West Seattle, Washington
03 Tuesday
We mentioned back in the heart of winter that the Alki Art Fair would return this summer – and now with 2 1/2 weeks to go, organizers have gone public with the lineup of artists, musicians, and more. This year, it’s expanded to three days! Here are the basics:
The Alki Art Fair is celebrating our beach-side return with an extended schedule — with Friday being added to the mix of festivities.
Now in its 26th year, this FREE, family-friendly, annual arts-and-music festival brings Alki to life with over 80 professional visual artists, craftspeople and emerging artists. There will be live music, children’s activities, live demonstrations, and local artisan food vendors for everyone to enjoy.
When: Friday, July 22 through Sunday, July 24
FRIDAY
Artist Booths & Food Vendors: 2-8 pm
LIVE DJ : 4-8 pmSATURDAY
Artist Booths & Food Vendors: 10 am-6 pm
Live Music: 11 am-8:30 pmSUNDAY
Artist Booths & Food Vendors: 10 am-6 pm
Live Music: 11 am-5 pmEvent Highlights:
-80+ local artists & crafters selling works in a variety of media including painting, pottery, glass, textiles, metal, jewelry & more. See the full lineup of participating vendors at alkiartfair.org/artists2022-Live music and performances throughout the weekend on the Bathhouse Stage sponsored by Canna West Culture Shop and Busker Area along the promenade. This year we’re featuring a variety of genres including Brazilian, Jazz, Funk, Pop, Rock and more. See the full lineup and schedule at alkiartfair.org/music-22
-Interactive kid zone hosted by Outer Space Seattle (the galactic indoor playspace for kids of all abilities)
Silent auction in the historic Alki Bathhouse featuring unique items from local artists and businesses-Local food lineup features a range of sweet, savory, spicy, and delicious options including Dippy’s Ice Cream, Shug’s Soda Fountain, Pop’s Sausage Grill, Simply Kettle, Road Dawg, Blue Elephant, and Moe’s Falafel.
And of course, the year-round Alki restaurants will welcome you too.
Some community groups are on summer hiatus, but not the District 1 Community Network. The coalition of community advocates from West Seattle and South Park is meeting online tomorrow (Wednesday, July 6th) at 7 pm, with a city department head as guest: Greg Wong, director of the Department of Neighborhoods. The DoN’s mission has evolved in recent years, through multiple mayoral administrations, so this is a chance to hear/ask about its focus as Mayor Bruce Harrell‘s first year continues. Also on the D1CN agenda: The Port of Seattle, the West Seattle Dog Park Coalition, and the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s latest feedback in Washington State Ferries‘ dock-replacement process. All are welcome to attend and participate in D1CN meetings; connection info is in the agenda. (Here’s our coverage from D1CN’s conversation with the mayor last month.)
One more reader report from the inbox tonight – Leif is still looking for this car stolen two weeks ago:
It was taken near Westwood Village on June 20th. It’s a gray 2014 Audi S5 two-door coupe, license # BVX4687, SPD incident # is 2022-157621.
STABBING FOLLOWUP: Last night we briefly noted a dispatch for a woman stabbed in the arm at California/Alaska, but had no information on circumstances. Today we have the preliminary summary report from SPD, which says a man called 911 to say he had stabbed a woman after an argument. He said he was upset with the woman because she was making noise banging a pole with a metal rod. He told her to “shut up” and then tried to take away the rod. At that point, the summary says, “During the entanglement, the (man) cut the victim with his pocket-knife, causing an approximately 4-inch laceration on her arm.” She was taken to a hospital and he was taken to jail. The 21-year-old suspect is still there as of minutes ago; he does not appear to have a criminal record, either misdemeanor or felony,
CAR PROWL: Reader report via email:
July 4th, around 3 am. Car prowler was spotted with security cameras on 41st Ave SW between Hudson steps and Dawson.
One car that we know of was broken into and damaged. The thief/thieves were gone before we were aware of their presence to say hello.
DUMPED-LIKELY-STOLEN KID BICYCLE: Thanks to Suzanne for the report:
In alley between 49th/50th in 4800 block. East side of alley across from small metal shed.
(WSB photo from Zippy’s opening day in 2008)
In May 2008, punk rocker Blaine “Zippy” Cook (above right) opened a hole-in-the-wall burger joint in Highland Park and drew a crowd. They followed him to a bigger space in White Center three years later. But now – Zippy’s Giant Burgers has just emailed some giant news: They’re closing. Here’s the announcement:
It is with heavy hearts that we are closing Zippy’s Giant Burgers after 14 years. Sadly, our last day of business will be Sunday, July 10th, 2022.
To say this decision is heartbreaking is a monumental understatement. Over the last two years, we have done everything we could to try to keep Zippy’s open for business. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, all of our efforts have been thwarted.
Our issues are no different from those we’ve all heard about with other businesses closing recently; staffing, inflation, and an unreasonable landlord are the contributing factors that ultimately led us to this decision.
Zippy’s will be open (staffing permitting) the following days:
Tuesday through Saturday 10 am – 9 pm
Sunday noon – 8 pmHeartfelt thanks to the community for supporting us from our humble beginnings in Highland Park to the current location over the last 14 years. It was a good run.
Blaine, Rahel and Jesse
For newcomers, Zippy’s original location was at 16th/Holden, where Wanna Burger/Teriyaki is now. Its current White Center location at 9614 14th SW was previously a halal restaurant among other things; they added more space two years after the move. Zippy’s also had a Georgetown location from 2014 to 2018.
One month after a City Council committee got its first look at which West Seattle/Ballard light-rail routing/station alternatives were proposed for official city support – as covered here – there’s been a big change. At its meeting this morning, the Transportation and Utilities Committee voted unanimously for amended city-supported recommendations – including no preference for the Delridge station location.
(Light-rail discussion starts 33 minutes in)
As we reported last month, the draft recommendations included support for the alternative known as DEL-6, which was a late addition to what Sound Transit decided to study in the draft Environmental Impact Statement. Much recent concern centered on two specific facilities that DEL-6 could take out – the Alki Beach Academy child-care center in the business park off SW Andover, and Transitional Resources supportive housing for people living with mental illness, most of whom had previously been homeless. The amended resolution passed today says the city can’t support a “preferred alternative” for the Delridge station because of inadequate study of those effects. Bottom line, there’s “no clear community consensus” for a Delridge option, West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold said during this morning’s meeting. Here’s the Delridge-related language in the amendment:
The resolution did not change the other two alternatives recommended for city support in this leg of ST light rail (currently expected to open in 2032) – the WSJ-5 “medium tunnel” option for The Junction, with an underground 41st SW station and a “retained cut” Avalon station, and a south Duwamish River crossing (DUW-1a). However, as pointed out during the meeting, the city recommendations are just recommendations – the decision on which alternatives to pursue for the final EIS and then the construction decision are wholly up to the Sound Transit Board. Its next vote is expected on July 28th, and board committees will talk about it before then, including the ST Executive Committee this Thursday (July 7th), 10:30 am. It’s a hybrid meeting; the agenda explains how to sign up for public comment, either online or in-person.
Still looking for a COVID vaccination appointment for a now-eligible baby/toddler/preschooler, or a booster appointment for an older child? Neighborhood Naturopathic (WSB sponsor) has just announced two more clinic dates – Monday, July 18th, 2 pm-5 pm, and Monday, August 22nd, 2 pm-5 pm – “for the first and second doses for patients between the ages of 6 months and 4 years (Moderna), as well as booster doses for patients between the ages of 5 and 11 years (Pfizer). These clinics will be open to both patients and non-patients at Neighborhood Naturopathic at 5410 California Ave SW, Suite 203. We ask that anyone interested call ahead to schedule: 206-486-8383.” The last clinics they announced booked up quickly, so if you’re interested, you might want to call sooner rather than later.
(Pond lily in West Seattle, photographed by Tom Trulin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, inbox, and archives, here’s what’s scheduled for the hours ahead:
WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK OPEN: Sunbreaks and 70+ temperatures expected today, so the city says wading pools will open. That means EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), both noon-7 pm. Also, Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open 11 am-8 pm.
COLMAN POOL: The outdoor pool at Lincoln Park will be open today as its 7-days-a-week schedule continues, noon-7 pm.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Hybrid meeting (online and in-person at City Hall) at 2 pm; here’s the agenda. Watch live here.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Longstanding weekly 4:30-6 pm sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) welcomes families 6-8 pm to this weekly hosted game-playing night.
TRIVIA X 3: Three of the venues where you can play tonight – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).
BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!
See more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
We’ve been talking about all kinds of outdoor summer fun returning this year – festivals, concerts, parades, movies – and there’s more: Outdoor theater! GreenStage is back with free Shakespeare in the Park – including 11 performances in 3 West Seattle parks, starting this Friday! First, the general announcement!
FREE Shakespeare in the Park!
Get ready for a summer full of family fun and FREE theater in the great outdoors all across Seattle-area parks. GreenStage, Seattle’s longest-operating Shakespeare company, celebrates its 34th season of Shakespeare in the Park with mainstage shows “Pericles, Prince of Tyre” and “Henry V,” and our scaled-down Backyard Bard shows “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Macbeth.”
The season runs July 8 –August 6. Visit greenstage.org for our full calendar and where we’ll be. Go see a play!
As shown on the GreenStage calendar, the West Seattle performances are:
7 pm Friday, July 8th – “Much Ado About Nothing” (Backyard Bard) at High Point Commons Park (3201 SW Graham)
7 pm Saturday, July 9th – “Macbeth” (Backyard Bard) at High Point Commons Park
7 pm Friday, July 15 – “Henry V” at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
3 pm Saturday, July 16 – “Henry V” at Lincoln Park
7 pm Saturday, July 16 – “Pericles” at Lincoln Park
3 pm Sunday, July 17 – “Pericles” at Lincoln Park
7 pm Sunday, July 17 – “Henry V” at Lincoln Park
7 pm Friday, July 22 – “Pericles” at Camp Long (5200 35th SW)
7 pm Friday, July 29 – “Henry V” at Camp Long
3 pm Sunday, July 31 – “Henry V” at Lincoln Park
7 pm Sunday, July 31 – “Pericles” at Lincoln Park
9:50 AM: The light at 59th/Admiral is flashing, according to a caller, who says it’s been reported to SDOT.
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6:01 AM: Good morning; welcome to the heart of summer, between Independence Day and Labor Day – it’s Tuesday, July 5th.
WEATHER
The forecast sounds a lot like Monday – partly sunny, 70ish.
ROAD WORK
Pavement reconstruction continues on California SW between SW Frontenac and SW Myrtle.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedule; watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.
The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.
Ferries: WSF continues on the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth – and WSF says that probably won’t change before next spring. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
835th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.
Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)
1st Avenue South Bridge:
South Park Bridge:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way (one of four recently installed cameras, but may be malfunctioning):
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.
All city traffic cams can be seen here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
10:08 PM: For the next few hours, we’ll be tracking emergency dispatches and other notes. First, two texters say Harbor Avenue-bound traffic is being blocked at/near the 5-way – we don’t have confirmation but suspect this is likely the diversion police have used in past years, when Harbor gets too jammed close to fireworks time.
So far tonight, no fires on the SFD log for West Seattle, fireworks or otherwise. We have heard some SPD dispatches for fireworks concerns such as “sparks landing on neighbor’s roof.” More updates ahead ..
10:23 PM: Via text and email, we’re told the diversion is happening up on Admiral too.
10:52 PM: Lake Union fireworks are over – per police managing crowds and traffic in the Lake Union vicinity – so Alki/Harbor should empty out soon. Meantime, we received this short email from Dee, addressed to “West Seattle/Fauntleroy Neighbors” – Dee writes, “We live 2 blocks up from the beach and do NOT enjoy your July 4 fireworks….so, please stop it.” Up here on the Gateleroy line, it’s been pretty constant for a few hours, but the pre-4th nights were quieter than past years (except for somebody in the Lincoln Park vicinity last night).
11:19 PM: Shared by Kevin Freitas via Twitter, a time-lapse view of the Lake Union fireworks:
#TimeLapse of tonight's #Seattle fireworks over Lake Union (as seen from #WestSeattle).@westseattleblog @KING5Seattle @KIRO7Seattle @fox13seattle @komonews @seattletimes #4THJULY pic.twitter.com/lZfyDB16B5
— Kevin Freitas (@kevinfreitas) July 5, 2022
Meantime, we have a bit of info about a “scenes of violence” SFD dispatch about an hour ago at California/Alaska. Initial dispatch said it was a woman possibly stabbed in the arm. SFD tells us a woman in her 60s was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. We don’t have info on the circumstances.
11:36 PM: We’ve had our first actual fire dispatch of the night – “dumpster fire” in the 3200 block of SW Avalon Way about 10 minutes ago. Just one engine. Don’t know if fireworks-related.
12:40 AM: Second fire call of the night – “illegal burn” at 11th/Webster. Also, just now, a police dispatch to the 6000 block of 31st SW, for a report of fireworks being set off by someone’s door. … A few minutes after that, an “FYI” type of dispatch – not assigned to any specific unit – “a report of fireworks being lit off at Westcrest Park.” (We were there long before sunset and saw/heard some of that.)
1:14 AM: Now a police dispatch to Alki for fireworks.
1:35 AM: Getting quiet out there, at least where we are. In Arbor Heights, there’s now a dispatch to an address near 45th SW and SW 100th, for “report of a trash-can fire in a driveway.”
Just a reminder before nightfall that if you lose or find a pet amid tonight’s likely fireworks noise (or any other time), WSB has had a West Seattle Lost/Found Pets page for almost 15 years. Just send the info – with a photo if you have one – including a contact #, and the area in which you lost/found the pet, to westseattleblog@gmail.com. If you don’t have access to email, you can also text the info to our 24/7 hotline, 206-293-6302. (At right is a wholehearted supporter of this message, our newest WSB “shop cat,” Sullivan, a 4-year-old rescue tuxedo cat.)
5:15 PM: Thanks for the tip. On our way to 16th/Myrtle to find out more.
5:25 PM: Just arrived north of the crash scene. 16th is blocked both ways.
5:35 PM: 2 vehicles, 5 people hurt but no major injuries. Police believe the SUV driver was speeding, northbound, and trying to ‘get around’ the other vehicle when the collision happened. (Residents on this stretch of 16th have long been fighting for something to be done about speeding.)
6:28 PM: The scene is clear.
Our video shows the entirety of this morning’s West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade, whose hundreds of participants strolled and rolled through North Admiral streets this morning. Like many other summer traditions, this one was back for the first time since 2019. Organizers Nicole Lutomski and Megan Erb welcomed the crowd at the 44th/Sunset starting point before 12-year-old Sloane Pothier sang the National Anthem:
The forecast delivered on the “partly sunny” promise as the parade wound west, south, and east across several blocks before crossing California and heading into Hamilton Viewpoint Park:
(That’s Michaela as Lady Liberty.) At the park, parade sponsors offered kids’ activities:
Among this year’s sponsors, the Hogan family from longtime WSB sponsor Dream Dinners-West Seattle (we caught up with them pre-parade):
Sack races at the park were announced by another parade sponsor, State Sen. Joe Nguyen. The races were held in age groups – from the littlest kids all the way up to grownups!
Also at the park, one more sponsored feature of value – longtime WSB sponsor Potter Construction bankrolled the porta-potties!
P.S. This is West Seattle’s only Fourth of July parade – but not its only parade – next one is the West Seattle Grand Parade, along California SW from The Admiral District to The Junction, 11 am Saturday, July 23rd.
12:24 PM: Thanks for the tips about the police/fire response in the alley east of the 4500 block of 44th SW in The Junction around 11 am, just east of Wells Fargo. Police told us the call came in as a person down, and the person had died. Archived emergency-radio audio indicates someone was trying to perform CPR before responders arrived, and SFD continued trying, but the person could not be revived. It’ll be up to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death. No other info so far.
ADDED MONDAY: We doublechecked with police today, and they reiterate that so far, there’s “nothing suspicious” about the death. The ME’s Office has not yet released a name or cause of death. The person who tried to save him and initially called 911 described the person as a man.
9:28 AM: Thanks to Carl Furfaro for the report – a humpback whale breaching off Lincoln Park, just south of Colman Pool, less than an hour ago. Let us know if you see it!
7:43 PM: Just got two notes (thanks to Gary and Andrew!) that it’s been seen in the Alki Point/Constellation Park vicinity, southbound.
(WSB file photo)
Happy Independence Day!
First, transportation info:
TRANSIT: Metro is on a “Sunday with extra late-night service” schedule … The West Seattle Water Taxi is on a Sunday schedule (Vashon is not running) … Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is on a Sunday schedule … Sound Transit‘s holiday plans are listed here.
TRAFFIC CAMS: Check them on this WSB page; for other areas of the city, see the SDOT Travelers’ Map.
Holiday happenings:
FLAGS IN THE JUNCTION: Still room for more volunteer help putting them up and/or taking them down – 9 am and/or 4 pm, meet on northeast corner of California/Alaska.
4TH OF JULY KIDS’ PARADE:Be part of West Seattle’s only 4th of July parade! Starts at 10 am from 44th/Sunset [map] and travels west, then east, across a few North Admiral blocks before concluding at Hamilton Viewpoint Park (1120 California SW) with sack races and kids’ activities. Here’s our preview.
BARBECUE & MUSIC AT THE BEACH: From Chef Gino Williamson of TheHomeSkillit.com:
I will be cooking Caribbean Barbecue on the beach (Alki) and I have a four-piece live band playing old school and Caribbean beach music. Everyone in the community is welcome to come and have a good time with us and rock out. All the proceeds will go to my Foundation feed the Street Seattle and we will be feeding homeless people and Pioneer Square with all of the proceeds and the funds that we receive on 4th of July. (Food 10 am-10 pm, music 4 pm-10 pm)
4TH OF JULY BASEBALL: The DubSea Fish Sticks semipro summer team are back home for the holiday, 11:05 am vs. Diamond Sports at Steve Cox Memorial Park. Ticket info here. (1321 SW 102nd)
PARKS & POOLS: Here’s the city list of what’s open and what’s not.
Interested in holiday shopping?
AVALON GLASSWORKS: This Luna Park shop/studio’s famous “art-glass seconds” sale is back, 10 am-2 pm today. (2914 SW Avalon Way)
Looking for beverages?
C & P COFFEE’S OPEN: The coffee shop (and longtime WSB sponsor) at 5612 California SW emailed us to say they’re open 7 am-5 pm today.
THE BEER JUNCTION’S OPEN: Also via email, “The Beer Junction will be open on Monday, July 4th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm for pints, growlers, or beers to go. Last call for pours and growlers at the bar is 3:30 pm.” (4511 California SW)
And tonight …
SEATTLE’S BIGGEST FIREWORKS SHOW: Only one major show within city limits, and that’s the Seafair Summer Fourth at Lake Union. You can usually see much of the show from certain north-facing spots in West Seattle, including Hamilton Viewpoint, Belvedere Park/Viewpoint, and much of Harbor Avenue, including Seacrest Park. Don’t show up at the last minute unless you’re on foot – parking fills up early just about everywhere with a view. The show starts around 10:20 pm. (It’ll be live on KONG-TV, too.)
NO THREE TREE POINT FIREWORKS: If you’re in southwest West Seattle, you might be wondering – but no, the waterfront neighborhood in Burien is NOT bringing in a fireworks barge this year.
WE’RE ON DUTY TODAY – 24/7/365 as always, so if you have a news tip, please text/call 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Police are in the 9400 block of Delridge Way SW right now, investigating a reported shooting. The victim apparently turned up in White Center, so there’s been no medical callout at the Delridge scene. No information on circumstances yet; we’ll update if/when we find out more.
With numbers from the Public Health – Seattle/King County dashboard, here’s our weekly look at countywide and West Seattle-specific COVID numbers:
*3 percent more cases countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 1,045 new daily cases countywide (up from 1,001 when we checked a week ago)
*2 percent more hospitalizations countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 17 new hospitalizations daily (up from 14 a week ago)
*18 percent fewer deaths countywide in the past two weeks than the two previous weeks (the dashboard doesn’t offer a one-week increment)
*Currently averaging 2 deaths daily (same two-week average as last week)
For West Seattle, we have two-week comparisons (these are the combined totals from two “health reporting areas,” labeled West Seattle and Delridge):
*774 cases between 6/13 and 6/27, down from 800 between 5/29 and 6/12
*14 hospitalizations between 6/13 and 6/27, up from 9 between 5/29 and 6/12
*Two deaths between 6/13 and 6/27, up from 1 between 5/29 and 6/12
VACCINATION: As announced last month, the Western States review workgroup has affirmed that the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are safe and effective for children 6 months to 4 years old. Also, boosters are recommended for everyone 5 and up. Checking vaccination rates:
*81.5 percent of all King County residents have completed the initial series (unchanged from a week ago)
*86.3 percent of all King County residents ages 5 and up have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*51.1 percent of all King County residents have had the initial series plus a booster (up .3% from a week ago)
*In West Seattle, here are the zip-code vaccination rates for ages 5 and up (reminder, 98106 and 98146 are not entirely within WS):
98106 – 88.7% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 55.2% have had a booster (up .2%)
98116 – 93.5% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 67.4% have had a booster (up .3%)
98126 – 84.1% completed initial series (unchanged from a week earlier), 57.2% have had a booster (up .2%)
98136 – 94.2% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 70.4% have had a booster (up .3%)
98146 – 83.5% completed initial series (unchanged from a week earlier), 49.6% have had a booster (up .2%)
VACCINE CLINICS: No new West Seattle pop-ups to report. Look for opportunities here.
TESTING: If you want to get tested and don’t have or want to buy a home kit, public testing sites include the city-supported site at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle, 9 am-5:30 pm Tuesday-Saturday this week) and the Curative kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1220 Harbor SW, 9 am-3 pm Tuesday-Friday this week). … If you need to report self-test results, that’s explained on this page.
7:20 PM: Westbound traffic on Admiral at Belvidere is being diverted because of a crash. We’ve just arrived in the area to find out more.
7:31 PM: Police tell us the driver of this car damaged a utility pole – it’s also clear they drove through some plantings along the sidewalk and in the median. The car lost a wheel along the way and left a long debris trail.
8:03 PM: The scene is clear.
(Photo from 2018 West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade)
One more reminder before Monday arrives: The biggest holiday event in West Seattle is the 4th of July Kids’ Parade. Even if you’re not planning to participate or watch, remember that the parade crosses California Avenue SW on the way to the ending point, Hamilton Viewpoint Park, and that usually means at least brief traffic stops. It starts at 44th/Sunset [map] just after 10 am, with the National Anthem and a few words from organizers, and then SFD’s North Admiral-based Engine 29 and the legendary blue pickup truck – the only motorized participants – lead the way. The route heads a short distance west before turning south and then east toward the park, where kids’ activities and sack races await. More specifics are in our previous preview here, if you missed it. Events at the park wrap up around noon. (Latest forecast suggests the weather will improve to “partly sunny.”) The parade’s been a tradition for more than a quarter-century!
3:51 PM: Thanks to @WestSeaWX for the tip and photo. This was dispatched as a three-vehicle crash at California/Oregon. No word yet if anyone was hurt. SPD and SFD have been dispatched.
4:45 PM: Per @SDOTTraffic, the scene has cleared. We’re asking SFD about injuries.
7:22 PM: SFD says a 23-year-old woman who was a passenger in one of the vehicles was taken to the hospital by AMR ambulance.
2:44 PM: Seattle Fire has several units responding to what was called in as an RV fire on Harbor Avenue, nearest cross-street Harbor Lane. We don’t know which side of the street, but most of the dozen RVs (as of our count Saturday) are on the westbound side.
2:48 PM: Just received that photo from a reader. It’s on the westbound side.
Another texted photo (added above) indicates the smoke was visible from across the bay.
(WSB photo)
3:14 PM: By the time we got there, SFD and SPD had already cleared the scene, so we don’t know if anyone was hurt (we’ll follow up with SFD), but the log indicates no medic/aid units dispatched. … Past RV fires in the area include this one almost exactly a year ago and this one in 2018.
4:50 PM: SFD spokesperson Kristin Tinsley confirms no one was hurt but does not yet have information on the fire’s cause.
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