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Next weekend: Have Sunday brunch with Nature Consortium
March 5, 2011 1:37 pm
|    Comments Off on Next weekend: Have Sunday brunch with Nature Consortium
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

On March 13th, Sunday brunch goes green – not because St. Patrick’s Day is ahead – it’s all about the greenspaces around us, the heart of the Nature Consortium‘s work. One week from tomorrow, it’s the West Seattle-based nonprofit’s annual fundraising/awareness-raising brunch, noon-1:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy. It’s free to register (donations will be requested during the event). Just go here to get your name on the list.

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Video: ‘Very well-organized’ Thistle Street Stairs cleanup
March 5, 2011 10:59 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle news

10:59 AM: Thanks to Jake Jaramillo for the photo of the in-progress cleanup of the Thistle Street Stairs near Lincoln Park (stretching from 46th/Thistle up to Northrop/Thistle). Jake says there’s still time to go pitch in – “It’s very well-organized. They can put to work anyone who cares to join!”

3:23 PM: Added that clip produced by Wes Sauer of Cider Press Media, narrated by P.J. Glassey. We checked out the cleanup toward the end and indeed, it seemed all involved had a great time (and cleared away multiple bags of overgrowth, including some that was clogging a small drainage ditch alongside the stairs).

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Get your car so clean it sings, while helping singers get to Carnegie
March 4, 2011 7:15 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

What could be the trip of a lifetime is just weeks away for the Chief Sealth International High School Honor Choir – but they’re still raising money, and here’s your next chance to help – as promoted in the photo above, drawn on a car that may well be first in line:

The Chief Sealth Honor Choir was invited to travel to New York City to perform on Easter Sunday at Carnegie Hall. The students and their families have been busy since October rolling up their sleeves and working hard, now we are hoping to really clean up … your car, that is! Drive on down to Alki Auto Repair, no matter how filthy this winter has left your vehicle, we will be happy to see you!!!! Here are the details:

Car Wash for Carnegie Hall
Sunday, March 6th and March 27th
9:00 AM-4:00 PM Rain or Shine
Alki Auto Repair
2504 Alki Ave SW
$10.00
Donations encouraged and heartily appreciated!

Here’s the letter explaining more about the trip (and how to donate even if you don’t need your vehicle washed, or don’t have one to get washed).

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West Seattle HS student seeks your vote in stay-in-school contest
March 3, 2011 8:45 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Motivating teenagers to stay in school is harder than you might think. The dropout crisis is real, and multiple attempts are under way to try to convince kids, one by one, to keep going. The video you see above is part of a campaign called “Get Schooled.” West Seattle High School is participating, and there’s a rap/rhyme contest too. One participating WSHS student e-mailed WSB with his video link – it’s a 1-minute video, full of local scenery! – and this explanation:

My name is Ryan Gluckman, I am a Junior at West Seattle High School, and I am participating in “Get Schooled,” a campaign focused on motivating kids to graduate high school, and be on time to class. This program is relatively exclusive, including only 25 schools in the nation, one of them being WSHS. Participating students submit a rhyme & video that explain how they stay motivated in school. I wrote, directed, performed, and co-produced an entire video along with the help of my fellow student, a Senior at West Seattle High School, Lucas Saunders. We filmed the entire video in West Seattle. WSHS showed support for my video [earlier this week] by playing my song over the intercom in the hallways inbetween classes.

Ryan also shared this link explaining the video contest and why your support matters. He has a Facebook page for his participation in the contest, too – you can show support by “liking” it here. Note that you have to sign up with the Get Schooled site to vote – though the checklist makes it look like you can’t participate if you’re over 19, the rules clearly say anyone over 13 can vote; deadline for voting is March 18th. (P.S. If you wondered who’s behind Get Schooled – we did – its “partners” are listed here, including the Seattle-based Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation).

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4 days to pre-spring cleaning for West Seattle’s longest stairway
March 1, 2011 8:23 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

It’s West Seattle’s longest stairway, and we’d venture to say its best-known, as a result. Seattle Stairway Walks has featured it; runners and walkers express begrudging appreciation for its 359 steps (or so – this site cites different numbers!). The Thistle Street Stairway, running between Lincoln Park and the Upper Fauntleroy/Gatewood line, is getting some TLC this Saturday, and you are invited to be part of it. Stairway fans are gathering at the bottom, 46th and Thistle (map), at 10 am Saturday for two hours of intensive cleanup. Here’s the Facebook event page, which you can use to RSVP if you choose, and organizers would love to know “if you are able to bring any of the following: scraping tools, brooms, flat shovels, or other implements of moss destruction” – yes, they mean MOSS destruction. They’re promising to “bring the yard waste bags, drinks, and a plan.” This is the second-longest stairway in the city, one of 480 stairways that are part of the public right-of-way. (Photo by Wesley Sauer)

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Challenge time! West Seattle/White Center Food Bank donations count extra, starting now
March 1, 2011 11:14 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

March means the start of the annual two-month Feinstein Challenge – and that means your donation, in money or material, to West Seattle Food Bank or White Center Food Bank (which also serves southernmost WS) counts for more than its face value, if you designate it as part of the challenge. Here’s the official announcement from your two local food banks:

The White Center Food Bank and West Seattle Food Bank are seeing a record number of families come to their doors for assistance. During March and April your donations to help neighbors in need can go farther.

For the 14th consecutive year, Allan Shawn Feinstein will divide $1,000,000 among hunger relief agencies nationwide through his Feinstein Challenge. All donations made between March 1 and April 30th, 2011, and that are specifically designated “Feinstein Challenge,” will count towards the challenge total and help these agencies receive a larger percentage of the million dollars.

For the White Center Food Bank, donations may be mailed to 10829 8th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98146. To make a donation online or for information about the White Center Food Bank’s programs benefited by the $1 Million Challenge, visit www.whitecenterfoodbank.org or contact Rick Jump at (206) 762-2848, or e-mail rick@whitecenterfoodbank.org.

For the West Seattle Food Bank, donations may be mailed to 3419 SW Morgan, Seattle, WA 98126. To make a donation online or for information about the West Seattle Food Bank’s programs benefited by the $1 Million Challenge, visit www.westseattlefoodbank.org or contact Fran Yeatts at (206) 932-9023, or e-mail fran@westseattlefoodbank.org.

For information about the Feinstein Foundation and the $1 Million Challenge, visit www.feinsteinfoundation.org

As the need for our services continues to increase significantly, your donations are now more important than ever.

The Feinstein Foundation says its annual Challenge is “the most successful ongoing effort ever to fight hunger” – so your donation makes you part of that.

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Watching the Oscars? So is a WestSide Baby winner (& friends)!
February 27, 2011 8:02 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

The WestSide Baby fundraising double-bill (WSB coverage here) gave birth to an Oscar party that’s being enjoyed right now – as WS Baby leader Nancy Woodland explained while sharing photos, “At this year’s Tea, one loyal WestSide Baby Tea Table Captain, Toddy Dyer, won a Oscars Party at Burien’s Tin Theater. She turned it into a diaper drive and a group of 40 women gathered to celebrate the awards and Toddy’s birthday!!” Some of the diaper donations, more priceless to WS Baby than any golden statuette:

WS Baby helps families in West Seattle, White Center, Burien, and elsewhere in south King County – here’s how you can help them, any time!

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Help West Seattle YMCA preschoolers help homeless kids
February 27, 2011 9:25 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

That one-minute video is the work of Bonnie Levin and 20 of her preschoolers at West Seattle Family YMCA (WSB sponsor). They have entered it in Verity Credit Union‘s “Cartwheel for a Cause” contest – and it just needs your vote, to have a chance to win – Bonnie explains:

It was a chance to teach my 3 year old students about service, community and those less fortunate. We made this video in honor of First Place School in the Central District. If you’re not familiar with First Place, it is a program for families living with, or at risk of, homelessness. They provide education and, in most cases, housing for the *entire *family. It’s a fantastic program that is in need of extra funding. If we win this contest, we plan on donating the entire sum to this organization. …

Here’s how to vote
1) go to http://www.veritymom.com/cartwheel-for-a-cause/
2) look at the right side of the page for the “ballot”
3) vote for video #20 (Bonnie Levin)

Only one vote per valid e-mail address is necessary.

PLEASE help! These little guys worked really hard on this project and it’d be so wonderful for them to see it through to the donation phase.

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Be a wading-pool hero! City’s looking for sponsors this summer
February 24, 2011 10:12 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo of the Hiawatha wading pool)
Might be a stretch to think about wading pools on a wintry night, but the city announced today that it is looking for help long before summer gets here. Seattle Parks doesn’t have the money to add back any of the hours slashed last year, when only five pools around the city were open daily, 10 three days a week, and 7 never opened at all (3 more were closed last year but will reopen as spray parks this year, including the Highland Park wading-pool site). But if they can find sponsors/partners, they might be able to change that, and open more pools for more days. In West Seattle, only Lincoln Park was open 7 days a week last summer, so if the schedule remains the same, sponsorships could help Delridge, E.C. Hughes, and/or Hiawatha. Find details on Parks’ pool-sponsor proposals by going here.

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‘Perfect snow day project’: WestSide Baby needs you!
February 23, 2011 8:02 pm
|    Comments Off on ‘Perfect snow day project’: WestSide Baby needs you!
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Just in from Nancy Woodland of WestSide Baby, which helps thousands of local families but can’t do it without you:

The PERFECT Snow Day project awaits you and your kids!

As you are searching for gloves and boots, many of the families we serve are in cramped living spaces with inadequate heat. Warm clothes are needed today! After filling orders this week for local children in need, WestSide Baby’s clothing shelves are extremely depleted. I hope you will consider a closet-clean out day with your kids to be a worthwhile, non-TV, do “something for other’s” way to fill a few hours if the snow or school holiday keeps you cooped up this week.

WestSide Baby provides essentials to local children (newborn to size 12) in need by collecting items from local families and distributing them through more than 90 local social service agency partners like food banks, public health and many more. Just in these 3 weeks of February, we have been unable to fill 17 Clothing Bags, 14 requests for shoes and many winter coats. We strive to meet the very real need and we need your help! In the next few days, we have existing orders to fill for many clothing articles including pants and shirts at 15 requests each. Even after a wonderfully discounted shopping spree today of larger size children’s clothes at Again and A Gain Consignment, one of our wonderful on-going sponsors, we were through those bags by day’s end.

A complete and detailed list of the clothing items we currently need can be found on our How to Give section of our website. Our facility is open for donations again on Saturday from 10-1 but we also have many drop-off locations throughout West Seattle and Burien if you can reach them easier. We also have many unfilled requests for items such as car seats, strollers, portable cribs and toddler beds (not twin) but we are slightly overstocked on toys. Feel free to leave the toy purge for another day!

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2 more chances to tidy up West Seattle: Admiral, & Thistle stairs
February 23, 2011 11:35 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Want cleaner streets and sidewalks? Here are two more opportunities in addition to the March 5th “Clean Up Your Act” volunteer effort noted here. First, Admiral Neighborhood Association president Katy Walum posted a reminder about their Saturday Adopt-A-Street event (free breakfast AND lunch!) as a WSB comment:

… The Admiral Neighborhood Association will be having our quarterly Adopt-a-Street cleanup this Saturday, February 26th, from 9-11 am. Any interested volunteers are welcome to meet with us at 9 am at the Admiral Metropolitan Market, and spend an hour or so picking up litter in and around the Admiral business district. We will provide safety vests, gloves, bags, and trash grabbers. Metropolitan Market will provide volunteers with fresh coffee, fruit, and pastries, and a sack lunch after the cleanup to reward you for your efforts. Please e-mail me at katy.walum@gmail.com with any questions. Hope to see you litter-busters there!

And we also got word of a cleanup along West Seattle’s longest staircase, the SW Thistle Street stairs between Upper Fauntleroy and Lincoln Park. Neighbors and other stairway users will gather at its lower end at 10 am March 5th; more details in this Facebook event invitation.

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Followup: ‘Clean Up Your Act, Seattle’ instigator needs you 3/5
February 21, 2011 10:07 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | South Park | West Seattle news | White Center

Remember Michael Merta, whose anti-litter letter was published here three weeks ago? He’s mustered some support and is now – with one local leader’s encouragement – inviting you to join in a cleanup, among other things. Here’s his update:

About three weeks ago I wrote an open letter about the worsening problem of litter in the Seattle area. I’ve received many responses to that letter from other concerned citizens since then. I have still not heard back from any of the city, county, or WSDOT officials that I complained to, about their plans if any, to deal with the problem.

I have been contacted by King County Councilman Joe McDermott’s office, and they have asked me to organize a cleanup through the Facebook page that I created around this issue.

The Councilman’s office has contacted Waste Management to provide support, tools, and supplies for the effort, and we are tentatively planning it for Saturday March 5th between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Please see the Facebook page for further details, or contact me at michaelmerta@hotmail.com

It is unclear to me, and it is also unclear to officials in Councilman McDermott’s office, just who is responsible for routine litter patrol, and in which areas of town. There may be areas where indeed, no agency is currently responsible. Since I first complained about this to the various agencies, there has been no litter removed from the sites I’ve identified. It seems as if our local government does not have the resources, or has not allocated the resources to solve this problem, so we as citizens need to figure something out here.

Obviously, one cleanup event cannot solve this problem. In my opinion, it’s going to take a comprehensive effort involving frequent citizen cleanups, state and local government organized cleanups, increased fines, and increased code enforcement. A kind of full-on campaign, we could call it “Keep Seattle Beautiful.” I’d like some help with getting such a campaign started. We could all start by writing about our concerns to our local politicians. mayormcginn.seattle.gov, Dow.Constantine@kingcounty.gov

In a city that prides itself on being “green” and environmentally friendly, it seems we have allowed plain old litter to make a comeback. Today, as I was driving across the First Avenue bridge (one of the areas I first complained about) I noticed someone decided to drop off an old couch on the side of the road (see photo above). Funny thing about litter, you leave it there and it seems to multiply.

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Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza: Post-waves cleanup; bricks update
February 21, 2011 8:23 pm
|    Comments Off on Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza: Post-waves cleanup; bricks update
 |   Alki Statue of Liberty | How to help | West Seattle news

(Photo by Eilene Hutchinson)
Over the weekend, Alki’s David Hutchinson shared a photo of the debris tossed onto the Alki park and shore by the wild wind-whipped waves (second-to-last image here). Tonight, he sends word of a cleanup at the plaza – and the latest on brick sales, which help pay for maintenance:

Today, volunteers from the Alki Community Council removed sand and other materials deposited on the Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza by Saturday’s windstorm. The ACC agreement with Seattle Parks & Recreation makes a commitment to provide volunteer work parties to help with the maintenance of the Plaza. Parks will be replanting the landscape beds surrounding the Plaza in the coming months making use of funds from the sale of bricks and plaques the ACC has turned over to the City. Only 90 additional bricks are available and orders received by April 1st will be installed by Parks in late May or early June. Orders received after that date will be installed in the fall. Go to www.sealady.org or e-mail libertyplaza@msn.com for additional information.

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Happening now: Rock ‘n’ roll auction for animals at The Feedback
February 20, 2011 3:52 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

Weary of wandering in the sunshine? Duck into the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) and put in a bid on rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia – as the live “Vinyl Countdown 3” auction continues till 5 pm. It’s a benefit for the Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation, and The Feedback’s website promises “a plethora of vintage vinyl, rock memorabilia, posters, shirts, 45s, and more!” 6451 California SW, in Morgan Junction. (P.S. If you didn’t, or can’t, make it to the auction, there’s another way to help – here’s the latest list of critters that AARF is trying to find “forever homes” for.)

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West Seattle Girl Scouts get their cookies; next, you get yours
February 19, 2011 9:31 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

The Alaska Marine Lines loading dock along West Marginal Way Southwest is usually bustling with trucks – but this morning, minivans and SUVs ruled the day, as West Seattle Girl Scouts and troop leaders picked up this year’s supply of cookies. Inside, stacks of boxes awaited each group that dropped by from predawn till noontime:

Service Unit cookie manager Cheryl Brown says this year’s West Seattle order totaled 35,016 boxes – 5,220 more than last year. No new flavor this year – same ones as last year. If you pre-ordered, deliveries are starting tomorrow; if you didn’t, look for Girl Scouts selling cookies outside local stores and businesses starting next Friday (February 25th) and continuing through March 13th. Wondering where to find them? The online Cookie Locator is up and running again this year too – just go here. (Use it to search by zip code, or within a certain distance of a zip code; this appears to be the complete list of WS sales.) And if you’d like to buy cookies to donate to U.S. military personnel, Operation Cookie Drop is back in business as well (read about that here).

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Relay for Life of West Seattle: Discount signup through Sunday!
February 19, 2011 9:30 pm
|    Comments Off on Relay for Life of West Seattle: Discount signup through Sunday!
 |   Health | How to help | West Seattle news

After Thursday night’s kickoff for this June’s cancer-fighting Relay for Life of West Seattle, Rebecca Polivy sent in a report – and an invitation if you haven’t signed up yet:

The West Seattle Relay Kickoff event held (Thursday) night, February 17th, at Coffee to a Tea with Sugar in the junction was a huge success! New and old participants gathered for a night of food, entertainment and information. Event Chair Jilyan Perry spoke to new and old relay participants and got everyone very excited for the event which will be June 10-11 at the West Seattle Stadium. Dwaine Casmey, captain of Team Avanade, entertained the crowd with his brillant tunes while everyone munched on delicious cupcakes from our hosts.

If you haven’t had a chance to participate in Relay for Life it’s not too late! Please visit our website and contact us with any questions. Team registration fees will be half price through this weekend – so sign up today!!! All are welcome.

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West Seattle High School Foundation’s spirited 2nd annual dinner/auction
February 17, 2011 11:56 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

As declared by King County Executive Dow Constantine – as you can hear him say, in our video – this was “Christy Rowe Day” in the county. That’s in honor of the devoted volunteer honored at tonight’s second annual West Seattle High School Foundation benefit dinner/auction, held at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Rowe’s volunteerism even has her leading the WSHS Foundation as its president this year. She and the county executive, of course, are WSHS alums (’72 and ’80 respectively), and she had a few things to say too:

We’ll be checking on the fundraiser’s final totals in the morning, but we watched a spirited auction – including two bidders winning lunch for 4 with Constantine, at $400 each. Lunch with Seattle School Board President Steve Sundquist was also up for grabs – he was at the event too (winning bidder for that one was the principal of Ingraham High School!). The event included one round of “fund a need” bidding, as many such auctions do, for a new sound system to make school events more audible; between bidders and a WSHS PTSA match, they brought in almost $11,000 of the $15,000 needed for the system. (Not too late to help – there’s a donation address on the WSHSF website.)

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Video: West Seattle Montessori student’s blanket drive gains fame
February 17, 2011 12:35 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Last week, we previewed this week’s blanket drive at West Seattle Montessori/West Seattle Academy (WSB sponsor) – the brainchild of a young WSMS student. This morning, our friends at KING 5 went to the school to talk with her, and the video clip above includes one of their reports (recorded live). Through tomorrow evening, you can take blankets (and sweaters!) to WSMS at 11215 15th SW, or to Carmilia’s in The Junction (4528 California SW).

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West Seattle YMCA ‘Partners With Youth’ update
February 17, 2011 11:45 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle YMCA ‘Partners With Youth’ update
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Photo courtesy West Seattle Family YMCA)
The West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) is more than just the facilities you’re familiar with in The Triangle and at Fauntleroy Church – they are behind a wide variety of youth programs all around the area, including at local schools and community centers, helping kids of all ages. Right now, they’re in the midst of the annual Partners With Youth fundraising campaign and just got the first report last night: $53,000 toward a community-campaign goal of $200,000. Samantha Bowes from the Y adds, “Special thanks to Talarico’s Pizza for donating 100% of the food for the report night – more than 100 people dined very well thanks to their generosity! Belated thanks also goes to Husky Deli for sponsoring the food for Partners With Youth volunteer campaigner trainings in January.”

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2 ways to help: Alki Tavern on Thursday, WS Eagles on Feb. 25
February 16, 2011 11:09 pm
|    Comments Off on 2 ways to help: Alki Tavern on Thursday, WS Eagles on Feb. 25
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Info on two fundraisers to share – this first one is happening tomorrow (Thursday) night but just came in. From Peter:

All proceeds from food sales at the Alki Tavern (1321 Harbor Ave SW) tomorrow night, Thursday, February 17, 2011, are being donated to the West Seattle Food Bank and Family Promise of Seattle. Readers of the wsblog are already familiar with the great work being done by the WS Food Bank in our community, and they will also recognize Family Promise as the only homeless shelter in West Seattle. The Alki Tavern is well known for its Taco Thursday promotion where they sell tacos for $1.00 apiece, and the view from the tavern is the best in all of Seattle. Good food, good friends, good view, all with a view to building a stronger community. Come join us.

Family Promise, you may recall, is working to raise $90,000 so it can reopen its program housing homeless families with volunteer help from local congregations. Meantime, Jennifer is inviting you to a benefit at the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ weekend after next – and collecting auction donations now:

Event- 2nd annual Art Erhmann Cancer benefit

Where- West Seattle Eagles, 4426 California SW

When- February 25th, 530-1100 pm
Silent Auction preview starts at 330 pm.

We will have pulled pork sandwiches, beer specials, silent auction, and entertainment.

I’m currently taking donations of any kind of stuff we can put into a gift basket; deadline for donations will be Thursday the 24th by 11 pm. In addition, for any business donating, we will provide a form for tax purposes.

My contact info – 206-938-4426
Jcollinsyoung@gmail.com

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Pedal in a ‘spinathon’ to help get West Seattle teens onto 2 wheels!
February 15, 2011 11:48 am
|    Comments Off on Pedal in a ‘spinathon’ to help get West Seattle teens onto 2 wheels!
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

The Cascade Bicycle Club‘s Major Taylor Project, to help get tweens and teens into bicycling, is rolling into West Seattle, and you can be part of it at a “Spinathon” this Thursday night. 5-8 pm at Allstar Fitness in North Delridge, there’s a fundraiser for expanding the project to South King County sites including Chief Sealth International High School. Organizers say there are 2 ways to help:

1. Ride in the Spinathon – some spots still open! You can ride for 1 hour, 2 hours, or all 3 hours – from 5-6pm, 6-7 pm, or 7-8pm time slots. To register: e-mail opa@cascadebicycleclub.org or ed.ewing@cascadebicycleclub.org. Cost is a minimum $25 per hour donation. Checks can be made out to ‘Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation‘, which is a (501)(3)c. Participants can bring their donation the night of the event or mail to the address below.

2. For those not riding – you can help the program reach more kids in West Seattle
by donating to the Major Taylor Project. Two ways to donate:

Online (you’ll need to set up an account)
shop.cascade.org/content/major-taylor-project-stp-donation

or postal mail:

Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation Major Taylor Program
7400 Sand Point Way NE, Suite 101S
Seattle, WA 98115

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Big turnout at first design meeting for 34th/Barton P-Patch
February 13, 2011 5:17 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Gardening | How to help | West Seattle news | Westwood

Should it stay or should it go? The fate of the big birch tree shown above is one of the issues that came up as about 50 people joined in the first design meeting for the new 34th/Barton P-Patch, Saturday afternoon at Southwest Community Center.

Landscape architect John Barker, who’s leading the design work, told attendees that an arborist checked out the tree with him earlier in the day, and proclaimed it to be perhaps the healthiest European paper-birch tree she had seen in the city. On the other hand, materials prepared for the meeting show it casts a significant shadow, so the design process will have to determine whether that’s an impediment to maximizing the site, or perhaps a feature for cool shade on warm summer days. Toward the start of the meeting, a show of hands was requested, and the “keep the tree” hand-raisers significantly outnumbered those supporting “take out the tree” – which is the only tree of any kind on the site. Barker estimated that it would cost about the same to keep it or get rid of it.

But the tree’s future was just one topic, albeit one that took up a fair amount of time.

Read More

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Happening now: ‘Have a Heart Day’ 2011 at Illusions Hair Design
February 13, 2011 2:04 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: ‘Have a Heart Day’ 2011 at Illusions Hair Design
 |   How to help | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Lots of early Valentine’s celebrations today, and things are especially heart-y at Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor), in the throes of its annual “Have a Heart Day” fundraiser. Illusions team members donate their time, and the salon offers reduced-price haircuts with all proceeds going to charity – this year, it’s Pencil Me In For Kids, to make sure no student has to go to school without the supplies she/he needs. The salon was busy when we stopped in a while ago, but Illusions’ Sue Lindblom told us they still had a few openings – so you can call 206-938-3675 to see if there’s a chance they can get you in before 4. More reasons to stop in – the artists they’re currently showcasing are on hand too; and they’re offering salon merchandise at a 14% discount. They are accepting Pencil Me in for Kids monetary donations too, so even if you aren’t getting a cut, you can stop by and help the cause – 5619 California SW.

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