Des Moines’ very own Mt. Rainier High School Ramblin’ Marching Band will be one of several area participants in Macy’s 24th annual Holiday Parade on Friday, Nov. 27th in downtown Seattle.

More than two dozen high school marching bands and community drill teams will also participate, including marching bands from:

• Chief Sealth High School
• Denny Middle School

• Kentwood High
• Ballard High
• Penninsula High
• Washington
• Centralia
• Sequim
• Roosevelt

In addition to MRHS’ Ramblin’ Marching Band, several other area drill teams will participate:

• Northside Drill Team and Drum Squad
• Lake City Girls
• Marysville Pilchuck High School Marching Tomahawks and Color Guard
• Connect All Stars & Northwest Open Cheer
• Edmonds Woodway High School

Boasting nearly 56 entrants, the parade will also feature:

• 22 balloon floats and inflatables
• 500 costumed characters
• 18 high school marching bands
• Community drill teams
• Four dog clubs

The parade will begin promptly at 8:45am on 7th and Pine in downtown Seattle, travel west to 5th Avenue, south on 5th to University Street, west on University Street to 4th, and north on 4th to Pine street, where it will deliver Santa to Macy’s under a confetti snowstorm.

At 5pm, Macy’s will light its famous, 161-foot high, 3,600-bulb Holiday Star on the corner of 4th and Pine, in conjunction with the Westlake Tree Lighting Ceremony. The star lighting will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display, weather permitting.

So be sure to cheer on your local, ramblin’ marchers and musicians either in person on or KING-TV beginning at 9am Nov. 27th.

(Photo courtesy Carmen Scott)

The 10th Annual Des Moines Legacy Foundation’s Bayside Brunch was held at Anthony’s HomePort on Sunday morning, Nov. 1st, raising over $33,000, which will go to Des Moines Senior Activity Center programming.

“Gold Rush” was this year’s theme and many of the 106 participants arrived dressed in costume.

There were many activities including the Silent Auction, Jail & Bail, Miners Poke Mystery Bags, Restaurant Bid Board, raffles, and of course the Live Auction. Folks milled around having fun spending money and trying not to get thrown into the pokey by honorary “deputies,” Del Rivero and Brian Snure. It was five minutes of time served or $5 to bail out. Most folks who were “arrested” didn’t seem to mind much as noted by the laughs and smiles on their faces.

The annual Fund-A-Need, which benefited youth programming provided by Des Moines Parks and Recreation, brought in $10,225, the highest amount ever raised during this portion of the event. Brian Snure gave a very convincing and heartwarming speech encouraging everyone to contribute to the best of their ability and beyond.  He then gave his daughter permission to “spend part of her inheritance” and Clark Snure, his dad, permission to “spend part of his inheritance.”  They both promptly bid $1,000 and a third, anonymous donor joined them. This was followed by 56 additional people donating $25 – $500 to this cause.

Brunch was delicious and the Anthony’s HomePort staff, who volunteer their time to this event each year, were top-notch.

There were over 20 event volunteers in attendance, including: Mary Jo Rulffes, their “Procurement Queen,” who helped obtain many of the items donated by local businesses and residents.  This year’s brunch was organized by Charleen Schultz, Laura Rex Straight, Mary Jo Rulffes, Carmen Scott, Janet Grella, Sue Padden and Brenda Anders and many other behind the scenes volunteers.

It is not too late to make contributions to the Des Moines Legacy Foundation’s Bayside Brunch – donations can be made online via their website: www.desmoineslegacy.org.

Here’s a Slideshow courtesy Photographer Thomas Sirgedas:

Click to View Thomas Sirgedas’ Photo Slideshow

UPDATE Sat. 11/7/09: The Seattle Police Department released more information Saturday about Christopher J. Monfort, the suspect shot Friday in Tukwila after being approached about his car, a Datsun B-210 that matched a vehicle seen near the scene of Officer Timothy Brenton’s death on Halloween.

He was shot on the scene and is currently in serious condition, in custody at Harborview Medical Center.

According to the latest reports, Monfort’s apartment had a cache of weapons, including bomb-making materials. He is now believed to have “worked alone” in the fatal shooting of Officer Brenton, and is also a suspect in the Oct. 22 firebombing of seven Seattle police vehicles.

Monfort once attended Highline Community College in Des Moines.

Here’s the release:

On the afternoon of November 6^th , 2009, Seattle Police Homicide detectives received a tip about a Datsun 210 matching the description of a possible suspect vehicle used in the slaying of Officer Tim Brenton. Detectives responded to a parking lot in the 13700 block of 56^th Avenue South in Tukwila. While detectives were investigating the scene further an adult male suspect emerged and pointed a gun at them. Detectives fired on the suspect in self defense, striking him at least once. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. No detectives were injured.

The Tukwila Police Department is handling the crime scene investigation and the King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is conducting the officer-involved shooting investigation.

SPD detectives obtained search warrants to further examine the crime scene. Evidence located inside the suspect’s apartment included improvised explosive devices (IEDs), a rifle, and various other items of evidence. Detectives now believe that this individual is responsible for both the murder of Officer Brenton, the attempted murder of Officer Sweeney, and the arson attack on October 22^nd at the Charles Street facility. Detectives are asking the Prosecutor’s Office for formal charges. The Datsun that detectives were looking for is registered to the suspect. Our investigation into the murder of Officer Tim Brenton and attempted murder of Officer Britt Sweeney continues and we are still receiving and following up on tips. We have received numerous tips from the public and we encourage everyone to continue to call us with any information they may have regarding this investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call either 911 , or the tipline at (206) 233-5000. Those wishing to remain annonymous are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a text to CRIMES (274637). Your text message should include “TIP486″ to ensure proper routing. Calls are taken 24 hours a day.

PREVIOUSLY: Friday afternoon (Nov. 6th), shortly after Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton’s memorial concluded, a suspect named Christopher J. Monfort was shot outside his apartment building in Tukwila, prompting a massive outpouring of police to the area.

Police were apparently serving a search warrant on Monfort, 41, when he pulled out a weapon. He was shot on the scene and is currently under custody at Harborview Medical Center.

Monfort apparently attended Highline Community College in Des Moines, where he ran for student office in 2003.

According to HCC’s “Thunderword” student newspaper dated Nov. 20, 2003 (PDF link to issue), Monfort’s platform was:

“Christopher Monfort said he’s running to make the student body more aware of the civil liberties lost under the Patriot Act and the current political administration (Bush).

Monfort said students should vote for him because he actually cares about the world and wants to make a positive change.”

Monfort also studied law enforcement issues at the University of Washington.

Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton was shot and killed as he sat in his patrol car with an officer-trainee after a traffic stop on Capitol Hill on Oct. 31. Thousands of officers from around the country attended a memorial Friday afternoon for him at KeyArena in Seattle.

Dear Blog Editor,

I would like to thank the voters of Des Moines for granting me another four years to represent our great city.

While Des Moines has struggled to overcome a number of adversities over the years, we are poised to build a bright future for all of our residents … one that reflects the values of our community, takes advantage of our ties to Puget Sound and our proximity to regional transportation facilities, and one that ensures a rational, sustainable level of city services for our residents.

I’ve been proud to serve as your City Councilmember for the past four years, and I’m looking forward with enthusiasm and energy to the next four years.

Thank you again!

Cordially,
Dave Kaplan
Des Moines City Councilmember

King County Public Health announced Friday (Nov. 6th) that it is now offering a limited supply (15,000 for now) of H1N1 vaccines to qualified people at area pharmacies, including one in Des Moines, one in Kent and another in Federal Way (see interactive map below).

To get vaccinated, you have to make an appointment by telephone, and meet the criteria listed below:

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• People between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old
• People between 25 through 64 years of age with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems
• Healthcare and emergency workers with direct patient contact

The only Des Moines pharmacy with the new batch is:

• Bartell Drugs
  27055 Pacific Hwy S
  Des Moines, WA 98198-9250
  (253) 839-1693

Here are two others nearby:

• Fred Meyer Pharmacy
  25250 Pacific Hwy S
  Kent, WA 98032-6539
  (253) 946-7433
• Albertsons-Sav-on – 312th & Pacific
  31009 Pacific Hwy South
  Federal Way, WA 98003
  (253) 946-4002

Many of the 44 participating pharmacies are taking appointments by phone starting today (Fri. Nov. 6th); some will be holding walk-up clinics without appointment starting next week. The full list of participating pharmacies, including hours, types of vaccine available, vaccination age ranges and administrative fee, is posted at www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/pandemicflu/swineflu/locations.aspx. This site will be updated Monday through Friday by noon; people should contact pharmacies directly for the most up-to-date information.

With limited national vaccine supplies, Public Health – Seattle & King County has had to delay its plan to make vaccine widely available through community venues. As more vaccine becomes available, there will be additional sites for getting vaccinated, including community clinics.

“Making vaccine available through pharmacies is an important next step in protecting our community, but supplies at both pharmacies and health care providers will continue to be limited for at least several weeks,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Eventually there will be enough vaccine for everyone who wants to get vaccinated, but we are still dealing with limited vaccine supplies.”

With the latest deliveries this week, King County has received approximately 142,000 doses of vaccine. A new allocation of approximately 71,000 doses is being ordered for delivery to the county. Most of the vaccine is being made available through health care providers.

The amount of H1N1 vaccine at pharmacies will be limited, with each pharmacy receiving a few hundred doses each. Vaccine will be re-supplied to pharmacies as more becomes available over the coming weeks, so people should regularly check Public Health’s website for updates.

Many pharmacies are unable to vaccinate babies and young children because their staff is not licensed and/or trained for these age groups. Residents trying to vaccinate children should check with pharmacies directly and with their health care providers since vaccine is continuing to arrive.

Pharmacies may charge a fee for administering the vaccine, typically between $12 and $22 (not to exceed $22). This fee is covered by most health insurance. People should bring their health insurance information to the pharmacy, and they may need to submit a receipt to their insurance company for reimbursement.

Visit the Public Health H1N1 influenza website at www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1 for updates on vaccine availability in the community or call the Flu Hotline at 1-877-903-KING (5464), which is staffed with operators from 9am to 5pm weekdays to answer questions from residents about H1N1 influenza. There is also a special 24-hour nurse line service extended over this weekend for people with flu seeking medical care advice. Recorded information will be available 24 hours a day.

View King County pharmacies with H1N1 vaccine in a larger map

The Seattle Times is reporting that Gino Turrella, a Des Moines man, has been convicted of 19 felony counts for threats he made against Boeing, Shell Oil and Chevron Oil.

Turrella was convicted Friday (Nov. 6th) in US District Court in Seattle after a jury deliberated about five hours following a four-day trial.

According to the Times, Turrella was convicted of:

• 2 counts of making interstate communications with threat to injure persons
• 7 counts of making threats by instrument of interstate commerce
• 1 count of possessing a firearm during threats of violence
• 9 counts of identity theft

He faces between 5-10 years in prison. His sentencing date is scheduled for Feb. 19th.

According to documents, Turrella made eight threats via email in May of 2008, posing as other people by using accounts he’d created himself. The threats included one to Boeing in which he claimed that he was going to bring a gun and go on a shooting rampage, as well as detonate himself as a suicide bomb.

When Turrella’s home was searched, police discovered over 100 firearms.

When you do a Google Search for Turrella, you’ll see that he was also quite active Commenting on various websites, oftentimes with fiery language.

Read the full story here.

Veteran’s Day is this coming Wednesday, Nov. 11th, and Brown Bear Car Wash will be honoring vets and current service military with free car washes all day, including the Des Moines location at

As a way of saying “thanks” to our military, Brown Bear will be offering free “Bear Essential” car washes to all current or former members of the military, including spouses.

“Our organization is proud to honor veterans and service personnel,” said Brown Bear President and founder Vic Odermat, himself a Marine Corps veteran. “While the washes are free, we know that freedom is not. This is a way for us to show our support and gives us a unique opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to people who sacrifice so incredibly for our freedom.”

Odermat said the offer will operate on an honor system and no verification or documentation is required. Drivers should identify themselves as a current or former member of the military to the wash attendant.

Odermat started Brown Bear in Seattle in 1957 with one location. They now own and operates car washes throughout the Puget Sound area and Spokane.

Here’s a list of participating locations nearby:

• 22706 Marine View Dr., Des Moines
• 34017 Hoyt Rd. SW, Federal Way
• 814 Auburn Way S, Auburn
• 1202 W Meeker St., Kent
• 800 S Grady Way, Renton
• 621 Rainier Ave. S, Renton
• 77 Rainier Ave. S, Renton

Dave Kaplan

It was the battle of the incumbents in Des Moines with Councilman Dave Kaplan defeating Councilwoman Susan White in a landslide for City Council Position 7.

As of Thursday (Nov. 5th) afternoon’s release of the latest vote totals by King County Elections, Kaplan held a +19-point lead, with 59.42 percent (2,641 votes) to 40.02 percent (1,779 votes) over White.

“I’m proud and honored to have been granted another term to serve as your City Councilmember on the Des Moines City Council,” Kaplan told The Waterland Blog.

White was attending a conference out of town and could not be reached for comment.

In 2001, Kaplan was defeated after serving one term on the council – the same year that White was elected to the first of her two terms as councilwoman. Kaplan was elected again in 2005, but instead of seeking re-election to his Position 5 seat this year he opted to oppose White.

Matt Pina, with a current lead of 55.21 percent (2,448 votes) to 44.54 percent (1,975 votes) lead over political newcomer Anne Farmer, will succeed his father, Ed Pina, in City Council Position 1.

The senior Pina is retiring from the council. Earlier, Matt Pina also followed his father as a Highline School Board member.

“I’m happy where (the vote) is right now,” Pina said before Thursday’s vote total update. “It’s a good spot to be in.”

Carmen Scott

In the closest race this year, incumbent Councilwoman Carmen Scott held a 52.30 percent (2,270 votes) to 47.35 percent (2,055 votes) lead over Melissa Musser, another newcomer to Des Moines politics, for Position 5.

“Obviously, the votes are not all in yet, but I am already feeling very confident about the energy and commitment of our new council members and look forward to our developing a unified plan of cohesive solutions to downtown growth and vigor,” Scott said.

“Beyond that, I know we will all be focused on maintaining parks and recreation programs, finding new sources of revenue, containing expenses, encouraging development of the Port business park land, and redevelopment within Pacific Ridge,” she added.

“Thank you for your vote. I will serve you well.”

The third political newcomer this year, Melissa Musser, was unopposed in her bid for Council Position 5, which previously was held by Kaplan.

Mayor Bob Sheckler said of the election outcome, “I couldn’t be more pleased. When this economy turns around, Des Moines will be in a position to act quickly to further economic development. This is the council that will get us there.”

But the biggest news for many residents was not the results of City Council races but the outcome of Proposition 1, which will establish the Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District that will keep the Mt. Rainier Pool open for public use.

Proposition 1 was sweeping to victory by a 62.86 percent to 37.14 percent margin. Had it not been approved, it is likely that the popular community swimming pool – used by beginning swimmers, swim teams and seniors – would have been closed due to lack of funding.

Elected as pool district commissioners were Gene Achziger, Eric Kasnick, Bernadette Barrett, Marty Martinson and Nancy Kuehnoel. All ran unopposed.

THANK YOU, DES MOINES!

One is not supposed to write with solid capital letters on the Internet because it is equated with shouting. But I am SHOUTING.

THANK YOU, DES MOINES, for recognizing that we need to stop legislating for our grandparents and start legislating for our grandchildren. By that I mean we need to stay focused on investing in the future, not obsessing with today.

On Tuesday, even in our down economy, the good people of Des Moines set aside haggling over taxes to pass Proposition 1. You created Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District to keep Mount Rainier Pool operating for generations to come. You responded to the message that we do some things right here in the “Waterland City.” And one of the best is our swim program, which, in addition to teaching tens of thousands of kids over the years to swim and be safe around water, gives those kids an opportunity to better themselves and better our community.

As one of your new pool commissioners, I’m fully aware of the need to pinch pennies and stretch dollars… and not just in these lean times. Continuing to do so will be necessary if we are to achieve my goal of seeing to it that every child in this community who wants to learn to swim will have an opportunity to do so.

I look with admiration at Pacific Middle School teacher Schell Ross who can pack Mount Rainier Pool on a Friday night with sixth, seventh and eighth graders who enjoy safe, supervised exercise rather than wandering the streets.

And who can not be inspired by 105-year-old Faith Callahan whose three-days-a-week regimen of low-impact water aerobics keeps her sprightly?

I was particularly struck during our campaign kick-off when Chris Burrage, just hours out of United States Marine Corps boot camp training, showed up, unannounced and in full-dress uniform. He wasn’t on the agenda and initially declined an invitation to speak. But he was moved by his remembrances of the role swimming at Mount Rainier Pool has played in his life. He spoke wistfully of those memories and what it meant to be a teenager growing up in Des Moines. He then exhorted the crowd to “fight to keep Mount Rainier Pool.”

And there was Ariana Kukors, who began swimming at Mount Rainier Pool as a 5-year-old and would go on this last summer to be crowned the fastest woman in the world in the 200m IM. She didn’t flinch a minute to break off from her training in Southern California for the US Olympics team to return home to urge voters to keep the pool open.

And you did.

So I, once again, just wanna shout: THANK YOU, DES MOINES!

Gene Achziger for
Save Our Swimming

Des Moines’ Youth of Resurrection Lutheran Church has started “Operation Raincoat,” a program where people can donate gently-used coats for children, youth and even adults.

Donated coats will be distributed to area residents in need, and here’s how you can help:

Bring your gently-used coats of all sizes to:

Resurrection Lutheran Church
134 South 206th Street
Des Moines, WA 98198

Also, if you’d like to set up a drop-off station in your business or work place, please contact Elizabeth Schwanke at elizabeth.schwanke@live.com, or call 206.605.4277 and she’ll will be happy to provide flyers and a donation box.

Here’s info from their flyer:

For the past few months, the Youth of Resurrection Lutheran Church have been involved in a ministry called Bread of Life. Every Friday, rain (or snow, or hail..) or shine, we distribute bread to a a very in-need neighborhood of Des Moines. We do this not only to fulfill the immediate physical needs, but to share the hope and love of God with them. Every week as the bread truck pulls into the neighborhood, kids rush out of their homes to meet us, some with barefeet and most all without coats.

We felt compelled to do something more and so we’ve started a little something called “Operation Raincoat”. We are asking you to take a few minutes to look through your closets and ask your neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family memebers for gently used children and youth sized coats (we will take adult coats too!). This is such a great opportunity to help the “least of these” by keeping these children warm and dry during the cold and wet winter months.

There will also be a gathering at RLC on Friday, Nov. 20th at 7pm for fellowship, worship and to pray over the distribution of the coats.

All are invited.