West Seattle, Washington

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day : 04/07/2015 11 results

West Seattle 4th of July 2015: Night notes
July 4, 2015 11:23 pm
|      74 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Video sent Saturday night by Bradi, with the sound of fireworks in Roxhill area)
11:23 PM: Throughout the day, we’ve published standalone reports on incidents including “brush fires” blamed on fireworks. For the rest of the night, barring a major incident, we’re going to do what we did last year – keep a rolling log of what we’re hearing on the scanner and/or from reader reports. Earlier links, for starters:

*Sylvan Way brush fire, blamed on fireworks thrown from car
*Gatewood tree burned, blamed on fireworks

And remember, if you find or lose a pet, the WSB Lost/Found Pets page is the place to check first – if there’s no match, e-mail us info (and a photo if available), editor@westseattleblog.com – it’s been a very busy night there already.

11:55 PM: Shortly after this comment about traffic on Admiral leaving Alki, we’re hearing police trying to catch a hit-run suspect described as driving erratically on eastbound Admiral (didn’t catch the cross-street).

12:14 AM: In the Alki area, police are checking out a report that someone was being yelled at about their fireworks by a neighbor, with an implied threat of a weapon.

12:54 AM: Just heard Engine 37 go by – the 911 log says it’s en route to a “dumpster fire” at Lincoln Park.

2:37 AM: Since last we wrote, another “brush fire” call – 4800 block of 45th SW at 1:30 am.

8:55 AM POSTSCRIPT: If you were one of the many caring neighbors out cleaning up debris this morning and took any photos, please consider sending: editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks.

1:16 PM: We’re still collecting debris photos for a followup later today. Meantime, we just received this photo of the aftermath from the aforementioned 1:30 am brush-fire call:

The photo was sent by the homeowner’s parent. “Hard to believe it wasn’t intentional as it was a large fountain-type device thrown into the bushes next to her van, and there were no other fireworks in the area.”

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REPORT #2: See the 2015 West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade, start to finish!
July 4, 2015 11:15 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB video/photos unless otherwise credited)
Every year we record the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade, start to finish – and this year was the longest! The hotter-than-normal temperature didn’t dissuade hundreds of kids and their families from walking and rolling along the route – as you can see above. Before the half-mile stroll through North Admiral, paraders were treated to the national anthem as sung again this year by Leilani Nitkey:

At the end, that’s this year’s parade emcee Josh Sutton from the West Seattle YMCA and parade coordinator Jackie Clough from Alki Party Treasures (APT and the Y are both WSB sponsors). Hi-Yu royalty spoke briefly – mentioning upcoming events including the Concert in the Park at Hiawatha with the West Seattle Big Band (7 pm Tuesday, July 14th) – and then carried the banner as the parade began:

The goal for many: Be as red, white, and blue as you can!

This also was definitely an occasion for shades:

Even better, a parade in which it was cool to have your OWN shade:

Helmets were fashionable as well:

(Thanks to Marilyn for that photo)
For some, the parade was so relaxing, a nap was in order:

Others bravely marched along:

You could get a sense of the parade’s scale, looking along the final leg of the route leading to Hamilton Viewpoint Park:

A cooling view of Elliott Bay awaited:

(Thanks to Laura Frampton for that photo)
In the park, the classic sack races awaited:

Fun even for some of those who took a tumble:

Coordinator Jackie had guest emcees for the races – we showed you two in our first report. Another community leader who helped out, Merica Whitehall from Nature Consortium (WSB sponsor):

Seattle Fire‘s Engine 29 was there for mini-tours, after helping lead the parade:

And so were Seattle Police officers:

Concessions were provided by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, which did a booming business:

We’ll mention it one more time – this is a community-presented parade, and the costs for insurance, among other things, are considerable; if you can chip in to help cover the costs (including helping make sure the parade returns next year), you can do it online.

(And if your family had fun being part of the parade – you might consider joining in the West Seattle Rotary-presented Kiddie Parade before the West Seattle Grand Parade in two weeks; meet at California/Genesee at 11 am Saturday, July 18th.)

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UPDATE: Report of shooting at Delridge Playfield, but no victim or evidence found
July 4, 2015 9:34 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

9:34 PM: Police and fire are rushing to the Delridge Playfield/Community Center park area to investigate a report of a possible shooting. They haven’t yet found the reported victim, though. We’ll update as we get information.

9:39 PM: Still no evidence of a shooting or victim, so the SFD response has been canceled.

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West Seattle 4th of July fire watch: Roadside fire blamed on thrown fireworks
July 4, 2015 8:53 pm
|      39 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

Since our last report on “brush fires” this kindling-dry 4th of July, another call, this time just east of High Point. Bryce sent the photo and reports, “Small brush fire on Sylvan Way by Forest Lawn Cemetery. Car threw fireworks out the window. Couple people stamped it out before fire crew arrived.”

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2 weeks before West Seattle Grand Parade, Hi-Yu float shown off in Burien
July 4, 2015 7:00 pm
|    Comments Off on 2 weeks before West Seattle Grand Parade, Hi-Yu float shown off in Burien
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

This morning, West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty led the 4th of July Kids’ Parade in North Admiral; hours later, they rode on this year’s Hi-Yu float in Burien’s Independence Day parade. The photo is from Jim Edwards, who co-coordinates the West Seattle Grand Parade, in which you’ll see the float (and others!) two weeks from today. As we reported back in January, this year’s float/theme “Around the Sound” incorporates elements of designs proposed by then-Senior Court Queen Lorelei McFadden (who competes for the Miss Seafair title later this month) and Junior Court Queen Emily Cain.

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West Seattle 4th of July scene: ‘This Place Still Matters’
July 4, 2015 6:03 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle 4th of July scene: ‘This Place Still Matters’
 |   Alki Homestead | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

With the first phase of the Alki Homestead‘s restoration under way, the years of uncertainty about its future are receding further into memory. But today, there was a tribute to one moment along the way: Five years ago on the 4th of July, a big group photo outside the landmark log building proclaimed “This Place Matters” and to underscore their belief that its future eventually would brighten. Today, during the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s annual picnic at the Log House Museum – the Homestead’s old carriage house – there was a break to take an anniversary photo, with participants of all ages affirming that “This Place Still Matters.”

Today’s group was not big in size but was certainly big in heart. The top photo is our take from the sidewalk; an official photo from across the street was taken by Jean Sherrard, who was also the photographer five years ago, as well as four weeks ago when a thousand students came to the Homestead for the photo dubbed a “group hug” (WSB coverage here). A copy of that was part of today’s photo too:

The Homestead also was feted today in the choice of main dishes for the SWSHS picnic – fried chicken!

P.S. Another step in its path to restoration will come next Friday, when the Architectural Review Committee of the city Landmarks Board will look at the newest plans during its 8:30 am meeting on the 40th floor of the city Municipal Tower downtown.

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West Seattle 4th of July fire watch: Gatewood tree burns
July 4, 2015 4:28 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Gatewood | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

Since midnight, the Seattle Fire Department 911 log shows two “brush fire” calls in West Seattle (out of a total of six citywide today). Above, the aftermath of one of them, shared by Dennis, who wrote, “Someone with fireworks didn’t like our tree. 12:35 last night. Be careful, folks, it is REAL DRY out there … this is what can happen.” He’s in the 3600 block of SW Othello in Gatewood; the other “brush fire” call so far, about 12 hours later, was in the 8100 block of 14th SW in Highland Park.

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West Seattle 4th of July scene: Fireworks-viewing stakeout
July 4, 2015 2:50 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle 4th of July scene: Fireworks-viewing stakeout
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

If you’re planning to watch the Lake Union fireworks from Harbor Avenue and haven’t already staked out a spot, don’t wait too much longer – this creative setup was just one of dozens of viewing stations we noticed while driving from Alki along Duwamish Head and past Don Armeni and Seacrest a little earlier this afternoon, some along the street like this, others on the grass in the parks, with and without tents. As noted on our 4th of July info page, the Seafair-presented show at Lake Union is scheduled to start at 10:20 pm.

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3rd annual ‘Little STP’ bicycle ride in West Seattle: You’re invited!
July 4, 2015 2:22 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(2013 photo courtesy Don Brubeck)
One week from tomorrow, you’re invited to ride Seattle to Portland … without even leaving West Seattle. It’s the third year for the “Little STP,” and Don Brubeck from West Seattle Bike Connections shares the invitation:

Sunday, July 12, 9:30 am
Start at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, California Way SW at Palm Ave SW

Have you ever wanted to do the Seattle to Portland bike ride? Or even wanted to do the 1-day STP? And never trained for it? Or remembered to sign up in time? Here is your big fat chance!

Do it in 2 hours easy, and end up at a huge finish line party! Same day as Sunday of the big STP.

West Seattle Bike Connections / WS Spokespeople will be riding again from SW Seattle Street in the Admiral neighborhood to SW Portland St in Gatewood, and back north to Summer Fest at the West Seattle Junction, for a fabulous finish-line party. After an hour or two there, participants can ride home independently, or ride with a group back to Hamilton Viewpoint.

Family-friendly! Easy pace. Cascade Bicycle Club-trained ride leaders.

7 miles south to SW Portland and back north to Summer Fest and GreenLife at the Junction. (10.3 full round trip if you go back to the Hamilton Viewpoint start.) Route is mostly on quieter residential streets along the ridge parallel to California Avenue SW. Some hills but less than most West Seattle routes.

More details on our website and Facebook page under Events and at meetup.com/cascaderides/events/223587628

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REPORT #1: West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade 2015
July 4, 2015 10:16 am
|    Comments Off on REPORT #1: West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade 2015
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

10:16 AM: Just a quick note to let you know – in case you’re not already here – that the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade has just begun, traveling through part of North Admiral, starting at 44th/Sunset (map), heading west, then south, then east along Atlantic, across California, and finishing at Hamilton Viewpoint Park. Immediately post-parade, that’s where you’ll find fun family games (sack races, etc.), concessions, and more. Traffic reminder: Police stop vehicles on California while the parade crosses, so be aware of that – we plan to update when the parade gets to that point. Until we’re back at HQ, watch for photos on the WSB Twitter and Instagram feeds. Happy 4th!

10:39 AM: California just reopened at Atlantic – the parade has finished crossing. Now it’s on to the post-parade festival at Hamilton Viewpoint.

(Above & below – guest emcees for the sack races included City Council District 1 candidates Shannon Braddock, above, and Chas Redmond, below)

12:10 PM: Just back from the festivities – added a few of our social-media clips/photos here; report #2 will be up later today with video of the entire parade, before/during/after photos, and more.

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West Seattle 4th of July 2015: What you need to know
July 4, 2015 7:51 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle 4th of July 2015: What you need to know
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(Photo by Yuri Levchenko, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Again this year, we have your 4th of July info all in one place – the West Seattle 4th of July page. That includes the 10 am Kids’ Parade (bring diapers for WestSide Baby!) and noon Log House Museum picnic (including the 1 pm Homestead photo), plus today’s transit changes, and a few notes about watching fireworks tonight.

(Photo by Ann Anderson)
WEATHER & WATER: The National Weather Service still has a “heat advisory” in effect; Delridge, Hiawatha, and Lincoln Park wading pools are open today, as is Highland Park Spraypark – see the hours and addresses here. Also open: Outdoor Colman Pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the schedule here. (Indoor Southwest Pool is NOT open today.)

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