West Seattle Monday: From budgets to bingo

(Mallard duck, photographed by Bill Bacon)
No weather alerts in effect this morning, but it’s still expected to be wet and breezy – you can check conditions on the WSB Weather page any time. Meantime, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

BUDGET DAY: Both Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and King County Executive Dow Constantine are announcing their proposed budgets for next year in speeches set to start at 11 this morning. Both events will be broadcast live on their respective cable channels/online streams – Seattle Channel and King County TV.

CLASSES START AT SSCC: In West Seattle’s Puget Ridge neighborhood, South Seattle Community College‘s fall quarter begins.

COOKING CLUB GOES VEGGIE: Vegetarian recipes are the order of the day when West Seattle Cooking Club meets, 2 pm at Beveridge Place Pub in Morgan Junction.

BINGO AT ALKI UCC: The weekly bingo games at Alki UCC Church (62nd and Alki) are back in session! The Hotline for information is [206]935-5950. Doors open at 5:30, games at 6:30, $7 buy-in, and payouts vary according to the number of players.

FAMILY STORY TIME: 7 pm, Family Story Time at the High Point branch of the Seattle Public Library.

RIP Wangari Maathai, Nobel laureate who helped plant trees here

Just heard that the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, environmental/economic/social justice advocate Dr. Wangari Maathai, has died of cancer at age 71 in a Kenyan hospital. Hundreds of West Seattleites have special reason to remember her:

That photo is from four years ago, in September 2007, when Dr. Maathai came here for Earth Summit II. For some of our earliest WSB video coverage, we recorded her helping students from three local schools plant trees at Pelly Place Ravine. (And here’s a great photo of that day, from West Seattle-based, internationally renowned photographer Art Wolfe.) During her lifetime, her community-based-tree-planting advocacy through the Green Belt Movement was credited for more than 40 million new trees.

West Seattle restaurants: Inside Pan Africa Grill, opening Tuesday

Story and photos by Bill “Hutch” Hutchison
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

We had a chance today to catch Mulugeta “Mulu” Abate and his sister Ruth Abate as they put the finishing touches on their new West Seattle venture, Pan Africa Grill, two days away from opening in the former Ho-Win space at California/Juneau.

“The renovation is pretty much complete and we will be ready on Tuesday,” Mulu said. Here’s a sneak peek inside the Pan Africa dining room:

As mentioned in previous coverage – we first reported on this new restaurant back in May – Mulu and his family also own Pan Africa Market in the Pike Place Market area and hope the new West Seattle eatery will be another successful venture.

See more of the renovations, plus a peek at the food, and even the art, ahead:Read More

West Seattle weekend scene: Sleepy seal gets a serenade

As noted here previously, including this report yesterday, seal-pup season is at its height, on beaches all around West Seattle. Wildlife watcher/writer/photographer Trileigh Tucker saw this one today – and mentions this sweet encounter:

There was another seal pup on a West Seattle beach this morning, and a kind passerby named Barbara was caring enough to wait with it until Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters arrived. I was so touched by how respectful and considerate all the Sunday morning walkers were of this little seal’s need to rest.

I was particularly moved by a little girl, accompanied by her parents, who spontaneously sang to the pup, a wake-up song just like her mother apparently sang to her. If her parents see this, they should know that their daughter gives me hope for our future!

Trileigh’s website Natural Presence tells a longer version of the tale.

West Seattle karate experts co-author ‘How to Win a Fight’

(Photo courtesy Kris Wilder)
They’re veteran karate teachers at West Seattle Karate Academy (35th/Roxbury) – and they’re authors. Kris Wilder (left) and Lawrence Kane are about to release what Kris says is the 10th book between the two of them, “How to Win a Fight.” He says the book “helps you understand what’s worth fighting for, how to win when you must, and how to walk away when you should.” Penguin Books is publishing it, and its release date is October 4th – one week from Tuesday (it’s available for Amazon pre-order now). He says they’ve even been “assigned a promotional team” and might have a couple of book-signing events. Their previous co-authored book, “The Little Black Book of Violence,” came out two years ago, and Kris says it “was a finalist in both ForeWord Magazines’ Book of the Year award and USA Book News’ Best Books award.”

West Seattle weekend scene: Young Seahawks superfans!

September 25, 2011 3:02 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS & Sports

Thanks to Michelle Shillings for sharing the photo of 9-year-old Seahawks superfans (left to right) Roman Saladino and Gabe Clark, before they headed to the game that’s under way right now at CenturyLink Field. “They are true fans, and West Seattle needs to see these two awesome kids,” she writes. Michelle explains that they’ve been up since 6 this morning, pumped to go to the game, and asked her to paint their faces! She is Roman’s mom; she says the boys are at the game with Gabe’s dad Jeff (whom we saw just yesterday as he showed off his brand-new school).

As we publish this, the Hawks are down 10-6 (vs. Arizona) starting the second half, but if anybody can cheer them to a win, it’s these two.

4:23 PM UPDATE: And the Hawks pulled it out! 13-10.

Updates from President Obama’s 4-hour Seattle visit

(President Obama at the Paramount; photos courtesy Cindy S)
11:58 AM: According to our friends at KING 5, President Obama has just arrived at Boeing Field – which means you might encounter motorcade traffic. (Watch their coverage here.) He’s scheduled to head first to a fundraiser on the Eastside and then to another one at the Paramount Theater downtown. According to Seattle Times (WSB partner) political reporter Jim Brunner via Twitter, the president’s welcoming party at Boeing Field includes King County Executive Dow Constantine as well as Mayor McGinn and Governor Gregoire (among others).

1:03 PM: Roads are open right now since the President is in Medina for fundraiser #1, but he’ll be heading back across the lake before too long, and on to the Paramount event. For minute-by-minute traffic updates, check this KING 5 page; also remember we have an array of West Seattle-and-vicinity “live” cameras on the WSB Traffic page.

3:21 PM: Per KING, the President is headed back to Boeing Field right now, after finishing his speech at the Paramount downtown. (Added above – Cindy S’s photo of NBA Hall of Famers Bill Russell and Lenny Wilkens, who introduced him.)

3:58 PM: After four hours on the ground, Air Force One has taken off and President Obama is off to the Bay Area.

Reports on today’s visit: Seattle Times here; LA Times here

West Seattle Sunday: Where to walk, play, shop, listen …

September 25, 2011 10:13 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Where to walk, play, shop, listen …
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

A few highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

FERRY SCHEDULE CHANGE: The fall schedule for Washington State Ferries takes effect today (overview here).

FARMERS’ MARKET: Till 2 pm in The Junction (44th/Alaska).

RUMMAGE SALE: Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation’s Fall Rummage Sale, day 2, till 2 pm (7141 California SW).

MEET THE AUTHOR: Amy Pennington, author of “Urban Pantry” and “Apartment Gardens,” at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, 11 am-1 pm (more info here)

NEW GAME GROUP: Forming a new “European strategy board game” group at Uptown Espresso in The Junction, 1 pm – read this story for details, contact info, and a group to join online.

STAIRWAY WALK: Jake and Cathy Jaramillo lead another stairway walk in West Seattle, a loop from Longfellow Creek up to Pigeon Point and back. Free! Meet up at 2 pm at the south parking lot at 26th SW and SW Yancy.

AUSTRIAN-AMERICAN DAY AT THE LONGHOUSE: You’re invited to celebrate Austrian-American Day at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center, (4705 W. Marginal Way SW), 2 – 4 pm. Longhouse tour, Princess Angeline film, Austrian Zither Music by Fred Mitterndofer, Linzertorte by Richard Williams. Coffee and cake. $6 adults/$5 children.

LIVE MUSIC: Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW) hosts a lively concert for all ages featuring the Ama Trio’s folk-style music from exotic places, 6 pm. More details.

Update: West Seattle power outages after first blustery blast

Thanks to Cluny and Debbie for e-mailing to report a power outage caused by a fallen tree. Seattle City Light‘s status map says it’s affecting at least 27 customers (homes/businesses), in stretches both west and east of the Delridge/Orchard intersection, where Debbie says the signal’s out as a result, and to the south. City Light lists the estimated time of power restoration as 11 am. (Though the wind’s relatively calm at the moment, we have multiple reports of blustery conditions in the 4 am hour, when the tree came down, so this may be the first effect of the storm systems that brought the alert noted here last night.)

9:24 AM UPDATE: Just back from checking it out – adding photos. The entire 4-way intersection of Delridge/Orchard is marked with signs since the signal is out; Orchard/Dumar is closed east of Delridge, since that’s where the City Light crews are working.

The National Weather Service says more blusteriness is on the way.

11:18 AM UPDATE: The City Light map shows two more small outages – one that had been mentioned in comments on our earlier weather report, in the Admiral area, cause “unknown,” and the other further south on Delridge, at Kenyon, listed as “bird/animal”-related.

11:53 AM UPDATE: Just checked the Delridge/Orchard intersection – the traffic signal’s working again, but the road east of Delridge is still closed. Commenter from Admiral says that outage is over too.

EVENING NOTE: The road to the east is fully open again, too.

Seattle Pacific students help brighten Genesee Hill School

(Photos courtesy Janet and Bryan Jones)
On Saturday, dozens of new Seattle Pacific University students converged on West Seattle and White Center worksites as part of SPU’s City Quest day of community service – an annual tradition on the Saturday before classes begin. Hundreds more worked elsewhere in the metro area. The volunteers in these photos were among 23 who pitched in to help on the campus of closed Genesee Hill Elementary, which the Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council has worked hard to keep from becoming rundown. Today, they had help!

Bryan Jones says the volunteers were treated to Husky Deli ice cream as a reward for their labor:

Other local City Quest volunteer sites included Lincoln Park, the West Duwamish Greenbelt (with Nature Consortium), and Hicks Lake in White Center.

High-school football: Seattle Lutheran beats Darrington

The week’s final high-school-football game is in the books: Seattle Lutheran High School beat Darrington HS at West Seattle Stadium tonight, 40-13. Summary and video to come.

ADDED: Game details, ahead:Read More

Partnerships celebrated as Camp Long opens ‘challenge course’

September 24, 2011 9:35 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

The newly opened Challenge Course at West Seattle’s Camp Long is not only a new park feature, it’s also an example of the new type of partnership that Seattle Parks hopes will help it keep and operate its facilities, even in times of budget misery.

The first phase of the course was officially dedicated and opened with a celebration this afternoon – including the distinctively decorated cake shown above. It’s been a year and a half since the project was first mentioned publicly (at the March 2010 Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting; WSB coverage here). As explained then, and along the way, 4-H partnered with Seattle Parks to make it happen, but they aren’t the only organization that will be using it:

That’s Aparna Rae from Neighborhood House, who said she’ll be using it as part of a youth program that includes mentoring and environmental education. West Seattle-based Safe Futures is another program that expects to use the challenge course. As Parks’ Robb Courtney put it, Camp Long was originally known as an “out of the way place,” and while it’s not so out of the way any more, he called it “the premier place for youth to come to learn about themselves, learn about nature, learn about being part of a team.” (There’s more about ropes courses on the 4-H website.)

West Seattle Weather Watch: Storm alert for Sunday, Monday

On the first full day of fall, the season’s first “Special Weather Statement” is already out. The National Weather Service warns of wet, windy conditions the next two days. Not a major drencher, they say, but the wind will get gusty, and you might want to check to be sure you don’t have anything outside in danger of getting blown around. Read the alert here; also take note of the new WSB Weather page, which already has everything from current conditions to 5-day forecast to tides to sun/moon times. Find it here (or click the “Weather” tab or the temp icon under the sidebar bridge cam).

West Seattle Crime Watch: Hate-crime vandalism in Genesee

Police are investigating a case of malicious harassment – the official term for hate crime – and vandalism reported in the Genesee Hill area. We just received this report from one of the targets:

My partner and I live in the 4400 block of 50th Ave SW. After midnight on Friday night, we woke up after hearing a noise from the street. We didn’t know what it was, as our first thoughts were, a sprinkler trying to go off or something involving our cat. My partner opened the front door and turned on the porch lights but didn’t see anything odd.

10 minutes later, that same noise again happened, and I quickly moved the drapes to get a better look. I did see shadows running South on 50th Ave but didn’t see any faces. I walked down to our cars and noticed that both had rocks thrown in our windows. (my partner’s back window and my front driver’s side). His car was in our driveway and my car was along the street, directly in front of our home.

I came back to the house and called 911. Within a few minutes of the call, the Seattle Police department arrived. Officer N. Nguyen and his partner were the first to arrive. We then noticed that all 4 tires of each vehicle had been slashed. When one of the officers found the rock in my partner’s car, it was surrounded by a typed hate note. It read as follows…

God Hates F*gs!
Get the f**k out of our neighborhood.
The bible says God forbids men committing indecent act with other men.
Pack up your sh*t and get you gay sh*t out.
– KKK

Upon notice of this note, both the Sergeant and Lieutenant were notified and arrived on the scene. Another police officer arrived to take pictures and gather the evidence of the rocks and note. One of the police officers told us that they take these crimes “very seriously” and we were thankful for their presence that evening.

We’re checking to see if police have any leads. If you have tips – call 911.

7 PM UPDATE: Chris (who sent the report and says we can use his first name) says, “After speaking with my neighbors, one was outside around midnight last night. He did witness 2 while males walking up the alley behind our house. He did ask both if they were all right and they responded that everything was fine. He thought it was odd that people were walking the alley that late at night. He didn’t get a good look at their face as the alley doesn’t have much lighting. First was described as around 5’10’ish with a stocky, muscular build. The other was around 5’7″ with a chubby build. Both were wearing black.” Also note, we have corrected the block number from Chris’s original report, after comparing with the police-call map and checking with him.

‘Pups are everywhere’: Another reminder to share the shore

September 24, 2011 2:22 pm
|    Comments Off on ‘Pups are everywhere’: Another reminder to share the shore
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo by Brad Long)
The recently relaunched Joy D. Smith Wildlife Raft played host to a seal pup for a while this morning. But such refuges are few and far between, and many more of them wind up on our beaches this time of year, as we have reported previously. If you keep an eye on Seal Sitters’ Blubberblog updates, you’ll learn exactly how hectic that can be – four pups on West Seattle beaches in just one day earlier this week, for example. During a morning walk on Harbor Avenue this past Monday, we spotted two areas cordoned off for pup protection, almost adjacent to each other. And volunteers asked us to remind you that observing the city’s law against dogs on beaches – leashes or not – is vital this time of year; even if you think your canine companion would never hurt a flea, they can be unpredictable, and even if they’re not too close, they might frighten the pup back into the water, where it will either have trouble finding its mom (who left the pup on the beach so she could find food) or will burn up more of its still-scarce energy stores swimming when it needed to rest … check this yawn:

(Photo by ALAN BERNER/SEATTLE TIMES; republished with permission)
That photo accompanied a story earlier this week by our partners at the Seattle Times. If you see a seal or other marine mammal on a beach – again – don’t get close; report it to Seal Sitters, at 206-905-7325 (905-SEAL).

West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen car; burglars take jewelry

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports in this afternoon – another stolen car, and a burglary with loot including jewelry you’re asked to watch for. Both reports ahead:Read More

Fauntleroy notes: Art Show deadline; festival-fundraiser thanks

September 24, 2011 12:03 pm
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 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Two notes today from Fauntleroy, related to big events ahead:

FINE ART AND HOLIDAY GIFT FAIR DEADLINE THIS THURSDAY: That’s West Seattle batik artist Ruth Leonard at left in the photo, and she’s been a crowd-pleaser at the fair since its beginnings in 2008. Want to show/sell your stuff this year? The fair isn’t till November 18-20 but volunteer organizers need time to review applications and put together a great event – so they’re asking you to please send yours by the deadline this Thursday (September 30th). You’ll find more details, and the application, at fauntleroyucc.org.

FALL FESTIVAL – THANKS AND REMINDER: One week ago, fundraising flapjack-flipping was under way at The Hall at Fauntleroy, and there was plenty of it, according to this acknowledgment out of the WSB inbox: “A big THANK YOU to everyone who turned out last Saturday (Sept. 17) to enjoy a pancake breakfast in support of the Fauntleroy Fall Festival. The event netted nearly $525, putting the festival on solid financial ground to start planning for the 10th anniversary celebration in 2012!” But first, this year’s edition is only weeks away – 2-5:30 pm on October 16th.

Happening now: Tours at the new Denny Int’l Middle School

We stopped by Denny International Middle School to see how the open house (till noon) was going, and met four members of Denny’s City Year team in the weight room – above, Stephanie, Ruchira, Megan, and Mary. Outside, we found Denny’s award-winning principal Jeff Clark, talking with School Board rep Steve Sundquist:

Also visiting this morning: Sundquist’s predecessor as West Seattle’s school-board rep, Irene Stewart, with husband Bruce Butterfield (president of the Fauntleroy Community Association):

If you’ve missed earlier coverage, the third phase of the project that built the new Denny and renovated adjacent Chief Sealth International High School is happening a few blocks away on the site of the old Denny, which was demolished, so the site could be transformed into fields and tennis courts.

And even more that’s happening today in West Seattle …

Thanks to Tom, who photographed the sunrise from Queen Anne’s Kerry Park, for sharing the photo. In addition to the previews from earlier, here are some of today’s other highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

WSUU RUMMAGE SALE: Frogsquatch is the fabled mascot of Westside Unitarian Universalists’ rummage sales, and she/he presides again at 7141 California SW all day today – they’re not certain when they’ll shut down, depends on the traffic, so stop on by, to see among other things, as WSUU’s Kari Kopnick put it, “the ‘Whiskey-Foxtrot-Tango’ table, the ‘Granny’ table, the ‘Retro’ table and thousands, I really mean thousands, of books. … Hope people stop by and say hello even if they’re not in the mood to find treasure!”

NATIVE PLANT SALE: Go Natives Nursery and Mariposa Naturescapes (based in West Seattle) are having a native plant sale till 2 at 3225 – 47th Ave. SW (couple blocks west of PCC). October is the best month to plant our indigenous plants. And a percentage of the proceeds will go to support the efforts of West Seattle’s Community Wildlife Habitat Project.

ANOTHER FIRST IN SOUTH PARK: First-ever South Park Car Show, under way till 3 pm. Details here.

HEAD TO MOVING PLANET: Two bike rides to get to Moving Planet event from West Seattle – both listed here, both leave at 11 am. For more information o Moving Planet itself, here’s the official info page.

VOLUNTEERS AT WORK: SPU students are working today at spots in West Seattle and White Center as part of CityQuest, list here – if you see them (or any volunteers at work, say thanks!

CAMP LONG CHALLENGE COURSE CELEBRATION: Grand opening scheduled for new Challenge Course at Camp Long today. Here’s the schedule:

2:00 PM course elements will be open to the public
4:00 PM officials speak/ribbon cutting
4:30 PM Partners of next generation of course will speak
5:15 PM Hot Dogs, chips, cake until we run out!
Live music from members of the Rusty Gate Wood Shed String Band
Festivities located at the EAST SHELTER in Camp Long
Opportunities to make donations to our scholarship fund for the course will be available
Brought to you by the Camp Long Advisory Council

BAKING UP A BOOK SIGNING: Book signing at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral: Dani Cone, founder of High 5 Pie and Fuel Coffee signs her new book, Cutie Pies: 40 Sweet, Savory and Adorable Recipes. Dani will sign her book while the Culinary Artist serves a recipe or two from Cutie Pies! 3-5 pm

SHORT FILM FESTIVAL: Manhattan Short Film Festival at Admiral Theater, 7 pm. Full details here.

HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Tonight, Seattle Lutheran HS vs. Darrington at West Seattle Stadium, 7 pm

HOMESTEP DINNER/AUCTION: HomeStep, a program of Compass Housing Alliance, will hold its annual dinner and auction, Tropical Splendor, tonight at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Join Angela Russell, KIRO TV News Anchor, and celebrated auctioneer Graham Crow for a lively night as they raise funds to provide stable housing, supportive services, and advocacy to homeless adults, youth and families in our community. Tickets are $85 and include dinner and complimentary wine. Tickets are available on line at homestep.org.

ROLLING RETREAD REVIEW: Benefit Dance Concert for Garfield Jazz! Date: from 7 – 10 pm Location: Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW.

TANGO MEETS CLASSICAL: Music Northwest Concert Series 2011 – Tango Meets Classical, 7:30 pm. At Olympic Recital Hall at SSCC (6000 16th Ave SW). See website for tickets and more information.

KENYON HALL: From Kenyon Hall – Casey MacGill and Orville Johnson, 7:30 pm. More at kenyonhall.org.

LIVE AT THE FEEDBACK: Live music with The Navins and The Fuzz at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm.

This morning: 2 chances to really clean up – in multiple ways

Both of these events happening this morning carry incentives!

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION ADOPT-A-STREET: Join ANA at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) to spend a little time getting a lot done on area streets – and you get not only free breakfast treats, but also a free sack lunch when you’re finished! Meet at 9 am outside the store (42nd/Admiral).

DON’T FEED THE TOX-ICK MONSTER! Missed the first presentation of Sustainable West Seattle‘s new fun, educational series of sessions to show you how to reduce runoff and help save the Sound? Today at 10 am, you get another chance – and Cate White says there’s a free continental breakfast: “Breads and pastries donated by Great Harvest and coffee donated by Red Cup. It’s also a great opportunity for people to visit the West Seattle Tool Library at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, which is open 9 AM – 2 PM.” Yes, you guessed right, the presentation is at Youngstown (4408 Delridge Way). And prizes totaling $1,000 are up for grabs – water cisterns, landscape consulting, car-wash gift certificates, oil changes, bus passes, and more.

This morning: Get a closer look at West Seattle’s newest school

September 24, 2011 3:42 am
|    Comments Off on This morning: Get a closer look at West Seattle’s newest school
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Two and a half weeks after a crowd converged on the new Denny International Middle School for its dedication, you have a chance to tour the school this morning during a community celebration. Guided tours will leave the Galleria – the distinctive structure linking Denny with the renovated Chief Sealth International High School next door – at 10:15, 10:45, and 11:15. Or, just drop by for a quick peek any time during the two-hour open-house event, 10 am-noon. (Remember that Denny’s entrance is on the north side of the campus, off SW Kenyon.)

Delridge Day postscript: ‘Already looking forward to next year’

September 24, 2011 3:14 am
|    Comments Off on Delridge Day postscript: ‘Already looking forward to next year’
 |   Delridge | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(Photo by Holli Margell)
At this past week’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting, there were rave reviews for, and a glowing recap of, last Saturday’s biggest event – the concurrent Delridge Day festival and Delridge Skatepark grand opening. While Seattle Parks oversaw skatepark specifics, Delridge Day was organized for the first time by the North Delridge Neighborhood Council. And they have some acknowledgments to share this morning too:

The Delridge Day Committee is grateful to share the success of last Saturday.

Despite the weather and a few guests not able to show up (fire truck, Mounted Police), an estimated 1500 – 2000 people attended the event (double previous years). The day would not have been possible without our team of over 25 volunteers! THANK YOU!

(Photo by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
We also wish to thank to Seattle Parks for working together with us for a seamless event.

(Amanda Leonard and Nancy Folsom; this photo & next photo by Patrick Sand for WSB)
The total funds raised for the community: We were able to raise enough from vendors and sponsorships to donate $410 to the DNDA, $600 to ARC for program Scholarships at the Delridge Community Center.

(Francesca Annis)
The Bake sale raised an additional $449.66 for ARC, providing a total of $1,049.66 toward scholarships! Thanks to all who donated sweets and those who bought them.

We’re already looking forward to next year’s Delridge Day. Our ideas include: skateboard competition, more games, more food, better weather! Want to get involved? We’re looking for 2 folks to join the planning committee, and others interested in leading additional ideas like music and a skate competition. The timeline is for early September 2012. If you’d like to put your name down this far in advance, please email Amanda Leonard, this year’s Delridge Day Lead Coordinator, amanda.leonard.wa@gmail.com.

Postscript to High Point dinner: ‘Your donation saved a life’

This morning, acknowledgements to share from the planners of a first-of-its-kind fundraiser in High Point earlier this month, a dinner to raise money for famine relief in Somalia – an event that even brought out Mayor McGinn:

High Point’s community builder Shukri Olow shares the photos and these words of appreciation for those who made the event a success – including those in attendance:

First and foremost, we, the planners of the Fundraiser dinner for Mercy Corps and Islamic Relief want to THANK our volunteers, our 11 High Point women who made the delicious and authentic Somali rice, hilib, chicken, qalwa, mandazi, sambusa and tea. AND those who helped serve the food and cleanup! Your commitment to your community is admirable. Our volunteers, and co-workers from Neighborhood House including Fredolyn, Bianca, Denise, Aparna, Jennifer — thank you for your endless efforts in making High Point a better community for all.

Secondly, SPECIAL THANKS to our presenters and those in attendance: Mayor Mike McGinn and his wife Peggy Lynch for their support, Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, Executive Director of Neighborhood House Mark Okazaki for his tireless work and engagement in this community.

Thank you Joy Portella-Director of Communications with Mercy Corps, Zuhair Motiwala with Islamic Relief, Seattle Poet Santiago, Asha Mohamed with Seattle Housing, Mohamed Sheikh with Afrique Service Center, Tom Phillips and Julie Wade, Mohamed Moallim with Muslim Housing, and The Seattle Channel for filming our event.

Lastly, THANK YOU DONORS for opening up your wallets and hearts to people unknown to you, to people on the verge of death because of hunger.

We had over 100 people attend our event and raised $4,000 for Islamic Relief and Mercy Corps.To both organizations — your work in countries around the world including Somalia is commendable and I hope that you continue to help those in dire need, even in difficult financial times.

Remember, your donation saved a life and THANK YOU for hearing the stories of those voiceless.

Sincerely,
Shukri Olow and Aser Ashkir

If you missed the event but would still like to help, one of the beneficiary charities, Mercy Corps, has a way to donate online – go here.