West Seattle, Washington
04 Saturday
This remembrance of Gene Nokes by his son Don isn’t “just” an obituary … it’s a story about a man, his life and times and memories. He’s gone but clearly will never be forgotten:
Earl Eugene “Gene” Nokes Sr. passed away peacefully at Providence Mount St. Vincent on February 2, 2013.
Gene was the last of his ten other brothers and sisters to check out of Nokesville, which at its inception was a large army tent located on the corner of 48th SW and Hanford St. He and his wife Margie both moved into the Mount facility back in 2000. Margie passed away in September of 2001 and after a brief hiatus, Gene and Margie will now reunite on the other side of life. Gene lived to be 95 years old and spent more than a decade in a very symbiotic relationship with his Mount Saint Vincent family and friends – they loved him and he loved them in return.
Gene Nokes Sr. never graduated from anything other than 8th grade, as far as I know. The story Uncle Pat told me about Dad and him and Joe and Tom and West Seattle High School went like this:
Looking for love? Or, at least, like? Your Seattle Parks and Recreation Department‘s West Seattle Community Centers (WSB sponsor) have Recreation Speed-Dating Social events lined up the next two Thursday nights at High Point Community Center.
First, this Thursday, it’s the Valentine’s Day Adult Speed-Dating Social, followed on February 21st by the LGBTQ Adult Speed Dating Social. Both run 5:45-7:45 pm, $20 per person, registration limited to 20 people. Here’s how they work:
Recreation Adult Speed Dating Social is for adults 28-42 to engage in a fun evening of casual interactions and exciting recreation games like nerf dodge ball, tug of war, steal the bacon, and three-legged races.
This is not your ordinary speed-dating experience; dating switches will be initiated by music instead of a bell. There will be 6-minute mini dates and 5-minute recreation game intervals.
Light refreshments will be provided. Waiver and ID will be required for participation. Dress comfortable and casual.
Call 206-684-7422 to sign up.
If you haven’t mailed or dropped off your ballot for tomorrow’s vote on two Seattle Public Schools levies – time’s running out, since tomorrow night’s the deadline, 
and the first ballot count will be out in about 23 hours. #1 is the operations levy, which provides what SPS says is about a fourth of its budget. #2 is the fourth edition of the BEX – for Building Excellence – levy, and its proceeds are earmarked for projects including three big ones in West Seattle: Adding onto and reopening Fairmount Park Elementary in fall 2014, building a new elementary school to open on the site of shuttered Genesee Hill in fall 2015, and rebuilding Arbor Heights Elementary – currently scheduled for fall 2018, but as we first reported last month, with the district trying to get a bridge loan to move that up as much as two years. (This Crosscut story is the latest to take a look at Arbor Heights’ state of disrepair and lack of tech, particularly following the recent burglaries.)
There are also district-wide earthquake-safety projects, and technology items such as wireless Internet access. Get your ballot in the mail – remember to use a stamp – or drop it off at the ballot-dropoff van that’ll be at West Seattle Stadium (turn east off 35th SW just south of SW Avalon) 10 am-8 pm tomorrow.
Almost two weeks after WSB broke the news about a network of surveillance cameras going up in West Seattle and beyond, Mayor McGinn is promising a “public vetting” before they go into operation. We had asked multiple times for his comments, and received this statement this afternoon via spokesperson Aaron Pickus:
I’ve directed the Seattle Police Department to brief any community groups or media interested in the port security system. The system will not be operated until a thorough public vetting of the system has been completed and the public has provided input. I will also be seeking input from other partners and beneficiaries of the system, including the Port, Coast Guard, fire department, and other public safety and transportation agencies, before any operational decisions are made.
No details yet on what will constitute the “thorough public vetting.” The camera network is funded – along with an accompanying “wireless mesh” communications system – by a $5 million federal Homeland Security grant that the City Council OK’d last May, as reported here January 31st. (On followup, Pickus says the outreach will be done through SPD.)
The first elected city official to publicly voice concerns about the camera network, Councilmember (and mayoral candidate) Tim Burgess, told WSB he found it “borderline problematic.” We reported his reaction last Thursday, along with news that the mayor announced the city would scrap a different Homeland Security-funded camera project, the so-called “drones.” This updated map of the system was in that same report:
(Click image for full zoomable PDF version of new map)
The first time we saw the entire camera-network map, Golden Gardens to Fauntleroy, was during an interview with the SPD Assistant Chief in charge of the project, Paul McDonagh, commander of the Special Operations Bureau (our reports on that interview were published February 1st and February 4th). At the time, he told us there were no plans for public briefings/discussions related to the system.
Story and photo by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
If you take a chance on your dream – it just might come true.
West Seattle newcomer and Eyelash Jewelry entrepreneur Natalie Russo can vouch for that.
She has created a product so successful, she’s been able to quit a full-time job to concentrate on filling online orders for her designs…
For the second time in two days, Seattle Public Utilities crews are repairing a water problem that’s sent a surge into the streets. Early Sunday, we showed you this scene outside Youngstown Cultural Arts Center; today, thanks to a tip from Lura, we learned about a pipe problem on Beach Drive SW, just south of Weather Watch Park. According to SPU’s Ingrid Goodwin, “SPU was notified around 7:45 am this morning by a passersby that water was in the street. SPU crews are onsite and have determined that there’s a leaky 2-inch pipe. To repair the pipe, crews may need to shut down water services to about 55 homes and two fire hydrants.” There’s a flagger to help traffic get around the repair site.
(Sunday Beach Drive photo by David Hutchinson)
It was a big weekend – take time (if you can) to scroll back down the home page and check out the big stories. But meantime, of course, we keep looking ahead. Like now. For today/tonight, 5 highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
K-5 STEM TOUR THIS AFTERNOON: Second-to-last tour this season for West Seattle’s newest elementary school, 1 pm, 5950 Delridge Way SW.
WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB HEADS SOUTH – ingredient-wise, anyway. 3 pm meeting at Beveridge Place Pub today (6413 California SW), and “Southern” is the theme. Details in the calendar listing.
TICKETS FOR SCHOOL-BENEFIT TESLA CAR RAFFLE: 4-7 pm today at West Seattle’s PCC Natural Market (WSB sponsor; California/Stevens), you’ll see the Tesla electric car that’s the subject of a unique school-fundraising raffle for which tickets will be sold – A $100 ticket gets you a chance at the car, on behalf of Garfield High School (not in West Seattle but educating more than a few WS teens), as explained in the announcement we published last night (to which we’ve added some extra details from the GHS PTSA).
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 6:30 pm, Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon), with what you might call a love-ly theme (see here).
FLAT EARTH SOCIETY AT WEST 5: DJs play … records! Yes, actual records. Tonight, Jody McKane spins ’em at 9 pm at West 5 at 4539 California SW – wish them happy belated 10th birthday (here’s our coverage of last night’s party)!.
More on the calendar!
(From Southwest Seattle Historical Society collection: Alki Elementary School 5th graders line up for a group photo in May 1928)
Big birthday ahead for Alki Elementary – and all of its alums (along with the rest of the community) are invited to the party. Here’s the official announcement:
Calling everyone who has ever attended Alki Elementary School: Mark your calendars to come celebrate the school’s 100th birthday on March 28.
The Alki PTA and the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, co-sponsors of the celebration, are planning a slate of activities to engage students and community members of all ages.
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:03 AM: Happy Monday! We start with our West Seattle Bridge and Highway 99 camera views …
It’s a short week for Seattle Public Schools and anyone following the same calendar – half-day on Thursday, then Friday and the following Monday off. And two traffic alerts are coming up for next weekend – here’s the story we published last week.
8:59 AM: Just announced by Washington State Ferries, the Tahlequah-Point Defiance run between South Vashon and Tacoma is out of service TFN – which could mean extra traffic for Fauntleroy-Vashon. In case this continues all day, here’s the Fauntleroy-Cloverdale traffic cam which shows a vehicle backup from the West Seattle terminal IF one is in progress:
Updates as we get them.
9:27 AM: Short-lived outage – WSF says the Salish is back in service, so south Vashon has a ferry again.
Joey Genzale has been making signs and choosing produce, getting ready to reopen Tony’s Market on Monday for the third year since the passing of its namesake, his dad Tony Genzale, whose portrait hangs over the entrance:
This year, Joey told us on Sunday, he will run Tony’s with more of his dad’s trademark spirit, “do things the way my dad would” – you might even hear those Dean Martin songs again. And there are other reminders and tributes here and there, like this framed bag (“one of only two like it”) dating to his dad’s Pike Place days:
After “a couple years of trial and error,” Joey says, he plans to focus closely on what people want most, so you’ll find fewer non-produce items this time. The ones he will carry include Penny’s Salsa and cage-free eggs from Puyallup. This year, Joey also expects to take more time to manage, to scout the best produce for the best prices, since his longtime friend Aaron will be helping run the market:
And the prices will be lower, he says, gesturing to the bright, shiny apples awaiting customers on the south side of the store: “99 cents a pound!” he says proudly. More than ever, Joey says, he wants to live up to Tony’s standards – “When he said it was the best, it was the best.” See for yourself as Tony’s Market gets going for the year under the red/white/green canvas at 35th/Barton, 9 am-7 pm every day.
The Yada Yada Blues Band is playing to a full house tonight for West 5‘s 10th anniversary party (previewed here Friday night, on the actual anniversary). Among the revelers – co-proprietor Dave Montoure, who along with Dean Overton opened the restaurant/lounge on February 8, 2003:
As with any anniversary/birthday party, there’ve been some gifts:
The party continues at 4539 California SW. Congrats, West 5 – here’s to the next 10!
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight – a burglary in which the victim lost keepsakes from family photos to her wedding ring – and what appears to have been a case of casing – details after the jump:Read More
(UPDATED 7:29 pm with full story added to original 4:44 pm bulletin)
Story by Tracy Record
Photos/video by Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers
WestSide Baby‘s annual Benefit Tea raised $225,000 today, up from last year’s $175,000, courtesy of a recordsetting crowd – 550.
It wasn’t really about numbers – it was about helping hands and generous hearts.
This was the 12th tea, and the second year that the afternoon gala filled a ballroom at the Hilton Conference Center at Sea-Tac, where it moved after outgrowing previous digs.
The number of children helped by WS Baby, of course, is even more staggering – more than 22,000 – and executive director Nancy Woodland revealed a new goal – to “stretch” in the next three years to try to help even more, in an even-wider area.
(Photo by Mike Gatty, substituted Monday for previously used UStream screengrab)
Just in from Las Vegas, via the Metropolitan Market Twitter feed – The Admiral store’s Andrew Borracchini won the Best Bagger National Championship at the National Grocers Association’s Las Vegas convention a short time ago. We checked in with Andrew earlier this week just before he and his family left for Vegas. Andrew has won the Washington State championship the past two years, and this was his second trip to Vegas to compete in nationals.
ADDED 5:39 PM: Rhonda Porter (WSB sponsor) notes in comments and here that Metropolitan Market shoppers got the news over the PA system when Andrew won. Store director Glen Hasstedt says the national champ is likely to be back at work next weekend.
P.S. Per a comment, Andrew is expected to be on “The Late Show with David Letterman” Monday night!
MONDAY MORNING UPDATE, 8:43 AM: A National Grocers Association spokesperson tells WSB that actually the plan for that is still in the works, “likely in a couple days.” Watch here for updates.
MONDAY 9:20 AM: The official news release from the Washington Food Industry Association:
On Sunday February 10th Andrew Borracchini, an 18 year old grocery bagger from Metropolitan Market in West Seattle, took home the ultimate prize at the National Grocers Association sponsored Best Bagger contest. The contest featured the best-of-the-best from 23 states for the coveted $10,000 grand prize, “Golden Grocery Bag” trophy and the “Best Bagger Golden Lane,” a special checkout stand that will be installed in his home store in West Seattle’s Admiral District.
Andrew Borracchini has already won the statewide qualifying Best Bagger competition for 2 consecutive years. Today he returns to Washington triumphant after flying to New York to schedule an appearance on the David Letterman show. When asked about his performance this year compared to last, he said he “just worked harder and tried to remain less stressed.” Andrew’s Store Manager Glen Hasstedt, who has also previously trained Andrew’s brother and sister at Metropolitan Market urged Andrew to “stay grounded, stay focused on your job, and not get overwhelmed,” practiced with him 4 days per week (including weekends) for months, and every day in the weeks leading up to the nationals.
The Borracchini family, longtime members of Seattle’s grocery industry who own local favorite Borracchini Bakery, were able to attend the contest in Las Vegas to cheer Andrew on for his big win.
Metropolitan Market stores are led by Store President Terry Halverson, a member of the Board of directors of the Washington Food Industry Association —the non-profit organization that annually hosts the Washington State Best Bagger Competition and represents members of the independent, local food industry.
Andrew adds that he would like to thank his co-workers, friends, family and the WFIA for all of their support.
For Valentine’s Day week, you can show your love for your local neighborhood council – starting, for North Delridge residents, with the ND Neighborhood Council at 6:30 pm Monday, at Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon) – here’s the agenda summary from Parie Hines:
In honor of the upcoming Valentine’s Day this week, we will be discussing what we love about Delridge, what we love about previous and ongoing projects of the NDNC, as well as the changes and improvements to the neighborhood that would strengthen our love. This will be a continuation and expansion of the very brief visioning exercise from the December meeting. Also on the docket is a discussion of the NPSF applications and numerous updates about the many things going on in our very lovable ‘hood.
1:02 PM: In case you are seeing the big police/fire response south of The Junction, near Rite-Aid, in the 4300 block of SW Hudson – police are dealing with a reported shooting, possibly self-inflicted. The call is minutes old; more to come.
1:10 PM: Police are still trying to figure out what’s going on – if the call was for real, and if so, what the caller’s status is. Per the scanner (we have a crew en route) they were closing some nearby streets as a precaution.
1:17 PM: WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand reports from the scene that a patient has been brought out of the house, and is being moved to an aid unit. No word on the circumstances – that’ll take a while for police to sort out – or the man’s condition.
1:26 PM: The fire units are being dismissed except for Medic 32, which will take the man to Harborview Medical Center. The street closures should be cleared fairly soon too, since police have established at this point that the situation is stable and there’s no danger. Lt. Ron Smith of the Southwest Precinct is on scene and our crew is talking with him now to see what else they know.
1:32 PM: According to Lt. Smith: The man called 911 twice, first threatening self-harm, then saying he had shot himself. When officers got to the door, he let them in, but had an obvious gunshot wound and he is now en route to the hospital.
*Our customary reminder: If you or someone you know is thinking or talking about suicide – Crisis Clinic is available 24/7 – 206-461-3222.
Big news for the little dancers of Gildenfire and their leader Jenna Lutton. They’ll soon have a permanent studio, reports Megan Kelton-Rehkopf (who also shared the photo from their latest performance):
On Neighborhood Appreciation Day (Saturday), Jenna Lutton’s Gildenfire Dance held their annual performance for the residents at The Kenney. At the end of the performance, Jenna announced that Gildenfire has found a permanent home and she’s launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $5500 for a dance floor and mirrors to transform the space into an amazing dance studio. The new home of Gildenfire will be in White Center, located behind McLendon’s.
Here’s the link to the Gildenfire fundraising page on IndieGogo – as of this writing, already two-thirds of the way to the goal!
(2011 egg hunt at Hiawatha; photo by Jason Grotelueschen)
If your family is among those who preferred the traditional center-by-center Easter-egg hunts at West Seattle’s city-run community centers – after one year away, they’re back this year. We noticed in the multi-center catalog, while previewing today’s Hiawatha pancake breakfast, that each center is listed as having its own egg hunt, all at 10 am Saturday, March 30. (Last year the centers experimented by joining forces for one huge regional event at Southwest Athletic Complex.) P.S. We’re building our list of spring-holiday events already – if your organization, business, church, etc., has something to add, be sure to get us the info as early as possible – thanks!
Hotcakes were the hot ticket for breakfast in West Seattle this morning, judging by the turnout at Hiawatha Community Center‘s annual benefit breakfast. The pancakes and sides were cooked up outside …
… and served fresh inside, as fast as staffers and volunteers could work:
Festive fruit, too:
We’ll be checking on the final tally – which goes to make sure that everybody who wants to take part in Hiawatha’s programs can do just that, regardless of their financial situation. A flyer handed out at the breakfast included highlights of upcoming programs and events, which you can browse in the newest West Seattle Community Centers (WSB sponsor) catalog, online.
(Eagle #2 “not impressed”? Photo by Danny McMillin, via WSB Flickr group)
10 highlights from the lineup for today/tonight, via the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HIAWATHA COMMUNITY CENTER PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Have a great breakfast today and help raise money to help make sure Hiawatha programs can be afforded by all. 8 am-noon at Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW); details in our calendar listing.
LITTLE PILGRIM OPEN HOUSE: Little Pilgrim Preschool at Fauntleroy Church is holding an open house today, 11 am-1:30 pm (9140 California SW); details here.
WESTSIDE BABY TEA: Today’s the day for the biggest annual event benefiting the local nonprofit serving tens of thousands of kids (and their families) each year, 2 pm @ the airport Hilton Conference Center – details on the WS Baby website.
BATTLE OF THE BAGGERS: Andrew Borracchini from Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral is representing our state again this year in the Best Bagger competition at the National Grocers Association’s convention in Las Vegas, and the event is set to start around 2:45 pm today – with a live stream planned, here.
HAVE YOU MET ‘SHIRLEY’ YET? Just a few more chances to meet “Shirley Valentine,” as explained on the ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) website, a woman in her 40s, trying to get out of a rut, heading out on a journey of self-discovery. 3 pm matinee. (4711 California SW)
FREE CHORAL CONCERT: More than 100 singers form the Northwest University Choralons, and you can hear them sing tonight at Westwood Christian Assembly (9252 16th SW), 6 pm – details here.
SONGWRITERS IN SEATTLE: They’re performing an all-ages show, free, at 7 pm at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW).
‘SACRED GROUND’: St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (California/Hanford) is launching a new type of worship service at 7:30 pm on Sunday evenings, “a moment of contemplation with sacred music in a sacred place, a chance to connect with the divine,” starting tonight. Details in the calendar listing.
GRAMMY AWARDS: Root for West Seattleite David Miles Huber, up for a third time in the Best Surround Sound Album category. And you can do it while watching the Grammys on the big screen at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor; 6451 California SW).
WEST 5 CELEBRATES 10 … years, that is, with a big anniversary bash tonight, featuring music by the Yada Yada Blues Band and more, 8 pm, as previewed in our Friday report, and as featured in this Facebook event page.
Even more happening today/tonight in West Seattle … full list (and the days/weeks/months ahead), here!
From the Total Experience Gospel Choir (above) to the Chief Sealth International High School Choir (below) …
… to student/pro collaborations like Septimus with the Denny International Middle School Jazz Band:
… last night’s third annual “Soul Jambalaya” (free, with donations benefiting the Denny and Sealth music programs) “was truly incredible,” reports Denny principal Jeff Clark (who also shared the photos):
Congratulations to the Denny and Sealth Jazz Band and Choir students! A huge thank you to our guests from Septimus and the Total Experience Gospel Choir!
This musical celebration is the creation of our inspirational band director, Mr. Marcus Pimpleton. He described the thinking behind this amazing event this way:
“Three years ago, I had the opportunity to take a group of Denny students to the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival’s ‘Jazz is Blues and Sacred Roots Concert.’ That concert, through the language of music, provided students with a musical history lesson connecting the jazz music our students study in their school ensembles to its musical roots in the blues and to the spiritual songs of hardship and struggle that grew initially out of the experience of negro slaves … My primary hope in organizing Soul Jambalaya is to recreate that synergy that I felt that night at Hampton, to expose my students to the music they may have limited experience with, and in the tradition of Black History Month, to celebrate the influence of African-American music styles to the musical landscape of America.”
Thank you, Mr. Pimpleton, for bringing that synergy and celebration to our scholars and our community!
Two utility notes:
DELRIDGE WATER TROUBLE: If you are in the North Delridge/Pigeon Point area and notice anything odd about your water early today, this might be the cause: Crews were busy early this morning dealing with water gushing up from beneath the street on the east side of Delridge Way SW along the south edge of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. The water was flowing along the street for blocks, though traffic wasn’t hindered.
POWER OUTAGE TODAY: Ben shared the news about a scheduled Seattle City Light outage today in his neighborhood near 42nd and Raymond, north of Morgan Junction. We checked with SCL, whose Scott Thomsen confirmed to WSB that “there is an outage on Sunday, February 10, from 7 am to 3 pm. A power line needs to be raised to maintain public safety. This requires changing out a bad pole and its transformer and setting a new pole. Thirty-four residential customers and two businesses are affected.”
Will the third time be the proverbial charm for West Seattle-based musicmaker David Miles Huber, when the Grammy Awards are announced tomorrow? He’s been nominated for the third time – this time, “Chamberland” is up for Best Surround Sound Album. The video above shows Huber’s in-studio performance of “Emerald,” one of the album’s cuts. His previous nominations, also in the Best Surround Sound Album category, were announced in 2009 and 2010.
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