West Seattle, Washington
13 Thursday
(Photo courtesy Restita DeJesus)
Third from left, that’s Restita DeJesus from the Seattle Wushu Center north of Morgan Junction, inducted into the martial-arts Masters Hall of Fame in Southern California on Saturday night. DeJesus says she has explored martial arts for more than 30 years, including Tai Chi, Wushu, Karate, Kajukenbo-Wun Hop Kuen Do, Eskrima, Spanish knife fighting, Japanese archery, and Japanese swordsmanship, and is a two-time National Champion and 2001 International Tai Chi champion. That’s not all – she also is an aficionado of bullwhip artistry, sport target blowgunning, and slingshots, and she offers free lessons in these activities.
A memorial service and reception are planned this Sunday for longtime West Seattleite Debbie Numoto, whose family shared this tribute:
Deborah Dawn Numoto passed peacefully on Saturday, August 13, 2011 from cancer, at the age of 49. She is survived by her husband Phil Numoto, father Harold Willard; mother Janice Mize; children; Jorge Muratalla (Ginny), Tami Oden (Tony), and grandson A.J.; sister Sharon Nark (Joel), nephew Conrad and niece Julia; Uncle Chuck Mize (Kathy) and Aunt Nadine Geister (Don). Jorge Muratalla, James Sansburn and family. She was preceded in death by her grandparents and her good friend Steve. Our family and her friends miss her so much. It is too early for her to join the angels.
Debbie was born in Yakima, WA and was raised in West Seattle. She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1980. She has been a manager/gift buyer at West Seattle’s Northwest Art and Frame for 26 years. Many have stopped there to enjoy special gifts to share with others.
Her passion was creativity and art, and her compositions expressed her love of nature, flowers, the ocean, and her connectedness with special friends; there were many.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“Goodbye” is a good thing at Family Promise of Seattle.
They are about to bid farewell to another one of the newly homeless families they have helped since reopening their unique community-partnership shelter program two months ago.
This Friday, though, they hope to say “hello” to you – and your family – as Grammy-nominated musician Justin Roberts (with his Not Ready for Naptime Players) comes to West Seattle for a benefit concert. A big fall benefit is on the drawing board, too, we learned in a conversation with FP’s executivedirector Norman Schwamberg, to see how things have been going since they reopened.
(Photo courtesy Pokémon World Championships)
6:42 PM: This’ll be a great “what I did on my summer vacation” story: We mentioned last night that David Cohen, a 16-year-old student at Seattle Lutheran High School in West Seattle, was in the final 16 at the Pokémon card-game world championships in San Diego. This afternoon, he won the title in the Masters’ division (click the tab for that division to see his progress). Here’s a photo from the official website.
ADDED 11:03 PM: We are reminded in the comment section that West Seattle was home to a world champ four years ago too – Jeremy Scharff-Kim.
16-year-old Seattle Lutheran High School student David Cohen has made it to the final 16 in the masters’ bracket of the Pokémon trading-card-game world championships. That word from SLHS’s Bil Hood; here’s the bracket. The final matches are tomorrow.
Shared by Karen:
Longtime West Seattle resident David Brachtenbach passed away on August 9th in Federal Heights, Colorado.
Those who knew David best will remember him for his kind heart, irreverent sense of humor, creative intellect and love for his dogs. He will be missed by his family and friends and those who saw him on his regular walks around West Seattle. Born in 1962 in Selah, Washington, David lived most of his life in Seattle. He was loved and will be missed. Donations in his name to the Seattle Humane Society are appreciated.
(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photos to editor@westseattleblog.com)
The arts/crafts fair at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) till 3 pm today has a story at every table. Just walking through the front yard, you’ll find it – like Sydni Smith and “Charlie the Monster”:
Sydni’s buddy has had some hefty medical bills. So she’s raising money to get them handled. And she’s getting help from her friends – like Helen Johnson, who’s selling her crocheted creations in public for the first time:
You might also know Helen from the new West Seattle Coffee House at 35th and Graham (which opened a month and a half ago). Take a close look at her crocheted items – which she says she’s never sold publicly before! – like the “infinity scarf” (no end) or the kids’ scarf that has magnetic fasteners. Her Yoda cap was sported by artist Barbara Noonan:
Barbara lives in Madison Park now but says she’ll always consider West Seattle home – “it gets in your blood.” And that goes for the trio of best friends who wanted to tell us their story:
Sitting in the sun on the C & P front porch were, from left, Nancy Biggs Lind, Nancy Capelouto Ridden, and Marilyn Brandon Moy. They have been best friends since 8th grade at Denny Middle School – the old building, where demolition is just wrapping up – and went on to Chief Sealth, where they were all Class of 1965. Their kids all grew up here too. But perhaps the best story of all in the front yard is that of Sheila Lengle:
Besides showing and selling her own work, Sheila will show you a book of photos including one that shows the Craftsman house that is home to C & P – when it was her ecCollective Gallery (she lived there, too). But go find out for yourself. Till 3 pm, 5612 California SW, just south of SW Findlay (and yes, there are artists/craftspeople inside too!).
A postscript on Thursday’s Admiral Safeway grand opening: If you saw our first story in the morning, you’ll remember the bench on the stairway landing in honor of 41-year employee Barb Fuda, lost to cancer while the new store was being built. The photo shown above is one of the many historic photos now hung around the new store, and it’s right by “Barb’s bench.” Safeway’s Sara Osborne says Ms. Fuda’s husband Bob came to the new store on Thursday afternoon: “… and he looked up at this photo that is hung RIGHT NEXT to her bench and he said, ‘That’s Harry.’ We asked, ‘Who’s Harry?’. He said, ‘Barb’s dad.’ He apparently worked as the Admiral Safeway’s meat manager for years. We had no idea when we chose or hung the photo.” (Bob left a comment about this, too.)
Last night, we reported that Village Green Perennial Nursery owner Vera Johnson had been booked for an MSNBC TV interview this morning regarding her foreclosure fight against Bank of America. MSNBC’s Veronica Delacruz interviewed her live a little over an hour ago, and we just found the clip online; it’s embedded above.
(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Summer school can be something to cheer about. Just ask the Z Unit, one of ten groups formed from among more than 100 students for a section of the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) “Level 9” program, six weeks of academic enrichment for students going into ninth grade this fall at Chief Sealth International, West Seattle, and Franklin High Schools. We caught up with them on Wednesday at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center, where, as part of a Level 9 project, there was a trade show-style event to showcase “inventions” by the groups, which had to develop business plans and solicit “investors.” More ahead:Read More
Two quick updates in the ongoing saga of Village Green Perennial Nursery owner Vera Johnson‘s fight against foreclosure, after what she says has been months of getting the runaround from Bank of America: First, WSB commenters had suggested this story deserves national attention – and it looks like some is on the way: Vera tells WSB she has been asked to do a national cable-network interview, tomorrow morning around 8 am with MSNBC, from a downtown Seattle studio. We don’t have an exact time yet when this is likely to air, but we’re working to find out. Second, the date for a community benefit/rally on Vera’s behalf has just changed to August 31st, still at 5 pm at Big Al Brewing in White Center. (If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s our Tuesday story about her trip downtown to get a face-to-face meeting with B of A.)
Gordon Prinster shares that photo and this report:
My 11-year-old son, Callum Prinster, pedalled out of our Admiral driveway with me on July 5th. On Sunday, 1732 miles and 28 campsites later, we arrived at the Mexican border. When asked what he’s going to do when he gets home today, he said “Sit on the couch, make YouTube videos … and NOT ride my bike.”
We sent Gordon a few followup questions and will add to this story if/when we receive replies!
ADDED EARLY WEDNESDAY: Replies!
We’ve done shorter trips the last couple years – BC’s Gulf Islands and down to Portland – but nothing like this. We initially set off for San Francisco, and we did spend a couple days there, but then we sorta just did a Forrestt Gump and kept on going. It’s probably obvious what a proud dad I am.
This was really a selfish pleasure trip, but if anybody is at all compelled we encourage them to visit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation at pbtfus.org and make a little pledge. If they do that, and let us know they did (gprinster@yahoo.com). We’ll send them a link to the dumbest videolog ever!
… and no, it’s NOT the kind of date she’s trying to fight off. We’ve been reporting on Vera Johnson‘s fight to keep Bank of America from foreclosing on her home and Village Green Perennial Nursery business west of White Center – and tomorrow, she’s going downtown for a face-to-face meeting with a Bank of America manager. She has a list of questions for that rep – questions she’s been trying to get the bank to answer for a long time. And she also has another list – thousands of names of people who have signed the online petition she started at Change.org when she first went public with her plight four weeks ago. (Here’s our original story.)
As of our last check, that list stood at almost 9,600 – if you haven’t signed it yet, you might consider doing so if you support her cause, as she’s close to the 10,000 milestone; find it here. Vera also is continuing on her quest to help others get information to help them in similar fights. Most importantly, she says, insist on a face-to-face meeting with somebody at your bank – exactly what she is doing now. In a support-group meeting she hosted with a legal expert a week ago, other points of advice included getting media attention – “make it loud” – and, don’t keep your personal bank accounts in the same bank as your mortgage. Plus, fight every step of the way – fight the foreclosure, fight any attempt to be evicted. And keep an eye on the online records involving your property; be sure you know the parcel number – which you can get through the county’s online parcel finder – and search the records to see what is filed regarding it, just to make sure there’s not something going on that you haven’t heard about.
(Photos by Beth Grotelueschen for WSB)
The guest of honor was resplendent in purple, and bathed in love and support, as the “We Heart Tracy Dart” bash filled The Bridge on Sunday night, to rustle up some financial assistance for somebody who has given so much even while fighting a three-round battle against breast cancer. (With Tracy in the top photo are Trudy Muller and Chad Johnson.) Lovely night, so many were out on The Bridge’s spacious patio:
Back inside, colorful bags represented each item on the long list of donated prizes waiting to be won during drawings.
” Also donated: Live music – In Cahoots opened the night (Explone was the other scheduled band):
You can still pitch in to help Tracy, by donating online via PayPal (you don’t need a PP account – you can just use a credit card). As explained on the official We Heart Tracy Dart website, “100% of funds donated go to a trust fund that will be used to directly pay for things like prescriptions, insurance premiums, utilities and rent. Meanwhile, besides going through cancer treatment, Tracy also is preparing for the next 3-Day Walk with her ever-growing “Team Tracy” in mid-September; she’s also chronicling that on her personal website.
ADDED 9:32 AM: Co-organizer Lisa Dawson says as of first thing this morning, the fundraiser had brought in more than $6,300, with online donations still coming in. More than 50 prizes were donated, and an estimated 200+ people attended the party. Lisa’s summary: “It was a great night!”
Out of the WSB inbox, from Robyn W:
Around 8:30 tonight, I was driving south on Fauntleroy near the Fairmount playfield when a toddler from an apartment complex suddenly ran into the street chasing after a ball. No adult was seen coming after the child and he made it all the away across the street. I was completely stunned and pulled over. Luckily, the driver behind me also stopped his car, and went on to stop the traffic in both directions, retrieve the little boy and bring him back to his home. I didn’t have a chance to speak to this Good Samaritan, but in case he reads your blog, I just wanted to thank him for what he did. While I hope my child would never run into the street, I am glad there are good folks in West Seattle keeping an eye out for children’s safety.
When Food Network re-broadcasts the “Iron Chef America” season 9 finale today, you’ll see a West Seattleite challenging an Iron Chef – Chef Wayne Johnson (executive chef of Andaluca downtown) taking on Michael Symon. The show is on at (updated) 5 pm and 11 pm; it was taped in New York months ago, but “Chef Wayne” was sworn to secrecy regarding even the ingredient he had to tackle. (Since the show already aired several days ago, if you don’t mind spoilers, you can find out who won, and what ingredient was involved, by reading this Puget Sound Business Journal story.) He’s been at the helm of Andaluca for more than 11 years, with honors including being named one of the “Top Chefs in America” by Black Enterprise Magazine; he’s also vice president of the nonprofit Culinary Wonders USA.
5:57 PM NOTE: If you see this on Saturday evening – there’s one more showing ahead (confirmed with program guide), 11 pm.
A memorial service is planned tomorrow for 86-year-old Chris Holm, one of West Seattle’s real-life “Rosie the Riveters.” (We featured her in Christopher Boffoli‘s report on one of the local “Rosie” gatherings in 2009.) Her family wrote this obituary:
Clarissa Elizabeth Holm (Sherbon)
September 23, 1924 – July 31, 2011
Chris Holm passed away unexpectedly while leading the social-hour discussion at her West Seattle Church on Sunday, July 31, 2011. Chris was a vibrant woman, still living life to its fullest and enjoying her many day-to-day activities with zest and utter enthusiasm. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, wife, sister and friend. Everyone was surprised by her death and feel deeply saddened to lose the cornerstone, centerpiece, rock and foundation for our family and her community of friends.
Chris was born in Sioux Falls, SD, moving immediately to Walnut Grove, MN. She lived the quintessential “Little House on the Prairie” life, growing up in the famous Olsen store, working hard on the farm, and spending any free time playing on the banks of Plum Creek. She moved to Seattle and in her early twenties during WWII and worked hard at Boeing as one of the famous Rosie the Riveters.
Sunday is the big community benefit party that friends are throwing at The Bridge (4439 35th SW) for Tracy Dart, the West Seattleite who is on her third round of fighting breast cancer 
and has raised tens of thousands of dollars to help researchers make progress that could benefit millions. Tracy has never asked for help for herself – but friends and supporters decided it was time to step in and get her some. Here are the event details (7-10 pm, live music, donation at the door). We checked in with one of the organizers, Lisa Dawson, to ask about last-minute needs; Lisa says they’re still accepting donations for the drawing, and “could also use a few more volunteers to help out that night.” If you can help on either front, e-mail info@wehearttracydart.com. And even if you can’t go, you can donate to help Tracy (who wrote on her own site about the challenges of dealing with everyday life while in a fight for your life) – use the PayPal button on the right side of the We Heart Tracy Dart site.
Today we welcome a new sponsor, The Kenney, West Seattle’s original senior-living community. If you or a loved one is looking for a place where you can get a little help with such things as managing your medications, bathing and dressing, meal or activity reminders, The Kenney would like you to know that they have been providing that kind of care for a little over a century.
Here’s what else they would like you to know: At The Kenney, we provide life how it’s supposed to be lived. Here, we’re all about community – staying active, making new friends, loving life – while also serving each resident’s unique and individual needs. You’ll live each day to the fullest at The Kenney, secure in the knowledge that you’ll be cared for, in good health or poor health, for the rest of your life. Whether you join our community in independent living, assisted living, or our nursing and rehab center, you’ll be able to access all lifestyles at The Kenney if and when you need them. As a not-for-profit community, our only priorities are our residents’ comfort, security and care. Our revenue is used to enrich the lives of the people who live here, not to pay investors. And, we have a better staff-to-resident ratio than most for-profit retirement communities. That’s the not-for-profit difference. As resident Gisela Schultz says, “The Kenney feels like a tight-knit family, and best of all, I don’t have to worry about home repairs and yard work. I wish I had moved here ten years ago!”
The Kenney‘s staff belong to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, the West Seattle Champions BNI Group, and Aging Services of Washington. On the Web, you’ll find The Kenney at thekenney.org; on Facebook, they’re here. They’re at 7125 Fauntleroy Way, 206-937-2800.
We thank The Kenney for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
The event’s not in West Seattle, but West Seattleites abound in the regional plan for the first-ever National Can-It-Forward Day. It’ll actually be a two-day event at Pike Place Market on August 13-14, featuring Canning Across America, for which Alki-based cooking author/advocate Kim O’Donnel (foreground of photo at right) is a founding member. Kim sent the official announcement, noting that other West Seattleites involved with the can-stravaganza include The Shibaguyz:
In its third season of spreading the love for “putting up” food, Canning Across America is cooking up its most exciting endeavor to date. Mark your calendars for the weekend of August 13-14, when Canning Across America will be preserving up a storm at Seattle’s Pike Place Market.
Looking for something to do tomorrow? The Vietnamese Cultural Center at 2236 SW Orchard (north of Home Depot; here’s a map) reminds us that it’s open to the public noon-3 pm every Saturday. The center shared photos from last weekend’s sunny Saturday, including the next one featuring visitor Don Atwood, a local architect who helped draft an addition to the center:
Director Ducly Bui summarizes the center’s mission:
Vietnamese Cultural Center is operated by the free South Vietnamese since April 1975 to promote Vietnamese culture and heritage to their children born in US and introduce the country’s history and arts to the local community.
Admission is free. Our previous coverage of the center includes an overview in July 2008 – after many had wondered about its large statue (General Tran Hung Dao) – and last year’s Lunar New Year event, which also celebrated recognition of the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag.
South Seattle Community College just announced a prestigious honor for a faculty member: Dr. Yilin Sun, full-time tenured faculty in Basic & Transitional Studies, has been chosen as a Fulbright Senior Scholar for next academic year. The SSCC announcement says Dr. Sun will spend that year in Taiwan, handling training for Fulbright English Teaching Assistants as well as seminars for graduate students, and she will join in curriculum and assessment initiatives at the National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei. Dr. Sun is described in SSCC’s announcement as “a recognized leader in curriculum development for adult English to Speakers of Other Languages programs and teacher training.” She has a long list of honors and accomplishments (listed on this SSCC webpage). The Fulbright program is sponsored by the U.S. State Department.
After leaving from Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza just after 8 this morning, Don Wennerlind (front of photo) and more than a dozen friends are off on a 40-mile journey to a spot just south of Sumner in Pierce County.
Actually, 40 1/2 miles … 81 total round trip … which is important because today is Don’s 81st birthday, and for six years now, he tells us, he and a group of friends have celebrated by biking the number of miles equal to his age. The first birthday ride, “there were three of us,” he told us at Alki this morning; today, as you see in the top photo, the entourage is closer to five times that. They know each other from spinning classes at the West Seattle Family YMCA (WSB sponsor), one participant explained. We heard about this from Clemens Pera, who knows Don as “Coach” – no wonder, since, as he explained, Don taught athletics for many years and “is one of the founding fathers of the Special Olympics.” Oh, one more thing: “Last year, (Don’s) biking prowess included riding the STP, his birthday ride, and a senior race, which he won, all in a week and a half.”
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