West Seattle, Washington
28 Wednesday
Those are two of the photos West Seattle Food Bank board member Keri Detore kindly sent us from tonight’s WSFB Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Read on for more on tonight’s event, and how you can help:Read More
BEER: Prost West Seattle says this is opening day. 3 pm.
BOOKS: West Seattle High School students raise money through a Barnes and Noble book fair at Westwood Village. (Voucher 423228)
CONCERT: Family concert by Joe Craven @ Youngstown Arts Center, 6:30 pm (proceeds partly benefit Sanislo Elementary)
CLOSURE: Arbor Heights Elementary‘s PTSA leads a community meeting to discuss the district’s proposal to eliminate their school, 7 pm, AH cafeteria
And that’s not all! See the WSB Events Calendar for more.
We told you two weeks ago about Nic Plemel (left), when his wife Rachael e-mailed WSB to share the news that he’s planning to run 13 marathons in 12 weeks, to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Nic has just updated his “13 in 12” blog (as you may already have seen if you follow the automated updates on the WSB Blogs page, which picks up the feeds from 100 West Seattle-based blog writers) – now that he’s finished his first 3 marathons out of those 13, including yesterday’s big Seattle Marathon. He’s also more than a third of the way to his fundraising goal; you can make a donation via his site.
(added Monday night: one of the “Save Arbor Heights” campaign signs that are being printed)
The Arbor Heights Elementary PTSA has just finished a “fact sheet” about its school, which (to recap) is proposed for closure by Seattle Public Schools staff — not the building itself, but the school that’s currently housed in it. AHPTSA describes it as “being evicted”; SPS staff proposes dispersing AH students to other “West Seattle South cluster” schools, and moving the Pathfinder K-8 alternative program into the AH building (after closing the deteriorating Genesee Hill building where it’s long been housed). One of the points that AH reiterates on the fact sheet: In a time when SPS leaders have said they want to move back toward “neighborhood schools” (after years of “school choice” tending to scatter people) — buildings where a high percentage of the students are from nearby neighborhoods — AH already is succeeding on that front, with 50% of its students from the immediate area (described by SPS as the “reference area”). If that doesn’t sound like much to you, consider the stats for other West Seattle elementary schools (according to the “demographic summaries” available on the SPS website – you can choose any school from the “school reports” pulldown on this page):
21% for Alki Elementary
29% for Cooper Elementary
32% for Gatewood Elementary
47% for Highland Park Elementary
42% for Lafayette Elementary
26% for Roxhill Elementary
31% for Sanislo Elementary
51% for Schmitz Park Elementary (the only one higher than AH)
36% for West Seattle Elementary
(Thanks to Michelle for pointing out this info also is available in map form)
Here again is the new Arbor Heights fact sheet; next steps for the “Save Arbor Heights” campaign, a community meeting in the school cafeteria at 7 tomorrow night (as reported here last night). Side note: Tomorrow is also a big night for dozens of West Seattle parents affected by the proposal to move the citywide APP (top-level gifted) program out of Lowell Elementary in the north end and split it between two schools (West Seattle APP students would move to Hawthorne) – their advisory committee is having a meeting at Lowell with a briefing from district staff.
Its name may technically be West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival, but the volunteers who are part of it don’t come close to slowing down during the winter. Above, we photographed Hi-Yu Junior Court Queen Zoe and Princess Elyse selling fundraiser ornaments at Thriftway last weekend – beautiful blown-glass creations:
And they’ll be doing the same thing today on the east side of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, noon-2 pm at the booth for Kiwanis Club of West Seattle (where you can also find out more about next Saturday’s big pancake breakfast, 7-11 am at the Masonic Hall – also of course on the Holiday Happenings page too). Now, the part about “your ideas tomorrow” — Hi-Yu leaders hope you can join them for their Christmas reception and meeting, 6:30 tomorrow (Monday) night at Merrill Gardens on 35th (map) – Hi-Yu’s Deena Mahn tells WSB, “We will be voting on the 2008-09 theme for our float; this year West Seattle Hi-Yu is celebrating 75 years so it is extra special. We want to hear ideas and all are welcome … we are also having a Christmas Reception with refreshments following the meeting.”
We got to West Seattle Bowl in time for the celebrity introductions at this afternoon’s Turkey Bowl – not to be confused with the Beer Church‘s recent Turkey Bowl, though both are in the “have a good time for a great cause” spirit. We picked up on Mike Brown‘s introductions starting with rocker Chris Ballew, moving on through Dennis Bounds and Rich Marriott from KING5 TV, to hydro legend Chip Hanauer, and ending with the local sports world’s most famous peanut-tosser. As they all lined up, so did the camera-wielding spectators:
There’s a silent auction of sports memorabilia too:
Proceeds benefit Seattle-area nonprofits helping homeless people and homeless pets.
That city-made map shows your West Seattle fire stations — Station 29 in North Admiral, Station 36 in North Delridge by The Bridge, Station 32 in the Triangle, Station 37 in Gatewood/Westwood (the city calls it Roxhill!), and Station 11 in Highland Park. They’re all collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots (along with the city’s other fire stations) — drop your donation(s) off by December 18th.
Got word from Southwest Youth and Family Services that they’re open till 7 pm tonight and 9 to 1 tomorrow for their holiday plant sale, with poinsettias, wreaths, rosemary trees, and more. 4555 Delridge (map). SWYFS has a big new job ahead, in addition to what it already does – it’s this area’s lead agency for the city’s new youth-violence-prevention plan, so helping SWYFS can ultimately help make this a safer place to be.
You’ve heard a lot about how business – sadly – is booming for local food banks. One of the two that serve our area just announced new help at the top – this news release announces 4 new board members for the West Seattle Food Bank:
The West Seattle Food Bank is pleased to announce it has added four new members to its Board of Directors: Shannon Braddock, Keri DeTore, Heather Hsu and Kim Robison.
Board members contribute to the continued fiscal and operational strength of the West Seattle Food Bank through fundraising, oversight, and general support.
Board President Pete Spalding: “These are both scary and exciting times at the West Seattle Food Bank; scary due to the ever-increasing demands placed upon our available resources, but exciting when we have community members that are willing to step up to the challenges we face by joining our Board of Directors. West Seattle Food Bank is blessed with a number of very caring people who help us with our mission.”
You can donate online to the West Seattle Food Bank any time by following this link.
LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY: No heat today, according to a note sent to parents, after an apparent boiler breakdown. They were planning to bring in 30 space heaters “for the coldest areas.” School’s out early today for parent/teacher conferences (1:05 pm). We’ll check later on how repairs are going.
CHIEF SEALTH HIGH SCHOOL: The music program is raising money with a poinsettia sale. $15 for a 12-inch plant, to be delivered Dec. 8th; call 206-243-4081 to order one (or more!).
WEST SEATTLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL: It’s still looking for donations for its December 5th fundraising auction, which is particularly crucial this year because WSMS is renovating its new White Center space (its landlord sold the site to Harbor Properties, which is building Link on that parcel and the ex-Huling site to the east) in hopes of making the move during winter break – read on to see what Sandra Kutz-Russell tells us they are looking for (including help with some of the move – they even need to move a special tree!):Read More
Because we publish in “blog format,” always the newest item on top, breaking news sometimes pushes other important stories down the page (a lot like our former work in TV news, where a certain story may be an upcoming newscast’s planned “lead” till something big happens just before news time, and suddenly that former “lead” doesn’t see air till five minutes in). This happened on Saturday – we had just published this item about the Southwest Healthy Youth Partnership and the survey it’s hoping all West Seattle parents will take, when we found out – via a Twitter message from a West Seattleite – about the Southcenter shooting, which dominated the news here and elsewhere the rest of the night. So we want to remind you about that survey again (take it here, right now) — part of a unique effort to fight childhood/teen drinking — and reiterate the invitation to a meeting tonight: The Southwest Healthy Youth Partnership needs more people power to help West Seattle kids stay booze-free; bring your ideas and interest to the Southwest Library branch tonight (Tuesday), 6-8 pm (or if you can’t go but would like to find out more, e-mail Renae Gaines, rtgaines@seattleschools.org).
From our West Seattle Weekend Lineup, a one-time-only event happening tonight – a chance to see a work in progress, telling a story that so far has gone untold, as the storyteller seeks help to finish her project. That storyteller is Seattle filmmaker Jen Marlowe, and her work is “Rebuilding Hope,” documenting three of the so-called “Lost Boys” of Sudan as they returned home to the country they had to leave because of civil war. West Seattleites Charlene Robins and Steve Dresang decided to help Marlowe by organizing an event at Kenyon Hall – this is part of the letter that they sent to friends:
Steve and I first saw the film about two months ago, and were deeply touched and moved by it. Steve spent almost a year in Angola witnessing and caring for the suffering that was inflicted on a nation by a long and drawn-out war. I had the unique and inspiring opportunity to medically care for some of the “Lost Boys” when they first arrived in Seattle about 7 years ago. So it was no wonder that this film pulled at our heartstrings and made us hopeful for Change …
The film is about 80 minutes long and Jen will be at Kenyon Hall to answer any questions you have after the film. We will have some drinks, snacks and popcorn as well. We plan to start the film at 7:30. I think the film will be a great learning experience for anyone who is grade-school age or older.
Charlene added in her note to WSB, “The public is welcome. The screening is free, but we encourage donations toward the cost of making this impressive documentary. The making of the film is a non-profit venture and donations are tax-deductible.” Kenyon Hall is at 7904 35th SW (east side of the street; here’s a map). You can find out more about “Rebuilding Hope” at rebuildinghopesudan.org.
(Photo courtesy Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle, showing volunteers picking apples)
Thanks to community interest and generosity, Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle is growing even faster than the fruit trees and gardens that local neighbors have “loaned” them, to share the bounty. So founder Aviva wanted to post a note of thanks – with questions for you as well, to see if there’s interested in some of what the group has on the table:
Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle would like to thank all our generous
volunteers and tree owners for making the harvest of 2008 such an overwhelming success. We picked and donated more than 4,200 pounds of delicious local organic fruit and 800 pounds of vegetables. Volunteers harvested more than 65 trees, including a fig tree and some grape vines, planted two vegetable gardens, and started a few young fruit trees. At a time when food banks are experiencing increased need, we are grateful to make use of the abundance in our backyards for sharing with others.As we are planning for 2009, we have a few new projects we are considering. We would like to gauge community interest.
Are you a food-gardener-wanna-be? Do you wish you could walk out your door and pick fresh veggies for your dinner or lunch? Are you looking for a little help to develop your green thumb? CHOSS is contemplating a garden-mentor project, pairing experienced food gardeners with beginners so that more people can experience the joys of turning Lawns into Lettuce. If you are an experienced food gardener with a desire to share your art, or a novice who wants to get started, contact info@gleanit.org and let us know.
Our other potential project involves fruit. Yes, there are still lots of unharvested apple trees dropping fruit, and some would say, “why plant more trees?” But imagine a neighborhood orchard, planted anew with easy-pick disease resistant varieties, perfect for this climate. Imagine a neighborhood getting together for pruning parties, harvesting parties, community canning kitchens, cider making, with plenty left over for donation. Want to make this happen? Get in touch with us at info@gleanit.org.
We are also actively recruiting new board members, with skills, time and energy to share, especially in the areas of fund raising, event planning, and working with youth. Contact us at info@gleanit.org for more specifics.
CHOSS board member Mary Ellen Cunningham spoke about some of this at the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council earlier this week, and also mentioned a project next year to turn more of the fruit into preserves if it’s not otherwise usable. The group did a lot of teaching this past year as well as harvesting; here’s just one example.
When WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand talked recently with students at Tilden School (WSB sponsor), he invited them to keep us posted on any other news they wanted to share. Tilden’s Julie Enevoldsen has just forwarded a writeup from Ahna, and a comment from Vivian, regarding a current project to help students in Uganda (map) through a program called Sister Schools:
From Ahna —
“We need to help Uganda. I’m a fourth grade student from Tilden School and we are trying to help the Sister Schools. We want to raise enough money to buy a roof for the girls’ shower and maybe even some lights.
The Sister Schools takes place in Uganda in Africa. It used to be the best place in Africa but a bad war came and ruined the place. Now they have to walk about three miles to get water and on bare feet! Some of the people in Uganda don’t have clothes, they have to wear rags or tie their left-over clothes. So we are sending donations like shirts, pants, toys, and things like that, but not stuffed animals because of lice.
Terry is the one who brings the donations to them and he is a very great person to do that because he has to go all the way to Africa and back. We are also doing a penny drive but we don’t have to bring just pennies; we can bring nickels, quarters, dollars, and dimes, along with pennies. We want to raise $500.00 and we are almost there. We have $447.58. We want to raise money so we can help them renew everything like the girls’ bedroom because the girls’ bedroom has a problem with the girls on the top bunk. The top bunk of the girls’ room has the most heat–and a lot of heat–because the metal on the roof makes it really hot. We have to save Uganda and they need more help.”
From Vivian —
“Last year we gave items to Sister Schools, and when they saw the items their faces lit up with joy, so we are trying to make that happen again.”
Julie adds —
The enormous heap of school materials, clothes, and sports equipment the Tilden students collected was sent off today, on its way to Uganda. We look forward to Terry’s return next spring; he’ll bring photos of those faces “lit up with joy” to share with our students. Seeing their own donations in the hands of the Ugandan children reinforces the Tilden students’ understanding that they can make a difference in the world. Tilden School would like to extend our thanks to Viking Bank for their very gracious support helping count all those pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters! (Our updated total, so far, is $710.86.)
We encourage anyone who’s inspired by Ahna’s and Vivian’s stories to visit
the Sister Schools website, sisterschools.org; there are many ways to help.
At this past week’s Delridge District Council meeting attendees heard a moving presentation about the Southwest Healthy Youth Partnership — which needs more people power to help keep local kids out of trouble with alcohol and other drugs, not just to keep them safe for now, but also to reduce their chances of lifelong problems – the sooner you start drinking, the more likely you are to struggle with alcohol abuse as an adult. Since knowledge is power, as the saying goes, one simple way to help — if you’re a West Seattle parent — is to complete a new survey – and you can do it online. Here’s how Renae Gaines, a local leader in this fight, explains it:
The Southwest Healthy Youth Partnership is interested in getting feedback from community members about the attitudes and perceptions of underage youth using alcohol and/or other drugs. We realize that you are a valuable source of information and the information will help the coalition to address alcohol and drug use in the community.
In late November, a survey will be sent out to 1233 community members to gather information on attitudes, knowledge and perceptions around this issue. The coalition will use the community information to develop community strategies and solutions. The survey data is important for understanding the issue surrounding underage use of alcohol and other drugs in the community and we strongly encourage community members to participate. The community members were selected randomly and will receive a survey via the United Stated States Postal Service which will include a postage paid return envelope. Or you can have the option of completing this on-line survey:
www.surveymonkey.com/WestSeattleParentSurvey . If you are a West Seattle parent and you haven’t received the survey via US mail or completed it through Madison Middle School, please take it online.The results of the survey will be distributed throughout the community after the data analysis and community members will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the results.
If you have questions about the community survey and/or information about the coalition, please contact the SPF-SIG Community Coordinator, Renaé T. Gaines: (206) 396-2945 or her e-mail: rtgaines@seattleschools.org
Another way for you to join forces with the Southwest Healthy Youth Partnership is to attend the next meeting, coming up Tuesday night — 6-8 pm, Southwest Library branch; here’s a map. (All the group’s meetings through next May are listed now on the WSB Events calendar.)
That’s barely half the line as of about 20 minutes ago stretching southward on 39th toward Fauntleroy Way from Eastridge Christian Assembly, which is again this year giving away hundreds of turkeys (along with other groceries). As Eastridge’s website puts it, they’re doing this “to bless families who need a little extra help for Thanksgiving.” They are giving away 500 each at their West Seattle and Issaquah campuses, till noon or till they run out. (If you’d like to extend holiday help to local families in need, you can do it any time through online $ donations to the West Seattle [click here] and White Center [click here] Food Banks.)
Those are three of the four glass ornaments that West Seattle Hi-Yu is selling in its annual holiday-time fundraiser – designed and hand-blown by Glass Eye Studio, $25 each, proceeds supporting Hi-Yu (including all the fun summer events Hi-Yu presents, and the float its volunteers create this year to represent West Seattle in parades near and far). You can buy them from any Hi-Yu member, or be on the lookout for ornament-sellers around West Seattle — this Sunday, you will find them at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle booth on the east side of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market (10 am-2 pm) and you’ll also find Queen Zoe and Princess Elyse from the Hi-Yu Junior Court selling ornaments Sunday, 11 am-2 pm, at West Seattle Thriftway in Morgan Junction. Another big event coming up where you’ll be able to buy them: The Kiwanis Club’s big Pancake Breakfast (which itself sounds like a great deal — all the pancakes and ham you can eat, 7 am-11 am December 6th at the Masonic Hall [map], $6 adults/$3 kids 12 and under; Santa’ll be there too – here’s the flyer). The Hi-Yu ornaments are available through Christmas — if they don’t sell out sooner!
Found this on the High Point Neighborhood Association website, though the P-Patch will be in the Junction area — a new one next year on a site donated by West Seattle Christian Church (which is already gardening to help neighbors in need, as we reported last July). If you’re interested in the P-Patch, Here’s how to get involved. West Seattle currently has six P-Patches, per this map.
Tonight we’re at the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council‘s monthly meeting, chaired by Pete Spalding of Pigeon Point, who also leads the West Seattle Food Bank board – he has mentioned the success of last weekend’s various fundraisers for WSFB (including the Beer Church, CoolMom.org, and Rocksport events) in tandem with the relentless ongoing increase in demand for WSFB help. We have a few more to mention: This Saturday, 8 pm-midnight at Kenyon Hall, a community dance with Rick Berinato and the Paperback Riders will benefit WSFB ($20 donation suggested). Also, we’ve received word that the 18th annual food drive at Java Bean Coffeehouse on Avalon is under way, continuing through this Sunday; bring nonperishable foods to drop off – preferably “Thanksgiving-type food,” according to the flyer (which you can see here) – the food’s going to Northwest Harvest, which supplies various area food banks. One more note: We have been reporting on partner site White Center Now about the multi-ton potato donation that’s just arrived at the White Center Food Bank; see today’s video coverage here – here’s a photo of WCFB executive director Rick Jump, Blaine Hirai from the donating farm (Hirai Farms in the Moses Lake area), and 11th District State Rep. Bob Hasegawa (whose district includes part of White Center) with some of the potato sacks:
You can donate $ online to both local food banks, any time – WSFB’s site is here; WCFB’s site is here. ADDED 9:30 PM: Celeste e-mailed us (thank you!) to say that Jefferson Square Safeway is still promoting “buy a turkey for $5 to donate to the West Seattle Food Bank,” so check that out when you grocery-shop.
The remodeling work at Stop ‘n’ Shop on the ground floor of the Senior Center of West Seattle was supposed to be done in time for a grand reopening last Saturday – but it took a little longer than planned, so this Saturday is now the plan (just in time for it to be part of your Junction holiday shopping plans!). The Christmas items in the photo above are in the window now, and will be waiting when the shop reopens. Here’s the word from Cindy Gwinn:
The newly remodeled Stop and Shop will open its doors this Saturday at 10 AM. We would like to invite you all to join us. The new hours are 10 am to 4 pm, 7 days a week.
We are also receiving donations. We are looking for clean, working items. If you have large furniture you can not deliver, we can pick it up. West Seattle only, please. Please call Cindy Gwinn at 206 915-5595 for pickup time.
All donations can be left in the back of the store, or by the front door after 4pm or you can always come by during open hours.
Thank you West Seattle, for all your support
Speaking of seniors – thanks to the seniors’ group at Alki Community Center that invited us to come talk to/with them this morning – anyone who has the outdated opinion that the Internet’s mostly just for “young” people should meet folks like them (we were thrilled to learn that just about everyone in the room was familiar with WSB!) – and of course, you can be “young” at any age, anyway (heaven knows, your WSB co-publishers have more than a few years in the rear-view mirror).
(video not available due to blip.tv shutdown)
What’s that old sports apology, “It’s a rebuilding season”? No apologies needed for the good work being done today in High Point by the people you see in that short WSB video clip — spouses of Seahawks players, coaches, and other staffers; they’re joining folks from AmeriCorps and Lowe’s at the site of two Habitat for Humanity homes that are being built for (and by!) two HP families. Habitat says it’s building 20 homes in all in the High Point area; it has a regional volunteer orientation coming up tomorrow morning, by the way, in Kent (more info here).
From Abby Suplizio with West Seattle CoolMom.org, via e-mail: The first-ever CoolMom Toy Swap/Sale at Camp Long on Saturday had an “amazing turnout,” according to Abby (WSB photo at left from our Saturday “happening now” report), and she adds: “The end of the day numbers were that we raised $475 (enough for 600 meals) specifically for the West Seattle Food Bank. We sold $2,000 worth of toys (initial estimate) AND dropped off nearly 25 boxes of toys to WestSide Baby. Nancy (Woodland, of WestSide Baby) was overjoyed that so many families were going to get Christmas this year! We all felt really good at the end of the day!” (More about CoolMom at coolmom.org)
From KSJ and the Beer Church via a comment on last night’s Turkey Bowl report (which included the food-donation photo at right): “We made just over $3,000 and while we didn’t have a scale big enough to weigh the food we filled a van. Thanks to everyone who came and bowled, particularly our local pubs and breweries: Georgetown Brewing, Big Al’s Brewing, Elliott Bay Brewing, Rogue Issaquah Brewhouse, Dog and Pony, West5, and Beveridge Place.” (More about Beer Church at beerchurch.com)
And a few days ago, we got a results report on last weekend’s cat adopt-a-thon at Southwest Community Center. Via e-mail from Megan with the Seattle Animal Shelter “Fabulous Felines” team e-mailed: “13 kitties, including two adults and one special needs cat, found their forever homes.” According to another message we received, that included the two whose photos were at the top of our “happening now” report that day.
SIDE NOTE: Whenever there’s an event (like the 3 above) lasting more than a couple hours, we try our best to get there to take pix and post “happening now” coverage, after sharing advance word via regular WSB features such as the Events calendar, the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, and (seasonally) the Holiday Happenings list. But we also welcome you to send photos during your event (and pix/success stories afterward) – cameraphone photos are often usable too – editor@westseattleblog.com (you can also share via Flickr – where we’ve set up a West Seattle Blog group – Twitter and/or Facebook — all our current contact info is on this page). Thanks!
While freshening up the Blogs page overnight — its centerpiece is an automated digest delivering the newest posts from 100 blog writers around West Seattle — we added a few sites, including 13 in 12. This time, it’s not one we happened onto during, oh, say, a Google Blog Search (our usual means of discovering West Seattleites in the “blogosphere”) — we got a note from the author’s wife. Rachael e-mailed us to say, in part:
I’m not sure if this is WSB news-worthy, but I think it’s a pretty cool thing my husband is doing. He has participated in the Big Climb fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for 3 years, but recently our good friend was diagnosed, so he’s taking it one step (or many steps depending on how you look at it) further with this new challenge (13 races of marathon distance or more in 12 weeks).
Rachael’s husband, Nic, already keeps a personal blog — so 13 in 12 is an addition, and it just launched, including a list of the 13 events he plans to participate in, starting with one in Gig Harbor the day after Thanksgiving. Not only can you follow his progress along the way to achieving “13 in 12,” you can also make a donation (all money goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) from a link on the page (which also has a postal-mail address if you’d rather send $ that way). Good luck, Nic!
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