CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle Grand Parade 2025 to honor Lou Cutler as Grand Marshal, Joanie and Dan Jacobs as Orville Rummel Trophy winners

(Lou Cutler with Pathfinder students during 2019 ‘Laps With Lou’)

Retired teacher and Make-A-Wish volunteer Lou Cutler says it’s the “honor of a lifetime” to be chosen Grand Marshal for this year’s West Seattle Grand Parade, coming up in just a week and a half, on Saturday, July 19th. Parade organizers have just officially announced the honorees who you’ll be able to cheer toward the start of the parade – Lou as Grand Marshal, and longtime local community advocates Joanie Jacobs and Dan Jacobs as winners of the Orville Rummel Trophy for Community Service. Here’s the announcement sent to us by the parade team:

The West Seattle Grand Parade is thrilled to announce its 2025 honorees — community champions whose dedication, heart, and service have made a lasting impact on our neighborhood and beyond.

Lou Cutler Named Grand Marshal

Longtime West Seattle educator and beloved Make-A-Wish volunteer Lou Cutler has been named the Grand Marshal of the 2025 West Seattle Grand Parade. Lou is a former physical education teacher at Pathfinder K-8, best known for creating “Laps with Lou” — an annual birthday tradition that became a powerful fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington.

Since 2003, Lou has walked or run one lap for every year of his age, raising more than $100,000 to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. (Editor’s note: The past two years, he’s walked variations of his tradition – here’s WSB coverage of his most-recent fundraiser-on-foot.) With more than 275 wishes granted as a volunteer, Lou’s commitment has touched hundreds of lives and inspired an entire community.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to be selected as Grand Marshal,” Lou shared. “For many years, my Pathfinder Unicycle team rode in this Parade — we always loved the energy of the crowd. Nothing beats the community spirit and pride that West Seattle residents display. Being Grand Marshal makes my millennium!”

Lou will lead the parade down California Avenue SW on Saturday, July 19th, 2025, beginning at 11 am from California Ave SW and SW Lander Street.

Orville Rummel Community Service Award: Dan and Joanie Jacobs

This year’s Orville Rummel Community Service Award honors Dan and Joanie Jacobs, a dynamic duo known for their lifelong dedication to community-building in West Seattle. Describing themselves as “neighborhood people at the core of our being,” the Jacobs are tireless volunteers, event organizers, and connectors.

From their early years supporting West Seattle Christian Church and launching the Ginomai artist space and West Seattle Art Walk, to their more recent roles with the Admiral Neighborhood Association, the Jacobs have helped shepherd countless neighborhood events including the AMP summer concert series, Admiral Block Party, Fourth of July Kids Parade, Halloween Trick-or-Treating, and Winter Wonderland. Their leadership, creativity, and compassion have shaped West Seattle’s civic and cultural identity for more than two decades.

Dan & Joanie Jacobs are fond of this quote by Mother Teresa: “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

Join us on Saturday, July 19th to celebrate all three of these extraordinary West Seattle leaders and to watch the 2025 West Seattle Grand Parade, which kicks off at 11:00 am from California Ave SW and SW Lander Street.

At last report, the parade had more than 70 entries. You can watch it from anywhere along California, southward to The Junction, where it ends at SW Edmunds.

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SOON TO BE SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: US Coast Guard tall ship Eagle

July 8, 2025 12:10 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

12:10 PM: That’s a U.S. Coast Guard file photo of the Eagle, a tall ship the USCG uses for training. It’s on the way to visit the USCG station on the downtown waterfront, so you’ll see it in Elliott Bay later today (we just checked Vessel Finder, and it’s in the North Sound, about to turn southward along Whidbey Island, traveling at 11 knots right now so likely a few hours out).

P.S. Checking the WSB archives, we covered a visit by the Eagle in 2008.

3:18 PM: And that was the last time it visited here, according to this USCG news release which includes info about public tours the next two days. Meantime, VesselFinder shows that the Eagle is just passing West Point right now, so it should be in Elliott Bay soon.

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FOLLOWUP: New speed cushions installed on 16th Avenue SW

July 8, 2025 11:50 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

If you travel 16th SW in the Cloverdale-to-Trenton vicinity, you’ll note the new speed cushions are now in place. One of them is close to the site of Sunday night’s 16th/Sullivan crash, but the installation already was planned (we’ve been trying to get official info from SDOT since a reader tip last Thursday) before that. Our photo is from a short time ago; WSB contributor Anne Higuera notes the crew was just packing up when she stopped for the photo. Our questions for SDOT include whether anywhere else in West Seattle is getting new speed cushions any time soon; we’ll add anything we find out. Meantime, if you see the telltale rectangular markings on your street, and/or get a notice, please let us know, as in most cases people need to know beyond those who live/work nearby.

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Play Along in the Park, Fauntleroy Community Association, group run, more for your West Seattle Tuesday

July 8, 2025 10:21 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Ken Williford)

Here’s our (later than usual, apologies) list for your Tuesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SUMMER FOOD: As reported here, there are multiple sites in West Seattle where kids can get breakfast, lunch, and/or snacks.

POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: You’re welcome to join this weekly advocacy gathering, until noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if you’re a first-time participant.

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 open every day, 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.

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: First 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.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Monthly board meeting, community members welcome, 6 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse conference room near front door (9131 California SW).

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.

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 JUNCTION FC’S LAST HOME MATCH: 7 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), as previewed here.

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: Wondering where to play trivia in West Seattle Tuesday nights? 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).

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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SOCCER: Last West Seattle Junction FC home match of the season tonight

July 8, 2025 9:00 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Before we get to what else is happening today/tonight, a reminder from West Seattle Junction FC owner Jessica Pierce – last chance this year to see them at home!

Come out to WS Junction FC’s final match of the season. It’s more than just a game – it’s a celebration of community, commitment, and the incredible support from every corner of West Seattle. Let’s pack the stands, make some noise, and remind our players why the Westside is the Bestside!

Location: Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, 2801 SW Thistle St.

Kickoff: Tonight 7:00 PM sharp, gates open at 6:15

Admission: $15.00, 3 & under free. Tickets available online or at the gate.

Fan Appreciation Night – We’re celebrating YOU, the fans who’ve stood by us thru the highs and lows. Enjoy great food, live DJ, giveaways, 30% off all merch, and much more!

See you under the lights one last time in 2025!

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TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Tuesday info

July 8, 2025 6:03 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny, high in the low 80s (it hit 85 on Monday). Today’s sunrise was at 5:21 am; sunset will be at 9:07 pm.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro buses – Regular schedule 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, plus weeknights with Mariners home games (and certain special events).

ROAD WORK

-Today and tomorrow, “potholing” work is planned for the Fauntleroy Way intersection with the ferry dock, as previewed here.

-16th SW is set for speed-cushion installation near Cloverdale and near Trenton; the no-parking signs are in effect all week but the work had not yet started by end-of-day Monday. (9:26 am update – crews are there now.)

SUMMER FEST LATER THIS WEEK

-The street closures for West Seattle Summer Fest start rolling out Thursday afternoon (see that day’s timeline here), and from Thursday night through Sunday night, California will be closed north (to Genesee) and south (to Edmunds) of SW Oregon, and SW Alaska will be closed between 44th on the west side and 42nd on the east side.

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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Music and memories as West Seattleite Rosa Facciuto celebrates 107th birthday, with advice for what not to do if you want longevity too

July 7, 2025 9:12 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Story and photos by Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

The lunch room at Brookdale West Seattle was alive with celebration today, as neighbors and friends alike gathered to celebrate resident Rosa Facciuto’s 107th birthday. Partygoers enjoyed lunch and sang along to “Moonglow,” “Sweet Caroline,” and a favorite of Rosa’s, “Hey Good Lookin’” by Hank Williams.

Rosa was born on July 7th, 1918, in Seattle. In her life, she’s seen two world wars, the space race, the civil-rights movement, as well as the rise of the telephone, and later the internet. Today was more than just a birthday celebration; it was a chance to reflect and appreciate the life she’s had so far, including jobs as an Alaska Airlines flight attendant and Seattle Police secretary.

“I’m on top of the world,” Rosa remarked while opening one of the many cards stacked in front of her. The party was in high spirits, and the community showed up with an outpouring of appreciation and support. Many of her friends took the time to write down comments, which were read at the party. “She’s an inspiration to all of us,” one friend wrote. “She is beautiful and intelligent,” snother friend wrote – “But she doesn’t have good eyesight.” Rosa interjected.

“Don’t sit at home and mope, get out and keep active. If you don’t have a job, volunteer.” Facciuto said, when asked if she had any advice for the younger generations. “Don’t abuse yourself either, you’ve got to take care of your body. And choose your friends well. You’ll be all right if you run around with the right people.”

Performing the music today was local musician and community member C.C. Engel. She’s played piano and sang at Rosa’s last three birthday celebrations, and says she’ll keep performing at them for as long as she can. Previously, Engel has worked across Seattle, from New Luck Toy to the Chelan Café. “As long as she’s here, I’ll be here,” Engel promised.

These days, Rosa keeps active as a member of Brookdale’s poetry club and goes to bingo three nights a week. She says she’s grateful for the people she has around her today. “I love everybody here, and I’ll never ever regret that I’ve been here this long.”

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UPDATE: Fire on west edge of Westcrest Park

July 7, 2025 7:06 pm

| 13 COMMENTS

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)

7:06 PM: Firefighters are at 8th SW/SW Trenton right now, working to put out a “brush fire” on the west edge of Westcrest Park. The smoke was visible for miles as we headed there to check it out. Flames charred the slope at the Trenton street end too, west of a park retaining wall, close to apartment buildings.

Fireworks? 911 callers were reporting “booms.” Police are there investigating, too.

(Reader photo)

8:02 PM: An hour and a half after the first SFD crew arrived, the last one just left. Thanks to D for photo we’ve added above, showing why the smoke was visible from afar -leaping flames at one point.

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Man dies at Rotary Viewpoint Park

July 7, 2025 5:56 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| Triangle | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

A nearby resident asked today about an SPD, SFD, and King County Medical Examiner’s Office response last night at Rotary Viewpoint Park (35th SW/SW Alaska). First SFD told us they had responded to a report of a person who had died before medics arrived. SPD said they had no details because officers were still drafting a report. Then the ME’s daily list of investigated deaths arrived, and this case was already on it. They list the 47-year-old man’s cause of death as an accidental overdose of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. There’s no information about whether he had been living at the park, which as we’ve reported has been the site of encampments. According to the ME’s report, which comes out on regular business days, his was one of 11 overdose deaths in King County investigated in the past three days; seven were listed as occurring in residences (addresses are not listed in those cases), two in vehicles, one in a parking lot, and this one in a park.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police search for bank robber

July 7, 2025 4:23 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

4:23 PM: If you’re noticing the police north of The Junction, they’re looking for a bank robber after a holdup was reported at the WaFd Bank in the 4100 block of California SW. A K-9 team is part of the search. The robber is described as female, Asian, 18-20 years old, light bandanna, light clothing, last seen eastbound on SW Dakota from the bank (which is at California/Dakota).

5:32 PM: No further updates and the search has downsized. If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 25-190224.

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WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST: Farmers Market on the move

July 7, 2025 3:32 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Before the week gets busy, here’s our annual reminder that the West Seattle Farmers’ Market will NOT be in its usual place next Sunday, because pf West Seattle Summer Fest. It’ll be on California north of Oregon (the stretch you can see in our photo above, looking northwestward over the back of the “road closed” sign in place for yesterday’s mega-busy market). Regular time – 10 am-2 pm Sunday – and many of your favorite vendors, but one block north. (That stretch of street holds the main stage for the first two days of the festival, but that’ll be broken down and removed overnight after Saturday night’s shows; there’ll still be music on Sunday, but just on the West Side Stage, off SW Alaska west of California). Lots more festival info all week, and we look forward to seeing you at Summer Fest – brought to you by the West Seattle Junction Association (with community co-sponsors including WSB) – 1 pm-8 pm (music till 11) on Friday, 10 am-8 pm (music till 11) on Saturday, 10 am-5 pm (with the Farmers’ Market!) on Sunday.

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Need $ for a community event/project? Here’s how to get it from the city’s Neighborhood Matching Fund

July 7, 2025 1:51 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

If your neighborhood/group/organization has a great idea but is short on money to turn it into reality, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Neighborhood Matching Fund might be able to help. It’s accepting applications for this year’s grants, explained in this announcement:

This granting program consists of two funds – the Community Partnership Fund and the Small Sparks Fund – which support grassroots projects that build stronger communities. 

-The Community Partnership Fund provides funding up to $50,000. Applications are currently open and must be submitted by 11:59 pm on September 8, 2025. This fund provides opportunities to create large and lasting impacts in your community by supporting community organizing, public art projects, park improvements, cultural events, design and construction of community facilities, and more. 

-The Small Sparks Fund provides funding up to $5,000 per project, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis through October 31. This fund is designed to support small community activities such as neighborhood clean-ups, block parties, community art projects, workshops, and more. 

The NMF team is hosting three virtual workshops for those interested in applying to the fund. Each workshop will provide an overview of the grant, the qualities of a strong application, and the review process.

The first workshop is a little over a week away, on Tuesday, July 15. The dates, times, and links are all listed here.

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PLAN AHEAD! 2025 West Seattle Summer Scramble Treasure Hunt sign-up time

July 7, 2025 12:04 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Love scavenger hunts? Summer Scramble is back, and coordinator/founder Alice Kuder wants you to be able to plan ahead! Here’s her announcement:

The 3rd annual Summer Scramble Treasure Hunt is coming to West Seattle, running from Thursday, July 31st through Sunday, August 3rd. It’s FREE, FUN, and FAMILY FRIENDLY!

Discover hidden treasure in West Seattle with friends, family, or all by yourself. Whether you are a newcomer or long-time resident, Summer Scramble is a free community treasure hunt designed to introduce you to parts of West Seattle you may not have experienced before. Even better, by playing, you will discover some awesome local businesses and “communication hubs”, AND compete to win the booty from one of three treasure chests.

How do you play? It’s so easy! Go to wondersinaliceland.com. Register your team, then download the instructions today. Then, on July 31st, download the bingo-style clue sheet and map and hit the streets to solve as many of the 25 clues as you can. When you solve a clue, go to that location and take a selfie in front of it. Send your selfies to me at a url to be announced. Participating businesses will display a Summer Scramble sign in the front window that includes the phrase, “You’re clued in!”

Each team that solves at least 15 clues will qualify for the treasure chest drawings. That’s all there is to it!

The hunt is open to everyone of all ages. It begins at 12:01 AM on Thursday, July 31st, and ends at 7 PM on Sunday, August 3rd. Registration is open now, but you can register and send selfies anytime during those four days.

Summer Scramble is orchestrated by Alice Kuder, Preparedness Coach at Just in Case, because she loves scavenger hunts, small businesses, West Seattle, and creating opportunities for free fun!

Questions? Contact Alice Kuder, 206-708-9800, Alice@JustInCasePlans.com, wondersinaliceland.com
81 teams participated last year.

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Options for your West Seattle Monday

July 7, 2025 9:57 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Lincoln Park, seen from ferry)

Here’s what’s on the Monday highlight list from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (are we missing something? let us know!):

FAMILY STORY TIME: Southwest Library‘s 10:30 am story time is open to wee ones and their parents/guardians/caretakers. (9010 35th SW)

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

COLMAN POOL: Continuing through Labor Day, the outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park is open every day, noon-7 pm. Fee.

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

CITY COUNCIL: 2 pm “briefing meeting” today; see the agenda here;
watch live via Seattle Channel. (No public comment at the briefing meetings.)

CRAFTING & CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm, Monday is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players welcome too!

LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm, ongoing weekly group, participate once, occasionally, or every week. Fee.(4034 California SW)

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Three places you can play tonight! 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) … 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW), 21+ … 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

ALKI MEDITATION: Every Monday – doors open at Alki UCC at 6:45, and the meeting is from 7-8:30. (6115 SW Hinds)

POOL TOURNAMENT: The Corner Pocket‘s weekly pool tournament starts at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)

FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: More Monday night meditating – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Live music on Mondays! Jazz with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Mondays, sing karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

Thanks to everyone who sends info for our calendar – if you have something to add or cancel (or otherwise update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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YOU CAN HELP: ‘One Seattle Day of Service’ on Saturday

July 7, 2025 9:02 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

Quick reminder that the city has declared Saturday (July 12) this year’s “One Seattle Day of Service,” with volunteer opportunities offered citywide.

If you’re interested in checking out remaining openings, the first step is to register, and you’ll find the link in the original announcement. (Local events with openings include one with Schmitz Park Creek Restore, still with dozens of spots when we checked this morning.)

P.S. Two events at Webster Pond have 40+ openings, too!

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Post-holiday Monday info

July 7, 2025 6:03 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, July 7, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny, high near 80. Today’s sunrise was at 5:20 am; sunset will be at 9:08 pm.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro buses – Regular schedule today.

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

ROAD WORK

-Tomorrow and Wednesday, “potholing” work is planned for the Fauntleroy Way intersection with the ferry dock, as previewed here.

-16th SW is set for speed-cushion installation near Cloverdale and near Trenton; we’re awaiting more info from SDOT.

SUMMER FEST LATER THIS WEEK

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

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

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

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.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire suspect released; stolen F-250; three requests for hit-and-run help

July 6, 2025 11:58 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

As the long weekend ends, the West Seattle Crime Watch reports have suddenly stacked up:

GUNFIRE SUSPECT RELEASED: One of the Fourth of July arrests noted in our roundup was that of a 23-year-old man accused of “drive-by shooting.” The police narrative presented for his first court hearing Saturday, which we obtained today, includes more details than the SPD Blotter post. The report says that the report came from the Harbor Avenue 7-Eleven, that a man had fired two shots from the sun roof of a black VW, and police stopped what they believed to be that car in the 1000 block of Harbor. The gunfire suspect told police he had a confrontation with someone at a gas station. Meantime, a witness said they saw the VW in a car-to-car confrontation at West Marginal/Chelan, after which the suspect allegedly fired into the air through the sun roof, then proceeded to the Harbor Avenue 7-Eleven. That’s when the witness called police. The report says the witness couldn’t positively identify the suspect or anyone else in the car as the person who fired the gun. But someone told police the gun had been fired inside the car; they saw a shell casing there, and found another one in the intersection at West Marginal/Chelan. Police arrested the suspect and booked him into jail; at his bail hearing, prosecutors asked that he be held on $150,000 bail; the appearance-court judge released him on personal recognizance.(The police report filed for the hearing, it should be noted, had “no” checked off in the space where it’s asked if law enforcement would object to the suspect’s release.)

STOLEN F-250: The owner came home from a trip today and found it gone.

I discovered my truck stolen when arriving home today. My neighbor last saw it Wednesday the 2nd..It’s a dark-gray/blue 1990 Ford F-250, license plate D93929D. It has an Alki sticker on the back window. It was stolen from (the 2400 block of) Alki Avenue SW.

They’re in the process of getting a police report filed; call 911 if you find it.

We also have three hit-runs for which people are requesting info:

SUNDAY NIGHT, 13TH/CLOVERDALE: Pam says the driver of this car hit hers and is looking for info:

She says the plate starts with CVY and the crash happened at 8:25 pm tonight. We’ll add the police report number when we get it.

FRIDAY, SW HENDERSON: Cami says video shows a driver hitting her partner’s car (below) and another “off Henderson” on the Fourth of July.

She’s looking for the other victim. If that was you and you haven’t connected yet, contact us.

THURSDAY, ARBOR HEIGHTS: Jackie emailed to say her dad’s parked car was hit at 1:10 am Thursday (July 3) at 35th SW/SW 104th. He reported, “From the debris left at the scene, the moving car was a metallic dark-blue Tesla, circa 2020-2023, Model Y.” It’s likely to have major damage. If you have information, the SPD incident # to refer to is 25-185016.

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UPDATE: Crash at 16th/Sullivan sends one person to hospital

July 6, 2025 10:01 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

10:01 PM: Seattle Fire has a big response headed to a crash at 16th SW/SW Sullivan – firefighters have told dispatch they’ll have to extricate someone from the crashed vehicle.

10:03 PM: The person is now out so they’re downsizing the response. But 16th is closed, Thistle to Cloverdale, and that’s expected to last a while.

(WSB photo)

10:48 PM: Photo added. And as commenters remind us, 16th just south of the scene is marked for speed humps/cushions that SDOT is about to install. (We’ve been awaiting SDOT info after a tip just before the holiday weekend.)

ADDED MONDAY MORNING: The 29-year-old driver was taken to a hospital by private ambulance, indicating his injuries were not life-threatening. As commenters note, he hit parked cars; SPD called for tow trucks for three vehicles in all, including the driver’s.

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WEEK AHEAD: Big night for music Thursday! West Seattle Summer Fest Eve x The Art of Music

July 6, 2025 9:00 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from Summer Fest Eve 2024)

West Seattle Summer Fest – next Friday, Saturday, Sunday (July 11-13) in the heart of The Junction – is the main event, but Summer Fest Eve (Thursday, July 10) gets bigger all the time. It’s always the same night as July’s West Seattle Art Walk, which this time includes The Art of Music mini-concerts (not just in The Junction). Here’s the announcement from Art of Music coordinator John Redenbaugh:

The next free admission Art of Music performances presented by the West Seattle Junction Association are coming up on Second Thursday Art Walk rvening July 10 (Summer Fest Eve) at seven locations — five of them are in the Alaska Junction (click here to view the Alaska Junction Summer Fest Eve flier featuring all five). Musicians will perform from 6 pm to 7:45 pm (with one 15-minute break at the midpoint).

ALASKA JUNCTION

Steve and Kristi Nebel @ Verity Credit Union
Golden Hart @ Great American Diner & Bar

The St. Bees Duo @ John L. Scott Real Estate West Seattle
Karin Kajita and Al Shabino @ CAPERS
Maggie Laird @ Itto’s Vino

GREATER ADMIRAL DISTRICT

Abby K @ WEND Jewelry

GREATER MORGAN JUNCTION

Marco de Carvalho @ Pine Lake Cellars

The July Art of Music Page is posted on the West Seattle Art Walk website, here. There you will find a description of all July performers and venues and the opportunity to listen to music performed by each musical artist.

Bonus Music in Addition to The Art of Music on Art Walk Evening in the Alaska Junction:

* At Bonjour Vietnam: Westside Jazz Trio
* At VAIN: Honey Bear
* At Angora Rugs and Home Decor: Stephcynie

Music is not all you’ll find in The Junction on Thursday during Art Walk/Summer Fest Eve – here’s the art lineup, and here’s other fun. Plus here’s our preview of the timeline for festival setup that day/night – that’s part of the Thursday night fun, wandering The Junction’s closed streets as Summer Fest takes shape.

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Holiday weekend fires: Fifth of July busier in West Seattle than Fourth of July

July 6, 2025 7:09 pm

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| Holidays | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

With the holiday weekend ending, we checked the log for the big picture on fire calls to which SFD responded. The log doesn’t have a call category for “fireworks fires,” so we can’t say for sure how many of these were caused by people setting off fireworks. But these are the calls in our area that were categorized as “fire”:

FRIDAY, FOURTH OF JULY

If you noticed that burned, foamed (and obscenely graffitied) car parked on the west side of the 4500 block of California SW in The Junction, it caught fire just after 11:30 pm Friday. It was still there during this morning’s Farmers’ Market, and still there as of late this afternoon (when we researched the call after a tip). Other Fourth of July fires from the log:

1:23 am: “Brush fire” 28th/Trenton
10:16 am: “Bark fire” 7000 block Beach Drive
4:18 pm: “Brush fire” Puget Blvd./Delridge Way
9:39 pm: “Illegal burn” 61st/Alki

SATURDAY, JULY 5

That photo sent today by David shows the area charred Saturday night in what was categorized as a “brush fire” at 28th/Thistle (Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex), dispatched at 8:25 pm. Overall, a more fiery day/night in West Seattle, according to the SFD log. Other calls labeled “fire” on Saturday:

1:14 am: “Brush fire” 34th/Admiral
4:15 am: “Rubbish fire” 59th/Lander
7:02 pm: “Bark fire” 4400 block California SW
8:59 pm: “Brush fire” 6400 block 31st SW
9:43 pm: “4 Red” (midsize non-medical dispatch) 5900 block 31st SW
10:26 pm: “Brush fire” at 3429 45th SW (Madison Middle School’s address)
10:48 pm: “Brush fire” 9000 block 8th SW
11:28 pm: “Brush fire” 28th/Barton

SUNDAY, JULY 6

And here’s what’s on the log through a short time ago (the “brush fire” call just closed out):

2:41 pm: “Shed fire” 5300 block 47th SW
6:33 pm: “Brush fire” West Marginal/Highland Park Way

We have no way to break out the many medical calls to which SFD responded (always a far busier call category for firefighters than actual fires), so we don’t know whether any local calls were fireworks-related, but Harborview Medical Center did send us and other regional media a general total of fireworks injuries HMC had seen (as the regional trauma center):

As of 9 a.m. today, clinicians at Harborview Medical Center had treated 47 people with fireworks-related injuries during the July Fourth holiday weekend.

The injuries are characterized as:

18 involving hands
13 involving eyes
8 involving other body areas
8 involving multiple areas (such as hands and eyes)

No structure fires were reported in our area over the holiday weekend, aside from the “shed fire” listed for Sunday.

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