White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Early this evening, we strolled through the White Center Jubilee Days carnival, to see the sights – classic rides as always, like the Tilt-A-Whirl, above, and the Zipper:

The poster lists tonight’s end time as simply “closing.” So before, during, after the fireworks (500 shells at dusk!), look for the bright lights, loud music, and classic fair/festival/carnival food at Steve Cox Memorial Park.

At Big Al Brewing (9832 14th SW), the White Center Jubilee Days Spring Fling and Pinewood Derby is happening this afternoon, all the way till 7 – go support WCJD! Also in White Center:

Till 3 pm, at West Seattle Montessori/West Seattle Academy, the halls are lined with plants and gift items for today’s annual sale – and it’s not just a shopping opportunity; edible-gardening expert and author Amy Pennington is speaking and signing books till 3 pm. 11215 15th SW.

Out of the WCN mailbox:

Hey there! If you or someone you love is gifted with a hairy face the ‘Stache-fest is for you!

Shave that fuzz off and come by Full Tilt WC or The Company today (Saturday April 30) and get your photo snapped to enter. You’ll have 4 weeks to grow your prize winning lip fur and impress us at the big event at The Company on May 28!

Entry time – Saturday at Full Tilt noon-5:30 and 2-11pm at The Company – both located south of Roxbury on 16th in White Center

– Ronda S.
Founder, but only honorary member, of the White Center Mustache Club

Looking for lunch? White Center’s all-day Cambodian New Year celebration is one place to find it. WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz sent that photo and explained that it’s “Kim of Samway Market serving up a spectacular array of food for a spectacularly great price today in the open-air vendor booth on 98th. Grills are smoking and already drawing in a crowd enticed by the fragrant grilling meats. $5.00 will get a sampling of all of the following somehow loaded onto one impossibly heaping plate: grilled fresh corn on the cob, fish patties, beef skewers, chicken wings, egg rolls, fried squid, pickled fresh veggie salad, papaya salad, fried rice with fresh vegetables and stir fry noodles with, of course, fresh vegetables.”

And if you’re thirsty? Here are Sophanny and cousins at the Thai iced-tea stand (and pineapple on a stick):

The festival continues till 5.

ADDED 2:16 PM: That’s the “Blessing Dance” by the Rainier Vista Dancers, as the festival continues. Description: “A traditional classical Khmer dance … the lyrics and fine hand gestures of the Roban Choun Por describe wishes of happiness, good health, prosperity and success to guests.” Some of what’s ahead before the festival wraps up:

2:30 Traditional Games Demonstration

3:30 Live Music (Chaiya Band) with Audience Dancing encouraged

4:50 Closing Remarks

8:39 AM: Big party in downtown White Center today – Cambodian New Year, with SW 98th closed off east of 16th SW for the occasion, events are scheduled to start at 10:30 am.

11:07 AM UPDATE: From Deanie Schwarz at the celebration – we added her video of the benediction above; here’s the schedule for the next few hours:

11:30 Rappers SJ and Princy
11:50 Dance Troupes: Coconut Dance and Rice Dance
12:00 Traditional Games and Banana Eating Contest
12:30 Healthy Cooking Demos
1:00 Dance Troupe: Scarf and Karp Dance

Then tonight, it’s Roller Derby at Southgate Roller Rink! Details here.

(Also published on partner site WSB – this is big news for both communities!)

Story and photo by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

The long-closed former Southgate Skate Center in White Center will be a roller-skating rink once more.

After more than three months of negotiations with the owners of what is currently the Southgate Event Center at 9646 17th SW, John Venables of Lakeview Properties and Josh Rhoads of Lynnwood Bowl and Skate confirmed today to WCN/WSB that they have put down deposits and are awaiting the receipt of the keys on Monday, when they plan to sign leasing papers with an option-to-purchase clause.

Rhoads is a 14-year U.S.A World Team competitive artistic skater who currently manages the Lynnwood Bowl and Skate rink. Venables is an apartment-properties owner and manager, as well as a former cargo-ship steward. They intend to return the building (originally called the Southgate Rollerdrome in 1937) back to full use as a competition and training rink and family-oriented entertainment/sports facility with full concessions. It will once again be called the Southgate Roller Rink.

(Photos courtesy Southwest Seattle Historical Society)
From 1937 to 2006, the building housed a roller rink; it was built in 1920 by Hiram Green, a pioneer White Center real estate developer, as a boxing arena. Ownership changed hands in the late 1930s, and the conversion to a family-oriented skating rink included closing off the original 16th SW entrance to avoid the rowdy bar foot traffic of the post-Prohibition era. You can read more of its history in a HistoryLink essay by the late historian Ron Richardson, from which this photo was used when that essay was featured on White Center Now:

In fall 2008, it reopened, briefly, as home to the short-lived White Center Swap Meet, and was renamed Southgate Event Center. But it’s still known best as a rink, and it’s a home to modern-day history as well. In 2002, the Rat City Rollergirls flat-track derby team began their illustrious road to glory on the original Southgate floor, as the women’s derby leagues began their meteoric re-ascent across the country. Eventually, the Rollergirls drew crowds too large for the White Center space and moved on to the Sand Point/Magnuson hangar facility. They’ve moved on since then, too, now staging their bouts at KeyArena before thousands of fans.

But the Rat City Rollergirls do return to White Center for public service work, including the strip of road they have adopted in the downtown business district. One of the organization’s founders, Rahel Cook, is also the co-owner of regionally renowned Zippy’s Giant Burgers, which has recently announced it’s moving from its current location in Highland Park to a new White Center location on 14th Ave. SW., about three blocks from the new rink.

And RCRG may have a presence in the revived rink as well. Rhoades told WSB/WCN that they are in conversation with the board of the Rat City Rollergirls discussing potential projects in the new Southgate Roller Rink, including perhaps demonstrations, but emphasizing junior bouts, and Brat (junior girls) team training and classes. Rhoades himself is an RCRG fan and is looking forward to partnership projects which will bring the Rat City Rollergirls home to White Center through the Junior derby members.

Rhoades and Venables have a team of construction folks to assist them in the refinishing (stripping, sanding and plasticking) of the 70-year old original floor – just under 10,000 square feet – as well as removing walls and relocating some fixtures and structures, with the goal of returning the facility to its full original configuration as a skating rink. They will be pursuing a retro aesthetic with the finish and decorative work. They anticipate the work to begin immediately upon receipt of the keys and are optimistic that they can complete the entire renovation within four weeks.

Since the rink has not had any food handlers license/concession since 2005, they will be submitting new applications for licensing and are uncertain of how long that will take. Initially, the food will be heat-and-serve until the expansion of the stand, but they envision partnerships with local White Center food providers on site.

Perhaps folks will be able to have Proletariat Pizza or Uncle Mike’s Barbeque delivered to the rink, Venables suggests as possibilities. They are interested in cross-promotions with local vendors and look forward to becoming part of the revitalization and preserving this legendary piece of White Center history. Eventually, as well, Venables wants to bring hot dogs to the rink – he envisions doing really good, creative, sausages a dozen different and innovative ways. “Hot dogs are perfect rink food,” he says, even so he’s looking to offer quality.

Once the interior work has been completed, not only will skaters be skating on a completely renovated, competition-standard flat track, they will also be able to rent brand-new roller skates (Golden Horse).

The rink’s hours, considered standard for most skating rinks, will include three-hour Friday and Saturday night sessions, a Saturday afternoon beginners’ class, and a Sunday afternoon session (1:00-4:30) oriented to fun family activities, such as birthday parties. Adult skates will be offered, at a minimum to begin, on Thursday evenings.

A roller-derby-specific skate session will be run on Sunday evenings with faster music to appeal to those who are perhaps more advanced skaters or who are looking to get into the derby scene. At his Lynnwood facility, Rhoades has worked with Seattle Brats Derby (RCR youth derby), Tilted Thunder (a bank-track team) and I-5 Girls, all derby youth teams. He anticipates developing the RCR training program for the Brats here in White Center. He also has experience putting together the bouts from the Lynnwood facility and will be repeating that program at the Southgate facility.

Wondering about prices? Rhoads says about $6.50 for a Saturday 1-4:30 pm session, including skate rental fees; Fridays and Saturdays would be about $7.50. They plan to assign off-duty King County Sheriff’s deputies to work the evening sessions to ensure a “family environment” is preserved for the community. They work with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office at their Lynnwood facility and have been successful in keeping customers safe and making sure that families have fun. They don’t intend on doing big late-night skates or holiday parties in the beginning, so the rink will close by 10:30 or 11 at night.

Venables mentions that they will be placing pinball and video machines in the facility as well as a black-and-white photo booth. A brand new sound system with roller rink musical standards from the ‘80s and beyond will be installed, and, perhaps most importantly, an iconic disco-ball will be installed mid-ceiling.

Again, they’re hoping to open Southgate within a month – to restart what had been a long history as a place to spin your wheels.

(From Images of America West Seattle, copyright 2010, SWSHS/Log House Museum, pg. 97)

Three big events today in White Center: The WC Community Summit is happening at WC Heights Elementary all day, 9:30 pm-4 pm, including food, workshops, and a chance to learn about resources you can draw on for a better life and more cohesive community … WC Jubilee Days will benefit from the “Festivus” dinner/auction/dance tonight at the White Center Eagles, starting at 5 pm … And 11-3 pm at White Center Library, the Library Guild’s presenting a holiday bazaar (more here).

Just announced by Full Tilt Ice Cream‘s Justin Cline via Facebook – Halloween trick-or-treating in downtown White Center. 3-5 pm Sunday, October 31st, at participating stores; here’s the Facebook events page if you’d like to RSVP and watch for more information.

Food, entertainment — live bands and dance performances! — and shopping are under way outside Holy Family Church and School at Roxbury/20th, for the annual Community Street Fair.

It began officially at 9 am but really got rolling with a blessing around 10:30 am, with Holy Family’s Father Horacio Yanez:

Then, Rudy Alvarado – who was on a first-response team that rushed to New York nine years ago – led a moment of silence in memory of 9/11 victims. You can drop by till 6 tonight, again 9-4 tomorrow.

What could have been a frightening morning at Holy Family School turned into a story about smart second-graders who knew just what to do when they saw something dangerous-looking. Here’s the tale.

Also note – tomorrow and Sunday are the days for the big Community Street Fair at Holy Family, with new features this year including salsa and chili contests!

Lakewood Park, 11 am-2 pm, be there. Find out more about the present, and the hoped-for future, of this needs-help White Center gem, and meet local neighbors and community leaders. Here’s our original preview.

If you’re going to celebrate the Pacific Islander spirit and culture thousands of miles away – nothing could be better than a beautiful day with blue sky, bright sunshine and warm temperatures. That’s what graced the Pasefika Festival in White Center today. (Thanks to Gill for sharing the photo!)

Two days of fun start just hours from now – 4 to 9 pm tonight, a volleyball tournament is the kickoff to the Pasefika Festival, all day Saturday (10 am-5 pm) at White Center Heights Elementary (10015 6th SW)! More information on the White Center Community Development Association website. Pasefika is part of White Center Assembly, and the festival celebrates Pacific Islanders’ culture and traditions – this is the first year a volleyball tournament’s been added.

Sure, the White Center Jubilee Days street fair is a place for fun. But it’s also a great place to meet the neighbors who keep your community running, often from behind the scenes. The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council has a booth (where they were gathering messages of appreciation for former White Center storefront King County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Hancock):

If you saw the annexation-related sign in the background – that wasn’t part of the NHUAC booth, but instead belonged to the one nearby where we found Liz Giba:

Lots more familiar faces at the fair – including at the White Center Food Bank booth (that’s executive director Rick Jump at right) – looking ahead to its big Harvest Dinner and Auction fundraiser on October 16th (5:30 pm, Brockey Center at South Seattle Community College):

Did you notice the little girl checking out the motorcycle in the back of that shot? Mark Elliott told us that if you come to the WC Food Bank booth and make a donation – you can get your photo taken on it too:

Also on hand – Sean Healy from White Center Community Development Association:

Sean also leads the White Center-South Delridge Community Safety Coalition, which has its next meeting at 6 pm Thursday (WC DSHS office), great place to be if you have neighborhood crime/safety concerns and want to bring them up not just with neighbors, but with law-enforcement authorities, who are always represented. Back to who’s at Jubilee Days – we photographed Mark Ufkes in the White Center Chamber of Commerce‘s booth:

The North Highline Fire District, of course, is there – with personnel, fire trucks, and more:

And if you’re interested in talking about politics – say hi to our area’s biggest political group, the 34th District Democrats:

Businesses are represented at the street fair too – Kirk Mead was there on behalf of Alaska USA Credit Union, which is just over the West Seattle line at Westwood Village QFC:

And yes, fun stuff too. Especially for the little ones – look at the great signage for the kids’ zone:

Inside, a shady place to create:

If you missed it on Saturday, it all gets going again on Sunday – but first, a parade! That starts at 10 am. All the Jubilee Days info you could possibly need is here.

Lions – TIGERS! – anybody seen bears? Just one scene from opening night at the White Center Jubilee Days Carnival at Steve Cox Memorial Park. The carnival’s open 5 pm-midnight again tonight …

…then Saturday and Sunday are when the big fun happens, starting at 7:30 am Saturday with the White Center Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast. The schedule of events is on the right sidebar on the Jubilee Days website.

Not set up yet, but tonight, the rides have arrived at Steve Cox Memorial Park … and tomorrow night, the carnival opens, as White Center Jubilee Days festivities near. Tomorrow night also brings fireworks to the park, at dusk. Advance discount carnival tickets are on sale at locations including Full Tilt Ice Cream; a full schedule of events is on the Jubilee Days website.

From the good folks at the West Seattle-based Beer Church:

BEERS for B00BIES. A benefit for breast_cancer research.

Hello Seattle! Are you ready to Rock and Roll!

Beer Church wants to remind you that this Saturday we are hosting a fundraiser for Team Tracy and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Please come out and help us support this wonderful cause. The weather will be great and the beer will be even better.

The event takes place at Big Al Brewing from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. (address and map below).

Live music from Four on the Floor – classic rock from the 70s and beyond.

Big Al Brewing will generously donate a portion of the beer sales to the cause – $1 per pint and $2 per pitcher.
In addition to their considerable talents, Four on the Floor will donate T-shirts and tank tops. Make a donation, get a shirt.

We’ll be grilling up hot dogs/sausages. Make a donation, eat a dog.

This is an all ages venue. It’s an outdoor venue. Bring a lawn chair if you like and don’t forget the sunscreen. Consider earplugs if you’re noise sensitive. More event details on Facebook.

Just posted on the White Center Jubilee Days Facebook page:

7/17/ SAT Entertainment Main Stage
11:00 12:30 Perfect Weather
1:00-2:15 The Middle Age Crisis Band
3:00-3:45 Gadzooks
4:30-5:15 Blue Ribbon Boys
5:15-6:00 Rat City Ruckus
6:45-7:45 20 Riverside
8:15-9:15 Khingz
9:45 Gabriel Teodros

7/18 SUN Entertainment Main Stage
11 am -12 pm Gary Allen May
12:30 pm -1:30 pm Wrecked Chords
2 pm – 3pm Amateur Radio Operator
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Rat City Brass
5pm – 6 pm the Dusty 45’s

Also:

SAT.7/10 27th Annual Golf Tournament Foster Links Tukwila
12PM Scramble Start

SUN. 7/11 Garden Tour
Time TBD
WED. 7/14 – Carnival Opens
7 PM -12PM
WED 7/14 Ambassador Appoitnment
Eve. PM Precedes Fireworks At Steve Cox Mem Park
WED. 7/14 – Fireworks Ceremony
Dusk Steve Cox Memorial Park

THUR. 7/15 – Carnival
Time TBD

FRI. 7/16 – Carnival
Time TBD

SAT. 7/17 – White Center Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast
7:30 am – Noon 9615 20th SW, Holy Family School
Tickets on Sale Now see your Kiwanis Member

SAT. 7/17 – Street Fair opens 10am

SAT. 7/17 – Food Vendors Open 10 am

SAT. 7/17 – Beer Garden Open

SAT. 7/17 – Carnival
Time TBD

SAT. 7/17 – Car Show 10am

SUN. 7/18 – Parade
Staging at 9am
Parade starts 10 AM-11AM

SUN. 7/18 – Street Fair 10 am
SUN. 7/18 – Food Vendors 10 am
SUN. 7/18 – Beer Garden Opens
SUN. 7/18 – Carnival Opens

More news from the White Center Eagles – a swap meet tomorrow!:

Saturday, June 26, 2010, 9 am to 5 pm – White Center Eagles, 10452 15th Ave SW. Spaces are still available for sellers. Outdoor 10’ x 10’ space is $20.00, $5.00 table rental. Indoor space is $30.00, table included. Call (206) 248-1400 if you’d like to reserve. Come browse, come shop! Burgers & dogs served hot off the grill all afternoon. Bring your sweet tooth, baked goods also available for sale.

From one of the many fab nonprofits in WC – a great way to spend the night before Father’s Day!

Guys’ Night Out
Benefitting WestSide Baby

When was the last time you had an excuse to either have a night out with just your
friends OR to set something fun up for the guy in your life and his cronies? When
was the last time you said to your partner, “I’m sending out you for the night to
play poker, pool and horseshoes with good food and great drinks.” without being the
hero of the house? What a great Father’s Day prelude! ACT TODAY!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Date:
Saturday June 19
5:30 PM – 10 PM

Goal:
To raise funds to support WestSide Baby Programs.

Location:
10452 15th Ave. SW

Questions:
E-mail Kemp at kemp_garcia@hotmail.com
Call us at (206) 767-1662