day : 15/07/2025 10 results

Sent by Andrew:

This wheelless bike was found in the alley behind the First Lutheran Church of West Seattle this morning. Please contact andrewg@tildenschool.org if you believe it is yours.

VIDEO: West Seattle Big Band’s 2025 Concert in the Park

| High Point | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

7:05 PM: No A/C? Get out of your warm apartment/house/townhouse and hang out at High Point Commons Park with the West Seattle Big Band, whose Concert in the Park has just begun!

Free, great music; the park is just north of Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW) and the concert will be on at least until 8:30 pm.

9:04 PM: The concert ran about 10 minutes past that! We are back at HQ now and will add video and more before the night’s out.

10:52 PM: We’re adding the clips as they’re ready. WSBB, directed by Jim Edwards, opened with Glenn Miller‘s classic “In the Mood”:

Jenaige Lane was featured vocalist on Michael Bublé‘s “Sway”:

Sam Henry was featured vocalist on Frank Sinatra‘s “Come Fly with Me”:

This instrumental number had a ’60s TV vibe going, predominantly the “I Dream of Jeannie” theme:

Another song featuring Jenaige Lane, ABBA‘s “Dancing Queen”:

The vocalists sang a duet on “Slow Boat to China”:

Between songs, Jim Edwards explained both the band’s background – rooted at West Seattle High School, supporting music education, well past 350 performances in its nearly three decades – and this concert’s ties to the West Seattle Grand Parade: Edwards himself coordinates safety and communication (and is a past parade coordinator), his daughter Michelle Edwards – WSBB keyboardist – is current parade coordinator, wife Barbara Edwards – parade judging coordinator – was at the show in support, as was parade chair Keith Hughes from the Rotary Club of West Seattle (which presents the parade). Also seen at the concert: Make-A-Wish super-volunteer Lou Cutler, this year’s Grand Marshal!

MORE CHANCES TO SEE THE WSBB: As its director told the crowd, you’ll see them at the Fauntleroy Fall Festival (October 19), holiday gig(s) TBA, and the annual Big Band Dinner Dances supporting the music programs at WSHS and Madison MS.

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UTILITY WORK ALERT: SPU plans ‘smoke testing’ in some West Seattle sewers

July 15, 2025 4:50 pm

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| Arbor Heights | Utilities | West Seattle news

Seattle Public Utilities is about to start a round of testing in the Arbor Heights area that might look startling. Here’s the notice sent to us to share with the wider community:

SEWER INSPECTIONS WITH NON-TOXIC SMOKE

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Seattle Public Utilities is using a testing method called “smoke testing” to find sewer leaks and/or pipe connection problems. A contractor, Pro-Vac, will be in your neighborhood blowing a colorless water vapor or “smoke” into sewer pipes via maintenance holes; the “smoke” is non-toxic and non-staining but may have a distinctive odor. “Smoke” or its odor is not anticipated to come into your house or building if your plumbing is in good working order and your “p-traps” (the U-shaped pipes under each drain) are filled with water.

SCHEDULE
This work is scheduled for late July through end of August. You will receive a door hanger notice 24- to 48-hours before the inspection. Prior to the testing, consider running water for 30 seconds in all your sinks, baths, and showers and pouring water in exposed floor drains.

LOCATION
The testing uses maintenance holes within the public right-of-way throughout the Arbor Heights Neighborhood. The “smoke” may travel up to 1,500 feet within the sewer pipe.

IMPACTS
Homes and businesses will continue to receive normal sewer services during the inspection.
 You may see or smell the “smoke” coming from maintenance holes in the street or right-of-way, sewer vents from roofs or coming out of the ground. This is normal and you do not need to do anything. You may talk with the on-site workers conducting the inspections if you have questions.
 If you see or smell “smoke” in your house or building, open doors or windows to increase ventilation. The
vapor should clear within a few minutes.
 If smoke continues to remain in your building for more than 5 minutes, talk with the field representatives or
on-site workers conducting the inspections. You may also contact SPU’s emergency Operations Response
Center (ORC) at (206) 386-1800.

“Smoke” may have entered your building due to issues with your building’s sewer pipe vents and/or p-traps under sinks, tubs or other drains. If “smoke” came into your building that did not stop when you put water in a drain, please consider contacting a plumber to investigate possible issues with your plumbing.

Here’s the notice in PDF.

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VIDEO: Seattle Police, politicians show off Real-Time Crime Center. Will its cameras come to West Seattle?

July 15, 2025 2:40 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

The Seattle Police Real-Time Crime Center has been mentioned multiple times in community meetings in recent months, held up as an example of how SPD is working harder, and differently, to crack cases. But what is it and what does it do? We and other media crews were invited to SPD headquarters today for an explanation and demonstration. The heart of the latter was an SPD-produced video showing highlights of how the RTCC – located in the HQ building downtown – was used to arrest a suspect after an assault in North Seattle. But first, the center’s commander Capt. Jim Britt explained how it works:

After correcting a playback problem, they then showed the video:

And before that, Capt. Britt gave a top-level overview promising privacy protections were part of their operations:

While SPD stressed that some areas in public did not qualify for privacy protection, like sidewalks, the camera system does have privacy masking for some things such as residential upper-level windows. The demonstration was preceded by comments from newly confirmed SPD Chief Shon Barnes:

Mayor Bruce Harrell and Public Safety Committee chair Councilmember Bob Kettle spoke too; Council president Sara Nelson and Councilmember Maritza Rivera were also there but did not take turns at the microphone.

The major question for us was, when will … or will … it be deployed in West Seattle cases? WS is not in immediate line for city-installed, city-controlled surveillance cameras; the next installments are set for other parts of the city including Capitol Hill and the stadium zone. But the system’s capability to tap into private security cameras, with permission, as well as other city cameras such as traffic cams is what will eventually enable its use in areas without SPD-controlled cameras.

The RTCC is currently staffed 19 hours a day (8 am to 3 am) and is expected to expand to 24/7 next year. You can read the city’s official news release about today’s event and the RTCC here.

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FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Saunter success!

July 15, 2025 1:57 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Last month, we noted that a Seattle walking fan named Holden was organizing “saunters” around the city and that his next one would be in West Seattle. Last Saturday was the big day, and it was a success! Holden sent this West Seattle Saunter report with photos today:

Howdy Y’all,

Back on May 17th of this year, hundreds of people showed up in the pouring rain to walk the entire length of Seattle, from north to south, in the inaugural Seattle Super Saunter. Despite the weather it was a truly positive experience of folks exploring the city, making new friends, and getting some good exercise. A goal of the event was having some way of connecting disparate areas of the city together, and getting folks to experience neighborhoods that they might not otherwise see. And although we felt like the event did a good job in that aim, there was one large part of Seattle that felt difficult to include, and one that often goes overlooked by folks in other parts of the city, West Seattle.

So in an attempt to rectify not being included in the Seattle Super Saunter, we thought why not give West Seattle its very own saunter. So on Saturday July 12th and beginning from the West Seattle Water Taxi Pier, the West Seattle Saunter took its first step. The simple plan was to traverse 12 miles around West Seattle on foot and see some of the best spots West Seattle has to offer such as Alki Beach, Lincoln Park, Myrtle Reservoir Park, and Summer Fest at Alaska Junction.

At the beginning there were probably about 150 folks who came out to saunter on what ended up being a gorgeous and wonderful day. What was especially nice was to have a good ratio of folks from West Seattle and New Seattle (the mainland), probably about half and half.

Something that was also great was seeing so many folks use the water taxi. Another goal of these saunters is to encourage folks to use transit, so it was the perfect opportunity for folks to use the water taxi. The 773 shuttle also made it convenient for folks to get from Summer Fest at Alaska Junction back to the Water Taxi at the end.

Some of the highlights of the day included:

-Getting to hear about the Alki Healthy Street over at Constellation Park

-Learning about what life was like with the West Seattle Bridge being out

-Seeing a seal over at Lincoln Park, right after this woman had promised her friend there would be one

-Swarming the Super Deli Mart at 35th and Barton with our large group

-Visiting the highest point in the city and exploring the cute neighborhoods and parks near High Point

-Meeting Everett, who was 9 years old and who walked the whole 12 miles and finding out later he got rewarded with a big ice cream cone at the end

-Finishing up at West Seattle Summer Fest and enjoying all the vibrancy of the event. It was such a treat to meet so many great people on Saturday and I heard from plenty of folks that they had never been to West Seattle or that they had not been since before the pandemic.

So this felt like the perfect opportunity for people to explore and re-explore alongside the wonderful residents of West Seattle. If you were not able to make it out on Saturday, I hope you take the chance to get to see West Seattle on foot (take the water taxi too!). Although at times West Seattle can feel like an afterthought to folks on the mainland, there really is so much to see, do, explore, and enjoy out on the Peninsula, as I am sure your readers already know. I know I’ll be back soon and I’m sure plenty of folks from Saturday will too.

Thank you to West Seattle for being so wonderful and thank you everyone who showed up to make Saturday special!

If anyone would like to stay in the loop for any future saunters, you can join our email list here or follow the Instagram.

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COUNTDOWN: Four days to West Seattle Grand Parade! Four costumed groups you’ll see

July 15, 2025 12:16 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

The West Seattle Grand Parade is four days away, this Saturday, July 19th, 11 am start at California/Lander, continuing south to California/Edmunds. We had the annual privilege of sitting in on the parade-lineup meeting last night with parade coordinator Michelle Edwards, parade chair Keith Hughes, parade judging leader Barbara Edwards, and past parade coordinator/communication leader Jim Edwards (who leads a band of amateur-radio operators communicating along the route). More than 80 entries are signed up this year, and for this countdown, we thought we’d mention four groups of characters expected to participate. Above in our photo from last year, the West Seattle Mrs. Ropers are expected in their caftans, wigs, and shades; also lavishly costumed will be Star Wars of Washington, taking you to a galaxy far far away for just a moment! And then you’ll of course see the two memorable Seafair performing groups, the Seafair Pirates and Seafair Clowns. More to share in our next preview – meantime, decide where you’re going to watch – there will be announcers at California/Alaska, California/Charlestown, and California/Genesee, and “watch parties” at multiple stops (like WSB sponsor West Seattle Realty at 2715 California SW, close to the start). Scroll through other Grand Parade news here!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Armed robbery on Alki

July 15, 2025 10:52 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two people reported being held up at 61st/Alki last night around 10:45 pm. Here’s what SPD is releasing so far:

Patrol officers responded to reports of a robbery near 61st Avenue Southwest and Alki Avenue Southwest. Police arrived and investigated the incident. Officers determined that a man and woman were robbed at gunpoint by two suspects, armed with a handgun and a possible rifle. The suspects ordered both victims to the ground and stole their wallet and cell phone. The suspects fled in an older sedan with tinted windows. The suspect and vehicle descriptions matched those of another armed robbery in John sector [North Seattle] less than two hours earlier. Patrol officers conducted an extensive area check for the suspect vehicle yet were unable to find it.

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Your options for a warm West Seattle Tuesday, from notary to (music) notes

July 15, 2025 9:54 am

| Comments Off on Your options for a warm West Seattle Tuesday, from notary to (music) notes

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Stewart L.)

Music and more on our list for your Tuesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SUMMER FOOD: As noted here, multiple sites are set up in West Seattle for kids to get breakfast, lunch, and/or snacks while school is out.

POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: New participants are welcome to join this weekly advocacy gathering, 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if you’re a first-timer.

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open every day, 11 am-8 pm. Free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

COLMAN POOL: The outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park is also open, with sessions between noon and 7 pm. Fee.

WADING POOLS: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) and EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden) are open today, noon-7 pm. Free.

ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon lunch at West Seattle Golf Course. (4470 35th SW).

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

CITY COUNCIL MEETING: 2 pm, weekly meeting, open to public comment in person or online. The agenda explains how to watch/participate.

FREE COMMUNITY NOTARY: Need something notarized? Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is offering a free notary service today, 4-6 pm – details in our calendar listing.

DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-8 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.

PLAY ALONG IN THE PARK: 6 pm, second of four Tuesday nights in which you can play along with West Seattle Community Orchestras musicians at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), or just watch/listen. Our preview has details.

UNPLUGGED, A MUSICAL GATHERING: Acoustic musicians, it’s your night at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm.

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: Monthly evening meetup to sing and play, at Good Society (California/Lander), 6 pm.

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER TRACK RUN: Tonight at 6:15 pm, meet up at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.

TOASTMASTERS 832 HYBRID MEETING: Develop your leadership/communication skills by meeting with this group online or in person at Brookdale West Seattle (4611 35th SW), 6:30 pm – full details in our calendar listing.

MAKE POTTERY: Weekly 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance to work on your project(s).

WS BIG BAND CONCERT IN THE PARK: 7 pm at High Point Commons Park (behind 6400 Sylvan Way SW), enjoy the big sound of the West Seattle Big Band‘s annual Concert in the Park, free, bring your own chair/blanket to sit on.

WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group event at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has details on signing up before you go.

BINGO X 2: Play free Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW) … Talarico’s Pizzeria also offers 8 pm bingo (4718 California SW).

TRIVIA X 4: Question: Where to play trivia in West Seattle Tuesday nights? Answer: Four options – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW), Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub. (2306 California SW).

WEST SEATTLE PFLAG: Monthly meeting at 7:30 pm, Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill).

If you are organizing an event, class, performance, gathering, etc., tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar, from which we draw our daily lists too – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Planning to tour Alki Point Lighthouse? Here’s something you should know

July 15, 2025 9:00 am

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| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

This Sunday (July 20) would be a good day to tour the historic Alki Point Lighthouse if it’s on your list for this summer. Debra Alderman of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, whose volunteers handle the Sunday summertime tours, sent this announcement explaining why:

Alki Lighthouse will not be offering tours on July 27 and Aug. 3. Tours will be available July 21 and Aug. 10, Aug, 17, 24, 31. First visitors enter the site at 1 pm and last visitors enter at 3:45 pm. Free! No reservations needed! For more information about the tours, visit: wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=130-02&category=alki-pt-lighthouse

The lighthouse is right on the Alki Point shore, where Alki Avenue turns into Beach Drive.

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Tuesday info, with heat alert ahead

July 15, 2025 6:01 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Noon today is when the Heat Advisory alert kicks in. Today is expected to be sunny, high in the 80s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:27 am; sunset will be at 9:02 pm.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes today.

Washington State Ferries – WSF has resumed three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Cathlamet, and M/V Issaquah. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.

Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights, and on weeknights with Mariners home games (and certain special events).

ROAD WORK

-Admiral Bridge work continues, with both directions now carried on the south side instead of the north side; SDOT still will not estimate a completion date other than “summer.”

-Three weeks of major nighttime work ahead on and around 16th SW in White Center start tomorrow – details here.

-One last reminder that 16th SW speed cushions have been installed near Cloverdale and near Trenton; here’s our story on what else is on the way.

EARLY WEEKEND ALERT

The West Seattle Grand Parade and Float Dodger 5K on Saturday (July 19) mean parking restrictions and road closures on and near California SW from Admiral to Edmunds. Heed the signs – they tow on parade morning if necessary!

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.

See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

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