We’ve collected event listings, fireworks/travel/transportation/etc. information and other holiday notes on one page as in years past. See the 4th of July page here – and please let us know if you see something missing or have a holiday-related question it doesn’t answer. Thanks!
Driving through White Center this afternoon, we noticed fireworks stands like that one set up in a few spots. In unincorporated King County and the few other places where personal fireworks are still legal, they go on sale at noon Sunday, but you’re only allowed to use them 9 am-midnight on July 4th (except for Normandy Park, where the use period is the same as the sales period). Here’s the full King County list of fireworks rules – note they are banned in Seattle and in Burien, which is relevant to part of White Center, since that means a change if the “North Highline South Annexation” proposal passes in the August 18th election. And if somehow you haven’t heard, reminder, NO Elliott Bay fireworks on the Fourth, since Ivar’s canceled them; if you’re still trying to decide where to go instead, here’s the full statewide list of fireworks shows.
Celebrate Liberty on the Fourth of July – by visiting the old Alki Statue of Liberty (and then if you want, later, the nearby plaza’s new one) at the Log House Museum‘s gift shop. But that would be just one side attraction at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s annual membership picnic. Even if you’re not a member yet, you’re invited to come join at the picnic, which will offer free hamburgers, hot dogs, coffee, tea and lemonade – just bring a side dish to share – and help launch “Telling Our Westside Stories,” which the Historical Society explains as: We’ll collect your memories of the land, water, beaches, and hills of the Duwamish peninsula.” (The LHM is at 61st/Stevens in Alki; here’s a map.)
(Photo from last month, shared by Gregory Wright) FATHER’S DAY TIDEWALK, ANYONE? 10 am-1 pm, beach naturalists will be out south of Alki Point and (south of Colman Pool) on the Lincoln Park shore, as a very low tide – minus 3.0 – bottoms out just after 10:30 this morning. (And even lower tomorrow!)
FATHER’S DAY CAR SHOW: It’s an annual tradition. Classic/antique cars on display at Providence Mount St. Vincent (here’s a map), 1-3:30 pm. Free. South side of the building.
FATHER’S DAY BRUNCH: Looking for brunch options? West Seattle restaurants where you’ll find brunch include our three restaurant sponsors — Cafe Revo (opening today at 10), Skylark Cafe and Club (open at 9 am), and Ama-Ama Oyster Bar and Grill (open at 10).
(61st/Admiral photo from 7/4/2008)
Less than three weeks — already! — till the Fourth of July, and by now you’ve likely heard, no Elliott Bay fireworks. So as not to assume, we doublechecked, while talking today with Southwest Precinct Lt. Steve Paulsen, to be sure that meant no Alki traffic restrictions like last year. He confirmed, that’s indeed the case – no roadblocks planned – but he promised that a special holiday “patrol” will keep close watch on the spots where people will be gathering, even without the Elliott Bay show.
That’s WSB video from last year’s 4th of July Kids’ Parade in the Admiral District – and Sherri Chun has just sent word of the plans for this year, with a request for help to make sure it happens next year (and beyond) too:
Yes, we are having a parade this year! As usual, we’ll meet at 44th and Sunset to kick things off. Start time is 10:00 am. We’re still waiting for confirmation (but are hopeful) that Mayor Nickels will again be able to join us. The parade will end at Hamilton Viewpoint park, with games and bake sale treats courtesy of the Holy Rosary Moms’ group. A huge shoutout to Dave Weitzel at Weitzel Construction [WSB sponsor] for providing our portable toilets. Dave, we couldn’t do it without you! Thank you also to Holy Rosary Parish for underwriting our parade insurance and for providing our PA system, and to all the volunteers who make it happen.
This year we are really, really counting on the community’s support. Several years ago we had a volunteer development director, whose job it was to solicit donations from local businesses. Sadly, this person retired due to a combination of job and personal life changes. This year we are financing the parade using the last of her development efforts. If we are to continue having this parade in the future, we need additional support from the community. Parade and park permits alone are $350. Additional costs include the generator, beach balls (an annual tradition at the park!), printing, and miscellaneous decorations. This does not include the cost of portable toilets, which are very important (and expensive over the holiday weekend!).
This year we are asking each family to donate $1 per child toward future parades. There will be donation boxes by the games table, the concessions stand, and next to the portable toilets. Please help ensure the future of our annual 4th of July Kids Parade! Thank you, and we look forward to seeing all of you and your families on the 4th of July!
We reported this more than two months ago — the Ivar’s announcement that it was canceling its annual fireworks show over Elliott Bay – the one that draws thousands to West Seattle’s north- and east-facing shores. But not everybody got the word back then; we got a question today from someone who hadn’t heard, so we’re mentioning it again: NO Elliott Bay fireworks this Fourth of July. You can sort of catch part of the Lake Union fireworks from here; not quite the same. So if you’re starting to think about the Fourth of July and wondering where you CAN see fireworks – here’s the complete statewide list (including some shows NOT on the 4th).
With the retiring of the colors, this year’s West Seattle Memorial Day commemoration at Dignity Memorial/Forest Lawn concluded a few hours ago. Veterans young and old were among those at the event – from a man in a “KOREA VET” cap, heard discussing the North Korea missile test, to Iraq War veterans like City Council candidate and former Highland Park Action Committee chair Dorsol Plants (who served for five years, until 2007). Another younger veteran on hand was Christopher Shea, commander of American Legion Post 160, which presents this ceremony each year; he recounted the reason for the holiday:
Today’s special guest speaker was Vietnam War veteran Margarita Suarez, who recalled her harrowing work as a nurse, sharing memories with a message that had some in tears:
The simple spirit of patriotism imbued the service, including singalongs led by guest vocalist Tom Carlisle:
And Scouts from Troop 284 performed wreath duty (listen for the crows):
Other participants in the ceremony included Pastor Tom Isenhart and musician Jim Edwards, who played “Taps.” This is the 82nd time the Post has presented this service — one of the longest-running Memorial Day events in the Seattle area.
WHAT’S DIFFERENT: No school, no mail, no government offices (with a few exceptions), no banks, Metro on a Sunday schedule, King County Water Taxion a Saturday schedule (as are the shuttle buses that feed it), community centers and libraries closed
WEST SEATTLE MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE: 2 pm, Forest Lawn (details here)
COFFEE, ANYONE? We don’t usually compile a complete list for this holiday – Thanksgiving and Christmas are a different story! – but we can tell you that our coffee-shop sponsors, Hotwire Coffee and Coffee at the Heights, are both open today: Hotwire is open 7 am-6 pm (and is now offering smoothies, too!), C-a-t-H is open 6:30 am-3 pm.
The crosses are going up on the graves at Forest Lawn (map), preparing for Memorial Day, when American Legion Post 160 presents West Seattle’s annual community service. It’s scheduled for 2 pm on the rolling hills of the cemetery. (Here’s our coverage, with video, from last year.) Crosses and flags are placed on the graves each Memorial Day weekend by volunteers including local Scouts.
West Seattle Farmers’ Market? Here’s the fresh sheet; there also are a few special features today – a cooking demonstration featuring mushrooms, courtesy of Foraged and Found, plus soon-to-open Fresh Bistromentioned via Twitter that they’re offering samples of “market fresh asparagus and lemon thyme soup.” (Asparagus photo at left by Christopher Boffoli)
Third – brunch! And beyond. We published a few notes last Thursday, “from Skillet to Skylark” — including an 11 am early opening today for WSB sponsor Cafe Revo. Also turns out that Skylark Club and Cafe (WSB sponsor) not only has the benefit brunch going on today, 9-3, but also karaoke starting at 7 – with an “auction” – bid on getting a participant to sing a certain song, and then they either can sing “your” song or bid higher and sing “whatever they want”!
Meantime, back to brunch, we also happened onto Circa talking Mom’s Day on FB and invited them to send a note for here – Nicole e-mailed us, “We’re usually not too busy on Mother’s Day, so come on down for a fresh, delicious brunch that won’t break the bank. Remember, though, parties larger than four can be in for a bit of a wait.” And Easy Street Records’ Cafe sent word of a Mother’s Day deal — read about it here.
SKILLET: In case you wondered what was up with the ongoing Skillet Street Food saga as the weekend approaches … such as, will they be back in the Seattle Lutheran High School parking lot for a second consecutive week? … first we checked Skillet’s website, and took note that it says Skillet’s looking for West Seattle locations (and hiring cooks, if you’re looking for work). However, upon subsequent check with Skillet proprietor Josh Henderson, he told us this morning: “We are on at SLHS for the next 4 weeks…and will view that as a trial period and review with (SLHS leadership, afterward).” 11 am-2 pm Sunday, this week’s menu here.
SKYLARK CAFE AND CLUB: This WSB sponsor will donate a portion of Mother’s Day brunch proceeds to the breast-cancer-fighting 3Day Walk, through Team Tracy, supporting West Seattle breast-cancer patient Tracy Dart (who says Skylark proprietor Jessie SK is on the team too). More about Skylark at skylarkcafe.com.
CAFE REVO: This WSB sponsor is opening an hour early for Mother’s Day (11 am), and taking reservations now; more about Cafe Revo is online at caferevo.com.
BLUE WILLOW: This Junction eatery and catering facility is offering high tea on Sunday; call 206-938-0988 to see what openings remain.
THE BOHEMIAN: It’s offering Mother’s Day tea the day before the big day – 2 pm-4 pm (maybe after shopping West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day with Mom?) – in conjunction with Tracy of Tea Gallery fame – 938-2646 is the number for mandatory reservations.
Just in case you’ve missed it – here’s the full list. The morning starts with two “sunrise” services – multidenominational at Forest Lawn in High Point (map) at 6:30 am, the local UCC churches joining together on the beach at Alki/57th (map) at 7 am. Note that some churches are offering breakfasts and egg hunts as well as worship services.
“Egg hunt on aisle 7” – you can almost imagine the overhead announcement. That’s just one of the scenes from inside West Seattle Thriftway, where the traditional crowd waited excitedly outside just before the 9 am egg hunt:
High stakes there – prizes in this egg hunt included a Wii and Mariners’ tickets! And if that wasn’t fun enough – an Easter Bunny sighting (our video camera followed his/her entourage):
(Added later: Thriftway now has its photos up online at westseattlethriftway.com – if your family’s in one of the photos, you can e-mail info@westseattlethriftway.com to request a copy!) Then at 10 am, community centers all over West Seattle had egg hunts too – by then the rain had stopped and the sun was even trying to come out. On the field at High Point Community Center, we spotted the REAL Easter Bunny – this gentleman who was out scattering the eggs and treats:
That section of the field was stormed shortly thereafter by the oldest kids:
Check out our video from just after they got the “go” signal:
Younger groups had their own egg hunts, one on the tennis court, one in the playfield corner at 34th/Myrtle:
If you missed today’s egg hunts, note that a few West Seattle churches are planning their own, right after Easter services tomorrow morning; see our West Seattle Easter services list for the locations.
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICES: Many are listed on our Holy Week/Easter services page; for other Easter-related activities, such as tomorrow’s big slate of egg hunts, go here.
EASTER/HOLY WEEK EVENT LIST REMINDER: Maundy Thursday services at some West Seattle churches today/tonight are part of what you’ll find on this special page we’ve put together (including all the egg hunts we could find – Saturday’s the biggest day).
FREE CONSTRUCTION WORKSHOP: Thinking about remodeling or building? Longtime WSB sponsor Ventana Construction has a few spots left for its free workshop tonight, 6:30 pm (outlined here); RSVP or questions, 932-3009.
NOT IN WEST SEATTLE, BUT WE’RE PART OF IT: If you’re interested in the ever-lively discussion of how the news-media world is evolving, we hope to see you downtown tonight for the second No News Is Bad News event, this one focusing on new types of online ventures – such as WSB (your editor here is on tonight’s panel, along with other journalist-entrepreneurs, including two former P-I employees involved with new ventures) — and how they figure into the evolving media landscape. 7 pm, Bertha Landes Room at City Hall , free but organizers would love to have you RSVP now to save a spot.
Looking for an egg hunt? Holy Week/Easter Sunday service? Our Easter page (see it here) can now be reached from the EASTER tab on the WSB navigation bar, beneath the sunset header. Not too late to add something – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
EASTER IS ONE WEEK AWAY: We’ve added a few more updates to our page listing Easter and Holy Week church services in West Seattle – see it here.
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY, SECOND DAY OF SIGNUPS: Between the Gathering of Neighbors in-person sign-ups and online registrations, the 5th annual WSCGSD is off to a roaring start. We’ll have news later today on where you can pick up mail-in forms if you need ’em, but in the meantime, you can register online at westseattlegaragesale.com (or print out a mail-in form from there). The big day is Saturday, May 9, with sales all over West Seattle (and if you don’t have room for your own but have stuff you want to sell, talk to Lora at Hotwire Coffee [WSB sponsor], who is opening her courtyard – she’s already signed up for a group sale but will be doing sub-signups (so if you’re going there, sign up with her, not us) for a donation that’ll go to WestSide Baby.
(July 4, 2008 photo by Susan Grossman of Singing Pixel Photography)
Thanks to Barbara for calling our attention to this: Ivar’s announced that it won’t have a 4th of Jul-Ivar’s fireworks show this year; read the story here; here’s the official Ivar’s announcement. That means fireworks-viewing opportunities from West Seattle will be inconsistent at best, since the Ivar’s show has been the one visible from Alki east/southward; some of the fireworks from the Lake Union show can be seen most years, along with scattered fireworks from other areas such as Bainbridge Island, but it won’t be even remotely the same. West Seattle fireworks fans are left mostly in the lurch; ironic given the circumstances of the show’s creation, as noted in today’s news release:
The 4th of Jul-Ivar’s fireworks show started in 1964 at Green Lake when (West) Seattle native and Ivar’s “flounder” Ivar Haglund was given a last-minute chance to save the town’s annual Seattle fireworks show from cancellation. Haglund funded the entire show. As the only fireworks show in town, its original pyrotechnic partner, Hitt Fireworks Company, created a thrilling display that drew attendance from King, Snohomish, Pierce, Kitsap and surrounding counties. In its heyday, the 4th of Jul-Ivar’s had shows in Lake Union then moved to Elliott Bay
GATHERING OF NEIGHBORS: The countdown continues – 2 more days till 70+ local organizations and businesses take over Chief Sealth High School (at Boren) for the first Gathering of Neighbors in more than 2 years – which this year also incorporates the Biz Expo. 11 am-3 pm. Come say hi – we’ll have our own WSB table, to report “live” on what’s happening, plus one more thing …
… WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY SIGNUPS START! The big day is Saturday, May 9. Last year, almost 150 sales registered to be part of WSCGSD (which is explained here); this year, we’re experimenting with a longer sign-up period, since last year, some people were just finding out about it after two weeks of (what felt to us like) incessant reminders. So sign-ups start Saturday 4/4, and we’re beginning with a special one-time, one-place deal: Discounts if you come register your sale with us in person at Gathering of Neighbors.
We were just in The Junction at Hope Lutheran Church/School working on a followup to this weekend’s announcement of a joint operating agreement between Hope and neighboring Seattle Lutheran High School (more on that later), as well as touring Hope’s almost-finished expansion work, and happened onto this group in the church basement, assembling about 150 Easter baskets. Hope’s Human Care Ministries leader Mary Anne DeVry explained that they go to local seniors and also to new local arrivals including immigrant families working with a Lutheran program assisting refugees. The baskets contain treats and a few practical-but-fun items too, from scarves to stuffed animals. Mary Anne says the project started about a decade ago when someone offered the church a carload of discarded, empty Easter baskets and said “can you do something with them?” The answer – “we’ll figure something out.” Now, it’s a tradition. (Reminder, as mentioned yesterday, we’re collecting info now from all over West Seattle for our Easter services/brunch/egg hunts lists – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!)
West Seattle Farmers’ Market? 
SKILLET: In case you wondered what was up with the ongoing 
… WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY SIGNUPS START! The big day is Saturday, May 9. Last year, almost 150 sales registered to be part of WSCGSD (
| Comments Off on The WSB West Seattle 4th of July info page