West Seattle, Washington
29 Tuesday
We’ve received more than a few notices about holiday giving campaigns – a roundup with some of the newest ones is in the works, in fact – but we don’t know the definitive answer to this question from Gayle, so we’re putting it out in hopes that, if there *is* such a campaign, you’ll share the info:
In the spirit of helping folks locally, I wonder if you are aware of any West Seattle ‘adopt a family’ programs for the holidays? I’ve contacted the WS food bank about it but thought I’d check with you as well.
I think it’s such a great way to make a difference in these difficult economic times and can also be a meaningful way to teach children the spirit of giving.
Let us know – in the comment section, preferably – if you know of one!
Before rainy season really kicks in, the city has advice for people on “landslide-prone” property – steps you can take immediately, as well as a free landslide-awareness workshop here in West Seattle in a few weeks (in addition to one in North Seattle). Read on for the city’s full announcement:Read More
Festive green balloons mark the now-open door to High Point Mini Market, the small grocery that has just opened at 3413 SW Graham (map), next to Hans’ VW Repair. Its sign announces halal meat and spices – halal means slaughtered/processed in accordance with Islamic dietary laws (explained here) – and it’s also offering a selection of other foods, as you’ll see on the shelves inside:
The store’s hours are 9 am-9 pm daily for starters, according to its cards; they’re at 206-932-4003.
Big announcement from Westside School (WSB sponsor) today – as they had hoped would be possible once they moved into the former EC Hughes site in Sunrise Heights (here’s our coverage of the dedication 2 months ago), they’re expanding to add middle-school grades. It’ll be an incremental expansion – Westside will add 6th grade in fall 2011, then 7th grade in fall 2012, and as of fall 2013 will be fully preschool through 8th grade. The school says it’ll be organizing Middle School as a unique “rigorous, high-school-preparatory curriculum,” not just adding classes; we’re scheduled to talk with Head of School Jo Ann Yockey momentarily to find out more, and will add to this report later.
ADDED 2:11 PM: More details, as promised! For starters, there’ll be there is now a new section on the Westside website with middle-school details. As for what we learned in a conversation with Jo Ann Yockey, read on:Read More
Out of the WSB inbox, from a Fairmount Springs resident who doesn’t want to be identified:
I … wanted to let the community know that yesterday, Sunday, 11/7/10, at about 1:45 pm, two youths drove by our home on the 5900 block of Fauntleroy Way [map] and shot a bb gun at our front window, putting a hole through both panes. A neighbor walking by with her young son and was startled by the sudden POP! She noticed the culprits were driving a gray sedan but was unable to get the license plate number. The police have been notified and a case # was assigned. Please comment here if you have any helpful information or if you hear of any similar unfortunate incidents. Thanks very much, and be safe.
The city’s My Neighborhood map, which catalogs many police responses within a few hours, does confirm a case categorized as “property damage” in that block yesterday afternoon; because the classification is so general, it’s impossible to tell at this point whether there were other similar, recent cases, but we’re checking with police – West Seattle has had past cases of serial BB-gun shooters, with people being hit and hurt.
First community-group meeting of the week is tonight, North Delridge Neighborhood Council at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge; map), short meeting starting later than usual (7 pm), agenda includes voting for the new NDNC co-secretaries … Senior Center of West Seattle (map) launches a new class today: “Breathe Well to Live Well,” 1 pm … Weekly events include Family Story Time at High Point Library (map) with children’s librarian Amy, 7 pm, and bingo night at Alki UCC (6112 SW Hinds; map), 6:30 pm … LOOKING AHEAD: If you’re interested in remodeling or custom-home construction, Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) presents a free workshop at 6 pm tomorrow (Tuesday), 5458 California SW (map), RSVP to 206-932-3009.
With just seven weeks to go till Christmas, we have an update on the Charlestown lights-synched-to-music show, officially the Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular: The family friend who created the show, Jim Winder, says its new website, at westseattlelights.com, is now up and running, so a banner’s up at the house too – and they’ve been working to install the display as well:
On Friday, a crew from KING 5’s Evening Magazine came over to cover the installation process; no exact date is set yet for the feature to be on TV, but the date IS set for the Opening Night Ceremony: 7 pm Saturday, November 27th. Zach Lystedt will be the special guest who turns on the lights. He’s a high-school student who survived a sports injury and now campaigns for safety:
A charity chosen by Zach’s family, Pushing Boundaries, will be the beneficiary of any donations showgoers care to make on night 1; other nonprofits that’ll benefit from donations are listed here, along with donation button. Something else new this year: Some nights they’ll do Christmas-music karaoke! More info on this page – including how to sign up in advance via e-mail.
(WSB photos by Ellen Cedergreen)
Appropriately enough, a West Seattle moviehouse with history was the place today to kick off a celebration about history – On the eve of the 100th anniversary of Washington women winning the right to vote (HistoryLink.org tells the story here), West Seattle Democratic Women screened a suffragette saga at Admiral Theater. Above, WSDW chair Karen Chilcutt, who told the audience before the screening of “Iron-Jawed Angels,” “If it weren’t for them, we — in this room, couldn’t vote.” About 75 people turned out, mingling before the film:
Afterward, Alki’s Libby Carr led a discussion – she’s at center here, with Fran Presley and Donna Stewart:
At the info table, WSDW secretary Sue Backs (left) and treasurer Beth Grieser, as the group accepted new memberships today.
On November 8, 1910, Washington became the fifth state to grant women the right to vote. That was almost a full decade before the 19th Amendment was ratified in summer 1920. The anniversary will be marked in Olympia tomorrow with Day of Jubilation activities – the schedule is on the Washington Women’s History Consortium homepage. Then WSDW has a big party at the West Seattle Golf Course on Friday night, “highlighting the success and struggle of women in Washington State history,” as their announcement puts it, with period costumes welcome, hat/dress fashion shows planned, recognition of women in politics, and more, $25, reservations at wsdwomen@yahoo.com or 206-935-3216.
3 more weekend scenes to share: Kevin McClintic shared that photo after happening onto the mobile cancer-screening van at 35th and Henderson on Saturday – one of the periodic free-screening days for non-insured/underinsured women 40-65 offered by West Seattle Community Clinic. The next one is January 8th; Kevin says the clinic staff told him they’ll likely start taking appointments around the first of next month (937-9722). Moving ahead to this morning’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market:
The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle not only is selling tickets to its traditional December 4th pancake breakfast (details here), it’s also loaning wagons to families to help them get around the market while they shop – so next time you go, look for Kiwanis volunteers and little red wagons! Meantime, this afternoon at Lafayette Elementary:
Lafayette parent Luckie shared photos from the Sports Swap – as reported here on Saturday morning, this is part of an intensive fundraising process in Phase 2 of the school’s playground renovations, now called the Play It Forward Project. Volunteers are working to raise $100,000 to match a city grant that’ll go away in two months if they’re not successful. Regarding today’s sale, Luckie says, “I’m not sure how we did money-wise, but we sold a bunch of stuff!”
Several West Seattle Crime Watch reports to share this afternoon, starting with this one from Cassandra:
Recently sighted three men breaking into home on corner of 10th Ave. and SW Elmgrove St. They were surprised by the homeowner¹s landscapers. The three men fled on foot heading south bound down alley between 10th Ave. and 9th Ave. Occurred approximately 1:15pm. Police have been notified.
Four more Crime Watch reports ahead:Read More
The skull you see with Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales is labeled “please touch!” – just one of the welcoming aspects of the first-ever OrcaFest, happening right now at Alki Bathhouse. KWT is a co-sponsor of OrcaFest, as is Donna Sandstrom‘s Whale Trail organization:
Jeff and Donna are both West Seattleites – and both devoted to making sure people of all ages come to know and love Puget Sound’s orcas even more than they do now. (Donna’s group has just won a matching-fund grant for more local signs to tell the orcas’ tale, as we reported here.) The tree that Donna’s standing next to in our photo, by the way, is being decorated with cut-out orcas, onto which you are welcome to write your vision for our whales as they continue their journey toward recovery:
There are lots of other interactive activities and exhibits at OrcaFest – admission free, but there are opportunities for you to donate to the nonprofits that are making this happen (other groups on hand include Seal Sitters) – you also have the chance to see whale bones in a Seattle Aquarium setup (volunteer Darcie will be happy to help you guess which human bones they correspond to). OrcaFest is scheduled to continue till 3 pm. ADDED 2:16 PM: Duwamish singing and drumming welcomed and blessed visitors in the first hour of OrcaFest:
At the Duwamish Tribe’s West Seattle home – the Longhouse at 4705 West Marginal Way – you can learn even more about orcas this Wednesday night at 7, during a presentation by NOAA’s Brad Hanson, sponsored by The Whale Trail (admission $5; tickets available online; ticket link and more info here).
One year after the murder of Seattle Police Officer Tim Brenton, Saturday night’s Seattle Police Foundation awards banquet honored the West Seattle High School graduate posthumously, as well as honoring the survivor of the deadly ambush and many SPD personnel who played a role in the response and the investigation. Other officers and SPD staff with West Seattle ties were honored in the annual awards event too – read on for photos and details:Read More
The first day of Pacific Standard Time dawns to spectacular sunshine, and you have many reasons to get out of the house, among them: Celebrate Puget Sound’s resident orcas, and their traditional fall return to the central sound, at the first-ever OrcaFest presented by Killer Whale Tales and The Whale Trail, 11 am-3 pm at Alki Bathhouse … Also on the West Seattle waterfront: The WS Wildlife Habitat Project‘s native-plant demo garden at Seacrest needs some fall love, 10 am … Two extra reasons to go to the West Seattle Farmers’ Market: Among the local groups scheduled to be there are West Seattle Hi-Yu (selling these ornaments) and Kiwanis Club of West Seattle (selling tickets for the December 4th pancake breakfast) … Furry Faces Foundation has a wine and art fundraiser this afternoon, 3-6 pm, at Ola Salon – read all about it (including winery links) in the WSB Forums … Commemorate the centennial of women’s voting rights in our state with West Seattle Democratic Women, planning a movie and discussion at Admiral Theater (new start time, 4:30 pm) …
SDOT was scheduled to resume guardrail repair on the Alaskan Way Viaduct tomorrow, related to a recent crash. Now you can expect to see repair crews soon in a different spot, after two crashes that closed The Viaduct southbound for a while early today. In the first one, police say a woman was speeding when she smashed into the wall, sending a chunk of its concrete down onto 2 parked cars below. Then one of the fire trucks on the scene – with no one inside at the time – got rear-ended by an allegedly under-the-influence driver. Police tell the tangled two-crash tale on SPD Blotter.
“The epicenter of the achievement gap in Seattle.” If you watch that video clip from our partners at the Seattle Times, you will hear West Seattle Elementary fourth-grader teacher Chrissie Coxon use that phrase. In the start of a special series of Times stories, she discusses how they are working to close it – and her hopes for her students. The Times also reports that because of implementation of the mandated transformation plan for West Seattle Elementary, which must shake itself out of being one of the lowest-performing schools in the state, about half of last year’s teaching staff chose to leave. Find the Times’ first story here.
That was fast. Tonight the WSB inbox yielded news of activity at the former Café Revo, which is apparently going to become a “Mediterranean-influenced” restaurant called Avalon. There’s no business license or liquor-license application in that name yet, but we did find social-media accounts for its apparent owners, mentioning the purchase and hopes of opening next month. We have messages out to see what more they can tell us.
Two Sunday events of note before tomorrow arrives – and remember, tonight’s the night we “fall back” an hour – First, The Whale Trail and Killer Whale Tales, both led by West Seattleites, present the first-ever OrcaFest at Alki Bathhouse tomorrow, 11 am-3 pm. It’s free, with kids’ activities, storytelling, info about Puget Sound orcas, and more – details here. Second, the West Seattle Democratic Women celebrate the centennial of women’s right to vote in our state with a movie and discussion tomorrow at Admiral Theater – “Iron-Jawed Angels,” telling the suffragettes’ story, followed by a discussion led by Alki activist Libby Carr. 4 pm, $10 at the door. (Even more Sunday activities on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!)
One week from today, you can kick off holiday-shopping season in the greenest of ways at CoolMom‘s annual Toy Swap ‘n’ Sale, 9 am-1 pm Saturday, Nov. 13, at Fauntleroy Church. Those two mini-electric cars are among the donations in so far – but CoolMom‘s looking for more. You get a $5 discount on your Swap ‘n’ Sale purchases if you turn in a bag of donations. CoolMom executive director Terri Glaberson says they’re accepting lots of things for the sale – just gather up what you don’t need any more!
We are short on our gently-used toy collection (that includes baby gear, kids furniture, books, games, puzzles…) and need your help in filling our bins.
The sale really is fantastic and benefits two great non-profits [WestSide Baby and CoolMom], motivates you to clean out your closets… AND provides families in West Seattle with a way to purchase holiday toys at CRAZY low prices. When you make a donation, just put your name in the bag and you get a $5.00 credit at the sale.
Have the kids help; they may love to give away a few toys and then get some new ones at the toy swap. Great fun and it doesn’t break the bank.
CoolMom has dropoff sites conveniently located at Gatewood Elementary, Community School of West Seattle, PCC, C&P Coffee on California and Small Clothes.
If you have big items you would like to donate, but can’t drop them off at a bin, Terri would happily pick them up or you can drop them off the day of the sale (but please let her know that you will be dropping them off at the sale). Contact her at 206-280-2828 or terri@coolmom.org.
The banner’s been hung by the Chief Sealth International High School Galleria front doors with care – in hopes that you and many other West Seattleites soon will be there! (Apologies to the original author!) The 2010 Gathering of Neighbors is under way, till 4 pm today. Workshops and even a keynote speaker for the first time – plus a food truck available at lunchtime – just c’mon over and wander through. (Workshops, including our social-media primer, are in the classrooms on the west side of the Galleria, at 11:30 and again at 1:30.) More soon!
11:22 AM UPDATE: There’s a Galleria overview from about 10 minutes ago. Among the organizations in our line of sight – West Seattle Chamber of Commerce (here’s Patti Mullen):
Also, Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, Sustainable West Seattle, West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network (here’s Karen Berge):
Plus: West Seattle Be Prepared, 34th District Democrats, Morgan Community Association, WestSide Baby, Highland Park Action Committee, Lafayette Elementary Play It Forward Project – to name just a few. Also the West Seattle Community Orchestras, West Seattle Food Bank, Alaska USA, Chief Sealth PTSA … and the Nature Consortium and DNDA (whose executive director Derek Birnie is on the right in this next photo):
We’re told the Pai’s Thai/Hawaiian food truck is already set up here, too.
12:58 PM UPDATE: We’re done with our first social-media-primer workshop (and the three workshops including food-growing, solar energy, and “kid zone”) – another round of all four is coming up in half an hour – we’re in the classroom at the far southwestern corner of the Sealth Galleria (through the front door, extreme left turn. Principal John Boyd is now speaking – talking about what it really means to be an international school, teaching “global perspectives” and world languages, among many other things – and will be introducing former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice shortly.
1:04 PM UPDATE: Former Mayor Rice is talking about the community-building work he now does with the Seattle Foundation, after remarking on the strength of the West Seattle community, and the aspects of a strong community that he’s seen around the Galleria here at the Gathering of Neighbors.
He urges everyone to stay focused on “what’s good for the community” – the same way that in our families we focus on “what’s good for the family.” He concludes – “Keep on doing the work that you’re doing … everyone has a role to play and a place to stand” to strengthening a community. “We’ll say at the end, ‘all is well, all is well’.”
3:06 PM UPDATE: Update – the event’s ending now – rather than going till 4. So if you haven’t been here yet, we’ll see you next year! Thanks to everybody who joined us for the social-media discussion/workshops – they were a blast.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
This weekend’s Lafayette Elementary Sports Swap – drop off donations/consignment till 3 pm today, shop and “swap” 9 am-3 pm Sunday (flyer here) – is the current fundraiser for a longrunning project that’s suddenly attained new urgency: Upgrading the playground for West Seattle’s most populous public elementary school.
The playground-upgrading project has been under way for years (Lafayette is one of the schools our son attended, and we recall fundraisers up to six years ago!) – but now, there’s a “use it or lose it” component: A $100,000 city Neighborhood Matching Fund grant for Phase 2 (outlined here) that MUST be matched with cash and other contributions by the end of January, or else it goes away.
To get the job done, there’s now a catchy campaign name – Play It Forward – and parent volunteers specifically focused on marketing (including production of the explanatory video you can watch atop this story). We chatted recently with the Lafayette moms who are project co-chairs, to find out why this is a matter of concern beyond even the 530-plus families with students at the school now:Read More
Quick reminders: Gathering of Neighbors at Chief Sealth International High School, 11 am-4 pm, see you there! (more details in our Friday preview) … Another dropoff day for Lafayette Elementary‘s Sports Swap, 9 am-3 pm (sale is tomorrow; info’s here) … SWAC junior-football playoff games at Southwest Athletic Complex, 9 am and 4 pm … Holiday alert! Wreath-making workshop at Alki Bathhouse, 10 am … Also at 10 am: Delridge Adopt-A-Street and Green Seattle Day (both previewed here) … Avalon Way 7-11 “grand opening party” (previewed here) noon-2 pm … Artists’ reception at 2 pm today for the Southwest Library community art showcase … “Comfort Food Throwdown” to raise money for Family Promise of Seattle, 5-8 pm at St. John the Baptist Church Hall … Free lacrosse clinic, 7:30 pm at Hiawatha Playfield … Live music schedule for C&P Coffee is here, and Skylark Café and Club here (both are WSB sponsors) … LOOKING AHEAD: Just one week till the CoolMom Toy Swap ‘n’ Sale – donate a bag of toys, get a $5 discount – full details here.
More details announced by the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle for their traditional community pancake breakfast, coming up December 4:
The annual West Seattle Community Pancake Breakfast will be carrying on a tradition that is looked forward to by a growing number of adults and kids. Folks look forward to this chance to renew long- standing friendships and to make new ones. For the 64th year, the event will be sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle. At the club’s weekly booth at the West Seattle Farmers Market, club members are being asked, “When’s the Pancake Breakfast?”
For the record, it’s always the first Saturday morning of December – this year, it’s December 4. “As usual, we’ll be at the Alki Masonic Building, 4736 40th Ave. S.W. Breakfast will be ready at 7 a.m. and we’re closing at 11 a.m.,” Dr. Steve Leifheit, breakfast chair announced.
Loyal patrons claim, “THE CAKES ARE GREAT!” “They ought to be,” chimed West Niver, president of the West Seattle Kiwanis Club; “we’ve been making them for over 63 years. The recipe is so treasured, Sig Staaksted, who traditionally mixes the batter, keeps the recipe in his billfold”.
Kiwanis is a “hands-on” service organization. “However,” declared Niver, “it still takes some financial resources to support helping young kids, teens and adults who are facing stiff challenges these days. Our time-honored assistance to schools and youth organizations requires funding, as well. “By supporting this event, generous folks help us meet those needs,” Niver concluded.The breakfast will also provide an opportunity for patrons to donate new, unwrapped “Toys for Tots.” Marine reservists will be on hand to accept the toys. Children to 12, accompanied by an adult, will be offered a free photo with Santa.
Adult ticket donations are $5 each ($6 at the door) and kids, to 12, just $3. Mail orders may be sent to PO Box 16128, Seattle, WA 98116. Phone inquiries will be received at 206-938-8032, or stop by the Kiwanis tent at the West Seattle Farmers Market each Sunday.
The West Seattle Kiwanis club is one of the first service clubs established in West Seattle, and was started in 1929. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle offers you the opportunity to share your experience, knowledge, and time in service to the community. This service is great fun and builds fellowship with other members. Excellent, diverse programs can be enjoyed at our weekly meetings. Membership is open to all men and women who possess a genuine interest in serving the community.
The club meets at 7am every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, and Noon every 2nd Wednesday, at Be’s Restaurant in the Junction, at 4509 California Ave SW. Park in rear lot and enter the rear door.
(Dining-room photo courtesy of, and used with permission from, Tuscan Tea Room)
Proprietor Aimee Pellegrini sent word overnight that she has set the official opening date for her Tuscan Tea Room and Romanza Floral in The Junction (4521 California SW, next to the new Wing Dome):
We will be open on Tuesday!! Our Tea/Coffee bar is open at 8:00 am and the dining room/floral bar at 10:30. We are accepting reservations for dining or please stop in for a cuppa and treat!
The Tearoom is a unique multi-purpose business. There are many different ways to use it and we are excited to see how our patrons will enjoy it from your daily beverage, lunch, or a specialty tea party, to planning your wedding flowers or grabbing a quick gift.
Tuscan/Romanza is on Facebook here, and on the Web here. (Our first report on this in-the-works business was back in June.)
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