White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Coming up one week from Saturday!

Before the holiday gets too far in the rear-view mirror – that video is courtesy of IAM 751, whose members donated a half-ton candy that was delivered last Friday to the Salvation Army center for White Center/eastern West Seattle fun.

White Center’s main business district welcomed trick-or-treaters this afternoon, and WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz photographed some of the fun. She says participating businesses included Full Tilt Ice Cream, 3.14 Bakery, Uncle Mike’s Barbecue, Proletariat Pizza, Cafe Rozella, and Big Al Brewing.

MORE PHOTOS ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: Just some of the costumed characters young ‘n’ old who came out this Halloween!

From the South Park Library, via the SP Yahoo! group:

South Park artist Amaranata Sandys shows us how to make sugar skulls, a traditional Day of the Dead craft, using sequins, color paint and paper flowers. A Day of the Dead altar will also be on display. For ages 5 and up.

Saturday, October 23, 12-2 p.m.
@ South Park Library

Amaranta Sandys de South Park enseñará como hacer las calaveras de azúcar, una tradición del Día de los Muertos; ultiizando lentejuelas, pintura de colores y flores de papel. Un altar de los Días de los Muertos estará en exhibición. Para niños de 5 años y más.

Sábado, 23 de octubre de 12-2 de la tarde
@ la biblioteca de South Park

8604 8th Ave. S. & S. Cloverdale St.
206-615-1688

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.

TRANSIT: Metro is on a Sunday schedule. Sound Transit – per its Facebook page – will run its express buses on a Sunday schedule, but no Sounder train service. Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is on a weekend schedule.

TRASH/RECYCLING: Normal schedule if you have pickup through Seattle Public Utilities

KING COUNTY LIBRARIES: Closed today

LIQUOR STORES: Open

MAIL DELIVERY: No

PARKING: If you visit an area of Seattle with parking meters/pay stations, note there’s no charge today, since Labor Day is a “parking holiday”

FOR A REGIONAL OVERVIEW: Here’s the “what’s open/closed” roundup from the Seattle Times (WSB partner).

Wishing you a safe and happy 4th of July. Till midnight, it’s legal to use fireworks within the unincorporated area – but just the type that are sold here, not the heavy-duty kind. No fireworks show in White Center itself, nor in Burien – but there’s one in Three Tree Point. Burien does have a 4th of July Parade – starts at 3 pm (more info here).

Just a quick reminder: Though fireworks have been for sale in the unincorporated area since Monday, using them is ONLY legal 9 am-midnight on Sunday. And if you are within the Seattle or Burien city limits, they are NOT legal at all.

Just a few things – No school, no mail, no government offices (with a few exceptions), no banks; trash pickup is normal; Metro is on a Sunday schedule and Sound Transit Express buses are also on a Sunday schedule; libraries are closed; state liquor stores are open.

The flash of fire, the sound of drums, all outside Pho My Loi just about an hour ago.

Tomorrow is the start of the Lunar New Year – this is the Year of the Tiger.

To celebrate New Year, the Lieu Quan Lion Dance Team (as announced by the White Center Community Development Association website) – came out to dance.

There’s a big Lunar New Year celebration under way in the International District today too – here’s coverage in the Seattle Times (WCN citywide-news partner).

You can see all 40 of our photos in this Flickr slideshow:

The White Center Community Development Association website has updated its listing for Vietnamese New Year celebrations this weekend. Now WCCDA says a lion dance is scheduled to be performed at Pho My Loi at 10 am Saturday morning – no firecrackers, though. Read more here.

(Cross-posted at partner site West Seattle Blog)

Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for White Center Now/West Seattle Blog

A joint event between the Southwest Boys and Girls Club, the Red Cross and HOPE worldwide at Greenbridge (map) combined messages of civil rights and disaster preparedness to honor and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.

The event was kicked off by the Seahawks’ Blue Thunder drummers and an opening speech by North Highline Fire District Fire Chief Scott LaVielle. Chief LaVielle spoke about fire safety— which is being highlighted by the Red Cross — and quoted from speeches by John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy to highlight the importance of caring for our communities.

Red Cross Coordinator Beth Jusino notes that MLK Day is viewed by her organization as “A day on, not a day off” in service to the community. After the event, volunteers dispersed into the Greenbridge neighborhood to place door-hangers regarding fire safety and earthquake preparedness at the surrounding homes. The information is printed in both English and Spanish. (In case you’re not in the area flyered – here’s the Red Cross’s infopage on fire safety.)

Jusino adds that in light of the Haitian earthquake, people have opened their hearts to the world community; today, people are focusing on opening their hearts to their local community – and the volunteers who are spreading the word about helping each other, locally and globally.

Just a heads-up – Monday, when the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday is observed, Metro will be on “reduced weekday” service levels. Full details here.

Just north of White Center, that was the festive scene Sunday afternoon at Highland Park Improvement Club, as friends and neighbors made balloon lanterns to get ready for a New Year’s Eve neighborhood parade (with coaching from Fremont artist Tricky Bunny, left foreground). You’re invited to join in – just meet at the HPIC lot at 6:30 Thursday night; the parade will last about an hour, followed by a fire show in the HPIC lot, and the Highland Park “house party” right after that. More info here.

Got yarn to share? You might want to drop it off at White Center Food Bank after reading this story (shared on Facebook by volunteer Beth Grieser).

If your student’s in Seattle Public Schools, they’re out an hour early today; if Highline Public Schools, they’re out 90 minutes early like most Fridays. Happy vacation!

From the White Center Food Bank website – 50 trees donated for happier holidays, courtesy of IKEA and Evergreen High School! See the story, with a photo, here.

We caught up with Rat City Rags during the West Seattle Art Walk in September, when their work was featured at Ventana Construction. Tonight, you can see, buy, mingle and drink during RCR’s first holiday party, happening 5-10 pm at Big Al Brewing!

Just got word from Holy Family Parish School that they’re also selling trees and wreaths – you’ll find them at the church parking lot. Proceeds go to the school. Trees run from $20 to $69.

We’ll be scoping out the Christmas tree scene this weekend in White Center and West Seattle, but for starters, we have word that Croft Rentals (11229 16th Ave SW; map) is selling trees, swags and wreathes. And we’re told you’ll get $5 off your purchase if you bring in a new, unwrapped, unopened toy to donate. They’re also offering free delivery “within about five miles of (their) location.”