West Seattle, Washington
19 Friday
Westside Neighbors Shelter in The Triangle remains the only shelter in West Seattle. It runs on donations and volunteers, and here’s a list of what they need now:
Westside Neighbors Shelter opens every morning of the year to provide people with a hot breakfast, a place to shower, and other necessities. Even in the summer, we’ve been serving between 30 and 50 hungry people each day. Keith reports that we are out of almost everything, and consequently spending more money every week to keep going. Can you help? Here are the most-needed items right now:
Regular and instant oatmeal
Instant hot chocolate mix
Powdered coffee creamer
Ground coffee
Krusteaz pancake mix
Bisquick
Cup-o-Noodles and Ramen
Potatoes
White and brown sugar
12 oz paper hot cups (no lids)
16 oz paper bowls
10” paper plates
Paper towels and napkins
Men’s socks, underwear, t-shirts
Disposable razors, travel-size shaving cream and toothpasteYou’ll find these items (and more) at our wish list:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2M8BX6UMZBG4H?Or, toss a few of these items in your cart next time you go shopping, and bring them by the shelter between 7 and 11 am any day of the week!
Find out more about the shelter at westsideneighborsshelter.org.
Thank you so much!
(Photos courtesy Invest in Youth)
Local educational nonprofit Invest in Youth tells us that some of their best tutors come through WSB, so they’re again asking us to help with recruitment. If you can help, here’s how!
Are you interested in giving back to our community, narrowing achievement gaps for neighborhood students and promoting educational equity right here in West Seattle? Invest in Youth offers a unique opportunity to connect one-on-one with a local student for the entire school year beginning in October.
Tutors meet one day a week with the same student in the classroom with other student-tutor pairs, and work on math and reading fundamentals, all while serving as a mentor to foster lifelong academic success.
No experience is necessary; just a commitment to show up for one hour, one day a week. Tutoring starts in early October and launches with a training session to familiarize tutors on how to make the most of each tutoring session.
Roxhill Elementary at E.C. Hughes, Tuesdays 2:40 – 3:40 pm
Sanislo Elementary, Mondays 2:40 – 3:40 pmIn addition to these West Seattle Schools, Invest in Youth also serves Beacon Hill International School (Tuesdays from 3:40 – 4:40 pm) and Thurgood Marshall Elementary in the Judkins Park neighborhood (Thursdays from 2:40 – 3:40 pm).
Visit our website for more information or complete our tutor application to reserve your spot to begin tutoring this fall.
That was the scene back in 2009, neighbors of the West Seattle Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 2713, were up on the VFW Hall’s roof raising a new flag, replacing one that had deteriorated into tatters. Now, the VFW’s roof needs some neighbor power again, this Saturday, as the post works to weatherize its building before fall kicks into gear. If you can give some time, be there – 3601 SW Alaska – Saturday (September 20), 10 am, to help seal the roof. The post’s announcement says, “There will be sealant, brushes, rollers; please come with clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting dirty.” Their goal is to “reseal – prevent our community space from flooding during the upcoming rainy season.” The VFW Hall hosts a variety of community events and classes, so weather woes at the building affect more than just the VFW members. If you can help, just show up Saturday!
Those are some of the 1,100 peace flags that West Seattle Indivisible volunteers had just finished assembling and decorating when we stopped by the High Point Library meeting room at noon today. They’ll be distributed to everyone who shows up to be part of a “human banner” next Sunday morning at the Harbor Avenue Pier 1 property. Here’s the explanation/invitation that WSI sent us:
West Seattle Indivisible is celebrating the International Day of Peace, observed around the world each year on September 21. Established in 1981 by United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.
(Simulation)
To this end, you are invited to help us form a ‘human banner’ to spell out PEACE FOR ALL along the West Seattle waterfront! We are creating a beautiful image with the skyline of Seattle as our background, to share around the world. Everyone is invited to be part of this banner; the way it works is that we’ll have a thousand flags stencilled with the image of a dove, and chalk lines for the letters on the ground. At the signal, we all take our places on the lines, holding our banners above our heads and waving. Photographers will take our picture with Seattle in the background.
We’ll meet at 2130 Harbor Ave SW, between Salty’s and Jack Block Park, Sunday morning, September 21. We plan to have music, inspirational speakers, and a thousand people demonstrating for peace.
Please sign up so we get a head count for planning (and for us to email the picture afterward):
Already preparations are underway. Here’s our team laying out the letters ….
The site is privately owned, known as Pier 1, and a WSI spokesperson tells WSB that the land owner has given their permission for this gathering. The event is set to start at 8:30 am, and a separate media advisory lists these expected speakers:
Hamdi Mohamed, Port of Seattle Commissioner (Event MC)
Mayor Bruce Harrell
Malou Chavez, Executive Director, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
Rev. Andrew Conley-Holcom, Admiral UCC
Irene Danysh, Development Officer, Ukrainian Catholic University
Back in July, we brought you the story of the Carlson family, including twin baby girls in the fight of their very young lives against cancer. This weekend you have another opportunity to help them – here’s the announcement we were asked to share:
Tibbetts United Methodist Church is inviting the greater West Seattle community to help support a local family whose twins, Lucy and Josie, are in the fight for their lives. Both babies have been diagnosed with infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (an incredibly rare and aggressive cancer for babies of this age) and are currently enduring intense chemotherapy and extended hospital stays. At Tibbetts, we want to respond in hope, with love and action. We will be raising awareness and showing our support for the Carlson Family at a potluck on Sunday, September 14th at 11:30 am at Tibbetts UMC Adams Hall (Corner of 41st and Andover). Please bring a dish to share and join us as we gather for food, fellowship, and to raise funds for the Carlson Family through their GoFundMe. All are welcome.
(File photo from a reader – that long stretch of greenbelt is the WDG)
The largest remaining contiguous stretch of forest in Seattle is right here on the peninsula. This community announcement coalition we invites you to answer a survey meant to help shape its future:
The Ridge to River Coalition (R2R) announces the 2025 West Duwamish Greenbelt Public Survey. All community members are invited to share experiences, connections, and ideas for Seattle’s largest remaining forest. To take the online survey, visit the R2R website r2rduwamish.org and click the “Share Your Ideas” button.
The West Duwamish Greenbelt is an amazing natural area in the city. It stretches from the West Seattle Bridge to White Center. The forest is a vital habitat for birds and animals. It offers opportunities for recreation, walking on trails to destinations, or simply enjoying the outdoors close to home.
The Ridge to River Coalition is a group of your neighbors from West Seattle and Duwamish Valley groups. R2R is working to create a community vision for the greenbelt that supports environmental stewardship, respects its cultural context and addresses the needs of the surrounding communities.
This is your opportunity to have a say in what would make the greenbelt welcoming and useful. The survey will help shape a community-led Vision and Concept Plan. In 2026, R2R will return to gather public feedback on specific proposals developed from survey responses and environmental studies by our consultant team.
This planning is made possible by a grant from the King County Parks Levy Fund. The Ridge to River Coalition is sponsored by the Seattle Parks Foundation in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation. Technical assistance is being provided by the National Park Service’s River and Trail Corridor Assistance Program.
Your survey responses will help shape the future of the West Duwamish Greenbelt. Several language options are offered. To learn about R2R and take the survey, visit the R2R website r2rduwamish.org and click the “Share Your Ideas” button, or go directly to the survey at https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/AODzlN.
(WSB file photo)
Got garage-sale-suitable stuff but don’t want to, or can’t, have a sale? Here’s an option – donate your gently used items to the Highland Park Elementary PTA for their fundraising rummage sale this Saturday (September 13)! You can drop off donations 8-10 am; the sale is open to shoppers 9 am-3 pm. It’s a “give and take” sale again this year – take what you need, free, or make a monetary donation. According to the announcement we received, “All donations support the awesome teachers and students throughout the year.” HPE is at 1012 SW Trenton.
(WSB file photo)
30 food and drink purveyors, all in one place! Your one chance this year to savor the lineup is the Taste of West Seattle, a benefit for the West Seattle Food Bank, now just under three weeks away – Thursday, September 25, at The Hall @ Fauntleroy (9131 California SW). It’s usually a sellout, so now’s the best time to buy your ticket, and in case you need some help deciding, the WSFB has provided the full list of participants, including notes about who’s new to the Taste this year:
Taste of West Seattle: 20 Days Away!
The Taste of West Seattle is just under three weeks out, and tickets are going fast! General Admission ($75) and VIP ($125) are both still available. VIP guests enjoy early entry at 5:30 pm, exclusive seating lounges, and a special WSFB supporter gift. (General-admission entry time is 6 pm) Guests will experience live music from local legend Jim Page, plus raffles and games with prizes from neighborhood businesses — all while sampling from an incredible lineup of local vendors and voting for your favorite across 5 categories. Every ticket supports the West Seattle Food Bank’s vital work to keep our neighbors fed, clothed, and housed. 21+ only. bit.ly/TasteofWS2025
A Butter Place
Birdhouse
Cactus
Darby Wine
Dolcetta Artisan Sweets
Elliott Bay Brewing Company
Falafel Salam
Ghostfish Brewing Company
Keautious Bakin and Kakin – new to the Taste
Ku Mana’s – new to the Taste
La La’s Lemonade – new to the Taste
The Locöl Kitchen and Bar
Mama Row’s Caramel Cakes – new to the Taste
Margie’s Café at the Center for Active Living
Mission Cantina
Molly Moon’s Ice Cream – new to the Taste
Mom’s Micro Gardens – new to the Taste
The Neighborhood – new to the Taste
Nola’s Events
NW Texas BBQ
Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce
Peninsula Soul Food – new to the Taste
The Roll Pod – new to the Taste
Ringa
Spruce Hill Winery – new to the Taste
T2 Cellar
Three 9 Lounge – new to the Taste
Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes
Viscon Cellars
West Seattle Grounds
It’s a Fauntleroy Community Association tradition – the Pumpkin Search – and this year’s event is exactly one month away, scheduled for Saturday, October 4. But before the Pumpkin Search can happen, organizer Candace Blue launches a volunteer search, to line up people to help with hiding the pumpkins. This year the search returns to the Endolyne business district, and one more special addition – synergy with the Fauntleroy Fall Festival (October 19), with some of the hidden pumpkins marked so they can be brought to the festival two weeks later and receive a prize. If you plan to join in the search, set your calendar for 1-3 pm October 4; if you can volunteer to hide pumpkins, that starts at 11:30 am that day, and you can email Candace now – blueyvette47@gmail.com is her address.
(September 2024 WSB photo)
Next weekend, high-school football season kicks off. West Seattle High School is scheduled to play its first game on the road, 5 pm Saturday, September 6, in Yakima vs. La Salle HS. Even before the season begins, head coach Anthony Stordahl tells WSB, the year’s biggest fundraiser in support of his team is off and running. It’s an online fundraising campaign, and the coach explains, “This is the only fundraiser we will do this year to raise the money needed to have a successful season. The money goes toward equipment, travel expenses, nutrition for players, and a lot more.” They’re hoping to have a few dine-out fundraisers too, but the online donations will comprise the lion’s share of the Wildcats’ fundraising. Their first home game is the annual Huling Bowl crosstown faceoff with Chief Sealth IHS, 7 pm Friday, September 19 (see the full season schedule here). Meantime, donations will be welcomed here.
(WSB file photo, Clothesline’s current location)
Got 2,000 spare square feet? You might be able to help save our area’s free community clothing bank The Clothesline, whose search for a new home is now urgent. Here’s the announcement:
The West Seattle Food Bank today announced that The Clothesline, its free community clothing bank, must find new space by the end of 2025 due to the sale of its current host property. The program is urgently seeking a 2,000 sq ft space within five miles of the food bank to continue serving local families with dignity and choice.
“The Clothesline is a simple idea with a profound impact – dignity. It gives people the chance to choose clothing that fits their lives, their needs and their style — the same way any of us would want to shop,” said Fran Yeatts, Executive Director of the West Seattle Food Bank. “That dignity is what makes this program so powerful and why finding it a new home is so urgent. Last year alone, the community donated enough clothing for us to provide more than 90,000 items to people of all ages. We’re asking West Seattle landlords, faith and civic leaders, and businesses to help us keep this lifeline open by offering or helping us locate a new space.”
What The Clothesline Does
The Clothesline is free and open to anyone in need, offering a dignified, “shop-for-yourself” experience so people can choose items that truly fit their needs—workwear, school clothes, coats, shoes, baby items, bedding, and more. Inventory is sourced entirely from new and gently used donations from local neighbors and corporate partners.Why a New Home Is Needed
The Clothesline currently operates in leased space owned by a local church that is selling the property. The existing setup includes roughly 1,250 sq ft of display space and 1,250 sq ft of donation-processing workspace, with additional storage and restrooms. Current rent is $3,000/month including utilities.Space Criteria
~2,000 sq ft total (can be split across rooms)
Within 5 miles of West Seattle Food Bank
Near a bus line
Some on-site parking and an easy drop-off area for donations
Wheelchair accessible preferredHow to Help / Who to Contact
Landlords, property managers, congregations, schools, and community partners with suitable space to lease or host (in-kind or reduced rent) are encouraged to reach out:
Contact: Fran Yeatts, Executive Director
Email: fran@westseattlefoodbank.org
Phone: 206-932-5385
The Clothesline has been in its current home for six years. City files show a plan for four single-family houses on at least part of the site.
Thunder Road Guitars proprietor Frank Gross may be in the West Seattle Food Bank bin today, but tomorrow he’ll be spending time in a much-splashier container – a dunk tank! We are now just a day away from the big holiday-weekend sale at Thunder Road Guitars (longtime WSB sponsor), which Frank has turned into a food-bank fundraiser – 10 percent of sales will be donated – that will include your chance to dunk Frank and enter the raffle drawing for the Gretsch ’57 Duo guitar he’s holding. And while they last, dunkers get the T-shirt held by TRG staffer Bender, shown below with Robbin from WSFB:
As for how you can dunk Frank: “Bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the West Seattle Food bank or purchase a guitar, amplifier, or pedal. Either one of those gets you 3 throws at our fearless leader and a limited TRG shirt for the event.” All this, plus one-day-only deals, are happening noon-6 pm Saturday (August 30) at Thunder Road Guitars, 6400 California SW in Morgan Junction.
We’re now days away from the start of school for thousands of local students, staff, and volunteers who support them. Among the latter, Friends of Roxhill Elementary – who hope you’ll help their school start strong:
Friends of Roxhill is asking the entire West Seattle community to help support our students have a rich school experience this year by making a donation to the Roxhill Field Trips and Classroom Fund.
With your generous donations, Friends of Roxhill provides each Roxhill Elementary teacher with money for field trips and to equip their classroom with much-needed supplies, like educational games, toys, and books. Past donations have helped send Roxhill students to the Seattle Aquarium, the Woodland Park Zoo, and the Seattle Children’s Theater.
To meet our goal for this year, $20 covers one student, $80 covers a table group, and $400 covers one whole class! Can you chip in to support our students?
Roxhill Elementary is a small-but-mighty Title I school with about 250 students where over half of families qualify for free-or-reduced lunch.
Donate today: gofundme.com/f/roxhill-2025-backtoschool-field-trips-classroom-fund
Remember the streetcorner flower fundraiser a few weeks ago? Another one is happening tomorrow morning, this time on behalf of boosters of the Chief Sealth IHS girls’ swim team. Same general area, along 35th SW on the east side of the 8300 block (just north of Thistle), dahlia bouquets for $10. This will be happening 10 am-noon Friday, as long as the flowers last (last sale, for Girl Scouts, sold out early!). Though school doesn’t start until Wednesday, the team’s already practicing, so it’s fundraising time too!
(Photo courtesy South Seattle Cooperative Preschools)
Again today, we have word of a major fall event announcing both its date and its invitation to prospective sponsors! This time it’s the West Seattle Monster Dash, a fun run that raises money for West Seattle cooperative preschools:
In its 14th year, the West Seattle Monster Dash is a costumed 5k trail run/walk and Kids’ Dash.
Paid registration includes a T-shirt featuring a new design by Alex Van Gilder (all races) and bib with timing chip (5K only). Kids’ Zone with games, activities, prizes, and a photo booth open from 9-11:30 am.
Date: Saturday, October 25
Time: 5k begins at 9:30 am, Kids’ Dashes at 10:30 am
Location: Lincoln Park, Shelter #1Registration opens Monday, September 1st; Early Bird Pricing through the end of September is $35 for the 5k and $20 for the kids Dashes.
All proceeds go to support South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools!
Now seeking 2025 Sponsors: Would your business like to make a monetary or in-kind donation?
Please complete our Sponsorship Form.
The fun doesn’t end when summer’s over. West Seattle celebrates in the fall, too, and organizers of one of the biggest events, Holy Rosary School‘s two-day WestFest, have a two-part announcement – meant to get the dates on your calendar, and welcome potential sponsors:
WestFest is just around the corner, and we’re excited to invite you to be a part of this year’s celebration on September 19th and 20th.
Each year, WestFest brings together our community for two days of fun — complete with a packed beer garden, delicious food booths, thrilling rides, lively bingo, and entertainment in the gym. It’s a wonderful tradition that draws families and neighbors from across the area.
We’d love for you to consider sponsoring WestFest 2025. Sponsorship not only supports Holy Rosary School but also provides your business with excellent visibility through event signage, recognition, and community connection.
For details on sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to Bonnie at (206) 226-4046 or bonnierice@gmail.com.
Thank you for your support!
-The WestFest Committee
The festival happens at the Holy Rosary School campus, outdoors and indoors, off 42nd SW between Dakota and Genesee.
Thunder Road Guitars (6400 California SW; WSB sponsor) has an upcoming end-of-summer sale with a twist – actually two: It’s donating part of the proceeds on Saturday, August 30, to the West Seattle Food Bank, while putting TRG proprietor Frank Gross in a dunk tank! Here’s the announcement, in video and text:
Announcing the Thunder Road Summer “Dunk Frank in the Tank” Event. Join us Saturday, August 30th, for amazing one-day-only deals and your chance to win a FREE Gretsch ’57 Duo Jet courtesy of our friends at Gretsch Guitars.
We decided to partner with the West Seattle Food Bank for this event and will be donating 10% of our sales on the 30th to the food bank. We are also going to have Frank in a dunk tank all day…. Just how do you dunk Frank in the tank, you ask? Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the West Seattle Food Bank or purchase a guitar, amplifier, or pedal. Either one of those gets you 3 throws at our fearless leader and a limited TRG shirt for the event (while supplies last). So join us August 30th, 12-6 pm, for a day of insane deals and help us raise some money for the WS Food Bank.
This Tuesday evening (August 19), you’re invited to a block-party barbecue dinner on SW Henderson west of 35th SW to benefit the Fauntleroy Fall Festival! The free festival runs on donations and volunteers, and The Birdhouse is cooking up this dinner pop-up with 20 percent of the proceeds going to the festival. Just plan to drop by for dinner 5-7 pm that night – The Birdhouse isn’t usually open for dinner but has a special menu for the occasion; see it here – it includes vegetarian options as well as sides and desserts. Take-out if you prefer, but SW Henderson will be closed in front of The Birdhouse, with tables and chairs so you can dine on-site with your West Seattle neighbors.
P.S. This year’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival is set for 2-5 pm Sunday, October 19 – exactly two months after Tuesday’s fundraising dinner.
Cheyanne Chadwick, a STEM educator who is program manager for HEART at West Seattle Elementary, is looking for a community member to help with an upcoming project:
This fall, my students and I will be working on a science of baking project I’m lovingly calling The Great West Seattle Bake-Off. The goal is for students to learn about the chemistry behind baking by discovering what all the ingredients in cupcakes actually do.
I’m looking for a baker (preferably someone from the West Seattle area) who might be interested in coming into my classroom in November for an hour-long demonstration/lesson on baking. No teaching experience is needed, obviously. Bakers would provide the expertise in baking itself, and I’d lead the teaching elements. I can provide more specific details (the when, where, how, whatnot) to anyone who might be available/interested.
Potentially interested? Email Cheyanne at cheyanne.chadwick@stempaths.org.
(WSB photo – early donations during last Saturday’s drive)
One week ago, we visited the heart of The Junction as volunteers from the Rotary Club of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) collected instrument donations for Music4Life. Tonight, Rotarian Brian Waid, who coordinated the dropoff donation drive, reports on the results:
I’m pleased to report that on August 9, with the support of the West Seattle KeyBank branch, the Rotary Club of West Seattle received donations of 43 used musical instruments for the benefit of Music4Life, including: drums (3, including an unusual split drum), flutes (6), clarinets (10, including 3 Buffet clarinets), trumpets/cornets (6), french horn (1), trombone (1), saxophone (1), recorders (2), guitars (4), and a banjo (1). We also received a generous cash donation for Music4Life, an instrument tuner, clarinet repair kit, music books, and several music stands.
Missed the drive? You can still donate instruments and/or money – here’s how. Music4Life works with 15 school districts in the region, including Seattle.
Most months on the third Sunday, Alki UCC hosts a donation drive for community participation – you don’t have to attend the church or even go inside to drop items off. This month’s donation drive is tomorrow (Sunday, August 17) and here’s what they need most:
This month’s priority needs:
Men’s Work/Casual Clothing and Fresh Garden Produce
Westside Interfaith Network is really low on men’s work/casual clothing. The community we serve counts on us to have clothing they can wear for their construction and day labor jobs. Needed: work pants, jeans, khakis, hoodies, sweatshirts, t shirts, long/short sleeve shirts, work/hiking boots, casual shoes and SOCKS (preferably new).
AND … Bring in your overflow garden bounty for us to distribute to a community that doesn’t get a lot of fresh produce.
We also welcome non-perishable food, hygiene items and camping gear. Donations are distributed through the Westside Interfaith Network Saturday lunch, hosted in White Center.
Deepest gratitude to our community for your generous support of our neighbors in need.
Alki UCC is at 6115 SW Hinds, and you can drop off donations between 11 am and 3 pm Sunday.
9:02 AM: Local Brownie Troop 44100 plans to be out for the next three hours raising money by selling flowers:
Our troop will be on the Northeast corner of 35th and Thistle from 9 am to noon (rain or shine!) selling gorgeous bouquets of dahlias and other seasonal blooms for just $10. We know the weather isn’t looking great, but our flowers will still make it feel sunny!
11:15 AM: Update – sold out!
Three weeks left in summer and there’s a lot to do! For the Lafayette Elementary PTA and A Cleaner Alki, a playground cleanup is on the schedule this Sunday (August 17), and you are invited to help:
What: Lafayette Elementary School Playground Cleanup Work Party
When: Sunday, August 17 from 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Where: Lafayette Elementary School playgroundThis event is co-hosted by A Cleaner Alki and Lafayette Elementary School PTA
Gardening gloves and tools will be provided but volunteers are also encouraged to bring their own. We need as many volunteers as possible to get our playground ready for another awesome school year.
More details are on the Cleaner Alki website. The playground is behind the school, off SW Lander on the west side of California SW.
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