The mailman delivered our latest gizmo gadget (a state of the art Ultra Flip HD Camera) a few weeks back and we thought “what the flip should we do with this ding-dang newfangled thingamabob?”

Out of the red, white and blue, it occurred to us that our third President, one Thomas Jefferson, who loved new gadgets and devices and inventions and discoveries, would have gotten a kick out of this powerful little digital camera, the size of a deck of cards, not much smaller than a hand-held booklet-sized copy of what is known as the Declaration of Independence.

It was 234 years ago right now, that our Founders were “cutting and pasting” their final draft of what became known as that treasured and precious document, the Declaration of Independence, whose primary author was the then 33 year-old future President Jefferson.

So someone said:

“Let’s take our camera around Normandy Park and Burien (and Des Moines and White Center) and ask our fellow neighbors and friends and passersby to read aloud the Declaration into our new little camera, piece the quotes together into one colorful video, and release it to the nation and world on our various neighborhood news blogs.”

And so we did – well actually Mark Neuman did, then Scott Schaefer edited it – see if you can find yourself, or a friend or two:

(…at the end of the video, look for some amusing outtakes as well as terrific “Happy Birthday USA!” salutations)

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY NORMANDY PARK!

Paint your face, decorate your bike, get out your flags folks, ‘cuz it’s time to celebrate the 4th of July in Normandy Park!

The annual Normandy Park 4th of July Community Celebration starts at 10am and goes until 1pm on Sunday, July 4th.

Events will include:

• 2.8K Fun Run
• Children’s Parade
• Ice Cream Social
• Bike Decorating Contest
• and More!

The 2.8K All Downhill Fun Run begins at 10:25am at Marvista Elementary School, and finishes at SW Normandy Terrace. Visit www.npcove.org to download the Fun Run registration form. This year’s custom-designed race t-shirt can be ordered in advance by all runners for pick up at the finish line. Non-runners may purchase any left over shirts at the end of the race. For more information contact the Cove at 206-242-3778.

Get a great seat along the parade route to view classic cars, floats, wagons, bicycles, strollers, horses, marching bands and more! Of course, everyone is also encouraged to participate in the Children’s Parade. The parade leaves Marvista Elementary parking lot at 10:30am.

Be part of the annual City of Normandy Park Arts Commission 4th of July Bike Decorating Contest. Children who participate in the annual parade through town are encouraged to decorate their bikes in the holiday spirit. At the end of the parade, park your bikes in the designated area near the ten- nis courts at the Cove for judging. Prizes will be awarded for the “Best Patriotic Decorations”!

After the parade, join your neighbors and friends for the Ice Cream Social at the Cove. Enjoy fun and games for all ages – Car Show, jumpy toys, music, and more.

Everyone is invited to attend, so please come and join in on the 2010, 4th of July Community Celebration!

The City of Normandy Park has posted the following schedule for the local 4th of July fun:

“Join your neighbors and friends at the Normandy Park 4th of July Social sponsored by the Normandy Park Community Club and the City of Normandy Park from 10am until 1pm. All Normandy Park residents are encouraged to join in the fun for these morning and early afternoon festivities:

10:25am: 2.8K Fun Run. It’s free, but pre-registration is highly suggested. The course is from Marvista Elementary to Marine View Drive & Shoremont. Runners be sure to arrive at the starting area before 10:10am as number pick up will close at that time. This year’s custom designed race t-shirt can be ordered in advance by all runners for pick it up at the finish line. Non-runners may purchase any left over shirts at the end of the race. They are only $15 each. Contact the Cove office to register 206-242-3778 or visit www.npcove.org

10:30am: Children’s Parade. Everyone is welcome to join in, either from the start (be at Marvista no later than 10:15!) or from anywhere along the parade route, which ends at the Cove Building. Classic cars, floats, wagons, bicycles, strollers, horses, marching bands – - all are encouraged to participate. Paint your face, decorate your bike, get out your flags; be festive or plain. Please, however, no campaigning or political signs. The Normandy Park Arts Commission will once again offer children prizes for the best decorated bicycles. Children who participate in the Parade are encouraged to decorate their bikes in the holiday spirit and enter the Bike Decorating Contest. Prizes will be awarded for the Best Patriotic decorations

11:15am: Social at the Cove. After the parade everyone is invited for free Ice Cream at the Cove. To satisfy your lunchtime hunger, hot dogs and beverages will be offered. Festivities include Classic Car Show and, Large Blow Up Toys and Temporary Tattoos for youngsters. All of this will be accompanied by Live Patriotic Music on the lawn.

Line the streets, enjoy the parade, and attend the Community Social at the Cove!

Road Closure Information:

• Marine View Drive and Shorebrook Drive will be closed to motor vehicles during the festivites from approx. 9:30am-12:00pm. Please use caution and consider alternate routes.

If you’re considering other local fun on the 4th, here’s a link to our sister site The B-Town Blog’s schedule for neighboring community 3 Tree Point’s all-day block party.

Every 4th of July, it seems that everyone and their little brother-in-law treks on over to the cozy little ‘hood of Three Tree Point.

And every 4th, the neighbors of said ‘hood pitch in to fund a spectacular high-altitude fireworks show (these are major, professionally-launched fireworks folks, rocketed up from a barge anchored off the point starting ’round 10pm), visible from all around Puget Sound. The roads get clogged, parking spots are rare, and it’s like one huge rockin’ block party.

In the past, only the neighbors in the area have been able to donate to the Fireworks Fund, but the Normandy Park Blog is here to change that.

Here’s what your generous donation will help provide:

• An outstanding, breath-taking display put on by the pros at Western Fireworks
• Tug, barge and fuel fees
• Insurance and permits
• Police support
• Dumpster rental for July 5th cleanup

The usual cost for all these things has gone up since last year to a projected goal of $21,000, which is why this here Blog is kindly asking for everyone in the general area who enjoys this show to please donate something to the Fireworks Fund.

And this year, you can even donate online by credit card right here!

Just click on a dollar amount (ranging from $25 to $500), then enter your vitals via a secure website and voila – you won’t feel guilty anymore about “stealing” a great local entertainment tradition!

Please note that if you donate $150 or more, you’ll get an invitation to a special dinner party on Saturday June 28th. These parties are wonderful, with catered food, open bar, live music and great neighbors.

If you’d rather donate by check, send whatever you can afford to:

Three Tree Point Fireworks Fund (or “3TPFF”)
c/o Clark & Liz Mounsey
3721 SW 171st Street
Burien, WA 98166

Now…don’t you feel better by giving something?

Have fun, and as always, stay safe and sane.