West Seattle, Washington
14 Sunday
Early reminder for Wednesday night – it’s the second-to-last WordsWest Literary Series event, last one in the longrunning format – here’s the announcement in case you haven’t already seen it in the calendar:
In the penultimate event of WordsWest Literary Series’s five-year history, on May 15, 2019, novelist Erica Bauermeister and poet/visual artist Alan Chong Lau will muse upon “Awakening the Senses.” As an added bonus, independent bookstore Open Books will have copies of Erica’s latest novel, The Scent Keeper, available to purchase one week before its official release date!
Erica Bauermeister is the bestselling author of four novels. Her most recent is The Scent Keeper (St. Martin’s, May 2019), a moving and evocative coming-of-age novel about childhood stories, families lost and found, and how a fragrance conjures memories capable of shaping the course of our lives. Her other novels include The School of Essential Ingredients (Putnam, 2009), Joy for Beginners (Putnam, June 2011), and The Lost Art of Mixing (Putnam, 2013). She is also the co-author of two nonfiction books: 500 Great Books by Women: A Reader’s Guide and Let’s Hear It For the Girls: 375 Great Books for Readers 2-14.
Poet and visual artist Alan Chong Lau’s collections of poetry include Songs for Jadina (1980), which won the American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation; Blues and Greens: A Produce Worker’s Journal (2000); and no hurry (2007). With Lawson Fusao Inada and Garrett Hongo, he authored The Buddha Bandits Down Highway 99 (1978). His work has appeared in anthologies such as From Totems to Hip-Hop: A Multicultural Anthology of Poetry Across the Americas 1900–2002 (2002) and What Book!?: Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop (1998). Poems by Alan Chong Lau in collaboration with photos by John Levy will appear in the online literary magazine Otata starting in May, 2019. His book of poems, prose and artwork about Japan will be published by Entre Rios Books in 2020. Arts editor for the International Examiner, Lau coordinates the Asian review of books Pacific Reader, and ArtXchange Gallery represents his visual work.
The Favorite Poem Project invites a community member to share a favorite poem and information about his or her organization. On May 15th, we welcome the host for WordsWest throughout its history, C & P Coffee Company.
WordsWest is curated by West Seattle writers Katy E. Ellis, Susan Rich, and Harold Taw. Grant funding from Poets & Writers, Inc. allows WordsWest to pay featured writers for their time and talent.
This all gets going at 7 pm Wednesday (May 15th) at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
That view was texted from Alki – thanks to everyone who’s sent a pic.
Reader video following the rainbow’s arch pic.twitter.com/nCwNaKCIng
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 15, 2019
And from Chris White in the east Junction:
Plus: from “Charlotte and her mom,” @ Gatewood Elementary:
And David Hutchinson‘s view toward the downtown skyline, from Don Armeni Boat Ramp:
Might see more, with rain/showers in the forecast for the foreseeable future!
When Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, celebrates nearly 900 degree recipients this Saturday, a West Seattleite will be front and center as undergraduate valedictorian. Charli Elliott is a West Seattle High School graduate and played on the WSHS basketball team that made a historic trip to state, coached by her mom Sonya Elliott. From the school’s online profile:
Elliott majored in creative writing and played on Pacific’s varsity women’s basketball team. As she graduates this month, she will have the beginnings of a novel, polished by workshops and mentoring, which she can use to apply to graduate schools or writing residencies.
But her immediate priority, she says, is to improve her fluency in Chinese, preferably by teaching English in Taiwan. She plans to sharpen her language skills while earning some money and traveling the region — all while continuing to write.
While overseas, she said, she plans “to use the beautiful setting of Taiwan as inspiration for further work.”
5:54 PM: Thanks for the tips. If you have to head this way but haven’t left yet, you might want to wait a bit – there’s a crash on the westbound West Seattle Bridge. (added) It’s under the 99 overpass.
6:31 PM: Emergency vehicles are still at the scene.
6:48 PM: SDOT reports the bridge is clear.
(Photo by Mark Sears – permit 21348)
What did the Legislature approve to protect Puget Sound orcas, and what happens next? You can find out at The Whale Trail‘s next gathering, which also will feature orca researcher Mark Sears. Here’s the announcement for the event Thursday night (May 16th):
“Celebrate Orca Legislation and Puget Sound Orca Update Featuring Mark Sears”
When: Thursday, May 16, 7:00 – 8:30
–Doors open at 6:30
Where: C & P Coffee Company, 5612 California Ave SW
Cost: $5 suggested donation; kids free
Advance tickets: brownpapertickets.comLast week Governor Jay Inslee signed five bills to protect southern resident orcas. The new laws will reduce vessel noise and disturbance, improve salmon habitat, reduce contaminants, provide protection from oil spills, and educate boaters. The Canadian Government also announced new measures to protect orcas including establishing feeding sanctuaries for the orcas and setting a distance setback of 400 yards for all vessels. A good week for the whales!
Join us to celebrate a new era in orca protection, and hear an update about orca activity in Puget Sound from whale researcher Mark Sears. Learn what’s next for orcas, the Task Force, and the Whale Trail, and how you can help!
Buy tickets now to reserve your seat.
Our report on last month’s Whale Trail gathering/presentation is here.
Today we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor, Community Care, with a spotlight on the camps it’s offering. Here’s what Community Care would like you to know:
Community Care is a children’s mental health agency that has provided care for youth and families in the Seattle area since 1997. We provide youth and family psychotherapy, behavior-plan writing, one-to-one behavior specialists, and three seasonal special-needs camps.
Our therapeutic recreational camps are unique because they are designed for children with behavioral issues, mental-health diagnoses, developmental challenges, or for those in special education. Our camps feature fun, physical, and therapeutic activities. Staffed by our skilled and trained behavior specialists, the camps are open for children ages 5-18 or up to 21 for those still enrolled in school and living in King County.
Families continue to send their children to our camps because of the respite it provides families and the growth they see in their children. Community Care camps introduces students to a curriculum designed to increase emotional understanding and awareness, develop healthy coping skills, and embed them into a community of peers and supportive adults.
Also, Community Care is currently looking for a local, private swimming pool to utilize during the summer months, Mondays through Thursdays. The owner of the pool would be added to Community Care‘s liability insurance, and campers will be highly supervised by their skilled and trained behavior specialists. Life jackets would also be worn at all times.
For more information or to register for camp, please contact Community Care‘s program director Andrew Page at Andrew@seattlecomcare.com or call 206-937-4217.
We thank Community Care for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON: Dan hopes you can help find that truck, stolen today in North Admiral:
2007 Toyota Tundra SR5 Quad Cab
Silver
Plate # B28671L
Damage to passenger side, back quarter panel
If you see it, call 911.
WEDNESDAY MORNING: As Dan mentioned in comments, his truck was found in Edmunds. He told us via email: “I got a call from the Edmonds police around 2:15 am this morning to say that they’d found my truck! Nancy and I drove up and got it at a hotel on 99 where they’d, by chance on a routine drive=through observed a guy get out of it and go into the hotel. They ran the plate, found out it was stolen, watched the video footage of the suspect paying for a room and promptly arrested him in that room. The truck is dirty and stinky from cigarette and meth smoke, but will be detailed today.”
The photo and report are from David Hutchinson on behalf of Seal Sitters Marine Stranding Network:
Seal Sitters’ 2019 harbor seal “pupping season” got off to an early and sad start this past Saturday. Harbor seal pups in our area of Puget Sound are normally born from late June – September. Our Hotline (206-905-7325) received a call from a resident along Beach Drive, reporting what appeared to be a seal pup along with two other seals on an offshore raft. It was later determined that the pup was deceased and it was retrieved at low tide, after the two larger seals had left. It was then taken to the WDFW Marine Mammal Investigations facility for a necropsy. We received a preliminary report today that the pup weighed 4.5 kg (10 lbs.), was 62 cm (24 in) in length and most likely was a “3rd trimester stillborn”. Further tests are planned, funded by Seal Sitters. For additional details, please see this link.
Also, you have two upcoming chances to volunteer on behalf of local wildlife and a healthier Puget Sound:
If you are interested in volunteering with Seal Sitters, our next training session has been scheduled for Saturday, June 15th. Seating is limited so an RSVP is required. Please use (this link) for more details, including instructions on how to RSVP.
Also: Seal Sitters along with our neighboring network Sno-King Marine Mammal Response and SR3 are co-sponsoring our annual Alki Beach cleanup on Saturday, June 29th. For more details and for instructions on how to RSVP (requested, but walkups are also welcome) for this event, please use (this link).
(Spotted Towhee, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, five options for the rest of your Tuesday:
DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: 5-9 pm at Chipotle in The Junction, tell them you’re there to support WSBC and part of the proceeds will help West Seattle High School students. (4730 42nd SW)
WSCO DEBUT ORCHESTRA: 6 pm concert at the Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium:
Please bring the entire family and join musicians of West Seattle Community Orchestras for the first of three season-culminating concerts!
The Debut Orchestra, under the direction of Rachel Nesvig, will perform a great mix of around- the-world tunes—from Seville to London to Oklahoma!
Special pre-concert entertainment will be provided by the Alki String Quartet!
As always WSCO’s concerts are provided free to our community. (Hint: Donations are always welcome!)
A reception in the commons will follow the concert.
(2600 SW Thistle)
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 6:30 pm at The Sanctuary at Admiral – see the agenda in our calendar listing. (2656 42nd SW)
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm in the conference room at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse; see the agenda in our calendar listing. (9131 California SW)
AGE OF FICTION, KLED: They’re rocking Parliament Tavern at 9 tonight. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Family and friends have said goodbye to Deanna Marie Lamping and are sharing this remembrance with the community:
Deanna Marie Lamping (Jensen) passed away on April 21st at her home with her two sons, Robert and Gary by her side. Deanna was born July 22nd, 1940 in Sprague, Washington to Julian James Jensen and Vivian Edna Jensen (Isdell). She grew up in Kelso, Washington and graduated from Kelso High School in 1958. She enrolled at Bernard’s Beauty School in Longview and received her Beauty Operator’s license in 1959. Soon after completing her course, she moved to Seattle to be closer to her mom and worked as a Beautician at The Bon Marche and various other beauty parlors. She loved Seattle, living in the U-District and Capitol Hill with the hustle and bustle, there was always something to do or explore. She married John Lamping in 1962. They moved to Longview, Washington where both of their sons, Robert & Gary, were born. A few years later, she moved back to Seattle, where she remained for all her years, except for a year and a half in Kentucky.
After her children were raised, she started her business, Deanna’s Traveling Hair Parlor, and helped many housebound people at their homes. This led to her caretaking for five people in need of assistance. She also worked at multiple nursing homes as a Beautician. She really loved working and helping our older generation and listening to their life stories. From Deanna’s notes: “I never made a lot of money, but I enjoyed what I did, and I made a lot of people happy. I at least could pay my bills so I can’t complain.”
Deanna was very engaged and loving to her children, and when her grandchildren came along, she was Super Grandma. She would take them on outings to the zoo, park, downtown, library, Seattle Center, etc., or just played at the house. Dress up was one of their favorites as she had lots of costumes and clothes. She helped raise her grandsons, Mateo & Anthony. She would stay with them a couple days a week before they started elementary school, and provided them with lots of opportunities for adventure. As they got older, she was their biggest fan. She loved going to their baseball and basketball games, and was very proud that they both graduated from college.
In her spare time, Deanna enjoyed solitary hobbies like gardening, crocheting, and home decorating. Knowing her, however, during those activities, she was more than likely thinking about who to call, where to go, and who she would talk to next. She was a self-described “social butterfly”, and really enjoyed having lunch or tea with friends. Deanna also loved going to the West Seattle Senior Center, where she enjoyed socializing, going on day trips they organized, and participating in multiple Bible Studies where she was known to be quite the debater. She loved to learn, and had a remarkable memory.
Towards the end of her life, Deanna struggled with her health for months. She was diagnosed with stage 4 metastasis cancer of unknown primary origin, two weeks before her death. She never shed a tear. Her mantra was, “I have had a good life, and I know where I’m going.”
To all her family and friends: know that she wanted to talk to you on the phone or have you come by in person, but was just too weak. One of her greatest gifts, the gift of caring and sharing with others, had been all but taken away from her. Know that she was loving and sweet all the way to the end, still had an interest in learning new things, and even managed to maintain her strong sense of humor.
Deanna leaves her sons, Robert (Enna) & Gary (Emie); her grandchildren, Danielle, Mateo, Anthony, & Karl; her sister, Judy Metcalf; her brothers, Joe Jensen, Norman Jensen, & Steve Jensen; and many nephews, nieces, cousins & friends, all whom she loved very much, to cherish her loving memory.
Her sister Shirley Nordskog, and brothers Jim Jensen & Julian Jensen, all of whom she loved very much, left this earthly plane before her.
Deanna’s son, Robert, would like to personally thank her friends and family for giving time and love back to Deanna, as that is what she was all about. She had so much love to give.
She was laid to rest next to her mother, Vivian Edna Jensen (Isdell), at Lake View Cemetery on April 29, 2019. No additional services are planned.
Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle. To share your fond memories of Deanna with her family & friends, please visit her Online Memorial.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:38 AM: Good morning! Damp roads/sidewalks for the first time in a long time – be careful.
ROAD CLOSURE ALERT: Mark says SW Yancy just closed between Avalon and 28th, as work continues in the area.
STADIUM ZONE: Mariners are home again tonight, 7:10 pm, and that means another late night for the West Seattle Water Taxi.
8:22 AM: And if you’re in the Admiral Way hill area north of the West Seattle Bridge – watch out for The West Seattle Turkey. Two sightings already in.
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