How to help 4421 results

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Hundreds – if not thousands by now – of West Seattleites have reached out to help the Haiti earthquake victims in ways big and small.

But Alki resident Angela Williams felt one thing was missing: A direct, personal, hands-on connection. “Any time there’s like a crisis or trauma, I have an overwhelming feeling to help or deal with the emotional aspect instead of just saying, ‘here’s a check’ … money seems like not doing enough, not connecting with event.”

Going to Haiti to try to personally connect wasn’t quite feasible, so the next best thing was to hatch a plan for people who care to connect with each other, while they learn about what’s happened in Haiti since the quake, and figure out how best to help.

We found out about Angela’s event through a Facebook event invitation that led to a somewhat mysterious website:

February 3, 2010 12:01 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news

From Amy McGrath with the West Seattle Eagles: Final tally from their Saturday night fundraiser – $4,526.43 for Mercy Corps. And Amy says they’re still collecting shoes till February 13th – new or gently used, take them to the Eagles (immediately south of the post office in The Junction). It was a fundraising doubleheader for the Eagles – they had a live/silent auction that same night, right before the Haiti benefit, and Amy says that brought in $1,100 for the Eagles’ Art Ehrmann Cancer Fund. (P.S. Updates coming later today on more new West Seattle-linked help for Haiti.)

Way to go! Results from two recent West Seattle requests for help

February 2, 2010 2:34 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Received a couple of nice notes today that were really about YOUR response to requests for help, so we didn’t want to keep them all to ourselves. So often, if there’s a fundraiser, we report the money numbers – but we don’t always hear the numbers in terms of people who volunteer their time (among other things). First one is from Kim at Puget Sound Blood Center, re: their Bloodmobile drive outside Admiral Safeway last Saturday (previewed here):

There was a great turnout with 38 people registering to donate. Of these, our staff was able to collect 30 units of volunteered blood. We had 6 first time donors! Since each donation can go to three separate patients, this drive went towards saving or dramatically improving the lives of up to 90 sick patients in the Puget Sound area. In a matter of days/weeks, the volunteered blood will be in a local hospital saving someone’s life.

And from Romina at Neighborhood House, who has just lined up new mentors for local kids (the call went out four weeks ago):

I just wanted to say thank you for helping me make this Recruit-A-Mentor Challenge campaign at Neighborhood House a success. This campaign helped us get 11 new mentors in a span of just one month … The majority of our new mentors came from reading the post on WSB and in turn, we have mentors who live in the very community where our mentees come from. Couldn’t have been any better!

Thank you all for reaching out to help your neighbors in so many ways, big and small. Please keep sharing the requests for what’s needed and how people can help (here’s all the ways to send the info); we’ve got a few more in queue for later today.

Race for the Cure moves off Alaskan Way Viaduct this year

February 1, 2010 12:22 pm

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| Health | How to help | Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway

(WSB photo from Race for the Cure, heading north onto The Viaduct, 6/7/2009)
Not West Seattle-specific, but it does affect many people here in many ways — Just got a note that registration is open for the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, a tradition for your WSB co-publishers and thousands of other Seattleites – and noticed in the fine print, it’s not going to be on The Viaduct this year – the location is instead listed as Seattle Center. Not surprising, since construction in the area is accelerating, but this doesn’t seem to have been reported elsewhere yet, so we thought we’d pass it along, for those who will miss walking with that great view, and for those who will be happy to have one less traffic-closure morning, among others. Here’s the race information; here’s how to register. The date this year: June 6, only four months away. ADDED 1:41 PM: We asked R4TC for the official reason behind the move, and it’s partly as expected – from Danie, “Due to scheduling issues with the Sounders at Qwest field and the viaduct coming down in 2011 a location change was necessary. The route is still TBD, but the venue has great potential and participants will be VERY pleased.” (That’s the SOUTH end of The Viaduct coming down next year, of course, not the central section.)

West Seattle weekend scenes: Haiti crutches; Rebuilding Together

January 31, 2010 8:04 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news

You may remember the request we published from Cathy on Wednesday – a call for crutches that will be shipped to Haiti when two physician friends head there this week. As of late today, not onliy did her driveway had the stack of crutches you see above; we talked to her by phone, and that was just the start of the second round: Cathy and her husband already had taken their friends a pickup jammed with dozens of donated crutches, and after we stopped for the photo, someone else supposedly was on the way with 16 more. Tonight’s the cutoff – if you have crutches to donate, you can drop them off in the driveway; the address is in our original story.

Yet another story of weekend giving: This group gathered at a West Seattle home on Saturday morning:

Those volunteers are from the Young Professionals Society of Rebuilding Together Seattle. Via Twitter, we happened onto word they were going to a West Seattle home on Saturday, helping its resident do some cleaning she can’t handle since she’s been diagnosed with cancer – outdoor work as well as indoors:

(We got to the worksite just as they were packing up, but they kindly shared photos they’d taken earlier.) You can find out more about RTS by going here (they have a “wish list” too).

Update: What’s in West Seattle waters, that one man’s taking out

January 31, 2010 2:12 pm

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| Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

That’s Neal Chism, whose story we told here last October — the self-described “semi-retired engineer” who is working to help local wildlife by intercepting trash and debris on a stretch of the Duwamish around the West Seattle Bridge. He sent an update this week on how it’s going, and a few new photos, like this one:

That’s a small picture frame full of fishing tackle floats known as “Corkies” that Neal says he recovered from the river over a period of about three days. When we met him in October, he talked about the great “Pacific Garbage Patch” of plastic debris. (Here are photos you may not have seen before.) But the water can contain potentially lethal metals too:

Neal explains that’s a lead-covered water sampler recovered from the river. He says it’s “used by a local university … we are trying to get them to ‘get the lead out’.” So what about the big picture? Here’s the status update he included in his note:

To date, I am up to about 900 e-mails on this single topic since your writeup in the blog. I have several grant proposals in work to transform the small collection experiment started, into a formal program via NOAA and Port of Seattle funds. The actual experiment is going very well, the trash levels are down to very low levels on the river and visibility of the water is very good. The bird population seems to be increasing and it is great to see. So your efforts and attention to this issue are helping to solve the problems we have.

It is a continual challenge to keep the areas clean as you can imagine, and the first month of the year had been very busy, just see my latest reports to the Soundkeepers. [Here’s the direct link.] The warm weather has been helping greatly.

One more photo of what Neal has found along the way – “just one of three large plastic dock lines recovered from the river, each about 50 pounds in weight”:

(2:53 pm note: Neal just sent word the Seattle Channel will feature his work on Feb. 18; it’ll eventually be available for online stream here He added, “If people can, get down to the small pocket parks of T105 and Diagonal Way. They are great for lunchtime sunning and relaxing, and the river is always a busy place with the maritime traffic.”)

Side note: Though this is not officially related to Neal’s efforts, there’s a boat tour of the Duwamish coming up this Wednesday, noon-2 pm, guided by Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, ARCADE Journal, and what the invite describes as “members of Seattle’s design community.” Tickets are available online, here. And watch for details on how to join Duwamish Alive! cleanups with DRCC and others on April 17, marking the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. But in the short run, every day you can take action – by doing everything you can to keep trash and debris out of our waters – that includes taking care about what you flush or put in other drains at your home/workplace.

2 growing notes: Seed Swap ahead; Garden Tour sponsor search

January 31, 2010 11:19 am

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| Gardening | How to help | West Seattle news

With the weather so relatively warm this month, many are already in the gardening mood. Here are 2 more reasons to start thinking ahead:

SEED SWAP: Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle‘s Seed Swap ‘n’ Sale is now less than three weeks away — Saturday, February 20, 1-4 pm at South Seattle Community College, near the north entrance. Aviva from Community Harvest says they’ll be selling seed mini-packets for 75 cents each, and there’ll be a table for free seeds, plus “lots of varieties of beans, peas, lettuce, beets, corn, etc. from Territorial, Seed Savers and Fedco.” The full seed list is here; Community Harvest members can pre-order with this form. The college’s Garden Center will be open that day too, Aviva adds, “with Green starts in Jumbo 6 packs: Arugula, Parsley, Red Velvet Lettuce, Mizuma, Kale and more.” E-mail info@gleanit.org with questions.

GARDEN TOUR SPONSOR SEARCH: The West Seattle Garden Tour is looking for 2010 sponsors. Here’s the announcement:

The West Seattle Garden Tour is celebrating its 16th year on Sunday, July 18, 2010. The gardens have been chosen and now it’s time for our annual sponsorship drive. The WSGT is a non-profit organized under section 501 (c) (3) and each year the WSGT donates all net proceeds from the Tour to local educational and horticultural projects and community gardens. We hope to make the 2010 Tour our most successful yet and this success relies heavily upon sponsorship of the Tour and continued community support. Over the next few months our dedicated volunteers will be contacting West Seattle and surrounding community businesses for sponsorship opportunities. There are a variety of sponsorship levels available to choose from, each with its own benefit package. If your business is interested in becoming a 2010 WSGT sponsor, please contact us at: info@westseattlegardentour.com and we will be happy to send you a sponsorship packet.

West Seattle Eagles rock to help Haiti – and you can still help

January 31, 2010 2:55 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(3:49 am update: Early estimates – more than $3,400 raised! More numbers later today)

From WSB contributing reporter Jonathan Stumpf: That’s Beth Wood, the first of five acts on the night at the West Seattle Eagles‘ Junction HQ on Saturday night, as the Eagles rocked to raise money for relief work in Haiti. In the kitchen, volunteers worked to keep the crowd refreshed:

Five local beers — including brews from West Seattle’s Elliott Bay and White Center’s Big Al — were served for $4 alongside pulled pork sandwiches for the same price. Also donated, silent-auction items including tickets to the Rat City Rollergirls (whose season opens today at KeyArena), artwork from West Seattle resident Steve Klinkel, and a three-hour sailboat ride for four. Organizer Amy McGrath anticipated 350 people by the night’s end.

Even if you didn’t make it to the show, you can still help the Eagles reach out to help Haiti in these two ways: Contribute to Mercy Corps (here’s the link) – and/or bring new or gently used shoes to Eagles’ HQ at 4456 California SW (map) – they’re collecting through February 13th. 1:08 PM: Thanks to Colby for sharing a few more photos, spotlighting other acts at last night’s show – from Sledgeback:

And from Tacoma Finish:

Also on the bill: Hartwood and Midnight Idöls.

Right now: Garage/bake sale for Haiti; garden party; bloodmobile

January 30, 2010 11:48 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news

So we’re driving around to get photos of events we already knew about — when we happened onto something else. A dancing banana by Admiral Chevron begged the question of “What’s THAT all about?” — hopped out and snapped the photo: 3 students, 2 Kennedy and 1 Seattle Prep, collecting money for Haiti – and, oh yeah, promoting a garage sale nearby, doing the same thing. 1930 47th SW, said the sign … so off we went:

Not only are they having a garage sale (IN the garage, so you won’t get wet), but also a bake sale, all proceeds (as with the money in the boys’ bucket at California/Admiral) going to American Red Cross‘s and Catholic Relief Haiti efforts. Here’s a map – they’re there till 2 pm. Before the garage-sale side trip, we stopped by Seacrest:

The West Seattle Wildlife Habitat Project is putting in more plants for the demonstration garden by Seacrest. Next step – this spring, they start organizing to get more West Seattle neighborhoods beyond Alki certified as Wildlife Habitat – listen up for details to come regarding what you can do in YOUR neighborhood. And join the WS Wildlife Habitat Project group on Facebook (go here). The work party’s over at noon — but here’s something else happening till 3 pm (on break 11:30-12:30 so don’t go by during that time):

The Puget Sound Blood Center‘s mobile blood drive – B- and O- especially needed but other types welcome – outside Admiral Safeway (parked on California) till 3 pm. More of today’s events as they happen, coming up; you can also “follow” WSB on Twitter (@westseattleblog), where we post pix of most events we cover, while we’re there.

Today/tonight in West Seattle: Haiti help; theater times two; more

January 30, 2010 8:59 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

From the West Seattle Weekend Lineup:

MORE MUSIC TO HELP HAITI: Join the West Seattle Eagles for a benefit tonight to help Northwest-based Mercy Corps‘ work in the quake zone. Doors open at 8, music starts at 8:30, $10 donation for five acts – more info here.

SURVIVING, WITH HUMOR: Three-time cancer survivor and humorist Becky Hanson is at Bridge Park this afternoon at 2 pm.

LIBRARY SENDOFF: After two decades in West Seattle, Karen Spiel is heading downtown to manage a different group of branches, and there’s a goodbye reception 2:30-4 pm at the West Seattle (Admiral) Branch today.

WEST SEATTLE PRIDE BASKETBALL BOWL-A-THON: This new youth-sports organization (read about it here) is raising money so its players can travel to tournaments; join the bowl-a-thon 3:30-6 pm today at West Seattle Bowl.

GIFTS FROM THE EARTH: The food/wine gala at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) starts at 5 pm (more here).

HOPE SCHOOL ROCKS: Dinner/dance “FUNdraiser” tonight for Hope Lutheran School, happening at nearby Seattle Lutheran HS, 6 pm (details here).

THEATER X 2: First weekend for ArtsWest‘s “Love Song“; it’s also the last night of West Seattle High School‘s student production of “Jumpin’ Jupiter.” Both at 7:30 pm.

MUCH more – for today/tonight/tomorrow – listed here. And if you can donate blood, remember the Bloodmobile’s at Admiral Safeway till 3 pm – B- and O- especially needed.

Bloodmobile’s in West Seattle Saturday and asking for help

January 29, 2010 2:30 pm

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| Health | How to help | West Seattle news

Just in from Kimberly at Puget Sound Blood Center:

Our community’s blood supply still has not recovered from the holidays and we are having a last-minute drive tomorrow with the hopes of giving it a boost.

We are currently at an Emergency Level (less than 1 day supply) for B- and a Critical Level (less than 2 day supply) for O- … However, all blood types are needed.

Saturday January 30th
Safeway Admiral West Seattle
Bus parked at 2622 California Ave SW
9:00 am- 3:00 pm
(closed 11:30 am – 12:30 pm)

If you donated on or before Dec 5th, you are eligible to donate at this drive
While walk-ins will be accommodated as best as possible, you can make an appointment by calling 800-398-7888

Happening now: Rock 4 Relief @ Showbox SODO, helping Haiti

January 28, 2010 10:17 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

The night’s young – still time to get over to Showbox SODO for Rock 4 Relief, raising money for Red Cross work to help Haiti quake victims – with West Seattle musicians onstage, West Seattle businesses contributing to a raffle, and more. WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli was there in the 8 o’clock hour and says more than 100 people were there already.

If you’ve got no way to get there tonight – there’s more music to help Haiti coming up Saturday night at the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ in The Junction – doors open 8 pm, music at 8:30, benefiting Mercy Corps – details here. Another Eagles’ aerie – in White Center – is raising money for Haiti through its weekly breakfast this Sunday, everybody welcome, 9 am-noon; details on our partner site White Center Now.

West Seattle help for Haiti: Pre-concert update on Rock 4 Relief

January 28, 2010 2:01 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

One more update from Jamie Chamberlin, the West Seattle-based filmmaker promoting tonight’s big Rock 4 Relief concert/raffle/etc., now 5 hours away at Showbox SODO (7 pm tonight, 21+, tickets only $15):

As a final pre-show update: Adam Gerhke from channel 13 morning news has come on board to MC tonight’s Rock 4 Relief concert and Raffle. As well, performance artist Jimmy Gersen will be in attendance to produce a wall size painting during the course of the evening and donated to the cause. I would like to thank the following people and sponsors that rallied behind this important cause to help make the Rock 4 Relief concert possible. The idea for a benefit show for the people of Haiti started two weeks ago through a casual conversation I had with Charlie Beck of The Memphis Radio Kings. In that short period of time this effort has become larger than any of us imagined. Between 3 events happening tonight, there will be between 16-18 bands playing within a 5 hour window, all donating their proceeds to the American Red Cross. Seattle is without a doubt home to some of the most talented musicians and individuals with the biggest hearts. I’d like to commend all the bands and volunteers donating their time and talents throughout the city this evening. If you are looking for something to do tonight, go out and catch one of these amazing benefit shows.

Jamie Chamberlin/Rock 4 Relief Event Producer

The West Seattle businesses listed in Jamie’s note as contributing to the concert/raffle include three WSB sponsors – Cafe Revo, Feedback Lounge, Hotwire Coffee – and also Admiral Tattoo, Admiral Theater, Alki Lumber and Hardware, Allstar Fitness, Easy Street Records, Locol (future 35th SW establishment profiled here), Luna Park Cafe, Shadowland, Stacey Riley Interiors, Sugar Rush Baking Company, Talarico’s, West 5, Zebra Print and Copy. If you haven’t been to Showbox SODO before, it’s at 1426 1st Avenue South; here’s a map.

Today/tonight: Helping Haiti; combating crime; school open houses

January 28, 2010 6:43 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Wednesday afternoon photo by Chas Redmond, from 7100 block of Beach Drive)
Highlights from the WSB Events page:

WEST SEATTLE HELPS HAITI – CONCERT AND PIZZA: Tonight’s the Rock 4 Relief benefit concert at Showbox SODO – lots of West Seattleites involved, onstage and behind the scenes, including the businesses who’ve donated for a raffle. Doors open at 7 pm; buy your tickets online. And all day long, all Pagliacci Pizza outlets are donating profits to Haiti relief – West Seattle’s Pagliacci is in The Junction, opening tonight at 4 for pickup, 5 for delivery.

COMBATING CRIME: The South Delridge/White Center Community Safety Coalition meets at 6 tonight at 9650 15th SW.

SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES: 2 more tonight – Pathfinder K-8‘s open house and Culture Night starts at 6:30 pm (more info here), 1901 SW Genesee (map); same start time for the open house at Hope Lutheran and Seattle Lutheran High School (more info here), enter through the Hope Church lobby at 4456 42nd SW.

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT-DIRECTED PRODUCTION: “Jumpin’ Jupiter” opens its three-night run at 7:30 pm. Tickets $5 at the door.

PARKS BOARD HEARING ON “CODE OF CONDUCT”: As reported here Tuesday afternoon, the proposed Code of Conduct for Seattle city parks has been tweaked since the controversy following its unveiling earlier this month. Tonight, you can tell board members what you think about the new version, 7 pm at City Hall (council chambers).

More West Seattle help for Haiti: Crutches needed

January 27, 2010 4:40 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news

Just in, and time-sensitive, from Cathy:

We just found out that two physicians friends will be headed to Haiti this weekend. They have been told that there is a great need for crutches due to amputations. If you have any crutches that you could donate please bring them by our house by Sunday night so we can get them on the flight. They can be left in the driveway or in the back of the pickup parked outside. The truck is a beige GMC with a topper.

Our address is 3008 45th Ave SW. The house is blue and the cross streets are 45th and Stevens.

If you have any questions please call Cathy at 206-406-6633

Rock 4 Relief update: West Seattle businesses donate to raffle

January 27, 2010 3:27 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

Just one day till the Rock 4 Relief benefit concert for Haiti postquake aid at Showbox SODO (7 pm tomorrow), with a major contingent of West Seattle participation – and Jamie Chamberlin, best known as a WS-based filmmaker, has just sent word of more:

Through the generous donations of over 15 West Seattle businesses we will be conducting a raffle throughout the course of the evening.

Sample prizes include : A $400 membership to Allstar Gym, $100 Gift Certificate to Admiral Tattoo, Hoodies and T-Shirts from Easy Street, The Feedback Lounge, Luna Park Cafe, $50-$60 dining certificates to Cafe Revo, Porterhouse and JaK’s.

Tickets are available at showboxonline.com but Jamie cautions that they’re expecting a sellout so if you’re thinking of going and you don’t have tickets yet, get ’em now. He also shared the new poster art at left, by Devan Register.

West Seattle school news: Chief Sealth clothing-bank thanks

January 27, 2010 3:06 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

That’s Brooke Nielsen, YMCA school coordinator at Chief Sealth High School, in the CSHS clothing bank, available for students in need. Kelli Horn, who’s been helping Brooke organize the clothing bank, wanted to share two things about the clothing bank: First, she wrote, “I want to say a special thank you to Funky Jane’s for donating clothes for teen girls along with some fancy dresses, shoes and purses for the Winter ball they had in January.” She included a photo of Funky Jane’s owner Angela Nichols at the clothing bank:

Second, Kelli says the clothing bank “can always use teen appropriate clothes for boys and girls of all sizes. Donations can be brought to the office at the school.” (Chief Sealth is still at its temporary location in the Boren building, 5950 Delridge Way.)

Excited about a West Seattle spray park? Help pump up the plan

January 26, 2010 9:18 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

That’s the wading pool in Highland Park, which didn’t open last summer because the city hadn’t done federally mandated safety upgrades. They’d been shelved because it’s slated to be converted to a spray park (as first reported here six months ago). Right now, the city’s Parks and Green Spaces Levy has allocated $100,000 for the conversion, but by all accounts, that’s not much — even a top Parks manager told the Levy Oversight Committee it’s “horribly underfunded.”. So community member Carolyn Stauffer is putting together an application to seek supplemental money from the levy’s Opportunity Fund, which is accepting applications soon, with the first step – letters of interest – due in just about a week. She’s asking for more support to show that West Seattle backs the concept of a really nice spray park. As she’s written in the letter she shared with us, “We fear a minimally funded or basically designed spray park for the next 20 years- or a dilapidated wading pool that is no longer filled with water in the summer. The possibility to apply for extra resources through the Opportunity Fund has given us hope that we could have an exemplary play experience right in the heart of our community.” HOW YOU CAN HELP: Carolyn’s looking for groups to voice support (individuals welcome too); e-mail her at carolynstauffer@gmail.com. Read on for the full outline of the letter she’s drafted to start the Opportunity Fund application:Read More

2 West Seattle ways to fight cancer: Tomorrow and Sunday

January 26, 2010 1:37 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | Health | How to help | West Seattle news

RELAY FOR LIFE-WEST SEATTLE, THE KICKOFF PARTY: That’s a photo from the luminaria ceremony during last summer’s Relay for Life-West Seattle at WS Stadium. It’s an overnight relay/walk/celebration to raise money to fight cancer. This year’s event is months away but it’s never too soon to start planning – and that’s why the kickoff party is 6-8 pm tomorrow (Wednesday) night at Bridge Park in High Point. Everyone welcome but RSVP if you can – send a note to patrick.jablonski@nucor.com

CHILI FEED FOR LEUKEMIA/LYMPHOMA SOCIETY: Received this announcement from Elizabeth Kratz – the event is at 11 am Sunday:

Come meet some of your West Seattle neighbors and support a great cause. On Sunday, January 31st at Fauntleroy Church there will be a chili feed with proceeds to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the mission of the church. In the United States, there are over 900,000 people living with or in remission from leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. Every 4 minutes someone new is diagnosed with a blood cancer and every 10 minutes someone dies. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the largest voluntary health organization striving to find a cure for blood related cancers and providing resources and support to families. In Seattle alone, 13 researchers are funded by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Research funded by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has led or contributed to advances such as chemotherapy, bone marrow and stem cell transplantation and new, targeted oral therapies that provide cures.

West Seattle help for Haiti: This week – Edie’s, Pagliacci, music …

January 26, 2010 6:03 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

This week’s highlights as West Seattleites keep reaching out with help for Haiti:

(added 9:45 am) ALKI BIKE AND BOARD: The Admiral shop is giving 20 percent of its labor income to Doctors Without Borders and the American Red Cross through March 1st. Alki Bike and Board owner Stu Hennessey says, “We hope the early spring weather will bring a lot of folks out on their bicycles and generate some very urgent funding from our local bicycle community. Bicycle tune ups and repairs increase through March 1st, with $20 out of $100 dollars going to these two relief operations. It is our hope that the Island Country of Haiti will be rebuilt in a sustainable, self sufficient manner to ensure the healthy future of its citizens.”

EDIE’S SHOES ON WEDNESDAY: Sara from Edie’s says both their locations (The Junction and Capitol Hill) will donate 20 percent of their shoe sales this Wednesday to the Red Cross‘s Haiti work.

PAGLIACCI ON THURSDAY: The Red Cross is also the beneficiary of Pagliacci Pizza‘s plan to donate all profits this Thursday.

ROCK 4 RELIEF ON THURSDAY: TIckets are on sale for the concert at Showbox SODO with a major West Seattle contingent involved in organizing and performing; see the poster with the lineup here; direct ticket link is here.

WEST SEATTLE EAGLES CONCERT ON SATURDAY: 8 pm at the Eagles’ aerie in The Junction, more live music to help Haiti – this time, with the proceeds to Mercy Corps, which has set up this page with more info on the concert as well as a way to donate right now. (Mercy Corps also has updates on Haiti activity via Twitter.)

EDDIE VEDDER SINGLE FUNDRAISER: West Seattle’s most famous rocker is donating proceeds of a cut you can download now for 99 cents – details here.

VALENTINE’S DAY ART SALE: Artist Stephanie Hargrave, co-owner of West Seattle’s smallclothes, is hosting a “Give Your Love to Haiti” art sale with all proceeds to Haiti relief on February 14 at her studio (across from smallclothes), according to a note Kelly forwarded. Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) says co-owner Frances Smersh will sell jewelry as part of the fundraiser.

Several other West Seattle-linked Haiti fundraisers are ongoing – they’re listed here.

Today/tonight: Water Taxi fares, officer benefits, ArtsWest freebie

January 25, 2010 7:06 am

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| How to help | West Seattle police | WS culture/arts

SEAWALL, DELRIDGE SKATEPARK $ AND “DO NOT MAIL” @ COUNCIL: During the Seattle City Council‘s 9:30 am briefing time, Mayor Mike McGinn talks about his proposed property-tax measure to replace the Alaskan Way seawall. During the 2 pm meeting, they’ll take a final vote on Delridge Skatepark funding, plus consider the resolution asking the state to back a “do-not-mail registry.” Agenda here; it’ll all be live on Seattle Channel (cable 21 or online).

WATER TAXI FARES: The new fare schedule outlined here comes up for a public hearing this afternoon at 1:30 before the King County Ferry District board (aka King County Councilmembers), County Courthouse downtown.

OFFICER-BENEFITS BILL: As discussed in coverage of the case of injured-and-losing-benefits Officer Jason McKissack, EHB 1679 comes up for a hearing in the state House Ways and Means Committee in Olympia, 3:30 pm today (scheduled to be live on TVW).

ARTSWEST FREEBIE: Before the Seattle premiere of “Love Song“ opens Wednesday, get behind-the-scenes insight tonight, free, in the On Stage format, 7:30 pm, ArtsWest in The Junction.

West Seattle today: Polar Plunge; Dine for Haiti; Farmers’ Market

January 24, 2010 5:31 am

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| Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news

POLAR PLUNGE FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Looks like the air and the water will both be in the 40s this morning as a crowd of brave and giving souls – from police officers to high-school students – takes the Polar Plunge at Alki, for Special Olympics of Washington. Registration 9 am, into the water at 11 am. More here. And once you’ve dried off, a great day/night of dining out for a good cause is ahead:

FIVE WEST SEATTLE EATERIES IN DINE OUT SEATTLE FOR HAITI: Though the poster says “night’s proceeds,” things start early – Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor) will give ALL its brunch proceeds to Haiti quake relief – 9 am to 3 pm. Feedback Lounge (also a WSB sponsor) is in on “Dine Out” too, with the door swinging open at 11:30 am (and remember Sunday’s the day for the famous ribs, starting at 5). Spring Hill, Mission and La Rustica also are participating – plus 10 others citywide.

WHAT ELSE IS UP? Elsewhere in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup — Also at Skylark – art opening tonight (6 pm) for Lonjina Verdugo … and this morning/afternoon, as always, it’s the West Seattle Farmers’ Market (10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska) – read on for today’s Ripe and Ready list:Read More

Helping Officer McKissack: Big show of support @ Goldie’s benefit

January 24, 2010 1:24 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Story, photos and video by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Hosted and organized by Willie Murderface, the Saturday night fundraiser at Goldie’s for Officer Jason McKissack — injured while on duty in West Seattle—attracted supporters including Officer McKissack’s wife Kim, police from several precincts, and West Seattle businesspeople like Full Tilt Ice Cream‘s Justin Cline and Jessie SK from Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor).

4:16 am update – Willie reports via Facebook: “Between the 160 Joe Mullis raised [Wednesday at Yen Wor], the 190 that Goldie’s donated, 170 from my wage, 100 from cash donations, and the 780 from the raffle (that wouldn’t have been anywhere near what it was without help from Tracy Dart and Justin Cline), we raised 1400 dollars for Officer Jason McKissack and his family.”

Asked about his motivation for producing this fundraiser, Willie says: “I went home that Sunday night and read about (Officer McKissack’s denial of benefits) on the blog. It hit me because it happened while he was protecting West Seattle.” Willie is a lifelong West Seattle resident, and both he and his mother are West Seattle High School graduates. “I proclaimed myself Mayor of West Seattle and decided it was my civic duty to do something.” He announced his plan here, the day before the news conference in which Officer McKissack, with wife Kim at his side and dozens of other officers presence for support, talked about what it was like to receive the recent letter saying he was no longer with the department because he hadn’t recovered enough to work: