West Seattle, Washington
26 Sunday
Thunder Road Guitars proprietor Frank Gross may be in the West Seattle Food Bank bin today, but tomorrow he’ll be spending time in a much-splashier container – a dunk tank! We are now just a day away from the big holiday-weekend sale at Thunder Road Guitars (longtime WSB sponsor), which Frank has turned into a food-bank fundraiser – 10 percent of sales will be donated – that will include your chance to dunk Frank and enter the raffle drawing for the Gretsch ’57 Duo guitar he’s holding. And while they last, dunkers get the T-shirt held by TRG staffer Bender, shown below with Robbin from WSFB:
As for how you can dunk Frank: “Bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the West Seattle Food bank or purchase a guitar, amplifier, or pedal. Either one of those gets you 3 throws at our fearless leader and a limited TRG shirt for the event.” All this, plus one-day-only deals, are happening noon-6 pm Saturday (August 30) at Thunder Road Guitars, 6400 California SW in Morgan Junction.
We’re now days away from the start of school for thousands of local students, staff, and volunteers who support them. Among the latter, Friends of Roxhill Elementary – who hope you’ll help their school start strong:
Friends of Roxhill is asking the entire West Seattle community to help support our students have a rich school experience this year by making a donation to the Roxhill Field Trips and Classroom Fund.
With your generous donations, Friends of Roxhill provides each Roxhill Elementary teacher with money for field trips and to equip their classroom with much-needed supplies, like educational games, toys, and books. Past donations have helped send Roxhill students to the Seattle Aquarium, the Woodland Park Zoo, and the Seattle Children’s Theater.
To meet our goal for this year, $20 covers one student, $80 covers a table group, and $400 covers one whole class! Can you chip in to support our students?
Roxhill Elementary is a small-but-mighty Title I school with about 250 students where over half of families qualify for free-or-reduced lunch.
Donate today: gofundme.com/f/roxhill-2025-backtoschool-field-trips-classroom-fund
Remember the streetcorner flower fundraiser a few weeks ago? Another one is happening tomorrow morning, this time on behalf of boosters of the Chief Sealth IHS girls’ swim team. Same general area, along 35th SW on the east side of the 8300 block (just north of Thistle), dahlia bouquets for $10. This will be happening 10 am-noon Friday, as long as the flowers last (last sale, for Girl Scouts, sold out early!). Though school doesn’t start until Wednesday, the team’s already practicing, so it’s fundraising time too!
(Photo courtesy South Seattle Cooperative Preschools)
Again today, we have word of a major fall event announcing both its date and its invitation to prospective sponsors! This time it’s the West Seattle Monster Dash, a fun run that raises money for West Seattle cooperative preschools:
In its 14th year, the West Seattle Monster Dash is a costumed 5k trail run/walk and Kids’ Dash.
Paid registration includes a T-shirt featuring a new design by Alex Van Gilder (all races) and bib with timing chip (5K only). Kids’ Zone with games, activities, prizes, and a photo booth open from 9-11:30 am.
Date: Saturday, October 25
Time: 5k begins at 9:30 am, Kids’ Dashes at 10:30 am
Location: Lincoln Park, Shelter #1Registration opens Monday, September 1st; Early Bird Pricing through the end of September is $35 for the 5k and $20 for the kids Dashes.
All proceeds go to support South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools!
Now seeking 2025 Sponsors: Would your business like to make a monetary or in-kind donation?
Please complete our Sponsorship Form.
The fun doesn’t end when summer’s over. West Seattle celebrates in the fall, too, and organizers of one of the biggest events, Holy Rosary School‘s two-day WestFest, have a two-part announcement – meant to get the dates on your calendar, and welcome potential sponsors:
WestFest is just around the corner, and we’re excited to invite you to be a part of this year’s celebration on September 19th and 20th.
Each year, WestFest brings together our community for two days of fun — complete with a packed beer garden, delicious food booths, thrilling rides, lively bingo, and entertainment in the gym. It’s a wonderful tradition that draws families and neighbors from across the area.
We’d love for you to consider sponsoring WestFest 2025. Sponsorship not only supports Holy Rosary School but also provides your business with excellent visibility through event signage, recognition, and community connection.
For details on sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to Bonnie at (206) 226-4046 or bonnierice@gmail.com.
Thank you for your support!
-The WestFest Committee
The festival happens at the Holy Rosary School campus, outdoors and indoors, off 42nd SW between Dakota and Genesee.
Thunder Road Guitars (6400 California SW; WSB sponsor) has an upcoming end-of-summer sale with a twist – actually two: It’s donating part of the proceeds on Saturday, August 30, to the West Seattle Food Bank, while putting TRG proprietor Frank Gross in a dunk tank! Here’s the announcement, in video and text:
Announcing the Thunder Road Summer “Dunk Frank in the Tank” Event. Join us Saturday, August 30th, for amazing one-day-only deals and your chance to win a FREE Gretsch ’57 Duo Jet courtesy of our friends at Gretsch Guitars.
We decided to partner with the West Seattle Food Bank for this event and will be donating 10% of our sales on the 30th to the food bank. We are also going to have Frank in a dunk tank all day…. Just how do you dunk Frank in the tank, you ask? Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the West Seattle Food Bank or purchase a guitar, amplifier, or pedal. Either one of those gets you 3 throws at our fearless leader and a limited TRG shirt for the event (while supplies last). So join us August 30th, 12-6 pm, for a day of insane deals and help us raise some money for the WS Food Bank.
This Tuesday evening (August 19), you’re invited to a block-party barbecue dinner on SW Henderson west of 35th SW to benefit the Fauntleroy Fall Festival! The free festival runs on donations and volunteers, and The Birdhouse is cooking up this dinner pop-up with 20 percent of the proceeds going to the festival. Just plan to drop by for dinner 5-7 pm that night – The Birdhouse isn’t usually open for dinner but has a special menu for the occasion; see it here – it includes vegetarian options as well as sides and desserts. Take-out if you prefer, but SW Henderson will be closed in front of The Birdhouse, with tables and chairs so you can dine on-site with your West Seattle neighbors.
P.S. This year’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival is set for 2-5 pm Sunday, October 19 – exactly two months after Tuesday’s fundraising dinner.
Cheyanne Chadwick, a STEM educator who is program manager for HEART at West Seattle Elementary, is looking for a community member to help with an upcoming project:
This fall, my students and I will be working on a science of baking project I’m lovingly calling The Great West Seattle Bake-Off. The goal is for students to learn about the chemistry behind baking by discovering what all the ingredients in cupcakes actually do.
I’m looking for a baker (preferably someone from the West Seattle area) who might be interested in coming into my classroom in November for an hour-long demonstration/lesson on baking. No teaching experience is needed, obviously. Bakers would provide the expertise in baking itself, and I’d lead the teaching elements. I can provide more specific details (the when, where, how, whatnot) to anyone who might be available/interested.
Potentially interested? Email Cheyanne at cheyanne.chadwick@stempaths.org.
(WSB photo – early donations during last Saturday’s drive)
One week ago, we visited the heart of The Junction as volunteers from the Rotary Club of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) collected instrument donations for Music4Life. Tonight, Rotarian Brian Waid, who coordinated the dropoff donation drive, reports on the results:
I’m pleased to report that on August 9, with the support of the West Seattle KeyBank branch, the Rotary Club of West Seattle received donations of 43 used musical instruments for the benefit of Music4Life, including: drums (3, including an unusual split drum), flutes (6), clarinets (10, including 3 Buffet clarinets), trumpets/cornets (6), french horn (1), trombone (1), saxophone (1), recorders (2), guitars (4), and a banjo (1). We also received a generous cash donation for Music4Life, an instrument tuner, clarinet repair kit, music books, and several music stands.
Missed the drive? You can still donate instruments and/or money – here’s how. Music4Life works with 15 school districts in the region, including Seattle.
Most months on the third Sunday, Alki UCC hosts a donation drive for community participation – you don’t have to attend the church or even go inside to drop items off. This month’s donation drive is tomorrow (Sunday, August 17) and here’s what they need most:
This month’s priority needs:
Men’s Work/Casual Clothing and Fresh Garden Produce
Westside Interfaith Network is really low on men’s work/casual clothing. The community we serve counts on us to have clothing they can wear for their construction and day labor jobs. Needed: work pants, jeans, khakis, hoodies, sweatshirts, t shirts, long/short sleeve shirts, work/hiking boots, casual shoes and SOCKS (preferably new).
AND … Bring in your overflow garden bounty for us to distribute to a community that doesn’t get a lot of fresh produce.
We also welcome non-perishable food, hygiene items and camping gear. Donations are distributed through the Westside Interfaith Network Saturday lunch, hosted in White Center.
Deepest gratitude to our community for your generous support of our neighbors in need.
Alki UCC is at 6115 SW Hinds, and you can drop off donations between 11 am and 3 pm Sunday.
9:02 AM: Local Brownie Troop 44100 plans to be out for the next three hours raising money by selling flowers:
Our troop will be on the Northeast corner of 35th and Thistle from 9 am to noon (rain or shine!) selling gorgeous bouquets of dahlias and other seasonal blooms for just $10. We know the weather isn’t looking great, but our flowers will still make it feel sunny!
11:15 AM: Update – sold out!
Three weeks left in summer and there’s a lot to do! For the Lafayette Elementary PTA and A Cleaner Alki, a playground cleanup is on the schedule this Sunday (August 17), and you are invited to help:
What: Lafayette Elementary School Playground Cleanup Work Party
When: Sunday, August 17 from 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Where: Lafayette Elementary School playgroundThis event is co-hosted by A Cleaner Alki and Lafayette Elementary School PTA
Gardening gloves and tools will be provided but volunteers are also encouraged to bring their own. We need as many volunteers as possible to get our playground ready for another awesome school year.
More details are on the Cleaner Alki website. The playground is behind the school, off SW Lander on the west side of California SW.
(WSB photos)
At the southwest corner of California and Alaska, Rotary Club of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) members are collecting musical instruents right now for Music4Life, which will get those instruments to students who need them. In our photo above, Rotarian Brian Waid is holding an acoustic guitar that had just been brought in. Rotarian Irene Stewart, who traces her involvement with Music4Life back to its beginnings in the ’00s, said early donations included 3 violins, 2 recorders, 2 clarinets, 2 coronets, a French horn, a trombone, and a banjo!
Music4Life works with 15 school districts around Western Washington, including Seattle, and has collected more than 3,100 instruments since 2007. If you have one (or more) you can donate, Rotarians will be at California/Alaska until 2 pm today, as previewed here a week and a half ago. (You also can donate money to the program.) Waid says they’re having a great time not only collecting the instruments but hearing the stories behind them.
The West Seattle Food Bank‘s most flavorful fundraiser is getting closer – the Taste of West Seattle, on September 25. WSFB has announced the musical guest for the food-and-beverage fest at The Hall at Fauntleroy:
The West Seattle Food Bank is thrilled to announce that iconic singer-songwriter Jim Page will be the special musical guest at this year’s Taste of West Seattle, taking place on Thursday, September 25th at The Hall at Fauntleroy.
Widely regarded as a cornerstone of Seattle’s folk scene, Jim Page has spent decades using music to spark thought, raise consciousness, and give voice to the community. His presence at the Taste of West Seattle adds a uniquely local and meaningful layer to an already vibrant event.
“Jim is legendary in Seattle music” said Robbin Peterson, Development Director at West Seattle Food Bank. “His music is part of the foundation of this city’s musical soul, and we’re honored to have him join us in support of our mission. He isn’t just performing – he’s representing decades of community, protest, and sound that have shaped this city.”
Jim Page has recorded 24 albums and written a mountain of songs. Seattle Metropolitan Magazine calls him: “One of the 50 most influential musicians in Seattle history.” In 1974 he legalized busking (street performing) in Seattle, where it had been outlawed for decades. He has toured in 13 countries including the US, Canada, Ireland, the UK, most of northern Europe, and Taiwan. His songs have been covered by The Doobie Brothers, Christy Moore, Dick Gaughan, Michael Hedges, and Roy Bailey. Bonnie Raitt says, “In the tradition of Woody and Dylan, he cuts right to the heart with music you actually enjoy listening to. I’m a longtime admirer.”
The Taste of West Seattle brings together dozens of local restaurants, breweries, wineries, and bakeries for a night of incredible food, community, and purpose – all in support of vital food and housing services for our neighbors in need.
Tickets and more information are available at westseattlefoodbank.org/taste-of-west-seattle
You have the fruit tree(s), they have the volunteers ready to harvest. The Rotary Club of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) is working with partners on plans for a Community Fruit Gleaning Day – just under six weeks away, but you’re urged to register your fruit tree(s) right now! Here’s the announcement we were asked to share:
Volunteer your fruit tree now for Community Fruit Gleaning Day in September
Gleaning? What’s that?! Historically, “to glean” was to gather crops left over after a general harvest. Today, the term describes the process of harvesting fruit that might otherwise go to waste and getting it into the hands of people who need it via local food banks.
Rotary Club of West Seattle is partnering with City Fruit, a nonprofit organization that harvests and stewards urban fruit trees to support sustainable and equitable access to fruit, as well as Scouting America Chief Seattle Council. Together, they will glean fruit that can be distributed to neighbors in need through the West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Food Bank.
How can you help? Register your apple, pear, plum, or other fruit-bearing tree if you’re likely to have ripe fruit in early September. Complete the Gleaning Interest Form (forms.gle/Mbp8r5v6kveJtFaX7) as soon as possible (deadline August 23). Rotarians and Scouts will harvest the fruit on Saturday, September 13.
“It’s a pretty sweet deal,” said Mike Price, the Rotarian leading the West Seattle project. “You volunteer your tree but don’t have to do any heavy work. Let Rotary and Scouts do the picking and hauling. The food banks and their clients really welcome the fruit.”
“Our partners, City Fruit, harvest 30,000–45,000 pounds of fruit from trees on residential properties and in orchards across Seattle every year, which they share with food banks and local meal programs,” Price continued. “We know of trees left unharvested, where the fruit spoils. It’s a shame to lose that nutritional value.”
If you have fruit that ripens at a different time of year, consider sharing it via City Fruit. For more information, visit cityfruit.org/share-your-fruit/.
Questions about Community Gleaning Day? E-mail the Rotary Club of West Seattle at ws_rotary@yahoo.com.
A West Seattle 10-year-old and her friends are thanking the community for helping them raise $500 for Seattle Children’s Hospital with a holiday treat sale. They’ve delivered the donations and are now sharing their story:
(Popsicle sellers presenting donation to Children’s Hospital’s Dondi Cupp)
During the Kids Parade on the Fourth of July, my classmates Aimee H, Olivia W, Melissa A (not pictured), and I sold popsicles to the participants of the parade. We decided to sell popsicles because we wanted to donate all the proceeds to Seattle Children’s Hospital. There were two reasons behind this. The first reason, a former classmate of mine continues to receive care at the Seattle Children’s Hospital. And this past school year, one of our teacher’s daughters started treatment at the Seattle Children’s Hospital.
We want to thank the West Seattle community for helping us for nearly doubling our donation from two years ago!!
Sophia Chang (10 years old)
Don’t let your unused musical instrument(s) gather dust in a closet .., this dropoff donation drive is just a week and a half away!
West Seattle Community Day of Musical Instrument Donations to Music4Life
Sponsor: West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation (a tax-exempt org.)
Date/Time of Event: Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Key Bank at Alaska Junction (Corner of California Ave SW & SW Alaska Street in West Seattle)
Goal: To receive and acknowledge donations of gently used musical instruments for repair and refurbishing, to enable students in need to participate in school music programs.
Types of Instruments Needed: All orchestra and band instruments, as well as guitars.
Most needed: trumpets/coronets, clarinets, flutes, and violins.
What is Music4Life? Music4Life is a local nonprofit organization that puts instruments into the hands of students whose families cannot afford to rent or purchase, making it possible for them to participate in school music programs.
Why Donate? Many people have lovingly used musical instruments in their garages or attics, or in storage. When reminded, they ask themselves “Why am I still carting this instrument around? Music4Life understands that some people have precious memories of their used musical instruments. We do not want a reluctant giver. We instead want donors who appreciate the unique value of instrumental music in the life and education of a child—and want all children regardless of family need, to experience it. Music4Life partners with preferred, local professional music repair shops for discounted restoration of these instruments.
Contact: Brian Waid (Rotary Club of West Seattle member):
Email: brianjwaid@gmail.com Telephone: 206-714-7535
Or Visit: Website: www.Music4Life.org or www.westseattlerotary.org
The start of next school year is closer than you think, so it’s time for families to start thinking about school supplies. Again this year, the Rotary Club of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) is collecting donated supplies in its longrunning Pencil Me In For Kids drive. Here’s the announcement sent to us to share with you, explaining how to help:
Pencil Me In For Kids (PMIFK) is a West Seattle Rotary sponsored project that has provided basic school supplies to West Seattle K-5 students in need since 1995. Their 30th annual School Supply Drive launched this week and runs through August 1.
You can help by donating supplies that elementary school students frequently use, such as folders with pockets (e.g., Pee-Chees), glue sticks, pens, pencils, pink erasers, washable fine tip color markers, washable fine and slant-tip black markers, and wide-ruled paper.
Drop-off sites include Brookdale Admiral Heights Senior Living, Fauntleroy Church, Fauntleroy YMCA, Potter Construction (call 206-237-3603 first), and West Seattle Thriftway.
Supplies can also be dropped off at the Rotary luncheon meeting on July 29 at the West Seattle Golf Course clubhouse (11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. only).
Online donations allow Pencil Me In For Kids to buy school supplies at a discount. Online donations can be made via the West Seattle Rotary Foundation (bit.ly/3Uio6rh) and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. (Note: Select Local Projects on the drop-down list and type “PMIFY” on the notes.)
Sue Lindblom, former owner of Illusions Hair Design, founded Pencil Me In For Kids 30 years ago and continues to coordinate the annual drive.
“In the beginning, we raised modest amounts of money for the back-to-school supplies for student wish lists,” said Sue. “Our only thought was to get supplies to kids who needed them so they wouldn’t feel left out and hopefully their self-esteem could be helped. Thirty years later, Pencil Me In For Kids has supported thousands of K-5 students throughout West Seattle.”
Hosted by the Rotary Club of West Seattle, PMIFK is one of several local Rotary projects that support children, youth, and schools, including Music4Life (collecting orchestra and band instruments for K-12 music programs) and a variety of scholarships and awards. Learn more at westseattlerotary.org/projects/local.
The West Seattle Food Bank also has a clothing bank, the Clothesline, and WSFB development director Robbin Peterson tells WSB what they need most right now:
We are in urgent need of back-to-school clothes. When you shop at a clothing bank for your kids, it takes multiple visits to get everyone ready for back-to-school & our shoppers have already started. The Clothesline is in need of kids’ clothes 5T through teen sizes. Hoodies, jackets, jeans, athletic pants & tops, sneakers, new underwear/bras/socks, dresses, skirts. Clothing can be dropped off at The Clothesline (4425 41st Ave SW) Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 am – 1 pm.
If you – or a student in your household – can spare some time, this volunteer project is looking to sign up a hundred volunteers! Here’s the announcement we were asked to share:
We’re looking for 100 volunteers to work together (kids more than welcome!) to help with safety and aesthetic improvements to the exterior and playground at Louisa Boren STEM K-8.
Need volunteer hours for middle or high school? We’re happy to sign any forms to confirm your volunteer hours.
Sign up below to join us on Friday, July 18 and/or Saturday, July 19, 9 am – 5 pm.
Volunteer sign-up: signupgenius.com/go/10C0549A9A823A0FEC43-57389089-louisa
Looks like we’ll have sunny days before, during and after – making it perfect painting weather. We have lots of approved projects to knock out, so bring friends – let’s get it DONE!!
Questions? Email cheandrie@stemk8pta.org
The school is at 5950 Delridge Way SW.
Quick reminder that the city has declared Saturday (July 12) this year’s “One Seattle Day of Service,” with volunteer opportunities offered citywide.
If you’re interested in checking out remaining openings, the first step is to register, and you’ll find the link in the original announcement. (Local events with openings include one with Schmitz Park Creek Restore, still with dozens of spots when we checked this morning.)
P.S. Two events at Webster Pond have 40+ openings, too!
(Bee Garden photo: Volunteers, earlier this year)
If you have some spare time on Sunday, the West Seattle Bee Garden could benefit! Here’s the announcement that Lisa asked us to share:
This Sunday the 6th is our July work party, 10-12 pm. Our big focus is weeding! Some areas of the garden have gotten pretty wild so I’m hoping we can make a big dent and give our intentional plants much needed space and sunlight.
In the spirit of the holiday weekend, I also encourage you to bring your social side and join us for a break with lemon raspberry cake (homemade! homegrown raspberries!) and sparkling water. If you’d like to bring something to share, you are welcome to, but no pressure.
As usual:
-dress for the weather: it’ll be warm and sunny – hats and sunblock encouraged
-wear close-toed shoes
-we have tools but bring a favorite if you have one
-no experience necessary, all levels of garden-curious folks are welcome
-this is a family-friendly event, kids are welcomeAdditional volunteer opportunities
In July and August, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 2-4 pm, a youth group from the High Point neighborhood will be gardening and stewarding in and around the Bee Garden. The group has leaders, extra hands are appreciated. If you have interest and availability in supporting this community work, please reach out to Abbie at: abbiec@nhwa.org.
The Bee Garden is at the north end of High Point Commons Park (Graham/Lanham).
(WSB photos)
The West Seattle Junction was decked with the Stars and Stripes today, thanks to volunteers recruited by the Junction Association. We were passing through The Junction on the way to cover the West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade in North Admiral when we saw the group gathered for their briefing:
Many of The Junction’s community events rely on volunteers – Summer Fest (one week away!) still has some openings, for example.
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