West Seattle, Washington
24 Thursday
The Southwest Seattle Youth Alliance circulates a survey each year to help shape programs aimed at preventing substance abuse. They’re hoping to get replies from a wide variety of community members, including people without youths in their households. Here’s the announcement:
The SW Seattle Youth Alliance, a school and community coalition formed to address the high rates of youth substance use in Southwest Seattle, would like your help in learning more about community concerns related to drugs and alcohol. The coalition will use these surveys to guide their work in selecting effective prevention programs and services for youth and the community. Please take a few minutes to complete.
You can answer the survey in English, or en Español. The survey’s open until November but if you have a few minutes to spare, earlier is always better.
Thanks to Al for sending photos and a report from tonight’s Sunset Paddle for Maui, a West Seattle on-the-water fundraiser organized by Alki Kayak Tours. Al told us via text, “15 boats, 21 people, at least 6 sea lions, and one gorgeous sunset…”
If you couldn’t join the paddle, here’s one way to help Maui fire survivors – the Maui Strong Fund.
Alki Kayak Tours is raising money for Maui fire survivors with a community paddling event tomorrow (Saturday, September 9th) – just received:
From 6:30 – 7:30 pm, we are inviting the whole community to paddle out together to watch the sunset either bringing their own gear or renting from us; all rental proceeds and donations will go to benefit People’s Fund of Maui. We are meeting at the channel marker off Duwamish head aka Anchor Park and would love to get as many people out there as possible.
If you need to rent, Alki Kayak Tours is at Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW).
If you can donate blood, Bloodworks Northwest would love to see you at their West Seattle pop-up tomorrow – or another upcoming event. This month, they’re offering an extra incentive: They’re giving away a trip for 2 to Las Vegas to see Katy Perry. Whether it’s for the Friday pop-up (10 am-4 pm at the West Seattle YMCA [WSB sponsor]) or elsewhere, you must make an appointment to donate – start here. If you have any trouble with booking online, email schedule@bloodworksnw.org or call 800-398-7888.
As mentioned here last week, this month’s spotlight at HomeStreet Bank-West Seattle (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) is shining on the West Seattle Food Bank – and it’s accompanied by a donation drive! You can bring food and/or clothing (for the WSFB Clothesline) to the branch (look for the display shown above) during regular hours, 9 am-5 pm Mondays-Thursdays, 9 am-6 pm Fridays. While you’re there, register for this month’s prize drawing – on September 15th, they’ll draw the winner for one ticket to the Taste of West Seattle.
(Photos courtesy Camp Long)
One week from today, you can get up in the treetops at Camp Long (5200 35th SW) for a donation that helps the park’s popular ropes course thrive. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share about a fundraiser that the park’s Advisory Council is presenting:
Come join us for an opportunity to get out onto the High Ropes Course at Camp Long while supporting our programs! Funds raised will be used to purchase needed replacement gear for programs and towards purchasing equipment to improve accessibility of our challenge course.
September 9th
12 slots in the morning from 9 am to 12 pm
12 slots in the afternoon from 1 pm to 4 pm
Suggested donation of $75 per slot or $200 for a family of 3
You must register at this link: form.jotform.com/camplongchallenge/camp-long-pay-to-play-fundraiser
AND you must follow up by calling in and paying for your slot – instructions are on the form. Slots are not confirmed until paid for
Participants must be:
12 years old or older
Able to fit into our harness and helmets which accommodate a range of sizes that most people 12 and older are able to fit
Wear CLOSED-TOED SHOES the day of the event and other weather-appropriate clothes
Confirm registration by calling in for payment
Submit a completed and signed waiver for each person participating
The challenge course was installed a little over a decade ago.
(WSB photo, July 22)
We feature lots of opportunities for contributing to the community, but don’t always get the results. Today, we learned the final tally from this year’s Float Dodger 5K on July 22nd, presented by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) to raise money for the West Seattle Food Bank‘s work preventing hunger and homelessness, WSR’s Lori McConnell tells WSB their official donation to WSFB was $6,883! (If you weren’t among the 600 runners/walkers for the 5K along the West Seattle Grand Parade route, here’s our coverage of how it went.)
P.S. As mentioned here Thursday, your next big chance to have a good time while helping the food bank is the September 28 Taste of West Seattle.
Every school year, we tell you about ways you can help local students, from tutoring to attending events to donating money. Here’s the announcement for one of the first fundraisers of 2023-2024, from Friends of Roxhill Elementary:
Kick off the new school year by giving to the Roxhill Field Trip and Classroom Fund!
Did you know schools and families cover the cost of field trips? This creates a disparity between field trip experiences across schools in our district.
With your generous donations, Friends of Roxhill provides each teacher at our school with money for field trips and to equip their classroom with much-needed supplies, like educational games, toys, and books. Last year, each teacher received ~$15 per student. We’d like to increase the amount to ~$20 per student this year!
Not all families in our school have the means to give. If you do, please consider donating on behalf of your student and a classmate. 100% of funds will go to teachers to benefit our RoxStars.
Roxhill Elementary is a small but mighty Title I school with about 250 students, located in the south end of West Seattle. Friends of Roxhill Elementary supports the education and enrichment of our multicultural public school in Seattle. Over 70% of our students are from BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color). Our nonprofit focuses on building equity for students through fundraising, community building, and other important projects for our kids’ school success.
You can go here to help. (And if you have news of a school fundraiser/event/cool potential news story, email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302!)
(WSB photo from 2019 Taste of West Seattle)
This year, the Taste of West Seattle – benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank – returns in its original format, one big event with dozens of food/drink purveyors offering “tastes” to attendees. Original venue, too – The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW). WSFB is now selling tickets for the Taste of WS, which is set for Thursday, September 28th. $125 VIP tickets get you in first, at 5:30 pm; $75 general admission starts at 6 pm. Here are the participants the WSFB has announced so far:
Aroy Mak Thai
Bakery Nouveau
Circa
Darby Winery
Dolcetta Artisan Sweets
Dream Dinners
Elliott Bay Brewing Co.
Ghostfish Brewing
Mission Cantina
Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce
Pecos Pit Bar-B-Que
Ringa
Seattle Sorbets
Shoshinbakery
Shug’s
Sopranos Antico
T2 Cellar
The Good Society Brewing Co
The Locöl Kitchen & Bar
Tuxedos & Tennis Shoes
Viscon Cellars
…and more to come!
It’s a 21+ event, and usually sells out, so if you’re interested, go here to get your ticket(s).
Before local Seattle Public Schools start the new school year one week from today, volunteers and donors pitched in for another year of Pencil Me In For Kids, which procures and distributes school supplies for students in need.
Pencil Me In For Kids is a project of the Rotary Club of West Seattle, with help including donations from Fauntleroy Church. Volunteers gathered at the American Legion Post 160 hall on Tuesday afternoon to sort supplies, and distribution was planned today. You can support PMIFK with donations to the Rotary’s foundation.
If you’ve skated at our area’s only roller rink – Southgate, in White Center – you might know manager Katie. She’s fighting cancer, and the rink is hosting a benefit 8:30-11 pm Thursday night (August 31st) to help her win that fight:
Let’s raise some money to help our good friend and manager Katie! This is a 21+ fundraising event. There will be A RAFFLE featuring donations by local businesses and artists! Music by DJ Josh and a special live music performance by MAN PLUS! The admission is $25 and free skate rental. 100% of the admission will go to Katie and will be matched by Southgate.
Katie has been taking care of everyone else and always puts their needs before herself. She will beat cancer and in the meantime let’s raise some money to cover her rent, living expenses, and medical bills!
If you are unable to attend, this is the link to the gofundme: gofundme.com/f/r9kgn-help-katie-beat-cancer
(WSB photo: Tommy Andrade at Saturday’s Admiral Funktion)
Earlier this year, we told you about Tommy Andrade, proprietor of <strong>Southpaw Barbershop, and his program providing free haircuts for foster kids. Now he’s broadened it into a coalition beyond West Seattle – and he wants you to know in case you’re either interested in joining or know someone who could take advantage of the services:
As you may know I am a proud supporter of and advocate for foster kids and have been doing free haircuts for them since I graduated barber college.
When I opened my shop I was excited to further my commitment to making a change by expanding my availability for the free haircuts and instill giving back as part of my company culture. I was happy that instead of being a one-man show that all of the barbers working with me also offered their services. However, I couldn’t help but feel as though I could do more. Realizing that it is not always convenient for the families to come to West Seattle and that me opening shops everywhere was not currently feasible, I thought about reaching out to others who would have my same mentality of giving back.
Thus Friends of Southpaw was thought of. I reached out to my dear friend Heather Goss with GGD Creative who took on the project pro bono because she also had the same kind of heart. Together we built friendsofsouthpaw.org. We now have a network of barbers and stylists from West Seattle to Olympia, Tacoma, and as far as Austin and Galveston, TX. We have people from San Francisco, California, Portland, Oregon, Everett, Auburn, and Kent being added next week. What started also as a platform for mostly free haircuts has also turned into others offering services such as free swim lessons, discounted automotive services and apprenticeships to kids aging out of the system.
We are excited to see this grow!
If you’re interested in either joining Tommy’s coalition or arranging for services, go here to send a message!
A dozen years after saving the SPD Mounted Patrol, the Seattle Police Foundation has saddled up a special fundraising campaign for the unit, which is based here in West Seattle – in a barn next to Westcrest Park.
This time, it’s not in danger of shutdown, but the SPF funds “gaps” not covered by the basic SPD budget, so to get the word out, they invited media to visit the barn.
Riding McLovin – a name bestowed by the horse’s previous owner – in our video is Sgt. Brandon Caille, who along with one officer comprises the entirety of the Mounted Patrol’s permanent unit staff – supplemented if necessary, he says, with temporarily reassigned officers from elsewhere in the department. You must of course be trained to ride. Among those who are – SPD Chief Adrian Diaz.
When we visited during the “open barn” event on Wednesday, we had just missed the chief taking a turn around the indoor riding ring. The unit currently has six horses, plus Li’l Sebastian, who is wildly popular during community appearances:
Community appearances is what the unit focuses on, in fact, says Sgt. Caille – “relational policing” is the formal term. They might visit areas, for example, where data shows there’s been an uptick in crime. A common misconception is that they do crowd control work; Sgt. Caille says actually, they don’t.
The SPF calls its campaign “Adopt-A-Horse” – donations might even eventually fund a replacement for one of the current horses, which can cost up to about $20,000. (McLovin was one of the two most-recent purchases, in 2021.) SPF stepped up to save the unit when budget cuts threatened it in 2011; three years later, the city started covering its basic funding again, but the SPF has been covering “gaps” as it does for some other units in the department. If you’re interested in donating, go here.
(Rendering by Wittman Estes)
The nonprofit Highland Park Improvement Club‘s plan for replacing its fire-ravaged building is now in an official comment period with the city. The process was announced in Thursday’s city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin. It’s been more than two years since the fire and more than a year and a half since HPIC started working with local architects Wittman Estes. So where does it stand now? HPIC board president Rhonda Smith answered our questions.
Timeline for permit process? “We are in the MUP [Master Use Permit] process, which SDCI says will take 5-7 months. Providing the city gives us the permit to do the project, we most likely will see that permit coming [first quarter of] 2024.”
How long will the rebuild take? “The architect, Wittman Estes, and general contractor, Metis Construction, have stated it will take approximately 15 months to do the rebuild. This means that providing we have the funding in hand when the project is ready to start, the new building will reopen in 2025.”
Insurance on the old building only covers part of the cost of a new one, so HPIC has been fundraising. Where is that at? “We have effectively raised $1.7 million. We are working with RJZ Connections, LLC to develop a fundraising plan that can be executed in stages. We need to raise $2M more to rebuild the building. We have launched the HPIC Building Booster campaign to give our community the opportunity to help us raise funds. We are building a case statement that will help tell the story of HPIC to be shared with future private donors, foundations and agencies. We have applied for many grants, some of which we have received. We will continue to do this as we identify the grants that match our needs and purpose.”
Smith says there’s another way to get involved in addition to contributing cash: “We are looking for new community partnerships. We are building a business model for the future through the development of new community partnerships that will keep HPIC independent and self-sustaining. We will still keep some of the favorite things people loved about HPIC while adding new programming that will reach a broader community audience. If there are non-profit organizations that are seeking a home and think HPIC could be a great partner, please send an email to HPIC at hpic1919@gmail.com with the header PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY.”
Smith adds, “This has been a challenging project and we are working hard every day to make this rebuild a reality but we can’t do it alone. We need everyone’s help.” Here are more ways to get involved.
As for the city’s permit-review process, this notice explains how to comment; the deadline is September 6th.
WestSide Baby, the nonprofit that has long helped kids and their families in this area, wants you to know it welcomes donations and volunteers. From interim executive director Laura Skelton asked us to share this announcement:
WestSide Baby is back to regular donation and volunteer hours.
Donation Hours:
We are happy and grateful to accept donations on Tuesday (9 AM-7 PM), Wednesday (9 AM-5 PM), and Thursday (9 AM-4 PM). More info about donating items here: westsidebaby.org/donate-items
Volunteer Hours:
We have volunteer shifts on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays. More info and a sign-up link here: westsidebaby.org/volunteer
We ramped up our bulk diaper program in the past year, which is a new way to meet community needs. We are distributing pallets of diapers to about 35 partners on a monthly basis.
In the first half of 2023, we fulfilled about 450 orders each week. These represent specific requests from our community partners, on behalf of their individual clients.
WestSide Baby is best known for distributing diapers but that’s by no means all they handle, as you’ll see by following the donation-info link above.
If you haven’t already seen this in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar: You’re invited to a Neighborhood Night Out next Tuesday to benefit the Fauntleroy Fall Festival. It’s a 21+-only event on Wildwood Market‘s rooftop deck at 9214 45th SW with wine, beer, and neighborhood merch, 4-8 pm. All proceeds will go to this year’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival, which is planned October 15th, free to the community as always, powered by fundraising like this as well as other community donations and volunteer help, No need to RSVP for the event – just show up Tuesday (August 29th) at Wildwood (which is a festival sponsor)!
The volunteer-powered Delridge Grocery Co-op has, against all odds, created an oasis of healthy food in a neighborhood where mini-mart shelves of snacks are pretty much the only other options. The team needs to grow to keep the momentum going and the store open (right now they’re up to five days a week). If you are open to the idea of spending three hours, once a month, helping the shop stay open so neighbors can buy food – or maybe you’d be interested in helping pack/deliver DGC’s Essential Boxes on Saturdays – come chat with the current crew this Wednesday night. They’ll be at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) 5-8 pm Wednesday (August 23rd). No obligation – stop by, ask questions, find out how the DGC works. “We’ll even bring some goodies to share from the store!” the DGC team promises.
P.S. If you haven’t shopped at the co-op (5444 Delridge Way SW), you do NOT have to be a member – it’s open to all,
Happened onto an event that wasn’t on today’s list but it’s still on until 3 pm – barbecue and “pup market” at West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) benefiting Seattle Humane.
They’re selling lunch for $7, plus a variety of dog-related merch, and: “For every $20 donation, receive a complimentary Dog is Good tee shirt.” It’s part of the store’s “Dog Days of Summer” events.
(Lahaina on Wednesday – photo by Dominick Del Vecchio, via Wikimedia Commons)
Three more local events will raise money for Maui fire relief:
FUNDRAISER YARD SALE, SATURDAY & SUNDAY: 9 am-1 pm both days this weekend (August 19-20), Laura is hosting a benefit yard sale: “All proceeds from the sales will go to the Hawaii Community Foundation- The Maui Strong Fund.” Look for it on 37th SW between Charlestown and Andover.
FUNDRAISING DINNER, AUGUST 26TH: One week from tomorrow, during a membership drive from 2-11 pm, the West Seattle Eagles (4462 California SW) are having a Hawaiian Aloha Dinner with proceeds to support Maui Fires for $14. Live music too – the band Tikigraphics will play from 5-9 pm. The Eagles announcement says, “All interested in finding about the Eagles and our motto of People Helping People are welcomed.” Questions? secretary@westseattleeagles.org or
wseaglesnewsletter2643@gmail.com
SOUND BATH, AUGUST 30TH: Announced by Maari Falsetto of Inner Alchemy:
Inner Alchemy will host a Sound Bath for Maui fundraiser on Wednesday, August 30th from 6-8 pm at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park on Beach Drive. Everyone is invited to this free event.
We will create a community mandala to send our love to the people of Maui. There will be links available for on the spot donations to provide financial support to all who are in need and Maari will provide a community Sound Bath so we can unite in peace and send vibes of Aloha to the people of Maui.
What is a Mandala?
A mandala is a symbol of the universe in its ideal form, and its creation signifies the transformation of a universe of suffering into one of joy.
Arrive at 6 pm to join in the community Mandala creation. Bring flowers, flower petals, leaves, sea shells, rocks, or anything else you have to add to the Mandala.
The Sound Bath will begin at 7 pm. Bring yoga mats, pillows, or chairs for comfort.
You are encouraged to ride your bikes or walk to the park as car parking is somewhat limited.
Any questions reach out to Inner Alchemy at www.inneralchemytt.com.
That’s the trailer for “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which you can watch for free this Friday night (August 18th) in the meadow at Camp Long (5200 35th SW). It’s the WS Junction Association‘s one and only West Seattle Outdoor Movie presentation this summer, and the movie will start at sundown (sunset is at about 8:20 pm right now). Bring your own chairs/blankets and nonperishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank! (Friday’s forecast says the high will be back to a seasonally typical 70-something.)
West Seattle’s emergency shelter – which runs on donations and volunteer help – is open for the hot weather, its manager Keith Hughes tells WSB, until 8 pm today and again 11 am-8 pm tomorrow “with food, water, and AC. However, we are very low in supplies, so I have attached my Supplies Wish List. Also, keeping the hall open and running the AC for days is a strain on our finances, which are all voluntary donations from the community. Pepple can donate items from the Wish List, or go to our website, westsideneighborsshelter.org and make a cash donation [update: direct link here] to help with the electric and water bill.” Here’s the wish list:
Food Pantry
Ground Coffee (Folgers 3# cans)
powdered coffee creamer (like Coffeemate)
Instant Hot Cocoa Mix (for hot water)
Bottled water
Soft drinks in cans (store brands and things on sale)Instant Oatmeal packets
Granola-type low-sugar cereal
Pancake mix, Bisquick mix
Pancake syrup, butter, jam
Canned soup, chili, beef stew
Packaged food like top ramen, Cup-o-NoodlesRice-a-roni, noodle-roni boxes
Dry pasta (spaghetti, egg noodles, macaroni )
Spaghetti sauce in jarsFood store gift cards so we can get fresh things like milk, eggs, butter, meat
Other Needs
Travel-size individual soaps, shampoo; tooth brushes & toothpaste (ask your dentist for donations) bar soap for shower, laundry detergent pods
Toilet paper and paper towels, disinfectant wipes
Single-bed-size blanket
The shelter is co-housed with the West Seattle Veteran Center/American Legion Post 160 at 3618 SW Alaska.
Some students in West Seattle head back to class as soon as tomorrow. For Seattle Public Schools, summer break has three weeks to go – but a lot of preparation is happening, including organizations like the Chief Sealth International High School PTSA, which asked us to share this open invitation:
The Chief Sealth PTSA is gearing up for an amazing 2023-24 school year and is looking for some folks to join us. Our primary focus as PTSA is to build community and raise funds to support the programs and activities that provide enrichment and basic needs to students and staff.
We currently have a number of positions open on the Board including Co-Treasurer, Secretary, Volunteer Coordinator, and Legislative/Advocacy Chair. These positions help make crucial funding decisions and take on projects that directly benefit the school. You don’t need to be a parent to join or take a leadership role on the PTSA – we invite all members of the school and local community who want to make a difference to sign up.
“We’ve got some exciting plans in the works for next year, including planning our first fund-raising auction in four years this December,” says incoming Chief Sealth PTSA co-President Shannon McDonald. “Becoming a PTSA board member is a great way for folks to get involved and help strengthen our school, family, and community partnerships here in West Seattle.”
If you’re a community-minded person looking to help actively support a local school and its students or have any questions, please reach out to chiefsealthptsa@gmail.com. You can also join the PTSA here. We promise it will be fun, interesting, and deeply rewarding!
In Maui, last week’s catastrophic fires are now known to have taken at least 99 lives and done at least $6 billion in damage. People around the world are reaching out to help, including here in West Seattle, where we have updates and reminders:
FLEURT FUNDRAISING AUCTION: The Junction boutique at 4536 California SW is having an auction, Fleurt’s Keonii tells us:
Join us in supporting Maui’s recovery. We will be hosting an auction this Thursday 8/17 to Sunday 8/20 for a stunning 10″ Bird of Paradise and Pikake Jasmine candle. The highest bid contributes 100% to the Maui Humane Society’s vital work. Available for delivery in West Seattle or pick up at the shop.
They’re taking bids on social media, but you can also participate in other ways: “People can also come into the shop, email, or call with their best and final bid because people on social media will keep upping their bid price. We will collect their name, contact info and their best/final bid.” Fleurt’s hours and contact info are at fleurtcollective.com.
‘MUSUBI FOR MAUI’ TOTAL: Last weekend’s fundraiser at Marination Ma Kai and its sibling restaurants was a big success, with the help of a match from a West Seattle family:
We went into the weekend with a goal of raising $20,000 in two days. We didn’t hit that goal but instead we exceeded it due to the incredible outpouring of support from all of you and the amazing generosity of the Arakawa family.
Total Musubi Sold: 2930
Cash Received: $1,439
Arakawa Family Match: $15,000
TOTAL RAISED: $30,356.50
Continuing local fundraisers, from our previous roundup:
GRILLBIRD: The teriyaki restaurant (35th/Morgan) is inviting customers to “round up” their tabs so the extra can be donated to Maui relief – through the end of August.
ALAIR/DYLAN: The South Admiral shop (3270 California SW) will send you a 10 percent discount code if you message them with word you’ve donated to Maui fire relief.
ARTIST FUNDRAISER: West Seattle artist Eileen Jiminez is donating proceeds from sales at MaeseArt “to mutual aid efforts in Maui and to directly impacted native Hawaiians.”
ROTARY DONATION FUND: There are many options for donating money rather than goods. Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s Brian Waid invites support for “the Hawaiian Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund managed by Rotarians in Hawaii at www.rotaryd5000.org; the Rotarians do not charge anything for administering the funds and do not siphon off a percentage for a national organization.”
CHURCH DONATION FUND: West Seattle has three UCC churches and one parishioner has pointed out the denomination is supporting this fund.
OTHER MONETARY DONATION OPTIONS: The State of Hawai’i has an official information page about the fire aftermath, and it includes these two links:
Maui Strong Fund
Hawai’i Red Cross
Any other local (West Seattle/White Center) ways to help, please email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com so we can add to this list – thank you!
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