(Photo courtesy Folklife: Programmers and WS residents Debbie Fant, Michelle Shaevitz, Kelli Faryar)
Going to Seattle Center for the Northwest Folklife Festival next weekend? Though it’s not happening in West Seattle, three West Seattleites are involved in making it happen, as we recently found out. One of them – Deputy Director Debbie Fant – explains:

West Seattle is really well represented at the 2013 Northwest Folklife Festival! First of all, the programming team — Kelli Faryar, Michelle Demers Shaevitz, and Debbie Fant — all live in West Seattle! And second, there are 34 groups from West Seattle performing throughout the weekend!! (Not that we’re biased — there’s just so much talent in West Seattle!)

If you’re among those Folklife performers from West Seattle (or White Center/South Park, since we cover those communities with our other two sites), please let us know (comment, or e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com) so we can include that in weekend mentions. Here’s the schedule – even if you’re not the performer, let us know if you recognize locals who are listed.

Schmitz Park Elementary fifth-grader Riley Nachtrieb, an avid unicyclist (on trails as well as pavement, as shown in the video above featuring Riley and her 9-year-old sister Addison), couldn’t find a nearby group to join – so she’s starting one herself, the WestSide Unicycle Collective. Riley and Addison are organizing and running it by themselves, according to an announcement forwarded by their parents, who are lending “a watchful eye.” The group has a Facebook page and will have public meetups every other Thursday, 6:30 pm-7:30 pm, beginning next week (May 30th) at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza. Future locations will be listed on the FB page, and Riley stresses its purpose: “Meet new unicyclists and ride with us. Learn new skills and tricks or just ride and have fun! Unicyclers of any age or ability welcome.”

Gwendolyn (Hill) Schwenzer
1918-2013
Beloved Mother, Nana, Great Nana and Great–Great Nana.

Gwen was born in Seattle on Dec 6, 1918, graduated West Seattle High School in 1937, married Herb (Fritz) Schwenzer when she was just 18, and had 4 kids throughout the years: Sharon, Diane, Fritz, and Vicki.

In 1944, Gwen went to work at Boeing as an original “Rosie the Riveter,” working on the B-29s as part of the World War II effort. She also worked at the Hideaway Tavern in White Center.

In 1979, Herb passed away, leaving a void in Gwen’s life, and that was when she joined the Eagles Clowns and became “Bubbles the Clown,” allowing her to make others happy with her great sense of humor.

Volunteering at Mount St. Vincent for 13 years earned her a warm welcome when it was time for her to move into the assisted-living area, where she is pictured on their brochure and passed away on May 8, 2013.

She will be missed by all who knew her.

That certainly will include the fellow “Rosies” with whom she was featured in this 2009 WSB story.

(Front row: Corinne Blair, Alec Patajo; second row: Casey Iwamoto, Emma Carey, Lauren Phillips; not pictured, Owen Yeasting)
More big success for the West Seattle Totems riflery team, reports coach Joe Matter:

The West Seattle Totems recently competed in the American Legion National Air Rifle Postal match, which was locally sponsored by the Vashon American Legion Post #159. The American Legion match has two elements, a team competition and an individual competition.

In the individual competition, a match was worth 600 points. Lauren Phillips shot a 584 to place in the top 30 of the competition and qualified for the second round of competition. Lauren then shot a 586 to finish 5th in the second round which qualified her for the final round of competition which will be hosted at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs this summer.

In the team competition, a match is worth 2400 points. The team of Lauren Phillips, Casey Iwamoto, Owen Yeasting, and Emma Carey shot a 2302 to finish 2nd in the first round of competition. Only the top ten teams were invited to the second round. In the second round, the team of Lauren, Emma, Corinne Blair and Alec Patajo shot a 2322 to capture the team national bronze medal.

The Vashon American Legion Post as well as the West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club have been supportive of organized youth rifle sports, helping to build leadership skills and scholarship opportunities for youth and young adults. Focus skills required for shooting well are enormous and this further supports academic focus. NCAA rifle scholarships are not earned without having good grades also. We congratulate Lauren Phillips on earning a rifle scholarship to The University of Nebraska, a CMP Scholarship, as well as additional academic scholarships. We know that her opportunities have just begun.

The team practices at the West Seattle Stadium and has members from the peninsula, north Seattle, Puyallup, Ellensburg and Vashon. This summer will include a trip to nationals in Anniston, Alabama, for 8 shooters. The team was thrilled to get one team invitation last year and is stoked to have two teams qualify this year. What an accomplishment for these kids.

The volunteer coaching staff includes Joe Matter, Kurt Oberloh and Alan Carey.

The Matson Navigation team on Harbor Island shares news of another community-service project. The photo and report are from Jackie, who has updated us in recent years on their efforts including storm-drain stencils on Alki and cleanup work in the Terminal 10 area:

This year we reached out to the Port with hopes of cleaning up the same Terminal 10 site, and this past Thursday we made that happen. We took advantage of the clear blue skies and sunny weather, and worked alongside Port employee George Blomberg to tidy up the area. We did heavy weeding (a portion of the weed pile is shown in the photo), and also planted several small trees in the area. It was really fulfilling to work to keep this site looking healthy and clean so the wildlife there could continue to enjoy it. And as always, it was a nice opportunity to enjoy the great weather Seattle has had, and spend some time with coworkers doing something good for the community and environment.

WSB is about good news like this in addition to 24/7 coverage of what you need to know about breaking news, community issues, transportation, development, schools, politics, etc. – so thanks to Jackie, and to everyone else who continues to share these kinds of reports!

Fourteen months ago, we introduced you to a West Seattle centenarian named Ina Mann, with whom we spoke along with three generations of her family, visiting her one day at Arbor Heights Adult Family Home (now a WSB sponsor). We just learned from Ms. Mann’s family that she has passed away. They are sharing this remembrance, along with photos (above, Ms. Mann on her 100th birthday with five of her seven granddaughters):

Alexandrina ‘Ina’ Mann * December 21, 1907 – April 19, 2013

Longtime West Seattle resident Ina Mann went to her her eternal home, with Jesus, on Friday, April 19, 2013, after a long life of 105 years. Ina was born outside London, England, to Albert and Louise Whitehead. She crossed the Atlantic on a ship at age 4 with her parents and 2 younger brothers, Walter and Albert. The family settled in West Seattle where her father built the family home on 46th and Findlay. She attended Jefferson Elementary, Madison Junior High, and West Seattle High School. After graduation, she worked for several years at Hostess Baking Company.

Her early memories of West Seattle included California Avenue as a dirt road with horses and visiting Luna Park on Alki as a young child. She met her husband, Huntley David Shaw Mann, Sr., while visiting the Swedish Club.

Ina never drove a car, loved gardening and working in her yard. She spent the last seven years under the loving care of Katie Gilliantte and Penny Nemoede and staff at Arbor Heights Adult Family Home.

Ina is survived by her son, Huntley Shaw Mann, Jr., his wife Marlene Hill Mann, 7 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

The family also shared this photo of Ms. Mann and her son, featured in our story last year:

That was taken in 1951.

(L to R: Joey Donahue, Brendan Good, Dylan Moorleghen, John Roach, Chad Lehman, Jason Getts, Todd Lehman)
Congratulations to 18-year-old Todd Lehman, the first member of West Seattle’s Troop 282 to earn his Eagle Scout rank – Scouting’s highest honor – this year. Part of that involved a project for Camp Long, explained by his dad Rick Lehman – who shared the photos and information – as involving “designing and constructing a staging area for one of the new ‘challenge courses,’ called ‘Pacific Crest.’ The project included installing 70 feet of cedar split-rail fencing, gravel walkway, log benches, and landscaping.” Here’s Todd, center, with his Eagle Board of Review, all also West Seattleites:

(L to R, Pete Hogan, mom Nancy Lehman, Mike Grueter, Todd Lehman, Dave Haines, dad Rick Lehman, Paul Von Brockhorst)
Dad Rick Lehman adds that Todd’s Eagle rank “represents over 7 years of scouting leadership, adventure, activities, achievement and community service. While in Troop 282, Todd compiled 82 nights of camping, hiked 147 miles, paddled by canoe 82 miles on the Bowron Provincial Park in Canada, earned 24 merit badges, and provided 115 hours of community service to West Seattle.” He also is a three-year letterman in varsity golf and baseball at Kennedy High School, where he is a senior and president of the Men’s Club; an active member of West Side Presbyterian Church; and plans to attend Washington State University starting this fall.

(Photo by @bpsnyder, via Twitter)
Two and a half days after the bicycle/truck crash that killed 54-year-old Lance David, about 100 people gathered this afternoon where it happened, at East Marginal Way and Hanford, in his honor. Many rode from his workplace, Expeditors International:

(This and subsequent photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Mr. David was on one of the five Bike-to-Work teams at Expeditors, according to Don Brubeck of West Seattle Bike Connections, who also observed: “Mr. David worked in the freight shipping industry. Just like the truck driver. I hope it will help the community understand that this is not ‘us’ vs. ‘them.’ It’s all ‘us.’ A bunch of people who work in jobs that are dependent on the port ride a bike to get to work. Bike riders depend on the port for jobs, and those companies have employees who ride bikes.” Many of those at this afternoon’s gathering signed a shirt with the company logo:

It was then put on the utility pole holding the ‘ghost bike’ placed at the crash site Wednesday night.

WS Bike Connections and WS Greenways are organizing a memorial ride from Seacrest on Tuesday (May 7, 5:30 pm, full details here). It’ll be some time before police put out a final report on the crash; their initial findings are included in our Thursday report, which also details some of the safety concerns at the scene and the discussion at Wednesday night’s monthly meeting of the Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board.

Fifty years ago today, West Seattle native Jim Whittaker became the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest. The clip above – shared on Whittaker’s Facebook page – includes an interview with him, and historical footage. And today, another West Seattle native announced new honors for the climber:

On the 50th anniversary of the summiting of Mt. Everest by the first American, King County Executive Dow Constantine today honored fellow West Seattle native and legendary climber Jim Whittaker by announcing the renaming of trails in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park for Mr. Whittaker and his climbing partner, Sherpa Nawang Gombu.

“Jim Whittaker’s achievement 50 years ago today remains a triumph of perseverance and teamwork,” said Executive Constantine. “It is an honor to recognize both Mr. Whittaker and Mr. Gombu on their historic accomplishment, and I hope it moves us all to get out and experience our own hiking and climbing opportunities closer to home.”

“I’m honored to have my name on a wilderness trail, and I encourage people to get outside and enjoy this magical planet,” said Whittaker.

On May 1, 1963, when Whittaker and Gombu reached the summit of 29,028-foot Mount Everest, they each set or foreshadowed a record: Whittaker was the first American to stand atop the world’s highest peak, and Gombu later became the first person to summit Everest twice.

Executive Constantine said King County will add the names of the climbers to three backcountry trails that lead to the highest point in Cougar Mountain park, in ceremonies to be scheduled. The Wilderness Creek Trail and the Wilderness Peak Trail will together become known as the 1.9-mile Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trail, and the 1.3-mile Wilderness Cliffs Trail will become the Gombu Wilderness Cliffs Trail. Both lead to the top of Wilderness Peak in the southeast corner of the park, which at 3,100 acres is the largest park in King County’s system of more than 200 parks.

The trails are among the most highly trafficked and popular in the King County Parks system, with an average of more than 100 hikers a day. Cougar Mountain is the County’s most popular hiking destination, and serves as a springboard for novice hikers working up to more challenging opportunities within the Cascades and Olympic Mountain ranges.

“This is a very fitting tribute to the accomplishments of Jim Whittaker and Nawang Gombu. I’m grateful to Executive Constantine for taking this action,” said King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, whose district includes Cougar Mountain. “No one will ever confuse Wilderness Peak for Mount Everest. Aside from its lush forest and easy access for people throughout King County, Wilderness Peak is also slightly lower in elevation than Everest – by 27,430 feet!”

“Renaming Cougar Mountain’s summit trails after legendary King County native mountain climber Jim Whittaker and his climbing partner Nawang Gombu adds to the rich historical gems that can be found at this regional park,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips, Chair of the Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee. “From trail names, to mature forests, to remnants of the mining and logging heritage, Cougar Mountain Park preserves many aspects of our proud Northwest history, so it is a fitting place to honor Whittaker and Gombu’s legacy.”

Born in Seattle, Whittaker was the first full-time employee of Recreational Equipment Incorporated, and eventually served as its CEO before his retirement. In addition to summiting Mount Everest, Whittaker was also in charge of the first American expedition to successfully climb the world’s second-tallest mountain, K2, in 1978. He currently lives in Port Townsend. Gombu died in April 2011.

“I’m glad that through this recognition, tens of thousands of hikers every year will be reminded of ‘Big Jim’ Whittaker and Nawang Gombu and their historic achievement,” said Executive Constantine.

Another local outpouring of support for Boston as its people continue to recover from last week’s bombings: Anna Cronin from Providence Mount St. Vincent shares the photo and this update on what they’re doing:

Many residents, staff and children participated in The Mount’s “Marathon for Boston” to celebrate the resilient Boston Community and to remember the victims and those injured in the terrible events that took place at the Boston Marathon last week. Our goal was to show Boston that for every one person wishing to inflict harm, there are many, many more who wish to do good. We mapped out a route and together walked a combined 70+ miles! That is nearly three full marathons. Our hope is to eventually walk 3,048 miles (the distance from Seattle to Boston) in the following weeks to continue to show our support for, and solidarity with Boston.

(Tonight’s group heading out, northbound on California)
Last Monday night, the shock of the Boston bombings was still fresh when Lori and Tim McConnell of West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) organized a group run as a way for people here to deal with that shock, and grief. Tonight – after a week in which so much has happened – they again invited local runners, this time to join a week-later nationwide “Run for Boston” tribute. The crowd that showed up spanned all ages and paces:

In that photo, they’re looking up at Tim, who didn’t get a group photo last Monday, but stepped outside their second-story store to make sure not to miss the overview this time:

Lori sported her keepsake shirt from running the Boston Marathon five years ago:

At least one other Seattle group ran tonight too, as well as others coast to coast.

Among the many events in this morning’s West Seattle Saturday roundup of calendar highlights, a work party at Dakota Place Park. Thanks to Meredith for sharing this photo of two young volunteers – Addie and Grayson, students from nearby Tilden School.

Back on April 7th, we published Chief Sealth International High School football head coach Luther Carr III‘s call for pledges as his players prepared to participate in the MS Walk to help fight multiple sclerosis. Now that the big event is past, he wanted to share public words of thanks (and the team’s photo from MS Walk day):

Chief Sealth International Football would like to thank all of our community, family, and friends who assisted in our efforts to raise money for MS (multiple sclerosis). Along with thousands of others in the State of Washington we raised funds and walked on April 14, 2013, to find a cure for a world free of MS. At least 12,000 people in our Northwest community are living in chronic pain because of MS. Ridding the world of MS is a great cause, and our student-athletes learned a great lesson, giving back! Thank you again and Go Seahawks!!

According to the team’s page on the MS Walk site – where you can still make a donation – they raised more than four times their goal!