West Seattle, Washington
27 Saturday
(Photo by Joseph Peha)
Also taking office as soon as the election results were certified today – new City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, who was elected to at-large (citywide) Position 8. Like Mayor Jenny Durkan, Mosqueda takes office earlier than would be customary because of a domino effect going back to former Mayor Murray’s resignation. Since the previous P-8 officeholder, Tim Burgess, was appointed to serve as mayor until today – he didn’t run for re-election anyway – interim councilmember Kirsten Harris-Talley‘s term concluded today, and Mosqueda took office. Her final margin of victory over Jon Grant was 60 percent to 40 percent. West Seattle-residing Councilmember Lorena González was re-elected to the other citywide position (9) but there’s no rush for her re-swearing-in.
(WSB photos. WSHS #5 above, Abdullahi Mohamed)
High-school basketball season is on! At West Seattle High School tonight, the Wildcat boys faced visitors from Australia, the West Sydney Giants. The result: A 77-32 win for head coach Keffrey Fazio‘s varsity team.
(WSHS #15 above, Cass Elliott, and #3, Kendall Green)
Next on the schedule for the WSHS boys, a home game at 8:30 pm Friday against Nathan Hale HS, 0-1 after losing their season opener tonight to Puyallup..
A reader reports that two of their relatives were taken to the hospital after a robbery and hit-and-run incident at 25th SW and SW Myrtle about an hour ago. The reader says two people in a white Toyota “pulled a gun on one, stole everything, beat him, then fled the scene,” after hitting the other man with a car, and damaging his car too. We’re working to find out more. (Added: No new info, so we will follow up Wednesday. If you have any information, the case number is 17-439646.)
(WSB video of Youngstown event, replacing what was Seattle Channel live-stream window from earlier)
4:15 PM: We’re at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge, where newly inaugurated Mayor Jenny Durkan will be appearing soon. Though this was the initially announced time, it’s slid a bit, and is likely to be closer to 4:45. When she appears here, the Seattle Channel live feed will be accessible via the window embedded above, or by going here. She took the oath of office at the Ethiopian Community Center in Rainier Beach about half an hour ago, and declared it was time to “get to work.” We’ll update when she arrives.
The event here, by the way, is to be emceed by West Seattle-residing County Council Chair Joe McDermott, who has already arrived.
4:50 PM: The mayor is at the podium. We count 70+ people on the side of the room, including Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole and Fire Chief Harold Scoggins. County Executive Dow Constantine just administered a ceremonial 2nd oath:
The mayor said she realizes West Seattle used to be a city all its own but she’s glad it’s part of Seattle now.
5:03 PM: Mayor Durkan wrapped up her speech and signed an executive order about rent assistance (read it here), and shortly she will be off to her next stop, in the International District. Seattle Channel also planned to stream that, so we’ll leave the video window up for a while. We recorded our own video of this stop and will add it when it’s ready to upload. The mayor, by the way, promised she would be back in West Seattle often – so often we’ll “get sick of” her. In fact she is already planning a second visit tomorrow, at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), to talk about her plan to expand college access. More later.
7:50 PM: Our video of the Youngstown event is now atop this story. We’ve added a few more photos, too. Among the people we talked to there was the police chief:
We asked her the question she said “everybody” has been asking her – is she staying on in the Durkan administration? She said she’ll be talking with the new mayor next week about the department’s future, but for today, she was planning to go to all five events, but staying on the sidelines because “it’s (Durkan’s) day.” Other top police brass were there, and County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg, too:
Not only is the new mayor coming back tomorrow as mentioned above, she also has a transition-team member coming to West Seattle tomorrow night to listen to community members’ concerns.
2:54 PM: You’ll want an umbrella as well as binoculars if you go look for them, but we’re told by both Kersti Muul and Jeff Hogan that orcas are headed southbound past Constellation Park right now, so they should be visible for a while off West Seattle.
3:16 PM: Jeff’s moving to Emma Schmitz Overlook [map] as the orcas continue heading south.
4:17 PM: See comments for updates – they’re still in view!
2:17 PM: Just in from Seattle Public Schools: No yellow-school-bus service tomorrow (Wednesday, November 29th) because school-bus drivers plan a one-day strike. (Thanks to those who just called and texted to make sure we had heard!) Here’s the announcement on the SPS website:
The First Student bus drivers have stated they are going on a one-day strike, effective Wed., Nov. 29.
This means there will be no yellow school bus service on Wed., Nov. 29. Families will need to make other transportation arrangements to get their child to and from school.
We anticipate the First Student bus service will resume Thurs., Nov. 30.
We recognize the inconvenience this will have on Seattle families and have gathered answers to questions families may have.
You can read those answers on this page. As noted here back on Sunday night, this has been a possibility for months – the drivers, represented by Teamsters Union Local 174, have not reached agreement with First Student (who is their employer, not the district) on health and retirement issues.
ADDED 2:27 PM: Here’s the union’s announcement about the strike, which also describes it as a one-day action, and says picketing is planned Wednesday at two locations, including the big First Student bus yard in South Park (8249 5th Ave S.).
From the West Seattle Transportation Coalition:
We survived #BlackFriday and #CyberMonday … but what about #TransportationThursday?
The West Seattle Transportation Coalition November meeting is this Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at Neighborhood House High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way SW).
We have a great program on tap. Washington State Ferries Senior Planning Manager Ray Deardorf will be there to talk about the ferry system’s future plans and Sound Transit will also be on hand with a high-level view of ST3. Please join us for what promises to be a very informative evening.
This will be our last meeting of the calendar year. Our next meeting will be on Thursday, January 25, 2018.
If you missed WSTC’s last meeting – a special forum about transportation alternatives, particularly for the mobility-challenged – here’s our coverage.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch, plus crime-prevention advice:
STOLEN LAND CRUISER: That’s Ketsy‘s Toyota LandCruiser, “stolen from in front of our house near 47th and Erskine sometime between 10 pm and 6 am last night/this morning. Keep an eye out. She’s easy to spot and identify with a black hood and roof.” Call 911 if you see it. (added) Plate # ASL1277 – police report # 17-438713.
Meantime, from the found-and-apparently-stolen file:
WERE YOU AWAITING THAT STAR? From Grandma and GiGi:
This beautiful star was found in opened packaging, with no shipping information, discarded along a street in WS. We want the owner to have their star.
If it might be yours – let us know.
PREVENTING HOLIDAY-SEASON CRIME: Just as we were getting ready to publish the two reports above – Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Burbridge sent her latest newsletter, with seasonal advice – read it here (PDF) or as embedded below:
(Spotted towhee, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:
GIVING TUESDAY: We’re continuing to add to our list here – see who would love a boost from you!
NEW MAYOR VISITS WEST SEATTLE: As previewed here on Sunday, Jenny Durkan takes the oath of office this afternoon and sets out on a five-stop tour of the city, with her second stop, at 4:15 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge. All welcome. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE LIGHTS: Giving Tuesday is a great chance to support the charitable causes that this light show gives a big boost to. The lights and music are on 5-9 tonight; you can bring nonperishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank and/or donate directly to its chosen causes online. (3908 SW Charlestown)
FAMILY STORY TIME: 7 pm at Delridge Library – stories, songs, and rhymes. Always free. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
LEARN TO DANCE! Beginning swing at 7 pm, beginning waltz at 8:15 pm, take one or both classes, four-week session starting tonight at Senior Center of West Seattle. (4217 SW Oregon)
CHIEF SEALTH IHS GIRLS’ BASKETBALL: 7:30 pm, first home game of the season, vs. Kennedy Catholic. (2600 SW Thistle)
WEST SEATTLE HS BOYS’ BASKETBALL: 7:30 pm, first home game of the season, vs. the West Sydney Giants from Australia. (3000 California SW)
PUNK-JAZZ BLEND: That’s what Parliament Tavern promises you’ll get with The Suffering F-Heads tonight, 8-11 pm. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Something for our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? E-mail the info as early as you can to editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
(UPDATING THROUGH THE DAY/NIGHT as we hear of local additions)
9:09 AM: After Black Friday, Shop Small Saturday, Cyber Monday … now it’s Giving Tuesday. If you can chip in to your favorite nonprofit, this is the day to do it. So far we’ve heard directly from one local campaign – the Lafayette Elementary School PTA:
We are hoping to raise $4,005 during this campaign to support instrumental music, the purchase of basic school supplies, and the procurement of eight tablets for low-income students so they are able to do their digital math and reading assignments (Note: Lafayette has moved completely away from homework packets and uses RazKids and DreamBox platforms for student-variable learning).
They’re receiving contributions via this GoFundMe page. Anyone else in West Seattle/White Center with a Giving Tuesday campaign? Please post a comment, or e-mail us, and we’ll add it to the story! Also remember that we have holiday-season-specific giving/volunteering opportunities listed in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.
10 AM: We’ve also heard from WestSide Baby, which would love to get a boost today for its work helping thousands of babies and kids – here’s where to donate.
ALSO ADDED:
Concord International Elementary – Grocery Gift Cards: “Concord International Elementary School is an incredible school with bright, hard-working kids, loving families, and passionate staff. Concord serves a high-poverty community — 75% of our kids qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch and many of our kids benefit from our weekly Backpack program, which sends home meals over the weekend. We would love to raise enough for a $50 grocery gift card for each child in the Backpack program for the 16 days away from the food programs.” (Donate here) … Concord also has a greening/safety project (learn/help here), and its general PTA PayPal donation link is here.
Fairmount Park Elementary PTA: “We are raising money to help support the budget gap for critical programs such as program support for the school’s library, physical education, visual arts, and music, grants and scholarships for families experiencing hardship, classroom support, educational field trips and assemblies and our student council leadership program.” PayPal donation link is here.
YMCA HELP FOR HOMELESS YOUTH: Donate here to help with this:
The YMCA is the largest provider of housing for homeless young adults in King County, housing 280 young people on any given night. It provides support services such as education, employment and mental health counseling to help young people reach their full potential. Every dollar raised through #GivingTuesday will go toward these crucial, life-saving services.
Just for today, Delta Air Lines will match all gifts. With added support from individuals who donate on Giving Tuesday, we can make a bigger impact on ending youth homelessness. Please step up and help the Y help our youth today. No donation is too small.
WEST SEATTLEITES’ NONPROFIT SUPPORTING CONSERVATION ON A NICARAGUAN ISLAND: Just got this Giving Tuesday addition from a West Seattleite who is co-director of the new nonprofit Guias Unidos:
My co-director/husband and I have been National Park Service rangers for the last few years, and just started GU. We are working with ecotourism guides and businesses in Nicaragua on Ometepe Island to support conservation and sustainable development so the new and booming tourism industry there doesn’t destroy the environment or communities of the island. Our website is www.guiasunidos.org, and our donation site is (here) – that runs through Earth Island Institute, our umbrella agency.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:02 AM: The rain’s back. But so far, no incidents are reported in West Seattle or on the major outbound routes.
9:02 AM: Still soggy but otherwise an unremarkable commute. Thanks in advance for letting us know if you see a trouble spot at any time, day or night – 206-293-6302, text or voice when you can use your phone safely/legally.
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