White Center Now: The blog about White Center

On our way back from a story to the east, we stopped at 3.14 Bakery in downtown White Center to see how Pi(e) Day (3.14!) was going – and found a table full of distinguished gatherers who had chosen 3.14 for a meeting. From left, if you don’t recognize them all, that’s Mikel Davila from White Center Community Development Association, King County Sheriff’s Office Storefront Deputy BJ Myers, Michelle Allison from King County Councilmember Joe McDermott‘s team, and CM McDermott himself (who pointed out they had already purchased boxed pie to take back to the office downtown). As for us – decided not to go with the pie, but the triple-chocolate cake ball is to die for.

From White Center Chamber of Commerce president Mark Ufkes:

The White Center Chamber of Commerce March 13, 2012 luncheon will be hosted by LUSO Food and Wine Imports Boutique, 9988 15th Ave SW, Suite C. Tina E. Hemmons is the owner, lusofoodandwines@msn.com, 206-694-3542 https://whitecenternow.com/2011/09/06/new-white-center-business-opens-luso-food-and-wine/. We will be acknowledging Art Spencer’s recent death, and his family contribution to White Center through their well-respected Spencer Automotive. We have invited Rich (his son) and Sharon (his wife) to the luncheon to talk about Art and family life in White Center and the important contribution the Spencer family has made to White Center.

Also, this Sunday, March 11, the Spencer family will be hosting a memorial for Art Spencer at Glen Acres Country Club (Sunday, March 11, from 1-4 pm) Everyone is invited to attend Art’s memorial.

At the Chamber luncheon, will also be installing our new board members, discuss our developing White Center web site, and discussing plans for several large culturally-encouraging murals painted in the core business district throughout White Center during our annual CDA/Chamber White Center Spring Clean on May 19th.

You’ll recognize familiar White Center faces in that photo provided by the office of Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn. On Tuesday, in Seattle’s University District, he announced $1.1 million in city grants for business districts. We followed up with his office for specifics, including $64,500 announced for White Center. According to Karin Zaugg with the city Office of Economic Development, the money is for a proposal submitted by the White Center Community Development Association and White Center Chamber of Commerce, and it is intended “to do four main things: 1) Business attraction, 2) Retail study about the mix of businesses in White Center, 3) Business Mixers to facilitate relationships among the local businesses, and 4) organizational development to strengthen their organizations.”

Ted e-mailed us this morning:

I received a notice in the mail yesterday from White Center Albertsons Sav-On Pharmacy saying that they were closing tomorrow, Feb 23, and my prescription records were being transferred to their Burien store. I heard that the grocery store was closing too. Do you know anything about it? Why are they closing? Is another grocery store going to take over the building. What’s happening to the employees?

We’ve since talked to both an Albertsons corporate spokesperson – after going to the store and being told that only corporate HQ could comment – and an executive from the company that’s buying the store, and here’s what we have found out:

*The Albertsons on 16th SW has been sold to the locally based Saar’s Market Place chain, according to Albertsons spokesperson Lilia Rodriguez. She told WCN by phone that the company continually evaluates stores, and this one was “not meeting its goals.”

*The pharmacy’s last day is indeed tomorrow – as per the sign in the store (photo above) – and prescriptions are being transferred to the Albertsons at 128th and 1st in Burien.

*Saar’s, which takes over the store on March 22nd, does not plan to have a pharmacy in the store, corporate general manager John Hames told us by phone. It plans to rebrand the store as “Super Saver Foods” when it takes over on March 22nd, with remodeling work ensuing and a grand-opening celebration planned for May 2nd. He says the company plans to add “extensive Asian and Hispanic sections” along with other grocery basics.

*Rodriguez says the store has 50 employees (“associates”) who will be affected by the closure. She says Saar’s indicated they were all welcome to apply, and says some may be transferring within the company because all are union-represented and have “bumping rights.”

Here’s where else Saar’s has stores.

Just announced by White Center Chamber of Commerce president Mark Ufkes:

White Center Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012 12-1:15 (Valentines for Everyone!)
Pho My Loi Restaurant
10439 16th SW

Agenda includes a discussion of project plans for the Chamber in 2012, board member elections and meet new board members, and discussion on the new website and great funding news for our website.

Two days after the owners of Papa’s Pub confirmed they have closed down – “for good,” say the signs they posted Monday on the windows of the downtown White Center establishment – the state Liquor Control Board says they have not yet requested that their liquor license be discontinued. And the LCB confirms that a two-day hearing is scheduled next week, as one co-owner had said. From Anne Radford at LCB:

Two administrative hearings are set for Monday and Tuesday for violations for Sale or Service of Alcohol to a Minor. They will be held before an administrative law judge from the Office of Administrative Hearings. The judge will review the circumstances, recommended penalty, and any mitigating or aggravating factors related to the alleged violation. After the hearing, the judge will prepare an initial order. This will be reviewed by the involved parties. Ultimately, the three-member Liquor Control Board will enter a final order, which is appealable to Superior Court. For more details, view this PDF: http://www.liq.wa.gov/publications/UnderstandingYourHearingOptions.pdf

It’s probably a safe bet to guess that the situation will come up at Thursday night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Public Safety Forum, 7 pm at the North Highline Fire District HQ.

We thought the lingerie-espresso fad had pretty much run its course. Apparently not. The Java Joint drive-up shack in South Delridge (aka the West Seattle side of White Center) is now painted pink and has become home to Brewlesque Espresso. The exterior paint was matched by the skimpy outfit worn by the barista on duty, who said the transition happened when the coffee stand at 9435 Delridge Way SW changed hands a few days ago. It’s the only lingerie-espresso stand in the White Center area so far as we know.

Story and video by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

Au Lac Vovinam, a High Point-based martial-arts team, sent their Lion Dance Team to White Center this morning. Vanessa Nguyen, owner of the Ca’t Tuong Herb Shop, sought out the group for the annual ritual. According to Team Leader Doan Dinh, their group is open to young adults 14 years and older. (Au Lac is one of the ancient kingdoms of Vietnam and Vovinam is a lesser-known Vietnamese martial art.)

The video tells some of the story of a Buddhist monk charged with escorting the fierce, evil-spirit chasing lion-god from the street to the back of Nguyen’s herb shop, which she has owned for 19 years. Once the lion has done a thorough job of frightening all the dark spirits, the path of the New Year being celebrated during this month is made clear for the patrons and the shop. At last, the shop owner and the monk reward the lion with a head of lettuce and a small tip for the Lion Dance Team.

Story and photos by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

“It’s been a long year – in the best way, “ said Jesse Lovell, as he prepared the stage of his Company Bar for the first anniversary blowout Friday night. Some of Jesse’s rock-and-roll friends had put together an unnamed tribute band honoring the “Mighty Van Halen.”

When Company Bar opened in White Center a year ago, it happened to be Eddie Van Halen’s (a hard-rock guitarist) birthday. Jesse took that as a kind of cosmic sign because he had spent months remodeling the space to include the now nearly-famous men’s bathroom painted in the graphic pattern Van Halen had on one of his famous guitars circa “1984.”

On the anniversary, Jesse donned his VH shirt and a tie for the tribute:

The packed house of joyous rock and roll Company fans enjoyed menu items including fried chicken and Cuban pork sliders, and Hawaiian clam chowder as classic Van Halen tunes blasted down the performance space and out onto the street.

The rehearsed performances by patrons, a Company bartender and other friends were a way to say thanks to Jesse for what they say he has brought to the White Center community.

A regular patron told WCN that he has lived in White Center all his life and that he, like others in the area, gratefully have a safe place in the neighborhood to go for adult socializing and a reliable source of shared pride in their community.

(Company bartenders Aaron Garland and Ronnie Hill)
Jesse says he has thought about and learned a lot over the course of the year, but it is the tremendous support of the regulars from the White Center neighborhood he notes: “We have made a lot of friends; and we have seen people here making new friends. That’s been really satisfying.”

As for upcoming plans, Jesse says he is working toward upgrading the web site for the bar – perhaps sometime as soon as February, so keep an eye out on their Facebook page for updates.

Jesse Lovell of Company in downtown White Center says they’re celebrating their first anniversary with a “great big rock and roll party” tonight, and inviting you to join in. 8 pm-2 am, with music, drink and food specials – details on this Facebook invitation.

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council’s meeting began with a moment of silence in memory of King County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Cox, murdered five years ago. Here’s what else happened:

ANNEXATION AND OTHER BURIEN UPDATES: City Manager Mike Martin took to the podium, as he does during most NHUAC meetings. “Nothing going on, as usual,” he joked. Annexation update: He noted that the governor’s budget now “gradually phases out” the sales-tax credit but would eliminate it for future annexations. “I’ve had conversations with the executive’s office as recently as last night,” he said, and mentioned that he went to Olympia “where I was mistaken for a member of the 99 percent,” he joked. He said he had talked to “a couple members of the House Ways and Means Committee” while there, explaining that it’s vital to keep the sales-tax credit. But even if they do, “that’s not enough,” he said, because of “the cloud of fear of having this taken away every year” — he said that’s the point he’s stressing to legislators. He says even though there is often the warning that “you can’t bind future legislators,” there are “ways of skinning that cat.” Bottom line, he says, “We’re working this very actively … Don’t despair; this is a long fight … we’ll hang in there and do what we can.” He doesn’t expect to know the outcome until next year, since “it’s all wrapped up in the whole budget proposal.” Burien isn’t the only city “in the same boat,” he acknowledged, when asked by NHUAC member Rebecca Lopes.

Also regarding annexation, Martin mentioned the Boundary Review Board hearing coming up January 9th. (You can see the board’s file on the Burien annexation proposal here.) Then that board will make its decision some weeks later. Asked by NHUAC member Ron Johnson if the board meeting is public, he affirmed that it is. (As it was back when the Boundary Review Board met to consider the previous Burien/North Highline annexation.) This time around, one big difference – the public hearing will be in this community, rather than elsewhere like last time.

Martin also mentioned that “despite all this budget drama all around us,” the City Council passed its budget in just two sessions. (You can find the budget documents on the Burien website, here.) And he says it’s the first time in his career that property-tax revenues are dropping because assessed valuations have dropped (which also means property-tax bills have dropped for residents). Cuts from the governor’s budget could mean as much as $400,000 in revenue lost for Burien, he said, but nonetheless, they have adopted a budget with no layoffs, among other things. He also congratulated NHUAC for its presence at the King County Library Board meeting (WCN coverage here) and getting the board to delay its vote. However, he said he wasn’t quite sure what the board was thinking in tying its action to whatever the Boundary Review Board is doing – since he’s sure that the board will approve the annexation. He says he still is hoping to sit down with the Library System “to fashion a solution that is acceptable to you and this community … we want to talk about it (with them).” He says it’s also important to not dig in, to have an intelligent discussion about solutions; without using the word “compromise,” he was clearly suggesting that may be needed. He mentioned the Lake Burien situation as an example. “It’s always helpful to take a wider view of these things.”

Burien Councilmember Rose Clark noted that in conversation after the Library Board action earlier this week, they also seemed to be waiting to see what would happen with the sales-tax credit as well as with the Boundary Review Board.

Rachael Levine of the White Center Library Guild said at that point that she agrees with Martin regarding finding an acceptable solution, but that she also appreciates all the support they’ve received (including the Burien Council letter read by Councilmember Clark during the meeting). She said she wished she could have gotten everyone to do a “mike check” as is done at Occupy demonstrations and chant “Save Our Library,” adding “I think the library problem has brought a lot of us together … strengthened us as a community, and helped us focus on what’s important.” People from other library districts, she said, advised her, “You’ll have to hang in there, as (the board’s) strategy is to wait you out.” She expressed optimism that a solution will be found. Martin then said, “The way this community has rallied around the libraries” was reminiscent of stories he had heard about Burien back in the third-runway-fight days: “We can organize, we can get together, we do have a voice, we are not helpless.” Giba said she was proud that the city of Burien had turned out to support them, as did County Councilmember Joe McDermott and a representative from County Executive Dow Constantine‘s office. “It felt good to have representation.”

KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: New storefront deputy B.J. Myers took the podium; he’s collected crime stats in a new format. Since other reps from the Center of Attention operation weren’t present, he summarized that “I haven’t heard much over the past month – a lot of what they’re doing has moved to the prosecution side.” He says Papa’s Pub is still appealing its liquor-license suspension, which apparently is now not scheduled to happen before next year. Also, he said, “we had several incidents at the GAME (medical-marijuana lounge)” this month, referring the DEA raids that happened in November. He says it appears that GAME has moved out of its White Center location, saying he has not seen the “open” sign nor has he seen “much left inside.” On the 17th, he says, deputies on foot patrol caught the Sorensen Marine business being broken into, “nice bit of work done by people just walking around our business district.” And he mentioned semitrucks parked on 4th SW long-term just south of Roxbury, some with refrigerated trailers “making noise all night long,” and says the deputies have been “out aggressively ticketing those” and hopes that will help take care of that problem. Back on the marijuana issue, councilmembers asked about the marijuana “farmers’ market” storefront on 16th SW supposedly having a “big (holiday) event” – he wasn’t aware. … Later in the meeting, Major Jim Graddon from KCSO talked about the commemoration tomorrow of Deputy Cox’s death. The major acknowledged that things are quiet.

DES MOINES MEMORIAL DRIVE: Burien Councilmember Rose Clark took to the podium to talk with the council about the road from 156th (Sunnydale Elementary) to 188th – regarding the Lake-to-Sound Trail that was planned for one side of it, and keeping improvements consonant with its historical status (which means even tree plantings, for example, need to be American Elms). “We are working very positively on the trail,” which is levy-funded, Lights are planned, and funding is still in the process of being obtained, like commemorative bollards, perhaps poppy plantings reminiscent of World War I, so they are forming a 501(c)(3) to help with that process. When they’re ready to raise money for the historical elements, Clark said, she is hopeful that people will join in and support the effort. Other areas of the drive, she added, are targeted for historical kiosks. Work on this section, she said, is expected to start in 2013.

KING COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Karen Wolf from King County said they’re currently in the once-every-four-years process of considering “major amendments” to this plan. She said they have come up with a “public review draft” of the plan – it’s a “pretty thick document” but it’s available in libraries and it’s online, “which is how most people apparently look at it these days.” She says North Highline is not proposed for any zoning changes or other kinds of changes in the plan overhaul that’s on the table right now (she did mention the new “tiered” system under which King County roads are being managed). “What if somebody wanted to come along with a major development?” asked NHUAC president Barbara Dobkin. Wolf explained that if a development required a zoning change that would change the comprehensive plan, it would have to wait till this type of process every four years, but they haven’t had any requests for anything along those lines so far. She also explained that unlike some jurisdictions (Seattle, for example), the county doesn’t have “single-family” and “multi-family” zoning; instead, its plan focuses on density. With that sort of classification, she explained, a piece of land that might allow three units could either have them evenly spaced, or all clustered together on one side (or something inbetween). Dobkin explained that she was inquiring about a 30-unit development that was categorized as three separate projects but was really one, in her view. Gill Loring asked how land zoned for “office” could be changed into residential, and Wolf said the code did have a way to accommodate that – if it were developed mixed-use, with office and residential in a single development. Wolf says the rules don’t count offices so much as square footage, in saying what percentage of the buliding could be used for office or residential.

LIBRARY CONSOLIDATION: Early in the meeting, community member Gill Loring described the King County Library Board meeting earlier this week as “fascinating.” He also noted that some NHUAC members had left early last time. Later in the meeting, Karen Freeman from the County Executive’s staff said that they are hoping to talk more with the Library Board in the coming weeks. Giba asked about the process for being appointed to the Library Board; Freeman said that nominations/potential candidates’ names often come from staff, but in this case, there is an online application form for anybody interested. And she mentioned the discussion sparked by the last meeting about possibly making it an elected board instead of an appointed board. (There’s more information about the library board here.) The question of a board vacancy has some urgency now because Judge Richard Eadie, who is the current board president, is expected to leave at the end of his term. Freeman said she didn’t know that anyone had expressed interest in joining the board. (According to the county website, board members serve five-year terms.) There was a general murmuring around the room that board terms “are too long.” Clark noted that Burien’s advisory boards have four-year terms. Freeman said she would get more information about the timeline for making an appointment. … Later in the meeting, Dobkin said another library petition will be started during this Saturday’s White Center Summit (see below).

TRANSITIONING: NHUAC is transitioning out of being a county-funded group, so had some financial logistics to discuss tonight. They have liability insurance for next year, it was reported. …Later in the meeting, there was discussion of how to handle council elections in the future, whether district positions or at-large positions would be best. Johnson also suggested, “I think we should make more of an outreach to the Boulevard Park area,” because it didn’t seem to be as well-represented as it used to be; even though some of it has been annexed to Burien, it still comprises 25 percent of the unincorporated area, it was noted.

DEALING WITH HOMELESSNESS: The new coalition of business and nonprofits was brought up briefly; so was the matter of younger homeless people being seen in the downtown WC area. Major Graddon says he has seen that in other areas of the country as well but is not sure why.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Regarding Parks, Christine Waldman said the tennis courts at Steve Cox Memorial Park are open now. Also mentioned, the Seola Gardens area has a prospective development offer from Quadrant Homes, to build 60 for-sale homes in stages, said Pat Price – maybe 10 or 12 a year. There was also some discussion of the status of the existing for-sale homes in the area. Dobkin said some property behind those sites had been acquired to keep it from falling into blight that might affect the sales of those homes. Greenbridge, though, is waiting for a developer, according to Price. There was also some discussion of the apparent tax-exempt status of the existing Seola Gardens homes; Dobkin said she checked the King County Parcel Viewer and that shows the homes are tax-exempt even though they have been sold – she says they were told the homes “would be taxed at normal rates” once they had buyers. … When the Transportation Committee’s update came up, Elizabeth Gordon from Uncle Mike’s Superlicious BBQ talked about trouble on the downtown 16th stretch, involving the light sequencing backing up traffic, so people are avoiding 16th and using 15th instead. “And as a business on 16th, that’s bad,” said Gordon. Dobkin also wondered about the relatively new raised divider in the middle of the street; Johnson said they might bring someone out from the county to talk about that at a future meeting.He also mentioned that cables are being laid for sequencing changes in the lights, involving some cameras that will help with that, which could lead to an “improvement in traffic flow … within the next month or two.” Also on the transportation front, the NHUAC letter to Metro asking for a review of the zone boundary has drawn a response – saying that the change could result in higher fares for many people. (Here’s the response letter, as posted to the NHUAC website.) Dobkin mentioned a traffic problem that could affect some area drivers – the closure, as of this week, of the Airport Way bridge in Georgetown. “It’s pretty horrible what they’ve done on this side of town,” regarding so much construction at the same time, she noted. … Dobkin says they’re still working on the planting beds (might not be able to get plants into them till after winter), including trying to find a way to keep people from driving over them, which she said has already happened once.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: First, from the council: The White Center Library Guild‘s Holiday Bazaar is this Saturday, Pat Price reminded everybody, 11 am-3 pm: “It’s a small little bazaar, but please try to support it.” At 2 pm, a magician will perform in the meeting room at the Library, for the kids who are in attendance … This Saturday also is the White Center Summit at WC Heights Elementary School, 10 am-3 pm … She also reminded everyone of the December 8th meeting of the White Center-South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting at 6 pm … Then from the audience: Gill Loring reminded everyone of the next North Highline Fire Commissioners’ meeting next Tuesday (including newly elected commissioner Liz Giba), 10 am at NH Fire District HQ (which is where NHUAC meets) … Aileen Sison also wanted to remind everyone of the business groups presenting the White Center Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration on Sunday, December 11th, 5 pm at 16th and Roxbury (as reported earlier today on WCN) … There will be an Ugly Sweater party Saturday at Company, and White Center Heights Elementary students are making art for ornaments on the tree, she said, also during the sweater party/contest … She also told everyone about the “door-decorating contest” that is under way in White Center, using a polling feature on Facebook – you’ll be able to vote as the door photos go up. The deadline is December 23rd, she said.

After the DEA raids earlier this month at a dozen-plus medical-marijuana establishments around West Seattle, including GAME Collective‘s White Center lounge, we obtained and published details from the first search-warrant “returns” – what was found (or not found) in two cars belonging to the business’s owner and a person described by the government as being associated with it. Today, we have more of the “returns” – starting with this one listing what was seized at the lounge on 16th SW itself.

8 live marijuana plants with rootballs
miscellaneous items containing THC from kitchen standalone freezer
undisclosed amount of US currency
miscellaneous food items in plastic packaging, walk-in fridges
bottled drinks containing THC
small clear plastic bag with suspected hashish
spiral notebook
Glock 40 caliber and magazine with bullets
dried marijuana from multiple jars behind bar area
GAME telephone with charger (Boost mobile #——-)
white daily donation log
7 bottles of drinks containing THC behind bar
miscellaneous food items behind bar with THC
3 bottles of drinks containing THC behind bar in cooler
miscellaneous food items with THC behind bar in cooler
2 digital scales
plastic black film jar with marijuana seeds
black thumb drive
miscellaneous bongs from bar
memory stick from a camera
blue plastic container with documents and papers
large (item) containing packaging materials
external hard drive

More to come.

3:05 PM: In at least three counties, federal Drug Enforcement Agency officers are searching medical-marijuana businesses – and one of them is in White Center, the GAME Collective ‘lounge’ in the former Hang Around bar space. Thanks to a tip, we got over there around 1:30 to find unmarked law-enforcement cars outside and officers inside. Among those on the scene, DEA spokesperson Agent Jodie Underwood, who told us that they expect to have “a statement” before day’s end, but otherwise, she wasn’t commenting. Regional media organizations are reporting raids in several other counties including Pierce and Thurston, but so far we haven’t found an indication of others in this area – we went by White Center’s other establishment and the three openly operating dispensaries in West Seattle, and there was no sign of current police activity. The lounge has been open for seven months.

ADDED 6:13 PM: Though there are no specifics about indictments, charges, arrests, or even business names, the local DEA has issued this statement to the media, attributing it to Special Agent in Charge Matthew Barnes:

It has never been our policy to target individuals with serious illnesses. However, there are those operating commercial storefronts cultivating, selling or distributing marijuana under the guise of state medical marijuana laws and exploiting such activities to satisfy their own personal greed. The DEA remains committed to the enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in all states.

The coordinated enforcement actions of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and our state and local law enforcement partners involve violations of both federal and state law.

The DEA will exercise its investigative authority to pursue criminal actions for any violation of federal law, when warranted. This includes investigating organizations or individuals that grow, manufacture or distribute any illegal drug to include marijuana, and those who rent or maintain a property to facilitate drug trafficking.

After a couple weeks of being open, it’s time for Caffe Delia in the Proletariat Pizza space to celebrate the GRAND opening – and that’s happening today, 8 am-2 pm. From the official announcement:

9622A 16th Ave SW

Music starts at 11ish with performances by White Center/West Seattle stars:
Squirrel Butter, Casey MacGill’s Blue 4 Trio, Del Rey

Caffè Delia uses beans roasted by Andrea Spella (www.spellacaffe.com) who will be at the grand opening. Pastries by Macrina. Chai made from scratch by Delia.

Go say hi if you haven’t been there already – or even if you have!

4:25 PM SATURDAY: Just got the word from Stefanie at Proletariat Pizza in downtown White Center:

One of our lovely servers, Delia, will be space sharing with us, opening her own coffee shop in our space in White Center. She will be having a soft opening tomorrow beginning at 8 am. The coffee is really something special.

If somehow you have not been there … they’re at 9622 16th SW, across the street from Full Tilt Ice Cream. And that’s where you’ll find Caffé Delia, starting Sunday. It’s serving Spella Coffee – and hours are listed on its fledgling website.

ADDED 9:54 AM SUNDAY: We stopped by to say hi to Delia:

From WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz:

Miguel and Beatrice Canche, owners of Oro and Gold (currently on Roxbury between 16th and 15th), tell WCN they are moving their eight-month-old gold-buying shop to the larger space on the corner of 16th and Roxbury.

The space has stood empty since International Halal Market moved a few doors south.

Miguel says that business is good, but he’s thinking about additional uses for the space down the road. No decisions yet. They hope to open sometime in the next week or two. Oro and Gold’s phone number is 206-407-9844.

WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz reports that Jali Studio in the 9600 block of 16th SW was held up this afternoon. The store owner says the robbers were two men who appeared to be in their 30s, one black, one Hispanic or darker-skinned Caucasian, both with hoodies obscuring their faces. They got away with money, an iPod, and a cell phone. If you have any information, contact King County Sheriff’s deputies, who are investigating, via 911.

(Standing, from left: Royce, Ashton, Quinn; sitting, from left: Latricia, Fatima, Allina)
By Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

Luso Food and Wine, owned and operated by Fatima Hemmons and family, is now open in White Center, at 9988 15th SW.

Fatima is bringing Goan and Portuguese imports to the neighborhood; that includes ports, Portuguese and Australian wines, Madeira and beer, as well as sausage, spices and store-label condiments. Fatima is originally from Goa, a former Portuguese colony on the southwest coast of India that was annexed in 1961. Goa is a coastal city heavily influenced by centuries of Portuguese trade and culture as well as Indian culture.

Eldest son Royce tells WCN that the scope of imported products will be expanded as the store gets underway.

In a unique twist, when the retail space is closed, classes for yoga, QiGong, salsa, ballroom, and perhaps hip-hop dancing classes will be scheduled. Fatima is a certified health/fitness coach and believes that offering good food and fun fitness opportunities makes sense for living a good life. Friends of Fatima told WCN that the instructors for these classes have more than a decade of experience and are well qualified to instruct on the studio floor in the newly built retail space.

Royce will be leading the import side of their dual-business space while Fatima focuses on her health/fitness programs and coaching.

They’re not online yet, but the family says they’ll have a Facebook page and website up eventually.

Take a close look – WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz took that photo on Friday, and this photo exactly one week earlier:

You can see a bit of progress, as the iconic Marv’s Broiler sign on 16th SW gets a facelift, Deanie reports. She talked with manager/bartender Tammy, who says Marv’s owners will be restoring the sign’s neon and lights, with the help of White Center Community Development Association grants. Tammy also told Deanie that the rest of Marv’s exterior will get new paint in the coming year.

(WCN/WSB video added 7:20 pm)
(Cross-posted from partner site West Seattle Blog at 3:27 pm): Looks like tonight’s support rally will turn into a victory celebration. Just received from Bank of America, and confirmed by someone who answered the phone at Village Green Perennial Nursery (Vera was not available):

I wanted to make you aware of a final decision in regards to Vera Johnson’s mortgage modification.

As soon as we learned of Vera Johnson’s concerns, Bank of America employees at our Seattle Customer Assistance Center began working closely with her to understand her financial situation and collect the necessary paperwork. Based on the financial documents she provided and some last minute issues we identified and were able to help her resolve, Fannie Mae extended to Ms. Johnson a permanent modification.

We are pleased to be able to offer her this permanent modification that should allow her to stay in her home and keep her business.

Britney W. Sheehan
Media Relations

Again, as previewed on WSB this morning, the 5-9 pm event is at Big Al Brewing, 9832 14th SW in White Center.

ADDED 7:20 PM: We talked briefly with Vera toward the start of tonight’s event – she stresses that she hasn’t seen the documents yet; the video is now atop this story.