West Seattle, Washington
02 Thursday
Independence Day is just one week from tomorrow, so we’re working on the annual WSB West Seattle 4th of July page. Got a public event planned? Will your business be closed, or open special holiday hours? Please let us know (if you haven’t already) ASAP so we can include it when we publish the page late tonight – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
(WSB photo from past West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade)
Less than four weeks until the 23rd annual West Seattle 4th of July Children’s Parade, and besides making sure you’re set to participate (or watch), Emily Williams from coordinating sponsor FIT4MOM West Seattle says they need community contributions, since increased participation means increased permit costs.
Last year’s event far exceeded our planned number of attendees and we’ve had to connect with Seattle Parks and Rec and the City of Seattle as we hop up to the next tier of permits, police presence and insurance, trash receptacles, etc. – all in all, our costs have nearly doubled! So we’re absolutely looking to the community to help cover the costs of the Parade!
To participate: Show up and you’re in the P A R A D E! The kids and their families ARE the Parade. Decorate those strollers and wagons and don’t forget yourselves! Show your spirit and have fun!
Old fashioned gunny-sack races, arts and crafts and various activities presented by local businesses at Hamilton ViewPoint Park after the Parade. This is the very best way to start your 4th of July celebration!
FIT4MOM West Seattle and many other local businesses and community members come together each year to keep this long standing West Seattle tradition alive. The Children’s Parade is truly an event for and by the West Seattle community.
WestSide Baby will be on site collecting diapers and wipes for Stuff the Bus; bring a package and help local babies in need!
But again, there are a lot of costs to cover, so here’s where you can donate. Williams concludes, “FIT4MOM West Seattle is so excited to partner with other local businesses and community members again this year to bring this special children’s event to the families of West Seattle. We appreciate everyone’s support in making it happen! Thank you in advance for your donation.” The parade starts at 10 am Tuesday, July 4th, and winds along several blocks from 44th/Sunset to Hamilton Viewpoint Park.
By Tracy Record and Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers
The numbers were daunting … the personal stories heartbreaking yet inspiring.
West Seattle’s American Legion Post 160 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2713 joined forces again today for our area’s official Memorial Day ceremony at Forest Lawn Cemetery (WSB sponsor), a half-hour tribute to those who served and sacrificed.
Atop our story, you can watch video of the entire ceremony, starting just after Forest Lawn’s Hank Kerns welcomed everyone, mentioning the cemetery and funeral home’s 115-year history and commitment to the future.
Post 160 Chaplain Kelly Wadsworth gave the invocation, followed by Post 2713’s Ben Squires with two very personal stories.
He told of the day 66 years ago – June 2, 1951 – when two Marines came to his family’s door to deliver the news that his brother, Sgt. Walter L. Squires, had just been killed in action in Korea. At the time, another brother, Al Squires, had just enlisted in the Marine Corps and was also far from home, training in Southern California. Ben Squires’ memories were clear and painful, of his mother being presented with the telegram announcing her son’s death.
Fifteen years later, he continued, he himself was a “forward observer” in Vietnam – he explained that meant someone who “goes out with the infantry” and if they encounter trouble, they call in reinforcements. While he was out one day, a fellow servicemember was killed by an explosion, just yards away … 19 years old, engaged to be married, less than a month to go before he was scheduled to go home. “It’s hard to imagine, when you see the graves, crosses, and flags” – like those surrounding the ceremony site at Forest Lawn – “each of them has a story.”
The magnitude of the losses was at the heart of the stories told next by Post 160 Commander Keith Hughes, an Army veteran.
After reading the legendary 1915 poem “In Flanders Fields,” he spoke of watching a documentary about the 23 cemeteries overseas where more than 125,000 U.S. servicemembers are buried, and tens of thousands more remembered as missing in action: “Mostly ordinary men and women caught up in the calamity of war,” each withe their own tales of “courage and service …It’s for these heroes that we gather today.”
As Hughes recalled, World War I was supposed to be “the war that ended all wars … tragically, it wasn’t.” The sacrifices continue. He told the stories of U.S. Air Force Capt. Mary Therese Klinker, killed in a plane crash on April 4, 1975, during Operation Babylift, rescuing orphans from South Vietnam, and Green Beret SSgt. Mark De Alencar, killed fighting ISIS in Afghanistan just last month.
Capt. Klinker was 27; SSgt. De Alencar, 37. But the average age of those buried in the overseas cemeteries he had mentioned, Hughes said, was just 20 – “they left us too early … but what they lacked in time, they made up in valor.” He urged support not just for veterans but for their families and the families of those who gave their lives in service.
Also participating in today’s ceremony: Boy Scout Troop 284, singer Ross Hauck (with “America the Beautiful” and the national anthem), and Pete Kirkman and Al Keith with “Dueling Taps.” Before and afterward, the Duwamish Jazz Band entertained at Forest Lawn:
And shortly after the ceremony, Post 160 hosted a cookout at its headquarters in The Triangle:
Members and community volunteers began the day by placing flags along California SW in the heart of the West Seattle Junction.
The flags that line The Junction on holidays like this are there thanks to volunteers – and this morning, West Seattle’s American Legion Post 160 led the crew.
They gathered to retrieve, tote, and place the flags along California SW in the heart of downtown West Seattle.
The volunteers spanned generations – including the youngest volunteer, Ryder.
This is a busy day for Post 160 members – you’ll also see them at the Forest Lawn (6701 30th SW; WSB sponsor) Memorial Day ceremony at 2 pm, and they’re hosting a free community cookout afterward, starting at 3:15 pm at their headquarters in The Triangle, 3618 SW Alaska – all welcome at both events.
P.S. Volunteer help is also welcome for flag removal this afternoon – meet on the northeast corner of California/Alaska at 5 pm.
(Juvenile bald eagle, photographed at Constellation Park by David Hutchinson)
Good morning! Here’s what you need to know this Memorial Day:
TRAFFIC/TRANSIT: No regular traffic report today because of the holiday but you can check local cams here. … Metro buses are on a Sunday schedule … The West Seattle Water Taxi is on a Sunday schedule … Sound Transit Route 560 is not running today … Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is on its regular weekday schedule.
OTHER MEMORIAL DAY NOTES: Here’s the Seattle Parks list of what’s open and what’s not … Schools are closed … Seattle Public Library branches are closed … Today is a U.S. Postal Service holiday … If you’re going to a Seattle neighborhood with on-street pay stations/metered parking, there’s no charge today because it’s a city “free parking” day.
What’s happening today:
HELP WITH FLAGS IN THE JUNCTION: American Legion Post 160 invites you to help put up and take down the flags in the West Seattle Junction – meet outside Cupcake Royale on the northeast corner of California/Alaska at 9 am for the morning help and 5 pm for the evening removal.
COLMAN POOL, FINAL DAY OF FIRST PRE-SEASON WEEKEND: Swim sessions noon-7 pm at the city-run outdoor saltwater pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: 1 pm-4 pm (last group admitted at 3:40 pm), it’s the last day of this year’s first weekend of free tours at Alki Point Lighthouse. (3201 Alki SW)
LOW-LOW TIDE, WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: 2:20 pm brings a -2.5 low-low tide. 1-4 pm, you will find Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists on the shore at Constellation Park (south of Alki Point) and Lincoln Park – look for the signs.
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY: The traditional ceremony presented by American Legion Post 160 and community partners is at 2 pm this afternoon at Forest Lawn (WSB sponsor), all welcome. (6701 30th SW)
AFTER THE CEREMONY: Post 160 invites you to a community cookout at its headquarters in The Triangle, 3:15-5 pm. (3618 SW Alaska)
Take five minutes in honor of Memorial Day and those who served, by listening to three West Seattle men – all World War II veterans – tell their stories: 96-year-old Harry Rose, US Army Air Corps veteran; 95-year-old John Kelley, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers veteran; and 92-year-old Elmer Lindseth, U.S. Navy veteran. The video was produced by The Kenney – where they live – and Jaroslaw Media.
Honor those who served this Memorial Day weekend by getting a poppy from American Legion Post 160. Post members will be outside West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) until 4 pm today and again 10 am-4 pm tomorrow. We stopped by a short time ago and photographed Ron Wright, who served in the U.S. Army, and Walton Delong, a U.S. Navy veteran and former Post 160 commander. The poppy tradition is almost a century old – read about it here.
Also – as noted in our preview earlier this week – you are invited on Monday to join Post 160 in putting up and/or taking down the Memorial Day flags in The Junction, and to attend the traditional 2 pm holiday ceremony at Forest Lawn (6701 30th SW; WSB sponsor), followed by a community cookout at Post 160 headquarters in The Triangle (3618 SW Alaska).
From American Legion Post 160 in The Triangle, as Memorial Day nears, a set of invitations:
(WSB file photo)
POPPIES: Post 160 will distribute poppies at West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) 10 am-4 pm Saturday and Sunday (May 27-28). The backstory:
On September 27, 1920, the poppy became the official flower of The American Legion family to memorialize the soldiers who fought and died during the war. In 1924, the distribution of poppies became a national program of The American Legion.
Each year, members of The American Legion family, led by the American Legion Auxiliary, distribute poppies with a request that the person receiving the flower make a donation to support the future of veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families with medical and financial needs.
(WSB photo from 2016)
MEMORIAL DAY FLAGS IN THE JUNCTION: They go up at 9 am Monday and come down at 5 pm:
Community members of all ages are welcome to help put up and take down the flags at 9 am and 5 pm. Volunteers are requested to meet on the northeast corner of California and Alaska.
Inbetween:
MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY: 2-3 pm at Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery (6701 30th SW; WSB sponsor), and you are invited to attend:
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America. The ceremony will be conducted at the flag pole in the cemetery. Free parking can be found at the Forest Lawn office across the street.
After the ceremony, join American Legion Post 160 at its home, 3618 SW Alaska St, for a complimentary community cookout from 3:15 – 5 PM.
(Photo by Chris Frankovich – the Olympic Mountains’ Brothers)
Good morning! Since the day begins with sunrise Easter services, we’re publishing the list early. First, from our Easter & More page:
UCC CHURCHES’ ALKI BEACH SERVICE: 6 am on Alki Beach, with Admiral UCC, Alki UCC, and Fauntleroy UCC. (Fire-pit area near Alki SW/59th SW)
SUNRISE SERVICE AT FOREST LAWN: 6:30 am at Forest Lawn Cemetery & Funeral Home (WSB sponsor) with the West Seattle Ministerial Association. (6701 30th SW)
OTHER SERVICES, SOME WITH SPECIAL EVENTS: See our Easter & More page, with listings sent by 10 local churches, some with events in addition to the services, such as egg hunts for the kids and breakfast or brunch
EGG HUNT AT WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: The market is open 10 am-2 pm as usual, in the heart of The Junction, with a holiday extra:
Kids, search for Easter Eggs hidden all over the market, tell the manager where you found the eggs for a special farmers market prize!
(California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
EGG HUNT IN ARBOR HEIGHTS: Arbor Heights Community Church is hosting an Easter egg hunt for the community at 11:45 am at ARK Park. (SW 102nd St & 42nd SW)
JAMTIME: Old-time music, live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 1-4 pm. (5612 California SW)
Though we don’t have an open-and-closed list for Easter, here are a few notes we did happen to collect:
WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI: It IS running today, its first Sunday of the 7-days-a-week spring/summer schedule.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM CLOSED: The home of West Seattle’s history won’t be open today.
LIBRARIES OPEN: Seattle Public Library branches will be open today (1-5 pm as usual).
EARLY CLOSING: According to the Trader Joe’s website, it closes early today – 5 pm.
Any other open/closed/different-hours notes for today, please text us (206-293-6302) or comment – thanks!
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
This pre-Easter morning full of egg hunts began with the biggest one of all – the only one in our area with aisles of smiles – the West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) egg hunt, with hundreds of hunters finding many ways to cruise around the store:
The Easter Bunny was there as always to offer a paw for a high-five:
The hunting continued, past the freezer cases …
And if you looked closely at the cracker boxes …
Eventually it was time for a break to see what was inside those eggs:
For a trip down the memory aisle – our coverage of the Thriftway egg hunt from the past eight years:
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
This morning also brought the annual egg hunt at Lincoln Park‘s south meadow, presented by Eastridge Church, which has branches in The Junction and on the Eastside, each one presenting a hunt with 40,000 treat-filled eggs promised between the two. Sometimes, just a few are enough to make a little one stop and consider:
The Eastridge event also offered other activities for kids, including face-painting.
After our drippy winter and early spring – the sun was out in full force for this morning’s egg hunts. We photographed some of the younger egg-hunters at High Point Community Center – as they looked around the play equipment, and on the tennis court:
Egg-hunting equipment has gone far beyond Easter baskets – this young participant had a unique tote:
More egg-hunt coverage to come.
It’s been a big morning full of egg hunts around West Seattle and we’re still out covering them. But first – a unique view of the Alki Community Center egg hunt, shared by Don Brubeck – first, above, the eggs are all out on the playfield … and then, kids get the go-ahead to go get them:
Alki is one of four city-run centers that had egg hunts this morning – we’ll have photos from High Point later (as well as two non-CC hunts), and we covered Hiawatha’s week-early hunt last Saturday. If you couldn’t get to any today, there are some tomorrow too, as listed on our Easter & More page.
As we do every year, we’ve continued to update our seasonal-events-and-services West Seattle Easter & More page as info comes in, and the list keeps getting longer as the weekend approaches – egg hunts on both Saturday and Sunday, and religious services all week through Sunday. If you have something coming up tomorrow through Sunday, it’s not too late for us to add it – just e-mail the information to editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks! (The page is here as well as linked from our main navigation bar/menu.)
(Photo from 2015 egg hunt at West Seattle Thriftway [WSB sponsor]; this year’s hunt is at 9 am April 15th)
With Passover starting the night of April 10th and Easter happening April 16th, it’s almost time for lots of special events around our area, so we are launching our annual spring holiday/festival events and services page this weekend – so here’s one more call for you to send us info on what your organization, congregation, venue, etc. is doing! No need for fancy news releases, posters, or flyers – just a few lines about what’s happening, when, and where, in the body of your e-mail, sent to editor@westseattleblog.com. Thanks to those who have already sent theirs, and thanks in advance for yours!
Since St. Patrick’s Day is on Friday this year – one week from tomorrow – many celebrations are a bit early, happening this weekend, like these three:
(WSB photo: WSHS students in 2016 St. Patrick’s Day Parade)
LOCAL STUDENTS IN ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE DOWNTOWN: Saturday (March 11th) at 12:30 pm, three schools have bands in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade downtown. First, the parade overview:
At 12:20 pm, the Irish flag is raised in front of the King County Administration Building, followed by trumpeters playing the Irish and US National Anthems. Then at 12:30 pm, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshals and the Honorary Parade Grand Marshal lead Seattle’s 46th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade up 4th Avenue, traveling north from James St to the reviewing stand at Westlake Park. From there participants are invited to travel for free via the Monorail to the Seattle Center for closing ceremonies at the Irish Festival in the Armory at 2:30 pm.
According to the parade running order, the marching bands from Chief Sealth International High School, West Seattle High School, and Denny International Middle School are participating. (Any other West Seattleites in the parade? Please let us know so we can mention you too!)
LIONS CLUB ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER: Keep wearing the green into Saturday night, when the West Seattle Lions Club invites you to its annual “dinner and karaoke extravaganza” at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon). $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for children under 12. “Dinner includes traditional St. Patrick’s Day fare. Adult beverages available at cost.” RSVP requested – call Cheryl, 206-909-6427.
TIBBETTS UMC ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY: Then on Sunday, 11:30 am-1 pm, Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) invites you to a St. Patrick’s Day party/lunch in the Fellowship Hall (3940 41st SW): “We welcome all to this free and fun gathering that includes a warm meal and crafts. We will be serving homemade potato chowder. We’ll have crafting supplies on hand for all ages to inspire creativity.”
And other St. Patrick’s Day festivities are set for next week – see the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar.
Fleurt, the West Seattle Junction’s flower and gift shop, has rejoined the WSB sponsor team for Valentine season 2017, and wants you to know:
*Extended hours Monday (10 am-6 pm) and Tuesday (8 am until 6 or 7)
*Pickups available today through Tuesday
*Fleurt delivers in West Seattle and throughout the metro area – same-day delivery available
*Order online, fleurtseattle.com
*Call direct for orders, 206-937-1103
*Follow Fleurt on Instagram for a special Valentine’s Day giveaway
*”Flowers are Fleurt’s specialty – but don’t forget, we are a gift shop filled with goodies. Some of our favorites are jewelry, perfume, candles, lotions, scarves, plants and terrariums.”
*Also doing a pop-up shop at Cupcake Royale in West Seattle and pop-up shops in Anthropologie Downtown and Anthro University Village, Tuesday 2/14 11 am to 5 pm. Many regular customers have placed pre-orders for convenient pickup downtown and the University village location.
(Photo credit Josiah Michael Photography)
Two more biznotes for this Valentine season:
PLANNING TO PROPOSE? If you’ve been planning to propose to your beloved this Valentine’s Day, you might want to enter a fun contest just announced by Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW) – they’re looking for a couple who would get Ounces all to themselves for the occasion, and get a beer named after them. Read all about it – and enter, if you choose to – by going here.
MINI PORTRAIT PHOTO SESSION: In case you haven’t already seen this in the WSB Calendar – bring your kid(s) to My Three Little Birds (6959 California SW; WSB sponsor) next Friday-Saturday (11 am-2 pm February 10th-11th) for mini-portrait shoots with photographer Rachel McGuire! $40 for three images. Visit the shop or e-mail rachel@rachelmcguirephotography.com to see what spots are left.
In addition to the transportation changes we noted earlier – more holiday info:
LIBRARIES: Closed
PARKS FACILITIES: Most closed, but the West Seattle Golf Course is open
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: Post offices closed, no delivery/pickup
MLK DAY OF SERVICE: We don’t know whether they have room for more volunteers, but here again is our preview with four local work parties – three in West Seattle, one in White Center. (If you’re out on a Day of Service project today – please consider sending us a photo!)
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School plays tonight in the 4th annual MLK Day Unity Hoop Showcase at Garfield High School. Doors open at 4; WSHS plays Eastside Catholic at 5 pm; it’s Cleveland vs. Franklin at 7 pm. Admission $10. (400 23rd Ave.)
9:29 PM MONDAY: Next Monday is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day and many observe the holiday as a Day of Service, with volunteer work. So far we have three opportunities on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for that day – a 9 am-noon work party in the Fauntleroy/Juneau triangle and two 10 am-2 pm work parties – one on Longfellow Creek, and another in the West Duwamish Greenbelt. Each of those links will take you to info about the event and how to be part of it. If there are other opportunities in West Seattle on MLK Day, we’d like to add them to the calendar too – please send us the info ASAP, editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
ADDED 1:03 PM TUESDAY: One more! From Lina:
Celebrate MLK Day with King County Parks staff and neighbors as we work to improve the health of White Center Heights Park. Event is 10 am-2 pm and we will be learning about the plants and animals of the park, digging out blackberry and planting native trees and shrubs. Please contact Lina Rose for more information – lina.rose@kingcounty.gov, 206.491.5014
It’s the unofficial end to the holiday season every year on Alki Beach – a crowd gathers to burn Christmas trees. The 2017 edition happened last night; thanks to Mikayla Reynaud for sharing the photo today.
Thinking twice about leaving, or putting, your tree out, with a little more snow possibly on the way? Tomorrow you can drop it off for recycling with the Rainbow Girls, during their annual tree-recycling event at the Masonic Center in The Junction. Take it to the lot on the northeast corner of 40th and Edmunds in The Junction between 9 am and 1 pm Saturday. It’s a service the youth group is providing as a fundraiser, by donation, no set amount – give what you can.
(Pre-swim photo by Jacob Nieman – note the crowd size!)
Thanks to everyone who shared photos and video from this morning’s 2017 West Seattle Polar Bear Swim at Alki Beach!
(Photo by Robert Spears)
A good, if frosty, time was had by all, so far as we could tell – 33-degree air, 50-degree water, exactly the same as last year. Here’s our video of this morning’s countdown and run in:
(WSB video by Patrick Sand)
At the start of our clip, the countdown is being led by Mark Ufkes, who organizes this every year – he’s in the next photo with the megaphone:
(Photo by Russ Walker)
Here’s a wider view of the big splash:
(Video by Kendall Browne)
For some, the Polar Bear Swim is a spectator sport – this guy told us he was there to cheer on his 15-year-old daughter, participating for the first time:
(This photo and next 5 are by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Some of the other sights – maybe the most-formal swimmer (or maybe just hadn’t been home since the NYE party):
Think we saw this dinosaur back on Halloween:
We noted the lampshade in a pre-swim tweet – and spotted it on the beach under someone else’s care:
Another standout hat:
Die-hard Cougar fan:
Maybe a tropical print helped make up for the almost-freezing air:
(Photo by Russ Walker)
Whatever you were or weren’t wearing, there was post-swim chowder, courtesy of nearby Duke’s:
(WSB photo)
And memories that will linger until next New Year’s Day:
(Photo by Robert Spears)
(WSB photo)
(added 7:30 pm) One more video of the big swim – this one is by Anthony Decena:
P.S. Here’s our coverage from previous years:
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
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