Latest news with #SeafairFestival
New York Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Cat mom accuses Blue Angels of terrorizing her dying 14-year-old cat with ‘sonic barrage' practices: ‘It terrified her so much'
A Seattle cat mom accused the US Navy's Blue Angels of robbing her elderly cat of a peaceful death after their annual practices for a summer fair flyover caused a frequent 'sonic barrage' that would terrify the feline she loved like 'a daughter,' according to a lawsuit. Lauren Ann Lombardi's 14-year-old cat Layla died on Aug. 11, 2024 following a battle with heart disease that was only worsened by the Blue Angels' frequent overhead flying, she alleged in a federal civil complaint filed this week. 5 Lauren Lombardi sued the Blue Angels, alleging it violated her First Amendment right by blocking her on Instagram after she complained the crew's flyovers were terrorizing her cat Layla. Ever Loved 'I just wanted to share what happened to her. I wanted people to know, and I wanted there to be some sort of accountability for that. That's the main thing I wanted to get across was Layla's story,' Lombardi told The Post. The lawsuit hinges on the Blue Angels' alleged blockage of her Instagram account, which she claims violated her First Amendment rights. Every year, the Blue Angels participate in the Boeing Seafair Air Show in Seattle during the summer Seafair Festival. The flight squadron practices and performs over Lake Washington, which is just a few miles away from Lombardi's home. The noise from the flyovers would last for several minutes up to three times a day, she said. 'It's like what I imagine being in a war zone sounds like. It's very terrifying, it actually shook our house when they would go by,' Lombardi said. The cat mom lobbed her first tirade at the air squad in August 2023, her first summer living in the area after moving from the East Coast. 5 Layla, Lombardi's 14-year-old cat, passed away in August 2024. U.S. District Court Western District Of Washington At Seattle 'Stop with your F—king bulls–t you are terrorizing my cat and all the other animals and wildlife. Nobody gives a f–k about your stupid little planes,' Lombardi wrote to the squadron via Instagram. By then, the show had already started. The Blue Angels' Instagram account allegedly blocked Lombardi shortly after. She tried to reach out to call them 'cowards' in a direct message two days later, but it was apparently never delivered 'due to the blocking,' according to the lawsuit. 5 The Blue Angels perform every year at the Boeing Seafair Air Show in Seattle. AP 'I wasn't even expecting to get a response, I was just really angry. I know my messages weren't very nice, but I was just overcome with rage because it terrified her so much,' Lombardi said of Layla. 'The Blue Angels are really cool. Obviously, it's really impressive, but the harm is real greater than the good, and I just want people to know so they can form their own opinions. By them blocking me, it prevented me from being able to communicate that to people who otherwise wouldn't know how harmful it is.' Lombardi claimed that the squad's 'sonic barrage' sent an already-feeble Layla with mere weeks left to live into a panic again the following year. To try and calm her frail feline, Lombardi barricaded all points of sound entry in the house and even used her hands to block the elderly cat's ears. 5 Lombardi said she treated Layla like her own 'daughter.' U.S. District Court Western District Of Washington At Seattle The dedicated cat mom was 'traumatized' by Layla's tragic passing and retired early to ensure her honorary 'daughter' was comfortable during her final months, she said. 'She was everything to me. Pet doesn't even sound right to me, I refer to her as my daughter,' she said. A week after the 2024 fair, Layla was humanely euthanized. She spent the bulk of her final days hiding under furniture around the house, according to the complaint. Lombardi noted that she 'respects and supports' the US military, but still asserted that her feline's sundowning was 'pockmarked by debilitating terror brought on by the actions of the United States Government,' according to the complaint. She doesn't blame the armed forces for Layla's death — though the lawsuit is riddled with complaints about the cat's torment. Instead, she's looking for the Blue Angels to unblock her Instagram account and repay her expenses, including 'reasonable attorneys' fees,' according to the complaint. 5 The Blue Angels are a flight demonstration squadron for the US Navy. AP The lawsuit itself was penned by attorney Nacim Bouchtia, Lombardi's husband and Layla's human father, according to the cat's obituary. Lombardi also seeks to require a refresher course for the Blue Angels on the 'fundamental importance of the First Amendment which the brave men and women of the U.S. Navy are sworn to protect,' according to the complaint. Her two new cat children, Ozzy and Ziggy, named after the late rockstars Ozzy Osbourne and David Bowie, will be experiencing the Blue Angels' practice for the first time in just a few days. In Lombardi's ideal world, the air show would be nixed and replaced with something like a laser light show, but she acknowledged that eliminating the seven-decade tradition would be unrealistic. The Post reached out to the United States Navy for comment. A representative for the Blue Angels could not be reached directly.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Carvana Supports Jimmie Johnson's Childhood Dream at Seattle's Seafair Festival
Seven-time NASCAR Champion to Pilot Legendary "Blue Blaster" Hydroplane in Special Exhibition on Aug. 1 SEATTLE, July 23, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carvana, an industry pioneer for buying and selling used cars online, is proud to support seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Legacy Motor Club co-owner Jimmie Johnson as he takes on a new kind of ride: piloting the historic Atlas Van Lines "Blue Blaster" hydroplane in a special exhibition at Seattle's Seafair Festival on Aug. 1. Johnson's upcoming exhibition is more than four decades in the making. In 1979, 4-year-old Jimmie was celebrating his birthday at the hydroplane races in San Diego with his dad when his favorite boat, the Blue Blaster, broke down near the shore. The boat's driver, hydroplane racing legend Bill Muncey, welcomed fans toward the vessel, and Johnson's father carried him into the water to sit on its deck. A photo from that day, rediscovered years later, captured the moment without anyone realizing its future significance. Now, 46 years later, Johnson will return to that same boat, but this time in the driver's seat. With coaching from 11-time APBA Gold Cup champion Chip Hanauer and support from the Muncey family, Johnson will pilot the fully restored hydroplane across Lake Washington in a one-time exhibition that honors the boat's legacy and a personal memory for Johnson. At nearly 30 feet long and 5,600 pounds, the Blue Blaster remains one of the most iconic boats in hydroplane racing history. "We're excited to support this one-of-a-kind exhibition that fulfills a boyhood dream for Jimmie and shares the joy, excitement, and nostalgia of seeing the Blue Blaster hydroplane in action with the Seattle community," said Carvana Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer Ryan Keeton. "Our partnership has always been about taking on new challenges and showing up for a community of passionate fans, and this exhibition reflects the kind of spirit Carvana is excited to be part of." Carvana, which has proudly served Seattle car buyers and sellers since 2021, will be on site at Seafair to connect with fans and the broader community. Attendees who sign up for Carvana's free Value Tracker tool will receive a branded seat cushion. The Carvana Value Tracker allows customers to monitor their car's value over time, helping them make informed decisions about when to sell or trade in. For behind-the-scenes content and highlights from the day, follow Carvana Racing on Instagram and X. About Carvana Carvana's mission is to change the way people buy and sell cars. Since launching in 2013, Carvana has revolutionized automotive retail and delighted millions of customers with an offering that is fun, fast, and fair. With Carvana, customers can find a car, get financing, trade in, and complete a purchase entirely online with the convenience of delivery or local pickup as soon as the same day. Carvana's unique offering is powered by its passionate team, differentiated national infrastructure, and purpose-built technology. For more information, please visit About LEGACY MOTOR CLUB LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY MC) is a premier auto racing organization co-owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Gazoo Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also races on a limited basis in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, "The King", serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MC blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition. To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information, and exclusive content, follow LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ on Facebook, X, Instagram and at View source version on Contacts MEDIA CONTACT: Carvana Communicationspress@
Business Wire
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Wire
Carvana Supports Jimmie Johnson's Childhood Dream at Seattle's Seafair Festival
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carvana, an industry pioneer for buying and selling used cars online, is proud to support seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Legacy Motor Club co-owner Jimmie Johnson as he takes on a new kind of ride: piloting the historic Atlas Van Lines 'Blue Blaster' hydroplane in a special exhibition at Seattle's Seafair Festival on Aug. 1. Johnson's upcoming exhibition is more than four decades in the making. In 1979, 4-year-old Jimmie was celebrating his birthday at the hydroplane races in San Diego with his dad when his favorite boat, the Blue Blaster, broke down near the shore. The boat's driver, hydroplane racing legend Bill Muncey, welcomed fans toward the vessel, and Johnson's father carried him into the water to sit on its deck. A photo from that day, rediscovered years later, captured the moment without anyone realizing its future significance. Now, 46 years later, Johnson will return to that same boat, but this time in the driver's seat. With coaching from 11-time APBA Gold Cup champion Chip Hanauer and support from the Muncey family, Johnson will pilot the fully restored hydroplane across Lake Washington in a one-time exhibition that honors the boat's legacy and a personal memory for Johnson. At nearly 30 feet long and 5,600 pounds, the Blue Blaster remains one of the most iconic boats in hydroplane racing history. 'We're excited to support this one-of-a-kind exhibition that fulfills a boyhood dream for Jimmie and shares the joy, excitement, and nostalgia of seeing the Blue Blaster hydroplane in action with the Seattle community,' said Carvana Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer Ryan Keeton. 'Our partnership has always been about taking on new challenges and showing up for a community of passionate fans, and this exhibition reflects the kind of spirit Carvana is excited to be part of.' Carvana, which has proudly served Seattle car buyers and sellers since 2021, will be on site at Seafair to connect with fans and the broader community. Attendees who sign up for Carvana's free Value Tracker tool will receive a branded seat cushion. The Carvana Value Tracker allows customers to monitor their car's value over time, helping them make informed decisions about when to sell or trade in. For behind-the-scenes content and highlights from the day, follow Carvana Racing on Instagram and X. About Carvana Carvana's mission is to change the way people buy and sell cars. Since launching in 2013, Carvana has revolutionized automotive retail and delighted millions of customers with an offering that is fun, fast, and fair. With Carvana, customers can find a car, get financing, trade in, and complete a purchase entirely online with the convenience of delivery or local pickup as soon as the same day. Carvana's unique offering is powered by its passionate team, differentiated national infrastructure, and purpose-built technology. For more information, please visit About LEGACY MOTOR CLUB LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY MC) is a premier auto racing organization co-owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Gazoo Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also races on a limited basis in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, "The King", serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MC blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition.
