West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
The West Seattle Summer Fest countdown continues! Today, two updates – one, a new feature at the festival, which runs this Friday-Sunday; the other, an update on Thursday night’s “Summer Fest Eve” festivities. First, from the WSSF-presenting Junction Association, the new feature you’ll find in the spot on the map above, where the pawprints are:
West Seattle Summer Fest is proud to introduce Pet Junction. This area is designed to provide festivalgoers with a host of resources to be good companions for our pets. You will find the latest information on how keep pets in good health, professionals in nutritional counseling, opportunities to meet local animal relief organizations and the Seattle Animal Shelter, a caricature artist to capture the moment, and lots of fun for our furry friends, including a fenced dog pool area. BYOB – Bring Your Own Ball!
(WSJA-provided photo of the MaxMobile)
If you are not a pet owner yet, this is the event for you! There are many cats and dogs that are in need of homes, and Pet Junction is an opportunity to meet rescue organizations that can connect you with a companion. And on Friday, July 11, the Humane Society’s MaxMobile bus will be at Pet Junction and full of adoptable animals. Pet Junction is sponsored by Next-to-Nature and Greentree Animal Hospital. Come by and learn some new tricks!
And you’ll also want to visit The Junction on Thursday night, which is, informally, West Seattle Summer Fest Eve, with the Junction streets closed (California between Genesee and Edmunds, Alaska between 44th and 42nd) as of early evening, and the WS Art Walk happening too. Elliott Bay Brewery has confirmed it’s bringing in Bubbleman, as usual – here’s one of our photos of him in action at the recent Morgan Junction Community Festival:
On Thursday night, he’ll be in action outside EBB, starting at 6 pm. Also that night, EBB’s outside seating area will be set up and they’re planning music by Pat Reardon, with “kid tunes to adult favorites,” no cover. And Elliott Bay plans outdoor music Saturday night, too, 5 pm-10 pm, celebrating its 17th anniversary, with The Back Porch Apostles.
(If your Junction business is planning something special for Summer Fest, please e-mail to let us know – we want to spotlight the year-round businesses as well as the visiting vendors – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!)
(2011 WSB photo from High Point Market Garden)
This Wednesday is your first chance to buy fresh organic produce picked steps away from the point of sale – opening day for the High Point Market Garden Farm Stand, just announced by the city. It’s at 32nd/Juneau (map) and it’ll be open 4-7 pm Wednesdays, July 9th-September 24th. The first harvest is expected to include spinach, carrots, leafy vegetables, new onions, peas, turnips, and radishes. The city announcement adds that the stand and its counterpart at NewHolly “accept EBT cards and participate in Fresh Bucks which doubles consumers’ first $10 spent on the card.
(2012 WSB photo: Danny Vernon at The Mount)
West Seattle’s summer outdoor-music scene gets into high gear with Summer Fest this Friday-Saturday-Sunday (lineup here), presented by the West Seattle Junction Association (co-sponsored by WSB), but that’s just the start. The Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association (co-sponsored by WSB), starts July 24th (lineup here). And today, we have word of this year’s Providence Mount St. Vincent outdoor-concert schedule, starting August 1st:
Bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Free popcorn and snow cones. Great food, beer, and wine available for purchase. Special activities just for kids, such as face painting. And wonderful music to get your weekend started on the right note! Be sure to wear your dancing shoes!
Dinner: 5:30 to 7:00 pm
Live music: 6 to 7:30 pm*August 1st — Danny Vernon, The Illusion of Elvis
He’s back by popular demand! Internationally known for his tribute to the King.*August 8th — Alma y Azucar
Saucy music ensemble providing a wide range of exquisite and passionate selections of Latin styles and flavors.*August 15th — The Spyrographs
Playing the best of spy, pop, surf, and Bossa Nova hits of the 1960s.*August 22nd — The 85th Street Big Band
Lively 20-piece big band featuring swing favorites from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s including classic songs by Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Nat King Cole.
The Mount is at 4831 35th SW; the concerts are on the building’s south side.
The state has officially announced its first 24 licenses for recreational-marijuana sales starting tomorrow, but there’s no West Seattle shop in the first group. But the one and only Seattle shop that’s on the list isn’t far – Cannabis City, 4th and Lander in SODO. So what happened to the North Delridge location that drew top Seattle spot in the state’s license lottery, Trichome & Calyx, in the 3500 block of Delridge Way (where there’s a medical-marijuana dispensary now)? Our partners at The Seattle Times report they’re still waiting for final word from the state if that location is ruled out because of the Alki Beach Academy preschool nearby (which opened at 2414 SW Andover after the license application had been filed); KPLU‘s Gabriel Spitzer had first word last week via Twitter that the location might not work out. Other applicants for addresses in that block were the next-highest West Seattle spots in the lottery; if it’s completely ruled out, the current dispensary site at 35th/Roxbury would be next up – we’ll be checking with the state.
(Killdeer, photographed by Danny McMillin, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
As we rev from post-4th of July mode into pre-Summer Fest mode, here are a few notes for today/tonight:
REGISTER TO VOTE! Today’s the deadline, so that you can be eligible for the August 5th election. Info in our story from last week.
COLMAN POOL STILL CLOSED: Third day of closure at West Seattle’s outdoor pool after a pump breakdown, discovered early Saturday. As reported here last night, the needed part is expected to arrive today, which would mean the pool reopens tomorrow – check back here for an update by end of the day.
BASKETBALL CAMP @ WEST SEATTLE HS: Walk-in signups accepted as camp for students in grades 3-9 starts today and runs through Thursday, 9 am @ WSHS. (3000 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE HI-YU MEETING: 7 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church Hall, including logistics for the big events still ahead – volunteers needed! (42nd/Hanford)
NIGHTLIFE … see the calendar for tonight’s options.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
No traffic trouble reported in our expanded area so far – some are still out on a 4-day holiday weekend.
Looking ahead: Paving on California SW south of Fauntleroy Way tomorrow and Wednesday; Thursday night through Sunday night, the heart of The Junction closes to traffic for West Seattle Summer Fest (including setup and breakdown) – which means bus reroutes, too (not yet posted – we’ll link when they are).
Will a light rail route including West Seattle be part of Sound Transit‘s next long-range-plan update? Possibilities are being studied, as noted here two months ago, when the ST Executive Committee got a progress report on the study. But it’s by no means a sure thing. And ST is still rounding up input on future directions – including via a survey that’s open for three more weeks, first noted here last month. So this regional transit organization is at the heart of many West Seattle conversations right now – and you’re invited to be part of two of them.
First, the West Seattle Transportation Coalition is expecting two Sound Transit reps at its meeting next Tuesday (July 8th), 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center – chair Joe Szilagyi tells WSB that ST planner Chris Rule and ST government/community-relations officer Rachel Smith have confirmed. All are welcome.
Smith is also booked as guest speaker at the next West Seattle Chamber of Commerce lunch meeting, 11:30 am Thursday, July 17th, at The Kenney (WSB sponsor). All are welcome to this, too, but there’s a charge because it’s a luncheon (WSCC member and non-member rates) and you need to RSVP – more info here.
We have an update this evening on Colman Pool, the only city-run outdoor pool in West Seattle, closed all weekend because of a circulation-pump breakdown: The parts needed for repairs are expected to arrive tomorrow (Monday) and Seattle Parks hopes to reopen the pool on Tuesday – with the water likely to be colder than usual, since they can’t refill the pool until the pump’s fixed, and can’t heat the water until it’s in the pool. The pump failure, discovered Saturday morning, drained much of the water in the pool. Your city-run swimming options, in the meantime, include indoor Southwest Pool (2801 SW Thistle; schedule here) and, for the littlest West Seattleites, wading pools and Highland Park Spraypark (schedules/addresses here). Thanks to Allison at Colman Pool for the updates – including the latest photo of the sign outside.
(Photo added – SPD still investigating as of just before 5 pm)
2:36 PM: Police are investigating a report of shots fired in the 9400 block of 15th SW (map). No reports of anyone being hit/injured; radio communication monitored via scanner says it’s believed to have involved some kind of argument between people in a car and people on foot – we haven’t heard whether the shots came from the former or latter.
3:23 PM: Police reported finding at least one shell casing.
4:13 PM: Now there’s word someone WAS hit and wound up at Valley Medical Center – just tweeted by SPD, which says the victim has non-life-threatening injuries.
4:56 PM: Just talked to police at the scene. The man previously reported as hit was in the car involved in the incident, which took him directly to a hospital, and that’s why there was no medic callout. Separately, a stray bullet hit a parked van behind a local business (The Live Butcher – photo added below).
No one was in the van and no one was hurt by that bullet, nor was the business itself affected. And as we write this update, an SPD Blotter post has just been published, saying a woman in the car was “grazed” by a bullet in addition to the man who was shot in the leg. Police are still on the scene looking for witnesses.
GF asked about this in a comment today, so in case anyone else wondered too: The Rotary Club of West Seattle is no longer selling berries as a summertime fundraiser. Past president Len Burton-Hardin explains:
Our club made the painful decision to discontinue this fundrasiser after 30 years. Lack of a venue with refrigeration facilities, rising costs to us and the unpredictability of Mother Nature and the growing season made it very hard for us. We are very grateful to our supporters and are saddened that we couldn’t not continue, The positive is that our numerous local Farmers’ Markets provide high-quality berries for West Seattle residents.
(We can attest to that, having seen fresh-picked berries at the WS Farmers’ Market today, and also at local grocery stores.) The Rotary has added two new endeavors – as you’ve probably heard by now, it’s presenting the West Seattle Grand Parade starting this year (July 19th!), and it’s also sponsoring a first-ever Oktoberfest celebration, October 11th at the Masonic Center (watch for details).
It’s a big year for anniversaries and the West Seattle Garden Tour is part of it – celebrating its 20th anniversary! We are now exactly two weeks away from the WSGT, which is a self-guided tour, 9 am-5 pm Sunday, July 20th. Ticket books are on sale, including the addresses of the nine residential gardens that are featured – along with the West Seattle Bee Garden in High Point – and the WSGT notes that among the nine is the garden of world-famous nature/culture photographer Art Wolfe, who will be there to talk with visitors and sign books. Your WSGT admission includes the guest lunchtime lecturer, Susie Egan, speaking at noon on tour day at The Kenney (WSB sponsor); she owns the private two-acre botanical garden/nursery Cottage Lake Gardens near Woodinville. WSGT is a nonprofit and its net proceeds in turn benefit other local nonprofits – see this year’s beneficiaries here. You have seven places/ways to buy your ticket book right now – here’s that list.
(Photo by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – first a reminder:
COLMAN POOL CLOSED AGAIN TODAY: In case you missed our report on Saturday – Colman Pool in Lincoln Park is closed again today while they work to fix a broken circulation pump. We’ll update by day’s end on the outlook for Monday.
Here’s what IS happening:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Every Sunday, even on holiday weekends, 10 am-2 pm. The WSFM Facebook page notes one feature for today – it’s the last day this year that Langley Fine Gardens from Vashon Island will be at the market with their wonderful plants. Other booths will overflow as usual with vegetables, fruit, meat, baked goods, and more. (44th/Alaska)
WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: The weekly 11 am game at Fairmount Playfield is also ON as usual, despite the holiday weekend. All ages welcome. (5400 Fauntleroy Way SW)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open to the public noon-4 pm – exhibits inside, newly renovated/installed totem pole outside. (61st/Stevens)
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Summer weekends are your only chance – don’t miss it! – free tours with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at Alki Point Lighthouse, 1-4 pm. (3200 Point Place)
ART UNVEILING: At Meeples Games, artist Paul Gasoi will be on hand for the unveiling of his “Cosmic Interstice Chess” work, 4:30-6 pm. (California/Charlestown)
Thanks to Refawne Acarregui for the victory photo of the West Seattle Little League 9/10 All-Stars, the latest WSLL team to become District 7 champions, with a Saturday win over Seattle Central. The team managed by Isaiah Brent heads to Richland for the state tournament, opening play next Saturday afternoon – here’s the bracket.
The WSLL Intermediate All-Stars also won their district championship and start state tournament play in Snohomish today vs. Camas. WSLL all-star rosters are here.
And WSLL’s district champs in the Majors will be on the field when the organization hosts that state tournament at Bar-S on Alki Point starting next Saturday (July 12th).
From Jon:
Power was out in the Seaview Addition from roughly 6 pm – 7:30 pm, on July 5th. A crow hit a transformer, and was killed. Immediately, a couple dozen crows set up in the heavily wooded lot across the alley, and made a raucus cawing dirge. There were several crows still cawing when City Light showed up an hour later. They indicated they were familiar with this crow behavior. They soon had the power restored, with a bird shield over the transformer. Only a few homes were affected by the outage.
This is the third outage of this type in the past week or so.
(UPDATED with pics from others who did some cleanup! Share your photo: editor@westseattleblog.com)
Got a little time before dusk? You can make a big impact by heading down to the beach with a bag. There’s been lots of talk today about the noise of last night – not quite as much about the debris in its aftermath. West Seattle advocate/activist “Diver Laura” James reports back on what she found when she went to the shore this afternoon to see the aftermath:
I went out for about an hour and got halfway down Alki Beach. The fireworks debris is not as prominent as it was last year after the private fireworks display, but there was definitely stuff to be cleaned up.
The public beaches are actually a bit cleaner than the private beaches and the park next to my house, mostly because the cops shut the beach down at 11 pm last night. I encourage everyone to take 15 min to half an hour and walk the local beaches in your neighborhood. If you don’t have a local beach, take a stroll by the local park. If you don’t have a local park, check your street. It may not be your fireworks debris, but I would put a healthy wager on all of us having shot off some assortment of noisemakers at some point for which others did the cleanup. Puget Sound and its inhabitants don’t care who fired them off, it’s who picks them up that really matters. While you are out there, feel free to pick up some other trash as well – plastic caps, styrofoam, plastic utensils, earplugs, wrappers, you name it… Every little bit helps and your individual actions count.
There is a garbage patch growing on the bottom of Puget Sound, and the only way we can stop it (other than everyone learning to dive and coming with me to clean it up) is to stop the trash before it reaches the waterways. So step up, bend down, and pick up that trash. Do it for Puget Sound, do it for our collective future. A lot of the cardboard and plastic debris is up in the high tide line, mixed in with the seaweed …
… but with a bit of patience you can pick it out.
If you can’t spare any time tonight – maybe tomorrow.
ADDED: NW went to Alki and shared this photo afterward:
ADDED SUNDAY MORNING: Here’s what Claire picked up:
Anybody else? editor@westseattleblog.com
By this time next weekend, we’ll be right in the middle of West Seattle Summer Fest, the peninsula’s biggest party of the year. So this weekend, the countdown continues, with our spotlight tonight on the schedule for live music, with 25 acts featured over the festival’s three days (Friday-Sunday, July 11th-13th).
The basics:
*One stage, toward the north end of the festival zone, on California SW north of SW Oregon (“CA” on map, above)
*Free
*Music starts at:
—-2 pm Friday (last band @ 9 pm)
—-Noon Saturday (last band @ 9:30 pm)
—-2 pm Sunday (last band @ 6 pm)
On the Summer Fest website’s music page, click on any act’s name to go to a website or Facebook page with more info. And note the beer garden’s right by the stage – but you can also enjoy beverages and food at The Junction’s year-round restaurants and lounges, some of which set up temporary outdoor-seating areas just for Summer Fest.
1:26 PM: Thanks to Anne from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) for the tip: Colman Pool (on the shore at Lincoln Park) is closed today, with a sign up citing “mechanical” problems (Anne also shared the photo of the sign). Another reader had e-mailed earlier in the day saying they’d walked by and noticed the pool was almost empty, but at the time there was no sign about its status. The lifeguard who answered the pool’s phone is tracking down more information for us to share, and we’ll add to this as soon as we get it; meantime, the city’s indoor pool in this area, Southwest Pool (2801 SW Thistle), is open as far as we know – here’s its schedule.
2:11 PM UPDATE: More information from the pool – one of the main circulation pumps failed overnight and the pool lost a lot of water. They’re working right now to find the part they need, and if it can be found and installed today, the pool could be refilled tonight and could reopen tomorrow – but note, as the sign in the photo says, the water would be cold, since there wouldn’t be time to fully reheat it, so, we’re told, they would have discount pricing. They’re promising to update their phone message and website, and we’ll update too.
5:52 PM UPDATE: Just got word that they haven’t yet procured the part they need, so the pool will be closed tomorrow too. It’s already noted on the pool website, which also makes note of the previously scheduled swim-meet dates during which Colman Pool will NOT be open for public swims – next Friday/Saturday (July 11-12).
SUNDAY NOTE: The part is expected Monday, which means the pool’s likely to reopen Tuesday. We’ll have a separate story a bit later.
12:18 PM: We don’t have an official count – and probably won’t be able to get one before Monday – but multiple people have reported multiple tire-slashings along 48th SW in the Seaview area overnight. Heading over just now for a look, we found the vehicle above – a neighbor, figuring out what to do about his own tire-slashed vehicle, said the SUV’s owner was off making arrangements; Doug had sent a photo earlier of that same SUV before the vandalized tires were removed, and said he saw four others plus a police officer talking to someone. This was near 48th/Juneau; a commenter reported being hit near 48th/Findlay. Even if some have already reported it, the more individual reports in the system, the better, so if it happened to you, please do file a report – you can even do it online.
3:01 PM UPDATE: We’ve heard estimates of more than 30 cars vandalized in this incident. Some neighbors are starting up a fund with a reward for information leading to the person(s) who did it. Several neighbors also have responded to our request for additional photos – this one just in, with the tipster noting, “Our poor neighbor’s car – all 4 tires”:
Chris sent several pictures, including his own Mustang and, below right, a vehicle you can’t help but notice any time you drive that stretch of 48th, which is a minor arterial:
4:17 PM UPDATE: And more:
Here’s the e-mail set up for reward-fund contributions and tips on who did it:
paybackforpunks@gmail.com
The neighbor who set it up says, “Anonymity will be respected. If we get a link to or screenshots of someone tweeting about the deed, I think that will be sufficient evidence. I’m hoping the punks posted some bragging-rights pics of their handiwork.” Note that police have taken reports, so you can contact them too.
ADDED: There’s now a GoFundMe account for reward-fund donations – find it here.
P.S. A reminder from police – if you live ANYWHERE in this area and have a security/surveillance camera, please check it if you haven’t already – it might have recorded a clue, if not an actual crime, but some cameras don’t store images for long.
Alki Beach really did look like that, for a while, on the 4th of July – just a few hours before the rain moved in for a while. Whatever the sun decides to do today, we do have options for your post-holiday Saturday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, starting, in fact, at Alki:
BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT: The Alki Volleyball Association has a full slate all day long.
CLEAN UP LINCOLN PARK: Three hours can make a big difference for a big park – the announcement explains why. 9-noon. (Meet at kiosk in Fauntleroy/Rose parking lot)
DONATE BLOOD: A holiday weekend is a time when blood supplies can get dangerously low. Help keep that from happening by donating between 10 am and 4 pm today at Holy Family – details in the calendar listing. (20th/Roxbury)
SAVE MONEY ON SIGNING UP FOR THE FLOAT DODGER 5K: 2 weeks until the 5K that precedes the West Seattle Grand Parade; if you’re not signed up yet, you can get a discount (and be eligible for raffle prizes) by doing it today at a special event at Float Dodger-presenting West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), 11 am-3 pm. (California/Charlestown)
TOUR ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Another chance for free tours with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at Alki Point Lighthouse, 1-4 pm. (3200 Point Place)
MAD HATTRZ: Playing 9 pm-1 am tonight at Poggie Tavern. And it’s not just your regular band sets:
Pick a Song From The Hat! One of the best dumb ideas for a band anywhere – Each Show begins with a Hat containing about a hundred Songs – all sorts of Songs. Audience members randomly select Songs from the Hat; these Songs and their Stories materialize and become The Show. Stoopydkewl.
(4717 California SW)
DISCO COWBOYS: Live tonight at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9:30 pm. (6451 California SW)
MORE! Just check the calendar.
8:37 PM: As night falls, we’re starting a sort of live chronicle/open thread going here – anything of note that we hear about via scanner, text (206-293-6302), e-mail, etc. We start with another reminder that if you lose or find a pet tonight, once you’ve checked around the neighborhood, please send a note – pic if you have one, but not mandatory – to editor@westseattleblog.com, and we’ll put a listing on the WSB Lost/Found Pets page, which is already busier than other days of the year. Hoping for a safe night for all.
9:04 PM: Police are checking out a reported strong-arm robbery at the bus stop on Barton by Roxhill Park, per the scanner. The victim is reported to have said a group of 8 or so robbers “stole his fireworks” and then got on a RapidRide bus. By the way, police *are* being dispatched to some fireworks calls. We’ve heard addresses from Westwood to Alki.
9:27 PM: A dispatch to the 2700 block of Alki right now, with a report of someone putting fireworks in front of cars and on fences. Meantime, LS in Highland Park just sent this report about something earlier tonight:
Around 8 pm, I saw someone driving away very fast in a very loud white pickup, and looking back toward my mailbox seconds before it exploded. Police arrived about half an hour after I reported it, and are submitting it to the bomb squad. It was a sizeable bomb. Apparently the same person (same pickup) was seen after exploding something else in W Seattle (according to the officers). Hopefully someone will see the license plate and report this jerk.
9:54 PM: The fireworks dispatches/callouts on the scanner continue – addresses all over West Seattle. Also a few minutes ago, four people reported to be brawling near 61st/Stevens in Alki. Meantime, the fireworks on Lake Union are now less than half an hour away.
10:26 PM: “Chinese lanterns, falling into people’s yards” in the 2400 block of Alki. (Likely the popular “sky lanterns.) And now another strong-arm-robbery report, not far from the first one – someone saying they were knocked down by QFC at Westwood Village, and had their wallet stolen. Police got there quickly and now report “one in custody.” (Again, this is all preliminary information – we won’t be able to see the final reports before Monday.) Over on Lake Union, the big Seafair-produced fireworks show has begun. (**a few minutes later**) Brush-fire call at the former Genesee Hill Elementary.
10:45 PM: Fireworks on Lake Union are over. East Alki will be emptying out. But the unofficial shows continue. Someone just texted about “huge” fireworks visible somewhere near California/College in Admiral.
11 PM: Police are going to start “sweeping the beach” to tell people Alki Beach Park is closed (as of 11) and that it’s time to clear out.
12:52 AM: Much quieter out there; so far, no major incidents in West Seattle, though police and fire have been plenty busy.
2:08 AM: Missed the initial dispatch for the “assault with weapons” call at 64th/Admiral. A private ambulance was called, suggesting non-life-threatening injuries, and the call closed after about half an hour, so, pending further info, it seems to have not been major; will update when we find out more.
2:47 AM: We’ve received a phone call from someone who says he was a witness. He says a stranger barged into a neighborhood party and stabbed one of the guests, then ran out. The caller alleges police were slow to show, and that the suspect – who he described as white, mid-30s, bearded, blondish-brownish hair, wearing a white shirt – was long gone. He didn’t have an update on the victim’s condition but did affirm the injury didn’t seem to be life-threatening. (added) Southwest Precinct Lt. Paul Leung did respond to our original inquiry and also said it was a private party, at which, he says, an “unknown person showed up and somehow got into an altercation with one of the guests. The guest was cut in the hand with a knife and the suspect left in an unknown direction. The injuries were minor. Everyone was intoxicated.”
4:06 AM: Reader report from Kristen:
Just want to report that there was a car crash here on Marine View and about a block south of 106th at about 2:44 AM – one that sent a Jeep off the road into a downhill bank. My household and I heard the screeching of tires and then a loud crash. We found a Jeep off the main road crashed in-between trees… but no one there. Apparently the driver and anyone else in the car split… we called the police and two officers arrived immediately. They’re towing the car and I suspect the driver will be notified accordingly (which makes it all the more silly that they would think running would be smart)…
Tonight is an especially perilous night because of the holiday, but people almost always come around the curve on MVD too fast, going north and south. This is not the first time we’ve known someone to take it too fast and go careening off the main road (we live on the part of MVD that dips below the main road), sober or drunk. I wish that drivers would be more cautious on the main road. Tonight was certainly a scary reminder that people need to be more aware that there is potential to careen off the road if they’re going too fast!
We’ll be checking with police to see if the car by any chance was stolen – which is sometimes the case when a crashed car is abandoned.
(Click picture for larger view)
Thanks to Jim Edwards for our first look at this year’s West Seattle Hi-Yu float, participating in this year’s Burien 4th of July Parade this afternoon. As seen in our earlier coverage, Hi-Yu Junior Court members were in today’s West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade, minus float, but you’ll be able to see the float and both Senior/Junior Court royalty (and volunteers!) two weeks from tomorrow in the West Seattle Grand Parade (for which Jim is longtime co-coordinator) – 11 am Saturday, July 19th, with an easy-to-remember route – California SW between Lander (north side of Hiawatha) and Edmunds (south end of The Junction).
How many bridges have connected West Seattle to the mainland? What year did the first one open? What year did the bridge get hit by a freighter, paving the way (so to speak) for the current high bridge? Those are three of the trivia questions* that Southwest Seattle Historical Society executive director Clay Eals has asked so far in a quiz during the Log House Museum‘s traditional 4th of July picnic.
The trivia quiz is part of the SWSHS-led celebration of the 30th anniversary of the high bridge’s completion, with more events to come, as listed here – including a special booth during West Seattle Summer Fest July 11th-13th and an event at the Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) courtyard on the 30th anniversary of the bridge’s completion, July 14th. Meantime, today’s picnic is on until 3 pm, and you’re welcome to come by – 61st/Stevens, one block inland from the beach, home of the renovated Admiral totem pole, and if you’re not already a SWSHS member, consider signing up during your visit (info here). The museum also celebrates its volunteers on this day; President’s Volunteer Service Awards were received by two people – (L to R) volunteer coordinator Bethany Green presented the awards to Kerry Korsgaard, and Dave Hrachovina:
*(Trivia answers: 13, 1890, 1978. The T-shirt Clay Eals is wearing was today’s quiz prize – the special commemorative shirt you can still buy at the LH Museum & Hotwire.)
The 20th annual West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade has just finished crossing California SW at Atlantic, on the way to the afterparty – family-style games at Hamilton Viewpoint Park (concessions too!) – even if your family missed the parade, c’mon down! Above, a quick Instagram clip from the first leg of the parade route; we’ll have lots more video and photos here later. And here’s what else is up today/tonight.
ADDED 3:28 PM: Above, our traditional annual video of everyone in the parade, from Admiral-based Seattle Fire Department Engine 29 at the start to the Seattle Police officer whose vehicle trailed the final parader (a wee bicyclist). Next: Video of the pre-parade ceremony:
In that clip are co-coordinators Jackie Clough and Allyson Schreck, former Mayor Greg Nickels (who lives near the parade route) …
… West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court Princesses Callie and Sadie (who also helped with the donation boxes pre-parade) …
… and national anthem singer Leilani Nitkey, who did a great job despite a faltering loudspeaker system (we were close enough with the video camera, we could hear her without amplification):
As Mayor Nickels said, “The real meaning of today is Independence Day, where we celebrate the fact that some very brave people … our forefathers, if you will … were willing to take a stand and declare that this nation would be independent, with certain inalienable rights, (such as) the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that was revolutionary.”
ADDED: A few parade photos (and don’t miss the pre-parade “bonus” pics at the end of the story). Here’s the contingent riding in the blue pickup that followed Engine 29:
Non-motorized transportation, otherwise, was the order of the day – including scooters:
Next – from the post-parade games on the green at Hamilton Viewpoint:
Kids toured the fire and police vehicles that had bookended the parade:
WSB sponsor A Kids Place Dentistry For Children handed out pinwheels:
The Admiral Neighborhood Association handled concessions as usual – this year, ANA president David Whiting (1st photo below) went mobile into the crowd, in addition to ANA’s fixed-location van (second photo below, with Kayle Shulenberger in the foreground):
Co-coordinator Jackie told us afterward that the parade diaper drive brought in 600 diapers and 100 wipes!
They’re going to WestSide Baby – in advance of its annual mega-drive Stuff the Bus on July 20th.
BONUS: Some views from the pre-parade sidelines, ahead:
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