West Seattle, Washington
12 Tuesday
By the time participants gathered at the water-side end of Fairmount Avenue this morning, the “Run to REFLECT” had morphed into “Run for Red” – the nickname a family member used for the woman badly hurt in an unsolved incident one week earlier. Heading southbound up Fairmount into the ravine, safety vests hung from branches, and yellow “caution” tape lined the road leading to the spot where “Red” was found, a spot where another message of support was chalked:
Athena (right, below) and Julie (left, below) are the women who found “Red” around 7 am last Saturday – fellow runners headed to the beach for their own Saturday morning run, which today they turned into a community support event:
Words of support:
Then, after a few words, off for a 5K run:
And back in the ravine – even beyond the support for “Red,” and the quest to find out what happened to her, this message for everyone traveling through it:
If you have any information about what happened to her last Saturday – even just information about any kind of vehicle seen going into or coming out of the ravine that morning, between 6 and 7 am – Seattle Police want to hear from you; call Det. Korner at (206) 684-8927 or just call 911.
ADDED 2:26 PM: We didn’t realize until a message from Dick Lunceford that a celebrity joined in the “Run for Red”:
Dick photographed Doris Heritage, a nearby resident who had a stellar history-making career as a runner and coach – here’s her bio from the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame.
Last week, we wrote about the conversation brewing about West Seattle’s independent local businesses and the ways in which they make our community better. Here’s more proof. A few days ago, we received a note from the owners of Red Cup Espresso in The Junction, who wanted to give a shout-out to someone special:
In today’s fast-paced world, the small things are often forgotten. The things we take for granted are often overlooked, and the beauty we search for, more often than not, lies right before our eyes. A simple hello or a smile can have a tremendous effect on a person’s day. The connections born from casual everyday conversations slowly blossom into everlasting relationships. The Red Cup Family would like to express our gratitude for the beautiful flowers planted this year at the shop. All of this could not be so, without the skillful direction of West Seattle’s own Elois Gruenhagen. A longtime Seattle resident, Elois fills our hearts every day with stories of the farm, her teaching career, and her knowledge of all things plantlike. She has been an inspiration for us all, and continues to surprise and make us laugh. We are honored to have the opportunity to give someone a platform to express themselves. If you’re in the area, feel free to drive by and look at her work!
It makes us smile, to see her smile.
Thank you, Elois,
Samir, Breanna, and Gina
Good news today, five days after the mystery incident in which someone seriously injured a runner – whether accidentally or on purpose, we still don’t know – in Fairmount Ravine. This update from the victim’s family came in today via a comment on our first followup:
I am a member of the family of this victim. Please let me thank you for the family, for your kind support. It is humbly accepted and returned with love for you all!
The victim (I’ll call her Red), is slowly improving. She has been moved from ICU to acute care. She opened her eyes on Monday. She recalled her name and recognized family for the first time on WED.
She suffered a head injury, and an adominal injury. plus road rash. Thankfully, no broken bones. She had surgery on sat afternoon.
Thank you again for your concern and prayers. I will attend the run and take some pictures for Red so she can see your love!!
“The run” refers to the “Run to REFLECT” event organized by Athena Frederick and Julie Ambrose, the Good Samaritans who summoned help for the woman after finding her unconscious along Fairmount Avenue under the Admiral Way Bridge around 7 am Saturday, while they were heading down to the water for their own early-morning run. Even if you are not a runner, you are invited to join to show support for the victim and for safety in the area – here’s the invitation again:
We will meet at the bottom of Fairmount (on the Alki Beach side near Salty’s) starting at 6:30 am. Please bring some type of reflective gear, object, caution cone, etc. to donate (you may be able to retrieve it after Saturday, but not guaranteed). We will be placing these reflective items along the side of the road going up through Fairmount. Please feel free to bring them even earlier than 6:30am. Businesses that would like to donate any reflective type gear, please contact us. We are doing this to raise awareness over the weekend for drivers to SLOW DOWN on that stretch of road.
Starting at 7 am, we will run a 5K on Alki to show our support of the 54-year-old woman and her family. Please invite friends, family and join us to either “light up Fairmount” OR for the 5K run or walk.
No breakthroughs reported yet by SPD, but we have an inquiry out to doublecheck. If you saw or heard any vehicle of any kind in that area around 6-7 am last Saturday morning, please call 911 or Det. Korner at (206) 684-8927.
11:13 PM UPDATE: The woman reported missing earlier has been found at a hospital, her family confirms – though they’re still trying to find out how she got there – and the search has ended.
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Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Patrick Sand
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Before the Alki Point Lighthouse opened for this year’s summer season of weekend public tours Saturday afternoon, which also happened to be the 100th anniversary of the day the building officially opened, one of the people who live on its grounds presided over a commemorative ceremony: Rear Admiral Keith Taylor, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard‘s 13th District.
Not only did he speak about the lighthouse and its history, he told us in a conversation afterward, but also about the watch that is kept around the clock by the USCG in this region, and about his pride in the people who keep that watch. In relating the past – including the U.S. Lighthouse Service and the Revenue Cutter Service (here’s an official USCG historian slide deck) – to the present, RADM Taylor says he likes to say, “We helped the Pacific Northwest grow up.” (Lighthouses became part of the USCG’s accountability in 1939.)
This month has significance for RADM Taylor far beyond the lighthouse centennial: Before this month is over, he will turn over command of the 13th Coast Guard District to his successor. He’s retiring, 30 years after he began his service following graduation from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and two years after becoming commander of this 4-state district.
The district includes 4,400 miles of coastline, more than 600 miles of inland waterways, and a long list of stations and vessels that you can peruse here, as well as on the official fact sheet (which reveals this is the centennial year for the district itself). Hundreds of thousands of vessel journeys, dinghys to cruise ships and beyond, are made in the region’s waterways each year.
One datapoint of potential interest to sky-watching West Seattleites: No Coast Guard helicopters are based in Seattle; they’re based in Port Angeles. You may see the distinctive mostly-orange helicopters here fairly often, but when they head home, they’re flying northwest to the shore of the Strait of San Juan de Fuca. Aviation, by the way, figures prominently into Adm. Taylor’s background; his past assignments include serving as commander of the USCG’s Air Station Miami. He also has served as the Coast Guard’s Chief Financial Officer and in other USCG-wide leadership roles.
For decades, it has been tradition for the USCG 13th District’s commander to live on the Alki Point Lighthouse grounds (the last lighthouse keeper retired in 1970). Adm. Taylor has kept with that tradition; he told us he and his wife hope to stay in the Seattle area after his retirement. The other residence at Alki Point also is usually home to a USCG officer and family; its next residents are moving in soon, Admiral Taylor mentioned.
As for the lighthouse itself, he says it’s vital to the safety of local waterways and he doesn’t see that changing any time soon.
The District 13 change of command ceremony, he said, is scheduled for Friday morning, June 28th, at the USCG station at Pier 36 on the downtown waterfront; we’re expecting more information as it gets closer.
Meantime, free lighthouse tours are scheduled to continue at Alki Point 1-4 pm each Saturday and Sunday through the end of August.
You’ve seen the work of West Seattle’s award-winning “Diver Laura” James – a filmmaker, photographer, writer, environmental activist – here and elsewhere over the past few years. Now, we get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to get those views; much more complicated than simply jumping into the water with a camera. The video above tells that story as part of a profile of Laura’s work, made for the Puget Sound Starts Here campaign by another local filmmaker, Matthew J. Clark. Some beautiful scenery above the water, too (look for the Seacrest sequence) – Laura says it was shot in mid-April.
Thanks to Kris Rouse for sharing photos from the Girl Scouts gathering last night at Camp Long:
Friday night was a beautiful night for a campfire. West Seattle Girl Scouts gathered for a traditional campfire complete with good ol’ camp songs & s’mores. Deyette Swegle organized a terrific gathering for the Girl Scouts of Chinook Service Unit at Camp Long … Several Junior Girl Scouts were recognized for their achievement of the Bronze Award; acknowledgement was made for two girls’ earning the Silver Award and Ann Manning’s group of Cadettes, the winning of the Mt. St. Helens Award at the recent Girl Scout Cascade Challenge. The evening was concluded with an Eternal Flame candle ceremony led by Lynn Zahniser.
WESTSIDE DERMATOLOGY EXPANDS STAFF: Longtime WSB sponsor Westside Dermatology has expanded. A fourth board-certified dermatologist has just joined the practice, Dr. Kendell Wilske. She is well-known in the area, with 20 years of dermatologic experience including more than 10 years at Virginia Mason. Westside Dermatology says that adding another physician to the practice means they can improve access to care while decreasing wait times for appointments. Dr. Wilske will focus 100 percent on medical dermatology, as does Dr. Sacharitha Bowers, who joined the practice last December. Westside Dermatology is in The Junction, at 4740 44th SW, Suite 200.
NEW WOMEN’S CLINIC: Across the street at 4727 44th SW (Suite 207), West Seattle Women’s Health and Midwifery is now open, providing birth services as well as health care for women at all stages of life. Dr. Shari Luchino, DNP, ARNP, CNM, is the provider and nurse/midwife anchoring the clinic. She’s having an open house 10 am to 3 pm this Sunday (June 2), all welcome.
The family of Erny Smith shares a simple remembrance:
Erny Smith, December 24, 1936 – May 11, 2013
Longtime West Seattle resident Erny Ulvestad Smith, 76, passed away on May 11th, surrounded by family after a year-long struggle with cancer.
He is missed by Carole and children Stefanie, Lorrie, Lance and their families. Also survived by one brother, four sisters, numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents and brother Joe.
At his request there will be no service. Family will gather for a celebration of Erny’s life at a later date.
(Photo courtesy Arthritis Foundation)
Congratulations to West Seattleite Judi Yazzolino, at center, who received the Arthritis Foundation‘s Inspirational Leadership Award during a benefit breakfast downtown on Thursday. She’s a board member for the group, as is Patrick Smith, photographed with her at left; at right is CEO Scott Weaver, who lauded Yazzolino’s work for the group, declaring, “Judi was instrumental in the creation of our Bone Bash and since its inception has served in a leadership role – during both good and challenging times. She is not shy about encouraging her friends, colleagues and contacts to step up their support.” That’s a skill that also serves her professionally, since she serves as development director of the West Seattle Food Bank. But her interest in working toward a cure for arthritis is also personal – the organization explains that she has been living with rheumatoid arthritis for 25 years: “Because I feel so fortunate, I am determined to do whatever I can to help find a cure for this awful disease.”
(Photo courtesy Folklife: Programmers and WS residents Debbie Fant, Michelle Shaevitz, Kelli Faryar)
Going to Seattle Center for the Northwest Folklife Festival next weekend? Though it’s not happening in West Seattle, three West Seattleites are involved in making it happen, as we recently found out. One of them – Deputy Director Debbie Fant – explains:
West Seattle is really well represented at the 2013 Northwest Folklife Festival! First of all, the programming team — Kelli Faryar, Michelle Demers Shaevitz, and Debbie Fant — all live in West Seattle! And second, there are 34 groups from West Seattle performing throughout the weekend!! (Not that we’re biased — there’s just so much talent in West Seattle!)
If you’re among those Folklife performers from West Seattle (or White Center/South Park, since we cover those communities with our other two sites), please let us know (comment, or e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com) so we can include that in weekend mentions. Here’s the schedule – even if you’re not the performer, let us know if you recognize locals who are listed.
Schmitz Park Elementary fifth-grader Riley Nachtrieb, an avid unicyclist (on trails as well as pavement, as shown in the video above featuring Riley and her 9-year-old sister Addison), couldn’t find a nearby group to join – so she’s starting one herself, the WestSide Unicycle Collective. Riley and Addison are organizing and running it by themselves, according to an announcement forwarded by their parents, who are lending “a watchful eye.” The group has a Facebook page and will have public meetups every other Thursday, 6:30 pm-7:30 pm, beginning next week (May 30th) at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza. Future locations will be listed on the FB page, and Riley stresses its purpose: “Meet new unicyclists and ride with us. Learn new skills and tricks or just ride and have fun! Unicyclers of any age or ability welcome.”
Gwendolyn Schwenzer clearly lived a full life over her 94 years. Even if you never met her, this remembrance shared by her family is proof:
Gwendolyn (Hill) Schwenzer
1918-2013
Beloved Mother, Nana, Great Nana and Great–Great Nana.Gwen was born in Seattle on Dec 6, 1918, graduated West Seattle High School in 1937, married Herb (Fritz) Schwenzer when she was just 18, and had 4 kids throughout the years: Sharon, Diane, Fritz, and Vicki.
In 1944, Gwen went to work at Boeing as an original “Rosie the Riveter,” working on the B-29s as part of the World War II effort. She also worked at the Hideaway Tavern in White Center.
In 1979, Herb passed away, leaving a void in Gwen’s life, and that was when she joined the Eagles Clowns and became “Bubbles the Clown,” allowing her to make others happy with her great sense of humor.
Volunteering at Mount St. Vincent for 13 years earned her a warm welcome when it was time for her to move into the assisted-living area, where she is pictured on their brochure and passed away on May 8, 2013.
She will be missed by all who knew her.
That certainly will include the fellow “Rosies” with whom she was featured in this 2009 WSB story.
(Front row: Corinne Blair, Alec Patajo; second row: Casey Iwamoto, Emma Carey, Lauren Phillips; not pictured, Owen Yeasting)
More big success for the West Seattle Totems riflery team, reports coach Joe Matter:
The West Seattle Totems recently competed in the American Legion National Air Rifle Postal match, which was locally sponsored by the Vashon American Legion Post #159. The American Legion match has two elements, a team competition and an individual competition.
In the individual competition, a match was worth 600 points. Lauren Phillips shot a 584 to place in the top 30 of the competition and qualified for the second round of competition. Lauren then shot a 586 to finish 5th in the second round which qualified her for the final round of competition which will be hosted at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs this summer.
In the team competition, a match is worth 2400 points. The team of Lauren Phillips, Casey Iwamoto, Owen Yeasting, and Emma Carey shot a 2302 to finish 2nd in the first round of competition. Only the top ten teams were invited to the second round. In the second round, the team of Lauren, Emma, Corinne Blair and Alec Patajo shot a 2322 to capture the team national bronze medal.
The Vashon American Legion Post as well as the West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club have been supportive of organized youth rifle sports, helping to build leadership skills and scholarship opportunities for youth and young adults. Focus skills required for shooting well are enormous and this further supports academic focus. NCAA rifle scholarships are not earned without having good grades also. We congratulate Lauren Phillips on earning a rifle scholarship to The University of Nebraska, a CMP Scholarship, as well as additional academic scholarships. We know that her opportunities have just begun.
The team practices at the West Seattle Stadium and has members from the peninsula, north Seattle, Puyallup, Ellensburg and Vashon. This summer will include a trip to nationals in Anniston, Alabama, for 8 shooters. The team was thrilled to get one team invitation last year and is stoked to have two teams qualify this year. What an accomplishment for these kids.
The volunteer coaching staff includes Joe Matter, Kurt Oberloh and Alan Carey.
The Matson Navigation team on Harbor Island shares news of another community-service project. The photo and report are from Jackie, who has updated us in recent years on their efforts including storm-drain stencils on Alki and cleanup work in the Terminal 10 area:
This year we reached out to the Port with hopes of cleaning up the same Terminal 10 site, and this past Thursday we made that happen. We took advantage of the clear blue skies and sunny weather, and worked alongside Port employee George Blomberg to tidy up the area. We did heavy weeding (a portion of the weed pile is shown in the photo), and also planted several small trees in the area. It was really fulfilling to work to keep this site looking healthy and clean so the wildlife there could continue to enjoy it. And as always, it was a nice opportunity to enjoy the great weather Seattle has had, and spend some time with coworkers doing something good for the community and environment.
WSB is about good news like this in addition to 24/7 coverage of what you need to know about breaking news, community issues, transportation, development, schools, politics, etc. – so thanks to Jackie, and to everyone else who continues to share these kinds of reports!
Fourteen months ago, we introduced you to a West Seattle centenarian named Ina Mann, with whom we spoke along with three generations of her family, visiting her one day at Arbor Heights Adult Family Home (now a WSB sponsor). We just learned from Ms. Mann’s family that she has passed away. They are sharing this remembrance, along with photos (above, Ms. Mann on her 100th birthday with five of her seven granddaughters):
Alexandrina ‘Ina’ Mann * December 21, 1907 – April 19, 2013
Longtime West Seattle resident Ina Mann went to her eternal home, with Jesus, on Friday, April 19, 2013, after a long life of 105 years. Ina was born outside London, England, to Albert and Louise Whitehead. She crossed the Atlantic on a ship at age 4 with her parents and 2 younger brothers, Walter and Albert. The family settled in West Seattle where her father built the family home on 46th and Findlay. She attended Jefferson Elementary, Madison Junior High, and West Seattle High School. After graduation, she worked for several years at Hostess Baking Company.
Her early memories of West Seattle included California Avenue as a dirt road with horses and visiting Luna Park on Alki as a young child. She met her husband, Huntley David Shaw Mann, Sr., while visiting the Swedish Club.
Ina never drove a car, loved gardening and working in her yard. She spent the last seven years under the loving care of Katie Gilliantte and Penny Nemoede and staff at Arbor Heights Adult Family Home.
Ina is survived by her son, Huntley Shaw Mann, Jr., his wife Marlene Hill Mann, 7 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
The family also shared this photo of Ms. Mann and her son, featured in our story last year:
That was taken in 1951.
(L to R: Joey Donahue, Brendan Good, Dylan Moorleghen, John Roach, Chad Lehman, Jason Getts, Todd Lehman)
Congratulations to 18-year-old Todd Lehman, the first member of West Seattle’s Troop 282 to earn his Eagle Scout rank – Scouting’s highest honor – this year. Part of that involved a project for Camp Long, explained by his dad Rick Lehman – who shared the photos and information – as involving “designing and constructing a staging area for one of the new ‘challenge courses,’ called ‘Pacific Crest.’ The project included installing 70 feet of cedar split-rail fencing, gravel walkway, log benches, and landscaping.” Here’s Todd, center, with his Eagle Board of Review, all also West Seattleites:
(L to R, Pete Hogan, mom Nancy Lehman, Mike Grueter, Todd Lehman, Dave Haines, dad Rick Lehman, Paul Von Brockhorst)
Dad Rick Lehman adds that Todd’s Eagle rank “represents over 7 years of scouting leadership, adventure, activities, achievement and community service. While in Troop 282, Todd compiled 82 nights of camping, hiked 147 miles, paddled by canoe 82 miles on the Bowron Provincial Park in Canada, earned 24 merit badges, and provided 115 hours of community service to West Seattle.” He also is a three-year letterman in varsity golf and baseball at Kennedy High School, where he is a senior and president of the Men’s Club; an active member of West Side Presbyterian Church; and plans to attend Washington State University starting this fall.
(Photo by @bpsnyder, via Twitter)
Two and a half days after the bicycle/truck crash that killed 54-year-old Lance David, about 100 people gathered this afternoon where it happened, at East Marginal Way and Hanford, in his honor. Many rode from his workplace, Expeditors International:
(This and subsequent photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Mr. David was on one of the five Bike-to-Work teams at Expeditors, according to Don Brubeck of West Seattle Bike Connections, who also observed: “Mr. David worked in the freight shipping industry. Just like the truck driver. I hope it will help the community understand that this is not ‘us’ vs. ‘them.’ It’s all ‘us.’ A bunch of people who work in jobs that are dependent on the port ride a bike to get to work. Bike riders depend on the port for jobs, and those companies have employees who ride bikes.” Many of those at this afternoon’s gathering signed a shirt with the company logo:
It was then put on the utility pole holding the ‘ghost bike’ placed at the crash site Wednesday night.
WS Bike Connections and WS Greenways are organizing a memorial ride from Seacrest on Tuesday (May 7, 5:30 pm, full details here). It’ll be some time before police put out a final report on the crash; their initial findings are included in our Thursday report, which also details some of the safety concerns at the scene and the discussion at Wednesday night’s monthly meeting of the Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board.
Fifty years ago today, West Seattle native Jim Whittaker became the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest. The clip above – shared on Whittaker’s Facebook page – includes an interview with him, and historical footage. And today, another West Seattle native announced new honors for the climber:
On the 50th anniversary of the summiting of Mt. Everest by the first American, King County Executive Dow Constantine today honored fellow West Seattle native and legendary climber Jim Whittaker by announcing the renaming of trails in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park for Mr. Whittaker and his climbing partner, Sherpa Nawang Gombu.
“Jim Whittaker’s achievement 50 years ago today remains a triumph of perseverance and teamwork,” said Executive Constantine. “It is an honor to recognize both Mr. Whittaker and Mr. Gombu on their historic accomplishment, and I hope it moves us all to get out and experience our own hiking and climbing opportunities closer to home.”
West Seattle Elementary wants to make sure that everyone who knew teacher Heidi Hudeckova knows about the memorial for her at the school 
this Saturday. Counselor Laura Bermes tells WSB that Heidi died last month, just 50 years old, from a brain aneurysm, adding, “Heidi taught at West Seattle Elementary in the Developmental Preschool Program. Graduated students from that program populate local schools throughout West Seattle. We’re hoping to get the word out so that those who loved Teacher Heidi, and those whose lives she touched can share in this celebration.” Parent Ellen Bremen says of Ms. Hudeckova, “Heidi was an institution there; her years of experience and almost magical intuition of what makes a ‘higher needs’ child thrive changed countless children’s lives, as well as their parents.” The memorial, described as an informal potluck for sharing memories, is planned for 11 am-1 pm Saturday (May 4) at the school, 6860 34th SW.
Another local outpouring of support for Boston as its people continue to recover from last week’s bombings: Anna Cronin from Providence Mount St. Vincent shares the photo and this update on what they’re doing:
Many residents, staff and children participated in The Mount’s “Marathon for Boston” to celebrate the resilient Boston Community and to remember the victims and those injured in the terrible events that took place at the Boston Marathon last week. Our goal was to show Boston that for every one person wishing to inflict harm, there are many, many more who wish to do good. We mapped out a route and together walked a combined 70+ miles! That is nearly three full marathons. Our hope is to eventually walk 3,048 miles (the distance from Seattle to Boston) in the following weeks to continue to show our support for, and solidarity with Boston.
(Tonight’s group heading out, northbound on California)
Last Monday night, the shock of the Boston bombings was still fresh when Lori and Tim McConnell of West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) organized a group run as a way for people here to deal with that shock, and grief. Tonight – after a week in which so much has happened – they again invited local runners, this time to join a week-later nationwide “Run for Boston” tribute. The crowd that showed up spanned all ages and paces:
In that photo, they’re looking up at Tim, who didn’t get a group photo last Monday, but stepped outside their second-story store to make sure not to miss the overview this time:
Lori sported her keepsake shirt from running the Boston Marathon five years ago:
At least one other Seattle group ran tonight too, as well as others coast to coast.
Among the many events in this morning’s West Seattle Saturday roundup of calendar highlights, a work party at Dakota Place Park. Thanks to Meredith for sharing this photo of two young volunteers – Addie and Grayson, students from nearby Tilden School.
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