July 2016

By Kathryn Kingen

My brother Nick is a real honey. He keeps bees. He has stacks and stacks of hives and wears a super cool Buzz Lightyear outfit. (Okay yes, I'm a little jealous.) Every year he pulls the hive trays, decants the drippings and bestows golden bottles of his hallowed Hilger Honey on us. Nick proudly proclaims that his bees are special. "They're all free range, Kath!” he teases with his goofy grin. (Geez, Nick have you ever met a bee that wasn't?) "Best of all they are happy bees,” he says. "Well, actually sometimes they act like cranky little kids but most of the time they're so sweet you just want to hug 'em!" Alrighty then, you go right ahead, all I have to say is, you better keep your "Buzz" suit on brother!

Nick's hobby is an ancient one. In fact archeologists have found petroglyphs in Spain that show beekeeping drawings from 9,000 years ago and fossils of honeybees dating back as far as 150 million years. In Roman times the honey was so treasured that citizens used it to pay their taxes. (Hey, maybe Nick is onto something here.)

By Kathryn Kingen

My brother Nick is a real honey. He keeps bees. He has stacks and stacks of hives and wears a super cool Buzz Lightyear outfit. (Okay yes, I'm a little jealous.) Every year he pulls the hive trays, decants the drippings and bestows golden bottles of his hallowed Hilger Honey on us. Nick proudly proclaims that his bees are special. "They're all free range, Kath!” he teases with his goofy grin. (Geez, Nick have you ever met a bee that wasn't?) "Best of all they are happy bees,” he says. "Well, actually sometimes they act like cranky little kids but most of the time they're so sweet you just want to hug 'em!" Alrighty then, you go right ahead, all I have to say is, you better keep your "Buzz" suit on brother!

Nick's hobby is an ancient one. In fact archeologists have found petroglyphs in Spain that show beekeeping drawings from 9,000 years ago and fossils of honeybees dating back as far as 150 million years. In Roman times the honey was so treasured that citizens used it to pay their taxes. (Hey, maybe Nick is onto something here.)

information from West Seattle Grand Parade

The West Seattle Grand Parade organization has selected the Schmitz Family as the 2016 Grand Marshall of the parade for its generations of public service and generosity to the West Seattle community. Dietrich and Vicki Schmitz will represent the extended family in the parade which steps off on July 23rd at 11:00 AM on California Ave SW from Lander to Edmunds. Dietrich is a great grandson of Ferdinand and Emma Schmitz and the son of Alan (deceased) and Vicki Schmitz.

German immigrants, Ferdinand Schmitz and Emma Althof, married in Seattle just after the Great Fire of 1889. They spent their honeymoon sleeping in a tent like other Seattleites made homeless by the fire. Ferdinand became a successful businessman. He acquired choice shore and timber properties in West Seattle, which contributed to a large, multi-acre family homestead. He served on the city council and on the Park Commission Board.

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

West Seattle won its first two games at the District 7 Major Little League baseball all-star tournament it is hosting at its own Bar-S complex.

The Westsiders opened with a 12-2 victory over South Highline National on Saturday and followed it up with an 11-3 win over Rainier on Sunday.

West Seattle will now play Renton in the winners bracket final at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Bar-S.

The winner advances to the 6 p.m. Friday provisional championship as the undefeated team needing to be beaten twice to miss out on state.

EDWARD CLARK LEASK

Edward Clark Leask, 82, passed away June 19, 2016 at the Lynden Health Care Center in Lynden, Washington. He was born in Metlakatla, Alaska August 10, 1933 to parents Edward and Bertha Leask. Ed graduated from Ballard High School in Seattle, Washington, where he enjoyed playing basketball and baseball. He was a bricklayer by trade in Washington State for about five years. He moved back to Metlakatla where he planned and built (mostly out of brick) Leask Market Grocery, which he opened in 1964 and is still operating today. Ed contributed greatly to his community and friends throughout his life. He was a kind and generous man who was loved and respected by many. He had a great passion for boats, fishing and sports. He was preceded in death by his sisters Claire Gilmartin, Bernice Scudero, and Bertha Johnson. Ed is survived by his four children: Daniel Leask (wife Roxana), Debra Palmblad (husband Duwayne), Tamera Chavarria (husband Fred), and David Leask. He has five grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. In respect of Ed’s wishes, a small family ceremony was held in Metlakatla where Ed was laid to rest beside his parents.

JOYCE COSBY EDWARDS

Joyce Cosby Edwards, 80, passed away June 25, 2016 in Des Moines, WA after a long and valiant battle with lung disease.
A Memorial Service and Reception will be held at 1:00 p.m. on July 13, 2016 in the Chapel at Judson Park, 23600 Marine View Drive S., Des Moines, WA 98198 to celebrate Joyce’s life and contributions to her community. Those who knew her are invited to visit her online Obituary at http://bonneywatson.com/obituaries/.
Joyce was born November 21, 1935 in Topeka, Kansas. She studied Piano Performance and Music Composition, and performed for many years as an active member of the Musicians’ Association of Seattle, Local 76-493. In addition to teaching and performing, Joyce spent the last half of her career life working in Seattle and Kent as a bookkeeper and office manager. Until recently, Joyce volunteered as an organist for chapel services at local retirement communities.

The 34th annual West Seattle Summer Fest kicks off on Friday July 8 in the West Seattle Junction and continues through Sunday July 10 offering loads of live music, food and fun activities for the whole family. A kids area with Clowns Unlimited with rides, art activities sponsored by West Seattle Art Nest and School of Rock will be found on Alaska Street and in the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot.

Look for the Community Gathering Tent to connect to local non-profits and other organizations helping the community. And stop by Greenlife to see the Garden and Sustainability Expo at the south end of the event.

You will also see 145 booths from local stores and visiting vendors that offer shopping during the festival.

Music Lineup

Tacocat
Friday, July 8, 9:30pm

Grace Love & the True Loves
Saturday, July 9, 10:30pm

Chastity Belt
Friday, July 8, 8:00pm

Pillar Point
Saturday, July 9, 9:00pm

Hobosexual
Saturday, July 9, 8:00pm

The Dusty 45’s
Sunday, July 10, 4:00pm

Bread & Butter
Saturday, July 9, 7:00pm

Acapulco Lips
Friday, July 8, 7:00pm

Crater

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

West Seattle's wild ride through the District 7 age 9-10 Little League baseball all-star tournament came to an unfortunate ending Sunday morning as the Westsiders fell to Renton, 18-1, in the if-necessary championship game.

The loss at the PacWest complex in SeaTac gave West Seattle a 5-2 record to show for the tournament, including three straight wins to come back through the losers bracket and an 8-7 win over Renton in the provisional championship Saturday morning.

The tournament was double elimination, meaning the Westsiders had to beat previously unbeaten Renton twice to take the title.

Renton now advances to the state tournament, which opens July 16 in Lynnwood.

West Seattle was managed by Mike Fahy, who was assisted by coaches Sean Eley and Brian Sherick.
Players were Tristan Buehring, Chase Dodson, Parker Eley, Caden Fahy, Connor Floyd, Wyatt Glover, Matthew Hazelgrove, Jordan Holloway, Brock Moore, Joe Sherick, Blake Taft, Bobby Trigg and Ryan Whitney.
The West Seattle league president is Noel Whorton.

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

There will be a tomorrow for the West Seattle age 9-10 Little League baseball all-star team.

The Westsiders forced a second and final District 7 championship game by edging Renton, 8-7, Saturday morning.

West Seattle will return to the PacWest complex in SeaTac to play Renton one more time for all the marbles at 9 a.m. Sunday.

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

West Seattle threw 13 runs onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth inning Friday, turning a 7-3 deficit into an eventual 16-7 win.

It was the Westsiders' third straight win coming out of the loser's bracket in the District 7 age 9-10 Little League baseball all-star tournament, advancing them into championship action against Renton starting at 9 a.m. Saturday at the PacWest complex in SeaTac.

West Seattle must win that game and a would-be if-necessary game scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday to take the district title and advance to state.

The Westsiders trailed early in Friday's game by as much as a 6-1 score, and were still down 7-3 before the big rally in the fifth.

"These boys once they get going and start hitting the ball, they don't stop," said West Seattle manager Mike Fahy. "We're excited to play Renton tomorrow. We owe them a better game than last time."
The Westsiders opened the tournament with a 22-0 victory over Seattle Central, but fell to Renton by a 15-2 margin the next day.