West Seattle, Washington
13 Thursday
Is your closet home to one or more Halloween costumes from years – and sizes – past? City Mouse Studio and Store in The Junction has your Halloween solution – proprietor Donna is participating in National Costume Swap Day on October 12th, as part of the “Green Halloween” movement: “As per their website, swapping half the costumes kids wear at Halloween would reduce landfill waste by 6,250 tons, equal to the weight of 2,500 midsize cars!”
Here’s how the costume swap will work: From now through October 11th, drop off gently used kids’ Halloween costumes at City Mouse (4218 SW Alaska) – which is open Tuesdays-Saturdays 10-6 and Sundays 10-5 – and get a token to use to pick up another costume there on Saturday, October 12th, starting at 10 am.
OCTOBER 10 UPDATE: Donna says you can also just bring your swappable costume on Saturday morning and swap on the spot, rather than making two trips.
Exactly three months until Christmas! No, we’re not trying to rush things, but the clock IS ticking on the West Seattle Lights/Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular contest announced a month ago – “Name That Snowman,” on behalf of the new emcee the synchronized-holiday-lights show will have this year, an 8-foot-tall talking, singing snowman. The contest details and rules are on the West Seattle Lights website; the winner gets to push the button and turn on the lights on opening night of this year’s show, 7 pm Saturday, November 30th (3908 SW Charlestown).
So it’s going into the 80s again today and that’s hardly conducive to a “Jingle Bells” mood. Nonetheless, holiday planning is under way in some quarters, especially for the pre-holiday sale season. Two notes to share, first from Sue Gibbs on behalf of West Gate Court #21, Order of the Amaranth:
Holiday Bazaar – October 12th – 10-4
Alki Masonic Hall, 4736 40th Ave SW
Tables available
To get one, contact Sue, 206-650 5491, westgateevents21@gmail.com.
And from Judy Pickens on behalf of Fauntleroy Church:
If you’re an artist/artistic crafter living in West Seattle and haven’t yet applied for the Fauntleroy Fine Art & Holiday Gift Show November 15-17, time is a’wasting. The deadline is September 30. The show, hosted by Fauntleroy Church, is always well-attended, the percentage to participate is low, and you’ll likely go home with contacts for after-show sales. Look for details and the application form at fauntleroyucc.org or call the church office at 206-932-5600.
P.S. If you’re in the buying mood, the church is having its Second-Time Sale this weekend – details here.
For the second year, Labor Day was celebrated today with a flag ceremony and potluck picnic at the Alki Masonic Center in The Junction. Leaders of American Legion Post 160, also in The Junction, assisted:
At left, that’s Post 160 Commander Dr. Don-Michael Bradford, with the post’s former commander Kyle Geraghty. Representatives of other local organizations including the West Seattle Eagles (whose HQ is in The Junction too) were in attendance. And before the Pledge of Allegiance was said, Carolyn Monk read an essay about the Pledge:
During the first event last year, the Masonic Center’s new flagpole was dedicated. Organizers hope to continue growing this as a community event, particularly with service groups’ participation, so make a note for Labor Day next year.
(Jamie‘s aerial view – quadcopter cam! – of last night’s sunset; click image for larger view)
Happy Labor Day! Saw a sunbreak a little while ago, but the forecast suggests clouds will rule most of the day. Holiday notes:
TRAFFIC ALERTS: The ramp from northbound I-5 to the West Seattle Bridge is scheduled to be closed until 3 pm for the expansion-joint work that’s been under way all weekend. And starting tomorrow, partial closures of SW Orchard between Sylvan and Delridge – beginning with the eastbound side – start, as part of the Delridge Way Repaving Project.
TRANSIT SCHEDULES: Metro Transit is on a Sunday schedule, as are the West Seattle Water Taxi (along with its shuttle buses; however, the Vashon WT is NOT running today), and Sound Transit express buses. Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is on a weekend schedule today, to provide more evening sailings.
STREET PARKING DOWNTOWN, ETC.: Pay stations/meters are on holiday – it’s a city parking holiday.
WHAT’S CLOSED: Most government offices/facilities closed, including the Seattle Public Library system), banks closed, no mail delivery.
OUTDOOR AQUATICS TODAY: Last day of the season for the Highland Park Spraypark and Lincoln Park wading pool (schedule here), and, also at LP, last day of daily operations for Colman Pool (which then opens for one postseason weekend next Saturday/Sunday). It’s open noon-7 today; schedule’s here.
POTLUCK AND FLAG CEREMONY: You’re invited to a 1 pm potluck and 2 pm flag ceremony at the Masonic Center, 40th/Edmunds on the east edge of The Junction. Details in our preview from last night.
(WSB photo from 2012 flag ceremony)
Looking for something patriotic to do on this federal holiday? Today, Alki Masonic Center invites you to its second annual Labor Day Picnic and Flag Ceremony. Socializing and potluck picnicking start at 1 pm; the flag dedication is scheduled for 2 pm. Everyone’s welcome; you’re asked to bring a potluck dish to share, but soft drinks will be provided. The center is at 4736 40th Ave SW.
Thanks to Mike Scharer for sharing photos of the Lake Union 4th of July fireworks as seen from the Admiral Way Bridge over Fairmount Ravine.
If you missed the (sanctioned) show, you have two more chances to see fireworks displays in our area this month: July 17th at Steve Cox Park as part of White Center Jubilee Days, and July 20th off Beach Drive as part of a private event (but the fireworks will be publicly visible.)
Meantime, Mike sent an additional photo taken before Thursday night’s fireworks – showing, if you look very closely, black smoke billowing from the same general area:
Having listened to the scanner throughout the evening, we’re fairly sure that was related to this boat-storage yard fire on Lake Union, not far from Gas Works Park, main viewing area for the fireworks show. SFD says via Twitter that $1.5 million in damage is estimated for 14 boats.
That’s our traditional “everybody, start to finish” West Seattle/Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade video – but this year, #19 for the parade, the turnout wasn’t the only impressive thing about the parade: The diaper drive was, too! New co-coordinator Jackie Clough reports that attendees brought “1,327 diapers and 8 bags of clothes and quilts for WestSide Baby.” She shared this photo from afterward:
Cash donations also totaled enough to reimburse Holy Rosary Parish for the cost of the permits needed for the parade, Jackie says. Before the parade started, we photographed her with Sherri Chun (photo below), longtime coordinator who turned over the reins this year to Jackie and (not pictured) Allyson Schreck.
This year’s parade also drew two mayors – Greg Nickels, North Admiral resident, was expected; here’s his speech (introduced by Jackie), which made note of the situation in Egypt as well as the United States history marked by today’s holiday:
The mayoral surprise was an unexpected appearance by Nickels’ successor, Mike McGinn, who wound up speaking briefly at the Hamilton Viewpoint Park festival that followed the parade. He declared West Seattle to be “unbelievable …” a scene right out of a Norman Rockwell painting:
Perhaps he was inspired by sights like this:
Or this:
More photos (including the post-parade fun and games), video – and a keepsake found after the parade (is it yours?) – ahead:
After leaving the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s Log House Museum, we traveled Alki and Harbor Avenues to see what’s up this 4th of July. Above, at 59th/Alki, we found the AMNO & Co. underwater-robotics team with fundraising refreshments (they’re there until 6 pm) – here’s our recent story about them. Right across the street, perhaps the most unusual food truck we’ve seen at Alki:
Yes, it’s a truck promoting Birds-Eye frozen food. Exactly what we had on our mind on the national barbecuing holiday. From there, more routine sights, including what you’ll always see at Don Armeni and other northeast-facing points by early afternoon on the 4th – people staked out for a fireworks view:
Whatever you do – be safe. We’re hoping for a quiet night. But we’ll be covering breaking news 24/7 as always, so if you see/hear something, 206-293-6302.
12:43 PM: Next big event of the day is at the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) – its annual 4th of July membership picnic is under way now till 3 pm, with a theme of “celebrating volunteers” this year. We’re on the way for some photos and will add an update when we get there!
1:21 PM: Clay Eals, executive director, is emceeing the picnic program on the museum’s back patio (above), talking to some of the volunteers who are on hand about why they volunteered and why others should join them. Eals noted that this year alone, 35 new volunteers have signed up. There are some not-that-new volunteers here too – 87-year-old Nancy McPhee (with Eals in photo below) joked that she “IS a historical exhibit.”
Veteran volunteer Barbara McGlothern reminisced about the campaign to save the Admiral Theater more than 20 years ago. And president Marcy Johnsen talked about living in the Log House Museum before it was a museum.
Still lots of time to come on over – bring a potluck dish if you have one, but if you don’t, don’t let that stop you, there’s food aplenty to share here! P.S. Your next chance to get involved as a volunteer at the museum/Southwest Seattle Historical Society is an information session on July 13th – details here. And Eals has just announced other big events SWSHS has coming up – look for a separate story on that here a bit later.
(POST-PARADE NOTE: This’ll be in report #2 later with lots of full-size photos but if you can’t wait – go here to see our “parade in its entirety” video)
10 AM: As usual, we’re tweeting from the parade route. In case you don’t use Twitter, here’s a window to show you those quick updates, including photos and possibly some video (look for links with Instagram addresses) along the way:
11:17 AM: Parade is over and funfest at Hamilton Viewpoint is well under way. Looks like AT&T signal hung up most of our parade pic tweets but we’ll have lots of coverage once back at HQ.
Good morning and Happy Independence Day! Our full lineup of 4th of July-related information is on this special WSB page, but here are a few toplines:
FORECAST FOR THE FOURTH: Cloudy now but supposed to burn off at “midday,” says the National Weather Service, as it has the past few days.
WEST SEATTLE 4TH OF JULY KIDS’ PARADE: The peninsula’s only 4th of July parade starts at 44th and Sunset at 10 am. Everyone’s welcome to join the fun, walking/rolling along a fairly short route to Hamilton Viewpoint Park, where you’ll find old-fashioned games on the green plus concessions, for a fun celebration to start your holiday. Remember the diaper drive at the start of the route this year for WestSide Baby! And if you’re not in the parade or watching it, do avoid the north end of California till it’s over, as traffic will be stopped while paraders cross. We’ll post a traffic alert on WSB and our other channels once they’re all on the other side.
BOATING OR GOING TO THE BEACH? Seal Sitters reminds you that it’s pupping season and what you do, or don’t do, on beaches and on the water can be a matter of life and death.
SPEAKING OF WATER: The new Highland Park Spraypark is open daily 11 am-8 pm; the city wading-pool hotline says that since the forecast is for sunshine and 70s later, the pools WILL be open – in our area, on Thursdays, that’ll be Lincoln Park, EC Hughes, and Delridge (hours are on the citywide season schedule). Outdoor Colman Pool will be open (here’s its schedule); indoor Southwest Pool, closed.
LOST OR FOUND PET? While personal fireworks are illegal, many use them anyway, and that leads to more than a few pets getting spooked and running away. If you find or lose a pet, we hope West Seattle’s only dedicated online HQ for such notices can help with a reunion – e-mail info (photo if available but not required) to editor@westseattleblog.com – we will be on duty as always, well into the night.
Again – lots more on the West Seattle 4th of July page.
Right about this time tomorrow, hundreds of kids (and accompanying adults) will be walking/rolling along the North Admiral route of the annual 4th of July Kids’ Parade, which starts from 44th/Sunset (map) at 10 am Thursday. New parade co-coordinator Jackie Clough shares the photo from Walking on Logs, where WestSide Baby‘s “Stuff the Bus” reminders are currently sharing space with a parade reminder and patriotic decorations. Jackie also has a reminder for paradegoers:
It would be great to remind folks to please not park on Atlantic Street between Sunset Ave SW and California Ave SW. This is along the parade route and would obstruct the parade (the parade route runs south on Sunset Ave SW, East on Atlantic, crossing California Ave SW, north on Palm, and ending at Hamilton Viewpoint Park).
If you’re not joining or watching the parade, please note that when it gets to California and heads east across the street, vehicle traffic is stopped both ways until everyone has crossed, and that could take up to 15 minutes (by our informal measure in years past). Then remember, it’s a post-parade fun fest of games and concessions on the lawn at Hamilton Viewpoint immediately afterward. The full lineup of who/what/when/where is here. See you there (and as reiterated on the sign – bring diapers for WS Baby if you can)!
Again this year, Seattle Parks will leave the lights on at synthetic-turf ballfields around the city to discourage fireworks. We’ve excerpted its citywide announcement to include the West Seattle fields it mentions (no WS fields will be turned off at 10):
Seattle Parks and Recreation will activate the field lighting on synthetic ballfields throughout the city on the evening of Thursday, July 4, to protect the synthetic 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. The approximate replacement cost for synthetic carpet 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 soccer, football, baseball, Ultimate Frisbee and lacrosse.
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
For additional questions or information please contact Seattle Parks and Recreation Security Manager Corby Christensen at 206-510-2315.
See the entire citywide list in the full Parks announcement published here.
If you’re checking to see what’s happening on the holiday this Thursday, our West Seattle 4th of July page is now up and running – 
see it here, or find it on the row of navigation tabs beneath the sunset-photo header on every WSB page. The page includes details about the traditional West Seattle events happening again this year, including the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade on Thursday morning. The page is a work in progress until the holiday arrives, so if you have an event, or restaurant/store hours, to add, just let us know – thank you!
Though all fireworks are illegal in Seattle (except for sanctioned displays like the one over Lake Union on the 4th), you’re likely seeing or hearing them every night this time of year. When do you call 911? Do you call at all? In an attempt to answer those questions, the State Fire Marshal shared a media advisory today that included a chart created with input from emergency-dispatch centers around the state. We’ve uploaded the chart here:
When and how to report fireworks violations
Again, ALL fireworks are illegal in Seattle, as well as in nearby cities such as Burien and Tukwila – but some are legal in the adjacent unincorporated areas of King County. Here’s the list of fireworks rules (including when they can be sold and used, in places where they are allowed) statewide.
We’re working this morning on the annual special West Seattle 4th of July page, a one-stop shop for holiday information from transit schedules to special events like the Kids’ Parade, and wanted to send out a quick “last call” to make sure we’re not missing anything – including special business hours if your business is NOT closed on the holiday. If you have something to include, please comment here or just e-mail us at editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
Just a week and a half till the 4th of July – and West Seattle’s one and only Independence Day parade is looking good! You’ll recall that longtime coordinator Sherri Chun has passed the baton to new co-coordinators, and we have updates from one of them, Jackie Clough of Alki Party Treasures (WSB sponsor), who tells WSB:
*Sponsors are enabling the Hamilton Viewpoint event after the parade to be a lively kid-friendly event as always, with games and concessions.
*West Seattle politicians will help get things going as usual – Admiral resident and former Mayor Greg Nickels at the start, West Seattle resident and County Councilmember Joe McDermott at the kickoff of the post-parade games.
*You’ll see a few days of parade promotion at Walking on Logs, courtesy of WestSide Baby, which will be promoting the Stuff the Bus diaper drive there by then. Speaking of which … Jackie says there’ll be a diaper drive at the parade to benefit WS Baby. She suggests it’s a “kids helping kids opportunity.”
*Janelle Maroney, recent Chief Sealth International High School graduate, will sing the national anthem.
*The parade has a Facebook event page to which you can RSVP (or at least “join” it for a reminder) – find it here.
The parade starts same time, same place as always – 10 am, 44th/Sunset in North Admiral (map) – come be part of it!
The West Seattle Junction Association‘s flags are out, we noticed while going through “Downtown West Seattle” a bit earlier – that’s one of two Flag Day notes we are sharing; second one came in right about the same time we photographed the Junction flags – it’s from American Legion Post 160 Commander Kyle Geraghty:
A brief ceremony observing Flag Day will be held in front of the West Seattle American Legion Post 160 at 7 pm, located at 3618 SW Alaska.
All Veterans, family members of Veterans, and community members are invited to attend.
If you have a soiled, faded, or torn American flag, this would be a perfect opportunity to drop it off so it can be disposed of properly.
After the ceremony, the West Seattle American Legion Post 160 will observe the 238th birthday of the United States Army with song and light refreshments.
ADDED 11:36 PM: Providence Mount St. Vincent had its own take on Flag Day:
Special-events director Anna Cronin shared the photo, explaining, “Providence Mount St. Vincent closed employee appreciation week with a Flag Day celebration, honoring employees’ more than 51 countries of origin. With approximately 500 employees, The Mount is the largest employer in West Seattle, and very proud of the hard-working, diverse staff. The flags will be placed around The Mount campus to proudly celebrate and honor staff throughout the summer.”
In case you haven’t seen them in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more), three Father’s Day weekend events, with food, to which you/Dad/Granddad/etc. are invited:
DELRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER BARBECUE, DAY BEFORE FATHER’S DAY: On Saturday (June 15th), 10 am-3 pm, the Advisory Council at Delridge Community Center is raising money for youth scholarships with a barbecue. Hamburgers and hot dogs off the grill, $5 suggested donation; baked 12″ pizzas, $10 (or $3/slice); fresh salad, $3; bake sale too! (4501 Delridge Way SW)
BRUNCH AND FUN AT MERRILL GARDENS: 11:30-1:30 on Sunday (June 16th) at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor), you’re invited to “brunch and fun to honor the special men in our lives,” especially dads and granddads. $20 includes brunch, professional photography, roundup carnival games, and a “gift for all dads.” Menu includes grilled salmon, buffalo sliders, barbecue chicken, corn on the cob, hush puppies, sarsaparilla floats! RSVP ASAP – 206-938-3964. (2326 California SW)
ADMIRAL CHURCH BARBECUE: Everyone’s invited to the Father’s Day barbecue/”summer kickoff” event Sunday at Admiral Congregational Church, noon-2 pm. Cookout with hot dogs and summer games on the lawn – indoor if there’s rain. (4320 SW Hill)
(7/4/12 photo by Nick Adams for WSB)
With Memorial Day now past, some thoughts turn to the next national holiday – the 4th of July. Actually, it’s already been on the minds of Jackie Clough and Allyson Schreck – new coordinators of the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade. They stepped up after longtime coordinator Sherri Chun put out a call last year for someone to take over. And Jackie – co-founder of Alki Party Treasures (WSB sponsor) – e-mailed us last night with an early reminder that yes, the parade is on again, starting at 10 am Thursday, July 4th:
We hope folks will come. It’s going to be a lot of fun. All of the details will be the same from last year. The parade starts at the intersection of 44th & Sunset (in front of 1137 Sunset Ave SW) [map]. The parade is about a half-mile walk through the neighborhood, crossing California Ave SW, and ending at Hamilton Viewpoint Park. Kids are encouraged to dress up and decorate strollers, scooters, wagons, and bikes. We will have fun old fashioned games at Hamilton Park (3-legged race, wheelbarrow races, and gunnysack races). Games will be cancelled if there is rain (no rain allowed). The Admiral Neighborhood Association will be providing concessions again this year. Holy Rosary Parish has generously made the parade possible with underwriting our liability insurance and handling our permits.
(Jackie adds that Weitzel Construction is again underwriting the porta-potties!) This will be the 19th annual edition of West Seattle’s only Independence Day parade!
While this afternoon’s Memorial Day ceremony at Forest Lawn (WSB sponsor) represented the event’s 86th year, it was also a first, for new commanders Kyle Geraghty of American Legion Post 160 (below left) and Nick Sullivan of VFW Post 2713, both headquartered in The Triangle (below right):
The day’s persistent rain paused just before “Taps”; as we do each year, we recorded video of the ceremony in its entirety, as all were exhorted to remember the sacrifices made by those who served:
Tenor Ross Hauck sang the national anthem and “America the Beautiful“; Pete Kirkman and Greg Lyon echoed “Taps.” And as always, the flags and crosses marking veterans’ graves were the work of Boy Scout Troop 284.
Thanks to William Larson for sharing that photo of Troop 284 Scouts helping to mark veterans’ graves, as they do every year, at Forest Lawn, where today’s traditional West Seattle Memorial Day service will happen at 2 pm. That’s part of our info list for today, starting with some holiday basics:
TRANSPORTATION: Metro is on a Sunday schedule … The West Seattle Water Taxi also is on a Sunday schedule (but there’s no Vashon WT service) … Sound Transit buses are on a Sunday schedule … The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth state-ferry route is on a regular Monday schedule.
TRASH/RECYCLING/ETC.: If you have Monday pickup, it’s normal service today, says Seattle Public Utilities; the South Transfer Station is open normal Monday hours, too.
SCHOOLS: Seattle Public Schools are closed, as is South Seattle Community College.
LIBRARIES: Seattle branches are closed, as are King County branches.
CITY PARKING HOLIDAY: No charge to park today in Seattle neighborhoods with city-operated pay stations/meters.
NO MAIL, NO BANKS … though on occasion we hear of a bank branch open on a holiday, so if you happen onto one, let us know!
CITY-RUN COMMUNITY CENTERS AND SOUTHWEST POOL … closed today.
But …
… COLMAN POOL IS OPEN! The outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park is open for its first pre-season weekend! Today’s hours are noon-7 pm – broken up into these sessions.
Also happening today:
FITNESS BOOTCAMP FOR CHARITY: 8:30-9:30 am at Hiawatha Field with Fitness Revolution, free but bring a donation for WestSide Baby – more info in the calendar listing. (2700 California SW)
LOW-LOW TIDE, WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: Today’s low tide is almost as low as yesterday’s (did you see WSB readers’ photos/video?) – at 1:11 pm, it’ll be out to -3.4 feet. That’s right in the middle of the four-hour period when you will find Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists at Constellation and Lincoln Parks, 11 am-3 pm.
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE: All are welcome at Forest Lawn (WSB sponsor) at 2 pm for the traditional Memorial Day service/commemoration presented by American Legion Post 160 – look for the canopy on the green, across from FL’s building and parking. (6701 30th SW)
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