West Seattle, Washington
15 Saturday
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog
West Seattle and the east African nation of Uganda were first connected by books and are now also connected by vanilla and a premium ice cream just introduced by Husky Deli.
In 2017, Alina Guyon’s Libraries 4 All project took her to a refugee camp on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda, where she and her mother, Sheryl, built a small library
Sheryl also brought back a few kilos of premium vanilla beans and an intriguing question: Could vanilla raise area farmers out of abject poverty and help educate their children?
She has a trained eye for such potential. Sheryl was an entrepreneur from an early age and is working with Seattle’s All the Sky Foundation to aid under-represented populations, with a particular interest in gender equity.
“Jobs in Uganda are few and far between and we were on alert for a way we might help refugees support their families,” she said. “After reading that the climate In the Kampala area is perfect for growing vanilla, I had to learn more.”
Bakers and other vanilla users know that a worldwide shortage of the flavoring has caused the price to soar. Extract from beans grown in Madagascar (the world’s principal supplier) retail for as much as $8/oz. Because each bean is so precious, growers keep field locations a secret and employ armed guards to protect their crop.
Uganda’s tropical climate and fertile soil are perfect for growing the Vanilla planifolia orchid. Uganda farmers plant a species of short tree as scaffolding for their vanilla vines and pollinate the flowers by hand. As the beans mature, they pick each by hand just as it begins to turn brown.
Through a chain of connections, Sheryl was able to learn that a wholesaler typically buys a farmer’s entire crop, then cures the beans and sells the best ones on the whole-bean market and the rest to a processor to refine into extract. She became even more convinced that she could develop the product into a “social” business that benefits those who labor the most.
“The vanilla fields are very near the refugee camp, so refugees can get beans directly from the farmers and do the packaging and paperwork needed to export them here where I can get them to a premium market,” Sheryl explained. “The farmers and refugees will profit from bulk sales and retail profits will go back to a Ugandan non-profit to pay school fees for refugee children.”
This spring, Husky Deli owner Jack Miller agreed to give “Mukono Super Vanilla” ice cream its world premiere. (The name comes from the district where the most flavorful vanilla is grown.) He’s making just 15 half-gallons at a time using Sheryl’s extract and seeds from 15 beans. If West Seattleites like what they taste, Mukono Super Vanilla will continue in the ice-cream case as the market for these “super” beans widens.
This home in North Delridge is one of 40 around the region getting new ramps today in the Master Builders of King and Snohomish Counties’ annual Rampathon. The crew installing the ramp is from Potter Construction (WSB sponsor), which has been participating for more than a decade, with volunteer crews planning and building ramps.
The resident benefiting today, Tammie, uses a wheelchair because of a bilateral amputation, according to the MBAKS, and had to access her home via a temporary ramp until now.
Potter Construction adds, “We are also thankful to Pacific Rim Equipment rental for donating the use of post hole auger and Dunn Lumber for donating the supplies.”
Less than one week until your chance to support the West Seattle Helpline by enjoying a night of sampling local food and beverages at the Taste of West Seattle. It’s a perennial sellout, so the Helpline is circulating this reminder not to miss out:
The 14th annual Taste of West Seattle is next Thursday, May 23rd at the Hall at Fauntleroy (6:00 VIP admission, 6:30 general admission).
Enjoy food and drink from local restaurants, bakeries, breweries, wineries, and more – all while supporting the West Seattle Helpline’s homelessness prevention services!
Besides delicious bites and sips there will be live music, fun games, and an exciting raffle! Raffle prizes include two round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines, four one-way tickets on Southwest Airlines, $1000 gift certificate to Canlis, and a Sports package!
Tickets are still on sale but going fast!
GA: $95
VIP: $125 (only 15 VIP tickets left!)
Door: $120 (not guaranteed)We can’t wait to see you there!
First performance of the day at@westseattlebee pic.twitter.com/BUXtifvyuH
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 18, 2019
10:33 AM: “Hi, bumblebee!” Just heard a young West Seattle Bee Festival-goer greet one of the guests of honor. The festival is under way until 2 pm in and around High Point Commons Park; Lanham Place SW is closed between Sylvan and Graham for the vendor fair, which is just part of the fun. Ella-Bella Bee and The Pollinators are performing in the amphitheater behind Neighborhood House:
First performance of the day at@westseattlebee pic.twitter.com/BUXtifvyuH
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 18, 2019
Interactive music and comedy until about 11! And if you’re here at 11:30, be part of the parade! Meantime, many all-ages activities, from the Urban Skills Survival Fair on the north side of the park…
… to facepainting toward the south end of the vendor fair on Lanham (which is closed to motorized traffic for the festival) …
“Vendor fair” doesn’t fully describe everyone who’s here. A few people are “vending” – you’ll find beekeepers selling honey by the Bee Garden, too – but many community organizations too …
(Community advocate Mat McBride, who is offering info to prospective “do-gooders”)
SFD and SPD as well. And us … stop by for a free WSB refrigerator magnet while they last:
(It’s our first freebie since the ice scrapers many years ago.)
11:07 AM: Second hour of the festival! As beautiful as the weather is, do take a minute to peek indoors at Neighborhood House – lots going on in there too!
Woodland Park Zoo is visiting with “animal ambassadors.” And the parade starts soon! Back up by the Bee Garden, student jazz:
Student jazz from Mountlake Terrace playing the @WS_BeeFestival pic.twitter.com/4hTnvXffjX
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 18, 2019
11:48 AM: After a bit of parading …
Bee Festival parade around High Point Commons Park. pic.twitter.com/a2Aysu7nHi
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 18, 2019
… it’s on to the festival’s second half. At noon, at the Bee Garden on the north end of the park, see its founder Lauren Englund do a beehive demonstration! And at the amphitheater on the south end, Laura Love performs with Terry Hunt.
Laura Love now performing at @WS_BeeFestival pic.twitter.com/rJydsfCOOB
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 18, 2019
12:46 PM: That’s Laura onstage. And here’s the crowd Lauren drew:
The bees:
You still have time to get here – it’s on until 2 pm; the map for getting here is on the official festival webpage. Lots more visitors than we remember from years past; thanks to everyone who’s stopped by to say hi!
1:19 PM: Less than an hour left! If you’re here, don’t miss the Urban Survival Skills Fair:
This includes very specific preparedness topics – all the way to how to set up an emergency toilet.
If you couldn’t check it out today, the Urban Survival Skills Fair will make an encore appearance at Delridge Day in August (and a scaled-down version during Field Day at South Seattle College [WSB sponsor] next month).
1:50 PM: We were seconds away from tweeting to observe that no candidates had been sighted at the festival, when District 1 City Council contender Brendan Kolding stopped by.
Our longstanding policy “if candidates stop by our booth, we’ll take their picture” continues this year (our next tabling gig is the Morgan Junction Community Festival on June 22nd).
Add to the list of things you can do today – go look for orcas! Kersti Muul sends word there are whales just north of Elliott Bay, headed southbound. Let us know if you see them!
(Canada Goose and gosling, photographed along Harbor SW by David Hutchinson)
Welcome to the weekend!
TAI CHI AT THE BEACH: It’s now the second month of the season for weekly Tai Chi at Alki, 9 am, with Caylen Storm, by Statue of Liberty Plaza. More info here. (2701 Alki SW)
WEST SEATTLE BEE FESTIVAL: Start as early as 9 am self-led Honey Run around High Point Commons Park, 10 am vendor fair, Urban Survival Skills Fair, activities, more, including 11:30 am participatory parade. Full schedule here. Free and fun until 2 pm. In and around the park, Lanham Place SW, High Point Neighborhood House. Check back for our as-it-happens coverage. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
PEONY AND BAMBOO FESTIVAL: 10 am-4 pm at Seattle Chinese Garden today and tomorrow. 11 am today, a highlight – the “thundering drums and energetic lion dancers of Northwest Wushu and Martial Arts.”
More info here. The garden is on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)
LOW-LOW TIDE: Beach-walking opportunity! It’s out to -1.7 feet at 11:23 am.
WEST SEATTLE 5K REGISTRATION/PACKET PICKUP: Noon-6 pm at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), you can register for Sunday’s West Seattle 5K (co-sponsored by WSB) if you’re not already signed up; if you are, you can pick up your packet – bib, T-shirt, chip. (2743 California SW)
BE AN EAGLE FOR THE DAY! The West Seattle Eagles are opening their Junction HQ for the day, starting at noon, so you can see what it’s like to be an Eagle for the day. No cost, no membership required, just stop in. (4426 California SW)
COLMAN POOL’S 2ND PRESEASON WEEKEND: Noon-7 pm, go swimming in West Seattle’s only outdoor saltwater at-the-beach pool! On the shore at Lincoln Park. See the schedule here. (8603 Fauntleroy Way SW)
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY SPRING RELEASE: 1-7 pm, second day of the spring-release tastings and sales at Northwest Wine Academy on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. More info here.. (6000 16th SW)
KENYON HALL IN THE AFTERNOON: This is at 4 pm:
Recently Kenyon Hall received a gift of a beautiful 1929 Steinway grand piano, and word of its quality has reached the classical community. This Saturday afternoon performance features selections by Beethoven, Schubert, Poulenc, Copland, Debussy, and Sondheim, performed by flutist Libby Gray, soprano Lin Chen, and pianist Lucy Wenger.
Our calendar listing has info on how to get tickets/reservations. (7904 35th SW)
PAELLA AND BEER: Special event at Ounces! 5-7 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
HIGHLAND PARK UNCORKED: The Highland Park Improvement Club centennial celebration continues, and tonight’s wine celebration Uncorked is sold out! So we’re just mentioning it as a reminder if you DO have tickets. 5:30 pm happy hour starts it off. (1116 SW Holden)
‘MAD HATTER’ RAINBOW BINGO: Dinner and bingo at the South Park Senior Center, $20 in advance online, $25 at the door. 7 pm. 21+. Bring cash for cards and drinks. (8201 10th Ave. S.)
‘OFFICE HOUR’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm curtain for Julia Cho‘s drama at ArtsWest; tickets available online here. (4711 California SW)
THE ESOTERICS IN CONCERT: 8 pm, “Inclusivity” is the theme, at Holy Rosary. Tickets available online. (42nd/Genesee)
‘GARAGE ROCK AND PSYCHEDELIA’: That’s what you’ll get at Parliament Tavern tonight starting at 9, with The Sinister Six, The Vashon Seed, Low Hums. $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MORE! See the full lineup for today/tonight/beyond on our complete calendar.
If you’re headed toward downtown, you won’t be able to take NB 99 for a whlle – it’s blocked north of the West Seattle Bridge by a rollover crash. At least one person is being taken to the hospital.
A little over a month ago, a King County Superior Court jury found 43-year-old Chayce Hanson guilty of five felonies including rape and witness tampering. Today, Hanson was sentenced to 25 years in prison – 304 months, including a 24-month “enhancement” for committing assault with sexual motivation. The victim, also a West Seattle resident, was an acquaintance; the jury found Hanson guilty of vehicular assault for getting into a crash that left her seriously hurt, and then raping her while she was in such bad shape she couldn’t even yell for help. He was convicted of witness tampering for later trying to get her to sign a document saying he had not raped her. The 25-year sentence is at the upper range of what the prosecution recommended for Hanson, who has served time in prison before, for killing his girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter in Renton in 2000; that case gained added notoriety because a state Supreme Court ruling known as the “Andress decision” overturned murder convictions including his. He then pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He has been in jail more than two years already this time, arrested in April 2017, and that will be credited toward his sentence.
8:30 PM: Seattle Fire has a “scenes of violence” headed to the Southwest Athletic Complex vicinity for a report of an injured teenager. More details to come.
8:34 PM: While police have confirmed there was gunfire, apparently the teenager was unhurt. … Officers have mentioned another possibly related gunfire scene elsewhere.
8:44 PM: Police at the stadium tell us a person in the stands watching the track meet that’s just ended/ending was grazed by a “stray bullet” – possibly related to the other gunfire scene, which is reported to be somewhere on Holden (we’re headed that way next).
8:49 PM: We’re just arriving at the other gunfire scene and as a commenter says, that’s actually 24th/Kenyon. No injuries reported.
8:54 PM: Photos added. Those markers show where police found casings at the 24th/Kenyon scene.
9:13 PM: Nearby residents tell us that they heard vehicles take off after the gunfire. They also mentioned a report of a street robbery nearby this afternoon; we’re checking on that.
The photo and report were sent to us on behalf of Chief Sealth International High School athletic director Ernest Policarpio:
Congratulations to the Chief Sealth 2019 Washington Athletic Club /101 Club award winners:
Dianne Cardona, Nohea Morrison, Marc Martinez, Kamryn Thomas, Chase Gaither, and Donnie McMillan.
The WAC & 101 Club Awards honor 3 boys and 3 girls from each school who have athletic & academic achievements.
Roll Hawks!
Filing week is over and nobody else jumped into local races on this final day, so the lists of who’s in the running for three local races are the same as what we published last night, each with the incumbent plus two challengers:
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1
Brendan Kolding
Lisa Herbold*
Phil Tavel
KING COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 8
Joe McDermott*
Goodspaceguy
Michael Robert Neher
SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 6
Molly Mitchell
Leslie Harris*
Crystal Liston
Also of note, though they are voted on King County-wide, the two Port of Seattle Commission positions – #2, which commissioner Courtney Gregoire is relinquishing, has seven candidates; #5 has incumbent Fred Felleman and two challengers.
See the full list of filings for offices around King County here. The primary to narrow fields down to the top two contenders is August 6th.
(Side note: In the first-ever City Council District 1 primary four years ago, nine candidates ran. This time around, D-1 has the smallest primary field, with the other six districts each having a lineup of six to 14 contenders.)
3:13 PM: If you use Avalon and/or 35th SW between Alaska and Avalon, here’s what you need to know about what’s happening next as road work continues:
The key points are on the map above. Below are SDOT’s newest update with the details, as well as some Q&A:
We are excavating and rebuilding the road on the west half SW Avalon Way in Zone B! Crews are continuing to work on the west side of SW Avalon Way from SW Yancy St to SW Genesee St (Zone B).
Crews are scheduled to begin work on the west side of SW Avalon Way from SW Manning St to SW Charlestown St (Zone A) on Monday, May 20. During construction, we will maintain access to SW Orleans St. SW Manning St will be closed starting Monday through the next few weeks. Local access will be maintained to the alley.
The west side of SW Genesee St at SW Avalon Way is scheduled to be closed starting this Wednesday, May 22 through Wednesday, May 29. This will allow crews to conduct utility work and pavement reconstruction. Similar to the previous closure on the east side of the intersection, crews will need to work across multiple lanes of traffic in the intersection for a few weeks. We will continue to maintain one lane in each direction on SW Avalon Way.
Crews will begin trenching to lay new water main on the east side of 35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St (Zone E). We will maintain one lane of traffic in each direction on 35th Ave SW between Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Alaska St through approximately November 2019. See below for more information about what to expect.
SW Alaska St is scheduled to be closed to 35th Ave SW starting Saturday, May 18 at 5 AM and could open as soon as Monday, May 20 at 6 AM. This will allow crews to conduct maintenance on the water main.
Businesses are open! Please continue to visit businesses on 35th Ave SW and SW Avalon Way during construction. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.
Things we’ve heard from the community
Each week, we’ll plan to address a few common questions we’ve heard from your neighbors.
When will work on 35th Ave SW be completed? Can anything be done about commuting times?
Work on 35th Ave SW (Zone E) is anticipated to continue through November 2019. Work on 35th Ave SW takes more time as we are putting a new water main underneath the road and completely rebuilding the road. Our team has been monitoring left turns at the intersection of SW Avalon Way and 35th Ave SW after hearing about delays from the community. We are checking with our traffic operations group to see if we can adjust signal timing at the northbound left turn to see if this will help eliminate delays. Thank you for your patience as we strive to complete this work safely and efficiently!
Will my driveway be impacted?
In order for us to rebuild the road, we need to completely remove the current roadway and repour it with concrete or pave it with asphalt. We will need to temporarily close driveway access in order to pour or pave and allow the materials to cure. We will provide advance notice of this work. Please notify us if you need accessibility assistance.
What do I do if I have questions about the water main work and upcoming shutoffs?
If you have any questions about water main work, if there is an issue with your water, or your water is shut off without warning, you can call Seattle Public Utilities emergency line at 206-386-1800 24/7. SPU will notify you of any project related water shut offs at least a week in advance.
The overall project, expected to be complete next summer, is repaving/reconfiguring all of Avalon Way and repaving/rebuilding 35th SW between SW Alaska and Avalon (with water-main replacement) as well as repaving a block of SW Alaska west of 35th.
4:30 PM: Metro has published reroutes for Route 50, RapidRide C Line, and Water Taxi Shuttle 773 starting early tomorrow morning because of the weekend Alaska-at-35th closure.
(Photo from 2018 West Seattle Bee Festival)
Sunshine and 70ish temperatures are in the forecast for the 2019 West Seattle Bee Festival tomorrow (Saturday, May 18th), in and around High Point Commons Park (stretching along Lanham Place S between Graham and Sylvan Way). Here are reasons why you won’t want to miss it:
*You can get your daily exercise with the Honey Run around the park as early as 9 am (no timing, no fee, self-led)
*Vendor Fair – 10 am-2 pm on Lanham, which will be closed to traffic for the festival
*Urban Survival Skills Fair – 10 am-2 pm – see our preview
*Performances – Ella-Bella Bee & The Pollinators at 10 am (interactive kid-friendly music and comedy), Laura Love with Terry Hunt at noon
*Parade – Everyone gets to be part of it (kids, grownups, pets …)! Bee costumes welcome, or just “bee” yourself. 11:30 am, follow the Big Bee from the park amphitheater behind Neigbborhood House on the south end
*Beehive Demonstration – Noon at the West Seattle Bee Garden on the north end of the park, where you can also buy honey from beekeepers and enjoy live jazz
Inside Neighborhood House is where you’ll find even more activities such as Woodland Park Zoo‘s Animal Ambassadors, pop-up sewing, and art/science. And there’s even more – see the official festival website. Free, fun, all ages. We’ll be there too, for as-it-happens coverage, so stop by and say hi.
Summer is truly almost here – the West Seattle Junction hanging flower baskets have arrived! It’s installation day, after the greenhouse-grown baskets were delivered this morning:
Right now they’re mostly greenery, but the blossoms emerge and intensify from summer through fall. Again this year, the baskets have been “adopted” by community donors (including us!) so when you’re in The Junction, look for the plaques on the historic light poles holding the baskets.
(Downy Woodpecker, photographed by Trileigh Tucker)
Before we get too much further into Friday – six highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY SPRING RELEASE: 1-7 pm, you are invited to the Northwest Wine Academy on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus to try/buy the spring releases. (6000 16th SW)
SNACK, CHAT, SOLVE: New program for ages 11-14 at Southwest Library, 3:15 pm. (9010 35th SW)
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION WINE WALK – SOLD OUT! This is just a reminder that The Junction’s Spring Wine Walk is tonight IF you already have your tickets; if not, too late, they’re sold out!
PB & J @ C & P: Live music with this trio at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover; all ages. (5612 California SW)
‘OFFICE HOUR’: Theater for your Friday night! 7:30 pm curtain at ArtsWest; tickets available online here. (4711 California SW)
COUNTRY ROCK AT THE PARLIAMENT: The Tripp Rezac Band, Memphis Radio Kings, Shivering Denizens, 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
(WSB photos)
It’s Bike Everywhere Day 2019 and again this year, as previewed, West Seattle Bike Connections and partners (including WSB sponsor Alki Bike and Board) hosted a Celebration Station along the path under the West Seattle Bridge. After a stop for treats, repairs if needed, and camaraderie, riders were off to continue the commute:
(2018 West Seattle 5K photo by David Hutchinson)
Already registered for Sunday morning’s West Seattle 5K on Alki? Awesome. The run/walk starts at 61st/Alki just after 9 am Sunday (May 19th) and raises money for the West Seattle High School PTSA. Not registered yet? Not too late. Your options:
*West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) on Saturday, noon-6 pm
*Alki Bathhouse before the race, starting at 8 am Sunday
If you’ve already registered, you’re also welcome to pick up your bib, T-shirt, and timing chip at Saturday’s WSR event. The West Seattle 5K is co-sponsored by community businesses and organizations including WSB. See you there!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:06 AM: Good morning. No West Seattle incidents or transit alerts reported.
BIKE EVERYWHERE DAY: Riding? Stop by the “celebration station” under the bridge until 9 am.
STADIUM ZONE: The Mariners play the Twins again at 7:10 pm tonight.
SUNDAY ALERT: Alki Avenue will close for about three hours Sunday morning for the West Seattle 5K run/walk.
Almost three weeks after we started getting reports of sightings, the West Seattle Turkey seems to have settled into the east Admiral vicinity. The latest photos and report are from Rose De Dan of Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing, who sent this on Thursday morning:
It appears that the turkey has made our neighborhood its home.
Every day I put nuts out for my crow friend Rogue and the squirrels. Both often come calling at my front door, and the squirrels will be really pushy and start banging on the window if they don’t get service. I jokingly refer to my house as the Wild Rose Café.
This morning I opened my front door to find the turkey standing right there, looking in, and asking for breakfast. Apparently he had heard the rumors. I’m not kidding, I have photos, and video!
He preferred the bird seed I put out, drank out of the birdbath, and then wandered on down the street where he had a bit of an interaction with two neighbor cats. It was an interesting dance. They were more curious than anything else.
Right now he is back, and warning off the squirrels from HIS pile of food. He puffs up to look really intimidating and has a go at them.
It appears that I may have been adopted by the turkey, and honestly, I am no longer sure he is wild, but he is welcome to stay. He is clucking right outside my front door at the moment.
Our previous report with multiple sightings is here.
Two video clips from last night’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting:
TERMINAL 5: The Port of Seattle/Northwest Seaport Alliance reps continue making the rounds to answer community questions about the T-5 modernization project. (For extensive text coverage, see our report on the Southwest District Council appearance two weeks ago.)
CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1: The DNDC had planned to hear from two of the remaining four who had announced campaigns for D-1, but only Phil Tavel showed up. Isaiah Willoughby had confirmed about two weeks ago, DNDC chair Mat McBride said, but didn’t show up. With one day left in filing week, he hasn’t filed, so we may be looking at a three-candidate race. The other two, Brendan Kolding and incumbent Lisa Herbold, are booked for the DNDC’s next meeting, 7 pm June 19th, Neighborhood House High Point, 6400 Sylvan Way SW.
One more day for candidates to file for the August 6th primary. Here’s who’s filed so far for local offices, listed in order of when they filed:
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1
Brendan Kolding
Lisa Herbold*
Phil Tavel
KING COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 8
Joe McDermott*
Goodspaceguy
Michael Robert Neher
SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 6
Molly Mitchell
Leslie Harris*
Crystal Liston
See the full list of filings for offices around King County here. After filing ends tomorrow afternoon, KC Elections will draw for the order in which candidates will appear on the August 6th primary ballot.
Dorothy I. Walker‘s family is sharing this remembrance:
My Mum died suddenly Wednesday April 10, 2019, while on holiday in Florida.
Dorothy Irene Walker was born August 12, 1933 to my Big Nanny and Grandad White-Overton of London, England. Her early life consisted of living on a canal boat on the River Thames, which nurtured her adventurous spirit. Mum was very athletic, playing field hockey, table tennis and running track. She put me to shame one time when I thought I had it going on.
My Mum and her little sister, Aunt Frankie, grew up through the war years of the blitz. They had many adventures then and post-war England. Married my Dad, Norman, in 1953 and had to remain silent about her age to purchase their first house in Ashford Common. They started a family in 1958 with Martyn. Lost baby Timmy in 1961, but recovered with Stuart in 1964. They all moved to Camberly in 1966 and that’s when I come in, Darren, followed by Jonathan in 1969.
Growing up, my Mum was always there with loving patience for us ‘four boys.’ She packed lunches for picnics in the Ranges, taught us to swim at the seaside, kept us entertained during weekend go-kart racing, and hosted epic house parties with lots of friends and family around. We all moved to the US in 1973 to be closer to Aunt Frankie’s Family and settled in Kenmore. Mum was very active at our school’s PTA, serving as president and earning the Golden Acorn award. She was a beautiful presence in our lives as we transitioned to young men. My Mum also worked and formed many lifelong friends along the way, from the Fleeheart and Sullivan Girls to Daughters of the British Empire.
Marty and I were doubly lucky in that we had Mum as a business partner for many years, which took our already close relationship to a new level. I believe us “four boys” learned countless lessons under her gentle guidance and love. I do and always will miss her warm hugs and loving ways, immensely, as will everyone she engaged with. Love always, Cheers, my darling Mum.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Salvation Army.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
That’s part of a notice a resident “south of Solstice Park” shared with us on Wednesday. The notice didn’t go into details about the reason for the “planned outage” so we asked Seattle City Light today. SCL’s Scott Thomsen explained that as the utility continues inspecting poles for potential replacement, several in that area have “moved to the top of the list” and will be replaced on Saturday. He believed the outage would affect “dozens” of customers, all of whom should have been notified directly already.
SIDE NOTE – WHAT IF YOU SEE A PROBLEM POLE? This gives us the opportunity to share informatioon we obtained recently after another reader emailed wondering how to report a leaning pole in his neighborhood. Neither we nor the reader could find the answer on SCL’s website; the reader didn’t think the pole was in imminent danger of falling, so he contacted SCL the next weekday morning. He told us the utility sent out a crew, with a replacement pole installed shortly thereafter. Meantime, we asked SCL’s Julie Moore how to report a pole problem. Her reply:
Throughout the city of Seattle and the utility’s suburban franchise cities, Seattle City Light has a network of more than 90,000 utility poles. These utility poles carry power lines as well as communication lines for other entities (e.g., phone, broadband, and fire department signals). The services carried on the poles vary from neighborhood to neighborhood and street to street. Occasionally, utility pole replacements are necessitated by a variety of reasons, including infrastructure upgrades to add space for new equipment and structural instability from old age, weather, wildlife, and even vehicle-pole collisions.
If you see a utility pole that you believe may potentially be structurally unsound, it can be reported in several ways:
*Call 206-684-3000
*Submit an online service request
*Report through Find It, Fix It mobile appTo assist our crews with finding the correct pole, please include the pole number, which is on a yellow and black tag about six feet up the pole.
If you believe it is an emergency (e.g., the pole has fallen, could fall imminently, or lines are down), call 911.
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