by Kirby Lindsay, posted 12 September 2011
Fremont likes to celebrate, and the Fremont Chamber of Commerce (FCC) enjoys it so much that they’ve occasionally helped orchestrate more than one at a time – like this month! The monthly FCC Board of Directors meeting on August 31st, according to meeting minutes taken by Chamber Executive Director Jessica Vets, gave details on two major celebrations planned in the final weekend of September 2011.
To Celebrate the Safety Barrier, Finally
Ryan Thurston announced the official celebration, scheduled for Saturday, September 24th, from 5p – 7p, at History House, of the completion of the safety barrier installed on the George Washington Memorial Bridge, also known as the Aurora Bridge.
Thurston thanked the Chamber for supporting the project, which he and a group of determined volunteers, called Seattle F.R.I.E.N.D.S., fought for locally as well as in Olympia. They lobbied for a deterrent against suicide attempts at the bridge – and a way to keep people below the bridge, in Fremont, safe from trauma, both physical and emotional, experienced whenever someone jumped from the deck.
A Fremonster, Thurston worked tirelessly toward a solution, he helped develop the barrier solution. After the project received funding, and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) went forward with building it (their contractor completed the barrier on February 15, 2011,) Thurston went to M.I.T. to obtain a graduate degree. Now graduated, he has returned to the Center of the Universe – and given us yet another reason to celebrate!
FRIENDS, supporters of the fence, and some of the high-profile people that championed the project – including King County Councilperson Larry Phillips and State Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles – will attend. Everyone who knows the relief at having accomplished this proactive effort to protect ourselves, and those who cannot protect themselves, will be welcomed at the party on September 24th at History House. The celebration will take place as part of the Fremont Oktoberfest, for a respite and a sigh of relief that the barrier is done! Finally.
On An (Almost) Related Note
At the August meeting, the Chamber Board also discussed the planned closure of SR 99 (the roadway on the Aurora Bridge) south of Downtown Seattle, from October 21 to October 31st, as part of the demolition of the viaduct. This segment of roadway lies well south of Fremont, but this closure and rerouting may significantly impact our traffic. For more information on this project visit the official website.
To Celebrate Oktoberfest
At the meeting Phil Megenhardt, of Bold Hat Productions, marked 24 days to go as he gave a status report on plans for the 16th Annual Fremont Oktoberfest – and the strong musical line-up scheduled for the two stages, in the free Village area and in the ticketed tasting garden.
The Oktoberfest always includes nearly a dozen other, associated activities including the Texas Chainsaw Pumpkin Carving, and an Oktoberfest 5K (previously called the Brew Ha-Ha.) Megenhardt reminded the Chamber Board that while volunteers are needed to pour beer in the tasting garden, they also need monitors for the 5K from 8a – 11a on Sunday, September 25th.
Megenhardt and Vets urged all Chamber folk to promote, and talk up, Oktoberfest to friends, family and acquaintances. Volunteers can sign-up on-line, through the Fremont Oktoberfest website, but tickets sales have also, already, begun.
The meeting notes also announced Stacey Fujimura, of 509 Wines, as new chairperson for the Chamber Marketing Committee – now meeting on the last Wednesday of each month, at 5p in the 509 Tasting Room. Also, Chamber Board President Marko Tubic has asked Seattle Police Department Community Policing Officer Loren Street for ways the community can encourage troublemakers – aggressive panhandlers, chronic loiterers, street drummers pounding after midnight, etc. – to move along.
Find out more on these matters, or bring your own, to the next Fremont Chamber monthly Board Meeting. These meetings take place on the last Wednesday of each month, at 8a at History House. Everyone is welcome, and fun is nearly always somewhere on the agenda…
Related Articles
- Hurdles To The Bridge Barrier Cleared For Construction
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- FCC Highlight Reel: Reviews, Requests & Motions
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- The Draw Of The Aurora Bridge
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©2011 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.