West Seattle, Washington
12 Tuesday
Family and friends have said goodbye to Vicky McKim, and are sharing this remembrance:
Victoria Lynn Kaiser McKim
October 30, 1947 – July 6, 2013Vicky went home into the loving arms of her Savior Jesus after courageously fighting mesothelioma. Her steadfast faith sustained her throughout her treatment and she was a willing witness for Christ.
Vicky was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio, the oldest of five daughters, to Roger and Joan Kaiser. She was active in vocal and dramatic activities, both in and outside of school. She graduated with a BS in Education from Otterbein College and taught elementary school in New Albany and Harrisburg, Ohio, and then regularly substitute-taught in several parochial schools, primarily at Hope Lutheran School in Seattle.
Vicky and Ken, founding owner of Greentree Animal Hospital in West Seattle, began “going steady” in high school, a love affair that continued for more than 50 years.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The end of an 83-year-old business happened fast.
Too fast to say goodbye to everyone.
But now-retired service-station proprietor Dick Barnecut tells WSB he’s hoping to fix that – with a goodbye get-together sometime soon.
It was just five weeks ago that reader tips led to our first report of the sale and changes on the way for the Admiral Way service station founded by Barnecut’s father.
About two weeks after our report, the sale of the service station closed, and it changed hands. Admiral entrepreneur Marc Gartin owns it now; it’s still in business – as a gas station, but not the same way the Barnecuts ran it for decades, and city files indicate another change is in the works.
To follow up on the sale – which drew more than 50 comments here, some as simple and heartfelt as “You will be missed” – we interviewed Dick Barnecut at his home, less than a mile from the station.
(June 8th WSB photo)
Five and a half weeks after a hit-run driver or other attacker left a West Seattle woman unconscious and badly hurt by the roadside in Fairmount Ravine – where two Good Samaritans found her (and organized a run on her behalf a week later) – that woman is home from the hospital. This news comes from a friend of hers who has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help with her medical expenses. Ed Lorah worked in hospice services with the victim – whose name we now know is Sarah. He says she has a long road of therapy and recovery ahead before she’ll be going back to work, so he has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for her. You’ll recall that Sarah is a runner and was out for an early-morning run when she was hit; so is Ed, who is training for the Chicago Marathon and dedicating his training to her. You can donate via the GoFundMe site here. Meantime, still no word of a break in the case.
Still time to get to Skylark Café to help friends and family raise money for Logan Wicker‘s recovery, post-crash (backstory in our report from earlier), continuing until 6 pm. Big turnout, and they were taking group shots displaying “L” for Logan.
Skylark proprietor Jessie SK tells us there’ll be a nighttime benefit later this month, with karaoke – watch for more details on that. There’s also donation information online at getrightlogan.com.
We’re always happy to publish wedding and anniversary announcements – and this one is momentous: 60 years of marriage for a West Seattle couple who tonight is sharing that news with the community:
John and Lois Constantine marked their 60th wedding anniversary on June 14 in Paris. The longtime West Seattleites were joined by their family for the occasion. The couple then embarked on a celebratory river cruise along the Seine through northern France to the Normandy coast.
John Philip Constantine, formerly of New York, and Lois Adele Wilson, of Everett, wed on June 14, 1953 at the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority house at the University of Washington.
Following college, they settled in West Seattle, where they raised their sons Dow and Blair.
Lois taught Home Economics at James Madison Jr. High and West Seattle High School. John, a visual artist, taught college art and art history, retiring from North Seattle Community College. The Constantines remain active in the West Seattle community.
Congratulations, and may you share many more!
Relatives and friends will gather this Friday afternoon to celebrate the life of John Picinich. Here’s the remembrance shared by his family:
John Antonio Picinich, 76, passed into eternity on Friday, July 5, in Susak, Croatia. He was born in Susak, Croatia, on September 14, 1936, to the late Antonio and Gaudenzia Picinich. John was a longtime resident of and business owner in West Seattle. He is survived by his wife of 3 years, Debra Kohler of FL; previous wife Rita Michelotti, of West Seattle, and his children, Marina (Matt) Bovenkamp, Gina (Steve) Evans, Nello (Michelle) Picinich; 10 grandchildren (Micah, Ariana, Rebekah & Siena Bovenkamp; Rachel & Hannah Fox; Benjamin, Landon, Maia & Amelia Picinich), and siblings Tony Picinich and Karmela Kurilic.
John was a loving father and husband. He enjoyed his work and had a passion for boating. He loved his homeland of Susak. He was a friend to all and loved by many. His charismatic personality will be missed.
An open-house celebration of his life will be held on Friday, July 12, from 3-5 pm at Hope Lutheran Church, 4456 42nd Ave SW.
(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
West Seattle entrepreneurs Fran Dunaway and Naomi Gonzalez and their Tomboy Exchange clothing comprised a hometown hit tonight at Marination ma kai (WSB sponsor):
The occasion – a local launch party previewing the clothing collection we first told you about five months ago, back when Naomi and Fran had a crowdfunding campaign going. They met their goal and now their American-designed, American-made clothing, reflecting a timeless tomboy spirit, has arrived:
The Tomboy Exchange collection is available via an online boutique, where you can pre-order now.
Family and friends of Mark “Waz” Wasielewski knew that even though he wasn’t around for his 27th annual Make-A-Wish fundraising Invitational Golf Tournament this year – having died suddenly in February at just 51 years old – they had to carry on. And carry on they did, raising $11,278.45, exceeding their expectations, according to Verne Justice, who’s in the photo with Janice Morgan and Make-A-Wish’s Tamsyn Theo. Verne says he and Janice were joined in making the June tournament happen by Jim & Jillian Wasielewski, Eric Dwyer, and John Maynard. “We far exceeded our expectations,” Verne says. “We never really had a goal – just to have some fun and raise some money.” Enough, in fact, “to support not one, but two wishes! In fact, it looks like this year was the most successful year yet!” Their acknowledgments:
Thanks to the friends and family of Mark Wasielewski in making the day a huge success. Also, to the following businesses that supported the Tournament; Pizzeria 22, Seattle Fish, Lee’s Asian, Salty’s, Phoenecia, Elliott Bay Pub, Jak’s Grill, Marination Ma Kai, Szmania’s, Alki Mail, Foster Golf Course, Seattle Logo Pro, Easy Street, Talarico’s, Kamei Restaurant, West Seattle Golf, Ephesus, A Terrible Beauty, Proletariat Pizza, and the Lunchbox Laboratory.
Also, thanks to sponsors; Ray Bowen, Eric Beardemphl, Tim Morgan and Paul Frederickson
Verne adds, “The sun came out the day of the Tournament, everyone was in good spirits; it was a great tribute to Mark.” P.S. You can help Make-A-Wish too – just go here.
A memorial service is planned August 2nd for Susan Fortney, whose family shares this remembrance:
Susan Theresa Fortney, 64, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, on June 22, 2013.
Susie was born in Wallace, Idaho, on April 3, 1949 and moved to West Seattle at the age of 2- she was a lifelong resident of the West Seattle area, attending Cooper Elementary, Boren Middle School, then graduating from Chief Sealth High School in 1968. She continued on to receive an associate’s degree to become a nurse from Skagit Valley Community College.
Susie was a nurse, in heart and profession, at Valley Medical Center for several years, and then went to work for a law firm, working as a office manager until her full-time retirement in 2011.
Three updates today as the 2013 West Seattle Grand Parade, presented by American Legion Post 160, gets closer (11 am Saturday, July 20th). First, parade coordinators have announced the two community honorees who will lead the parade:
ANN ADKINS CHOSEN AS GRAND MARSHAL: Generations of swimmers at the West Seattle Y (longtime WSB sponsor) know Ann, who just retired after a very long run as its aquatics director, according to Josh Sutton from the Y:
During her almost forty years, tens of thousands of kids in West Seattle learned to swim and be safe around the water, thousands of seniors engaged in water exercise classes that kept them healthy and active, and hundreds of youth competed on the Y swim team, took lifeguarding classes and started their first job under Ann’s tutelage.
Throughout, Ann has been an indefatigable leader, working within the community, the Y and with other organizations like the Arthritis Foundation and the Red Cross to ensure highly trained staff and volunteers leading high-quality programs at the Y. She does this quietly and without much need for fanfare. In addition, Ann and her husband Ron have lived in West Seattle since the 1970’s, raised their kids and grandkids, just west of the Junction.
We are so happy that Ann has been chosen as the Grand Marshal, and Y staff & volunteers look forward to celebrating with her as we walk the parade route this year!
JUDY PICKENS RECEIVES RUMMEL TROPHY: The Orville Rummel Award for Outstanding Service to the Community (named after the parade’s founder and explained in this 2010 WSB report) goes to Judy Pickens:
Judy’s decades of community service and advocacy have included a longrunning project bringing together education and environmental stewardship – Salmon in the Classroom, working with hundreds of local students and teachers every year (despite government budget cuts for program support) to raise salmon fry at schools, later released into Fauntleroy Creek, where Judy has long been a watershed steward, which in turn involves many other types of volunteer work. The other side of the salmon lifecycle sees her gathering volunteers to watch for returning spawners in the fall, after a popular annual drumming event at the creek overlook to call them home. Judy also currently edits the Fauntleroy Community Association newsletter, which is a beefy look at community news, the type that many community councils used to produce but seldom do any more.
Congratulations to Ann and Judy, who will be officially honored pre-parade during the West Seattle Hi-Yu Concert in the Park two weeks from tonight – 7 pm Tuesday, July 16th — on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center.
Speaking of Hi-Yu:
HI-YU SEEKING JUNIOR COURT ‘ALUMS’ FOR PARADE: That’s this year’s West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival float, peering into the “Alki Deep.” In this year’s Grand Parade, a special group will march, according to this announcement Diane Szender asked us to share:
**** Calling all Past Hi-Yu Junior Court members ****
Come join in the tradition of carrying the Hi-Yu Banner and the Business Sponsor banner in front of the float during the West Seattle American Legion parade on Saturday, July 20th at 11 am. We’d love to have you participate in Hi-Yu reds and white, wearing your tiaras and Hi-Yu sashes. If you’d like to join in, please call 206 932-1704 for more details.
More parade previews in the days ahead! It starts at 11 am July 20th from California/Lander in the Admiral District, proceeding down California to SW Edmunds in The Junction (see the route on the parade website) – following the second annual West Seattle Float Dodger 5K. The parade also continues to welcome donations to help defray the costs of permits and signage.
One of the West Seattle-related photos we received from today’s Seattle Pride Parade is a story all its own:
Nichole Casado e-mailed the photo and an explanation of why she marched in memory of Lois Baldwin:
I’m the former active living director of Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights. While there, I had a resident Lois Baldwin; you ran her obituary after her passing.
Lois lived her life with her partner Beatrice as an out-and-proud lesbian, but after Beatrice died, Lois moved to Admiral Heights and went back in the closet. This is very common. Gay seniors often feel they will not be accepted in traditional assisted-living and skilled-nursing facilities. There is a documentary about this called “Gen Silent.”
Because of Lois, I felt inspired as a medical professional to find a way to make our senior health care facilities more welcoming. In this search I was connected to the local chapter of SAGE and the NW GBLTQ Providers Network, which strive to educate medical professionals about aging issues for the gay community. I have learned so much from them and was proud to march with them today.
It was so fitting to march in honor of the memory of Lois, the first patient/ resident I had who made me start to think about these issues, A big thank you to her nieces, local West Seattle women Judy and Vicki, who gave me their blessing to march in memory of Lois Baldwin and also share her story as a learning tool for other health professionals.
Thanks to Nichole for sharing the story! Our earlier Pride coverage is here.
“I did my best to represent West Seattle,” Patrick King says, after a visit to his Gatewood home this past week by the show “Ask This Old House.” Patrick and wife Chelsea – in the photo above with the show’s crew and a local subcontractor and lighting tech – bought the mid-20th-century-built house on SW Elmgrove in 2011. He says they contacted “Ask This Old House” to seek help with their kitchen floor last November. Then, two months ago, they were contacted when the show started looking for projects in this area. For the show, they learned how to install crown molding, which Patrick says “really looks great.” Contractor Tom Silva hosted the show filmed here, he says, flying in from Boston this past Tuesday with associate producer Heath Racela; Patrick took them to lunch at Cactus on Alki, and he says they “used the Seattle founding monument on Alki as the opening scene for their show” – here’s a photo he took of Silva and the crew by the water:
Racela tweeted this photo of the project in progress at the Kings’ home:
The crown molding project in Seattle is moving along nicely. pic.twitter.com/SHFGCOmr0J
— Heath Racela (@HeathRacela) June 26, 2013
The episode will stream online first, possibly as soon as this September, in a Seattle episode that also included two homes from Issaquah: “I’m proud I was able to influence the show with a little West Seattle flavor,” Patrick told WSB. “It was an exhausting couple of days but it was really fun.”
As Seattle’s annual Pride celebration crescendoes today, with the downtown parade under way right now, the marriage-equality flag is flying on the Space Needle, and West Seattleites were up there helping make it happen. The first two photos were shared by King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, who’s at center in the top photo, with four other West Seattleites – from left, County Executive Dow Constantine, Anne Levinson, Jane Abbott Lighty, and Pete-e Petersen. Yes, that photo is from atop the Needle – as is this one:
Meantime, as noted in our morning preview, Pete-e and Jane are among the grand marshals of today’s Pride Parade, as is West Seattleite Sarah Toce, who shares this photo of herself with the renowned couple:
Sarah founded the daily online news magazine The Seattle Lesbian just two years ago and has already grown a strong readership that stretches well beyond the city limits.
P.S. If you have photos of West Seattleites in today’s parade, please share! editor@westseattleblog.com or post to the WSB Facebook page and/or the WSB Flickr group – thank you!
ADDED: Thanks to Karen for this photo of OutWest Bar in the parade:
They were one of at least two West Seattle businesses participating, along with Stuffed Cakes, debuting its new truck.
(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Katelyn Tyson)
Four weeks ago today, we talked with the 13th Coast Guard District‘s then-commander Rear Adm. Keith Taylor about his impending retirement. After Friday ceremonies at Seattle’s USCG station, he’s enjoying his first full day of retirement, and District 13 has a new commander, a role that usually includes residence on the grounds of the Alki Point Lighthouse. The new commander is Rear Adm. Richard T. Gromlich – he’s on the left in the photo above, with Rear Adm. (ret.) Taylor at right, and Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area and Defense Forces West, between them. Before coming to Seattle to lead the 13th District, Rear Adm. Gromlich, a Pennsylvania native, served as the Coast Guard’s first director of operational logistics, overseeing 13 bases and one base detachment (here’s his full bio). Read more about the change of command and Friday’s ceremony on the USCG website.
Side notes to the U.S. Supreme Court rulings today on marriage equality:
OVERTURNED DONUTS: This photo is being shared by West Seattle’s King County Councilmember Joe McDermott – whose note on the box declares them to be “Overturned Donuts to Celebrate Overturning DOMA” (the Defense of Marriage Act, struck down in one of today’s rulings). (added) His official statement on today’s rulings:
“I am filled with simply overwhelming pride today as the US Supreme Court overturns DOMA!
“King County has been a leader in equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, so it was with sheer joy that my fiancé Michael and I celebrated with hundreds of couples as King County issued the first marriage licenses to same sex couples in the state last December. Now the federal government will treat those couples equally as well! This equality extends from military couples to seniors on Social Security, reaching so many hardworking families and providing them the security they deserve.
“This will indeed be a happy Pride Weekend!”
KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S STATEMENT: County Executive Dow Constantine is also among the local leaders who have issued statements today:
“I am pleased and proud that the Supreme Court has officially recognized the civil rights of same-sex couples, rights that Washington State voters embraced last year.
Being able to issue the first marriage licenses to happy same-sex couples was one of the highlights of my career. Thankfully, it appears that there will be many more such joyful moments as our nation moves, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly, ever closer to the ideals announced at our founding. I am proud of King County and Washington State for helping to nudge the nation toward justice.”
PRIDE PARADE GRAND MARSHALS: This Sunday is the Seattle Pride Parade, and West Seattle’s trailblazing couple Jane Lighty and Pete-e Petersen – first to get a marriage license when they became available last December, one month after the statewide marriage-equality vote – are among the grand marshals, as is another West Seattleite, Sarah Toce, founder and editor-in-chief of online publication The Seattle Lesbian. Her site is where we found out about …
RALLY TONIGHT DOWNTOWN: There’s a 5 pm rally to celebrate the Supreme Court rulings, outside the U.S. Court of Appeals, 1010 Fifth Avenue downtown.
ADDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT: A photo from Steph Brusig‘s gallery of scenes from that rally, with a turnout estimated by organizers at more than 300:
Steph’s gallery is on Facebook, here.
The family of Linnea Long, gone too soon at 60, shares this remembrance with the community:
On May 9, 2013, Linnea opened the door to yesterday, walked through, and the door closed behind her.
Linnea was born in Inglewood, California, in December 1952, to a WWII veteran father and a mother who was often mistaken for Doris Day. She was the middle child in a family of two girls and a boy. Linnea grew up in the South Bay of Los Angeles and loved to ride her bike along the Strand. When she moved north with her husband David Benton in the 1980s, they eventually settled in Alki, after a short stay on 38th Ave SW east of Jefferson Square.
Linnea would often jog along the beach, quickly becoming a nodding acquaintance of many. She would ride her bike to the Water Taxi and then to work. At lunch she would ride up to Interbay and after work, ride home along Alki.
Linnea was a strong and protective mom who made sure that her son Erik knew he was both wanted and loved. Erik attended Schmitz Park, Explorer West, and Seattle Lutheran High School before he moved onto Western Washington University. Many may know her as “Erik’s Mom,” Linnea was also a steadfast friend to many over the years and she was both loyal and supportive. Linnea helped sponsor and serve on the Cormorant Cove and Constellation Park Steering Committees, and encouraged her family to do so as well. Linnea loved living in Alki, and named the house “Close Enough,” meaning that it was close enough to a beach for her and her family. Many beaches she enjoyed in addition to Alki were Manhattan Beach, Newport Beach, and Cannon Beach.
After her family, at the heart of Linnea’s life were books; whether seated on a kitchen stool or relaxing in a beach chair, Linnea would read. After becoming a “recovering attorney” after many years employed in private practice and at Time Oil as corporate counsel, she went back to the UW and obtained a second graduate degree in Information Sciences and reincarnated her second career as a Special Librarian while still remaining a member of the Bar. She joined Avvo in early 2007 and served as Content Acquisition Manager, helping the company grow to become the leading web-based source for information about legal matters and lawyer qualifications.
Linnea continued working while her cancer spread, determined not to be a victim, but to keep on being a mom to Erik and wife to David. Her family and her good friend Laurie D’Allesandro aided her in her fight. She managed the struggle until early May 2013. She is survived by her husband, her son, her brother, John Long, and her sister Colleen Campbell.
There will be no formal religious service, and in lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations in her name be made to the Global Resource for Advancing Cancer Education at cancergrace.org/about-us
That’s the Seattle World Cruiser – whose co-pilot, a former West Seattleite, sent this invitation for us to share with you (and any other aviation/history fans, and dreamers!, with whom you care to share it):
Dr. Diane Weglin Dempster, Seattle World Cruiser co-pilot, educator, and graduate of West Seattle High School Class of 1972, invites YOU–her West Seattle Community, to join in the Fun of Making History at TWO Very Special Events:
Event Number One, FREE and Open to the Public–The Rollout and Christening Ceremony of Seattle II, a full-scale, flying reproduction of the 1924 Douglas World Cruiser aircraft, first airplane to fly around the world. MEET friends, families, and Special VIP Guests at the event! THRILL to the rousing music of The Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band! FOLLOW THE PROGRESS of the 1920’s Model T Truck, proudly towing The Seattle World Cruiser along the taxiway to the ceremony! SIGH with the wistful drone of bagpipes!
REJOICE in the spirit of Chief Seattle and his namesake City and Aeroplane in a special Duwamish Blessing of “Thunder Canoe!”
APPLAUD as World Cruiser Pilot Bob Dempster [pictured above with the plane and below with Dr. Diane Dempster] presents a bottle of Lake Washington water to christen the Seattle World Cruiser, Seattle II, and DANCE with joy for what’s to come! And…If conditions are favorable, there might even be the ROAR of the Mighty 400hp Lincoln Motor Company Liberty V-12 engine and a HOP down the runway…We shall see….
Saturday, June 29th between 10 am and 2 pm, with the ceremony commencing at 10:45, outdoors, airport side, at the Museum of Flight, 9404 East Marginal Way South (info link here)
Also visit the Museum of Flight’s Lobby to see the Rickenbacker coupe automobile and the 10-foot Douglas World Cruiser model airplane…AND the Museum’s newly-installed, Special Exhibit (along the Lobby’s north glass wall) on the Seattle World Cruiser Project.
Backstory from Dr. Dempster, ahead:
Congratulations to West Seattleite Bob Lunke (inset photo), retired U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Colonel, who is among the first group of veterans to become King County HERO Program graduates, honored by County Executive Dow Constantine and County Councilmembers this morning. 
The official announcement explains that the county “is assisting veterans making the transition to civilian work through the Heroes Employment Reintegration Opportunity (HERO) Program. The program offers six-month paid internships to qualified veterans, along with support services tailored to men and women re-entering the civilian workforce.” The county says Lt. Col. (ret.) Lunke interned with the Community and Human Services Department’s Community Services Division; his military service started with Army ROTC at the UW in 1980 and continued with 30 years in the Army Reserve, including four tours of duty in South Korea and two in Iraq. You might also know him as co-owner of West Seattle’s OutWest Bar! You can find out more about the county’s program for veterans by going here.
Almost three years after she was told she needed a kidney transplant to save her life, longtime West Seattleite Jan Seeley – known for years as “JanS” in the WSB Forum and comments – is finally getting one. She is at Swedish Medical Center now after getting the call tonight for surgery in the morning. Even if you don’t know Jan, a self-employed massage therapist, you might remember reading her story here in 2011, at the start of a community fundraising drive (which has continued online), told by her daughter Jessica Diamant, who had hoped to give a kidney to her mom, until testing showed incompatibility. As Jessica wrote, Jan already had survived serious health challenges, including breast cancer, before being diagnosed with fibrillary glomerulonephritis, which led to kidney failure. The ensuing wait has been nerve-wracking, but now it’s almost over, and we wish Jan good luck with this operation and recovery. For updates, check – of course – the thread in the WSB Forum.
Lauri and Gerry Cunningham – daughter and mother, respectively – don’t even look one bit tired, though they certainly have the right to. In the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse kitchen tonight, they made and sold about 100 spaghetti dinners as a benefit for the upcoming Relay for Life of West Seattle, an American Cancer Society fundraiser that they’ve been involved with for more than a decade. They cooked, dinner purchasers picked up, and by the time we saw Gerry and Lauri around 6:30, they were sold out. Relay for Life, by the way, is coming up in less than a week and a half – Saturday, June 29, at West Seattle Stadium; even if you are not part of a team, you can support the cause by visiting during the all-night event, and by donating online.
Meet Sophie. We found out about her from Michele at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor):
This is such a touching story that I wanted to share it with you.
This young lady’s name is Sophie in the photo attached. She and her mom Tami stopped by our BBQ for the West Seattle Food Bank on Saturday. On West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, Sophie had a lemonade stand that was for charity. She wished for her proceeds to help the food bank and donated them to us.
I remember when I was that age… $20 may as well be $100! I wanted to commend Sophie’s thoughtfulness and say thank you again.
It’s nice to see young people with such a good spirit – not to mention the parents that instill such good morals in ther kids. Good job, Tami!
The proud mom adds, “Sophie’s Girl Scout Troop #45180 is looking forward to doing great community service this year.”
SIDE NOTE: Thriftway has regular summertime Saturday barbecues raising money for charities – the Food Bank was last Saturday’s beneficiary; this Saturday, they’ll be raising money for the Morgan Community Association while MoCA presents its free annual Community Festival nearby. (Festival details here – see you there!)
(Photo by Amanda Grove)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
While hundreds of people will be taking courses from South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) this year, we can guarantee that Georgia Mitchell will be the only one taking them while riding a three-wheeled Y Fliker scooter cross-country.
You might already know Georgia. Not just because she’s a 2009 Chief Sealth graduate; that same year, she made news by becoming Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu.
She’s been off at college in Hawai’i, and on a culinary internship in France, before transferring back to join the hospitality program at SSCC.
But first: Starting one week from today, she’s embarking on three months of human-powered travel across America, with three Brazilians and an Irishman.
Next weekend, local teens Alex Miller, Nicholas Orndorff, and Clara Orndorff will be participating in international underwater-robotics (ROV) competition for the second consecutive year. We brought you their story last year. Writing a report and getting it published counts in the competition too; we are pleased to share their 2013 update:
Recently the AMNO & CO ROV Team qualified to compete in the 2013 Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center’s International ROV Competition for students. A Remotely Operated Vehicle, or ROV, is a tethered robot used to complete tasks in underwater environments.
AMNO & CO was the second-place winner in the Pacific Northwest Regional, which was held on May 11th. AMNO & CO accomplished this using an ROV they designed and built over the past year. At the International ROV Competition, which will be held June 20-22 at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, AMNO & CO will compete against more than thirty of the top teams from MATE’s 22 regional competitions around the world, including competitions in the US, the UK, China, Egypt, Canada, and Hong Kong.
Each year, the MATE ROV competition encourages students to learn and apply science, technology, engineering, and math skills to the competition tasks that simulate real-world problems from the ocean workplace. This year, the contest focuses on the role that ROVs play in installing and maintaining a system of underwater sensors and other equipment.
This system of equipment is known as the Regional Scale Node, or RSN, which consists of a primary node that can then deliver power to a series of sensors that are connected to it. These sensors include an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler, or ADCP, that measures the velocity of the ocean’s currents, and an Ocean Bottom Seismometer, or OBS, which collects data about seismic activity on the ocean floor. Currently this system is being installed off the western coast of the United States. This array of sensors will provide new and useful data about the ocean, including data about climate change and its properties and consequences, which will be useful to our understanding of the world.
Teams will participate in mission tasks, piloting their ROV to deploy and install simulated versions of the actual sensors being used. To do this, not only must ROVs be able to transport the sensors correctly, they must also be able to open and close hatches, turn locks, and connect power cables. In addition to the simulated sensors, teams must also create their own temperature sensors that can take measurements from a simulated hydrothermal vent (a vent on the ocean floor that emits hot water). In addition, teams must prepare a technical report describing their ROV, make a presentation to a panel of judges, and create a poster display.
This is the fourth year that AMNO & CO has participated in the Pacific Northwest Regional ROV Contest, and the second year they will be attending the MATE International ROV Competition. The team members are Alex Miller, Nicholas Orndorff, and Clara Orndorff.
The AMNO & CO ROV team is supported by local sponsors including West Marine, Fisheries Supply, and Harris Electric. The team practiced at the Shoreline Pool and fundraised over the summer near Alki Beach. Their fundraising covered a large portion of the cost of their ROV.
For more information about the AMNO & CO ROV team, please contact them at amnoandco@live.com, or visit their Facebook page facebook.com/AMNOandCoROV. For more information about the MATE ROV competition, visit marinetech.org/rov-competition.
We wish AMNO & CO the best of luck in next weekend’s competition!
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