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Where did all the christmas lights go???

(27 posts)

Started 3 years ago by Desslok
Latest reply from mickey

Desslok

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Ok, this isn't QUITE Ballard, more like sunset hill, but hopefully it's close enough. What happened to all the lights in and around Olympic Manor on 85th? I remember they used to decorate the HELL out of that little cul-de-sac back in the eighties and nineties - but I just drove through there, and like three houses were decorated.

What, did the Grinch move in or something? What's the deal? Was it because I want through in the middle of the night?

On that note - does anyone else have recommendations on where to Christmas light watch? Something decorated to the nines like this place used to be?

Posted 3 years ago #
mc7

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One guess: it's been too damn cold to get out there and put them up. That's why our house remains light free so far.

Posted 3 years ago #
Amy J

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The cold has kept my efforts at bay! However, I'm bundling up and bundling up the kids and we're doing it today!

Posted 3 years ago #
Barney Stinson

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Um this is Seattle and we don't want to offend anyone who does not celebrate Christmas so we no longer put up lights.

Besides, Christmas lights just perpetuate the notion that Christmas is all about commercialism. I would rather read a book and sip on some french wine.

Posted 3 years ago #
Kat

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You have to drive though the neighborhood. I was there last night and they did a pretty good job. It isn't what it was like back in the day, but they have a pretty good display.

Posted 3 years ago #
mickey

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I think a lot of people have been holding off because of the cold. (I know I have.) There is that one house on 80th (or is it 85th?) and about 18th, on the south side of the street, that is now in full Christmas decor. Do a nighttime drive-by. I always wonder if the nocturnal animals scampering around the neighborhood are delighted--or scared off--by that place.

Posted 3 years ago #
mickey

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Barney Stinson, you really need to get out more. This neighborhood has always had wonderful displays of Christmas lights.

Posted 3 years ago #
Nora Bell

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Don't they (Olympic manor) usually have a revolving Santa display on top of the front sign? It used to be the place in Ballard to go to for tons of Christmas lights.
And, yes, it's very cold. But if my elderly mother can get out there to put up lights so can you. ;-)

Posted 3 years ago #
59thandBlake

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Maybe the vagrants at Sunset Bowl would like some Holiday cheer? We could string some lights around the building? We could leave it up 'til next Christmas...I guarantee that the building will not have been demolished yet.

Posted 3 years ago #
h2o_girl

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Drove through Olympic Manor a few nights ago and yes, they have the spinning Santas at the entrance. There weren't as many houses decorated as in previous years but there were still quite a few.

Desslok - you can also check out Candy Cane Lane off of Ravenna Blvd - they usually have a pretty amazing display - I am going there tomorrow evening.

Posted 3 years ago #
sunset

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Desslok - not to be picky - but am - Sunset Hill IS part of Ballard.

Posted 3 years ago #
I dont know Jack

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"What, did the Grinch move in or something? What's the deal?"

Nope. Same people living there. They just got 30 years older since the 80's and unable to get out and decorate as much.

Posted 3 years ago #
Elliott

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Sure, there aren't now quite as many houses with Christmas lights in Olympic Manor, but there are still plenty and the displays are great. If any of you are interested in seeing some incredible Christmas lights and are visiting friends on the Eastside or up for taking a long drive, one of the best displays in my opinion are found in the Timberline neighborhood of Sammamish--the NE 42nd St. cul-de-sac. There are probably only a dozen houses on this street, but the lights and displays are really incredible--giant nutcrackers, a revolving carousel, a Charlie Brown Christmas display that is lovely, etc. Our daughters have demanded that we make the drive over there this Christmas Eve and they're in their twenties! It's a really cool place to visit if you're up for the drive. If I had my way, I'd just drive around Olympic Manor, Sunset Hill and Ballard checking out the lovely displays. And yes you're right, "I don't know Jack", there are a lot of people living in Olympic Manor that are unable to get out and decorate as they have in the past.

Posted 3 years ago #
OM mom

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We've lived in Olympic Manor for almost 10 years now. I love living in our neighborhood, especially this time of year. Each year there are new families buying homes in OM from older people who have lived in the neighborhood for many years. I've enjoyed seeing our new neighbors join the spirit by decorating their homes with lights. Many of these houses were dark in years past so it's great to see them lit up. However there are some folks are just too elderly to hang lights up anymore. We're young and mobile, and it takes us several hours over a couple of days to set up all of our lights. I can't imagine what it would be like if we were older. It's also costs a decent amount of money to have all of those lights on during the whole month of December. We try to do those LED lights as much as possible, but our electric bill takes a jump due to our lights. I know a couple of families in the Manor who aren't doing lights this year because it's just one more expense that they can't afford this holiday season. I'm sure the very cold weather has kept some folks from putting their lights up until now. In general, I'd say that most folks have their lights up by mid-December around here. I noticed alot of great lights when I drove around tonight.

I hope some myballard folks will drive through Olympic Manor this month to enjoy the lights. It's also fun to just walk through the neighborhood at night. There are still alot of us who are trying to carry on the OM holiday lights tradition. And if you stop by on a weekend closer to Christmas, you may just run into Santa roaming the neighborhood!

Posted 3 years ago #
Desslok

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Perhaps I went down the one street that didn't have anything. I'll have to go back and zig-zag some more - perhaps waiting until next week or so, so that everyone gets their lights out.

Posted 3 years ago #
Novalis

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Your ^ name, is familar, maybe from games awhile ago.

During past holiday season's, afew or so past, there were large trees strung up with white lights,they are some still bound around those larger trees at the top of Ballard Ave. ...unuseable by now, I guess.

So far this year there is a weak, Charlie-Brown-like-tree with lights nearby that Ballard ave. location, nearby the once stolen Banner.

Posted 3 years ago #
Mr. Pyramid Burr

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As far as Ballard Ave. - those wonderful snowflakes(displayed for a number of years) weren't continued due to budget & insurance issues -or should I say insurance issues created budget issues that prevented their display - also the costs to maintain the decorations I suppose, but still, I miss seeing them - really did add holiday cheer to the neighborhood - would hope in the future those could be dispayed again.

Posted 3 years ago #
Nora Bell

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A shame about the snowflakes. I haven't noticed the red bowed wheat chaff decorations either. Are they just not up yet or have I just not noticed them yet?

Posted 3 years ago #
bikerchick

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It could be that some people are tired of repairing damage to their lights caused by our lovely neighborhood teens... like the ones who cut mine down last night while laughing on their way home. Their mothers must be so proud.

Posted 3 years ago #
BlackSheep

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Wow, bikerchick...that really sucks. Sorry about your lights.

Posted 3 years ago #
bikerchick

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Thanks BlackSheep. It really does suck. And the jerks smashed several bulbs on the sidewalk. There's some Christmas spirit for you!

I was going to yell at them, but I figured that would only encourage them. I'm sure they are just making up for insecurities in other departments.

But - they only destroyed one line, so I'm not only going to replace that one, I'm going to put more up. Here's hoping they stay up this time!

And if they don't? It's war!! :-)

Posted 3 years ago #
eric

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maybe get your hose hooked up and ready as long as its not freezing. it'll still be cold enogh that it will suck to be drenched i'd bet...

little jerks.

Posted 3 years ago #
mickey

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bikerchick - Wow, you actually witnessed them doing it? If it had been me, those teens would be in jail right now.

Do you need little colored lights? I have 150 of them, on green cord, that I am not using.

Posted 3 years ago #
boardbrown

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Don't forget...Seattle City Light is raising our service rates by 15% starting this month. So it'll be a double whammy for our electric bill for those of us who choose to hang lights. I'm somewhat of a traditionalist when it comes to lights. I'm still using the old screw-in C9 bulb strings on my house. Not the most energy efficient. But this year I'm turning them off when I go to bed instead of leaving them on 'till morning.

Posted 3 years ago #
bikerchick

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boardbrown - I use the same kind, and I decided to leave them on all night this year instead of turning them off when I go to bed - go figure - encouraging the vandals *and* spending more on electricity!

Thanks for the offer mickey, I think I'm all set. And if it had been you, perhaps they would be in jail, but I'm small and it'd be pretty easy for them to make me regret getting in their faces. Plus, as we've seen on other threads, I doubt the cops would be all that interested.

I like the hose idea - just might go that route once the temps go up a bit!

Posted 3 years ago #
OingoBoingo

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@OM Mom
a lifelong Ballard resident tried to tell me that xmas houselights were part of the covenants(have you read the originals? Yikes!)
@boardroom
a timer changes everything
My LEDs are going up soon. Let there be light! Celebrate solstice.

Posted 3 years ago #
mickey

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bikerchick,

I'm on the small--or at least short--side, but I have a big attitude! Anyway, I sure hope you don't have this problem again. Christmas lights vandals, go 'way.

Posted 3 years ago #