West Seattle, Washington
04 Wednesday
From the West Seattle Family YMCA (WSB sponsor), which also shared the photo:
Last night, the West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA recognized our Volunteers of the Year: The YMCA Dolphins Swim Team Parent Club (at the club’s monthly meeting at Merrill Gardens). These parents give so much of themselves to support their swimmers, the team, and the YMCA. They organize and staff swim meets, raise funds, chaperone events and trips, and much more. The program literally could not happen without these dedicated volunteers and their thousands of hours of service. The Volunteer of the Year award recognizes those who stood out from our already amazing field of volunteers at the YMCA in the past year, and this group is particularly deserving. Congratulations to our Swim Team Parent Club!
In the photo, from left, it’s Head Coach Rod Rombauer (staff), Club President Trisha Montemayor (volunteer), Associate Executive Samantha Bowes (staff), Meet Director Laurie Robbins (volunteer), Partners With Youth Campaign Division Leader for Aquatics Earl Long (volunteer).
That’s Athena Frederick of Stroller Strides-West Seattle with Jakson and Taylor – first to arrive for Mother’s Day photos on the newly covered patio at Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. That’s not the official backdrop – after Athena stopped for a WSB photo op, she, the kids, and dad Paul moved on to the “studio” on the patio, with photographer Wyn Bielaska:
That group included others who started to arrive as Athena and family were getting ready for their pic. Part of the proceeds from today’s sessions – available till 4 pm – go to WestSide Baby. (P.S. Photographer Wyn will be showing at Bakery Nouveau starting with this Thursday’s West Seattle Art Walk – more info on his show here; more Art Walk info here.)
Brenda shares that photo “on behalf of The West Seattle Runners,” along with this report telling the story behind it:
Members of the West Seattle Runners celebrated a bachelor/bachelorette run for members Dave and Melissa (last night) at Alki. Dave is a founding member and current president of the West Seattle Runners. (Thursday) marked a special day for the couple, who met through the running club 15 years ago today during a club run at Alki. The couple is shown in this photo in their Bride/Groom outfits (note veil and funky glasses) that the group gave them for this special run. The couple is getting married this Saturday.
If you happen to see this VERY early Friday: The West Seattle Earlybirds Toastmasters Club invites you to come hear their VIP guest speaker, Bread of Life Mission executive director Willie Parish, talking about the “Each Person Counts” campaign and other ways his organization serves homeless people in Seattle. Toastmasters members will speak too – since that’s what the club (where your editor here was honored to be a guest speaker a few months back) specializes in – and you’re welcome to attend; the program begins at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction at 7:45 am, back door opens 7:15 (and a pre-meeting social starts at Bakery Nouveau at 6).
That’s one side of the T-shirt that West Seattle student Michelle Baker and her group from Seattle University is selling to raise money for a trip to Nicaragua next month – there, they’ll build safer cooking stoves. Here’s a photo from a student trip last year:
Michelle explains:
This is an amazing opportunity for us as students working towards a just and humane world. Our team is officially named Friends of Nicaragua and we are a student-led group that will go for two weeks at the end of June to work with a local (to Nicaragua) non-profit organization based in Managua. The non-profit is El Porvenir (meaning The Future in Spanish) and rural Nicaraguan communities come to them with proposals for work that needs to be done in their individual community. This can be anything, from building stoves in their houses so they aren’t living in smoke-filled huts when cooking, to wells for water sanitation, to planting trees to make stable ground and to sell the wood ten years later.
They’re running short of money to make the trip, though, and that’s why they’re selling T-shirts, $10 each – send checks to 2731 44th SW, Seattle 98116. If you have questions, you can e-mail her: bakerm1@seattleu.edu
A West Seattle family has extra reason to be proud today: Their son Chad Kimball just got a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical, for his role in “Memphis” on Broadway, which played at the 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle prior to its NYC run. Here’s the story from our regional-news partners at the Seattle Times; his reaction to the news is here, from Broadway.com.
Teddy bears, balloons, flowers, and handwritten tributes are part of that memorial outside Twilight Artist Collective, at the spot along SW Alaska in The Junction where a man was found dead yesterday morning. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified him as 29-year-old Jeffery Kukkonen, hometown listed as Seattle, but an ME investigator told WSB they don’t yet know why he died, “pending toxicology results.” We reported yesterday morning on the discovery, which brought first fire, then police to the block between California and 44th, during the busy early-commute hours when many passersby wondered what was going on. So far, we haven’t found any other information about Kukkonen or the circumstances surrounding his death.
(WSB photos by Cliff DesPeaux)
That’s Jade West Café fan and West Seattle resident Dave Gross hugging cafe proprietor Wah Wong during Sunday’s fundraising lunch at Wallingford restaurant Perché No Pasta and Vino. Though Wah is using a wheelchair now, the family still hopes they can reopen the treasured West Seattle eatery “soon.” That’s what they told photojournalist Cliff DesPeaux, who covered the event for WSB. A larger-than-expected crowd showed up to offer their support, and to see Wah and son Jason Wong, both badly hurt when a drunk driver hit them in December outside their Beacon Hill home. Jason lost part of a leg:
Monica Tonel, greeting Jason in that photo, is the mother of a basketball player coached by Jason, whose friends organized the fundraiser. More photos ahead:Read More
Thanks to West Seattle photographer Gail Ann Wodzin for sharing these pictures and the story behind them, as West Seattleites, and others in our area, reach out to Poland in the wake of the plane crash in Russia that killed President Lech Kaczynski and more than 90 others. Above, Seattle Gdynia Sister City Association treasurer Harriet Wodzin of West Seattle signs letters of condolences to the people of Poland; next, Ron Golubiec of West Seattle talks with a TV-news crew about the tragic loss of the president:
Gail Ann adds:
In Solidarity, members of the Seattle Gdynia Sister City Association gathered to mourn the loss of Poland’s President Kacynski and many other high-ranking officials when their plane crashed a few days ago in Snmolensk.
Members recalled the fight for Solidarity, of which several were part of; and to remember the lost souls of Katyn; and to grieve the loss of friends made in Poland over many years of friendship with the people of Poland.
The struggle for freedom and democracy in Poland is an evolving process and we honor those who continue to move forward.
She tells more of the story of today’s gathering, with a link to additional photos, on her website.
It’s in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, even though it’s happening in Wallingford, because it’s for a man who’s meant a lot to many West Seattleites – Jade West Café owner Wah Wong. This Sunday is the first major benefit for Wah and son Jason Wong – both seriously injured when a drunk driver hit them last December – and their family. It involves a three-course lunch at Perché No Pasta and Vino, 1319 North 49th (map), with live music and a silent auction, for $35/person. The driver who hit the Wongs has since pleaded guilty and been sentenced, but the family is left with financial challenges, and particularly for Jason, who lost part of a leg, a long road to recovery. Sunday’s your chance to support them. Here’s a Facebook invite for the event.
Two and a half months after an Alki woman was beaten unconscious in Tukwila while on the job as a Metro bus driver, she e-mailed to share the news that her 15- 14-year-old attacker is pleading guilty. We first reported on her story in January after her daughter posted in the WSB Forums. Two other teenage boys were arrested and charged, not in connection with attacking the driver, but for vandalizing the bus. Court documents indicated the incident was triggered when a group of boys became enraged that the driver wouldn’t open the rear doors long enough to let them all out. After the attack, a discussion of potential driver-safety improvements began, including the question of whether barriers could be put up to protect drivers; Metro said last month that some testing would begin soon (we’re checking). Meantime, we asked the driver how she is doing:
I am still recovering and still too traumatized and fearful to return to work. I am working with a physiologist. This has been a long, slow journey. I am still getting slight symptoms from the concussion, tiredness and headaches. Physically I will carry a scar inside my lip that will probably be there the rest of my life. *I plan on making a statement at the sentencing so if anyone, especially Metro Drivers in uniform were to show up, I would greatly appreciate the support. I was debating on whether to speak or not, but I feel I need to for closure and for reasons that I will talk about. I have had a rough time of it, but I am strong and will pull through.
She says the sentencing is set for 9:30 next Monday morning (April 12) in Juvenile Court. We have an inquiry out to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for any more information on the case’s status (we confirmed the guilty plea through an online court docket, but more-detailed records in juvenile cases are inaccessible online).
ADDED 3:24 PM: PAO spokesperson Dan Donohoe tells WSB, “We are seeking an exceptional sentence of 52 to 65 weeks. This is above the standard range of 15 to 36 weeks.” And he confirms the 9:30 am Monday sentencing, JC courtroom 2. In the document he also forwarded, the boy corrected his birthdate – he is 14, not 15. In the plea agreement, the state drops a second assault charge, and the boy writes his confession: “On January 23, 2010, I purposefully slapped (driver’s name), a human being. She became unconscious and had substantial facial injuries, as I understand it.” The two boys charged with malicious mischief, for vandalizing the bus, also have pleaded guilty, but under conditions of “deferred disposition” – basically, if they stay out of trouble for a certain amount of time (almost a year for one, six months for the other), there will be another hearing at which the cases will be dismissed.
ADDED 4:36 PM: We also now have an update on the bus safety-barrier test, from Metro spokesperson Rochelle Ogershok:
The demonstration began last Saturday (April 3) with one bus outfitted with a shield deployed out of Metro’s bus base in South King County. Over the next few weeks, six additional shields will be deployed on buses in other parts of the county. The buses will be rotated around and placed on a variety of routes and bus types so as many operators as possible have an opportunity to evaluate and comment on them. Operators will also have a chance to check out the shields at their individual bases. We expect that the actual demonstration will be wrapped up at the end of June. From there, written comments from operators will be reviewed and additional input will be sought from safety and training staff, among others. Metro managers, operators and the transit union will then work together to decide how to move forward.
Before the weekend ends, a few photos of events previewed in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup: First, those are the West Seattle Camp Fire Girls who sold baked goods outside CAPERS in The Junction on Saturday to raise money for the fight against hunger. Next, auction-browsing at Saturday night’s benefit for the West Seattle High School baseball and fastpitch teams:
And from Greg Whittaker at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) – the grand-prize winner in the raffle to raise money for the new West Seattle Snowsports Council, as the M2S three-day sidewalk sale wrapped up this afternoon – Leo Morales won the Atomic Sugar Daddy raffle:
Other winners listed by Greg, who added a special thank-you:
Salomon Shoes: Lauren Grosskopf
Burn Helmet and Pow Gloves #1: Chad McCollum
Burn Helmet and Pow Gloves #2: Jesse Nokez
Giro Helmet and Uvex Goggles: Nancy Minoms
Smith Helmet and Smith Goggles: Kiel Winslow
Salomon Fish Jr Skis: Cory Brown.Thanks for all the participation and support of the West Seattle Snowsports Council!
After the 9 am kickoff ceremonies, those volunteers are now at work along Fauntleroy Way planting trees. City Council President Richard Conlin joined the opening celebration at Fairmount Playfield too; at the center of the photo is a new Tree City USA flag. Major participants include the Rotary Club of West Seattle, Boy Scouts from Troop 284, Cub Scouts from Pack 793 and Keller Williams Realty.
We’ll be back out soon to check on the actual tree-planting!
12:21 PM UPDATE: If you drive along Fauntleroy Way, you’ll notice the tree-planting stretches almost all the way to the business district’s heart at California SW. Here’s a photo shared by Anne from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), showing three volunteers with one of the dozens of new trees that will change the face of Fauntleroy Way for decades to come:
ADDED EARLY SUNDAY: Another photo from Anne. That’s little Trevor helping with the tree:
From our photos – that’s Council President Conlin with organizers just before the event started; note he rolled up on two wheels (see helmet and bike):
This is more progress toward the city’s goal of having a 30 percent tree canopy within 30 years. Read more about that goal – and see how to check your own neighborhood’s canopy – by going here.
More than 100 people ate, drank, talked and celebrated their neighborhood tonight at the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s annual meeting, aka Food Fest. There was a bit of business:
That’s Bruce Butterfield, who in addition to announcing raffle prizes, was re-elected as FCA president; other FCA officers were re-elected too. And he gave a quick shoutout to some of the neighborhood successes – leading a cheer for the recent completion of the purchase deal for Fauntleroy Community Services Association to own and operate the building that’s home to The Hall, the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (WSB coverage here). That’s good news for many, including Tuxedoes and Tennis Shoes Catering, which runs The Hall:
Tuxedoes and Tennis Shoes was one of the food providers tonight – others included The Original Bakery, The Kenney, Endolyne Joe’s, Bird on a Wire Espresso, and Giannoni’s Pizza. And inbetween bites, attendees got a chance to get informed, too,
Judy Pickens, whose volunteer work includes a lot of love and care for Fauntleroy Creek and its watershed, was offering information to help keep local water clean – simple action you can take like stenciling drains to raise awareness of their connection to open waters. And other local organizations were on hand, like the Morgan Community Association, whose past president Steve Sindiong is behind Judy in the photo above, and all the way from The Junction, ArtsWest (WSB sponsor):
Alan Harrison, who presided over a gala night last week unveiling next season’s lineup (WSB coverage here), says season-ticket sales are going well – you can get yours here. But the main point of the Fauntleroy event was to renew memberships and add new ones; if you live in the Fauntleroy area but couldn’t be there to sign up or renew, there’s info online. And as Butterfield reminded the crowd, everyone’s welcome to FCA board meetings, second Tuesday of the month at 7 pm, at The Hall.
ADMIRAL CRASH VICTIM OFFICIALLY IDENTIFIED: The man killed early Sunday in the 2-car Admiral/37th crash was identified by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office this afternoon as 29-year-old Daniel G. Ramirez. Commenters who identified themselves as relatives posted in the thread following Sunday morning’s coverage, saying he was a father of two and had just bought the silver SUV that day. No final announcement of the crash’s cause is likely for weeks, if not months; the short summary from police on Sunday said only that “speed and alcohol may have been” factors.
FEEDBACK LOUNGE LOSES A FAMILY MEMBER: Around 7 last night, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) announced via Twitter that they were closing for the rest of the night because of a death in the family. They are back open today, explaining on the FL website, “We are sad to announce that we lost a member of our staff. MIKE BLAKEMORE was only 27 and a new employee, but he was an instant and welcome addition to our Feedback family. We will post details for a memorial service shortly. Thank all of your for your calls, e-mails and support.”
This weekend, like most, West Seattleites have stood up, bent over, dug up, pitched in to pull weeds, pluck trash, plant trees – including the special events in Delridge (WSB coverage here) and Highland Park (WSB coverage here). So tonight we’re reminding you about a chance Tuesday to stand up and say you can help take care of one of the peninsula’s “gateway” areas – the one along the southwest end of 
The Bridge. You’ll be helping pick up the baton from a West Seattle hero – Earl Cruzen, shown at right with Kimberlee Archie as he was honored a year and a half ago, the day of the big “Gateway Cleanup” (proclaimed “Earl Cruzen Day” by the city). The “Walking on Logs” sculpture and Welcome to West Seattle sign area was part of that cleanup, but that was just one, albeit big, event; Cruzen has put in countless hours taking care of the area himself. As Nancy Driver wrote in the announcement we published last month, “The statues and surround have been maintained for the past decade or more by local hero Earl Cruzen. Earl is 89 now and it’s time for others to take over upkeep of the statues and the grounds directly surrounding them.” First step toward getting involved is the Tuesday meeting at High Point Library (35th/Raymond) – 5:30 pm. Even if you’re not 100% sure you want to commit, be there to find out what needs to be done and how to be part of it.
(Photo by Ronn Dunnett, provided by Matt Chamberlain)
Matt Chamberlain may be the most famous West Seattle musician you haven’t heard of – or haven’t heard much about. But there’s a strong likelihood you’ve heard his work, given everyone with whom he’s played/recorded. And now he’s e-mailed WSB with news that DRUM! Magazine has included him in its list “15 Greatest Groove Drummers of All Time.” Here’s an excerpt he shared from the writeup by Sam Pryor:
By creating a singular groove, Chamberlain became the first-call L.A. session drummer (sorry, Josh Freese). The diverse artists he has recorded with mirror his enormous ability to fit into any situation. Majorly pliable, Chamberlain’s skills (both physically delivered and occasionally programmed) have appeared on more than 200 albums, including those by Fiona Apple, The Wallflowers, Stevie Nicks, Dave Navarro, Master Musicians Of Jajouka, Garbage, David Bowie, Keith Urban, William Shatner, Shakira, Sean Lennon, Sarah McLaughlin, and Dido.
If you noted the L.A. reference – he spends a lot of time there working, but lives here. He explained in his note to us, “My wife and I have been residents of West Seattle for over 15 years … I live here and travel quite a bit but this is always home to me.” The “Top 15” list is in the April issue of DRUM! – which isn’t online yet (though Chamberlain has posted the full text on his website), where we also found word (scroll below the DRUM! mention in the text box on the home page) that he’s playing with Pigeonhed in a benefit at Seattle club Neumos tomorrow.
Family, friends and customers are mourning Mark Hegge, who ran the Sunrise Heights Chevron station at 35th/Holden [map]. According to the notice posted at the station (photo), he “passed away unexpectedly” yesterday, at age 52. A celebration of Mr. Hegge’s life is set for 11 am Tuesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, with viewing 1-8 pm Monday at Howden-Kennedy Funeral Home in The Junction. (Thanks to those who called and tweeted to make sure we knew about this.)
What’s a “spa day” without chocolate? Luckily the moms of West Side MOPS didn’t have to answer that question. Once again this year, a chocolate fountain was part of the tasty lineup of treats during their group’s annual Spa Day, a members-only celebration. The group – open to mothers of small children from infancy through preschooler age – is based at West Side Presbyterian Church, whose distinctively framed hall was the scene of this morning’s fun and relaxation:
Thanks to donations of services and items from local businesses, at least 40 MOPS moms got to enjoy Spa Day absolutely free. The offerings included massage, eyebrown waxing, energy-drink sampling, makeup consultation, skin care, nail-painting, crafts, even photos by Fauntleroy-based Gail Ann Photography:
And stylists from Forsythe Studio in The Junction are a MOPS Spa Day fixture, this year offering trims and style/color consultation:
West Side MOPS meets twice monthly, fall through spring, with child care provided for the little ones, and registration will be coming up for next year – you can find out more on the West Side MOPS website.
Via e-mail from the Engine 29 “B Team” – that’s Lt. Paul Andrews and Eli. They explain:
We came across this super-cute kid named Eli down at Alki Beach earlier today and just thought this photo turned out great. He was all dressed up in his fire gear patrolling the beach. Someone suggested we send it to you guys and so we decided we would.
Thanks for sharing! (Station 29 is the one in North Admiral.)
What’s it like to move to West Seattle? A writer who recently arrived from elsewhere shares a few vignettes.
(Peninsula, looking north from Sea-Tac Airport – photo by Gatewood resident Long Nguyen)
By Marika Malaea
Special to West Seattle Blog
I
We were driving the last of our stuff over the West Seattle Bridge when reality finally hit: We were moved! I bounced in my seat, riding a wave of anticipation. “We’re almost there!” I said in a rush, anxiously euphoric. We came around the bend and I saw the welcome sign. “Look,” I cried, “we’re official!”
I shielded my eyes from the sun, trying to read the whole thing. “It says ‘Welcome to West Sea….’I trailed off, confused. I leaned forward to peer out the window, blinking several times – then turned to stare at my boyfriend, unsure of what to say. “Why are there half-naked metal children leaping onto the freeway?” I asked.
“Welcome to West Seattle,” he said, laughing at me.
II
I saw an ad on Craigslist for a vintage industrial desk, and I had to have it, despite the message attached: “First come, first serve. No, I won’t hold it for you, I’m not your mother. U-HAUL, I’m not going to help. If I ignore your email, it’s gone so don’t email me again. No flakes.”
I sent the guy a message, noting the desk was in West Seattle and that soon we would be residents. Would he be willing to hold it until the next morning, just seven short hours away?
That’s 10-year-old Hope Lutheran fourth-grader Connor Wartelle, performing “Civil War” – one of the songs from an album he’s selling online. If you watch the video, you’ll see (and hear) it’s no sweet little “Itsy Bitsy Spider”-esque singalong – it’s power-guitar rock. We found out about Connor courtesy of proud mom Jeanne Wartelle, who tells us Connor is donating part of the album’s proceeds to Children’s Hospital. He’s been playing guitar since he was five – and his guitar teacher/mentor Rob Hampton helped Connor make the album. Rob also has written about Connor online, including a peek into the album-making process: “For example, (Connor) created the helicopter-like sound in the breakdown of “Slavery” by cranking all the knobs on my BOSS Flanger pedal. I winced when I first heard the effect, but Connor insisted that was the sound he wanted. Now I love that part.” Here’s where to find Connor’s album (“Too Small“) at Amazon.
Many times, when we get word that a pet on the WSB Lost/Found Pets page has been found, we just quietly take the listing off the page and make a note so folks who check the page know. But the now-ended search for Zoey – who ran away from her brand-new West Seattle home, sending her new human companion into a week-and-a-half tizzy – is worth a louder shout. Here’s Kayla‘s happy report:
Zoey is back!!!!
After 10 days of driving all over the area, racing to sightings, running down the beach in high heels and checking traps morning, noon and night, I finally caught the Yorkie who thinks she is a mountain dog.
Not sure what I will do with her after I give her a spa treatment and spay her, but for now she is safe in my kitchen. Now maybe I can get a night’s sleep. Thanks to everyone who sent wishes.
The help of the people along Beach Drive and in West Seattle in general was amazing. The West Seattle Blog and the Beach Drive Blog which spread the word, Lara and Jan McGregor who checked traps, all the folks who called in sightings, and Pam the cat trapper who leant me her traps all made me feel more a part of this neighborhood than I have in 20 years.
Thanks everyone,
Kayla
(To get an idea of how intensive the search has been, go to the WSB Forums’ Open Discussion section and look for the updates with YORKIE in the title.)
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