Independence Day at Angle Lake

Residents throughout our community are welcome to join with our neighbors to participate in any one or more of the following July 4th family fun events hosted by the Angle Lake Manor and Angle Lake Shore Clubs.  A schedule of events is available for Download Here.

The lineup is as follows:

10:00 am - Angle Lake Manor Club Parade 
Pull up a chair to watch or you may choose to decorate your trike, bike, scooter, wagon, dog, yourself! and join the parade! The parade starts at the corner of 33rd Av S & S. 194th St and then turns right to proceed down S 192nd St and then right on 39th Av and back around to S 194th St ending at the Manor Club Beach Lot for a patriotic sing along and ice cream social. Yum!

11:00 am – Bud Jones Memorial Run/Walk Around the Lake 
Compete against your neighbors for bragging rights and prizes – or win the trophy as the fastest runner to complete the course around the perimeter of the lake first.   Race will begin at Post 35.  Registration opens at 10:45 am;  Walkers depart at 11:00; Runners start at 11:30 – awards presented at noon.

01:00 pm – Live Music on Stage at the Park 

01:00 pm – Dock / Beach Decoration Judging
Let those creative juices flow in a competition to come up with the most impressive Independence Day dock display. Wow the socks off our judges to win a prize of $100 Gift Certificate for First Place! $75; $50; $25; or Beach towel will be awarded for 2nd  – 10th place respectively. 

03:00 pm – Swim Races
Okay all you guppies; minnows; barracudas; sharks; flounders; whales or whichever you perceive yourself. Time to get your swim suits on and get ready to compete for prizes and Trophy as the fastest of all swimmers!  We'll be assembling at 2:45 on the shores at Gregg and Marsha Louvier's Beach (the large Lighted Cross from the water - or Post 46 from 46th Street). Plenty of parking on the grass. Cash prizes awarded to the fastest children, other valuable prizes will be awarded to fastest adults!

03:30 pm – Boat Races (aprox.)
Immediately following the swim races – the attention will shift to boat racing. If it floats then you can race it! Just show up in some kind of water craft and we’ll find a category to put you in and you’ll be ready to join in the fun and paddle, pedal or row your way to victory.  Prizes will be awarded for fastest competitors.

7:30 pm – Decorated Boat Parade
Pontoon boats; ski boats; outboard motor boats – and hey, if you think you can keep up in a row boat or peddle boat, then fall in line with the parade of boats that will circle the lake spreading additional holiday cheer! In similar fashion with our Annual Christmas Boat Parade except we’re asking that you decorate your boat in patriotic red, white, and blue affair instead.  And while Santa Clause might not be there, Uncle Sam just may make an appearance!

10:00 pm – The 4th of July Finale 
Due to unfortunate circumstances, the Shore Club Members and their neighbors will not be producing a fireworks show this year.  However, the City of SeaTac with additional sponsorship support from Recology CleanScapes will be performing a show that will be launched from the public park fishing docks. The display will not be visible from the northwest and northeast shorelines, therefore all residents are invited to view the show by boat.

The Board Members of the Angle Lake Shore Club wish to remind our neighbors that possession and discharge of private fireworks is illegal within SeaTac city limits.

A special shout out in recognition to the many volunteers who donate their time to help plan, coordinate and execute these events. Speaking on behalf of the community, your efforts are most appreciated!

Have a Happy and Safe Independence Day Celebration.

Online Boat Race Opinion Survey

Will people throughout the northwest race to Angle Lake to watch boat races?


Seattle Outboard Association representatives met with City of SeaTac Parks and Recreation Staff to explore an idea of holding an outboard motor boat race on Angle Lake. The response from City Parks to SOA was to confirm there was support from the two lake side organizations: Angle Lake Manor Community Club; and Angle Lake Shore Club before they would consider moving forward.

Wednesday, May 21st SOA representatives met with leadership from both organizations to review the proposal. All present were in favor of supporting the event provided the following conditions were met: a) Public Notice would be distributed to all residents encircling the Lake; b) hold a public meeting for community comments and concerns to be addressed.

Over 150 Public Notices were hand delivered by SOA volunteers to homes surrounding Angle Lake and a Public Meeting was held at the Matt Griffin YMCA Safeco Room on Thursday, June 12th to present the race proposal and respond to community questions.  A copy of the SOA Presentation can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/UdWgwd.

The outcome from the meeting was an opinion that more representation was needed to decide whether a race event should be held on Angle Lake. A suggestion was made to conduct an online survey to gauge the degree of public interest to decide if having an outboard race is something that would be of interest to the community at large. 

We would like to hear from you! 
Survey is configured to accept only one vote per computer address

DETAILS:
The following survey asks if you support organized boat racing on Angle Lake in the month of September after the Labor Day weekend with the understanding that:
  • This is a trial event and after the event, SeaTac City Council can make a reassessment to determine if it is something to be supported on a recurring annual basis;
  • A race event will require city approval for the following:
    • A variance to the existing ordinance designed specifically for this race waiving the 5 mph speed limit
    • Authorize the use of the far most easterly portion of Angle Lake Park as a pit area
    • Closure of the Swim Area at the public park
    • Closure for a portion of the East-West leg of Angle Lake (race course) from about 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday for the scheduled weekend only.
  • The American Power Boat Association will provide a Certificate of Insurance in the amount of $5,000,000 against any damage or incident resulting from the race. 
  • The race course will be clearly defined by buoys around the outer edge of the course and use of the waters between the shoreline and these outer markers (100 feet yards distance) by residents/spectators will be permitted.
  • In no way is this race event intending to change existing laws or ordinances that mandate slower speeds on the lake other than during this single event and is limited to registered race participants only.
The Online Survey will remain open until end of day July 3rd afterwhich time results will be tabulated and shared with the SeaTac City Council.

Rumors Confirmed To Be True!

Several inquiries have been received in the Angle Lake Shore Club inbox requesting information about the Annual Angle Lake Manor Community Garage Sale.  I'm happy to report that we have just received confirmation from ALM President Kyle Overstreet that they plan to host garage sales throughout the Manor this weekend!  Kyle indicates that the event will be advertised through the usual local media outlets.


If you’re looking for bargains, this weekend will provide a great opportunity to seek them out within our own neighborhood!  If you've got unneeded treasures that you’d like to turn into cash, this weekend is also a great opportunity for you to considering doing that, too! 

Angle Lake Community Yard Sale
Saturday, June 21st – Sunday, June 22nd
9:00 am until 4:00 pm
Signs will be posted throughout the Area

There is no unified coordinator identified for this event to contact, so I’d suggest you post your comments, questions, and/or suggestions to our secured private social media site at nextdoor.com for best exposure and greatest possible response.  Happy Selling/Purchasing!

Race Regatta Q and A

The Angle Lake Shore Club Blog Team had received an email containing a list of questions generated in response to the recent Public Notice regarding a proposal to bring J-Series Racing to Angle Lake. The questions were raised by a resident of Angle Lake and replies to each of the questions was supplied by J.W. Myers, Race Director for Seattle Outboard Association.

Seattle Outboard Association strives to be a family oriented and respectful organization since 1929. SOA has held events on waters such as Angle Lake for their 85 years of existence. For example, this Saturday June 6th, SOA will be operating an event on Silver Lake in Everett, a lake where absolutely no powerboats are normally permitted.  SOA has been conducting races there on an annual basis for several decades. Seattle Outboard Association encourages everyone to join them in Everett to get a preview of the type of event that could be held at Angle Lake.

The ALSC encourages all residents to continue directing concerns, comments and questions to J.W. Myers (JDub47R@yahoo.com) to have them addressed or plan to attend the community meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 12th @ 7:00 PM in the Safeco Room at the Matt Griffin YMCA and receive replies in person.

Questions and Answers: 

ALIEN SPECIES:   Will all the boats and trailers be inspected for invasive species?   What guarantee does the Angle Lake community have that no invasive species will be introduced by any participant?   If some species creeps through the inspections, who is going to pay for cleanup?
  • How our outboard boats are launched is by way of a small hand cart or dolly. The boats and carts only enter the water for the duration of a heat race, then removed from the water and returned to the participants pit area on the shore. There has been no known evidence of invasive species involved in our sport. Also with the short duration of time of the boats being in the water combined with the maintenance and speed of the boats, it would be extremely unlikely our sport would ever have a remote risk of such a problem in the future.
TRAILER PARKING:   Where will the trailers be parked?  Are all boats that race unloaded before any race starts, or before all racing starts?   Is trailer parking going to take up space that Angle Lake Park users (especially on a hot weekend mid-summer day) need?  Are trailers going to be going up and down the Angle Lake Park boat ramp all day, disturbing the Park users, especially parents and small children?
  • Each teams' equipment trailers will be parked on the lower north-east potion of the park. Seattle Outboard Association intends on utilizing only one of the park shelters for administration purposes. Arrangements are being made to use the Alaska Airlines parking lot for the participants and crews. The "Hot Pit" area in the area will be fenced off and only accessed via pit pass that is available by simply signing an insurance release. Our intent is to have minimal impact on the park so the public can enjoy it, and there will be no charge for spectators.
FAMILY/FRIENDS GATHERINGS:  A weekend in the middle of July is PRIME TIME for families and friends to use the lake, to swim, to boat, to paddle, weddings, picnics, reunions, parties.   Some of these events may well have been planned months in advance.  Most of them would have attendees who want to use the lake or hear wedding vows, not racing engines.
  • Agreed. July is PRIME TIME for families and friends to gather. This event will not close the entire lake. However while the races are under way, the East/West leg of the lake will be closed. In the event of a wedding, let us know! We have one race site that nearly every year has a wedding scheduled at the same time. Seattle Outboard Association respectfully pauses during their ceremony. Just a little communication, and we will happily do so.
WATER LEVEL:  There are areas of the lake that can become very shallow, enough to cause problems for an oval race course if the next few weeks are hot and dry.  Presumably an ambulance boat would be near these areas should any race boat flip.  And race planners have no doubt studied expected weather for the weeks before the proposed races.
  • Water levels would have to drastically drop for such a problem to arise. Our race boats and safety boats commonly operate in less than six feet of water without any problem.
DAMAGE TO DOCKS AND BEACHES:  Accidents happen – boats can plow into or flip onto docks and spectators.  What insurance is provided to take care of property and medical problems that happen as a result of racing?
  • Yes, accidents do happen... American Power Boat Association requires conducting clubs to purchase liability insurance policies for no less than $5,000,000.
SPECTATORS:  Are they going to be at Angle Lake Park?  Can that dock hold everyone who might want to watch?  Are extra lifeguards being hired to take of an increased number of Park users?  Who is paying for the extra lifeguards?
  • The event will in fact be held at Angle Lake Park. For insurance and safety reasons, that dock and swimming beach will be closed during the hours of the event.
SPEED LIMIT:  Boats on the lake are restricted to NO WAKE!!!!  How can races take place there? What precedent does changing allowed speeds do in the future?
  • We are aware of the 8MPH Speed Limit on the lake. As we have done for many decades on other lakes, the local jurisdictions will include a variance for speed limits in the permitting process. This variance would pertain to the participants in the sanctioned, insured, controlled event within the permitted time specified in the permit only. Therefore there will be no uncontrolled "Free For All" to the public on the lake. 
ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL:  Why not try for races in March, before fish are stocked?  People are not planning outdoor events at the lake in the middle of winter.  Water levels are probably not going to be a problem, assuming some rain over the winter.
  • As mentioned above, water levels are unlikely to be a problem. As for the winter months, our "Race Season" generally starts in early to Mid-May. Besides there would clearly be an added health risk to racing in that cold of weather.
I'd like to thank the resident who took the time and made the effort to compile their questions and present them to SOA for an opportunity to respond to these concerns.  

I'd also like to be clear that the race event this year is to 'test the waters' so to speak to help the community determine if it is something desirable to continue offering in the future. It is understandable that there may be some reluctance to bringing this onto our lake but if we at least give it a try then we can decide if it’s something the majority want brought back again. Regardless, if the response at the Public Meeting on the 12th is more negative than positive, the Angle Lake Shore Club Board uphold their assigned duty to represent the majority decision. 

Frank Hansen Memorial Regatta


Frank Hansen Memorial Race
(A Seafair Community Partner Event)
3595 So 188th St, SeaTac 98188
Second Weekend in September


Why Frank Hansen? 
Frank consistently offered complimentary comments toward the Angle Lake Shore Club efforts of sustaining long held traditions on the lake and frequently encouraged board members to consider bringing new events to the lake.  This encouragement motivated Shore Club Advisor, Steve Beck, to consider bringing hydroplane boats ‘back’ onto the lake after hearing the stories that Frank shared with him regarding races held here years ago. Once the event concept started forming, the suggestion was floated to consider honoring Frank for his support and encouragement.   

VOTED “BEST MAYOR” 
ACCORDING TO SEATTLE STRANGER MAGAZINE READERS
In 1989, retired airline pilot Frank Hansen began a new career in politics. He served a total of 16 years on the City of SeaTac City Council, including three terms as mayor. Frank was SeaTac's first mayor and is still considered by many to be our best. According to the Stranger, Hansen has won Best Mayor for as long as SeaTacians have been sending in Best of SeaTac ballots. 

Hansen compared early SeaTac politics to the Wild West. “Anybody could get things done in that free-for-all environment” he used to say “given enough git-up-an'-go”. And get things done Hansen did. Among his accomplishments, he was instrumental in obtaining approval for the third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; securing funding for the State Route 509 expansion project; moving City Hall to its current location on South 188th Street; and working with the Port of Seattle to extend Seattle's light rail service directly to SeaTac.

Frank had his very own brand of charm. He was open and unpretentious, gregarious and funny, intelligent and warm. Frank couldn't go anywhere - whether it was Costco or an international airport - without running into someone he knew. He was a wonderful storyteller, drawing on a lifetime's worth of colorful material. Frank derived great pleasure from his family, spending time in Maui, reciting the poetry of Robert W. Service, and grilling flank steak and salmon on his barbeque overlooking Angle Lake.

In an interview with the Highline Times back in 2010, Frank explained “During my first term as mayor we had an aggressive program to eliminate drugs and prostitution, including "John" sting operations. One evening I was headed north on International Boulevard when I noticed a very attractive lady standing by the road. As I got closer, I realized it was one of our police officers, Katy Horgan. I waved at her and kept going. The next day at city hall, Officer Katy told me it was good I hadn't stopped as Channel 5 was filming from across the street and that would have been hard to explain.”

That’s the kind of guy Frank was… always ready to share a story drawn from his very rich lifetime of experience.