West Seattle, Washington
31 Sunday
You can help give the West Seattle Art Walk a soundtrack – by donating to a new crowdfunding campaign. The announcement:
FUNDING MUSIC IN THE WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION.
The West Seattle Junction Association is planning a series of 5 musical performances — dubbed The Art of Music — that will take place in the West Seattle Junction on Second Thursday Art Walk evenings in the West Seattle Junction during August, September, October, November, and December. Efforts are underway to raise funds to make it possible for scheduled musicians to be paid for sharing their musical talents.
The Art of Music performances will complement the opportunity to view art on those evenings in addition to providing entertainment for those in the Junction for dining, shopping or just to be entertained. Individuals willing to help support this project with a donation are invited to visit the crowdfunding page set up here.
We’re told two of the performances would be outdoors, three indoors.
Diapers needed! One more week to round some up for WestSide Baby‘s 2019 Stuff the Bus party:
WestSide Baby’s Stuff the Bus collection party is coming up on Tuesday, June 25th! Come on over with the diapers you collected (or any item from our most needed items list) and celebrate the culmination of our 19th Annual Stuff the Bus Diaper Drive!
There will be popcorn, popsicles, and celebration as we fill the bus with diapers, wipes and other hygiene products for children. You, and other members of the community, have collected over 200,000 diapers so far this summer, and we are almost to our goal of 350,000 diapers!
We believe that all children should have the diapers and basic items they need to be safe, warm and dry, and we believe in #diapersforallbabies.
See you on June 25th at our White Center Hub (10002 14th Ave SW) on June 25th from 5-7 pm!
That was the scene just before the start of the obstacle-course race that began today’s third annual Loop the ‘Lupe at Walt Hundley Playfield. Here’s what happened next:
The obstacle course was the first of four ways to Loop the ‘Lupe and support the Walmesley Center‘s social-outreach work. It’s a unique West Seattle event, with challenges including climbing:
And mud:
Here are the results. Local coach/educator Jeff Ursino designed the course.
For those who preferred something a little simpler, the obstacle course was followed by a 5K run-walk:
Loop the ‘Lupe also offers a Senior Saunter:
Serenading the event – youth musicians from the West Seattle School of Rock:
And we spotted two local elected officials – State Rep. Eileen Cody:
And City Councilmember Lisa Herbold:
Community sponsors for this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe are shown here – including us at WSB as well as three local businesses that are also WSB sponsors: Wyatt’s Jewelers, Project 968, and West Seattle Runner.
Thanks to West Seattle-based videographer Edgar Riebe of Captive Eye Media for sharing his video highlights from last night’s Style ’19, the annual fundraiser for West Seattleite-founded Northwest Hope and Healing. NWHH helps cancer patients meet everyday needs that are hard to handle when you’re in the fight of your life. Style ’19 is unique in its featuring of cancer survivors/patients as models. NWHH was founded by West Seattleite Christine Smith in 2000, so the nonprofit is almost two decades old! Last night’s event was held at King Street Ballroom in Pioneer Square.
As first reported here last month, the West Seattle Helpline‘s clothing bank Clothesline is moving from one West Seattle Christian Church-owned building to another because of redevelopment plans for its current site. The official announcement, with new details and a call for volunteer help, has just arrived:
The West Seattle Helpline will be moving the Clothesline, West Seattle’s free all-ages clothing bank, to a new location at 4425 41st Ave SW. This is only one block away from the current location and will be accessible from the same major bus lines. We are grateful for our friends at the West Seattle Christian Church for their dedication to the Clothesline and providing this new space!
When the West Seattle Helpline first opened our doors 30 years ago, the Clothesline was just a small corner in the office. The Clothesline grew to a full-sized clothing bank in 1995, offering free clothing to our neighbors of all ages. Last year over 1,500 families and their children recovering from unexpected hardship shopped at the Clothesline for school clothes, interview outfits, and more.
People often forget how importing clothing is, with one customer saying clothes “not only keep you warm but they help with many other things like self-esteem and they affect how people treat you.” Our neighbors are able to leave the Clothesline feeling stylish and confident.
The Clothesline will be closed from July 12th to July 29th while we move. Due to the move, we will be unable to accept donations between June 7th and August 1st. We anticipate the Clothesline to open at our new location the first week of August. Details about an opening event to come!
We need volunteers to help with the move! If you are interested, please sign up here.
(Photo courtesy Seal Sitters)
Space is still available in Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network‘s June 15th volunteer training. Here’s the announcement:
Interested in protecting seals and other marine mammals? Seal Sitters’ first training of the year will be held on Saturday, June 15th, in the front meeting room of the Alki UCC from 10 AM – Noon. If you would like to volunteer, this training qualifies you for on-the-beach duty in our territory from Brace Point through the Duwamish River including Harbor Island. As a member of NOAA’s West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, we respond to reports of any marine mammal on the beaches in those areas. Harbor Seal “pupping season” is now underway in Washington and runs from late June – September in our area.
An RSVP is required to attend. Please use this link for more details including instructions on how to RSVP.
(WSB file photo)
Tomorrow’s the day, so we’re reminding you one more time! Lou Cutler will return to the West Seattle school where he long served as PE teacher, Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point, to run/walk laps to benefit Make-A-Wish. Every year in advance of his birthday, Lou celebrates with one lap per year – this year, 68 (more than 11 miles)! Everybody’s welcome to join him for one or more laps at the Pathfinder field (1901 SW Genesee) starting just after 9 am Friday (May 31st). Sideline support welcome too, as are online donations: Here’s his page on the Make-A-Wish website.
(Photo by Mark Sears – permit 21348)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“It’s a good week for the whales!”
So declared Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail as her organization’s May gathering began at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor).
She added: “It’s going to be different for the whales this summer and beyond.” Her explanation at the May 16th meeting was followed by an update from Mark Sears, the West Seattle-based researcher who is ofteb out with them when they visit central Puget Sound.
But first: Read More
(WSB photo from 2018)
Next Friday’s the big day! For the 16th year, Lou Cutler will spend a day running laps around the field at Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point to raise money for, and awareness of, Make-A-Wish. Even though he retired as Pathfinder’s PE teacher four years ago, Lou continues returning to the school in advance of his birthday and running one lap for each year he’s been on the planet; this year, that means 68! Students, staff, parents, and community members are welcome to join him – even just for one lap. Or, just show up on the sidelines (1901 SW Genesee) to cheer; he’ll get going just after 9 am next Friday (May 31st). And if you can, donate/pledge on behalf of Lou, who has been a longtime Make-A-Wish volunteer, actually helping “wishes” come true for ailing kids as well as raising money for the organization. Here’s his page on the Make-A-Wish website.
Sanislo Elementary‘s annual auction is a little over a week away. Sanislo is a small school that is hoping for wide support to help its students. From PTA president Ebony Lee:
We are asking our local community, West Seattlelites, to PLEASE purchase tickets to our annual auction happening Saturday, June 1st. $40/pp for dinner (catered by Drunky Two Shoes BBQ White Center), dancing, live entertainment and an excuse to dress up ’80s is PRICELESS & a really cheap date night! ALCOHOL will be available for purchase so the event is 21 yo +. Please help us raise funds to update the school’s VERY OUTDATED library. Sanislo Elementary School is a very diverse “Small school with Big ideas” and Title I (about 60% of the student population is eligible for free/reduce lunch, 10% of whom experience homelessness). Sanislo is located within the Puget Ridge community near South Seattle College. Thank you for the support!
You can get your ticket(s) here.
You know it’s almost summer when WestSide Baby starts inviting you to “Stuff the Bus” with diapers for local kids in need. Tonight until 7 pm, the WS Baby bus is parked outside Future Primitive Brewing in White Center (9832 14th SW) and if you stop by and sign up to host a diaper drive sometime this summer – as simple as having a barbecue and inviting your friends/family to bring diapers – beer and food’s on them. You can even host an online diaper drive by sharing WS Baby’s wish list via email or social media. Every diaper helps WestSide Baby get closer to this summer’s 350,000-diaper goal.
P.S. If you can’t make it to this event, no worries – you can sign up online to be a diaper-drive’r!
Playground projects everywhere! Here’s the latest announcement we’ve received – can you help!
STEM is Taking First Steps for New Playground
Louisa Boren is taking the first steps to improve the school playground by applying for several Seattle City Grants. One requirement is that a steering committee is created. The committee should represent school families and community members. We are looking for community members to join the Playground Building Steering Committee.
If you know of somebody, outside of STEM, that wants to help create a fun, safe space for Delridge families to access, please have them call or email Adrienne Ollerenshaw:
louisaborenplaygroundcommittee@gmail.com
The school is at 5950 Delridge Way SW.
Less than one week until your chance to support the West Seattle Helpline by enjoying a night of sampling local food and beverages at the Taste of West Seattle. It’s a perennial sellout, so the Helpline is circulating this reminder not to miss out:
The 14th annual Taste of West Seattle is next Thursday, May 23rd at the Hall at Fauntleroy (6:00 VIP admission, 6:30 general admission).
Enjoy food and drink from local restaurants, bakeries, breweries, wineries, and more – all while supporting the West Seattle Helpline’s homelessness prevention services!
Besides delicious bites and sips there will be live music, fun games, and an exciting raffle! Raffle prizes include two round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines, four one-way tickets on Southwest Airlines, $1000 gift certificate to Canlis, and a Sports package!
Tickets are still on sale but going fast!
GA: $95
VIP: $125 (only 15 VIP tickets left!)
Door: $120 (not guaranteed)We can’t wait to see you there!
The photo and report are from David Hutchinson on behalf of Seal Sitters Marine Stranding Network:
Seal Sitters’ 2019 harbor seal “pupping season” got off to an early and sad start this past Saturday. Harbor seal pups in our area of Puget Sound are normally born from late June – September. Our Hotline (206-905-7325) received a call from a resident along Beach Drive, reporting what appeared to be a seal pup along with two other seals on an offshore raft. It was later determined that the pup was deceased and it was retrieved at low tide, after the two larger seals had left. It was then taken to the WDFW Marine Mammal Investigations facility for a necropsy. We received a preliminary report today that the pup weighed 4.5 kg (10 lbs.), was 62 cm (24 in) in length and most likely was a “3rd trimester stillborn”. Further tests are planned, funded by Seal Sitters. For additional details, please see this link.
Also, you have two upcoming chances to volunteer on behalf of local wildlife and a healthier Puget Sound:
If you are interested in volunteering with Seal Sitters, our next training session has been scheduled for Saturday, June 15th. Seating is limited so an RSVP is required. Please use (this link) for more details, including instructions on how to RSVP.
Also: Seal Sitters along with our neighboring network Sno-King Marine Mammal Response and SR3 are co-sponsoring our annual Alki Beach cleanup on Saturday, June 29th. For more details and for instructions on how to RSVP (requested, but walkups are also welcome) for this event, please use (this link).
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“The Food Bank is awesome!”
That onstage exclamation from West Seattle Food Bank client Alina embodied the mood at the WSFB’s Saturday night Instruments of Change celebration.
The 12th annual celebration of the WSFB’s biggest fundraiser of the year filled the event space at the Seattle Design Center in SODO. And it helped fill the WSFB’s coffers – with silent and live auction bidding, plus Funds for Food paddle-raising, totaling $161,557 before employer matches, WSFB development director Judi Yazzolino reported today.
Also onstage was 18-year WSFB executive director Fran Yeatts, who drew a standing ovation before she even spoke a word. She introduced the staff and board members who help ensure WSFB runs smoothly in the fight against hunger – serving 11,500 people last year alone, some just once, some week in and week out.
She noted WSFB’s services and programs such as the Baby and Child Corner in partnership with WestSide Baby, and the Backpack Program. And she paid tribute to volunteers.
(L-R, CoHo Team’s Tonya Hennen and Cara Mohammadian with WSFB executive director Fran Yeatts)
Yeatts introduced this year’s Instrument of Change award recipients, the CoHo Team of Windermere Agents, whose Cara Mohammadian has been a longtime WSFB board member. She accepted the award, explaining that the CoHo Team was founded almost 20 years ago, and that community support is a vital part of its mission.
Another highlight: The spotlight on Alina, a West Seattle resident who suddenly became a single mom when her marriage “fell apart” after her baby was born. Food Bank programs like the Baby Corner and bookshelf really helped, she said, adding that the stigma attached to seeking help should go away – the community should “be partners together and help each other.” Her backstory was told in a video played before she came on stage to thank WSFB supporters. That stigma had initially affected her: “When I first went to the Food Bank, I was a little ashamed,” she said, coming from an immigrant family that didn’t accept help from anyone. But meeting her daughter’s needs forced her to get over that. “The Food Bank is awesome!” she exclaimed. It provides healthy food “so my daughter’s not eating ramen. … Thank you, every single one of you.”
Food was not only what the night funded; it also inspired some of the night’s generous giving. The dessert dash, for example, saw donors winning delectable creations by WSFB supporters including these three WSB sponsors – West Seattle Thriftway, Metropolitan Market, and Salty’s on Alki.
Live and silent auctions featured an array of items from tableside cocktail preparation by Peel and Press and The Bridge, to a stay at the acclaimed Willows Lodge, to a home taco party catered by Pecado Bueno, to social-event tickets donated by Joe Jeannot, to Backpack Program founder Rosslyn Shea‘s 10-person Kenyan dinner, which went for $1,000.
(The program that provides food that kids can take home for the weekend now serves 14 West Seattle schools!) $1,900 bought a lucky bidder a week in a 3-bedroom luxury condo on the beach at Seaside, Oregon. WSFB board president Ben Viscon of Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) donated, with Duos, a wine dinner that went for $1,400.
The night’s success was in no small part because of community sponsors, and the WSFB acknnowledged them again in today’s wrapup:
Thanks to Nucor, HomeStreet Bank, First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, Aegis Living, Viscon Cellars and our entire group of generous sponsors for covering the majority of the cost of this event so that the proceeds can go directly to help the 11,500 individuals that we will serve this year.
Many sponsors were represented among the attendees – here’s Nam Le, West Seattle branch manager/vice president for HomeStreet Bank (which is also a WSB sponsor):
He’s also on the WSFB board, as is Rev. Ron Marshall from First Lutheran:
WSFB partners were there to enjoy the night too – below, WestSide Baby’s executive director Nancy Woodland and husband Tim Woodland:
The WS Food Bank‘s next big event is the Grand Affair cocktail party on September 21st.
Love wine? Love community? The two are paired this Saturday night at Highland Park Improvement Club‘s Uncorked! wine-tasting fundraiser. This is HPIC’s centennial year, so the party is extra-special.
Here’s what happens when you show up at HPIC starting at 5:30 Saturday (May 18th):
Upon entrance, you will receive a 2 commemorative wineglasses for tasting Old and New varietals. You will be invited to enjoy special tastings, while you peruse the raffle baskets and purchase raffle tickets. You can gaze upon the art donated by local artists, whose work will be up for bidding through our deservedly competitive (and fun!) Silent Art Auction. As always, an array of excellent, epicurean food will be provided for your noshing pleasure.
During the wine tasting, you’ll get an opportunity to taste side-by-side the same varietal from the Old World and the New World. Tables will enjoy a fun and enlightening journey that explores the differences between Old and New. Following the tasting, a select amount of the wines presented for tasting will be available for purchase by the glass, or by the bottle (to take home) at a discounted rate. And, for the beer-lovers who attend, we will be selling a selection of quality beers.
And again this year, we present Wine Roulette, where you purchase a chance to win a high-value bottle of wine for the bargain price of a ticket.
Our annual winetasting event is a big fundraiser for the club, and all the money received goes to support building and site improvements. This year we are installing our long dreamed for wish-list item, the audio updgrade (previewed last year!), that will enhance experiences like Uncorked for years to come.
HPIC – at 1116 SW Holden – also is home to countless community events, classes, and meetings year-round. With five days to go, you have two ways to be part of it:
Buy a ticket
Become a sponsor (we’re among the community businesses and organizations already on the list)
See you there!
This Saturday is going to be sunny, warm, and busy. Not just for buying and selling during the 15th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (get the map here!) …. here are two ways it’ll be a day of giving, 
too:
STAMP OUT HUNGER: Saturday is the 27th annual nationwide food drive with letter carriers picking up bags of nonperishable food left by mailboxes/slots. Before you get going for the day, consider putting out a donation bag.
GARAGE SALE DAY ‘LEFTOVERS’: It’s become a tradition to offer opportunities for sellers to donate anything unsold at WSCGSD’s end. From our list on the WSCGSD website, here’s what we have so far:
*Stop ‘n’ Shop Thrift Store at the Senior Center of West Seattle in The Junction (4217 SW Oregon): Staying open late, until 6 pm, with “extra helpers ready to unload your vehicle from our back alley”
*Stuff the Truck @ Holy Rosary: All day, 9 am-5 pm, @ school parking lot (4139 42nd SW) – clothing, books, toys, small household items
*West Seattle Christian Church: 2-5 pm, accepting donated items for West Seattle Helpline and Goodwill at WSCC Community Building (4401 42nd Ave SW)
*West Seattle Cares, a newly formed group with a focus on reaching out in friendship and service to our unhoused neighbors, has just announced:
We are collecting supplies needed for those living unsheltered in our community. If you are participating in the WEST SEATTLE GARAGE SALE DAY and have any of the following items in GOOD condition remaining at the end of the day we would be happy to come collect them from you and donate to those in need.
Text Lashanna at 206-715-5262 by 4 pm on 5/11 for a pickup or email westseattlecares@gmail.com.
Items for donation include:
*Tents, sleeping bags/pads, tarps,
*Men’s clothing size medium or larger: jackets, sweat shirts, pants, shoes (sneakers, hiking, work boots), socks
*Backpacks: medium/larger size
*Toiletries
Full details on all of the above, and anyone else who lets us know before Saturday that they’re accepting donations, are here.
It’s the only fun(draiser) of its kind in West Seattle, and you have just a few more days to register at the earlybird discount rate! The photo and announcement are from the organizers of Loop the ‘Lupe:
Loop the ‘Lupe Obstacle Course 5K is in full swing for its third year, with some new additions and plenty of fun for the entire family! The early registration discount is done after May 10 (prices for the obstacle course and 5K run/walk go from $28 to $35), so please sign up soon at loopthelupe.com.
“The Loop” — a benefit for the social outreach work at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish — is happening on June 8 at Walt Hundley Playfield, with the obstacle course event starting at 11 a.m. (a similar schedule to last year). There are four events families can take part in: the obstacle course 5K, the no-obstacle 5K run/walk, the 1K Youth Dash for kids under 8 (parental involvement recommended), and the no-obstacle, 100% flat “Senior Saunter,” for walkers (and those in wheelchairs!) aged 65+.
This year’s event will again feature BBQ for purchase from OLG’s Knights of Columbus, and a beer garden provided by The Beer Junction. This year’s entertainment is West Seattle’s beloved School of Rock band, and we’re improving our reception area to make this a fun party the whole afternoon long. We’re also making improvements on our obstacles to make the action faster, wetter, and better than before!
The 2019 Loop is also part of a fond farewell for Fr. Jack Walmesley, who’s retiring after more than 40 years of priesthood, 17 of them at OLG. The Walmesley Center that the race’s proceeds will go to is named after him, and we’re honored to have him participate in one last Loop as our pastor!
We’re expecting more than 500 participants this year, so get your registration in and GET IN THE LOOP! Watch for fun pre-race events at West Seattle Runner and Ounces Taproom in the weeks to come!
Just two weeks until the first – and usually the biggest – run/walk of the spring/summer season, the West Seattle 5K! Just after 9 am on Sunday, May 19th, Alki Avenue (which closes to motorized traffic for the 5K) will fill with people of all ages, enjoying a run/walk along the shore, raising money for West Seattle High School via its PTSA, which has been presenting this for more than a decade now (with community co-sponsors including WSB). If you’re not registered for the run/walk yet, you can do it right now online – go here! We’ll see you at the start/finish line (near 61st/Alki) on May 19th.
Sent on behalf of Girl Scouts Cadette Troop 43779:
Mary sent the announcement, explaining, “The troop is earning their Silver Award by getting the community involved for a good cause.” Wyatt’s Jewelers (2600 SW Barton; WSB sponsor) is at Westwood Village and you can find its hours online; same with Second Gear Sports, which is at 6529 California SW.
(WSB photo from 2018 Instruments of Change)
Two weeks from tonight, the West Seattle Food Bank will honor the CoHo Team of Windermere Agents as its 2019 Instruments of Change Award recipient, at the WSFB’s annual fundraising gala/auction. WSFB says that since the team was created in 2000, “this group of agents has donated over $1.1 million to a variety of non-profits that support housing and community development.” That includes, since 2012, $52,000 to support WSFB’s work to fight hunger. You can help too by attending the 12th annual Instruments of Change celebration May 11th at the Seattle Design Center in SODO, 6-10 pm. To purchase tickets, be a sponsor, or donate to WSFB, go here.
(Junction volunteers Mike and SuzAnne)
The photo and invitation are from the West Seattle Junction Association:
Junction Spring Clean
Saturday, April 27th
9 AM to Noon
Meet at Junction Plaza ParkSpring clean in the Junction. Join fellow neighbors and businesses for the 3rd Annual West Seattle Junction Spring Clean Saturday, April 27th 9 am to 12 Noon. The Junction QFC will supply breakfast, coffee, cleaning supplies, and a nifty volunteer lunch tote.
Activities include picking up litter, stenciling storm drains to prevent water pollution, painting out graffiti, removing invasive plants, and more. Seattle Public Utilities and the Junction Association support volunteers by providing free tools like garbage bags, gloves, garbage grabbers, safety vests, and paint supplies.
Grab a group of people! It’s a perfect time for organizations, businesses or groups to work together on a volunteer project.
There’s something for everyone, kids included! Meet at Junction Plaza Park (42nd and Alaska). No pre-registration necessary, just show up and be ready to dig in.
It’s fundraiser season, with many chances to have a good time for a good cause. Perhaps the most flavorful fundraiser is a month away – but TODAY is your last chance to get tickets at the early-bird discount rate. The West Seattle Helpline‘s Taste of West Seattle fills The Hall at Fauntleroy with local food and beverage providers offering delicious dishes, savory and sweet, 6-9 pm on May 23rd. If you buy your ticket(s) by tonight, admission is $75 – that’s a $20 discount! Just go here.
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