day : 04/03/2023 8 results

(WSB photo)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Days after the city released a report showing Seattle’s tree canopy continues to shrink, proposed tree removal drew most of the comments at an online public hearing about a Delridge development site.

The hearing was about 6504 24th SW [map], the official address for an 11-unit proposal on a 46,000-square-foot site that also includes 6363 23rd SW. That stretch of 24th SW is a (corrected) dead-end street close to Longfellow Creek. The hearing was called for community feedback, by community request. The online-hosting system indicated 15 people were in attendance along with four city staffers.

This wasn’t a design-review meeting; there was no presentation by the developer or architect. Instead, city planning staffer David Sachs gave a very brief description of the project – 5 two-story single-family houses, 3 attached accessory dwelling units, and 3 detached accessory dwelling units, with 11 parking spaces, mostly garages.

As noted on that slide, the site includes what the city considers Environmentally Critical Areas. The development’s potential effect on the environment was the subject of most of the comments. First, a city staffer summarized written comments that had been received before the hearing, voicing concerns over the loss of exceptional trees and past flooding. (The arborist report for the site says 85 trees were assessed, and 52 met the “exceptional” criteria. Other project documents say 34 trees would be removed.) One written comment pointed out that the city had purchased parcels across 24th to keep as creek-area habitat and wondered why the same couldn’t be done with this site. Another suggested “humbler housing” would be more appropriate on the site.

That was a point made by some of those who offered comments, both spoken and written, during the hearing. They weren’t opposed to building new housing on the site – just to the amount of tree removal that would be required by the current proposal. One commenter, identifying himself as an architect, even presented a short slide deck with an alternative proposal that he said would retain more of the trees and only require removal of seven large ones:

One subsequent commenter offered enthusiastic support for that idea, but the city staffers had to remind them that it was not part of what the project team had proposed, so it’s not part of what they’re reviewing. Meantime, other commenters had concerns including 11 more residences overburdening the narrow dead-end street and its utility system, but Longfellow Creek was a major concern, particularly its salmon run, already beset with significant pre-spawn mortality blamed on pollution from runoff. “It would be a tragedy to lose precious greenspace in the neighborhood,” said another neighbor. Other comments included a complaint that there hadn’t been adequate public notice of the scope of the proposal, and that since a ‘luxury developer” was working on the project, it wouldn’t truly make a dent in the housing crisis.

The hearing ran exactly its one-hour allotment. Here’s what happens next:

If you have a comment but didn’t get to the hearing, you can still get it to the assigned city planner, David Sachs, by emailing david.sachs@seattle.gov.

Share This

MUSIC: West Seattleite writes lyrics, produces video for new song

March 4, 2023 8:05 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That’s the video for a new song, “Bend the Arc,” by Western Washington musician Rich Arithmetic. We heard about it from West Seattleite Stewart Lyman, who wrote the lyrics and produced the video, which he wants to share with the community. Rich Arithmetic himself describes it as “a song that calls to mind the protest music of the Sixties. The song is based on MLK Jr.’s famous quote: ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.’ Produced by James Nicholson and with lyrics written by Stewart Lyman, the recording is filled with folk-rock guitars, crunchy harmonies, and an anthemic singalong chorus.” The video, Arithmetic says, “is filled with powerful images of people trying to bend the arc.”

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen Ford pickup; abandoned bike

March 4, 2023 6:18 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two items in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN PICKUP: That’s Seth‘s F-250, stolen overnight from 26th/Nevada in North Delridge. It has California plates # 7T16389. Police report # is 23-60733.

DUMPED-LIKELY-STOLEN BIKE: We’ve received multiple reports about this bicycle abandoned in High Point. This is from Alex:

On the Bataan / Graham stairs (between Bataan park and 26th) there is an all white, full suspension bike abandoned in the blackberries next to the stairs (as of 8:30-9 am 3/3). Didn’t see a name/brand on the bike but looks to be an adult bike in good shape. It’s about halfway down the stairs.

Share This

Celebration of life March 19 for Curtis B. Fairbanks, 58

March 4, 2023 5:46 pm

| Comments Off on Celebration of life March 19 for Curtis B. Fairbanks, 58

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather March 19 to celebrate the life of Curtis Fairbanks. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing:

Curtis Benjamin Fairbanks, 58, passed away on February 11, 2023 at his home in Wenatchee, Washington.

Curtis was born and raised in West Seattle and spent many summers at Snow Creek resort in Neah Bay with his grandparents, Bob and Ruth Marts, developing a love for the outdoors. He played hockey for most of his life and later developed a passion for stunt kite flying at the beaches in Washington. Later Curtis moved to South Carolina to spend time by the beach, returning to Washington State in 2018. He truly loved his dogs Kamali and Emma – his best friend and Service Dog of 9 years. Curtis was an amazing designer and creator, spending many hours working in his shop – always constructing, creating, troubleshooting, and fixing things.

He is survived by his mother Susan Baker of Wenatchee and wife Andrea Shane of Charleston, SC (son Jeffrey); he leaves behind his son Andrew (Haley) Fairbanks and daughter Chelsea Fairbanks; siblings Christopher (Tracy) Fairbanks, Elizabeth Fairbanks, Hoang Min Thai, Heather Baker, Helen Baker, Sherry Rogers; Marcela Gonzalez-Reyes; grandchildren Henry and Benjamin Fairbanks; nephew Brandon Fairbanks; niece Amber Fairbanks; nephew Ryley Fairbanks; and stepmother Mary Fuller. He is preceded in death by his father William Fairbanks and stepfather Donald Baker.

Family and friends are welcome to a celebration of his life on March 19, from 1-4 pm:

Dakota Place
4304 SW Dakota Street

Donations can be made to Bravos Kindred Canines, bravoskindredcanines.org. This will help others receive Life-saving diabetic alert dogs like Curt’s lifesaver, Emma.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Share This

FERRY ALERT UPDATE: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth vessel reduction canceled

March 4, 2023 2:14 pm

| Comments Off on FERRY ALERT UPDATE: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth vessel reduction canceled

| Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

2:14 PM: From Washington State Ferries:

Due to a shortage of crew, the final sailing for the #2 vessel will be the 3:40 p.m. sailing from Fauntleroy to Vashon. The route will operate on the #1 boat schedule for the remainder of the service day.

This cancels the following sailings:

4:05 p.m., 6:40 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Vashon to Southworth
4:30 p.m., 7:05 p.m. and 9:35 p.m. Southworth to Vashon
4:50 p.m., 5:45 p.m., 7:25 p.m. and 8:25 p.m. Vashon to Fauntleroy
5:20 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7:55 p.m., and 8:50 p.m. Fauntleroy to Vashon

We’ll update if this changes. You can also check Vessel Watch for boats’ location/status.)

3:18 PM: Never mind, WSF now says:

A crewmember has been dispatched and the #2 vessel will remain in service. There will be no disruptions on the route.

Share This

Got books meant for middle-schoolers? West Seattle High School Key Club might be able to use them

March 4, 2023 12:45 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

From West Seattle High School Key Club president Angelina Ly:

West Seattle High School Key Club is partnering with the African Library Project to help sustain libraries in Africa. We are hosting a book drive to collect books of 4th- to 8th-grade reading levels to donate to Mhlafuta Community Day Secondary School in Malawi, Africa. Our goal is to raise 1,000 books to donate, and we need your help to do so! We currently have a couple of drop off locations including New Leaf Bistro (2342 California SW), Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW), and the library at West Seattle High School (3000 California SW).

Books You Should Try to Donate
-Mix of children’s fiction or universal themes (friendship, animals, love)
-Children’s nonfiction – Scientific books for students, reference materials like dictionaries
-Children’s books teaching life skills about topics such as health, hygiene, adolescents and careers
-Books about Africa or African-Americans
-Children’s books with diverse characters

Books You Should NOT Donate
-Books with small, dense print
-Books with lots of slang
-Books referencing electronics (unless scientific)
-Books not in English
-Adult romance novels
-Books focused on U.S. or Canadian history/government
-Books about North American or religious holidays (Easter, Halloween, Christmas, 4th of July, etc.)
-Anything that evangelizes or promotes a particular religion
-Noneducational magazines

If you have any questions, feel free to email 1wshskeyclub@gmail.com.

Share This

COUNTDOWN: 2 weeks until Metro Route 120 becomes RapidRide H Line

March 4, 2023 11:20 am

| 13 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

(Image from kingcounty.gov)

Metro‘s next twice-annual “service change” is set for March 18th, two weeks away, and this one will include a major change for West Seattle – the long-planned, long-delayed conversion of Route 120 into the RapidRide H Line. That means many things, from more service to fewer stops (though the H Line stops are closer together than the usual RR half-mile, because of community concern – see the map here). This won’t be the only Metro change on March 18th, but we don’t have the full list yet; that’s expected to be available “approximately March 8th.”

Share This

WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 18 options!

March 4, 2023 6:34 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Rainbow, photographed last Monday by Jerry Simmons)

One week until Daylight Saving Time, two weeks until the vernal equinox … an almost-spring weekend begins! Here are your Saturday highlights:

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SALES: Day 2 of in-person sales! Find nearby “cookie booths” by using this lookup – also see our calendar listing for dates/times/places local Scouts plan to be (and if your troop is participating, email us your dates/times/locations – westseattleblog@gmail.com – so we can add to the list).

SATURDAY MORNING ULTIMATE: 8 am at West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th SW), just show up to throw with the West Seattle Ultimate Frisbee Family.

VOLUNTEER AT LINCOLN PARK: Today’s 9 am-noon event has filled all slots! See this calendar for upcoming opportunities in various West Seattle parks.

SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN: 10 am-5 pm, the garden’s centerpiece courtyard is open, while the rest of the garden’s grounds are accessible dawn to dusk. More info here. (5640 16th SW)

VOLUNTEER WITH SEATTLE STREET FIXERS: Two locations near the West Seattle Bridge, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, explained in our calendar listing.

GRIEFSHARE RECOVERY GROUP: Continuing at 10:30 am today, “Grace Church will host a 13-week GriefShare recovery support group for those who have lost a loved one by death. There is a one-time charge of $20 for the GriefShare journal.” Meeting in the church basement. (10323 28th SW)

MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Find out about Marco’s music here.

FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.

DUWAMISH RIVER UPDATES: Find out what’s new with multiple sites along the river, give feedback, and get lunch, all at South Park Community Center (8319 8th Ave. S.), 11 am-1 pm.

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)

THE GOOD SOCIETY TURNS 3: Party all weekend. Open noon-10 pm today. (California/Lander)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visit the home of West Seattle’s history is noon-4 pm Saturdays. (3003 61st SW)

VISCON CELLARS: 1-6 pm, visit the tasting room at Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) – selling wine by the glass or bottle. Learn about their wines here! (5910 California SW)

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: At the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, NWA is open for tasting 1-6 pm today.

MEET WITH YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REP: Community meeting at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW) with this area’s Seattle Public Schools board rep Leslie Harris, 2 pm – drop in, talk, listen.

IN-STORE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Red Dress, (corrected time) 5 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW). Free, all ages.

CAVORT: Celtic music at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), 7:30 pm tonight.

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm, “Pisces Fest” at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), no cover.

If you have a show, event, meeting, seminar, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? for our calendar … please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Share This