West Seattle, Washington
22 Sunday
Just got word from Steve Fuller with the Rotary Club of West Seattle – through the end of next month, they are accepting applications for the Rotary International Youth Exchange program, which he says is “geared toward students, generally ages 15-19, interested in a short (6 weeks) and/or long-term (1 year) international educational opportunity.” Find out more about the program here; get your application in by October 31st. If you have questions, e-mail wsrotary@gmail.com
CITYLINK: We noticed a while back that some of the city’s newer web sections, such as SPDBlotter, had a “CityLink” logo, perhaps a sign of something to come. Turns out it was — the city has just unveiled CityLink Seattle, with 11 city “newsfeeds” (including SPDBlotter) linked from one page. See it here.
TWEETING FOR STARBUCKS, AND HITTING THE ROAD: Got word from Starbucks PR that its official tweeter at @starbucks, Brad Nelson, is hitting the road as part of a nationwide promotion for the company’s new instant coffee – and she noted she was letting us know because Brad is a West Seattleite. They had a big kickoff event today – we were at the Concord event instead, but they promise they’ll be tweeting (at @starbuckslive), posting video, and more. (P.S. Brad’s not the only West Seattleite who is the “Twitter voice” of a major Seattle-based company – there’s also Elliott Pesut, who tweets for Alaska Airlines at @alaskaair.)
We’ve covered more than a few fundraisers in the past few months – and now, the big event is here: Tonight, the Seattle Breast Cancer 3-Day walkers have concluded Day 1. Among the West Seattleites on the 60-mile route this time, Tracy Dart – breast-cancer survivor and namesake of Team Tracy – who has posted updates online (with photos!). You can follow along in other ways – we’re seeing some updates from 3-Day walkers on Twitter (here’s the search for updates marked #3day). If you’d like to go cheer the walkers, there are two “cheering stations” in Everett tomorrow – listed here along with one on Capitol Hill, and the closing ceremony downtown, on Sunday. (Photo from twitpic.com via @snelson)
The neon sign beneath which you see West 5’s bartender Jo-Ann Clutcher and proprietor Dave Montoure came from West Seattle’s legendary Admiral Benbow Inn. Jo-Ann worked at the Benbow for 35 years, and was the first hire at West 5 when it opened six years ago, and today, we and her fans are wishing her “Happy 70th Birthday!” Jo-Ann tells us she started out at the Benbow as a waitress, but after only two weeks, the manager told her she needed to handle vacation relief for a bartender – and she wound up sticking with that job till the Benbow closed in 2002: “I just watched how the other bartenders did things and pretty soon I knew how to do the job.” Her secret after three-plus decades of bartending: “You have to love your work.” She works Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and says she loves meeting people, noting that any conversation starting with the question “Where are you from?” always turns out to be a good one. She’s served customers from as far away as Australia, including celebrities – she recalls serving Randy “Big Unit” Johnson a drink when he was still with the Mariners. Biggest change in the overall biz over the years? People drink more responsibly now, she says. Retirement any time soon? Nope.
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: Tonight, 6-9 pm, all around West Seattle. We previewed some of the featured venues/artists on Wednesday (like The Paint Ball at Feedback Lounge [WSB sponsor]); more to mention today – The Kenney is excited about belly dancer Nadira, resident photographer Phil Gelpi, guest artist Josh Miller, jewelry by Penguina Designs’ Johanna Lindsay, and food; at Capers in The Junction, Banana Blossom Press is donating proceeds from sales of its cards (more here) to 2 breast-cancer-related causes, including Northwest Hope and Healing (WSB sponsor) and its upcoming Alki Beach 5K Run/Walk (Sept. 27 – registered yet?). Get your Art Walk map and more previews at the official Art Walk site.
HIGH POINT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Come to Commons Park Amphitheater at 6 pm for HPNA’s quarterly meeting – topic, how to be a good neighbor, and a good neighborhood. Refreshments!
SOUTHWEST SEATTLE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN: They meet in Burien, but West Seattleites are part of the group and you’re invited to join them too. Tonight, 5:30 pm at Yo’s Bistro (205 SW 152nd; map), $10 cash/check at the door, RSVP to Jan at 206-244-7016 or Kay, kbk.bpw@hotmail.com
With hours to go till the start of what for many is the SECOND day of the new school year, we have collected the rest of the photos kindly shared with us from Day 1. First, that’s Kandie‘s daughter Cece, who started 2nd grade at Gatewood Elementary. We received a few family photos too – 5-year-old Cole is pictured below with mom Jennifer and dad Brian, on his first day of kindergarten at Arbor Heights Elementary:
By the way, Arbor Heights is the first West Seattle public school we know of that’s on Twitter – not surprising since thanks to teacher Mark Ahlness, who’s also involved with the Twitter account (@arborhts), it was also among the first schools ANYWHERE to have its own website, way back when. (They’re on Facebook too.) Now on to Gatewood Elementary – here’s Katie‘s son Emmett checking out his spot in circle in Mr. Skeffington‘s kindergarten class:
Next, Jen shared a photo of her daughters and this explanation – “Bella, off to Madison Middle School, go Bulldogs, and Lauren off to West Seattle High School, go Wildcats!”
We had a couple pix from Lafayette Elementary earlier today – here’s another one, courtesy of Carrie Ann, who photographed daughter Molly with teacher Mr. Bell. (Carrie Ann says her daughter is one of “five or six” Molly’s in kindergarten there!)
Krystal sent this photo showing the lineup outside Lafayette:
And here are her daughters (Sophia at center, 1st grader in Ms. Nyberg‘s class, and Eloise at right, who’s a year away from kindergarten) with neighbor Aine (at left, 1st grader in Ms. Longo‘s class):
Not far from Lafayette, quite the day at Schmitz Park Elementary. Erik’s 8-year-old daughters Hailey, Caitlin and Sophia started third grade in Mrs. Watson‘s class:
They and their schoolmates got to hear from a descendant of the couple who donated the nearby parkland – Alan Schmitz (grandson of Ferdinand and Emma Schmitz):
And second-year principal Gerrit Kischner was clearly energized as he urged his returning students to welcome the newcomers:
One more back-to-school photo – Daphne shares this snapshot of Chloé, 4, and Pascal, 6:
Thanks to everyone who shared back-to-school photos … pix of West Seattle people, places and events, both the good news and the not-so-good news, are an integral part of WSB, and just one way in which this is collaborative rather than a “we make it/you read it” type of creation. Here are all the ways to reach us, any time.
Two Lafayette Elementary students’ photos happened to be among the first we received today (thanks to those who’ve answered our request for “kids starting school” pix if you didn’t mind sharing – it’s so much nicer to “meet” individual people, instead of us just heading out and getting a wide shot of school buses pulling up somewhere) – First, that’s Brynn, whose proud mommy Brandi explains was “preparing for her big day in Mrs. Bell’s kindergarten class at Lafayette. The atmosphere was perfect for the first morning at school – sun, laughter and new friends to be made.” Also attending Lafayette for the first time ever today was 4th grader Zack – stepson of longtime WSB Forums contributor Hopey:
Starting kindergarten at Gatewood Elementary today, here’s Jordyn (thanks to mom Karisse):
And mom Marcia sends this photo of Aidan on the first day of Kindergarten at Hope Lutheran, noting that he’s in Mrs. Burza’s class:
Then, there were those last precious moments of summer – Lashanna shares this photo of daughter Coco the night before starting kindergarten at Pathfinder K-8:
More photos to share later!
(Photo by Karen, from last year’s “World Naked Bike Ride” through Seattle)
Last year, we didn’t hear about it in advance – then the photos, texts, e-mails started rolling in – unclothed bike riders pedaling along major Seattle streets, including a stretch along Alki on the way to the end of the ride at Lincoln Park. This year, it’s been announced via Twitter, where organizer Daniel Johnson goes by @rawexuberance – he just tweeted tonight that it starts with a meetup at noon this Sunday at Aaron’s Bicycle Repair in Morgan Junction. According to the WNBR Seattle wiki site (SFW but some of its links aren’t), the route sounds a lot like last year – to Admiral, Alki, and back around to Lincoln Park (which is close to the starting point). 11:56 PM NOTE: Last year, police were notified in advance of the unclad cyclists’ ride, and explained to WSB afterward why no one was arrested; we’ll be checking tomorrow to see if similar notice has been given this time around, and if police policy remains the same (no arrests unless there’s lewd behavior OR someone complains directly to police).
We put out a call on Facebook this afternoon inviting anyone with kids heading off to school for the first time this week (or last week!) to share a photo if they’re so inclined … and the first one is courtesy of Kristin, featuring 4-year-old Elliot, who starts tomorrow at West Seattle Montessori (WSB sponsor, opening its new location in White Center), photographed with Cameron (9) and Elena (7), who started Holy Rosary last Tuesday. More back-to-school news later tonight; if you’ve got a photo to share tonight or tomorrow, e-mail it to editor@wsb.blackfin.biz or share it with us via Facebook or the WSB group on Flickr (see the links atop the sidebar).
(Photos courtesy Maureen Gillis)
By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
You’re a beginning runner — say, you’ve been jogging a few miles a few days a week for the past couple of months — and someone asks if you’d like to run a 27-mile marathon through Peruvian peaks to Machu Picchu (map) on one of the most challenging race trails in the world. Would you do it?
If you’re 26-year-old Maureen “Mo” Gillis, the answer is, absolutely!
He’s contributed great stories here at West Seattle Blog and at partner site White Center Now, but you likely know Ron Richardson best for many other things – he’s a noted local historian, active with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, and community advocate, active on issues including public campaign financing and peace advocacy (which is how we first met him – because of the sign outside his home near Lincoln Park). Now he is in a fight to regain his health, after a sudden problem sent him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens has spoken with Ron’s wife Sherry and says they don’t know yet whether it’s benign or malignant, but Ron is out of the hospital and back home as of a few days ago. Cards are welcome, she suggests, saying the Fauntleroy Community Association would be glad to get them to him: Send them to Ron Richardson care of FCA, P.O. Box 48343, Seattle, WA 98146-6343.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Even though the tomato tasting’s now postponed for a couple weeks, the market’s on, rain or shine, its managers say. 10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska. Here’s today’s Ripe ‘n’ Ready list; check for market bulletins/updates on Twitter at @nfmaseattle.
PEACE POTLUCK: West Seattle Neighbors for Peace and Justice has its monthly meeting tonight at Alki UCC (61st/Hinds), starts at 6 pm, with potluck at 7, everybody invited. More info on the group’s website, or contact John Repp at jmrepp@comcast.net.
MODECO FLATS’ OPEN HOUSE: Modeco Flats is a new condo building near Westwood Village — one of our newest WSB sponsors — and it’s proud of a four-star “Built Green” rating that it says is a first in West Seattle. Features (listed here) include stainless-steel appliances and bamboo floors. See for yourself at an open house today, 1-5 pm. 8826 25th SW (map); more info here.
Just a little more than a week to go till school starts – and dozens of West Seattle kids still need your help. West Seattle Helpline is sponsoring WSB to help get the word out about its backpack and clothing drives – the photo above is from one of the recent distribution days. We checked with Helpline executive director Anna Fern today for an update:
We have given away over 130 backpacks filled with school supplies. So we gave away about 40 backpacks and school clothes at the Clothesline each day during our three day give away.
We now have a waiting list for 47 more backbacks. Seattle Schools start next (week) so it still is not too late to donate…by calling the Helpline 206.932.4357 or donating through Paypal on our website.
Our next focus is going to be on clothing drives for items for school age children. We are desperate for more! Each child/student can take up to three outfits plus a coat or a pair of shoes. You can see what an incredible amount of clothing this translates to.
Call the Helpline number above, or contact them online here, for info on how to donate clothing; you also can drop off backpacks at Coffee at the Heights (WSB sponsor) in Sunrise Heights or Capers in The Junction.
A memorial service is planned next Sunday, Sept. 6, at Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden’s Celebration Garden for West Seattle rose gardener Lori White, who died this week at age 49. Rainy Rose Society president Sue Tiffany asked that we share that information along with Ms. White’s obituary; she says, “Lori White belonged to many rose societies including the Valley Rose Society, the Seattle Rose Society, the Heritage Rose Society, the Rainy Rose Society, and many more. Through her volunteer work Lori helped to fund the continuation of the Celebration Garden. Even when she was horribly ill, Lori would still go to the garden and volunteer her time.Her beautiful smile and valiant spirit will be sorely missed by so many, many who loved her. Lori had the ability to make each person that she spoke with feel like he/she was the most important person in the world. I called her ‘Precious’ and indeed she was.’ The photo above shows Ms. White with local gardening expert Ciscoe Morris and broadcaster Meeghan Black. Read on for her obituary:Read More
West Seattle residents and Square 1 Books (WSB sponsor) owners Gretchen Montgomery and Matthew Mors took second in today’s Great Urban Race downtown – this according to a note we just got from Gretchen’s proud mom Sue Montgomery. The GUR is described on its website as a “wacky urban adventure. Teams of two solve twelve clues, have a wild city adventure and complete fun challenges while discovering the city in a fresh way …” 4:59 PM UPDATE: Got a note from Matthew – they are back downtown right now to get their medals; he sent photos, including the one we’ve added atop this report with them at the finish line, and this one involving one of the tasks – a human pyramid by the Cinerama theater:
Just got a phone call asking that we get the last-minute word out about this too: The West Seattle High School Class of 1989 has its reunion tonight at West Seattle Golf Course; we’ve confirmed this with WSGC, which is at 4470 35th SW (map). Admission free, donations accepted – the festivities begin at 4 pm, and the caller says WSHS’ers from years in that vicinity are welcome too.
(Twitpic of 5/11/09 Atlantis launch by @jesszuber)
Just got this announcement from the Museum of Flight – the West Seattle High School alumnus astronaut who piloted the space shuttle back in May is making a trip home:
In May 2009, astronaut and Seattle-native Gregory C. Johnson brought a Museum of Flight logo patch with him on Space Shuttle mission STS-125 to the Hubble Space Telescope. The patch will become a part of the Museum’s space collection when Johnson returns it during a public presentation on Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. Johnson will also talk about the mission that extended the life of Hubble for another 5 to 10 years. The presentation is in the William M. Allen Theater, admission is $10 general public, and $5 for Museum members.
Navy Reserve Capt. Gregory C. Johnson piloted the space shuttle Atlantis during its 11-day mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. During the mission, astronauts repaired and upgraded the Hubble Space Telescope, conducting five spacewalks during their mission to extend the life of the orbiting observatory. Johnson graduated from West Seattle High School in 1972 and earned his bachelor of science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Washington in 1977. The patch will eventually be on display in the Museum’s Space: Exploring the New Frontier exhibit.
If you’ve never been to the Museum of Flight, it’s a must-visit and it’s not far from West Seattle – 9404 East Marginal Way South (map/directions).
Thanks to Kacy Bear for sharing that photo along with news from the Seattle Public Library‘s Breakfast of Champions event downtown this morning, celebrating winners of the SPL Summer Reading Program. Pictured above are two of the local winners, West Seattle (Admiral) branch’s Catherine Evans and Southwest branch winner Ptolemy Bear (Kacy’s son); Kacy says the programs also list winners Maia Glass-Quicksall from the Delridge branch, Aliyah Mohamed from the High Point branch, and from nearby South Park, Duy Ly. We’ll check with SPL to see if there’s info on how much they read. Congratulations to all! (Side note – remember all city library branches will be closed from Monday 8/31 till reopening Tuesday 9/8.) 1:49 PM: SPL spokesperson Liz Kaune tells WSB the final numbers haven’t been tallied yet – that information is expected to be made public after the libraries reopen in early September.
Didn’t get an official announcement about this, but we just happened to check the website of Terry Brooks, 
the mega-selling author who lives in West Seattle, and discovered he’s scheduled his annual-tradition local appearance at Barnes and Noble in Westwood Village: 2 pm this Saturday. This will be the fourth consecutive year we’ve covered his readings there, always in late summer: 2006, 2007, 2008. Also according to the author’s website, Brooks is sponsoring the Seattle Interagency Academy Book Fair at the same time. These appearances always coincide with a new book release, and this time it’ll be “A Princess in Landover,” the sixth book in his “Magic Kingdom” series. (Terry Brooks photo from terrybrooks.net, used with permission)
(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
That’s West Seattle photographer Rasmus Rasmussen in the foreground, Kelly Cline in the background. They’re at C & P Coffee till 6 pm tonight, or till they’ve photographed 120 jobseekers taking advantage of the “free headshot” offer (announced two weeks ago). We just checked in with Kelly via Twitter and she says it’s been a “slow-but-steady trickle” since this began at 11 am; she adds, “Happy people and gracious hosts. Very awesome feel-good vibes all around.” 4:12 PM: Diane just called, saying she’s just back from the photo setup and they haven’t maxed out yet, so they’ll definitely be there till 6. 10:27 PM: Here’s tonight’s Channel 13 TV story on the event.
Thanks to proud coach Howard Chilcott for sharing that photo and this news:
West Seattle Jets ’97, Boys U12 soccer team won the 2009 Shoreline Classic Soccer Tournmant this past weekend. Playing one year up, didn’t prove enough to hold down this group of young soccer stars. Coach Howard noted, “We had 3 beautiful games, and a hard-fought championship game that was a battle of will, fatigue and desire.” As preparation for their upcoming fall season, the Jets recently spent 5 days in Wenatchee practicing twice a day in over 100 degree weather. It looks like this hard work has already begun paying off. “Effort, Solid, Go Jets!” (Missing but not forgotten from picture: Chrismon Nofsinger, Ed Horn, Nikolaus Horn)
The Jets are associated with the West Seattle Soccer Club, which is wrapping up fall registration – get the latest info here.
(Olympic National Park photo from nps.gov)
Right now, a group of West Seattle High School students is “on assignment” with National Geographic Photo Camp in Olympic National Park, and this Thursday night, 7 pm at Youngstown Arts Center, you will be able to see the results – Susan Turner from NatureBridge sent the following news release with information about what’s happening – read on!Read More
At left, that’s Susie Drake, a local nurse, with people she has helped in the African nation of Senegal. She and fellow nurse Sydnie Phelps are going to Senegal (map) this fall, and friends are helping them raise money and collect donations to take along to an orphanage and mission – you can help too, at a fundraiser in West Seattle one week from tonight. Their friend/co-worker Shanna Mosher shares the news (and the photo above, from Syd and Susie‘s website):
*Two remarkable nurses, three rocking bands and a troupe of belly dancers will be at the Bohemian in West Seattle on Sunday August 23 for a fundraiser benefiting the less fortunate in West Africa. *
*This is a unique opportunity to have a direct impact improving the quality of life for those in need in Senegal. Your much-needed donations of medical supplies, funds and other necessities will be personally delivered directly to the LaPouponniere Orphanage and the Kahone Mission in Senegal, assuring that your donations will be utilized by the people who need them most. In addition to delivering your donations, they will be providing unconditional love and care for orphaned infants, and assisting the nuns at the Mission with their medical expertise. *
*Senegal is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a per capita income of $500 per year. Nearly 1 in 160 women in the rural areas die from child birth. Nearly 1 child in 7 dies before the age of five, and 1 in 4 suffers from chronic malnutrition, malaria and upper respiratory infections. Still, the government of Senegal is committed to keeping health a priority and is striving to create a forward thinking medical community. *
*Thanks to generous nurses like Syd and Susie, and to supporters like YOU, we hope to help bring supplies and equipment so local trained health care practitioners can implement their skills.*
*The show starts at 5:30 pm and is free, but donations will be greatly appreciated. There will also be a raffle for tickets to see the Sounders FC in** action.***
The Bohemian is at 3405 California SW (map). More on the trip, here.
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