West Seattle, Washington
31 Sunday
If you have one or more old cell phones sitting around because you don’t know the best way to get rid of them – here it is. Via Facebook, Megan Wilson sends news of a cell-phone-collection drive she’s organized to help victims of domestic violence. Between now and December 11th, take the phone(s) to the counter at Easy Street Records in The Junction, any brand, with or without charger. Megan explains, “Each phone collected is given to the Shelter Alliance that refurbishes the phones to help victims of domestic violence during safety planning. For each phone submitted, the Shelter Alliance will give money to the Victim Support Team that I volunteer with.” (Here’s info on that team.) Any special instructions? we asked. Megan’s reply: “It does not matter what brand/type the phone is. The phones should be deactivated and Shelter Alliance does erase data. It is best, however, to erase your own personal data from phone before turning in.” P.S. Megan adds: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Here’s how to get help – or call this hotline any time: 800-562-6025.
One year ago, we published a feature story about Family Promise of Seattle, a small organization with the very specific goal of helping homeless families stay together while they get back on their feet. It’s based in the building you see above — an old fourplex leased from adjacent West Side Presbyterian Church — but that’s just its day center; local churches help house the families it helps. Recently, board member Laura Bermes e-mailed to share an update on the group – and with all the conversation triggered by “Nickelsville” and the SHARE sleepout protest, this seems like a relevant time:
Have you ever struggled to pay the rent, or wondered what would happen if you lost your job, or what might happen if you were to fall ill without adequate insurance? It doesn’t take a lot of bad luck to become homeless in Seattle. The cost of living keeps increasing, opportunity for employment keeps decreasing, incomes are falling and families are finding themselves homeless. In the Seattle School District last year, more than 900 students were identified as being “homeless”. It happens – and, yes, it happens right here in our sweet West Seattle. Fortunately, West Seattle offers a meager, but effective sheltering program for families where volunteers provide meals and a safe place to sleep at night through the generous support of area churches, and families find social service support at a Day Center.
Family Promise, West Seattle’s only sheltering program for homeless families, has served over 13 families since opening its doors in July of 2008. Single moms and their babies, toddlers, elementary, middle and high school students, and a couple of dads. The program has seen success, and has allowed hundreds of volunteers the opportunity to learn more about homelessness and to reap the benefit of caring for strangers. This is the kind of program that fits perfectly in this caring community that we all appreciate. Right now, Family Promise needs your help.
The Family Promise Board has set three ambitious goals for the continuation of this unique program: 1. to raise 90,000 in operating income by November 1st; 2. to increase Board Membership by recruiting interested business people in the community; and 3. to increase the number partner congregations / synagogues. In order to meet these goals, the Board is planning a Public Relations Campaign that will reach out to the West Seattle Community for support. We need your help to keep this family shelter in operation.
Here are Two Ways YOU can MAKE A DIFFERENCE: You can help by volunteering your time at a partner congregation, in the Day Center or by serving on the Board. You can help by donating money, or by becoming a member of “Club 206,” a group of individual donors (living in the 206 area code) that agree to give $206 a year. Visit the Family Promise website for more information or give a call to the Day Center at 937-2703.
(WSB photo from February 2009)
Girl Scouts are about more than cookies (although that part is fun too)! Ilana Barnes from Girl Scouts of Western Washington sends word of two information nights in West Seattle tonight and tomorrow, not just for the girls, but for prospective leaders too:
* *Who*: All girls and adults interested in learning more about Girl Scouts!
*Attention all girls everywhere*…Do you want to share and explore new things with your friends? Sing and make s’mores around the campfire? Build a rocket? Go horseback riding? Ever wondered what it would be like to grow up and be a veterinarian, baker, scientist, banker, or artist – you can learn, try, and experience all these things in the Girl Scouts. If you can think it, you can do it! It’s all about what YOU like!
*Attention all parents, guardians and adults who believe the girl in their life is amazing*…You can help her reach her full potential. Help her explore her passions, find courage, and build character so she can make the world a better place. You can help by getting involved in Girl Scouts!
The Girl Scouts of Western Washington is 99% volunteer-led and we need caring adults like yourself to take an active role in giving girls the best possible Girl Scout experience. We are looking for enthusiastic adult volunteers who are interested in bringing Girl Scouts to their Seattle community. Each year Girl Scouts has many more girls interested in joining than we are able to place in troops. Come learn how you can help!
Tuesday, September 29
6:30 pm
High Point Library
3411 SW Raymond St.Wednesday, September 30
6:30 pm
Southwest Library
9010 35th Ave. SW
First, following up on Sunday’s Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run to raise money for Northwest Hope and Healing‘s work helping breast-cancer patients (our same-day coverage is here and here), NWHH executive director Shari Sewell has an update:
Nearly 1,400 walkers, runners, volunteers, sponsors and supporters came out on a beautiful morning for the Alki Beach 5k Walk & Run. We are so thrilled at the cooperation we received from the West Seattle community as well as the support of our participants. Our supporters have embraced our mission to help women get through breast cancer, and the event has grossed over $75,000, with donations still coming in. Donations can be made online at www.alkibeachrun.com. Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Dr Glenn Krieger, who has generously supported our annual event over the past few years.
And from NWHH supporter and Alki Beach 5K participant Amy Daly-Donovan, a photo and info from an “afterparty” of sorts:
From left, that’s NWHH founder Christine Smith, Amy and husband Jim, and Shari Sewell. Amy reports $1,800 more was raised at the party, for which she provides the backstory:
I signed up for NWHH’s inaugural run event in 2003 – it was a half marathon and the longest distance I’d ever run. My young & vibrant sister had recently passed away from an aggressive form of breast cancer and I wanted to do something to honor her, and liked the idea of supporting a LOCAL organization that supported LOCAL breast cancer patients. In that first year, NWHH encouraged each participant to raise $500 and I decided to try something different rather than asking for pledges. Jim and I hosted a cocktail party and asked people to come and make a donation to NWHH. That first year we raised nearly $1,400.
We decided to make an annual event of it and have been running & partying every year since. Last year, the total we have raised through the generosity of our friends and family surpassed the $10,000 mark! We are thrilled to be able to support this wonderful and much-needed organization in such a significant way. Two of my sisters and my niece and I also participated in NWHH’s Spring Fashion Show last May and had a blast.
You can find out more about Northwest Hope and Healing at nwhopeandhealing.org. ADDED TUESDAY: We’ve received a followup also from the presenting sponsor, Krieger Dentistry, regarding their ongoing efforts to help fight breast cancer – read on:Read More
Those are the top male and female finishers from this morning’s Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run, benefiting Northwest Hope and Healing, which helps newly diagnosed breast-cancer patients. (The official results aren’t online yet but via loudspeaker, he was identified as Brett Kapels, who finished 3rd last year, and she’s Regina Joyce.) This is the second year for the 5K, which previously had been a half-marathon; the West Seattleite who is NWHH’s executive director, Shari Sewell, told us they’d counted 1,298 signups by race time – up 30% from last year’s 1,000 participants. Brisk but beautiful morning. We’re processing our traditional video clip of EVERYONE at the start of the race and will publish that separately later. But first, a few more photos – first, right after the starting horn sounded:
A big group rounds the first bend onto the Alki bike path:
HUGE amount of volunteer help makes this happen – from the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle volunteers with the stop signs:
… to the volunteers in the water booth, bundling up against the chilly breeze:
More later! (P.S. Thanks to Facebook friends – find us at facebook.com/westseattleblog – for pointing out that first finisher Brett Kapels is Hope Lutheran School‘s athletic director.) PPS – Here’s our video of everybody taking off – will feature it as an embed in the followup report when results are available.
ALKI BEACH 5K WALK/RUN: More than 1,200 people are signed up, we hear – and you can still do same-day registration if you get to Alki Bathhouse at 8 am. The run (from the Bathhouse to Anchor Park, and back) benefits Northwest Hope and Healing, which supports newly diagnosed breast-cancer patients as they struggle to continue the practicalities of life while dealing with their new fight for survival. (We’ll be tweeting pre- and during-race photos at @westseattleblog – you don’t have to be on Twitter to see a Twitter feed, just click that link.)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always, 44th/Alaska, and watch @NFMASeattle on Twitter for tidbits once the market opens. (No Ripe and Ready list online today, sorry!)
TIBBETTS CENTENNIAL SERVICE: It’s been a big year for West Seattle churches celebrating 100th anniversaries, and the big party for Tibbetts United Methodist Church is today: Regional Bishop Grant Hagiya will preside at the 10 am service, during which former pastors will be recognized, and a gala banquet will follow the service. More here (including the latest on plans for the church’s next big rummage sale, in early October).
Even when the days are warm, the nights are now cool, and you’ve probably at least thought about bringing your sweaters and coats to the front of the closet. Maybe you can take it a step further – and get a coat to somebody who can’t afford one. At Sleep Country USA in Westwood Village, the annual Coat Drive for Foster Kids is under way now through November 1st. As the official announcement from Sleep Country puts it, “many foster kids arrive with only the clothes on their backs.” You can donate “new coats in every shape and size” at any Sleep Country USA store; the one at Westwood Village is in the section of the center anchored by Bed Bath Beyond. Or, you can donate through PayPal and Sleep Country will use the $ to buy coats (here’s the link). Want to know more? 888-88-SLEEP.
You’ve no doubt heard by now about Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle, which has been harvesting local produce, particularly fruit, with volunteer help, for donation to local food banks. One homeowner made what turned out to be a really big donation, and shared this note she got from Aviva at Community Harvest after 11 volunteers stopped by to pick grapes two days ago:
“I just dropped off the grapes at the food bank. 306 pounds!! Can you believe it? I would have to say that it is the highest yield/house this season, not to mention that the tree owners (kids included!) were the most fun. This has been a great way to end (well, almost end) the season – and puts us at 6400 pounds – just 100 away from our goal.”
The homeowner/grape donor (who also shared these photos, including that one of a volunteer with a big box of the grapes) added:
So, if your yard has some fruit that you aren’t going to use, please contact Aviva so they can reach the 6500 pound goal! Speaking as the homeowner who donated grapes yesterday, I can personally attest that these people are wonderful– they come to your place, pick and bag the fruit, then take it away. That is about as easy (for the homeowner, lol) as it gets! No more wasted fruit, no nasty mush in the yard, and best of all, lots of good fruit for the food bank.
Contact info for Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle is online at gleanit.org.
Online registration is closed for tomorrow’s Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run (WSB sponsor) to benefit breast-cancer patients through Northwest Hope and Healing – BUT if you’re not already signed up, you can do it at CAPERS in The Junction till 2 pm. (Same-day signups start at 8 at Alki Bathhouse tomorrow; the 5K starts at 9 am.)
With the White Center Food Bank‘s 
annual Harvest Dinner/Auction less than a month away, it’s “last call” time for artists who can decorate chairs to donate in the “Have a Seat at the Table” portion of the auction. Lynne Ingalls says, “There may still be some chairs available free for artists to decorate, otherwise, choose your own … they must be completed and submitted by October 10.” You can contact her at btrees@comcast.net or 206-933-2547 to get a chair (and more information). And regardless of whether you’re an artist, you are welcome to attend the October 17th event and support the food bank, which serves part of West Seattle as well as all of White Center: Call 206-762-2848 for tickets, or go to www.whitecenterfoodbank.org.
That’s a simulation of what West Seattle CoolMom and other area environmental groups hope to muster enough people to create at Seattle Center in a month, as part of the 350.org Day of Action. And CoolMom’s Terri Glaberson says her group is looking for the perfect spot to do something smaller, closer to home, too:
In recognition and support of 350.org International Day of Action taking place on October 24th, West Seattle CoolMom is trying to locate a plot of land that could be home to 350 square feet of garden. The idea is to create a new garden space for a local business, school or church so that the community can benefit from an ongoing working garden. Instead of CoolMom trying to locate this land by searching ourselves, we thought of asking the community for help.
What we would like is to have the community raise their hand in offering this plot of land to CoolMom so that we may establish a garden, but with understanding that this land would be maintained after October 24th by the owners of the land.
If you can suggest a site for this garden, e-mail Terri at admin@coolmom.org. And she invites you to make plans to be part of the big “350” at Seattle Center, 2 pm October 24:
The event includes exhibitors, speakers, live feed of neighborhood action events, the cities new carbon calculator-created to be user friendly for families, and a large photo op of a “three”, “five” and “zero” near the fountain. We are going to need a lot of folks to come out to form these numbers, but more importantly we want people to get involved and learn about climate change and what each individual can do to make a difference in his or her community.
From left, that’s Callan (5th grade) and Trent (3rd grade) from West Seattle’s Boy Scout Troop 284 (celebrating its 94th anniversary this year!) stationed outside West Seattle Thriftway till 6 tonight, selling popcorn and trail mix. We went over to check out the sale after Suzanne e-mailed WSB to let everyone know it’s time for this fundraiser (which will be happening for the next few weeks all over West Seattle):
It’s that time again. You’ll see a whole bunch of Scouts selling popcorn, caramel corn, chocolate covered popcorn, cheese popcorn, unpopped popcorn (both airpopper/stove top and microwave varieties) and trail mix at various grocery store locations throughout West Seattle. Don’t like popcorn or can’t eat but still want to support your local scouts? You can make a donation to buy popcorn for the troops and have your popcorn sent to those serving our country. Popcorn sales last for the month of October. Thank you West Seattle for your support.
That’s the crew at WestSide Baby – standing by for another hour or so to accept old carseats for recycling – just take them to 10032 15th SW (here’s a map).
CHIEF SEALTH JAZZ BAND CAR WASH FRIDAY: Just got word that a fundraising car wash for the Chief Sealth High School Jazz Band is happening Friday afternoon. From Monica Kenny:
The forecast for this weekend is sunny, is your car ready? Bring it to the Chief Sealth Jazz Band car wash fundraiser and let us do the dirty work! Friday, September 25th from 3-5PM in the parking lot at Sealth @ Boren (5950 Delridge Way SW).
Here’s the Chief Sealth Music website; here’s a map to the car-wash location.
WSHS GRAD NIGHT FUNDRAISING BOOKFAIR NEXT 3 DAYS: West Seattle High School Grad Night 2010 will get up to 15 percent of the proceeds of any purchase Friday-Saturday-Sunday at any Barnes and Noble (not online) if you use Voucher 10001295 – this was provided through WSHS but we’re told you can also give the number at the register and it’ll count.
SWINERY FOLLOWUP: Wonder what food writers have to say about The Swinery? Seattle Times (WSB partner) food writer Nancy Leson has a followup on West Seattle’s hottest food news of the week; see it here (she includes WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli‘s video from opening day, too).
DJ’S FOOD DRIVE: Via Twitter, Shawn Stewart from The Mountain radio (@askthemd) wanted to let you know that she’ll be at the new Junction QFC collecting donations for West Seattle Food Bank this Saturday, 1 pm-3 pm, with giveaways including free concert tickets.
BUDGET HEARINGS: The City Council has just announced the dates/times for three budget hearings. If there’s something you want to make sure the city spends $ on – or doesn’t cut – or DOES cut, for that matter – be there. All three hearings start at 5:30 pm; none are in West Seattle: 10/7 at Whitman Middle School (9201 15th NW), 10/14 at NW African American Museum (2300 S. Massachusetts); 10/26 at City Hall downtown.
It’s hard to see the creek for the trees – but it’s there – that’s the view from the Fauntleroy Creek overlook across from the ferry terminal, looking down toward the water. We have two updates to share from Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens – first, the spawners may be getting closer, and that means they need people to sign up to keep watch on the creek:
2009 SALMON WATCH INVITES VOLUNTEERS
Reports of large coho being caught off of Bellingham are encouraging that our coho may have survived warm ocean conditions to return to Puget Sound and Fauntleroy Creek. We’ll know more in a few weeks when fishers off of Colman Pool report what they’re catching.
In anticipation, we’re starting to organize the annual salmon watch, whereby volunteers tally spawners and record their condition. Watchers schedule half-hour shifts immediately after high tide. You’ll be trained during your first shift and can come as little or as much as your calendar permits. The watch will start Oct. 26 and go until Thanksgiving.
For questions or to get on the list, contact Judy Pickens at 938-4203 or judy_pickens@msn.com.
Judy also sends word of the drum event that will precede the creek watch – here’s one of our photos from last year, showing Jamie Shilling, who Judy writes will help lead again this year:
CALLING ALL DRUMMERS!
The annual drumming to call in spawners to Fauntleroy Creek will be at the fish-ladder viewpoint (SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW) on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 5 PM. Jamie Shilling will lead the singing and drumming, and Randy Sleight will lend his storytelling skills. Bring any kind of drum you have or can devise and join your neighbors in this spirited event for all ages.
Here’s a map to the creek overlook. P.S. One week before Salmon Watch and drumming, it’s the Fauntleroy Fall Festival – 2-6 pm October 18th – with activities including pony rides, arts and crafts, performances, games, dunk tanks, food, on both sides of the “bend in the road” where you’ll find Fauntleroy Church, YMCA, The Hall at Fauntleroy.
Our video from last September shows the entire 1,000-strong crowd taking off for the first-ever Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run, benefiting West Seattle-based Northwest Hope and Healing (WSB sponsor), which helps newly diagnosed breast-cancer patients. Will this year’s crowd beat that? Still time to help make sure it does – register at alkibeachrun.com. The route starts at Alki Bathhouse and travels along the West Seattle waterfront (here’s a map). Here’s what the $ goes for. See you there (and so far – though it’s early – the weather looks great)!
This past Friday and Saturday, piles of donated items were sold at West Seattle’s Peace Lutheran Church to benefit 1-year-old Maarten (left), who’s been fighting a brain tumor for virtually his entire life. He and his parents had to stay in Boston where he’s being treated and couldn’t make it home in time for the sale, but organizer Claudia Ludwig, a co-worker of Maarten’s mom, tells us they’ve now raised $5,925 – including $3,625 from the sale (the rest is from PayPal and bank account donations). Claudia adds:
Please send a GIANT thank you to everyone who reads the WS blog. Maarten and his parents, Sacha and Francois will be back home in Seattle on Wednesday and they are SO thrilled by all of us coming together to help them in this way. Sacha told me (Sunday) morning when I gave her an approximate total that their 3 trips to Boston AND the 9 weeks lodging expenses are covered by our sale and there will be more left! She and Francois were in awe and so very very grateful. They’ll be updating the helpmaarten.blogspot.com soon and want to send out their thanks to everyone and feel so moved by our support.
Claudia also added a bit more about the treatment that Maarten’s been receiving – how it works and how costly it is – read on:Read More
(Today’s sunrise, from Seacrest, courtesy Chas Redmond, who happens to be an SWS member)
Tonight’s calendar highlight — Sustainable West Seattle‘s monthly meeting, 7 pm, Camp Long Lodge (map), all welcome. This is the group’s last meeting before a big event it’s co-presenting – the Eat Local Now dinner/auction, 5 pm October 11th at Alki Masonic Hall (map) in The Junction. (We’re among the co-sponsors.) Goal: Enjoying, promoting and celebrating locally grown food; tickets are available online.
In our Saturday coverage of the Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza time-capsule event, we included part of the speech by former West Seattleite Capt. Gregory Johnson – now an astronaut who piloted Atlantis earlier this year. Above, more of what he had to say – 9 and a half minutes worth – including, at the request of Plaza Project co-chair Libby Carr, his predictions for the future. In the very near future, you can see/hear him in person this Thursday morning at the West Seattle High School Foundation‘s second annual Back To School Breakfast – Foundation president Christy Rowe was a WSHS Class of ’72 classmate of Capt. Johnson, in fact. Others at the breakfast will include WSHS Principal Bruce Bivins, WSHS alum/King County Council Chair/County Executive candidate Dow Constantine and Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson. Coffee/breakfast at 7:30, program at 8, free/donations accepted. To RSVP, call Dick Lee at 206-252-0476
Just got word of this via Facebook – Kick It With Kenya, which brings health education to Kenyan youth through soccer, is presenting a fundraiser featuring Danny Godinez at Alki Tavern tonight. $10 suggested donation at the door; starts at 8 pm. Find out more about KIWK here.
That trio of volunteers staffed a cheery concession table full of candy inside the gym at Holy Rosary School as the 20th annual Westfest (WSB sponsor) got under way last night. It continues 10 am-10 pm today – lots of outdoor fun, of course, including bouncy rides for kids (and we saw a portable climbing wall too), plus bingo:
We also heard via Twitter from West Seattle-resident TV personality Jim Dever (@jimdever) that the “West Seattle Idol” talent show at Westfest at 4 pm today is not to be missed. Here’s the Westfest map and schedule; here’s a map to Holy Rosary.
Also continuing today, the big sale at Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood (Google Street View above; here’s a map) to help Baby Maarten, a 1-year-old who’s in the fight of his life (chronicled here), getting treatment for a brain tumor. By several accounts, including what organizer Claudia wrote here, Day 1 was terrific, and there’s still lots left for you to shop on Day 2. (Speaking of sales, if you’re going to be out and about, check out the listings for yard/garage sales today in the Freebies/Deals/Sales section of the WSB Forums.)
That’s the biggest of three rooms of donated items going on sale starting at 9 this morning at Peace Lutheran Church (NE corner of Thistle/39th; map), with the proceeds to help Maarten, a 1-year-old fighting a brain tumor. You first saw Maarten’s story here two weeks ago; now the big sale is here, today and tomorrow. Lots more information at the Help Maarten website, including an update on how he’s doing, and how you can help if you can’t make it to the sale – but if you can, not only will you find the giant room of stuff you see in our photo, but also in other rooms, musical instruments, furniture, even artworks – we dropped by as organizer Claudia and other volunteers were working Thursday night to get it all organized. And a bake sale too!
| 6 COMMENTS