White Center Now: The blog about White Center

A little over a week until your chance to do holiday shopping and support a good cause – the White Center Library Guild‘s Holiday Bazaar and Book Sale is coming up Friday, November 17th, 10 am-3 pm, and Saturday, November 18th, 10 am-2 pm. The library is at 1409 SW 107th.

Noon today brings the official start of fireworks sales in unincorporated King County. But you can’t legally use them until next Tuesday – July 4th – 9 am to midnight on that day only. Here are the rules.

On Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day next Monday, it’s again a Day of Service, with many volunteer opportunities around the nation. Here’s one in White Center, from Lina:

Celebrate MLK Day with King County Parks staff and neighbors as we work to improve the health of White Center Heights Park. Event is 10 am-2 pm and we will be learning about the plants and animals of the park, digging out blackberry and planting native trees and shrubs. Please contact Lina Rose for more information – lina.rose@kingcounty.gov , 206.491.5014

Here’s where to find WCH Park.

Santa and friends reigned in White Center on Saturday night, at the community Christmas Tree Lighting celebration right outside Mac’s Triangle Pub.

As previewed here on Friday, local businesses and organizations joined forces to make it happen. At 6 pm, the music started, and just after 6:30, with a countdown … and the help of Santa and Ms.Claus … the tree was lit:

Warm beverages were offered to keep spirits bright despite the below-freezing temperature.

It’s been six years now since the community Christmas tree tradition was revived in 2010.

Just in – word of White Center’s next big holiday celebration:

This Saturday 12.17.2016 at 6 pm, celebrate the holidays at White Center’s community Christmas tree! Try out some hot beverages from new White Center shop Moonshot Coffee, dance to DJ TTop, and take photos with Santa!

Located at Roxbury and 16th Ave SW in front of Mac’s Triangle Pub .

Food donations are accepted and will be delivered to the White Center Food Bank.

Primarily sponsored by:
The Triangle Pub
Tom the Live Butcher
White Center Tools

With additional donations from:
Tommysound
Moonshot Coffee
The White Center Chamber of Commerce
White Center Community Development Association
McLendon Hardware

For questions contact Tommy of Tommysound, White Center Chamber of Commerce Vice President, 206.229.7937

With just five days until Christmas, White Center has a tree. We’d been wondering if the plaza in the South Delridge triangle would be graced with one this year, since it’s usually up in early December but none was in sight as of just the other day – and then tonight, came the note from Mac’s Triangle Pub that a tree was up and lit, courtesy of the pub and Meat The Live Butcher. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Friday and Saturday, don’t miss the White Center Library Guild‘s Holiday Bazaar and Book Sale – which helps the guild raise money for extra programs at the library. The new library remains under construction, so this one’s at the “old” branch, 11220 16th SW – 11 am-4 pm on Friday (November 13th), 11 am-3 pm on Saturday.

(WCN photo: Veterans’ Triangle Park at 16th/Roxbury/Delridge)

Some helpful information for this holiday Monday:

TRANSPORTATION: Metro is on a Sunday schedule … Sound Transit Route 160 also is on a Sunday schedule.

SCHOOLS: Highline Public Schools are closed, as are most if not all independent schools.

LIBRARIES: King County branches are closed today.

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE HOLIDAY … according to the official USPS list.

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY AT FOREST LAWN: In West Seattle at 2 pm, all are welcome at Forest Lawn Cemetery for the traditional Memorial Day event with American Legion Post 160 and VFW Post 2713. (6701 30th SW)

A holiday reminder from Oscar Brambila of Taqueria La Fondita #2 – tomorrow, Christmas Eve, is their annual gift to you – free food between 11 am and 4 pm! Tacos, burritos, and free drinks, according to the announcement he sent, something they’ve done for more than a decade. They’re at 9811 15th SW, and expecting Santa Claus at noon.

Two White Center coffee shops have announced they’re open this morning – Caffe Delia downtown, and Dubsea Coffee in Greenbridge. 8 am-noon for both, so wherever you are, you can get local coffee to go with your Thanksgiving breakfast.

7:47 AM: If you just can’t wait to get your tree up for the holidays – even with Thanksgiving still a week away – McLendon Hardware tells us they’re expecting their first delivery today. According to manager Matt, “We will be carrying Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, Noble Fir, and Nordmann Firs all of various sizes ranging from 2 ft. to as tall as 9 ft. New additions to our selection this year include a 5-6 ft. sheared Douglas Fir, and a 5-7 ft. Natural (un-sheared) Noble Fir.” The store’s at 10210 16th SW.

11 AM UPDATE: Matt now tells us they’ve had a delay and the trees are expected on November 24th – next Monday.

No, it is NOT too soon to think “holidays.” White Center Library Guild is having its popular annual bazaar and book sale the next two days – Friday and Saturday – and hopes you will come celebrate – all the details are above.

From the state Fire Marshal’s Office:

Consumer firework sales across the state will begin at noon on Saturday, June 28 and continue until 9:00 p.m. on July 5. State Fire Marshal Chuck Duffy reminds residents to “know the laws before purchasing and discharging fireworks,” and “only purchase legal fireworks.” This year 937 retail fireworks stand licenses were issued.

Statewide sales and discharge period allowed by RCW 70.77.395

Sales Period/Discharge Period
June 28
12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m./12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

June 29 – July 3
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m./9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

July 4
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m./9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

July 5
9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m./9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Just got confirmation from Vy Nguyen at the White Center Community Development Association that this year’s Christmas tree lighting at Triangle Park is set – 5 pm December 7th. Keep track with this Facebook event page!

At least two places in White Center are already selling holiday trees – McLendon Hardware is one. Store manager Tony Barnes e-mailed to say they have received their first shipment of almost 500 trees and are selling them now:

We (are) carrying four varieties and trees as tall as 10’. Our selection will include Noble Firs, Nordman Fir ( replaces Frazier Firs), Douglas Firs, and lastly Grand Firs, all from local suppliers.

“The Seasonal Help” at Village Green Perennial Nursery has cut and live trees on sale now too – more on them later today! From Thanksgiving events to Christmas tree lots to New Year’s celebrations, if you have holiday-season information to announce, please send it to us at whitecenternow@gmail.com. Thanks!

We’re continuing to collect holiday information – e-mail us at whitecenternow@gmail.com! – for reporting here as well as inclusion in the Holiday Guide published through our partner site West Seattle Blog (with WS, WC, and South Park info, updated daily as new additions come in). The latest announcement from White Center is from Holy Family Bilingual School, where Christmas trees will be sold again this year to benefit the school. First scheduled day is November 30th – the Saturday after Thanksgiving, starting at 10 am – and sales will continue through Christmas Eve, December 24th. Holy Family is at 18th/Roxbury.

As announced – happening today and tomorrow at White Center Library:

Friday, Nov. 15th & Saturday, Nov. 16th!

Friday, November 15, 11 am-4 pm
Saturday, November 16, 11 am-4 pm

Free Activities

Friday
Beginning Crochet,starts at Noon
Beginning Knitting, starts at 3 pm

Saturday
Holiday Gift Towels Crochet Craft, starts at Noon
Beginning Knitting, starts at 2 pm
Holiday Crafts for Kids, starts at Noon in the meeting room

The White Center Library Guild uses the money raised to help fund programs at the library throughout the year. Most of these funds are used to support children/teen activities that can be life changing for those living in our great community. Come and support this community, find some great Holiday bargains, learn new skills and help your kids learn new craft making.

The library is at 11220 16th SW.

Monday evening at Center Studio in downtown White Center, veterans are invited to enjoy a free yoga class.

White Center’s Southgate Roller Rink e-mailed to let us know they are hosting two Halloween events today/tonight – starting with FREE skating this afternoon:

FREE HALLOWEEN FAMILY SKATE: Southgate and Full Tilt Ice Cream present a FREE Halloween Family Skate from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm at the rink. Costume contest, candy giveaways, a guest DJ, more.

ZOMBIE HOMECOMING: 18+ event hosted tonight by Southgate and the Rainier Roller Girls! 9 pm-midnight, $12 @ the door. Costume contest, raffle, 21+ bar, more.

Other White Center Halloween events we’re missing? Post ’em in the comments!

Why wait until Thursday for candy? 2-5 pm, get those costumes on and get down to participating businesses for trick-or-treating! The Facebook event page includes a list of who’s participating.