July 2012

UPDATE July 25
The ZPMC Zhen Hua 23 took advantage of the tide and good weather to move to the dock at Terminal 18 this morning, bringing the Super Post Panamax Cranes it has been carrying. Calls to SSA inquiring about the offloading and installation of the massive devices have not been returned.

UPDATE 3:00 PM on July 24
According to Seattle Vessel Traffic, the estimated time for the ZPMC Zhen Hua 23 will pull its anchor around noon on July 29th and no time line has yet been released for the installation of the cranes.

Original Post July 23
The Port of Seattle said that Terminal 18 on Harbor Island, run by SSA, bought three more "Super Post Panamax" cranes, and they arrived today in Elliott Bay.

They’re 267 feet high and can handle the world’s largest container ships; the ZPMC Zhen Hua 23 will bring them in to port.

The cranes had been scheduled to arrive on Tuesday but got to port ahead of schedule.

These massive cranes can deal with vessels of 22 or more containers wide.

The Super Post Panamax cranes can weigh 1600–2000 tons or 3,200,000 pounds to 4,000,000 pounds each.

At the NW Market St and 14th Ave NW Safeway, a simple shoplifting escalates into a stabbing, according to the SPD Blotter.

On Saturday, July 21 at approximately 11:57 p.m., a suspect stabbed a store security guard in the ear with a knife after being confronted about stealing.

The suspect then fled the store, but didn't make it very far. Just four blocks away, responding officers apprehended the suspect and booked him into King County Jail.

SFD medics came to the scene to evaluate and treat the victim. No details on how he is doing were given.

Boo Who!

Who will wind Grandfather Tick Tock, hold Esmeralda on his knee
Who’ll read books with Sturdly Bookworm, watch ICU2TV
Who’ll pull cartoons from his top hat, ride a funny little trike
Who will teach us to eat all our food, not just the things we like

Who’ll parade around with Gertrude, send his laundry to Wash-Ing
Who will live down at the City Dump, of kindness be the King
Who’ll teach fairness, truth and honor, but above all else who shall
Be the one to unbreak all the hearts of every Patches Pal

Carol Smith
Patches Pal Emeritus
West Seattle

The beloved J.P. Patches passed away Sunday, July 22. He made his final public appearance at the Fishermen’s Fall Fest on Saturday, September 17, entertaining fans young and old.

Although Chris Wedes, the man behind the Julius Pierpont Patches persona, was diagnosed with acute myeloma in 2007, he seemed to still have a spring in his step and sass in his shtick. The 83-year-old playfully taunted kids and adults on stage playing “Simon Says” and other games in front of a cheering cast of thousands, well, several hundred easily. Many sported round red clown noses and wore T-shrts with his likeness. After the show, he marched over to a booth selling bobble heads, bumper stickers, coloring books and t-shirts of Gertrude and him, and he patiently autographed these items, plus vintage novelty items Patches pals brought. At least two hundred fans stood in line to say “Hello”, “Goodbye”, and “Thank you” to a Seattle icon and father figure and hero

According to Facebook reports, and Wikipedia, Chris Wedes, J.P. Patches passed away today. A wonderful man and a great loss to our community.

King County Executive Dow Constantine released his thoughts on this sad occasion:

Executive Constantine remembers J.P. Patches
King County Executive Dow Constantine tonight mourned the passing of Chris Wedes, creator of the beloved TV character, J.P. Patches:

“Several generations of Seattle kids owe a bit of their personality and sense of humor to J.P. Patches.

“Chris Wedes, sidekick Bob Newman, and director Joe Towey created a remarkable world of improvised comedy that enthralled children and, with an occasional wink or double-entendre, let parents in on the backstage hilarity.

“I knew this day would come, but cannot believe that it has. Goodnight, sweet clown.”

This report from King County Sheriff PIO Cindi West:

On 7/22/12 at approx 1:30 in the morning deputies responded to the 100 block of 17 AVE SW for a report of shots being fired in a nearby parking lot. 

Dispatch told deputies that people were hearing gunshots and numerous subjects were running from the area. 

Deputies arrived on scene and observed about 25-30 people in the parking lot across from 9833 17 AVE SW. 

A deputy saw a subject in the group holding the front waistband area of his jeans and walking backwards . 

Deputies contacted the subject, who is an 18-year-old man from SeaTac, and found a gun concealed in his waistband.   The gun was fully loaded. The subject did not have a Concealed Pistol License and was arrested.

The White Center Parade on Sunday the 22 took place under cloudier skies but the turnout was fantastic and larger than 2011 when rain curtailed the numbers. The July Jubilee Days event was in honor of the late Mickey Kraut.

She was a tireless advocate for the White Center community for decades. Kraut was a board member for the White Center Chamber of Commerce, was a patron of the Boys and Girls Club, and volunteered for the King County Sheriff's office for 18 years. She was well known as a long-time organizer of Jubilee Days.

The parade winners were the Washington Diamonds Drill Team, followed by the Diva Upgrades and the Essential Steppers. The All Time Parade Favorite was the Northern Alliance Drum Corps from Portland Oregon. The Seattle All City Band recieved the Music Note trophy and the Churros recieved the Horse trophy.

Who would’ve thought that a skill picked up in drunken college frat house parties would eventually become a form of charity?

On Saturday, July 21, a clear sunny day that hit a high of 77 degrees, that is precisely what happened. The Ballard Elks held their first annual beer pong for charity tournament in the parking lot of the Elks Lodge, which is located on Seaview Ave, overlooking the Puget Sound and the Olympics.

Proceeds from competition entrance fees -- a $20 buy-in -- as well as sales from beers provided by Deschutes Brewery, at $5 a pop, all went to Ballard Elks charities. Charities include a veteran’s fund, children’s sports fund, Children’s Hospital, scholarships for Ballard high school students and funding for a mobile science bus program for schools.

The competition was long, fierce and friendly. Some games lasted for seemingly ever, as ball after ball narrowly missed its target. The contestants never seemed to mind, though, as they bantered back and forth, made jokes and laughed together.

Team names included “Cheech and Pong,” “Donkey Pong,” “I sink it/You drink it” and “Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’.”

CLICK ON PHOTO FOR SLIDESHOW:

The Des Moines Waterland Parade delighted families seated along Marine View Drive South early Saturday evening, July 21. It was sunny and still hot. The pageantry followed the Annual 2012 Des Moines Classic Car & Wooden Boat Show at the marina.

CLICK ON PHOTO FOR SLIDESHOW

The Annual 2012 Des Moines Classic Car & Wooden Boat Show delivered fun, hot sun, and crowds to a cast of cool cars and boats by the marina. This event was followed by the Des Moines Annual Waterland Parade. See that slideshow here.