Tag Archives: blue angels

It’s Blue Angels time again

Photo by Joshua Davis via Creative Commons/Flickr.
It’s that time of year again. The Blue Angels are returning for their annual Seafair air show performance, which means they’ll be buzzing Beacon Hill for a few days later this week. Blue Angel #7 arrives today, the team arrives tomorrow, and the practices and shows start on Thursday, August 2.

During the Blue Angels’ performances and practices, I-90 will be completely closed to everyone—vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, in both directions, between I-5 and Island Crest Way on Mercer Island.

Here’s the schedule of this week’s shows and practices, including the Blue Angels and other aircraft involved in the celebration events:

Thursday, 8/2: Air show/practice, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (I-90 closed 9:45 a.m. – noon and 1:15 – 2:30 p.m.)

Friday, 8/3: Air show, 11:20 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (I-90 closed 12:45 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.)

Saturday, 8/4: Air show, 10:50 a.m. – 12:40 p.m., 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (I-90 closed 12:45 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.)

Sunday, 8/5: Air show, 10:05 a.m. – noon, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., 3:15-4:05 p.m. (I-90 closed 12:45 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.)

Be aware that the Angels fly very low over North Beacon Hill — it can be a pretty good show, but also startling if you’re not used to it. Your pets may be frightened, so be careful and keep them safe.

Blue Angels to buzz Beacon this week

Blue Angels flying directly over 17th Ave. S. Photo by Wendi.
The Blue Angels are back in town for Seafair, which means that Beacon Hill residents can expect the usual close-up view of the Angels as they practice and perform their choreographed aerial acrobatics directly over our neighborhood.

The squadron will practice on Thursday, August 4 from 10 a.m. until noon and again from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Actual performances will be on Friday, August 5, through Sunday, August 7, each day from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Practices and performances will force complete closures of I-90 due to Federal Aviation Administration safety rules, so be aware that there will be congestion. If you need to drive across the lake using I-90 on Thursday – Sunday mornings, you should drive at least one hour before the closure times.

On Thursday, I-90 will be closed twice. The express lanes will close at 9 a.m. and reopen by 3:30 p.m., and the mainline will close from 9:45 a.m. until noon, and then again from 1:15-2:30 p.m.

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the express lanes will close at least two hours before the shows and reopen by 3:30 p.m., and the mainline will be closed from 12:45 – 2:40 p.m. each day.

There will be loud noise from the jets during the practices and performances, so take special care of your pets. As on the Fourth of July, some pets react negatively to the loud noise from the Blue Angels and may run away.

For further information about this year’s air show, see the Seafair website.

Beacon Bits: Blue Angels, business awards, and parking issues

The Blue Angels fly directly over North Beacon Hill during Seafair. Photo by Wendi.
The Blue Angels fly directly over North Beacon Hill during Seafair. Photo by Wendi.
It’s almost Seafair time, so it’s time to be prepared for the noise and distraction of Blue Angels flying directly over Beacon Hill.

Here’s the schedule of Angels’ practices and performances:

  • July 29: Blue Angels arrival
  • July 30: Blue Angels practice times:
    • 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
    • 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
  • July 31-August 2: Blue Angels performances:
    • July 31: 1:20 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
    • August 1: 1:20 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
    • August 2: 1:20 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
  • August 3: Blue Angels depart

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Last week’s commentary by Frederica Merrell about small business owners and the planning process generated some interesting comments, including information about how local businesses can apply for the 2009 Mayor’s Small Business Awards, and discussion about how local businesses can get their concerns heard.

Neighbor Brook commented, “In most other neighborhoods, they’d get a fair say because at least some of them would be involved in an active neighborhood chamber of commerce that would contribute to planning, go after development grants, and such. I’m sure it’s a challenge in a neighborhood as diverse as ours, but everyone is losing out without an organization like that.” The Beacon Hill Blog has commented on this concern previously.

* * *

In the BHB forum, Gracie P writes:

Has there been any discussion among folks about how to cope with the RPZ when going on vacation? We’re taking a road trip in one car, trying to figure out what will happen with the other one while we are gone… Yes, we could tackle the issue that multiple cars is a bit excessive, but we’d be in the same boat if we had one car and took link to SeaTac.

Not that it wasn’t illegal to leave a car for more than 72 hours before the RPZ, but… with actual parking patrols happening up here, we are realizing we can’t just blissfully leave a car on the street while we travel.

Have any ideas or suggestions for Gracie? Please post them in the Forum.

Walking with Tica: Summertime and the living is noisy

Tica yawning in the hot sun. Photo by Melissa.
Tica yawning in the hot sun. Photo by Melissa.
We aren’t walking much this weekend. Tica is zonked from the heat and freaked by the fireworks. She wants to go out, but pulls strongly towards home as soon as she hears a crack, snapple, or pop. Often, she’ll be too afraid to even potty.  I have to be watchful and remember to let her in the backyard when it’s quiet.

If you have dogs (or cats), remember that they need extra consideration over the next few weeks. Many animals react very strongly to fireworks, thunder, and other loud noises.  My cats don’t seem to mind fireworks as much as Tica, but all of us suffer when the Blue Angels are practicing. The cats hide under the bed and are out of sorts.

Here are some ideas that work well for our furry roommates in July:

  • Go out early in the morning, when it’s cool and quiet
  • Keep dogs on leash
  • Make sure all animals have identification with current information–even reliable pets can panic and escape
  • If you’re traveling, update ID tags with cell phone numbers and NEVER leave pets in the car/truck
  • Provide shelter/shade for outdoor animals
  • Check all gates and fences–are they secure?  If your dog can jump the fence, consider tying out during peak noise
  • Make sure your pets have constant access to fresh water
  • Run fans and/or radios for background noise during Blue Angels practices or performances, or if someone in the neighborhood is setting off leftover fireworks from the Fourth
  • Consider locking pet doors and keeping pets inside if they seem fearful
  • Be patient and compassionate

Speaking of kitties–I’ve posted several snapshots of cats we notice on our walks to the Beacon Hill Blog flickr group. If you have a BeHi feline, post your pictures to the group.