West Seattle, Washington
10 Wednesday
And the Sealth fans rush the field: pic.twitter.com/YjOFVXdCgW
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 16, 2017
10:17 PM: Fans rushed the field moments ago as, for the first time since 2014, Chief Sealth International High School defeated West Seattle High School and won the Huling Bowl, the annual fall faceoff between the cross-peninsula rivals. Tonight’s score at Southwest Athletic Complex in Westwood: Sealth 52, West Seattle 24.
Though the rivalry has a long history, this year both teams have new head coaches – Ted Rodriguez for the Seahawks, Marcis Fennell for the Wildcats.
ADDED EARLY SATURDAY: In the first half, the game wasn’t as lopsided as the final score looked. West Seattle was in control in the early going, running up a 17-0 lead in the first eight minutes of the game.
WSHS quarterback Anthony Coats (above) did a lot of passing, but as the game went on, was repeatedly let down. Meantime, Sealth finally got onto the scoreboard with 3 minutes left in the first quarter, on a 62-yard touchdown run by Dontae McMillan.
A two-pointer followed, and the Seahawks continued their comeback, with a Diego Jackson TD bringing them to 17-14 by the last minute of the quarter. The Wildcats answered quickly with Coats throwing for a TD to #14 Lucas Bower, and the second quarter opened with WSHS up 24-14.
Those were West Seattle’s last points for the game, as Chief Sealth was in charge most of the way from there.
Midway through the second quarter, another Jackson TD brought the score to West Seattle 24, Chief Sealth 20. And with less than a minute to go in the half, another McMillan TD gave Sealth the lead for the first time, and they went into halftime ahead 28-24.
Three minutes into the second half, McMillan did it again. And toward the end of the third quarter, the Seahawks’ Jesse Brown got a TD.
That made it 40-24. And they just kept building to the final score of Sealth 52, WSHS 24, the Seahawks’ first Huling Bowl win in three years.
As always, the big game between the two local schools was about more than football – there were the fans:
And the mascots:
Merchandise sales and a pre-game barbecue, too.
This was the only time the two teams are scheduled to meet during the regular season. Next week, Sealth (2-1) plays at Lakeside, 3:30 pm Friday, September 22nd; that night, West Seattle (0-3) is home at SW Athletic Complex, 7 pm, hosting Cleveland.
One more big Saturday event to preview – Mountain Fest at Camp Long! Event director Jeff Smoot shares the schedule for tomorrow:
11:00 A.M. – Event Begins! Activities continue until 5:00 P.M. unless otherwise
noted.• Rock Climbing on Schurman Rock*
• Rappelling on the Glacier*
• Scavenger Hunt at Friends of Camp Long Table (Prizes!)
• The Falconer – Live Birds of Prey Presentation at West Shelter Area
• S’Mores at the Fire Circle
• Nature Programs
• And More!Noon – High-Ropes Challenge Course Opens (runs until 5:00 P.M.)*†
1:00 P.M. – Bouldering Competition on Schurman Rock (runs until 3:00 P.M.)*
2:30 P.M. – Oswaldo “Ossy” Freire – Mount Everest Presentation in the Lodge
5:00 P.M. – Event Ends*These events require signed waiver; parent waiver if under 18. Size/weight limits may apply due to
safety equipment availability.Start time may be later than 11 A.M. While supplies last!
†Challenge Course for ages 14 and up only; limited spaces so arrive early; size/weight limits may apply
due to safety equipment availability; last group starts at 4 P.M.Limited to 20 participants; experienced climbers only; event will involve difficult unroped climbing;
minors may participate with direct parent supervision and participation as spotter; participants must
supply their own crash pads and other gear.
Mountain Fest is free! Camp Long is at 5200 35th SW.
6:37 PM: Outside the auditorium at Chief Sealth International High School right now, 15-year-old Derek Juarez-Lopez – murdered the day before he was to start his sophomore year – is being remembered at a public vigil.
Some of his poems have been read (video added):
And his sister is speaking.
(Derek’s mother and sister)
It’s also been announced that there will be a moment of silence during the upcoming Sealth-West Seattle HS football game that starts across the street at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) at 7 pm. Police are continuing to investigate the murder, which happened at Westcrest Park a week and a half ago; no one’s been arrested yet. The SPD tip line is 206-233-5000.
7:24 PM: More photos added. We are at the game now, and have learned that the moment of silence was actually held before the game. As announced by Sealth’s principal on Thursday, Derek’s memorial service is at 4 pm Sunday
The Guardian One helicopter was over Westwood for a while within the past hour, but left to head to a South King County investigation just as we arrived in the area. Now they’ve tweeted what brought them here:
Assisted @SeattlePD with searching for a adult male wearing brown scrubs who was committed to Navos and left in the area of 2600 SW Holden.
— KCSOAirsupport (@KCSOAirsupport) September 16, 2017
We don’t know whether that person has been found yet.
(Seattle Channel screengrab from Mayor Harrell’s announcement. Archived video is added below)
4:30 PM: Click the “play” button above for the live Seattle Channel feed of Mayor Bruce Harrell announcing his decision on whether to keep the interim mayoral position for the full two-plus months until the winner of November’s election is sworn in. He’s also scheduled to announce executive orders. It’s been two days since he became mayor following Ed Murray‘s resignation; city rules stipulated that the City Council President would ascend to that role but then have to decide within five days whether to keep it until the next election.
4:36 PM: Harrell has started not with word of his future intentions, but with word of the executive orders. He signaled Seattle’s intention to compete for Amazon’s 50,000 “HQ2” jobs. Another involves a partnership with King County to potentially change the plan for a $210 million youth detention center, and have the city “put some skin in the game.” Third, he said, involves the city having become – and this was his word – “filthy … as an elected official, I’m embarrassed driving around some of the areas of this city.” He says it’s time “to reset community norms” and is directing Seattle Public Utilities and other departments to “identify the 10 hot spots” in the city, and “then commit by saying how quickly we will clean those spots.” Fourth involves information technology. (We’ll add the documents when they’re available online.)
4:42 PM: Harrell has now made the big announcement – he’s declining the mayoral role beyond these few days, and will go back to being City Council President. This means the council will talk Monday afternoon about who’s next, from among their ranks.
4:46 PM: He’s moving on to Q&A. First one is about the youth detention center – instead of building a “traditional” facility as has been planned, he wants the city to move toward “zero detention” by finding other facilities, maybe near the current site on Capitol Hill, maybe outside the city, maybe leased, maybe built, including support services. Next, he’s asked if he’s confident that councilmembers will choose someone else to be mayor, as soon as Monday – it’s on their agenda for Monday afternoon. Then he’s asked why he decided not to keep the job. “I really care about the city, and I think there are issues” – including the upcoming budget process – “that need my leadership.” Staying on as mayor through November would have cost him his council seat (though otherwise he has two years left in his term); he’s not elaborating on how that played into his decision. Next: Why issue executive orders, as a short-term mayor? “This work needs to be done, I don’t care who’s the executive, I don’t care who’s calling the shots, this work needs to get done.” The last question – whether his executive order stops the youth detention center from being built. No, but “if we do this right, the county may look at what’s being built, and pivot.”
4:56 PM: The event’s over. To be clear, Harrell’s announcement wasn’t a resignation – so he remains mayor until the City Council appoints one of its own. We will replace the video window that was embedded atop this story with a still image until an archived video clip is available.
6:12 PM: Here are the executive orders, in PDF, as received from the mayor’s office:
Trash removal
Youth detention center
Business retention
Data management
Here’s the archived video of this afternoon’s announcement:
Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STOLEN BICYCLE: From Darcy:
My bike was stolen from 42nd and Andover behind my house, attached to the railing. This is it, but the seat is a larger white/black cushion.
MAILBOX PROWLER ON VIDEO: From Chris:
Just wanted to report a mailbox prowler that we caught on video on the corner of 36th and Henderson early (Wednesday) morning. Looks like a slight built gentleman, mid-length brown hair in a bowl-type cut, wearing a blue Seahawks jersey.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Just another reminder that, after a summer break, WSCPC’s next meeting is next Tuesday (September 21st), 7 pm, at Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster). Bring your questions and concerns for local police.
(2016 Fiestas Patrias photo by Leda Costa for WSB)
3:18 PM: As we continue previews for some of this weekend’s big events – here’s a quick reminder about the Fiestas Patrias parade and festival tomorrow in South Park. The parade starts at 11 am Saturday at Sea Mar Community Care Center (1040 S. Henderson) and ends at South Park Community Center (8319 8th Ave. S.) – route details are in our calendar listing. Fiestas Patrias “commemorates the independence of Latin American countries, many of which celebrate their national independence day in the month of September,” festival organizers explain. The festival is at the community center post-parade, with food, music, games, and performances until 6 pm. Everyone’s invited!
ADDED 3:53 PM: Thanks to Huy Hoang at Sea Mar for the list of parade participants – more than 60! – see it here.
Just in from SDOT:
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) advises travelers that paving work along 25th Ave SW between SW Hudson St and Puget Blvd SW will begin on Tuesday, September 19 through Friday, September 22 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. SDOT would like to thank the public for its patience while this work is completed.
What to expect:
*Parking will be restricted.
*72 hours before the work starts and parking restrictions begin, “NO PARKING” signs will be placed on the street.
*Traffic will have slight delays during operation hours.
*You may enter and exit driveways, but you may have to wait up to 15 minutes for equipment to clear.
*25th SW will be Closed during construction.
*Overnight Parking will be limited.
*25th SW will remain closed 24 hours a day till construction is finished. Please use alternate route during construction.
With the weekend in view, it’s time for some previews of big events – starting with the 2nd-Time Sale, both days this weekend. The photos and preview are from Judy Pickens:
One of the largest sales in the 23-year history of the 2nd Time Sale is shaping up at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California Ave. SW). Bargains on nearly everything imaginable will overflow Fellowship Hall on Saturday, Sept. 16, 9 am – 4 pm, and again on Sunday, Sept. 17, 11:30 am – 2 pm. Cash or checks only at this “clean, culled, and organized” fundraiser for the church. Special items include this new ready-to-party diner jukebox with CD, FM, and MP3 capabilities:
Several pieces of Melissa and Doug play equipment await new homes in the toy section:
P.S. Next weekend, the church hosts a different kind of recycling event – the one where you bring stuff instead of buying it – the Recycle Roundup is a week from Sunday.
(WSB photos)
12:30 PM: Having previewed them last night, we decided to stop by the three West Seattle “mini-parks” on the city’s map for PARK(ing) Day, promoted as a chance to re-envision use of public spaces such as streets and sidewalks. Above, flowers and greenery comprise the display you’ll find outside Junction flower-and-gift shop Fleurt, courtesy of mother-and-daughter proprietors Sam and Keonii:
At Westwood Village, Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) has been a consistent participant in PARK(ing) Day. Co-proprietor Kirk Keppler was hanging out in the mini-park with canine companion Rascal when we visited:
They were awaiting assistance to get some games going in the space. And back in The Junction, the display outside Red Cup Espresso is a simple one – tricycles and flowers:
If you’re spending the day outside West Seattle, there might be a mini-park near you somewhere, with almost four dozen around the city – see SDOT’s citywide map in our preview from last night.
ADDED 1:06 PM: Red Cup Espresso has a face-painter on site until 4 pm!
The sunset panorama is from Wednesday night, courtesy of Jamie Kinney (as with most WSB photos, if you are using laptop/desktop/landscape tablet, click the image for a larger version). We would guess there’ll be a colorful sunset to watch tonight, too. Before and after, lots more to do – here are the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
PARK(ing) DAY: As previewed last night, three West Seattle businesses are setting up mini-parks in parking spaces as part of this citywide event that continues into early evening: Wyatt’s Jewelers (Westwood Village; WSB sponsor), Fleurt (4536 California SW); Red Cup Espresso (4451 California SW). We’re out visiting all three right now – separate update to come.
DAVE HOLO TRIO: Live New Orleans jazz at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), 5-8 pm. (1936 Harbor SW)
DUWAMISH NATIVE ART AND CRAFTS MARKET: At the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse until 6 pm, and again both days this weekend, 10 am-6 pm – details in our calendar listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
VIGIL: As previously announced, a vigil is planned at 6 pm tonight outside the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium for 15-year-old murder victim Derek Juarez-Lopez, killed at Westcrest Park the day before he would have started his sophomore year at CSIHS. (2600 SW Thistle)
WESTFEST: Holy Rosary School’s annual fall festival starts tonight, 6-10 pm:
Please be a part of West Seattle’s ‘Carnival of Community’ brought to you by Holy Rosary School! Come experience great music, eat delicious food, and crazy fun kid rides! There is so much to do and see, including BINGO, a classic cake walk with scrumptious prizes, a kids’ talent show and carnival style games galore. There’s a beer garden for adults, too.
STAGE LINEUP – FRIDAY
6:00 PM Music Beats by Wes Wunder
7:00 PM West Seattle Big Band
(42nd/Genesee/Dakota)
FOOTBALL: The Huling Bowl matchup between Chief Sealth IHS and West Seattle HS is early this year – 7 pm tonight at Southwest Athletic Complex. (2801 SW Thistle)
GARY BENSON: Solo performer at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
OKTOBERFEST: Three-day celebration starts tonight at Prost! West Seattle, 7 pm. “Come drink big biers, win prizes, play hammerschlagen, and dance on tables! We are doing it all and doing it in our dirndls and lederhosen. 7 different Oktoberfest biers on draft and great swag to win all weekend. Join us for this three day celebration starting today (9/15 @7pm) with Benediktiner. Raffling off soccer jerseys and koozies and Prost! Oktoberfest steins for sale. Featuring these Oktoberfests throughout the Season Oktoberfest season. Andechs, Weltenburger, Dinkelacker, Weihenstephan, Hofbrau, Paulaner, Ayinger, Hacker-Pschorr, Benediktiner, Warsteiner.” (3407 California SW)
THE RIFFBROKERS, THE FUZZ, VAGUE CHOIR: “A night of power pop twang and rock and roll action” at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
OF COURSE THERE’S MORE … on our complete-calendar page.
10:09 AM: Thanks to Kersti Muul for the texted alert – she says transient orcas have been sighted headed this way, southbound toward Alki Point – one week after this visit. Let us know if you see them!
10:42 AM: Update from Kersti (also in comments below) – they’re now visible from Alki Point Lighthouse.
3:07 PM: Three photos added above, all taken by Kersti at Constellation Park. (If you see whales off West Seattle, that’s always breaking news, so please let us know, text or voice, via our 24/7 hotline, 206-293-6302 – thank you!)
As previously noted, Metro‘s service change one week from tomorrow will include closure of a bus stop downtown used by many West Seattle-and-beyond riders, at Columbia and 2nd. Metro’s Scott Gutierrez says it’s just the start of changes for that street, related to the impending replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct by the Highway 99 tunnel:
The bus stop on Columbia Street and Second Avenue in downtown Seattle is a busy place for those commuting to West Seattle, Southwest Seattle, and Burien. Soon commuters who use that stop will have a more convenient location to catch the bus.
Work began in August to relocate the westbound bus stop one block up the hill to Third Avenue’s main transit thoroughfare. The new stop will open Sept 23 in coordination with Metro’s fall service change.
About 27,000 weekday riders will be affected, including routes 21X, 37, 55, 56, 57, 113, 120, 125 and the C Line.
Temporary wayfinding decals will be installed to point customers to the new location. A new street kiosk and off-board ORCA card reader will be installed for customers who use the RapidRide C Line.
The new bus stop marks the beginning of major changes for Columbia Street. It will be transformed into a two-way transit corridor from First to Fourth Avenues to provide a vital connection for buses moving through downtown once the new State Route 99 tunnel opens and the Alaskan Way Viaduct is demolished. Buses traveling from the State Route 99 off-ramp in SODO will use the corridor to connect with Third Avenue, downtown’s primary bus thoroughfare.
Construction to create a new eastbound transit lane from First to Third Avenues is expected to start in early 2018, and will take about four months.
Initially after construction, Columbia Street will function as it does today; the project will simply reconstruct the pavement and prepare the curb line for the future configuration. When WSDOT opens the State Route tunnel in early 2019, the Columbia Street on-ramp will be permanently closed and Columbia Street will temporarily end at First Avenue; West Seattle buses will be routed via interim pathways.
After the Columbia Street on-ramp is demolished, the City will reconstruct Columbia Street between First Avenue and Alaskan Way as part of the Waterfront Seattle Main Corridor project, with Columbia Street reopening to traffic in late 2019.
King County is funding reconstruction of Columbia Street between First and Fourth Avenues. Columbia Street between First Avenue and Alaskan Way will be reconstructed as part of Waterfront Seattle’s Main Corridor project, which also includes dedicated transit lanes on Alaskan Way south of Columbia Street that will be operational once that project is completed in 2023.
The official alert about the bus-stop closure is here; details of other September 23rd changes affecting riders in our area are here.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:01 AM: Good morning. We start with a crash on Highway 99 northbound, north of the West Seattle Bridge, blocking one lane.
7:21 AM: SDOT now says the crash is blocking two lanes, and Metro warns of delays in bus routes that use 99:
Transit Alert – Expect delays on rts 21, 37, 55, 56, 57, 113, 120, 121, 122, 123, 125 & C Line due to blockage on NB SR-99 near S Lander St.
— King County Metro 🚌 (@kcmetrobus) September 15, 2017
7:35 AM: SDOT says the 99 crash has been cleared to the shoulder, and all lanes are open. The residual backup, though, will persist a while.
7:44 AM: Reader reports a crash near the crest of the eastbound West Seattle Bridge. So in summary – if you’re heading out and can wait, do!
7:52 AM: SDOzt says that has just cleared.
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