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.

At West Seattle’s only cemetery, Forest Lawn (WSB sponsor) east of High Point, Memorial Day weekend is a busy time, as people come to pay tribute to loved ones lost. Flags and crosses mark hundreds of veterans’ graves; some were still being set out while we were there this morning.

More-personal tributes mark others.

Throughout Memorial Day weekend, Forest Lawn has a tent not far from the Sylvan Way entrance, with maps so that visitors can get help finding specific gravesites if need be. It will also be the site of the traditional Memorial Day service on Monday, 2 pm, in conjunction with West Seattle’s American Legion Post 160.

(WSB photo from 2011 Memorial Day service)
Forest Lawn Cemetery (WSB sponsor), which just hosted the annual Seattle Police Memorial ceremony last Friday, will again be the scene of a solemn event next Monday – the annual traditional Memorial Day service with American Legion Post 160. It’s set for 2 pm (across from the funeral home at 6701 30th SW). If you haven’t been but wonder what it’s like, here’s our coverage from last year.

P.S. We’re working to make sure the WSB calendar has everything special, changed, etc., for the holiday, so if your business or organization has something going on, please let us know!

Thanks to Doug B for the photo! (More on his Flickr page.) Not entirely certain whether that’s Mom Goose or Dad Goose, so let’s just celebrate the spirit of parenthood, which comes in so many forms. And to that point, while brunch is awesome, Mother’s Day activities go beyond that … especially on a summer-like day … check out this list:

STILL IN THE MOOD FOR YARD/GARAGE/RUMMAGE SALES? Here in the aftermath of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, the Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation is continuing its sale 9 am-2 pm today (details here). P.S. If you’re having a sale, you’re always welcome to post it in the Freebies/Deals/Sales section of the WSB Forums.

MOTHER’S DAY AT WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always, with food and flowers and special activities:

We’ll have a book booth from Readers to Eaters, with author readings and book sales:

10:30 – Jill Lightener – Edible Seattle: The Cookbook
11:30 – Rick Swann – Our School Garden! (children’s picture book)
12:30 – Sara Anderson – A Day At The Market (children’s book)

All Day: Master Gardeners will host a seed-planting booth for kids! (With sweet peas from Langley Fine Gardens on Vashon).

44th/Alaska in The Junction.

GLASS FLOWERS FOR MOTHER’S DAY: Not only can you buy them, you can watch glass sunflowers being created at Avalon Glassworks again today, 11 am-5 pm (SW Avalon Way just south of the West Seattle Bridge).

‘NICKELSVILLE’ ANNIVERSARY: As reported here on Friday, today marks one year since the encampment founded on a triangle of public land at West Marginal Way SW and Highland Park Way SW moved back, with the city not threatening eviction this time. The public is invited to events today that start at noon, including a double wedding.

MOTHER’S DAY TEA DANCE … with Dance for Joy @ Camp Long Lodge (5200 35th SW). 1-5 pm. See the schedule here.

TAKE MOM TO THE SEALTH MUSICAL: The last of three performances of “The Rehearsal Room” at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium (2600 SW Thistle) is a 2 pm matinee today, with flowers and chocolate promised for the moms in attendance. Ticket info here.

LIVE GUITAR MUSIC: Jonathan Nicholson performs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm (5612 California SW).

‘IRON BREWER COMPETITION’ … a special event this week for the West Seattle Cooking Club, with an unusual lineup of flavors. 4 pm, Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW).

THE MAMA-LOGUES: Mother’s Day evening performance at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW)! 7:30 pm, with wine, dessert, and the knowledge that the proceeds benefit family-nurturing nonprofits. Details here.

More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.

(Photo by John Hinkey, taken Saturday from Hamilton Viewpoint Park in North Admiral)
Another sunny day is unfolding – maybe into the mid-60s! Besides church and brunch, which we’re sure you have figured out already if they are in your plans, three notes:

VIADUCT STILL CLOSED: The state is working on Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct again this weekend, reinforcing it in advance of tunnel-construction work. Reopening isn’t planned till 5 am Monday, but if it’s earlier, you’ll hear it here (and on the WSB Facebook page and Twitter feed, of course).

YES, THE FARMERS’ MARKET IS OPEN: 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska, you’ll find West Seattle Farmers’ Market vendors. Market managers’ promotion point for this week is: “Welcome back Tiny’s Organics, with perfectly preserved preserves and dried goodies!”

ALKI KAYAK TOURS IS OPEN FOR THE SEASON: Yes, that includes today (and what a perfect day to be out on the water!), according to proprietor Greg Whittaker, who says AKT – at Seacrest Boathouse (1660 Harbor Avenue SW) is up and running for “early season sea kayak tours and rentals, stand-up paddleboard (SUP) instruction and rentals, as well as skate and bike rentals … More information on our website @ www.kayakalki.com or by calling 206-953-0237.”

VILLAGE GREEN IS OPEN TODAY: Another sunny day got you in the mood to get out in the garden? Village Green Perennial Nursery (WSB sponsor) is open – “and hiding little treasures,” according to proprietor Vera Johnson. (10223 26th SW – open at 10 am)

With the community centers’ events all combined at Southwest Athletic Complex, today’s only Admiral District-area community egg hunt was at Life Care Center of West Seattle – with more than 100 people on hand.

Oh, and in addition to the 100-plus people, one Easter Bunny, holding court for DIY photos:

WSB was among the sponsors, by the way – we chipped in for some of the candy.

Notice the fire engine in the back of that photo? The Admiral District’s own Engine 29 came to Life Care Center for the occasion, and provided almost as many photo ops as The Bunny:

Miss today’s egg hunts? There’s the usual casual, low-key Easter Sunday one at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) tomorrow morning at 11 am, and if you’re going to an Easter church service, check your favorite church’s website to see if they’re having one before or after the service – we’ve noticed a few.

Thanks to Tim for our first photo from the first egg hunt of the day, West Seattle Thriftway‘s traditional lots-of-eggs, lots-of-hunters event this morning. (Pictured are Violet and Lydia, who, Tim reports, “had a great time!”) Even if you aren’t a participant, the crowd is always something to see. And this year, Thriftway staffer Emma was out circulating with bacon (hey, goes with eggs, right?):

We also caught Michele from Thriftway with The Bunny:

But back to the egg-scitement. The doors opened, and in went the crowd:

We managed to get Harrison to stop and pose:

And one more bunny photo – with Marianna and dad:

Thriftway’s Facebook page has lots of pix, too – see them here.

This year for the first time, dealing with city-budget-related changes such as staff cuts and closures, the West Seattle Community Centers team came up with a creative alternative idea for the traditional spring-egg-hunt day – one big combined event at Southwest Athletic Complex that went beyond egg hunts. And what a turnout! The event is about midway through (see the schedule here). On the field, there are bouncy toys for kids not tuckered out enough after chasing eggs:

And right before the hunting began, there was the tantalizing sight of the prize baskets:

We have more photos/video to add later. Caspar Babypants performs at 1:30 pm and the event’s not over till 3. The complex is in the 2800 block of SW Thistle, across from Chief Sealth International High School.

ADDED 9:04 PM: Adding video and a few more photos – first, you see them in summertime parades, but here’s the Sweet Mahogany drill team in a springtime appearance:

Someone else you’ll be seeing in summertime parades – West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival royalty! Here’s Senior Court Queen Kayli, with Junior Court Queen Thea and Princess Elena:

And this event had TWO Easter Bunnies … who posed with team members from EuropaKids International Preschool (WSB sponsor), which has classes at the nearby Southwest Pool/Teen Life Center building but is expanding as of this summer:

And one more video clip: Caspar Babypants with the song that we wind up humming for days after hearing it …

For other events coming up at West Seattle city-run Community Centers, you can browse the spring brochure (PDF).

(UPDATED THURSDAY with Villa Heidelberg event on Saturday)

(2011 WSB photo from West Seattle Thriftway Easter-egg hunt)
Just in case your plans for next weekend aren’t totally finalized yet: Coming up one week from today, in case you haven’t seen them all on the remodeled WSB West Seattle Events calendar, 4 egg hunts (including the big new combined West Seattle Community Centers mega-event), and for the littlest West Seattleites, there’s one two days before that. Here’s the quick take, each with a link to the event’s self-contained calendar listing (those pages in turn contain maps):

ON THURSDAY (APRIL 5):

High Point Community Center Toddler Eggstravaganza, 10 am-noon. Includes an egg hunt at 11. $5 admission; 6420 34th SW.

ON SATURDAY (APRIL 7):

West Seattle Thriftway Easter Egg Hunt, 9 am, ages 1-10. More than 50,000 eggs. Free; 4201 SW Morgan (California/Fauntleroy).

Life Care Center of West Seattle Easter Egg Hunt, 11 am. Easter Bunny photos too. Free; 4700 SW Admiral Way.

Eastridge Church Easter Egg Hunt at Lincoln Park, 11 am. Also includes games, bouncy slide. Free.

West Seattle Community Centers’ Spring Egg Hunt (and more!) event, 11:30 am-3 pm. Egg hunts for all ages, bouncy rides, Caspar Babypants concert. New this year – a West Seattle-wide event replacing the previous years’ concurrent egg hunts at multiple centers. $3/person in advance (buy wristband at West Seattle/South Park community centers), $5 same-day, Southwest Athletic Complex, 2801 SW Thistle.

Villa Heidelberg Easter Tea and Children’s Egg Hunt, 2 pm. Reservations required; details in our calendar listing.

EASTER SUNDAY NOTE: At least a few local churches usually have egg hunts before or after services. We are still compiling our list (would love to hear directly from churches, about egg hunts AND services – editor@westseattleblog.com) so we’ll add them to the list once we’ve finished our compilation of that information.

With two weeks till Easter weekend, it’s time to make plans — so we’re reminding you about a big change this year for the West Seattle area’s city-run Community Centers, as first reported here last month. Instead of multiple egg hunts, they’re joining forces for one big event at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle, just east of the former SW Community Center). It’s a festival-style event 11:30 am-3 pm on Saturday, April 7th, with egg hunts for all ages, plus bouncy toys, face-painting, games, and even a concert by Caspar Babypants. There’s an admission charge – $3/person if you buy a wristband in advance at your local community center, $5/person the day of the event. (This is one of the Easter-weekend events already on the newly remodeled WSB Events calendar, and we’re continuing to add more.)

In addition to another westbound Spokane Street Viaduct closure tonight (as announced here), there’s a weekend traffic note for Highway 99 – the St. Patrick’s Day Dash will shut down its northernmost end, from the Western Avenue exit stretching onto Aurora Avenue and beyond, from approximately 7:30-11 am Saturday. Details are in this SDOT update (along with a few other downtown-area traffic notes, including tomorrow afternoon’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade).