West Seattle, Washington

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Spotlight Stories

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Post-holiday Tuesday
February 20, 2024 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Post-holiday Tuesday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, February 20; midwinter break continues for many local schools.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

More showers and a high in the low 50s are in today’s forecast. Sunrise will be at 7:06 am, sunset at 5:39 pm.

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here. Monday will be on the regular weekday schedule.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.

Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low Bridge:

1st Ave. S. Bridge:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene). Thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Vandal breaks school windows
February 19, 2024 9:25 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

That’s one of seven windows at Hope Lutheran School‘s future north campus – the former Seattle Lutheran HS – broken by a vandal early this morning. The report and photos are from Hope’s Sally Heit, who says it happened at 1:50 am. “Repairs are underway, but needless to say it is very frustrating.”

She also sent this image of the vandal, who she says matches a photo of a person shown on social media “panhandling at the Jefferson Square Safeway with what is reported to be an aggressive dog (which you can see in the photo; he’s on the guy’s back).”

Police report # for the vandalism is 24-047421.

TUESDAY UPDATE: Here’s security video of the vandal as he threw the rock, twice.

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About the Trump-merch tent in The Triangle
February 19, 2024 7:09 pm
|      236 COMMENTS
 |   Triangle | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Several readers texted Sunday to ask about the story behind that tent set up in the triangle at Fauntleroy/Oregon known as Fauntleroy Place Park. We weren’t able to go over and talk with its operators yesterday, so we looked late this morning to see if they were back. The park was empty when we went by just after 11 am, but then a reader texted just before sunset that it was there, so we went back. There we found Ben, who told us he’s the “helper” – that the owner was off taking a break. Ben said they are here because it’s a “liberal area” – that they travel up and down the West Coast setting up their tent in liberal areas because that’s where they feel their message, support for former President Donald Trump, needs to get out. He wasn’t sure how long they planned to stay – they might be back tomorrow, or might not. He also said they didn’t have a vendor permit, which is generally required for selling in parks.

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REMINDER: Last week for West Seattle’s current driver-licensing office
February 19, 2024 5:31 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

Those newly striped spaces on the west side of the office building on the northwest corner of Delridge/Dakota are a reminder that the building will soon be home to West Seattle’s driver-licensing office. As announced February 1, this is the new location starting March 1 – officially 2420 SW Dakota – but the office will be closed for a week of moving, so this is the final week at the old location east of Westwood Village, 8830 25th SW. We first reported more than a year ago that the Department of Licensing was seeking a new location because the current one is slated for demolition, with 140+ apartments to be built in its place.

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GRATITUDE: They asked, you answered
February 19, 2024 3:32 pm
|    Comments Off on GRATITUDE: They asked, you answered
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

On Saturday, we previewed Alki UCC‘s monthly donation drive, with an urgent call for warm outerwear, with many chilly nights still ahead before the warm season. Today we received this report from Cinda:

Alki UCC reporting in on how wonderful the response was from the West Seattle community due to your feature of our donation drive on the WS Blog. We received many warm coats, as well as hats, gloves, long underwear, blankets, etc. It was so great to greet everyone as they dropped off yesterday, to experience their positive spirits contributing to a deep need in the wider community. Thank you everyone who took the time out to search your closets and to drop by Alki UCC with your donation. Every single piece will go toward making someone a little warmer this month. We appreciate you so much!

We feature various ways to help – donating items, money, and/or time – almost daily, so if you’re having a drive/campaign/event/etc. in which the community can participate, please let us know by sending info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another business burglary on 35th SW
February 19, 2024 1:35 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

After a reader tip, we went over to Super Deli Mart (35th/Barton) to check on a report they’d been broken into overnight. Indeed, the telltale broken window told the story. Part of it, anyway – staff told us that the vaping-related items stolen were worth far less than it will cost to replace the window. According to recorded dispatch audio, their security company got an alarm notification around 2:40 am. If you have any information, the SPD incident number is 24-046976.

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SPORTS: Where and when to see West Seattle HS boys’ first state game
February 19, 2024 11:59 am
|    Comments Off on SPORTS: Where and when to see West Seattle HS boys’ first state game
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB photo from Saturday night’s WSHS-Eastside Catholic game)

In case you haven’t seen the update added to our coverage of Saturday night’s West Seattle HS boys’ basketball district-championship game, the time and location are set for the team’s first game in this year’s state competition: 2 pm Saturday (February 24) at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE). They won’t know who they’re playing until tomorrow night – it’ll be the winner of that night’s game between Lincoln HS (Tacoma) and Lake Washington HS. You can buy tickets in advance online here.

UPDATE: Their opponent will be Lincoln.

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BIZNOTE: Camp West expands schedule
February 19, 2024 9:45 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

After a little more than one year in business, Camp West in The Junction (4539 California SW) is expanding its schedule. Toni from Camp West messaged us to say, “Camp West is moving to opening 7 days a week. We will now be open from 4-9 on Monday and Tuesday.” The change starts today. The restaurant/bar remains 21+.

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PRESIDENTS DAY 2024: West Seattle notes
February 19, 2024 6:01 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(Photo by James Tilley – ‘Bey the Bald Eagle in a very focused dive’)

6:01 AM: Good morning and welcome to Monday, February 19th, Presidents Day. Here’s what you should know:

TRANSPORTATION

Transit – No Water Taxi service today; Metro is on a regular weekday schedule; no planned state-ferry changes; here’s the Sound Transit holiday plan

Traffic cameras – Here’s our page of West Seattle-relevant cameras; the citywide map is here

Parking – No charge today for pay-station spaces on city streets in neighborhoods with them

OTHER SERVICES

Schools – Closed

Libraries – Closed

Parks facilities – Here’s what’s closed and what’s open

Mail – Holiday for most USPS facilities/services

Banks – Holiday

WEATHER

Mostly cloudy, chance of rain, high in the low 50s.

EVENTS

Check the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – a highlight for tonight is 7 pm comedy at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way) – check here to see if any tickets are left.

If you see news – including traffic trouble – please call or text 206-293-6302 when you can do so safely – thank you!

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Noisy night on Harbor Avenue
February 18, 2024 11:52 pm
|      100 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Noting for the record: From more than a few neighborhoods in north West Seattle, people texted us tonight, wondering about what one reader described as “racing cars and loud bangs,” audible all the way up to Admiral. Reviewing police-radio audio, we note the activity was a summer-size crowd of drivers drawn to Don Armeni Boat Ramp. One police officer dispatched in the 7 pm hour reported back, “There’s too many people here for me to do anything.” But others were sent and before 8 pm, one officer reported that they were planning to close the entrance to Don Armeni, where police estimated hundreds of cars/drivers had gathered. There were no confirmed shots-fired incidents; some cars are modified to generate backfire noise similar to gunshots (early in the evening, eastbound on Roxbury, we were right behind one). No injury incidents logged.

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Alki Community Council celebrates cool people, spotlights safety @ February 2024 meeting
February 18, 2024 10:30 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Public safety was first up at the second meeting of the new-era Alki Community Council this past Thursday.

For starters, ACC leaders are inviting you to a free personal-safety-training event the ACC is organizing with Seattle Police crime-prevention experts, 3:30 pm Wednesday, March 13, at West Seattle Library (2306 42nd SW) – here’s the registration link.

Guests from SPD were up first, including crime-prevention coordinator Mark Solomon, who brought trends and data: “2023 was a bad year”; though many categories of crime decreased slightly, all neighborhoods citywide saw a continued rise in auto theft. Alki had more homicides (two) and robberies (nine). Regarding specific recent crimes, the police delegation briefly addressed the one-night wave of Starbucks burglaries; we covered two, Admiral and Alki, but it turns out there was a third that night, 35th/Avalon. The burglars “knew enough to get in but didn’t know Starbucks doesn’t keep cash in the register,” they observed. Solomon said that while there were four assaults logged in Alki in recent weeks, they all involved people known to each other. And there was one “shot fired” incident (February 3rd).

Looking ahead to summer, there was some discussion of how disorder on the beach will be handled. Solomon said that park rangers will be deployed “in the neighborhoods” such as Alki, not just downtown as in years past. The SPD contingent explained that rangers – who will be uniformed in brown vests and brown pants – have powers of “citation and exclusion” but not arrest, and they’re unarmed. So, “if something bad happens, we will go onto the beach.”

One attendee asked about the carjackings in recent months.

Read More

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READER REPORT: Metro planning stop closures in Highland Park
February 18, 2024 8:01 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

SUNDAY: The photo and report are from Juan:

I noticed that a number of bus stops along 16th Ave SW in Highland Park had signs stating the stops were under consideration for closure by Metro. The provide a deadline of February 29, 2024 to submit comments. I have not seen this information provided anywhere else and this came as a complete surprise.

The feedback address on the sign is busstopsw@kingcounty.gov. We’ll be inquiring with Metro on Tuesday (since offices are closed for Presidents Day tomorrow); if you’ve seen closure alerts elsewhere, please let us know.

ADDED MONDAY: We traveled along 16th for a closer look at where the stops are posted for removal. We saw the signs on some – not all – stops from south of Donovan to south of Holden.

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Questions about new soccer team West Seattle Junction FC? Community meeting planned February 29
February 18, 2024 5:32 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

If you have questions about the new “pre-pro” soccer team West Seattle Junction FC, which just announced its schedule for home matches at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex this spring and summer, here’s your chance to get answers: The organization will host a community meeting at adjacent Southwest Teen Life Center on February 29th. From the announcement:

West Seattle Junction FC is hosting a community meeting at the Southwest Community Center on 2/29/24 from 4:30-7 pm for any interested parties who wish to hear more about the club or to ask questions of our staff.

WHO: West Seattle Junction FC
WHAT: Community Meeting for those who would like to know about the club or ask questions.
WHERE: Southwest Community Center
WHEN: 4:30 pm – 7 pm on 2/29/2024

A new USL League 2 soccer team, West Seattle Junction FC, will be playing their inaugural season May through July of this year at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Center. This Community Meeting will provide an opportunity for people in the community to ask questions about these events. There will be 8 home games this season.

General Game Information:

● We will set-up the field approximately 1 hour to the start and tear down within an hour of each game.
● We will leave the neighborhood as we found it: litter and recycling will be handled professionally.
● During the event hours, we expect between 500-1000 attendees.
● No streets will be closed and our spectators will be encouraged to take public transportation.
● Sound amplification will be limited and non-audible beyond the field. .

We are working closely with the City of Seattle Parks Department to minimize the impacts of the event. Our goal is to create an enjoyable and positive experience in the neighborhood.

Junction FC says the meeting will be open-house format – just drop in during that window. See the full announcement, including contact information if you have questions before then, in our calendar listing.

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UPDATE: Crash at Fauntleroy/Findlay
February 18, 2024 4:16 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Crash at Fauntleroy/Findlay
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

4:16 PM: Avoid Fauntleroy Way just south of Fairmount Playfield for a while – a two-car crash at Fauntleroy/Findlay [map] has blocked northbound Fauntleroy, and police are detouring traffic. No major injuries, but SFD was called in to check out one person with pain from airbag deployment.

4:49 PM: Police have reopened northbound Fauntleroy.

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WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Buoy at the library
February 18, 2024 3:33 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB photo)

When the Seattle Kraken hockey team’s mascot Buoy showed up for story time at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library this morning, children’s librarian Leslie Sumida had the perfect books: “I’m Cool,” featuring a Zamboni (the machine used to smooth the rink for hockey) and “The Three Silly Billies,” starring a troll tending a bridge. We counted about 50 people there (including a few little kids who found Buoy a bit scary!).

Local libraries have regular story times, sometimes with other guests – for example, this Tuesday (February 20th), it’ll be Firefighter Story Time, meant for preschoolers, at 3:30 pm at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).

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BIZNOTE: Original owner wants to bring back Ephesus Restaurant
February 18, 2024 1:08 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Six months ago, we reported on the closure of Ephesus Restaurant (5245 California SW), which had previously been taken over by new ownership that changed the menu from Turkish to Greek. Now, its original owner wants to bring back the original Ephesus. We learned this after a tip from Mark that someone was painting inside the building. We went over and found Hasan Ocak, who told us his plan is to reopen the restaurant he founded in 1995. The space needs a lot of work, though, he said – noting he’s already made six dump runs with debris – so he’s not sure about a timeline.

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: New camera catches coyote
February 18, 2024 11:11 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

The photo was shared by Karla, who’s in the 5400 block of 34th SW, just south of Camp Long. She explains, “I put out a game camera last week and caught this coyote posing in our yard.” What should you do if you see one? Scare it away, as advised in this state-produced Living With Wildlife guide, which has other helpful information about coexistence. We report coyote sightings for awareness and education, not alarm; you can browse our archives here.

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 10 things to do
February 18, 2024 6:21 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Smithtwin, near White Center)

Here’s what’s on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

MINI-POLAR PLUNGE: 9 am every Sunday, you’re welcome to join a group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at 9 am at rotating locations – today it’s Highland Park Corner Store (7749 Highland Park Way SW).

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is open as usual between SW Alaska and SW Oregon on California, offering winter vegetables and fruit plus cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from cider to kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, candy, more! Here’s today’s vendor list.

SMALL BUSINESS POP-UP FAIR: While you’re at the Farmers’ Market, check out this market too, with local vendors selling a variety of items inside Jet City Labs (4547 California SW), 10 am-2 pm.

STORY TIME WITH BUOY: At West Seattle (Admiral) Library, meet the Seattle Kraken hockey team’s mascot. Doors open 10 am, story time is at 10:30, Buoy stays for meet-and-greet at 11. Free. (2306 42nd SW)

PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND SALE: Continuing today at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor), lots of snow sports gear on sale – as shown here. The shop is open today 10 am-5 pm.

DONATION DRIVE: 11 am-3 pm, Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) is looking for warm outerwear to help people in need stay warm through the remaining weeks of winter (and the chilly spring nights). See our preview for more on how you can help.

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need to borrow something for a home project? Visit the WSTL 11 am-4 pm. (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center)

‘BORN WITH TEETH’: Third matinee for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3 pm – tickets here.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: See and hear the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8-10 pm.

Planning something that we can include on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School boys finish #2 in district tournament
February 17, 2024 10:30 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB photos. Above, Wildcats’ postgame huddle)

Next stop for the West Seattle High School boys’ basketball team is the state tournament, after their second-place finish tonight in the District 2 3A tournament. Eastside Catholic left the Bellevue College gym with the championship win, 87-65. The Wildcats had the biggest cheering section, hoping all game long for a comeback.

But the Crusaders were out to a 13-2 lead by the midpoint in the first quarter, and never gave up much ground. #4, junior Duncan Monnin, was first on the scoreboard for WSHS with a basket at 6:20, after Eastside Catholic opened with a three, and that’s the only time the Wildcats were close.

Top West Seattle scorer tonight was #0, junior Alex Pierce, with 14 points:

#23, senior Pawlose Aschalew, was next with 10 points:

#3, senior Bo Gionet, had 9:

Both sides played fairly ferocious defense, but Eastside Catholic’s hottest outside shooter, senior Kayden Greene, managed to be open time and again for passes that translated to threes; the Crusaders also had the upper hand on rebounds for most of the game. They held a 45-27 lead at halftime, 71-49 at the end of the third quarter; there was a spark of hope when #5, junior Brittin Joyner, and #14, junior Jake Kriley, opened the fourth quarter with back-to-back threes, but Eastside Catholic started running out the clock, inbetween some insurance baskets, and that was the game.

Head coach Dan Kriley and the Wildcats will find out tomorrow afternoon who they’re facing to open state play – and when/where – which starts Tuesday.

SUNDAY UPDATE: The bracket has been released, and so far we know that WSHS will play its must-win opening-round game at home, either Friday or Saturday, vs. the winner of Tuesday’s game between Lincoln or Lake Washington.

ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: Further refinement of the bracket – WSHS will play at 2 pm next Saturday (February 24) and while they’ll be the “home” team, the game will be at Bellevue College.

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Talk with your city councilmember: District 1’s Rob Saka launching ‘office hours’
February 17, 2024 8:49 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(WSB photo, City Council chambers, last month)

When we talked with District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka the day he was sworn in, he promised to open a district office. No word of the location for that yet, but he’s launching “office hours” next week – regular times where constituents can make appointments to talk with him in the district, rather than having to go downtown. According to Saka’s weekly newsletter, his first office-hours dates are February 23 and March 6, at the Southwest Customer Service Center (same building as the pool and Teen Life Center, 2801 SW Thistle). According to the signup form for the first date, hours will be 11 am-1 pm, at least for starters, and he’s booking 20-minute windows, either in person or via videoconferencing. He’s also planning South Park office hours, starting March 23 at the Duwamish River Community Hub.

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BIZNOTE: West Coast Willow now open in north Morgan Junction
February 17, 2024 7:23 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

West Coast Willow is now open at 5902 California SW. That’s the space vacated when Good Sister moved south to 6959 California, as reported here in December. West Coast Willow is right next to WSB sponsor Moon Room Shop and Wellness, and says that together they’re creating a “holistic corner” of the neighborhood, dubbing it the “Juneau Junction.” West Coast Willow explains, “We have a dreamy wall of bulk herbs (over 60 different herbs and spices), tea blends (which we will be blending on site for sipping and changing up weekly or more) and accessories, tinctures (made on site), candles, oils, smudge sticks and beautiful products from local makers such as flower essences, soaps, and roller balls. We also carry organic beauty products made on site by Nicole Leitner, our owner and local esthetician who has been working in the neighborhood for the last ten years.” They do facials and Reiki, and plan to offer classes and workshops. “Our goal is to inspire people to follow their intuition and feel confident in making their own herbal remedies and ritual practices.” Hours are 11 am-5 pm Sundays, closed Mondays, 10 am-6 pm Tuesdays and Saturdays, 11 am-6 pm Wednesdays and Fridays, spa days (by appointment) Thursdays.

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WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Sunrise spectacle, and a date to remember
February 17, 2024 5:15 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

No sunset colors tonight, so let’s admire the sunrise! Thanks to everyone who sent photos of today’s early-morning show. Above, that’s from Liz; below, from Jerry Simmons:

And a panoramic view from James Tilley:

Though winter still has a month remaining – spring equinox is March 19 – before it’s done, we’ll be in Daylight Saving Time, which returns three weeks from tonight – 2 am Sunday, March 10.

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YOU CAN HELP: Got warm outerwear? Donation drive Sunday
February 17, 2024 2:56 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Got warm outerwear? Donation drive Sunday
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

On some Sundays, Alki UCC hosts a communitywide donation drive seeking specific items for people in need. Tomorrow’s the next one, with an emphasis on helping people stay warm – winter still has a month to go! Here’s the announcement:

Alki UCC Donation Drive this Sunday, February 18
6115 SW Hinds
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Front Courtyard

Outerwear is the priority. We have no warm coats for men, need all sizes.

Also welcome: vests, long underwear, heavy hoodies, sweatshirts, gloves, beanies and socks.

Your donations of food, clothing, and outdoor gear are distributed through the Westside Interfaith Network Saturday lunch, hosted in White Center.

Deepest gratitude to our community for your generous support of our neighbors in need.

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