West Seattle, Washington
11 Monday
(Patrick Dunn and Christina Hahs with the cider press)
Got apples? Pears? The cider press demonstrated at today’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market by Sustainable West Seattle is available to borrow from the WS Tool Library – as is a smaller one, SWS tells us. The library’s open Saturdays and Sundays (hours and location here). And Sustainable WS is looking ahead to a big annual event next Saturday – it’s the Money-Free Shopping Spree, and you don’t have to be a member to be part of it. 4-8 pm on Saturday, November 27 – which has been dubbed “Green Saturday” as a counterpoint to “Black Friday” – at Camp Long Lodge, bring handmade crafts, food, or certificates of services you can provide. This is an exchange event, not a sale. Full details, and ideas of what qualifies, can be found in this update on the SWS website – they’re also requesting that would-be participants add comments there with information on what they will bring. (And this comment from SWS’s Stu Hennessey also addresses the potluck that’ll kick off the Money-Free Shopping Spree.)
BENEFIT CONCERT FOR HAITI: The 80-member regional choir in that video, Breath of Aire, is dedicated to benefit concerts – and you can hear the singers at one in West Seattle tonight, to raise money for ongoing relief efforts in Haiti. Hope Lutheran Church is the site (free but donations accepted), 6-8 pm (42nd/Oregon)
FITNESS FOR VITALITY RUN/WALK: As previewed here on Saturday – this morning’s FItness for Vitality (WSB sponsor) 5K is the third and final one in Annette Herrick‘s series this autumn; registration at 8 at Alki Bathhouse, run/walk at 9.
FAUNTLEROY ART SHOW/GIFT FAIRE FINALE: The third and final day brings a two-hour window to admire and shop more than a dozen artists’ creations at Fauntleroy Church, 11 am-1 pm (9140 California SW).
ADMIRAL CHURCH’S COUNTRY STORE: Open for shopping noon-1 pm, “gifts made with loving hands,” Admiral UCC Church, (California/Hill).
JF HENRY OPEN HOUSE: Second day in The Junction, 10 am-6 pm (4445 California SW)
PRO PET PHOTOS: Stella Ruffington’s Doggy Playcare in Morgan Junction has Kathryn Sauber on hand all day. Call 932-7833 to make an appointment for a half-hour, $45 photo shoot (7003 California SW)
CIDERPRESS DEMONSTRATION AT WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Sustainable West Seattle will show off the ciderpress from the West Seattle Tool Library during today’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm (44th/Alaska)
Holiday events? WSB West Seattle Holidays page; general events, WSB West Seattle Events page.
Holiday bazaar/arts-crafts sale/open house season continues, as noted in our quick preview – and Schmitz Park Elementary is a big one to visit today, benefiting the Schmitz Park PTA. More warm hats for the cold weather ahead are part of what sale co-chair Anne Weglin, is selling (with her daughters assisting nearby, close to treats including $3 chocolate pretzels). She pointed out that the fourth-graders are raising money for an environmental campout – here’s Emma Kasameyer with mom Karen Kasameyer:
Their fundraising wares include Re-Usies, the increasingly famous reusable snack/sandwich bags invented by West Seattle moms (from nearby Lafayette Elementary). And don’t miss the raffle bags in the hallway – vendors donated items for those; raffle proceeds also benefit the PTA. The bazaar’s on till 3 today in the Schmitz Park cafetorium, 5000 SW Spokane. (P.S. Late addition to the list of all bazaars/open houses/etc. – JF Henry in The Junction is having one today/tomorrow too – we’ve added that to the list on the West Seattle Holidays page.)
From the WSB West Seattle Holidays page – big day for bazaars, open houses, craft sales! 10 am-3 pm at Schmitz Park Elementary (5000 SW Spokane), 10 am-5 pm at Northwest Art and Frame (4525 California SW), 10 am-2 pm at Junction TrueValue (4747 44th SW), 11 am-4 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), noon-4 pm at CAPERS (4525 California SW), and the Blithe Bazaar in Arbor Heights (3817 SW 105th), 4-8 pm. Details on all of them can be found in the very first section of the Holidays page.
Need a nice warm hat for the cold snap ahead? That’s part of what you’ll find at Fauntleroy Church till 8 pm tonight, 11 am-4 pm tomorrow, and 11 am-1 pm on Sunday, during this year’s expanded Fine Art Show and Holiday Gift Faire. The arts/crafts show sale includes 15 artists “displaying and selling work in a variety of media and prices, including fused glass, photo collage, felt, watercolor, and cast stone,” according to the church, which is at 9140 California SW (map).
These just might be the first 2010 Christmas trees in West Seattle (let us know if you have information to the contrary) – driving by Rite Aid south of The Junction this morning, we spotted them being set up outside the store. Moments earlier, we had been on another holiday errand – checking out the new Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) customer-co-created calendars:
That’s Hotwire barista Kyle holding up one of the calendars – they’re available for $5, with proceeds going to WestSide Baby and Furry Faces Foundation. Customers wrote the photo captions. P.S. Hotwire will be open 8 am-2 pm on Thanksgiving Day next Thursday; we are continuing to compile holiday hours/closures information for our West Seattle Holidays page, so please let us know if you have info to share!
2:32 PM CHRISTMAS TREE UPDATE: Update in comments – Christmas trees have been sighted at Home Depot too.
Westwood Village manager Stuart Crandall (right) and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce board president Jerome Cohen cut the ribbon tonight to officially open Santa’s House at WV. It’s not formally open to the public for Santa photos till a week from Saturday, but this is the traditional sneak peek and ribboncutting that happens during an early holiday-season Chamber get-together. The hours are set for noon-4 pm Saturdays and Sundays, November 27-December 19, and remember to bring donations – food for food banks will get you a free photo – White Center Food Bank‘s Audrey Zemke talked about how important that is:
They’re also again collecting diapers (sizes 3-6 preferred!) for WestSide Baby, whose executive director Nancy Woodland talked about how you can help:
WV manager Crandall says they had 5,800 Santa visits last year. Santa’s House is in the breezeway east of Bed Bath Beyond (across from 24-Hour Fitness). The schedule will be added momentarily to our West Seattle Holidays page!
We know there will be MUCH more to add to it – but for starters, here’s the first draft of our compiled list of holiday events and activities in West Seattle, grouped by type, on the newly launched Holidays page (you can also find it from the row of tabs atop all WSB pages). If there’s anything you’d like to add to the page, please share the information (and photos/logos/flyers if available) – we’ll be updating it at least once a day.
This year’s holiday bazaar at the Southwest Community Center is in the lobby shared by the community center and adjacent Southwest Pool. And there we found Tiffany Tomcal and Ryan Daley from the Chief Sealth International High School Honor Choir, selling “Carnegie Cakes” – cupcakes as part of their fundraiser for the choir to travel back east to sing at Carnegie Hall next Easter (you can see/hear the choir in a video clip from our coverage of the Sealth Veterans Day assembly). The SWCC bazaar continues till 4 pm at 2801 SW Thistle. Marion Lisko is there too, with Cookie Lee Jewelry:
The biggest bazaar we’ve visited today is the craft fair at Bridge Park Retirement Community (WSB sponsor) in High Point (3204 SW Morgan) – where the vendors include Bella and her dad, with their Funsies baby clothes:
At Bridge Park, you can also get a chair massage from Betty Lewis of Unwind Today:
And of course, Christmasy offerings abound – be sure to poke around all the corners of the lobby/dining level at Bridge Park to find them:
Like the SWCC bazaar, the Bridge Park event is also continuing till 4 pm, as is one we haven’t made to yet, at Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW).
The treats and decorated trees are inside at West Seattle Nursery, where the annual holiday open house continues till 3 pm, but you’ll want to venture outside too – wreath-making is under way, with a seminar coming up at the top of the hour …
Also outside: Free espresso! And the barista’s been busy …
West Seattle Nursery is at California/Brandon; the official open-house info is here; and note that West Seattle Nursery will be selling Christmas trees again this year too. (Not there yet – unless you take note of the beautiful potted Norfolk pine indoors!)
(Photo by Danny McMillin, taken last Wednesday)
Why wait for “Black Friday” when you have Shopping Saturday? Multiple major events today, starting with CoolMom’s Toy Swap ‘n’ Sale, 9 am-1 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW). Remember that if you donated pre-sale, and put your name in the bag, you should have a $5 credit waiting … Go Natives! Nursery has a plant sale today benefiting the West Seattle Backyard Wildlife Habitat program, 10 am-4 pm at 3225 47th SW (near PCC Natural Markets [WSB sponsor]) – follow the signs from California/Admiral … West Seattle Nursery‘s holiday open house is 11 am-3 pm today, with three seminars on chickens, wreaths, and cooking (details on the official flyer) … Bridge Park (WSB sponsor) offers a craft fair today, 9:30 am-4 pm (3204 SW Morgan) … Southwest Community Center‘s Holiday Bazaar is today, with entertainment, craft activities for kids, and more, 10 am-4 pm (2801 SW Thistle) … Providence Mount St. Vincent‘s holiday bazaar continues today (4831 35th SW) …The Shorewood Elementary Bazaar is also 10 am-4 pm, lots of handmade goods (2725 SW 116th) … In The Junction, knows perfume celebrates its six-month “anniversary” 11 am-6 pm with a sale/celebration … And after all that shopping, how about dancing? 7 pm at Hiawatha Community Center, it’s the 2nd Saturday Dance Series (with lessons too) … You might even leave the kids (6-12) at Hootenanny Creative Kids Classes’ Parents’ Night Out Workshop, 5:30-8:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center … Lots of other events on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!
Near the line between West Seattle and White Center in the Delridge Triangle, that plaque marks a tribute to veterans. This Veterans Day 2010 afternoon, a new flag flies over it:
It only happened with the help of a Seattle Fire Department crew, from Ladder 13.
“Mac” McElroy from nearby Mac’s Triangle Pub, who shared the photos, says someone who used to tend the flag isn’t able to do it any more, so he sought help in replacing it with a new one for Veterans Day – and SFD responded. Mac is a veteran too, by the way. And he’s trying to find out who can help get the flagpole area re-lit: “The city has been unable to help, as has the VFW. But it should be lit at night or taken down each evening.”
COOLMOM’S TOY SWAP AND SALE – DEADLINE FOR DONATIONS: Just got word from CoolMom‘s Terri Glaberson that she’s making the rounds of the donation bins one last time by 5 pm today for this Saturday’s Toy Swap and Sale – if you have been meaning to donate items (just put your name in the bag and you get $5 off your purchases on Saturday), hurry! The PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) and smallclothes bins will be the last picked up. Full details, including the dropoff locations and the info on Saturday’s event, are here.
TWILIGHT STARTING TOY DRIVE FOR FOSTER KIDS: Just got word from Twilight Artist Collective in The Junction that tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk also marks the start of their donation drive for Treehouse, which provides new toys and warm clothes for foster kids all around the area. If you don’t get to bring something tonight, no worries, they’ll be collecting all the way up till 5 pm December 19th, and each time you make a donation, your name will go into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate and goodie bag. Twilight is next to Easy Street along SW Alaska west of California SW. Here’s this year’s “wish list” from Treehouse.
(WSB photo from December 2009 by Christopher Boffoli)
Remember that scene from last December? As we and others reported, community generosity saved the day – and the holidays – for local kids in need, when Bishop Deborah Dinkins of Restoration Worship Center – which meets at High Point Community Center – reached out for help. She is hoping you can help again this year:
Greeting from Restoration Worship Center Bishop Dinkins
We are having our annual Toy Drive starting the first Sunday in November and continuing every Sunday in November. We have more than 1,000 names already of children needing toys. We have not gotten any donations yet. We are in desperate need of Toys, Gift Cards, Clothes and Monetary Donations. Donations can be dropped off at the High Point Community Center, 6920 34th Ave SW, West Seattle every Sunday in November between the hours of 12 noon to 2:00 pm outside to collect all donations.
The toys will be given away on Sunday in December 5th from 12 to 2:00 pm @ the High Point Housing Office in West Seattle.
For more information please contact Bishop Deborah Dinkins at 360-440-4428 or Tina Taylor at 206-261-4225
Thank you!
(WSB photo from November 2009)
Eastridge Christian Assembly, in The Triangle, has sent word it’s doubling its turkey giveaway this year – instead of giving free turkeys to 500 people at each of its two campuses, including West Seattle, this year each campus will give out 1,000. Here’s the news release, just out of the WSB inbox:
Eastridge Church will be providing 2,000 free Thanksgiving turkeys and bags of groceries to families in need on Saturday, November 20, beginning at 9 a.m. (while supplies last) at their two locations: Issaquah and Seattle. This is double the 1,000 turkeys and groceries provided in past years.
“Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our lives and the good things that we’re experiencing, but it can also be an especially challenging time for families with limited resources,” said Eastridge Lead Pastor, Steve Jamison. “We want to show that Eastridge cares by providing a blessing this Thanksgiving to those who may be struggling to make ends meet. This is our eighth year providing a turkey and bag of groceries to families and in response to the increased need in our community, we are doubling the amount we provided last year.”
When: Saturday, November 20, starting at 9 a.m., while supplies last
Where: The Issaquah campus of Eastridge Church
24205 Issaquah-Fall City Road, IssaquahThe West Seattle Campus of Eastridge Church
4500 39th Avenue SW, SeattleThe 2,000 dinner packages will be given out first-come, first-served, with no demonstration of need required to receive the assistance.
Two more West Seattle Veterans Day notes: No breeze to lift Old Glory yet, but the flags are up in the heart of The Junction. Meantime, we just received word of one special event to which you are invited:
Today at 1:30 pm, Providence Mount St. Vincent will be honoring Veterans Day with a special ceremony in the dining room. The program will feature:
Welcome
Flag parade – residents and staff
Pledge of Allegiance
Singing of National Anthem
Prayer
Slide show featuring our residents who are veterans (We’re showing photos of them then and now.)
Recognizing and thanks to our Vets
Singing of “God Bless America”
RefreshmentsWe have a number of vets who have served in World War II; Korean War; and were career military service men and women. One of our female residents was a WAVE for 35 years. She retired in 1979. WAVES stands for “Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service.”
The public is welcome to attend.
The Mount is at 4831 35th SW (map).
The official observance of Veterans Day today means school’s out for most if not all students, including the entire Seattle Public Schools system. Transit changes include no King County Water Taxi boats or shuttles and “reduced weekday” service for Metro (as detailed here). No US Postal Service delivery. Many government offices are closed, as are city-run community centers and all branches of the Seattle Public Library. One city service is unchanged, though – trash/recycling/yard waste pickup, if Thursday’s your day. P.S. If you are going downtown or anywhere else with pay stations/parking meters, today’s a city “parking holiday” so it’s free.
Since it’ll be too late for a reminder by the time we publish tomorrow morning’s daily preview, a reminder tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Veterans are welcome to enjoy a free Pancake Breakfast at Merrill Gardens-West Seattle tomorrow morning, 8:30 to 10 am, with a brief program at 9:30 am. 4611 35th SW (map) – please RSVP ASAP to (206) 932-5480.
With just seven weeks to go till Christmas, we have an update on the Charlestown lights-synched-to-music show, officially the Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular: The family friend who created the show, Jim Winder, says its new website, at westseattlelights.com, is now up and running, so a banner’s up at the house too – and they’ve been working to install the display as well:
On Friday, a crew from KING 5’s Evening Magazine came over to cover the installation process; no exact date is set yet for the feature to be on TV, but the date IS set for the Opening Night Ceremony: 7 pm Saturday, November 27th. Zach Lystedt will be the special guest who turns on the lights. He’s a high-school student who survived a sports injury and now campaigns for safety:
A charity chosen by Zach’s family, Pushing Boundaries, will be the beneficiary of any donations showgoers care to make on night 1; other nonprofits that’ll benefit from donations are listed here, along with donation button. Something else new this year: Some nights they’ll do Christmas-music karaoke! More info on this page – including how to sign up in advance via e-mail.
(Look closely and you’ll see some of the new lighting atop the ArtsWest building)
Exactly one month till this year’s tree-lighting ceremony in The Junction on December 4th – and this year, it’ll be in Junction Plaza Park, instead of the 44th/Alaska parking lot where it’s been held the past few years. (The first year we covered a ceremony for WSB, 2006, it was on the site that’s since become the park!) Meantime, we also learned from West Seattle Junction Association director Susan Melrose at last night’s Southwest District Council meeting that the Junction’s holiday lighting will be different this year – instead of hanging lights in Junction trees, you will find the tops of “Downtown West Seattle” buildings outlined in lights, plus the trademark Junction wreaths will have additional lighting, for a “brighter, more festive experience,” as Melrose puts it. As previously noted, you can also mark your calendar for three Hometown Holidays Sundays in The Junction, December 5th, 12th, and 19th (the 5th is when the West Seattle Volunteer Recognition Awards will be announced – separate from the tree-lighting ceremony this year – nominated someone yet? do it now!). Watch wsjunction.org for even more holiday-happenings details to come.
Once again this holiday season – yes, it’s the holiday season, with Thanksgiving just three weeks from today! – the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival is raising money by selling special ornaments. You can place an order by phone or look for them at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market starting this Sunday, says Hi-Yu Vice President Deena Mahn:
It’s time for West Seattle Hi-Yu’s Annual Ornament Sale!!! This year we have 3 beautiful handmade ornaments to choose from. Each ornament is approximately 7-8 inches long and was designed and created for Hi-Yu by glass artist Zeus Rudner. We met him at this year’s Issaquah Salmon Days parade! The cost of each ornament is $15.00, and will help support this year’s Senior Court Scholarship program, float building and our festival events! They make great gifts for family, friends, neighbors, teachers, coworkers, clients and yourself!! Pre-orders are being taken now with our first shipment coming in mid-November; please call (206) 935-6517 to place your order. Ornaments are also available for purchase from any Hi-Yu member and will also be sold at the Farmers’ Market in November. Thanks for your support!
That’s Christopher Boffoli‘s WSB video from last year’s New Year’s Day polar-bear swim at Alki. Never too soon to start planning the next one; we just heard from Angelina Shell, who is ready to organize it but looking for coffee donations, for starters. If you can help – e-mail her at angelina.shell@gmail.com!
Till 9 pm, it’s Skeleton Theatre 2010 – “The Death of Rock” – West Seattle’s own animatronic Halloween extravaganza, at 36th/Hanford (map). Thanks to the WSB’er who just texted that photo … we’re heading over shortly to check it out and hope to add video here later.
ADDED 11:59 PM: Two clips – first, a bit of the “Beyond the Music” story of the band Bonaparte, shown on a big screen above the stage, punctuating the songs:
And a bit of Bonaparte’s quite-original, quite-appropriate musical artistry:
Even in a bit of mid-evening drizzle, an appreciative crowd filled the lawn:
Side note – if you walk up 37th along the block south of Hanford, you might see this lovely lass who looks like she should be hanging out with the band:
P.S. If you missed it tonight, Skeleton Theatre is scheduled to run continuously 6-9 pm again tomorrow (Monday) too. This is the fifth year Chris Walker and friends have put on an animatronic tour-de-force … explore the official website for the background (and to find a button to chip in a few bucks if you enjoyed the show!).
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