West Seattle, Washington
24 Friday
West Seattle’s most prolific breast-cancer-fighting fundraiser, Tracy Dart – who as you probably know also is a 3-time survivor – just accepted a big donation from the West Seattle Eagles Auxiliary, as her Team Tracy gets ready for this year’s strong>Breast Cancer 3-Day – the sixth one for her. The Eagles’ Madame Trustee Kristina Todd shared the news, with the photos we’re publishing here: Tracy got a check for $500, she says, explaining: “As part of their charity fundraising efforts, the ladies’ auxiliary had raised the money through benefit dinners and various fundraising activities over the past year. This is a perfect example of the Eagle motto of ‘people helping people’ – in particular, within our neighborhood of West Seattle.”
The Seattle-area 3-Day is less than two months away, September 14-16. If you’d like to donate to it via Team Tracy, just go here.)
(WSB photo from 2007 West Seattle Grand Parade)
WSB’er Kathleen just sent e-mail to make sure we had seen the sad news that Chris Wedes, best known as J.P. Patches, has died, at the age of 84 – just one day after this year’s West Seattle Grand Parade, a parade in which he had appeared more than a few times, with his final appearance in 2010. Here’s a short story on The Seattle Times (WSB partner).
Checking WSB archives: In February 2008, West Seattle’s then-State Senator, now County Councilmember, Joe McDermott introduced a resolution honoring Mr. Wedes on the 50th anniversary of his TV show.
That picture was shared from Olympia by then-Sen. McDermott, and featured him with Mr. Wedes – who was not in his J.P. makeup – and with McDermott’s cousin Emmett Blake (“Patches Pals and West Seattleites both,” the then-senator noted at the time).
Three months later, in full J.P. Patches regalia, Mr. Wedes appeared at the Admiral Theater – here’s our coverage (with video). By then, he was already fighting the cancer that has now taken his life.
So far as we can find in our five-plus-years of archives, his final appearances in West Seattle were in 2010. He was at the May 2010 Westwood Village Street Fair. We covered his appearance, but the best photo came later, from Karen, whose friend Kristi got him to pose with her pugs:
He also rode in the 2010 West Seattle Grand Parade:
(July 2010 photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
ADDED 7:15 PM: The Times has now published a full obituary – read it here.
One more note from here: Back in May, Mr. Wedes’s wife Joan Wedes was an honored guest at the dedication of the new South Transfer Station in South Park. Since JP Patches was also known affectionately as “Mayor of the City Dump,” the city promised a tribute to him at the new building that is about as close as you get to a “dump” these days. (The dedication got little to no coverage in local media [us included] because it was overshadowed by breaking news – shortly after the ceremony ended, Ian Stawicki‘s deadly rampage began.) She’s at right in this photo we took during the dedication:
Though you can’t tell since our photo is a wide shot, Councilmember Jean Godden, sitting next to Mrs. Wedes, was wearing a J.P. Patches button.
8:14 PM: Another West Seattle-raised politician who was a Patches pal, King County Executive Dow Constantine, remembers J.P.:
Several generations of Seattle kids owe a bit of their personality and sense of humor to J.P. Patches. Chris Wedes, sidekick Bob Newman, and director Joe Towey created a remarkable world of improvised comedy that enthralled children and, with an occasional wink or double-entendre, let parents in on the backstage hilarity.
I knew this day would come, but cannot believe that it has. Good night, sweet clown.
ADDED 8:19 PM: Cynthia Reid, who knew Mr. Wedes for many years, also was responsible for bringing him to the West Seattle parade – 1996 was the very first time. She told us, “Even though Chris has been so ill, I just wasn’t prepared for the news today.”
We contacted her after reading her Facebook comment about his death, in which she explained that she was just 5 when Chris Wedes came into her family’s life, visiting her cousin at Children’s Hospital while he was recovering from open-heart surgery. “They told us Craiger wasn’t going to make it after his open-heart surgery, he’d just given up. J.P. came and spent the whole day with him, and even brought his favorite treat, Fudgesicles! Craig found the strength that day to pull thru and we’ve felt indebted to Chris ever since. … Chris was told countless times how much he helped kids who were going thru a hard time with their families. Divorce, abuse, etc, he knew he was the only constant in their lives. And every year during the parade these folks would approach him and thank him. Every story meant so much to him. He KNEW how important it was to the kids, all the kids, and especially the ones who were hurting. Please know how much he cared about each and every kid out there.”
ADDED: Patches Pal Jeff Jones shared memories too, and a photo:
A huge shoutout to my great Patches Pal friend Eric Wiseman for having JP as his special guest for BBQ a few years ago.
I have a Boris S. Wart second-meanest man in the world t-shirt my Mom gave me back in the day.
Coaching girls’ hoops at the rec center, the kids would always ask me who the meanest man was, I said me!
The … picture is me asking JP who the meanest man is, he said, Jonesy, it’s the Principal.
A memorial is planned July 29th for Bob Nohl, a native West Seattleite. From his family:
Robert Ross Nohl
Born May 20, 1942
Died July 13, 2012
Robert Ross Nohl, 70, passed away peacefully on July 13th after a valiant battle with cancer.
Bob was born in West Seattle to Robert G. and Dorothy Nohl on May 20, 1942. He was a proud graduate in the West Seattle High School class of 1960. He then served in the US Army in Taiwan. Bob loved being a commercial fisherman from Alaska to San Francisco before he started a landscape business in the Seattle area.
In his heart, Bob was always a farmer. Bob and his wife Colleen loved to travel and relished in the culture and diversity they discovered. Bob loved people and loved to talk.
He had a gift that made one feel as if they were the only person in the world. He made everyone feel welcome. Bob was happiest when he was entertaining friends with his excellent cooking in his gourmet kitchen. He always loved a party. Building an off-the-grid home in Port Townsend was his passion for the last 15 years.
He died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends. Bob had many friends because he was such a welcoming, kind, and loving man. He will be missed by all who knew him. People far and wide will miss his smile, sense of humor and his friendly, easy-going manner.
A memorial will be held July 29, 2012, at the West Seattle Golf Course, 1:00 – 4:00.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Bob’s name to the West Seattle Food Bank.
(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photo to editor@westseattleblog.com)
Jane Church Lange, 94, mother of longtime West Seattleite Kip Lange, will be remembered this Saturday at St. John’s Episcopal Church. From her family:
Jane Church Lange passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, July 13th in Seattle, Washington. Jane had a zest for life from birth to death. She grew up during the depression era with her sister Peggy, and brothers Dwight, Fred and Floyd.
A beautiful and feisty young lady, Jane had many prospective beaus. She married Leo A. Lange on March 29, 1937. They moved to Bellingham and then Sequim as Leo started his teaching career. They settled in North Seattle where Jane and Leo raised Laurale, Kip and Marcia. When Leo retired, he and Jane moved permanently to Carlyon Beach which became the place for numerous family gatherings.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend Jane will be fondly remembered for her humor and caring heart. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Leo A. Lange. She is survived by her children Laurale Lange (Jean), Leo ‘Kip’ Lange (Sheila), and Marcia Rugg (Morrie); her grandchildren Janni, Jon, Jimmy, Cheryl, Jay, Elliott and Lance; 11 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews; the daughter and son of her heart Marilyn Kettle and Bill Rideout; and her adopted Tam family.
Funeral services will be held at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California Avenue SW, on Saturday, July 21, 2012. The viewing will start at 2:00 pm, memorial service at 3:00 pm, and the reception will immediately follow. Please visit washelli.com/obits for an online memorial and to send condolences to the family. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be given to the American Heart Association in Jane’s name.
(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photo to editor@westseattleblog.com)
The first wedding announcement we’ve ever been asked to publish – but hey, they’re news too! From the bride:
Jolene Humphrey and Sanjay Robert are happy to announce that they are now Mr. and Mrs. Sanjay Robert!
They exchanged vows on Saturday, July 14, 2012, in a small service at their church.
The happy couple are residents of West Seattle and attend church at Hope Lutheran.
You are likely to see them at Lincoln Park with the kids, Kelci, Zach, and Ravi – or walking together hand in hand around the city.
From her family:
Esther Faye Franks, 94, died of natural causes in West Seattle on July 10, supported by her extended family and friends.
Faye was born February 10, 1918, in Lakeview, Kansas, a small farming community. She was the second of five children born to Mattie and Ebon Anderson. Faye graduated from the University of Kansas in 1941 and taught high-school home economics, where she met Kermit Franks, teaching at the same school. They were married in February 1942, ten days before he was drafted into the Army. His service was in Alaska, and when the war ended the couple decided to live in Seattle. They started a family and Kerm began a 30-year career with Seattle Public Schools. Faye spent many years involved in PTA, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Euthenics – an organization for Home Economics graduates.
From 1961 to 1975, Faye and Kerm co-managed the Seabeck Conference Center on Hood Canal. They are remembered fondly as “Auntie Faye” and “Uncle Kerm” by the many former staff members, who were high-school and college youth at the time.
For more than 25 years beginning in 1963, Faye and Kerm hosted a series of exchange students from Europe, Asia and Central America. She was the regional International Christian Youth Exchange coordinator and served on the national board. They also traveled to a number of countries, visiting the families of their student guests.
The couple built a cabin at Lake Cushman, near Hoodsport, Washington, in 1976. They spent summers there, encouraging visits from family and friends. Faye enjoyed square dancing, hiking, swimming, and berry and mushroom picking well into her 80s. She was skilled at sewing, rug-making and other needle arts. She was our bread-baker supreme and taught bread baking classes for many years.
Faye was an active member of Tibbetts United Methodist Church in West Seattle. One of her favorite volunteer jobs was helping oversee the annual church rummage sale. She was known for “rescuing” many sale items to ensure they would have a good home, even if it meant in her home. Faye taught the AARP safe driving course for many years and also served as course coordinator.
Faye and Kerm celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with family and friends at an open house on February 26 at The Kenney residential community in West Seattle.
She is survived by husband Kerm; daughters Marsha (Mike) and Candace (John); sons Dean (Cynthia) and David; sister Doris Stubeck; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four nephews and three nieces.
A memorial service will be held in September. Donations may be made to Seabeck Conference Center or Tibbetts United Methodist Church.
12:09 PM: We’ve learned that a man killed in a one-car crash near the Southworth ferry dock on the Kitsap Peninsula yesterday was a 20-year-old West Seattleite. Ben Huppe graduated from Garfield High School just two years ago. According to this Kitsap Sun report, his car veered off the road around 7:30 am Friday and went down a 30-foot embankment. A friend who e-mailed us with the sad news describes Mr. Huppe as “a truly amazing young man.”
ADDED 6:38 PM: As commenters have mentioned, Mr. Huppe was a coach at the Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club, where a memorial is growing. C.D. sent the photo we have added above, explaining it’s “a little memorial that we set up on the Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis courts; we encourage members to write their thoughts and prayers.” The AHSTC website has this tribute:
Ben has been the heart of the tennis team for years, joining the team at age 9 and twice voted “most inspirational” by his teammates. Ben coached for 4 years and has been a great role model for all the kids at the club, teaching them to love the game of tennis. He will be greatly missed and our hearts go out to his family
ADDED 9:54 PM: A story in The Seattle Times (WSB partner) has more details about Mr. Huppe’s achievements, including how he helped found Technology Services Corps.
A happy milestone today, shared by the couple’s family:
Today, the family and friends of West Seattle residents Carroll and Connie Blackman want to wish them a wonderful 70th wedding anniversary!
Out of this amazing marriage, the Blackmans produced three children, nine grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren (with another on the way), and two great-great-grandchildren.
Having lived most of their adult life in Arizona and California, Carroll and Connie moved to West Seattle in 2007 to be near family. Upon their arrival, they lived in the Diplomat condominiums in the Junction – making friends with their neighbors, Holy Rosary parishioners, and Husky Deli proprietors.
They recently moved to Merrill Gardens at Admiral Heights, where they are now making friends with the other residents and sharing their love with great-grandchildren who stop by unannounced for an ice cream bar or cookie. The West Seattle portion of their clan is thrilled to have the opportunity to share this wonderful milestone with them.
Congratulations, Grandma and Grandpa Blackman!
An accomplished musician who lived in West Seattle is mourned tonight by family, friends, and colleagues. Chelan County authorities say 43-year-old Monty Carter drowned on Sunday after wading into the Wenatchee River to cool off after a day of hiking. The Seattle Times (WSB partner) reports on the drowning, and on some of Mr. Carter’s background, including his work at The Northwest School, coaching basketball and teaching music over the years, which is also mentioned in this Wenatchee World story. Paul Dolejsi, pastoral assistant for music at Holy Rosary in Seattle, tells WSB that Mr. Carter worked for him as an accompanist until 2006, and remembers him as “an incredibly gifted pianist (who) was always kind and helpful with our singers and musicians.” He adds, “It is a terrible tragedy that someone so kind and talented should slip from our grasp at such a young age. He will be greatly missed.”
AUGUST 5th NOTE: Received word today:
His students and friends are getting together to pay tribute to him at 3 pm today(Aug. 5).The service and reception will take place at St Nicholas Hall at the upper campus of Lakeside School.
Two weeks ago, a West Seattle mom named Megan e-mailed a Crime Watch report (read it here): Somebody had stolen the little red wagon that she used to transport her toddler son, and groceries (they are carless). Along with the general outrage came multiple offers of a new wagon for them, both in comments and via e-mail. Megan gratefully accepted the offer of a West Seattleite who was first to e-mail us, minutes after we published our story, asking to buy a new wagon for her anonymously. We in turn asked Megan to consider sharing a photo when the new wagon arrived; this morning, she sent the photo, with this update:
Good morning. I recently received the new wagon (at the end of last week), and it’s great! It is all-terrain and very easy to control.
My dad set it for me yesterday, and brought me a bike lock which should at least deter thieves. I’ve attached a picture of a very excited little boy!
I never heard a thing about what happened to the stolen wagon.
Please send our thanks to the donor. We really appreciate the genorosity! Please also send our thanks to the honorary donors. We’d also like to thank you, the West Seatle Blog Editors!
Best Wishes and Many Thanks,
Megan and Dylan
We did hear from someone last week who said they thought they had seen the stolen wagon in The Junction. We couldn’t find Megan’s contact info at that moment to pass it on to her. Anyway, we’re grateful, too, for the caring and generosity expressed in this instance and so many others.
When Alex Miller and two other local teens shared the news two weeks ago that they would be competing in the international Marine Advanced Technology Education Remotely Operated Vehicle (MATE ROV) competition, we asked if he would check back in after they returned home. He obliged with this report (and the photo above) – take note of the fundraising they’re planning!
The international MATE ROV competition was put on the weekend of the 23rd in Orlando, and we were very grateful to participate in it. This was a great educational experience for us, because it allowed us to gain a perspective on the maritime=technology industry. For example we had conversations with representatives from many of the industry’s leading companies. Overall, we finished 19th out of 32 teams at our level. We were also one of three primarily middle-school-age teams, the smallest team attending (with only three team members), and the only team not affiliated with a school or organization. In addition to these accomplishments, our CEO (Clara Orndorff) won an award for being helpful towards other teams. We are already considering improvements for next year. To finance these expenditures, we will be holding bake sales throughout the summer at the intersection of 59th Avenue SW and Alki Avenue.
Clara is 15; Alex and their teammate Nicholas Orndorff are 13. Congratulations to them for their achievement!
The legacy of a couple who spent their retirement years in West Seattle will live on, thanks to more than $1,000,000 in donations announced by their family today.
The donations from the estate of William C. Sanders and Mildred Krahmer Sanders, both longtime Boeing workers, include money for the Seattle Fire Department to buy two new medic units, and for Research to Prevent Blindness to build a lab for advanced eye research.
Read on for more about the couple and their gifts:Read More
A memorial service is scheduled Tuesday for Anne Hollister, who spent 20 years of her life in the West Seattle/Burien area. Her family shares this remembrance:
Anne K. Hollister (Frederiksen)
Anne was born to Danish immigrant parents, Soren and Margrethe Frederiksen, in Granite Falls, WA on May 7, 1928. She died peacefully at the Norse Home in Seattle on June 18, 2012.
She was proud of her Danish heritage and was active in the Danish community in Seattle for more than 50 years. She was a long-time member of Luther Memorial Lutheran Church and the Danish Sisterhood and gave many hours of service. Her greatest joy was her family—especially her nine grandchildren.
Block Watch Captains take on a big responsibility for their neighborhood – but don’t get paid, and don’t always get appreciated. Last night, the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network‘s first-ever BW Captains Appreciation Party was an attempt at remedying that – inviting captains and their guests to a free catered dinner, with music, and dancing. And words of gratitude, from Mayor Mike McGinn – who thanked the captains, saying, “You answered the call for your community” – and police (for whom the mayor had appreciative words too, as he went on to discuss the May 30th shootings):
Among those in our clip (unintroduced, since they were hosting!) were WSBWCN’s leaders, two women who are captains themselves, Karen Berge and Deb Greer:
They made last night’s party happen, too, along with a committee of other volunteers lining up grants and sponsors (WSB joined in, which is why our banner’s in the background of this next photo).
Speaking of banners, WSBWCN has a new one too, shown off at the party (which was at the VFW Hall in The Triangle):
No Block Watch in your area? Here’s how to form one. To get involved with WSBWCN, keep an eye on their website for meeting info – (updated) next one is Tuesday, June 26, 6:30 pm, at the precinct (Delridge/Webster).
In the photo with Stu Hennessey of Alki Bike and Board (WSB sponsor), you might recognize Cal Prinster and dad Gordon Prinster, who stopped by ABB Thursday to pick up “the last couple things” for their next adventure. Last summer, they shared the news here as they wrapped up a 1,732-mile bike trip to the Mexican border, raising money for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Tomorrow, Cal and dad head out on another bicycle odyssey – this time, aiming to reach New York City by summer’s end! Here’s a one-minute preview produced by Cal (who’s going into 7th grade at Madison Middle School next year), showing their planned route:
We asked Gordon if they’re having any kind of sendoff. He says no – “We’ll just quietly roll out into the rain Saturday.”
TO DONATE: Go to this page on the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation site – and be sure to enter “Cal Prinster” as the “honoree” so PBTF will know he inspired you!
Shakura Kanye‘s dad passed away recently; she says he was “a very active member in the West Seattle community and I would like to spread the word about his funeral service.”
Honoring Mark Christopher Adams
When: Saturday, June 23, 2012 @ 11 a.m.
Where: Freedom Church (35th/Roxbury)Please join family and friends at Freedom Church in West Seattle at 11 am for a funeral service honoring Mark Adams- a loving brother, father, husband, uncle, and friend. He will be missed dearly.
Out of the WSB inbox:
A group of people in Southwest Seattle would like to get a Timebank started and are hosting an informational meeting to explain how it works and determine if there is enough interest.
Timebanks use a low overhead, self-organizing internet based system to help people exchange their talents, passions, and resources with other members so that they enjoy the necessities and the niceties of life. At its simplest, an hour you spend doing something for a SWEL Timebank member goes into the bank as a time hour. Then you have a time hour to spend having another SWEL member do something for you. People of all ages are welcome.Timebank Informational Meeting
Wednesday, June 27th 7-8 pm
Senior Center of West Seattle
4217 SW OregonThere are more than 100 timebanks in the United States, including one in East King County, called Eastside Timebank, which serves the cities of Kirkland, Redmond and Bellevue. There is also one in North King County called SWEL Timebank, which serves Shoreline, Woodway, Edmonds and Lake Forest Park. Timebanking is a great way to get to know members in your community. Representatives from Eastside and SWEL Timebanks will be at the meeting.
Just launched: West Seattle Women in Charge.
Diane Venti of Alki Arts hatched the idea of a monthly mixer for local women who own businesses, and she invited a few to a get-together at her beachfront gallery/event venue last week. Five showed up, and now they’re organizing a second meeting and casting a wider net. If you’re interested in being part of it, you’re invited to “like” their new Facebook page, set up by one of the five – Krystal Kelley of Mind Unwind in the Admiral District – with this mission:
We are the women business owners of West Seattle. We believe in symbiotic networking and idea-sharing with good intentions, supporting our wonderful community and the arts in West Seattle, along with having a good time and smiling.
Interested? Next meeting is 9:30 am July 23rd at Mind Unwind (2206 California SW) – and of course there’s a Facebook event page already.
Congratulations to Axel Oxholm of West Seattle – shown above with Governor Gregoire after being chosen the Western Washington winner of WSDOT‘s “Bridging Futures Art and Essay Contest.” The challenge given to students: Write and/or draw something related to the importance of wildlife crossings; the state is building two in the Snoqualmie Pass area, to help wildlife get across I-90 safely. Here’s Axel’s winning work, which will be on a billboard in that area:
You can read more about the contest here; the awards were presented in Cle Elum this past Monday, as Gov. Gregoire presided over her last meeting as chair of the Western Governors Association. (We didn’t know about his win initially because he goes to school at Cedarhurst Elementary in Burien and so wasn’t identified in the state announcement as a West Seattleite – thanks to Axel’s dad Peter Levine for sharing the news!)
Big event at the nearby Museum of Flight in two weeks – and a former West Seattleite plays a big role. West Seattle High School alum astronaut Gregory Johnson is flying NASA‘s “Super Guppy” cargo plane to bring a shuttle-trainer section here. The full announcement, received from the museum this afternoon, with details on the celebration that will ensue, is ahead (along with an image of the unusual-looking plane):Read More
We are always thrilled to be able to share news about local people – of all ages – achieving great things. Today – meet the team of local youth headed to an international technology competition! As part of it, they needed to do “media outreach” for bonus points – and even wrote their own story, which we’re happy to publish. First, Alex Miller‘s introduction:
We are participating in the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Competition. An ROV is an underwater vehicle that is controlled from the surface. We built this ROV throughout last year and recently participated in the Pacific Northwest regional competition and placed 2nd. This qualified us for a place at the international competition in Orlando, Florida. We are really looking forward to going. In addition to building our ROV, we made a poster about our ROV, we wrote a technical report, and we have prepared an engineering presentation to give to a panel of judges.
Alex is 13. He’s on the AMNO & CO ROV team with 13-year-old Nicholas Orndorff and 15-year-old Clara Orndorff. Read on for their full report, and a photo of their ROV:Read More
After teaching at Schmitz Park Elementary for 22 years, Kiki Watson is retiring. The school community wasn’t about to let her go without a celebration, so she was in the spotlight this afternoon. In our photo, she’s holding her big retirement gift: Custom glass the PTA purchased from local artist Bradly Burzynski (a former Schmitz Park dad)! She also received the gift of warm words from families of students and colleagues past and present.
As reported here last month, there’s a youth sport here in West Seattle that hasn’t gotten as much buzz as field sports like soccer and baseball, but has athletes achieving big things: Riflery. Tonight, we have an update from coach Joe Matter on a team that’s just gotten word of major national success, and will be off to a championship event later this month:
The West Seattle Thunderbirds have had a busy junior season. These four girls: 9th Graders Lily Voynick, Corinne Blair, Juniors Emma Carey and Lauren Phillips, are one of only a few all girl teams competing nationally.
These girls won the NRA National Junior Sectional – Indoor Conventional Position Smallbore Rifle team title, shooting an 1573/1600. Lily Voynick placed 2nd with a 398/400. They are also awaiting confirmation of breaking the National Women’s Team record for metallic sights, last set in 1969.
They further went on to win their age group, Intermediate Junior, and finish 4th overall in the NRA National Junior Sectional – Precision Air Rifle Position team competition. Lily Voynick finished 11th in the Intermediate Junior Division, shooting a 581/600.
And finally, they took 2nd in the Intermediate Junior division of the NRA National Junior Sectional – Indoor Metric Position Smallbore Rifle, shooting a 2203/2400. Lauren Phillips led the team with a 566/600 and finished 6th in the Intermediate Junior division and 15th overall. They are also awaiting confirmation of 2 more National records: The Intermediate Junior Team Record and the Women’s Team Record in this event.
The team is heading south to Anniston, AL to compete in the NRA Jr. 3P Air Gun Championships and the CMP 3P Air Rifle Championships at the end of June.
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