West Seattle, Washington
23 Thursday
Will June showers mean July flowers? If so, it’ll be the best year yet for the West Seattle Garden Tour. Just might be, no matter what! WSB is pleased to be among the West Seattle Garden Tour sponsors this year for the first time; 
we just got word from organizers that the $15 tickets (kids under 12 are free) go on sale this week at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), West Seattle Nursery, ArtsWest and Junction TrueValue – or you can buy yours online right now. The tour is on July 18th. Organizers hope to sell 1,000 tickets this year to match what they’ve received in sponsorships – the proceeds this year will benefit Highland Park Elementary, the Duwamish Longhouse‘s Rain Gardens, Seattle Tilth, the ArtsWest education program, and the South Seattle Community College Arboretum (WSGT photo at left), which this year is one of 8 WSGT stops. SSCC is also where ticketholders will see a noon edible-gardening lecture by West Seattle’s own Willi Galloway of DigginFood.com, followed by wine, cheese and confections tasting courtesy of SSCC. The July 18 tour is self-guided, 9 am-5 pm.
(Photo courtesy West Niver)
Westcrest Park Off-Leash Area is the only off-leash park in West Seattle, and the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is going to make it an even better place for dogs and their people – with your help. 9 am to noon next Saturday, June 12th, they’ll be there for a community-service project – installing hand-built (see photo!) cedar dispensers for “doggy bags,” and clearing overgrown vegetation. Want to help? Just show up! Got questions? E-mail West Niver at westseattlekiwanis@live.com.
When the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure hits Seattle streets this Sunday, it’ll be a new location – around Seattle Center, instead of on the Alaskan Way Viaduct – but some things will be the same: The love, emotion, and determination, of those who both are there to support a cure for breast cancer, and those who have survived it. One special story has come to our attention, thanks to Komen volunteer Meg Paynor, who shared a letter written by an 8-year-old Holy Rosary School second-grader:
My name is Anne-Louise Lorentz. I am 8 years old and attend 2nd grade at Holy Rosary School in West Seattle. Recently, my teacher, Karen Robel was diagnosed with breast cancer. She will not be able to finish the school year with us because she will be undergoing surgery. My classmates and I are running to support my teacher and help raise funds and awareness for this disease. Your support and contributions are a blessing. If you are not able to make a monetary donation, I ask that you please say a prayer for our beloved teacher, Karen Robel.
Meg says, “Cherie Skager, the director of communications at Komen, who reads all the
story submissions, was so moved she contacted Anne-Louise¹s mother and asked
her if Anne-Louise would be the ‘Official Starter’ of the 1k Kids Race on Sunday. Anne-Louise was so thrilled, she asked if her entire class could lead the Kids’ Race. On Sunday at 8 am, the 20+ students of
Karen Robel will start the Kids’ Race, with Anne-Louise leading the group.” Meg adds that they will be obtaining a group photo to frame as a “Get Well” gift for their teacher, who had her surgery this week. They will all be
wearing t-shirts that say “Running for Robel.”Last year, the Kids’ Race also had a West Seattle flavor – Adam Westerman was grand marshal, after helping raise thousands in honor of his mom, breast-cancer survivor Eddie Westerman. Even if you’re not planning to join Sunday’s Race for the Cure, you can donate online here.
That’s the promotional video for this year’s Lunafest – a one-night film festival of sorts – featuring short films by and about women. It’s been making its way around the country, and Thursday night, it’s in West Seattle at Admiral Theater, co-hosted by Stroller Strides of Seattle (which offers fitness classes in locations including West Seattle). Every place it goes, Lunafest is also a benefit for a local nonprofit, and as noted online, the West Seattle showing is benefiting the Salvation Army’s domestic-violence programs, as well as the Breast Cancer Fund, a Lunafest beneficiary nationwide. The 90-minute showing of short films (all described here) will be preceded at 6:30 pm Thursday with a silent auction and reception; more info on The Admiral’s website; tickets are available online here.
That photo was taken two years ago, overlooking what was then the Pathfinder K-8 schoolyard atop Genesee Hill, while P-E teacher Lou Cutler led students on his annual birthday run to raise money for Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year, as Pathfinder gets close to wrapping up its first year at its new campus on Pigeon Point, Lou’s getting ready to run again. June 7 is the day – one week from tomorrow – and he’s put up a link for pledges (go here – you can donate one flat sum or make a pledge for each lap). Lou traditionally runs one lap for every year he’s been around, so this year that means 59, according to the Facebook invite for his birthday run (you can also find more info on the school website).
Another request tonight for help finding families who have room for a visiting international student this summer. From Andrew Ward, a teacher who lives in West Seattle:
There will be 17 students flying to Seattle from Spain this summer for the month of July, but I have yet to secure sponsor homes for FOUR of the incoming students. The other kids have already been matched with host‐families. I am looking for four more homes where they can learn more about life in America and practice their English. They have their own insurance and spending money. They just need to have their own bed to sleep in and a place at the dinner table.
Host families will need to complete an application packet. It’s pretty easy, and it’s a FUN way to get to know another culture and potentially make life‐long international friends!!! If you are interested in participating, please e-mail Mr. Andrew Ward at senorward@yahoo.com as soon as possible.
Time is of the essence in getting everything set up in time for them to be able to come to the US. It would be such a shame to have these few kids miss out. To have more of your questions answered, the following websites will help (too): www.nacelopendoor.org or www.nacel.net.
Local moms who are also entrepreneurs are invited to an event tonight at WestSide Baby, 5:30-7:30 pm, in conjunction with Help A Mother Out, described by WestSide Baby as “an organization dedicated to improving the lives of mothers, children and families in need one diaper at at time.” This event is a run-up to a big event coming up at The Little Gym in West Seattle (WSB sponsor) on June 5th (2-4 pm) as part of HAMO’s diaper drive to collect 20,000 diapers. So tonight, bring a box of diapers and/or products that you’d want to offer as a door prize at the June 5th event.
West Seattle Soccer Club players at Hughes Playfield in Sunrise Heights got to meet a pro this afternoon – that’s Seattle Sounders FC defender Zach Scott and son Kalei, who visited as WSSC’s spring season wrapped up. (WSSC’s Tim McMonigle previewed the visit and fall registration – which starts June 1 – in this WSB report on Saturday.) Also from this afternoon:
That’s part of the mini-bazaar set up inside the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ in The Junction, for the season’s first big Pencil Me In For Kids‘ fundraiser. Creative Memories, Party Lites and Tupperware purveyors all were on hand, donating part of their proceeds to the nonprofit that raises money to buy school supplies for kids in need. Find out more about PMIFK here. Meantime, one last Sunday afternoon view:
If you were outside – perhaps at Seattle Summer Streets on Alki, as we were (here’s our afternoon coverage) – you probably got caught in the 4 pm-ish drizzle. It was a classic sun-rain mix, and as shown in Max’s photo, it brought along a rainbow. (The forecast for next week looks fairly mixed, so far, too.)
A few more things happening in addition to Summer Streets (car-free day) on Alki, which began with the West Seattle 5K (WSB coverage here) — Just after 11, we stopped by Holy Rosary Church, to check on Bicycles for Humanity – volunteer Karin Goncalves said they were accepting donated bikes till about 12:30, but if you missed the window, as noted here earlier, a few other churches are part of the effort till late today (see the list here). Also right now, a couple of big fundraising sales, including plants from Furry Faces Foundation:
They’re raising money for animal advocacy (including spaying/neutering) with plant sales till 4 pm at 3809 46th SW (map) – adoptable pets are there today too! Also from the West Seattle Weekend Lineup:
*PENCIL ME IN FOR KIDS’ FIRST FUNDRAISER OF THE SEASON: 3-5 pm at West Seattle Eagles (4426 California SW) – Creative Memories, Party Lights, Tupperware with 10%-50% of proceeds going to Pencil Me In For Kids (mission explained here).
*SALES AT COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF WEST SEATTLE AND SHOREWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: Both have rummage sales. CSWS (22nd/Roxbury) till 4 pm, Shorewood (on 28th SW just south of Safeway) till 5 pm.
*FINAL PERFORMANCE OF “TELL ME ON A SUNDAY”: 3 pm at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction.
Today’s the day for the Bicycles for Humanity donation drive, collecting bikes for South African villages where they’re urgently needed – and dropoffs start even earlier than the original announcement we published earlier this month. 7:30 am-noon, you can take a bicycle to West Seattle’s Holy Rosary Church to donate. (Other churches in Seattle are collecting later, in case you miss that window.) If you missed the explanation of what it’s about, the news release is ahead:Read More
Online ticket sales are closed but a few tickets remain to be bought at the door for tonight’s Taste of West Seattle, 6-8:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, raising money for West Seattle Helpline, co-sponsored by local businesses including WSB – and best of all, featuring 30+ local food/beverage purveyors, including Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), whose bartender Roger and proprietors Jessie and Charlie are shown above, photographed about 45 minutes ago during setup, with (at left) ToWS promoter Brooks. Skylark’s “taste” tonight is toasted ravioli, by the way. And remember that it’s not just a chance to eat and drink – there’s also a silent auction – lots of cool stuff to bid on:
We’ll be heading back down after it starts at 6, for coverage of the event as it happens. And if you want to know more about the nonprofit you’re supporting – West Seattle Helpline’s mission is explained here.
This Friday – which also happens to be Bike To Work Day in our area – West Seattleite Coree Pelko (photo right) will be in the Bay Area to hit the road for a fundraising crosscountry bicycling trip, the Sea To Shining Sea ride to help disabled veterans. Coree happens to be in active service right now. And her trip now has a double purpose – as a shipmate who was supposed to ride with her, cannot. Here’s the story she shared:
I am active duty in the United States Coast Guard and I am embarking on a Cross Country Bicycle Ride with the non-profit organization World Team Sports. They are one of the largest Non-Profits for Disabled American Vets. They help Disabled Vets achieve feats that able-bodied citizens only dream of. I am riding to represent the US Coast Guard, Seattle & My dear friend David Moulton (Also Coast Guard) but who cannot ride as a result of unforeseen circumstances with his health that arose.
She explains, after the jump – and we also have a link you can use to support the ride:Read More
Out of the WSB inbox:
I am the Chief Sealth High School Band Council President and I was hoping that you would post a want ad for a new band couch. A band couch is a huge asset for the band after a long parade or a long day at school. Our current band couch has holes in the cushions and the pull-out bed is dusty beyond belief. A new couch would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me before the start of the new school year. josematthewmiguel@gmail.com Cell- (206) 817-4437
We asked if there were any specific specs – answer: No, they’re just seeking a sofa, “any color.” P.S. If you missed it in our earlier preview of what’s coming up later this week, the CSIHS band is performing at Easy Street in The Junction at 10:30 this Friday morning, during the KEXP Hood-to-Hood live broadcast/all-day victory celebration around West Seattle.
This Wednesday, the regular meeting of the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council will be preceded by a special hourlong discussion – and if you’re interested in the greater Delridge area – basically, West Seattle from 35th SW eastward – you’re invited. Just be at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center at 6 pm Wednesday (5/19). DNDC member Pete Spalding of Pigeon Point explains what it’s all about:
Not long ago, some of the past, present and future leaders of Delridge got together to discuss the past, present and future of Delridge. We talked about what we liked, what we wanted, where we wanted to be, and how we wanted to get there.
Now we want to talk to you.
The Delridge Neighborhood District Council is pleased to announce Strategic Delridge, a series of hour long meetings of the minds of this diverse community. Our goal is to take what we believe to be the next step – to organize and empower the leadership* of our Delridge Neighborhoods.
Our goals and vision are listed on the attached agenda. Come and join us. This meeting will take place during the dinner hour for some, please feel free to bring something to eat.
*Do you care about your neighborhood? That’s what we’re looking for.
Click ahead for the aforementioned agenda:Read More
LAPTOPS AND MONITORS NEEDED: Bob Huppe, one of two West Seattleites on the board of the nonprofit Technology Services Corps, is looking for flat-panel monitors and laptops for a special trip this summer: TSC works with high-school students who go overseas to install computer labs for their counterparts to learn in. This summer, they’re working with Garfield High School students going to Ometepe Island, Nicaragua, to install 30 computers. They have computers but need flat-panel monitors (which use less power) to go with them, and 12 laptops for the students’ teachers, most of whom commute by bicycle or bus to their school and need something portable. If you have anything to donate – take note, the laptops would be wiped by local recycler InterConnection – e-mail Catherine Berner, one of the students planning the trip: ch.berner@comcast.net – Bob says, “Someone would be delighted to pick up monitors or laptops, and all donations are tax-deductible.”
BICYCLES FOR HUMANITY: Holy Rosary Church will be collecting bicycles 8:30 am-2:30 pm May 23 for the “Bicycles for Humanity” drive; they’re destined for the KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa, which among other challenges has 50 percent unemployment. Here’s the official flyer.
AN EVENING OF JAZZ AND WINE TASTING FOR CHIEF SEALTH: The EB Foote Winery in Burien is the site of an event just announced as a fundraiser for the Chief Sealth International High School Jazz Band, 6 pm June 11th. Here’s the official flyer with information on how to get tickets, which includes snacks, tickets and of course, the wine.
By Randall G. Hauk
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The West Seattle Snowsports Council got its official start as an organization tonight with a meeting at Mountain to Sound Outfitters.
The group is the brainchild of Mountain to Sound owner Greg Whittaker, who hopes to provide better access to local skiing and snowboarding areas for area youth by arranging group transportation to the Cascades from West Seattle.
Whitaker introduced himself to about a dozen attendees by saying that his participation in a similar program was a formative experience and that he wanted to assure local youth the same opportunities he had. “I’m pretty passionate about it.”
(May 2009 photo by Eric Bell)
Julian was one of the volunteers that made the Alki edition of Seattle Summer Streets (aka “car-free day”) and West Seattle 5K possible last year – and this year, help’s needed again. SDOT and the West Seattle High School PTSA – which is presenting the WS5K again this year on May 23 (with WSB among the co-sponsors) – are putting out the call for volunteers for both of the day’s big events:
The West Seattle 5K Run/Walk is looking for volunteers to act as “Course Monitors” and assist with setting out marker cones before the race; monitor intersections for safety; and guide runners away from traffic and onto the marked 5K course.
Summer Streets is looking for volunteers to act as “Intersection Guardians” and monitor intersections for safety and invite passersby to come and play; help set up/take down barricades for street closure and local access; staff information tables and more.
For early birds, the first shift during the 5K is from 8:00 to 11:30 AM, the second shift is from 10:30AM to 2:00 PM, and the afternoon shift is from 1:30 to 5:00 PM. If you are interested in helping during the 5K, e-mail info@westseattle5k.com; otherwise fill out the online form at www.seattle.gov/transportation/summer_involved.htm.
Greg Whittaker of Mountain to Sound Outfitters (and Alki Kayak Tours) has been leading the charge for creation of a West Seattle Snowsports Council – a community-created nonprofit “with the vision of providing West Seattle youth with safe, reliable access to our local ski areas” – and they’ve set the date for their first meeting: 6 pm this Wednesday (5/12), at M22, 3602 SW Alaska (map). The announcement says, “We will need the support of community members interested in volunteering, every aspect from chaperones to secretary, treasurer, and a steering committee.” If you’ve got questions, call 206/935-SNOW.
There’s an update today regarding an event that’s been on the calendar a while: Walk with Us to Cure Lupus, this Saturday at Alki, now has a celebrity emcee – Seattle Seahawks defensive back Jordan Babineaux (photo courtesy ALR) – who has long been active in the cause. There’s still time to register to be a walker and/or sponsor for the event, which raises money to help the Alliance for Lupus Research; they’re hoping to raise $30,000 with the Seattle walk, and the web page shows pledges just past the halfway mark. The walk starts at the Alki Bathhouse at 10 am Saturday (last-minute signups at 9); here’s our coverage from last year; here’s how to register (or sponsor a walker who’s already signed up!).
West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day was a banner day for the West Seattle Tool Library – Patrick Dunn from Sustainable West Seattle reports they more than doubled their tool stock, with 72 donations and 67 tools purchased by the roving “scavenger teams” (spotlighted in our WSCGSD coverage), for a grand total of 139 tools added to the previous stock of 100, for 239 total (as of this morning). The sewing machine and circular saw in the photo above were part of the haul – and here’s more:
At day’s end, they took everything over to the Tool Library’s headquarters at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) – that’s Patrick Dunn putting stuff away:
Here are the “essentials” they still need:
Electric Pressure Washer
Electric Chipper
Canning Supplies
Bike Repair Stand
Portable Table Saw
Food Dehydrator
Chisels
Large Push Brooms
If you can donate any of the above, contact info is here (note they’re still seeking volunteer help too). Upcoming chances to donate include EVERY Sunday TFN at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market – 10 am to 2 pm – and the Sustainable West Seattle Festival/Delridge Day event at Delridge Community Center on June 5th. One week after that, the lending library will have its Grand Opening – June 12.
West Seattle’s Croft Place Townhomes (map) was one of three hubs on Saturday for the first-ever “Spring Into Bed” – a citywide one-day volunteer work party to build new food gardens all around the city. With Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association leading the charge, the plan was to build 10 gardens – here are the raised beds going up early Saturday afternoon at Croft Place:
After five hours of garden-building, volunteers were invited to South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) for a celebration with food and music. Highlights elsewhere in the city included, according to a news release from Mayor McGinn’s office, an expansion of a container garden on City Hall’s 7th-floor balcony, where 60 pounds of donated tomatoes were grown last year.
Thanks to Vince Stricherz for sharing photos from the Habitat for Humanity Women Build event in High Point today!
Vince reports, “More than 20 women gathered to celebrate Mother’s Day by helping to build a house for Habitat for Humanity of Seattle/South King County. The event was sponsored by Lowe’s.”
The worksite is along SW Morgan, about a block east of 35th SW.
First – a few spots are STILL selling – like the Furry Faces Foundation plant sale at Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) – that’s F3’s Teri, photographed earlier today with some of the merchandise. Now, the question of “what to do with unsold stuff?” – a couple options:
NORTHWEST CENTER: This nonprofit has been informally partnered with WSCGSD since even before WSB started coordinating the annual event. From Denise at NW Center:
Consider helping your local community by donating to Northwest Center. The Big Blue Truck will be collecting items at 44th & Edmunds at their donation station drop off. They will be open late on Saturday til 6:30 pm to accommodate donors. All donors will receive a $3 off coupon to Value Village. Regular hours Sunday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Learn more about the programs your donations support at www.nwcenter.org Need to schedule a pickup for next week? Visit www.bigbluetruck.org
WESTSIDE BABY: Got kids’ clothes or other items for little ones? They’ve got a long wish list. They’re accepting dropoffs till 4 pm today – or contact them for dropoff hours Monday and beyond. We published the list on Friday here.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: They’re still accepting donations at 44th/Edmunds – right by the aforementioned NW Center donation site – till 5 pm, so if you have unsold tools (or tools you’d just like to unload), as long as they are in good working order and not gas-powered, take ’em over! They’ve already scored some great additions today, we’re told, including an air compressor and sewing machine.
LOOKING FOR FREEBIES? You could certainly run along the map routes again, since more than a few folks just put out leftovers marked “free” – don’t take anything that’s NOT clearly marked “free,” of course – Cheryl, for example, left this comment earlier:
UPDATE on sale #183 (4018 SW Trenton) — Everything that is left out on my lawn is now FREE, FREE, FREE. Please come and get it. Tools, books, pictures, lamp, magazines, kid costumes, Vornado fan, Zenith 19″ TV with remote, etc. Nothing is broken, just don’t want/need any more.
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE? Feel free to post a comment here or on the West Seattle Community Garage Sale Facebook page – perhaps you can match up with somebody who didn’t sell whatever it is you’re looking for.
Meantime, thanks to everybody who participated in one way or another – we know some sales did very well, others heard crickets, but by most reviews it was another beautiful day to get out and meet friends old and new, face to face.
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