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Benefit 1 week from tonight: 2 nurses, 3 bands, belly dancers!
August 16, 2009 7:51 pm
|    Comments Off on Benefit 1 week from tonight: 2 nurses, 3 bands, belly dancers!
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

At left, that’s Susie Drake, a local nurse, with people she has helped in the African nation of Senegal. She and fellow nurse Sydnie Phelps are going to Senegal (map) this fall, and friends are helping them raise money and collect donations to take along to an orphanage and mission – you can help too, at a fundraiser in West Seattle one week from tonight. Their friend/co-worker Shanna Mosher shares the news (and the photo above, from Syd and Susie‘s website):

*Two remarkable nurses, three rocking bands and a troupe of belly dancers will be at the Bohemian in West Seattle on Sunday August 23 for a fundraiser benefiting the less fortunate in West Africa. *

*This is a unique opportunity to have a direct impact improving the quality of life for those in need in Senegal. Your much-needed donations of medical supplies, funds and other necessities will be personally delivered directly to the LaPouponniere Orphanage and the Kahone Mission in Senegal, assuring that your donations will be utilized by the people who need them most. In addition to delivering your donations, they will be providing unconditional love and care for orphaned infants, and assisting the nuns at the Mission with their medical expertise. *

*Senegal is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a per capita income of $500 per year. Nearly 1 in 160 women in the rural areas die from child birth. Nearly 1 child in 7 dies before the age of five, and 1 in 4 suffers from chronic malnutrition, malaria and upper respiratory infections. Still, the government of Senegal is committed to keeping health a priority and is striving to create a forward thinking medical community. *

*Thanks to generous nurses like Syd and Susie, and to supporters like YOU, we hope to help bring supplies and equipment so local trained health care practitioners can implement their skills.*

*The show starts at 5:30 pm and is free, but donations will be greatly appreciated. There will also be a raffle for tickets to see the Sounders FC in** action.***

The Bohemian is at 3405 California SW (map). More on the trip, here.

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Happening now: Cover Dog Search; Team Tracy fundraiser
August 16, 2009 2:10 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Cover Dog Search; Team Tracy fundraiser
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

That’s Richard with Lulah, who he’s entered in West Seattle-headquartered CityDog Magazine‘s Cover Dog Search, continuing at West Seattle Thriftway till 3 pm. (On the other side of the camera is J. Nicole Smith of Dane + Dane Studios.) CityDog’s Brandi Ahlgren tells WSB they’ve had a big turnout – last year they got 50 dogs total; this year as of 1 pm they already had 70 signed up. And as noted here earlier, they are collecting pet-food donations for West Seattle Food Bank, too:

Also at Thriftway till 3, the Seattle Humane Society MaxMobile with adoptable pets. Meantime, in The Junction, we stopped by to say hi to Team Tracy – that’s namesake and breast-cancer survivor Tracy Dart at right:

Their booth accepting donations for Team Tracy’s Breast Cancer 3Day fundraising is set up outside West 5 till 5 (inside, at least two servers are donating tips to the cause – 12 women doing the walk next month). Then tonight at 8 down the block at Easy Street Records, local bands Bend and Stevedore perform, with the $7 cover charge (21+ only) plus beer sales (donated by West 5 and Georgetown Brewery) going to Team Tracy. (If you can’t make it to the tent or the concert, you can donate to Team Tracy online – go here. We’ve got a video clip to add here later too.)

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Delridge Produce Co-op “Mobile Market”: Lots to give away today!
August 16, 2009 12:53 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Health | How to help | West Seattle news

On Friday, we reported on the debut of the “Mobile Market” pilot project that the Delridge Produce Cooperative is trying out over the next four weeks — setting up a mobile produce stand at one of four Delridge locations each Friday/Saturday/Sunday/Monday in that time frame, to give out free fruit and vegetables and get answers to a survey about the potential market for selling fresh produce in the area. Today, DPC is at the Delridge P-Patch, next to Cottage Grove Park (5206 26th SW; map) till 3 pm, and asked us to:

… let people know that we’ll have peaches, plums, tomatoes, squash, cherries and apples today – lots of them, that we need to get rid of before the end of Monday’s stall. We also have fresh organic carrots from Full Circle Farms today. It’s a smorgasbord!

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Today: Team Tracy, Farmers’ Market, “Dog Days,” “Music Man”
August 16, 2009 8:26 am
|    Comments Off on Today: Team Tracy, Farmers’ Market, “Dog Days,” “Music Man”
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news | West Seattle video | WS culture/arts

TEAM TRACY: West Seattleite Tracy Dart and the legion of friends known as Team Tracy are fundraising again today to fight breast cancer, which she’s been dealing with for more than a year (and reports she’s now been cancer-free for two months!): They’re walking in the local Breast Cancer 3Day again next month — Tracy is being joined by 11 women, and with a fundraising minimum of $2300 each, they need to raise $27,000, which goes to the kind of research and care that Tracy says saved her life. Today they’ll be raising $ in a tent outside West 5, 11 am-5 pm, as a prelude to a fundraising concert at Easy Street tonight at 8, with local bands Stevedore and Bend (21+, cash only, $7 cover, proceeds from sales of beer donated by Georgetown Brewery and West 5 also benefit Team Tracy).

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Also in The Junction, it’s market day – 10 am-2 pm; here’s the link to the latest list of what’s fresh.

“DOG DAYS OF SUMMER”: In Morgan Junction, West Seattle Thriftway is the place to go today for three things: 1st, think your dog should/could be a star? West Seattle-headquartered CityDog Magazine is back at WST for its Cover Dog Search, noon-3 pm. (Full details here; last year’s WST winner, Cohen, went on to become the Cover Dog!) Bring — or buy at the store — pet food to donate to West Seattle Food Bank, whose clients have hungry pets, too. And from 11 am-3 pm, the Humane Society’s big bright-yellow Maxmobile will be on site with adoptable pets.

“THE MUSIC MAN”: It’s not really blowing the plot of this classic musical if we show you how the Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor) version ended last night at West Seattle High School:

Even in a darkened theater, there’s no mistaking the Seattle Schools All-City Band, directed by Marcus Pimpleton, who’s led the music program at Denny Middle School and is adding Chief Sealth High School duties this fall. They, and the “Music Man” cast of 50-plus (with a live orchestra), brought the sold-out house to its feet (as the video shows), and you have four more chances to see the show: 3 pm today and next Sunday, 7:30 pm next Friday and Saturday. Advance tickets are available online.

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Garage-saling? Duwamish sale today, plus WSB Forum listings
August 15, 2009 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on Garage-saling? Duwamish sale today, plus WSB Forum listings
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Two reminders: The Duwamish Longhouse is scheduled to be the site of the Duwamish Community Garage Sale today, and you’re welcome to be a seller as well as a buyer – first-come first-served for table space, 10 percent of proceeds go to the legal fund for the tribe’s federal-recognition fight. Tribe chair Cecile Hansen‘s famous fry bread is promised, as is the tribe’s famous salmon lunch. 9 am-6 pm, Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center in West Seattle (4705 West Marginal Way SW; map). And if you’re looking for random garage/yard sales to shop, be sure to check the WSB Forums‘ Freebies/Deals/Sales section, which is where anyone can post sales for free – at least three so far for today, see ’em here. (P.S. Shoppers may also want to check out C & P Coffee‘s arts/crafts fair, 9 am-3 pm, 5612 California SW.)

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Pet-food donation drive added to “Cover Dog Search” Sunday
August 14, 2009 10:00 am
|    Comments Off on Pet-food donation drive added to “Cover Dog Search” Sunday
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

The West Seattle Food Bank needs pet food, and CityDog Magazine is going to collect donations — unopened dog or cat food — during its “Cover Dog Search” event at West Seattle Thriftway, noon-3 pm this Sunday. As for the “Cover Dog Search” itself – last time CityDog photographed prospects at Thriftway, one of them turned out to be the winner — Cohen! (That’s his CDM cover at left.) Find out more about how to participate by going here; another reminder, Thriftway is raising money for the Seattle Humane Society with its 11 am-4 pm barbecue tomorrow, and Sunday also will feature the Humane Society’s MaxMobile bringing adoptable pets there, 11 am-3 pm (the MaxMobile calendar shows it’s in West Seattle on Saturday, too, in The Junction at Next to Nature, 2-5 pm).

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Delridge Produce Cooperative’s “Mobile Market” debuts today
August 14, 2009 6:18 am
|    Comments Off on Delridge Produce Cooperative’s “Mobile Market” debuts today
 |   Delridge | How to help | West Seattle news

After more than six months of planning, preparation and awareness-raising, this afternoon the Delridge Produce Cooperative launches its biggest project yet: The “Mobile Market.” DPC’s leader, Galena White, explains both the co-op and the Mobile Market, as well as how you can get involved:

Delridge Produce Cooperative is a group of residents in the Delridge Neighborhood who wish to establish a cooperatively-run, non-profit produce stand on Delridge Way SW to furnish the residents with healthy food in what is now a healthy-food desert. To make the community more aware of the issues, we have engaged the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association as our fiscal agents and obtained a grant from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods to host a demonstration project this summer.

At our ‘Mobile Market’ stalls, we’ll be handing out fruits and vegetables to Delridge residents for FREE this weekend, and next weekend we’ll also have free tote bags and tons of information (in 13 different locally-spoken languages) about other free and low-cost local programs to promote health and community:

August 14th, 2009 – September 7th, 2009
All events are on Delridge Way SW
Fridays: 9050 (map), Watts Electric, 3:30 pm-7:30 pm
Saturdays: 6535 (map), Care-A-Lot Learning Center, 11:00 am-3:00 pm
Sundays: Delridge P-Patch (next to Cottage Grove Park on Brandon; map), 11:00 am-3:00 pm
Mondays: 4408 (map), Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 3:30 pm-7:30 pm

We hope that this project will increase community awareness of food sustainability and security, and that there will be a resulting growth of support for organizations like Delridge Produce Cooperative. Neighbors will be able to take part in a survey about what they want in a neighborhood produce stand, and will be able to sign up to be among the first members of the co-op. Once the ‘Mobile Market’ project is finished, we at DPC will begin the work of designing a business model, deciding whether we will be a non-profit, and finding ways to actually fund our startup. EVERYONE is a part of Delridge Produce Cooperative, and we hope that many will join us in creating a new place for healthy food on Delridge.

We still have plenty of need for donations or volunteers for the ‘Mobile Market’, so (here’s) our email address (delridgeproducecoop@gmail.com) or phone number [(206) 271-1880] for those who want to get involved! Volunteer slots are available in three- or six-hour shifts starting and finishing one hour before and after the regularly scheduled hours of operation. If anyone has got any extra garden produce, they can drop it off at the ‘Mobile Market’, and we’ll give it away for free!

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Back to school: Who’s helping, and how you can help too
August 12, 2009 10:58 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

First: Pencil Me In For Kids needs HUNDREDS OF GLUE STICKS before its volunteers finish putting together school supplies for kids in need – Sue Lindblom from Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) tells us tonight, “We are still taking donations and are SHORT 500 glue sticks!! Drop off at Illusions, 5619 California SW or Edward Jones, at 7354 35th SW before Aug. 31 … Staples at Westwood gives a great discount so cash or checks made out to Rotary of West Seattle really works well …Thanks for everyone’s support!!” Speaking of Westwood:

(Photos courtesy SPD media unit Sgt. Sean Whitcomb)
Above left, it’s Seattle Interim Police Chief John Diaz, and above right, King County Sheriff Sue Rahr, as they chaperoned two of 25 “Shop with a Cop” participants at Westwood Village Target on Tuesday. The Salvation Army was provided with thousands of dollars in gift cards to help kids from around the region have $100 shopping sprees at seven Target stores. Public-safety personnel chaperoned the kids – kindergarten through 6th grade – at each location. The Salvation Army has another event coming up, “Stuff the Bus” with school supplies this weekend (10 am-6 pm Saturday and Sunday) at Fred Meyer in Burien – they’ll take donated items (from backpacks to clothes) or cash. And if you’re picking up backpacks, there’s still room for LOTS more to be donated to West Seattle Helpline‘s backpack drive, with three dropoff locations: Capers in The Junction is working to “fill its window” with donated backpacks; Coffee at the Heights (WSB sponsor) in Sunrise Heights is taking dropoffs too; and you can also go to Helpline HQ at 35th/Morgan. Too busy to buy a backpack? Donate $25 to Helpline (you can do it online) and they’ll buy one on your behalf.

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Neighborhood-plan survey deadline near: Rally to beat Ballard!
August 9, 2009 11:05 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

A week and a half ago, West Seattle neighborhoods had a heartening turnout at a once-in-a-decade meeting to talk about the “neighborhood plans” for the five WS areas that created them in the late ’90s: Admiral, Delridge, Highland Park/Westwood Village, Morgan Junction and The Junction. However, just getting people to the meeting was only part of the process. A followup meeting will happen this fall – but the city needs to hear from hundreds (even better, thousands!) more residents regarding growth and planning in their neighborhoods and what they hope to see over the NEXT decade or so. You can do that by taking an online survey. The graph above shows how response is going from the neighborhoods around the city that have had these update meetings. As you can see, Ballard has had the most responses … but they didn’t even have to turn in 200 to get way out in front, so with more than 35,000 households on our peninsula, we should be able to muster a larger response. Not that there’s a prize – although there’s certainly value in having a say in your neighborhood’s future. And the city Planning Commission makes it clear: Even if the neighborhood where you live doesn’t have a plan, fill one out for the one you regularly visit (that means in West Seattle almost all of us qualify for The Junction). Example – we live in Fauntleroy, but it doesn’t have a plan, so we’re doing the one for Morgan Junction, the nearest business district, where we spend a lot of time. The deadline is DAYS AWAY (the actual site says “Tues 8/12” but Tuesday is the 11th so we’re checking on the real deadline) – so please take a few minutes now – it really will make a difference.

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Pencil Me In For Kids: Can they pencil YOU in for support?
August 5, 2009 11:35 am
|    Comments Off on Pencil Me In For Kids: Can they pencil YOU in for support?
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Though school doesn’t start for a month, it’s time to make sure that every student has the supplies needed for educational success. One of the local efforts working hard to make sure that happens is Pencil Me In For Kids — you may even have seen promotion in last month’s West Seattle Grand Parade (banner at left). One of the local businesses leading the charge to help local kids by supporting PMIFK is Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor), whose proprietor Sue Lindblom sends this update:

Pencil Me In For Kids is winding up their yearly drive. The bulk of the supplies they will donate to local public grade schools will be purchased from Westwood Staples this week. If anyone has any school supplies (pens, paper, glue sticks, washable markers) they would like to donate drop them off at 5619 California Ave. SW [map]. Also, if anyone would like to make a cash donation, make checks payable to Rotary Club of West Seattle and in the memo line write ‘Pencil Me In For Kids’. Staples gives a great discount for this yearly drive. This is the 15th year PMIFK has been supplying basics to kids in our area. All the volunteers want to say ‘thanks’ for past, present, and future help! And the kids thank you too!!

We’ve also received word that you can drop off supplies at the office of local Edward Jones financial adviser Jon Gerhardt, who’s at 7354 35th SW (just north of the northeastern corner of 35th and Webster; map).

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Fire followup: Local band Bend affected; benefit events planned
August 5, 2009 8:32 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

That Night Out party southwest of The Junction last night included a show of support for neighbors who have just been through a tough time: The victims of the house fire one week ago today near 45th/Erskine (map).

(July 29 photo by Tony Bradley)
The day the fire happened, the main headlines included firefighters following special procedures because of the historic 103-degree heat, one resident going to the hospital with burns, and investigators saying the fire was started by embers from a barbecue igniting a deck and spreading to the house. We’ve since learned there’s another story: A well-known local band, Bend, recorded at the house, and members’ friends and co-workers are organizing benefits to help. One of the fire survivors told us at last night’s block party that the items lost in the fire included some of the studio equipment and computers; his housemate who suffered burns is out of the hospital and staying with relatives on the Eastside. Meantime, benefit organizers haven’t locked down the details yet, but several tell us they’re talking about an event in the next few weeks at Feedback Lounge and possibly one at Skylark (both WSB sponsors), so organizers asked us to share the word that they’ll announce it as soon as details are settled. They’re reaching out to help in other ways too, such as a collection at Shadow Land, workplace for one band member, and donations were being collected at last night’s Night Out party — the only one to our knowledge with this distinctive type of “street closed” alert signal!

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2 “garden parties” ahead: Benefits for Senior Center, 34th DDs
August 4, 2009 10:15 am
|    Comments Off on 2 “garden parties” ahead: Benefits for Senior Center, 34th DDs
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

After most (but not all! Arts in Nature, for one, is still to come) of the festivals are over, August is a time for subtler summer fun. Two “garden parties” are coming up to raise money for major local organizations:

SENIOR CENTER OF WEST SEATTLE: Carol Johnston from the Senior Center shares word of “A Sunset Patio Party” that lifelong West Seattleite Florabelle Key is hosting at her Morgan Junction apartment at 7 pm next Monday (August 10th). Carol says, “The beautiful gardens with its flower garden and candles and many patio tables and chairs will be filled while guests enjoy appetizers and assorted desserts while being serenaded by The Ukes, a ukulele group. Donation is $8 and guests may bring their own spirits. Paid reservations can be made at the Senior Center and info (is available) by calling 206-932-4044, ext. 3.”

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Days before the primary-election votes are counted, West Seattle’s biggest political group will gather for its biggest fundraiser of the year, the Garden Party, 6 pm August 14 at West Seattle Nursery. Emcee this year is Gatewood’s own New York Vinnie. Lots more info here.

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Join a group garage sale, while helping the Duwamish Tribe’s fight
August 3, 2009 12:33 pm
|    Comments Off on Join a group garage sale, while helping the Duwamish Tribe’s fight
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

Thinking of a garage/yard sale, but no room at your house, not sure you want to advertise your address, etc.? Here’s an option: Jolene Williams sends word that the 1st annual Duwamish Community Garage Sale is set for Saturday, August 15th, and you’re invited to come “sell your stuff and make some extra money!” Spaces are free, first come/first serve; 10 percent of sales will go to the Duwamish Tribe Legal Fund (they’re fighting for federal recognition in Congress and in court). On sale day, tribal chair Cecile Hansen‘s famous fry bread will be available, as will the tribe’s legendary salmon lunch. 9 am-6 pm August 15th, Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center in West Seattle (4705 West Marginal Way SW; map); questions? Call 206-431-1582.

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Church cleanup, Edible Garden Tour today; “Footloose” tonight
August 1, 2009 7:20 am
|    Comments Off on Church cleanup, Edible Garden Tour today; “Footloose” tonight
 |   Gardening | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

Highlights from the West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Work parties today include a one-of-a-kind event – St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Admiral invites neighbors as well as parishioners to an “Ivy Out Day” to clear a spot along SW Hanford that will become a “park-like” space for the whole neighborhood – 9 am to noon with a free barbecue to follow. Also: You can take the FREE West Seattle Edible Garden Tour today, self-guided, 10 am-4 pm, get your map here. Then tonight – everybody gets “Footloose” at West Seattle Outdoor Movies on the Wall, doors open 7 pm in the courtyard by Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor), preshow fun at 8:30, movie at dusk, bring $ for concessions and raffles to benefit local nonprofits.

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Local food bank needs help, and not in the usual way
July 31, 2009 2:51 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

We mentioned this earlier on partner site White Center Now – but as we frequently note, White Center Food Bank serves a significant part of southern West Seattle as well, so we all have a stake in the WC and West Seattle Food Banks. Next Saturday and Wednesday, August 8 and 12, WCFB needs help emptying and refilling the warehouse so floor work can be done. This item on the WCFB website gives you multiple ways to volunteer.

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Updates: House fire @ 45th/Erskine; firefighters battle heat too
July 29, 2009 1:15 pm
|      44 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(scroll down for newest info; adding fire cause/damage, 4:54 pm update)

(photo substituted 2:06 pm – courtesy Tony Bradley)
ORIGINAL 1:15 PM REPORT: WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli is on the scene and reports lots of smoke. The callout’s in the 5200 block of 45th SW (map). 1:31 PM UPDATE: This fire isn’t out yet. It’s a single-family house, according to property records. Our second person has just arrived at the scene and is reporting lots of smoke, still. Police are stopping westbound traffic in that direction from California or 44th. Sounds like cross-street will be Dawson. 1:38 PM UPDATE: Big story at the scene – firefighters working in this record heat. Paramedics are checking them out; co-publisher Patrick Sand reports there’s ice and water everywhere, some firefighters are being hosed down as they rotate through the scene. House has a big hole in the roof now, cut by firefighters to ventilate the fire, and smoke is still coming out. Patrick just talked to one of the two people who were home at the time – the resident says nobody in the house was hurt, both got out OK, and they have no idea how the fire started. Meantime, here’s a photo sent to us by the folks at the Coast Guard station on the downtown waterfront – at one point you could see the smoke from all the way over there:

1:53 PM UPDATE: Crews on the scene tell us this is all part of the special hot-weather procedure, including extra crews brought in so the first crews on the scene can be relieved before working too long in the heavy suits and high temperatures. Also, the fire is not yet tapped – smoke still visible and firefighters are still in the house in full gear. Here’s a cameraphone photo of one getting checked out outside:

Listening to the scanner from WSB HQ, we can also hear the logistical planning that SFD leaders are doing to rotate crews in and out because of the weather. 2:07 PM UPDATE: Adding photos from Tony Bradley, who was on the scene moments after firefighters. We also have spoken with an incident commander who tells us that while a police officer and firefighter were both checked out for possible dehydration earlier, both are OK. The fire is still not completely “tapped.”

We’ve also talked again with one of the residents, who says they’re trying to figure out where they’re going to go, but they have to stay at the scene for now to wait to talk with fire investigators. 2:24 PM UPDATE: Adding photos from Christopher Boffoli, including the firefighters coping with the heat:

2:41 PM UPDATE: One update from Fire Department spokesperson Helen Fitzpatrick – one of the house’s occupants has decided to go to the hospital for treatment, after discovering some burns. Adding more of Christopher’s photos:

And also this video by co-publisher Patrick:

4:54 PM UPDATE: According to SFD’s Fitzpatrick, the fire was accidental – ashes from a barbecue ignited the deck, and spread to the house. Damage is estimated at $150,000. The resident who went to the hospital for burn treatment is the only official injury related to the fire.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: “Hottest day ever” updates
July 29, 2009 10:33 am
|      33 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Barring big news on the weather, we’ll keep this item for a while and add to it as needed – photos, vignettes, whatever comes up. First tidbit: WSB’er “D” says a truckload of fans just arrived at McLendon Hardware in White Center – but “almost sold out in minutes.” P.S. The WSB Forums‘ running thread on the heat and “where to stay cool” can be found here. 11:46 AM UPDATE: Youngstown Arts Center is having a “cooling-off activity” in the theater (where we covered that air-conditioned meeting last night), noon-4 pm. (Here’s the flyer.) 3:05 PM UPDATE: The official National Weather Service 3 pm readings are in. Boeing Field is at 102 degrees. Sea-Tac has hit 102 (though right now it shows 101). The previous all-time Seattle record was 100. 5 PM UPDATE: Added a photo shared by South Seattle Community College, showing what is now officially the coolest school in West Seattle, explaining: “Inventor and Campus Services staffer Murray Fye has setup a cooling station by the campus Clock Tower. It is a mist/fog type that uses very low flow misting heads. It’s being enjoyed by one and all!” Another note: Metro has issued an advisory to passengers, warning that it may be just too hot to ride buses. 6:09 PM UPDATE: Thanks to Diane for sharing a couple of updates. West Seattle (Admiral) library branch – NOT air-conditioned, nor is Southwest – closed at 5 pm. The Senior Center of West Seattle, which IS air-conditioned, is open till 8. Wading pool hours are extended – Delridge and Hiawatha to 7:30, EC Hughes to 8, Lincoln Park till 8:30. And there’s a mysterious stream of cool air coming from the Chase ATM at the north end of The Junction, according to this photo Keith Bacon sent of Corianton Hale:

ADDED EARLY THURSDAY: We’ll check this out later today – Tom A reports:

Rode my bicycle home from work downtown (more pleasant than riding Metro today) and noticed sidewalks buckled (pushed up more than 18 inches) in front of Salty’s on Alki and again along the Don Armeni parking lot. I don’t think we had an earthquake, so it must be due to the heat expanding the concrete.

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Can you donate blood? Heat wave = possible shortage
July 28, 2009 7:52 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

We were just about to update our calendar with word of a September 4th blood drive at the local Prudential Northwest Realty office (more on that later) when this came in – Puget Sound Blood Center needs help NOW because of the weather: They’ve had to cancel blood drives “scheduled for un-air-conditioned venues” (no donating anywhere it’s 80 degrees or more indoors) and that’s cost them almost 200 donations. Read more about how/where to help.

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Next best thing to time travel: TWO “shape the future” chances
July 26, 2009 12:31 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Development | How to help | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Oh sorry, we meant time travel AHEAD, not back – but the Municipal Archives are full of so many cool old photos, we had to put one up (1930, Youngstown area of North Delridge). Now, as for those two chances to shape THE FUTURE: Tuesday night is the REALLY big one – 6 pm, Delridge Community Center,, your long-awaited opportunity to join in “status checks” for the Neighborhood Plans (see them on the right sidebar here) created a decade ago — the plans that are referred to hundreds of times a year – they’re why The Junction, for example, has areas set for high-rise growth and some other neighborhoods don’t. Do the plans created a decade ago still make sense? How do you want to see your neighborhood grow? For your advance review before joining in Tuesday’s discussions, you can see the draft status “overviews” for the 5 West Seattle areas with NPs, published in preparation for the meeting, here:
Admiral
Delridge
Highland Park/Westwood Village
The Junction
Morgan Junction
Georgetown (here’s its “overview”) also will be discussed at the Delridge CC gathering; each of these neighborhoods will have its own “table” with facilitators; Spanish, Vietnamese and Tagalog translation will be available as well. There are even more documents you can review, grouped by neighborhood, linked from the city page about the meeting, the last of five citywide; this page shows you how to comment online if you absolutely can’t be there in person – but facilitators, which include local community leaders, stress it’ll be two hours well-spent – here’s what one of them, Sharonn Meeks, tells WSB:

West Seattle in particular is experiencing growing pains. There are transportation, parking and land use issues that your readers consistently respond to from your news reporting. I want to encourage all apartment residents, homeowners and businesses to bring those same comments to this Open House so they can be included in the discussions and decisions that lay ahead as we formalize our next 10 years of community.

We really aren’t exaggerating to say it’s something like “speak now or for another decade hold your peace.”

Meantime, a big discussion of where King County goes from here also is happening in West Seattle next week — your chance to suggest your “vision for the future and (to) help develop a countywide strategic plan that better aligns county functions and services.” The meeting (which will include “small group discussions”) is Thursday night, 6:30 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy, one of four this month around the county. Read more about it here.

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West Seattle Helpline backpack drive: Another business signs up
July 25, 2009 7:31 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Helpline backpack drive: Another business signs up
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS beverages

We told you earlier this week about the West Seattle Helpline backpack drive, under way now – one of the ways you can help local kids who can’t afford school supplies. And now Coffee at the Heights (WSB sponsor) has joined Capers in The Junction and Helpline HQ (35th/Morgan) as a dropoff spot for the backpack(s) you buy to donate. Paul from Coffee at the Heights explains their other business is participating too, regarding the backpacks Helpline buys on behalf of those who choose to donate money instead:

If anyone brings in either school supplies, a back pack, or funds to go towards purchasing a backpack or school supplies to Coffee At The Heights, we will give you $1.00 off your beverage! This goes on for the duration of the collection, through August 4th. We will deliver all funds, back packs, and supplies to Helpline.

The second part of our announcement is that PB&J Textiles will be extending our wholesale pricing to Helpline so that they can buy the backpacks at wholesale! We will not be taking any proceeds at all and we will be delivering the backpacks direct to Helpline. This will allow Helpline to get even more backpacks than they normally can, as they have to buy the bags and hope that the stores will give them a discount. So, open up your wallets and stop buy with supplies, money, backpacks, or all three and get a discount on your next beverage!

Coffee at the Heights is at 7349 35th; it’s open 6:30 am – 7 pm weekdays, 7 am to 7 pm Saturdays-Sundays.

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Bikes, boats, benefit: Water and Spirit Ride this Saturday
July 23, 2009 7:05 pm
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 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

Saturday is the Water and Spirit Ride to raise money for Family Promise of Seattle, a West Seattle-based organization that helps homeless families – families who have few places to turn, as most homeless shelters are not able to accommodate keeping family members together. Here’s the announcement:

Join St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church for their Water & Spirit Bike Ride 2009, a 40-mile ride that includes three scenic ferry crossings and concludes with a party at Me Kwa Mooks Park. Riders are welcome to come with bikes ready for a road trip. Helmets are a must. Friends are welcome.

The ride is organized as a fun community event and to raise awareness and funds for Family Promise of Seattle, an emergency housing program for homeless families based here in West Seattle. FPS coordinates a network of 15 congregations and over 100 volunteers that provides fellowship and nightly shelter and food at local churches, while staff provides case management to help newly homeless families access the resources they need to regain self-sufficiency. FPS has served 12 families since opening a year ago this month.

The ride begins with registration at St. John’s 6:15-8:00 AM in order to take 7:35 or 8:45 AM ferry crossings to Bremerton. Registration fee for adults $30, $20 for youth 18 and under, and includes ferry passes, a T-shirt, and picnic on the beach. Riders are encouraged to solicit sponsorships. Please visit http://www.saintjohnonline.org/article.php?id=29 to download rider registration and sponsor pledge forms.

St. John’s is next to West Seattle High School; here’s a map.

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West Seattle Helpline has back-to-school on its mind
July 22, 2009 11:11 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Helpline has back-to-school on its mind
 |   Arbor Heights | How to help | West Seattle news

In West Seattle Helpline‘s “Clothesline” clothing bank (featured here in April) at Hillcrest Presbyterian Church in Arbor Heights, those two young volunteers were hard at work Tuesday morning helping brighten up the space. Other volunteers on hand during the work party were quick to point out that painting materials were donated by McLendon Hardware and TrueValue. Helpline executive director Anna Fern explains they’re painting one wall in the Clothesline space that same shade — “fruit punch.”

After the sprucing-up is done, Clothesline will reopen August 7, with an emphasis on getting kids the clothes they need for returning to school. And toward that end – Helpline’s big annual Backpack Drive is now under way. You can drop off a new backpack at Capers in The Junction – Mondays-Saturdays 10-6 and Sundays 11-5 – or at Helpline HQ in the resource center at 35th/Morgan, Mondays-Thursdays, 1-4 pm. Or donate $25 to Helpline and they will buy one on your behalf; 932-2746 is the number to call if you’d like to make a $ donation – or use the link atop the Helpline home page – also call to find out how/when to donate clothes for Clothesline.

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Highland Park: HPAC’s new night tonight; HPIC weekend fun
July 22, 2009 6:43 am
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 |   Fun stuff to do | Highland Park | How to help | West Seattle news

Two items from Highland Park: At 7 pm tonight, the Highland Park Action Committee debuts its new meeting night – the fourth Wednesday of the month. Agenda includes an update on the Westcrest Park mini-summit featured at last month’s meeting. HPAC gathers at the Highland Park Improvement Club‘s building, 12th/Holden (map).

Speaking of HPIC, they have two big events coming up this weekend – here’s the announcement:

2nd Annual HPIC Giant Group Rummage Sale! Come one, Come all …….

When: Sat., July 25, 2009 10 am-3 pm (setup 9 am)
Where: Highland Park Improvement Club parking lot (indoors if rainy)

corner of 12th & Holden
“Recycle” those useful items cluttering up your life! Sell your Crafts Projects and Bake Sale items-help raise money for the club while cleaning out your basement! OR call Kay for info if you want to just donate sale items for the club to sell.

Table Rental Fee (benefits the club 90th Anniversary)
$15 members/ $20 non-members
You keep all your sale proceeds!!
Questions or to reserve a table, contact Kay @ 206-762-2266

Followed by our Summer Neighborhood Potluck BBQ & Kickball event
When: Sun., July 26, 2009 2 pm-6 pm
Where: Highland Park Playground

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