West Seattle, Washington
01 Wednesday
This is part of the info on the WSB 4th of July page (see the JULY 4TH tab under the header), but in case you haven’t seen it there yet – police are NOT planning any traffic/parking changes on Alki. The only major traffic effect you’ll notice Sunday is that if you happen to be heading northbound on California SW in North Admiral during the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade (which starts at 10 am), you’ll have to stop for a while as the parade crosses from the neighborhood west of California to Hamilton Viewpoint. (9:21 am addendum: 61st SW also will be closed 12:30-3 pm Sunday between SW Stevens and Alki SW for the Alki Homestead rally/photo – we’re told that it’ll be reopened sooner if the crowd clears before 3.)
Sure, fireworks are great, but the big 4th of July fun in West Seattle happens about 12 hours earlier – as hundreds of kids and parents from all over WS fill North Admiral streets for the annual Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade. It’s coming up Sunday morning (here’s our original preview) – followed by family fun at Hamilton Viewpoint, with concession sales handled this year by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, also offering its new T-shirts and jackets publicly for the first time. Above is the logo that’s on the front of T-shirts and back of jackets; below right, the back of a kids’ shirt shows the ship’s-wheel logo on the back of the shirts and front of the jackets. More from ANA president Katy Walum:
The first batch of Admiral t-shirts and jackets is IN, and we’ll be debuting them at our concessions table at the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade! Mike Barker, owner of Admiral Tattoo, graciously designed the logos for us gratis – love that Admiral Tattoo! – and we’ve printed them up on American Apparel (U.S.A.-made, sweat-free) gear.
We’ll be selling the men’s and women’s t-shirts, in royal blue and red, for $20 each, and the kids’ t-shirts, in navy blue and red, for $15 each. Also available are stylish navy blue track jackets, in men’s sizes, for $50 each. A fantastic way to show your Admiral pride!
You’ll also want to stop by and see us at the end of the parade to purchase some tasty treats. Just look for our umbrella – we’ll have a pushcart with three varieties of popsicles for sale. In addition, we’ll be selling bottled water, juice boxes, chips, AND some local confections donated by our friends at Little Rae’s Bakery, Sugar Rush Bakery, and Metropolitan Market! You’re sure to find something to enjoy at our table as you celebrate the holiday with your friends and family at Hamilton Viewpoint.
All proceeds from the sales of these items will go to the Admiral Neighborhood Association, to help us to keep doing great things for this community! We will gladly accept your cash or local check.
We look forward to seeing you all at this great family event. Thank you all for your support of this community, and here’s hoping for sunshine!
Again, all are welcome to walk/ride (bikes/scooters/wagons/strollers) in the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade, which starts at 10 am at 44th/Sunset (map) – parking can be challenging since that’s in the middle of a residential neighborhood (streets close for the event, and police help the parade get safely across California SW toward the end) so take the bus, carpool, etc., if you can.
They were a hit last year, and this summer, SDOT is sending weekend traffic alerts again. This coming weekend is particularly busy, so read on to see the full list (which we’ll also link to the WSB July 4th page), which includes mention of the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade (all welcome to participate!):Read More
(Photo by Gilbert, taken at Hamilton Viewpoint on July 4, 2009)
The annual WSB 4th of July events/info page will be up tomorrow morning for easy reference throughout the coming week. But while it’s still in progress, a few notes if you’re looking ahead to the holiday: The Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade is happening once again, with every kid in West Seattle invited to join in (families too) – followed by fun activities at Hamilton Viewpoint – details in our previous preview. Fireworks-wise, it’s the second consecutive year with no Elliott Bay display, but much of the Lake Union Family 4th show can be seen from northernmost West Seattle, particularly spots like Hamilton Viewpoint – this is the one saved by donations around the city, mostly from businesses (we chipped in, as did WSB sponsors Ventana Construction and Merrill Gardens). Some in southwesternmost West Seattle (Arbor Heights, the Arroyos) will have a view of the Three Tree Point fireworks, which are also donation-supported (more info here). And in case this is your first 4th of July here, a reminder about fireworks laws: They are illegal in Seattle, but not in unincorporated King County, where legal fireworks stands are allowed to open starting at noon tomorrow (the northernmost one we spotted setting up tonight is in the bowling alley parking lot across from Roxbury Safeway). However, even though sales start tomorrow, fireworks use in the unincorporated area (which is smaller since the North Highline South/North Burien annexation took effect this spring) is only legal 9 am-midnight on the 4th. (Leaving the area for the holiday? Here’s the full list of fireworks displays around the state.)
If you have a 4th of July event in West Seattle or White Center that’s open to the public, please let us know ASAP so we can include it in our calendar and on the forthcoming holiday page!
(WSB photo from July 4, 2009)
Now that it’s Monday, we are less than two weeks away from the 4th of July, rain or shine. And this year will be the 15th for a West Seattle family tradition – the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade. You don’t have to be an Admiral resident to be part of it – it’s for anyone and everyone in West Seattle – no pre-registration required, either. It’s already been mentioned in our reports from Admiral Neighborhood Association meetings, since ANA is handling concessions this year, but this morning we’re also sharing some other details from parade organizer Sherri Chun: She says start time is 10 am at 44th/Sunset (map); King County Executive (and Admiral resident) Dow Constantine will be the kickoff speaker; West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty will be there too; as always, games and concessions will follow at the end of the parade route, at Hamilton Viewpoint. Sherri also sends a hearty thanks to sponsors Weitzel Construction (providing the porta-potties), speech therapist Kayle Shulenberger, and Holy Rosary School. Here’s the official flyer; this is a grass-roots effort, as always, so spread the word – the parade through neighborhood streets is always quite the sight, and a great way to start the holiday.
(Post 160 retiring the colors as the 40-minute service concluded)
Just an hour and a half after a ferocious rainshower, the sun finally made its West Seattle Memorial Day Weekend 2010 debut in time for the annual service at Dignity Memorial-Forest Lawn Cemetery and Funeral Home (WSB sponsor) honoring those who have served.
Seattle Opera mezzo-soprano Melissa Plagemann sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America” (with attendees joining in the latter, as you can hear in our clip):
American Legion Post 160 Commander Chris Shea, a Navy veteran, reflected on the USA’s long history of fighting for our, and others’, rights: “We must remember, we are Americans. We do not give up – we value our freedom.” The dozens in attendance knew that firsthand – they included veterans as well as relatives of those who had served and are buried at Forest Lawn, crosses and flags marking their graves this weekend, like every Memorial Day. Shea acknowledged these are challenging times, but no challenge is insurmountable:
This was his fifth time speaking at the annual service. ADDED 6:39 PM: Kristen Rasmussen from the West Seattle Big Band (which you can see at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse celebration next Thursday) played Taps:
That photo is courtesy of Jim Edwards (who has played it in previous years) and whose Life son Kyle Edwards from Scout Troop 284 was photographed by WSB as he walked up the knoll to place the wreath at the Forest Lawn Tomb of the Unknown Soldier:
(Almost 400 of the 1,300+ crosses that are up at Forest Lawn this weekend are brand-new, thanks to Kyle’s Eagle Scout project, his dad tells us.)
WEST SEATTLE MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE: 2 pm, Dignity Memorial-Forest Lawn (WSB sponsor), details here
WHAT’S OPERATING DIFFERENTLY TODAY? No school, no mail, no government offices (with a few exceptions), no banks, Metro on a Sunday schedule, Sound Transit Express buses on a Sunday schedule, most city-run community center/park facilities (including Southwest Pool) and libraries closed; if you go to a Seattle neighborhood with parking pay stations/meters, note that there’s no charge today (“parking holiday”)
WHAT’S OPERATING AS USUAL TODAY? Trash/recycling/yard waste pickup is normal, King County Water Taxi runs a regular weekday schedule (as do its shuttle buses), Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth state ferries running regular schedule, state liquor stores are open, as is Colman Pool
OTHER NOTES We don’t usually compile a coffee/restaurant list for this holiday – Thanksgiving and Christmas are the big ones for that – but we do know our coffee-shop sponsors, Hotwire Coffee and Cupcake Royale, are both open today. From our restaurant-sponsor ranks, Feedback Lounge is open and offering their new $5 Lunch and $1 Munchie Monday specials. And from the WSB inbox, West 5 sent word they “will be open (today), and we’ll have our delightful Weekend Fare menu available from 11:00 to 4:00.” Wondering about other West Seattle businesses? More than 120 are on the WSB West Seattle Businesses Twitter list – if you use Twitter, look to see if they’re tweeting today.
By early afternoon, the team at Dignity Memorial-Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery (WSB sponsor) had finished the job that volunteer Scouts had helped with the day before – placing about 1,300 flags atop the graves of veterans buried there. Tonight and tomorrow night, starting at 6, a bagpiper will play; we’ll add video of that later. (added 8:41 pm – here’s bagpiper Tyrone Heade)
People who stop by this weekend to honor someone’s memory also will find a hospitality table with coffee/tea, plus maps if they have trouble finding a specific gravesite, and Monday at 2 pm, the annual West Seattle Memorial Day Service, co-presented by American Legion Post 160, will be held near the flagpole on the cemetery’s south-central side.
Richard e-mailed WSB to share these photos, explaining:
Every Easter Sunday morning for the past few years, we’ve awoken to find the fences, shrubbery and landscaping in the alley between 36th/37th/Findlay and Juneau [map] artistically festooned with hundreds of yellow marshmallow ‘Peeps’. We have have a couple neighbors who we think are the ‘Peepers’, but we’re not sure (and we don’t feel like getting up in the middle of the night to catch them in the act!). The kids and families along our block love this, and we think it’s a great and fun tradition. I’m attaching some pics of their ‘artwork’. Happy Easter! (p.s.–I took all the pics this morning at 8:30)
ADDED 2:26 PM: And from somewhere else in West Seattle – Karen sent a photo, saying her daughter discovered the chickens love Peeps too:
ADDED MONDAY MORNING: We got one more batch of photos from a mystery sender. This is our favorite:
On this Easter Sunday/second-to-last night of Passover, here are some of the West Seattle highlights:
ANNUAL EASTER MORNING SUNRISE SERVICE: Forest Lawn, 6701 30th SW (map), 6:30 am. Sponsored by the West Seattle Ministerial Association, which says Holy Rosary‘s Father John Madigan will today become the first Roman Catholic priest to preach at the nondenominational tradition. Outdoors unless it’s raining, in which case it’s in the chapel; refreshments afterward.
OTHER CHURCH HIGHLIGHTS: Another outdoor tradition, West Seattle’s three UCC churches have a sunrise service at 7 am on Alki Beach (east of the Bathhouse) … Many churches have breakfasts and egg hunts, including WSB sponsor Tibbetts United Methodist Church, where breakfast is served 8-9:45, preceding 10 am service, which is followed by their egg hunt …
EASTER BRUNCH: Many more West Seattle restaurants serving brunch every weekend this year than last – it’s been a popular addition recently. One hotspot is WSB sponsor Skylark Café and Club, which serves brunch 9 am-3 pm; newly opened Heartland Café started taking reservations Friday so don’t show up without calling to see if any reservations are left; you can find Junction brunch ideas on the West Seattle Junction Association website; the fabled Salty’s on Alki buffet is being offered morning till night and has “prime … seating” reservable for parties of 4 or fewer, per Salty’s Facebook page.
SUNDAY SHOPPING: No holiday break for West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm, The Junction (44th/Alaska), as always (here’s today’s Ripe ‘n’ Ready list of what’s new) … It’s the third and final day of the spring sale at Alki Bike and Board (details here) … New wine shop Bin 41 wraps up its four-day grand-opening party with Pinot Noir tastings 11 am-2 pm … Avalon Glassworks is open and demonstrating glass-blowing 1-5 pm.
With highlights on the WSB Easter page including three outdoor sunrise services – including the annual nondenominational one at Forest Lawn and the three UCC churches’ gathering on Alki Beach – you might be checking out the forecast tonight. Right now, it looks promising – a chance of morning showers, making way for a partly sunny afternoon, says the National Weather Service.
At the Southwest Community Center play area (video above), the preschoolers dashed – while the action at West Seattle Thriftway was more like “streaming in”:
Those are two of the egg hunts we checked out this morning. Like most, Southwest CC separated the hunters by age group – this photo is from the youngest group as they toddled around the back lawn, with parents close by:
Back inside Thriftway, eggs lined the aisles (the eggs are filled, by the way, by folks at Highlands Community Church in Renton) as the littlest searchers (who get a head start) went through:
Many egg hunts featured additional activities – at SWCC, kids could color while waiting for the big event:
And then there was the Eastridge Christian Assembly egg hunt at Lincoln Park:
They even had a bouncy slide:
And Eastridge was collecting diapers for WestSide Baby:
In all, those were among at least eight egg hunts in West Seattle this morning, including all five city-run community centers – Marco shared this photo from High Point CC:
Some local churches will offer egg hunts after services tomorrow, and St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church is even having one a week from tomorrow (April 11) at 11:30 am. ADDED: Thanks to Annette for sharing a photo collage from one of what we are sure were many egg hunts at private homes – this one in Gatewood:
Just announced on KIRO radio (97.3 FM): Barely one full day after chef Tom Douglas and host Dave Ross kicked it off, hours after Seattleites learned that nobody had come forward what had become the city’s last fireworks show, the one on Lake Union, the pledge drive has reached its $500,000 goal – that’s how much longtime promoter OneReel said it would cost to put on the fireworks and accompanying festivities. They asked for donations from local businesses in $1,000 increments; here’s the list so far — WSB contributed $1K, as did West Seattle’s Ventana Construction, a WSB sponsor, as is Merrill Gardens, which pledged a short time ago to cover the “remaining balance.” (If anyone else on the list has West Seattle ties, let us know so we can add a shoutout!) The drive picked up major steam when Microsoft and Starbucks announced late yesterday that they would each contribute $125,000 as a matching donation if other contributions totaled $250,000, which they now have. (7/4/09 Hamilton Viewpoint photo by Gilbert)
One day after the announcement that Seattle was likely to go without a major fireworks display this 4th of July, a pledge drive rocketed to life – spearheaded by celebrity chef Tom Douglas and KIRO Radio talk-show host Dave Ross. Businesses were invited to chip in, in increments of $1,000 (Douglas and Ross kicked it off with $5,000 and $1,000 respectively). We can’t bear the thought of fireworkslessness on the 4th, so WSB threw in for the minimum. (So did our friends who run neighborhood-news sites in North Seattle, Next Door Media.) And more than 80 other Seattle businesses have chipped in so far, according to the running list on KIRO Radio’s website – but the big mo came late in the day, when Starbucks and Microsoft announced they will contribute $125,000 each, if the donations from the rest of the business community total at least $250,000. As of right now, according to the progress bar on this webpage, there’s only a little more than $50,000 to go. (Want to pledge? Scroll down this page.)
(7/4/09 photo shared by Gilbert, showing Lake Union fireworks as seen from West Seattle’s Hamilton Viewpoint)
Even without Elliott Bay fireworks last year – after Ivar’s canceled its longrunning annual 4th of Jul-Ivar’s show – West Seattle viewpoints still drew crowds for views of the Lake Union fireworks, rising high behind the south edge of downtown. This year, though, as of tonight, looks like no fireworks, after the company that produced the Lake Union show posted a letter saying it hasn’t found a sponsor (after taking over WaMu, the previous sponsor, Chase, only committed to last year’s show), and they needed to have one by now (although one company executive told KING 5 they might be able to pull it out IF a sponsor came forward immediately). Some are worried the lack of an “official” fireworks show will result in more illegal fireworks. According to our citywide-news partners at the Seattle Times, the price tag for sponsoring the Lake Union show has been more than half a million dollars. If we indeed turn out to be fireworksless in Seattle this year, you’ll have options elsewhere – Bellevue has a show accompanied by a live symphony orchestra; some South King County cities like Des Moines, Renton and Tukwila have fireworks too, as does Vashon Island, just a ferry ride away.
We’ll be adding more services and brunches, but since the first egg hunt is tomorrow morning (Toddler Eggstravaganza at High Point Community Center), version 1.0 of the West Seattle Easter page is now up and running, with the updated list of egg hunts from tomorrow through Saturday. You can find it here (or from its own tab under the sunset header). Got something to add? Please send it (or comment here) – thanks!
That’s the phrase Luckie used as she shared that photo taken in a kindergarten class at Lafayette Elementary:
Mrs. Bell decided to combine Dr. Seuss’s birthday (March 2) and St. Patrick’s Day (today) with a reading of Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham, followed by a banquet of green eggs and ham and a few other green foods. A little green food coloring turned the ham and eggs into a Seussian spectacle! And, just like the protagonist of Green Eggs and Ham, the kids were willing to try them. They polished off pretty much everything!
That photo’s from the West Seattle Thriftway egg hunt last year – always a hugely popular tradition. Just a few hours ago, we got a note that this year’s event is set for 9 am April 3rd, and just now, the city has just sent its list of egg hunts at local parks/community centers – see the full list here. We’re working on our West Seattle Easter page right now; we invite everyone with Easter-related events/specials, from church services to brunches to egg hunts and beyond, to share the info with us so it’ll be on the page (here’s our contact info).
Two flags flew high Sunday afternoon over West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center (next to Tug Inn): The U.S. Stars and Stripes, and the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag. Until April 1975, it was the flag of South Vietnam, and while it is banned in modern-day Vietnam, it is cherished by those who left in search of freedom. Earlier this month, the 34th District Democrats passed a resolution recognizing the flag and urging the City of Seattle to do so; that resolution was read and applauded as part of Sunday’s New Year’s celebration at the center. Representing the 34th DDs, state committeewoman Marcee Stone, who also is now running for State House of Representatives:
The event also commemorated the Lunar New Year – with the GDPT Van Hanh Lion Dance Team and hundreds of firecrackers (which you will see and hear about halfway through this minute-and-a-half clip):
The crowd of about 100 also paid tribute to historic heroes:
That artwork commemorating one of the great battles against Chinese invaders was placed at the outdoor altar:
This group of women in traditional costume waited to place flowers at the altar:
Memories of more-recent battles remained fresh, as high-ranking veterans of the South Vietnam military were there, in uniform, as they have been at other events we have covered here:
The VIetnamese Cultural Center is the second-largest such center in our state – after its counterpart in Tacoma. As the 34th DDs’ resolution noted, about 50,000 people of Vietnamese descent live in King County. (We took a closer look at the center in this July 2008 story.) Its distinctive statue – visible to passersby along SW Orchard – pays tribute to the 13th-century hero, General Tran Hung Dao.
WHAT’S DIFFERENT:
Schools are closed (for public schools, it’s Midwinter Break all week)
Most government offices are closed
Banks are closed
City-run community centers are closed (Southwest Pool too)
City and county libraries are closed
Metro Transit is on the “When No UW” schedule
No regular-mail delivery
Parking’s free on city streets with pay stations/meters
WHAT’S NOT DIFFERENT:
Trash/recycling/etc. on regular schedule
Sound Transit service is on the regular weekday schedule
State liquor stores are open
WEST SEATTLEITE’S WEBBED WEDDING: One of the most interesting netizens we’ve met along the way during WSB’s four-plus years is Jerry, proprietor of the eclectic site JetCityOrange. Saturday night, he tweeted the news that he and his beloved are going to get married at noon today, and you’ll be able to watch live at JCO – www.jetcityorange.com/wedding – with the webcam going live about an hour ahead of time.
DINING GUIDE REMINDER: If you still haven’t decided where to dine, check the listings in the West Seattle Valentine’s Day Dining Guide we published earlier this week (and have since updated several times) – the fun starts early, with brunch specials at Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor), including the debut of the mimosa carafe, which proprietor Jessie SK told us the other day will become a regular feature.
VALENTINES AND ELVIS AT THE FARMERS’ MARKET: Special events today at West Seattle Farmers’ Market (10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska) – “Elvis” reportedly might just be out and about with a “hunka hunka burnin’ love” between 11 am and 1 pm; meantime, market managers write in e-mail, “We have a Make-Your-Own-Valentines workshop set up at both markets. Paper, lace, hearts, glitter, glue – everything you and your sweetie need to say I Love You through low-tech honest art.” Meantime, today’s full Ripe and Ready List is here.
ART WITH A HEART, FOR HAITI: Two events today – West Seattle artist/entrepreneur Stephanie Hargrave is hosting an art sale 11 am-6 pm, 3234 California SW, proceeds to Haiti relief – read the details here; Alki resident Angela Williams‘ “Collage for a Cause” event in the International District is 1-4 pm (previewed in a WSB interview here; full event details are here).
SERENADED AT THE STORE: Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral will have live harp music 1-3 pm today (and plans to chocolate-dip strawberries for the second consecutive day, noon-4 pm).
WORK OUT TO HONOR A HERO: This afternoon at 3 pm at CrossFit West Seattle, the Behind the Badge Foundation is the beneficiary of a Hero Memorial Workout paying tribute to Seattle Police Officer (and onetime West Seattleite) Tim Brenton, murdered in the line of duty last Halloween night. Full details here.
Lots more! (For example – how about “Love Song” at ArtsWest, to show your love? or the first of 2 shows this week of “Vagina Monologues” at Youngstown) – see the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.
We took a few dozen photos at the Lunar New Year lion dance in White Center, outside Pho My Loi restaurant (10439 16th SW), this morning, and while you can also see half a dozen of them inline at partner site White Center Now, we’re sharing them here too as a slideshow from the West Seattle Blog Flickr group. Starting tomorrow, it’s the lunar Year of the Tiger.
In addition to Valentine’s Day shopping at West Seattle businesses … Valentine’s weekend dining at West Seattle restaurants (here’s our updated guide) … here’s one other uniquely local suggestion just out of the inbox:
There’s less than a week to go to Valentine’s Day! Why not give a Valentine that will endure through the coming years? The Alki Community Council still has engraved bricks for sale. You might want to include an appropriate symbol on your Valentine Brick. Symbols depicting a single heart or a pair of interlocking hearts are available. You can download an order form at www.sealady.org or from the ACC’s AlkiNews.com site at alkinews.wordpress.com.
All orders placed before the end of February will be installed this spring in the Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza by Seattle Parks & Recreation. Orders placed after that date will be installed in the fall. Please visit the listed websites for additional information. Funds raised through this sale will be turned over to Seattle Parks & Recreation and used to maintain the statue and plaza.
David Hutchinson
ACC Brick Sales
libertyplaza@msn.com
(P.S. We asked; the brick in the pic features the date David and wife Eilene Hutchinson wed.)
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