West Seattle, Washington
01 Monday
Ed reports his gray 2019 Hyundai Elantra GT, license plate BPS3400, was “stolen from my home at 37th Ave SW and SW Monroe St. sometime late Thursday afternoon/evening. SPD report number 25-202017.” If you find it, call 911.
If your group, school, team, business (etc.) has a float in Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade, it’s definitely crunch time for float-building! Above, Cindi sent that photo of the West Seattle Amateur Radio Club‘s float-in-progress (pickup-truck-borne). The WSARC has another role during the parade, as we’ve mentioned before – ham operators assist with communication, coordination, and safety up and down the parade route, before, during, and after. WSARC is one of more than a dozen community groups in the parade; more than a dozen sports-related groups will be in it too; so will eight dance and drill groups; and six music groups. Those aren’t all the types of entries you’ll see – in all, the parade lineup currently holds more than 90 entries, leading off with the Seattle Police Motorcycle Drill Team (building back, with at least eight officers this year) departing California south of Lander at about 10:45 am Saturday, headed southbound to The Junction. All of California from Admiral to Edmunds closes for the parade, and parking restrictions (stretching beyond those boundaries – you should have seen the signs by now) kick in around 7 am (you will be towed, so don’t risk it). There are official “parade watch parties” at some businesses this year (we’ve added one to the list, hosted by West Seattle Runner, which presents the pre-parade Float Dodger 5K – if you’re having one that’s not listed but is open to the public, let the parade team and us know – westseattleparade@gmail.com and westseattleblog@gmail.com. See you Saturday!
6:44 PM: Another wonderful warm summer night with the opportunity to sit in a shaded park and enjoy live music! This time it’s Belvedere Park (3600 SW Admiral Way, though it’s best to approach from the 37th/Olga side), opening venue for the three-park, three-show Admiral Music in the Parks series, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. The West Seattle-based “country tonk” band Lookout Mountain Lookout is performing tonight, until about 8 pm – bring a chair, a blanket, a picnic dinner, even your dancing shoes if you feel like it.
We’ll have video clips later; if you can’t get to this show, the next two Thursday nights bring two more – listed here.
9:10 PM: The show lasted until about 8:20 pm. Back at HQ now and downloading video (almost all of which is full of exuberant toddlers and preschoolers dancing in the open space between the band and the audience).
10:03 PM: First clip:
Two more songs:
Their show was largely a mix of country classics and originals:
The band members include lead vocalist Scott Herman and drummer Travis Curry:
Bassist Alex Hagenah:
And guitarist Aaron Stayman:
Emcee was ANA president Joanie Jacobs:
She and husband Dan Jacobs – another ANA Board member singled out for major AMP support tonight along with Meagan Loftin – will ride toward the start of Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade as Orville Rummel Community Service Award winners. Meantime, one more clip from the concert:
Thanks to Stewart L. for the photos and report on today’s rally as part of gatherings nationwide in memory of U.S. Rep. John Lewis, the civil-rights activist who said “good trouble” was needed to cause change:
I was at today’s West Seattle protest, with a crowd of about 150 people causing good trouble at the Alaska Junction. We had a drum line and the impassioned crowd was really into it.
Rep. Lewis died on this date in 2020 at age 80. The West Seattle rally was a late addition to today’s daily event list.
3:26 PM: As discussed here Wednesday, some were concerned about a commercial film crew using part of the lot at Don Armeni Boat Ramp today when boaters were allowed to head out for chinook salmon. So WSB’s Anne Higuera went there this afternoon to see how things were going.
She noted at least a dozen vehicles associated with the production, which she was told is for a Ford commercial. One person returning from fishing told her he had been able to get in and out without a problem, although, in a side note, he said the biggest hassle of the day had been dealing with a new app for procuring permits. Meantime, a (corrected) Parks employee on duty told Anne that things had been moving quickly as most people were hitting their limit soon after going out, so they returned to shore before long. All the while, the production crew continued its work on the south side of the lot, with lots of gear including a wardrobe rack.
Their permit is for work that could run as late as 1 am tonight.
(Added: Photo by Doug Eglington)
7:23 PM: Doug Eglington, who sent the photo above, just sent this one showing drones awaiting their role in the shoot:
ADDED 11:50 PM: Doug sent later photos of the drones, illuminated:
One more event of note tonight – the next personal-safety class at the Southwest Precinct. We’ve mentioned it before; Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite asked us to remind you one more time, because they’re still taking last-minute signups for this free class:
Personal Safety Training with Seattle PD
6 pm – 8 pm tonight (Thursday July 17th) at the SW Precinct- Community Meeting Room – 2300 SW Webster St
About the Class
Learn proactive tips and steps you can take to enhance your personal safety taught by Seattle police officers and employees.Training goals:
-Share common-sense safety tips to decrease the odds of being a victim
-Know the important role your instincts and gut reactions play
-Discover potentially dangerous situations and how to avoid them
-Learn to make a safety plan based on different environmentsNotes:
-This is a facilitated discussion and lecture about crime prevention and safety.
-This is not a self-defense class.
-This class is open to individuals of all ages and most appropriate for those who are at least 14 years of age or older. For that reason, children should not attend.
The community room is on the southwest side of the precinct, right off the public parking lot.
Updates on Seattle City Light‘s planned Morgan Junction eight-EV-charger lot were among several major topics highlighting Wednesday night’s quarterly meeting of the Morgan Community Association, which we’re breaking into separate reports this time rather than lumping them all into one lengthy account.
First, a timeline reminder: District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka announced earlier this year that the charging lot fronting both Fauntleroy and Morgan just east of 42nd SW wouldn’t open before next spring, three years later than the original announcement. The new spring 2026 date is still the plan, MoCA heard last night:
Project manager Lizzy Kay, joining the meeting remotely, said her best guess is that construction will start in October; the project recently went out to bid. She brought information that MoCA and other community members had requested about the lighting plan for the site:
The lot’s four lighting poles will be half as high and dimmer than nearby streetlights, and they’ll be focused on a “targeted area.” Here’s a map showing where they’ll be:
Other security measures will include cameras, monitored by SCL security employees – in general, Kay said, “We are going to have more security at this site than others.” She didn’t know how many cameras, though (they weren’t part ot her planned presentation, but instead emerged as a topic in Q&A). Attendees asked what else would be done to deter vandalism and wire theft; she said the vendor ChargePoint had developed a “cut-protection technology” involving a “hardened cut-proof cable … hopefully impossible or at least harder to cut.” She also said the site would have an eight-foot Fiberglas fence; asked what would be done to deter/address tagging vandalism, she said it would be handled like other city facilities. (This is a point of particular concern, as you might recall that the site had vandalism trouble with temporary fencing that wasn’t addressed for months.)
Entry to the lot – a former substation – will only be from SW Morgan; Kay recapped why:
That led to a question about a previously revealed plan to trench across Fauntleroy Way during construction. Kay said that remained part of the plan but said it would be done “in sections” so there’s never a total closure of that busy arterial.
WHAT’S NEXT: Bids are due August 6; you can see the bidding documents for the project, which carries an “engineer’s estimate” cost of just under $800,000, by going here.
We’ve had some great success stories about local athletes recently, and here’s the latest: Local ultramarathon swimmer Denise Simens, who also coaches high-school swimmers, competed at nationals in Portland last weekend, and her friend Chelsie P sent the story and photos:
I wanted to shine a spotlight on a West Seattleite making a splash! My good friend Denise Simens just swam the Portland Bridge Swim in Portland, OR (last weekend). This event is an 11-mile long open-water swim in the Willamette River. The event was the official 2025 United States Masters Swimming Ultramarathon-Distance Open Water National Championships.
Denise improved her time from last year by 41 minutes, and took first place in her age group by 17 minutes. In addition to being ranked #1 in the Country by age group, she also finished 6th overall female and 22nd overall athlete (out of men and women). Entries were limited to the first 100 qualifiers across the country and registration closed quickly this year! The qualifying standard was to complete either a 5,000M or 5,500YD swim in less than 1:40 (an hour and forty minutes.)
For a bit of context, any swimming event over 10K is considered an ultramarathon, and the distance swum yesterday nearly doubles the distance of the minimal requirement. Next up for Denise is an inaugural event in September called the Mt. St. Helens Classic, hosted by the Northwest Open Water Swimming Association (NOWSA). This event is four ultramarathons in 4 lakes, swam in just 4 days after Labor Day Weekend.
I would like to mention that Denise is also the Head Women’s Swimming Coach for Chief Sealth International High School! She has been a West Seattle resident for nearly ten years.
Chelsie also sent the results from last weekend.
(Pond Lily in Fauntleroy, photographed by Tom Trulin)
Here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Whatever you’re growing, it’s the heart of gardening season! The center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
FILM SHOOT AT DON ARMENI: Reminder that, as reported here Wednesday, a film shoot will be happening at the south end of Don Armeni Boat Ramp‘s lot (1222 Harbor SW), until about 1 am, but the boat facilities themselves will remain open.
(added) ‘GOOD TROUBLE LIVES ON’: Protest planned in The Junction at California/Alaska, 11 am-1 pm, in memory of Rep. John Lewis.
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open today and every day through Labor Day, 11 am-8 pm. Free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
WADING POOLS: Three of the city’s West Seattle wading pools are operating today – Lincoln Park will be open noon-7 pm and Delridge and Hiawatha will be open noon-5:30 pm. Free.
COLMAN POOL: The heated salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open noon-7 pm – see the schedule here. Fee.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome at this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to get info about where they’re playing today.
MOVIE AT THE LIBRARY: Southwest Library will host an all-ages screening of “The Minecraft Movie” at 2:30 pm. (9010 35th SW)
DROP-IN CHESS: Teens are invited to come play at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:30 pm.
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of two regular Thursday night events here – every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Marigold Wood-Fired Pizza.
WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Another regular Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.
POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Monthly “happy hour” for evening advocacy-postcard-writing, 5-7 pm at Great American Diner & Bar (4752 California SW).
VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Stop in for wine by the glass or bottle!
SOFTBALL WATCH PARTY: The West Seattle Little League Softball 10U All-Stars go for the state championship tonight in Vancouver (WA), and as noted here Wednesday, West Wings (2329 California SW) is hosting a watch party at 6 pm.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: 6 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), the Westies Run Club‘s Thursday night community run.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Prefer to walk instead of run? Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for tonight’s group walk – details in our calendar listing.
ADMIRAL MUSIC IN THE PARKS: First of three free Thursday night concerts presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, 6:30 pm, featuring Lookout Mountain Lookout at Belvedere Park (3600 SW Admiral Way). BYO chair, blanket, etc. And if you knit, join the Seattle Yarn knitting circle during the concert!
LIVE MUSIC AT THE SKYLARK: Flür, Daughters of Venus, As You Wish, all ages, doors 6, music 7, at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm in-person meeting at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).
DJ NIGHT: Extended-weekend spinning starts tonight at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Cide, 8 pm.
Are you planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Three humpback whales are reported to be in Elliott Bay this morning. They were seen westbound from the marina near Magnolia less than an hour ago. Let us know if you see/have seen them!
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, July 17, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
The heat alert has been extended until 5 pm today. Wednesday’s high was 94, but some cooldown is expected. Today’s high is expected to be in the 80s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:29 am; sunset will be at 9:00 pm.
ROAD WORK
-Three weeks of major nighttime work ahead on and around 16th SW in White Center have begun – details here.
-Admiral Bridge work continues, with both directions now carried on the south side instead of the north side.
PARKING ALERT
A film shoot will use the south side of Don Armeni Boat Ramp after 11 am today; it’s also chinook season. Here’s what we found out.
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).
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 south of Edmunds. Heed the signs – they tow on parade morning if necessary! There will be bus reroutes Saturday too. Restrictions are in place 7 am-3 pm
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!
One more crime report to publish before the night is out. We obtained the police-report narrative for one more commercial burglary, this one resulting in arrest.
It happened just after 4 am Tuesday morning. The report redacts the business name but refers to a “restaurant” in the 4200 block of SW Morgan, and Ezell’s is the only business matching that description. Police were called after witnesses heard glass break and saw a naked man enter the restaurant, followed by a “cloud of yellow smoke inside.”
Officers found a shattered front window, a “very large rock” on the ground next to the window, and blood droplets all around, including some inside the restaurant. They learned that a delivery driver reported seeing a man use the rock to break the window, climb through it and grab a fire extinguisher, then spraying it around the seating area, staying inside for about five minutes before leaving, walking westbound on Fauntleroy Way, with the fire extinguisher still in hand. Around 5 am, police got a call about a man matching the burglar’s description – including the lack of clothing – sitting at an apartment complex not too far away, appearing to be in crisis, clutching a “fist-sized” rock. Officers tried to get him to put down the rock; he didn’t, and would not respond to their verbal commands, the report narrative says. Eventually he got up, pulled the building fire alarm, began approaching the officers, and one of them fired a 40mm projectile at him, knocking him down. He was taken into custody and transported to a hospital; he was identified through a debit card found near him as a 27-year-old Delridge resident. He remains in jail this morning in lieu of $10,500 bail; the jail docket says he spent three days there earlier this month related to accusations of resisting arrest and unlawful transit conduct.
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