Expectations for tonight’s Independence Day fireworks range from neutral to downright gloomy.
The National Weather Service is predicting fairly good weather north and south of Seattle, but a Puget Sound Convergence Zone may set up directly over Lake Union, with up to a 60 percent chance of showers.
Cliff Mass, University of Washington professor of atmospheric sciences, says on his blog that he’s taking an umbrella to watch the fireworks.
But, he reminds us that once July 4 is done and gone, “then the miracle occurs. Like a switch being flipped, our weather warms dramatically. The lawns turn brown and watering our vegetables and plants is mandatory. The best weather in the nation takes hold for roughly 2-3 months.”
In fact, beginning Monday afternoon the skies clear. Temperatures in the mid-80s are expected by late week.
If you’re planning to head over to Gas Works Park this Sunday to watch the fireworks show, then we recommend reading My Wallingford’s fireworks guide featuring the schedule, parking, road closures and other events in the area. My Wallingford will be covering the event through the weekend.
Meanwhile, Saturday is a big day in Fremont, where thousands (yes, thousands) of people will dress up as zombies and wander aimlessly through the neighborhood. It’s an effort to recapture the world’s record, which they set last year only to have England snatch it away.
The zombie walk runs 5-8 p.m. on Saturday, followed by a night of activities at Fremont Outdoor Movies. Fremont Universe has the details here, and it will post the necessary gruesome photos later this weekend.
Celebrate the 4th of July at Seattle’s only midnight marathon, the Firecracker 5000 5K at Seattle Center tonight, Saturday, July 3. The Independence Day themed run will begin at 11:55 p.m., when an expected 1,200 runners will follow a course around the center in 4th of July spirit!
Top Pot Doughnuts and Buca di Beppo will be providing sustenance at the start/finish line inside Memorial Stadium.
If you still want to register for the race, you can do so on the Firecracker website. The event is being put on by Club Northwest.
Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will be closing the two right-hand southbound lanes of 15th Avenue West, from West Emerson Street to just south of the Emerson Street Overpass, between 11 p.m. on Monday, July 5 and 5 a.m. on Tuesday, July 6 so crews may install a License Plate Reader (LPR) camera.
According to SDOT, the camera will enhance and expand SDOT’s existing system, and will be used to provide travel times for key corridors. All license plate data is discarded once the travel time information has been recorded, SDOT said.
During the closer, one southbound lane on 15th Ave W will remain open. The work will not impact the on-ramp from West Emerson Street. An area will also be reserved for Metro Transit to access the bus stop just south of Emerson on 15th Avenue West. Uniformed officers will be on site to help guide traffic.
The 4th of July weekend is a time for fun, family and of course, fireworks! However it also tends to be a few days where there’s heightened risk for accidents. In an effort to keep the community safe, the Seattle Police Department and Seattle Fire Department have released this public safety announcement:
The Seattle Police Department and Seattle Fire Department would like to remind the public that there are no legal fireworks in the City of Seattle.
The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks are prohibited. Fireworks offenses are gross misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine.
Fireworks pose a fire hazard to property and present a safety risk to those who use them. Every year the Seattle Fire Department responds to fireworks-related fires and injuries. Each and every one of these incidents could have been prevented.
On the 4th of July, 911 centers become overloaded with non-emergency fireworks calls. DO NOT call 911 unless you have a life-threatening emergency and need immediate help from police, fire or medics. Unnecessary 911 calls block people with real emergencies from reaching 911 and getting help.
Any fireworks-related fires or injuries should be reported directly to 911. Other fireworks violations may be reported by calling the Seattle Police non-emergency number at (206) 625-5011.
The Seattle Police and Seattle Fire Department wish you a safe and enjoyable 4th of July celebration!
Happy 4th of July Queen Anne! Have a great weekend, and if you feel like sharing some of your favorite pictures of the fireworks, send them in to tips@queenanneview.com.
Jo Ann Schmidt’s cat, Chow, went missing in early May, in the midst of Jo’s move from Magnolia to Ballard. She’s been searching for the 8-year-old long-haired kitty cat every since, but with no luck.
I just heard back from Jo this week, and am happy to report that Chow has been found and is alright, though thinner due, no doubt, from fending for himself for almost seven weeks.
“Just wanted to let you know that Chow was found late Monday night, he
is home now,” Jo wrote. “He’s going to be fine. My wonderful neighbors spotted him on their back porch late Monday night and called me right away. I drove out expecting that it would be one of the other neighborhood cats. I was very happy to be wrong. Chow was very thin and dehydrated, but he’s had some great vet care and is doing much better today. And at the rate he’s eating, he won’t be skinny for long…”
Donations from private citizens and corporations made this year’s July 4th fireworks show possible, but what about next year?
Our news partners The Seattle Times found out yesterday that event producer One Reel has begun soliciting donations again.
After this year’s ailing Fourth of July fireworks celebration at Gas Works Park was rescued by business leaders and individual donors, sponsors of the annual party have announced a new funding strategy for 2011.
More donations.
One Reel, which puts on the fireworks show, said in a news release Thursday: “While One Reel didn’t initially consider soliciting donations for the 2010 event, the overwhelming public response to saving this cherished Independence Day celebration caused the organization to rethink the sponsorship model that has been in place since the event was first created in 1988.”
Previous funding for the fireworks shows has come from corporate sponsors.
Instead, said One Reel, beginning this week donations and pledges for next year’s show can be placed at family4th.org.
At approximately 3:48 a.m. today, Thursday, July 1, police were called to McClure Middle School, located in the 1900 block of 1st Ave W, by a silent burglar alarm, according to the SPD Blotter. Officers set up a containment while a K-9 unit began tracking the area. Officers then spotted two juvenile males exit the school and contained them while school security arrived and search the building for any damage or missing property, of which they found none. The two suspects, both 15 years old, admitted to entering the school and were interviewed by police before being released to their parents.
Usually I post these Queen Anne Farmers Market previews on Wednesday, but what can I say? It’s been a busy week! Still, there’s lots going on at the market today, so don’t let this little bat of rain revival keep you from getting your fresh food fix. Take a look at the schedule:
3 to 5 p.mm — Pedal steel guitar music by Hal Merrill
3:30 p.m. — Kids Cooking Class by Dan Bugge of Matt’s in the Market on how to filet fish
5 p.m. — Chef Demo and Book Signing with Urban Pantry author Amy Pennington
6 p.m. — Cooking Demo with Matthew Wright of Wrightfood
The featured nonprofits at the market this week are the Queen Anne Helpline and Alaskan Way Viaduct Program. As always, the market will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on W. Crockett St. at Queen Anne Ave N. Happy market day!
Just in time to enjoy the nice(r) weather, the city of Seattle—or at least its Department of Transportation—is asking its residents to cut two car trips a week in July by taking the Walk Bike Ride Challenge, which runs from July 4 to July 31.
Maybe for someone like me, who drives my car nearly everywhere, this might be a good incentive to follow the example of our bike riding mayor and take out my two wheels, or use public transportation more, or walk, whether it’s for work or play.
Seattleites can register any time to start cutting car trips as early as Independence Day. Each time someone reports a week they are entered into a drawing to win one of two $250 REI gift certificates, a one night stay at the Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle, or a $175 Zipcar package.
Businesses can go to the same Web site and pledge to support their employees in taking the challenge.
Walk Bike Ride is a multi-year initiative. As part of the initiative, the city will update the Transit Master Plan, implement projects like the Dexter Avenue N buffered bicycle lanes project, keep freight moving, engage the public, focus on future funding, protect and expand transit, integrate Walk Bike Ride principles into neighborhood planning, and promote sustainable transit-oriented communities with thriving business districts.
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Just in time to enjoy the nice(r) weather, the city of Seattle—or at least its Department of Transportation—is asking its residents to cut two car trips a week in July by taking the 