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Senior Center updates: Next Rainbow Bingo set; store help needed
November 1, 2008 2:56 pm
|    Comments Off on Senior Center updates: Next Rainbow Bingo set; store help needed
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

If you weren’t already aware of this – the Senior Center of West Seattle is lots livelier than the senior centers of yesteryear. Take a look at that photo shared by Cindy Gwinn – that’s the sold-out crowd that jammed the SC for Halloween Rainbow Bingo a week ago. Cindy tells us the next bingo session will be in February – we’ll let you know when the date is finalized. Meantime, we’ve mentioned before that the Stop ‘n’ Shop store on the center’s ground floor is closed for remodeling; a grand reopening party is planned for November 15th, and before then, Cindy says: “We are looking for helpers! We need people to help assemble shelving this coming weekend, the 8th and 9th of November. We are also looking for volunteers to work in the store. Anyone that can help or that would like to volunteer, please call 206 915-5595.”

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West Seattle scenes: Helpline masquerade; Catsino preparations
October 30, 2008 10:10 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

They wouldn’t give us their names — it was a masquerade, after all — but they were ghoulish greeters for tonight’s West Seattle Helpline fundraising wine-tasting and silent-auction event at The Sanctuary at Admiral. Look at the lineup of wine glasses:

Once we get past Halloween, there’s a big fundraiser for Furry Faces Foundation this Saturday at Beveridge Place Pub in Morgan Junction; we first told you about “Catsino” when F3 announced it at Summer Fest and promoted it in the Grand Parade. Tonight, F3’s Teri Ensley (photo right) and volunteer helpers met at BPP for some preparatory work:

Here’s the scoop on Catsino, 2-6 pm Saturday. The day after, Furry Faces also is involved with the Morgan Junction Pet Adoption Stroll — noon-4 pm Sunday, check out Pet Elements, Stella Ruffington, and The Wash Dog for adoptable pets you might want to take home.

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Helping hands: Needing yours; celebrating theirs
October 30, 2008 7:51 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

YOUR HELPING HANDS NEEDED: 10 am Saturday (11/1), you can pitch in to help JuNO make The Junction a cleaner place — the group’s periodic Adopt-A-Street Cleanup time is here. Meet in front of 4527 41st SW (map) to, as JuNO president Erica Karlovits puts it, “pick up supplies, find a partner, and start cleaning up our hood.” Usually some free treats, too. (JuNO’s next meeting is coming up 11/11, 6:30 pm.)

Now to some folks whose handiwork helps fight hunger:

(Left to right, Providence Mount St. Vincent residents Sandy Rose, Chuck Dambrosio, Lynn Cappiello, Dorothy Smith)
That photo is courtesy Cynthia Flash of Flash Media Services, who tells the tale:

Earlier this month, Providence Mount St. Vincent resident Chuck Dambrosio decided he wanted to do something to help others. So he proposed that he and some of the other residents on his floor at the West Seattle long-term care facility make sandwiches for the homeless. The residents voted on it and agreed! Providence Mount St. Vincent’s dietary department provided the supplies and eight residents participated with lots of love and laughter. They were proud of the fact that they could make 32 sandwiches in just one hour. Activities director Eileen McCloskey took the 32 sandwiches to the Union Gospel Mission on 2nd Avenue in downtown Seattle and was greeted by very gracious and appreciative volunteers who seemed moved by the fact that the seniors at the Mount were thinking of them. The seniors had so much fun they plan to make sandwiches for the homeless every month.

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Pop(corn) goes the world: Local 2nd graders think global, sell local
October 28, 2008 10:45 am
|    Comments Off on Pop(corn) goes the world: Local 2nd graders think global, sell local
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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(Photo courtesy Shorewood Christian School)
For a second straight year, Mrs. Beth Gatlin‘s second-grade class at Shorewood Christian School is supporting a nonprofit group on the other side of the planet … with popcorn. Last year, they sold popcorn after school, 50 cents a bag, to help missionaries in India buy bicycles – their popcorn sales ultimately bought five bikes at $105 each. This year they are selling popcorn again, in part to raise money for the same missionaries – who now are trying to build wells to get water to villages, at $1000/well — but also to help a Costa Rican orphanage buy books. If you can’t get over to Shorewood Christian to buy popcorn, you can bring a donation to the school office, 10300 28th SW (map), or call the school office at 206/933-1056.

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Urgent call to help WestSideBaby – as demand doubles
October 23, 2008 3:08 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Just out of the WSB inbox from WestSide Baby executive director Nancy Woodland: They need people-power as well as diaper donations, in order to help West Seattle and White Center-area families:

As you can expect, we are experiencing an incredible increase in requests for the items we distribute. This week we have orders to fill for 300 children! This is double what a normal week was just in September. We are also down approximately 12 hours of regular volunteer time from those who commit time each week to this task.

WE NEED HELP TO FILL ORDERS!! Ever wanted to be a personal shopper for a child who really needs the items you find? This task is one level higher than sorting clothes and requires about ½ hour of training before we let you loose.

WE WILL BE OPEN TOMORROW, FRIDAY OCT. 24 (10-2) AND SATURDAY OCT. 25 (10-1) AND INVITE ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED TO COME IN TO HELP FILL THESE ORDERS. THIS IS AN ADULT OR “ENTHUSIASTIC TEEN” REQUEST. If you can join us, just show up.

In addition, please spread the word… diaper requests are skyrocketing and we are unable to purchase enough to fill the gap. We desperately need size 4, 5 and 6 diapers this week. Please let folks know that this is a real need. Although we gather large numbers of diapers in the summer, this need is ongoing and the need is rising very quickly.

Diaper-only dropoff locations are:

· WestSide Baby 10032 15th Ave. SW (in White Center; map)
· White Center Chiropractic 10030 15th Ave. SW (map; our wonderful landlords upstairs will take diapers only if you arrive and we are not open)
· Red Cup Espresso 4451 California Ave. SW (map)
· Eats Market Café (north-central Westwood Village, near Bed Bath and Beyond; map)
· On the Way Maternity 5446 California Ave. SW (map)

Other regular dropoff sites are listed on our website at www.westsidebaby.org

As always, thank you so much for your support of WestSide Baby. We realize everyone’s situation is unique. If you can help now, great. If you cannot, we hope you’ll think of us another time!!

With regards,
Nancy

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Big day Saturday @ Chief Sealth High School: You can help
October 23, 2008 9:30 am
|    Comments Off on Big day Saturday @ Chief Sealth High School: You can help
 |   Delridge | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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From the Chief Sealth PTSA, a confluence of events this Saturday that they’d like you to know about:

• Our adoption of Delridge Way SW, from Orchard to Brandon, through the Seattle Public Utitlies Adopt-A-Street program, which is part of our outreach efforts to the North Delrdge community while Sealth is located at Boren. In addition, we will plan to pick up litter on the school grounds and on other neighborhood streets within a 1-2 block radius of the school

• Make a Difference Day – We would like this to be a new PTSA tradition that we participate in each year

• The Teacher & Staff Wishlist program that we launched this school year. We are midway through fulfilling their request to make the teacher & staff lounge at Boren more friendly. Phase 1 was a furniture placement re-design in the space; Phase 2 is painting the walls (part of our event on 10/25); Phase 3 is decoration & finishing touches. We are working with a wonderful West Seattle designer, Gwen Williams of Space Transform

Volunteers are still needed for the Saturday 10/25 event, which starts at 10 am and finishes with a free lunch for volunteers when the work is done (around 1 pm). Chief Sealth students who participate will earn service learning hours. All materials and equipment will be provided. Contact PTSA president Leslie
Menstell: president@chiefsealthptsa.org

See the flyer here. Side note: Friday night is the big annual Chief Sealth vs. West Seattle HS “Huling Bowl” football game; we’ll be live-tweeting it (and reporting afterward) as we did with WSHS-Rainier Beach last week.

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Who in West Seattle helps homeless families? Meet Family Promise
October 21, 2008 3:20 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

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That unassuming 65-year-old fourplex in the 3600 block of California SW (map) probably doesn’t catch your eye when you drive by. From the outside, it looks a lot like countless similar-vintage West Seattle multiplexes that have been torn down and replaced with townhouses or taller apartment buildings. But inside, it’s bright and comfortable – partly renovated to serve as the day center for Family Promise of Seattle, a project that started as an idea involving several West Seattle churches, and grew from there, as a way to help newly homeless families. Back during the “Nickelsville” hubbub last month, many asked “who in West Seattle is helping the homeless?”; this is one of the answers. You can get a closer look this Thursday, when Family Promise invites you to an open house to come see the day center and find out more about what the program and its volunteers are up to. We stopped by for a sneak peek – and to see if there was any help they needed from you right now (the answer: yes!) – read on:Read More

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“Toy swap” update: Donate now, get a shopping credit
October 21, 2008 10:29 am
|    Comments Off on “Toy swap” update: Donate now, get a shopping credit
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

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Terri from West Seattle’s CoolMom.org chapter sends that photo of one of the big white barrels to look for at seven West Seattle locations: Any time from now through 3 pm November 14th, you can leave a bag of used toys/kids’ gear (no clothing or car seats) in one of those barrels, and as long as it contains a slip of paper with your name/phone number, you’ll be on the list of donors to get a $5 credit at the group’s Toy Swap ‘n’ Sale the next day. You don’t have to donate ahead of time, of course, to shop at the sale, which will happen 9 am-1 pm 11/15 at the Camp Long Lodge, but the CoolMoms are hoping it’ll be a nice incentive. Not only will the sale work toward “saving money while saving the planet,” to paraphrase the sign on the barrel, it’s also a fundraiser for CoolMom.org, WestSide Baby, and the West Seattle Food Bank. Here are the seven locations with barrels where you can drop off that bag of stuff for the sale – PCC, West Seattle Thriftway, Coffee to a Tea, Gatewood Elementary, Expedition Trips, Community School of West Seattle, and Allstar Fitness Kids’ Club (members only). Here’s the official flyer.

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West Seattle weekend scenes: Trails kickoff, WCFB fundraiser
October 18, 2008 11:56 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scenes: Trails kickoff, WCFB fundraiser
 |   How to help | Puget Ridge | West Seattle news

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Saturday morning at Camp Long, Chas Redmond (right) led the kickoff event for the West Seattle Wayfinding and Kiosk Development program. There’s no denying West Seattle is a great place to walk; the goal of this program – which has received a $100,000 matching-funds city grant — is to make it better, with kiosks and signs to help guide the way. Exactly where they should go — that’s part of the job that starts now; attendees focused in on the south side of western WS, perhaps Fauntleroy. Another meeting is expected in November, no date set up, but even if you couldn’t make it to Saturday’s kickoff, you can still jump in to help; e-mail Chas at credmond@mac.com. Speaking of helping – that’s what hundreds of people did by showing up at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center for the White Center Food Bank‘s annual Harvest Dinner and Auction, with donated auction items like these:

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Fundraisers like this have never been more important — just a few weeks ago, WCFB executive director Rick Jump told us the number of people served this September was up 50% from a year earlier. If you couldn’t make it to the event, you can still help the White Center Food Bank — which also serves part of West Seattle — by donating online here. (The West Seattle Food Bank accepts online donations too – start here.)

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Log House Museum search: Celebrate the past by guiding its future
October 18, 2008 2:29 pm
|    Comments Off on Log House Museum search: Celebrate the past by guiding its future
 |   How to help | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

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Just about every time we talk here about West Seattle’s growth and current/future changes, somebody voices worries about losing our sense of history. There’s something you can do right now to help make sure local history’s not lost: Get involved with the Log House Museum and its parent organization, which work to celebrate, caretake, and even unearth it. Here’s the scoop from Judy Bentley:

Are you new to Seattle and curious about its past? Are you a native who would like to brush up on local history? Are you interested in serving an organization that needs your financial, fundraising, community organizing and management skills?

The Southwest Seattle Historical Society, which operates The Log House Museum on Alki, is looking for volunteers, committee members, and board members. Participation in our board will be challenging and rewarding, stretching your skills and abilities. You will also gain experience in the meaningful work of preserving the history of Southwest Seattle, making new friends in the community and the pride of knowing you’ve contributed to a vital organization.

Board member terms are for three years, beginning in 2009. Volunteer and committee work begins at any time. If you are up for the fun and challenge, please send a letter of interest.

The postal-mail and e-mail addresses for the Log House Museum can be found on this page of its website. Also note two big events coming up, and there’s time for you to be part of them: The annual membership meeting of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society is coming up at 10 am November 15th at Youngstown Arts Center – join now and you can join in that important event; a week later, it’s the Anniversary Gala Dinner and Silent Auction, 5 pm November 22 at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center (more info here).

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Cheer ’em on: Lafayette Walk this am, WSHS Homecoming tonight
October 17, 2008 6:07 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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(October 2007 Lafayette Walk-A-Thon photo courtesy of Luckie)
THIS MORNING: Lafayette Elementary School‘s annual Walk-A-Thon – you can cheer the kids on between 9 am and 3 pm as they circle the recreation areas on the west side of the school (map). This year they’re hoping to raise $38,000 for enrichment programs the district doesn’t fund; the $55K raised in last year’s Walk-A-Thon paid for a tutor program, Accelerated Reader tests, school computers, and a science enrichment program, as well as adding to a fund for playground updates.

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TONIGHT: That’s our video (it’s better than the automated thumbnail implies) from the end of the thrilling West Seattle High School victory over O’Dea last month. Tonight, the undefeated Wildcats play their homecoming game, facing Rainier Beach at Southwest Athletic Complex (7 pm) – and before the game, you’re invited to a pep rally and barbecue (hot dogs and hamburgers!) at the WSHS Commons, 4:30-5:30. For anyone who can’t be at the game, but will be online somewhere, we’re planning updates via Twitter (if you have or get a Twitter account, follow us at westseattleblog; or you can see our Twitter updates on the web at twitter.com/westseattleblog).

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“Heroes” results, and what you can do next
October 16, 2008 7:09 pm
|    Comments Off on “Heroes” results, and what you can do next
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle people

Congratulations to Redmond’s Mike Town, who won the webpoll portion of the “Cox Conserves Heroes” competition in which Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens was also among five people in Western Washington honored for their work to lend nature a helping hand. Thanks to everybody who voted for Judy, not just because she does great work, but also in hopes her chosen nonprofit, EarthCorps, would get the $5K donation in the winner’s name; you can still help EarthCorps right this second with an online donation. And you can help Judy and the Fauntleroy Creek coho by being at the creek overlook (across from the ferry dock) later this month for a special event – here’s her latest update:

The annual drumming to call the salmon home to Fauntleroy Creek needs a lead drummer or two. The event will be Sunday, Oct. 26, 5-6 p.m. at the fish-ladder viewpoint (SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW) and typically draws 40-60 people of all ages to sing, act out salmon stories, and enjoy spirited drumming. If you’d like to set the beat, e-mail Judy_Pickens@msn.com. In case of rain, instruments will have canopy cover.

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West Seattle walkability: Hike tomorrow, plan Saturday
October 16, 2008 9:40 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle walkability: Hike tomorrow, plan Saturday
 |   Environment | Fun stuff to do | How to help

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That’s a spot along the West Duwamish Greenbelt trail where the Nature Consortium leads free monthly hikes – and the next one is tomorrow afternoon, 1 pm, 14th/Holly trailhead (directions here). RSVP today by calling 206-923-0853 or e-mail lisa@naturec.org. (Here’s our report from taking that same hike last May.) The forecast for tomorrow is already better than it looked yesterday, so you might as well take a chance if you have the opportunity to check it out. (NC executive director Nancy Whitlock, who leads the hike as shown in our photo, notes that “extreme rain cancels.”)

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WEST SEATTLE TRAILS KICKOFF: Chas Redmond mentioned this again at last night’s Morgan Community Association meeting – he and Feet First have been working on the West Seattle Trails project, with a free map available all over WS, and now a $100,000 city grant for signage along the routes of what’s envisioned as the West Seattle Trail Network. This will include 60 signposts and 10 kiosks (above, a rendering from the design process). Where, you ask? That’s where you come in – join the kickoff event Saturday morning, 10 am-noon, Camp Long Lodge.

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West Seattle meals that matter: Chow down, lift up
October 14, 2008 12:46 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle meals that matter: Chow down, lift up
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Six chances ahead for you to dine while helping, and/or finding out about, more of the people who make West Seattle a better place – and there’s a deadline TODAY to sign up for one:

RESERVATION DEADLINE IS 5 PM TODAY, EVENT IS SATURDAY: The White Center Food Bank‘s Harvest Dinner and Auction is Saturday night – starting with the silent auction @ 5:30 pm, SSCC’s Brockey Center. Full details here; $60/person, 206/762-2848, or rick@whitecenterfoodbank.org. We just talked with Audrey at WCFB and she says they need reservations by 5 PM TODAY so they can get the catering order in. (Remember, as we often mention, WCFB serves a sizable chunk of West Seattle too.)

THURSDAY: Got an hour to spare before you go to work? Safe Futures invites you to a free breakfast to find out more about how they help local kids. It’s at their HQ, 6337 35th SW (map), 8 am. RSVP: 206/235-8892.

NOVEMBER 1: Hope Lutheran School Dinner and Auction, 5:30 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy. $50/person for early-bird bookings through tomorrow; full details here.

NOVEMBER 4: Endolyne Joe’s is donating part of today’s proceeds to Arbor Heights Elementary‘s fundraising efforts for replacing basketball hoops that had to be removed because of lead levels.

NOVEMBER 7: Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association‘s annual “Links to the Community” fundraising dinner, starts with 6 pm happy hour, SSCC’s Brockey Center. By donation, suggested $100/person.

NOVEMBER 22: Log House Museum: Preserving Heritage Gala and Silent Auction, SSCC’s Brockey Center, 5-9 pm: Live jazz trio with wine, appetizers, jewelry appraising, gourmet dinner, $75/person, call 206/938-5293 or e-mail loghousemuseum@comcast.net

And browse the WSB Events calendar to see what else is coming up – all the way through next spring; if you have something to add, please e-mail us!

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“Conservation hero” vote update: Go, Judy (and EarthCorps)!
October 13, 2008 8:06 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle people

It’s not entirely clear how many days remain for voting in the Cox Conserves Heroes competition so we’re operating as if it could close at any time — just checked the results; Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens is a VERY close second! If you or anyone you know hasn’t voted yet, vote now! Not just because of all the work Judy has done for helping bring Fauntleroy Creek back to life, but also because if she wins, EarthCorps gets $5K. Vote here. 9:02 PM UPDATE: Watch the comments – now a tie for first – keep it up! TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE: Just received word that the voting ends tomorrow (Wednesday 10/15) morning, 8 am.

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How to help your ‘hood: For starters — just show up!
October 13, 2008 10:53 am
|    Comments Off on How to help your ‘hood: For starters — just show up!
 |   How to help | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Four major neighborhood/community group meetings this week, and really, it’s a huge first step to helping your neighborhood when you just show up. We go to as many of these meetings as we can every month and that’s what the groups’ leaders are dying to see (they’re all volunteers, by the way) … the more people the merrier. And you’d be surprised what you find out. Here’s your chances this week: TONIGHT – The Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council is having what’s been billed as its “most important meeting of the year,” 6:30 pm, Cooper Elementary (map). TOMORROW (TUESDAY): Admiral Neighborhood Association, 7 pm, Admiral Church basement meeting room (map); Fauntleroy Community Association, 7 pm, The Hall @ Fauntleroy (in the old schoolhouse, which itself is on the agenda, after last week’s big news). WEDNESDAY: Morgan Community Association‘s quarterly meeting, 7 pm, The Kenney; Delridge District Council (wireps from eastern West Seattle’s community groups and other organizations), 7 pm, Southwest Precinct meeting room. See our right sidebar, under WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY GROUPS, for a list of other neighborhood associations who’d be thrilled to see/hear from you. MONDAY AFTERNOON ADDENDUM: One more neighborhood event this week where you would be more than welcome – the Junction Neighborhood Organization‘s quarterly cleanup (free treats!) is this Saturday morning. Help get the streets in shape before winter barrels into us. E-mail JuNO prez Erica Karlovits – erica@wsjuno.com – if you can help (or have a Q). TUESDAY AFTERNOON ADDENDUM: JuNO’s cleanup has been postponed – but e-mail Erica to get you on the list for helping when it’s rescheduled!

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Update: West Seattle contender’s in 2nd in “hero” vote
October 12, 2008 7:26 pm
|    Comments Off on Update: West Seattle contender’s in 2nd in “hero” vote
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle people

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Have you voted yet in the “Cox Conserves Heroes” competition? Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens is now in second, and there are just a few days left to vote — if she wins, EarthCorps (which works on greenspace restoration in West Seattle and elsewhere) gets a $5,000 donation. Judy is shown at left in the photo above with some of the many visitors young and old who come to Fauntleroy Creek, for which she has worked tirelessly (we won’t soon forget spending some time with her by the creek in March, when a few tiny salmon fry were clearly visible, fighting the current). Take a minute – go here to vote – tell your friends. Two weeks from today, by the way, you can join Judy and other friends of Fauntleroy Creek, drumming to call the salmon home, 5 pm 10/26 at the overlook across from the ferry dock. P.S. There’s a new creek update on fauntleroy.net – a grant application to restore “the last degraded reach of the creek” – read about it here.

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1 week till you can have fun while helping White Center Food Bank
October 11, 2008 1:25 pm
|    Comments Off on 1 week till you can have fun while helping White Center Food Bank
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

One week from tonight, at Brockey Center at South Seattle Community College, you can multitask in the best of ways: Have fun, and help a West Seattle/White Center nonprofit that’s busier than ever these days: wcfblogo.jpgThe White Center Food Bank. Despite its name, it’s important to note, the White Center Food Bank serves a big chunk of West Seattle as well – food banks have service boundaries; if somebody shows up at a food bank but lives outside its service area, they’ll get some one-time emergency help and directions to the appropriate location. So to help fight hunger in West Seattle, it’s important to help the White Center Food Bank as well as the West Seattle Food Bank. Earlier this year, WSFB had great success with its “Instruments of Change” event, and now it’s the WCFB’s turn — the fourth annual Harvest Dinner and Auction starts with a silent auction at 5:30 pm next Saturday (10/18) and dinner at 7:15 pm. WCFB has taken out space on WSB this week to thank its major sponsors and remind you about the event. See the invitation here; for $60/person, you can enjoy a steak/salmon entree or pasta option; call or e-mail for reservations ASAP since the event is only a week away — 206/762-2848, or rick@whitecenterfoodbank.org.

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West Seattle greenery, steps from blacktop, needs helping hands
October 10, 2008 1:51 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle greenery, steps from blacktop, needs helping hands
 |   Delridge | Environment | How to help | West Seattle video

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That video zooms in on a well-gnawed tree that we learned about while talking to volunteer forest steward Mike Arizona near one of the beaver ponds in Delridge Natural Area. Mike agreed to meet us there to preview two major work parties he’s organizing, one for tomorrow (Saturday 10/11), one for next month (Saturday 11/8) – steps away from busy Delridge Way, but a world away – read on to find out more about them, and about those beavers:Read More

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Think global, eat local: Help plan a West Seattle first
October 8, 2008 6:03 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | High Point | How to help | Sustainable West Seattle | West Seattle news

Want to help organize an “Eat Local Now!” dinner to raise awareness and $? Tonight, you are invited to join the first organizing meeting for what will be the first such dinner in West Seattle. Read on:Read More

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West Seattle Hi-Yu: ’08 float finale – ’09 help needed now
October 5, 2008 10:01 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Hi-Yu: ’08 float finale – ’09 help needed now
 |   How to help | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

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That’s the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival‘s 2008 float making its last parade appearance of the year, this weekend in Issaquah. The float’s had its ups and downs this year, and we asked Hi-Yu president Tim Winston to let us know when it was time to ask for your help — now’s the time, as he writes in this update about the 2008 float’s finale:

We had a successful day at Issaquah Salmon Days yesterday. The float ran great, thanks to Tim Szender of Quality Auto Electric in Des Moines and Al Glencross of the West Seattle Eagles. Tim replaced the entire ignition system of our 1967 Roadmaster with an electronic system. Al funded the repair.

The day started when we left the old Huling Garage (thank you, Harbor Properties) @ 4:30 am so the float could be ready for judging in Issaquah by 7:30. There was moderate rain for set up and staging; however, it stopped for the 10 am parade. Unfortunately, we had to trailer and cover the float in a steady, drenching rain:

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This completes the 2008 parade season, so what’s next? The engine repairs will make it possible to keep the float running for the next 2 years while we raise funds and build a new float platform. With a few repairs to the frame and an upgrade to the sound system, it will be ready for 2009.

However, next year’s parade season depends on obtaining a covered car trailer for the float. Our existing flatbed trailer has become too demanding and dangerous for the volunteers. We are consistently the last crew to leave a parade. Getting the float on the trailer requires a carefully followed procedure for bracing the trailer, driving the float up steep ramps, and securing it. Then the unwieldy tarp must be pulled over the float and secured for freeway-speed winds. This whole process takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours a on sunny day. At midnight and/or in the rain, it can take substantially longer. Our peers with covered vehicle trailers, drive in the float, secure it with a built-in system, shut the door & leave. Unless we happen to have volunteers with trucking or equipment hauling experience, people have to be trained each year. The unpleasant hours that volunteers spend at this reduces the hours that we have available for coordinating community events.

Additionally, when Harbor Properties begins construction on the site where we are currently storing the float, which they have graciously provided for us, we will once again need a storage location. A covered trailer will provide many more storage options in, or close to, West Seattle.

We are planning to buy a new trailer similar to the one that the Leavenworth Autumn Leaf Festival purchased this year. Photo shows the trailer at the Seafair Torchlight Parade:

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This 30’ extra-height vehicle trailer will cost about $12,000 and should last at least 20 years. We believe that is an obtainable goal this Fall and Winter, in addition to the annual memberships that we depend on for the festival’s annual scholarships and events.

We are offering both perpetual and annual logo placement on the sides and back of the trailer:

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This is very good exposure, since the float travels to about 10 parades throughout the area. Depending on where the trailer is stored, there may be year-around exposure. Anyone who would like information about sponsorship should e-mail me at info@hiyu.com

Thanks,
Tim Winston
President
West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival

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West Seattle weekend scenes: CROP Walk; price cut; rare arc
October 5, 2008 4:10 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Gas prices | How to help | West Seattle weather | Westwood

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Last year, we caught up with the Seattle CROP Walk-ers as they strolled around Alki Point on a gray afternoon; for the ’08 Seattle CROP Walk today, the weather’s the same, but we found them heading east along Alki Beach instead, including the group shown above. The 3-mile walk raised money to fight hunger, with beneficiaries including the West Seattle Food Bank, the White Center Food Bank, and Northwest Harvest. Meantime, this may be a sign you could have a few more pennies in your pocket soon:

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That’s the first sighting of $3.40-something gas in West Seattle this fall, found at Gasco (35th/Henderson). We believe it’s the lowest posted West Seattle gas price as of this moment, since the usual lowest-price spot, Arco, was at $3.53 when we drove by a bit earlier. Last but not least in this trio of WS Weekend Scenes, we wanted to share this photo by Steve Heck – click it to open a full-size version:

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Steve’s wife Michelle Heck sent the photo with the explanation that it’s a “circumhorizontal arc,” photographed over Alki, looking southwest, Saturday morning.

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Need your car washed? WSHS Swim Team can help
October 5, 2008 1:27 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help

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We got late word that the West Seattle High School Swim Team’s having a fundraising car wash right now – till 4 this afternoon – if you drive toward the school on California, you’ll see signs like the one in our quick pic above. Sure, it’s cloudy, but you have to get the car washed SOMETIME …

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