Burien’s 3 Tree Point celebrated the 4th of July with its annual Independence Day multi-block and beach party, with a community breakfast, flag raising ceremony, an all-day art show at the old store, a kid’s parade, treasure hunt on the beach (with a reported $125+ in coins hidden), carnival games, a bouncy house, numerous live bands on the deck of a house near the beach and much more, all capped off with a spectacular $21,000+ professional fireworks display from a barge anchored off the point.

Here’s a photo slideshow of the day’s highlights by Photographer Michael Brunk:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Burien’s 88th annual 4th of July parade featured local businesses, organizations, schools, artists, bands, mascots on Segways, the Seafair Pirates, and more, as well as your very own B-Town Bloggers “blogging live” on back of a flatbed truck pulled by Advertiser Airport Towing, and here’s a photo slideshow of the event as seen through the eyes of Photographer Michael Brunk:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

We’ll be posting our “live blog” transcript shortly, so be sure to check back soon…

Happy Independence Day Burien!

Here’s a good way to celebrate your independence, your community, your country – read the actual text from the Declaration of Independence:

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. –Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.

He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing taxes on us without our consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Even though we all are all most certainly chock-full of common sense, sometimes we all need gentle reminders of what stupid decisions can do to a human being, especially on a sunny summer day where there are fireworks, reckless youths and other celebratory elements around us.

Therefore, here is our requisite 4th of July “Safe and Sane” posting, courtesy the Seattle Red Cross, the King County Sheriff’s Department and our own experiences:

“While celebrating Independence Day, burns — superficial or first degree — can result from partaking in any of these celebratory activities; so the American Red Cross offers the following tips to keep this holiday safe and fun-filled:

• Make sure that exposed skin is covered with an appropriate sun block before heading out to the parade, family picnic or other outdoor activity.
• Keep small children a safe distance from hot barbecue grills, outdoor fireplaces, and of course, fireworks.
• Plan to attend a professional fireworks display instead of creating your own. Remember that the setting off of fireworks is illegal in Burien.
• Whether received from cooking at the grill or being careless with fireworks, burns should be treated immediately. We recommend buying an aloe vera plant and having it on hand, ‘cuz nothing’s better for a burn than fresh aloe.
• Stop the burning. Put out the flames or remove the victim from the source of the burn. For example, you may have to put out flames that have caught on to clothing.
• Cool the burn. Use large amounts of water to cool the burned area. DO NOT use ice or ice water other than on small superficial burns; ice causes loss of body heat. Use whatever resources are available — tub, shower or garden hose. You can apply soaked towels, sheets or other wet cloths to a burned face or other areas that cannot be immersed. Be sure to keep cloths cool by adding more water.
• Cover the burn. Use dry, sterile dressings or a clean cloth to cover a burn. Loosely bandage them in place. Covering the burn helps keep air out and reduces pain. Covering the burn also prevents infection. If the burn covers a large area of the body, cover it with clean, dry sheets or other cloth, then get to the hospital.
• For minor burns and burns with open blisters that do not require medical care, wash the areas with soap and water. Keep it clean. Put on an antibiotic ointment (available from any drug store). Watch for signals of infection.
• Critical burns need immediate medical attention. Call 9-1-1 if a burn victim is having difficulty breathing; more than one part of the body is burned; burns are on the head, neck, hands, feet or genitals; a child or an elderly person has been burned; or chemicals, electricity or explosions have caused burns.

From the King County Sheriff’s Department:

The Sheriff’s Office wants to remind the public that water safety should be of paramount importance over the long, Independence Day weekend.

“The weather will be great, but the rivers of King County are still cold, fast-moving, and extremely dangerous”, said Sheriff Sue Rahr.  “The last thing we want to do this holiday is a rescue or recovery of someone who didn’t heed the warnings”.

Many of the rivers in King County are still clogged with debris and downed trees from last winter’s high water.  That makes those areas impassable to boaters, tubers and swimmers.

Also, fast-moving waters can pull unsuspecting river users under trees and logjams. They won’t come out the other side, and subsequently drown.

Many rivers have areas that are closed due to these hazards.  Recreationists must not disregard the posted closures.

Hypothermia can still be a problem, even in area lakes.  It affects everyone, no matter the age, size, or experience, and will quickly take away a person’s ability to swim or tread water.  Wear thermal protection!

Always swim in an area designated for swimming.  Learn to swim!

Always wear a Coast Guard approved lifejacket while boating.  Remember children under 12 must wear a lifejacket all the time on boats less than 19 feet. All boats must have a life jacket for everyone on board.  “Lifejackets float, you don’t!”

Alcohol does not mix with boating, floating, or swimming.  Boating Under the Influence is a crime!

“We want King County residents to have a great time over the 4th”, said Sheriff Rahr.  “But use common sense and stay safe!”

Our Advice:

• Whatever you do, do NOT look down into a pipe when you’re waiting for a bottle rocket to go off. Just forget it dude.
• Stop pointing fireworks at your friends.
• Stop throwing firecrackers at girls. They don’t dig it dude.
• If you start a fire, put it out right away. Don’t run away laughing, ‘cuz karma will get you back.

The American Red Cross offers many training sessions in First Aid and CPR. For First Aid and CPR classes in King County, please call (206) 726-3534 or visit the web site at www.seattleredcross.org.”

This 4th of July, while you’re walking around Burien searching for that perfect seat to enjoy the parade (which starts at 3pm) look around and see how many of the local merchants are open for business.

Stop in and pick up those last minute bar-b-que items, gifts or just have a cold one. Keep in mind that most will be open limited hours so they too can enjoy the holiday with family and friends.

Below is just a partial list of businesses on or just off of the parade route that will be open on the 4th; please support any others you encounter as well:

• 909 Coffee and Wine
• A Place for Pets
• B&E Meats
• Bison Creek Pizza
• B-Town Scoop
• Burien Food Center
• Burien Press
• Elliott Bay Brewhouse
• Fireweed Beads
• Goodie Gum Drops
• Hey Paison
• Karuna Arts Yoga
• La Costa
• Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub
  
• Platinum Comix
• Poggi Bonsi Cucina
• The Mark Restaurant & Bar
  
• Vince’s Italian Restaurant
• Vino Bello
  

Our nearest neighbor to the south, the beautiful City of Normandy Park, has posted the following schedule for what’s going on there on the 4th of July – everything from a 2.8K Fun Run to a Children’s Parade to a Social at The Cove:

“Join your neighbors and friends at the Normandy Park 4th of July Social sponsored by the Normandy Park Community Club and the City of Normandy Park from 10am until 1pm. All Normandy Park residents are encouraged to join in the fun for these morning and early afternoon festivities:

10:25am: 2.8K Fun Run. It’s free, but pre-registration is highly suggested. The course is from Marvista Elementary to Marine View Drive & Shoremont. Runners be sure to arrive at the starting area before 10:10am as number pick up will close at that time. This year’s custom designed race t-shirt can be ordered in advance by all runners for pick it up at the finish line. Non-runners may purchase any left over shirts at the end of the race. They are only $15 each. Contact the Cove office to register 206-242-3778 or visit www.npcove.org

10:30am: Children’s Parade. Everyone is welcome to join in, either from the start (be at Marvista no later than 10:15!) or from anywhere along the parade route, which ends at the Cove Building. Classic cars, floats, wagons, bicycles, strollers, horses, marching bands – - all are encouraged to participate. Paint your face, decorate your bike, get out your flags; be festive or plain. Please, however, no campaigning or political signs. The Normandy Park Arts Commission will once again offer children prizes for the best decorated bicycles. Children who participate in the Parade are encouraged to decorate their bikes in the holiday spirit and enter the Bike Decorating Contest. Prizes will be awarded for the Best Patriotic decorations

11:15am: Social at the Cove. After the parade everyone is invited for free Ice Cream at the Cove. To satisfy your lunchtime hunger, hot dogs and beverages will be offered. Festivities include Classic Car Show and, Large Blow Up Toys and Temporary Tattoos for youngsters. All of this will be accompanied by Live Patriotic Music on the lawn.

Line the streets, enjoy the parade, and attend the Community Social at the Cove!

Road Closure Information:

• Marine View Drive and Shorebrook Drive will be closed to motor vehicles during the festivites from approx. 9:30am-12:00pm. Please use caution and consider alternate routes.

If you’re considering other local fun on the 4th, here’s a link to the schedule for 3 Tree Point’s all-day block party.

Burien’s 88th annual 4th of July Parade is coming on, um…oh yeah, JULY 4th, starting at 3pm, beginning at Ambaum Blvd. SW and SW 149th Street, then winding its way through good ol’ B-Town’s downtown district, and get this – this year, your B-Town Blog staff will actually be IN the parade!

That’s right, be sure to look for your goofy blog staff in (on? around?) our little Mini Cooper Blogmobile on a flatbed trailer towed by BTB Advertiser Airport/Burien Towing, and if we can hop on a wi-fi signal, we’ll even blog live whilst in the ding-dang parade!

The parade is sponsored by both the City of Burien and the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce, and has gained a reputation as one of the most enjoyable and spirited community parades in the region. This year, parade spectators will rub shoulders with:

• The Seafair Pirates, the scurviest pack of rogues to ever stain the seven seas (including numerous B-Towners)!
• The Seattle HOG Chapter will rumble through town on their thundering Harley Davidson motorcycles!
• Santa on roller skates! We have no idea why either…
• Ronald McDonald on a Segway will either bring a smile to your face or make you feel extremely uneasy (like he does us, but then again, we’re afraid of clowns using new technology).
• And the usual marching bands, energetic dance teams, elaborate floats and vintage autos!

The brand new Town Square and City Hall will add an exciting change of scenery to downtown Burien. Everyone is invited to come and be a part of this FREE longstanding Burien tradition.

The route will head south on Ambaum, east on SW 153rd, north on 4th Ave. SW, then west on SW 152nd.

To download your own Parade Map, click here (PDF file).

The Burien Independence Day Parade is sponsored by Seahurst Dental Design/Jim Coleman, DDS and Puget Sound Energy.

Media partners include your most up-to-date local news source, The B-Town Blog and that other one, the Highline Times.

For questions about the parade, contact the Chamber at (206) 575-1633 or email staff@swkcc.org.

The Three Tree Point 4th of July Fireworks Fund drive has a current balance of $17,100 (with a target of $21,000), so we’re tossing out one last pitch to ask for contributions from our BTB Readers.

So if you haven’t already, please make your donation now for Burien’s best barge-based, free fireworks show on a great beach – donate online now! You can donate any amount between $25 and $500, so please lend a hand.

The $21,000 budget covers the cost of the barge, fuel, tug, insurance, permits, fireworks and professionals to run the show, police protection for the area (which is being increased this year) and dumpster rental.

So if you’re interested in sponsoring the fireworks, or giving a donation, please click here – you can donate online or via snailmail. This is an amazing celebration of Americana in a great neighborhood!

The Three Tree Point 4th of July Fireworks Fund drive ends on Sunday, May 31st, and Chairwoman Julie Dow says that so far they’ve raised $9,400 of the $21,000 goal – less than half of what it’ll cost to put the show on.

So consider this post a push to make your donation now for Burien’s best barge-based, free fireworks show on a great beach – donate online now!

The $21,000 covers the cost of the barge, fuel, tug, insurance, permits, fireworks and professionals to run the show, police protection for the area (which is being increased this year) and dumpster rental.

That has been the goal the last two years as well.

Here’s a note from Julie:

Hi Scott, we’re at about $9,400 which includes pledges (checks not received), but we need to raise the remaining $11,600 by May 31st!

The support from “outlying” neighborhoods (Normandy Park, Arroyo, Seloa, Arbor Heights) has been outstanding, but oddly, Three Tree Point itself has been notably behind.

We have sought corporate sponsorship this year, and while we’ve had lots of interest, so far we’ve only signed up Key Bank, Windermere, Color Printing Systems and The B-Town Blog.

So if you’re interested in sponsoring the fireworks, or giving a donation, please click here – you can donate online or via snailmail. This is an amazing celebration of Americana in a great neighborhood!

Photo by ericagirlwonder

It’s one of the highlights of the Burien area on the 4th of July – the Three Tree Point Fireworks celebration, which is supported entirely by donations from residents in area communities, not just the citizens who live down there.

From personal experience, I can say that these fireworks celebrations are amazing all-day Americana affairs, starting with a community breakfast, a flag-raising ceremony, a children’s parade (with the incentive being a prize of a popsicle at the end) then an evening of outstanding, professional fireworks launched from a barge anchored right off the point.

It’s a crazy block party, with live music, beach parties, insanely huge bonfires and more, and the 10pm display can be seen for miles.

Neighbors have already set up a website for this year’s blast, and they’re seeking donations to help offset the $20k+ cost. For those who donate more than $150, you get invited to a fun neighborhood dinner party.

Here’s some info from the Three Tree Point Fireworks Fund website:

The Three Tree Point Fireworks celebration is supported entirely by donations from the communities of Three Tree Point, Seahurst, Normandy Park, Seola Beach, Arroyo Beach and Arbor Heights.

Our barge based, high-altitude fireworks show has gotten better every year thanks to countless people of have donated time and money.

In 2009, our goal is to keep the fireworks and community celebrations at the same great level that they have been at. This is the first year we are seeking corporate sponsors for our event.

We raise funds in May to ensure we have time to get all the permits, insurance and the best vendors.

Originally started by the Miller family as a gift to The Three Tree Point Community, the firewoks tradition was continued by neighbors when the Millers moved away.

In addition to the fireworks, the neighborhood traditions of pancake breakfast , kids games, flag raising with awards, bike parade and more have been ushering in summer at our great communitnity. What a great place to live!

Donate today on this site, or contact us!

For more information, e-mail us.

To donate online, click here.

If you prefer to snailmail your donation, make a check out to “3TPFF” and mail to:

3TPFF
c/o Murray and Julie Dow
9 Three Tree Point Lane
Burien WA, 98166

Fall officially begins at 8:44am PDT today (Monday, Sept. 22), and what better way to celebrate the season of spiders, colorful leaves and pumpkin slingshots than by taking a look back at summer through this exclusive B-Town Blog slideshow:

We won’t mention any names, but here’s a short animation of one of Burien’s Best appearing to do the “Robot” dance during the Three Tree Point block party on the 4th:

 by Scott Schaefer

Explosive 4th of July weekend for sure in the B-Town area, with plenty of fireworks, fun and the usual “look outs!” along with our own very unique and unforgettable personal experience:

Down at Three Tree Point, there’s an annual $21,000+ neighborhood fireworks show that goes off around 10:20pm. It’s very popular, and it turns the entire ‘hood into one giant block party, with a flag raising ceremony, kids’ parade, live band and more, all climaxing in a great fireworks display.

This is the one day per year where Maplewild Ave SW does its best impression of the road that lead to Woodstock in ‘69, chock full of young people gathering for something cool and special, all the while invading other folks’ neighborhood, parking spots and yards.

The strangest thing about suddenly having your neighborhood invaded by hundreds of younger folks isn’t their language, fashions or music – it’s in the backpacks that 90% of all the young men are sporting.

“Backpacks?” methinks, “why these hearty young men must’ve hiked from miles away to join our festive and friendly party! There must be provisions, water, first aid kits…all the necessary items for a full day’s safe hike, right? Welcome to our front lawn you wise young souls!!!”

14 bottle rockets, 11 Roman Candles and 349 firecrackers later, I finally figured out what was in the backpacks. Let’s just say that their “provisions” weren’t entirely legal, and consisted of items that included either gunpowder from China or 40-ounce bottles from 7-11.

Oh well – I was young once, and I could relate, so no big whoop.

Me and the family snaked through the dangerous ’splosions and got prime seats to watch the annual pyrotechnics display, and as we waited, were entertained by about 6-8 young folks who were imbibing quite heavily (cheap shared Carlo Rossi wine from a jug anyone?) and cursing like drunk sailors at a longshoreman’s convention (only these drunk longshoremen wore backpacks).

After briefly (and carefully) requesting they “watch their mouths” (which they agreed to and complied with for about 30 seconds), one of the more drunken young lads suddenly started challenging his friends and betting that he could swim out to an anchored boat and back “for 10 bucks!”

Being the naturally skeptical type, I doubted that anything would happen. I’ve been around tons of drunk sailors at longshoremen’s conventions, and I know the drill. And for a measly $10 bucks? Ha.

Then the dude whips off his shirt and starts stripping down, insisting that his buddies pay him “10 bucks” to swim out and back to a boat about 150-175 feet off shore.

Keep in mind that this was around 9:45pm at night. Water temp had to be in the low 50s at best. And from what I’ve heard and read, at that temp, hypothermia can kick in within 12 minutes.

Still being skeptical, I watch in amazement as the dude strips down to his shorts, takes off his shoes and quickly jumps over some rocks onto the sand.

Next thing you know, he’s swimming out toward the boat in the dark.

So I pull out my cell phone, unlock it and get ready to dial 911, and in my mind I’m thinking: “Wow, I’ve never seen someone drown before…but maybe that’s what Independence Day is for – making us independent of stupid people!”

The drunk dude is swimming. In. The. Cold. Dark. Puget. Sound. Water. I’m getting chilled just watching him. About 50 feet out, he pauses; starts hesitating. My fingers start twitching. It’s been at least 7 minutes. It’s kind of hard to see him too with the low light and cloud cover.

“This is it,” I think to myself in my most morbid, dark and evil Mr. Burns-like voice, “This is when his head suddenly drops under, and he disappears from sight. Release the frowns!”

His semi-incoherent buddies of course are all still swearing in front of my chitlins in their own little world, but at this point it doesn’t matter ‘cuz I’m worried that he’s gonna die. In front of my kids.

Of course, the drunk dude decides to pause and wade for about five seconds, then resumes his swim using a breast stroke. Now he’s moving slower, but still making progress toward the boat! About ten seconds later, he reaches the boat.

We’re at around 12 minutes now. Uh-oh.

“If he’s smart, he’ll climb on the boat, wait a few minutes, warm up, then signal for help…right?” says my inner, most hopeful Mister Rogers voice.

Wrong.

He oh-so-slowly shimmies his way around the bow of the boat, and of course, disappears from our sight.

15 minutes.

Now this scenario is rivaling any fireworks display I’ve ever seen by about 1,000 times. I mean, the kid’s totally blitzed, he’s swimming at night in – The. Cold. Puget. Sound. We can’t see him now…and for what?

$10 bucks!

So I’m straining my eyes now to find his head in the water. Nothing. I strain some more. Pull out the cell. Think about things I’ve heard about how every second counts in cold water situations…should I just dial 911 now, knowing that it’d take B.F.D. at least 10 minutes just to get here? Then another 10 or so to launch their rescue boat and find the drunk dude who was last seen slowly hanging onto the boat before disappearing? That’d be 20 minutes or so of him underwater in Puget Sound? Hmmm…

As I’m visualizing the entire doom and gloom scenario, wifey chimes in and says “I can see his head!”

Sure enough, the drunk dude’s now swimming back towards shore like a seal, his head bobbing up and down as he does his breast stroke.

“He’s not sleeping with da fishes yet,” shouts the inner hopeful Mr. Rogers in my head.

“Ah, but just you wait,” says Mr. Knowitall Morbidiardo on the other side of my head. “He’s still got at least 75 feet to go, and by now the hypothermia most certainly must be affecting his muscles…”

20 minutes now and he’s almost to shore. But wait – he pauses again! Is this it? Luckily no; he resumes and pretty soon he’s walking back up to his plastered buds and demanding his $10 smackers.

Mother-in-law of course decides to chime in, exhorting “Hypothermia and alcohol don’t mix very well!” to the youngster, who ignore her as best they can.

The dude demands his ten spot and the unlucky bet loser whips it out. Of course, since the drunk dude is much shorter, the guy holds the Hamilton up and makes the guy jump for it. Ouch.

I see now that the dude is shivering. Wifey offers her blanket to me and I take it, walk over and wrap it around the dude. I ask him if he’s shivering at all, and of course he says “no way man” in his most macho yet slurred and shivery voice he can muster. I tell him to watch for signs of hypothermia but can tell that he’s much more interested in signs of acceptance from his peers.

Soon the dude has his clothes back on and off he goes with his group, like it was just another 4th of July at the point.

I have no idea if he ended up with hypothermia in the hospital, but I hope that he’s okay, and know that, at the very least, he’s at least $10 bucks richer.

(hey drunk dude, if you’re reading this, please email me – I’d like to make sure that you’re okay…)

Courtesy BTB Reader Greg Rehmke comes this video shot last night at 9:30pm as the 4th celebrations begins at Lake Burien (listen for the apparent air horn coordination signal):

Another photo taken earlier in the day by Greg of activity on the lake – note the floating picnic table-like dock full of folks (what if someone has to, you know…go to the bathroom?):

 

Happy Independence Day from the B-Town Blog!

Here’s a scene from today’s festivities in B-Town, this one of two independent children celebrating the 4th by leading the kid’s parade at Three Tree Point with this lovely banner:

Got patriotic spirit?

Looking for something fun to do until it’s time for fireworks?

Why not join other Burien residents and guests as they watch the 87th Annual Burien Independence Day Parade?

Rain or shine, the annual Parade will begin at 3pm on Friday the 4th, and will last approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours.

This year the route has been reversed, so the Parade will start at Ambaum and SW 150th, then will head south on Ambaum and then East onto 153rd, North on 2nd Ave., then West on 152nd:

 
(click on map to download larger version suitable for detailed viewing/printing)

Some featured acts include:

• Heroic Burien Firefighters
• Cub Scout Pack 377 will be collecting donations for Fire Victims as they march
  
• The Keystone Kops
• Chinese Dragon
• Bagpipers
• Drill teams
• Beauty queens
• Marching bands
• Antique cars
• Ronald McDonald
• And many others!

This is a longstanding Burien tradition that is fun for the entire family.

This year’s Parade is brought to you by:

 

 

Mother Nature has been putting on quite an excellent (albeit a bit premature) fireworks show for a few days now, and now the showers are moving through.

But will we hearty B-Towners let that stop us from enjoying today’s Farmers Market, or tomorrow’s 4th festivites?

Heck. No.

We’ve got a booth at the Market, and invite everyone to come visit us. Just be sure to stand right at the edge of our tent too – we have a great practical joke where we push the tent up and soak you with all-natural, organic, free-range, shade-grown, fair trade rainwater…you’ll love it!

Here’s what the patented B-Town Blog Weather Rock® says about tomorrow’s weather:

• “Mostly crummy weather with a slight chance of sun.
• Cloudy with a chance of showers.
• Highs in the upper 60s to mid 70s.
• South winds 5 to 15 mph.
• Marine push will come in tonight, bringing in overcast skies, which will linger through most of tomorrow.
• The 4th will start cloudy with areas of light showers, then partial clearing late in the day – maybe enough sunbreaks in the evening to make the wait for the fireworks pleasant, but still a risk of a few light showers or sprinkles roaming around.
• Highs will only reach around 70, with temps at fireworks time around 62 or so.“

Lots of fun celebrations planned around the area for the 4th of July (which just happens to fall on Friday, July 4th this year):

BURIEN:

Noon-3pm: Olde Burien will be hosting a ‘Harley meets Vespa’ BBQ Street Party. The Vespa Club of Seattle will have a large contingency of scooters included in the parade.

3pm: The 85th annual Burien Independence Day parade starts on Ambaum Blvd. SW and SW 149th, then turns east on SW 153rd to 2nd SW then loops back to Ambaum on SW 152nd.

Before the parade, hop on your bike and take part in the 33rd annual Joe Matava Classic and Washington State Juniors Criterium bike races along SW 153rd and 152nd streets.

THREE TREE POINT:

1/2pm+: The most charming local neighborhood kids’ parade in the USA happens as kids dress up their trikes, bikes, scooters and pets and parade down SW 172nd to earn the reward of an ice-cold popsicle. Oh yeah, be sure to wear a helmet kids, as about halfway down the street you’re going to be pelted by some wacky neighbors throwing candy! After the parade, be sure to hang out around the corner of SW 172nd and Maplewild where there will be lots of great kids games with prizes.

10pm+: Professional neighborhood Fireworks display blasted off a barge anchored just off the point.

NORMANDY PARK:

10:25am: The celebration begins at Marvista Elementary with the 7th Annual All Downhill Fun Run followed by a parade. The parade leaves the school at 10:30am, traveling north on Marine View Drive to Shorebrook Drive, then west to the Normandy Park Cove. Kids are invited to decorate their bikes, scooters and other modes of transport in the holiday spirit and enter the bike-decorating contest. Prizes will be awarded for the best patriotic decorations.

At the Cove there will be free ice cream, hot dogs, beverages, popcorn, snow-cones, music, car show, inflatable kids toys and more.

Marine View and Shorebrook will be closed to all cars from approximately 9:30am to Noon.

DES MOINES:

6pm: Family events, food, arts, crafts, kids activities, entertainment and more, including singer Joey Jewell, who will do his musical tribute to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin with a backing big band.

DUSK: 7th Annual “Fireworks Over Des Moines” presented by the Des Moines Arts Commission and launched from the marina pier.
For more information, call 206-870-6527 or visit www.desmoineswa.gov.

SEATAC:

5pm: The fun kicks off with a special music performance in the park.

10pm-ish: Fireworks will light up the sky over Angle Lake, which is located at 19408 International Boulevard.

TUKWILA:

2pm+: celebrate Independence Day AND Tuwkila’s Centennial at Tukwila’s “Family 4th at the Fort” at Fort Dent Park, located at 6800 Fort Dent Park Way.

Events include children’s fun, with inflatable bouncers, slides, climbing wall and preschooler’s area. Fireworks go off around 10pm, and there will also be food and entertainment.

For more information, call 206-768-2822 or go to www.ci.tukwila.wa.us/recreation/recevent.html.

MUSEUM OF FLIGHT:

11am & 2pm: Skyway Post 9430 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will present all 27 versions of the American flag’s history in the William M. Allen Theater at the Museum of Flight, located at 9404 East Marginal Way South in Tukwila.

On Friday July 4th and Saturday July 5th, the museum’s exhibits, galleries and store will remain open until 7pm.

NOTE: If you notice that we’re missing any area events from this listing, please email us!

Every 4th of July, it seems that everyone and their little brother-in-law treks on down Maplewild Ave SW to the cozy little ‘hood of Three Tree Point.

And every 4th, the neighbors of said ‘hood pitch in to fund a spectacular high-altitude fireworks show (these are major, professionally-launched fireworks folks, launched from a barge anchored off the point starting ’round 10pm), visible from all around Puget Sound. The roads get clogged, parking spots are rare, and it’s like one huge rockin’ block party.

In the past, only the neighbors in the area have been able to donate to the Fireworks Fund, but B-Town Blog is here to change that.

Here’s what your generous donation will help provide:

• An outstanding, breath-taking display put on by the pros at Western Fireworks
• Tug, barge and fuel fees
• Insurance and permits
• Police support
• Dumpster rental for July 5th cleanup

The usual cost for all these things has gone up since last year to a projected goal of $21,000, which is why this here B-Town Blog is kindly asking for everyone in the general area who enjoys this show to please donate something to the Fireworks Fund.

And this year, you can even donate online by credit card right here!

Just click on a dollar amount (ranging from $25 to $500), then enter your vitals via a secure website and voila – you won’t feel guilty anymore about “stealing” a great local entertainment tradition!

Please note that if you donate $150 or more, you’ll get an invitation to a special dinner party on Saturday June 28th. These parties are wonderful, with catered food, open bar, live music and great neighbors.

If you’d rather donate by check, send whatever you can afford to:

Three Tree Point Fireworks Fund (or “3TPFF”)
c/o Clark & Liz Mounsey
3721 SW 171st Street
Burien, WA 98166

Now…don’t you feel better by giving something?

Have fun, and as always, stay safe and sane.