West Seattle, Washington
10 Monday
Two West Seattleites’ work is in the spotlight:
MAGAZINE FEATURES MACHEL SPENCE: The work of West Seattle nature photographer Machel Spence will be featured in the next edition of Natural History Magazine, on its way to bookstores and newsstands if it hasn’t arrived already. The photo above, which shows what Machel explains is “a species of slime mold at Lincoln Park,” is one of eight photos you’ll see in the three-page feature.
ANTHOLOGY INCLUDES STORY BY THOMAS P. HOPP: Fourteen West Coast authors, including West Seattle’s Thomas P. Hopp, have written stories comprising a new mystery e-book anthology called “West Coast Crime Wave.” Hopp’s story is titled “The Ghost Trees,” which he explains “refers to trees killed by loggers in old West Seattle, and to cedar trees killed in recent years by a new breed of bad guy, the tree poacher. These criminals take down trees illegally to make a little money in the cedar shake business, often to support a drug habit. When a tree poacher turns up dead in West Seattle’s Puget Creek Canyon, investigator Peyton McKean is called in to figure out ‘whodunnit’.” (Read a longer preview here.) “West Coast Crime Wave” was e-published by bstsller.com, which points you to this Amazon page to buy/access the anthology.
>No school tomorrow, so Veterans Day was observed a day early at many schools – including South Seattle Community College, scene of a gathering earlier today in honor of those who have served, and those who have been lost:
“We have men and women who have volunteered to stand out there on the front lines, so we can be here, living the dream,” said Ryan Shannon, president of the SSCC Veterans’ Club. He served in both Afghanistan and Iraq with the Army Second Ranger Battalion. As also shown in our video clip, SSCC President Gary Oertli spoke briefly at the event, too. SSCC has about 200 veterans in the student body, according to the announcement sent out about today’s event, and has again won the designation “Military-Friendly School.”
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
We could carry the Wild Western metaphor to extremes when writing about a particular West Seattle event tonight … starting with Brent Amaker in his trademark hat, which of course he sported while making an impromptu speech to the gathering of West Seattle movers-and-shakers who filled the loft at Mission tonight. But … we’ll try not to be too unbridled.
“We are ‘The West’,” Amaker proclaimed — a West Seattle social/networking/activism alliance that’s taken shape over the past few weeks, with a mostly word-of-mouth network drawing interested parties to The West’s first major mixer tonight.
Founders of The West – Amaker, Lora Swift of Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) and Swift Media Solutions, and Lane Bueche of Motherlode – are confident the posse/coalition/group/network can do big things for a good cause – and to further maximize West Seattle’s community-coolness factor.
In the early going, they’re expecting to plot an event that’ll do something for charity. Something involving art, and/or music, particularly relevant since, as everybody around the room introduced her/himself, there were more than a few self-identified musicians and artists, as well as entrepreneurs whose businesses support art and music – proprietors from Skylark Café and Club, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), West 5, Shadowland, host venue Mission, The Workshop, Harbor Properties, and others (we couldn’t hear all the introductions from our spot in the corner). Many have already been involved in West Seattle-wide coolness-for-causes (think West Seattle for Japan, Lowman Brau, West Seattle Outdoor Movies, just a small sample).
Whatever happens, “It’s gonna be f***in’ cool,” promised Amaker, as loud whoops of approval erupted.
We had to gallop into the night shortly thereafter, while the revelry and strategizing continued behind Mission’s facade:
If you’re interested in connecting with “The West,” best place to do that, we’re told, is by “liking” its Facebook page – but be ready for a wild ride.
At the Service Dog Academy north of Morgan Junction, today was Graduation Day for the newest class of diabetic-alert dogs – specially trained to alert their owners to a potentially dangerous drop in blood-sugar levels. Six dogs graduated this time around, two from West Seattle, and that’s who you see above – Ron with canine companion Spencer, Heather with Stella. Both Spencer and Stella are pit-bull mixes. Academy owner Mary McNeight says this is the fifth class of diabetic-alert dogs they’ve graduated since she launched the program.
Timely items in the big spread of silent-auction offerings at the “Hope for Jan” benefit at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) till 5 pm – something to keep you warm. (It was below freezing by 4 am today.) Or how about this one – Meander’s Kitchen proprietor Miranda Krone cooks for your party of up to 10 people? $500 value but they were taking bids as low as $100. It’s all to help out longtime WSB’er Jan Seeley – aka “JanS” – who’s there with daughter Jessica Diamant:
They’re asking for bids by 4. The Feedback is also donating profits from food and drink specials (spicy chicken teriyaki skewers, $7; Feedback Cape Cod, $6) while the event lasts till 5 – and while you’re there, you can play pinball, meet cool people, admire the wall of 45-rpm record jackets (small slice of the abundant music memorabilia at The Feedback):
Feedback Lounge is at 6451 California SW (in another benefit effort, it’ll be epicenter of the Whale Tail Ale release parties coming up at 6 pm this Wednesday).
Big fall for Fauntleroy resident Donn Bennett. His eponymous Drum Studio in Bellevue has just been honored as “Best in Western Washington,” for musical instruments. And tomorrow, he’ll rally hundreds of drummers for the annual “Woodstick Big Beat” mega-drum charity-benefit event he organizes – not in West Seattle, but not that far, if you want to go help local children’s charities and see an inspiringly thunderous display of musicians’ teamwork. Donn says, “We’re featuring Danny Seraphine, original drummer from Chicago, and 7 other top pro drummers” – along with hundreds of Northwest drummers, gathering tomorrow at the Juanita Field House in Kirkland. The official announcement explains more:
They’ll join drummers in 15 cities across North America to set 2 new Guinness World Records for drummers playing a song simultaneously. One record for the most drummers playing a song in a single location, the other for the most drummers playing together via live internet connection. The entire international event will be directed from our Kirkland, WA, location.
Drummers in Birmingham England assembled 588 drummers in 2008 to beat our previous record of 533 set at Qwest Field in 2005. On November 6th 2011 we’ll attempt to bring the record back to the Northwest where it all started. All proceeds will go to the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to purchase musical instruments for underfunded local schools and to Camp Korey, a camp in Carnation WA for kids battling serious illness.
The event is 2-4 pm tomorrow (Sunday), 10601 NE 32nd; doors open at 10 am. Admission is $12/participant (register online here), $10/spectator, all going to charity. Quite a sight and sound, as you’ll see on the highlight reel from last year (above) – especially once it gets to the overview of the entire Field House.
This fall, the WSB Forums – added 2 years after the site’s debut – turn four. They were created when the requests for local recommendations – “where do I find a …” – started to overwhelm the front-page news stream. 
That’s a form of “people helping people,” and the Forums also have yielded face-to-face versions of that … as members joined together to reach out to people who need more than information. Sometimes, that’s meant face-to-face events, like the one coming up Sunday at the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), a fundraising silent auction for Jan Seeley, a longtime Forums and comment-section participant you’d recognize as “JanS.” But much more than a screen name, she is a West Seattle community member, wearing hats including independent businessperson and mom.
Jan’s had health trouble for a while, and has won some victories, beating breast cancer, among other things. Right now she is in another health battle, waiting for a kidney transplant, because of a rare disease called fibrillary glomerulonephritis. Jan’s daughter Jessica had hoped to be a match, but tests revealed that was not to be, so Jan is still waiting and hoping. But Jessica, friends, and Forums members have done something else to help – organized Sunday’s fundraiser, including rustling up some unique auction items. Drop by The Feedback 2-5 pm Sunday to bid on something and enjoy Happy Hour (with proceeds from a special drink and appetizer going to Jan’s fund), as well as chair massage. Auction items mentioned in the ongoing WSB Forums discussion about the event so far include: great wine, coffee baskets, photographs, art, pest control services, massage gift cards, yard work, bagels from Zatz’s, an Angelina’s gift card, Curves membership, and handblown-glass ornaments. (Tis the season!) The Feedback is at 6451 California SW. By the way, its co-proprietor Jeff Gilbert is also a graphics artist extraordinaire and designed the poster art above (as well as the many others you’ll see on the Feedback’s site regarding the other events it hosts/presents).
(WSB photo from Ed Kingston‘s memorial at Holy Rosary on October 22nd)
Just got word about an event this Sunday to help the family of Dr. Ed Kingston, who died suddenly at the age of just 38 while coaching his son’s West Seattle Soccer Club team at Riverview Playfield almost a month ago. West Seattle Eagles vice president Paul Leonardo, who is also a fellow Holy Rosary parishioner with the Kingston family, invites you to a benefit brunch at the aerie:
There will be a benefit brunch for the Kingston family on Sunday November 6, 2011 beginning immediately after the 9:30 am Family Mass. Doors will open at 10 am. The benefit will be held at the West Seattle Eagles Aerie #2643. It is located at 4426 California Avenue SW (1 block from the parish). The cost will be $15 per adult and $7 for children under the age of 10 years.
There will be an omelet bar, fresh fruit, waffles, coffee, tea, juice, and hot chocolate. All proceeds will benefit the Kingston Family and all are welcome. In addition, we will be holding a raffle.
If you have any questions, please contact Paul leonardo at 206-250-5213 or Erik Ricard at 206-683-1018.
Dr. Kingston is survived by wife Laura, son Jack, and daughter Reese; his memorial fund also has a webpage, here.
Three local groups/organizations are inviting you to check them out this week. First, tonight, Toastmasters Club 832. From Jacqueline:
West Seattle Toastmasters Club 832 is having its annual “Tales of the Hearth” Guest Night at The Kenney, (tonight) at 6:30. All are welcome to come to this free event to hear some entertaining storytelling, enjoy some leftover Halloween candy (plus other delicious treats) and learn about how a Toastmasters club can help improve their public speaking and leadership skills. E-mail wstoastmasters832@gmail.com for more information.
Then Wednesday morning, also at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW), the BNI Westside Professionals invite businesspeople to join them for networking and breakfast. From Jackie:
If you want your local business to grow and expand BNI chapters are a solid way to help you. We meet Wednesday mornings at The Kenney from 8-9:30 and a full breakfast is provided. We welcome any local business owners to join us.
And Wednesday night, The Olio Show invites interested singers/actors to check out their rehearsal. Marie writes:
We have two ensembles: The Olio Players and The Olio Glee Club and together we plan to produce 3 Olio Shows (which are all-ages variety/vaudeville shows) in the coming year. Our goal is to provide opportunities for adults to develop their singing and acting skills in a fun, supportive environment. Previous training is helpful, but not necessary. No audition is required!
The directors of the show are Bert Gulhaugen and Jerry Halsey, who offer voice lessons through their West Seattle company, In Good Voice. They have produced several Olio Shows in the past, the most recent one a couple of years ago at the Youngstown Performing Arts Center.
Our next rehearsal is this coming Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Westside Unitarian Universalist Church at 7141 California Ave SW. We are very much in need of male voices! We encourage West Seattle dads, husbands, brothers, uncles and sons to come join us and add to the fun! For information, people can call Jerry Halsey at 206-851-3617.
Our first singing performance of the season will be at The Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Contest on December 2, downtown Seattle, starting around 5 p.m. We will be one of over 40 caroling teams singing to raise money for the Pike Market Senior Center and Downtown Food Bank. We’d love to find a volunteer with video skills who can do a YouTube video of our Figgy performance, so we can start adding Olio video to our website. Anyone interested can email me at marie.mckinsey@gmail.com.
The family of longtime West Seattle residents Harvey and Helen Spicer asked us to share news of their memorial service, next Saturday at 2 pm, Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 6701 30th SW, for those who knew the couple and want to attend. Daughter-in-law Marci, who sent the information, also provided the photo. The Spicers were found inside their home a week and a half ago; she was 80 and he was 79.
It’s not just a job – it’s an art. Diligent practice just won 16-year-old Andrew Borracchini, a West Seattleite who works at the Admiral Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), the state’s 2011 Best Bagger title – and now he’s looking ahead to competing for the national championship. Though you don’t see him closeup in this video, you get an idea of what the competition was like:
After winning the bagging contest at Metropolitan Market’s annual company 
picnic, Andrew got to travel to Spokane to take aim at the state title. Winning “Best Bagger” requires superior work in speed, “bag-building” techniques, distribution of weight, attitude, and appearance. You can see Andrew in action in this photo from a Spokane TV website. The announcement of Andrew’s win quotes Admiral Metropolitan Market store director Glenn Hasstedt as saying: “We are all so proud of Andrew. He has been so diligent in practicing on his own – timing himself, weighing the bags. His commitment has really paid off; a well-earned win.” His prize: $1500 and a trip for two to Las Vegas next February, where he’ll try for the national championship. He’s worked for Metropolitan Market since August 2010; two of his siblings are current and former employees.
Richard Allen Cunningham‘s family shares this tribute:
Richard was a longtime West Seattle resident who attended West Seattle High School in 1954 to 1956, but graduated from Franklin High School in 1957. He worked for the Seattle School District as a licensed custodian from 1965 to 1989 in various schools throughout the city and at Memorial Stadium. In the mid-‘70s he was one of the adult advisers for the Seattle Police Explorers, of which his son and daughter were a part. Richard retired from the School District with a permanent disability in 1989. After his retirement, he did some traveling with his family.
Richard’s health began to decline in ’99 with congestive heart failure, and then stage III kidney disease in ’02, which turned to terminal stage 4 in ’09. In ’09 he was told he had 6 months, but with care from his family and doctors, he managed two years. In that span he was able to do more traveling with his family, which he enjoyed very much. His last good outing was in September for his wife’s birthday; after that he began to decline rapidly. He went back on in-home hospice care, but the decline was so rapid, he had to be admitted to a nursing facility. Richard succumbed to his two-year fight with kidney disease and passed at the Washington Care Center in Rainier Valley Thursday, October 20, 2011. Richard is survived by: wife of 54 years Gerry, son Frank, daughter Lauri, & two best friends Corky and Bess. No service will be held, at his request.
(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photos to editor@westseattleblog.com)
The family of Rachelle A. Schutte, gone at just 57, shares this tribute, and word that her memorial is planned for Friday:
Rachelle took her place in Heaven after suddenly passing away on October 22nd, 2011, in her West Seattle home.
Born on October 3rd, 1954, in Minneapolis Minnesota, Rachelle became a long time West Seattle resident where she lived her life to the fullest. Rachelle was a loving, kind, and caring person who loved her friends and family unconditionally and always put others before herself. When not in the bingo halls, you would most likely find her spending time with her family and enjoying her grandchildren.
Rachelle is survived by her husband Art; sister Marice; brothers Chuck and Steve; children Matt and Jodie and four grandchildren, McKayla, McKenzie, Kaya, and Kaleb, as well as many other family and friends who will miss her dearly.
Services and reception will be held on Friday, October 28th 2011 at Yarington’s Funeral Home, 10708 16th Ave SW, from 2-5 PM.
(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photos to editor@westseattleblog.com)
EDITOR’S NOTE: West Seattle Forum members have taken a special interest in the encampment that calls itself Nickelsville, since its return last May to the West Seattle site where it was founded three years ago, volunteering and donating. Among them are Joanne Brayden and Kevin McClintic, who have reported previously on events at the site. It’s been a while since their last story, so for those who are interested in what’s happening with that site – including two City Council meetings this week that may decide issues of importance to the encampment – here’s their newest contribution.
(One of the new “simple, sturdy structures” at Nickelsville)
Story by Joanne Brayden
Photos by Kevin McClintic
Special to West Seattle Blog
If you have driven by Nickelsville lately, in southeastern West Seattle, you may have noticed some changes. They have added a second gate on West Marginal Way, expanded into a second in-camp “neighborhood,” built a few more living structures, and this week, thanks to generous gravel donations from West Seattle residents, they have begun work on common pathways, to make them safe and as dry as possible this winter.
Like all communities, they are having a few growing pains as they figure out how to make their expanded neighborhoods work, but the contrast between the tents dumped in an open field in May and the community they have created is evidence that their process is producing results.
From the WSB inbox tonight:
Today my mother and I took our two dogs to Westcrest dog park. Around 1:30 pm, my mother started feeling symptoms of what seemed to be a heart attack. I’d like to say a BIG thanks to the woman who helped my mother and I. I’m so grateful you were there willing to help – calling the ambulance and providing water, etc. So, THANK YOU! Also a thanks to everyone else who were concerned and offered to help, it was much appreciated.
It is unknown what was wrong, but now my mom is doing just fine and is now resting. Thank you again for all your help. I am so grateful to live in such a great place filled with great, caring people.
Nikita Mighell
Memorial plans are now set for Dr. Ed Kingston, the West Seattle volunteer soccer coach, husband, dad, and sports psychologist who died suddenly at age 38 last weekend. A family friend shared the announcement:
On Saturday, October 8, Ed Kingston died suddenly doing what he loved: spending time with his young son on a soccer field. A memorial Mass for Ed will be held on Saturday, October 22nd at 10 am at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in West Seattle (4202 SW Genesee; map). After Mass, all are welcome for a reception celebrating Ed’s life in Holy Rosary’s Lanigan Gym.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund for the family has been set up at Sound Community Bank. Contributions can be made at edkingston.com.
West Seattle Soccer Club, for whom Dr. Kingston served as a volunteer coach, has a memorial page, here.
A party at The Sanctuary at Admiral tonight, in honor of Sonya Elliott – who you might know best lately as West Seattle High School girls’ basketball coach, one of many hats she wears, along with athlete, model, writer, entrepreneur, and now – “published author.” Her book “Back on the Court” has just gone on sale. As described on her website, “Back on the Court” is a memoir of how she returned to “life, love, and basketball,” after surviving an accident that killed her fiancé. It’s a book that, as she describes here, has been more than a decade in the making. It’s available now; you can find it on Amazon, here.
During our visit to tonight’s party, we also asked Elliott for a look ahead to this year’s WSHS basketball season – you can see our video clip with her answer, here. But the season’s still a ways off. So, back to ‘Back on the Court’: You can meet Sonya Elliott at a book-signing party on November 3rd at The Cask in the Admiral District, 6-8 pm.
Back in August, we brought you the story of Seattle Lutheran High School senior Matt Haggerty and his senior project “Ritual Running,” intended to inspire community members to run, while raising money to help get shoes for those in need, culminating in a 5K/10K. Saturday was the day for that big event – and Christine shared these photos, saying, “It’s so nice to see a West Seattle student organize and lead an event like this. Great leadership and inspiration.” Among the participants, Christine said, were “a good number of 5th graders from Schmitz Park (Elementary)”:
Matt has been leading training groups, too.
P.S. Separate effort BUT also a 5K – this (Sunday) morning, you can be part of the first-ever “Beat the Burn” run/walk on Alki – details here.
Another big achievement for the West Seattle triathlete! From her sister, Susan Robinson:
Proud to announce that my sister, Judith Sentz (of West Seattle), participated in the World Ironman Triathlon on Oct. 8th in Kona, Hawaii. The race consists of a 2.4-mile ocean swim, 112-mile bike ride, and a full marathon, 26.2 miles. That’s 140.6 miles!! Judy finished 14th in her age group (60-64) in just over 14 hours. Her family was there to cheer her on. She is an amazing West Seattle athlete!
She qualified for the world-championship event by winning her division in a triathlon in Idaho earlier this year.
Even if you’ve never met her, you may feel like you know longtime WSB’er “JanS.” She has participated in many discussions both here in the news section and in the WSB Forums since their inception almost four years ago. In the community, online and offline, Jan has reached out to help many, both with words and with deeds. And now she needs a little help herself. Her daughter, Jessica Diamant, tells the story, and explains how you can help … in small ways, and maybe even in a big way:
As some of you may know, my mom Jan Seeley (or as you may know her on the WSB forums JanS), was diagnosed with fibrillary glomerulonephritis, a rare form of kidney disease, last year. It was discovered after many months of extreme fatigue and anemia. After her diagnosis, she underwent treatments and chemotherapy for the disease, but unfortunately her kidneys failed, and she is now in end-stage renal failure. After a few more months of rigorous testing, she was approved and added to a kidney transplant list. I was planning on donating one of my kidneys to her, but due to the antibodies in her blood, we found out that I am not a good match. She is now on dialysis, which she goes to three times a week.
My mother is no stranger to struggle and health problems. After my parents’ divorce nearly 20 years ago, she built a home=based massage business from the ground up while raising a wild teenager (me) and trying to make ends meet.
Last weekend, we reported on the tragic sudden death of a volunteer soccer coach during a soccer game at Riverview Playfield. On Monday, we added some information to that original story – but not until tonight did we receive information on how the community can help his wife and kids. From a family friend:
On Saturday, October 8, Dr. Ed Kingston (38) died suddenly doing what he loved: spending time with his young son on a soccer field. The West Seattle community is reeling from the loss. Ed lived in West Seattle with his wife and two young children. They are parishioners at Holy Rosary. He was a great husband, father, friend, teacher, and coach.
Many of you have been asking how you can help support his wife, Laura, and their children during this time. A memorial fund for the family has been set up at Sound Community Bank. The Kingstons will be able to use the fund for all immediate and future expenses. You can contribute online at edkingston.comYou can also contribute to the fund at any of the SCB branch locations or through the mail at the bank’s main location:
Sound Community Bank
Attn: Ed Kingston Memorial Fund
2005 5th Ave, Suite 200 Seattle, WA 98121Details about Ed’s service will be shared soon. Thank you.
ADDED EARLY WEDNESDAY: The West Seattle Soccer Club has a memorial page on its website.
They’re skills you might see firefighters using at the scene of vehicle crashes classified as “heavy rescues” – cutting through wreckage to get people out, for example – but on Friday, those skills were deployed in a different scenario. At the city’s Joint Training Facility, in the southeasternmost corner of West Seattle (map), crews faced the challenge of wrecked cars and collapsed concrete, as might be faced after bombings. The JTF has a very realistic setup to mimic that kind of rubble:
Ahead, more scenes from Friday’s training – and a detailed explanation of the scenario:Read More
(Click to see larger image)
Sandy Watkins from Arbor Heights shares the photo and what she offers as a “feel-good story about (her) husband,” Tony Watkins:
On September 1, 2011 my husband was diagnosed with stage 4, non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He works as an assistant service manager at BMW Seattle in downtown. They have been very supportive of Tony during this difficult time. Tony started really losing his hair this past week and decided to shave his head. He went into work today and 23 of his co-workers had shaved their heads in support of Tony. … I thought it was pretty neat. Tony is 4th from the left in the lower row.
ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: Just found out that our friends at KING 5 followed up on this. You can see their story here.
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