June 2017

For many Seattle locals what comes to mind when they think of the Fremont Solstice Parade is a procession of naked bodies painted in a mosaic of colors leading the parade on bicycles.

Yes, that is a central thrust of the spectacle making up the celebration on the first day of summer, but the rest of parade is made up of floats and performers that have made the parade a parade for the last 29 years.

But now parade organizers have announced that because they’ve lost a place to store those parades floats, the iconic Fremont event could be facing its last year.

“We have 15 floats, and after the parade we will need a storage space,” said Susan Harper, President, Fremont Arts Council.

No motorized vehicles are allowed in the Solstice Parade, so the floats the council keeps are “people-powered.” The Council was renting a space from an auto-body shop near Hales Ales, but the shop recently told them they are going to use the space for parking.

“We can flat pack them on top of each other, abut if we don't have a place to store them we are going to have to get rid of them, and it’s going to be a real problem, but it’s kind of silly with the 30th anniversary coming up.”

Even as Seattle pushes at seemingly incredible speed into the future, with technology firms based here leading the world and development in West Seattle changing the complexion of the community every day, we cling to and even celebrate our past. Part of that is found in Seattle's oldest house that went on the market Thursday. The open houses are at 3-6 June 16 and 2-5 June 17, and​​ bids are due June 19: https://www.redfin.com/WA/Seattle/3045-64th-Ave-SW-98116/home/150344.

The West Seattle Herald provided coverage about the house back on April 27, 1988 (see attached photos of the story, courtesy of SWSHS Executive Director Clay Eals).

Our reporter Brad Chrisman wrote about the house that it was, "built sometime in the late 1850's or early 1860's when Alki was owned by a fellow named Doc." That's a reference for one of Seattle's original pioneer residents Dr. David Swinson "Doc" Maynard.

Though records are unclear from that time we do know that a "mansion" was built on Alki for Maynard but it burned down. Subsequently, it is surmised by writer Chrisman that Maynard built the current home after February 1858 to replace the former home.

Proudly in its 96th year, the city of Burien’s 4th of July Independence day parade is the oldest and one of the best attended in King County. The parade is also officially sanctioned by SEAFAIR as a Seafair Community Event. “Seafair believes in celebrating the traditions of our region, resources and diverse residents. The thirty festivals and parades selected as Seafair Community events are important elements of our healthy communities” says the Seafair Foundation.

Every year, thousands of spectators gather along the parade route in downtown Burien to see marching bands, floats, Seafair Pirates and much more! The parade starts at 3pm and runs approximately 2 hours.

NEW ROUTE this year!! Staging will happen on SW 153rd East of Ambaum between 6th and 4th then starts the route East along SW 153rd turning North onto 2nd Ave. A turn will follow West onto SW 152nd to 4th where the route will head North to the entrance of City Hall turning East and following along Town Square Park on 5th Ave SW. The final turn will be onto SW 152nd heading West and dispersing at 8th Ave SW and SW 151st.

The Des Moines Area Food Bank announces the sponsorship of the Summer Food Service Program for children. Meals are available at no charge to children ages 1 - 18.
Meals will be served at the following locations:

Abbey Ridge Apts.
3035 S 204th St.
SeaTac, WA 98198
Mon-Fri
6/19/17 - 9/1/17

Lunch: 1:15-1:45
Alturas @Burien Apts.
1101 SW 139th St.
Burien, WA 98166
Mon-Fri
6/19/17 - 9/1/17

Lunch: 12:00-12:30
Snack: 2:15-2:30

Angle Lake Park
19408 International Blvd S,
SeaTac, WA 98188
Mon-Fri
6/19/17 - 9/1/17

Lunch: 12:00-2:00
Snack: 2:00-3:30
Arbor Heights Apts.
135 SW 116th St.,
Seattle, WA 98146
Mon-Fri
7/10/17 - 8/24/17
Lunch (Mon-Fri): 12:00-12:30
Snack(Mon-Thurs): 2:30-3:00
Boulevard Park Library
12015 Roseberg Ave S.,
Seattle, WA 98168
Mon-Fri
6/19/17 - 9/1/17
(no service 8/10/17)
Lunch: 12:30-1:30
Burien Library
400 SW 152nd St.,
Burien, WA 98166
Mon-Fri
6/19/17 - 9/1/17
(no service 8/10/17)
Lunch: 1:00-2:00
Des Moines Beach Park
22030 Cliff Ave S.,
Des Moines, WA 98198

Mon-Fri
6/19/17-9/1/17

Snack: 2:45-3:00
Des Moines Field House Park
1000 S 220th St.,
Des Moines, WA 98198
Mon-Fri

A Land Use Application to allow a 7-story structure containing 102 apartment units has been filed with the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections. The project has been in the works for more than five years. Back in 2012 when the Herald reported on the project it was 114 units and parking for 77 vehicles. The project drew a lot of public response due to its scale and the reduced number of parking spaces when it was originally proposed. Now, parking has been scaled back further to 59 vehicles to be provided below grade; one level accessed off Avalon Way (30 spaces) and a separate level accessed off the alley (29 spaces). Existing structures would be demolished.

MEETING

Date: Thursday, July 6, 2017

Time: 06:30 p.m.

Location: West Seattle Senior Center
4217 SW Oregon Street
Hatten Hall

information from Seattle Parks and Recreation

Bring a picnic, stretch out on the lawn, and enjoy some of the best classical music ever written. It’s another summer of Music Under the Stars, a series of free outdoor musical evenings presented by the Seattle Chamber Music Society, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Classical KING-FM, and the Delridge Community Center.

Since 1993 these free open-air events have grown to encompass parks in four Seattle neighborhoods, including Delridge Playfield in West Seattle.

The concerts take place on Monday evenings July 3th, 10th, 17th and 24th. Each event begins at 7:30pm with live music performed by an outstanding student or professional ensemble. At 8:00pm the evening continues with a live audio broadcast of world-renowned artists performing at Benaroya Hall, provided directly to the park by KING-FM.

A 911 call drew a heavy police response including automatic weapons, shields and more to an area south of Brace Point Drive SW on Marine View Drive SW. Police later said it was a "civil matter" but a K-9 unit was deployed and police were clearly searching the area, even detaining a man for a short time before declaring the incident resolved. around 4:35pm Thursday afternoon.

Melvin L. Michael passed away on January 10, 2017 at 90 years of age. He was a retired Boeing tooling manager. Melvin served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and the Koran war as a member of the U.D.T. He was born in Kansas and at the age of 6 moved to Idaho with his family where he grew up and attended school. Following his military service, he settled in the Seattle area.

Lois A. Michael passed away on February 12, 2017 at the age of 87. Lois worked for many years at Sea-Tac airport. She was born in British Columbia, Canada and moved with her family to Port Angeles, WA when she was 10 years old, where she lived and attended school until moving to the Seattle area.

Melvin and Lois were married for 65 years and resided in Des Moines, WA. They are survived by their son Dennis, (Kate) and daughter Denise. They have 3 grandchildren, Nicholas (Tiffany), Alexandra (Brandon), and Erik (Trina). They also have 5 great grandchildren, Kameron, Ava, Chico, Charli and Hazel.

A memorial service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery on June 23, 2017 at 12:30 pm. 

Published in Westside Seattle, June 23, 2017.

By Gwen Davis

The Junction Neighborhood Organization (JuNO) held its monthly meeting Tuesday evening at the Senior Center. It was facilitated by Amanda Sawyer, the new executive director of JuNO.

Around 20 people attended the meeting.

During the first part of the meeting, participants discussed the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) regarding the city’s Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda's Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) program.

Rich Koehler of the JuNO Land Use Committee spoke to participants about the DEIS. He firstly said that he and the committee have been trying the reconcile housing coding requirements from the state with those of West Seattle. For instance, the state says that all urban villages need to accommodate growth, however, the Junction’s code creates protections for single-family areas. Because of slight legal discrepancies such as this, Koehler is working on 10 amendments to the city code.

“Those get evaluated in July,” he said.