After the Chile earthquake over the weekend – and a belated reminder that yesterday was the 9th anniversary of our area’s last big quake – it’s high time for us all to be sure we’re ready for the unthinkable, just in case. So on Saturday, we published a reminder about West Seattle, Be Prepared – the trailblazing preparedness effort that tireless volunteers have been ramping up peninsula-wide for two years. Part of it is making sure you know about the West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs – the nine spots marked on the Google Map above; memorize the one closest to you, because in case of catastrophe, that’s where you’ll go to get information and help. Tonight, West Seattle, Be Prepared got a citywide spotlight, as part of a KING 5 TV story about local readiness – one of its key organizers, Cindi Barker from Morgan Junction, is featured in the middle of reporter Glenn Farley‘s story:
In addition to the Hubs map, the West Seattle, Be Prepared website has tons of information – take some time and wander around – and if you’re on Facebook, be sure to join the WSBP group —just go here (and if you haven’t friended us on FB yet – we’re WS Blog – go here).
AUCTION: Just got word from multiple sources (thank you!) that this Saturday (March 6) at 9 am, there’s an auction of surplus Seattle Public Schools items at the old Hughes School building (map) in Sunrise Heights. Power tools and musical instruments are on the highlights list (see it here); photos are here, the full list here (Excel doc). The auctioneers’ site says it’s open for preview an hour ahead of time.
“TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE” DATE CHANGE: Anna Fern from West Seattle Helpline says the fundraising event offering food from multiple local restaurants has been moved back a week, to May 20, so it doesn’t conflict with that month’s West Seattle Art Walk. And they’re still signing up restaurants interested in participating – call Anna at 206-932-2746.
2 OTHER BENEFIT REMINDERS: Among other benefits coming up are two for which WSB is among the event sponsors, so we’re taking the opportunity to remind you if you haven’t checked them out already: The benefit brunch for the Nature Consortium, which focuses on restoring the West Duwamish Greenbelt – Seattle’s longest remaining contiguous forest – is March 14 (RSVP info here); West Seattle Food Bank‘s Instruments of Change gala is April 30 (event/ticket info here).
One day after our first report that public-safety advocates were pleading for support to keep EHB 1679, the “Jason McKissack Act” – whose namesake suffered brain damage in an attack while on the job as a police officer in West Seattle – here’s where things stand: Tomorrow remains the deadline for bills to get out of the Ways and Means Committee, or be dead for the year. Law-enforcement lobbyist and police widow Renee Maher, who sounded the alarm last night, is among those working around the clock – she tells WSB, “The idea of losing this bill breaks my heart in more ways than words can describe.” She testified at public hearings before both houses’ Ways and Means Committees (we went to Olympia to cover both – here’s our report from last Monday). Maher reiterates that keeping up the pressure is vital – Senator Margarita Prentice, Ways and Means chair, will make the decision on whether there’s a vote; she also recommends contacting Sen. Lisa Brown, Senate Majority Leader, because “it’s important that she knows how much this issue means to the community.” West Seattle’s State Senator Joe McDermott is on the committee as well, and commented following yesterday’s story, ” I have spoken to Senator Prentice … and Senator Brown … reminding them again of the compelling testimony we heard at the hearing and underscoring the need to move the bill out of committee. … Continued positive encouragement is always welcome in a legislative environment.”
The Admiral Neighborhood Association put out the call for volunteer help at its quarterly Adopt-A-Street cleanup today – and more than 20 answered the call, according to this report from ANA president Katy Walum:
23 people showed up for this morning’s cleanup (!), along with some early sunshine to further lift spirits. With so many present to lend a hand, cleanup went smoothly and fairly quickly. There were LOTS of cigarette butts cleaned up – many volunteers commented that it would be nice to see more Admiral businesses place receptacles for the butts (and trash) outside their doors, and of course maintain these regularly.
A very special thanks to all of the volunteers who came out today, and to Metropolitan Market which provided coffee, pastries, and even complete sack lunches for us! It was inspiring to see so many people take time out of their weekend to give back to their community. And now all of Admiral can enjoy cleaner sidewalks and surroundings because of these generous folks.
Also, per John Lang, who visited our event today: If you missed today’s event but are looking for a similar opportunity to help out the Admiral community, don’t forget about next Saturday’s cleanup of Fairmount Ravine, from 8:30-10:30 am, put on by area neighbors. Volunteers for this cleanup need to bring their own gloves, wear sturdy shoes or boots (for getting up into the hillsides), and bring pruning-type saws or clippers for tackling the ivy.
Anne from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) first saw them walking along California SW in Gatewood and called to let us know: Teens from Shorewood Foursquare Church are in the midst of a big walk right now, as part of World Vision‘s 30-Hour Famine awareness-raising event. We caught up with them at the top of the hill, and they explained they’re walking to a store to buy water – “because in Africa, people often have to walk 6 miles to get water.” We had published an item about the 30-Hour Famine on our partner site White Center Now earlier today – Shorewood is inviting you to bring clothing and food donations to the church tomorrow morning – but it didn’t mention the teens’ big hike, so thanks again to Anne for the tip. At least two dozen are walking, carrying signs, so if you see them in southern West Seattle over the next few hours, you’ll know what it’s about.
Imagine driving through one of West Seattle’s gateway areas and thinking “Looks great, and I was part of it.” If you can spare a little time tomorrow morning, you get the right to feel that way about the Admiral District, by joining in the next Adopt-A-Street cleanup with the Admiral Neighborhood Association. No equipment or special clothing needed – just show up outside Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) at 9 am tomorrow (Saturday) – you’ll get city-supplied grabbers, bags, gloves and vests. ANA president Katy Walum says, “We will be covering the Admiral Junction business area on California Avenue SW, south to about Hanford and north to about Walker; and SW Admiral Way, east to about the Admiral viewpoint and west to about 47th SW.” Not a small-child-friendly event, she adds, given the traffic along those streets, “but older kids and teenagers are welcome.” You can also mark your calendar for the next 3 quarterly Adopt-A-Streets: June 5, August 28, December 4.
That’s one of our photos from last year’s Fairmount Ravine cleanup – just part of what neighborhood volunteers picked up and took out of the ravine during several hours of work. They could have done more, with more help – and here’s the advance alert in hopes that you will join them for this year’s cleanup, just a week and a half away. From John Lang:
Fairmount Ravine Preservation Group will sponsor the 18th Annual Spring Cleanup and Reforestation of Fairmount Ravine, Saturday March 6th at 8:30. Meet at top of ravine (Forest St. and Fairmount Ave.). Wear boots and gloves. Bring a pruning saw if interested in removing ivy from trees. Delicious Tully’s coffee and hot cocoa along with donuts will be served. We extend a special invitation to those who use the ravine to access the waterfront; please donate an hour of your time to keep this greenbelt healthy and pristine. More info – call John at 932-5151.
Are you a retired teacher? Are you currently pursuing a degree in education and would like to increase your teaching experience in a culturally diverse setting? Are you a previous camp counselor or someone who has worked with elementary-school students and knows how to effectively work with them? An hour a week could do wonders for our local students and their academic success.
Neighborhood House (www.nhwa.org) has an immediate need for reliable, patient volunteer after-school tutors at Mt. View Elementary in White Center. Volunteer your time helping students with their homework. Show them how to break big words into syllables. Tell them your secrets on how to solve fractions. Inspire them to do well in school. Your presence alone will make these energetic students smile.
We’re looking for people who are available for at least an hour between 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. once a week for at least three months. If you (or anyone you know) are interested in becoming an after-school tutor, please e-mail RominaR@nhwa.org for more information on how to get started as an after-school tutor.
Tonight’s the first of five public meetings (all listed here) the city’s holding to discuss the new Youth and Families Initiative. The fourth one is in West Seattle, 7 pm March 15 at Denny International Middle School, but in the meantime, Mayor Mike McGinn‘s staff has taken the unusual step of sending code for an embeddable form you can use RIGHT NOW to let them know what you think:
The information you submit, by the way, does NOT go to us – while we’re embedding the form, it’s hosted on another website, and everything goes straight to them (we just tested it to make sure it works).
Our video shows the scene inside the Alaska Marine Lines loading dock on West Marginal Way SW this morning – about two hours after West Seattle’s 30,000 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies arrived, and about two hours before they were all scheduled to be gone, picked up by reps of the 25 troops selling cookies in our area this year. From outside the dock:
As always, volunteers young and old helped out – coordinated by West Seattle Service Unit Cookie Manager Cheryl Brown – including this group we got to stop down for a photo:
What’s new this year, you ask? Two things: First, the new flavor is Thank You Berry Munch, described as:
Real, premium cranberries provide a delightful tartness in these hearty cookies sweetened with creamy white fudge chips.
And of course, as you probably noticed in the video, older faves are still available too, like Samoas, Thin Mints, last year’s new flavor Dulce de Leche …But here’s what’s really big: The Cookie Locator. Once cookie sales officially begin next Friday, February 26th, the Girl Scouts of Western Washington website will have a spot for you to enter your zip code and find the locations and times where you’ll find cookie sales nearby! (Around Western Washington, Cheryl says, 18,844 girls sold 2,773,288 boxes of cookies last year; 112,569 were donated to Operation Cookie Drop – you can buy a box of cookies to be donated to U.S. military personnel.)
(photo added 1:36 pm) OFFICE ITEMS, FURNITURE ON SALE TO RAISE HAITI $: Just got the word from the folks at Westside Dermatology (WSB sponsor). Outside their building, Olympic Court in The Junction, there’s a sale under way “till 4 or 5 pm” to raise money for Haiti quake relief. From Joe Erickson at Westside Dermatology:
All proceeds will go to the Haiti Relief Fund. There is lot of furniture and office items. We are hoping to raise $5-10 per item. Some items are free with an optional donation. Please come by and help out.
Joe also says they have a lot of framed prints. (added 12:55 pm) Also: “Office chairs, lots of framed floral prints, a Nordic track exercise ski machine, desk tops antiques, solid marble table with heavy metal base, desktops, heavy lockable file cabinets etc.” Here’s a map to Olympic Court. Meantime, less than a block away:
BIN 41 SIGN: Driving through The Junction late yesterday, we spotted the sign going up for Bin 41, the specialty wine store going into the former Georgia Blu space between Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy (WSB sponsor) and KeyBank. In this January 29th WSB story, Bin 41’s proprietors told the story of what their store will be all about.
STUDENTS HELPING HAITI: From left, Lafayette Elementarystudent council representatives Anna Goldberg, Alyx Hastings and Quinn Gerberding. Proud Lafayette principal Virginia Turner says they “conceived of, publicized and organized the fundraising effort” that brought in $1,460 for Haiti relief — the council sponsored the collection. Lafayette teacher Kent Ferris worked with the students to help them make it happen. Another big announcement:
ARTISTS HELPING HAITI: Last weekend, we brought you a progress report during West Seattle artist/entrepreneur Stephanie Hargrave‘s art sale to raise money to help Haiti. She now has the final numbers: $17,031 raised during the one-day sale! It’s going to Partners in Health, Doctors Without Borders, and Mercy Corps. Stephanie took the above photo of all the art in her studio during the sale, and adds: “My two friends who were instrumental in the effort and worked tirelessly are West Seattleites Anne-Marie Meredith and Bronwyn McNutt.” She also included a full list of the artists who participated by donating work – see that list (with information on how to contact the artists – web links or phone/e-mail) here.
NEW WEST SEATTLE HELP FOR HAITI: Kari Robinse-mailed to say:
I am a West Seattle resident and a high school teacher. I am going to be traveling to Haiti this summer with Global Volunteer Network. I will be working with orphaned children and homeless women. I want to raise money to help offset the cost of travel and participating in the program.
I will be working with children, youth and women within two camps; Pinchinat and Kay Wolf. These camps have more than 3,000 people who became homeless after the quake. I will be helping to run education classes for children as the schools have been closed down until September.
I am looking for community support to help offset the expense and to maximize my time down in Haiti.
Earlier today, we mentioned the West Seattle Helpline‘s “Taste of West Seattle” coming up May 13th, and their call for more local restaurants to be part of it. (Here’s that story.) Right now, news of another tasty West Seattle event for a good cause — the Nature Consortium‘s second annual benefit brunch, noon Sunday, March 14, at The Hall at Fauntleroy. WSB is proud to be among the event sponsors. The Nature Consortium’s main mission is to work in the West Duwamish Greenbelt, along the eastern edge of West Seattle, restoring it to healthy forest-hood. They’re based at Youngstown Arts Center here in WSB. You can go to the NC’s site to find out more about the benefit brunch and how to RSVP.
West Seattle artist Stephanie Hargrave was beaming when we stopped by her studio (3234 California SW, across from the business she co-owns, smallclothes) around 1: In the first two hours of the benefit art/jewelry sale she organized to raise money for Haiti relief, she told us, more than $7,000 already had come in: “It’s exceeded my wildest expectations!” And the number was rising even as we stood there taking photos – the work you see next to her in the picture was in the process of being sold, and it came off the wall minutes later. Several other artists contributed work, including jewelry artist Frances Smersh from Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor):
The sale continues till 6 tonight; here’s a map – her studio’s in an old house, up a stairway from the sidewalk, but you’ll see the sign at street level.
Just before 11 this morning, we sent this out in our “Announcements” stream as well as Facebook and Twitter, right after SPDBlotter announced it. But in case you hadn’t seen it any of those ways, we want to be sure you see it here on the home page, too: CrossFit West Seattle (42nd/Admiral) will be hosting a Hero Memorial Workout” on Sunday, in honor of SPD Officer Tim Brenton, the West Seattle High School graduate murdered in the line of duty last Halloween night. CFWS’s Eric Renn says this is “a CrossFit tradition when one of our members or their family members dies in the line of duty). … Unfortunately, the officer that died (Tim Brenton) was the brother of two of our dedicated gym members. We have created a workout that will be held in his honor which was requested by his family.” It’s a fundraiser for the Behind the Badge Foundation, according to SPDBlotter, $20/person if you want to join the workout (and that’ll get you a memorial T-shirt as well), spectators/well-wishers are welcome too! 3 pm Sunday, CrossFit West Seattle.
From left, that’s Grace Peer, Siena Jeakle, Sophie Baker and Colleen Donahue. Steve Peer shared the photo and explains they’re Holy Rosary7th graders who’ve been going door to door seeking donated baked goods and distributing flyers for tomorrow night’s bake sale at The Kenney during theWest Seattle Art Walk. Proceeds will go to Haiti quake relief. And there’s still time for you to help – you can bake something tomorrow (or, for our fellow night owls, tonight!) and drop it off at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way; map) right up until sale time (6-9 pm Thursday). This, by the way, fits in perfectly with something new that’ll be offered during tomorrow night’s Art Walk to get more people to The Kenney and other southern stops – Ron Sterling of Sterling Images Gallery, one such stop, at Lowman Beach, has rustled up a shuttle between The Junction and his side of town – read the full details about where and how to catch it, in this WSB Forums post.
First heard about this from Andrea Mercado of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society – aka the Log House Museum folks – at last week’s Southwest District Council meeting. She says the project could use some help. She’s putting together a book of West Seattle photo history, forArcadia Publishing, along the lines of what you see at left (thanks to Arcadia for providing the image). Andrea says they have “fantastic images” – but they’re not sure who everybody in the photos happens to be – or, for example, what the photo was all about. “Who are these people, why are they all holding a red umbrella, that sort of thing,” she explained. Once the book is finished and published, profits will benefit the Historical Society, which is a small nonprofit with the big job of curating and honoring West Seattle (and vicinity) history. Besides the search for assistance in identifying who’s in the photos, she says they also still need editors, typists, people who can clean up photo scans, etc. Just contact her through the Log House Museum – the contact info’s all here. (Side note: The museum is hosting a special talk Thursday night, 7 pm – Lorraine McConaghy will discuss and sign her new book (available for purchase too), “Warship under Sail, The USS Decatur in the Pacific West,” taking another look at a pivotal event from Seattle’s earliest years in the mid-1850s.)
We’ve reported several student fundraisers but hadn’t heard about this one till this item appeared in Seattle Public Schools‘ newest School Beat e-newsletter:
Highland Park Elementary students raised $1,091.35 in four days to aide the earthquake victims in Haiti. More than 80 percent of the students at Highland Park receive free and reduced-price lunch. The school’s head secretary, Margaret Young, helped organize the fund-raiser by asking teachers to share information about the devastation in Haiti . After adding up the collections each morning, Principal Ann Gray and head teacher Rhonda Moore read the total contribution amounts to the students.
“We praised the compassion, understanding and generous nature of our students and parents to give to such a worthy cause. Our students continued to donate their coins, which consisted of mostly pennies. The students were excited and proud … and so were we, as a school,” Moore said.
The city has just added a few new facets to the search for the next Seattle Police chief – including three public forums (none in West Seattle), a new website (here), and the chance for you to answer four key questions from the mayor, online or by phone if you can’t make the forums – read on for the official announcement:Read More
We have a followup from Kristina Surface today re: Alki Elementary School‘s Friday night events to benefit Haiti earthquake relief:
The two Alki Elementary fundraisers for Haiti (penny drive and movie night) raised a grand total of $2717.17! We are incredibly grateful to PCC and Safeway for donating snacks and drinks to sell at our movie night, as this enabled us to donate 100% of the proceeds to The American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund. It’s amazing what we can do when we work as a community.
Kristina shared the photos, too – above, the cafeteria full of families awaiting the movie (“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”); below, from left, Alki parent Jill Rose and principal Clover Codd. Kristina adds, “Without Jill’s leadership and Clover’s support, we couldn’t have done it. We are so proud of our Alki families for coming together as a community and helping the people of Haiti.”
Speaking of Alki and Haiti – beach resident Angela Williams has announced more details of her Valentine’s Day event (we talked with her for a WSB story last week) – you can now get the full scoop here.
(WSB photo from December 2009 by Christopher Boffoli)
Every Sunday, Restoration Worship Center meets at High Point Community Center. The photo above shows its leader, Bishop Deborah Dinkins, from the day we met her during a pre-Christmas toy drive which almost didn’t happen – till many bighearted people reached out (here’s our story). Starting today, Bishop Dinkins has a new effort, and hopes you will help:
I have this heartfelt mission to do a canned/ non perishable food drive event to help Haiti and our local community in need. The Launch date for this event is starting Sunday February 7, 2010 until we reach our goal of 17,000 canned goods and 17,000 dry goods/nonperishable food items.
We need monetary donations to cover the cost of storage containers and transportation cost of shipping to those less fortunate as a result of this catastrophe. The local community will also be helped because we need to support our neighbors as well for food help or essential needs based on what we receive.
The location to drop off the food and monetary donations will be High Point Community Center
between 11:30 am and 3:00 PM on Sundays. The address location is 6920 34th Avenue SW [map].
The Church is nonprofit 501c3; any donations are tax deductible. Any questions and information, contact Bishop Deborah Dinkins for more information at 360-440-4428. or Susan McKinney at 206-618-3657.
WestSide Baby executive director Nancy Woodland had reason to smile. WestSide Baby’s 9th annual Benefit Tea in Brockey Center at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) on Puget Ridge was sold out long before the doors opened – check out the crowd:
Volunteers young and old made it a success – including ambassadors Sonja and Kelsey (wearing, and handing out, tiaras):
WestSide Baby’s website counted the guest list at more than 450; we’ve got messages out to find out the final tallies. WestSide Baby helps thousands of families and has lots of other ways for you to make sure they can keep doing it. 10:59 PM UPDATE: Nancy Woodland says the final guest count was 470 – and they raised more than $100,000. “Unbelievable and amazing and we are so very thankful!” she adds. ADDED 12:36 AM: Courtesy ofDonna Ryan Photography, Rinku Wheaton speaking at the event, including her thoughts on being part of WestSide Baby’s “Giving Circle” (read more about it here):
That’s one of the photos Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) tweeted – find them on Twitter at @illusionshaird and on Facebook too – during today’s “Have a Heart Day” fundraiser. Stylists donated their time and all proceeds from haircuts went to the West Seattle Food Bank. Illusions says they raised more than $900.
(P.S. The Food Bank has its own big fundraiser coming up in April – “Instruments of Change” – ticket info’s online now.)
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