There will be plenty of parades, partying and playing outdoors in the sunshine in the months of July-August 2016 in northeast Seattle, with some road closures and election ballots thrown into the mix.
New buildings for Thornton Creek School on 40th Ave NE
At the end of the month of July construction will finish up at the new Thornton Creek School buildings on 40th Ave NE at NE 77th Street. While work continues on the playground, landscaping and sidewalks, interior cleaning of the buildings will be done in August with move-in of furniture. Teachers will be able to set up their classrooms to be ready for the start of school in September. As yet there has been no announcement as to the future use of the present school building which faces 43rd Ave NE; stay tuned.
Your ballot for the primary election is due on Tuesday, August 2nd. Put a stamp on it or use one of the ballot drop boxes (no postage required) at nearby branch libraries. As yet there is no word on a ballot mobile-collection truck as in past years at Magnuson Park, but perhaps this will occur for the final election in November 2016.
Tuesday, August 2nd, is also the annual Night Out when neighbors can close off their street and have a block party. There’s still time to download printable invitations and plan a gathering to get to know neighbors.
Movies at Magnuson
The Wedgwood food truck does not have a regular schedule because the operator who was invited to sell at Morningside Park at the corner of NE 86th Street, was not satisfied with the site. But you can enjoy barbecue on Wednesday, July 27, at Fiddlers Inn, Wedgwood, or try the food at the Sounds of Summer concert series on Wednesday evenings at University Village, which continues through the month of August.
On Thursdays through August there is the Lake City Farmers Market from 3 to 7 PM, which includes food bites, music programs and special activities for children. Also on Thursday evenings through August is the Outdoor Movie series at Magnuson Park with food and entertainment programs before the movie begins.
The Wedgwood Community Council will not have an Outdoor Cinema this year. A special event called a Wedgwood Community Picnic on Saturday, September 17th is in the planning process. If you would like to get in on the event-planning contact us at info@wedgwoodcc.org
One of the best events of the summer season is the three-day extravaganza in Lake City called SalmonFest. This festival over the weekend of August 5 through 7 has everything: a salmon cookout, food trucks, a grand parade and another parade for children, a car show, vendor booths, pirates, clowns, vigilantes and general merriment for everyone. Don’t miss it!
In between street fairs and festivals, take some time to ponder the subject of trees. You can apply for free trees through Seattle’s Trees for Neighborhoods program. Applications will be selected lottery-style after August 8th.
If you want to plant a tree on your parking strip by the sidewalk, that is called a “street tree.” The Trees for Neighborhoods program will do the needed street tree permit applications for you.
While you are enjoying all the summer events around northeast Seattle, be aware of road work and street closures. There will be repaving on Roosevelt Way NE and the University Bridge will be closed for the weekends of July 30-31 and August 6-7. Beginning on August 4th some streets in Wedgwood will be resurfaced and not accessible for a full day until the surface material dries, beginning at NE 85th Street in western Wedgwood near Lake City Way NE.
Still need more partying? If you live in Wedgwood north of NE 85th Street you are in District 5 of the new City Council districts. Councilmember Debora Juarez invites everyone to the Alive in D5 party on Saturday, August 13 from 1 to 5 PM in the park behind the Target store, 5th Ave NE just north of Northgate Way NE.
And finally, watch for the annual car show with prizes and special menu items at the Wedgwood Broiler on Saturday, August 27th.