West Seattle, Washington
15 Friday
Early Sunday, someone fired a gun outside a home in South Park. A man in his 50s who had lived there for 19 years was hit and killed. He lived there with his wife, daughter, son, and 13-year-old grandson. Your South Park neighbors are circulating word of crowdfunding to help the family. If you would consider helping, the page is here.
(WSB photo from last June’s CSIHS commencement)
Getting to the goal of high school – graduation – isn’t just a long haul for the students. It takes a lot of work from everyone supporting them – teachers, family, and the community. Yes, fall is fundraising season and generous community members might have a bit of donor fatigue. But if you can sign up for one more good time for a good cause, the Chief Sealth InternationaL High School PTSA president Nicole Sipila has a message for you, looking ahead to their November 16th dinner/auction (5 pm at Brockey Center):
This is it. We are down to two weeks before the auction and we NEED YOU!
I’m going to be FRANK, we need 6-8 more tables of (10) to make this event pay for itself and raise $30,000, money enough for each group, Denny Sealth Performing Arts, Athletics and PTSA to have $10,000 to cover their year’s budgets.
This can seem like a lot of money, I know. But when you’re talking about 1150 students it doesn’t go very far. Did you know that we currently have 80 identified homeless students in our school? These are just the students who the administration knows about. It doesn’t count the others who are scraping by, surfing on friends and family’s couches. PTSA supports these students with our $10,000. Operating the Closet and food pantry. Giving money to teachers and department heads to buy supplies and other items that students need for success. Also, PTSA provides access to funds for ASB/Student groups and clubs that are also trying to make a difference in our school.
The Athletic department is always having to replace uniforms and equipment. Our scholar athletes use these things, hard! Five days a week with practices and games. Balls, bats, swimsuits, gym matts, uniforms don’t last forever, they must be replaced. And I hope you can understand how embarrassing it is for our kids to show up at events with mismatched uniforms. They work their tails off, and we need to support them. There is evidence that kids who participate in sports and other outside school activities do better in school, are more likely stay out of gangs and are less likely to use drugs & alcohol AND most importantly, more likely to graduate! Sports and activities are an important part of the high school experience. Athletics needs our support.
Music and Arts! This is what makes us truly human! The DSPA is an amazing organization that supports all the various music and performing groups at Denny & Sealth. Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Choir, Mariachi and hopefully soon, Theatre. These groups have excelled at Sealth and Denny. Winning numerous awards and traveling around the PNW to further the notoriety of our programs. And like sports equipment, music instruments need to be replaced and maintained. Hours of practice and performances take a toll. DSPA strives to offer scholarships to students who would not otherwise be able to afford an instrument, travel and perform. Because what is music & art if there is no audience to appreciate it?
So, this is it, Sealth. You’ve heard it, as plainly as I can state it. Please, please, please, show up for our kids. We are sweetening the pot so to speak. If you buy a table of ten, starting tonight, Friday Nov. 1st through Sunday, Nov. 10, you’ll get the early bird prices for your table and a bottle of red and white wine waiting for you and your guests.
This is really a fun event. Come in costume or not. It’s for the children but the adults get a great night out. Watch our amazing students perform and get to know other Denny and Sealth Parents.
(WSB photo: Ellen McMillin, Alberto Navarro, Naby Camara, Susan Hunt Navarro)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
One fun night in West Seattle can ensure countless safe nights for students on the other side of the planet.
November 10th at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), JUNO Award-winning musician Naby Camara headlines the event to raise money to build a school dormitory in Karatu, Tanzania.
We talked with the musician – a West Seattleite – and event organizers Susan Hunt Navarro, Alberto Navarro, and Ellen McMillin at C & P earlier this week. Susan is a board member for the Karatu Education Fund. She and Alberto first learned about the area while traveling in Africa more than a decade ago. Alberto wanted to build a library in memory of his parents, and they looked for a non-governmental organization to partner with. They found the Karatu Education Fund – and learned it already had a connection to the Northwest – a board member from Bellingham. It’s a small organization, they explain, taking on just a few projects a year, so the assistance goes a long way.
When they first visited the school in Karatu, it was lunchtime, and the students were just sitting under a tree, Alberto said – they had no food, no kitchen, no time to walk the long distance back to their homes. By the time they reached secondary-school age, only six percent of the girls were still in school. Read More
Last weekend, we noted that Arbor Heights teen Joseph Meats was collecting drop-off donations for the West Seattle Food Bank. Now, the results! From Judi Yazzolino at WSFB:
Joey & his Dad, Tony, delivered all the food Tuesday for a total of 565 pounds of food & pet food. He also did a fundraiser on Facebook & our website for a total of $305. We love Joey and his parents; they have been incredible supporters of the West Seattle Food Bank for many years and now that Joey is a teenager, he has started volunteering here at the food bank as well.
Missed the chance to donate? At least two local Halloween attractions in our guide (the Meeds Haunted House and Nightfall Orphanage) are collecting nonperishable food, so take some with you when you head out!
Five years ago, we told you about then-8-year-old Joseph Meats going door to door collecting donations for the West Seattle Food Bank. Now he’s a teenager and still working to stop hunger – and this weekend, you can help. His family sent the photo and word that he’s set up outside 9910 34th SW in Arbor Heights [map] collecting drop-off donations of food for people and pets. Here’s the list of what’s most needed:
The photo and announcement are from Taproot School:
To raise money and support Immigrant Families Together, students and parents from the Taproot School will be in costumes, selling Hot Cider (by donation) to ferry travelers and park goers from 4-5:30 pm tomorrow, Friday October 25th, in front of the southern Lincoln Park parking lot, with mobile sellers to catch those in line. All proceeds will go to Immigrant Families Together and all supplies have been donated or created by the students and families.
Earlier this year (Aug 9th), the Taproot school sold lemonade for the cause, raising $1,000 from generous West Seattle/Vashon/Southworth travelers. We are hoping the warm fall cider and excited kids in Halloween costumes will raise spirits and funds once again and encourage people to turn out to support the school’s efforts.
Immigrant Families Together is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organization working to keep families together by providing bond money for parents, legal services, safe housing, clothing, food, cellphones among other vital services to help families have the best possible chance at receiving asylum. For more information about how to help immigrant families stay together or to donate directly, please go (here).
Just two days until this opportunity to give your time along with volunteers from the Delridge Grocery Co-op:
Join our merry band of volunteers as we take it to the streets (well, Delridge Way SW) the weekend before for our Community Adopt-A-Street Trash Pick-Up event on Saturday, October 26. Trash bags, gloves, pickers, and other supplies will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own gloves and bags as well. This is a great family activity (as well as a great way for middle and high schoolers to get some community service time), and you can participate for as little or as much time as you have to spare.
*Meet at Youngstown Coffee Company starting at 9:30 am (5214 Delridge Way SW)
*Saturday, October 26, 10am to 12pm
*RSVP: See this Signup Genius page
The co-op will celebrate its grocery-store groundbreaking just one week later!
Easy Street Records owner Matt Vaughan has some amazing tales to tell and you can hear for yourself at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Champagne Gala Brunch on November 2nd. Just days left to reserve your ticket – here’s what SWSHS wants you to know about this year’s brunch:
Guests at the Champagne Gala Brunch will witness West Seattle history in the making. Guest speakers Matt Vaughan (Music Historian and owner of Easy Street Records), Peder Nelson (Co-Curator of the Sound Spots exhibit at the Log House Museum) will be interviewed by John Maynard, (Robin and Maynard Show on KNXX).
They will speak to the importance of recognizing the music history of the Duwamish Peninsula. Matt will tell the stories of the great musicians who have passed through West Seattle, resulting in a unique intersection of music and culture. A limited edition Eddie Vedder poster from his first solo concert (at Kenyon Hall) will be auctioned.
After a meal at Salty’s overlooking Elliott Bay (vegetarian options available), there will be a live one-of-a-kind West Seattle-themed auction. Some of the auction items include:
Become the “Man or Woman of the Hour” with a collectable Eddie Vedder Poster: Vedder’s first solo concert took place in West Seattle’s Kenyon Hall. You could become the owner of the iconic limited-edition poster (with guitar pick) from that 2008 semi-secret show, billed as a “Into the Wild” screening. In addition, there will be a variety of collectible show posters from other bands available in this music-themed event of the year.
Becoming a Master of Mural Art in the Junction: Assist mural restoration artist Bob Henry in painting one of the beloved Junction murals. Then, learn about these amazing public art pieces with 20 of your closest friends. Historian Clay Eals will host this unique walking tour. Also includes a framed limited-edition poster of the West Seattle murals.
Ice Scream, You Scream, We All Scream Your Own Husky Deli Ice Cream: Create your very own ice cream flavor at Husky Deli. Not only will you get to create the flavor, you get to name it and be available for purchase in store! Celebrate with an ice cream launch party with 20 of your closest friends at this iconic West Seattle location.
Light Up the Night with the Menashes: The Menashe family’s Christmas lights (over 350,000 of them!) are unforgettable. Offering an exclusive party of four to attend a Menashe family Christmas party, this package includes a family photo.
Lastly, there’s a chance to win the Golden Ticket – a Holland America cruise. Purchase the Golden Ticket at the Log House Museum or at the Gala.
Admission: Gala ticket price is $95 and space is limited! If you would like to purchase tickets online: loghousemuseum.org/blog/2019-champagne-gala-brunch To purchase your tickets in person or over the phone, please contact the Log House Museum at: museum@loghousemuseum.org or 206-350-0999.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
They’re already headquartered in the same building.
Early next year, the West Seattle Food Bank and West Seattle Helpline will become one organization.
We talked this morning with the organizations’ executive directors, Fran Yeatts of WSFB and Erin Dury Moore of WSH, about what’s ahead.
First thing you should know: Don’t stop giving to either one in the months ahead! Their distinct missions will continue – food and more (as currently provided by WSFB), emergency financial aid and clothing (as currently provided by WSH). The merger won’t result in any cutting of services.
So how did the merger decision come about?
From the United Way of King County, now recruiting for volunteers to help with tax prep in our area (and elsewhere):
Every year in Washington State, low- and middle-income families and individuals struggle to pay the bills and keep food on the table. During tax time, it can make an unstable situation even worse. Not only is Washington’s tax system the most regressive in the nation, but predatory tax preparers could charge upwards of $300 for a tax return, and may not tell their clients about certain credits or saving opportunities they might qualify for.
Clare visited one of our United Way tax sites. She was a single mother of two making $30,000 a year. She struggled to pay her housing and grocery expenses. During her time with our Free Tax Campaign volunteers, she received a $3,000 refund at absolutely no cost. This meant that she was able to meet some of her basic needs to support her two children.
In 2019, our amazing volunteers helped 21,975 people by bringing back $30.1 million in tax refunds and credits in the process. For many of our clients, this helps them to cover the cost of basic needs like food and shelter. For this upcoming tax season, we’re hoping to make an even bigger impact in our community. To do this, we need your help.
We rely on our talented team of volunteers to make this possible. Join us and fight against poverty. We provide free comprehensive training that will boost your skills, and help reach the people who need it most. No prior tax experience needed!
Find a Free Tax Prep location near you and get involved (here).
West Seattle Community Orchestras invite you to a night full of great music as well as food, fun, and fundraising:
Sassy, Brassy, Classy; A bountiful harvest dinner & auction: October 26, 2019
Join the West Seattle Community Orchestra (WSCO) on Saturday, October 26th for WSCO’s biggest event and fundraiser of the year! The evening will include chamber music performed by WSCO members, a performance by the West Seattle Big Band, and a silent auction featuring experiences from the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, Teatro Zinzanni, and Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra to name a few. There will also be a chance to win a $400 gift certificate to Canlis. Support WSCO programs while having a blast at our 2019 Gala event!
WSCO provides community musicians of all ages and abilities with opportunities for performance and growth. Join them for an evening of fun as you support them in continuing to provide FREE TUITION to all K-12 students!
Tickets are available online.
Saturday, October 26, 2019 | Alki Masonic Hall
6:00 PM Doors Open
7:00 PM Dinner
8:00 PM Dessert Dash & Raise the Paddle
That’s St. Bernadette Parish School in north Burien, hit earlier this week by arson which, according to this KING5 report, forced the cancellation of some classes. We’ve heard this morning from several readers who suggest that West Seattleites might want to help the school recover from the damage. Holy Rosary School has sent out this call for support:
One of our fellow Catholic schools has experienced a tragic fire that is impacting their ability to have their school open. We are sharing their information with you in hopes you will pray for their community. If you would like to support them with a donation of money or supplies, information can be found below.
The school (at Ambaum/128th) has about 200 students.
The Fauntleroy Fall Festival is fast approaching and more volunteers are essential to make it happen on Sunday, October 27, 2-5 pm in the Fauntleroy Church/YMCA/Schoolhouse triangle. Available assignments include managing lines, helping kids paint pumpkins and build birdhouses, and checking in volunteers. Enjoy the festival from a new perspective! Find an assignment and time that work for you at tinyurl.com/2019FallFestivalVolunteers.
Rain? What rain? Highland Park Elementary students have spent the morning taking turns walking/running laps in the annual Move-a-Thon, which continues until 12:50 pm.
Want to donate? Here’s the HPE PTA PayPal link.
(Photo by Kelsey Graham)
Saturday night, we showed you a few scenes from “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” the dinner/auction that raised money so the West Seattle Helpline can keep helping people avoid homelessness. WSB was the event’s media sponsor. Today, the Helpline sends word of the final tally, and gratitude:
Thank you for making our 10th Annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors Dinner & Auction a great success. Whether you attended, volunteered, donated to our auction, or sponsored the event, you helped make it a spectacular night.
We are thrilled to announce that your support raised over $115,000, keeping over 400 neighbors in their homes!
Your generous support will keep our West Seattle and White Center friends and neighbors from experiencing homelessness. You helped keep the house warm, the water running, and the lights on for hundreds of families recovering from hardships. Together we are ensuring our neighbors stay safe and our community remains strong and vibrant.
On behalf of our staff, Board of Directors, volunteers, and the members of our community that we serve, we extend heartfelt gratitude for the support and kindness you shared with us Saturday evening. We are so fortunate to have such caring and dedicated neighbors!
Thank you again!
Here’s how to help the Helpline any time.
Got makeup bags or samples you don’t need? Stephanie Endres would be happy to get them:
My nonprofit Stephanie’s Lifeline HOPE is currently collecting makeup samples and makeup bags for an event we will be holding in which we are filling the makeup bags with makeup to distribute to women’s homeless and domestic-violece shelters.
We are in search of more makeup bags and more samples at this this time … We will be collecting items until October 27.
In order to donate, drop off donations at 3830 22nd Ave SW in West Seattle (Pigeon Point), or we can arrange a pick up time. Our phone number is 253-237-3056 and our email Stephanieslifeline@gmail.com.
We first mentioned Stephanie’s work four years ago.
(WSB photos)
West Seattle Helpline executive director Erin Dury Moore and board member Rev. Ron Marshall are smiling at tonight’s show of support for the organization’s mission to keep people out of homelessness. It’s the Helpline’s 10th annual “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” dinner and auction at The Hall at Fauntleroy. WSB is the media sponsor and we stopped by in the early going for some photos:
Dinner hadn’t started yet but among the items on display were the treats awaiting bidders in the “Dessert Dash”:
A variety of silent and live auction items are up for grabs, from vacation packages to a wine-tasting party (donated by WSB sponsor Viscon Cellars):
Among Helpline supporters in attendance, City Council candidate Phil Tavel:
As the Helpline website explains, “The West Seattle Helpline stops homelessness before it starts. We provide financial assistance in the form of rent and utility payments, clothing, bus tickets, and referrals to help our neighbors in West Seattle and White Center regain stability after facing hardship.” They’ve helped more than 6,000 people so far this year. If you couldn’t get to tonight’s event, here’s how to help any time.
That “River for All” is the Duwamish River, and we are now one week away from a simple way for you to show it some love: The fall edition of the one-day-and-many-locations Duwamish Alive! volunteering event is 10 am-2 pm next Saturday (October 19th). More than half a dozen of the sites are in West Seattle; to see the list and find out how to RSVP to help, go to DuwamishAlive.org, or email info@duwamishalive.org
. Just a few hours of your time can give a boost to the river and all who depend on it – animals, plants, and people.
If you’re on-peninsula at lunchtime next Tuesday (October 15th), the West Seattle High School ASB invites you to help them raise money during a special event: The El Chapulin Oaxaqueño taco truck will be on campus, and as the ASB explains, there’s a gap between student lunch periods, so they’re inviting you to stop by and get lunch too, (updated) 12:30 pm-1 pm. WSHS is at 3000 California SW.
One month into the new school year and fundraising season is revving up. At Lafayette Elementary (2645 California SW), today is Walk-A-Thon day, with students and staff taking turns out on the playground. With iffy weather this time of year, the event hasn’t always been sun-splashed, but this year, the weather’s perfect. Bake sale too, if you stop by to show support:
The Lafayette Walk-A-Thon is scheduled to continue until 1:30 pm.
(Fundraiser coming up at YOUR school? Be sure to send us info so we can share it with the community!)
Little things can make a big difference. That’s what Chief Sealth International High School‘s InvestED donation drive is about. Here’s the school’s announcement:
Please consider donating to the CSIHS InvestED fundraising campaign. These funds are used to help our students that are struggling to fund the basic needs for a successful high school experience.
There are a range of basic needs that students have at Chief Sealth International High School. Currently, many students have been requesting basic items such as backpacks, pencils, bedding, emergency gear, socks, underwear, and jackets. There have also been requests for many athletes who wish to participate in sports related activities. This includes fees for art class, ASB stickers, funds for IB tests, certain textbooks and books required for classes and not available at school, etc.
Your donation will go directly into the InvestED Fund at Chief Sealth International High School to help the students in need there. Simply designate your donation to Chief Sealth High School from the drop down list on the donation page … Donate Here!
The photo and announcement are from Sound Physical Therapy, one of a half-dozen local clinics that would love to team up with you this month to fight hunter:
October is National Physical Therapy Month, and Physical Therapy clinics in West Seattle are holding their 8th annual food drive to benefit the West Seattle Food Bank!!
Last year, more than 2,900 pounds of food and supplies were collected by the participating clinics and we are hoping to far surpass this total in 2019!
Donations are welcome thru October at the following clinics:
Sound Physical Therapy – 3823 Delridge Way SW
Highline Physical Therapy – 4700 42nd Ave. SW #510
Kinetic Physical Therapy – 4828 California Ave. SW
Life in Balance – 5410 California Ave. SW #101
West Seattle Physical Therapy – 4545 41 st Ave. SW
Biojunction Sports Therapy – 3727 California Ave. SW #1AYou do not need to be a patient to participate! Feel free to drop off non-perishable food or
items at your convenience. A list of suggested items is available at westseattlefoodbank.org.
All but one of the clinic links above will take you to pages with the hours they are open, so you can plan when to drop off your donation!
(2017 photo by Trileigh Tucker)
If you want to help ensure we keep seeing them, set aside a few hours later this month to do this:
(2016 photo by Leda Costa for WSB)
Two weeks from Saturday, it’s the fall edition of
Join Duwamish Alive! this Fall as our salmon are returning in our Duwamish River and Longfellow Creek, with this watershed wide effort in improving the health of our salmon by restoring their habitat which provides food, shelter and cool, clean water that salmon need. Volunteers will be restoring native habitat on in multiple urban parks and open spaces by removing invasive weeds, planting native plants, removing debris and learning about healthy habitat. This is a family-friendly event, all ages welcomed and encouraged.
To volunteer, visit DuwamishAlive.org to see the different volunteer opportunities and register for the site of your choice, or email info@duwamishalive.org
As you’ll see on the Duwamish Alive! link, your options include more than half a dozen sites here in West Seattle, and others elsewhere.
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