West Seattle Blog…

Seattle Fourth of July fireworks ‘a go’; will stay on Lake Union

(July 4, 2012, photo by Jamie Kinney – Lake Union fireworks as seen from Admiral Way Bridge)
10:29 AM: Just announced at City Hall – 4th of July fireworks are definitely ‘a go’ – and they’re staying on Lake Union. So says the Metropolitan Seattle Chamber of Commerce, making the announcement in conjunction with Mayor McGinn, Seafair, and others, including contributions from Microsoft and Amazon. You can watch live here. The show will change fireworks providers (Western Display is the new one) and TV-broadcast partners (now it’s KIRO 7), and those speaking at the briefing say this is a multi-year commitment, so you won’t hear “we might not have fireworks” again next year.

ADDED 10:45 AM: Of note, since West Seattle hosts its share of citywide-draw events (Seafair Pirates Landing, for example) – in response to a question, the mayor says they’re expecting stepped-up security at “probably all our events” this summer, not just the fireworks, in the wake of Boston. So you might see explosives-detecting dogs (which are already fixtures at ferry docks), for example. Also – the briefing (linked in the first part of the update) is over now.

4th of July fireworks coming back to Elliott Bay? Might happen

(July 4, 2008 photo by Susan Grossman of Singing Pixel Photography)
We’ve already talked about today’s one big announcement regarding this summer – the cancellation of the Blue Angels‘ season, including their Seattle shows. And now we have reason to talk about the other one: Not only are Seafair and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce saying they’re working together with Mayor McGinn on 4th of July fireworks – for which the longtime Family 4th producer couldn’t raise the money – but the show might move away from Lake Union. Maybe even Elliott Bay, reports Emily Heffter from The Seattle Times (WSB partner). Her story also mentions Seattle Center as a possible location, though, having produced TV coverage of the Bellevue Square-launched fireworks for a few years, we can tell you that a landlocked urban location like that would mean smaller shells and a less-spectacular show. There hasn’t been an Elliott Bay fireworks show since July 4, 2008; that show’s longtime sponsor Ivar’s announced its cancellation in April 2009.

More West Seattle Easter scenes: Peeped house; bunny car; egg hunts; more

Around the town on Easter, from your cameras and ours ….

Every year, somebody gets Peeped – last year, a home near Lowman Beach; this year, it’s the Lorentz home in North Admiral! They shared the photo of what the Easter Bunny did after he came in through the chimney …no, wait. 1900 block of 41st SW, if you won’t believe it till you see it firsthand.

On Alki, the Easter Bunny seems to have an engine along with the bunny ears and bunny nose:

Thanks to Lisa Ruiz for sharing that photo. Whatever form the Easter Bunny took, s/he was busy at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor):

The annual C & P Easter-morning egg hunt drew dozens — little kids went first. Over at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, the egg hunt was ongoing, but we did drop by the info booth as participants recycled the plastic eggs:

Steps away, the crew from Blue Geisha Tattoo painted faces, and arms:

And then there’s the Easter Weasel – featured on the WSB Facebook page.

West Seattle Easter scene: Sunrise service on Alki

(Photo by Nick Adams for WSB)
This Easter Sunday began clear and cool, with early services including the traditional joint sunrise service on the sands of Alki Beach, organized by West Seattle’s three UCC churches – Admiral, Alki, and Fauntleroy.

West Seattle Sunday: Easter 2013, live music, libraries, more

(Photo we tweeted Saturday from the corner of Delridge and Dakota)
Happy Sunday! Today is Easter; tonight is the seventh night of Passover. Calendar highlights:

SERVICES
Easter begins with two 6:30 am outdoor sunrise services, and continues at churches all around the peninsula. Here’s the list we’ve put together.

EGG HUNTS
Many churches precede or follow today’s services with Easter-egg hunts, and our list includes three others:

West Seattle Farmers’ Market – 10 am-1 pm, with more eggs hidden hourly
C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – 11 am
Village Green Perennial Nursery – 1 pm

ALSO HAPPENING

LIBRARIES ARE OPEN: Regular Sunday hours, at your friendly neighborhood Seattle Public Library branch.

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P – Kaley Marie, a Denny International Middle School 8th grader, will sing country songs at the coffeehouse 3-5 pm – her own as well as others. Her proud grandma Polly says this is Kaley Marie’s first big public performance.

LIVE MUSIC @ SKYLARK – Multiple bands @ 3 pm, Holly Figueroa at 8 pm. Both shows are all ages; schedule and cover/no cover info here.

West Seattle’s 2013 egg hunts: At Hiawatha CC, with royalty

(Earlier egg-hunt coverage: Thriftway photos here; Delridge CC video here)

During our first 2013 round of egg-hunt coverage this morning, we also checked out the scene at Hiawatha Community Center – photographing the youngest hunters as they swarmed the tennis court. This egg-hunt site featured royalty:

From this year’s West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court, that’s Princess Olivia, Queen Madison, and Princess Emily – by the way, Hi-Yu still could use more volunteer help with this year’s float and events, and would love to see you at their meeting this Monday night (April 1st; details here). Ahead – four more scenes from Hiawatha’s hunt:

Click to read the rest of West Seattle’s 2013 egg hunts: At Hiawatha CC, with royalty…

West Seattle Thriftway’s 2013 egg hunters find fun and treasure

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
It’s West Seattle Thriftway‘s (WSB sponsor) silver-anniversary year – but the annual Easter-egg hunt was pure gold once again – from the smiles to the prizes, and beyond:

The many young egg hunters included 4-year-old Aiden Sol:

Ten more photos from WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams, ahead:

Click to read the rest of West Seattle Thriftway’s 2013 egg hunters find fun and treasure…

Video: Sun-splashed Delridge Community Center egg hunt 2013

After West Seattle’s city-run community centers tried one big regional egg-hunt and spring-festival event last year, it was back to individual egg hunts for 2013, and this morning at 10, they happened simultaneously at four centers. We visited two, and this is our first report – two and a half continuous minutes during the egg-hunting festivities at Delridge Community Center. The littlest kids were sent out first, onto the tennis court; then three subsequent groups got their chance to search specific areas of the big grassy park as well as the wading pool.

West Seattle egg hunts! Thriftway, community centers, and more

(WSB photo from past West Seattle Thriftway egg hunt)
In addition to our list of Holy Week/Easter church services, we have had a variety of egg hunts listed on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. Now, for your convenience, we’ve put them all in one list (which will be linked all weekend atop the sidebar TOP STORIES list in case you need to find it again):

****SATURDAY EGG HUNTS****

WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY (WSB sponsor): 9 am Saturday, Fauntleroy/California/Morgan, ages 1-10 – indoor hunt but the line forms outdoors.

SEATTLE PARKS AND REC COMMUNITY CENTERS (WSB sponsor): 10 am Saturday at Alki, Delridge, Hiawatha, High Point, South Park Community Centers (addresses in calendar listing), ages 3-11

EGG HUNT @ LINCOLN PARK: 10 am Saturday; this is presented by Eastridge Church but it’s open to the entire community.

(added) BARNES & NOBLE EGG HUNT: 11 am Saturday, first-ever egg hunt in the Kids’ Department, in conjunction with the regular weekly storytime. “Little ones are encouraged to bring Easter baskets to hold their goodies,” says Melissa from B&N. (Westwood Village Shopping Center)

****SUNDAY EGG HUNTS****

SALVATION ARMY: 9:45 am in the gymnasium (9050 16th SW)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-1 pm, eggs will be hidden hourly throughout the market. (44th/Alaska)

VILLAGE GREEN PERENNIAL NURSERY: 1 pm – info on the Facebook event page (10223 26th SW)

C & P COFFEE COMPANY (WSB sponsor): 11 am (5612 California SW)

COMMUNITY EASTER FESTIVAL: At noon, Admiral Congregational Church plans an egg hunt as part of its community festival (California/Hill)

OTHER CHURCHES: Check our list of services for listings and links mentioning egg hunts adjacent to churches’ Easter Sunday services

Video: Seattle Firefighters Pipes & Drums make 3 West Seattle stops

A Terrible Beauty and The Celtic Swell were on the Seattle Firefighters Pipes and Drums schedule for St. Patrick’s Day; as you can see in our video, we caught up with them arriving at ATB, where they were the center of attention:

The corps includes retired firefighters as well as current members of the SFD ranks:

In addition to the two scheduled stops, we’ve learned they also had a third performance in West Seattle today, at the hours-to-go Alki Tavern (thanks to Bruce for that tip on that; separate report on the tavern’s final night, coming up).

St. Patrick’s Day 2013: Green-garbed pets and people at Celtic Swell

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
A brand-new West Seattle St. Patrick’s Day event debuted this weekend – the first-ever pets/people costume contest at The Celtic Swell on Alki. WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams was there to catch some of the contenders on camera. Above, that’s Zoey; next, the Lynns and their boxer:

Pub owners Gareth and Joleen Hughes‘ Siberian Huskies Finnegan, left, and Foley were of course on hand and wearing some green:

Eleven more scenes of green, after the jump:

Click to read the rest of St. Patrick’s Day 2013: Green-garbed pets and people at Celtic Swell…

1 week till Passover, 2 weeks till Easter: Share event info!

With two weeks until Easter (March 31) and one until Passover (starts March 25), we’re working on our annual spring-holiday guide right now, so this is your invitation/reminder to send information about your event, service, etc., if you haven’t already – from egg hunts to seders and beyond. Getting the basics (what, when, where, who, weblink) via e-mail is our preference – editor@westseattleblog.com – just put the information in plain text in the body of your e-mail (no need for attachments, flyers, posters, etc.) and send it … thank you! Soon as it’s ready, you’ll see it in the line of tabs under the sunset photo atop our site; each of those tabs takes you to an inside section.

West Seattleites in Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day ‘People’s Parade’

As festive as Seattle’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade (WSB coverage here) was, just imagine being part of a parade *in* Ireland – as were West Seattleite Brad Burzynski and family: Jules, Bella, and Sophia. Brad shared photos from this morning, and a report

Started our day with a traditional Irish breakfast of bacon, sausage, fried mushrooms, blood sausage, egg, toast and (since it’s a special day) Bailey’s Irish Cream in our coffee. We marched in the People’s Parade representing West Seattle. Before we came we all got sweatshirts from our local Irish pub – A Terrible Beauty. Although the day started out snowing and raining, by the time the parade started, the weather dried up a bit and we had an awesome time. We heard people speaking Italian, German, Russian, and many other languages like Canadian. We saw flags from all over the world. This has been a great week and we are glad we could send a little bit of Dublin back home to our dear West Seattle.

The People’s Parade is explained here – a first-time offering in Dublin, as part of the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and a weeklong celebration reaching out to visitors from around the world as well as locals.

West Seattle Sunday: 5 St. Patrick’s Day (etc.) highlights

(Photo by Nick Adams for WSB: Kathryn Shane-Kumler, looking through shamrock-colored glasses at Celtic Swell costume contest – gallery later)
Five highlights among your many options for today/tonight (St. Patrick’s Day-themed AND otherwise) on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

GO GREEN AT WORK PARTIES: 9 am (but you can show up late – get directions from the Fauntleroy/Rose kiosk) with the Friends of Lincoln Park (listing here); 10 am, mulching trees along 34th SW with the Tree Ambassadors (listing here); Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge, 10 am (details here).

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Greenery galore EVERY Sunday at 44th/Alaska in The Junction, 10 am-2 pm – check out the vendors’ list on the market’s website.

SEATTLE FIREFIGHTERS PIPES AND DRUMS: The corps splits into two “clans” for simultaneous 2 pm performances at West Seattle’s Irish restaurant/pubs, The Celtic Swell on Alki and A Terrible Beauty in The Junction.

CHOIR CONCERT X 2: The South Seattle Community College Choir invites you to their free concert today – with two performances this afternoon/evening to make sure everyone gets a chance to hear/see them, 3 and 5 pm, at Olympic Hall on the south end of campus (6000 16th SW).

KARAOKE FUNDRAISER TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER: At Skylark Café and Club, St. Patrick’s Day karaoke with West Seattle’s breast-cancer warriors Team Tracy, 4 pm – details here.

Video: WSHS, Denny bands, other West Seattleites in St. Patrick’s Day parade downtown

Despite 22 years in Seattle, a lifelong love of parade, and a bit of Irish blood in the household, we’d never managed to make it downtown for the Seattle St. Patrick’s Day Parade until today. But when we heard two local bands would be marching, as well as other West Seattle participants, we couldn’t resist. Above, the West Seattle High School Marching Band – which was near the end of the parade lineup and right in front of the Seafair Pirates‘ cannon-detonating Moby Duck, so the students’ ears might be ringing a bit this afternoon. Next, the Denny International Middle School Marching Band:

Other West Seattleite sightings – the Seattle Police horses, who are based at Westcrest Park in Highland Park:

They were with a large SPD delegation – which also included the summertime-favorite Motorcycle Drill Team at the start of the parade, and, later, two SWAT vehicles:

Along with parade marchers, vehicles of all types were in the parade – even the West Coast Entertainment touring Segways from The Admiral District:

Other West Seattle sightings – County Councilmember Joe McDermott (waving) walked with the dignitaries toward the start of the parade:

Seafair Pirate Rusty Harper:

And the Comerford School of Irish Dance, which has classes at the VFW Hall in The Triangle, was there:

Who’d we miss? We did record the entire parade on video but at least where we were, a couple blocks north of the start, it was so stop-and-go that the video would require a lot of editing for continuous motion, but we can find other West Seattleites for a shout-out! We’ll probably add a few more photos later anyway. The parade, by the way, is sponsored by the Irish Heritage Club of Seattle.

St. Patrick’s Day 2013: WSHS, Denny bands in parade

Since St. Patrick’s Day is on Sunday this year, it’s a weekend full of festivities, particularly on Saturday. If you’re going to the parade downtown on Saturday, look for two local schools’ marching bands – West Seattle High School and Denny International Middle School. Full parade details are here, including the entire list of participants and the route, described as:

The Parade travels north on 4th Ave, starting from Jefferson [map] to the Reviewing Stand at Westlake Park, and officially ends at the Seattle Center with Closing Ceremonies at 2 PM.

We see the list of participants also includes the Tony Comerford School of Irish Dance, which teaches at locations including West Seattle’s VFW Hall. Anyone else from West Seattle participating? Please let us know with a comment here, or e-mail, so that local paradegoers will know to look for you!

‘Does Seattle still want fireworks?’ Annual donation drive launches

(7/4/12 photo by Jamie Kinney)
Again this year, half a million dollars worth of sponsorships/donations are being sought for the Family 4th fireworks show at Lake Union – the city’s only big Independence Day display since 4th of Jul-Ivar’s called it quits after the 2008 show (this’ll be the fifth year without Elliott Bay fireworks). The official announcement – and how to donate, if you’re inclined – is ahead:

Click to read the rest of ‘Does Seattle still want fireworks?’ Annual donation drive launches…

West Seattle pets: Celtic Swell costume contest on St. Patrick’s Day eve – for people, too

St. Patrick’s Day is on a Sunday this year – two weeks from tomorrow – and that means an entire 3-day weekend of revelry at The Celtic Swell on Alki – featuring a costume contest for “Pets and Their People.” It’ll run 2-4 pm on Saturday, March 16th, per the announcement we received today:

Labs dressed-up like leprechauns! Shar peis with shillelaghs! Bulldogs boasting bagpipes! There’s no telling what you’ll see when Alki’s Celtic Swell Irish Pub hosts its first annual St. Patrick’s Day “Pets & Their People” Costume Contest featuring a free photo booth and prizes to benefit the Seattle Humane Society. The family-and-pet-friendly event is a must-do for everyone seeking festive and memorable St. Paddy’s Day fun.

Guests are invited to dress up their pets (and themselves) in St. Pat’s day garb, mug it up Irish-style in the Celtic Swell’s free photo booth, and win incredible prizes donated by some of the area’s favorite local businesses. Participation is free with all donations benefiting the Seattle Humane Society.

With two Siberian Huskies of his own, Celtic Swell owner Gareth Hughes says the costume contest and the cause felt like a natural fit for the Swell. “This year marks our 9th annual Paddy’s celebration, so we wanted to try something a little different! I can’t think of a better way to get the entire family in on the fun of St. Paddy’s day and give back to invaluable community organizations like the Seattle Humane Society who work tirelessly to promote positive change. Judging from the tremendous positive response we’ve received already, I’m confident this will become a cherished family tradition for years to come.”

Today’s announcement also includes a schedule of other events at Celtic Swell that weekend – see the full list here (PDF). The pub’s on Alki Avenue SW, just east of 61st SW, across from Statue of Liberty Plaza and Alki Bathhouse.

Lion dance, mayoral visit as West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center celebrates Lunar New Year

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB. Above, the Au Lac Vovinam Dance Team)
With a lion dance, firecrackers, and even a mayoral appearance, all graced by sunshine, West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center celebrated the Lunar New Year on Saturday afternoon. But there is more to the celebration than those bright and loud elements:

That’s the center’s director Lee Bui, after lighting incense. Another tradition: A tray of five fruits, as an offering:

Lanh Bui prepared it …

… and placed it on the outdoor altar:

There were photos with their guest, Mayor McGinn:

And time to admire the center’s growing complement of tributes and temples:

What looks like garlands hanging in the foreground of that view were actually strings of firecrackers, waiting to be lit:

That’s Duong Tan setting them off. And of course there was dancing:

From the Au Lac Vovinam team, which performed, here’s Doan Dinh in the foreground:

The celebration was about ceremony, but also about people – like Phuoc Huynh, who spoke:

And Chi Nguyen:

And the uniformed veterans often seen at Cultural Center events, like Len Hua, photographed saluting during the national anthems:

And this time, a special guest:

You’re welcome to visit the center on Saturday afternoons, when it’s open to the public, noon-3 pm at 2236 SW Orchard. The iconic statue on its grounds depicts the 13th-century hero Gen. Tran Hung Dao.

West Seattle Valentine’s Day scenes: Love @ The Kenney

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
A whole lotta love flowed at The Kenney (WSB sponsor) this afternoon, during a Valentine’s Day celebration with treats and tunes. Above, Margit Killenger, Helen Gilman, and Norma Lewis were busy reading Valentines. Kermit Franks wore his – a photo of his sweetheart Faye, who died last year:

Months before Mrs. Franks’ death, the couple celebrated their 70th-anniversary .

The Kenney’s residents are loved by the staff, too – activity director Denise O’Toole had a smile for Kenney resident May Commeree:

Love-ly music filled The Kenney’s commujnity room, courtesy of Sid Law:

He had a rapt audience:

The Kenney itself was created from an act of loving kindness – as told in its history here.

West Seattle Valentine’s Day scene: Cupid 5K on Alki

With costumes and decorations from hearts to wings, runners and walkers gathered on Alki tonight for the first Cupid 5K, a fundraiser for the fight again human trafficking, previewed here last week.

The plan was to split into two groups – the Cupid-lovers and Cupid-haters – and travel separate courses through the area, then meet up for afterparties at Celtic Swell and Alki Starbucks. Organizers told us 121 people had signed up.

Proceeds are going to the anti-trafficking/slavery A21 Campaign.

West Seattle Valentine’s Day: Extended hours at Fleurt, ‘Seattle Magazine’s Best Flower and Garden Shop’

Need Valentine flowers? Fleurt (WSB sponsor) in The Junction is still taking Valentine’s Day orders, and will be open extended hours tomorrow – 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. From left in our photo, you see Fleurt’s Tiffany, proprietor Sam, and Devon, who are still on cloud 9 after Fleurt was crowned the city’s “Best Flower and Garden Shop” by Seattle Magazine. As noted recently on the West Seattle Junction Association website, Fleurt offers gift options way beyond flowers, too. Find Fleurt at 4536 California SW.

West Seattle community center back to individual egg hunts

(2011 egg hunt at Hiawatha; photo by Jason Grotelueschen)
If your family is among those who preferred the traditional center-by-center Easter-egg hunts at West Seattle’s city-run community centers – after one year away, they’re back this year. We noticed in the multi-center catalog, while previewing today’s Hiawatha pancake breakfast, that each center is listed as having its own egg hunt, all at 10 am Saturday, March 30. (Last year the centers experimented by joining forces for one huge regional event at Southwest Athletic Complex.) P.S. We’re building our list of spring-holiday events already – if your organization, business, church, etc., has something to add, be sure to get us the info as early as possible – thanks!

Valentine’s night on the run in West Seattle: Cupid 5K

Unique way to spend the evening on Valentine’s Day – running a 5K course in West Seattle to raise money to fight human trafficking. You even have your choice of groups with whom to run – the Valentine’s Day “lovers” or Valentine’s Day “haters,” two separate courses, and at the end, a big afterparty. Here’s the announcement we just received from organizers of the Cupid 5K:

This Valentine’s day, join us for a night of adventure through the streets of West Seattle as we race to end human trafficking. Fetch Fitness, Starbucks Coffee, K2 Sports and ExOfficio present the 1st annual Cupid 5K, a costumed urban race on Valentine’s Night. Every cent we raise goes straight to the A21 Campaign, fighing sex trafficking & modern-day slavery. No, we’re not crazy, we’re just crazy serious about this amazing cause.

The racers break into two teams – Lovers and Haters – and take alternate routes to get to all of the checkpoints in a mad dash to the finish line. To make things more interesting, participants must do their best to dodge ‘Cupid’s grasp,’ Cupid 5K staff who will be in pursuit during the race. The evening culminates in two amazing after-parties, complete with prizes.

Both groups meet up at 7 pm at the Alki Statue of Liberty located at 1702 Alki Ave SW. The race winds through the gorgeous streets and parks of West Seattle’s historic Admiral District and Alki Beach communities. Early check-in is available on location 2 hours before the race. While the two teams ‘Lovers’ & ‘Haters’ run different routes, we all begin and end at the same start & finish line. After the race, Lovers will reconvene at Alki Starbucks and Haters will stroll over to the historic Celtic Swell. Afterparty tickets are included in the cost of entry.

Registration is $36. To register, or for more information on either the Cupid 5K or the A21 Campaign, please visit Cupid5K.com.

MLK Day of Service: Bicyclists’ cleanup under the bridge

It would have taken an impossibly high tide to carry that crab pot to where it was found during this afternoon’s West Seattle Spokespeople-organized cleanup under the bridge. That’s the most unusual item they’d found when we stopped by midway through the cleanup.

It was a multi-generational cleanup – Theresa and her daughter were among those out along the bike path, photographed near the West Marginal Place access point:

Tools for the cleanup were provided by the West Seattle Tool Library.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday: Monday reminders

Monday is a federal holiday to commemorate the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – here’s what’s closed/changed (and what’s not):

SCHOOLS: Closed.

TRANSIT: Metro is on a reduced-weekday schedule; Sound Transit buses are on a regular schedule. The Water Taxi will NOT run. Washington State Ferries are on their regular weekday schedule.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES/FACILITIES: Mostly closed – including all Seattle Public Library locations.

TRASH/RECYCLING/YARD WASTE PICKUP: Normal service, and transfer stations are open.

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: Holiday – no delivery, etc.

BANKS: Holiday.

PARKING HOLIDAY: Yes, for spaces with the City of Seattle’s pay stations/meters.

MLK DAY OF SERVICE: We’ve highlighted two events – the Nature Consortium work party and the West Seattle Spokespeople under-the-bridge cleanup. Anyone in need of volunteers tomorrow? Let us know with a comment or e-mail and we’d be glad to add the mention.

OFFICIAL CELEBRATION: Not in West Seattle but not far – rally, march, workshops; details here.

West Seattle Polar Bear Swim 2013, report #2: The people

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
As the first day of 2013 comes to an end, a closer look at some of the people who started it with a brisk tradition – West Seattle’s annual Polar Bear Swim on Alki. Though hundreds dashed into Puget Sound together, for each one, it was a very personal type of triumph. Above, Andrew Kurtz‘s fist-pump; next, Lisa Hayden‘s spirited wave as she emerged:

Charlie Duncan and Steve Douglas were pumped up even before they went in:

More of WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams‘ Polar Bear Swim scenes – before, during, and after – ahead:

Click to read the rest of West Seattle Polar Bear Swim 2013, report #2: The people…