Happy Independence Day!
The big day is here! Your options include:
-Admiral Kids’ Parade, starts 10:30 am, 1100 block of 44th (more details at the end of this post).
-Burien Fourth of July parade, starts 3 pm @ 152nd SW/SW 6th.
–Fourth of Jul-Ivar’s fireworks over Elliott Bay, 10 pm-“ish,” visible from much of WS (remember, Ivar was a West Seattleite!).
-Remember the Water Taxi if you’re going downtown.
-WSB readers shared some of their Fourth of July faves here.
Have a wondrous holiday; happy 231st birthday to “us” all.
Early fireworks
If you can’t wait till tomorrow night to see fireworks — catch a ferry, cross the Sound, and go to Fireworks on the Fjord in Poulsbo tonight. The fireworks follow an all-day festival, with food and music and all the classic summer stuff. (If you’re worried about parking, try the shuttle buses.)
WS Little League update
Big games tonight for two teams in WS Little League, which has been hosting a regional All-Star Tournament at Bar-S Playfield (atop Alki Point): The 10-11 team moved on to the state tournament and plays in Kirkland tonight; the 9-10 team is in a double-elimination round and has a must-win match tonight (6 pm @ Bar-S). The 11-12 team has two wins under its belt too; good luck to all!
The “highway” space we’re not using
Next time you’re stuck in the bridge backup in the morning commute, or a viaduct slowdown during either commute, look over at Elliott Bay and notice … all that room atop the sea. Couldn’t we make better use of it, beyond just the seasonal Water Taxi and the current lineup of ferry routes? As mentioned here previously, King County leaders are taking a step in that direction. And they will be part of a big event tonight at Salty’s looking at the Sound-wide possibilities of waterborne transportation. (The North Kitsap Herald has this preview with a little more on what’s involved.)
Shoofly sets the date
The opening date is finally set for Shoofly Pie Company on the north edge of The Junction, and for all you former Easterners who have wondered aloud whether it will actually serve the regional treat known as “shoofly pie” — looks like it will — Owner Kimmy Hsieh Tomlinson sent us a cleverly worded press release, which reads in part: “Where wholesome meets hip, Shoofly Pie Company is opening its doors to serve the eponymous dessert and much more to the pie-hungry people of Seattle.” She goes on to describe the rest of the menu as including “‘anything in a crust’ … That includes sweet and savory pies, tarts, and even quiche.” Oh, and about that date? July 14. Hours: Wed-Thurs 7 am-6 pm, Fri-Sat 7 am-8 pm, Sun 8 am-4 pm, phone 938-0680.
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Baffled by the bridge
A reader writes with a concern she wanted to put before all of WSB-land … discuss!
I’m just wondering, is there any discussion in city hall or the DOT about updating the entrance/interchange onto the West Seattle Bridge. In particular, the dangerous exit ramp to 4th Ave. S. and the closed entrance ramp onto the bridge. Having the entrance ramp closed over the past five years has been so frustrating for commuters stuck waiting for trains to pass. Isn’t it past time for these problem areas to be fixed?
Almost out of sight, but not out of mind
If you look between the townhomes almost complete on the controversial site across from Seattle International (formerly Gatewood Baptist) Church, you can still — for now — see the old house neighbors know as the “hunting lodge.”
But maybe not for long. The empty space, which was given the address 7204 Cali, is where two more townhouse buildings are supposed to go; those buildings probably would be as close to completion as their bookends, if not for feisty neighborhood pushback. First, neighbors protested the lack of environmental review of the townhouse projects (scroll down for details), which were processed separately rather than as one big new clump of housing. Then they chimed in about concerns that the “hunting lodge” will no longer be visible from Cali; their concerns are noted in this city memo about the project dated earlier this month. The latest ruling went against them and for the project, but an appeal’s been filed, and an “appeal hearing” is set for July 16.
Pro-Charlestown picketing today
Can the Charlestown Cafe stay in its longtime home, or will the property owner continue the process of booting it so a big-box store can move in? Today’s the day Charlestown supporters plan to make some noise with a picketing demonstration along Cali in front of the restaurant. Lots of info, and downloadable sign art (example at left), at Our Town West Seattle. (P.S. to demonstration attendees: If you take picketing pix and post them to your own site or a gallery site like Flickr, please leave a comment here afterward, with a link; we’ll be away from the computer much of the day and unable to post anything you send us directly.)
Hurricane help
2 years after Hurricane Katrina, its survivors are still struggling. In about a week, right here in WS, you’ve got two ways to help: The Total Experience Gospel Choir is leading a benefit at Kenyon Hall on 7/8, and advertising right now for more musicians to join in. If you can’t help with that, at least mark your calendar to drop by and chip in — there’ll be good food as well as good music — 1-9 pm a week from Sunday.
Just say no to fireworks
Time for a reminder about fireworks: Inside the Seattle city limits, they’re off-limits — yes, even though you can buy them a stone’s throw away in White Center (they’re legal in unincorporated King County and fireworks stands were allowed to start selling them as of yesterday). If you plan to buy some and fire them off where it’s legal, note that you’re only allowed to do that on the 4th of July.
WS mom needs your advice
A WSB reader who’s just days away from welcoming a baby, and already has a toddler, isn’t going to be cooking much this summer and wonders what we all suggest for great WS takeout food. Including, but not limited to, a “great burrito.” So, what are your favorites for takeout on our side of the bay?
When it rains, it pours: Megaproject mania
Maybe they were just trying to get it all over with before the pre-Fourth of July mass exodus? Whatever the reason, city planners have just issued a sheaf of decisions affecting WS developments, most notably what we’ve been calling the megaprojects just east of The Junction. Our eyes are a little too swimmy at the moment to pore over all the fine print but these decisions appear to be steps forward for both projects; one decision for Fauntleroy Place (Whole Foods etc. @ 3922 Alaska), two for the “Capelouto project” (QFC etc. on adjacent parcels @ 4100 and 4122 Alaska). P.S. for those as geeky as us — the Design Review Program has just fancied up its site a little bit.
WS weekend happenings, pre-holiday edition
The Fourth of July is days away, but the fun starts now, with everything from motorcycles to a free natural-health seminar to picketing (yes, picketing) … click ahead to see what’s up around WS this weekend:Read More
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