West Seattle, Washington
08 Sunday
One of The Junction’s newest stores, Suite Arrangements – first previewed here in August – has good news after less than two months in business: It’s already profitable, according to information e-mailed by proprietor Geoffrey Abdian. 
He also shared a photo of the 100th person to consign furniture with his store, Mary Leatherman (right), a volunteer coordinator at across-the-street ArtsWest, quoting her as calling Suite Arrangements “the perfect location to consign items that no longer fit the décor of my home.” With Mary and 99+ others already signed on (there’s even an online catalog), Abdian says, he’s been able to start making good on his commitment (mentioned in our August story) to donate 5 percent of profits to the West Seattle Food Bank, whose executive director Fran Yeatts got the first check on Tuesday. “It’s not much yet,” Abdian said, “and the store hasn’t begun to repay the loans taken to open, but it’s a good start. And, we want to thank West Seattle for embracing the recycling of fine furnishings, and for helping to feed those most in need.” He quotes Yeatts as saying, “I hope other businesses, and individuals, in our community will likewise allocate a portion of their own good fortune to the benefit of those most in need.” (Donation info for the WS Food Bank is online at westseattlefoodbank.org; we’ll have a story later this morning about additional ways to get, and give, food help this weekend.)
When you do your holiday food shopping this weekend, consider buying extra, for food banks. We reported previously on what West Seattle Food Bank needs; today we talked with Audrey at White Center Food Bank, which serves part of WS too. She says they do NOT need more turkeys, but they DO need fixings: Chicken broth, condensed milk, olives, pickles, stuffing mix, fruit cocktail, Jell-O, etc. Audrey says they expect to serve 950 families next week.
You’ve heard a lot about preparedness here, thanks to the amazing group of West Seattle volunteers working on projects like West Seattle Be Prepared, but here’s another way to get involved: West Seattle resident Dave Nichols e-mailed with a call for volunteers to join the Public Health Reserve Corps for Seattle & King County. He explains, “This group of volunteers augments Public Health during a medical emergency or disaster.” And you don’t have to be a health-care professional. Read on to see what they’re looking for and how you can help with this “just in case they’re ever needed” team:Read More
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!
It turned up on Twitter a few nights ago – a curiosity-piquing tweet about a West Seattle 8-year-old raising money to help wildlife. We saw it and followed the link, which led to the tale of Clayton Drennan. His mom Kathleen agreed to share his story – and that photo, which she says was taken last Friday, as he “clos(ed) in on mile 15 … At this point he’d already walked nearly four miles that day.”
About a month ago, Clayton announced to us that he wanted to try to complete the Seattle Children’s Kids Marathon. Since then, much to our surprise, he’s been cheerfully running and walking laps on our block, taking the lead on long walks to the park (including one four-miler that took us on an odyssey around West Seattle), often pushing his little brother Joey in the jogging stroller. Once we saw how serious he was about it, we told him about how lots of people raise money for worthy causes by taking on similar challenges. This piqued his interest.
Considering what an animal lover he is, I immediately thought of the work that Conservation Northwest is doing to protect wildlife habitat in Washington and told him about how I’d seen a slideshow describing their work with the I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition. When I described how the proposed and planned bridges and underpasses will save the lives of animals and people, too, he insisted that Conservation Northwest was the charity for him. He didn’t even want to hear about other options.
Clayton typed and dictated most of the blog content himself; his dad and I just edited a bit and added details where they were needed. Readers should go there to find out more about how they can donate and how he’s hoping to triple any donations that come in.
Charity fundraising aside, he is just excited to tackle the challenge of running the last 1.2 miles of the race (which he’ll do with me, his dad, his 9-year-old friend Allison, and a gaggle of other kids on November 27th). He plans to train at 6:30 a.m. every morning for the next week or so with Allison and his Dad until race day.
We hope that folks around West Seattle will visit the blog, leave encouraging comments, maybe even make a donation in Clayton’s honor, and help our eight-year-old learn how one small person can make a big difference.
Again, Clayton’s website is here – with a donation link toward the bottom (you can leave those encouraging comments on his site too).
Got a few hours tomorrow (Thursday) night, 7-9 pm, to help WestSide Baby move 100,000 diapers (from their big Huggies donation) “in addition to other projects”? E-mail sarah@westsidebaby.org!
When Thanksgiving approaches, we usually get questions from people wondering what the local food banks need, so we’re checking in with both of the food banks that serve West Seattle. We’ve already published a volunteer request from the White Center Food Bank; today, we have information from the West Seattle Food Bank:
The West Seattle Food Bank sends sincere thanks to all who are helping neighbors in need by holding food drives and making donations this holiday season
“If you are interested in helping specifically for the Thanksgiving season,” said Executive Director Fran Yeatts, “the best times to drop off food are Friday November 19th between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM and Monday November 22nd between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM. For Thanksgiving the items that are especially appreciated are frozen turkeys less than 12 pounds and desserts like pie. The store-bought pies in the box are the best for storage and distribution by the Food Bank. “
For West Seattleites needing assistance, distribution hours are different during the week of Thanksgiving. The West Seattle Food Bank will be distributing food:
Monday, November 22nd, 9:15 AM – 11:00 AM for seniors only.
Monday, November 22nd, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM for the general public.
Tuesday, November 23rd, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM for the general public“We will also be distributing over 150 home deliveries on Wednesday, November 24th. “ said Yeatts.
The West Seattle Food Bank will close at 3:00 PM on the 24th and will be closed Thursday, November 25th and Friday, November 26th.
With a week and a half till Thanksgiving, it’s time to start thinking how to offer extra help for the holidays. For Thanksgiving, we’re checking with our local food banks regarding their needs for food donations – particularly turkeys – look for that info soon; for starters, we’ve received this volunteer-help request from volunteer/resource coordinator Audrey Zemke at the White Center Food Bank, which serves southern West Seattle as well as WC (and north Burien):
The White Center Food Bank needs volunteers to help hand out holiday food the following shifts
Mon., November 22 – 12:30 to 3:30 and possibly 3:30 to 6:30
Tue., November 23 – 9:00 to 12:30, 12:30 to 3:30, and possibly 3:30 to 6:30
Wed., November 24 – 12:30 to 3:30, 4:30 to 8:30Mon., December 20 – 12:30 to 3:30 and 3:30 to 6:30
Tue., December 21 – 9:00 to 12:30, 12:30 to 3:30, 3:30 to 6:30
Wed., December 22 – 12:30 to 3:30Families, individuals or groups are welcome to contact me at audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org or 206-762-2848.
That’s the Chief Sealth International High School band’s entry (Jimi!) in a new online Battle of the Bands – the only Seattle contender – and starting right this moment, your vote can help them win. Director Marcus Pimpleton explains:
The Chief Sealth Band is participating in KZOK’s Battle of the Bands competition, in which the winning high school band will receive a $10,000 grand prize. The first round of the judging is based on votes texted in from listeners. We are encouraging everyone to text their vote to help the Chief Sealth Band make it into the finals. Sealth is the only Seattle Public School participating in this year’s contest, so we are encouraging all Seattle residents to rally around this band. Much of the Chief Sealth Band’s inventory is also used by the Seattle All-City Band, so a win for Sealth is a win for All-City.
To support the Sealth Band, text “rock8” to 24300. The system will accept up to 10 votes from the same number per day, so please text ten times a day every day for the next month. Voting begins (this morning) and runs to December 15th. Following the first round of judging, a panel of judges will ultimately judge the video submissions on their musicianship to choose the winning band, but we need texted votes to make it into the final round of judging.
Videos of the high school bands participating [editor’s note, including the one we embedded above] are available online at therockwfp.com/category/botb-2011 and will begin appearing on Comcast on Demand next month.
Out of the WSB inbox: Jo Bader updates us on Girls On The Run of Puget Sound, “a non-profit organization whose mission is to use the power of running to educate and prepare girls in 3rd through 5th grade for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.” Their after-school program has worked with girls at West Seattle sites including, in recent years, Hiawatha – where Jo coached last year – plus Pathfinder and Alki, and a big regional event is coming up in three weeks, Jo says:
On December 4, 2010, Girls on the Run of Puget Sound will host the New Balance Girls on the Run 5K <> at Seward Park in Seattle. This super-fun race is the culmination of the Girls on the Run fall training program and is an opportunity for girls to demonstrate their new “girl power!” This event is open to the public and one-hundred percent of proceeds will benefit Girls on the Run of Puget Sound programs.
Jo says GOTR is looking for “about 40 more volunteers to help out on race day” – and West Seattle help would be welcomed!
To register, volunteers should go to
www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/111234563257211405 and follow the instructions to access the volunteer sign up site. Once in, navigate to December 4th and sign up for a job.
3 work parties to mention tonight – one coming up on Monday, two that happened today. First, from Nancy Whitlock at the Nature Consortium, if you have some time to spare midday Monday:
Habitat Restoration Work Party at the College Street Ravine!
Join Nature Consortium in celebrating Dow Constantine’s birthday by helping us conduct restoration activities in the College Street Ravine (Dow’s favorite greenspace) from 10 am-1 pm on Mon. 11/15. Tools, gloves & snacks provided. Bring a filled water bottle. RSVP to nancy@naturec.org or 206.923.0853 and directions will be sent to you.
Meantime, thanks to a different group of volunteers, one of West Seattle’s most visible greenspaces got a little cleaner:
If your pathway to the West Seattle Bridge is via Fauntleroy, you see “Walking on Logs” every day. The overgrowth and litter stack up pretty quick, and it’s been more than seven months now since Fairmount’s Nancy Driver helped organize a new stewardship effort, since longtime West Seattle community advocate/volunteer Earl Cruzen couldn’t do it singlehandedly any more; they were out today cleaning and trimming. There’s still more work to be done, and we will pass along the word from Nancy when we get it.
Also out today: The Rotary Club of West Seattle was along the Duwamish River, sprucing things up at the Port of Seattle-owned Terminal 105 Viewpoint (which is just east of the Duwamish Longhouse). Just three weeks from today, it’s one of the Rotarians’ biggest service events of the year – the 37th annual Children’s Holiday Shopping Spree (more details on their website).
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.
We’ve received more than a few notices about holiday giving campaigns – a roundup with some of the newest ones is in the works, in fact – but we don’t know the definitive answer to this question from Gayle, so we’re putting it out in hopes that, if there *is* such a campaign, you’ll share the info:
In the spirit of helping folks locally, I wonder if you are aware of any West Seattle ‘adopt a family’ programs for the holidays? I’ve contacted the WS food bank about it but thought I’d check with you as well.
I think it’s such a great way to make a difference in these difficult economic times and can also be a meaningful way to teach children the spirit of giving.
Let us know – in the comment section, preferably – if you know of one!
3 more weekend scenes to share: Kevin McClintic shared that photo after happening onto the mobile cancer-screening van at 35th and Henderson on Saturday – one of the periodic free-screening days for non-insured/underinsured women 40-65 offered by West Seattle Community Clinic. The next one is January 8th; Kevin says the clinic staff told him they’ll likely start taking appointments around the first of next month (937-9722). Moving ahead to this morning’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market:
The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle not only is selling tickets to its traditional December 4th pancake breakfast (details here), it’s also loaning wagons to families to help them get around the market while they shop – so next time you go, look for Kiwanis volunteers and little red wagons! Meantime, this afternoon at Lafayette Elementary:
Lafayette parent Luckie shared photos from the Sports Swap – as reported here on Saturday morning, this is part of an intensive fundraising process in Phase 2 of the school’s playground renovations, now called the Play It Forward Project. Volunteers are working to raise $100,000 to match a city grant that’ll go away in two months if they’re not successful. Regarding today’s sale, Luckie says, “I’m not sure how we did money-wise, but we sold a bunch of stuff!”
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
This weekend’s Lafayette Elementary Sports Swap – drop off donations/consignment till 3 pm today, shop and “swap” 9 am-3 pm Sunday (flyer here) – is the current fundraiser for a longrunning project that’s suddenly attained new urgency: Upgrading the playground for West Seattle’s most populous public elementary school.
The playground-upgrading project has been under way for years (Lafayette is one of the schools our son attended, and we recall fundraisers up to six years ago!) – but now, there’s a “use it or lose it” component: A $100,000 city Neighborhood Matching Fund grant for Phase 2 (outlined here) that MUST be matched with cash and other contributions by the end of January, or else it goes away.
To get the job done, there’s now a catchy campaign name – Play It Forward – and parent volunteers specifically focused on marketing (including production of the explanatory video you can watch atop this story). We chatted recently with the Lafayette moms who are project co-chairs, to find out why this is a matter of concern beyond even the 530-plus families with students at the school now:Read More
The forecast is iffy, but a few raindrops never hurt anyone. So make plans to get outside for a while tomorrow (and when you’re ready to come inside, we’ll see you at the Gathering of Neighbors). Two events of note: Join the North Delridge Neighborhood Council for a 2-hour cleanup – full details here; and it’s Green Seattle Day, with tree-planting events around the city – if you’d like to help, show up at Camp Long – full details here.
There’s a charity boot-camp-fitness session to benefit the West Seattle Food Bank coming up at the Senior Center of West Seattle, 9-10 am Saturday, November 13. Cash and food donations will be accepted at the door. The session will be run by West Seattle’s Jill Bruyere, who currently offers boot-camp-fitness sessions at Hiawatha Community Center, as well as the Senior Center. Jill has been a resident of West Seattle for the past six years and a personal trainer for the past 11. This is one of several charity-benefiting boot camp projects she’s hoping to bring to West Seattle over the next few months, with a goal of offering fitness and fun, while embracing a sense of responsibility to the community. Jill is currently taking suggestions for nonprofits to support with her future benefit boot camps; you can reach her through her website, runwithjill.com.
(WSB photos and video by Ellen Cedergreen)
Serious rock jam at Bamboo Bar and Grill last night as part of Dine Out to Remember Our Fallen. (Here’s our earlier report, after we met with organizers at Puerto Vallarta in The Junction.) Members of Queensryche, Candlebox and Lotus Crush took the stage – their instruments overwhelmed their vocals in our video, but you still get the idea:
We’re waiting this morning to hear the regional total for the benefit to raise money for the Lakewood Police Officers’ Memorial, in honor of the four officers murdered a year ago this month. At Bamboo, the turnout included Lakewood and Tukwila officers as well as SPD – the next photo includes the two we spoke with earlier in the evening, retired detective Frank Kampsen, director of the Behind the Badge Foundation, and Officer Raleigh Evans:
From the stage, musician Kelly Gray offered a toast to honor the four slain Lakewood officers.
He expressed appreciation for the work of police officers everywhere as well as gratitude for the fact that they “put their lives on the line for us every day.” If you couldn’t join in last night’s fundraiser, either at Bamboo or any of the participating restaurants, you can still donate to the Lakewood Police Independent Guild, which is raising money – there’s a PayPal button on the right sidebar.
That’s West Seattle Helpline executive director Anna Fern (left) with husband Alan Fern (right) and Virginia Pellegrino and Brad Huskinson, during tonight’s fall benefit for the Helpline. Virginia and Brad produced a video that was shown at the benefit (we’re told it’ll be published online within a few days); the event’s theme, “Give the Gift of Warmth and Light.” Certainly a warmer-than-normal evening in a perfect setting, Salty’s on Alki. If you’d like to help Helpline meet the needs of folks in need this holiday season, and beyond, but couldn’t make it to the event – you can donate through the button on the left side of their home page.
Look for the red, white and blue balloons all over West Seattle tonight – like the ones outside Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in our photo – they signify participation in the Dine Out to Remember Our Fallen fundraiser that’s under way right now. Here’s what it’s all about:
In the waiting area for Puerto Vallarta in The Junction, you’ll see that rendering of the police memorial planned for Lakewood, where four officers were gunned down almost a year ago. Tonight’s fundraiser is meant to raise money to bring it closer to reality. Helping lead local efforts, retired Seattle Police Detective Frank Kampsen, director of the Behind the Badge Foundation, and Southwest Precinct Officer Raleigh Evans:
They explained why West Seattle participation is so high:
Meantime, check out this list of participants – get out sometime tonight, and help make the memorial happen. The night’s biggest event will be emceed by Officer Evans: A rock ‘n’ roll jam at Bamboo Bar and Grill on Alki starting at 8 pm. Details here; more later!
An all-star concert at Bamboo Bar and Grill on Alki is just part of the West Seattle lineup for tomorrow’s Dine Out to Remember Our Fallen regional benefit for Behind the Badge Foundation and the Lakewood Police Memorial. Thanks to Eric for e-mailing to share the latest details; the Bamboo concert is expected to be a jam featuring members of Queensryche, Candlebox, and Lotus Crush. Restaurants participating by donating part of their proceeds tomorrow include Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor; half of food proceeds for the day), Salty’s on Alki (part of proceeds from certain desserts), Puerto Vallarta (all proceeds for the day), Bamboo (half of all proceeds for the day, all proceeds from beer donated by Elliott Bay Brewery, plus the concert), Rocksport (proceeds from Georgetown Brewing beer plus drink specials), Christo’s on Alki (accepting donations), Talarico’s, Elliott Bay (proceeds from its beer sales plus has donated kegs to Bamboo and Pegasus), Shipwreck Tavern, Brickyard BBQ, Pegasus Pizza (proceeds from the donated Elliott Bay beer), Duke’s on Alki (donating $250 – had a different fundraiser already scheduled) – and Liberty Bell Printing in The Junction donated the posters! More info, including full regional participants’ list, on this Facebook page.
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