West Seattle, Washington
06 Saturday
(2016 photo)
The Urban Homestead Foundation, raising money to buy the former City Light substation property on Genesee Hill, is sending out a last call for tickets to this Saturday’s pig-roast fundraising dinner. UHF’s Katie Stemp says it’s happening at the site, 50th/Dakota, 5-9 pm Saturday (September 16th): “Tickets are $75 and include a sit-down dinner, a drink, live music and dancing, and outdoor games! It’s going to be a blast and hopefully raise a lot of money to match the King Conservation Futures Fund grant we received! If there are local businesses that would like to be promoted by helping sponsor part of the event, they can contact Becca Bay at beccabayaway@gmail.com.” (We reported on the grant back in June.) You can buy your ticket(s) online right now – if you can’t commit until the last minute, Katie says they expect “a limited amount” available at the event.
We hear a lot about homelessness – but not so much about what’s being done to help people before a financial crisis puts them on the street. In our community, that’s a big part of what the West Seattle Helpline does, and it needs your support to keep that work going – as the need grows. One way to help: Go to its annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors dinner/auction, November 3rd at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Your ticket awaits you right now; here’s what you need to know:
The West Seattle Helpline puts a stop to homelessness through rent and utility assistance, bus tickets, and their Clothesline, the largest all-ages clothing bank in Seattle.
The 8th Annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fall Dinner & Auction raises crucial funds to ensure that all of our neighbors in need have a place to turn when they need help getting back on their feet. Join us for an evening of celebrating and strengthening our wonderful West Seattle community!
Event Schedule:
~6:00-7:00 pm > Cocktail Hour, Live Music & Silent Auction
~7:00-8:00 pm > 3-Course Dinner, Local Beer & Wine, and Event Program
~8:00-9:00 pm > Live auction including vacations and one-of-a-kind experiences, and our famously competitive (and delicious) dessert dash!Click this link to purchase tickets before they sell out!
For more information, go here.
The event also has room for more sponsors – find out about that here.
Haven’t had lunch yet? Let the barbecue crew at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) cook for you! While out on errands, we just discovered they’ve extended benefit-barbecue season to raise money today for hurricane relief. Hot dogs and hamburgers – and what you pay will be matched! California/Fauntleroy – look for the tent outside the store, until about 3:45 this afternoon (hey – early dinner!).
The photos are from Kersti Muul, one of the first people to let us know this morning – texting our 24/7 hotline at 206-293-6302 – that transient orcas were headed this way.
She reports, “Some that have been ID’d so far (but not in total) are: T101, T102 and 36B’s, T37A1, T36,” saying T102 is the “large male” in her photos, which were taken from various spots on West Seattle’s west-facing shore.
“They traveled slow, and stealthy, disappearing smoothly into the milky, smokey horizon. Reappearing with exhale. Our beautiful marine kin. When T102 first surfaced, I was alone, as was he. It was thrilling to share a moment of peace with him.” Then she saw them again headed north this evening:
The evening pass wasn’t quite so peaceful, with one group of boaters disregarding the Be Whale Wise guidelines: “These young men went barreling towards the three Ts and everyone on shore gasped. I reported them to NOAA. This is a good example of behavior we really want to call out and change.”:
Now – here’s a way you can help educate. One of the groups Kersti works with, Whale Scout, has volunteer orientation/training events coming up – one of them not far away. Noon-4 pm September 17th at Seahurst Park‘s Environmental Learning Center. She explains: “Volunteers will be trained to help people figure out where, and how to watch whales from shore, restore salmon habitat and learn how to ID individual whales. It is an excellent opportunity to discover just how well you can watch whales in West Seattle, as well as how you can help our critically endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales, and the dwindling salmon runs they rely upon.” Here’s more information. This training will be just in time for what Kersti says is the anticipated return of the Southern Resident Killer Whales to our area, likely next month.
Two West Seattle restaurants are inviting you to help them raise money to help hurricane survivors:
MIOPOSTO: All four locations of this local chain, including Admiral, have five-day fundraisers starting tomorrow:
Friday, September 8 through Tuesday, September 12, $5 raffle tickets will be available for purchase at every Mioposto location. The winner of the raffle will receive a $100 Mioposto gift card as well as a $500 donation in their name to a relief organization or charity of their choice. The raffle will conclude September 12 with a Dine-Out fundraising event at each Mioposto location from 4-10 pm. Half of the profits generated that night, as well as the entirety of the raffle funds, will be donated to the Salvation Army Disaster Services fund.
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, and most recently, Hurricane Irma, the mass devastation left in the paths of two of the largest storms in recent history has driven the Mioposto team to extend outreach beyond state lines.
Mioposto Admiral is at 2139 California SW; find its hours here.
B’S PO BOY: The Cajun restaurant on Alki is having a fundraiser next Monday (September 11th) for American Red Cross work to help survivors of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma: “We are donating 25% of our pre-sales-tax sales to the Red Cross … We also have some exciting items that have been donated for a ‘silent’ auction.” B’s is at 2738 Alki SW and will be open 11 am-9 pm on fundraiser day.
(Photos courtesy West Seattle Food Bank)
It’s easy to join the West Seattle Food Bank‘s fight against hunger – here’s one way: Buy a ticket for this upcoming party! Here’s the announcement from WSFB:
Just 3 weeks away!
Please join us for the West Seattle Food Bank’s Roaring ’20s-themed “A Grand Affair” Cocktail Benefit on Friday evening, September 29th, beginning at 6:00 pm, at the Westland Distillery (2931 First
Ave. So. in SODO).
Bring your friends to this fun benefit that will celebrate the Food Bank’s achievements in helping our neighbors who are in need of food and other services. The evening will be filled with casino-style gaming with a chance to win prizes, hosted wine, beer, & hors d’oeuvres, whiskey tasting, themed cocktails by Peel & Press (served by owner Dan Austin) and The Bridge, Husky Deli’s famous Beer Floats served by their own Jack Miller, a photo booth, live auction, and Funds for Food.
Try to win against celebrity dealer Jodi Brothers, AM morning host on 97.5 The Jet. Dress is cocktail attire but themed costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $65/guest in advance until Sept. 15th and $75 after Sept. 15th and at the door. Each guest will receive $10,000 worth of gaming chips with each ticket. To purchase tickets, see our fabulous live auction items, or get more A Grand Affair information, go to: westseattlefoodbank.ejoinme.org/AGrandAffair.
The West Seattle Food Bank provides 8400 individuals yearly – through 111,350 requests – with nutritious food and other needed services through our shopping style distribution, Mobile Food Bank, Home Delivery, Backpack Program, Baby & Child Corner, Pet Pantry, Bookcase and Community Connections.
Here’s another way to help Harvey storm survivors in Texas: Donate supplies and/or money for people with diabetes. Joni Campbell is a West Seattleite who has a local dropoff spot – she explains:
I’m collecting insulin (and a few additional diabetes supplies) to send to the needy in Texas through the Insulin for Life campaign that is being coordinated by a local organization, ConnecT1D.
Please see the list of acceptable items and note that the most needed (of course) is insulin. There is a cooler near my front door; feel free to just drop off any supplies you can spare (per the list) and I will deliver them. Address is in the link below under West Seattle. There are several other dropoff locations across the city – please help if you can spare any insulin at this time for those who are in desperate need with all of the flooding. There is also a way to donate cash. Thanks, all!
Scroll down the right sidebar of Joni’s link to find her address. Donations need to be made before Friday (September 8th), she says; shipments are going out next Monday (September 11th).
(September 2016 WSB photo)
One more reminder: Tomorrow morning, you’re invited to help West Seattle Elementary students get the school year off to a spirited start by being part of the “Be There” rally. Last year, the first one at WSES, more than 100 men and women showed up to cheer for the students as they arrived. WSES and rally co-sponsor West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) hope to see even more tomorrow. Full details are in our original report from two weeks ago; the basics are – be at the school (6760 34th SW) 7 am-8 am; come “dressed for success … to allow students to see mirror images of themselves and combat any internalized biases damaging to themselves.” And also consider signing up, if you can, to volunteer during the school year for the “Classic Men & Ladies of West Seattle Elementary” empowerment program (that’s explained in our original announcement too).
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
As Delridge grows and changes, one thing has remained the same: Its lack of a grocery store.
What is now the Delridge Grocery Cooperative has been working on that for years. And its board members were heartened to see the latest sign of interest – a full room at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center for the co-op’s “town hall” this past Wednesday.
As noted in our preview published two nights earlier, the centerpiece of the meeting was the unveiling of the Delridge Grocery Co-op “market study,” professionally conducted research that had to be done before they apply again for the loan that’s needed to get the store open in its long-reserved space at 5444 Delridge Way SW.
There to hear about it, and ask questions, was a roomful of people from longtime co-op members to former board members to current board members, even newly interested neighbors saying they “just want to help.”
And it will take all that help, and more, to make the dream of a store finish coming true. “When we cut the ribbon, I’m riding in on a white horse,” joked Delridge Grocery board president Andrea Wilmot.
Here’s what was reported, asked, and answered during the hour-plus-long meeting:
11:47 AM: ‘Epic!’ is how proud mom Alex describes the fresh-baked-treats-and-lemonade sale that her daughter Ysabel and friends have going right now at the northeast corner of California and Portland in Gatewood [map], raising money to help Hurricane Harvey storm survivors in Texas. The treats, baked with big help from Ysabel’s dad, include Texas-shaped cookies:
Running things when we stopped by were Ysabel, below right, with Quincy at left and Sam in front:
As mentioned in our preview, Ysabel has had benefit bake sales before; her mom’s matching proceeds and family employers will be matching too. The sale is scheduled to go until 2 pm but that of course is “while supplies last,” so stop by soon if you haven’t already!
3:37 PM: This comment has an update, and thanks, from Ysabel’s dad – including the grand total, pre-matches, of $1,249.08!
As we’ve been reporting, fall high-school sports season has begun. Along with attending games, you have other opportunities to support local student-athletes – like this one coming up at Seattle Lutheran High School:
SLHS FALL SPORTS SPAGHETTI DINNER FUNDRAISER
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 6:00 P.M.Guest Speaker is former Seattle SuperSonic and Legend Donald “Slick” Watts! Mr. Watts is an icon and legend in the city of Seattle as a former member of the SuperSonics from 1973-78. After retiring from basketball, he became a physical education teacher and coach in the Seattle area. Join us in the gym for dinner, dessert, and community! It’s a great way to support our student athletes and to kick off the 2017-18 season. Tickets are $15, children $5, SLHS students are free. Dinner will be in the gym, hosted by the Seattle Lutheran Booster Club. You can purchase tickets for $15 in advance or at the door.
Order online here. Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, September 5.
SLHS is at 4100 SW Genesee.
FRIDAY: That photo is from 2013, when Ysabel raised money for typhoon relief in the Philippines. In 2014, she raised money for Oso mudslide victims. Last year, she and friends raised money for Louisiana flood relief. And this Sunday, she’ll be selling treats and lemonade to help the Red Cross help Hurricane Harvey flooding survivors. Stop by the northeast corner of California and Portland in Gatewood 10 am-2 pm on Sunday (September 3rd) to buy goodies she’ll be making with her dad (who her mom describes as “a wonderful baker”). Whatever she raises will be matched by mom Alex, and that donation in turn will be submitted for Tableau and Starbucks matches. We’ll remind you again Sunday morning!
ADDED SATURDAY: Alex sent photos of baking in progress:
And the results being stored for the sale:
Put the “labor” in your Labor Day weekend – before you get down to relaxing – and join the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s quarterly Adopt-a-Street cleanup this Saturday. 9 am-noon (and if you can’t devote all that time, give what you can), with coffee and treats before, sack lunch after, meeting at Metropolitan Market (41st/42nd/Admiral; WSB sponsor). Just show up – tools and bags provided – all ages welcome.
If you didn’t already know Todd and Laura Crooks, you might have ‘met’ them through our story last year, published as they prepared for their first ‘Unmask the Night‘ event to benefit their work with Chad’s Legacy Project, addressing issues related to mental illness. The project is named for their son, who died by suicide last year at age 21. From their loss was born action to address issues key to helping more people get more effective help for mental illness, and to maximize efforts that are under way by bringing together the people who are doing the work (read more about this here).
Here’s where you come in: The 2nd annual “Unmask the Night” is happening September 9th at Eden Seattle, in nearby SODO. It’s a masquerade party with food, drinks, auctions, and more. You can buy tickets online right now. (They’re also looking for more wine donations.) You’ll not only have a good time, for a good cause, but you’ll find out what’s happening, and what’s next, in advancing mental-health education as well as mental-health care.
If you know a family in need, with one or more kids who don’t have a bed, Beds for Kids might be able to help. They’re accepting referrals as well as donations, and will be distributing beds next month. The flyer above was forwarded to us by Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Burbridge; you can also see it here (PDF). The Beds for Kids program involves the nonprofit Seattle Police Foundation and business sponsors as well as SPD.
(Photo by Scott Scowcroft in Gatewood, post-eclipse)
Much-sought-after, and now … well, what do you do with a pair of eclipse glasses, post-eclipse, anyway? We’re not sure if the materials with which they were made will still be fully functional by the 2023 partial solar eclipse, much less beyond, so here’s an option: Louisa Boren STEM K-8 is collecting them for Astronomers Without Borders. Robin Graham from the STEM PTA says you can drop yours off at the school through October 1st. There’s a box in the hallway, Robin says, and the school’s open 10 am-3 pm “ish” weekdays until the Labor Day holiday, then 8 am-4 pm as of the first day of school (September 6th). The campus is at 5950 Delridge Way SW.
(WSB photo, September 2016)
Last year, it was a stirring sight – the first-ever “Be There” rally greeting West Seattle Elementary students on the first day of school. It’s happening again this year, two weeks from tomorrow, and you are invited to be part of it – with an additional opportunity to be involved beyond the rally. The announcement is from West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) executive director Shalimar Gonzales:
The community is invited to attend the second annual Be There Rally at West Seattle Elementary on Wednesday, September 6, from 7:00 am to 8:00 am. The school, in partnership with the West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA, is rolling out the red carpet and asking community leaders, school supporters, family, and friends to line up to cheer, clap, and high-five students as they enter into the new school year.
Last year, over 100 men and women from the Seattle area volunteered at our first rally. The West Seattle Elementary Be There Rally draws inspiration from an event held in Hartford, Connecticut, where over 100 Black men in suits got together to greet and encourage children on the first day of school. They did it because they wanted to show children of color positive images of Black people in their community instead of the negative and damaging images commonly portrayed in the media.
Research shows that children whose fathers take an active role in their educational lives earn better grades, score higher on tests, enjoy school more and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college. Leaders are calling for 100 men to support those who may not have a male role model by volunteering at the Be There Rally. After careful consideration and speaking with the members of the High Point community, leaders decided to adjust to fit the needs of the neighborhood by also calling for 100 women. It is imperative that girls also have the opportunity to see successful women who they can identify with.
In an effort to dispel myths, breakdown stereotypes and change the narrative that surrounds West Seattle Elementary, please come dressed for success. The purpose of the dress attire is to allow students to see mirror images of themselves and combat any internalized biases damaging to themselves.
We also seek community volunteers to engage with our “Classic Men & Ladies of West Seattle Elementary” initiative.
The “Classic Men & Ladies of West Seattle Elementary” is an empowerment program to instill hope, purpose, self-pride and a love for themselves and our community. Teaching experience is not needed, just enthusiasm and a desire to share with students something about your career, your experiences, your hobby, or yourself. We want you to carry some key messages into our program, including the importance of staying in school and the value of each individual student.
The initiative is a perfect opportunity for parents, business leaders, and community members to let our students know we care about them. The idea is simple – sign up at the rally and we will work with what your schedule permits. Our program runs Monday-Friday; 2:05- 5:30 p.m.
The West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA is sponsoring the rally in partnership with West Seattle Elementary. Although the event is aimed to represent the demographics of the school, all people regardless of ethnic identification are encouraged to come. West Seattle Elementary collaborative school motto for the 2017/2018 school year is “Whatever it takes for each and every kid!”
Your presence at the school on the first day will support efforts to build valuable partnerships with families and members of the community to support student learning and positive academic outcomes.
To confirm your attendance or for more information, please contact Jay Smith, Director of Leadership Development at 206-331-1799 or via email at Jeremysmith@seattleymca.org.
West Seattle Elementary is in High Point at 6760 34th SW.
Marination Ma Kai at Seacrest was closed on Saturday, and told us that it was “in remembrance of an employee gone too soon.” Today, multiple WSB readers have messaged us to say the employee was the young man who died on Beach Drive Friday, and that the restaurant is donating today’s proceeds to his family, and they thought we should let you know. Marination Ma Kai is open until 9 tonight.
Less than three weeks until school starts. Here’s a way to help local students succeed this school year:
The Seattle Public Library is seeking Homework Help volunteers who have a passion for helping elementary, middle, and high school students learn and succeed in school.
Homework Help volunteers support students’ academic success by helping them develop literacy and mathematics skills, understand homework assignments, and prepare for college. Volunteers coach students in all academic subjects and may also specialize in college-prep subjects.
Most of the students are first-generation Americans who speak a language other than English at home. Volunteers will interact with children and teens in small groups and individually. A volunteer commitment throughout the school year is requested. Those volunteers who have variable job and/or school schedules can be scheduled as substitute Homework Helpers at least twice a month.
Eleven branches – including, in our area, High Point and South Park – will offer homework tutoring, reading support, and educational games September 11th through June 14th. South Park is particularly in need of bilingual volunteers who speak Spanish. Find out more about the program here; if you’re interested in an application packet, contact SPL volunteer-services coordinator Anne Vedella at volunteer@spl.org by August 25th.
It’s been a long road for the Delridge Grocery Co-op. Is their food store getting close to reality? The “professional market study” mentioned in our update last September is in, and DGC says “the results are favorable” but – “there is a lot to think about.” They hope you can help with that by showing up for their next step: A town-hall meeting 6:30 pm Wednesday, August 30th, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).
A new parents’ group, Wildcats Touchdown Club, is rallying community support for the West Seattle High School football team, under its new head coach, as the new season approaches. Here’s what they want you to know – and how they hope you can help:
Are you ready for some West Seattle High School football? The coaches, players, and parents at WSHS are. The student athletes and the community are excited for the reveal of the 2017 Wildcats … and there is a lot to be excited about.
The players have been working hard since June to get ready for this season under new head Coach Marcis Fennell. Coach Fennell is developing a culture within the WSHS Football program that prepares young people for the rigors of life through education, technically develops athletes to excel in the sport of football, instills values that will assist in producing men and women of character, gets the team involved with the West Seattle community and continues to cultivate the long tradition of Westside Pride!
As the new coaching staff enters its first season, one of their driving initiatives is to provide a positive and safe experience for all students. To facilitate this, we are asking our community, friends and families, to donate to our program. Please understand that all proceeds will directly benefit the student athletes and their experience in the Wildcats Football program.
Right now, the team is in immediate need of the following:
*Equipment (girdles, thigh pads, knee pads, etc.) for student athletes
*Operational equipment (agility bags, hand shields, pop-up bags)
*Team meals (pre-game team meals, halftime snacks, and fall ball double day snacks)
*Giant Tents for team halftime at SWAC (there are no locker rooms for the team at half-time)
*Funds for transportation to and from games
The West Seattle Football team currently has three ways that you can help with our immediate and long-term goals:
Donate directly to the Football Booster club at our Booster Club for Cats Football GoFundMe page.
Our awesome 2017 WS Football Kick-off t-shirt (you can get one with a blank back as well) for $25 each.
Our cool Elite West Seattle Wildcat socks for $24 a pair.
**To pre-order your T-shirt and socks, contact lildeerpaw@hotmail.com with cash or checks payable to the WS Booster Club.
Thanks, all supporters of the Wildcats football program! Every cent donated will assist the coaches and staff in pouring love and education into our young people through the sport of football!
We look forward to seeing you on Friday nights in the Fall!
Don’t forget to put on your calendars that the first game is September 1, 2017 @ 7:00 pm at SWAC!
The full season schedule can be seen here; if you missed our interview with Coach Fennell after the March announcement that he was joining WSHS, see it here.
If you’re ready to rally after the ugliness of this past week – from Charlottesville to DC-vs-Pyongyang – Hate-Free Delridge has an invitation for you. Received this morning:
Hate-Free Delridge will be standing for peace on Wednesday, August 16, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM.
Come join us on the Delridge pedestrian overpass at Oregon Street.
Bring a sign — for example:
No War
No Nukes
Make Love, Not War
Negotiate, Don’t Escalate
A peace symbolTell your friends. We need to be heard. We need to speak out. See you there.
It’s been almost exactly a year since we first reported on the birth of Hate-Free Delridge in the wake of a racist attack on a local family.
(Tuesday night photo by WSB’s Christopher Boffoli)
Two days after the Gatewood attack that left a 40-year-old West Seattle man in the hospital with serious injuries, two new developments, including the first hearing for the suspect. First, for everyone who asked how they could help the victim and his family – this crowdfunding page has been set up, identifying the victim as Court Heeter. From the page:
As many of you have heard, Court was the victim of a violent knife attack on Tuesday, Aug. 8, near his home in West Seattle. He sustained many life-threatening stab wounds and was fortunate to have Good Samaritans and first responders get there in time to save his life. He is now recovering in the hospital with his wife and family at his side.
Court is a strong man and is expected to recover from his physical wounds beautifully. He is indeed also a very lucky man to have survived an attack of this magnitude – we are so thankful he is here with us.
People are asking how to help. Meals are always thoughtful but in some cases can be disruptive to a household with small children that is already experiencing stress. In addition, a steady stream of visitors is overwhelming for this private family.
Obviously, there will be medical bills and other costs associated with this tragedy. As friends of the Heeter Family we are concerned about what lies ahead as he starts to work through what has happened.
Let’s come together and raise some money to ease any extra burdens we can for this family. Whether it be for a family vacation, medical bills, groceries, house cleaner – Whatever the Heeter Family needs money for let’s help provide it. Thank you for any donation amount or positive thoughts and prayers you can provide.
Again, the link is here.
Next – the hearing information, just in: As we first reported yesterday morning, police identified the suspect as 39-year-old Ryan J. Cox, who has been in and out of the criminal-justice and mental-health systems, as detailed in this followup yesterday afternoon. After police first took Cox into custody at the scene of Tuesday night’s attack, he was taken to the hospital for what investigators said were self-inflicted stab wounds; last night, he was medically cleared to be booked into King County Jail, and this afternoon, he had what was scheduled to be a bail/probable-cause hearing. According to King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe, Cox “refused to appear in court”; the judge ruled there was probable cause to continue holding him, and set a bail hearing for tomorrow afternoon. The document provided for the hearing has the same narrative information that we included in yesterday afternoon’s followup, with the addition of Cox’s claim that he stabbed Heeter – who police say was unarmed – in self-defense, claiming he had clashed with the victim the night before. The probable-cause document also notes that law enforcement does not want to see Cox released, because he is “very aggressive” and because the incident involved “assault with a deadly weapon.”
We will update again tomorrow after the second hearing.
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