West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
The sun has set. As in past years, we’ll keep a running narrative of what happens in the hours ahead.
ROXBURY/OLSON: just got a text that westbound is blocked. This might be related to a gunfire investigation in the area. No injuries but there was a report of someone firing from a car at/near 5th SW and SW Cambridge.
FIRE CALLS SO FAR: 10:50 pm, and we’re hearing the first one in West Seattle since a “brush fire” call before 8 pm in the Highland Park Way/2nd SW vicinity – 2600 block of 37th SW, a “bark fire” call.
11:05 PM. – ‘LARGE HEDGE ON FIRE’: That’s the call in the 8800 block of 22nd SW [map], with four SFD units headed that way. … On arrival, they confirm a “brush fire” and they’re evacuating the house. … Scratch that, firefighters say neighbors tell them the residents aren’t home.
11:30 PM – 5-WAY CRASH: Crash affecting traffic at the Chelan/Spokane/W. Marginal/Delridge five-way. Possible DUI, police told dispatch.
11:54 PM – BRUSH FIRE: Now it’s on to a reported brush fire near Bar-S Playfields, 64th/Admiral.
11:57 PM – CRASH: A “rollover” crash is reported in the 4800 block of California SW. … The road isn’t entirely blocked; they’re talking about letting southbound buses “squeeze through.”
12:37 AM – FIREWORKS-THROWING: On the police channel, a report of someone in a car throwing fireworks at homes in the vicinity of 12th SW/SW Webster.
12:55 AM: If you find fireworks debris/trash in a park or other public space Monday morning, consider sending us a photo – ee document this every year with the help of reader photos.
1:01 AN: Police are being dispatched to a fireworks call in the 4700 block of Delridge Way SW, where multiple callers have complained that the fireworks users are “damaging cars” among other things.
With fireworks-frightened pets on the run, the Fourth of July is usually a busy night for the WSB Lost/Found Pets page (now in its 14th year). So we’re publishing this quick reminder – if you lose or find a pet, please send info about it to us, including your contact # and a photo if available (description if not). westseattleblog@gmail.com, or text 206-293-6302. The listings are at westseattleblog.com/pets. Wishing a safe night for all!
The pop-up parade in The Junction this morning was like a mini version of the West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade (which will be back next year!) – lots of kids in strollers and wagons:
Dogs too:
The Junction had 50 little flags to hand out to paraders – and by our count, that’s about how many participants showed up.
Thanks to Lynn Hall for that early-morning photo of the Silver Muse arriving in Seattle. It’s the latest of several ships to visit before the abbreviated season officially begins in two weeks. Port of Seattle spokesperson Peter McGraw tells WSB, “Cruise vessels from all seven of our major brands will be sailing this year, with eight vessels (Royal Caribbean will have two), for a total of 83 cruises to Alaska. Ships will be arriving in the next couple of weeks, with the first revenue cruise on July 19.” (This port news release explains what’s happening before the “revenue cruises.”) Here’s the schedule – note that it goes well into October, (corrected) a busier month than pre-pandemic Octobers. The ship that arrived today is a Silversea Cruises luxury liner scheduled to be back here July 29th for a 10-day Alaska cruise.
The 60 American flags flying today around the West Seattle Junction aren’t the first ones placed with volunteer help … but they are the first ones with another kind of community contribution: Twenty-five of them are the first to be funded by donors. The West Seattle Junction Association recently offered the chance to “fund a flag,” similar to what it’s done the past few years with flower baskets and rainbow flags, and that enabled the number of American flags displayed around The Junction to expand to 60.
Each funded flag has a plaque with the funder’s name and message (you can also see those on the WSJA website).
Whether or not you funded a flag, you’re welcome to join volunteers in removing them at day’s end – gather at the northeast corner of California/Alaska at 4 pm. About 15 volunteers helped put them up this morning.
(‘Bey’ the Bald Eagle, photographed in June by Jerry Simmons)
Welcome to Independence Day 2021. Here’s what’s happening, and not happening:
CHURCHES: Many are still streaming, in place of – or in addition to – in-person services. Here are the newest links for 20+ churches’ services.
HELP PUT UP AMERICAN FLAGS IN THE JUNCTION: As previewed here, volunteers are welcome to join in placing and removing 60 American flags along the streets in the heart of downtown West Seattle. Meet outside Cupcake Royale (California/Alaska), 8:30 am and/or 4 pm. All ages welcome.
POP-UP PARADE: As previewed here, you’re invited to join in a pop-up Fourth of July parade around the West Seattle Farmers’ Market. For this too, meet on the Cupcake Royale corner, 10 am. First 50 people get mini-flags to wave as you parade. Kids, dogs, costumes welcome. (This is the only WS parade this Fourth of July – the Kids’ Parade was canceled.)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Changes starting this week – no more market-wide mask mandate (though individual booths may have their own rules), no more taped-off perimeter restricting entrance and exit to the southeast end – you can now move around the market freely. You also can now eat and drink inside the market. 10 am-2 pm on California between Oregon and Alaska. Scroll down the page at this link to find the vendor list and map for this week.
TODAY’S AQUATIC SCHEDULE: Open today – Highland Park spraypark (11 am-8 pm, 1100 SW Cloverdale); Delridge (noon-5:30 pm, 4501 Delridge Way SW) and Lincoln Park (noon-7 pm, 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) wading pools.
(added) LIVE MUSIC: 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Jim Page & Orville Johnson. No cover.
(Alki Statue of Liberty, photographed earlier this week by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
NO SEATTLE FIREWORKS SHOW: Seafair called it off months ago, before it was foreseeable that events would be resuming by now. If your heart is set on a big fireworks show, the nearest city having one is Bellevue (info here)
PARK CHANGES: Reminder that four local parks/playfields will have their lights on 8:30-11 pm to deter fireworks, and Alki Beach Park is set to be closed again tonight at 10 pm.
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