West Seattle, Washington

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day : 18/07/2015 11 results

West Seattle Grand Parade 2015, report #3: Rotary Kiddie Parade
July 18, 2015 11:56 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Grand Parade 2015, report #3: Rotary Kiddie Parade
 |   West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

Long before the Rotary Club of West Seattle took over presentation of the WS Grand Parade, it started shepherding the annual Kiddie Parade, a chance for local kids to head down a few blocks of the parade route and show off for the crowd along California between Genesee and Edmunds. The tradition continued today, with dozens braving the hotter-than-usual temps this year:

We think we saw a superhero:

And of course, heroic grownup assistance is vital to successful parade participation:

As is music!

More parade reports to come – here’s what we’ve published previously:

*2015 parade report #2: The winners
*2015 parade report #1: First look

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Open again! Fauntleroy celebrates Cove Park restoration, Barton Pump Station upgrade
July 18, 2015 9:56 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
What a beautiful day to celebrate the return of a West Seattle beach to the public domain. This is Cove Park, adjacent to the north side of the Fauntleroy ferry dock, closed for three years because of King County’s expansion/upgrade of the Barton Pump Station – now open again, with a ribbon-cutting celebration today:

Cutting the ribbon were King County Wastewater Treatment Division director Pam Elardo and our area’s King County Councilmember Joe McDermott. But the celebration was even bigger for the Fauntleroy community, which stewards the Cove Park area and has been working closely with the county (some backstory in this 2011 WSB report) to ensure that the beach and its treasured public art would make a comeback – with additions!

That’s the path from Fauntleroy Way to the small beach, where you will find works by artist Thomas Jay – some familiar, some new. A brochure provided by the Fauntleroy Community Association shows nine things to look for, including these:

As this warm weekend continues, come to Cove Park and see for yourself.

This afternoon’s celebration at the park also included tours of the pump station. You can find out more about the project here.

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West Seattle Grand Parade 2015, report #2: The winners!
July 18, 2015 6:51 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

(UPDATED SUNDAY MORNING: Float winners added)

(WSB photos by Tracy Record and Patrick Sand)
During the West Seattle Grand Parade, a lot happens behind the scenes. While parade staffers get the entries out of the gate at the north end of the route, pacing them depending on a variety of factors, there’s more going on along the route – volunteer ham-radio operators are communicating what’s going on at various points along the route, and at secret points along the way, judges are reviewing the entries as they pass. That leads to a list of awards we publish post-parade each year – here it is:

2015 West Seattle Grand Parade
Produced by the West Seattle Rotary Foundation

OVERALL PARADE WINNERS

1st Seattle School All-City Marching Band

2nd Luna Park Cafe

3rd WestSide Baby – Stuff the Bus

BANDS

1st Kennedy Catholic High School Marching Band

2nd Pacific Northwest Drumline

CARS & ANTIQUE CARS

1st Friend to Friend America

2nd West Seattle Lions Club

3rd 1942 American LaFrance Fire Engine

COMMERCIAL

1st Hotwire Coffee (both photos above)

2nd Mountain to Sound Outfitters (above)

3rd Spring Free Trampoline (above)

COMMUNITY

1st Our Lady of Guadalupe

2nd Delridge Grocery Co-op

3rd Calvary Chapel

DRILL TEAMS, SENIOR

1st The Lady’s of Elegance Drill Team (see video here)

2nd Electronetts Drill Team & Drum Squad

3rd Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team

DRILL TEAMS, JUNIOR

1st The Princesses of Elegance Drill Team (see video here)
2nd Washington Diamonds Drill Team
3rd Butterfly Electronetts Drill Team

PERFORMING ACTS

1st Joyas Mestizas – Seattle Mexican Folk Dance Youth

2nd Seafair Clowns

3rd Seafair Pirates

(added Sunday) FLOATS

1st Place – WS Rotary Foundation Trophy – Marysville Strawberry Festival

CONVEYED FLOATS

1st Place – Hope Lutheran Church and School

2nd Place – Holy Rosary School and Sun Dancers

Still adding LOTS MORE photos (and some video to come) of the winning entries. And we have other parade stories in the works – the Kiddie Parade too!

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UPDATE: Car crashes into West Seattle Junction 7-11
July 18, 2015 4:43 pm
|      35 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

4:43 PM: Thanks to Tyler for the photo and to the person who texted about this – a car crashed into the Junction 7-11 at Erskine/Edmunds/California. It happened less than an hour ago; it’s only on the Seattle Fire 911 log as an “aid response,” suggesting no major injuries, but we have a crew headed that way to find out more.

(Added: WSB photo)
4:59 PM: Unfortunately we couldn’t get any further information at the scene; police wouldn’t comment and the store owner/manager demanded that we get off his property.

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HAPPENING NOW: Dance, dance, dance @ Mediterranean Fantasy Festival, day 1
July 18, 2015 3:56 pm
|    Comments Off on HAPPENING NOW: Dance, dance, dance @ Mediterranean Fantasy Festival, day 1
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

With today’s warm weather, it’s not much of a stretch to feel positively Mediterranean at Hiawatha Community Center‘s park. Of course, the annual Mediterranean Fantasy Festival‘s dancing, costumes, music, and backdrops all help. We stopped by briefly after the West Seattle Grand Parade for a few photos – there’s so much going on, even a short visit will immerse you in the exotic ambience. That includes a lawn full of vendors:

Along with dancing on the outdoor stage, it’s happening in the gym, too – here’s the lineup of continuous appearances. And inbetween applauding the artistry of the dancers, you can browse and buy all manner of adornment:

The festival – MedFest for short – is on until 7 pm today, and continues 11 am-5 pm tomorrow, no charge for admission. It’s in its 28th year and is presented by the Babylonian Ensemble, whose members explain here how it was created 28 years ago.

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VIDEO: West Seattle Grand Parade 2015, report #1
July 18, 2015 10:47 am
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

10:47 AM: The West Seattle Grand Parade has begun, with the motorcycle drill teams – Seattle Police and Vancouver (B.C.) Police – on their way from California/Lander. At the Junction end of the route, you’ll see the Kiddie Parade first (leaving California/Genesee at 11 am). California between Admiral and Edmunds is closed until the parade’s over in early afternoon. We’ll have lots of video and photos afterward! (Also some along the way on Twitter at @westseattleblog.)

12:29 PM: At the start of the parade route, in The Admiral District, it’s just wrapped up, after an hour and a half. We have a crew at the Junction end of the route too, so we’ll update you when it ends there. Meantime – as paradegoers walk past us, we’re hearing their reviews. Including, “That was a nice little parade.” And: “I wanna be in the parade next year!” Here are a couple clips we uploaded along the route – the Seafair Pirates:

And the first drill team on the route, the Lady’s Of Elegance and Princesses of Elegance:

This year’s Grand Marshal, King County Executive (and lifelong West Seattleite) Dow Constantine, tweeted this photo as he showed daughter Sabrina how to do the “parade wave”:

Now the road’s fully open here on the north end of the route. But be careful till it’s all over. Now on with the rest of a big day – more parade coverage (photos and video) to come later.

1:14 PM: Our crew in The Junction says the parade is now all over.

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VIDEO: 2015 Float Dodger 5K, West Seattle Grand Parade’s pre-show!
July 18, 2015 9:41 am
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: 2015 Float Dodger 5K, West Seattle Grand Parade’s pre-show!
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

9:41 AM SATURDAY: It’s the opening act for the West Seattle Grand Parade, and it gets wilder every year. This year’s Float Dodger 5K is on now – new starting line this year, outside the new location of West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), within view of the spot at California/Lander where the runners and walkers “dodge” the West Seattle Hi-Yu float. Our video shows all of this year’s Float Dodgers, recorded as they arrived at (and rounded) the float. Results, and photos, later! The parade’s still an hour-plus away, so lots of time to go find a spot along California between Lander and Edmunds (and WSR has a post-5K beer garden in its store at 2743 California SW, if you’re looking for a unique place from which to watch).

ADDED EARLY SUNDAY: Results for this year’s Float Dodger are here. The top finisher was Brett Winegar, at 16:27 – we photographed him (and other course leaders) as they rounded the float the second time:

Kelly Spady was next, at 16:54:

The first female finisher, Kristi Houk, was fifth overall, at 18:31:

According to the online results, 331 timed participants finished. And of course it was about fun, too – perhaps the most creative costume, a fleet-footed luchadore:

WS Runner’s Lori and Tim McConnell are back there somewhere; the race’s starting line shifted north this year because their shop moved (to 2743 California SW):

A team from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest (WSB sponsor) dodged the floats:

This was the fourth Float Dodger 5K – the first one was in 2012.

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SUNDAY: West Seattle Garden Tour! Not too late for tickets
July 18, 2015 9:27 am
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 |   Fun stuff to do | Gardening | West Seattle news

Before today gets too much busier, a quick reminder about a big event tomorrow (one that we’re proud to be co-sponsoring) – the West Seattle Garden Tour, 9 am-5 pm on Sunday, with nine fabulous local gardens on display, to be explored at your own pace. You do need a ticket – so buy one today at West Seattle Nursery (California/Brandon) or Junction True Value Hardware (44th/Edmunds). As organizers note, “Along with admission to all nine gardens, your ticket includes award-winning spotlight lecturer Phil Wood‘s talk about residential-garden design at 12:30 pm on tour day at The Kenney.” Last-minute tickets will be available tomorrow morning ONLY at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), 8:30 am-11:30 am, but don’t wait – just go get yours today at WSN or True Value.

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West Seattle Saturday: Grand Parade; Float Dodger 5K; MedFest; Cove Park; Fire Station 11; WS Outdoor Movies; and more!
July 18, 2015 6:57 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: Grand Parade; Float Dodger 5K; MedFest; Cove Park; Fire Station 11; WS Outdoor Movies; and more!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

While West Seattle Summer Fest last weekend was the single biggest event of the summer here, today is the single biggest day of multiple major events. So hang on as we race through the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – and remember that buses are rerouted off California SW between Lander and Edmunds because of three of the events below, and the street will close to other traffic by 8 or so:

(Added: Parking-enforcement officers gathered at Hiawatha)

CSWS YARD SALE FUNDRAISER: 8 am-8 pm, the annual Community School of West Seattle yard sale and bake sale. (9450 22nd SW)

BLOOD DRIVE TO HELP A STUDENT: 9 am-3 pm at Southwest Community Center, donate blood to help the Shalise Bosworth Scholarship Drive – walk-ups welcome; no donating during 11 am-noon break. (2801 SW Thistle)

FLOAT DODGER 5K: 9:30 am, the annual pre-parade 5K starts from in front of West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), heading down California SW and back. Wear a costume and have a great time on the parade route – then watch the parade from the beer garden inside WSR! (2743 California SW)

WSHS VOLLEYBALL CAR WASH: 10 am-3 pm, get your car washed in the Les Schwab lot for a donation to the West Seattle High School Volleyball program. (Fauntleroy/Alaska)

WESTCREST PARK DOG PARTY: 10 am-2 pm, people and pets are invited to celebrate West Seattle’s only off-leash area! Contests and drawings – details here. (9000 8th SW)

KIDDIE PARADE: Back to the parade-related activities! Kids and their families are invited to be part of this mini-parade preceding the West Seattle Grand Parade. It heads south from California/Genesee at 11 am.

WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE: 11 am is the official start time for the big annual parade, but if you’re watching from the start of the parade route at California/Lander, you’ll want to be in place by 10:30 or so, as the motorcycle drill teams usually get going a bit earlier. More than 90 entries from floats and marching bands and drill teams, to school, business, community groups; the parade is presented by West Seattle Rotary and continues southbound along California to Edmunds in The Junction.

MEDITERRANEAN FANTASY FESTIVAL: 11 am-7 pm, the first of two days full of belly dancers and vendors on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center and in the gym, as previewed here. (2700 California SW)

FIRE STATION 11 OPEN HOUSE: As previewed here yesterday, FS 11 in Highland Park is open 11 am-1 pm today for an open house showing off its seismic and safety upgrades. (16th/Holden)

KIDS’ STORY TIME: 11:30 am, story time at Chaco Canyon Organic Café (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle with children’s-book author Alexis St. John. (3770 SW Alaska)

WSHS CLASS OF 1970 REUNION: Noon-4 pm, 45-year-reunion picnic at Shelter #1 on Alki Beach – details in our original preview. (62nd/Alki)

COVE PARK AND BARTON PUMP STATION: 2-4 pm, celebrate the reopening of Cove Park and the completion of the Barton Pump Station Upgrade after three years. Just north of the Fauntleroy ferry terminal, with a ribbon-cutting celebration and tours of the pump station – closed-toe shoes are required if you want to take a tour. More info here. (9005 Fauntleroy Way)

WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: 6:30 pm, gates open at the courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) for this year’s first movie, “Zoolander.” The movie starts at dusk. It’s free – bring money for concessions presented by and benefiting the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, and bring your own chairs/blankets. (4410 California SW)

With all that happening today – we also have two notes about what’s **NOT** happening today:

COLMAN POOL CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC: Second day of a 2-day swim-meet closure at the outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park. Back open to the public on Sunday.

NO ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS TODAY: But they too will resume tomorrow.

And a non-WS note:

WHITE CENTER JUBILEE DAYS: All weekend long, it’s the Jubilee Days street fair, so 17th SW is closed south of Roxbury. For the entertainment schedules and other info, go here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Seen this stolen 1991 Honda Civic?
July 18, 2015 2:03 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Crime Watch: Seen this stolen 1991 Honda Civic?
 |   Arbor Heights | Crime | West Seattle news

From Cheryl:

We live in Arbor Heights and someone stole our 1991 Honda Civic around 2:00
a.m. (Friday) morning. It has been reported to the police. Have you seen this? License: ASU1041

If you have any info, call 911.

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UPDATE: ‘Brush fire with exposure’ call in Westwood
July 18, 2015 1:30 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

1:30 AM: If you’ve heard all the Seattle Fire units – they’re headed to a “brush fire with exposure” call in the 2500 block of SW Cloverdale. More to come.

1:51 AM: Tried to catch up with the crews – finally spotted one set of flashing lights in the middle of the residential complex east of Southwest Athletic Complex. No flames/smoke evident by then except for a bit of the latter in the lights on Trenton between SWAC and Westwood Village.

2:27 AM: In comments, Denise says neighbors used hoses to get a handle on it even before firefighters arrived.

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