West Seattle, Washington
01 Wednesday
Family and friends are remembering Malik N. Davis and sharing this with the community:
Malik Nkrumah Davis was larger than life in all possible ways. He was often heard before he was seen, with his booming voice calling out a greeting or his laughter echoing around the room and, standing tall in both height and character, he made those around him feel cared for and protected. But he was most known for his passion and outsized love which encompassed all of those he cared about, fueled his pursuit of social justice and drove his well-known fervor for his beloved University of Washington Huskies. Nothing was greater than his endless love for “his girls” – his beautiful wife, Colleen, and his adored daughters, Waverly (15) and Quincy (13), who were the center of his world.
The profound impact of his life is matched only by the pain of his passing, since he died Feb. 21, suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack at home.
Malik was born to Alice Davis and Waverly Davis on Dec. 2, 1970 in Seattle. He graduated from Garfield High School (‘88) and then earned a degree in Political Science from the University of Washington (’94). He went on to earn a master’s degree in Public Administration from the New School, located in New York City.
His mother, Alice, inspired his passion for social activism starting when he was a boy. He grew into a gentle giant with humility and compassion. He spent his life committed to helping others and actively working for positive change, whether that was through his work in politics, at non-profits, or marching for justice.
At the time of his passing, he was a Legislative Aide for Seattle Councilmember Alex Pedersen and previously worked at Mary’s Place as the Associate Director; at the University of Washington as Director of Constituent Relations, UW Alumni Association, and later as a Major Gifts Officer at the College of Arts and Science. He also previously was a Client Relationship Specialist for Charter Construction and held several roles for the City of Seattle.
Malik was a proud and active member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity as well as The Breakfast Group, a Seattle-based non-profit focused on addressing the challenges of at-risk youth of color. He was a frequent mentor to high school and college students, in addition to being an active volunteer in his community and at his children’s schools.
Malik will be remembered for his gregarious personality and fierce advocacy for people and the causes he held dear. He had a consummate ability to make every person around him feel as though they were the most important in the room. He was always up for whatever his family wanted to do, whether it was dressing up in their tradition of themed Halloween costumes, sharing a passion for all things Marvel with his daughter Quincy, being his daughter Waverly’s biggest fan at her sports events, or going on myriad trips, including a pandemic vacation in an RV, a visit to New York, Hawaii, and a recent trip to Disneyland. For his 50th birthday, he and Colleen took a cross-country train trip, in honor of his passion for trains. Malik adored Luther, their chocolate Labrador, and the newest addition to the Davis family, Otis, their French Bulldog.
Malik was loved beyond words and returned that love so powerfully that it will wrap around his family for the rest of their lives and will ripple across time for generations to come.
In addition to his wife, daughters, and mother, he is survived by his brother Kalauu Davis, of Seattle; brother Karim Davis, niece Kaleilah Davis and stepmother Sheila Davis, all of Tigard, Oregon; a large and loving extended family and enough friends to fill a stadium. Malik was preceded in death by his father.
The Davis Family is proud to share that leaders from the City of Seattle will be proclaiming this December 2nd, Malik’s birthday, as “Malik Davis Day.”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to a scholarship being set up in Malik’s name to benefit Kappa Alpha Psi. For more information, visit www.MalikDavisMemorial.com.
(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)
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, March 7th.
WEATHER
The forecast for today is identical to Monday: Partly sunny, chance of showers, high near 50. Sunrise 6:38 am, sunset 6:03 pm. (We “spring forward” an hour Saturday night/Sunday morning.)
TRANSIT TODAY
Water Taxi – Regular schedule.
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations remain possible, so check notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts.
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the camera at the top:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – looking east to west (unless SDOT turns the camera):
1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if needed) – 206-293-6302.
You’ve probably heard by now that SDOT is out with its promised review of Vision Zero, as ordered by director Greg Spotts shortly after he took over the department. Tomorrow, he is scheduled to lead two briefings on the report – 9:30 am at the City Council’s Transportation and Public Utilities Committee meeting, 5 pm at the Move Seattle Levy Oversight Committee meeting. And SDOT is seeking community feedback on the review.
After it was released, we read the entire report to look for West Seattle-specific mentions. While it’s largely devoid of those, it does feature several maps showing problem spots here and elsewhere, so we’ll start with those. First, locations of fatal and serious-injury incidents, by mode:
Here are high-collision locations:
SPD and SFD have been dispatched to a three-car crash at 32nd/Trenton, a few blocks west of the north side of Westwood Village. Police have told dispatch that Trenton is blocked both ways right now. So far, only minor injuries reported.
Meet Matt and Mason. They’re halfway through transforming what was a barbecue joint in downtown White Center into the new incarnation of Tim’s Tavern, the live-music hotspot they operated in North Seattle until a year and a half ago. We talked to them about what they’re planning (following up on the announcement a month ago) for this restaurant/bar/7-nights-a-week music venue. If you haven’t already seen the story on our partner site White Center Now, read it here.
If you’re tired of online presentations, this month’s Words, Writers, Southwest Stories event has an in-person option. Here’s how to see it this Thursday:
Southwest Seattle Historical Society Presents Words, Writers, Southwest Stories: STEP, STEP, JUMP: Transforming Trauma to Triumph from the 46th Floor
Thursday, March 9, 2023 6 pm
Zoom and In PersonAnnabel Quintero’s book “STEP, STEP, JUMP: Transforming Trauma to Triumph from the 46th Floor” is an in-depth, first-person account of escaping the 46th floor of the Tower One of the World Trade Center on 9/11, but it is not only a story of that day.
This book is a fascinating examination of the American-Immigrant experience, a study of spirituality in a secular world, a look at divine intervention, and an exploration of empathy against the backdrop of the financial and societal forces that shape the globe. A rich source of inspiration for others who want to drive radical positive change in their own lives.
Quintero, a West Seattle author and resident, is a Speaking coach, DEI strategist, and is a Husky who holds a Master’s in Education Policy & Organizational Leadership. She is inviting the community to in-depth discussion – read the book or listen now to the audiobook beforehand.
The presentation will be via Zoom and in person at the Log House Museum (3003 61stAve SW in West Seattle).
Thursday, March 9 2023 at 6 pm
Space is limited at the museum, requiring an advance reservation.
Register online at loghousemuseum.org
(WSB file photo, Westcrest Off-Leash Area)
ORIGINAL MONDAY REPORT: Almost seven years ago, Seattle Parks and Recreation announced a plan that could lead to gradual addition of new off-leash areas. Now it’s announced a new plan – to study 30 sites around the city “that may have the potential to become future OLAs”:
Seattle Parks and Recreation is set to launch an Off-Leash Area study, which will be led by department subject matter experts. The study will look at 30 sites across the city that may have the potential to become future OLAs. Staff will examine each site from an environmental, engineering, geographic, equity, and dog behavioral perspectives. At the conclusion of this study, SPR will be able to present to the community a list of sites that we believe are feasible and most suited for future OLAs. The Seattle Park District provides funding for 2 new OLAs; from there the department will need to request additional funding to construct and maintain any additional OLAs.
West Seattle, as people with dogs know, has one city-run off-leash area, at Westcrest Park. A community coalition had been working on other potential sites, as reported here last year. The new city announcement did not include the list of potential sites to be studied, so we’re requesting that on followup.
ADDED TUESDAY: Parks says five West Seattle sites are on the list to be studied. They are at:
Lincoln Park
Me-Kwa-Mooks Park
Hamilton Viewpoint Park
West Seattle Stadium
Delridge Playfield
(WSB photo, January 2022)
More than a year after a man was arrested following a six-hour standoff at the Westwood Village Target store, his trial is beginning today. According to court documents, 32-year-old Timothy A. Clemans has chosen to defend himself in King County Superior Court, where he is on trial for one count of attempted first-degree kidnapping, with a deadly-weapon enhancement. Clemans is alleged to have gone into the store on January 21st, 2022, armed himself with a knife from the kitchen-merchandise section, and started telling people he was going to hold them hostage. He was finally subdued and arrested by SWAT team members and has been in jail ever since. As noted in our followup last year, Clemans is accused of having done this one week after getting out of jail on an assault case, and five days after calling 911 to say he was going to take hostages at a Target store; he allegedly made a similar call just before this incident, saying he would take hostages at a store unless he got the mental-health services he needed. Court documents say his trial, over which Superior Court Judge Marshall Ferguson is presiding, is expected to last about two weeks. 18 people are on the witness list, including 11 police officers.
(Added: WSB photo)
Thanks for the texted tip. For the fourth time in four days, a West Seattle water main has ruptured. This time it’s in Arbor Heights, in the 3700 block of SW 100th. Seattle Public Utilities says more than 50 customers are affected. This follows a Sunday break in Sunrise Heights and two breaks Thursday in Fauntleroy (the second of those was caused by the first, according to SPU). More info when we get it.
(Mallard at Lincoln Park, photographed by Susan Romanenghi)
Highlights for this afternoon/evening, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: Fourth day of this year’s in-person sales. Use this lookup to see where and when to find them in your zip code.
MONDAY MOVIE: 1 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), “Terry’s Greatest Movies You’ve Never Heard Of,” today featuring “The Dam Busters.” Free popcorn! Contact SCWS to register in advance.
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm, councilmembers preview the week ahead (here’s the agenda) and get another briefing on the ongoing State Legislature session. You can watch online or on cable via Seattle Channel.
OPEN HOUSE AT SSC’S GEORGETOWN CAMPUS: 3-6 pm, you’re invited to visit, and learn about programs at, the Georgetown campus of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). It’s at 6737 Corson Avenue South. Details are in our calendar listing.
FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Free Toddler Gym weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), ages 2-6, 3:30-5 pm.
NEW OPEN MIC: The new weekly BedHead Open Mic debuts tonight at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (4201 SW Juneau) – info in our calendar listing.
CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
BEFORE THE BADGE: Online dialogue tonight with Seattle Police trainees as part of the “Before the Badge” program; pre-registration required – info’s in our calendar listing.
D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, even first-time players. $5.
MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
PLAY TRIVIA! Three scheduled options tonight for trivia players – 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Have a West Seattle/White Center event for our calendar ? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(2017 Alki Art Fair from above, photographed by Long Bach Nguyen)
Another major West Seattle summer event has announced the dates for this year – and is accepting applications now for participants, volunteers, and an assistant director. Here’s the announcement sent to us:
The Alki Art Fair has been set for July 21 – 23rd this summer. Applications are currently open so make sure to apply before the end of the month!
As with all big events, planning has to start months in advance, so the Alki Art Fair is sending out the call for help now!
Alki Art Fair brings people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds together to celebrate local art and music on beautiful Alki Beach. Our goal is to promote art appreciation by creating opportunities for community involvement and cultural diversity through the arts.
Seeking Volunteers, Board Members and an Assistant Director
As spring is here and planning has begun, we are looking for volunteers to join the Board; a new president, and fundraising specialists as well as volunteers to help with planning the music and the kids area for the fair.
If you would like to get involved with the planning of the fair please email info@alkiartfair.org or visit alkiartfair.org/volunteer and fill out the volunteer contact form.
Alki Art Fair is also hiring a stipend volunteer position – Assistant Director.
For more information on the Assistant Director position, please contact Giovannina Souers at president@alkiartfair.org
6:55 AM: Crash reported on the westbound bridge at Harbor.
7:55 AM: SDOT says the crash and icy conditions have fully closed the WB bridge.
8:20 AM: Commenter says WB traffic is moving again. We are following up with SFD re: crash injuries.
11:10 AM: SFD tells us one man had a minor injury.
11:30 AM: According to a report summary from SPD, that person was a police officer:
At 0642 hours, officers responded to a 4-car collision on the westbound side of the West Seattle Bridge just west of the Delridge WY SW off ramp. Upon arrival, it was determined all westbound lanes needed to be shut down due ice covering all lanes creating a safety hazard for Seattle Fire, SPD on scene, and motorists. The jersey barrier that divides eastbound and westbound traffic was moved partially into the eastbound left lane as a result of the collision, so the left lane of the eastbound was also shut down. SDOT was requested and responded to assist with traffic control. SDOT also responded to salt the westbound lanes of the bridge. Once SDOT was finished salting the roadway and the vehicles involved in the collision towed from the scene, all westbound lanes were open for traffic. SDOT stayed on scene in the eastbound lane to address the left lane shutdown due to the jersey barrier partially in the roadway. One officer sustained minor injuries due to slipping on the icy roadway during the collision investigation.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, March 6th.
WEATHER
The forecast for today: Partly sunny, chance of showers, high near 50.
TRANSIT TODAY
Water Taxi – Regular schedule.
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations remain possible, so check notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts.
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the camera at the top:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – looking east to west (unless SDOT turns the camera):
1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if needed) – 206-293-6302.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The fourth candidate to formally announce a campaign for the Seattle City Council District 1 seat is making his third try for it.
Days after Phil Tavel declared his candidacy for the position that Lisa Herbold is leaving after two terms, we sat down with him for this week’s early “get to know you” video-recorded Candidate Chat. Our talk with him took a slightly different turn than our previous interviews with first-time candidates – more “get to know you again.” Tavel is an Arbor Heights resident and full-time administrative-law judge who talked with us Thursday. Here’s our unedited half-hour conversation:
If you can’t or don’t want to take half an hour to watch/listen, here’s our summary:
Spring is almost here and summer’s just a few months beyond that. Time for many teens to think about summer jobs/internships. Here’s an invitation from local businesses that’ll be offering those opportunities, from West Seattle High School Career Connected Learning Coordinator Brian Fitzgerald:
Are you hiring teens for part-time employment? Or do you have internships available for high school students? West Seattle High School would love to have you showcase your opportunities to students during our Job and Internship Fair on April 5th from 12 pm – 3 pm!
Click this link to fill out our MSForm so we can get in contact with you!
(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)
Rapper Macklemore returned to Easy Street Records in The Junction this afternoon for a meet-and-greet signing event to celebrate his new album. Fans were waiting in this street – still closed post-Farmers’ Market – to snap pics:
Previous visits to Easy Street – including 2011 and 2016 – were with his longtime musical partner Ryan Lewis, but this time he’s solo. The new album carries his real name, Ben.
“Ben” was released this week; its first music video, “No Bad Days,” features Macklemore’s 7-year-old daughter Sloane. Easy Street sold out of the early “Ben” sales required to get a chance to meet him today.
Macklemore heads out on a world tour next month.
P.S. Days before Macklemore’s visit, artist Desmond Hansen was seen sprucing up his signal-box mural at 35th/Avalon:
(Thanks to Ian for the photo.) Hansen originally painted it in 2019.
Instead of this month’s Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council meeting, which was to be held this Thursday, SWPCPC chair Melody Sarkies has invited would-be attendees to join the Before the Badge online discussion set for tomorrow (Monday, March 6th). Here’s the description of what that’s all about:
Are you interested in:
-Meeting new Seattle Police Recruits and learning about who they are, why they entered policing, and their thoughts and ideas about how to improve public safety in Seattle?
-Helping new SPD recruits learn about Seattle precincts and neighborhoods?
-Sharing your real-time public safety concerns with the new SPD recruits so they can better understand quality-of-life-related public safety issues communities face?
-Understanding how community members can work creatively and in concrete ways with new SPD recruits to improve public safety in Seattle?
The Seattle Police Department’s Micro-Community Policing Plans Seattle University Research Team will be conducting a special series of “Before the Badge” Community-Police Dialogues. These dialogues will be conducted virtually via Zoom on designated dates by precinct. The dialogues offer the opportunity for community members to meet with and engage in conversation with new Seattle Police Recruits who are completing the SPD “Before the Badge” training which is a 45-Day training that newly hired SPD recruits take prior to Law Enforcement Academy Training Program. Southwest Precinct dialogues will be taking place on Monday, March 6 and April 10, 2023.
To sign up to participate in one or more dialogues, go here.
Though there’s no Crime Prevention Council meeting this month, local neighborhood groups often host SW Precinct lieutenants at their meetings for community Q&A – this month that includes the Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting on March 14th.
For the second time in three days, Seattle Public Utilities crews are working on a water-main break in West Seattle. After a texted tip (thank you!), we went over to 29th SW just north of SW Othello [map], where the street is blocked by repair crews. It’s been three days since two breaks in Fauntleroy (the second one was caused by the first, SPU says). The utility’s water-outage map says this is affecting at least 69 customers (homes/businesses); as seen in past cases, water-main breaks may also have effects beyond the immediate zone, so if you’re seeing discolored water, it might be related.
Three weeks after the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce announced that nominations are open for the 2023 Westside Awards, the deadline is just two days away. The categories are Business of the Year, Not-for-Profit of the Year, Emerging Business of the Year, and Westsider of the Year. You can send nominations via this online form. Just get them in by the end of Tuesday (March 7th)! The winners will be honored at a breakfast event May 16th in The Brockey Center at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) on Puget Ridge.
P.S. See past winners here.
Here are highlights of what’s scheduled today – mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: Above is a photo from Troop 41843, which reports “a surprise visit from Western Washington Girl Scouts CEO Andrea Anderson Friday night to kick off the first night of Girl Scout Cookie Booths! What a great surprise! Thank you for coming out Andrea AND for your purchase!” Troop 41843 is one of the troops selling again today – their times/places are added to our spotlight calendar listing – and you can look up all the “cookie booths” by zip code by going here.
ONLINE RELIGIOUS SERVICES: We’re continuing to update these – see today’s lineup here.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market offers late-winter produce as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list. (California SW between Oregon and Alaska)
MAKERS’ ART MARKET: Late winter edition! Shop artists and makers at Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki), 11 am-4 pm. See a vendor list in our calendar listing.
MACKLEMORE VISITS EASY STREET: 3-5 pm meet-and-greet for buyers of his new album – sold out, so we’re just mentioning it in case you wonder what the crowd’s all about.
MUSICIANS FOR THE WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK: 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), with Judy Kaplan and Steven Cristol. Help them support WSFB!
YOGA, MEDITATION, GONG BATH: Presented by Inner Alchemy, 7 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35.
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
LATIN SUNDAYS: DJ at The Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way), starting at 9 pm.
SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 9 pm to 1:30 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
Have an event to add to our calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(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.
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.”
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.
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 StreetDonations 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)
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