Last year, Eastridge Church‘s turkey giveaway in West Seattle was over in about half an hour – this year, with double the turkeys (1,000 this time), they still had plenty left, and no line, when we stopped by less than an hour ago. (video added) We talked with Eastridge Pastor Steve Jamison about the giveaway:
He said they’ll be there as long as it takes to give them all away (the turkeys come with some other groceries, too) – across from West Seattle Bowl, 39th/Oregon.
(AFTERNOON UPDATE: A “special weather statement” now covers our area – scroll down)
Thanks to JayDee for sharing that Alki overview, photographed this morning – he calls attention to “the white caps and white stratus blowing from the north. The stratus has that reversed-incline that is the opposite of the surface wind direction — winds aloft are still from the south, which stretches the clouds northward.” Bottom line, he notes, it’s clear “the outflow from the Fraser is coming.” That’s the cold air from Canada that forecasters have been warning us about. Still no special warnings/alerts for our area, and the National Weather Service‘s latest map shows even the ones for other parts of Western Washington have largely been canceled. But popular online forecaster Cliff Mass wrote late last night about “uncertainty” – the cold seems certain, chances of snow, not so much. And the current NWS forecast for the city says it could dip into the upper 20s tonight. So focus on the freeze, make sure your pipes are ready, etc. (here’s lots of advice from Take Winter By Storm). We’ll be here 24/7 as always, to report/share weather, road, bus, school information as needed. 4:32 PM UPDATE: From David Rosen ofSlickPix Photography, waves crashing over the Alki Beach seawall this afternoon:
The NWS now has a “special weather statement” covering the area – including the chance of snow – though it’s projecting that it’s not likely north of Tacoma; here’s the latest.
From the WSB West Seattle Holidays page – big day for bazaars, open houses, craft sales! 10 am-3 pm at Schmitz Park Elementary (5000 SW Spokane), 10 am-5 pm at Northwest Art and Frame (4525 California SW), 10 am-2 pm atJunction TrueValue (4747 44th SW), 11 am-4 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), noon-4 pm at CAPERS (4525 California SW), and the Blithe Bazaar in Arbor Heights (3817 SW 105th), 4-8 pm. Details on all of them can be found in the very first section of the Holidays page.
TURKEY GIVEAWAY THIS MORNING: At 9 am today, Eastridge Christian Assembly starts giving away 1,000 turkeys at each of its two locations – including West Seattle, at 39th/Oregon (map). This is double what the church has given away in recent years, and it’s on the honor system – they don’t require proof you’re in need.
BEER CHURCH TURKEY BOWL TONIGHT: Right across the street at West Seattle Bowl, tonight’s one of the biggest — maybe even the biggest! — local food-drive events of the holiday season, the Beer Church Turkey Bowl. The alleys have been sold out since shortly after they were offered up for sale, but you are invited to stop by and watch, cheer the bowlers, and bring food (and/or money!) donations to add to what’s being amassed for the West Seattle Food Bank. It all starts at 5:30 pm (also 39th/Oregon).
SHOPPING? BUY EXTRA FOR DONATING TO THE FOOD BANKS: There are many places you’ll find dropoff barrels for the food banks that serve this area (West Seattle FB and White Center FB), but for holiday-specific donations, you are invited to stop by each one on Monday. WC is at 10829 8th SW and open 8-5 Monday – they have all the turkeys they need, but would appreciate donations of the fixings that go with holiday dinners; they also would appreciate volunteer help next week at the times listed here, as they are expecting almost 1,000 families for holiday food distribution. WS is at 35th/Morgan and open 9-7 Monday, saying they can use frozen turkeys 12 pounds or less, and store-bought boxed pies. (We’ll publish updates if we find out about any changed or extended donation hours.)
FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER IN FAUNTLEROY – GOING AND/OR GIVING: Once again this year, Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering (WSB sponsor) is presenting a free Thanksgiving feast at The Hall at Fauntleroy, noon-3 pm Thursday. Everyone is welcome. If you would like to help, whether you are sharing in the meal or not, they say they have all the volunteers they need, but can always use pies or cookies for dessert. The Hall is in the old Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 9131 Fauntleroy SW.
Our cameraphone photo shows the end of the student demonstration along California SW Friday morning by West Seattle High School, where an upcoming schedule change has sparked some controversy. We first heard of it in this article from the new edition of the student newspaper The Chinook; then we got a text about the protest, which was ending just as we arrived. After reading and republishing (with permission) the schedule-change story, we sought out further comment from the union whose action was described as having sparked the change, Operating Engineers Local 609. Their business manager, David Westberg, returned our call Friday afternoon – here’s what he told us:
One of The Junction’s newest stores, Suite Arrangements – first previewed here in August – has good news after less than two months in business: It’s already profitable, according to information e-mailed by proprietor Geoffrey Abdian. He also shared a photo of the 100th person to consign furniture with his store, Mary Leatherman(right), a volunteer coordinator at across-the-street ArtsWest, quoting her as calling Suite Arrangements “the perfect location to consign items that no longer fit the décor of my home.” With Mary and 99+ others already signed on (there’s even an online catalog), Abdian says, he’s been able to start making good on his commitment (mentioned in our August story) to donate 5 percent of profits to the West Seattle Food Bank, whose executive director Fran Yeatts got the first check on Tuesday. “It’s not much yet,” Abdian said, “and the store hasn’t begun to repay the loans taken to open, but it’s a good start. And, we want to thank West Seattle for embracing the recycling of fine furnishings, and for helping to feed those most in need.” He quotes Yeatts as saying, “I hope other businesses, and individuals, in our community will likewise allocate a portion of their own good fortune to the benefit of those most in need.” (Donation info for the WS Food Bank is online at westseattlefoodbank.org; we’ll have a story later this morning about additional ways to get, and give, food help this weekend.)
Thanks to everyone who sent tips about a search around the Link site (38th/Fauntleroy/Alaska). It was breaking up when we arrived; one officer still on the scene told us there was a report of an intruder. We just confirmed that with Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams, who says the big response was because it was a big site to search, but “no sign of entry, theft, damage found.”
It’s always an honor to bring you news of West Seattleites making a difference – and here’s another one: Bettie Williams-Watson(left) has been named a 2010 Purpose Prize Fellow, one of just 45 from around the nation. Here’s the official announcement explaining the honor:
Williams-Watson was recognized as a social entrepreneur over 60 who, in her encore careers, is using her experience and passion to make an extraordinary impact on society’s biggest challenges. Now in its fifth year, the six-year, $17 million Purpose Prize program is the nation’s only large-scale investment in social innovators in the second half of life.
Williams-Watson was named a Fellow because of her groundbreaking work in addressing domestic, youth and sexual violence in predominantly African American faith communities throughout the Greater Seattle area and beyond thru her nonprofit organization, Multi-Communities (M.I.C).
“Purpose Prize Fellows show what’s possible in our communities – and the world – when experienced adults apply their passion and skill to improve the lives of others.” said Alexandra Céspedes Kent, Director of The Purpose Prize. “Imagine the potential for society if tens of thousands of adults focused their know-how on the social causes they are most passionate about – it’s a tremendous opportunity.”
The 46 Purpose Prize Fellows of 2010 (were) honored at the Purpose Prize Summit November 12-14 in Philadelphia. Approximately 400 attendees of the invitation-only event (heard) from featured speakers such as W. Wilson Goode Sr. (former mayor of Philadelphia and 2006 Prize winner); writer and cultural anthropologist Mary Catherine Bateson (author of Composing a Further Life: The Age of Active Wisdom); civil rights leader and social innovator Robert Moses (founder of The Algebra Project); and bestselling author Martin Seligman (founder of the field of positive psychology).
In a followup e-mail exchange, Bettie told WSB, “I learned such positive reinforcement for how people over the age of 50 and 60 plus are the most creative, innovative folks of any generation, and the part that really excited me even more was that we are confidently shaping, and designing our own definition of what it means to be of age, and have not bought into the myths and stereotypes that are so prevalent today. Did I mention that I work full time, and run my nonprofit in my ‘spare time?'”
Need a nice warm hat for the cold snap ahead? That’s part of what you’ll find at Fauntleroy Church till 8 pm tonight, 11 am-4 pm tomorrow, and 11 am-1 pm on Sunday, during this year’s expanded Fine Art Show and Holiday Gift Faire. The arts/crafts show sale includes 15 artists “displaying and selling work in a variety of media and prices, including fused glass, photo collage, felt, watercolor, and cast stone,” according to the church, which is at 9140 California SW (map).
When you do your holiday food shopping this weekend, consider buying extra, for food banks. We reported previously on what West Seattle Food Bank needs; today we talked with Audrey at White Center Food Bank, which serves part of WS too. She says they do NOT need more turkeys, but they DO need fixings: Chicken broth, condensed milk, olives, pickles, stuffing mix, fruit cocktail, Jell-O, etc. Audrey says they expect to serve 950 families next week.
Today, we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Allstate Insurance at 3862 Delridge Way SW. Allstate is owned by Christopher Price, longtime operator of the H&R Block offices in West Seattle. He is a CFP-certified Financial Planner, ChFC-chartered Financial Consultant, and has been doing financial services for more than 29 years. Christopher says he started the Delridge Allstate location to bring business to the North Delridge area, which he says is very much an up-and-coming part of West Seattle and one that needs business services. Allstate‘s Delridge location offers not only auto, home, and life, but also a full range of investment services. According to Christopher, while people are familiar with the standard lines of insurance Allstate provides, they might not know that the company also offers an wide array of investment services. Christopher adds, “I look forward to helping families like yours protect the things that are important – your family, home, car and more. I can also help you prepare a strategy to achieve your financial goals.” His Allstate office is open from 9 am to 5 pm, Mondays through Fridays. You can get a quote by calling 206-938-2886 or via e-mail at Christopher.Price@allstate.com.
Owner Dan Atherton isn’t the only one who’s been waiting to get the new West Seattle sandwich shop Jonny Bostons open — he says he’s visited every couple of days by a gentleman hoping to see the OPEN sign in the window.
To the sandwich-loving public, Dan says: “I feel your pain.”
Good news is on the horizon, however; this week, the shop (4151 California SW, north end of The Junction) passed all of its inspections, and the only thing left is a visit from the Health Inspector. Dan’s trying to get this appointment scheduled next week in order to realize his “best-case scenario” goal of opening the day after Thanksgiving. If not that Friday, then “hopefully (the following) Monday.” Employees have already been hired in anticipation of an imminent opening.
Dan says he’s been getting plenty of favorable response from the community about the shop, and appreciates everyone’s patience. He adds, “We’re going through this together.” As for opening the shop featuring steak sandwiches and burgers just as everyone is getting tired of turkey? Dan says, “It wasn’t planned that way, but maybe it’s for the best!”
Once opened, hours will be Monday through Saturday, 11 am-8 pm. Closed Sunday.
(Previous WSB coverage: October update here; August story here.)
GROCERY WORKERS: Will QFC, Safeway, Albertsons, Fred Meyer workers walk out? Still negotiating at last report. The union that’s been sending out most of the updates from the workers’ point of view is promising an update late tonight/early tomorrow (if nothing dramatic happens sooner) on where things stand.
You’ve heard a lot about preparedness here, thanks to the amazing group of West Seattle volunteers working on projects like West Seattle Be Prepared, but here’s another way to get involved: West Seattle resident Dave Nicholse-mailed with a call for volunteers to join the Public Health Reserve Corps for Seattle & King County. He explains, “This group of volunteers augments Public Health during a medical emergency or disaster.” And you don’t have to be a health-care professional. Read on to see what they’re looking for and how you can help with this “just in case they’re ever needed” team:Read More
These just might be the first 2010 Christmas trees in West Seattle (let us know if you have information to the contrary) – driving by Rite Aid south of The Junction this morning, we spotted them being set up outside the store. Moments earlier, we had been on another holiday errand – checking out the new Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) customer-co-created calendars:
That’s Hotwire barista Kyle holding up one of the calendars – they’re available for $5, with proceeds going to WestSide Baby and Furry Faces Foundation. Customers wrote the photo captions. P.S. Hotwire will be open 8 am-2 pm on Thanksgiving Day next Thursday; we are continuing to compile holiday hours/closures information for our West Seattle Holidays page, so please let us know if you have info to share!
2:32 PM CHRISTMAS TREE UPDATE: Update in comments – Christmas trees have been sighted at Home Depot too.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The West Seattle High School newspaper will be sharing student-produced stories on WSB from time to time. Their new edition is out – should be linked here by day’s end – and the top story is big news; we are checking out reader reports of a student protest this morning, related to this change. Here is the student-reported story as published in the newly released November edition of WSHS’s The Chinook.
By Simone Machmiller
Reporting for West Seattle High School’s newspaper, The Chinook
Special to West Seattle Blog
West Seattle High School is planning to once again change the schedule. This schedule is slated to go into effect in January and will be the sixth time the senior class has faced a new schedule in their four years as WSHS. The schedule change is planned in order to solve union disputes with [Operating Engineers] Local 609, the union the lunch workers are protected through, and will result in WSHS going to two lunches.
Principal Ruth Medsker came up with the idea of splitting the school into having two lunches and having each half take a lunch before fourth period or after fourth period. This is a big change for WSHS students who are used to going to lunch straight after fourth period all together. Now they’ll have to compromise and go to lunch with only the people with the same lunch period.
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” said junior, Emmie Riley. “There’s no problem with our lunch now so there’s no reason to change it.”
Although the principal is in favor of this new change, the students don’t really agree with her.
Story and photo by Jason Grotelueschen Reporting for West Seattle Blog
About 20 Alki neighbors gathered Thursday night for the monthly meeting of the Alki Community Councilat Alki UCC Church, to talk about Seattle’s city budget and to move the council forward in honor of a dearly departed friend.
The special guest for the evening was Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen (also an Alki-area resident, and pictured above), who led a discussion about local and regional impacts of Seattle’s proposed budget for 2011 and beyond (read WSB’s recent budget coverage).
Rasmussen said it had been a “tough year” for the budget process, but noted that the Council has been able to scale back the extent of some of the previously proposed cuts to programs such as neighborhood community centers (local example: the Alki Community Center’s weekly hours will be reduced to 30, not 15).
Highlights today/tonight: “Family Science Night at your Hiawatha Community Center will dazzle, amaze, and educate,” they promise – and it’s tonight, “show at 6, experiments at 7,” $5 per family up to four people, $8 for larger families … Nature Consortium‘s toddler-friendly tree-planting at 10 am and eco-hike at 1 pm, both in the West Duwamish Greenbelt, are both today … The West Seattle Garden Club meets 10 am-2 pm at Delridge Community Center, including a 1 pm program on fall/winter garden color; visitors welcome, $5 donation … Fauntleroy Church‘s Fine Art Show and Holiday Gift Faire opens its 3-day run tonight, with 15 talented West Seattle artists and crafters displaying and selling work in a variety of media and prices, 5 pm-8 pm … The 2-day Holiday Open House for Northwest Art and Frame starts tonight, 5-9 pm … While you’re in The Junction for that, Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy (WSB sponsor) offers winter skin-health advice 5-6 pm … Miss the last introductory gathering for Get Fit West Seattle (explained here)? You’ve got another chance tonight at West Seattle Runner … And as reported last night, Seattle Lutheran‘s soccer team is in the state semifinals this afternoon.
Westwood Village manager Stuart Crandall (right) and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce board president Jerome Cohen cut the ribbon tonight to officially open Santa’s House at WV. It’s not formally open to the public for Santa photos till a week from Saturday, but this is the traditional sneak peek and ribboncutting that happens during an early holiday-season Chamber get-together. The hours are set for noon-4 pm Saturdays and Sundays, November 27-December 19, and remember to bring donations – food for food banks will get you a free photo – White Center Food Bank‘s Audrey Zemke talked about how important that is:
They’re also again collecting diapers (sizes 3-6 preferred!) for WestSide Baby, whose executive director Nancy Woodland talked about how you can help:
WV manager Crandall says they had 5,800 Santa visits last year. Santa’s House is in the breezeway east of Bed Bath Beyond (across from 24-Hour Fitness). The schedule will be added momentarily to our West Seattle Holidays page!
The Seattle Lutheran High Schoolsoccer team is one win away from the state finals. Tomorrow, they play Warden in Sumner, 4 pm – and if they win that game, it’s on to the championship. We talked with players Ashley Shaw, Emily Winter, Michala Watford, Jillian Smith and Danya Van Trojen, looking ahead to the big game:
This is the second year that Chief Sealth International High School put on a Seahawk Spirit Dinner/Auction fundraiser, but the first one since the school moved back to its renovated/upgraded permanent campus – and as you can see in our top photo, it all unfolded tonight in the sweeping space known as the Galleria. Its multiple levels allows for surprises to pop up during events – like the cheer squad:
Speakers included school-community leaders like principal John Boyd, PTSA president Amy Daly-Donovan, and school board member Steve Sundquist, but there was even more Sealth student power helping make it hall appen – including the ASB and Senior Class officers at the Dessert Dash table:
Students from Sealth’s acclaimed music program performed as well – the pep band and orchestra in the early going, the honor choir a bit later:
Tonight’s event was presented by the Chief Sealth PTSA, with support from the alumni group Friends of Sealth & Chief Sealth Performing Arts. It was also the occasion for presentation of Community Partner Awards to Friends of Sealth, El Centro de la Raza, and Campana Quetzal. We’ll update this story when the evening’s fundraising total is announced.
It turned up on Twitter a few nights ago – a curiosity-piquing tweet about a West Seattle 8-year-old raising money to help wildlife. We saw it and followed the link, which led to the tale of Clayton Drennan. His mom Kathleen agreed to share his story – and that photo, which she says was taken last Friday, as he “clos(ed) in on mile 15 … At this point he’d already walked nearly four miles that day.”
About a month ago, Clayton announced to us that he wanted to try to complete the Seattle Children’s Kids Marathon. Since then, much to our surprise, he’s been cheerfully running and walking laps on our block, taking the lead on long walks to the park (including one four-miler that took us on an odyssey around West Seattle), often pushing his little brother Joey in the jogging stroller. Once we saw how serious he was about it, we told him about how lots of people raise money for worthy causes by taking on similar challenges. This piqued his interest.
Considering what an animal lover he is, I immediately thought of the work that Conservation Northwest is doing to protect wildlife habitat in Washington and told him about how I’d seen a slideshow describing their work with the I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition. When I described how the proposed and planned bridges and underpasses will save the lives of animals and people, too, he insisted that Conservation Northwest was the charity for him. He didn’t even want to hear about other options.
Clayton typed and dictated most of the blog content himself; his dad and I just edited a bit and added details where they were needed. Readers should go there to find out more about how they can donate and how he’s hoping to triple any donations that come in.
Charity fundraising aside, he is just excited to tackle the challenge of running the last 1.2 miles of the race (which he’ll do with me, his dad, his 9-year-old friend Allison, and a gaggle of other kids on November 27th). He plans to train at 6:30 a.m. every morning for the next week or so with Allison and his Dad until race day.
We hope that folks around West Seattle will visit the blog, leave encouraging comments, maybe even make a donation in Clayton’s honor, and help our eight-year-old learn how one small person can make a big difference.
Again, Clayton’s website is here – with a donation link toward the bottom (you can leave those encouraging comments on his site too).
From 
He also shared a photo of the 100th person to consign furniture with his store, Mary Leatherman (right), a volunteer coordinator at across-the-street 
Thanks to everyone who 
It’s always an honor to bring you news of West Seattleites making a difference – and here’s another one: Bettie Williams-Watson (left) has been 
He is a CFP-certified Financial Planner, ChFC-chartered Financial Consultant, and has been doing financial services for more than 29 years. Christopher says he started the Delridge Allstate location to bring business to the North Delridge area, which he says is very much an up-and-coming part of West Seattle and one that needs business services. Allstate‘s Delridge location offers not only auto, home, and life, but also a full range of investment services. According to Christopher, while people are familiar with the standard lines of insurance Allstate provides, they might not know that the company also offers an wide array of investment services. Christopher adds, “I look forward to helping families like yours protect the things that are important – your family, home, car and more. I can also help you prepare a strategy to achieve your financial goals.” His Allstate office is open from 9 am to 5 pm, Mondays through Fridays. You can get a quote by calling 206-938-2886 or via e-mail at 
Owner Dan Atherton isn’t the only one who’s been waiting to get the 
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