The Roundup: We Heard You on the Blue Angels — Loud and Clear

From the Editor

What's up, South End?

Last week, I gave my take on Seafair and the Blue Angels. The number of responses from readers that reached my inbox was overwhelming.

I appreciate y'all for reading and sharing your opinions. A lot of your responses were passionate — whether you support or oppose the Blue Angels — and I think it's important to allow more voices into the conversation.

Here are a few responses from people in our community. They are lightly edited for length and clarity.

Gwen, a Seattleite for a decade, said:

"I have lived in the South End for 11 years, and even when I lived at the top of Lake Washington, I heard the Blue Angels. I am in the flight path for their warm-up days now. I do not like the noise, or the military aspect. However, after living here for 11 years, I've heard so much about what Seafair means to South Enders, I am trying to just roll with it, and keep my mouth shut!"

Julia grew up with Blue Angels signaling summer — similar to me. She said:

"You put into words exactly what I've felt for years. I grew up in North Seattle, and even though I never went to any official Seafair events, the memory of hearing the Blue Angels tear across the sky is totally baked into my idea of summer. Now I live in the South End (ironically, even closer to the action) … and still haven't made it to a single Seafair event. But every time those jets roar overhead, I get hit with this wave of childhood nostalgia — playing outside, squinting up at the sky, and wondering how something could be that loud and that cool at the same time. I feel all the contradictions too—the noise, the militarism, the environmental impact — and normally would be in the 'anti-Seafair' camp but somehow Seafair still feels like part of my Seattle DNA. I guess it's just one of those things that makes this city feel like home, quirks and all."

Roger is a fan of the hydroplanes (he's even driven one over 100 mph), but not the Blue Angels. He said:

"I grew up in the Central Area, in love with Seafair. My parents took me, as a small child, to the Seafair parades. My neighbors took me to the hydroplane time trials, and by the time I was 10, my parents felt I was old enough to be in the crowd of half a million on race day. I've missed only three Seattle hydroplane races since that day in 1958 … It's pretty clear to me that the planes are a recruiting tool. Why else would the military spend many millions of dollars a year on air shows? Try taking a walk through the south entrance gate to the hydroplane races at Genesee Park this coming weekend. You'll be faced with a row of military recruiting tables, a clear sign of Seafair's complicity."

Sue is a former participant in Seafair festivities — she marched in the parade. Here's her thoughts:

"I grew up with Seafair since as far back as I can remember. I marched in the parades when I was 5 years old. I juggled fire in the Torchlight Parade, wore a sequined corduroy turquoise pirateer outfit with a plumed hat and leather boots … I watched the pirates and clowns … all precious memories. The Chinatown night parade was a staple through the years with people I knew (Chinese) riding in convertibles! I got to lead my marching group in that parade! I went to the Central Area parade today as I live on Capitol Hill. All that being said, and where I am at 80, knowing the work of Ground Zero and Glenn Milner and participating in their organized protests in Bangor, including getting arrested, I support a stepped-up awareness of the war aspect of Seafair. We can do without the Blue Angels, the recruiting, the military message, and STILL celebrate Seafair in so many ways. Our world has moved on."

Yvette, a Seattle native and fan of Seafair, said:

"Thank you, Mike, for your op-ed regarding the Blue Angels at Seafair. I, too, am a Seattle native, having been raised in the CD and the South End. I totally agree with you! I've been thrilled/enamored of the Blue Angels since the 1950s. I'm also a huge fan of all the Seafair events, especially the Torchlight Parade. It's just once a year, folks need to be more tolerant."

The Roundup Rundown

'Wrecked Beyond Belief': Columbia City Funeral Home Burns Down in Possible Arson Case

Columbia Funeral Home and Crematory has been in Columbia City since 1907. It sits at the corner of Rainier and Alaska, and even if you haven't been inside, chances are you've ridden past it more times than you can count.

The building caught fire this week, and the Seattle Fire Department believes it could potentially be the result of arson.

You can read the full report from Emerald contributor Maya Tizon.

Blue Angels Spark Mixed Reactions From South Seattle Residents

I'm not the only one talking about Seafair this week. Emerald contributor Maya Tizon did her own reporting on the mixed feelings South Enders have for Seafair.

You can read the responses Maya got from South End residents in her article.

South End Life: 'Street Medicine' Expands Mobile Health Care for Unhoused Residents in South King County

In this week's edition of South End Life, Emerald News editor and columnist Yuko Kodama is talking about "Street Medicine."

And no, she's not referring to street pharmacists. Yuko visited a public health mobile clinic — one of the vans used by Public Health – Seattle & King County to bring medical care directly to people underserved and/or unhoused.

As usual, Yuko hit the streets to get the story on the ground and bring it to her column.

You can read the full story on mobile clinics, and find barbeque and picnic safety tips, in Yuko's column.

Mike Davis is the newsletter editor and Voices editor at the South Seattle Emerald. Born and raised in Seattle's South End, Mike is a longtime journalist who's covered everything from arts and culture to sports to politics.