West Seattle, Washington
02 Sunday
(WSB photo from 2013)
It’s a West Seattle tradition, and it’s back for another year, confirms Carol Madaio from Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering:
The Free Community Thanksgiving Meal at the Hall at Fauntleroy is (again) on Thanksgiving Day – November 26th from noon until 3 PM. It’s our 17th year and is open to anyone who needs a hot meal or just a warm and friendly place to go on the holiday. We are fortunate to have plenty of volunteers this year but encourage people to come and eat and mingle. That is a big part of what makes the event so wonderful!
We do accept desserts. They can be dropped off at the Hall at Fauntleroy on Thanksgiving Day from 10 AM on. This year we are also holding a sock and blanket drive. We are trying to fill our cargo van! We will be distributing them on Thanksgiving and also to a shelter.
People can drop off new socks and blankets to our office in Sodo at 4101 Airport Way S or there is a collection bin at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse at 9131 Fauntleroy Way SW. People can call me at 206-932-1059 if they have any questions.
The Hall at Fauntleroy is on the south end of the historic schoolhouse, same address.
P.S. Thanks to everyone who answered our call earlier this week to send event listings and information for another tradition, the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide. If you haven’t sent us your info – events (plus donation drives, restaurant/bar holiday hours, all the things we usually publish) – editor@westseattleblog.com, soon as you can!
Three weeks until Thanksgiving! If you’re thinking about having West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) put together the holiday feast for you – get to tonight’s Holiday Taste event before 7 pm and try some of what’s on the menu!
Vendors are there too, including, below, what you might call the “pie a la mode” team:
That’s Alex from Lopez Island Creamery and Joe from Whidbey Pie Company. Among this year’s new participants, The Waffle Lady, with pancake/waffle mix and several types of syrup:
Lots more to try. And a bonus – spend at least $20 at Thriftway tonight and get 10 percent off. If you’ve never been to Thriftway, it’s in Morgan Junction, where California and Fauntleroy meet Morgan.
While we work on the calendar-highlights preview for the rest of today/tonight, a quick note: This year, we’re launching the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide 
earlier than usual, since the season begins in just a few days with the first round of bazaars/art shows/sales. So we’re inviting you to send us information on YOUR holiday event as soon as you have it. No need to wait for your logo, poster, graphic to be ready – we can’t use most of those anyway; what we really want (as with our regular Event Calendar) is just the basic information on the event, including who/what/when/where, and a website link if you have one (not mandatory). Please include all that info in plain text in the body of your e-mail – NOT a Word doc, PDF, etc. – and send it to editor@westseattleblog.com. Our Holiday Guide spans the season from now through New Year’s Day. We also welcome information on restaurants/coffee shops/business hours for Thanksgiving/Christmas Eve/Christmas Day/New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day once you know. We’ll be updating the guide at least once a day throughout the season, so no worries if you don’t have the info now, but please bookmark this and get us the info soon as you do. Thank you!
P.S. Our guide also features a list of holiday-season charity drives – so if you’re collecting food, socks, blankets, toys, whatever, please let us know about that too!
Boo! That’s an undersea Halloween scene, courtesy of Jim Bodoia, who found the “grinning Wolf Eel out just past the Alki Statue of Liberty.” Here’s a sampling of what was happening on the surface:
Neither the rain nor the wind – both at a tolerable level when we stopped by – got in the way of Skeleton Theatre at 36th SW & SW Hanford. After years of brewing up an all-new, all-out show each Halloween, this year the crew offered what they dubbed “Plan B” – a retrospective with skeleton stars from past years.
Rock ‘n’ roll, big belting ballads, you’ll hear it all if you go for encore night tomorrow (Sunday), 6-9 pm, 10-minute shows continuously with a few minutes of resetting inbetween.
Indoors, we found a full house at Meeples Games (WSB sponsor):
Meeples invited folks in to play “Werewolf“ on Halloween night. Storyteller Hank had all in thrall when we walked in:
Meeples (upstairs at 3727 California SW) is a happening place – just browse their calendar for proof.
Earlier in the evening, one last round of business trick-or-treating happened at Westwood Village:
That photo is courtesy of the folks at Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor), whose namesake Wyatt – son of proprietors Kirk and Joni Keppler – was handing out the candy.
Last but by no means least: Every year, neighborhood decorations seem to get bolder and brighter. Doug B sent a photo of his spooky yard in Seaview:
Thanks to everyone who’s shared photos and event info over the extended Halloween season (editor@westseattleblog.com) – now we move on to winter holidays, with bazaars and art shows starting as soon as NEXT weekend!
(WSB photo from 2014 dinner)
One more look ahead to Veterans Day: Once again this year, West Seattle’s American Legion Post 160 and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 160 invite “all active duty, reserve, national guard, military veterans and their families” to the annual Veterans Day Italian Dinner at the Legion Hall in The Triangle, 3618 SW Alaska. Free, no RSVPs needed – just stop by between 5 and 7 pm on Sunday, November 8th.
(2014 WSB photo: Harvest Festival activity @ Westside School [sponsor] booth)
Halloween season is closer than you think – the big day/night is three weeks from Saturday – and the biggest event in West Seattle is even sooner, two weeks from this Sunday. That of course would be the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 25th, 10 am-2 pm, featuring the chili-cookoff tasting at 11 am, the big costume parade at 11:30 am, and business trick-or-treating at noon. Even before all that, the fun starts right at 10 with “harvest-themed activities” throughout The Junction, as well as the Farmers’ Market in the middle of the street (its permanent home, inspired by the success of its previous in-the-street incarnations during the festival). There’s still room for a few more community groups and businesses to be part of the heart of the festival by offering activities – please go to this page on the West Seattle Junction Association‘s website ASAP for an application. (WSB is a co-sponsor and activity provider again this year, so we’ll see you there!)
(WSB photos from 2014 Admiral District trick-or-treating)
Exactly four weeks until Halloween! The Admiral District will again welcome kids for trick-or-treating, this time, on the day before Halloween, Friday, October 30th, 3-6 pm. This year’s volunteer publicist is Admiral business owner Brent Amacher, who points out that this is a truly grass-roots event, as the business district has no official organization, doesn’t collect fees, just puts up a sign – this one, in fact, is what you’ll see:
Amacher observes, “It’s become one of the best-loved Halloween events in Seattle. I personally go through bags and bags and bags of candy every year.” Last year we photographed him on candy-handout duty, in fact:
He continues, “Kids and parents line up around the block in costumes getting their Halloween action on early … We live in such a great area, and traditions like this make West Seattle truly special. This event is part of our heritage. It makes me proud to see the tradition continue as West Seattle continues to grow.”
P.S. We’ll be launching our annual WSB Halloween page soon, so if you’re having a Halloween/seasonal event that’s open to the public, please send information ASAP – flyers/posters not necessary, just plain text in the body of your e-mail, with a webpage link if you have one – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
Last day of September, and the holidays are in view. Three events are inviting artists to apply, with deadlines coming up fast:
ART UNDER $100: Deadline is TOMORROW for South Park Arts‘ annual mega-event Art Under $100, happening again this year at the Seattle Design Center. While the event isn’t until December 12th (1-8 pm), the application deadline is October 1st, and you’ll find all the info on the application page – just go here.
FALL ART OPENING AT ‘THE BUILDING’: October 14th is the deadline to apply to be part of this event in Gatewood. The announcement:
Our Fall Art Opening is free and open to the public! We will be featuring local artists’ works, music, & food, just in time to kick-start the Holiday Season. We hope that you can join us for this amazing night!!
We are looking for artists doing work in different mediums at a variety of price points for the holiday season.
The Building’s 3rd Annual, Fall Art Opening!
Saturday, November 14th
5:00-10:00 pm
4316 SW Othello St.m West SeattleE-mail Submission Deadline is October 14th, $25 participation fee once accepted. Please email samples of your work with a detailed description and prices to Brenda Scallon – brenda@acaravan.com – thank you in advance for your participation; we look forward to seeing your work!
HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB BAZAAR: Handmade arts and crafts are what organizers want to see from vendors at HPIC‘s annual bazaar, also set for November 14th (daytime – 10 am-3 pm). Find out more, including contact info, on the HPIC website.
No, we’re not going to put up a countdown clock ticking away your shopping days, etc. But some advance work IS required for holiday bazaars and other events – including one that’s brand new this year and all about one of our favorite words, “local”:
The General Store Seattle (3400 Harbor Ave. SW; WSB sponsor) is uniquely dedicated to All Things Local. And so proprietor Claire E. Jones is organizing and presenting the first-ever (and first-annual) Live Life Local Collective Convention, noon-6 pm Saturday, November 7th, at West Seattle’s own Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.
The event itself is just under six weeks away – but here’s what you can do right now:
*Go here to sign up online for your FREE ticket (it’ll be $3 at the door)
*Become a sponsor or donor
*Volunteer to work at the event and support local
*Apply for the paid position of assistant organizer, who, Claire says, will “help plan and run the event”
For #3 and #4 above, e-mail claire@thegeneralstoreseattle.com – she would also be happy to hear from anyone with ideas or suggestions for the Live Life Local Collective Convention.
(Silkscreener Shino Mikami, right, was one of 15 West Seattle artists at last year’s Fauntleroy show)
The photo and final reminder are from Judy Pickens – please note, if you’re interested, that the deadline is TOMORROW:
September 15 is the deadline for West Seattle artists and creative crafters to apply for the eighth annual Fauntleroy Fine Art & Holiday Gift Show Nov. 6-8. Details and application form are at www.fauntleroyucc.org.
Any other shows/bazaars/etc. accepting vendor applications, please let us know so we can share your announcements too. We’re also already adding holiday-season events to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – follow that link to see not only listings but also guidelines for sending information about announcements year-round … bottom line is always, the sooner the better!
(Photo tweeted by Jim, who says it was taken from Duwamish Head with the help of binoculars)
For the holiday, we’re combining the what-you-need-to-know notes with what’s scheduled for today. First, the former:
TRAFFIC/TRANSIT/TRANSPORTATION INFO
No daily traffic/transit roundup, since most people are off. You can see area traffic cams and get info (including a link to the city map with travel times) on the WSB West Seattle Traffic page.
*Metro Transit is on a Sunday schedule
*West Seattle Water Taxi is on a Sunday schedule
*Sound Transit Route 560 is on a Sunday schedule
*Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is on a Sunday schedule
‘PARKING HOLIDAY’: No pay stations on city streets in West Seattle, but if you’re outbound, no charge in the neighborhoods that do, because this is a “parking holiday.”
TRASH/RECYCLING PICKUP: If you are a Monday customer, it’s a normal pickup day.
SEATTLE PARKS: Here’s the citywide Parks lineup for what’s open/closed, including the last day of operation for outdoor aquatic facilities (wading pools are weather-dependent, keep in mind, so the one in Lincoln Park might not be open after all, but Colman Pool and Highland Park Spraypark *will be*).
LIBRARIES: All Seattle Public Library branches are closed today.
Now, a few event notes for today:
LABOR DAY PICNIC/FLAG RAISING: 11 am-3 pm at Alki Masonic Center, you’re invited to a potluck picnic (bring a dish to share) and flag-raising ceremony (noon) – details here. (40th SW & SW Edmunds)
LAST CHANCE TO TOUR THE ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: 1-4 pm, the Coast Guard Auxiliary hosts one last day of tours at the historic lighthouse before the season ends. Last tour at 3:40 pm. (3201 Alki SW)
WEST SEATTLE HI-YU MEETING: 7 pm at Admiral Congregational Church, all members urged to attend to talk about logistics for the year ahead. (California SW & SW Hill)
Have a great holiday! And if you see/hear news … 206-293-6302 text/voice if it’s happening now, editor@westseattleblog.com if it’s not urgent.
(WSB photo from 2012 flag ceremony at Masonic Center)
In case you haven’t seen it in our calendar yet – here’s an early alert for a community event you might want to attend tomorrow in honor of Labor Day. From the Alki Masonic Center:
We hope you’ll join us this Monday, September 7th, for our annual Labor Day Flag Ceremony and Potluck Picnic. We’ll be retiring our current flag; then unfolding and raising a new flag at 12:00 noon, following by a potluck picnic. All are welcome – we hope you’ll join us!
WHEN: Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2015 11 am – 3:00 pm (Flag Ceremony Begins at Noon)
WHERE: Alki Masonic Center, 4736 40th Ave SW
BRING: A Lunch Dish to Share
WHO: All Are Welcome!Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!
Francis Scott Key
September 14, 1814
ORIGINAL REPORT, 7:06 PM SUNDAY: Still a few hours of light left … so if you haven’t been out patroling your neighborhood, and/or your nearest park, consider this:
Karen Allan made sent that, explaining:
When my kiddo was little, I used to say “In this town, what’s on the ground is swept into the Sound.” So if you see bits and pieces of the things that went bang, pop, and KABOOM on your block, please consider sweeping them up. Grab a bucket, broom and perhaps a neighbor and make a little outing out of it.
Here’s some of what Karen found near 29th and Othello:
She added, “Unfortunately, there is a lot more fireworks debris in the storm drains that I can’t
get to. It will all end up in the Sound with the next big rainfall.”
Some of the holiday-leftover trash and debris was already near the Sound in the first place: . We also heard from Chris Porter, who lives near Lincoln Park and spent time there this morning to help clean up. It wasn’t just fireworks debris he found:
The spectacular fireworks last night are only secondary to the enormous disaster of trash left behind the next day. I spent this morning picking up as much fireworks debris and trash as I could. I have forgotten about what happens to parks after summer holidays.
East to west, north to south, many other West Seattle neighbors were also out today, cleaning up the mess somebody else left behind. Travis Houston sent photos from Riverview Playfield:
We also stopped by Riverview before neighbors were done with their herculean cleanup:
Crossing the peninsula over to Alki, Kim sent the next photo, saying this was what just one small part of Bar-S Playfields looked like before she got to it with her broom:
Even in the unincorporated area where fireworks are legal on the 4th of July, the “legal” time period expired 18+ hours ago … but we’re still hearing dispatches on the scanner, including a fireworks call at Highland Park Elementary a short time ago and “brush fire” calls around the city (see photos in earlier reports here, here, and here).
ADDED MONDAY MORNING: Just sent by Chris:
I picked up a box full of spent fireworks debris on the playground at Gatewood Elementary this morning. The haul included one live mortar. Glad I found it and not some kids.
(Video sent Saturday night by Bradi, with the sound of fireworks in Roxhill area)
11:23 PM: Throughout the day, we’ve published standalone reports on incidents including “brush fires” blamed on fireworks. For the rest of the night, barring a major incident, we’re going to do what we did last year – keep a rolling log of what we’re hearing on the scanner and/or from reader reports. Earlier links, for starters:
*Sylvan Way brush fire, blamed on fireworks thrown from car
*Gatewood tree burned, blamed on fireworks
And remember, if you find or lose a pet, the WSB Lost/Found Pets page is the place to check first – if there’s no match, e-mail us info (and a photo if available), editor@westseattleblog.com – it’s been a very busy night there already.
11:55 PM: Shortly after this comment about traffic on Admiral leaving Alki, we’re hearing police trying to catch a hit-run suspect described as driving erratically on eastbound Admiral (didn’t catch the cross-street).
12:14 AM: In the Alki area, police are checking out a report that someone was being yelled at about their fireworks by a neighbor, with an implied threat of a weapon.
12:54 AM: Just heard Engine 37 go by – the 911 log says it’s en route to a “dumpster fire” at Lincoln Park.
2:37 AM: Since last we wrote, another “brush fire” call – 4800 block of 45th SW at 1:30 am.
8:55 AM POSTSCRIPT: If you were one of the many caring neighbors out cleaning up debris this morning and took any photos, please consider sending: editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks.
1:16 PM: We’re still collecting debris photos for a followup later today. Meantime, we just received this photo of the aftermath from the aforementioned 1:30 am brush-fire call:
The photo was sent by the homeowner’s parent. “Hard to believe it wasn’t intentional as it was a large fountain-type device thrown into the bushes next to her van, and there were no other fireworks in the area.”
(WSB video/photos unless otherwise credited)
Every year we record the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade, start to finish – and this year was the longest! The hotter-than-normal temperature didn’t dissuade hundreds of kids and their families from walking and rolling along the route – as you can see above. Before the half-mile stroll through North Admiral, paraders were treated to the national anthem as sung again this year by Leilani Nitkey:
At the end, that’s this year’s parade emcee Josh Sutton from the West Seattle YMCA and parade coordinator Jackie Clough from Alki Party Treasures (APT and the Y are both WSB sponsors). Hi-Yu royalty spoke briefly – mentioning upcoming events including the Concert in the Park at Hiawatha with the West Seattle Big Band (7 pm Tuesday, July 14th) – and then carried the banner as the parade began:
The goal for many: Be as red, white, and blue as you can!
This also was definitely an occasion for shades:
Even better, a parade in which it was cool to have your OWN shade:
Helmets were fashionable as well:
(Thanks to Marilyn for that photo)
For some, the parade was so relaxing, a nap was in order:
Others bravely marched along:
You could get a sense of the parade’s scale, looking along the final leg of the route leading to Hamilton Viewpoint Park:
A cooling view of Elliott Bay awaited:
(Thanks to Laura Frampton for that photo)
In the park, the classic sack races awaited:
Fun even for some of those who took a tumble:
Coordinator Jackie had guest emcees for the races – we showed you two in our first report. Another community leader who helped out, Merica Whitehall from Nature Consortium (WSB sponsor):
Seattle Fire‘s Engine 29 was there for mini-tours, after helping lead the parade:
And so were Seattle Police officers:
Concessions were provided by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, which did a booming business:
We’ll mention it one more time – this is a community-presented parade, and the costs for insurance, among other things, are considerable; if you can chip in to help cover the costs (including helping make sure the parade returns next year), you can do it online.
(And if your family had fun being part of the parade – you might consider joining in the West Seattle Rotary-presented Kiddie Parade before the West Seattle Grand Parade in two weeks; meet at California/Genesee at 11 am Saturday, July 18th.)
If you’re planning to watch the Lake Union fireworks from Harbor Avenue and haven’t already staked out a spot, don’t wait too much longer – this creative setup was just one of dozens of viewing stations we noticed while driving from Alki along Duwamish Head and past Don Armeni and Seacrest a little earlier this afternoon, some along the street like this, others on the grass in the parks, with and without tents. As noted on our 4th of July info page, the Seafair-presented show at Lake Union is scheduled to start at 10:20 pm.
(Photo by Yuri Levchenko, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Again this year, we have your 4th of July info all in one place – the West Seattle 4th of July page. That includes the 10 am Kids’ Parade (bring diapers for WestSide Baby!) and noon Log House Museum picnic (including the 1 pm Homestead photo), plus today’s transit changes, and a few notes about watching fireworks tonight.
(Photo by Ann Anderson)
WEATHER & WATER: The National Weather Service still has a “heat advisory” in effect; Delridge, Hiawatha, and Lincoln Park wading pools are open today, as is Highland Park Spraypark – see the hours and addresses here. Also open: Outdoor Colman Pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the schedule here. (Indoor Southwest Pool is NOT open today.)
Three notes as we look ahead to Independence Day:
PAGE: Check out the WSB West Seattle 4th of July page – your one-stop shop for what’s happening tomorrow. That includes not only fireworks info, activities, practical details like transit changes, but also restaurants/coffee shops that plan to be open, provided they’ve reached out to let us know – we just need a quick note, editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
PICNIC: If the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s membership/”friend-making” picnic wasn’t already on your list, here’s one reason to think about stopping by:
(2010 photo by Jean Sherrard)
On the 5th anniversary of that group photo taken in front of the Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge to underscore that “This Place Matters,” those in attendance at tomorrow’s picnic will walk over for a new group photo, another commemoration of the fact that restoration is finally under way. That’s happening at around 1 pm Saturday; the picnic starts at noon and continues until around 3 pm, with SWSHS providing fried chicken in honor of the Homestead (long known for that dish) and lemonade – just bring a side dish to share. The picnic’s at SWSHS headquarters, the Log House Museum, 61st/Stevens.
PARADE: Bought your diaper donation yet? The local families served by WestSide Baby will be thrilled with whatever you can bring to the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade to give. Full parade details here – if you’re planning to be part of it, show up at 44th/Sunset by 10 am tomorrow. (The diaper dropbox will be at the blue house by the start of the route; also look for the donation boxes where you can chip in to help cover parade costs – voluntary but appreciated!)
(Photo by JayDee, featuring the show Venus and Jupiter have been putting on)
With a “heat advisory” still in effect, it’s all about the water in today’s WSB West Seattle Event Calendar highlights:
WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK: Open today – Highland Park Spraypark, 11 am-8 pm; Lincoln Park Wading Pool (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), 11 am-8 pm; EC Hughes Wading Pool (2805 SW Holden), noon-7 pm; Hiawatha Wading Pool (Lander/Walnut), noon-6:30 pm.
LOW TIDE, WITH A GUIDE: It’s out to -2.6 feet at 11:46 this morning, one of the summer’s lowest low tides, so Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are out again, 10 am-1:30 pm, at Constellation and Lincoln Parks, to answer your questions.
COMMUNITY ORCHARD OF WEST SEATTLE: 5-7 pm, visit the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus to learn about the orchard and join the weekly work party. (6000 16th SW)
POKER AT THE FEEDBACK: 6 pm, free to play, at the air-conditioned Feedback Lounge. (6451 California SW)
MUSIC AND COFFEE: 7-9 pm, C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) features Choro Tocando. (5612 California SW)
THE WEST SEATTLE 4TH OF JULY LIST … goes up soon. Something to add? editor@westseattleblog.com
As reminded by our photo from last year, the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade isn’t “just” a parade – it’s also a fun family post-parade celebration with games on the green at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, all wrapped up in plenty of time for you to get your barbecue going, stake out your north-facing fireworks-watching spot, etc. Today, the key points:
WHEN/WHERE IT STARTS: 10 am Saturday, July 4th, at 44th & Sunset (map)
WHO’S IN IT: Whoever shows up! On foot, on bike, on scooter, on skateboard, in wagon, in stroller, etc.
WHO’S EMCEE’ING: Josh Sutton from the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor)
WHO’S SINGING THE ANTHEM: Leilani Nitkey
WHO ELSE YOU’LL SEE: Guests include West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty
WHAT TO WEAR: Red, white, and blue if you can, NOT mandatory
WHAT TO BRING: Diapers for WestSide Baby
WHERE IT GOES: 44th to Atlantic to Palm, and remember traffic stops down a while as the parade crosses California
WHAT NOT TO DO: Please don’t park along the parade route
Also from parade coordinator Jackie Clough of Alki Party Treasures (WSB sponsor): The crowdfunding campaign to cover parade costs (especially insurance, which was picked up by a sponsor in previous years) continues – if you can drop a few dollars in the virtual kitty, please do it here. And if you can spare a little time that morning but aren’t planning to be IN the parade – more volunteer help would be awesome (e-mail jackie@alkipartytreasures.com). See you Saturday at the parade!
(Live camera for Fauntleroy ferry dock; find it any time on the WSB West Seattle Traffic page)
If state-ferry travel is part of your plan for the 4th of July weekend – Washington State Ferries has just put out a quick guide with reminders and changes. One of the latter affects the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route: On the 4th, an extra run will be added from Vashon to Fauntleroy at 11:25 pm. In general, the biggest crowds are expected westbound this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and then eastbound on Sunday. If you’re traveling through Colman Dock downtown, remember that waterfront construction continues to change the traffic patterns, so your route there or back might be different than last time you used the terminal. Whichever terminal(s) you’re using, you can check conditions via cameras and other info on the WSF site (here’s the full list of links to terminals), and bulletins go out on Twitter, too.
Two days ago, we reported on a petition drive in which community advocates in two areas of urban unincorporated King County, including North Highline (White Center and vicinity), asked for an emergency ban on fireworks. County leaders said they don’t have the authority to do anything immediate, but the state does; we finally got a chance today to inquire with the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Deputy Fire Marshal Lysandra Davis replied, saying that only the governor has that authority, but that calling for one isn’t warranted right now. Here’s the entire reply:
Our office has received numerous inquiries on this matter, and we value and appreciate each and every one.
Because Washington is a Home Rule State, legislative authority to limit or prohibit the sale, purchase, possession, and/or use of consumer fireworks is only granted to city, municipal, and county governments. However, any ordinance adopted by a county or city has an effective date no sooner than one year after its adoption, per RCW 70.77.250 (4). Because State Fireworks Law does not provide the SFMO or any other local jurisdiction/agency the authority to temporarily ban
fireworks, even on an emergency basis, it is unlawful to do so.The only person with the authority to issue a temporary ban on fireworks sales/usage is Governor Jay Inslee. This would be done through a State of Emergency Proclamation which normally prohibits activities that the Governor reasonably believes should be prohibited to help preserve and maintain life, health, property or public peace. In the past, when emergency proclamations have been issued during heavy wildland fires (usually occurring mid-July to August), fireworks usage and sales were already prohibited by State Fireworks Law.
The current burn ban that is in effect only applies to state forests, state parks and forestlands under Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fire protection, including Department of Fish and Wildlife lands; it does not include cities, municipalities and/or counties. This ban prohibits outdoor burning and fireworks and incendiary devices (which are never legal on DNR-protected forestlands).
While these drought conditions we are facing may be unprecedented, there is not a current statewide fire emergency that would warrant the Governor to declare a State ban on fireworks.
What I can assure you of is that the State Fire Marshal’s Office is committed to promoting fire safety and injury prevention year round with our Celebrate Safely and Legally campaign — emphasizing “personal responsibility,” especially during these extremely dry weather conditions.
Fireworks are illegal in Seattle, but will be on sale, legally, in unincorporated King County starting this Sunday, where the law allows their use 9 am-midnight on July 4th.
Just in from Seattle Parks (we’ve truncated the location list to show West Seattle fields only – see the full list here):
Seattle Parks and Recreation will turn on field lighting on ballfields throughout the city on the evenings of Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, to protect the surfaces. The ballfield lights will be turned on at 8:45 p.m. and will be turned off at either 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., depending on the field.
The lights will be turned on to discourage the use of fireworks. Fireworks are illegal in the city of Seattle and will destroy the artificial turf on the fields or surrounding facilities. The approximate replacement cost for the synthetic surface based on per average full-size field (110,000 square feet) is $1.2 million. All the fields have been renovated in the past several years and benefit field users including players of soccer, football, baseball, Ultimate Frisbee and lacrosse.
The fields will be monitored by security from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Lights at the following fields will be turned off at 11 p.m.:
· Delridge Playfield, 4458 Delridge Way SW
· Hiawatha Playfield, 2700 California Ave. SW
· Walt Hundley Playfield, 6920 34th Avenue SW
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