November 2011

Custom Crating founder, the energetic Alki resident Steve Walum smiles when he works. This may be due to his business doing well, his ability to take his golden retriever pup, Blanch, to the office, the pride he derives working with his son, Erik, and the challenges he likes to confront when crating unwieldy items for the mail like a 24-foot, five-ton GE water vessel system, three antique toy cars, or the recently-shipped wrap-around 6-inch thick windshield for Paul Allen's new submarine.

Hard to believe Walum is 70 when you see him sawing, hammering, and running around the 7,000 square foot warehouse clutching lumber with a phone pressed to his ear.

"Some day Erik is going to take over the business," he said of his son, 36. Many in West Seattle know Erik's wife, Katy Walum, Admiral Neighborhood Association president.

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting on Nov. 3 brought a deep roster of lawmakers and enforcers to the North Highline Fire District station for continued talks on creating a safer community and more vibrant business district for White Center in the aftermath of Operation Center of Attention.

King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Bates and Lt. Woodrow Perkins along with Capt. Susan Blaker from the Washington State Liquor Control Board all spoke.

Satterberg speaks
“I want to thank you for fighting for your community; this is a place worth fighting for,” Satterberg said of White Center in his opening his remarks. Satterberg said his father, Dick Satterberg, had a law office in White Center for many years and recalls many days of his early years spent in the area.

33-year-old John K. Sylve was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Nov. 4 for his role in Steve Bushaw’s murder in West Seattle on February 1, 2009, according to the King County Prosecutor’s Office.

He was convicted of second degree murder with a firearm enhancement and the standard sentencing range was 15 to 23 years.

Sylve admitted he was one of two gunman who shot Bushaw in front of Talarico’s in the Junction and gave testimony against the convicted mastermind of the killing, 29-year-old Bryce Huber (who received 32 years in prison for first degree murder).

The murder was described as a revenge killing for the robbery of a drug dealer Huber believed Bushaw orchestrated. Police later said no evidence pointed to Bushaw’s involvement in the robbery.

Danny O’Neal, Jr, 30, admitted he was the other gunman and received a 15-year sentence for second-degree murder in September.

press release
Crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation will replace concrete panels on 16th Avenue SW at SW Myrtle Street from November 8 until November 22, weather permitting.

The street will remain open to traffic, but traffic will be shifted to one side of 16th Avenue SW to allow room for the work, and will remain shifted 24-hours a day, allowing time for the concrete to cure. On-street parking will be restricted. Bicyclists will merge with general traffic in the work area. All sidewalks and crosswalks will remain open. A police officer will assist traffic.

Drivers should expect congestion and possible delays at this location.

CLICK ON ABOVE PHOTO FOR MORE

The West Seattle Helpline held its 14th Annual Gala Fundraiser dinner event last night at the Duwamish Longhouse. Proceeds, including the $545 for Rose Frey's homemade carrot cake grabbed first during the "dessert dash" will be used to help families that have faced emergency situations with rent and utilities so that they may remain in their homes with heat and water.  This mission becomes even more vital as the weather turns colder and the need is especially great this year, according to the organization.

Several speakers were featured including West Seattle Chamber Board Chair Dave Montoure of West 5, Helpline Board Member Terry Burns, and a touching talk by featured speaker Loreena Lafontaine. She was a former Helpline client, a recipient of clothes and home utility assistance who then became a volunteer for the organization. She said it was a special evening being honored, particularly at the Duwamish Longhouse, because she is Native American.

Silent auction items included "Freshy's (Coffee) West Seattleite Survival Kit", four Avalon Glass Works gourds, and Batholomew wine tasting party in SODO for 20.

Dear Anne-Marije,

Many of us will sit down this weekend and fill out our ballots - remember, next Tuesday is Election Day! We have to work together for transportation choices for all who walk, bike, drive and ride transit. Tim Eyman's initiatives and our economic situation leave us the choice of raising funds or cutting vital services to millions of people in Washington.

I'm asking for your vote for Seattle's Proposition 1 for faster, more reliable transit and safer streets.

press release
Veteran’s Day Flag Raising on Thursday, November 10

Veterans Day Activities
On Thursday, November 10, at 11:11 am, a ceremony/flag raising will take place on the campus of South Seattle Community College to recognize Veterans Day. Throughout the day, the campus screens will feature a slideshow of South veterans and their family members who served. No classes are held November 11, but campus offices remain open and staffed.

Nearly 200 student veterans reflect and add to the rich diversity of South’s student body. They come from all over the world, represent every branch of the military and, while they share some strong common bonds as veterans, all are following their individual paths to academic and career success.

South a “Military Friendly School”
For the second year in a row, South Seattle Community College has been designated by G.I. Jobs magazine as a “Military Friendly School” for 2011 - 2012 based on its role in accepting America’s veterans as students.

Well known West Seattle resident Edward Laymon died Oct. 23 with his family nearby. Laymon was very active in the Delridge community, championing the improvements to the athletic fields in the neighborhood and serving as a volunteer at the Delridge Community Center.

Laymon was also well known as a coach in West Seattle from 1967 to 1982 he coached baseball, football, basketball and soccer for the Red Shield/Salvation Army Community Center in Highland Park.

Ed Laymon led a very active life prior to his retirement. He served as the Senior Chief of Journalism for 24 years with the U.S. Navy until 1968. During his service he worked around the world serving in Newfoundland, Canada, Japan, Phillipines, Korea, the South Pacific, and other stations. During his tenure in Japan he worked for the Pacific Stars and Stripes military newspaper and covered the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Once out of the service he applied his photographic knowledge and worked for the City of Seattle Crime Lab for 25 years where his skill with forensic photography was enhanced by training with the F.B.I.

LAKEWOOD - The power and depth of Charles Wright Academy combined for a Tarrier 28-7 Class 1A Nisqually League football victory against Life Christian Academy/Seattle Christian Schools on Saturday, October 29, at Harry Lang Stadium.

As a result, the War Eagles fell out of the top four playoff spots with a record of 4-3, but still have a crossover game to close out the season. The Tarriers (6-1) finished second in the league and await playoff action.

Charles Wright opened up the contest with total domination of ball possession time. Using strong running mixed with an occasional pass, the Tarriers used a short field situation to drive 32 yards on five plays with Raheem Hughey matriculating the final two yards on a running play with 7:48 remaining in the first quarter. A successful extra point made the score 7-0.

With 2:52 left in the quarter, Jacob Lawson's three-yard blast helped the Tarriers to a 14-0 margin.

Controlling the ball for more than five minutes, CW drove to the LCA/SCS 32-yard line before the War Eagles forced an incomplete pass on fourth and eight.

press release
Hundreds of volunteers are taking to the city’s parks for the sixth-annual Green Seattle Day this Saturday, Nov 5, to help kick off the restoration planting season and reverse the decline of our tree canopy. Volunteers across the city from Magnuson Park to West Duwamish Greenbelt will plant over 5000 native trees and shrubs, remove invasive plant species such as English ivy and Himalayan blackberry, and move mountains of mulch, all for the love of urban forests and their community.

The event takes place from 10a.m.-2 p.m. in 16 parks throughout Seattle. West Seattle’s Westcrest Park is Green Seattle Day’s central hub this year. Volunteers will be welcomed by Green Seattle Partnership Executive Council members Gene Duvernoy, President of Forterra (formerly Cascade Land Conservancy) and Christopher Williams, Acting Superintendent of Seattle Parks.