West Seattle, Washington
18 Monday
(SPD motorcycles in The Junction)
Before this very busy weekend concludes, one last round of photos from the 2014 West Seattle Grand Parade – hundreds of community members, on foot and on wheels …
**CLICK AHEAD FOR 22 MORE PHOTOS**
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7:05 PM: Thanks to the texter who just called our attention to an emergency callout on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge at the exit to northbound Highway 99 – they say it’s a flipped car. Can’t tell from the cameras in the area at this point, but we’re checking.
7:13 PM UPDATE: Seattle Police just tweeted that it’s a single-car crash and no injuries are reported, but the ramp is blocked.
7:21 PM UPDATE: Police are calling for an SDOT crew to clean up the scene, saying over emergency radio that since it’s upside down, its fluids are running out.
8:46 PM UPDATE: In comments, Morgan Junction Mom says this isn’t clear yet but progress is being made.
8:52 PM UPDATE: And now SPD has tweeted that the ramp is open again.
Next big event in your West Seattle summer: The Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series (with WSB among the co-sponsors) gets going this Thursday night, July 24th. Above, the video for “Cool” by Eclectic Approach, the first band in this year’s series. Bring friends, family, a blanket and/or chair(s), picnic dinner, and enjoy free live music at 6:30 pm this Thursday and each of the five that follow.
Thanks to Bob Venezia for sharing the photo – he reports seeing that crow near Lincoln Park before noon today. Is it albino, or “just” white? Experts explain there is a difference. We learned a bit about non-black crows back in 2008, when “Leucy” the leucistic crow appeared in this WSB story (that bird died the next year on our record 103-degree day). Has anyone seen this bird before?
The “Share the Shore” T-shirt is on sale in the Seal Sitters‘ booth at the Alki Art Fair, lining the promenade on the west end of Alki Beach Park until this evening. Today artists and musicians are sharing the shore as the festival continues – the Tri-Cities Steel Band Association played during our visit:
The music lineup is on a whiteboard at the site – click here for a photo. Artists include locals such as North Delridge photographer Holli Margell:
While you’re there – at the east end of the promenade, admire the piano that just arrived as part of Pianos in the Parks (reported here Thursday):
Transportation to the fair includes a shuttle bus from West Seattle High School (3000 California SW) again this year.
A peaceful, beautiful landscape including stone and water features is one of the nine residential stops on this year’s West Seattle Garden Tour, under way until 5 pm. This is where you’ll find renowned photographer Art Wolfe, who is there talking with visitors (below, in sunglasses) as well as selling and signing his books.
Also open for Garden Tour visitors, the 35th/Barton P-Patch.
Its masonry oven was in action this morning, baking fresh bagels:
Other stops on the tour – listed and mapped in the ticket book but not online – range from Admiral to Gatewood. It’s self-guided, so you don’t have to go in any particular order, as long as you complete your tour by 5 pm – ticket-book locations are on the right side of the WSGT home page.
ORIGINAL 11:50 AM “HAPPENING NOW” REPORT: Since 10 am this morning, WestSide Baby volunteers have been greeting community members donating diapers at Stuff the Bus headquarters in the HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) parking lot (northeast corner of 41st/Alaska) – and lots of other satellite locations. As the sign in the lower-right corner of the photo points out, food stamps don’t buy diapers. And babies/toddlers without diapers cannot be taken to day care so that their parent(s) can go to work. Your donations help families get on their feet and get to a point where they don’t need help any more. Here’s the list of donation locations – one might be near you even if you’re not in WS today! P.S. WS Baby reports that as of about 11:35 am, today’s donations have totaled about 28,000 diapers.
7:35 PM UPDATE: As of the 2 pm end of the major part of today’s drive, 41,450 diapers had been collected at the West Seattle location alone, with a drive-wide total of 260,713 diapers, per WS Baby. Fourth from left below is Krista, the donor who put them past today’s local goal:
While today’s drive was vital for myriad reasons including matching donations, you can donate to WS Baby throughout the year – check this page any time for current needs and where/how to donate.
West Seattle photographer/pilot Long B. Nguyen flew over the Alki Art Fair on Saturday. The fair’s second day is one of today’s highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. But first:
WEST SEATTLE GARDEN TOUR: Buy a ticket book and you can tour nine fab local residential gardens 9 am-5 pm today, including – as noted here Saturday – that of world-famous photographer Art Wolfe, who will be there to meet visitors and sign books. Noon lecture with Susie Egan at The Kenney (WSB sponsor). Ticket-book locations on the right side of the WSGT home page – the tour sites are listed and mapped in the ticket book. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits (including the raffle held during the tour!).
Speaking of local nonprofits – today is a HUGE donation drive for one:
WESTSIDE BABY ‘STUFF THE BUS’ DAY: Every year, the day after WestSide Baby‘s bus rolls down the West Seattle Grand Parade route, the family-assisting agency collects tens of thousands of diapers for babies/toddlers in need. The main dropoff spot is HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) at 41st/Alaska, but there are lots of other spots you can drop off diapers too – see them here. Safeway stores also are offering deals on diapers, with on-site dropoffs. The HomeStreet site is open 10-2 – bring the kids and they can honk the bus horn.
ALKI ART FAIR, DAY 2: Second day for local artists to set up along the boardwalk at the west end of Alki Beach Park and show/sell their wares. Music and food, too. Today’s hours 10 am-6 pm, with music and food running later (check the schedule on site); free shuttle from West Seattle High School. And look for Seal Sitters at the art fair – read about their activities here, including a chance to raise money for them by dining nearby while you’re on Alki.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always, in The Junction, with summer produce reaching its peak. (44th/Alaska)
MEDITERRANEAN FANTASY FESTIVAL, DAY 2: 11 am-5 pm, “MedFest” features belly dancers on two stages (no admission charge) at Hiawatha Community Center. Performance schedule here; vendor map/list here. (2700 California SW)
AUTHOR SIGNING: 1-3 pm at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village, Barbara Jean Hicks, author of “Frozen: A Sister More Like Me,” will be signing. (2600 SW Barton)
WHITE CENTER JUBILEE DAYS: Live music 11 am-6 pm as part of the WCJD street fair on 17th between Roxbury and 100th – info here.
JAMTIME: Live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) 1-3 pm. (5612 California SW)
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: Greenstage‘s “Backyard Bard” version of “Comedy of Errors,” 3 pm at High Point Commons Park, free. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
JOSH HARTY & ANDREA PETERMAN: 7:30 pm, they’re onstage at Kenyon Hall – details in our listing. (7904 25th SW)
AND THAT’S NOT ALL … see everything by going to our calendar.
It’s West Seattle Hi-Yu‘s 80th anniversary – so here’s a separate look at their West Seattle Grand Parade appearance:
This year’s contingent included the first male Hi-Yu royalty to appear in a West Seattle parade, Senior Court Prince Hang:
Last year’s Senior Court queen, April Davis, is on the left below, riding with other participants in the Seafair Scholarship Program for Women – that coronation at next Saturday’s Torchlight Parade downtown:
After their time on the parade route was done, this year’s royalty gathered to watch the rest of the parade:
They’re scheduled to be in the Torchlight Parade too. And if you know a young lady or gentleman who might want to be part of Hi-Yu next year … watch westseattlehiyu.com for information on how to apply.
PARADE COVERAGE: One more photo gallery ahead, later Sunday – with the people and sights not already shown here or in these previous reports:
#3: The winners
#2: The Kiddie Parade
#1: First quick clips
(Also, a separate report on the Float Dodger 5K)
All our Grand Parade coverage over the years is archived here.
First coyote report in a while. It’s from Chris:
At 11:45 PM I saw a coyote in the middle of the California-Southern intersection [map]. I was 1/4 block away from it, on the east side of California at Elmgrove. I got a pretty good look at it. I was with my dog and it stopped and looked at us and turned around and went west on Southern towards Northrup. I crossed the street and looked down Southern and it turned around and looked at us again from mid block then continued west on Southern past Northrup. It looked like a healthy young one. I was glad it was wary of us.
Making sure we and coyotes stay wary of each other is a major recommendation of experts – here’s what else the state has to say.
The other day, Mark sent a Crime Watch report saying his bicycle had been stolen, with a child’s bike left in its place. He included a photo in hopes of at least finding that bicycle’s owner. JP saw the note and recognized it as his daughter Claire‘s new bike – which indeed had been stolen – and now, she has it back, and JP sent the above photo to share:
Thank you Mark and West Seattle Blog for reuniting Claire with her stolen bike! You made my daughter very happy! We hope Mark’s bike is found as well.
Shortly after today’s West Seattle Grand Parade concluded, the award winners were announced, and our video above shows parade-presenting Rotary Club of West Seattle president Shane Carew making the announcements. Here’s the list, followed by information on how trophies can be claimed if your organization/group/etc. won but wasn’t there to accept the award:
OVERALL GRAND PRIZE WINNERS
1st Place – Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band (above)
2nd Place – Sumner High School Marching Band (above)
3rd Place – The Dolls & Gents Drill Team & DrumlineBANDS
1st Place – Kennedy Catholic High School Marching BandCLOWNS
1st Place – Seattle Seafair Clowns (above)
2nd Place – Lake City Vigilantes
3rd Place – Keystone KopsPERFORMING ACTS
1st Place – Pathfinder K-8 School Unicycle Team
2nd Place – Joyas Mestizas – Seattle Mexican Folk Dance Youth (photo above)
3rd Place – Seafair Pirates (photo above)
COMMERCIAL
1st Place – Luna Park Cafe (above)
2nd Place – The Little Gym of West Seattle (above)
3rd Place – Ronald McDonaldCARS & ANTIQUE CARS
1st Place – King County Metro Transit (above)
2nd Place – 1942 American LaFrance Fire Truck (above)
3rd Place – Hope Lutheran School (above)
DRILL TEAMS, JUNIOR
1st Place – The Princesses of Elegance Drill Team (video above)
2nd Place – Washington Diamonds Drill Team (photo above)
3rd Place – Anointed to Praise Drill TeamDRILL TEAMS, SENIOR
1st Place – The Ladies of Elegance Drill Team2nd Place – Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team
3rd Place – Diva Upgrades Drill Team
COMMUNITY
1st Place – Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish & School
2nd Place – Seattle Lutheran High School Robotics
3rd Place – Southside Revolution – Jr. Roller Derby
FLOATS
1st – WS Rotary Foundation Trophy: Marysville Strawberry Festival Float
We have at least one more parade report to come – but in the meantime, a message for the winners from parade co-coordinator Dave Vague: “The trophies are set out at the Legion Hall, which will be open 9 – 4 Monday through Friday next week, and the phone number is 932-9696.”
The West Seattle Garden Tour is about the gardeners as well as the gardens. On this year’s WSGT – 9 am-5 pm tomorrow – the nine residential gardens includes one belonging to someone who is world-renowned for his amazing images of our Earth’s beautiful creatures and places – photographer Art Wolfe. You can see a preview on his Facebook page. Your WSGT ticket book also gets you in to Susie Egan‘s lecture at The Kenney (WSB sponsor) at noon. If you don’t have your ticket book yet – it includes the gardens’ addresses – you should be able to get one in the morning before going on the tour at locations that are open on Sunday, including Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor) and West Seattle Nursery (all ticket locations are listed on the right side of the WSGT home page).
(MORE PARADE COVERAGE: Scroll through this archive)
(Photo by Steve Fuller; others by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
If you watch the West Seattle Grand Parade from somewhere along the final three blocks, between Genesee and Edmunds, you get to see the Kiddie Parade, which the Rotary Club of West Seattle presented for years before taking over production of the Grand Parade itself starting this year. It’s open to all kids (and their chaperones). Here are some of the participants – starting with one young lady who brought a float!
She was one of more than a few in costume:
Pre-parade, here’s the Junior All-City Band getting ready – coached by All-City Band members:
For more of our 2014 parade-day coverage, scroll through our coverage archive here.
You can see a lot in just a little time at the Mediterranean Fantasy Festival, where dance performances continue until 7 tonight – two stages – schedule here! During a brief visit this afternoon, we saw 3 groups/performers – including Saqra’s Shamal Dance Co. (above) and Christine (below):
And back outdoors, Rachel George was onstage:
All free! And it’s not just dancing – outside (plus a few tables inside), dancing apparel, accessories, and another adornments are available – as is food! Tomorrow’s hours for the festival at Hiawatha Community Center are 11 am-5 pm.
Two updates as we get closer to tonight’s first West Seattle Outdoor Movies event of the season, with “Gravity” (Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, 2013) onscreen in the courtyard by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW; WSB sponsor). Two updates:
*One of tonight’s sponsors, Pagliacci Pizza, is bringing slices – free! (first come, first served)
*Movie’s free but it would be great if you could bring a **nonperishable food donation** for local food-bank clients
Again, the gates open at 6:30 pm; the movie starts at dusk, which tonight means around 9 pm, and earlier each subsequent week. Bring your own chair/blankets. Raffle tickets will be sold – prizes vary each week – proceeds go to local nonprofits, as is the case with concessions (popcorn, candy, beverages). The full-season lineup of six movies is on the official site at wsmovies.org. (WSB is proud to again be WSOM’s media sponsor.)
This year’s West Seattle Grand Parade is over in The Admiral District as of about 10 minutes ago. Our first report features some quick clips, mostly via Instagram (which has a :15 maximum). Top – the WestSide Baby Daddy Drill Team – as always, WS Baby is looking ahead to the day-after-parade Stuff the Bus Diaper Drive, tomorrow 10 am-2 pm outside HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) at 41st/Alaska (with other dropoff locations). Next – the new Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby Team:
Toward the start of the parade, the Vancouver (BC) Motorcycle Drill Team, which doesn’t perform in any other Seattle-area parades.
A parade surprise from the Seafair Pirates – they had a cannon, but no warning siren because no Moby Duck.
Someone hollered, “Where’s the boat?” One pirate replied, “In drydock – as of about 10 o’clock last night.” More parade stories to come with lots of photos and video … congratulations to organizers and participants for another great time..
9:42 AM: First big event up this morning – the pre-parade Float Dodger 5K, third annual edition. Our crew at the starting line at California/Charlestown says that run presenter West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) has 450 people signed up. They’re scheduled to take off at about 9:45, headed north to the spot in our top photo – California/Lander, where the West Seattle Hi-Yu float awaits the “dodgers,” who then head back south along the parade route toward The Junction. The 5K is a fundraiser benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. More to come.
10 AM: The runners have dodged the float – here’s a short clip:
We’ll have more photos/video to add later – but first, it’s on with the parade!
ADDED 4:36 PM: Photos – this is a race you dress up for!
Haven’t seen the results yet (if you see them first, please let us know so we can share the link).
ADDED: One more view of the “dodging” at California/Lander:
And as commenter JRR pointed out earlier, you can look up the results here.
SUNDAY NOTE: Tim from WSR updates the participation in count in comments. We have changed the number in the headline to 350+ as a result.
(Added 9:31 am – Holy Rosary parade entry waiting at the start of the route)
A cloudy start to the day, and a bit of drizzle as of just before 8, but don’t let that keep you home – the overall rain chance is low, and the big events today/tonight are rain or shine! First, remember that California will be closed by 9 am from Admiral Way south to SW Edmunds for the first two big events (earlier on the north side of the route – and before catching a bus, check the reroutes here), continuing until 1 pm or so:
FLOAT DODGER 5K: Last-minute signups start at 8, race starts just after 9:30 from just outside race-presenting West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor). Fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. (California/Charlestown; course map here)
WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE (AND KIDDIE PARADE): The parade begins with the motorcycle drill teams – Seattle Police and Vancouver (BC) Police – leaving California/Lander and heading south at about 10:30 am. Then at 11 am, the rest of the parade follows; also at 11 am, the Kiddie Parade leaves from California/Genesee – all welcome to participate, just start staging there around 10:30 am. End of the parade route is California/Edmunds in The Junction. Starting this year, the Rotary Club of West Seattle is presenting the parade; Grand Marshal is Medal of Honor-winning ret. Col. Bruce Crandall; Orville Rummel Community Service Trophy winner is longtime community advocate/volunteer Earl Cruzen, who will be represented by wife Adah Cruzen; West Seattle personality Marty Riemer announces the parade for the first time, from California/Alaska in The Junction. Free and fun. (Route map)
Also:
DUWAMISH HERITAGE DAY: 10 am-5 pm, events at the Duwamish Longhouse – details in our calendar listing. (4205 W. Marginal Way SW)
ALKI ART FAIR: On the promenade, both sides of the Bathhouse, art, music, and food, both days this weekend, starting today at 10 am; booths until 6, music until 9 (no schedule online as of last website check, but you should find one onsite). Shuttle from West Seattle High School parking lot. (61st/Alki)
‘COFFEE WITH A COMMISSIONER’: 10 am-11 am, meet a member of the city’s LGBT Commission at Caffé Ladro in south Morgan Junction for “Coffee with a Commissioner,” to discuss issues, concerns, ideas, questions relating to city resources or policies regarding LGBTQ and ally Seattleites. (California/Myrtle)
MEDITERRANEAN FANTASY FESTIVAL: In and around Hiawatha Community Center, belly-dancing performances, vendors, food, both days this weekend, starting today at 11 am – today’s dance performances (until 7 pm) listed here; vendors listed/mapped here. (2700 California SW)
WHITE CENTER JUBILEE DAYS: While West Seattle is celebrating a big day, so is our southern neighbor, including a street fair on 17th (closed between 100th and Roxbury) and a 2:30 pm parade (16th SW from 112th north to 100th). Details at jubileedays.org.
WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: First of six Saturday nights this summer with free outdoor movies in the Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) courtyard – bring your own chair/blanket, and $ for raffle prizes/concessions that raise money for nonprofits. Tonight’s movie: “Gravity.” Gates open 6:30 pm, movie at dusk (9-ish) – don’t be late, as the courtyard usually fills up. (4410 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1974 REUNION: 6:30 pm. Signup deadline is past but if for some reason you missed all the announcements – here’s our calendar listing.
NIGHTLIFE … live music and more; see the listings on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar.
On the eve of the West Seattle Grand Parade (Saturday morning from California/Lander south to California/Edmunds, 10:30 am motorcycle drill teams’ start, 11 am full parade, preceded by the Float Dodger 5K at 9:30):
A NIGHT FOR PARADE PREPS: Potter Construction (WSB sponsor) shared the photo above as they worked on their entry in tomorrow’s parade. Potter is a parade sponsor, as are we (though we’ll be on the sidelines covering it).
ORVILLE RUMMEL WINNER FILL-IN: The parade-presenting Rotary Club of West Seattle says that Orville Rummel Trophy for Outstanding Community Service winner Earl Cruzen is too sick to ride in the parade, so his wife Adah Cruzen will be filling in, riding in a 1957 Cadillac convertible that’ll be the second car in the parade. Earl will be honored one more way – a proclamation from King County Executive Dow Constantine that Saturday will be Earl Cruzen Day in the county (click image to see full-size PDF):
As the proclamation notes, Earl Cruzen received a similar city honor in 2008.
TRAFFIC NOTES: We are asked every year, how early will the Float Dodger 5K/Parade route be closed on California? The true answer is, it varies, but don’t push it. Parade co-coordinator Jim Edwards says the Admiral to Hanford section of California closes when the first float shows up – could be as early as 7:30. From Hanford south to Edmunds, that closes when SPD enforcement assistance shows up, likely around 9 am. Side-street parking on 42nd, 44th, and 45th will have restrictions starting early in the morning. And as Jim warns, “Stay away from Walnut and Lander” because not only is it close to the parade staging zone, that side of Hiawatha Community Center will have loading under way for the Mediterranean Fantasy Festival.
PARADE OVERVIEW: More than 75 entries, with hundreds of people when you count the drill teams, community/school/church groups, etc. They include Seattle summertime-parade season’s most popular and award-winning entries such as the Chinese Community Girls’ Drill Team, All-City Band, and Seafair Pirates, as well as floats including West Seattle Hi-Yu and Marysville Strawberry Festival. New entries we haven’t mentioned yet include the Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby, which is still recruiting for its debut season.
(2013 WSB photo)
And late additions include Tracy Dart and her cancer-fighting Team Tracy (above), sponsored by Alki Party Treasures (WSB sponsor).
Go stake out a spot and have fun – and remember, the Kiddie Parade welcomes all kids, gathering at California/Genesee around 10:30 and heading south from there at 11, ahead of the rest of the parade. We’ll have traffic/bus-reroute reminders in our first morning preview, and parade coverage as it happens.
Sarah, Susan, Constance, and Ariana posed with leafy greens at the first Delridge Grocery Friday Farmstand because that’s all they had left by the time we got there at 7 pm. Ariana reports the stand had a line for the first two hours as buyers scooped up all the fruit. We mentioned the produce offerings in this morning’s daily preview; next Friday, they’re likely to have more raspberries and blueberries, cherries, peaches, greens, tomatoes, summer squash, and green onions, among other offerings. The farmstand is a sort of appetizer for the future Delridge Grocery, the cooperative store that volunteers are working to open in the commercial space of DESC’s Cottage Grove Commons. To add to the festive flavor of today’s stand, live music was provided by Thaddeus Spae.
Look for the farmstand’s second edition just south of Delridge Branch Library (5423 Delridge Way SW) next Friday (July 25th), 4:30-7:30 pm.
6:33 PM: Big Seattle Fire response right now to a possible house fire in the 7900 block of Delridge Way SW. More to come.
6:44 PM UPDATE: It was a case of “food on the stove” – lots of smoke, being aired out now.
With two-year superintendent José Banda officially getting the Sacramento job this week, the Seattle Public Schools Board did not waste any time announcing an interim superintendent to succeed him. They’ve just chosen Dr. Larry Nyland, much-acclaimed in his nine years as Marysville superintendent, which ended with his retirement last year, during which time he was chosen as state Superintendent of the Year and was a finalist for the corresponding national honor. His long career also includes leadership of the Pasco School District, interim leadership of Shoreline schools, and six years as Chief Academic Officer/Human Resources Director in Highline Public Schools south of Seattle. His Seattle roots run deep; he is a 1966 graduate of Roosevelt High School. He’s expected to start work August 1st, and the board promises information soon on how it will search for a permanent superintendent.
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