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    WS GRAND PARADE: Just two days away!

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Followup: The Swinery’s co-owner tells his side of the story
July 3, 2010 2:42 pm
|      57 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Friday afternoon, we updated the news about the sudden departure of Swinery founder Gabriel Claycamp, after Christopher Boffoli talked with him. Subsequently, Christopher interviewed the man who’d been Claycamp’s partner – James Dillon. For those following the Swinery saga, here’s what he has to say.

Story and photo by Christopher Boffoli
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

James Dillon, The Swinery‘s “angel investor,” says that, since its founder Gabriel Claycamp announced his departure, he has stepped in “to ensure the success of the Swinery’s mission of continuing to provide high-quality, sustainably sourced products to the community.”

Dillon says right off the top that, for customers, nothing about the business will change. The Swinery is NOT closing (as is reiterated in a message today on one of its websites). Claycamp has indeed left and he says he has complete confidence in the capabilities of the staff they have in place. Their product lines and hours will remain the same.

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Update: The Beer Junction is open for business
July 3, 2010 12:37 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)
As proprietor Morgan Herzog (in the green shirt) promised, as of 11 am today, his brand-new Junction business The Beer Junction is open. The glassware in the foreground of the top photo is part of what he’s selling in addition to 640 different beers and more than 50 wines.

When we talked to Herzog for our story yesterday, he also mentioned other beverages including sake, mead, champagne and soda. Just back from the store (4707 42nd SW), Christopher Boffoli notes, “Customers may notice that they have blackout curtains up front and that the lights are out in all of the beer cases. The folks at The Beer Junction tell me that, much like the way beer bottles are usually a dark color of brown or green, the low light is to protect the quality of the beer.”

There’s more info about The Beer Junction’s hours in our Friday story. (Yes, they WILL be open tomorrow.)

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Garden-lovers’ paradise: Tours (and more) coming up!
July 3, 2010 11:52 am
|    Comments Off on Garden-lovers’ paradise: Tours (and more) coming up!
 |   Fun stuff to do | Gardening | West Seattle news | White Center

Sun or no sun, the gardens are blooming – and you’ve got an abundant chance to see the best of the best, in a variety of specialties, coming up within the next few weeks. Here’s the rundown:

GREENLIFE AT WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST, NEXT FRIDAY-SATURDAY-SUNDAY: Lots of edible-gardening how-to’s will be part of this first-ever expo during West Seattle Summer Fest in The Junction next Friday through Sunday. It’s co-presented by West Seattle Nursery (which has more info here) and Sustainable West Seattle. You’ll find GreenLife in the lot at 44th/Edmunds (alongside the Chase drive-thru) all three days of Summer Fest, starting at noon Friday, 10 am Saturday-Sunday.

EDIBLE GARDEN TOUR NEXT SATURDAY – AND OPTIONAL ‘COOP TOUR’ ADD-ON: 11 am-4 pm Saturday (July 10th), more than a dozen gardens are showcased in this Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle-presented event. You can see them previewed here; tickets are on sale online here. (There’s also an add-on which will enable you to see the West Seattle stops on the Seattle Tilth Coop Tour the same day – more info here.)

WHITE CENTER JUBILEE DAYS GARDEN WALK, JULY 11: The day after that, as part of White Center Jubilee Days, it’s the return of the WC Garden Walk, noon-5 pm. Free maps will be available in the parking lot of McLendon Hardware, which is sponsoring the event. More info here.

WEST SEATTLE GARDEN TOUR, JULY 18: WSB is a proud co-sponsor of this year’s West Seattle Garden Tour, coming up two weeks from tomorrow, and it’s no cliché to say it’s bigger and better than ever. The gardens themselves (previewed here) are just part of what you get for the ticket price (with proceeds going to these five beneficiaries). At noon at the South Seattle Community College Arboretum (one of the stops), you’ll get to see/hear West Seattle’s own Willi Galloway, edible-gardening expert. And right afterward, 1-2:30 pm, tour ticketholders get to sample wine, cheese, chocolate, and pastries courtesy of the renowned SSCC culinary-arts program. Tickets are on sale online now (kids under 12, free) and “in person” at these six locations (including WSB sponsor Metropolitan Market).

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Followup: Alki Homestead owner makes his decision: It’s for sale
July 3, 2010 9:12 am
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Alki Homestead | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

With a rally/group photo planned tomorrow afternoon at the Alki Homestead, organized by local preservation groups including the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, owner Tom Lin says he’s offering those groups first crack at buying the fire-ravaged landmark, now that he’s decided to sell it, a few weeks after he told us he was considering that option. Here’s the text of his letter (from this PDF):

Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge is being offered for sale to Seattle’s concerned historical organizations such as:

Historic Seattle
4Culture
Southwest Seattle Historical Society
The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation

Sale Price – $2,000,000 An endowment fund of $500,000 would be provided from these funds by the current owner Tom Lin

Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge was offered to the Southwest Seattle Historical Society under the same terms in 2004 by the previous owner, Doris Nelson, according to her family.

These historical organizations claim to have more extensive resources and the expertise needed to ensure that the Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge retains its historical place in the community and would not be torn down.

Tom Lin will accept offers from interested historical organizations no later than July 31, 2010. Beyond July 31st the property will be offered to the general public at a different sale price and terms.

Contact Information: Tom Lin at savealkihomestead@yahoo.com

Lin had been trying to proceed with a plan to rebuild the historic log building and add other uses to its site – uses without which, he says, it wouldn’t be financially viable; he discussed his challenges in this story we published two weeks ago. This morning, he tells WSB, “It has been over a year and a half since I have tried to bring Homestead back. The cost has become a burden. I had a long conversation with [previous owner] Doris Nelson’s estate yesterday. They understand the dilemma I am in and they respect my choice. In fact, [they] had already told SWSHS to buy the building again 6 months ago … I think when I spoke to you a few weeks ago, I told you I was pretty close at giving it up. Now it is time. I hope they can address that during the rally.”

The rally – to which Lin tells us he finally did get an invitation, after he pointed out to Historic Seattle that he had not received one – is scheduled for 1:30 pm tomorrow on the sidewalk and street (which will be closed for the event) in front of the Homestead. Clay Eals from SWSHS says there’s been one change in the slate of political leaders scheduled to be there – City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen will be out of town, but County (and former City) Councilmember Jan Drago will be there, which Eals notes is “quite fitting because (she) was the Seattle City Council sponsor of the landmark designation ordinance for the Alki Homestead building in 1996.”

Previous WSB coverage of the Alki Homestead is archived, newest to oldest, here.

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Today: Little League; South Park ‘Market’; Longhouse rummage…
July 3, 2010 8:29 am
|    Comments Off on Today: Little League; South Park ‘Market’; Longhouse rummage…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Highlights from the West Seattle Weekend Lineup: The West Seattle Little League 9-10 All-Stars play for their district championship this morning at 10, Bar-S Field on Alki Point … For our neighbors in South Park to make it through the bridgeless years, they need some love. Today’s a great chance to do that, as the weekly South Park “Market on Wheels” debuts for the season, right by the blocked-off south end of the shut-down bridge, 14th S. and S. Cloverdale (map). 10 am-4 pm, more info here … On your way to or from South Park, the Duwamish Longhouse hosts a rummage sale and frybread fundraiser today, same hours, 10 am-4 pm … Reminder that Marination Mobile will NOT make its WS stop today or next Saturday … Finally – there’s live music at venues including Kenyon Hall, C&P Coffee, Skylark Café and Club, and Shadowland … Details in the WSWL; and the full lookahead to tomorrow’s holiday events/info is on the WSB West Seattle 4th of July page.

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West Seattle 4-year-old fights leukemia: How to help Hannah
July 3, 2010 2:43 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Health | How to help | West Seattle news

Before the holiday weekend really revs up – we wanted to share this look ahead to something that’s happening next Saturday. Same day as West Seattle Summer Fest and the Seafair Pirates’ Landing at Alki, but this is big in its own way too, and everybody who’s rooting for little Hannah Grage is hoping you will stop by. She’s a West Seattle 4-year-old fighting cancer – acute lymphoblastic leukemia, diagnosed in April – and her family needs help with expenses, so friends, neighbors and relatives are having a garage sale/bake sale/lemonade-stand fundraiser one week from today – Saturday, July 10th. It’ll be 8 am-2 pm (so there’s plenty of time to go BEFORE, or after, Summer Fest and/or Pirates), 7228 39th SW (that’s in Gatewood; here’s a map; here’s the flyer for the fundraiser). You can read more about Hannah’s fight by going here, to see what her mom’s been writing about what they’re going through.

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Get a kick out of summer: Youth soccer program starts Wednesday
July 3, 2010 12:52 am
|    Comments Off on Get a kick out of summer: Youth soccer program starts Wednesday
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

You’ve cheered the FIFA World Cup 2010 games … endured the bzzzz of the vuvuzelas … now, a chance to learn how to play soccer — providing you’re 7 to 14 years old. High Point Community Center is presenting the program for the next six Wednesdays, 6 pm, at HP Commons Park; call 684-7422 to find out more, and in the meantime, check out the official flyer.

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More work around The Hole: Wood fencing by mini-park
July 2, 2010 9:27 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Thanks to Marilyn for e-mailing to ask about the wooden fence going up on the southeastern edge of The Hole (Fauntleroy/Alaska/39th) late today; we subsequently went over for a few photos. Along with the concrete barricades noted here two weeks ago, the fence is part of what was promised one month ago by the entity that holds the note for the stalled site, in its response to a letter sent by the Southwest District Council, drafted by West Seattle Junction Association executive director Susan Melrose.

The triangular area on the southeastern corner, where the fence will now be the backdrop, is actually a publicly owned mini-mini-park, and part of the complaint about the chain-link fencing around The Hole was that it had made that site inaccessible. For perspective, here’s a wider shot looking eastward at the back of the fencing from the other side of The Hole (that’s the 76 station in the background at right, and the Link construction site with the yellow wrap):

Meantime, as for the site’s status, the legal wrangling continues – the online file for the case that combines multiple lawsuits is now up to 300 separate actions in the past 14 months. If the case isn’t resolved sooner, the trial is still set for this October. The prospective new owners of the site have not publicly discussed their plan, should they gain ownership; Whole Foods had told us a few weeks ago that there might be some news right about now regarding the status of the lease they had for what was supposed to be a new store by now, but they haven’t yet answered our messages left earlier this week.

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Seafair Pirates won’t have to walk financial plank: Sponsor found
July 2, 2010 4:44 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

piratesouttosea.jpgNine days ago, we brought you the nautical tale of woe – Seafair Pirates facing the possibility of having to personally bankroll their popular July 10th Alki landing, because sponsors had pulled out. Duke’s Chowder House boss Duke Moscrip put out a call for donations. And now, the Pirates announce, they’ve found a sponsor – TOP Food and Drug. Read on:Read More

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West Seattle beverages: The Beer Junction opens tomorrow
July 2, 2010 4:33 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Just got word from Beer Junction owner Morgan Herzog that his new store across from Jefferson Square (4707 42nd SW) opens tomorrow (Saturday) morning, 11 am. We brought you first word of the store-in-progress back in March.

4:58 PM UPDATE: Just spoke with Morgan to get full details on the merchandise and the hours as he opens – read on:Read More

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Traffic alert: Crash investigation at 8th and Roxbury, 4 hurt
July 2, 2010 3:07 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | White Center

(Photo added 3:34 pm)
Big fire response for an “automobile rescue” call at 8th and Roxbury (map). We’re on our way to find out more at the scene. Just heard on the scanner that three people were hurt. More to come. 3:18 PM: At the scene – the crash includes at least 2 vehicles, a truck and passenger car (as seen in photo since added) – someone has just been extricated from the car. Still trying to gauge the traffic effects, but for starters, 8th SW is inaccessible starting about a block north of Roxbury; westbound Roxbury is blocked off at 8th.

3:37 PM: We’re now told three people have been taken to the hospital and a fourth soon will be – two transported in medic units, two by private ambulance. Yellow tape is going up to facilitate the investigation, so this intersection will have traffic trouble for at least a few more hours. 3:47 PM: One lane is open in each direction. But the investigation team has just arrived and, as is the case with major investigations, will be busy for a while. We’re working now to see what more we can find out about the victims. EARLY SATURDAY NOTE: That information still hasn’t been made available. The investigation, meantime, continued into the 7 pm hour.

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West Seattle food news: The Swinery’s founder, suddenly gone
July 2, 2010 2:50 pm
|      57 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Swinery staffers photographed today by Christopher Boffoli: Head Butcher Joseph Brewer, Head Cook Garrett Doherty)
Another twist for the much-lauded West Seattle meat mecca The Swinery: Its founder, Gabriel Claycamp, announced via Facebook that he’s moved on, just one week after its “grand reopening.” He says he’s looking for work. But he also says he leaves it in “good hands” – it’s not closing. As we write, we’ve just heard from Christopher Boffoli, who has covered The Swinery extensively – he is there now and says this happened abruptly, adding that he’s been told the primary investor is at the bank now, changing ownership papers, and, “Employees here say the Swinery will continue and that this is a positive thing. Claycamp was not meeting payroll.” 4:05 PM UPDATE: Christopher has just spoken with Claycamp – read on for some of what he said:Read More

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2 Hiawatha Playfield notes: Sunday, lights; Monday, 2-week closure
July 2, 2010 2:23 pm
|    Comments Off on 2 Hiawatha Playfield notes: Sunday, lights; Monday, 2-week closure
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

2 notes about Hiawatha Playfield: First, the lights will be on for a few hours Sunday night to discourage people from setting off fireworks on the synthetic (and relatively new) turf – part of a citywide program, as Seattle Parks explains here; then on Monday, Parks’ Garrett Farrell confirms, the plan is still on to close the Hiawatha track/field to apply the finishing touches – rubberized track. Farrell explains, “Cold, wet weather last year did not allow us to put the new rubber track surface in place. Contractors will fence off the track July 5th and apply the new surface. There will be no access across the track to the field for two weeks.”

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One more addition to West Seattle Summer Fest: Satchel
July 2, 2010 1:02 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

The super-secret-surprise act that people have been wondering about, next Friday night at West Seattle Summer Fest, is finally public, according to Jason Fitzgerald of The Workshop – it’s Satchel:

Satchel is playing a surprise set at West Seattle Summer Fest on Friday July 9th on the Alaska Stage from 8:30pm – 9:30 PM. Of course, this show, like all West Seattle Summer Fest music, is ALL AGES and absolutely FREE.

The rest of the West Seattle Summer Fest music lineup is online, here.

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West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Independence Day 2010, and more
July 2, 2010 12:04 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Independence Day 2010, and more
 |   Fun stuff to do | WS culture/arts | WS Weekend Lineup

wswllicon3.png4th of July info/events have a WSB page of their own (see it here), but that day’s only a third of the weekend (maybe a fourth of yours if you’re taking the “official” Monday holiday off). Still plenty going on if you’re not leaving town – just click ahead for this week’s West Seattle Weekend Lineup:Read More

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And a not-so-mysterious materialization: Flamingos @ The Kenney
July 2, 2010 10:10 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

Second story in a row about something turning up in a local yard – this, however, is no mystery: The Admiral Congregational Church Youth Group is the latest local organization to engage in the festive practice of flamingo-flocking … and today, their “target” is The Kenney, who shared the photo. (CEO Kevin McFeely tells WSB that the birds are in honor of a resident who’s an Admiral UCC congregation member.) WSB contributor Keri DeTore also spotted the flock last week outside a home on California SW in Gatewood:

P.S. If you’re interested in flamingo flocking, the cost and details are now on the Admiral Church website – you can even order online – go here. You can also call the church office at 206-932-2928.

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Bicycles mysteriously materialize in West Seattle yard
July 2, 2010 9:31 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seaview | West Seattle news

Recognize either of these bikes, a maroon Nishiki and orange Gary Fisher? If so, get in touch with Seattle Police – they’d planned to pick the bikes up, after a phone call from the WSB’er who says the bikes turned up in her yard near 46th and Brandon (map). And they’re not the first bikes to materialize in the area – in mid-June, she says, a black mountain bike was left by a street sign nearby, and remained there for a week. “I can’t imagine why someone would go to the trouble to steal a bike and then just leave it,” she says (although we suspect it’s similar to those who steal cars and “just leave” them). Again, police were picking these up, but we hear from time to time about stolen/lost bikes, so thought it would be worth publishing the photo – call the non-emergency number at 206/625-5011 if one’s yours.

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West Seattle 4th of July: No major Alki traffic/parking changes
July 2, 2010 8:13 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | Transportation | West Seattle news

This is part of the info on the WSB 4th of July page (see the JULY 4TH tab under the header), but in case you haven’t seen it there yet – police are NOT planning any traffic/parking changes on Alki. The only major traffic effect you’ll notice Sunday is that if you happen to be heading northbound on California SW in North Admiral during the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade (which starts at 10 am), you’ll have to stop for a while as the parade crosses from the neighborhood west of California to Hamilton Viewpoint. (9:21 am addendum: 61st SW also will be closed 12:30-3 pm Sunday between SW Stevens and Alki SW for the Alki Homestead rally/photo – we’re told that it’ll be reopened sooner if the crowd clears before 3.)

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Update: Fight turns to shooting on north side of Lincoln Park
July 1, 2010 11:53 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

11:53 PM: There are reports of one victim and possibly one arrest. 47th and Fontanelle (map). 12:13 AM: Christopher Boffoli talked with police at the scene. They say two men were fighting. It escalated to shooting. 1 man was shot in the arm. Both have gone to the hospital (the second for beating injuries). 12:42 AM: See comments for additional info from people who live nearby. Adding photos from Christopher – showing that the scene was right at the north end of the park.

Christopher also reports that police told him the two men involved – estimated to be in their 30s – knew each other. Police also reported finding the gun, and “other belongings,” taking them as evidence.

ADDED 7:46 AM: Police have published this summary on SPD Blotter:

On July 1st, shortly after 11:00 PM, Southwest Precinct officers responded to reports of shots fired in the north end of Lincoln Park (near the 7300 Block of 47th Avenue SW). Officers arrived and located two men. One was attempting to hold down the other. After separating and detaining both men, officers learned that the two were together in the park when they began arguing. At some point the argument became physical, and the two began fighting. During the fight, the 35 year old suspect pulled out a handgun and fired several times, striking the 32 year old victim in his left arm. The Seattle Fire Department responded to treat the injuries to both men (suspect had been struck in the face several times during the altercation and had difficulty breathing). Both men were then transported to the hospital for additional treatment. The injuries are not considered life-threatening. AFter receiving treatment for his injuries, the suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Assault. Detectives will follow up with the investigation.

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In case you wondered too: Cameras behind Admiral Way sign
July 1, 2010 10:30 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

We’re learning more about the type of traffic information the city’s new technology is supposed to bring us in the future – today, thanks to a question e-mailed by Dave, who wrote, “Heading down the (Admiral Way) hill toward the bridge today, I noticed two cameras mounted behind the new reader board. I am guessing speed cameras, as there is one for each lane.” (The small cameras are hard to see in our photo – but they’re side by side on the metal overhang just past the message board.) We checked with SDOT. Nope – something else, explains Marybeth Turner:

The cameras are part of the travel time network the city of Seattle is putting together to provide the public with travel time information (how long it is taking to get to certain destinations). The West Seattle Dynamic Message Sign will be outfitted with travel time information–how long it is taking to get to SR-99 exit, First Ave South and I-5. This information will help folks to make a decision on which route to select. We anticipate this information will be available to the public at the end of September. We will also provide the travel time information on Traveler’s Information Map.

To come up with the travel-time info – cameras like these, and others, snap your license plate. Turner says, “We read a license plate from point A to point B to figure out the travel time of a segment of a road. The data is encrypted and never stored.”

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Congratulations, West Seattle Little League 10-11 All-Stars!
July 1, 2010 8:45 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Victory huddle after tonight’s win)
Just got word from our correspondent at Bar-S that the West Seattle Little League 10-11 All-Stars have defeated the Rainiers 14-8, which means, according to the WSLL update we published this morning, that they advance to the state tournament in two weeks in Yakima. Photos to come – and remember that the 9-10 All-Stars play Saturday at 10 am at Bar-S – so go cheer them on (as these spectators did for the 10-11’s tonight).

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Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade: T-shirt to debut – and more
July 1, 2010 6:30 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Sure, fireworks are great, but the big 4th of July fun in West Seattle happens about 12 hours earlier – as hundreds of kids and parents from all over WS fill North Admiral streets for the annual Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade. It’s coming up Sunday morning (here’s our original preview) – followed by family fun at Hamilton Viewpoint, with concession sales handled this year by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, also offering its new T-shirts and jackets publicly for the first time. Above is the logo that’s on the front of T-shirts and back of jackets; below right, the back of a kids’ shirt shows the ship’s-wheel logo on the back of the shirts and front of the jackets. More from ANA president Katy Walum:

The first batch of Admiral t-shirts and jackets is IN, and we’ll be debuting them at our concessions table at the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade! Mike Barker, owner of Admiral Tattoo, graciously designed the logos for us gratis – love that Admiral Tattoo! – and we’ve printed them up on American Apparel (U.S.A.-made, sweat-free) gear.

We’ll be selling the men’s and women’s t-shirts, in royal blue and red, for $20 each, and the kids’ t-shirts, in navy blue and red, for $15 each. Also available are stylish navy blue track jackets, in men’s sizes, for $50 each. A fantastic way to show your Admiral pride!

You’ll also want to stop by and see us at the end of the parade to purchase some tasty treats. Just look for our umbrella – we’ll have a pushcart with three varieties of popsicles for sale. In addition, we’ll be selling bottled water, juice boxes, chips, AND some local confections donated by our friends at Little Rae’s Bakery, Sugar Rush Bakery, and Metropolitan Market! You’re sure to find something to enjoy at our table as you celebrate the holiday with your friends and family at Hamilton Viewpoint.

All proceeds from the sales of these items will go to the Admiral Neighborhood Association, to help us to keep doing great things for this community! We will gladly accept your cash or local check.

We look forward to seeing you all at this great family event. Thank you all for your support of this community, and here’s hoping for sunshine!

Again, all are welcome to walk/ride (bikes/scooters/wagons/strollers) in the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade, which starts at 10 am at 44th/Sunset (map) – parking can be challenging since that’s in the middle of a residential neighborhood (streets close for the event, and police help the parade get safely across California SW toward the end) so take the bus, carpool, etc., if you can.

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New Parks crackdown on illegal Alki beach fires starts this weekend
July 1, 2010 3:04 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(Remnants of an illegal fire, photographed at Alki in May by David Hutchinson)
Consider yourself warned. Seattle Parks plans to crack down on illegal fires at Alki starting this weekend. Spokesperson Joelle Hammerstad explains, “We have been getting some pretty consistent complaints of illegal beach fires at Alki Beach, and starting this weekend, we are doing a stepped-up enforcement with our Park Rangers. Rangers will be patrolling throughout the holiday weekend, but we’re not saying when. Illegal fires will have to be extinguished immediately. Violators will be cited and fined.” So how do you know if your fires are legal? For one, Hammerstad points out, “There are 6 fire rings between the Alki Bathhouse and 58th Street SW. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Only clean firewood is allowed as fuel.” For complete details on what’s legal and what’s not, here’s the Parks webpage about beach fires at Alki. It’s been two years since a ban was briefly under consideration – proposed because of environmental concerns; the idea was doused fairly quickly, though it was acknowledged that enforcement efforts like this were needed.

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