West Seattle, Washington
07 Tuesday
(Reader photo of fireworks debris at a local park in 2020 – one that did NOT have lights on)
11:54 AM: Seattle Parks has made its annual announcement that some playfields will be illuminated to discourage fireworks use. This year the plan stretches across three nights, Saturday through Monday (July 2-4). At the affected West Seattle fields, it’ll be lights on at 8:30, lights out at 11. One other difference: Last year’s announcement said the fields will be “monitored” 9 pm-4 am, but this year it’s 9 pm-2 am. Here are the four West Seattle fields affected:
Delridge Playfield, 4458 Delridge Way SW
Hiawatha Playfield, 2700 California Ave. SW
Walt Hundley Playfield, 6920 34th Avenue SW
West Seattle Stadium, 4432 35th Ave. SW
This announcement only involves Seattle Parks facilities – we don’t usually get similar announcements from other entities that have fields in the area, such as Seattle Public Schools (though we’re inquiring).
4:54 PM: SPS says they have no lights-on plans but will have security monitoring their fields.
(WSB file photo)
Four days until the return of the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade, which starts at 10 am Monday, from 44th/Sunset in North Admiral – just show up and you’re in, all human-powered except Seattle Fire Engine 29 and the famous “neighborhood blue truck” leading off the parade. The parade winds along a few neighborhood blocks, then crosses California SW to Hamilton Viewpoint Park, where kids’ activities, sack races, and treats await. We asked parade co-organizer Nicole Lutomski for updates on the plan:
*National Anthem will be sung by Sloane Pothier from the West Seattle School of Rock
*Kids activities will be hosted at Hamilton Viewpoint by neighborhood businesses and parade sponsors
*Sack races will be held in these groups:
-3 & Under
-4-5 year olds
-6-7 year olds
-8 & Up
-“Last call” race, kids of all ages
-Adults
Also at Hamilton Viewpoint, until noon, the All City Ice Cream Truck, All City Hot Dog Truck, and Home Bites will be there. Again, this all starts when the parade gets rolling at 44th and Sunset at 10 am Monday. (If you’re new and wonder what it’s like, we record video every year – here’s the 2019 parade – lots of bicycles, strollers, wagons …) Spectators along the route are welcome, too.
(WSB file photo)
Again this Fourth of July, the West Seattle Junction Association will place dozens of American flags along the heart of the business district – but it can’t happen without volunteers. All ages welcome – you can sign up to help put them up at 9 am Monday and/or to take them down at 4 pm. Just go here.
With one week to go until the Fourth of July, in past years this is when fireworks sales started in White Center and the rest of unincorporated North Highline, just south of West Seattle. Not this year. The fireworks ban in unincorporated King County has taken effect. If you’re outside the city limits – as published previously on our partner site White Center Now, here’s how the complaint/enforcement process will work:
With this year being the first that fireworks aren’t permitted, King County is emphasizing community education about the new rules and is deferring issuing citations for a year. However, that doesn’t mean folks will be able to light fireworks without repercussion. As of June 14th, residents have been able to report violators to the King County Permitting Division:
-Online by visiting kingcounty.gov/reportfireworks (Users will have to sign up for our system)
-Phone: 206-848-0800
King County will issue a warning to violators and include them in our records. If the behavior continues, these violators will likely be the first to eventually receive citations. Local Services is finalizing the details of how violators will be cited beginning in 2023.
Fireworks of course have long since been banned from sale and use on both sides of North Highline, in Seattle and Burien
Two weeks from today, it’s the 4th of July, and two major events are returning.
(WSB photo, 2019 West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade)
WEST SEATTLE 4TH OF JULY KIDS’ PARADE: We mentioned back in April that this is returning; now that it’s close, it’s worth another reminder. This is a non-motorized (except for the fire truck and pickup truck that have led it in past years) parade, no pre-registration required – just show up with your kids of all ages, and you’re in! Red, white, and blue clothing/decorations encouraged. The parade starts from 44th/Sunset in North Admiral [map] at 10 am and moves along a few neighborhood blocks before crossing California to end at Hamilton Viewpoint Park with activities to wrap up the morning of fun.
LAKE UNION FIREWORKS: Seafair is bringing back the big show – Seattle’s only Independence Day fireworks display – this year, and much of it will be visible from north-facing West Seattle if you don’t want to journey across the bay for an up-close view. The fireworks go off over Lake Union starting around 10:15 pm.
Two more West Seattle Memorial Day scenes:
‘TAPS’ TRIBUTE: As part of “Taps Across America,” Greg Dirks played “Taps” “from my home next to Lincoln Park in honor of our Dad, Marty, who passed away last year, and in honor of all Veterans.”
FLAG CEREMONY: Many Scouts assisted with tributes this Memorial Day, including BSA Troop 282. Chad sent this photo:
Chad reports, “Troop 282 was on hand to assist Norman from Arrowhead Gardens with the Memorial Day flag ceremony.”
(WSB photos)
American flags line the heart of the West Seattle Junction again this Memorial Day, placed this morning by volunteers of all ages:
In the photo above is the Blunk family, who not only volunteered to help with the flags, but also are among the donors who covered the cost of a flag in the Junction Association‘s flag-funding drive.
Volunteers will gather again at 4 pm to start removing them – if you can help with that, the meeting spot is on the northeast corner of California/Alaska, outside the historic Campbell Building.
(WSB photo, Sunday at Forest Lawn)
Good morning. Notes for the holiday:
TRANSIT
Metro: Sunday schedule
West Seattle Water Taxi: Sunday schedule
Washington State Ferries: See today’s schedules here
Sound Transit: Sunday schedule
TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Our page highlighting local cameras is here
SDOT’s map with cameras and alerts from around the city is here
(added) OPEN/CLOSED
Usually not a big holiday for changed business hours but we’ve heard from two: Circa (2605 California SW) is open for breakfast/lunch today but closed for dinner; C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 7 am-6 pm.
HAPPENING TODAY
Junction flag help – 9 am and/or 4 pm, meet up with volunteers at the northeast corner of California/Alaska to help put up and/or take down the American flags commemorating the holiday.
Memorial Day poppies – Drive, ride, or walk up to American Legion Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska) 10 am-4 pm for your poppy, by donation, to help veterans.
Outdoor-gear sale – Next door to Post 160, new WSB sponsor Mountain to Sound Outfitters‘ sale continues today, 11 am-6 pm. (3602 SW Alaska)
Low tide with beach naturalists – Today’s -1.7-foot low tide at 11:39 am is not super-low, but Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists will be out again today. Find them at Constellation Park and Lincoln Park 10:30 am-12:30 pm.
The Clay Cauldron’s anniversary – 1-4 pm, shop, create, celebrate the pottery studio’s first anniversary! (5214 Delridge Way SW)
(Photo sent by Al)
Anything else? Text us – 206-293-6302 – thank you!
A few late additions to our daily events list today, including this: The crew from the West Seattle VFW is at Admiral Safeway (2622 California SW) with Memorial Day poppies, by donation. Here’s the story behind the poppies – tracing back a century. If you miss them today, they’ll be back 9 am-noon tomorrow (Sunday, May 29th).
(WSB photo, 2019 parade)
Another big West Seattle event is back – the 4th of July Kids’ Parade. This will be the 28th parade, and if you’re new here since the last one in 2019, it’s not a sit-and-watch parade … it’s thousands of kids and family members walking and rolling on a route through North Admiral. Just show up and you’re in! (Here’s our 2019 coverage.) Nicole Lutomski and Megan Erb are facilitating the parade again this year. It starts at 10 am on Independence Day (a Monday this year), from 44th/Sunset, and after a few blocks, ends up at Hamilton Viewpoint Park for field games. While it’s largely free-form and fun, it’s costly to get permits and insurance, so they’re seeking sponsors, with three tiers ($100, $250, $500). You can email Nicole if you’re interested in finding out more about sponsorship – nalutomski@gmail.com.
(Reader photo from 2019 Easter sunrise service at Forest Lawn)
With Easter Sunday one week away, we’ve started a list of West Seattle Holy Week/Easter services in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. You’ll find it there, toward the top, for each day through next Sunday (here’s the direct link). Some local churches already have sent information on what they have planned – both in-person and online – and the list includes all that, plus the return of the West Seattle Ministerial Association‘s sunrise service at Forest Lawn. We’ll continue adding to the list as information comes in – just email us the basic information, westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Less than a month until Mother’s Day, here’s a school fundraiser that might help with your gift-giving:
H.U.G.S. for Mothers & Special Others
Seattle Lutheran High School – Parent Association FundraiserHope. Unity. Gratitude. Saints.
Brighten someone’s day with a tasty treat and a bouquet!
Seattle Lutheran High School Parent Association is partnering with local businesses Bakery Nouveau and Flower Lab to offer chocolates and flowers for Mother’s Day weekend.
Funds raised go toward classroom grants, student scholarships and educational speakers.
ORDER HERE by Wednesday, April 20th
Contactless curbside pickup or local delivery to limited zip codes on Saturday, May 6th.
See the school website here for more information.
Wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day if we didn’t go check on the legendary green stripe down the middle of 41st SW north of Admiral Way. We just went over to look and yes, it’s there. The mystery leprechaun(s) who maintain it may have run out of paint and/or time, though, as it appears decidedly faded north of a certain point near SW Walker, but fresh and bright to the south of that point.
West Seattle synagogue Kol HaNeshamah is inviting the community to a fun celebration of the Purim holiday tomorrow (Wednesday, March 16th) at Camp Long (5200 35th SW) – here’s the invitation sent to us today to share with you:
Kol HaNeshamah Purim Carnival
Camp Long East Picnic Shelter4:00-4:40 pm Games hosted by KHTY:
Draw the head on Hamen / Get the secret message to Esther / Knock down Hamen’s Henchmen / Be Queen for a Day / more!4:40-4:50 Songs with Orin
4:50-5:00 Costume Parade
5:00-5:20 Purim Shpiel
5:20-5:25 Megillah Chanting
5:25-5:30 Closing Songs
Since the weather could be unsettled, check khnseattle.org tomorrow for updates.
(Sunday photo by Robert Peckyno)
Here’s what you should know for the rest of this holiday Monday:
HOLIDAY CLOSURES: Seattle Public Library branches and Seattle Parks pools/community centers. … Presidents Day also is a US Postal Service holiday and a banking holiday.
FOOD FUNDRAISER: Chef Gino Williamson continues cooking at 5441 Delridge Way SW to raise money for his planned move into the Super 24 building nearby. He says he’ll be there all week 11 am-7 pm.
OPEN D&D: Play 6:30 pm-10 pm Mondays at Meeples Games (3727 California SW).
TRIVIA X 3: Here are tonight’s three options – 7 pm at Best of Hands (35th/Webster), 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Something for our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB file photo)
Off on Monday for the Presidents Day holiday? Looking for something you can do with your out-of-school kid(s)? The West Seattle Junction Association is still recruiting volunteers to assist with placing and removing dozens of American flags in the heart of The Junction. Two time slots – 9 to 10 am and/or 4-5 pm. Volunteers will meet Tom in front of Cupcake Royale on the northeast corner of California/Alaska. Sign up online here!
St. Patrick’s Day is one month from tomorrow. Since it’s on a Thursday this year, many celebrations will be held on the preceding weekend – like this one for which West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) invites you to register now:
We are doing something cool and partnering with Good Society Brewing on Sunday, March 13th at 9 am!
Join us for Group Run to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Meet at West Seattle Runner for 5k route around the ‘hood. Finish at Good Society Brewing
We ask that you sign up to take part (so Good Society can plan; they are opening early for us! And so we can decide if we need to arrange waves and an outside gathering). Please note that you need to mask up in the shop. You will have the option to be outside or indoors at Good Society. And of course, the run takes place outdoors, so this can be something to participate in a COVID-safe way.
Sign up by stopping by West Seattle Runner [2743 California SW] and purchasing an entry for $1.The dollar is to hold your place (if you choose to not attend after registering, please let us know, so your spot can go to someone on the waitlist). Each dollar will be given to Good Society staff as a tip. Soon, we will post a link to purchase on our web store. But we want first dibs to go to our customers before the public can sign up remotely. There will be a cap on the number of participants.
Good Society will donate part of proceeds to The West Seattle Food Bank or Social Justice Fund.
Wear your green or risk being pinched! There will be a raffle drawing to boot!!
(WSB file photo)
Monday, February 21st, is Presidents Day – the next holiday for which dozens of American flags will be placed around the West Seattle Junction, If you can help – all ages welcome! – in the morning placement and/or afternoon removal, Chris Mackay from the Junction Association is recruiting volunteers right now:
Two shifts: 9-10 or 4-5. Fun for families.
Please click on the following web link (or copy it into your web browser if clicking doesn’t work) to go to the signup sheet:
To sign up, just follow the instructions on the page. It only takes a few seconds to do.
Thank you for volunteering!
Thanks to Noodle and crew for the photo from a West Seattle walk in the fog. Below, a few notes for this Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday Monday:
WHAT’S CLOSED
-Schools
–Libraries
–Most Seattle Parks facilities
-Banks
–Post Offices
As for what’s happening:
POP-UP CLEANUP: Other MLK Day of Service events in our area are full – volunteer capacities have long been restricted because of the pandemic – but you can grab a bag and go join the pop-up cleanup along Harbor Avenue SW, 10 am-noon, as previewed right after we got word of it last night.
BETTY WHITE CHALLENGE A reader asked us if any local animal-advocate groups was joining this nationwide fundraiser honoring what would have been Betty White‘s 100th birthday today. Furry Faces Foundation has decided to jump in:
We are proud to join Betty White’s Challenge! Please consider donating $5 in honor of Betty White…she still lives with all of us in our hearts and minds,
Thank you for your consideration. Donations may be made to our PayPal account – furryfaces@hotmail.com – or mailed to 3809 46th Ave SW, Seattle, 98116. For more information about Furry Faces Foundation, go here.
If you aren’t already signed up for an MLK Day of Service volunteer opportunity tomorrow but are interested in helping out somewhere, we just found out about this – CleanupSEA is organizing a pop-up cleanup, 10 am-noon. Meet at Harbor and Lotus [map]. More info here. (P.S. If you know of any other service opportunities Monday that are not all booked up, let us know so we can mention them too!)
(WSB photos/video unless other credited)
Imagining yourself in the tropics is one way to make it through the annual New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim at Alki Beach. Another is to consider that – today, anyway – the water was a lot warmer than the air: 47 degrees and 25 degrees, respectively. Despite the subfreezing air, hundreds were ready to go when organizer Mark Ufkes counted them down at 10 am:
(Photo by Scott Nelson)
While running into the water and immediately running out is the prevalent participation level, some lingered:
This was the first en-masse “swim” since 2020, when the air and water both were warmer – both 50 degrees, we noted that day.
ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT: Thanks to Robert Spears for these photos:
(Steller’s Jay, photographed by Troy Sterk)
Happy 2022! Here’s info to start the year:
TRANSPORTATION INFO:
*Metro is on a Saturday schedule, still with only the Emergency Snow Network routes
*No Water Taxi service
*Sound Transit light rail and buses are on varied schedules
*Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is on its regular 2-boat schedule
*No charge for parking today on city streets in neighborhoods with pay stations
*Traffic cameras: West Seattle-relevant ones here; citywide views are on this SDOT map
EVENT TODAY
POLAR BEAR SWIM: If you want to join in this year’s traditional Polar Bear Swim at Alki Beach, be on the sand across from Duke’s Seafood (2516 Alki SW; WSB sponsor) in time for the countdown at 10 am sharp. Here’s the announcement.
NEW YEAR’S COFFEE
Closures aren’t as numerous on this holiday as Thanksgiving and Christmas so we don’t usually make comprehensive open/closed lists. But if you’re looking for coffee, here are a few shops planning to be open:
C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor is open 8 am-2 pm
Youngstown Coffee (6032 California SW) is open 9 am-2 pm
West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) opens at 7 am
Olympia Coffee (3840 California SW) opens at 8 am
Got info for today? Text us – 206-293-6302 – thank you!
The snow and the virus got in the way of big New Year’s Eve plans, so we don’t have much of a list for you, but a few notes:
(Photo by Doug Eglington, seen from Harbor Avenue earlier this week)
SPACE NEEDLE FIREWORKS: Yes, the midnight fireworks are happening this year. But no, they’re not allowing people to gather at the Needle to watch them. North-facing West Seattle will have a view as always, but organizers say they’re adding special digital effects to a live stream/broadcast, so they’re recommending you watch on a screen. Here’s the info.
HPIC PRESENTS ‘NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT’: Highland Park Improvement Club has announced a modified version of its Not-So-Silent-Night neighborhood parade, They’re inviting people to the south Riverview Playfield parking lot [12th/Webster] at 6 pm for a walk around the field:
Bring your personal lights and noisemakers. Bundle up with sturdy shoes. Fill up your hot thermos or flask. We’ll meet at the South Riverview Playfield parking lot at 6pm and walk a circle of light around the fields led by our fabulous HPIC parade marshals and welcome in a brighter 2022!
RESTAURANTS/BARS: No big parties but your favorite venue might be planning a midnight toast. Or earlier – for example, Mission Cantina in The Admiral District is planning “a traditional tequila toast as our brothers and sisters in Tequila town and Oaxaca ring in the new year at midnight CST (10 pm in Seattle).” We’ll check around as the day goes on and add anything else interesting (and confirmed post-snow) we happen onto.
P.S. If you do go out tonight – remember that transit is free (Metro until 4 am and Sound Transit until 2 am).
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