Tomorrow (Monday) is one of the 10 days where most King County-run facilities are closed for an unpaid “furlough” day to help drain the county’s red ink. This page explains what’s open and what’s closed. Bus riders, note that Metro will run a REGULAR schedule. This is the sixth of the 10 furlough days, one of only two to be scheduled for a Monday.
No official verdict yet but most accounts of the mucky water reported late Friday seem to conclude it was an algae bloom. Here’s an aerial view sent by Craig, who explains, “Flew up to Sequim and back (Friday), and saw this scungy yellow stuff all over the place. It was from near Port Townsend down to Alki and beyond. This picture is the Kingston [map] ferry.”
Tuesday 7/7, 6:30 pm: Basic Bike Maintenance Clinic, Southwest Community Center
Saturday 7/11, 11:30 am: Sweet Summer Cycle Ride, leaves from Alki Beach Park
Friday 7/17, 11 am: Helmet sale during Hiawatha Fun Festival, Hiawatha Community Center
Sunday 7/19, 10 am: Women’s ride to Olympic Sculpture Park, leaves from Alki Beach Park
Tuesday 7/21, 6:30 pm: Intro to Commuting Clinic, Southwest Community Center
Saturday 7/25, 10 am-2 pm: Helmet sale during Alki Art Fair
Saturday 7/25, 10 am: Around and Around Alki Ride, leaves from Alki Beach Park
Sunday 7/26, 10 am: Kids and Parents Ride Clinic, Southwest Community Center
Sunday 7/26: 12:30 pm: Family Ride to Lincoln Park, leaves from Alki
Two reports to share (which we were about to publish very early this morning when we got sidetracked by the Me-Kwa-Mooks shooting and numerous brush fires): First, one received by phone – a Gatewood resident (40th/Holly; map) says the Ford Expedition stolen from outside her house a month ago — then found a few days later — was broken into early Saturday. Method — smashed window. Stolen — a phone. Now, the second report: A stolen car reported here about two weeks ago has been found. Jen says, “My Canadian friend’s car that was stolen from 37th and Findlay [map] on 6/24 was found (Saturday) just a few blocks away. The ignition is wrecked and the contents are gone, but the car otherwise appears to be fine. Just wanted to follow up with a somewhat happy ending.” We also just heard from the area Block Watch leaders, who forwarded another neighbor’s e-mail including this observation about that: “This is a new twist on local car prowls; the car was broken into, hot wired, driven a few blocks to a place where the internal contents could be pulled out quickly, and the thieves leave the car behind!”
We wanted to join the chorus of reminders in case you’re an Eastside commuter. This wouldn’t affect you till you come home tomorrow, but here’s the heads-up, since WSDOT just issued this reminder:
Beginning tomorrow, commuters will face two weeks of long delays across the I-90 floating bridge as WSDOT begins extensive repair work. Crews will close all westbound mainline lanes of I-90 and funnel traffic into the two express lanes.
The “Bellevue to Seattle” and “Issaquah to Seattle” travel times on the WSDOT Web page will not display accurately for the next few weeks due to construction to replace aging expansion joints on the I-90 floating bridge.
Traffic engineers in the Seattle Traffic Management Center will calculate “Bellevue to Seattle” and “Issaquah to Seattle” travel times manually every 60 – 90 minutes. These travel times will be posted on the “What’s Happening Now” construction Web page: www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2009/today
Even without Elliott Bay fireworks, the 4th of July view from parts of West Seattle turned out to be splendid anyway. Thanks to Gilbert for sending these photos of the Lake Union fireworks show as seen from Hamilton Viewpoint.
Unfolding on the scanner: Police were flagged down at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park on Beach Drive (map) – the first officer there has found someone with a gunshot wound to the “back of the head” but also described as “conscious and alert.” The suspect, said to be armed with a handgun, is reported to have fled “on foot.” Police are asking if a helicopter is available (apparently it is not). The suspect is described as a mixed-race male running southbound in white T-shirt and jeans. 1:17 AM UPDATE: Just got a call from someone who lives just south of Beach Drive, who says police advised them to stay inside. No word yet on the victim’s condition. 2:18 AM: No further info so far; thanks to those who have added in comments what they’ve seen near the scene. 11:28 AM NOTE: Continuing to pursue additional information – will publish a separate update as soon as it’s available. 11:38 PM UPDATE: Have just published a separate update with new information from police. See it here. Bottom line – the man said he had been shot but turned out not to have been. He and the alleged suspect believed to have “assaulted each other.” Neither seriously hurt.
… remember that we have a West Seattle-specific Pets page primarily featuring lost/found pets (more than a year’s worth). We’ve already received one report of a pet found on the run (it’s atop the page). Hope all others are OK but if you do lose or find one, e-mail us the info (pic too if you have one) at editor@westseattleblog.com. The Pets page is here.
Three engines have gone to this one. We’ll be heading over to check it out – Marine View and 35th (map). Hard to imagine it wouldn’t be fireworks related – here in Upper Fauntleroy, a couple miles north, it’s been nonstop noise for about two hours. 11:01 PM UPDATE: Back from checking it out. Two engines still there but nothing visible from streetside – it’s not right at the bend, but somewhere around the homes just northwest of there. Huge amount of fireworks as we drove through Arbor Heights, though, including two people launching bottle rockets from atop a beer box right on the shoulder of 35th. Did notice the Arroyos, down the west slope from southern Arbor Heights/Marine View Drive, has an incredible view of Vashon fireworks. 11:31 PM UPDATE: Now one engine’s responding to a brush fire report in 8800 block of Delridge. (minutes later) That call closed fast but there’s a new one in the 9600 block of 20th SW. MIDNIGHT UPDATE: And since then, a couple more. No indication at this point that any has been major, but local engines have certainly had to run from one call to another, one end of West Seattle to another. Here’s the live fire/medic 911 log.
We happened onto that playground-side performance during a quick visit to the High Point Diversity Festival earlier this evening. The fun and food stretched across five hours at Commons Park, which officially opened one year ago today. Right after that, around 6 pm, we drove along Harbor Ave to see what the no-fireworks-on-Elliott-Bay crowd looked like this year. As this video from our passenger-held Flip shows, not too different from years gone by (except that, unlike last year, the road was open to all) – still plenty of RVs and tents – hope there aren’t too many who missed the no-fireworks news (and you CAN see parts of the Lake Union fireworks from there):
If you see this before 10 pm, note that KING5 is broadcasting the Lake Union fireworks live as usual, on the air and online at king5.com.
(If you’d rather watch that on YouTube – slightly shorter because of YT upload limits – click here)
From the pickup truck and medic unit leading the way, right ahead of the West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court carrying the banner, that 11-minute video clip shows the entirety of this morning’s Admiral 4th of July Parade, after the traditional kickoff speech by Mayor Nickels, who lives a few blocks from the parade route, as you’re about to hear parade organizer Sherri Chun note while introducing him:
When we spoke with Sherri just before the parade, she wondered if the crowd would be as big as last year, given that the 4th fell on a Saturday and more people seemed to be out of town. By our unofficial estimate, it might actually have been larger – though we didn’t take a head count, we can tell you that it took longer this year for the entire parade to go by! It was preceded by the national anthem, sung this year by Jonathan Rosoff. Sherri also offered a special thanks to folks including Dave Weitzel from Weitzel Construction (WSB sponsor), who underwrote the cost of the porta-potties at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, where fun contests and games follow the parade. Thanks to Luckie for sharing a photo of today’s wheelbarrow races:
(added 8:32 pm) Almost forgot – Lisa sent us this photo via Twitter. TOTALLY made our day – we didn’t see her during the parade, as we got our video/photos from in front of the participants:
Next West Seattle parade is a doubleheader – the Rotary Club Kiddies Parade (all welcome!) and American Legion Post 160-presented West Seattle Grand Parade, both on Saturday, July 18 (two weeks from today!); the Kiddies’ Parade leaves California/Genesee at 10:30 am, the Grand Parade leaves California/Lander at 11 – with both concluding at the southern end of The Junction (California/Edmunds).
Till 6 pm, you can enjoy the shade at the annual Fourth of July Barbecue/Potluck out back at C & P Coffee. Chicken, hot dogs and corn on the grills when we stopped by:
Earlier, we visited the Log House Museum/Southwest Seattle Historical Society membership picnic, where folks like Cal shared their personal stories of the peninsula’s past:
SWSHS director Andrea Mercado tells us the picnic turnout was great (by the way, just a few weeks till the organization presents its White Center History Tour – more info here). Not far from the Log House Museum, we saw lots of people with tents set up along the Alki/Harbor Ave waterfront – we hope they’re just there for the beautiful weather and NOT because they mistakenly believe there will be fireworks over the bay tonight:
The full list of fireworks shows that ARE happening is on our 4th of July page, but one we should single out is to the south, at Three Tree Point – folks in the very southern end of West Seattle, like Arbor Heights and the Arroyos, probably have a view without driving to that narrow beachfront neighborhood. Meantime, another of the several West Seattle shops with special 4th of July sales was Avalon Glassworks, where we stopped by to say hi to proprietor Shannon:
Among the more unusual items still left during our visit (after throngs picked up a lot of great finds earlier) – a set of goblets without bases (long story). The ultimate 4th of July scene, of course, is always the flag – here are a few of the dozens we’ve seen around town:
More coverage to come – our full report on the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade is up next, and we’re also heading over to the High Point Diversity Festival in Commons Park, which continues till 8 pm – and watch our Twitter feed for quick immediate reports (with photos!) while we’re mobile. ADDED 5:08 PM: Speaking of Twitter, that’s where this photo of a 6-person “parade” in Lincoln Park just turned up, courtesy of @vbalasubramani.
(photo added 7:27 pm, courtesy of Jade) So says KING5.com, with the photo to prove it. The report says it’s believed to be a Humboldt Squid; this info says those squid used to range further south. ADDED 5:21 PM:Here’s a larger photo from the KOMO website. ADDED 7:27 PM: Thanks to Jade for sending the photo added above – she took it while waiting for the Water Taxi on Friday, apparently after a state crew took the squid away.
Thanks to Emilie for e-mailing the news – verified via Twitter – the West Seattle Little League 9-10 All-Stars won both ends of a doubleheader against the South Highline Nationals at Bar-S and are headed to state. Congratulations!
(photos added 3:25 pm)
Just got a call from Holly – two minutes after the call turned up on 911 – brush fire in the 6400 block of California (map). Heading down to check it out. Holly says she heard the sound of fireworks right before this happened – whether that is or isn’t the cause, a reminder that it’s VERY dry out there, not to mention, fireworks are illegal within Seattle city limits. 3:19 PM UPDATE: Just back, adding photos in a moment. The fire was on the brushy mini-slope immediately northwest of the park; the Engine 37 crew is hosing down the entire park as well as the spot where they extinguished the fire:
California was blocked right at Fauntleroy on the south and by the park on the north (the fire hose stretched across the road) – we’ll check in a bit to see if it’s reopened yet.
Nearby Beveridge Place Pub is closed today but owners Gary and Terri Sink were there doing some work, and watered down their building/garden after the fire, to be on the safe side.
Saw that wonderful sentiment chalked on the sidewalk, as we walked from the start of the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade route toward its conclusion at Hamilton Viewpoint Park. Next, a couple parade pics – we’ll have a full separate report later after uploading our video of the entire parade. First, the iPhone photo we shared on Twitter an hour and a half ago during the parade:
Here’s parade organizer Sherri Chun with the West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court (as they reminded the crowd, July 14 is the deadline to apply to be in this year’s Junior Court – details, and the application, here):
Part of the parade, crossing California at Atlantic:
Even if you missed the parade, family fun continues at Hamilton Viewpoint – check it out. Also in Admiral,Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) has its annual 4th of July sale till 3 pm. Proprietors John and Frances Smersh shared a photo of their nephew Enzo, photographed on his way to the parade (visiting from Southern California, where we’re told they read our friend Tim‘s neighborhood-news website Altadena Blog!):
We asked what’s hot at the sale – Click! suggests these shelves, $154 after the half-off discount:
And then as we headed south toward WSB HQ – a stop at 35th/Graham as one of the city’s many hot new street-food trucks, Marination Mobile, set up – this is co-proprietor Roz:
They describe their food as Korean/Hawaiian (more details on their website) – they’re at HP till 2 pm (the Diversity Festival starts at 3 at Commons Park). Still to come, our complete parade report and more coverage of other events (the Log House Museum membership picnic – which you can attend even if you’re not a member yet, they’ll happily sign you up there! – runs noon-3 pm, and the C and P Coffee potluck/barbecue starts at 1), and check our Twitter feed online for the mobile updates we’re sending, with photos, as we make the rounds. Happy 4th!
At left, Rex Post and Hunter paused just a second to pose (although Hunter’s a bit of a blur because he’s a fun dog who seldom sits still) amid the flurry of activity at the new business that Rex and Tove Wright are about to open in Morgan Junction, West Seattle Dawg – not only a dog day care, but also a dog party venue and retail dog-treat purveyor. It’s going into the peach-colored house (which has been commercial space for quite a while, home to businesses including Authentic Home in recent years) at California/Frontenac, just north of Stella Ruffington’s, a few doors down from Caffe Ladro. They’ll be selling baked dog treats – most made on site (some vegan, too!) – Tove says, “You’ll be able to walk in and smell them baking” – and even dog ice cream (yogurt-based, naturally sweetened, with flavors like berry and peanut butter/banana). They’ll be accepting applications starting next week for the dog day care, which will have 20 spots, available 7 am-7 pm – you can get an application on the West Seattle Dawg website, which just “went live” today. The grand opening party is 4-8 pm next Thursday, July 9.
We’ll be publishing updates on the major events throughout the day – and other news too – so do check in if you get a chance (or catch up later). Meantime, here’s the “everything 4th of July page,” with info about those events, plus a few open/closed notes (not comprehensive, however, just some notables that came to our attention), and a list of where you WILL find fireworks displays tonight (since, once again, Elliott Bay does NOT have fireworks this year). Have a great 4th! (And to check for the absolute latest at any time, see our Twitter feed – which we’ll be using while out and about, including photos, before publishing pix/video during brief returns to WSB HQ.) SATURDAY AFTERNOON NOTE: We accidentally deleted a comment from someone asking, “Didn’t Ivar intend for fireworks to continue on?” We checked on this when originally reporting the Elliott Bay fireworks cancellation three months ago – here’s the answer.
That was one of our favorite sights along the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade route last year – a bunting-bedecked house with stereo speakers blasting classic patriotic Sousa marching music, to accompany the kids as they strolled and wheeled by (see video in our 2008 report). If you missed it before, or you’re new to West Seattle, reminder that all kids are welcome to join the parade — and the family fun at Hamilton Viewpoint afterward. Mayor Nickels, an Admiral resident himself, will make his traditional appearance to get the parade started. Be at 44th/Sunset (map) at 10 am, and remember to bring $1 donation per child if you can, since the neighborhood organizers’ previous fund is running out and they want to make sure they can keep this going in future years (permits cost money, among other expenses). See you there (or if you’re not going, remember there will be some traffic effects, as noted in this roundup).
Three reports to share: First, from Admiral/57th (map), yesterday morning. Jackie sent the photo at left and explained, “Here’s how a nice kid, age 19, who works full time and is attending summer school full time, found his car (Thursday) morning. ” (The car’s owner is a summer guest at her house.) Second, also from Thursday morning, Jenni in Highland Park reports her neighbor’s home was broken into — near 13th/Kenyon (map) — in broad daylight. She adds, “This is the 5th break in within past 6months on 13th Ave SW. Four of the robberies were between Holden & Kenyon on 13th Ave SW. The reports are that a dark car with 3-4 black males 17-25 park their car and then patrol the neighborhood for homes to rob. We are getting very sick of this and the Seattle Police Dept rarely patrols 13th Ave SW. Many of my neighbors are purchasing firearms due to this increase of robberies which is not a good thing.” She reminds neighbors to do what police also advise if you see something suspicious happening — call 911. Third, Brian in The Junction (40th/Oregon; map) says his Ford Escape was broken into last night – possibly because the GPS suction cups were left in view. He says “a small amount of change/cash from the glove box” was all that was taken. ADDED SATURDAY: Ann Marie also reports a car break-in from Friday:
We live on Belvidere between Hanford and Hinds. I stupidly left our car, parked in our driveway, unlocked. I found the passenger door slightly ajar and the glove box open this morning. I guess they we must not have liked our taste in music, because all our CDs were there, but they took our Garmin GPS and some loose change. We’ll be more careful from now on!
(mid-June photo courtesy Revel Smith)
We reported earlier this week that the camp at 2nd SW/West Marginal had been told to clear out by Monday. Now, spokesperson Revel Smith just sent word they’ve been given two extra weeks:
The Washington State Department of Transportation says Nickelsville can stay at its present site until July 20th
Michael Ramos, Executive Director of the Church Council of Greater Seattle, confirms WSDOT Secretary Paula Hammond has extended the deadline for Nickelsville to stay at its present site for 2 weeks – to July 20th.
Nickelsville will continue to do all it can to find another adequate and permanent site. We will then look forward to the City of Seattle keeping its pledge to work with the property owner and Nickelsville to make sure Nickelsville succeeds.
Nickelsville thanks Governor Gregoire, Sr. Adviser Ron Judd of the Governor’s office, Michael Ramos of the Church Council, and all others involved with these negotiations. We also thank friends and supporters for contacting State and City Officials and explaining the need for Nickelsville and the depth of support it has.
(bees photographed by Rick, who reported them)
First: We’ve received reports this afternoon by phone and e-mail that the water at Alki looks “gross” (among other descriptions). Haven’t been there yet to check firsthand, and can’t find any official reports of a problem – we had a suspected algae bloom on the western West Seattle shores not that long ago, but reports say this is green, not brown. Meantime, from Arbor Heights, a report of a bee swarm near 37th/102nd. Maybe all this has to do with the heat? We’ll be checking … ADDED 6:39 PM: Via Twitter, a diver offers the opinion it’s an algae bloom. We found this state Ecology Department photo from May – sounds like the descriptions we received; here’s general information from People for Puget Sound.
At left, Rex Post and Hunter paused just a second to pose (although Hunter’s a bit of a blur because he’s a fun dog who seldom sits still) amid the flurry of activity at the new business that Rex and Tove Wright are about to open in Morgan Junction, 
Three reports to share: First, from Admiral/57th (
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