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(63 posts)

Weather/Heat *and "keeping cool"

Started 2 years ago by Jiggers
Latest reply from miws

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Jiggers
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As I predicted because we had an extreme winter, we are going to get hotter starting Sunday. We will be in the mid to upper 90's all week next week.

Posted 2 years ago #
KBear
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I'll bet Home Depot has already sold all 3 air conditioners.

Posted 2 years ago #
flowerpetal
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Thanks for the tip. I need to go out for more mint. Mint juleps in the backyard every evening!

Posted 2 years ago #
flowerpetal
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KBear, I am reminded of West Seattle Garage Sale Days. I saw so many electric fans for a buck or two; and people were just passing them by. I remember too, not seeing many snow shovels.

Posted 2 years ago #
Ken
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I have a big mass of hydroponic mint to harvest. I guess I need to make a run to the liquor store.

Posted 2 years ago #
flowerpetal
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I'm embarrassed to say that I couldn't even find the time to put herbs into a bed this year. Our yard is forlorn. Load lots of ice into that glass for your mint julep and enjoy the sipping!

Posted 2 years ago #
GenHillOne
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Mojitos, anyone?

Posted 2 years ago #
Kevin
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Perhaps a slight bit off topic, how about some discussion about the best places to escape the heat, even for just a bit.

No fair tormenting others if you are lucky enough to live in an air conditioned home :)

Coldest restaurant / business to patronize?

Posted 2 years ago #
flowerpetal
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Oh, what have I been thinking? Thanks GHO for the idea. I haven't had one yet this season!

And then there are swamp water cocktails to be made too!

Don't get me going...!

Posted 2 years ago #
sam-c
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Kevin- yes ! especially restaurants. I know I've been in restaurants that get REALLY hot in the summer, but of course now I can't remember which ones. bummer, I want to recommend a restaurant for dinner with visiting relatives but don't want us to bake ourselves.

We have been grilling so much this summer; I can't bear to heat up the kitchen by turning on the stove.... and especially not the oven (our gas bill has been tiny compared to this past winter.)

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
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it's cooler by the water.. alki beach or downtown..

it's cooler under the trees.. there are lots of parks with very big trees in seattle..

it's cooler in the mist.. pinholes in a hose.. a water spray bottle... a bowl of ice in front of a fan..

it' cooler if you keep your neck cool.. a hiking scarf with moisture retention crystals sewn or tied in and soaked... maybe even refridgerated...

it's cooler if you drink refreshing drinks..

flowerpetal.. i have mint to share.

Posted 2 years ago #
pigeonmom
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Has anyone seen any of those hiking/cooling scarfs locally? REI has them for $15! Online I can find them for $3. I need one this weekend.

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
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pigeonmom...

you can make one by sprinkling less than a teaspoon of the water retention crystals you can buy for plants (Fred Meyers) in the middle of the crease of a bandana or a square piece of scrap cloth folded into a triangle and then roll the bandana until the triangle hanging down forms about 1/3 of the length of the folded end. sew, knot or rubber band both ends of the tie at the point where the triangle hangs down to keep the crystals from falling or oozing out the ends.

soak in cold water... if you refridgerate put it in a zip lock bag or a container...

it will last all day...

i don't recommend reusing them more than a few days unless you re-soak them because they can easily become a bit funky if you don't keep them refridgerated...

Posted 2 years ago #
pigeonmom
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Thanks JoB.

Posted 2 years ago #
rockhills
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Tully's at Morgan Junction, with a tall glass of iced tea. That's where I spent several hours last summer during the dog days.

Posted 2 years ago #
JanS
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Jak's for Happy Hour...air conditioned..ice cold beer..

and, I just go shopping at Safeway..it's across the street..browse the frozen section - lol...

Posted 2 years ago #
JanS
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flowerpetal...which bus goes by your house...and what time is cocktail hour? :)

(car is under the weather right now)

Posted 2 years ago #
JanS
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best mojito I ever had...at the Kingfish Cafe, 19th and Mercer, Capitol Hill.

not West Seattle, but, oh, sooo good

check out the menus..love the drinks...and sad that they aren't offering the cajun shrimp appetizer :( it was huge..more than a meal in itself..oh, and the desserts? they cover a dinner plate..always share - lol...

http://www.thekingfishcafe.com/

Posted 2 years ago #
The Velvet Bulldog
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JoB--cold neckerchief invention: freaking brilliant. Kingfish Cafe--two words: Lemon Cake. (But save some for me.) Cool places--library, Yarn Gallery, theaters, Lincoln Park. Too cool place--my over-air-conditioned classroom: we have to bring sweaters; ridiculous.

Posted 2 years ago #
EmmyJane
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Pass on the air conditioned inside and find a place with a nice deck. My favorite is taking the water taxi from downtown to Saltys, sitting on the deck during happy hour, then taking the shuttle home.

Cafe Revo has outdoor seating too- I wish more places around here did!

Posted 2 years ago #
WSB
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In general -

Admiral Theater.

Skylark Cafe (which like Cafe Revo is a WSB sponsor)

ArtsWest ("Sweeney Todd" is playing through Saturday)

In specific:

Thursday night, east lawn of Hiawatha, the first Admiral Outdoor Concert in a six-week series. 6:30 pm. FREE. Alma Villegas. The east lawn is shady and cool, the sun is behind the building/trees by showtime (we were there for the Hi-Yu Concert in the Park last week)

Saturday night, the next Outdoor Movie on the Wall by Hotwire, 1933 "King Kong." FREE.

WSB is a proud co-sponsor of the concert series and movie series so we're plugging them every chance we can.

My personal favorite cool-off is a state ferry ride from Fauntleroy. Even if it's blazing heat, it's 10-15 degrees cooler on the water, especially if you stand on the bow and bask in the wind ... The water taxi is nice too but if it's not Fri or Sat, it's not running any more by the heat of early evening. And it's a shorter ride, while Fauntleroy to Southworth round trip is up to an hour and a half of boaty goodness.

Posted 2 years ago #
Kevin
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West Seattle just got done with the Stuff the Bus diaper drive. How about a "Stuff the Ferry" event one of these warm nights. A great way to have a WSB meet up at the same time.

Take a little poll to gauge interest, select a time, and then a whole mass of folks descends upon a Fauntleroy / Southworth ferry. How many WSB readers could fit on a ferry?

Posted 2 years ago #
sam-c
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a ferry ride sounds fun. I remember in the past (when I first moved out here 9 yrs ago)- you could get on and take the round trip w/out getting off. But I don't think that is the case now. don't you have to get off and get back on again ?

Posted 2 years ago #
miws
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sam-c, it's been a few years since I've been on a ferry too, and last I knew that was the case, as the crew does, or at least did, a sweep of the boat between off-loading and loading.

Mike

Posted 2 years ago #
maplesyrup
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If you have a car they'll obviously make you disembark on both sides, but if you're a foot passenger I don't think you have to disembark on the non-pay sides.

In any event disembarking and re-boarding is a matter of walking down one ramp and up another. Not that big of a deal imo.

Posted 2 years ago #
miws
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I just popped over to the WSF site, and unless I just didn't dig deep enough, there doesn't seem to be any info regarding round tripping walk-ons, having to disembark, and re-embark(?) ;-)

Was surprised to not even see any info regarding security in general. It had been some time since I'd visited the site, and seem to remember security/Homeland Security type info on there in the past.

Mike

Posted 2 years ago #
Jiggers
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I'm lovin' the hot weather. No sense complaining because the rain is right around the corner.

Posted 2 years ago #
Sue
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Fresh Bistro has air conditioning. It doesn't feel cool enough when you first walk in - they said they're having difficulty getting it lower than about 74 or 75 (when we were there yesterday) - but once you sit down for a while it's definitely comfortable. More so than outside. :)

Posted 2 years ago #
flowerpetal
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I took the water taxi from downtown to "our" side and then the shuttle to Cafe Revo. The driver was easily persuaded to drop me off right in front of Revo.

Posted 2 years ago #
Erik
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The ferry ride yesterday evening from Southworth to Fauntleroy was divine with the cool breeze.

Posted 2 years ago #
CMP
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I thought I saw a sign at the Bohemian that they have A/C. I sat outside when I was there last week and it was quite nice in the shade too. And I agree with Erik...the ferry deck was really pleasant yesterday afternoon!

Posted 2 years ago #
miws
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Wow! It's *so* hot, this thread has become stuck to the top of the Forum page! ;-)

Mike

Posted 2 years ago #
JenV
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does anyone know if Taqueria Guymas has AC? I am craving Pico de Gallo like crazy.

Posted 2 years ago #
WSB
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I want to work on an official list of keeping-cool ideas, so I went ahead and "pinned" it. From a front-page story I'm working on, a few things we're compiling:

KID STUFF
======
The indoor play area at Woodland Park Zoo, KidsQuest in Factoria, Pacific Science Center, mall play areas, Ikea play area, Family Fun Center in Tukwila, even the kids' area at Seattle Art Museum, for example. (And we just saw word that a Renton ice rink is offering free admission.)

All ages, in West Seattle
===========
Admiral Theater
Bowling (West Seattle Bowl, Roxbury Lanes -- which is participating in Kids Bowl Free)
Any grocery store
Square 1 Books (WSB sponsor)
Public libraries (locations/hours here - free wi-fi everywhere)

Please add more! Hoping to make it something cohesive, coherent and organized before the worst of things tonight/tomorrow/Thurs.

Posted 2 years ago #
JenV
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answering my own question. No AC at Guymas. But who cares...it's still delicious. Just hot. :)

Posted 2 years ago #
bsmomma
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Get a few re-useable ice packs. The hard ones you put in a cooler work the best. But the Gel first aid ones work too. Duct tape one or two to the back of your fan. In a short time, coolness! Seriously! I live in a no AC brick duplex that gets both morning and afternoon sun and it definitly works! I say buy a few because you can change them out once unfrozen. And the duct tape sticks and removes better to the hard ones than the soft ones. :) I've tried the ice in a bowl but this works better and it's less of a mess.

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
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bsmomma..

what a great idea...

i think i have a couple of those instant cold packs in a drawer someplace... i would love to make the bedroom comfortable tonight..

Posted 2 years ago #
GenHillOne
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bsmomma, I'm doing a combo of the two ideas - gel pack in a shallow pan of water in front of the fan. My fan is floor level, but I think the trick is getting the water up to the airflow, so it might have to be put on top of something. It actually seems to be helping a lot. Nice cool air blowing on my feet as we speak :)

Posted 2 years ago #
Gina
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West Seattle Library on 42nd and College does NOT have air conditioning. They do have a giant fan in each reading room. The area where you check out and drop off books is boiling.

Delridge, Southwest and Highpoint libraries DO have air conditioning.

Posted 2 years ago #
WSB
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And I got a note last night from a city employee saying Southwest does NOT have air conditioning. A news release from no less than the mayor's office said they did. Argh.

Posted 2 years ago #
bsmomma
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I actually used the gel packs last night (buy one get one free at Wal Greens). I clipped them to the back of the fan and shut our bedroom door. I kept the protector covers on that they come with to soak up any condensation. In about an hour it was nice and cool in there! We actually got a semi good nights sleep.

Posted 2 years ago #
sam-c
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any recommendations on where to go with both a dog and a 1-1/4 year old?
have tried the sand point/ mag. OL park, but the 20 minute walk to the water proved to be too excruciating.
thinking about trying a ferry trip as recommended here, hanging out on the car deck.
any other ideas?

have been able to get the baby to cooler environs, (mall, library, SW pool, wading pools) but feel bad for the other 'child' who is panting in the house by mid-afternoon.

Posted 2 years ago #
Julie
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Southwest was designed for sustainability: while it has air-conditioning in the upstairs meeting room and staff work areas; the main floor uses a
"displacement ventilation system". From the architects project record:

"The raised floor system distributes fresh air through over 100 floor diffusers. The outside air is cooled by the ambient temp of the earth. The outside air runs through underground ducts and then moved across a slab on grade as it is distributed through the raised floor system. Air is vented out of a 30’ long light and ventilation roof monitor and three bays of electrically operated clerestory windows.

Glazing exposure:
South and West facing windows were minimized.

Window type:
The windows are thermally broken window frames with double pane low-e and argon filled glazing was used in order to minimize heat gain during the summer and minimize heat loss during the winter."

"Cladding System: cladding system was vented to reduce heat gain inside the building."

It seems to handle normal summer days reasonably, but on hot days, the staff has to place fans. It's cooler than my house, though!

Posted 2 years ago #
andrea
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I have the same question as sam-c does. Is there any place in the Seattle area that people as well as dogs are allowed that is airconditioned? We have taken the dogs to the dog park on Mercer Island to swim, but it was VERY crowded and it was simply too hot for them (and me) to stand for any length of time outside of the water. I have them all locked in the basement laundry room with fans on them during the day, but in the afternoon and evening its proven difficult to keep them from wilting in their fur cots in this heat. I would love to be able to take them somewhere cool indoors that has A/C where they can get some relief for a bit. Or a pool that allows dogs to swim in it would even be welcome...anyone?

Posted 2 years ago #
WSB
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Check with dog ice cream (etc.) shop West Seattle Dawg, one of our newer sponsors
http://westseattledawg.com

Also, not for pets but, Youngstown Arts Center, air-conditioned, is having a cooling-off activity in its theater noon-4 pm. Will add link to flyer shortly.

Posted 2 years ago #
aavegter
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Any suggestions on resturants on or near Alki with A/C?

Posted 2 years ago #
pigeonmom
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Ditto andrea.

Posted 2 years ago #
angelescrest
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Blockbuster (Admiral one, at least) is air-conditioned, allows dogs and has some games you can play.

Posted 2 years ago #
datamuse
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I haven't tried this yet, but a friend of mine rigged a setup with wet towels hanging from a clothes rack, and a fan blowing on them, to cool his apartment. He said it worked really well.

His cat is now using it as a hammock, too, so apparently it's also a good pet-cooling device. :)

Posted 2 years ago #
Keith
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In the Junction: Shadowland, Jak's, Blue Willow (closes at 2:30) and Azuma have AC. I'm sure there are others, just not sure who/where else.

Posted 2 years ago #