February 2010

“SINGING FOR OUR SUPPER”
A Fundraiser/Concert with proceeds to the Senior Center
of West Seattle (SCWS)
FRIDAY, FEBURARY 26th 2010
Featured Performer: LIL’ REV (check him out at www.lilrev.com)
6:00 Food service
7:00 p.m. Lil’Rev Show/Concert
Cost: $15, Kids under 12, $10
Includes Bowl of Hearty Soup, Crusty Bread, Dessert & SHOW, Spirits extra
Reservations: (needed) 206-932-4044 (SCWS)

Location: Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon Street Seattle 98116).
“THIRD SUNDAY @ HOPE” -
Hope Lutheran Church
4456-42nd ave SW
206-937-9330
Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 21, at 1:30 p.m. in the Commons. Celebrated West Seattle author, Lyanda Lynn Haupt, will discuss her newest book, Crow Planet: Essential Wisdom from the Urban Wilderness. This is the first event in a lecture series geared to provide enriching and educational lectures on a variety of topics for both our members and the community.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS)
Grace Church
10323 28th Ave. S.W.

Transient found napping

A female transient was found sleeping in the third-floor laundry room of an apartment in the 15400 block of 4th Avenue South. She is homeless and found the lower door to the complex unlocked. She stated she was on her way to a shelter in the Seattle area. A check of her records showed an outstanding warrant. Police arrested the woman and booked her into King County Regional Justice Center.

Road rage
The driver of a truck called police to report an alleged road rage incident. The victim was in the Fred Meyer parking lot at 14300 1st Ave. S. The road rage driver followed the man in the truck and brandished a semi-automatic pistol. No injuries were reported. It was unclear what provoked the road rage.

Drunk trespasser arrested

Just mention the word "pit bull" and mothers grab their children, homeowners lock their gates, joggers cross to the other side of the street and insurance companies up their rates.

The pit bull is a canine that is built for survival, with a bowling ball head, huge powerful jaws, a thick muscular neck and a body that looks like the boxcar of a train.

Yep, I have to agree that they're not the dog you want to meet up with, if you're breaking into someone's home.

However, how are they any different, inside, than any human being who might look a bit scary? We, as a society, are so quick to judge. And at that moment, our treatment of another human being or an animal can prompt their reactions and ultimately decide their fate.

It's been almost a year, since Snaps brutally attacked two women in the SeaTac area. It's a wonder that we even care what has become of him.

However, we do care - because Snaps, a pit bull mix, was as much of a victim as the two women he bit.

For those of you, who haven't heard the story, which appeared on many radio and TV stations around the nation, and in all the local papers, let me give you a brief rundown.

For those who have learned the artistry of fun and a good life, such as Des Moines own Jim Delvin and Donovan Crosby, this child's prayer seems appropriate; "Lord, if you can't make me into "Superboy" don't worry, I'm having a good time like I am."

Oh, that achieving life's contentment required no more - and maybe it does.

Donovan, also known as "Captain Hardbottom," was so named by his mischievous lady cohorts known as "The Waterland Wenches."

A good sense of humor was demonstrated at a past Waterland Festival when Hardbottom and the Wenches gave Seattle Seafair Pirates a reason for laughter with a challenging fun attack.

Later, during the Seattle Annual Tugboat Races, Hardbottom and his Wenches borrowed Stan Wilkes Classic Yachts, Inc. tugboat, re-naming it temporarily, "The Mighty Tug Ironbark," and entered it in the well-known Seattle race.

"The tug was outfitted with soap bubbles spewing from a fake smokestack, fishing nets were draped over the boat and the aft-deck decorated by two lovely Wenches sipping bubbly.

Dean Martin recordings blasted from the boom box. Capt. Hardbottom was dressed in traditional yellow hat fisherman garb with pipe in hand.

Kinyeung Law from Hong Kong and Hanyo Sang from southern China are students at Green River Community College in Auburn and are boyfriend and girlfriend. They were on Seacrest Pier adjacent to the still under construction dock for the Water Taxi. It was cool and breezy but they came for the scenery and because Valentine's Day has meaning for people from all over the world. "We read about this spot online and came here to take a picture" Law said. They are both studying business in college.

February 14th was “Valentines Daystar!” at Daystar Retirement Village. Two married couples residing there renewed their wedding vows. The Reverend Tom Scott officiate, and a large wedding cake was served.

The couples were Elmer and Elma Johnson, and Barbara and Ramey Duchscherer. The Johnson's were married June 12, 1941, in Markham, Minnesota. The Duchscherer's were married Oct. 5, 1949, in Napoleon, North Dakota.

Over 30 family members, Daystar residents and staff, and friends attended the sunny afternoon event.

Click here to see our previous story on the couples: http://www.westseattleherald.com/2010/02/10/features/west-seattle-senio…

We had reported that Margaret, or Peggy , and Howard or Russ, Casson were also to renew their vows.. That happy couple was not able to participate.

The Ballard High School gymnastic team's Taylor Stern and Maria Volk will be heading to the 4A State Championship after their performances at the 4A District I/II Championship Feb. 13.

Stern came in second overall with a score of 37.15, trailing Woodinville's Hailey Wells (37.75).

She placed first in the vault with a score of 9.675 and second on the bars with 9.175. She took fourth on floor with 9.375, and her 11th-place finish on the beam was Ballard's highest in that event.

With her first-place finish on the vault, Stern became Ballard's first-ever individual event champion in a district meet..

"Taylor had a good meet," Ballard coach Stephanie Gundel said. "She should do well at state next week."

Volk placed 10th in the vault with a score of 9.15.

As a team, Ballard placed third overall (167.5) behind Woodinville (179.45) and Inglemoor (171.125).

Gundel said the Beavers started off well, having one of their best outings of the season on bars.

But, things went downhill rapidly on the beam, she said. Ballard suffered five falls in six routines in that event.

Meet Richard and Frances Bradford

They have been married for 70 years and it was actually love at first sight.

This Des Moines couple met on a blind date arranged by Richard's teenage pal who had designs on Frances that went awry.

When Frances saw Richard walk into the room, her heart did a somersault. So did his. Later when Richard asked his buddy if he objected to the turn of events he said, "No, good buddy. I would never stand in the path of what was meant to be. Good Luck.''

It turned out to be a great match and Friday, the 12th day of February they celebrated their devotion of 70 years. He is 92 and she is 90.

She is a graduate of Queen Anne High School and he graduated from a San Francisco high school.

He spent the war years as a seaman in the Merchant Marines and then went to Bethlehem (now Nucor Steel) where he stayed 30 years working as a smelter till he retired.

The pictures on the wall are just a few Frances has painted.

Richard has given up on his salmon fishing and they both played a lot of golf.

There will be no Des Moines Waterland Parade this year, but the plan is to bring it back bigger and better then ever in 2011.

The city was working to secure private funding to put on the parade. It was the consensus of the city council that during a budget year where the city laid off five police officers they could not justify public funds to put on the parade.

Bjornebys Auto Rebuild came to the city, offering to help fund the parade.

The decision to wait on the parade was eventually made because so much of Des Moines is going to be in the middle of repairs.

Currently both ends of the marina are under construction, the softball field and grandstands at the field house are closed off while they are being worked on, and it is very likely improvements on South 216th Street between Marine View Drive and Pacific Highway South will have the road torn up.

Mayor Bob Scheckler and Councilwoman Carmen Scott both expressed their support and desire for the parade to come back at the Feb. 11 council meeting.

The plan for right now is to wait until 201 and bring back an improved parade.

The City of SeaTac has invited Construction Technology students from Puget Sound Skill Center (PSSC) to participate in the city's 20-year anniversary celebration.

As part of SeaTac's anniversary, PSSC students will cut out materials needed to assemble bird houses, which will allow the youngest members of the community, along with their parents or guardians, to go through a simulated process of building a home in SeaTac.

Participating children will make an application for a building permit and use GIS survey information to locate their homes. They will then designate a site plan for their bird house by selecting a tree or other feature in their yard as a location for it.

After building their bird houses, they will call for an inspection and finally, get a certificate of occupancy.

According to Gary Schenk, SeaTac Building Official, and Joyce Mullin, Permit Technician, the event will be a fun way to teach environmental stewardship and civic involvement.