Beacon Hill Blog

A memorial to the Fourth of July

Joel Lee was walking around Jefferson Park yesterday and noticed a large amount of fireworks debris from the night before. It wouldn’t fit in the trash cans, so he gathered it up and made tower art, a sort of memorial for the previous night’s revelry. (Photo from the Beacon Hill Blog photo pool. Thanks, Joel!)

Tags: art, fireworks, fourth of july, litter

Walking with Tica: Summertime and the living is noisy

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.

Tags: blue angels, fireworks, pets, summer safety

In the Forum: Fireworks and more

In the Beacon Hill Blog forum right now is a question from reader alirjd:

“So this will be my first 4th of July on Beacon Hill. I know fireworks are limited this year in Seattle since Ivar’s cancelled their show, but I wondered if any of the longtime residents knew of a good spot to go sit somewhere up here and see if you can catch some of the shows around town.”

Other topics currently in the Forum include an announcement about Bible and Chinese Camp at the Beacon Lutheran Church, questions on the current status of the car wash at 15th and Beacon, discussion about a recent brazen burglary in broad daylight, and an introduction from Colin, a (relatively) new neighbor!

Do you have something to say, an announcement to post, or a question to ask? Join us in the Forum.

Tags: beacon lutheran church, burglary, fireworks, fourth of july, welcome