White Center Now: The blog about White Center

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

Think the term “participatory budgeting” sounds boringly bureaucratic? Hundreds of people involved in King County arts and culture organizations and service providers would vigorously disagree, in the wake of a celebratory gathering tonight in White Center, for the organizations around urban unincorporated King County who won a share of $11 million. Here are two of them:

(WCN video)

Young poetry performers Chellsea Vales (a 6th grader from Dimmitt Middle School) and Amiracle Hayes (a 5th grader from Campbell Hill Elementary School) were there for Speak with Purpose, “the only public-speaking program directly offered in classrooms throughout King County.” Speak with Purpose is receiving $96,000 from this year’s participatory-budgeting allocations.

Though the announcement of the celebration said County Executive Dow Constantine was expected to join Local Services Director Leon Richardson, Constantine’s deputy executive Shannon Braddock was there with Richardson instead. They and PB program manager Gloria Briggs had warm words for the program, as did others who were involved in the process that started with community nominations and continued into community voting:

Many of the recipients were there to officially accept their awards, which came from two pots of money, including cannabis-related dollars that went specifically to North Highline and Skyline. Briggs announced some of the NH winners:

And there were more performances – including Evergreen High School’s own Mariachi Ocote, led by Gabriela Olivarez.

They’re part of a Highline Public Schools program that stands to get a $120,000 PB grant if the school board approves acceptance. And White Center-based Acts on Stage presented a youth performer, too, Kaia Houston, who wrote the song she sang:

Acts on Stage won two grants for two programs, $82,000 and $180,000. One of the largest contingents there to accept their grant was the Khmer Community Center group:

They’re receiving $600,000 to “finish the transformation” of their under-construction building. Other major grants for unincorporated North Highline include $750,000 for Evergreen Aquatic Center, $700,000 for the White Center Heights Elementary (where this event was held) playground, $700,000 to more brightly illuminate downtown WC, and $200,000 for the White Center Food Bank. Community voting for potential grants was held this past October.

Just out of the WCN inbox:

The sponsors of this are hoping to get the word out far and wide about this screening event for uninsured or underserved women:

From Public Health – Seattle & King County this morning, word that Tacos de Canastafo at 16th/104th has been closed again as of last Friday (April 12) for allegedly “operating without a valid permit.” According to the Public Health webpage for food-establishment closures, they were supposed to still be closed from an order in February, for being an “unpermitted food vendor.”

Farmboy Bites, the burger stand at Future Primitive Brewing (9832 14th SW), was closed by Public Health Seattle & King County, the agency announced today:

Future Primitive Brewing (doing business as: Farmboy Bites) at 9832 14th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106
Closed: February 23, 2024 at 6 pm

Reasons: Excessive critical violations including:
Imminent health hazard: no water available on mobile
Person in Charge unable to demonstrate food safety knowledge
Food workers not washing hands when required
Inadequate hand washing facilities
Improper washing of produce
Improper cooling procedures
Room temperature storage of TCS* food

Status: Closed

*TCS = Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS)

On social media, the stand’s page says “Temporarily closed, more details ASAP.” They’re usually open Wednesdays-Sundays.

From a bulletin just sent by Public Health – Seattle & King County – two food establishments in White Center closed by inspectors:

Tacos de Canasta at 10426 16th Ave SW
Closed: February 6, 2024 at 1 pm
Reasons:
Unpermitted food vendor
Status: Closed

La Tipica Oaxaqueña at 1601 SW Roxbury St
Closed: February 6, 2024 at 6 pm
Reasons:
Imminent health hazard: Rodent infestation
Operating in an unapproved manner with insufficient equipment
Prohibited live animals present
Status: Closed

You can check here to see if they’ve been cleared to reopen.

Announced by the YWCA:

Don’t let the flu or COVID-19 ruin the start of your year!

Stop by the Winter vaccine clinic at YWCA’s Greenbridge Learning Center on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and get vaccinated to help keep yourself and others safe.

Vaccines are available for adults and children
No healthcare insurance is required.
Vaccines available regardless of immigration status.
Vaccines are absolutely FREE!

All vaccinations will be administered by King County Public Health.
YWCA Greenbridge Learning Center
9720 8th Ave. SW

The Southwest Seattle Youth Alliance circulates a survey each year to help shape programs aimed at preventing substance abuse. They’re hoping to get replies from a wide variety of community members, including people without youths in their households. Here’s the announcement:

The SW Seattle Youth Alliance, a school and community coalition formed to address the high rates of youth substance use in Southwest Seattle, would like your help in learning more about community concerns related to drugs and alcohol. The coalition will use these surveys to guide their work in selecting effective prevention programs and services for youth and the community. Please take a few minutes to complete.

You can answer the survey in English, or en Español. The survey’s open until November but if you have a few minutes to spare, earlier is always better.

Just a few weeks left until school starts – and just a few days until free school supplies are available along with health services and other resources at this Greenbridge event:

Happening Thursday online:

The Coalition for Drug Free Youth White Center/North Highline invites the community to learn about preventing youth substance use at its annual Key Leader event Thursday, June 22nd at 5:30 pm-7:00 pm via Zoom.

This annual event brings together key leaders, including parents, community members, schools and more, to further the coalition’s mission to prevent substance use and keep our youth drug-free. The program will include remarks from the coalition and two highly respected keynote speakers, Brad Finegood and Lisa Davidson, who have prepared educational and engaging content on youth substance use, vaping, opioids/fentanyl and how to engage in honest conversations with our youth. While focused on the White Center/Burien communities that the coalition serves, the program is open to all.

This is a great opportunity to come together as a community and learn from one another so that we may continue our mission in preventing substance use and keeping our youth drug-free.

Thursday, June 22nd, 5:30 – 7 pm
Zoom Info: tinyurl.com/CDFY2023

The sign on Pho White Center‘s door at 9642 16th SW simply says “temporarily closed,” hours after Public Health – Seattle & King County announced it had shut down the restaurant for violations:

Pho White Center at 9642 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106
Closed: May 1, 2023 at 5:30 pm

Reasons:
-Permit suspended due to repeat critical violations including:
-No designated Person-in-Charge of food safety
-Inaccessible handwash station
-Improper cooling of foods
-Holding foods at room temperature
-Inadequate procedures for holding foods at room temperature

Status: Closed

A check of the Public Health inspection database showed Pho White Center most recently had an “okay” rating.

The new Lumber Yard Bar location in downtown White Center hasn’t opened for business yet but it’s hosted community events including the chance for people to get vaccinated against monkeypox, and another opportunity is coming up this Sunday. Public Health – Seattle & King County says the shots will be available free to those eligible (check eligibility here) noon-4 pm Sunday (November 6th). They say limited walk-ups will be available but they’d rather you sign up in advance – just one problem, they haven’t provided the correct registration link yet, and we can’t find it anywhere. As soon as we have it, we’ll add it here, but we wanted to let you know about the announcement for starters. Lumber Yard is at 9630 16th SW. (Update: This is the correct link, even though the eventual landing page says COVID rather than monkeypox.)

(Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

If you would like to get a flu shot but are having trouble making that happen, maybe this clinic tomorrow night is for you. The Roxbury Safeway pharmacy sent word that they’ve scheduled the clinic for 6-8 pm Tuesday (October 11th) at the store (28th/Roxbury). No appointment needed – just show up. As noted on this flyer for the event, the shot is “free” with most insurance plans, and if you’re doing grocery shopping while you’re there, you’ll be entitled to a 10 percent discount,

Community Health Plan of Washington is presenting Medicare information sessions just over the line in South Delridge and sent this announcement:

This year’s Medicare Annual Enrollment period runs October 15 to December 7. During this time those who qualify for this federal health insurance program – Washingtonians who are 65 years old or older, under 65 years old and living with a disability, or living with End-Stage Renal Disease – have the opportunity to sign up or change plans. However, Medicare can be difficult to navigate. This free event will connect community members with Medicare experts who can help answer questions about:

-The different parts of Medicare
-How eligibility, premiums, deductibles and copays work
-Prescription drug coverage
-How to get additional benefits like dental or vision

All at the Salvation Army Center, 9050 16th SW:

Vietnamese Language
October 21 at 2-3 pm

Russian Language
October 21 at 2-3 pm

English Language
November 11 at 9:30-10:30 am

Spanish Language
November 11 at 9:30-10:30 am

>

King County Public Health says a community monkeypox-vaccination event still has doses available for eligible walk-ups – until 6 pm or until they run out – at the Lumber Yard Bar, 9630 16th SW in downtown White Center. Here’s who’s eligible.

Just announced by Public Health Seattle-King County:

The Crawfish House restaurant at 9826 16th Ave SW was closed by a Public Health food inspector on April 15, 2022 at 5:30 pm due to failure to comply with the following outstanding violations:

Demonstration of knowledge in food safety
Lack of handwashing
Inadequate handwashing facilities
Environmental contamination of foods
Effective pest control
Lack of proper cold holding of foods
Contaminated food contact surfaces

The establishment will be reopened once the inspector confirms that these issues have been resolved.

The restaurant’s overall rating from past inspections is “OK.” You can check for other current closures here.

Just in – this announcement of a vaccination event noon-6 pm tomorrow (Wednesday, July 28th) at Steve Cox Memorial Park:

From the inbox:

Neighborcare Health, in coordination with King County Housing Authority, Somali Health Board, and Neighborhood House, is providing free COVID-19 testing Tuesday, 11/17 from 12-4 pm at Greenbridge Main Plaza, 9839 Eighth Ave SW:

*Walk-up only. No appointment needed.

*Everyone is eligible for testing.

*Safe, quick, and painless. Test swab only goes part way in nose.

*Each individual will be registered upon arrival so we can process the test and follow-up with test results.

At registration, you will provide your name, date of birth, phone number, and insurance information (if you have it). Testing is FREE for everyone. We will bill your insurance if you have it. If you do not have insurance you will not be charged.

Questions: Call Neighborcare CAT Team at 206-333-2524,

From the WCN inbox:

The Khmer Health Board is organizing a COVID-19 Test Event on Saturday, September 19th from 9 AM – 3 PM at Evergreen High School, 830 SW 116th St.

In-person Khmer translators will be available to assist and insurance is not required for testing. Event is first come, first served. Giveaway items (health and safety supplies, Khmer groceries, etc.) are available until supplies last.

This morning, the state announced King County can move to Phase 2 of the reopening plan. For more on what that means, here’s a detailed list on the King County Public Health website.

12:36 PM: King County’s own announcement just arrived. Before reiterating that same list, it begins:

Following approval by state Secretary of Health John Wiesman, King County has officially entered Phase 2 of the state’s Safe Start recovery plan to allow limited business re-opening. Phase 2 allows for twice the capacity in retail, restaurants, and other businesses previously allowed in King County’s modified Phase 1 and goes into effect immediately.

“Moving to Phase 2 is another step toward economic recovery for our region, but it must go hand-in-hand with even more careful adherence to precautions from our public health experts,” said Executive Constantine. “Wearing face coverings, washing hands, and avoiding crowds and unnecessary contact can help make ours a one-way trip back to prosperity, and prevent the need to go back to stay-at-home orders.”

While there are no additional categories of businesses included in moving from modified Phase 1 to Phase 2, the operating capacity has doubled for those able to reopen. For example, restaurants can now operate with 50% of indoor capacity, and retail with 30% capacity. Businesses with questions on how to safely reopen under the state’s guidance are encouraged to call Public Health’s Business Compliance Line at 206-296-1608.

“We evaluated a number of factors to apply to move to phase two of reopening. Our healthcare system, perhaps the single most important factor, is currently well-prepared to care for COVID-19 cases as well as the other health needs of our community,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County.

Public Health officials recommend that people keep 6 feet apart from one another whenever possible. Outdoors exposures are less risky than indoors, and improving indoor ventilation is recommended. In addition, people need to wear face coverings in public, wash hands frequently, and get tested at the first sign of symptoms.

“Our cases have declined significantly since the peak of the outbreak in late March, and are now hovering around our target goal,” said Duchin. “Over the past seven days, however, we have seen an uptick in the number of cases compared to the previous week. With re-opening, we anticipated more cases in the community. That is why it is now more important than ever keep 6 feet apart from one another whenever possible and minimize unnecessary activity, especially people at increased risk for COVID-19.”

“As we move into phase 2 and for the foreseeable future, our risk will be increasing, not decreasing,” said Duchin. “COVID-19 has not gone away and we must take the ongoing risk very seriously. If we are going to be successful continuing to reopen, it’s essential that we do everything we can to prevent COVID-19 spread as we have more contact in social, recreational and work-related settings.”