West Seattle, Washington
03 Friday
Donating to your local food banks is a cool thing to do. Just ask Michelle, who shared that photo when she and her son (holding a turkey) bumped into former Mayor Greg Nickels and wife Sharon Nickels at the West Seattle Food Bank as they dropped off turkey donations over the weekend. It’s not too late for you to donate turkeys, too:
*West Seattle Food Bank, southeast corner of 35th/Morgan, until 3 pm today, 9 am-3 pm tomorrow/Wednesday
*White Center Food Bank (which also serves part of WS), southwest corner of 8th SW/SW 108th, open at 8:30 am daily through Wednesday (update on closing times: 5:30 tonight, 6 Tuesday, 7 Wednesday)
*While turkeys are not needed, a few other things are when The Hall at Fauntleroy opens its doors Thanksgiving Day for the 15th annual free community meal catered by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes, whose Carol Madaio says, “We will gladly accept donations for desserts. This year we are also asking for donations of gently used/clean or new warm clothing such as coats, jackets, scarves, gloves and hats. We are also asking for blankets or throw blankets to be given to our guests in need of them. Desserts and items can be dropped off at the Hall at Fauntleroy on Thanksgiving Day after 10 am.” (They’re on the south end of the historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 9131 California SW.)
These are the only Thanksgiving-week-specific donation drives we know about – but if you have anything to add, please let us know ASAP! Other holiday-giving opportunities, from collection drives to fundraising events, are listed in our Holiday Guide.
A one-of-a-kind holiday-gift sale is under way right now in the Our Lady of Guadalupe gym – devoted entirely to fair-trade items (as explained in our West Seattle Sunday preview) – and there’s a benefit bake sale, too. Above, Daphney is there with scarves; below, Kaitlyn, Hudson, and Andrew, with the 3rd-graders’ bake sale:
The bake-sale beneficiary is WestSide Baby. You can check this all out at the OLG gym – northeast corner of 35th/Myrtle – until 1:30 this afternoon.
Tom Henry is all smiles – and sporting seasonal style – as day 1 of the Holiday Open House at his Junction store JF Henry Cooking and Dining (WSB sponsor) goes into mid-afternoon. As always, it’s two floors of fun and shopping:
Upstairs, you’ll find the treats, and special events such as author appearances today – West Seattle cookbook author Erin Coopey is there right now, until 3:30 – and then tomorrow, five demonstrations and clinics from knives to coffee and beyond, all listed here. If you come with a little one, don’t miss the model train running in the window; we grabbed a quick Instagram clip:
And you know it’s prime shopping if there’s a Santa sighting:
“Santa Al” was just making a cameo today, but will return for photos 10 am-1 pm on December 7th, two weeks from today. Meantime, the JF Henry open house is on until 6 today, 10 am-5 tomorrow with those aforementioned demonstrations, at 4445 California SW.
As listed in our West Seattle Saturday highlights, it’s a day full of great start-of-the-holiday-season events, many of which offer the chance to do good – help nonprofits and small businessfolk, for starters. Bazaars are often excellent places for that – like the one under way until 4 pm at Seattle Lutheran High School‘s gym (4100 SW Genesee). Above, scarves on sale with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the SLHS student council. And $10 holiday pies!
Also happening right now – an extra-special reason to stop in and see Lori and Tim McConnell at West Seattle Runner (NW corner of California/Charlestown, upstairs; WSB sponsor):
Mega-fundraiser Tracy Dart is the beneficiary – here’s why. Stop in and do some early holiday shopping at WS Runner, from apparel to gear like Garmin wristband GPS – snacks, silent auction, and a raffle too, open until 7 pm tonight.
(Trees now on sale at ‘The Seasonal Help‘ at Village Green Perennial Nursery)
Earlier this week, we launched this year’s WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info Guide – Holiday Guide for short – and wanted to make note today of a few things in case you already have gone through it:
*Hoping to eat out on Thanksgiving? Some restaurants are open – here’s the direct link to the list we have so far
*Tomorrow’s turkey giveaway and two free community dinners Thursday are on the Thanksgiving list in the guide
*Today’s the last day to order a pie in the Pathfinder K-8 school benefit – scroll through the guide to the Holiday Fundraisers/Donation Drives section
*Christmas tree sales start today at two three locations; see the tree-lot list in the guide
The guide is also full of holiday bazaars and open houses – this weekend is big! – concerts and more. And we are continuing to update it at least once a day as we get word of more events to include – send yours to editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
Show of hands, now, who’s been naughty and who’s been nice? That’s Dave Montoure, West Seattle Chamber of Commerce board chair, doing the asking during the Chamber’s “After Hours” event at Westwood Village on Thursday night. Call it the first holiday party of the year, convened at Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor):
The heart of the party was a sampler of Westwood businesses – including Massage Envy (WSB sponsor), whose therapist Gunnar offered five-minute samples:
Westwood’s Holiday Wonderland opens for Santa photos the day after Thanksgiving, two doors down from Pier 1.
The West Seattle Food Bank team shared that photo from the Wednesday afternoon turkey-donation drive in The Junction (WSB coverage here) – that charitable West Seattle was their first of 51 turkey donors. More followup in this report from WSFB’s Judi Yazzolino:
Thanks all in our West Seattle community your help with our 1st Annual Turkey Drive last night at Easy Street Records; we so appreciate it! We were able to bring in 51 turkeys and over $1,200, which is equivalent to approx. 170 turkeys. If the community wasn’t able to stop by last night, they still have an opportunity to donate turkeys or funds by stopping by the West Seattle Food Bank at 3419 SW Morgan St. (corner of 35th & Morgan) on Friday from 9 am – 3 pm or Sat. from 2 – 5 pm or going to www.westseattlefoodbank.org and donating.
They hope to have 500 turkeys (small-ish is best, around 10 pounds) for next week’s holiday food distribution, so the drive put them a third of the way there.
This year’s edition of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info Guide is live! Besides following that link, you can find it any time by clicking the HOLIDAYS tab atop every page of WSB. We’ll be adding to it daily (sometimes multiple times a day) as more events, donation drives, and info snippets come in, from now through New Year’s Day; it’s your one-stop shop for all types of holiday-related information, grouped by types rather than dates (if you want to see what’s happening on any given day, our year-round West Seattle Event Calendar remains the place for that.) If your holiday event/etc. isn’t in the guide yet, please send information as soon as possible to editor@westseattleblog.com. Our guidelines, as with regular calendar items, are:
-Information in plain text in the body of your e-mail, NOT in a Word/PDF doc (etc.).
-Doesn’t have to be a big wordy “press release,” just a few basic facts is fine!
-Photos/posters not required but if you send one, please send as a .jpg.
-Please include a Web and/or Facebook link for your event if available; if you’re charging admission and are selling tickets online, a link for that would be great too, to save us the time of looking for it.
-Unless it’s something you’ve scheduled at the last minute, PLEASE send at least a week in advance.
Thank you and happy holidays!
Going grocery shopping in the next few days? You might not be ready to buy your Thanksgiving turkey yet, but it’s the perfect time to shop for one (or more) to donate to the West Seattle Food Bank – which has a special donation event coming up this Wednesday (November 20th) in The Junction. The announcement:
The West Seattle Food Bank is looking for 500 donated 10 lb. turkeys to help all of our clients in need have a delicious turkey on their table for Thanksgiving. It’s even more difficult now, with the recent SNAP (Food Stamp) cuts, for our clients to provide healthy meals for their families. Help us by bringing a frozen 10-pound turkey to Easy Street Records in the Junction, Wednesday, 11/20, 4-7 pm! No need to park – we’ll be outside, ready to grab your turkey, or donate cash and we’ll buy the turkey for you! PLEASE HELP US provide all of our clients with a happy Thanksgiving meal!
If you would rather give money than a turkey, WSFB’s Judi Yazzolino tells WSB that $10 is their approximate cost for a 10-pound turkey. They’re asking for that size because “we have a lot of single people and small families, and it’s easier for us to store.” (You can also donate $ online – just go here.)
For the “Star Trek” fan on your holiday gift list … we spotted this pillow at the first-ever Fauntleroy Schoolhouse holiday bazaar, under way until 5 pm. “Star Wars” and “Charlie Brown Christmas” throw pillows right next to it! Also on hand, Fauntleroy entrepreneur Gail Ann, with some fun items:
Near the historic schoolhouse’s front door, you’ll find Amie and her young assistant Isabella:
And steps away, it’s the place to bring your donation – cash and/or food items – for the West Seattle Food Bank:
That’s Renée. The bazaar participants are lining the hallway of the renovated schoolhouse – worth a stop all by itself – and don’t miss the bake sale in the conference room, where you also will find free coffee, cider, and water. The schoolhouse is at 9131 California SW. (Right across from Fauntleroy Church, where there’s more shopping to be done at the Fine Art and Holiday Gift Show until 4 pm, another of the events in today’s lineup of calendar highlights.)
Just dropped by night one of the Fauntleroy Fine Art and Holiday Gift Show – 16 local artists, photographers, crafters, and other artisans (here’s the list) showing and selling their work, until 8 pm tonight, then again tomorrow and Sunday. Dee Miller‘s metal garden art, above, is marked $50, perfect for the 12th Man (or Woman, or Kid, or …) in your life. It’s a mellow, festive mood in the Fauntleroy Church Fellowship Hall (9140 California SW), with live piano music (Bronwyn Edwards was playing while we were there), holiday decorations, and more.
ADDED 8:13 PM: A few more of the participants –
That’s Claire Jauregui, with creations including cards and “onesies” for babies with inscriptions including “Made in West Seattle.” If you’re looking for something to keep you warm, go see Ann Dawson‘s knit hats and accessories:
Up on the stage, we found Bill Reiswig with cut-paper and wood-block designs:
Tomorrow’s hours are 10 am-4 pm; Sunday, 11 am-2 pm.
Bazaar/gift sale season is intensifying (including Fauntleroy Church tonight through Sunday, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse and Grace Church tomorrow), but at least one still has room for artists, artisans, craft creators to sign up – “Gifted,” the annual holiday sale at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction, set for 11 am-6 pm December 8th. Contact info is on the mini-poster above – let Feedback GM Gia Griffitts know if you want in.
P.S. Yet another call for holiday info, as we’re close to publishing the first draft of the WSB Holiday Events Guide – if you have a sale, show, service, Santa, lights, tree lot, open-on-Thanksgiving-and/or-Christmas restaurant or coffee shop, or anything else special (and open to the public) for any or all of the upcoming holidays, PLEASE send us some info ASAP! editor@westseattleblog.com … thank you.
15 days until Thanksgiving Day, but you can do something now to help make it a more festive holiday for local families in need. The White Center Food Bank, whose service area includes part of West Seattle, would be thrilled if you can add at least one to-be-donated turkey to your shopping list:
The holidays are approaching quickly. To help us feed our clients we are asking for you to consider picking up a turkey while doing your shopping.
For us to purchase wholesale turkeys, it is over $1.00 a pound. Many local retailers are offering special deals on turkeys for much less. Look for deals while shopping and pick up a turkey or two and drop them off at the Food Bank Monday-Friday between 9 am-5 pm at 10829 8th Ave SW. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Here’s a map.
One of West Seattle’s longest-running Thanksgiving traditions is happening again this year – and the official announcement is just in from Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes:
Just wanted to get the word out about our Free Community Thanksgiving Community Meal at The Hall at Fauntleroy this Thanksgiving Day on Thursday November 28th from 12 noon until 3 PM.
All are welcome for a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings prepared by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering Executive Chef Michael Chase. This is the 15th year that Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes owners Meg and David Haggerty and David Meckstroth have hosted this wonderful dinner. They are joined by a wonderful group of volunteers who help greet our welcome guests and serve dinner.
We will gladly accept donations for desserts. This year we are also asking for donations of gently used/clean or new warm clothing such as coats, jackets, scarves, gloves and hats. We are also asking for blankets or throw blankets to be given to our guests in need of them. Desserts and items can be dropped off at the Hall at Fauntleroy on Thanksgiving Day after 10 AM.
We are located at 9131 California Ave SW in the Fauntleroy Community School House across the street from the Fauntleroy YMCA.
If your business, organization, group, school, etc., has an event – including any kind of donation drive – happening this holiday season, please make sure we know about it, for our calendar and the annual WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, the first draft of which is going “live” within the next few days – thanks!
Just before sunset, one final solemn ceremony on this Veterans Day: Scout Troop 375, based in Burien, came to Alki for a formal flag-retirement ceremony. More than two dozen people joined them.
With flames and Taps, as per tradition, the flag was taken out of service.
The troop and Scoutmaster Mark Ufkes had invited community members to bring flags for a future retirement event; some did. (No date set yet.)
Thanks to Arrowhead Gardens for inviting WSB to their Veterans Day observance, which featured an Honor Guard from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Pierce County. The Honor Guard brought and raised a flag:
The event included residents parading around the grounds to and from the flagpole:
Their commemoration also included a poetry reading.
(P.S. In case you wondered – we did! – here’s how to ask JBLM about providing visitors like these for an off-base event.)
(SDOT camera view of West Seattle Bridge, looking west; more area cams here)
This morning, we’re combining our usual traffic/transit watch with our daily calendar preview, and mixing in the “what’s changed for the holiday” info:
TRAFFIC NOTES: Highway 99 is open again after a weekend closure that ended around 9 pm Sunday; at the Fauntleroy ferry dock, the holding lane north of the terminal will be closed today because of Barton Pump Station Upgrade work next door: “A large drill rig will be parked in the holding lane for most of the day, and a police officer will be directing traffic around the construction activities,” says the advisory.
TRANSIT NOTES: Metro is on the “reduced weekday” schedule (some routes aren’t running at all); the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxis are not running today; Sound Transit and Washington State Ferries, however, are on regular weekday schedules.
PARKING PAY-STATION/METERS: If you’re going to an area of the city with on-street paid parking – it’s free today.
TRASH/RECYCLING/YARD WASTE: Regular schedule for Seattle Public Utilities, both pickup and transfer stations.
SCHOOLS: Closed.
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY: All facilities closed.
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: No delivery; post offices closed.
FOR VETERANS: Writer David Nelson has again compiled his citywide freebies list (with four West Seattle items). Also, Center Studio (WSB sponsor) at 9611 16th SW in White Center is offering a free class for veterans at 5:45 pm.
Also happening today/tonight:
‘GIRL RISING’: Still some tickets left for the 4 pm screening at Admiral Theater, according to the online-sales page linked in our original story. (2343 California SW)
FLAG-RETIREMENT CEREMONY: 4 pm with Scout Troop 375 on Alki Beach across from Duke’s; details are in our Sunday story.
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: The NDNC meeting is now permanently moved to Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, room 103, starting at 6:30 pm on second Mondays. Tonight’s announced agenda:
Election of 2014 officers
Bylaws change – length of officer terms
DESC building name
Greenbelt encampments
Neighborhood clean-up
Announcements
Youngstown is at 4408 Delridge Way SW.
The renovated main hall was already candlelit when we took that photo just before the doors opened for tonight’s free dinner for veterans (and active-duty, reserve, retired servicepeople) and their families at the West Seattle Veterans’ Center. American Legion Post 160 and Auxiliary members are cooking up the gourmet Italian dinner and took a quick photo-op break at our request:
As part of tonight’s dinner, a conference room at the Veterans’ Center/Post 160 is being dedicated in honor of Doris Gross, a World War II U.S. Navy veteran and trailblazing Legion leader, first woman to be a statewide commander among other achievements (here’s a 2010 story about her). This portrait of her was unveiled tonight:
Dinner is being served at the WSVC (3618 SW Alaska) until 8 pm – just show up!
Another Veterans Day event in West Seattle, and you are invited. From Troop 375 Scoutmaster Mark Ufkes:
Boy Scout Troop 375, chartered by Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, will be holding an American flag retirement ceremony on Monday, Veterans Day, November 11, at 4 pm on Alki Beach in West Seattle (across from Duke’s restaurant).
We will provide a final color guard to an American flag that requires respectful retirement. Scouts will read statements about the history of our flag, honor attending veterans, play taps, and respectfully incinerate the flag in a proper and affirming manner. The public is welcome to attend. The ceremony will last about 15 minutes.
West Seattle, White Center and Burien families who have old American flags that need respectful retirement, are encouraged to bring their flags to the event and our scouts will collect them, and arrange a second ceremony later this winter to retire the collected flags. Families who bring worn or torn flags are asked to consider contributing $20 to our troop’s Scout Jamboree travel fund, but it is not mandatory. Respectfully retiring old and tattered flags is our priority.
The first big weekend of bazaars means the holiday season is off and running in West Seattle! At historic Highland Park Improvement Club, the bazaar that’s under way until 3 pm includes artists and crafters including Deloris (above). Vendors’ tables are full of gift possibilities like these (who WOULDN’T want Darth Vader on their wallet?):
Among the vendors, historic HPIC itself – with the all-new Highland Park hoodies!
(Added: Found out post-publication, they’re screenprinted by local Rain City West!) Even if you’re not in the shopping mood, go learn more about raingardens:
At right in that photo is Jo Sullivan from King County Wastewater Treatment Division, which is in the early stages of a green-stormwater-infrastructure project for Highland Park and vicinity and, at left, Hannah Kett from Sustainable Seattle, which has been working on other raingarden projects in the area. (If you need new inspiration for considering/supporting raingardens – think of the Longfellow Creek coho salmon, often killed by polluted stormwater runoff. The more runoff you keep out of the system via raingardens (etc.), the more you keep out of local waterways.)
Haven’t been to HPIC? Find it at 12th/Holden (map).
As the holidays approach, we celebrate both annual traditions and new events that might become traditions. In the latter category is a gala just announced by the West Seattle Tool Library:
After nearly 3-1/2 years of providing free tools, advice and workshop space to the community on a donation basis, the West Seattle Tool Library is holding its first fundraiser and inclusive “Festivus” party.
Everyone is welcome. No cover charge.
The fundraiser gala, which will also serve as Sustainable West Seattle’s annual winter holiday party, will be held Friday, Dec. 6, from 6:00 to 9:30 pm. Any funds raised will go to the maintenance of tool library operations, as well as potential enhancements such as extended hours and more classes, depending on the amount raised.
To be held at the dance studio at Youngstown Cultural Arts center, the fundraiser is being billed as a Festivus in a nod to a classic Seinfeld episode, with beer, wine, soft drinks, food, music, a silent auction, kids activities and a used tool sale.
Eastridge Church has just announced the date for its annual turkey-and-groceries giveaway. This year, between its West Seattle and Issaquah campuses, it’s increasing the number of turkeys to 1,500. Lori from Eastridge says they’re offering “a helping hand and a little hope this Thanksgiving” with the giveaway starting at 9 am Saturday, November 23rd, “no questions asked, nothing to fill out.” Eastridge is at 39th/Oregon.
Again this year, West Seattle American Legion Post 160 and Auxiliary are inviting local veterans and their families – all branches, active duty or reserve – to a free dinner commemorating Veterans Day. The gourmet Italian dinner will be served 5-8 pm this Sunday night (November 10) at the West Seattle Veterans’ Center (longtime home to Post 160), 3618 SW Alaska in The Triangle. Here’s more info via the official flyer.
| Comments Off on West Seattle holidays: Not too late for pre-Thanksgiving giving!