West Seattle, Washington
27 Thursday
Out of the WSB inbox, from Marty H:
I was cleaning out my car at 45th and Charlestown and had walked back up to the house when I heard someone calling out “help me”…. I went back down to the street and an elderly gentleman was wandering looking confused. A couple of moms from the neighborhood were out biking with their kids and they stopped to ask him if he needed help. I joined them in asking the fellow where he lived and if we could call someone for him. He seemed to know where he lived, but couldn’t figure out where he was or how to get home. These moms stayed with him while I retrieved my keys and I was able to drive him to his home based on his description of his house and a vague recollection of the intersection. I waited outside to make sure he had his keys and was in the door safely. I don’t know who the other women were who helped in this situation but I am heartened by the fact that together we were able to help a neighbor in need. Thanks to you, ladies!!! We put the “good” in the hood today!!
An update from Brody Webster‘s mom, in the comment section following the original report about the search for him: He’s been found, she writes, adding, “Thank you for keeping an eye out for him. Hopefully this time we can get him back on track.”
Katie Parker, gone at just 31, was a longtime West Seattleite, says Matt, who shared her obituary and photo:
Katie Parker, 31, of Arlington, WA, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2011. Katie was born September 22, 1979, the daughter of James and Mary Margaret Parker, in Seattle.
Katie had a warm heart and generous spirit. Katie was an accomplished Irish Step Dancer and won international awards. She loved books, and when not reading, she enjoyed spending time outdoors and visiting with friends and family.
Katie graduated from Our Lady of Guadalupe in West Seattle and went on to graduate from Holy Names Academy in Seattle. She also attended WWU at Bellingham. Katie had an eye for beauty and style, and when she graduated from Gene Juarez Academy, she found her calling.
Katie is preceded in death by her brother Neil Parker, cousin Kevin Monahan, uncles Terry Monahan, John Parker and George Parker, grandparents, George and Victoria Parker, Jack and Veronica Monahan.
Katie is survived by her parents, James and Mary Margaret Parker, her sister Nora Parker and her nephew Riley Parker. Numerous aunts, uncles and cousins survive Katie as well.
Viewing will precede the saying of a Rosary. The Rosary will be on Friday, June 17, 2011, at 10:00 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Arlington, WA. A funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 with internment at Eden’s Cemetery on Guemes Island, WA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to www.nami.org or Catholic Community Services.
(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. E-mail the text, and a photo if available/desired, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
Her name became widely known in 2004, because of a tragedy that led to tougher laws; now, she is in the spotlight again, for a new role at a West Seattle bar. Our friends at KING 5 report that Maria Federici, the woman who lost her sight when an unsecured board flew off a truck and through her windshield, is bartending once a week at The Bridge. If you didn’t see it on TV at 11 pm last night (or shared earlier on Facebook pages including ours), you can watch reporter Joe Fryer‘s story above, or on the KING 5 webpage with full details. Not only did Maria survive against all odds, she and her mother campaigned for a tougher law addressing unsecured loads and victim compensation; it took effect in 2005. The story also is told in a book called “Out of Nowhere,” published last year.
Still have the Broadway bug after Sunday’s Tony Awards? You can check out the Broadway Bound production of “13, the Musical” this weekend at ACT Theatre downtown.
It stars a West Seattle teenager – Adam Westerman, who’s previously appeared at Book-It, Stone Soup Theater, Drama Dock on Vashon, and Broadway Bound. Proud mom Eddie Westerman tells WSB that Adam is the only West Seattleite in the cast of the show, which she explains “is the only show that was on Broadway starring a cast of teenagers only. … (It’s) a story about a boy who moves from New York City to a town in rural Indiana right before he turns 13. He has to start over negotiating middle school and friends, and he learns some very valuable lessons along the way.” Broadway Bound is presenting “13, the Musical” five times this weekend, 7 pm Friday, 2 pm and 7 pm Saturday, noon and 5 pm Sunday. Tickets are online here – and Eddie says you can e-mail her for a code to get a $2 discount (ewesterman@washingtonea.org).
On the Sustainable West Seattle website, Kate Kaemerle has just published an obituary remembering Dale Roose, a former West Seattleite who died at age 55 in Tucson after a long fight with cancer. Kate’s writeup recalls Mr. Roose’s participation as a West Seattle Tool Library founding member. He and wife Tina Roose also had been WSB participants while living here, and you may also remember them for two West Seattle Crime Watch reports – he was the cancer patient whose car was stolen twice, including this past February, just as he and Tina were about to move. The first time, their story also was picked up by KING 5 TV, and both cases drew community offers of help. According to the obituary on SWS’s site, no funeral is planned, but donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in Mr. Roose’s memory.
Through both pre-sale donations and during-sale shopping, Saturday’s yard sale to raise money for Joplin, Missouri, tornado survivors was a success, reports Steve John, whose relatives were hit hard:
Thanks to the efforts of [neighbors/sale organizers] Leah and Johanna, and the generosity of all who donated items and attended the garage sale, 1,008 dollars were collected! My entire family has been overwhelmed with the support of our neighbors and fellow residents of West Seattle.
We tweeted an in-progress photo; Steve shared the after-sale photos (the one below features Leah, Johanna, and Sam).
(Sorry for the short notice. We only found out about this because WSB’er Diane was at Jefferson Square Safeway late last night and told us about the announcement she saw posted on a wall.)
The funeral Mass is at 3 pm ***today*** at Holy Rosary for Barbara Ann (Barb) Fuda, a longtime Safeway employee who had been looking forward to going back to work in Admiral when the new store opens in two months – but lost her battle with cancer last Saturday. The notice up at Safeway says she worked for the company for almost 41 years, starting at the old Admiral store at age 15. We don’t have an electronic copy of the posted announcement but transcribed this from a photo:
… Barb was one of the most dedicated and loyal Safeway employees to grace the Metro District. Barb and one of her lifelong friends Karen White were the first female courtesy clerks to be hired in the old south district. She always greatly cared for not only the Admiral store, but every employee and customer in it. She went above and beyond the regular work duties in volunteering for things like writing the store newsletter to participating in fundraising efforts. Barb was also a major planner in all the store parties, from celebrations to the many goodbyes that occurred over 40 years … She will be missed by all who worked with her and the thousands of West Seattle customers whose lives she touched with her caring heart and mischievous smile. She managed all this while tirelessly being the ultimate mother and wife.
The closing of (the Admiral store) was an emotional time for her and her loyal customers who waited more for the “return of Barb” than they did for the opening of our new store … Barb’s passing is a great loss to Safeway and the entire West Seattle community.
The screengrab with Ms. Fuda’s photo is from an obituary in the Seattle Times (WSB partner) earlier this week. You can read it here.
As a week of graduations begins for West Seattle high schools, our area’s young adults are getting ready for the next steps into their future. Among them, Nick Barnecut, whose family shares the official announcement that he is on his way to the selective U.S. Coast Guard Academy:
The United States Coast Guard Academy announced that Nicholas J. Barnecut from West Seattle has been recognized for superior academic achievement and leadership potential. Nicholas, who attends West Seattle High School, has accepted an appointment to attend the Coast Guard Academy and will be sworn-in as a member of the Class of 2015 on June 27th.
The United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut is an accredited college educating future Coast Guard officers. The smallest of our nation’s five military service academies, the Coast Guard Academy’s Corps of Cadets represents the nation’s best and brightest students, ready to serve and lead their country. Admission to the Coast Guard Academy is highly competitive and less than 400 appointments are offered annually from a pool of over 4,000 applicants. Cadets receive a full tuition scholarship and monthly stipend for a five year service commitment to the Coast Guard upon graduation. All graduates receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are guaranteed a position of leadership as a commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard.
Nicholas is the son of James and Jamie Barnecut; grandson of Richard and Dolores Barnecut and Gerald and Rosita Wong, all residents of West Seattle.
(Photo provided by Nick Barnecut’s family)
A memorial service is planned in West Seattle on June 16th for Donald R. Chesterfield, who died last week just three days shy of his 80th birthday. Here’s the announcement sent to us:
In Memory of Donald R. Chesterfield
June 4, 1931 – June 1, 2011Donald R. Chesterfield, 79, son of the late Roy M. and (Betty) Elizabeth V. Chesterfield, is survived by brother, John R. and Marcia Chesterfield, his sister, Cheryl A. and Mike Ferguson, and their families. Don is survived by his wife of 58 years, Phyllis J. Chesterfield, and his children, Kris Ohanu & family, Kip Chesterfield & family, Karen Brown & family, Kitty Chesterfield & family, Karli Shanklin & family, and Kilian Chesterfield & family, as well as many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Don was a 1950 graduate of West Seattle High School. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, received a Purple Heart for his service during the Korean War, and served 10 years in the U.S. Air Force. He loved his family, fishing, baseball and more. One of his favorite pastimes was playing fast-pitch softball as a pitcher for more than 30 years in Southern California and in the Seattle area as well. Don retired from The Boeing Company.
A Memorial Service will be held in his honor on Thursday, June 16, at 6:00 p.m. at the West Seattle American Legion Hall, 3618 SW Alaska.
(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. E-mail the text, and a photo if available/desired, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(Photo courtesy the John family)
This Saturday, you have a chance to help Joplin, Missouri, tornado victims – without leaving West Seattle. A neighborhood yard sale (4726 50th SW, 9 am-3 pm Saturday) is being organized as a benefit – not only because the organizers want to help, but because they have a personal tie: Their neighbors have family in Joplin. The photo above was shared by those neighbors, Torrey and Steve John, taken during Steve’s recent trip, accompanying his father to help their relatives – here’s his dad:
We asked Torrey for more about their Joplin relatives’ story. Read it after the jump, along with more on the sale – to which you can donate, by the way, even if you can’t shop it on Saturday (they’ll be accepting donated items on Friday):Read More
11:21 AM: Somewhere around lap 37 of his 60 fundraising laps for Make-A-Wish (explained in our Sunday story), Pathfinder K-8 teacher Lou Cutler had to take a break. For a good reason – a KING 5 TV photojournalist had shown up to interview him and roll a little video as Lou and students ran/walked around the field during his annual fundraiser.
After that, “we’re going to be on channel 5!” was the buzz in the spectator gallery – but shortly, it was back to “How many laps has Lou done?” (There’s an easel where young assistants are diligently marking off each one and shouting his progress as he passes by during each lap.) He told the TV visitor he’s more than halfway to his $6,000 fundraising goal for this year’s run. (If you missed our story – Lou doesn’t just run to raise money for Make-A-Wish, one lap for each year as his 60th birthday approaches; he’s volunteered for them for 15 years and is on the team that grants “rush wishes” – for children who may be in their final days or even final hours, as was the case of little Gracie, to whom this year’s run is dedicated.)
12:26 PM: He did it!
60 laps equals 10 miles, by the way.
Kathleen sent the photo, explaining the kids are in the 5400 block of 36th SW:
They want to donate all proceeds to Kitty Harbor kitten rescue. Fair Trade Organic Homemade lemonade, homemade zucchini bread, shave ice. They’re selling until the lemonade’s gone.
Planning a lemonade stand? Or a formal gala? Let us know in advance!
A few days ago, after receiving a handful of notes from local providers who wanted to get the word out that their summer day camps still had room, we published a short update, and invited anyone else with openings to send them along. Since then, the list has grown fivefold, to 20 camps/workshops, including one we’ve mentioned before, the Chief Sealth Basketball and Life-Skills Camp, plus others at schools, fitness facilities, community centers, and more. So if you’re still planning summer for a child or teen – check out the expanded list of programs that reported some room remains (subject to change at any time, though, so if you find out one of these is now full, please suggest they let us know – thank you!)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Pathfinder K-8 PE teacher Lou Cutler has spent 15 years fulfilling wishes in his spare time.
Today, he has a wish you can help fulfill: Support for his 12th annual birthday run around the school playfield – which for eight years has been a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which works to make wishes come true for seriously ill children.
This year’s run is tomorrow morning. Lou started the tradition when he was on the brink of 50, and now he’s soon to turn 60, so he’s taking 60 laps. Many of the school’s students will join him on the field for all or part of it. Here’s our video from last year:
This year, we thought it might be fun to talk to Lou ahead of time, so we went to Pathfinder last Thursday afternoon toward the end of the school day to find out more about his mission:
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Part 1 of this two-part report, detailing a recent security incident at the Highland Park Way/W. Marginal Way camp, can be found here.)
Story by Joanne Brayden
Photos by Kevin McClintic
Special to West Seattle Blog
Nickelsville is a self-managed homeless encampment that recently moved back to vacant city-owned land in the industrial area on the southeastern fringe of West Seattle. It is easy to dismiss it as just another collection of tents harboring those who opt out of a more structured life. But the portable toilets and dumpster in the parking lot, along with the security tent just inside the camp, tell a different story.
Obviously someone is in charge here – but it’s not any one particular person.
A happy scene Friday night inside the parish hall at Our Lady of Guadalupe – with seven Girl Scouts from West Seattle’s Troop 41504 receiving the Bronze Award. We visited Camp Long two weeks ago (WSB coverage here) as the Scouts hosted younger Brownie and Daisy Scouts in a day of mentorship, games, and activities; that was one of the final steps on their journey to earning the Bronze Award, which is explained here. Tonight’s event included Bridging Ceremonies as well. Congratulations to Scouts Penny Dierich, Corinne Manley, Jane Miller, Kaitlin Morgan, Regan Nagle, Haley Pyscher and Hana Kurahara Sisk, and their troop leader Patricia Hahler!
Another camera crew was in action around West Seattle today. Not a movie this time – but still a major production. Laurel Trujillo sent word that her Junction-area home was going to be a major location for an L.A.-based production company, Kontent Partners, shooting a marketing video on behalf of Kinetix, the company she works for, which Laurel describes as “a wellness company that provides fitness and nutrition programs to corporate clients” (including Starbucks), and is soon going direct-to-consumer too. The crew started the day on the West Seattle Golf Course, where Kim spotted them and shared the photo above. Then WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli caught up with the crew at Laurel’s place (where parking was blocked off along 41st to make space for the production vehicles):
Laurel isn’t in the video but was on hand as the crew set up, including covering the windows and setting up their own light:
The company’s marketing director chose the place after visiting for a party and becoming intrigued with its distinctive design:
It’s not all glamour if your home is chosen for a film/video – Laurel got up at 5 am when an advance team arrived to start rearranging furniture, among other things. She and her husband have lived in The Junction for just about six months, moving from Bellevue. From their place, the crew was planning more outdoor work – so if you saw them in action today, that’s what it was about.
We’ve covered some big, serious stories today … now on to a little Friday fun:
Let us be the 6,000,000th (or so) person today to quote Homer Simpson‘s immortal line “MMMM, doughnuts.” As noted here on Wednesday, The Original Bakery in Fauntleroy decided to celebrate National Doughnut Day today by visiting Southwest Community Center in Westwood with free coffee and applesauce doughnuts. Above, that’s David, first recipient of a free doughnut; below, Gina Saxby from the SWCC team at left, with Original Bakery’s Anna Alonzo:
Anna reports TOB’s new website launched today too – including a menu page with a list of all their regular doughnuts.
The eye-catching posters are all over town – ERIC RICE BENEFIT. If you haven’t read the fine print (full-size version here), it’s about an event this Sunday night at Brickyard BBQ in the Admiral District, to raise money for the motorcyclist hurt in a collision with a car in the Luna Park business district on April 30th. We covered the crash that night (the driver was cited). A benefit organizer, Michelle, tells WSB that Eric “is healing but will be in recovery and therapy for many months ahead. He is with us (thanks) to those from the Luna Park Cafe who witnessed the incident and saved his life before medical help could arrive.” She says five local bands will play at the benefit between 1 and 9 pm, and Eric is expected to attend in the afternoon; they’ve amassed many donated items for the raffle/auction: “Everyone is invited and welcome to join in the benefit, all donations go to Eric.” 2310 California SW. (You can also donate online via Facebook.)
Story by Joanne Brayden
Photo by Kevin McClintic
Special to West Seattle Blog
The incident that sparked this story began when a West Seattle resident reported in the comments section of this recent WSB report, “So You Think You Know Who’s at Nickelsville?”, that an automatic notification had informed her/him that a registered sex offender living in the vicinity of the camp that moved back to eastern WS three weeks ago today.
At first glance, that report and how Nickelsville rapidly responded to it seemed to be all there was to tell, but this story, like all tales of human interaction with bureaucracy, turns out to be much more complex than anticipated.
I confess, as the person breaking the story of WSB Forums member Mike’s move to Nickelsville, I was inclined to dismiss the initial comment about a sex offender living at Nickelsville as one of the many Not In My Back Yard reactions to the homeless camp, but as the evening progressed, the probable offender was identified.
If you don’t frequent the WSB Forums, you’ve missed members’ updates on the “Nickelsville” homeless camp that is now in its third week at the same city-owned West Seattle site where it was founded three years ago. 
Though the city administration then led by its namesake booted the camp in 2008, leading to a series of moves, Mayor McGinn is not planning to try to evict it, as reported here two weeks ago.
Shortly after that report, two Forum members told the story of a third who became homeless and is now living at the camp, and that led to questions about how to help. Several discussions have followed, including updates from new Nickelsville resident Mike, and now a bigger event is being organized: A June 18th potluck dinner. The plan is taking shape here; to feed the estimated 100 residents, plus visitors, is a big order, but with many participants, each contributor won’t have to add much. If you can provide food but can’t take it to the camp yourself, arrangements are also being made to help with that. As for other ways in which people are helping out – check out this Forums thread; the water supply is even receiving assistance (and another update is here). More updates to come, including a two-part report on Nickelsville security by Joanne Brayden and Kevin McClintic (who took the 5/16 photo reused here), who previously told the story of Mike’s move.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
On this Memorial Day, a unique American group serving fallen heroes and their families is the focus of a West Seattle filmmaker’s newest work – which is days away from its first Puget Sound screenings.
We spoke with Ellen Frick earlier this spring. Today seems like the perfect time to tell the story of her documentary, “Patriot Guard Riders,” because of the holiday, and because of showings coming up Saturday in Tacoma and Sunday on Seattle’s Capitol Hill.
The Patriot Guard Riders’ members, hundreds of thousands strong, are motorcyclists – mostly Vietnam veterans, Ellen explains, who first came to fame for protecting fallen soldiers’ families from the hate-spouting Westboro Baptist Church, which has sent representatives to funerals to claim the soldiers died because of America’s failure to outlaw homosexuality.
“I read about it in TIME magazine, the bikers in Oklahoma who started going to the funerals nad blocking the protesters. I thought, wow, this is really odd bedfellows … you don’t think of bikers as coming to the rescue so much,” Ellen recalled. “I started looking into it and didn’t know if it was really a film. (But) the story is so rich,” with the motorcyclists going on to expand their mission.
First, some of her backstory – which itself is multifaceted:Read More
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