West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
Two Sunday events of note before tomorrow arrives – and remember, tonight’s the night we “fall back” an hour – First, The Whale Trail and Killer Whale Tales, both led by West Seattleites, present the first-ever OrcaFest at Alki Bathhouse tomorrow, 11 am-3 pm. It’s free, with kids’ activities, storytelling, info about Puget Sound orcas, and more – details here. Second, the West Seattle Democratic Women celebrate the centennial of women’s right to vote in our state with a movie and discussion tomorrow at Admiral Theater – “Iron-Jawed Angels,” telling the suffragettes’ story, followed by a discussion led by Alki activist Libby Carr. 4 pm, $10 at the door. (Even more Sunday activities on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!)
One week from today, you can kick off holiday-shopping season in the greenest of ways at CoolMom‘s annual Toy Swap ‘n’ Sale, 9 am-1 pm Saturday, Nov. 13, at Fauntleroy Church. Those two mini-electric cars are among the donations in so far – but CoolMom‘s looking for more. You get a $5 discount on your Swap ‘n’ Sale purchases if you turn in a bag of donations. CoolMom executive director Terri Glaberson says they’re accepting lots of things for the sale – just gather up what you don’t need any more!
We are short on our gently-used toy collection (that includes baby gear, kids furniture, books, games, puzzles…) and need your help in filling our bins.
The sale really is fantastic and benefits two great non-profits [WestSide Baby and CoolMom], motivates you to clean out your closets… AND provides families in West Seattle with a way to purchase holiday toys at CRAZY low prices. When you make a donation, just put your name in the bag and you get a $5.00 credit at the sale.
Have the kids help; they may love to give away a few toys and then get some new ones at the toy swap. Great fun and it doesn’t break the bank.
CoolMom has dropoff sites conveniently located at Gatewood Elementary, Community School of West Seattle, PCC, C&P Coffee on California and Small Clothes.
If you have big items you would like to donate, but can’t drop them off at a bin, Terri would happily pick them up or you can drop them off the day of the sale (but please let her know that you will be dropping them off at the sale). Contact her at 206-280-2828 or terri@coolmom.org.
The banner’s been hung by the Chief Sealth International High School Galleria front doors with care – in hopes that you and many other West Seattleites soon will be there! (Apologies to the original author!) The 2010 Gathering of Neighbors is under way, till 4 pm today. Workshops and even a keynote speaker for the first time – plus a food truck available at lunchtime – just c’mon over and wander through. (Workshops, including our social-media primer, are in the classrooms on the west side of the Galleria, at 11:30 and again at 1:30.) More soon!
11:22 AM UPDATE: There’s a Galleria overview from about 10 minutes ago. Among the organizations in our line of sight – West Seattle Chamber of Commerce (here’s Patti Mullen):
Also, Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, Sustainable West Seattle, West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network (here’s Karen Berge):
Plus: West Seattle Be Prepared, 34th District Democrats, Morgan Community Association, WestSide Baby, Highland Park Action Committee, Lafayette Elementary Play It Forward Project – to name just a few. Also the West Seattle Community Orchestras, West Seattle Food Bank, Alaska USA, Chief Sealth PTSA … and the Nature Consortium and DNDA (whose executive director Derek Birnie is on the right in this next photo):
We’re told the Pai’s Thai/Hawaiian food truck is already set up here, too.
12:58 PM UPDATE: We’re done with our first social-media-primer workshop (and the three workshops including food-growing, solar energy, and “kid zone”) – another round of all four is coming up in half an hour – we’re in the classroom at the far southwestern corner of the Sealth Galleria (through the front door, extreme left turn. Principal John Boyd is now speaking – talking about what it really means to be an international school, teaching “global perspectives” and world languages, among many other things – and will be introducing former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice shortly.
1:04 PM UPDATE: Former Mayor Rice is talking about the community-building work he now does with the Seattle Foundation, after remarking on the strength of the West Seattle community, and the aspects of a strong community that he’s seen around the Galleria here at the Gathering of Neighbors.
He urges everyone to stay focused on “what’s good for the community” – the same way that in our families we focus on “what’s good for the family.” He concludes – “Keep on doing the work that you’re doing … everyone has a role to play and a place to stand” to strengthening a community. “We’ll say at the end, ‘all is well, all is well’.”
3:06 PM UPDATE: Update – the event’s ending now – rather than going till 4. So if you haven’t been here yet, we’ll see you next year! Thanks to everybody who joined us for the social-media discussion/workshops – they were a blast.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
This weekend’s Lafayette Elementary Sports Swap – drop off donations/consignment till 3 pm today, shop and “swap” 9 am-3 pm Sunday (flyer here) – is the current fundraiser for a longrunning project that’s suddenly attained new urgency: Upgrading the playground for West Seattle’s most populous public elementary school.
The playground-upgrading project has been under way for years (Lafayette is one of the schools our son attended, and we recall fundraisers up to six years ago!) – but now, there’s a “use it or lose it” component: A $100,000 city Neighborhood Matching Fund grant for Phase 2 (outlined here) that MUST be matched with cash and other contributions by the end of January, or else it goes away.
To get the job done, there’s now a catchy campaign name – Play It Forward – and parent volunteers specifically focused on marketing (including production of the explanatory video you can watch atop this story). We chatted recently with the Lafayette moms who are project co-chairs, to find out why this is a matter of concern beyond even the 530-plus families with students at the school now:Read More
Quick reminders: Gathering of Neighbors at Chief Sealth International High School, 11 am-4 pm, see you there! (more details in our Friday preview) … Another dropoff day for Lafayette Elementary‘s Sports Swap, 9 am-3 pm (sale is tomorrow; info’s here) … SWAC junior-football playoff games at Southwest Athletic Complex, 9 am and 4 pm … Holiday alert! Wreath-making workshop at Alki Bathhouse, 10 am … Also at 10 am: Delridge Adopt-A-Street and Green Seattle Day (both previewed here) … Avalon Way 7-11 “grand opening party” (previewed here) noon-2 pm … Artists’ reception at 2 pm today for the Southwest Library community art showcase … “Comfort Food Throwdown” to raise money for Family Promise of Seattle, 5-8 pm at St. John the Baptist Church Hall … Free lacrosse clinic, 7:30 pm at Hiawatha Playfield … Live music schedule for C&P Coffee is here, and Skylark Café and Club here (both are WSB sponsors) … LOOKING AHEAD: Just one week till the CoolMom Toy Swap ‘n’ Sale – donate a bag of toys, get a $5 discount – full details here.
More details announced by the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle for their traditional community pancake breakfast, coming up December 4:
The annual West Seattle Community Pancake Breakfast will be carrying on a tradition that is looked forward to by a growing number of adults and kids. Folks look forward to this chance to renew long- standing friendships and to make new ones. For the 64th year, the event will be sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle. At the club’s weekly booth at the West Seattle Farmers Market, club members are being asked, “When’s the Pancake Breakfast?”
For the record, it’s always the first Saturday morning of December – this year, it’s December 4. “As usual, we’ll be at the Alki Masonic Building, 4736 40th Ave. S.W. Breakfast will be ready at 7 a.m. and we’re closing at 11 a.m.,” Dr. Steve Leifheit, breakfast chair announced.
Loyal patrons claim, “THE CAKES ARE GREAT!” “They ought to be,” chimed West Niver, president of the West Seattle Kiwanis Club; “we’ve been making them for over 63 years. The recipe is so treasured, Sig Staaksted, who traditionally mixes the batter, keeps the recipe in his billfold”.
Kiwanis is a “hands-on” service organization. “However,” declared Niver, “it still takes some financial resources to support helping young kids, teens and adults who are facing stiff challenges these days. Our time-honored assistance to schools and youth organizations requires funding, as well. “By supporting this event, generous folks help us meet those needs,” Niver concluded.The breakfast will also provide an opportunity for patrons to donate new, unwrapped “Toys for Tots.” Marine reservists will be on hand to accept the toys. Children to 12, accompanied by an adult, will be offered a free photo with Santa.
Adult ticket donations are $5 each ($6 at the door) and kids, to 12, just $3. Mail orders may be sent to PO Box 16128, Seattle, WA 98116. Phone inquiries will be received at 206-938-8032, or stop by the Kiwanis tent at the West Seattle Farmers Market each Sunday.
The West Seattle Kiwanis club is one of the first service clubs established in West Seattle, and was started in 1929. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle offers you the opportunity to share your experience, knowledge, and time in service to the community. This service is great fun and builds fellowship with other members. Excellent, diverse programs can be enjoyed at our weekly meetings. Membership is open to all men and women who possess a genuine interest in serving the community.
The club meets at 7am every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, and Noon every 2nd Wednesday, at Be’s Restaurant in the Junction, at 4509 California Ave SW. Park in rear lot and enter the rear door.
(Dining-room photo courtesy of, and used with permission from, Tuscan Tea Room)
Proprietor Aimee Pellegrini sent word overnight that she has set the official opening date for her Tuscan Tea Room and Romanza Floral in The Junction (4521 California SW, next to the new Wing Dome):
We will be open on Tuesday!! Our Tea/Coffee bar is open at 8:00 am and the dining room/floral bar at 10:30. We are accepting reservations for dining or please stop in for a cuppa and treat!
The Tearoom is a unique multi-purpose business. There are many different ways to use it and we are excited to see how our patrons will enjoy it from your daily beverage, lunch, or a specialty tea party, to planning your wedding flowers or grabbing a quick gift.
Tuscan/Romanza is on Facebook here, and on the Web here. (Our first report on this in-the-works business was back in June.)
The forecast is iffy, but a few raindrops never hurt anyone. So make plans to get outside for a while tomorrow (and when you’re ready to come inside, we’ll see you at the Gathering of Neighbors). Two events of note: Join the North Delridge Neighborhood Council for a 2-hour cleanup – full details here; and it’s Green Seattle Day, with tree-planting events around the city – if you’d like to help, show up at Camp Long – full details here.
Scene from Holy Rosary School, shared by John Slee, who explained: “This was at the end of the day, just as the students were being let out….. they just couldn’t resist throwing the leaves.”
Two high-school football games tonight – Chief Sealth International High School defeated Lakeside, 21-14; Seattle Lutheran High School is playing Rainier Christian right now, and we’re tweeting live at @wsblive (will update with the score here when it’s over). UPDATE: SLHS won 57-7. After the jump – more details and video from both Friday games:Read More
There’s a charity boot-camp-fitness session to benefit the West Seattle Food Bank coming up at the Senior Center of West Seattle, 9-10 am Saturday, November 13. Cash and food donations will be accepted at the door. The session will be run by West Seattle’s Jill Bruyere, who currently offers boot-camp-fitness sessions at Hiawatha Community Center, as well as the Senior Center. Jill has been a resident of West Seattle for the past six years and a personal trainer for the past 11. This is one of several charity-benefiting boot camp projects she’s hoping to bring to West Seattle over the next few months, with a goal of offering fitness and fun, while embracing a sense of responsibility to the community. Jill is currently taking suggestions for nonprofits to support with her future benefit boot camps; you can reach her through her website, runwithjill.com.
EX-REDLINE SITE: Just a month after Redline Music and Sports closed at 4439 35th SW, we got reports of work at the site, and we wondered if perhaps it was related to the development proposal that was reviewed last year. Nothing on the city docket – but perusing the liquor-license applications, we discovered we’d missed something last week: A new establishment seeking the license under the name The Bridge. We’ve got an inquiry out to one of the prospective owners in hopes of finding out more.
FUTURE TRADER JOE’S: At the end of September, we contacted site spokesperson John Wunder of Associates West Real Estate to ask why nothing had happened yet with the plan announced in June to remodel the old Huling Buick showroom at 4545 Fauntleroy Way into a new Trader Joe’s. He in turn checked with Trader Joe’s development department – which has been fairly impenetrable from the media front – and reported back that they expected to apply for a permit “within a month.” Now that the month’s come and gone, and because someone asked us about a rumor of trouble, we checked back with Wunder. He says Trader Joe’s is expecting to file the official application next week: “It’s taking a little longer than we thought, but it’s still going to happen.”
Transit updates for next Thursday, Veterans Day, include the fact there’s no King County Water Taxi service (West Seattle *or* Vashon) at all. That reminder’s just in from the county, which lists these Water Taxi-less dates:
· Veterans Day – Thursday, Nov. 11
· Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, Nov. 25
· Day after Thanksgiving – Friday, Nov. 26
· Christmas Day (observed) – Friday, Dec. 24
· New Year’s Day (observed) – Friday, Dec 31
· Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, Jan. 17
· Presidents Day – Monday, Feb. 21
And if you’re wondering about Metro buses … here’s their official announcement of service changes for the same dates, and a few others. (Veterans Day is a “reduced weekday service” date for Metro.)
Just out of the WSB inbox from Lou Kristopher:
I am a coach with the West Seattle SWAC youth football organization. This Saturday (11/6) SWAC will host the first round of playoffs for the Puget Sound Junior Football League at our field. This is particularly exciting because your SWAC has two teams (our Pee Wee and Bantam teams) playing that day representing the future of football in West Seattle. The Pee Wee game starts at 9 am and the Bantam game starts at 4 pm. All football lovers in West Seattle are highly encouraged to come have fun watching youth football, support, and cheer for your local youth during the first game in our playoff run. For more information please check our website at www.swaccougars.org.
They play at Southwest Athletic Complex (across from Chief Sealth International High School) – here’s a map.
We’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor today, Sound Advice in The Junction, where you’ll find Gary Larkin (shown above with a huge historic photo of “Downtown West Seattle”). As is WSB custom, new sponsors get to tell you about themselves; here’s what Sound Advice has to say: We at Sound Advice have been following the West Seattle Blog for quite a while when we noticed a number of our customers were posting some very flattering comments about us (which we were very appreciative of). Sound Advice has been in The Junction for ten years and has local West Seattle ownership, so we are vested in the local community. Actually, we were the very first Verizon agent in the area back in the mid-1980s (then known as US West New Vector), so we have loads of experience in the wireless business. Sound Advice has always handled Verizon along with a couple of other carriers, but a couple of years ago we decided to go back to our roots and become an exclusive Verizon agent, since being exclusive allowed us to match the Verizon direct pricing and programs.
Our expertise is in Smartphones, setting up e-mail, and computer-related issues with wireless equipment. We will have 4G launch shortly — that will allow us to have wireless data speeds of 10 to 12 mps, which is faster than most cable modems. We also carry a wide variety of Droids, BlackBerries, other PDA’s, and just regular everyday phones. We have the ability to copy contacts from one phone to another and we can do 98% of what can be done at the bigger mall wireless stores, but with much less waiting on most days. Stop by and check us out! Sound Advice is at 4702 California SW (map), online at soundadvicecellular.com, or call 206-932-4247.
We thank Sound Advice for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
Hope to see you tomorrow at the Gathering of Neighbors – dozens of West Seattle organizations and businesses (including WSB) gathered in one place to meet neighbors including you! GON is scheduled for 11 am to 4 pm Saturday in the Galleria at Chief Sealth International High School (that alone is one reason to come visit – if you haven’t seen this brand-new facility yet), admission’s free. New this year, it’s more than just tables to visit (fun as those are) – workshops and speeches are planned too (including one we’re presenting) – here’s the schedule:
4 hour-long workshops happening simultaneously, presented twice, once at 11:30 am and once at 1:30 pm (these will be in TBA classrooms):
WORKSHOP #1: Social Media/Citizen Journalism – presentation & Q/A with WSB!
WORKSHOP #2: “Fresh” movie screening and DNDA Family Gardening coordinator discussion
WORKSHOP #3: Solar Energy education/employment opportunities, presented by Solar Epiphany
WORKSHOP #4: Family/Kid Zone with DNDA’s Resident Engagement Coordinator
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: At 1 pm, CSIHS principal John Boyd and former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice
FOOD: Pai’s Thai/Hawaiian truck will be parked at Sealth if you’d like to buy lunch. And DNDA’s Phillippia Goldsmith adds that, “Our very own Delridge Fresh Food Spot project will be facilitating a Multi-cultural Food Pyramid game complete with yummy snacks!”
Hope to see you there. P.S. This may sound kind of goofy but since the Online Journalism Award for “community collaboration” that we accepted last weekend is yours too – we’re bringing it to display at the WSB table in the Sealth Galleria. Again, 11 am-4 pm tomorrow, come meet West Seattle neighbors and new friends.
(WSB photos and video by Ellen Cedergreen)
Serious rock jam at Bamboo Bar and Grill last night as part of Dine Out to Remember Our Fallen. (Here’s our earlier report, after we met with organizers at Puerto Vallarta in The Junction.) Members of Queensryche, Candlebox and Lotus Crush took the stage – their instruments overwhelmed their vocals in our video, but you still get the idea:
We’re waiting this morning to hear the regional total for the benefit to raise money for the Lakewood Police Officers’ Memorial, in honor of the four officers murdered a year ago this month. At Bamboo, the turnout included Lakewood and Tukwila officers as well as SPD – the next photo includes the two we spoke with earlier in the evening, retired detective Frank Kampsen, director of the Behind the Badge Foundation, and Officer Raleigh Evans:
From the stage, musician Kelly Gray offered a toast to honor the four slain Lakewood officers.
He expressed appreciation for the work of police officers everywhere as well as gratitude for the fact that they “put their lives on the line for us every day.” If you couldn’t join in last night’s fundraiser, either at Bamboo or any of the participating restaurants, you can still donate to the Lakewood Police Independent Guild, which is raising money – there’s a PayPal button on the right sidebar.
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: SODO driver alert – 4th Avenue South closes at (lower) Spokane Street tonight and tomorrow night, 11 pm-5 am, for work on the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project; SB detour is at Horton, NB detour goes up Spokane to 6th … Lafayette Elementary‘s Sports Swap to raise money for playground renovations is this weekend, so you can drop off sports items for donations or consignment at the school (2645 California SW) today, 3-5 pm (look for a longer WSB story later today on the playground project, which just launched a Facebook page) … Southwest Pool has a food drive under way, and you can swim free if you bring a donation today (from the Fall Brochure) … Skate at Alki Community Center! Only 2 chances to do it this month, and tonight’s one of them, 6:45-8:45 pm … At the Duwamish Longhouse: Mike ‘didahalqid’ Evans shares traditional native stories associated with Duwamish locations, 7-8:30 pm, $5 students/seniors, $10 adults. Come early 5-7 PM for $3 frybread … High-school football: Chief Sealth International High School hosts Lakeside at 4 pm, Seattle Lutheran hosts Rainier Christian at 7 pm.
Just in case you haven’t been over-reminded yet: Daylight Saving Time is in its waning hours for this year; early Sunday – aka Saturday night – we’ll turn the clock back an hour (2 am Sunday becomes 1 am). Lost track of time? Find the official U.S. clock here.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
A gathering tonight on Alki marked the end of a 2-week adventure for more than a dozen West Seattle High School students and their families, as well as their new friends from thousands of miles away.
It was the traditional farewell beach fire – s’mores and all – for students visiting WSHS from Seattle’s sister city Nantes, France, in a unique two-part annual exchange program that teacher Douglas Peterman says is the only one of its kind in the city.
WSB visited his classroom earlier this week to meet some of the participating West Seattle and Nantes students, as well as their chaperones and a local host parent. Among the lessons we learned – the real pronunciation of Nantes, and the relevance of an exchange program in a day and age when some say technology has reduced the need to travel. Read on for the story!
That’s West Seattle Helpline executive director Anna Fern (left) with husband Alan Fern (right) and Virginia Pellegrino and Brad Huskinson, during tonight’s fall benefit for the Helpline. Virginia and Brad produced a video that was shown at the benefit (we’re told it’ll be published online within a few days); the event’s theme, “Give the Gift of Warmth and Light.” Certainly a warmer-than-normal evening in a perfect setting, Salty’s on Alki. If you’d like to help Helpline meet the needs of folks in need this holiday season, and beyond, but couldn’t make it to the event – you can donate through the button on the left side of their home page.
(SSCC President Gary Oertli speaks to SW District Council, with SW Precinct Capt. Steve Paulsen and the city Department of Neighborhoods’ Southwest District Coordinator Stan Lock at right)
More from last night’s Southwest District Council meeting: The SWDC, which has long met at South Seattle Community College, got to officially meet its new president, Gary Oertli, a born-and-raised West Seattle native. “West Seattle is a state of mind – diverse, entrepreneurial, innovative – we hope South Seattle Community College reflects that in the same way.” He shared some data points with council members, and you might not know them either:
*More than 15,000 students
*West Seattle and Georgetown campuses, New Holly Park and “Airport University” locations
*Average age: 33
*70 percent of students work part-time or full-time
*Largest program: Its transfer program
*300 students in wine-technology program
*Hundreds in Running Start
*340 international students
*Annual operating budget of $53 million, with 500 employees
The numbers weren’t all rosy; Oertli also talked about the 25 percent budget cuts that community colleges have endured in the past two years, with more to come because of the state’s financial situation, but SSCC is working hard to keep serving people including the “thousands of laid-off workers (who) have turned to community colleges to upgrade their skills,” in addition to other students. And they’re working to expand the 13th Year Promise Scholarship program, with one free year of community college for students at Cleveland High School: “Our goal is to do that for EVERY student at the high schools in our service area.” Finally – they’re reaching out to the West Seattle community for increased partnership, and inviting everyone to find out more about SSCC. One place to start: The next wine-release event for its popular program is coming up November 15th (find out more here).
Look for the red, white and blue balloons all over West Seattle tonight – like the ones outside Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in our photo – they signify participation in the Dine Out to Remember Our Fallen fundraiser that’s under way right now. Here’s what it’s all about:
In the waiting area for Puerto Vallarta in The Junction, you’ll see that rendering of the police memorial planned for Lakewood, where four officers were gunned down almost a year ago. Tonight’s fundraiser is meant to raise money to bring it closer to reality. Helping lead local efforts, retired Seattle Police Detective Frank Kampsen, director of the Behind the Badge Foundation, and Southwest Precinct Officer Raleigh Evans:
They explained why West Seattle participation is so high:
Meantime, check out this list of participants – get out sometime tonight, and help make the memorial happen. The night’s biggest event will be emceed by Officer Evans: A rock ‘n’ roll jam at Bamboo Bar and Grill on Alki starting at 8 pm. Details here; more later!
| Comments Off on 2 Sunday events: OrcaFest; West Seattle Democratic Women