West Seattle, Washington
24 Sunday
(WSB file photos)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Just a few more days until hundreds of people comprising more than 70 entries will walk, roll, march, dance, and ride in the 2017 West Seattle Grand Parade, down California Avenue SW between The Admiral District and The Junction.
We sat in on the parade lineup meeting earlier this week and here are some of the highlights:
COMEBACKS: The Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team, one of Seattle’s most popular parade performance groups, will be back this year. Last year, they marched in the Renton parade instead, and while that parade is on the same day this year, the group is coming back to West Seattle. Also returning after sitting out last year: Luna Park Café.
NEW: First-time entries include Camp Crockett (WSB sponsor).
TWO-WHEELIN’ IT: The Vancouver B.C. Police Motorcycle Drill Team will again make their only area appearance, following the Seattle Police Motorcycle Drill Team. The Shriners‘ mini-bike unit is joining the parade, too.
HUMAN-POWERED WHEELS: Participants include two roller-derby entries plus the Pathfinder K-8 Unicycles.
BOOM: Yes, of course the Seafair Pirates will “sail” down the parade route. Cannon and all.
FLOATING: Visiting floats will include the Daffodil Festival (Pierce County) and Strawberry Festival (Snohomish County) floats and Fathoms O’Fun from Port Orchard, right across Puget Sound from West Seattle. Remember that you will not see a West Seattle Hi-Yu float, as the organization has gone inactive.
LEADING THE WAY: As we reported earlier this week, American Legion Post 160 Commander Keith Hughes is this year’s recipient of the Orville Rummel Trophy for Outstanding Community Service. Just announced as Grand Marshal, your District 1 City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, who lives in Highland Park.
WHERE & WHEN: The official parade start time is 11 am from California/Lander. But the SPD motorcycles get going at about 10:30, so they and their Vancouver counterparts are done with their thrilling maneuvers before the Joint Base Lewis-McChord color guard leads off the rest of the parade. You can watch from anywhere along California between Lander and the end of the route at Edmunds on the south side of The Junction. The heart of The Junction is where you will hear announcements by emcee Alison Grande.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY: The streets will close as early as 7 am. It’s not just California between Admiral (a bit north of the parade’s starting line, for staging) and Edmunds, but also streets to the west and east, where you’ll see NO PARKING signs already out, especially toward the start of the route. Please take the signs seriously so that the parade can happen without a hitch.
BUS REROUTES: Five routes will be rerouted on parade day, 22, 50, 128, 773 (Water Taxi shuttle), and the C Line – you can find the information on Metro’s alerts page.
BEHIND THE SCENES: The West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation presents the parade; many volunteers make it happen, including the four we observed at the lineup meeting – co-coordinators Jim Edwards, Dave Vague, and Michelle Edwards, and judges including Doreen Vague. The West Seattle Amateur Radio Club participates in coordination along the route on parade day.
BEFORE THE PARADE: The Float Dodger 5K starts from Hiawatha Playfield at 9:30 am – if you’re not running/walking in it, you are still welcome to get to the parade route early and cheer them on … If you’re watching from The Junction, and have little one(s) in the family, they might want to be part of the West Seattle Kiddie Parade, leaving California and Genesee at 11 am, after the motorcycles and before the rest of the parade.
Watch for a few more previews and reminders before parade day arrives! And if you’re going to be in it and want to share any advance info, editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks! Our West Seattle Grand Parade coverage dating back to 2006 is archived here.
(August 2016 photo by Leda Costa for WSB)
Last year, the first-ever Festival Centroamericano filled Westcrest Park in Highland Park with a daylong celebration of Central American culture (WSB coverage here). We just got word it’s coming back for a second year. The announcement:
The second annual Festival Centroamericano event is dedicated to learning and sharing the culture of Central America. The festival brings together, from neighborhoods throughout Seattle, people who are from, or have friends and family from, the seven Central American countries (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama).
Embracing our Central American heritage and culture to a community that is not well exposed to it can also offer a great opportunity to learn something new especially with the different ethnic groups (Indigenous, African, Mestizo, Latino) that are involved in the festival. The organization unites the different ethnic groups from each of the Central American countries to exchange cultures and learn from one another.
The Festival Centroamericano will be a family-oriented and free for the public event, therefore, everyone is welcome to experience a Central American community at Westcrest Park, 9000 8th Ave SW, on August 27 of 2017 from 12 to 7 PM. The festival will have live performances and vendors providing food, art, information, and other great services!
Family and friends will gather in memory of Sheila M. Goold on July 27th and July 29th. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with the community:
Sheila M. Goold passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 9, 2017. Sheila was born on December 16, 1963, in Seoul, Korea, daughter to John F. Goold and his first wife, Anne. Her father was remarried to Mary C. MacGinty in 1966.
Sheila is survived by her parents John and Mary; sister Marianne (Stephen), brother Des (Sara), nieces and nephews Marissa, Kenley, Erin, Emily, and Liam. She also leaves behind a large, extended family and many dear friends. She is predeceased by her sister Anna and biological mother Anne (1964) and her beloved canine companion, Winnie.
Sheila was a stylish, vibrant soul and a dedicated copywriter, consultant and administrator to a wide range of businesses over the years. She was an accomplished actress both in Seattle’s local arts community and in L.A, with numerous stage, film, and advertising credits. Sheila was passionate about animals, especially dogs, and both owned and contributed to businesses dedicated to the care and nurturing of them.
A Catholic mass will be held in dedication to Sheila at 9:00 am Thursday, July 27, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in West Seattle. Additionally, a less formal Celebration of Life Open House will be held Saturday, July 29, at 4730 California Ave SW from 3:30-6:30 pm. Light snacks and beverages will be provided. Please, please RSVP to (262) 352-6469 (text or call).
If anyone wishes, the family suggests a donation in Sheila’s honor to a local animal charity.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
One West Seattle Crime Watch reader report today – from Annika:
My fiance’s Yakima HoldUp2 Bike Hitch Rack was removed and stolen from the back of his truck while it was parked in the parking strip behind our house last night between 10:00 am-6:00 am. (40th & Brandon)
The host Muckleshoot Tribe's canoe arriving. pic.twitter.com/Ozkkbu6C07
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 19, 2017
(Muckleshoot Tribe’s canoe arriving)
2:17 PM: As first reported here last weekend, Alki Beach is an overnight stop again this year for some of the Tribal Journeys canoe families. Dozens of tribes around the region participate each year, and destinations rotate among different nations – this year, the journey is bound for Campbell River, British Columbia. The Muckleshoot Tribe hosts the Alki stop, and told us the landings were expected at 3 pm; commenters on our morning highlights said they were seeing canoes earlier, and indeed, we’re here at Alki, and canoe families are coming ashore.
This group of canoes was hosted by the Puyallup Tribe last night and heads across the sound to Suquamish tomorrow.
2:37 PM: The early arrivals are headed back into the water to await others and the official welcoming.
2:57 PM: And the visitors are being welcomed (video added above), so the canoes are back ashore. There are five routes that canoes are taking to Campbell River – this stop is along the Inside Passage route.
We’re told tomorrow morning’s departure is expected around 10 am; the visitors will be shuttling to Auburn for tonight’s feasting and celebration with the Muckleshoots. We’ve counted eight canoes here; fewer than last year’s stop, since they were headed southbound and most participants had already joined, while this year, they’re northbound, and this is an early stop, with many yet to join along the routes.
ADDED 11:52 PM: Thanks to David Hutchinson for this beautiful sunset view with canoes’ silhouettes:
This page on the Suquamish Tribe website details the plan for the stop there tomorrow and Friday.
A great West Seattle summer of outdoor music continues tomorrow night with the first of six free Thursday concerts comprising the ninth annual Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series. Here are details of the season’s first show:
Couldn’t make it to Upstream Music this year? Fear not – the Admiral Neighborhood Association will present some highlights at the July 20 concert opening this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series. Three artists will perform in a showcase of fresh new talent curated by SassyBlack.
Headlining the showcase is Paris Alexa, 19-year-old singer, songwriter and loop artist. Her innovative, unique sound is accomplished by using only her voice which is recorded as she performs, then replayed as her own accompaniment. She is a student at Berklee College of Music and performs locally, including the 4th of July concerts in Gas Works park.
18 year old Cameron Miles Lavi Jones of Gypsy Temple will perform an acoustic set. Gypsy Temple brings a firestorm of original alt rock In the true spirit of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam complete with the band’s special guests horn section The Horny Tones and the amazing cello powers of Cory Cavazos. Considered #5 of the top ten bands for Upstream 2017, Cameron and his band are aggressive, melodic, highly musical and full of on stage drama.
Rounding out the lineup is DJ and producer Jamie Blake. Referring to his work as “life music,” he incorporates works of jazz, soul, electronica, and hiphop into his beats and live sets.
You may have caught SassyBlack’s performance at the Junction last weekend. Described as an “electronic psychedelic soul goddess”, Sassy is a tireless advocate for artists in the local music community. She curated a portion of the Upstream festival, where Quincy Jones included her among important new talent to watch: “It is an honor to help them grow,” he said. Her new album, New Black Swing, was released last month. Sassy selected the performers and will be on hand to introduce them.
All concerts are held on the east lawn next to Hiawatha Community Center. Bring a blanket, family/friends, a picnic and enjoy the show!
The series is made possible through the generous donations of community businesses and volunteers.
Showtime is 6:30 pm tomorrow; the lawn is along Walnut, south of Lander. WSB is a co-sponsor, as we’ve been for every year since the series launched in 2009. See the season’s full lineup on the ANA website.
(Summer Fest Saturday photo by Leda Costa for WSB)
We mentioned in our coverage of West Seattle Summer Fest this past weekend that the festival-presenting West Seattle Junction Association planned an online community survey to gather your thoughts. We just got word from WSJA executive director Lora Swift that the survey is now up – “I’m invested in bringing the neighborhood quality events and would love some feedback,” she explains. So if you went to the festival, you are invited to spend a few minutes answering it – go here. Thanks in advance for taking the time to help them understand what was and wasn’t good about West Seattle’s biggest party of the year, so next year’s Summer Fest can be even better.
P.S. You’re also welcome – but not required! – to share comments here, instead of or in addition to/replication of the survey; they’ll be read too.
(Colman Pool, photographed by Long Bach Nguyen – it’s open today and every day through Labor Day!)
Long list of possibilities for this Wednesday – morning until late night! – here are the highlights:
WADING POOLS AND SPRAYPARK TODAY: Open today are the Lincoln Park wading pool, 11 am-8 pm, and the Highland Park spraypark, 11 am-8 pm, as well as Hiawatha wading pool, noon-6:30 pm, and EC Hughes wading pool, noon-7 pm. (Find addresses here)
WEST SEATTLE WRITING GROUP: 11 am at the Senior Center of West Seattle. $1 members/$2 nonmembers. (4217 SW Oregon)
TRIBAL CANOES ARRIVE: As we reported last weekend, the Tribal Journeys canoes are stopping at Alki Beach again this year – this time they are headed north to a regional gathering at Campbell River, B.C. The Muckleshoot Tribe is hosting, and cultural director Willard Bill, Jr. has just replied to our inquiry about arrival time – saying it’s estimated at 3 pm. (59th SW/Alki SW)
HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN: 4 pm-7 pm, it’s the weekly farm stand day at this mini-farm in High Point – buy fresh produce steps from where it was grown and harvested. (32nd SW/SW Juneau)
WESTWOOD-HIGHLAND PARK URBAN VILLAGE AND HALA MHA COMMENTS: 6 pm at Southwest Library, join the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council in discussing the HALA Mandatory Housing Affordability rezoning proposals and the possibility of community-coalition commenting on its Draft Environmental Impact Statement, as previewed here. (9010 35th SW)
DISASTER SKILLS: Free basic first-aid class presented by the city at Hiawatha Community Center, 6 pm. Details here including how to pre-register. (2700 California SW)
SOUTHWEST STORIES: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s monthly speaker series is happening tonight at West Seattle (Admiral) Library – Clay Eals and Brad Chrisman will talk about the 30th anniversary of the definitive local history book, “West Side Story” – Eals explains it here:
Their talk is free, starting at 6:30 pm. (2306 42nd SW)
MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: The quarterly meeting of Morgan Junction’s community council is at 7 pm at The Kenney. The agenda – including City Council candidates, the HALA MHA Draft Environmental Impact Statement, and more – is here. All welcome. (7125 Fauntleroy SW)
DEADGRASS: Jerry Garcia/Grateful Dead tunes at Parliament Tavern, 8-11 pm. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
DIAPERS FOR TRIVIA: As previewed here Tuesday, bring diapers to trivia night at Talarico’s, 8:30 pm, for WestSide Baby‘s Stuff the Bus Drive. (4718 California SW)
FIREWORKS: The White Center Jubilee Days festival opens with fireworks at 10 pm at Steve Cox Memorial Park, where you’ll also find the first night of its carnival, 3-11 pm. (13th SW/SW 102nd)
AND MORE, MORE, MORE … see everything on our complete-calendar page.
(HERE’S THE REVAMPED SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:53 AM: Good morning! No incidents reported so far in or from West Seattle.
LOOKING AHEAD TO SATURDAY: The “no parking” signs you might have noticed along California aren’t left over from Summer Fest – they’re for the West Seattle Grand Parade this Saturday, July 22nd (and the Float Dodger 5K that precedes it). California will be closed to traffic between Admiral and Edmunds. We’ll have a detailed preview later today.
9:40 AM: Reader reports shards of glass “every 200 feet or so” in Fauntleroy Way bicycle lane between Morgan and Fairmount Park. We’ve asked her to be sure SDOT is notified for cleanup, for starters (206-684-ROAD, and if you ever see a debris hazard and can’t get them that way, call 911).
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