to get heard? A free civic-skills-training class is coming up next week in West Seattle. Here’s the official announcement:

For all those wanting make their voice heard in government and impact laws passed in Washington State Legislature and the Seattle City Council, Seattle Free School, in partnership with Knowledge As Power, will provide a free hour-long civic skills training across Seattle. The High Point class is on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 4:30pm at the High Point Branch Library. The address is 3411 SW Raymond St. Seattle, WA 98126. The training will be given by Sarah Schacht, the executive director of Knowledge As Power, a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on helping citizens engage more effectively in the lawmaking process. Register here if you’re interested in attending. The class is free and open to the public.

With the ever-increasing amount of communication legislators have to sort through, it can be difficult to get your voice heard. Knowledge As Power provides effective techniques and free technology for civic involvement so that the citizens of Seattle can become more informed, engaged, and effective at any level of government. After an overview of how the legislative process works, the nonpartisan training is focused on providing techniques to effectively communicate and influence the decisions of lawmakers. Reel Grrls, a Seattle nonprofit shares their experience: “Sarah helped our youth learn concrete ways to get their voices heard in government. Her training was practical, engaging and energizing — our youth left the workshop feeling like they can make a difference.” Register here if you’re interested.

Some techniques covered in the class include crafting effective advocacy emails, engaging in follow-up communications, and using simple technology tools to track legislation and make messages personalized and effective.

Knowledge As Power is a 501c3 nonpartisan organization established in Seattle with the goal of helping citizens become politically engaged, empowering them to influence the lawmaking process.

Register for the civic skills class online, through Seattle Free School.

West Seattle Community Orchestras’ rehearsal plans for tonight (Tuesday, September 27) is out:

Debut Orchestra, 5:30 to 6:45PM
At Fauntleroy Church, 9140 California Ave. SW (shared facility with the YMCA)
You may park in the parking lot off of California Ave.
Look for WSCO signs!
Face the church, walk up the stairs (to your right)
Enter the building at the door marked “Church Office/YMCA”
Look for signs from there – we will rehearse in the Narthex

Intermediate/Symphonette Orchestra, 7:00 to 8:15PM
At Fauntleroy Church, 9140 California Ave. SW (shared facility with the YMCA)
You may park in the parking lot off of California Ave.
Look for WSCO signs!
Face the church, walk up the stairs (to your right)
Enter the building at the door marked “Church Office/YMCA”
Look for signs from there – we will rehearse in the Narthex

Symphony Orchestra, 7:00 to 8:45 PM
At The Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California Ave. SW, Vashon Room
Park in the lot behind (west of) the building, accessible from SW Director Street
Walk up the long ramp; the Vashon Room is at the lower entrance to the building.
Look for WSCO signs

Just announced:

WEEKEND WORKSHOP & MIXED-MEDIA SHOW
For all visual artists at the Seattle Chinese Garden
With Ray Pfortner, Educator & Photographer

Improve your camera and composition skills – no matter what your final medium – by photographing the Garden with exclusive early morning and evening access. Learn fromin-class and online critiques. Determine how to select, price and prepare your work for a juried, mixed-media exhibition.

For all visual artists with any camera and any level of experience, whether making photographs for artist’s reference to render later in watercolor, acrylics and woodcuts or for framing.

The workshop takes place over two weekends this fall:

Friday, Sept 30, 6:30-8:30pm, Sundays, Oct 2 &16, 7am-6pm
Tuition: $220 ($200 for Garden members) Materials: $20

Space is limited to 16. To register, contact the Garden at 206-934-5219 or info@seattlechinesegarden.org

For more information about the workshop: raypfortner@gmail.com

We received a note from High Point resident Wendy Hughes-Jelen (green Realtor and of the dog-finding-electrified-street-light fame), that she received a grant from the High Point Neighborhood Association to hire Lao-Shi Caylen Storm (Alki beach tai chi) to offer a class free of charge to High Point residents – and they are opening the doors to others who might like to participate, also for free, on a space allowed basis (not a problem so far).

They’ve been meeting outdoors but also have access to class space inside Neighborhood House for when it rains (like it did Monday night). She describes the class as “Tai Chi 099”, the so-basic level of tai chi instruction that they haven’t really made it to Tai Chi 101 yet.

Here is the announcement running on the Events page for Monday nights…

MONDAYS at 7 pm Tao Jin: Foundations of a Tai Chi Lifestyle
A free class at High Point, 7 pm, outdoors on the Plaza (Commons Park Amphitheater) or indoors when wet at Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW). Those attending the class so far have no previous experience so are getting lots of explanation with their practice – if you’ve always been curious about tai chi but felt intimidated, this is the group for you.

The class was made possible at no charge through a grant from the High Point Neighborhood Association. The community brought in Lao-Shi Caylen Storm, a longtime martial arts instructor currently teaching for The Wushu/Tai-chi Center on California Ave. SW, (and also known for Sunday morning tai chi on the beach on Alki). Storm introduces basic concepts and movements of Tai Chi, as well as information on diet, mind-set, tools to facilitate a healthy lifestyle based on Tai Chi philosophy, energy regeneration, and the motivation in making positive life changes.

Questions? Contact: caylen_storm@yahoo.com

An email from Nicole at Blooming Wild Yoga announces a brand new yoga series starting up at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse that is intended to be an ongoing situation…

I wanted to let you know that yoga classes are starting at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse Community Center next week.

There are two series:

Mornings: 9:15 – 10:15 am, Thursdays, a seven week series running September 1 to October 13 – $105 for entire series

Evenings: 5:30 – 6:30 pm, Mondays, a six week series running August 29 to October 10 (no class 9/5, Labor Day) – $90 for entire series

Register by sending email to Nicole@bloomingwildyoga.com
This will be the first in an on-going series of yoga classes to serve the community!

Thanks!
Nicole

“Root to Bloom”
www.bloomingwildyoga.com

The generosity of West Seattleites has meant success for so many fundraisers. One coming up next month asks you to open your heart and pocketbook for people in crisis on the other side of the world – many with families that have fled to the U.S. and are living in our community. Here’s why High Point residents are planning a fundraiser September 9th:

Historically, Somalia was a nation with a socialist dictatorship government that could provide for its people. With power comes thirst for more power and in 1991, tribes wanting their turn at leading the country ousted the Somali government led by Siad Barre. In the ensuing Civil War; thousands of people, including children, the elderly, and mothers died at the hands of brutal militiamen. Thousands of Somalis walked and hitchhiked for weeks and months to find freedom, to find water and basic necessities, thousands dying in that journey for survival.

After 19 years of insecurity, and a weak transitional government, famine in Somalia has now destroyed the lives of nearly 12,000,000 people in the Horn of Africa. After years of drought, the crisis has now hit a tipping point. Famine has been officially declared in five regions of Somalia. The United Nations expects the famine to spread across all regions within two months. The famine is the result of crop failure, livestock death, and prices in local markets that are too high for most people to buy what is needed to feed their families. In addition, a weak government battling a militia group called Al-Shabab has created one of the worst humanitarian crises of our lifetime.

United States officials and aid agencies reported that the drought and now famine has taken the lives of 29,000 children under the age of five. We have heard countless stories, seen unforgettable images, and the situation worsens. In Somalia, children are starving to death before their mother’s eyes as they trek to Somalia’s capital Mogadishu or refugee camps. Without any time to grieve, a mother of five walked to save her only surviving child, racing against time only to die at the refugee camp.

In these tough economic times, we are all strapped for cash and have families to feed. But at the end of the day, it is up to us to do something because children and innocent victims are suffering. High Point residents are hosting a fundraising event to make a difference. In an effort to provide support to World Vision, residents are planning to raise $20,000. High Point residents have families in Somalia that are dying by the dozens. This tragedy is not only affecting the lives of innocent people in Somalia, but our clients, our neighbors, our friends and families. Those dying in the middle of the road, in bushes, and in refugee camps, are not nameless. Let’s take a moment to remember their lives at this event.

This fundraiser will benefit Islamic Relief or Mercy Corps. Your donation will help save a life.

When: September 9, 2011 at 6pm
Where: High Point Neighborhood House Center—6400 Sylvan Way SW

Just in from People for Puget Sound:

Free “Rain Water” Tour Aug 13 in West Seattle Highlights Solutions To Polluted Runoff

When it rains, pollution like oil, grease, pesticides and pet waste washes off streets, parking lots and other hard surfaces into local waterways and Puget Sound, harming the health of birds, fish, whales and people.

People For Puget Sound invites West Seattle residents to a free, family-friendly tour on Saturday, August 13, beginning at 10 AM, at Chief Sealth International High School, 2600 SW Thistle St. The tour will be led by knowledgeable experts who will show how to reduce and eliminate the flow of toxic pollution into our waterways.

At the start of the tour, participants will learn about the ecology of the Longfellow Creek watershed and continue to The Home Depot site to learn about traditional polluted runoff management methods and the effect of polluted runoff on local fish habitat.

The tour will then follow the legacy trail along Longfellow Creek, up 150 stairs, to the High Point neighborhood to view sustainable development solutions to polluted runoff. An optional discussion will conclude the event from 1 – 2 PM at the High Point Community Center.

The tour is free and family-friendly and is limited to 30 participants. To reserve your place, contact Emily Fales, EMfales@uw.edu

We received this announcement from the organizers of the Water and Spirit Bike Ride:

We are excited to let you know about the 4th Annual Water and Spirit Bike Ride! This year the ride will start and finish at Salty’s on Alki! This event is coordinated by St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, West Seattle.

*4th Annual Water and Spirit Bike Ride*

Date:
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 7:00 AM

Start and Finish:
West Seattle
1936 Harbor Ave SW, Salty’s on Alki Beach

Online Registration (closes Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 9:00 PM)

Brief Description:
Get ready to Ride! Mark the date on your calendar now for this spectacular ride on Puget Sound beginning and ending at Salty’s on Alki Beach, in West Seattle. The 40 mile ride includes three ferry crossings, a farmers market and some of the finest scenery in the Northwest. Ride registrations and sponsorships raise funds for Family Promise of Seattle and Scholastic Journey.

Registration Fees:
Adult $30.00
Family $50.00
Youth or Student $20.00 (Age 16 and older) Child $10.00 (Under age 16 riding with registered Adult)

Registration and Bib Pick Up:
6:15am – 8:30am
At Salty’s on Alki Beach

Cash or Check:
Please bring cash or check if you plan to register on the day of the ride.

Ride Start:
Participants check in and begin ride at Salty’s on Alki Beach.
Start ride by 6:30am to take first ferry to Bremerton.
Start ride by 7:30am to take second ferry to Bremerton

Ferries leave Seattle Terminal at 7:35am and 8:30am.

The Ride:
Salty’s to Seattle Ferry Terminal 5 miles. (ride time 30-45 minutes)
Bremerton Ferry crossing time 60 minutes.
Bremerton Loop 14.25 miles. (ride time 40-90 minutes)
Kitsap Transit Foot Ferry crossing time 15 minutes.
Lunch and relax at the Port Orchard Farmers Market
Route to Southworth Ferry 13.5 miles. (ride time 45-120 minutes)
Southworth Ferry to Fauntleroy crossing time 30 minutes.
West Seattle beach ride to Salty’s on Alki 7.5 miles. (ride time 30-45 minutes)

Ride Finish:
The finish line is at Salty’s! Celebrate, share ride stories, enjoy the view and refresh!

Additional Information:
This is an organized fun-ride to support local non profits, take in beautiful scenery, laugh with friends and enjoy a fantastic day of biking around Puget Sound. All ferry rides are included with registration. Come join us and help make this years ride a ride to remember!!

Register online today on the 2011 Water and Spirit Ride website.

Please share this event with your friends! :) Thank you for your support!

From Seattle Parks – news of the big party, plus what else you’ll find at West Seattle’s only city-run outdoor pool this summer:

Colman Pool celebrates 70th birthday on July 4; swim lessons are available for kids up to age 16

70th Anniversary
Colman Pool, West Seattle’s outdoor pool and Seattle’s only heated saltwater pool, celebrates its 70th birthday this year, and Seattle Parks and Recreation is holding a celebration from 1:45 to 4:45 p.m. on Monday, July 4.

The celebration at the pool, 8603 Fauntleroy Way SW in Lincoln Park, includes a swim at 1:45 p.m. and a program at 4 p.m., and food, music, pool games, prizes and special entertainment.

Swim Lessons
Summer swim lessons are available at Colman Pool, with openings still available in most classes, including Kinders (for 4 and 5 year olds) and Beginning and Advanced Youth (6-16 years old). Classes are half an hour long and run every day, Monday through Friday, for two weeks at a time. Please call the pool for more information or to register at 206-684-7494.

Colman Pool enjoys a stunning setting on the beach and features the Giant Tube Slide and one-meter and three-meter diving boards. The pool is Olympic size (50 meters long with eight lanes) and the water is kept at 85 degrees F. For more information, please see http://www.seattle.gov/parks/aquatics/colman.htm.

An announcement today from West Seattle-based Twelfth Night Productions:

Twelfth Night Productions (TNP) is pleased to open Oliver! by Lionel Bart in August at West Seattle High School. A beloved musical, Oliver! tells Charles Dickens’ story of the little orphan boy who would not be overlooked. The colorful characters he meets on his journey teach him about life and love as he struggles to make it on the streets. A few of the memorable songs include “Food Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself,” “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket, or Two,” and “As Long As He Needs Me.” This year’s cast and crew of more than 80 people includes children and adults from all over the Seattle area.

In keeping with TNP’s tradition of giving, this year’s beneficiary is Treehouse, and a portion of the proceeds from Oliver! will be donated to this remarkable organization. Treehouse has been around since 1988 and helps fill the gaps for kids in foster care by providing services overlooked by other agencies. Among other services, they provide money for extra-curricular activities and summer camps, professional educational support services, and clothing and supplies to help kids fit in at school. In addition to donating proceeds from Oliver!, TNP will also help facilitate a back-to-school drive for Treehouse, collecting school supplies, backpacks and new or gently used clothing items for kids in foster care.

Oliver! runs in a special limited engagement at West Seattle High School, August 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 7:30 PM and August 7, 14, and 21 at 3:00 PM. Tickets are available online at Brown Paper Tickets and at West Seattle High School, 3000 California Ave SW Seattle WA, on performance days. Prices are $18 for adults and $15 for students & seniors.

From the WSB inbox:

SEATTLE HAM RADIO ENTHUSIASTS COMPETE IN NATIONAL AMATEUR RADIO CONTEST & PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

Event Date: Saturday and Sunday, June 25th & 26th, 11 am Saturday until 12 pm Sunday.
Location: South Seattle Community College, SE field near Olympic Hall.

National Ham Radio Emergency communications exercise draws together five regional amateur radio groups forming one local City team competing with thousands of Amateur Radio operators making radio contacts throughout North America, showing off their emergency capabilities with a public demonstration this weekend hosted by South Seattle Community College, at the West Seattle Campus June 25th and 26th.

Erecting Ham Radio stations in community parks, campground, schools and emergency centers through out the country, radio teams operating their radios off the power grid will join over 35,000 amateur radio enthusiasts demonstrating their emergency wireless communications skills while having fun talking to friend all over the continent with their radios, participating in the national event called “Field Day” that is the climax of the week long “Amateur Radio Week” sponsored by the ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio.

This year’s Seattle combined team is comprised from members of the “Auxiliary Communications Service” and “Medical Service Team” that serve the City’s Office of Emergency Management, plus the “West Seattle Amateur Radio Club”. Also participating are members of the Seattle Chapter of the American Red Cross Emergency Radio Unit and colleagues from the Puget Sound Repeater Group.

Seattle’s team will be showing off the newest digital and satellite capabilities, voice communications and even historical Morse code as they compete in the contest making as many Radio Contacts as possible to other teams through out North America to gather points, operating Ham Radio equipment powered only by batteries, generators, wind turbines and solar arrays.

Field Coordinator for the Seattle site, Tammy Zoch said, “The Public is invited to the site where they can try their hand at Ham Radio with a special radio station set up just to see how much fun it is to operate an amateur radio. During the two day event there will be demonstrations for Satellite Communications, a digital communications workshop and a Ham Licensing Examination Session. This is a chance to see what Ham Radio Emergency Communication is all about”.

Major sponsor for this years Seattle event is the “Seattle Office of Emergency Management” that provides support and training for the Ham Radio “Auxiliary Communication Service” Program that serves the City’s Emergency Operations Center Ham Radio Station W7ACS in times of emergency communications and community needs when all other means of radio and telephone systems fail.

The staging area for the Seattle City Ham Radio Event is provided by South Seattle Community College and is located in a large grass field in the South East Sector of the Campus near Olympic Hall. On-Air operations will start at 11 am Saturday and continue till 12 pm Sunday.

In the past months, the news has had many reports of ham radio operators providing critical communications in emergencies world-wide. During fires earthquakes, tornadoes and other crises, Amateur Radio was often the only way by which people could communicate. Amateur Radio operators are often the first to provide critical early information and observations to responders in crisis situations.

If you have any questions, contact Dave Mann, ACS PIO at 206 365-9700 or Mark Sheppard, ACS Director, Cell Phone 206 510-7118

For more information about preparedness and amateur radio – please visit:

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