West Seattle, Washington
06 Thursday
(WSHS senior Breck Estep, #4, shows off the Huling Bowl trophy to the student section)
Story by Jason Grotelueschen
Photos by Oliver Hamlin
For West Seattle Blog
In the annual football battle between the area’s two largest high schools, the 2025 Huling Bowl was claimed by West Seattle High School as the Wildcats triumphed over the Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks by a score of 17-10, in a hard-fought game in front of a packed house Friday night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex.
The Wildcats are reclaiming the trophy this year after the Seahawks had prevailed in the rivalry game last season. For this season, coach Anthony Stordahl’s Wildcats move to 2-0 after the win, while Daron Camacho‘s Seahawks were dealt their first loss to fall to 2-1.
Both schools’ crowds and their bands and cheer squads were out in full force at NCSWAC on Friday, including many of the WSHS students decked out in neon:
The energy was high as teams took the field:
Sealth senior Kingston Cappiello (#2) celebrates after making a stop in the first quarter:
WSHS junior Justice Nguyen (#1) grabbed a key interception on a deep pass:
Senior Breck Estep (#4) caught a pass to set the Wildcats up for their first touchdown:
This was followed by a WSHS touchdown pass from junior QB Desmond Parkinson (#12) to senior LJ Moody (#3) with 6:46 left in the quarter. After a successful extra point kick, the Wildcats were on top 7-0.
Sealth answered with a drive of their own, featuring plenty of work by senior QB MJ Filitaula (#12):
As well as junior Xander Gomez (#23), running down the field after catching a pass:
And senior Jessie Gilmore II gaining yards on the ground:
The Sealth drive was capped by a Filitaula TD run with 2:10 left in the first quarter:
…and the successful extra-point kick tied the game at 7-7, which was also the score as the 2nd quarter got underway.
West Seattle reclaimed the lead in the 2nd quarter on a TD run by senior Jesse Hansen-Wilson (#43), to go ahead 14-7 after the extra-point kick. The Wildcats added a field goal by senior Jonah Pelander (#7) to extend their lead to 17-7, and then Sealth answered with their own long field goal courtesy of senior Ogi Petronijvec (#1) as time expired in the first half, with West Seattle on top 17-10.
Parkinson moved the Wildcats down the field through the air:
…and on the ground:
Moody, taking a handoff from Parkinson:
Sealth senior Shane Tino (#52) celebrates a tackle in the 2nd quarter by revealing a shirt in honor his late aunt Liz (one of many matching shirts at the game, worn by the family):
Pelander kicks an extra point:
During halftime, both schools’ bands entertained, including drummers from WSHS:
…and Sealth:
Also at halftime, special guest Councilmember Rob Saka took the field with athletic directors Ernest Policarpio of CSIHS and Corey Sorenson of WSHS, as a “proclamation” was read by the PA announcer to commemorate the Huling Bowl and the participating schools.
In the 3rd quarter, the teams traded possessions until Sealth moved deep into Wildcat territory and scored an apparent touchdown, which the officiating crew waved off due to a penalty. This was followed by another penalty and ultimately a failed pass attempt into the end zone on 4th down, which meant the Seahawks came up empty and the Wildcats took over on downs.
The score remained 17-10 as the 3rd quarter ended, and in the final quarter the teams went back and forth (including a key Sealth fumble and WSHS recovery):
…with no points scored by either team in the fourth quarter (or in the entire 2nd half), the game ended with a 17-10 West Seattle win.
After the game, the Wildcats and their fans celebrated on the field with the Huling Bowl trophy. Here’s councilmember Saka with the winning squad:
The coveted trophy:
Both teams play on the road next week: Sealth on Thursday 9/25 at Ingraham at 7 pm, and West Seattle on Friday 9/26 at Lincoln HS at 7 pm.
Hair Force was the band onstage when we stopped by for a quick look at Holy Rosary School‘s “carnival of community” WestFest tonight. It’s closed now for the night but tomorrow’s the big day, 10 am to 10 pm, and the weather looks promising for kids to enjoy rides and bouncy toys:
Inside the school, you can play bingo …
… or shop the book sale.
Back outside, the lineup of food includes wings, Caesar salad, popcorn, cotton candy, burgers, hot dogs, mac ‘n’ cheese, brats, and pizza. All the outdoor activities are on the playground on the north side of the Holy Rosary campus, 42nd/Dakota.
The Junction is extra-busy tonight – fall Wine Walk night! We visited the spots where two WSB sponsors are pouring:
Heather Pilder Olson and Kathy Billington from Welcome Road Winery (3804 California SW) are pouring at Cherry Consignment. Their options tonight include their 2022 L’Oiseau, which won double gold at the Washington Wine Awards, their new release 2023 Claire (100% Malbec), and their new vintage 2024 Rosé. If you didn’t catch up with them tonight, their shop is open 3-7 tomorrow.
Nearby, at Hotwire Coffee, also on the north edge of The Junction:
Ben Viscon from Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW) is pouring in the cozy courtyard. He’s offering “The Inception Sauvignon Blanc, “Undone” Rosé, and “Heart Box Red” Merlot. And you can catch up with him tomorrow too, 1-6 pm.
Wine Walk is a fundraiser for the West Seattle Junction Association, which presents a full slate of events as well as managing services for Junction merchants; more than 30 winery-merchant pairings are part of it tonight. Next big event of the season is the Harvest Festival on October 26, with trick-or-treating, a costume parade, and more.
As reported here Thursday, the City Council said “no” to a proposal to add eight more Neighborhood Centers – designated hubs of residential and business growth – to the updated Comprehensive Plan. But we also noted that the one West Seattle possibility on the list, Alki, might come back for consideration again. And a vote taken by the council late this afternoon paves the way for that possibility:
A resolution spelling out Comprehensive Plan changes that might be considered next year included, Resolution 32183, included a call for studying those eight potential Neighborhood Centers that won’t be in this year’s changes. District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka tried to get Alki crossed off that list, saying that the area just doesn’t meet the criteria for being a Neighborhood Center, in the absence of good transit, medical facilities, a grocery store, and due to geographic isolation and environmental risk. He also accused those who favored the ideas of being YITBYs – “yes in THEIR back yard.” Despite his intense imploring, his Amendment 1 to remove Alki failed – four councilmembers for (Saka, Kettle, Nelson, Rivera), four against (Hollingsworth, Juarez, Rinck, Strauss), one abstaining (Solomon). This doesn’t necessarily mean Alki, and/or any of the other seven (which are outside WS), will be proposed again as a Neighborhood Center, but it keeps the possibility alive. The Comprehensive Plan update that the council’s been voting on contains seven Neighborhood Centers in West Seattle, as we first reported when it was unveiled eleven months ago. Alki was one of three WS Neighborhood Centers considered but not proposed, the city explained at the time (the other two were Highland Park and “Sylvan Junction,” near Delridge’s Home Depot store).
As mentioned in our previous story, this weekend will bring a celebration of artists and their work during the West Seattle Art Tour. Every month brings a smaller opportunity to see local creativity during the West Seattle Art Walk, on second Thursdays. You might not know there’s also a monthly art walk in White Center – the Rat City Art and Food Walk, on third Thursdays. We explored it last night for partner site White Center Now, and you can see the story and photos here.
This is the first year the West Seattle Art Tour has expanded to two days, so you’ve got lots of time this weekend to go meet local artists and see their work in creative spaces around the peninsula. Here’s one last reminder from organizers of this year’s Art Tour:
West Seattle Art Tour is this Saturday and Sunday, September 20-21, from 10 am to 5 pm!
Visit 14 artist-hosted locations across West Seattle on this free, self-guided tour that showcases a unique array of art created by exceptional West Seattle artists in the spaces where artists create, live, teach and work. Each host artist has opened their space to guest artists who live, work, teach or contribute to West Seattle’s vibrant art community. This year the Tour has expanded to a two-day event, with sites open 10-5 on both Saturday and Sunday, allowing more time for visitors to see all of the locations.
This year’s tour information includes a printable map, an interactive online map and artist profiles to help guests customize their own adventure across the West Seattle Peninsula. Tour stops are organized in a loop, starting with Daniel Bernunzio’s Highland Park studio at Stop No. 1 and finishing with Lea Basile-Lazarus’s Admiral studio at Stop No. 14.
Not sure where to start planning your Tour? Head over to the West Seattle Art Tour website, where you can explore using the online map, print off a paper copy of the map, view a virtual gallery and artist directory, and even check mobility access for sites.
Past tour guests recommend previewing the tour stops and planning your route with a paper map ahead of time, then using the online map to navigate across West Seattle. You’ll be ready to head out to discover new work, meet the artists, and enjoy a weekend full of art! Printed maps will also be available at each site, and can be picked up in advance at Alki Arts Gallery, Viscon Cellars, and WEND Jewelry.
The West Seattle Art Tour is organized by local artists and art lovers with support from West Seattle Art Walk as well as in-kind sponsorship from West Seattle Blog, Viscon Cellars, and Alki Arts.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“It’s been a busy month so far,” observed Alki Community Council president Charlotte Starck at the start of last night’s meeting. That was no exaggeration, given the major topics the meeting spanned in the course of just an hour and a half. They included:
REZONING VOTE: Starck mentioned the results of the Comprehensive Plan amendment votes hours earlier, including the rejection of citywide Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck‘s Amendment 34 proposal to add an area of Alki to be designated as a Neighborhood Center. She had circulated word of the proposal, made in an amendment just a month ago, and said she and the ACC weren’t advocating for or against it, just saying that there wasn’t enough notification about it compared to the many months of lead time for other proposed Neighborhood Centers. One attendee was concerned about how they’ll get word if the Alki Neighborhood Center idea is revived again in the future. (And in fact, Starck tells WSB today that an expected proposal at the council’s 2 pm meeting today would call for spending a year studying Alki and the other seven potential Neighborhood Centers that were in Amendment 34 – see page 6 here.)
PARKS UPDATE INCLUDING BOAT RAMP CHANGE: Jon Jainga from Seattle Parks, who’s in charge of Park Rangers among other things, presented department updates from what was dubbed the “Summer of Safety” plan. He said one big lesson learned involved city-operated boat ramps including West Seattle’s Don Armeni Boat Ramp – they were going to go back to 24-hour operation but now the gates will be closed at Don Armeni and Golden Gardens at 11:30 pm until further notice. Private security will close the gates and a ranger will be on until 12:30 am to check on them, until Park Rangers’ shifts will move up to a 10:30 pm end. Jainga noted, though, that he still has 19 rangers for the entire city.
Stats included that rangers have visited Alki 168 times, performed 142 customer-service acts, educated people aboard littering and drinking, and that off-leash dogs have been an ongoing problem. “We’re not police officers, we’re more of a park ambassador,” aimed at getting voluntary compliance. But if they have to escalate, they can cite – and/or call police for no-trespassing orders.
At Alki, he said, rangers gave 2,075 liquor violence warnings, 515+ offleash animal warnings, 600+ for urinating in public, 220 for smoking, 110 for unpermitted vendors on park property (they’re working to get right to enforce on sidewalk), 104 for litter, 2 for vehicles parked in unauthorized times, 666 for fires in unpermitted areas, 45 911 calls for police assistance, 18 calls to SFD for help, 6 people referred to the Unified Care Team. Jainga said they’re still analyzing everything, because it was a first summer for many things – but he said the ongoing concerns are the same at other major city parks.
SEATTLE POLICE: Precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair (photo above) and Officer German Barreto were there, as were Community Service Officers Jamie and Helene, as was Crime Prevention Coordinator Matt Brown, who will add the Southwest Precinct to his South Precinct duties when SW CPC Jennifer Satterwhite goes on maternity leave next month.
(WSB file photo)
Earlier this week, a WSB reader reported getting a message on Find It Fix It saying that the app can no longer be used for reporting parking complaints – those have to be called in. We’ve been trying for a few days to get more information from SPD, since Parking Enforcement is part of the department. While waiting, we’ve just received the memo sent to various groups around the city by the Parking Enforcement manager (CSR would stand for the city’s Customer Service Requests):
As of about mid-day 9/19 (sorry, that is the timeframe the CSR team gave me):
Parking Enforcement will no longer be doing customer service requests (CSR) for parking complaints via Find it Fix it (Abandoned vehicle CSR will remain via Find it fix it).
The intention is to improve safety, reduce response times, and eliminate the calls that are no longer relevant.
All calls requiring a Parking Enforcement response except abandoned vehicles should be referred to the care non-emergency line (206) 625-5011 #8.
They will then dispatch us to the call.
Abandoned Vehicles can still be reported to Find it Fix it as that process remains unchanged.
Clayton Harrington #9735
Parking Enforcement Manager
Two more quick weekend previews – both for events happening tomorrow (Saturday, September 20):
FAUNTLEROY CHURCH RECYCLE ROUNDUP: Those are the first big collection containers to arrive from 1 Green Planet (DTG is its parent company) for tomorrow’s Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW). 9 am-3 pm Saturday, ride up, walk up, drive up with items on this list for free dropoff. Organizers just have one request: Don’t wait till the last hour if you can possibly get there sooner!
ALKI BEACH CLEANUP: As part of the International Coastal Cleanup, volunteers will spend two hours cleaning up Alki – details here. To help, show up at Alki Bathhouse at 10 am Saturday.
(Lookout, public art at Joint Training Facility in SE West Seattle)
Here are Friday options, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
STAY ‘N’ PLAY: Free drop-in indoor playtime for little ones is back, 10 am-11:30 am Fridays at Arbor Heights Community Church. (4113 SW 102nd)
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER The center is open for plant-shopping Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
ANTIQUE MALL OF WEST SEATTLE SALE: First of four days, 11 am-7 pm (4516 California SW).
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) to learn about local history – open noon-4 pm today.
QI-GONG: 12:30-1 pm at Viva Arts (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW).
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: 2 pm, one more round of discussing/voting on measures related to the Comprehensive Plan. Here’s the agenda. (Watch live here.
DOG SWIM TIME AT ARBOR HEIGHTS POOL: The annual “Dog Days of Summer” returned this week! Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club (11003 31st SW) opens its pool for dogs-only swimming, right before it’s closed offseason cleaning. 4-7 pm today plus noon-5 pm on Saturday. $5/session per dog. (Here’s our story from day 1.)
OUTDOOR MOVIE AND FREE ROCK CLIMBING: Camp Long (5200 35th SW) is showing “Jumanji“ tonight, around 7:30 pm after free rock climbing 5-7 pm.
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, or buy a bottle: “We have wines for picnics, cookouts, hikes, camping, boating, and even just hanging out on the deck.”
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION WINE WALK: 5-9 pm. Online ticket sales are closed but some tickets remain available if you show up at one of the check-in spots at 5 – details on the Junction Association‘s website.
HOLY ROSARY WESTFEST: 6-10 pm at the school, the festival begins! Music, games, food, more. See the schedule in our calendar listing. (42nd/Genesee/Dakota)
COMEDY AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm, Midnight Mystery Theater brings radio-style comedy to C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: 7 pm tonight at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), Chief Sealth IHS vs. West Seattle High School, in the annual crpsstown-counterparts match known as the Huling Bowl.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE SKYLARK: Live music with Johnny and the Moles, Fonkey Blues Time Machine, Contraband Contraband, doors 7, show 8, $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Hershe tonight! (4547 California SW)
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING: Skating with live bands – tonight, Storm Boy, Dead Streets – 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $18 cover/$5 skates.
If you have something to showcase on our event lists or calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
8:25 AM: Southern Resident Killer Whales are back in the area this morning. Kersti Muul says it’s J-Pod again and that they are coming into view off Constellation Park, southbound. She also says one of them has a new calf.
8:36 AM: Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail says she’ll be at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (across from Me-Kwa-Mooks) again this morning with binoculars to share.
8:42 AM: Kersti says the new calf is in view off Emma Schmitz/Me-Kwa-Mooks “with the J 16s” (family group).
9:26 AM: See comments for updates (and photos!). They’ll eventually head back north, and if we hear about that in the hours ahead, we’ll update this story.
Before we get to today’s highlight list, it’s time to start rolling out the weekend previews. We’re fairly sure “Nerdlesque Rises” is the liveliest entertainment experience on this weekend’s lineup. From pirates to … politics? … it’s a one-of-a-kind show set to take over the main theater at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center this Saturday. Here’s the preview with some bonus info from producer/performer Scarlett O’Hairdye, who is a West Seattleite too:
Nerdlesque Rises!
A nearly nude nerd revue!That’s right! Just like Godzilla rising from the deep, Unnatural Redhead Productions rises from a five-year slumber to bring its particular brand of nerdlesque back to Seattle! Join us this September at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in West Seattle for an evening of nearly nude nerds celebrating their favorite fandoms and yours. ’80s cartoons! Gay pirates! Star Trek! A fully ADA-accessible theater! FREE PARKING! This show has it all!
You’ll get to see fandom faves live on stage from a diverse group of world-class burlesque performers, all in a beautiful theater with raked seating and great sightlines! Our cast will take you from the future of Star Trek to the swashbuckling seas of Our Flag Means Death, from the original ’80s She-Ra to cult classic Jean-Paul Gautier costumed The Fifth Element. It’s going to be fun! It’s going to be funny! It’s going to feature a live on-stage interview with mayoral candidate Katie Wilson! It’s going to be in your neighborhood!
Featuring burlesque performances by:
Scarlett O’Hairdye
Sin de la Rosa
Alexa Perplexa
Mx. Pucks A’Plenty
Ramona Rhapsody
Hosted by the incomparable Rebecca Mmm Davis!
Saturday, September 20th, 2025
$30 GA | $40 VIP | Season Tickets $100
18+
Doors 7 pm | Show 7:30 pmThe Thelma Dewitty Theater in the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW)0
Scarlett also told us, when we asked some bonus questions:
West Seattle used to host a monthly burlesque revue at the Skylark, and we have some occasional one-off shows here and there (as well as the Kenyon Hall Drag Cabaret), but there hasn’t been a regular burlesque show in this neighborhood in years. Unnatural Redhead Productions and the Stay Up Late Show are pumped to bring this art to the neighborhood, and I’m pumped to be a ten-minute drive from the venue so I can go to bed as soon as possible after the show! I’ve lived here for the last fourteen years! West Seattle is my home, and I love the art and music scene we’ve cultivated on our little peninsula.
My goal is to make the season a celebration of our neighborhood and local businesses. For NERDLESQUE RISES! we’ve teamed up with Ounces Taproom and the Revelry Room for pre and post-show drinks – the Thelma Dewitty Theatre doesn’t have a built in bar, which means we can produce an 18+ show instead of 21+, but if people want an adult beverage before they show they can show their ticket receipt at Ounces for 20% off their order, and after the show at the Revelry Room for a special custom cocktail.
Tickets for the Saturday night Nerdlesque show are available here.
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, September 19, 2025 – going into the final weekend of summer; fall starts Monday morning.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunny and in the low 70s today. Sunrise will be at 6:52 am; sunset, at 7:12 pm.
(Thursday’s smoky sunset, photographed by Aaron Brethorst)
WEEKEND PREVIEWS
-The Orca Half runs both days this weekend. No road closures, but be watchful for runners.
-Sunday morning brings the West Seattle Indivisible “Peace for All” gathering on Harbor Avenue’s Pier 1 property, so the blocks of Harbor south/east of Salty’s may be busier than usual.
ROAD WORK
–59th SW in Alki is closed for a month by the school-construction zone.
-“Natural drainage” construction toward the east end of Sylvan Way is under way.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes today.
Washington State Ferries – WSF has three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Issaquah, and M/V Sealth. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where. Note that the systemwide fall schedule takes effect Sunday.
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; summer/early fall schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights through October 10.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the view looking west. Also note, opening info is again available via X (ex-Twitter):
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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