Again this year, in addition to the regular 24/7/365 WSB West Seattle Events Calendar, we have a special page that lists West Seattle Halloween events, from Halloween-themed Rainbow Bingo this Friday, to the new Junction Harvest Festival, to bar parties, and beyond. With two weeks to go till The Big Night, it’s now live at westseattleblog.com/halloween. Some events are just a few days away, so take a look – it’s in the header (every one of those tabs takes you to another section of the site), with the word “Halloween” in pumpkin orange. And while we do our best both to publish all the listings we receive, and to look around online to see what has NOT come in yet, we’re still probably missing something – here’s how to get us the info. We’ll continue to update the Halloween page when there’s something to add or update. Thanks! (Jack-o-lanterns photo from Heidi & Daniel, Halloween 2007)

It’s a West Seattle tradition times three – business-district trick-or-treating. Today, we have the complete picture of who’s doing what, when:

(WSB photo from 2011 Admiral Treats and Treasures)
ADMIRAL TREATS AND TREASURES: As first reported here last month, The Admiral District’s merchants are presenting this popular event – with a treasure hunt enhancing the treat-collecting – 3-6 pm on Friday, October 26th. Today, Admiral District Business Association president Parris Sadow of Atomic Boys also sent the full list of 47 participating merchants/sponsors:

Click the image to see a full-size view and read the list.

WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION HARVEST FESTIVAL: Also first announced last month, the West Seattle Junction Association and its merchants are expanding trick-or-treating into a full-blown Harvest Festival this year. 10 am-2 pm on Sunday, October 28th, the streets will even be closed (granting an oft-expressed wish from local families) for not just the trick-or-treating, but also a costume parade, fun activities (preliminary list here), and a special West Seattle Farmers’ Market setup in the street.

WESTWOOD VILLAGE TRICK-OR-TREATING: Today we stopped by the shopping center to find out the plan for this year. As usual, merchants will offer trick-or-treating on Halloween itself – 5 to 7 pm on Wednesday, October 31st.

(If you want to get a jump on other Halloween events – we have more than a few listed in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – just scroll down the page to browse as far ahead into the fall as you’d like!)

Exactly one month till the first-ever West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival – combining the traditional business-district trick-or-treating with a close-down-the-streets dose of FREE family festival fun, AND a special California SW edition of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market. One big component of the festival (10 am-2 pm October 28th) is an array of activities sponsored and presented by local groups, schools, and businesses. Susan Melrose from the WS Junction Association is putting out one last call for ANYONE interested in organizing and presenting an activity for the festival. Here’s what’s planned already:

Sustainable West Seattle – Cider Pressing
Westside Baby – Face Painting
Delridge Food Coop – Pumpkin Walk
Hope Lutheran Church and School – Games
Community School of West Seattle – Mini Farm and Games
West Seattle Christian School and Hotwire Coffee – Cut-out wood frame photo booth (take your own), photo frame craft project
Guide Dogs For The Blind – Puppy Origami
American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 160 – Fishing for rubber duckies
Young at Art – Art Project
WS Blog/WS Bowl/WS Baby (WSB x 3) – Pumpkin Bowling
City Mouse Studio – Kooky Spooky Costume Comp’
West Seattle Eagles Hall – Fishing for fun in kiddie pool
Fitness Revolution with Jill – Win a treat for doing a fitness activity
West Seattle Music Studio – Music Listening activity (by students)
West Seattle Montessori School – Make your own bookmarks

Any other organizations/businesses/schools interested in offering a fun activity to make the first-ever edition of this festival unforgettable? E-mail Susan ASAP at susan@wsjunction.org.

For years, after the West Seattle Junction Association trick-or-treating event, some would ask if it would be possible to close the streets to enhance safety and fun. Now – that’s finally going to happen. WSJA has just officially announced the new Harvest Festival, 10 am-2 pm October 28th. And trick-or-treating is just part of it. Here’s the official announcement:

The Junction Association is excited to introduce a new event – The Junction’s Harvest Festival. We are expanding the popular Trick-or-Treat in The Junction into something new for our neighborhood. The Harvest Festival will be an opportunity for West Seattle families to continue the Trick-or-Treat tradition while adding elements that appeal to a broader audience. Most importantly, WE’RE CLOSING THE STREETS!

A core element of the Harvest Festival will be celebrating the year-round West Seattle Farmers Market. In partnership with the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance, over 40 local farmers will set up on California Ave to share their goods at the peak of harvest. Farmers will bring fresh seasonal produce including a surprising variety of apples, fruits, melons, and a collage of vegetables. The Farmers Market’s colors, smells, and vibrancy will be the heart of the Harvest Festival and will be open between 10am and 2pm.

Additionally, there will be a kids’ costume parade followed by Trick-or-Treating between Noon and 2pm. Details will follow as they develop. In an effort to bring more healthy options to Halloween events, The Junction is inviting schools, clubs, non-profits, churches, and even businesses to set up a Harvest Activity tent (art activities or a game). It’s free to set up an activity but it will be free for festivalgoers. Please email Susan Melrose, susan@wsjunction.org, if you’d like to provide a Harvest Activity to be approved by the committee.

The West Seattle neighborhood has enjoyed our Trick-or-Treat in The Junction for years. With more new families and interest in this event, it became necessary to close the streets and do something different. Please help spread the word that the event is moving from Saturday to Sunday. California Ave SW will be closed between Edmunds and Oregon, and Alaska St. will be closed between 44th and 42nd.

The Junction Association looks forward to creating a fun event for West Seattle.

(CONTINUING TO UPDATE as we get more word of who’s open/closed, especially restaurants … scroll down)

(Water Taxi’s pre-Husky-game lineup Saturday, photographed by Dana. It’s on Sunday schedule today)
Happy Labor Day! Sun’s supposed to be out full strength later. Today’s traditional note:

SOLID WASTE PICKUP: If Monday is your day for city trash/recycling/yard waste pickup, it’s on a regular schedule today.

TRANSPORTATION: Metro Transit is on a Sunday schedule, as are the West Seattle Water Taxi (along with its shuttle buses – but 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. NO scheduled bridge/99 closures today/tonight.

STREET PARKING DOWNTOWN, ETC.: Pay stations/meters are on holiday – it’s a city parking holiday.

WHAT’S CLOSED/NOT HAPPENING: Most government offices/facilities closed (Seattle Public Library system reopens tomorrow), most banks closed, no mail delivery.

BUSINESSES? Again this year, those that have made mention on social media tend to be more closed than open, overall. Among retailers, Avalon Glassworks e-mailed to say they’ll be open again this year for Labor Day. Also open Labor Day for the first time – West 5 in The Junction. Meander’s Kitchen north of Morgan Junction is open. (added) Zeeks Pizza is open regular hours (thanks to Larry for the tip) … Easy Street Café till 3 and Chelan Café till 1 (thanks to Rich for the tip) … WSB sponsors Hotwire Online Coffeehouse and C&P Coffee Company are among the many coffee shops we noticed open while taking a quick investigative drive a little while ago. … (More additions) The Bridge (thanks, Lindsay!) and Pegasus Pizza (thanks, Clara!) are both open, from lunchtime on … Fresh Bistro‘s open (thanks, Alan!) … Wing Dome in The Junction too (thanks, Andy!) … also open: Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor; thanks, Jordan!), Cactus on Alki (thanks, Katrina!), Seattle Fish Co. (thanks, Hannelore!), and Luna Park Café (thanks and happy birthday to Krissy!) … (added late afternoon) Endolyne Joe’s is open (thanks, Ian!) …

(Anybody else, stores or restaurants/bars? Let us know, and we will keep adding to the list!)

OUTDOOR SWIMMING TODAY: Last day of the season for the Lincoln Park wading pool, and, also at LP, last day of daily operations for Colman Pool – details here.

KAYAKING/PADDLEBOARDING: Alki Kayak Tours (WSB sponsor) is open at Seacrest and still offering its BOGO deal for locals.

PETTING ZOO: At Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) today – here’s the announcement:

Please join us at Merrill Gardens Admiral Heights for an Animal Encounter on September 3rd from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. We will have a free petting zoo at our community and everyone will have a chance to have a “Hands on Experience”. There will be cute bunnies, baby chicks, a Wallaby, Kune Kune Piglet, Prairie Dog, Pygmy Goats and more exciting animals to see. We will be offering assorted flavors of shaved ice for refreshment. The Admiral Heights community is located at 2326 California Ave SW in the heart of the Admiral Heights business district.

POTLUCK AND FLAG DEDICATION: Everyone’s invited to a noon potluck and 1 pm flag dedication at the Masonic Lodge, 40th/Edmunds on the east edge of The Junction. Details in our calendar listing.

Thanks to Jamie Kinney for sharing the view from the Admiral Bridge over Fairmount Ravine. Jamie says about 40 people watched from the bridge, and has a gallery with more images here.

Overall, so far, no major trouble. We roamed the busiest West Seattle spots in the hour and a half or so pre-fireworks, and during. Police were out on Alki in a big way – every half block or so, vehicles and officers were standing guard, including a few vans and even a small SPD bus. We don’t know yet if they had to make any arrests. 911 suggests no callouts for injuries.

Since the weather was so clear, multiple fireworks shows were visible from West Seattle – Bainbridge, from Alki Beach Park; Vashon, from Constellation Park, and a few others further south (not sure if the southernmost one was Des Moines or Tacoma).

ADDED 8:55 AM: While personal fireworks remain illegal in Seattle, as commenters have noted (particularly following our report on the small Admiral fire from last night), they proliferated. WSB contributor Nick Adams noticed this at Hamilton Viewpoint Park:

We’ll be checking around this morning on day-after cleanups at local parks/fields. Nick also photographed people who were at Hamilton to watch the Lake Union fireworks:

(If you find this story in subsequent years and wonder how early to get there – we stopped by around 8:45, an hour-plus before fireworks, and the park was jammed with cars, so unless you come really early, you have to plan alternate transportation, or park some distance away and walk.)

ADDED 10:09 AM: One more fireworks view – from Ilona Berzups, with the new Seattle Great Wheel showing its colors too:

Here’s another of her views, on Flickr.

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB, unless otherwise credited)
Today’s West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade was truly super. And not just because of superheroes-for-the-day Jake Haupert and 4-year-old son Quinn. The weather was super. So was the turnout.

We of course caught the entire parade on video – about 16 minutes for all participants to pass our camera at the start of the route in North Admiral – but unscientifically, we’d agree with someone who declared the crowd “denser” this year:

(Video by WSB editor Tracy Record)
We noticed more spectators too, like Jeff Kusowski and canine companion Dewey:

The West Seattle Hi-Yu contingent, as always, led the parade, right after a Seattle Police motorcycle officer and Seattle Fire Engine 29:

From there, a steady stream of red-white-and-blue – from streamers to ribbons to balloons like the ones flying high as Gretchen Evans pushed, from left, Thomas, Jackson, and Waylon:

Patriotic face-painting, even:

That’s Tessa Gates, 10, watching as Cheryl Jones painted a flag on daughter Katy, also 10. Once the parade finished crossing California SW at Atlantic, it was game time at Hamilton Viewpoint Park – here’s 7-year-old Aidan Schreck jumping ahead of his fellow sack racers:

Wheelbarrow races, too:

Now, a few more scenes from the pre-parade festivities as well as the games afterward:

Read More

More photos from this holiday – a new tradition and a not-so-new tradition:

Turns out there were TWO parades at 10 o’clock this morning! The 4000 and 4100 blocks of 32nd SW (west of Avalon Way – map) gathered for their first-ever 4th of July Bike Parade; thanks to Vince for the photo – he says it was “well-attended” plus – “there was food.”

Not far away, a West Seattle business’s traditional 4th of July sale has less than 2 hours to go:

At Avalon Glassworks (on Avalon Way just south of the West Seattle Bridge), the holiday has become a traditional day for a “seconds” sale. Co-proprietor Shannon Felix (photo right) says a line of shoppers was waiting when they opened up at 9 this morning; the sale continues – while the glass lasts! – till 3 pm.

That little guy was the very last West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade participant to cross California SW at Atlantic, and with that, the road reopened a few minutes ago. The post-parade festivities are still in full swing at Hamilton Viewpoint Park. We’ll have a full parade report with video and photos a bit later!

P.S. Till our full coverage of the parade is done – here’s the video of the entire parade (which we’ll transfer over to the in-progress story when it’s ready):

If you were up early – and in The Junction – you might have wondered what brought four police cars to 42nd/Alaska. Nope, nothing bad …

Those are the four Southwest Precinct officers who, along with one other citizen, answered the West Seattle Junction Association‘s call to help their all-around guy Don Smathers (center) with the task of placing flags along the heart of The Junction for the holiday. We followed along – photos ahead:Read More

(Thanks to Don Brubeck for the photo of a holiday-ready cargo bike parked during a ride along Alki)
Welcome to the holiday! Our FULL list of Independence Day events and notes for West Seattle is on the WSB 4th of July page – including a few business notes, fireworks-watching, and more. Of particular note otherwise:

WEST SEATTLE 4TH OF JULY KIDS’ PARADE: The only holiday parade in West Seattle starts at 10 am at 44th/Sunset in North Admiral, all kids, of all ages, invited. Here’s our most recent preview, including the route map (organizers ask that you NOT park along it, particularly Atlantic St.). Even if you’re not participating, please note that at one point California SW is blocked both ways at Atlantic for the parade to cross, and it takes a while.

LOW-LOW TIDE: Been waiting for sunshine AND a day off to walk the beach during an extra-low tide? Today it’s -3.2 at 11:50 am.

COLMAN POOL: The newly reopened, newly renovated outdoor pool at Lincoln Park *is* open regular hours today (though indoor Southwest Pool is closed). Schedule’s here.

WADING POOLS: Doublecheck the hotline after 9 am, but today’s forecast looks promising for them to be open today. Lincoln Park, E.C. Hughes, and Hiawatha would be the ones open on Wednesdays when the weather criteria are met – here’s the schedule.

Again – lots more on the West Seattle 4th of July page.

Again this year, to discourage personal-use fireworks (which are illegal in Seattle), the Parks Department will turn on the lights for a while at synthetic-turf fields, including 3 in West Seattle. The announcement’s ahead:Read More

Fireworks shows, transportation schedules, the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade … if you’re looking for West Seattle holiday info (and a bit of what’s happening nearby), our annual page is up. It has its own tab atop every WSB page – or, go here.

We’re putting together the annual West Seattle 4th of July page today so we can link it from the tab line atop WSB pages through the holiday – so we wanted to issue an open call: If your business/group/etc. has anything special (and open to the public) planned for the holiday … different hours, a sale, an event, going to be closed, whatever … please let us know so it can be part of the page. editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

(WSB photo from 2011 4th of July Kids’ Parade)
OK, to be precise, it’s two weeks **plus one day** till the 4th of July – and yes, the parade is on. The 4th of July Kids’ Parade in Admiral is West Seattle’s *only* 4th of July parade, and it gets bigger every year (here’s our report from last year) – though after 5 years of running it, Sherri Chun says next year is in jeopardy if someone doesn’t step up to take over. Here’s her official announcement of this year’s plan:

Start decorating your scooters, strollers, and trikes right now! The Admiral Kids 4th of July Parade starts at 10:00 am on the corner of 44th and Sunset. Walk the parade route, then enjoy traditional games and treats at Hamilton Viewpoint Park. Rain will cancel the games. Concessions will be provided by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. Joe McDermott, King County Councilmember, will be there to kick things off. This year we welcome back Roger Scholten, the singing pediatrician, for the national anthem. We also hope to have the Hi-Yu princess court.

This would not be possible without generous contributions from many. A big thank you to Dave Weitzel of Weitzel Construction for the porta-potties at Hamilton Viewpoint Park. Thank you also to Verity Credit Union and Kayle Shulenberger, licenced speech-language pathologist. Holy Rosary Parish makes this all possible through their generous underwriting of our liability insurance, which is required for park and parade permits. Then of course there is you, the parade participant. You ARE the parade, and this is what makes our parade the best! Please support the parade with a $1 contribution per child. Look for the red boxes at the parade start and finish.

This is my last year coordinating the parade, and I want to thank you for making it the fantastic event that it is. I have not yet found a replacement. If you or someone you know is interested, please send me an e-mail. Believe it or not, it is not a lot of work. I am confident this great tradition will continue. Thank you.

Sherri Chun
admiralkidsparade@gmail.com

The annual Memorial Day service at West Seattle’s Forest Lawn Cemetery (WSB sponsor) spanned the years in more ways than one. Cub Scouts from Pack 793 placed the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown as the service began; just before it started, we photographed American Legion Post 160 Commander Chris Shea, speaking for a 7th year, with the man who will succeed him at the post, Kyle Geraghty:

The service itself was as always relatively short but stirring; Shea read “In Flanders Fields” as part of his reflections, while Seattle Opera mezzo-soprano Lucy Weber, a West Seattleite, sang the national anthem and “America the Beautiful.” Here’s the entire 37-minute service as we recorded it:

Shea paid tribute to the past, and its lessons for the present and future, reading the poem “In Flanders Fields” and also recounting the story of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and his successes following failure. As the service began, we counted more than 50 people – including some standing:

The veterans buried at Forest Lawn include some who served as far back as the Civil War.