West Seattle, Washington
07 Sunday
8:30 AM: That’s Al‘s plate at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s benefit pancake breakfast, happening right now at the Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds in The Junction), continuing until 11 am. Only $10 at the door (kids are free with paying adults) gets you pancakes, ham, juice, coffee, tea … free Santa photo, and if you have new unwrapped toys to donate, a Toys for Tots drive too. More photos to come!
10:12 AM: Tons of toys, and as seen above, more kept arriving – we were there about midway through the four-hour event. Lots of people enjoying pancakes, too!
Lots of smiles with the Kiwanis’s kitchen crew:
This runs on volunteer power, including Scouts from Troop/Pack 284 who are helping serve:
Marines including Cpl. E4 Devan Sanchez are there for the toy drive, and Santa is there for pics:
We’re told Santa’s stand-in (shhh) this morning is Peter Gelpi, featured in a recent WSB story about his volunteer work in Ukraine, where he’ll also be standing in for Santa on Christmas Eve! The crowd, meantime, is all ages:
Proceeds will help fund the Kiwanis Club’s work with youth – raffle items and the online auction too:
And the pancakes keep flying out of the kitchen – by 9 o’clock they’d sent out 10 takeout orders too!
Next big event for the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, the Hometown Holidays Coat Drive at their booth on the south end of the Farmers’ Market, one week from tomorrow, on Sunday, December 14, 10 am-2 pm – bring a new or gently used coat/jacket to donate, get cocoa!
The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s main mission is to support local youth – including local Scout troops and Key Clubs at local high schools. One way to help them do that is to buy tickets for their annual holiday Pancake Breakfast, coming up December 6 (one week from tomorrow, with Santa photos as part of the deal). Another way: Bid in their online auction, with items up for grabs including shopping sprees at West Seattle businesses. The auction is open now and you can bid by going here! You can also buy Pancake Breakfast tickets at the Kiwanis’s booth at the south end of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market this Sunday – 10 am-2 pm, California/Alaska. (WSB is a community co-sponsor of the Pancake Breakfast.)
(WSB photos)
Eight dollars for a fresh-cooked pancake breakfast – including ham, orange juice, coffee, and tea. If you buy an advance ticket to this year’s Kiwanis Club of West Seattle pancake breakfast, that’s all you’ll pay! It’s a deal at the door, too, $10. And kids under 10 who are accompanied by adults get breakfast for free. This is part of a fun event that also includes Santa photos, Toys for Tots donations, raffles, and wreath sales. It’s all happening 7 am-11 am Saturday, December 6 (a tradition for starting the big day that later includes the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays tree lighting). The Kiwanis Club raises money for projects to help youth. You can buy your ticket(s) now online here, or stop by the Kiwanis tent at the south end of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market tomorrow, 10 am-2 pm, just a few steps east of the Easy Street Records corner. (WSB is among the community co-sponsors of the breakfast event.)
At the south end of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, just inside the road-blocking signs at California/Alaska, Kiwanis Club of West Seattle members are back for fall. At their booth, you’ll find free coffee and other features – crafts for kids this week, including pinwheels that worked nicely in the morning breeze. Later in the season they’ll also be assisting with donation drives, and they’ll be selling tickets to their holiday-season pancake breakfast. Stop by and say hi, any Sunday during market hours, 10 am-2 pm.
11:16 AM: It’s that time of summer where growers have so much zucchini, you can run out of ideas for using it. Zucchini bread, roasted zucchini, sauteed zucchini … but that’s not all. Once a year, the West Seattle Farmers’ Market offers free zucchini and accessories to marketgoers so they can make and race “vegetable vehicles.” That’s happening at the south end of the market (California/Alaska) right now, until 1 pm, as explained in our preview! Big turnout.
1:22 PM: Adding photos by Dave Gershgorn for WSB:
A wide variety of zucchini racers took to the track – after Kiwanis Club of West Seattle volunteers helped with assembly:
Lots of options to contemplate:
Once they were ready to race, it was on to the track:
Notice the jumbo zucchini in the lower right of the photo above? 3 1/2-year-old Colette Steadman brought that from home, where she and her family grew it from seeds provided by the West Seattle Nursery (WSB sponsor) Growing Gardeners’ Club (explained in our preview):
Homegrown or not, every zucchini racer was a winner today.
(WSB photo: Denis and Mike from the Kiwanis Club with a booth visitor)
Classic showery spring weather brings thoughts of gardening to come. The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is hoping to make it happen for more classrooms and families with its annual seed giveaway; today’s the day, at the Kiwanis booth at the south end of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market. Though the pickup of vegetable and flower seeds is geared for the teachers and parents who responded to the invitation we published last fall, they have some extras too, first-come first-served. Supporting youth is a cornerstone of what the Kiwanis Club does, and this is part of that. The seed pickup is scheduled to continue until about 1 pm.
Last fall, the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle said it would again give away vegetable and flower seeds in spring so that educators and parents could help kids learn about growing plants. Spring is here, and Kiwanis members have announced that they will be at the market tomorrow with the seeds:
Free seeds will be distributed this Sunday, 3/23, at the Farmers’ Market from 10 AM to 1 PM, as part of the Kiwanis Seed Project. Those who requested seeds in November and December can pick them up. There are extra seeds for those who would like to grow vegetables and teach youngsters how food is grown. Seeds for classrooms will be distributed also.
Look for their booth at the south end of the market, California and Alaska.
(WSB photos, Saturday)
One of the events we covered and co-sponsored this weekend was the well-attended Kiwanis Club of West Seattle pancake breakfast on Saturday morning. This morning, the club’s president Denis Sapiro sends words of thanks, with a reminder that this is the final day for their online auction of donated local items:
The Kiwanis Club thanks all the attendees and donors for making the Community Breakfast a grand success. Scout Troop 284 & 8284 did a great job getting the Hall arranged, serving the meal, and cleaning up! Seattle University Circle K members cooked the meal.
Key Club members from West Seattle High and Chief Sealth International assisted with the raffle, Santa photos, and technical support. Gunnery Sergeant Samuel Hernandez and Sergeant Angalina Roseberry represented Toys for Tots standing with Santa in the photos, too.
Today, Monday the 9th, is the last full day to contribute to the Kiwanis online Silent Auction at: app.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/kiwanis-club-of-west-seattle-2024-auction-43120
Donations to the Kiwanis 21st Century Scholarship Fund can be tax deductible, https://kiwaniswestseattle.org
(WSB photo, 2023 Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast)
One week from today – Saturday, December 7th – brings some of the biggest events of the holiday season. It all starts at 7 am in the Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds) with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s annual pancake breakfast. $8 in advance or $10 at the door – and kids under 10 eat free! – gets you pancakes, Husky Deli ham, orange juice, coffee, and tea. Free Santa photos! Raffles! Benefit wreath, ornament, and nut sales! And you’re welcome to bring new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots (with active-duty Marines there to gratefully accept them). Show up whatever time works for you between 7 am and 11 am next Saturday morning. The entrance is right off the (free) parking lot on the south side of the Masonic Center (and again, you can buy your discounted advance ticket right now by going here).
P.S. The Kiwanis Club also is raising money for its community work right now via an online auction, with items including gift certificates/cards for local businesses, from coffee to clothing (and beyond!). Go here to browse and bid!
Fall showers bring thoughts of spring flowers – and vegetable plants. Last year, the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle provided about 200 packs of seeds at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, to both schools and individual gardeners. Another round is planned next year, but first, the club is requesting your feedback:
Kiwanis will again offer free vegetable and flower seeds in 2025. Teachers and parents can help Kiwanis select the type and number of seeds to order by completing the survey here.
Kiwanis offers the Seed Project to boost family fun and joy, and to provide an educational experience with a hands-on activity! As the seeds grow into plants they can be transplanted to your garden.
Please add your contact information (particularly your email address), so that we can let you know when seeds will be available at the Farmers’ Market in the Spring of 2025. If you have any questions, please contact us via email:
Denis Sapiro, President, Kiwanis Club West Seattle
sapirokiwanis@gmail.comPlease complete the Google form before December 10, 2024
Two and a half years into the war in Ukraine, where do relief efforts stand, and how can you help? The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s next dinner meeting will feature a local guest answering those questions – here’s the invitation:
Peter Gelpi, West Seattle’s own, will be returning to Ukraine soon. The Kiwanis Club will host Peter at their monthly meeting – next Wednesday, September 4 – open to the public. Peter will report on the feeding programs, orphanage, and evacuations. The meeting starts at 6 PM, so attendees are asked to be seated prior to 6. Attendees can order dinner off the menu. RSVP is requested prior to Tuesday, 9/3, to help the Great American Diner & Bar (4752 California SW) with seating and staffing. RSVP to sapirodenis@hotmail.com or 206-601-4136 (text or voice).
It’s grow time for gardens – from apartment container gardens to house-yard gardens the size of mini-farms, and everything inbetween. This weekend, two giveaways you should know about:
SATURDAY – FREE PLANT STARTS FOR GIVING GARDENS: If you can grow vegetables to donate, this one on Saturday is for you:
Calling all home gardeners who would like to grow and share with their community.
Pick up free plants to grow and harvest for local food programs! Get starts this Saturday, April 20th, 11 am to 1 pm at The Heron’s Nest, 4818 Puget Way SW. Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers at Heron’s Nest, these plants are ready for your garden! The plants available will be:
Broccoli
Cabbage
Tatsoi
Pac choi
Collards
Mustard Greens
Kale
Mizuna
Chard
Swiss chard
Lettuce varietiesAs an added bonus, Heron’s Nest is offering free compost. Bring buckets and help yourself to the uncovered portion of the pile.
Questions? info@sggn.org
SUNDAY – FREE SEEDS: The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s seed giveaway is set for this Sunday at the Farmers’ Market:
The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle will be giving away vegetable and flower seeds at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market on Sunday, April 21st. Seeds will be distributed from 10 am to 1 pm at the Kiwanis booth, located between Easy Street and Cupcake Royale. There are a limited number of packages, so packages will be given away on a first-come-first-serve basis. The Kiwanis Seed Project hopes to encourage growing vegetables at home and teaching children how food gets to the table. Chairperson Jay Potratz has received seed donations from West Seattle Nursery and Page’s Seeds. Seeds can be used in classroom instruction too. Please contact Denis Sapiro at 206-601-4136 with any questions.
(WSB photo: Councilmember Rob Saka at Monday’s protest rally outside Chief Sealth IHS)
One month after District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka took office, what are his plans, and how is he responding to community issues? The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle invites you to hear firsthand this Wednesday (February 7), 6 pm, during their meeting at Great American Diner & Bar in The Junction (4752 California SW). Just RSVP by Tuesday to president Denis Sapiro, via email at sapirodenis@hotmail.com or by calling 206-601-4136. He adds, “Please give your name and number attending. Guests are expected to order off the menu prior to 6 pm” (that night).
Right now at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, volunteers from the Kiwanis Club await your donations of coats and warm clothing! Until 1:30 this afternoon, their booth at the south end of the market, right past the barricades at California/Alaska, is headquarters for the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Cocoa and Coat Drive – cocoa for donors! Everything collected goes to the people helped by the West Seattle Food Bank. (Our photo shows all the donations from the first filled barrel being offloaded so there’s room for more!)
Lots of teamwork at today’s Kiwanis Club of West Seattle Community Pancake Breakfast, continuing until 11 am at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds in The Junction). Above – the kitchen crew. Below – Troop 284 Scouts (having breakfast before their volunteer work as servers):
Santa Claus is there too, along with U.S. Marines Gunnery Sgt. Samuel Hernandez and Cpl. Alejandro Cavazos on behalf of Toys For Tots:
If you’re going, you can bring an unwrapped toy to donate – the Kiwanis Club’s been collecting them at their weekly Farmers’ Market booth for weeks.
This is a tradition that goes back decades (prior to the pandemic hiatus) – Joel Draper found the apron he used to wear for the occasion:
The Kiwanis Club raises money for its work with youth, including Key Clubs at local high schools. Price of this morning’s breakfast: $10 at the door, kids under 10 free with a paying adult.
As noted in our daily highlight list, you have extra reasons to go to The Junction during Farmers’ Market hours today:
The West Seattle Food Bank, West Seattle Junction Association, and Kiwanis Club of West Seattle are teaming up to accept coat (and other warm clothing) donations, with free cocoa, at the south end of the market (California/Alaska). A very young donor visited while we were there:
Also at the booth, you can buy Hometown Holidays mugs and $2/foot holiday garland, both benefiting WSJA (which is a nonprofit too):
Across the Walk-All-Ways intersection, just outside the market at KeyBank Plaza, you’ll find the Pathfinder K-8 PTSA selling handmade garlands and other “door decor”:
This is the second of three consecutive Sundays they’re in The Junction to sell the fundraising wreaths/decor, which benefit outdoor education for Pathfinder students. You can also order online!
All of the above is happening until 2 pm today.
Kai and Jay from Chief Sealth International High School are among the Key Club students collecting donations for the West Seattle Food Bank at three local grocery stores until noon today. With them at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) is Shari Sewell from the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle; other sites are PCC (WSB sponsor) and Metropolitan Market.
P.S. If you missed today’s drive, here are ways to donate any time!
Thanks to the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle for the photo! In their booth on the west side of the Farmers’ Market, Key Club members from Chief Sealth International High School are again selling painted pumpkins as a fundraiser. The market is on until 2 pm; if you miss them this week, they will be back next week.
Both these reports came in this afternoon:
THE KENNEY’S VAN VANDALIZED: Silvia at The Kenney sent the image of a man they report tried to get into their building and then broke into their van around 1:30-2 am today, where he “cut wires that control our door and wheelchair lifts for our residents … also he proceeded to ignite a small fire in front of our building.” The wires in the van weren’t stolen, just cut, she said; they found a foot-long saw near the cut wire. We’ve asked if any community help is needed and will update if so.
CATALYTIC CONVERTER TAKEN FROM KIWANIS VAN: The nonprofit Kiwanis Club of West Seattle does need help recovering from a theft that put their van out of service. The club reports:
Sometime around March 7th, someone stole the catalytic converter from the Kiwanis van. The van is vital for the Kiwanis Club to continue its service to the community, and they are seeking donations to help cover the cost of the repair, which is estimated at $1,000.00. If you can chip in and help them pay for it, contributions can be made through their PayPal account or checks can be mailed to Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, P.O. Box 16128, Seattle, WA 98116.
You may have seen the Kiwanis booth at the West Seattle Farmers Market or attended the annual Pancake Breakfast, but did you know the KiwanisClub and its members have been a fixture in West Seattle since 1929?
The major emphasis of the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is improving the life, safety and health of children in West Seattle. Sponsored youth programs include Key Clubs in 3 West Seattle high schools, Seattle University Circle K, South Seattle College scholarships, Scout Troop 284, Troop 8284, Venturing Crew 284, Crew 279 and Cub Scout Pack 136. The club also supports Westside Baby, Food Lifeline, West Seattle Food Bank and Clothesline, Project Cool, Relay For Life, the SIGN Fracture Care Programs, and the Seattle Adopt-A-Street program.
The Kiwanis Club will have to temporarily divert funds from its community service to pay for the repair. Any contribution to repair the van is appreciated! Members expect to be back at the West Seattle Farmers Market in late Spring, once their van has been repaired. Contact Club President, Denis Sapiro, at 206-601-4136 with any questions.
The theft happened while the van was parked near (corrected) 44th/Hinds.
For a second year, the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle has had to skip flipping pancakes at a holiday-season breakfast benefit – so the service club hopes you’ll shop their online auction instead. Lots of gift cards donated by local businesses – food, fun, fitness, and more – plus potential presents, from art to electronics to jewelry. You can browse and bid by going here. The auction’s on through December 4th, which in non-pandemic times would be the day the club hosts that pancake breakfast. Instead, all you have to do is spend a little time with their online auction so they can keep helping kids, with projects from Key Clubs to Scouting to fighting childhood cancer.
That’s the crew in the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle booth at the Farmers’ Market earlier this month, already collecting Toys for Tots for this year’s holiday season. Now they’ve sent word of two more places you can drop off new, unwrapped toys:
The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle has partnered with two businesses to provide “Toys for Tots” dropoff locations.
Edward Jones Advisor Bill Anderson, 3727 California Ave SW, Monday – Friday 8 AM to 3 PM
Northwest Art & Frame, 4733 California Ave SW, Monday – Saturday 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM, Sunday 11 AM – 5:30 PM
For additional information, contact Denis Sapiro, 206-601-4136
No time to carve a jack o’lantern? Buy a painted pumpkin from the Chief Sealth International High School Key Club! They’ll be at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle booth at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market this Sunday, 10 am-2 pm (while supplies last). The Kiwanis booth is usually on the west side of the market, close to the north end (California/Oregon).
Hours after interim Police Chief Adrian Diaz‘s media briefing about staffing changes, Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Kevin Grossman spoke with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, online. He said he has no further details, yet, about how the 100 “redeployments” will affect his staffing levels, but of course he’s hopeful it means more officers headed this way. Right now, Capt. Grossman said, the precinct staff is 10 percent below what it was when he started, due to attrition – retirements, officers moving to other parts of the city, or moving to other cities’ departments. In addition, this precinct and the others all have to contribute to the “task forces” that deal with some of the ongoing protests on Capitol Hill. On another note, he and operations Lt. Sina Ebinger, who also was at the meeting (as was Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner), will not be regularly attending community meetings as they have since taking over two months ago. Grossman says he wants patrol officers to attend the meetings in the areas they cover, so they can build relationships. (That was part of the reason Chief Diaz cited on Wednesday for moving more officers into patrol.) A special focus of the Kiwanis’s community work is mentoring youth, particularly via Key Clubs, so some Q&A last night focused on that; Danner will be working to set up meetings where she and officers can talk with high-school and middle-school students and hear their concerns.
P.S. Another Kiwanis note – they’re expecting this year’s Pancake Breakfast, usually the first Saturday of December, to be a “virtual” event, so stand by for more on that.
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