West Seattle, Washington
10 Wednesday
(WSB photo from November 2009)
Eastridge Christian Assembly, in The Triangle, has sent word it’s doubling its turkey giveaway this year – instead of giving free turkeys to 500 people at each of its two campuses, including West Seattle, this year each campus will give out 1,000. Here’s the news release, just out of the WSB inbox:
Eastridge Church will be providing 2,000 free Thanksgiving turkeys and bags of groceries to families in need on Saturday, November 20, beginning at 9 a.m. (while supplies last) at their two locations: Issaquah and Seattle. This is double the 1,000 turkeys and groceries provided in past years.
“Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our lives and the good things that we’re experiencing, but it can also be an especially challenging time for families with limited resources,” said Eastridge Lead Pastor, Steve Jamison. “We want to show that Eastridge cares by providing a blessing this Thanksgiving to those who may be struggling to make ends meet. This is our eighth year providing a turkey and bag of groceries to families and in response to the increased need in our community, we are doubling the amount we provided last year.”
When: Saturday, November 20, starting at 9 a.m., while supplies last
Where: The Issaquah campus of Eastridge Church
24205 Issaquah-Fall City Road, IssaquahThe West Seattle Campus of Eastridge Church
4500 39th Avenue SW, SeattleThe 2,000 dinner packages will be given out first-come, first-served, with no demonstration of need required to receive the assistance.
We’ve received more than a few notices about holiday giving campaigns – a roundup with some of the newest ones is in the works, in fact – but we don’t know the definitive answer to this question from Gayle, so we’re putting it out in hopes that, if there *is* such a campaign, you’ll share the info:
In the spirit of helping folks locally, I wonder if you are aware of any West Seattle ‘adopt a family’ programs for the holidays? I’ve contacted the WS food bank about it but thought I’d check with you as well.
I think it’s such a great way to make a difference in these difficult economic times and can also be a meaningful way to teach children the spirit of giving.
Let us know – in the comment section, preferably – if you know of one!
3 more weekend scenes to share: Kevin McClintic shared that photo after happening onto the mobile cancer-screening van at 35th and Henderson on Saturday – one of the periodic free-screening days for non-insured/underinsured women 40-65 offered by West Seattle Community Clinic. The next one is January 8th; Kevin says the clinic staff told him they’ll likely start taking appointments around the first of next month (937-9722). Moving ahead to this morning’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market:
The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle not only is selling tickets to its traditional December 4th pancake breakfast (details here), it’s also loaning wagons to families to help them get around the market while they shop – so next time you go, look for Kiwanis volunteers and little red wagons! Meantime, this afternoon at Lafayette Elementary:
Lafayette parent Luckie shared photos from the Sports Swap – as reported here on Saturday morning, this is part of an intensive fundraising process in Phase 2 of the school’s playground renovations, now called the Play It Forward Project. Volunteers are working to raise $100,000 to match a city grant that’ll go away in two months if they’re not successful. Regarding today’s sale, Luckie says, “I’m not sure how we did money-wise, but we sold a bunch of stuff!”
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
The forecast is iffy, but a few raindrops never hurt anyone. So make plans to get outside for a while tomorrow (and when you’re ready to come inside, we’ll see you at the Gathering of Neighbors). Two events of note: Join the North Delridge Neighborhood Council for a 2-hour cleanup – full details here; and it’s Green Seattle Day, with tree-planting events around the city – if you’d like to help, show up at Camp Long – full details here.
There’s a charity boot-camp-fitness session to benefit the West Seattle Food Bank coming up at the Senior Center of West Seattle, 9-10 am Saturday, November 13. Cash and food donations will be accepted at the door. The session will be run by West Seattle’s Jill Bruyere, who currently offers boot-camp-fitness sessions at Hiawatha Community Center, as well as the Senior Center. Jill has been a resident of West Seattle for the past six years and a personal trainer for the past 11. This is one of several charity-benefiting boot camp projects she’s hoping to bring to West Seattle over the next few months, with a goal of offering fitness and fun, while embracing a sense of responsibility to the community. Jill is currently taking suggestions for nonprofits to support with her future benefit boot camps; you can reach her through her website, runwithjill.com.
(WSB photos and video by Ellen Cedergreen)
Serious rock jam at Bamboo Bar and Grill last night as part of Dine Out to Remember Our Fallen. (Here’s our earlier report, after we met with organizers at Puerto Vallarta in The Junction.) Members of Queensryche, Candlebox and Lotus Crush took the stage – their instruments overwhelmed their vocals in our video, but you still get the idea:
We’re waiting this morning to hear the regional total for the benefit to raise money for the Lakewood Police Officers’ Memorial, in honor of the four officers murdered a year ago this month. At Bamboo, the turnout included Lakewood and Tukwila officers as well as SPD – the next photo includes the two we spoke with earlier in the evening, retired detective Frank Kampsen, director of the Behind the Badge Foundation, and Officer Raleigh Evans:
From the stage, musician Kelly Gray offered a toast to honor the four slain Lakewood officers.
He expressed appreciation for the work of police officers everywhere as well as gratitude for the fact that they “put their lives on the line for us every day.” If you couldn’t join in last night’s fundraiser, either at Bamboo or any of the participating restaurants, you can still donate to the Lakewood Police Independent Guild, which is raising money – there’s a PayPal button on the right sidebar.
That’s West Seattle Helpline executive director Anna Fern (left) with husband Alan Fern (right) and Virginia Pellegrino and Brad Huskinson, during tonight’s fall benefit for the Helpline. Virginia and Brad produced a video that was shown at the benefit (we’re told it’ll be published online within a few days); the event’s theme, “Give the Gift of Warmth and Light.” Certainly a warmer-than-normal evening in a perfect setting, Salty’s on Alki. If you’d like to help Helpline meet the needs of folks in need this holiday season, and beyond, but couldn’t make it to the event – you can donate through the button on the left side of their home page.
Look for the red, white and blue balloons all over West Seattle tonight – like the ones outside Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in our photo – they signify participation in the Dine Out to Remember Our Fallen fundraiser that’s under way right now. Here’s what it’s all about:
In the waiting area for Puerto Vallarta in The Junction, you’ll see that rendering of the police memorial planned for Lakewood, where four officers were gunned down almost a year ago. Tonight’s fundraiser is meant to raise money to bring it closer to reality. Helping lead local efforts, retired Seattle Police Detective Frank Kampsen, director of the Behind the Badge Foundation, and Southwest Precinct Officer Raleigh Evans:
They explained why West Seattle participation is so high:
Meantime, check out this list of participants – get out sometime tonight, and help make the memorial happen. The night’s biggest event will be emceed by Officer Evans: A rock ‘n’ roll jam at Bamboo Bar and Grill on Alki starting at 8 pm. Details here; more later!
An all-star concert at Bamboo Bar and Grill on Alki is just part of the West Seattle lineup for tomorrow’s Dine Out to Remember Our Fallen regional benefit for Behind the Badge Foundation and the Lakewood Police Memorial. Thanks to Eric for e-mailing to share the latest details; the Bamboo concert is expected to be a jam featuring members of Queensryche, Candlebox, and Lotus Crush. Restaurants participating by donating part of their proceeds tomorrow include Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor; half of food proceeds for the day), Salty’s on Alki (part of proceeds from certain desserts), Puerto Vallarta (all proceeds for the day), Bamboo (half of all proceeds for the day, all proceeds from beer donated by Elliott Bay Brewery, plus the concert), Rocksport (proceeds from Georgetown Brewing beer plus drink specials), Christo’s on Alki (accepting donations), Talarico’s, Elliott Bay (proceeds from its beer sales plus has donated kegs to Bamboo and Pegasus), Shipwreck Tavern, Brickyard BBQ, Pegasus Pizza (proceeds from the donated Elliott Bay beer), Duke’s on Alki (donating $250 – had a different fundraiser already scheduled) – and Liberty Bell Printing in The Junction donated the posters! More info, including full regional participants’ list, on this Facebook page.
That’s Christopher Boffoli‘s WSB video from last year’s New Year’s Day polar-bear swim at Alki. Never too soon to start planning the next one; we just heard from Angelina Shell, who is ready to organize it but looking for coffee donations, for starters. If you can help – e-mail her at angelina.shell@gmail.com!
This has been unfolding over the past few days – first an open letter from Southwest Youth and Family Services‘ Cara Kroenke about an urgent need for community help for the family rocked by last month’s quadruple murder-suicide shootings – then a followup last night, and today another update from Cara:
Thank you for the kindness and support to the Phan/Harm family in response to the letter which is included below.
We have rented a temporary storage space and will have it open this Saturday from 11-4 for you to be able to drop off donations for the family.
The family is no longer in need of a couch/sofa, but we still need beds, furniture and whatever gently used household items that you can spare. From drinking glasses to tables to lamps to spatulas, we can use them!
Here is the address of the storage unit:
7133 Delridge Way SW, Seattle, 98106If you would rather make a financial contribution, or drop off the items at the agency, that is wonderful to!
SWYFS 4555 Delridge Way SW, 98106Today the agency is open from 9-3 and will re-open on Monday from 9-7. Please call 206-937-7680 if you have any questions.
If you would like to help other families in crisis, trauma and other difficult situations that aren’t so public, please donate directly to SWYFS by designating “for the agency”, otherwise all donations will go directly to the family.
Thank you again for your generous and kind spirits.
Best,
Cara Kroenke
Following up on the urgent call for help sent out late yesterday by Southwest Youth and Family Services‘ Cara Kroenke, and published here as well as circulated on local mailing lists – Cara just left this comment on last night’s story:
THANK YOU to everyone who is helping the family! SWYFS is beyond lucky to have such a loving community. We have raised the $1800 thanks to you and are now using the remaining money to help cover the costs of moving. They will be moving into two separate households (if all goes as planned) and will need deposit money, moving help and whatever gently used household items you might have. Does anyone know of a good storage company here in West Seattle? We could really use a small space to store the larger items until they move into permanent housing. Thank you for all you do to help SWYFS make the community safer and supported! Yours, Cara
If you missed the original coverage, this involves surviving family members of the three people killed by a West Seattle woman one month ago before she killed herself, all members of her family, as was the lone shooting victim who survived.
Story and photos by Karen Berge
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
More than 25 residents, plus a handful of presenters, attended last night’s information-packed meeting of the Highland Park Action Committee (HPAC).
The meeting at Highland Park Improvement Club (HPIC)’s historic headquarters began with an informative, but brief, presentation by Cari Simson from Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition (DRCC). She provided an historic overview of the Duwamish, including photos; then in contrast, she described its extremely polluted current condition, “basically, it’s a 5 ½-mile-long Superfund site,” a reference to the Duwamish being added in 2001 to the list of the most hazardous and toxic sites in the country.
Simson’s presentation included two especially memorable slides: One lists more than 40 pollutants that have been found in the river that exceed healthy levels, the second shows warning signs that are posted along the river that urge people not to eat any of the bottom-feeding fish from the river.
More about her presentation and other agenda items, ahead:Read More
Just received from Cara Kroenke at Southwest Youth and Family Services, a little over one month after the quadruple murder-suicide in West Seattle:
I’d like to share with you an experience that I just had. At 11:00 this morning, I met with the surviving members of the family that was massacred in West Seattle. … To summarize, the grandmother of the Phan/Harm family, who lived through the genocidal Khmer Rouge attacks of Cambodia PTSD, went off of her medication that helped her deal with her PTSD and fatally shot five members of her family in West Seattle. Her youngest grandchild, Nivia, age 7, was home from school day with a 101 degree fever and witnessed the killings of her father, two sisters(one of whom was pregnant) and the shooting of her mother,Thyda. Grandmother then tried to shoot Nivia, but she ran out of bullets and while she was reloading, Nivia’s 17 year old brother, Kevin, grabbed Nivia and threw her out the window, he then fled himself. As this was happening, grandfather was coming home and heard the final shots as he opened the door, he saw the grandmother take her own life.
They were here at the agency today because they need help. They need counseling, community, love and financial support.
Please join me in contributing what you can; the family is in desperate need of $1800 to pay for the repairs that their landlord is charging them for the damages. Because most of their furniture was bloodstained, or worse, they need furniture and mattresses. The missed shots destroyed many household items as well, so glasses, pots, pillows, etc. would be greatly appreciated too.
The mother is still healing from her gunshot wounds and cannot work. The surviving family is in great need of emotional support, which they will receive from counselors at SWYFS, but they need the basics taken care of, including the $1800 debt, in order to start the healing process, so please if you can donate any money, do. If you would rather support the family with a Safeway or Albertson’s gift card, they greatly need money for food as well. Or, if you have any gently used household items, they would be appreciated as well.
The Phan/Harm family are currently living in temporary housing, but we are working with them to find permanent housing near the children’s schools.
I was able to spend time with Nivia today and we were able to talk about some of her favorite things; stuffed animals, Barbie, movies and books. She would very much like to read the The Magic Treehouse series and is going to be a cat for Halloween. I looked into her eyes and saw joy there; she is very resilient. She was even able to laugh a bit, but told me she can not sleep because she has nightmares; and wasn’t at school today because when she is able to sleep it is on the floor and that that is very uncomfortable and her mother wanted her to get her rest today.
Please keep her and her family in your prayers or thoughts.
Below is a link where you can make a donation. My goal is to raise/have pledges for the whole $1800 by end of day tomorrow. Please work with me so that this can happen for the family. Feel free to call me with questions, or come by the agency to drop off any donations. If you would like to send in a check, a gift card to the grocery store or a letter of encouragement/support, please mail it to:
SWYFS
Attention: Phan/Harm family support
4555 Delridge Way SW
Seattle, WA 98106
Many thanks for rallying with us for the Phan/Harm Family.
For your records, our tax ID # is:911-17862
Donate here link: http://swyfs.org/support_us/
The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is continuing a pre-holiday food drive at its next two weekly meetings, but you don’t have to attend the meetings to donate. You can drop off nonperishable food at Be’s Restaurant in The Junction (4509 California SW) any time it’s open – or during the Kiwanis Club’s meetings there 7-8 am on Wednesday, October 27, or Wednesday, November 3rd – that’s also the date that West Seattle Food Bank executive director Fran Yeatts will be the featured speaker, with an update on the food bank’s current and future plans and needs. You’re welcome to attend the meeting ($8 breakfast) even if you’re not a member – call 206-938-8032 to RSVP.
When you don’t know where else to turn, West Seattle Helpline is a place to go – to figure out how to get the help you need. And they don’t just offer connections; they also run a clothing bank, among other programs. But you can’t help others without reaching out for some help to make that happen – and the fall fundraiser for West Seattle Helpline is one way for you to make sure their work can continue. It’s set for 6 pm Thursday, November 4th, at Salty’s on Alki, with dinner, music, a silent auction, and a few words from the former Helpline board member who is now King County Executive, West Seattle’s own Dow Constantine. Tickets are $75 and they’d like to have your RSVP by next Saturday: wshelpline@gmail.org or 206.932.2746. (Here’s the official flyer.)
You might recall the story we published earlier this week, written by Tilden School‘s fifth-graders, who are working on forest restoration. They’re volunteering weekly at nearby Dakota Place Park, too – removing trash as well as weeds and other invasive plants – as did last year’s fifth-graders, and Tilden shared the photo to help remind you of a communitywide work party TODAY at Dakota Place – it’s been on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar since Jennifer Cargal from Friends of Dakota Place Park sent word: “You’ve been enjoying that park. Well, it’s time to grab your gloves, a trowel or a shovel and join us for a work party … LABEL ALL TOOLS!! And come prepared for the weather! We work either way. We hope you’ll join us as we work together for a great fall clean-up for Dakota Place Park. Hope to see you at the park!” If you haven’t been to the park (dedicated exactly one year ago), it’s on the northwest corner of California/Dakota – here’s a map.
(What else is up in West Seattle today? Here’s the calendar!)
That’s the trailer for the animated Disney/Pixar movie “Ratatouille” – given its culinary theme, an apropos choice for tomorrow’s benefit for Sofia Goff and her children, for whom friends are trying to raise money. Now a local business is offering to match donations – as explained on this page, along with the backstory on the benefit (plus a button for donating if you can’t make it to the benefit), 11 am Sunday at Admiral Theater.
Big week for West Seattle’s biggest elementary school (526 students as of the newest enrollment report), Lafayette. Yesterday, we showed you a second-grade class’s special field trip; today, the entire school’s involved in the biggest fundraiser of the year, the annual Walk-A-Thon. Above, lining the course to cheer on the walkers – some run:
And some get company – that’s WestSide Baby‘s Nancy Woodland taking a lap earlier this morning. School fundraisers like this rustle up cash for what the budget just doesn’t cover any more – though at least the schools still get great folks like the Lafayette office team, Ms. Selena and Ms. Connie:
For years, by the way, Lafayette has been working on upgrade its playground – and an entirely different round of fundraisers is under way to take advantage of a grant that’ll evaporate if not matched – look for that story coming up here on WSB. And if you have a school fundraiser, celebration, event, need, whatever, that you want to make sure the greater West Seattle community knows about – send the info this way! Thanks!
36-year-old Nikki Mackey hopes you will watch that video of her recent haircut at Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor). Five weeks ago, Nikki was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. She explains why watching the video can make a difference:
Knowing that I will lose my hair to chemo, I decided to donate it to Locks of Love (my hair was very long and very pretty….)
I went last Wednesday to Illusions Salon in West Seattle and had them cut the hair for the donation – one of the stylists videotaped it for me since I have been trying to fully document this new and painful journey. I put the video up on YouTube to share with my friends and family (I’m from the East Coast so many of them are not here physically but want to share this experience with me in any way they can…)
The video generated a great many views very quickly and I received a notice from YouTube regarding ad-revenue sharing. Illusions gave their permission for me to
apply for the ad-revenue sharing and I contacted Locks of Love to let them know that I want all proceeds earned from the video to go to them. I just really want to get the video out there so we can perhaps earn some money to help this fantastic organization. Immediately following my surgery, one of the surgical attendants came to see me to make sure I was doing OK. She told me she had worked at St. Jude’s and was present when one of the Locks of Love wigs was presented to a 15 year old girl. She told me she never forgot how happy the girl was and how emotional it was to see this child get a wig which would allow her to feel like a normal 15 year old – at least as normal as she could possibly feel under the circumstances.… I want to raise awareness for this awesome organization, as well as for breast cancer awareness. As I said, I’m 36 years old – I have no family history of this disease – I exercise regularly and eat organically, yet here I am. I just want to get the word out that body awareness is the key to survival. It certainly was for me.
Locks of Love participation is one of the ways Illusions gives back to the community – as explained toward the bottom of the “Giving Back” page on their website. You can also find out more about Locks of Love, including other ways to help the organization, by going here.
… is this Thursday. Bordeaux, Bites, and Boogie is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, which advocates for the health of our peninsula’s economy, while connecting local businesspeople with each other, and also making sure that key concerns such as sustainability are addressed as part of economic growth. The Chamber has a lot of big projects in the year ahead, and has had a busy year, but this one night is a time to celebrate and mingle, and you’re invited. The event is at Sodo Park, the events venue in SODO that’s owned by West Seattle-founded Herban Feast (which is also the parent of Fresh Bistro). It starts at 5 pm this Thursday night, and as the title suggests, there’s food, drink, and dancing, among other parts of the festivities – plus a raffle. You can get tickets online through Brown Paper Tickets (here’s the direct link), $50/person. (Disclosure note: WSB, like many local businesses, is a Chamber member and is honored to be its current Business of the Year.)
We mentioned Avalon Glassworks‘ pumpkin-making event earlier – seems there’s another patch of glass pumpkins in West Seattle today: WSB contributing photographer Ellen Cedergreen happened onto this show/sale that Tacoma Glassblowing Studio is presenting till 4 pm at Alki Bathhouse. Above, that’s studio co-owner Jeannine Sigafoos; part of today’s proceeds are going toward an orphanage in Romania and a Puget Sound charity (explained here, along with other venues that’ll be hosting the event in the weeks ahead).
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