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YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

220 followers 180 following 540 posts

TL; DR: Birds, cats, plants, politics. Seattleite sick of Seattle process. I flit between topics like a hummingbird, but hyper-focus like a corvid. Photography, gardening, podcasts. Mom of a tween, eng partner, keeper of two cats, a dog, fish. Obv ADHD.

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YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

Um, guess I'll continue to not go to Ethan Stowell restaurants. Yikes.

Screenshot of LinkedIn post by Ethan Stowell Restaurants CEO Ian Courtnage. Text reads:

The only noteworthy 'striking' thing here is the lack of leadership and maturity. Actively rooting against a large company that employs thousands in your city lays bear the desire to win political 'points' rather than to make an impact. The mayor elect of Seattle should want Seattle - its organizations and its people - to win rather than challenging them to leave, particularly given the unfortunate precedent that saw Chipotle HQ move from Denver to Southern California.

Its going to be a long four years, and the clock hasn't even started yet.

https://lnkd.in/gx-mmsyp

Linked news story from KUOW: 'I'm not buying Starbucks and you shouldn't either.' Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson joins striking baristas

November 17, 2025 at 8:19 PM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

So, one of the reasons Vanishing Seattle bothers me is the underlying NIMBY anti-change vibe. They amplify Tree Action Seattle content. Well, they also do this for Orca Nexus/Orca Appeal's Jennifer Godfrey, who's attempting to appeal the Seattle comprehensive plan (i.e., block upzoning).

November 14, 2025 at 11:20 PM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

November 14, 2025 at 10:46 PM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

LITERALLY point 1 on the email we received when signing up.

November 12, 2025 at 2:58 AM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

Can WSB commenters blame Katie Wilson for this?

Screenshot of West Seattle Blog story headlined "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire in Arbor Heights"

Text:
Seattle Police investigating 911 calls about possible gunfire in an alley in or near the 10400 block of 42nd SW have just reported finding at least one casing. A possibly related vehicle was described as a dark Audi SUV. No injuries reported. The first calls about this came in around 3:45 pm; an officer told dispatch about the casing at 4:10 pm.

November 12, 2025 at 2:54 AM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

Vanishing Seattle does it again. Somehow they didn't squeeze in any jabs at "developers" this time, but they still convey skepticism at the reason for this location closing and imply it's some kind of treasured Seattle institution. JitB started in San Diego & their e. coli outbreak killed 4 PNW kids

Screenshot from Instagram of Vanishing Seattle's post. Picture of the closed Jack in the Box restaurant with this text:
The Ave Jack in the Box, which closed permanently on September 10, 2025. This location had been around for about 55 years; its building was constructed in 1970.

Located at 4749 University Way NE, the closure was a part of the company's nationwide "JACK on Track" initiative, which is shuttering 150-200 "underperforming" locations in 2025 and 2026. The #University District Jack in the Box had 12 employees who reportedly lost their jobs. In addition to the U District fast food restaurant, the 16400 West Valley location in Tukwila was also permanently closed.

However one feels about fast food chains, this longstanding #JackintheBox was a part of many Seattleites upbringings -including hitting up the drive-thru on the late late night, which was open 24 hours (and its dining room was open until 10pm). It was part of a fairly sketch section of the Ave, and its parking lot was a known dope spot (and the site of multiple stabbings over the years) - plus it was situated right behind the old "UnSafeway."

According to local legend, the Ave Jack in the Box may have been one of the last places Kurt Cobain was seen alive. It has now gone the way of other fallen Jack in the Cracks, i.e. the equally infamous Broadway location (closed in 2008) - which according to a Rolling Stone article, was where Cobain would wait for hours for his dealer.

Remaining Jack in the Boxes in Seattle include 85th & Aurora, 125th & Aurora, SODO, Georgetown, and the Admiral District in West Seattle.

Share your Ave Jack in the Box memories.

: Al Caro, Baran Can, Alisha Faye, Avi Arya, Matthew Stonhouse, VideoFishbowl

#jackinthecrack #crackinthebox #seattlehistory #seattle #TheAve #UDistrict #oldseattle #vanishingseattle

November 10, 2025 at 5:50 PM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

This truncated title is... Kind of accurate 🙃😭

November 10, 2025 at 2:16 AM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

This is what being blocked looks like, I assume?

October 30, 2025 at 6:44 PM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

So if TAS rated Harrell's conservation easement idea, which would pay private property owners to keep mature trees, a "100/10" idea, surely Rinck's proposal gets at least a 10/10 from them. 🤡

Tree Action Seattle's Instagram post rating Harrell's "conservation easement" idea a "100 out of 10"

October 30, 2025 at 5:42 PM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

We'll see if they respond!

Screenshot of Instagram comment on TAS post: "What do you think about Rinck's proposal to remove parking to add street trees? TAS will be fully in support, right? 🌲🌳>🚗🚙

October 30, 2025 at 4:53 PM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

At a certain point, there is just a criminal amount of toe beans.

October 24, 2025 at 3:25 AM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

I then immediately forwarded that donation receipt to the SPF info box, inquiring how my money would be used since this is a dead project. No reply yet, but at some point in the last few hours, SPF pulled the project page. Interesting.

Email from me to SPF donations inbox:

Hello,

I'm hoping you can help me understand where this money will ultimately go. Per an email exchange with Lauren Daniels on October 1, this project is not active; however, the donation link is still live and obviously I was able to successfully donate $1. Does this mean my money will not go to the cause I intended it to go to? If it does go to SkyLink, why is SPF directing money toward an inactive project? Appreciate your help.

Thank you,
Sarah Chadd

Screenshot of SPF website with no results for search term "Skylink"

October 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

It's been a busy few weeks, but this week I started digging in again. Verified that WSSL is still on the SPF site and this morning I decided to make a donation 😇

Donation receipt for $1 to "West Seattle SkyLink Feasibility Study"

October 23, 2025 at 10:34 PM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

So I also asked SPF about that. I did not ask why they were ever a partner, but it seems odd to me for an org that supposedly champions public spaces and equity to fund a project like this, as it was pretty transparently always an obstructionist endeavor. WSSL and TAS both just don't want change.

Email from me to SPF:

Hello,

While reviewing SPF partnerships, I saw that West Seattle Skylink is listed. Is this still an active partnership? Is SPF continuing to provide funding to this project? Please let me know; thank you!

Best regards,
Sarah Chadd

Response from SPF:

Hi Sarah,

West Seattle Skyline has not been active for several years. They have not officially off boarded from our fiscal sponsorship program, which is why they are still included on our website. We have not provided funding to their project.

Thank you!
Lauren

October 23, 2025 at 10:30 PM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

New thread, also on the Seattle Parks Foundation beat: Why was West Seattle Skylink a partner? And probably still would be if I hadn't followed up again after donating? While looking into TAS I found this. WS Skylink hasn't posted anywhere in well over a year, yet they still had an active SPF page

Screenshot of Seattle Parks Foundation website for the "West Seattle Skylink Feasibility" project, with a "donate now" button.

October 23, 2025 at 10:22 PM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

It seems @seattleparksfoundation.org would be able to tell how much money TAS has raised through their portal. Technically the donation goes to SPF and is earmarked for TAS... But when I inquired, I was told they don't have that? No answers on accountability, measuring project efficacy, etc.

Email from me to Seattle Parks Foundation on October 1, 2025:

Hello,

I am working to understand the strategic and financial structure of Tree Action Seattle (TAS), an advocacy organization with minimal transparency into its leadership, staffing, strategic plan, or use of funds. Since Seattle Parks Foundation (SPF) is effectively TAS's sponsor, I'm hoping SPF can advise on the following questions:

How much funding has SPF provided TAS in recent years (ideally broken down by fiscal year)?
What was the direction provided for use of funds provided to TAS by SPF?
What accountability measures are in place to ensure funds are used as directed?
Who at TAS is the documented responsible/lead contact to be held accountable?
How do TAS's actions comport with SPF's prioritization of public spaces, especially when nearly all their efforts are focused on private land use?
As a fan of parks, trees, and housing, I want to support SPF, but need to understand the nature of the TAS partnership first.

Your response is appreciated. Answers will be shared within the advocacy community.

Response:

...
Despite having the word “foundation” in our name, we do not provide funding to Tree Action Seattle. We are a fiscal sponsor of over 100 community-led park and public space projects. This means that we provide a variety of administrative, financial, fundraising, communications, and advocacy services so our fiscal partners can focus on moving their projects forward. You can read more about the specific services we offer and our fiscal sponsorship structure on our website.

Our main contact for Tree Action Seattle is Susan Su. We are also often in conversation with Sandy Shettler.

Tree Action Seattle is a member of the Tree Equity Network, where a diverse group of tree advocates and civic leaders work toward policies that support tree protection and housing density.

Thank you for your support of parks, trees, and housing!

Best,
Lauren

October 23, 2025 at 8:57 PM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

Partnership requirements; which of these does TAS meet? They certainly don't meet them all. Right off the bat: imoroving and increasing access to parks and public spaces? 🚫 @seattleparksfoundation.org @ericacbarnett.bsky.social @publicola.bsky.social @theurbanist.org @typewriteralley.bsky.social

Fiscal sponsorship requirements from SPF website:

As a fiscal sponsor, Seattle Parks Foundation serves as a nonprofit umbrella that enables groups to raise money to support their work. We provide an array of administrative, financial, fundraising, communications, and advocacy services so our fiscal partners can focus on the real work of benefiting people powered parks and public spaces.

Groups must be based in the Seattle area, provide a clear public benefit, assume a nonprofit business model, and align with Seattle Parks Foundation’s mission to champion thriving and equitable parks and public spaces. We are especially interested in working with fiscal partners who have demonstrated credibility and earned the trust of the communities they serve.

This form will help Seattle Parks Foundation evaluate if your group would be a good fit for fiscal sponsorship. Our fiscal partners must meet the following criteria:

Increase access to parks and makes connections between well-designed, welcoming, and active parks and public spaces for all Seattle residents

Have shared, diverse, inclusive, and accountable community leadership and is supported by broader community (e.g. steering committee representing diverse interests, more than one person in leadership roles, etc.)

Are supported by relevant public agencies and has land-owner permission

Are supported by partners who will ensure ongoing and high-level stewardship

Can attract funding from community donors, public agencies, and other funders

Have specific goals, regular financial activity, and the capacity to deliver on commitments

October 23, 2025 at 8:50 PM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

Who can help me understand how Tree Action Seattle meets the requirements to be a @seattleparksfoundation.org partner? This designation allows TAS to receive tax-free donations and significant bolstering/legitimizing from the SPF association, yet requires no donor accountability from TAS. (1/?)

From the Seattle Parks Foundation website page on benefits of partnership:

We provide an array of administrative, financial, fundraising, communications, and advocacy services so our fiscal partners can focus on the real work of benefiting people powered parks and public spaces. Since offering fiscal sponsorship in 2011, we have supported over 300 community projects and alliances throughout King County.

Services we offer to fiscal partners:

501(c)(3) tax-exempt status for grant eligibility under Seattle Parks Foundation

Hosted web page on the Seattle Parks Foundation website to showcase your project, key accomplishments, and encourage contributions

Exclusive donation page with automated tax receipting for all online contributions

Donor management, inclusive of donation acknowledgements and receipting

Access to an online portal with information specific to your project including active grants, expense tracking, revenue, and donor reporting

(Continued list of partnership benefits from first image)

Coordination of insurance coverage and (by request) liability insurance certificate for up to $1 million per occurrence and $2 million in aggregate

Annual distribution of 1099-MISC for vendors/contractors as required

Grant application review, administration and record-keeping

Resources and toolkits to best serve your project, inclusive of event tutorials, grantsmanship resources, communications support, and more

Promotion of your events and volunteer opportunities via SPF’s website, eNews, and social media accounts

Non-legal review of contracts and agreements (to provide feedback and to support contract negotiations)

October 23, 2025 at 8:45 PM

YIMBY Birder (Sarah)

@sarahchadd.bsky.social

No, Harrell's office is going to be loud about it because it's a make-up gesture toward Birds Connect Seattle, Tree Action Seattle, and other reactionary NIMBY preservationist "environmental" groups. This was in Joshua Morris's latest BCS email. He feels Very Important.