White Center Now: The blog about White Center

(Photo courtesy King County Parks)

Early reminder so you can be sure this is on your calendar!

The Annual King County Parks Family Halloween Carnival is coming up on Saturday, October 27th from 2-5 pm at the White Center Community Center, in Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd).

Doors open at 2 p.m. and admission is FREE.

Local teens have planned nearly 30 different spooky town-themed crafts and games for local children ages 10 and under.

Tickets for each activity are sold for .25 each or 4/$1.

In addition to the games, the carnival will also feature a free juggling performance at 3:30 p.m.

This year’s carnival is once again sponsored by the Teens and Staff of the White Center Teen Program. The WCTP offers free recreational, educational and social enrichment programming to over 1200 culturally diverse participants ages 12-19 each year. The program operates five days a week, forty-eight weeks a year and provides structured recreational classes and programs, homework assistance, educational and computer resources, leadership training, volunteer opportunities, special events, field trips, and drop-in activities.

The Annual Halloween Carnival is traditionally one of the teens favorite volunteer events. Program staff estimate at least 50 teens will volunteer at the event. For additional Information, please contact Darlene Sellers, Recreation Coordinator at 206.477.2104

Li’l Woody’s in White Center says you deserve a treat on Labor Day, so it’s offering you a free burger 2-5 pm Monday. The caveats:

– No other sandwiches
– Extras cost extra
– Limit 1 burger per customer

As you probably know, Li’l Woody’s is adjacent to Beer Star, at 16th/98th.

Thursday, fireworks stands open in unincorporated King County, though it’s only legal to use them on the 4th of July. There will be extra patrols to ensure safety, two county councilmembers have announced:

King County’s unincorporated communities will get assistance in keeping the Fourth of July holiday safe, with a $25,000 boost in sheriff funding for increased patrols. Metropolitan King County Council Chair Joe McDermott and Councilmember Reagan Dunn announced the funds for the King County Sheriff’s Office were prioritized in the King County Budget.

“I’ve worked to secure these extra funds for increased patrols to help ensure neighborhoods in unincorporated King County can safely celebrate the Fourth of July holiday this year,” said Dunn.

“We want everyone to have a fun, and most importantly safe, celebration for Independence Day,” said McDermott.

$25,000 was prioritized to cover 300 hours of extra emphasis which will be split between the three sheriff precincts; Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest King County. The intent of this action is to ensure deputies can better respond to 911 calls made in response to illegal fireworks.

“These funds will help our office better address and respond to 911 calls that happen around the Fourth of July,” said Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht. “I appreciate the support of Councilmembers McDermott and Dunn in helping us get the financial resources needed to better serve unincorporated communities.”

In unincorporated King County fireworks may only be discharged on July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight. Residents are encouraged to act responsibly when using fireworks. Examples of legal fireworks include cone fountains, smoke devices, mines/shells/cakes, wheels, parachutes, roman candles, ground spinners, cylindrical fountains, sparklers, and poppers.

There are a number of free firework shows located around King County. The cities of Bellevue, Auburn, Carnation, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Kenmore, Maple Valley, Mercer Island, Newcastle, Mountlake Terrace, Renton, Sammamish, Seattle, and Tukwila are all hosting public fireworks displays on July 4th. See each city’s website or social media for more information.

For more information about how to use fireworks safely and legally go to: kingcounty.gov/depts/permitting-environmental-review/fire-marshal/fireworks.aspx.

P.S. Reminder that, as previously announced, no Jubilee Days fireworks show this year (because of Steve Cox Memorial Park construction), so if you want to see a professional display, the 4th is your best opportunity.

Looking ahead to the holiday, we’re checking around for closure info, and thought you might want advance warning that King County Library System branches (including White Center and Boulevard Park) will be closed Sunday (Christmas Eve) as well as Monday (Christmas Day).

Got your tickets yet? Ready to gather around the Festivus Pole? Ready to raise money for next year’s White Center Jubilee Days? You’ll be able to do it all at White Center’s own Festivus celebration on Saturday, December 9th. Doors open at the White Center Eagles‘ hall at 5:30 pm; your ticket gets you a prime-rib dinner as well as a share of the evening’s festivities, which include a silent auction. Buy tickets here.

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!