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VIDEO: ‘Stress magic,’ music, movement highlight Center for Active Living’s lively 2025 benefit breakfast

(WSB photos/video)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

One of the speakers at The Center for Active Living‘s fundraising breakfast served up one word that you can use to beat stress.

The entire event, in fact, could have been characterized as stress relief of a sort – the more money the center raises, the less it has to worry about how it’ll continue being able to pay for the many programs and services it offers as “The Center of It All,” the theme of this year’s event, held Tuesday morning at Alki Masonic Center in The Junction.

Last year’s breakfast event introduced the former Senior Center’s new name, better reflecting its status as a hub of community connection for people of all ages. Since then, executive director Amy Lee Derenthal told the 200 attendees Tuesday morning, the center’s serving more people now than ever in its 50-year history – 1,500+ members, three times what it had in 2021, ages from late 20s to 100. The center has added new programs – totaling more than 50 programs each week. The center feeds people via community dining and Margie’s Cafe, and delivers 400 meals “to home-bound folks” every month. With the help of volunteers, they offer tech navigation, make home visits via Westside Friends, and staff the Stop & Shop on the center’s lower level. Plus their staff includes two social workers; their work includes running support groups that regularly serve more than 100 people.

“As a small community-based nonprofit, we’re constantly stretching our budget to meet our needs,” Derenthal explained. It’s challenging, but it’s “my dream job,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion just a bit. Here’s everything she told the crowd:

She’s not the only one for which the Center for Active Living work fulfills dreams of making a difference in others’ livesi. “It’s nice to be involved with people helping other people,” said a center volunteer/member in this new video debuted at the breakfast.

Donors experienced fulfillment too, including board member Emily Austin, who spoke about her reasons for giving.

She talked about growing up in family circumstances that led her to gravitate toward older adults, even when she was a kid. She got involved with the center after moving here in 2011. Then in 2022,she joined its board, learning about the “bravery and courage” it takes to operate a nonprofit. “We need the center to thrive fir years to come,” she said, imploring attendees to help make that possible with their gifts.

The center’s work provides everything from classes to meals to social events and group gatherings. Attendees got to sample some of those offerings – like the ukulele group:

And pianist extraordinaire Larry Knapp, who leads the lineup on Jazz Nights at the center:

Not much for music? How about movement?

Denise Geroux was onstage to demonstrate some of what she teaches at the center, focusing on “body awareness … learning how to support yourself through your skeleton …” That’s what she says we should be focused on, not just our muscles.

And then came the “stress magic” we mentioned at the start of this story. Dat Tran, stress-mastery coach, showed how the word “extraordinary” can help you conquer stress:

“Instead of focusing on lowering your stress or taking on less stress, focus on feeling extraordinary,” he advised.

Many in the room had reasons to do exactly that, emcee Ryan Sheaffer suggested, opening the morning with a round of acknowledgments, particularly for the volunteers. And he energetically led a round of live-donating – you could even contribute via text! – getting the center close to its $75,000 goal.

“Your support supports the physical, mental, emotional wellbeing of this community,” said board president Stephanie Bruno in closing. “I got involved because I first thought this woud be a great place for my grandmother .. then I realized it was a great place for me.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP: We followed up with executive director Derenthal today. She says, “Thank you to everyone who donated. We are close to our $75,000 goal. Help us cross the finish line by making a donation! Gifts $500+ are matched thanks to a generous donation from Nucor.” The donation link is here.

VIDEO: West Seattle Food Bank brings together 250+ to help neighbors ‘Nourish & Flourish’ amid ‘injustice and chaos’

(Updated Monday with results)

(WSB photos/video unless otherwise credited)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The decor and attire were cheerful and bright.

But a darker note of urgency also ran through the West Seattle Food Bank‘s “Nourish & Flourish” fundraising dinner and auction last night.

Food, clothing, and housing insecurity are “injustices (that WSFB) addresses at their source,” observed board president Joe Everett, opening the program with short remarks to those gathered at West Seattleite-owned DSquared‘s 4105 event space in SODO. “That is our mission … we could not do it without you, especially right now, in this moment … There are signs that in the coming months and years more families are going to need help; sources (of funding) are dwindling … so much chaos.” Here’s everything he said:

The food bank’s executive director of 24 years, Fran Yeatts, echoed what Everett had said about “chaos (at this) point in history.” She said the state of things has left her “feeling nervous about the world” even as she experiences abundance and comfort in her own life, and with that in mind, she wondered aloud, what must it be like for neighbors experiencing need?

Hundreds were there to do what they could to answer the need, starting with their ticket purchase, continuing on with bidding in a silent auction and paying for pre-dinner games, then bidding in the live auction called by emcee Ian Lindsay, with items from exotic getaways to dinner and cocktail parties hosted by WSFB leaders (the margaritas-and-tacos party with Yeatts and Lester Yuh sold twice, for $2,000 each).

After the live auction, and StraightEIGHT Films‘ inspirational introduction to people WSFB has helped, a round of “raise the paddle” for monetary donations brought in more than $100,000.

But that is a fraction of the increasing cost of what the food bank does (distributing 2.6 million pounds of food last year was just the start).

As one of the easel-mounted boards on display at 4105 explained, WSFB “spends up to $1 million per year on emergency rent and utilities assistance,” to try to keep people from becoming unhoused. Its Clothesline clothing bank distributes more than 85,000 pieces of apparel each year. And you might not be aware that WSFB distributes pet food, too – thousands of pounds every year.

Generous eventgoers did their best to chip in. One table even marshaled up $5,000 for first choice from among a table of tasty treats (all donated) in the “Dessert Dash.”

Everything helps, said emcee Lindsay, with so many people “living right at the edge, where something small can push you off the edge.”

The generosity was also shown by numerous local businesses who donated auction items and/or served as event sponsors. The latter list included WSB again this year, and we also were honored to accept the WSFB’s annual Changemaker Award, accepted by your editor after joining Fran Yeatts on the room-center stage:

The award was for WSB but especially poignant in view of our loss of co-founder Patrick Sand half a year ago. Of Patrick, the award announcement in the event program said in part, “With his camera in hand and heart wide open, he made sure our work at the West Seattle Food Bank – and that of so many other organizations – was seen, supported, and celebrated.”

That’s always been the heart of our work (and that’s why we would have been covering the event, as we have in many years past, even if we hadn’t been there to accept the Changemaker Award).

(Photo courtesy Ben Viscon)

A final word about last night’s event: Attendees were exhorted to invite their friends, co-workers, and relatives to join them in supporting WSFB’s mission. You can do that with money by going here, donating food/clothing during distribution hours, or volunteering by going here.

ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: WSFB says the event set two records – $234,869 raised, and 256 in attendance. Meantime, they’re hoping to reach their spring fundraising goal of $265,000 with donations during GiveBIG tomorrow – maybe even surpass it – you can donate here immediately.

HELPING: ‘Giving group’ Impact West Seattle hits half-million-dollar milestone

(WSB photo: Impact West Seattle’s board, Hannah Gregg, Julie Davis, Rachel Lazar, Amy Huey)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Six and a half years ago, we reported on the launch of “giving group” Impact West Seattle. In the announcement of their first quarterly gift a few months later, IWS described themselves as “an example of so many people’s desire to ‘do something’ amidst a challenging political climate and in a city facing massive growth and major challenges.”

Time has passed, but all of that still applies. And the group is going strong, we learned when Impact West Seattle leaders invited us to cover their quarterly meeting this week, at which they celebrated members’ cumulative gifts surpassing the half-million-dollar mark.

A little background: Impact West Seattle members commit to giving $100 a quarter. Where the collected money goes depends on a group vote, after they’ve heard pitches by representatives of three organizations related to their quarterly topic. The topics are chosen by the members at the last meeting of each year; members then nominate relevant organizations/agencies, and an online vote sets the three who are presented, usually by the members who nominated them.

As for the money – board members say that while people can opt in and out as their circumstances change, they’ve remained fairly steady at “about 200” members, which means a gift of about $20,000 per quarter. They generally stay away from “political or religious”-oriented recipients, and also recognize that “if a member isn’t aligned with the views of a beneficiary, they can opt out.” Most members are from West Seattle, White Center, Burien, and vicinity), and they focus on the greater Seattle area, though one upcoming meeting will zero in on potential beneficiaries in “Hyperlocal West Seattle.”

This quarter’s gathering was Tuesday night at the Center for Active Living (recipient of an Impact West Seattle gift last year). Attendees mingled for a bit, enjoying what Welcome Road Winery (WSB sponsor) was pouring, and then it was time to get down to business – after a few celebratory words from the night’s emcee, board member Hannah Gregg, with a bouquet of balloons as a backdrop.

The half-million-dollars of donations to date was “really great to celebrate,” she said, declaring that they’re looking forward to the next half-million.

Before their attention turned toward a new round of potential recipients, they listened to a recipient from last quarter, which had addressed food insecurity. Alimentado al Pueblo‘s executive director Roxana Pardo Garcia said the question her nonprofit sought to address is “why is there not a food bank that gives people what they eat?” And yet the food bank model itself needed to be transformed, too, she explained: “Our future exists because of our ability to imagine.” To the question “what did you use the money for?” Pardo Garcia had a long list, including support for small businesses and organizations that comprise “our Latino food system.” She also mentioned new needs that had just arisen – such as losing an AmeriCorps volunteer who was supposed to be helping them through September, gone because of a budget axe the Trump Administration hurled at the program.

Then came time for the night’s three presentations. These, Impact West Seattle leaders explained, are not only meant to help members decide where to direct the quarterly gift, but also to educate them about organizations and programs they may not previously been aware of. The night’s theme related to assistance for people with disabilities.

The first spotlight shone on Mainstay, described as a job-placement agency for people wtih developmental and intellectual disabilities – starting with some startling stats: 67% of people with these disabilities who don’t have a job by 21 will never have one. But with Mainstay, which is headquartered at Seattle Central College, 92 percent of job seekers found employment. It was explained that Mainstay not only coaches the potential employees, but also their prospective co-workers. As a result, the workers living with disabilities get jobs and keep them for years.

It does all this with an annual budget of just $1.2 million a year, with 12 staffers assisting more than 100 jobseekers.

When asked “what could a gift like this do for you?” the reply was that it could help Mainstay help clients who don’t qualify for funding otherwise.

Second up was Rebuilding Together Seattle, which matches up volunteers, local businesses, and community organizations to handle projects at 100 homes a year, enabling people living near the federal poverty line to stay in their homes. Maybe they need a wheelchair ramp or new flooring, for example, though not extensive projects such as new roofs. RTS assists people in a variety of categories – seniors, veterans, people living with disabilities, families. When people are approved for help, it usuallu happens within a year. The idea is that “keeping people safe and healthy in their community helps the community.” Rebuilding Together Seattle has only three fulltime staff, but will also have to figure out how to cope with the AmeriCorps cut, as they routinely had one or two volunteers from that program.

Then they heard about the Washington State Council of Firefighters Foundation‘s Camp Eyabsut for burn survivors ages 5 to 17. Jenny and her daughter Layla – a burn survivor – told the story of how the camp helped kids and teens on their “long journey to healing” – teaching them Eyabsut, which means “to rise above everything.” Layla explained that burns can leave you feeling like activities such as making s’mores or wearing a swimsuit are “risky” – until you are in a place like Camp Eyabsut, where you can be yourself. Attendance is free; the counselors are mostly adult burn survivors, and there’s on-site medical staff including therapy dogs. It’s run entirely by volunteers (including Seattle firefighters), so expenses are kept low; cost for each camper is about $1,500, so the gift would go a long way. This year’s volunteers will include the mother-daughter team, said Layla, who told the group, “The road to recovery for a young burn survivor is lifelong.”

After all three presentations, it was time to vote. Members who can’t get to the meeting can do it from wherever they are, via a QR code.

Mainstay was announced at the top vote-getter. The other two featured organizations usually benefit too, with members choosing to make their own gifts; Jenny told us Camp Eyabsut got warm words from many people she talked with after the meeting (its donation link is here – be sure to write the camp’s name in the “in honor/memory” spot – and Rebuilding Together Seattle accepts donations too). IWS co-founder Rachel Lazar told WSB that the highlighted organizations benefit in many ways: “Often our members will sign up to volunteer, or donate directly to the organizations. We have even had two members take full time roles with two of the nonprofits presented!”

So what happens now? Everyone makes their gifts via an online platform, and it sends the check. Then Impact West Seattle starts looking ahead to its next gathering – the July 28th topic will be legal advocacy, the October 23rd meeting will be the one focused on “hyperlocal West Seattle.” Along with the monetary gifts, they’re also starting food drives at their meetings, asking members to bring nonperishable food to donate.

Visitors too – here’s the upcoming meeting schedule so you can drop in to see if you’d be interested in getting involved.

WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Progress Pushers visit Delridge

(WSB photo by Anne Higuera)

Of the many groups and organizations presenting events in West Seattle today, this one was unique – Renton-based Progress Pushers, focusing on youth empowerment. They presented a resource fair at Delridge Community Center, geared to their mission “to guide, educate, and empower Black and brown youth and those most impacted by societal systems by connecting them to mentors and much-needed skills and opportunities so they can live in their greatness.” They mentor youth with trained “Credible Messengers” and told us that many of those involved have changed their lives from a path they want to help youth avoid – some have been in the incarceration system, for example. Mentors help youth through teaching life skills, leadership development, and job readiness, as well as working with them on results-based projects. Interested in getting involved? admin@progresspushers.org

CONGRATULATIONS! Six students receive recognition from American Association of University Women

(L-R, Caitlin Boyer, Tara Kankesh, Lucia Stemm-Calderon, Annika Lindberg, Adelyn Martin, Ember Wonder)

Thanks to Jen for the photo and report from the Seattle chapter of the American Association of University Women‘s reception this week honoring its 2025 STEM Scholars – high-school juniors recognized for outstanding achievement in math, science, and technology. The six students in the photo, nominated by teachers for the recognition, are the local honorees from Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School:

Chief Sealth IHSCaitlin Boyer (math), Tara Kankesh (science), and Ember Wonder (technology)

West SeattleAnnika Lindberg (math), Lucia Stemm-Calderon (science), and Adelyn Martin (technology)

According to short biographies in the event program, Cailin plans to pursue a Ph.D. in astrophysics, Tara plans to go into pre-med studies, Ember is interested in a computer-science career, Annika expects to major in engineering, Lucia plans to study biology, and Adelyn is mulling a career in “biology, tech, or finance.”

They were joined by other scholars from around the city at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture, where they received certificates and monetary awards. They also got to hear from keynote speaker Alyssa Lind, an educator, researcher, and diver with the Seattle Aquarium who holds a master’s degree in marine biology. The announcement also notes:

The mission of AAUW is to advance gender equity through research, education, and advocacy. AAUW Seattle has been recognizing and honoring high school girls for their talents in math, science, and technology since 2001. The decision to recognize these students in their junior year was made to allow them to add this significant honor to their college applications. Learn more about the Seattle branch of AAUW and STEM Scholar Recognition Program at aauw-seattle.org

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Hostess on hiatus: Cookie Couture departing drag – ‘for a while’ – after next West End Girls extravaganza

(Photos courtesy Cookie Couture, who’s in the foreground above)

By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Cookie Couture, founder and hostess of the longest-running drag show in West Seattle, is being bid a fond adieu this Saturday, in what will be her last show — “for a while.” What will happen to the show? Where-oh-where is Cookie Couture headed next? What about her Belle of the Balls bingo night, which she has also hosted to the delight of Skylark crowds? Will the Westside still be the Best Side without Cookie Couture on stage? We asked her to dish on all the deets.

First, she confirmed the West End Girls show will continue with hostess Fraya Love through June. The show, often billed as “A Drag Extravaganza,” has been a monthly staple at The Skylark for more than 8 years, and as Cookie Couture – a West Seattle resident – recalls, “I reached out to them on a whim … I was tired of having to go over to Capitol Hill every time I got booked for a show. At the time, not a lot of LGBTQ stuff was happening in this neck of the woods. I had no expectations of what it was going to be like.” The first show sold out and the momentum never stopped.

West End Girls will at minimum take a hiatus over the summer when Jizzuhbelle Johnson‘s Kenyon Hall Cabaret drag show will take over the Skylark stage during the months when their home stage at Kenyon Hall will be undergoing renovations. The longer-term plan is still up in the air because of the Skylark’s location in the planned path of light rail, but Cookie Couture says she’ll be doing what she can behind the scenes, “…making sure they will continue and thrive regardless of whether I’m involved.”

The Belle of the Balls Bingo night will also continue, with Kimme Kash joining a second host Tuesday nights at 7 pm. Cookie Couture hosted her final bingo night on Tuesday of this week. She recalls collaborating with the Skylark’s bartender Sara when the venue reopened after the pandemic. “We went from 2-3 people [when we started] to [this] Tuesday night, when there was nowhere to sit.”

As Cookie Couture steps away from the show she created, she is celebrating 10 years as a performer, and a drag presence that’s spanned not just her work in West Seattle, but locations citywide where she either performed or produced shows, from Pony on Capitol Hill to “RuPaul’s Drag Race” viewing parties and library story hours for kids to countless appearances for Pride events.

(Cookie and friends from the first West End Girls night in 2017)

That first West End Girls show is still one of her best memories. “The first one we did… I didn’t know what I was doing, A standard show has 5 or 6 performers, and we had 10 or 11. We all walked away with like $30.”

Since then, she’s honed her skills as a producer, and attracted a following that she hopes will continue to show up for the venue that has made it all possible. “I really want people to continue to support The Skylark during these weird uncertain times. There’s really nothing like it in West Seattle: punk rock one night, drag the next. It’s more important than ever to get queer art and things on the fringe out there. [There’s an effort] to minimize people like us and what we do. A “like” and a share online is amazing, but there’s nothing that’s more impactful than directly supporting the businesses.”

So where in the world is Cookie Couture going next? She admits her answer is purposely vague, but she dropped the hint that it does involve the aviation industry. “I’m taking my glamour all over the world in my new position,” she says, adding, very generically, “I’m taking some time off to explore some new opportunities.”

Those opportunities are likely to take her away temporarily, but after living in practically every neighborhood in Seattle, there’s no question where she’ll come back to. “West Seattle will always be home. Regardless if I’m gone for 6 months or 2 years, my heart and home will always be here in West Seattle.”

Cookie Couture is expecting to make appearances here and there in the coming months, particularly during Pride. She says her Instagram page at @cookiecouturequeen is where she’ll post updates. “At this point, I am scraping the bottom of my makeup kit,” she said, but, “Even though I’m putting the wig on the top shelf, it’s never too far out of reach.”

As of this writing “a few tickets” remain for Cookie Couture’s West End Girls “last show, for a while” at 8 pm Saturday (April 26), available here.

P.S. Thanks to the reader who tipped us about Cookie’s impending hiatus and suggested an interview!

READER REPORT: Ready to run! West Seattleites await Boston Marathon

Thanks to West Seattle runner Joe Drake for the photo!

Patti Shuster, Joe Drake, Mike Marshino, Huy Son, and Shannon Chappon, all of West Seattle and ready to run the Boston Marathon tomorrow.

The 129th Boston Marathon starts in 10 waves between 6:06 am and 8:15 am our time tomorrow (Monday, April 21).

P.S. We last heard from Joe a year ago, when he updated us on West Seattleites running the Tokyo Marathon, where he and Patti earned Six-Star Medals.

Nomination time! Admiral Neighborhood Association’s first-ever Patrick Sand Neighborhood Advocate Award

Today marks exactly six months since the sudden death of WSB co-founder Patrick Sand. The Admiral Neighborhood Association has chosen to honor his memory and spirit with a new community award, and nominations are open! Here’s the announcement from ANA:

Introducing the Patrick Sand Admiral Neighborhood Community Advocate Award Honoring Unseen Dedication in the Admiral District

The Admiral Neighborhood Association (ANA) is proud to introduce the inaugural Patrick Sand Admiral Neighborhood Community Advocate Award, a new annual honor celebrating an individual whose in front of as well as behind-the-scenes service and commitment have made a lasting impact on the Admiral District of West Seattle.

This award is named in honor of Patrick Sand, a tireless community supporter whose quiet, consistent advocacy helped shape the vibrant culture of our neighborhood — from the early years of the West Seattle Art Walk to supporting beloved community traditions like Summer Movies on the Wall. Patrick exemplified what it means to give back, and we are excited to recognize those who follow in his footsteps.

About the Award

The Patrick Sand Neighborhood Advocate Award will be presented each year to a person who demonstrates outstanding service to the Admiral District. This award focuses on recognizing sweat equity—the time, energy, and effort people invest in our community — not financial contributions.

Eligible nominees may be individuals who live, work, volunteer, or own a business in the Admiral District. Nominees do not have to live in West Seattle, but they must contribute meaningfully to the neighborhood. Current ANA Board Members are not eligible for the award, but ANA members are.

Nomination Process
Nominations Open: Now
Nomination Deadline: May 15, 2025
How to Nominate: A nomination form will be available at connecttoadmiral.org. Community members
are encouraged to submit their nominations online.

Selection & Recognition
Nominations will be reviewed by a team of Admiral neighbors, who will select one outstanding individual based on their demonstrated commitment, positive impact, and ongoing involvement in the Admiral community.

The winner will be announced and celebrated on stage during the Admiral Block Party on August 23rd.

Join Us in Honoring Community Champions
This is your chance to lift up the unsung heroes who make the Admiral District such a special place to live, work, and play. Submit your nomination and help us shine a light on those who do the work when no one’s watching — just like Patrick did.

Thanks in advance to everyone who nominates one of West Seattle’s many amazing community advocates for this award!

READER REPORT: Milestone anniversary for West Seattle couple

The photos and report were sent by Alyson:

Celebrating West Seattle High School alumni Sandra and Martin Monk’s 40 years of marriage, family and community service at their home away from home, the Alki Masonic Hall. West Seattle Big Band offered a wonderful soundtrack for a memorable night that we will take with us for many years to come.

If you haven’t been to the venue – it’s actually in The Junction, and while it hosts many events each year, its main role is home to Masonic groups including Alki Lodge 152, whose leadership Martin Monk has long been part of.

West Seattle PFLAG celebrating first anniversary this month

This month, West Seattle’s PFLAG meetings are celebrating “a year of solidarity and support,” according to the co-founders, who sent the announcement and photo for us to share with you:

In April of 2024 Corina Luckenbach (above left), the owner of North Admiral’s beloved (and :( now closed) Bebop Waffle Shop, joined with Debbie Gordon (above center), board member of Seattle PFLAG, and Rev. Andrew Conley-Holcom (above right), pastor of Admiral Church UCC, to launch West Seattle’s first monthly support group for queer and trans people and their families. That meeting, and every meeting since, has been filled with members of the West Seattle community looking for a safe place to connect, share, and envision a world free from prejudice and fear.

You are invited to join this community to celebrate their first anniversary and declare your support for more love and more warmth in a time that many are feeling cold and alone. They meet on the third Tuesday from 7:30-9pm. You can register and learn more at www.pflagseattle.org

For more than 50 years, PFLAG has been providing peer-to-peer support, publications, toolkits, and other resources to make sure that the family members of people who are LGBTQ+ get the support they need in the way that best serves their needs.

Third Tuesday this month will be April 15.

WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Beach-party birthday for open-water swimming legend

(WSB photos by Oliver Hamlin)

That’s Guila Muir, celebrating her 70th birthday at Alki Beach on Sunday. Not just on the beach – but also in the water!

Guila is a legend in the local community of open-water swimmers – those folks you see swimming off Alki, and sometimes far beyond! She tells WSB she’s not only celebrating the milestone birthday, but also 20 years of open-water swimming:

Her birthday party on Sunday also doubled as the kickoff for this year’s open-water-swimming season, though as she’ll tell you, “many swim year-round.” Kind of difficult to get a group shot in the water, so Guila and friends did that on dry land:

Among her personal highlights in the water, organizing the history-making Silver Seals of the Salish Sea crossing between Bainbridge and Alki back in 2021; she was also part of the Salish Sirens relay last year. So her party celebrated good times past and present.

Back in 2019, we covered a panel discussion hosted by Muir featuring other women from the open-water swimming community explaining their sport.

PHOTOS: One Helen of a good time @ White Center Roper Romp

(WSB photos by Dave Gershgorn)

Today’s most vivid event: The White Center Roper Romp, a chance to put on wig, shades, caftan, and sandals before channeling the spirit of TV’s classically sassy Helen Roper. Photographer Dave Gershgorn surveyed the scene for WSB and partner site White Center Now. Above, Bradi “Helen” Jones rocked the hatch seating outside Tim’s Tavern, before she and other Helens gathered for their fabulous photo-op:

Tim’s was also hosting the White Center Vintage Sale today, and what crowd could better appreciate the concept?

David “Helen” Mazza was among those browsing the wares (and wearables):

Tim’s was also a venue for this weekend’s Tikipalooza, so some aloha-wear was co-mingled with the caftans. Everyone had their own slightly different twist on being Helen-esque – note Ingrid “Helen” Falid‘s outerwear:

The Helens crawled White Center’s bar scene, including a stop at Beer Star across from Tim’s:

Though Helen Roper’s been gone from TV for more than 40 years, clearly she’ll never be forgotten!

GRATITUDE: One more round of ‘Scouting for Food’ results

Before last weekend gets too far in the rear-view mirror, we have more “Scouting for Food” results, this time from Pack 793, whose collection we’d previewed:

On Saturday, March 22nd, Cub Scouts from Pack 793 picked up 600 pounds of donations and delivered them to the West Seattle Food Bank. From the scouts, we thank all of our generous neighbors for making a difference in the lives of the hungry, and from the Pack leadership, an extra thanks for giving our scouts the opportunity to do good in our community.

Interested in joining Scouts? Check us out at pack793.com

GIVING: More West Seattle ‘Scouting for Food’ success

Another local Scout troop has reported in with results of their “Scouting for Food” community donation drive. Here’s what Troop 282 asked us to share with you:

In the annual Scouting for Food project, Troop 282 scouts show how well they can work together for the better of the community. With the help of the adult volunteers, the Scouts were able to collect an impressive 863 pounds of food donations, which were then sorted out and transported to our local food bank.

The Food Bank’s generous support ensures that these contributions will go to families in need, thus making the project a huge success. This achievement is only made possible by the dedication of the participants, the Scouts and adults. This is because their efforts are in line with the values of service and kindness that Scouting embraces. If you didn’t get a chance to join in this year, there are plenty of opportunities to contribute in the future during Scouting
for Food. Thanks to everyone who made a difference – you have made a lasting impact in our community!

Troop 282 meets every Tuesday at 7:30 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church. If you’re interested in seeing if scouting is for you, stop by and join us.

LAST CALL! Final hours for West Seattle Girl Scouts’ cookie booths

Members of Girl Scout Troop 46282 were among those selling cookies in West Seattle on this final day of the in-person cookie-booth season. WSB’s Hayden Yu Andersen found them outside Easy Street Records today, during the West Seattle Farmers’ Market. “I really like selling cookies, because we get the chance to meet new people,” said Maddie, one of the Scouts eagerly inviting passers-by to purchase cookies and support the troop. “And it helps us support the troop to go hiking, swimming, and camping.” Haley, another scout – holding a sign for Women’s History Month – added that camping is her favorite Scouting activity because it “Has a lot of marshmallows.” This troop’s booth is done for the day but if you want to run out for final $6 box(es) of this year’s cookies, other troops are scheduled (according to the online lookup) to be selling until 8 pm at all three local Safeways and both West Seattle QFCs.

Spanning the generations: Student visitors bring joy to seniors at Quail Park in The Junction

Spring officially starts this Thursday. But seasonal colors are already brightening the lives of residents at Quail Park West Seattle (WSB sponsor), thanks to a collaboration with local students. Betsy Henry sent the report and photos on behalf of Quail Park:

Earlier this month, a group of 7th and 8th grade students from Holy Rosary School brought residents at Quail Park West Seattle a little extra sunshine. They decorated some of the community’s doors for spring.

The gesture was part of Holy Rosary’s long-standing relationship with the senior-living community. Students in leadership classes taught by Nicole Chiodo have been visiting Quail Park West Seattle for over 5 years. During COVID, they even adapted their visits by singing songs and visiting with residents from the safety of the community’s patio.

“We love being part of this community,” said Brian Anderson, the executive director at Quail Park West Seattle. “Our residents delight in interacting with the public, especially children and youth, and we are grateful to these students for sharing their time and joy with us!”

During their weekly or sometimes twice weekly visits, the students and residents socialize, do crafts and show off their talents. So far this term, they have had a meet-and-greet, a game day, a party, and a talent show. The spring door decorations, presented on March 6th, were another creative way for students to brighten the spirits of the residents.

The students’ involvement continues to highlight the importance of intergenerational connections and the positive impact these interactions have on both the youth and seniors in the community.

“It’s amazing to see the young and the old interact,” said Chiodo. “The smiles light up the room. My students are always so full of energy after our visits, retelling the stories they learned and they can’t wait for the next visit. We love our Quail Park family and I feel blessed to share this special opportunity with my students.”

Quail Park is at 4515 41st SW, walking distance from the school.

READER REPORT: Cookie customer helps Girl Scouts ‘bring some light and joy to West Seattle’

As we’ve been mentioning daily, it’s cookie-selling season for Girl Scouts, and dozens of local Scouts will be out again this afternoon doing just that. One troop leader sent us the story of a surprising sale last weekend, a story she hopes will “bring some positive news to our neighbors instead of just the scary stuff.” Here’s the story behind the photo you see above:

This past Saturday, 3/1, Troop 40028 was selling our Girl Scout cookies in front of Easy Street when a local West Seattle resident approached and said he “wanted to buy out our Booth.” Our Troop has been selling cookies for 6 years and we have never had this happen; make no mistake, this resident was drawn in by our excitement, enthusiasm, and spunk (we love selling cookies and talking to people). This man then proceeded to explain that all these cookies weren’t for him but rather he wanted us to hand them out to people as a gift. Our excitement went into overload; our girls had so much fun giving away boxes to our West Seattle neighbors! This West Seattle hero came back to our Booth about an hour later with “one more surprise” – as a frequent diner and supporter of Easy Street Records, Scott Scrivner, asked if he could purchase Easy Street merchandise for our Girl Scouts!

I asked Scott why he was being so kind and generous. He explained that the girls brightened his day and inspired him. Scott went on to explain that now more than ever, we have to show that there is kindness and good people and we need to bring some light and joy to West Seattle.

We hope that this story serves as a reminder of the kind and generous people that live in our community and inspires others to do good and help each other.

For our Troop, this was very meaningful; in our 6 years as Girl Scouts we have given time and cookie funds to support Mary’s Place, Girl Scouts of Western Washington, Senior Living Facilities, and (SFD Station) 37. We do park cleanups and we mentor younger Girl Scouts. Giving back is at the core of our Troop values and this moment felt like the community was giving our daughters a big thank you for their efforts. Thank you to Scott Scrivner (honorary Troop Member) for your kindness with our community and for making this day so special for our girls. This is a cookie season we will never forget.

Jess McDonald & Robin Graham (Troop Leaders) & the Girls and Families of 40028.

WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Third day of in-person sales for Girl Scout Cookies

(WSB photo)

During today’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market, we found members of Girl Scout Troop 40622 selling cookies outside Easy Street Records – one of many spots you can buy them in-person for the next two weeks. Many troops are at supermarkets – Troop 41268 sent this photo and report from Admiral Safeway during their first cookie-booth shift on Friday afternoon:

Our Brownie troop 41268 got a special customer who happened to be shopping at Safeway Admiral!

You can use this lookup to find your nearest cookie booths. Scouts are listed as selling cookies until 8 tonight, for example, at many local grocery stores, including West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), both QFCs, all three Safeways, and Trader Joe’s; a cookie booth is also on the schedule at Marination ma kai on Seacrest Pier until 5:30 pm. This year’s cookies are $6/box and Scouts are using their proceeds for a variety of projects – Troop 40622, for example, is mostly interested in “helping animals,” we were told.

(We welcome photos from troops and customers during cookie season – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)

WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Farewell party for Admiral Chevron’s legendary Harold Chacon

(WSB photo by Anne Higuera)

You’ve still got time – until noon – to get to Admiral Chevron (northwest corner of Admiral and California) to say farewell to Harold Chacon, the jovial employee who is retiring after more than a quarter-century at the station, moving back to Puerto Rico to be with his mom. Today is Harold’s last day at the station, and he’ll head to Puerto Rico in about a month.

(Added: Harold with station owner Marc Gartin – photo by Clay Eals)

People have been streaming in to wish him well, and a small crowd was waiting for the cake, brought in by the station owner, who gave Harold a big hug. (See this recent WSB story for more about Harold.)

READER REPORT: Post-windstorm hero

Christine sent this followup to one of the downed trees noted here during Tuesday’s windstorm coverage, at Walnut and Manning:

Last night, I heard a chainsaw so I walked down to the latest Walnut Ave SW fallen tree. A man was cutting up the tree into firewood size logs.

He said he was on the way home to Gig Harbor and he had the chainsaw in his car from the wind events over there.

I think he had the help of the young neighbor who lives across from the house that almost had a tree fall on it. Very very nice. People could drive around the circle today.

SDOT will need to take down the tree and Seattle City Light will need to fix the wiring.

Mara Haveson, managing broker of Compass West Seattle: Welcome, new WSB sponsor!

Today we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor, Mara Haveson. Our new sponsors get to tell you about themselves and what they do – here’s Mara‘s story:

West Seattle’s #1 realtor in 2024 and managing broker of Compass West Seattle, Mara Haveson’s path has been marked by a steadfast commitment to excellence in the real-estate industry.

Mara‘s career began in Pittsburgh, PA, when she earned her real estate license at the young age of 18. By 19, she had bought and flipped her first house, and by 21, she had closed everything from single-family homes to industrial properties.

In 2001, after honing her skills in the Steel City’s competitive real estate market, Mara made the move to the Pacific Northwest. Here Mara aligned herself with one of the biggest brokerages in Seattle and is now one of the top-producing brokers in the Puget Sound area, with a consistent annual sales volume of over $35 million.

With a vision to create something truly special for her beloved West Seattle community, Mara established her own Compass satellite office in 2020, right in the heart of the action. This satellite office isn’t just a branch; it’s a beacon of expertise and integrity, offering personalized service to clients across the Seattle region.

Mara Haveson places a high emphasis on taking the time to truly understand each of her customer’s unique housing needs, an important component in the negotiations process when seeking a broker. With a track record that speaks for itself, and a portfolio of successful sales that showcase Mara’s ability to command top dollar for her listings, her attention to detail, personalized approach, and unwavering commitment ensures that every transaction is seamless and rewarding.

“I love seeing my long-term clients come back time after time as their lives progress.” Mara reflects, “A client may have bought her first condo with me, then came back to buy her first family home with me, and now she’s ready to step up to a home with a view. It’s very satisfying.”

As the #1 broker by sales volume in West Seattle for 2024, Mara‘s dedication to delivering exceptional results for her clients, in West Seattle and beyond, is stronger than ever.

Stop by the Compass West Seattle office (4531 California SW) or reach out to her team at marahaveson.com to connect about buying or selling in West Seattle!

We thank Mara Haveson for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB. Interested in doing the same? Call or text 206-293-6302.

HAPPY HUNDREDTH! Meet West Seattle’s newest centenarian

The announcement and photo are from Village Green-West Seattle (WSB sponsor):

On Monday, Henry Howard celebrated 100 years of amazing life with his friends and family at Village Green Senior Living in West Seattle. Henry has been a longtime resident in West Seattle. He has an infectious smile and amazing stories to tell. His support system found out about our community from West Seattle Blog. Help us celebrate this amazing man!! Happy Birthday, Henry!!

Farewell, Harold! Celebration planned for longtime Admiral Chevron worker who’s about to leave after more than a quarter-century

By Aspen Anderson
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

For nearly three decades, Harold Chacon has been a fixture at the Chevron station at California/Admiral in West Seattle, known for his big, bubbly personality and infectious laugh. As he prepares to retire and return to Puerto Rico to care for his aging mother, the community he’s served for years is reflecting on the impact he’s had.

“I only sell gas, I don’t buy it,” Chacon said with a laugh, noting that despite his long tenure at the station, he’s never owned a car.

Chacon’s journey to West Seattle began in 1998, when he moved from Puerto Rico to Olympia at the age of 29. After a year, he relocated to West Seattle, where a serendipitous turn on the West Seattle Bridge led him to fall in love with the area. He quickly found work at the Chevron station after noticing a “hiring” sign outside the store.

“I got lost on my way here,” Chacon recalled. “But I liked it. I stayed.”

For three years, Chacon worked the graveyard shift from 11 pm to 7 am. “You become like a vampire,” he said. The arduous hours allowed him to witness the changing dynamics of West Seattle, including the families who came in and out of the station.

“I know people who came here when they were minors on a skateboard, and I used to throw them out. Now their kids come, and I throw them out too,” Chacon said with a laugh. “The genes pass by.”

Over the years, Chacon developed a unique bond with the community he served. For him, the Chevron counter was more than a place to work — it was an equalizer.

“It doesn’t matter who you are,” he said. “It doesn’t matter your class. It doesn’t matter how big or small you think you are. Everyone’s equal in front of me at my counter.”

Chacon ultimately stayed all these years because he grew close to the family that owns the station, describing them as “really good people.” “I put roots down wherever I go … I’m like a tree,” he said.

“[Working in a gas station] you get confronted with the ugly side of humanity, but at the same time, you see the tender side,” he said.

Chacon has come to love Seattle’s ever-changing weather and the distinct seasons, a contrast to Puerto Rico, where only one season prevails year-round. He’s been particularly savoring the recent snowfall, aware that it may be the last time in his life he walks through it, feeling the flakes on his skin.

He’ll miss Seattle’s transformation into a “flower basket” in spring, the crisp shifts of fall, the harvest moon in October, and the ultra late-night sunsets.

“This community in West Seattle has been my home and so many people have touched my life, and I have touched them, I’ll take them with me in my heart and I leave part of me here too with all of them,” Chacon said. His exuberant community love was on display in the 2016 “group hug” photo for the neighboring moviehouse – in the cropped version below, you can see Harold in the back, at right, with his arms raised:

In Puerto Rico, Chacon looks forward to fully embracing retirement—relaxing on the beach, caring for his bonsai trees and taking care of his mother.

“It’s time to do my duty as a son … and take care of mama,” he said.

To honor Chacon’s retirement, the Chevron family is inviting the West Seattle community to a farewell celebration on Friday, February 28, from 10 am to noon, at the Chevron station, next to the Admiral Theater at 2347 California Ave SW–and there will be cake!