White Center Now: The blog about White Center

According to a bulletin broadcast by Seattle Police (though it’s a King County Sheriff’s Office case), the mini-mart at 15th/Roxbury was hit by a strong-arm robbery a short time ago, and the clerk needed medical attention after being punched in the face by one of the robbers. We don’t know whether this was a shoplift-turned-robbery (which would be defined as such by the use of violence) or a holdup. Five suspects described only as being in their teens and 20s got away in a “blue sedan”; a car of similar description took off after a hit-run crash shortly thereafter at 17th/Roxbury.

The White Center Eagles have a two-part invitation for you:

White Center Eagles, located at 10452 15th Ave SW, are holding a membership drive on October 13th & 14th. The public is welcome to come find out what the Eagles is all about and all of the charitable work we do in our community. We have been part of White Center since 1946. The membership drive coincides with our annual Oktoberfest event on both Friday & Saturday. Friday features a traditional Jagerschnitzel dinner from 5 to 7 pm with music by the Tim Turner Band from 7 to 11 pm. Saturday we’ll be open at noon for the Huskies game and then join us for the Bierlympic Games from 2 to 5 pm. The Bierlympics include cornhole, beer pong & a stein holding contest. Dinner on Saturday will be brats, sauerkraut & German potato salad from 5 to 7 pm.

This flyer has cost and menu info for tonight’s dinner.

(WCN photo, Monday: Memorial for bus-shooting victim)

“M.W.” are the initials spelled out at the memorial along 15th SW for the man shot to death aboard a Metro bus there one week ago tonight. When we photographed the memorial yesterday, we didn’t know what the initials stood for – but tonight we do. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim as 21-year-old Marcell D. Wagner, who died from “multiple gunshot wounds.” Still no word of an arrest; we’ll be checking again with the King County Sheriff’s Office tomorrow.

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council returned from summer hiatus with an online meeting illuminating issues from crime to the King County Council District 8 election.

The meeting facilitated by NHUAC’s Liz Giba started with announcements, including a political forum.

HIGHLINE SCHOOL BOARD RACES: Sandy Hunt dropped in to make sure everyone knows the League of Women Voters is presenting a Highline School Board forum tomorrow (Tuesday, October 10th) – here’s the info:

It’s happening in person. Hunt said that this is one of the “most important School Board (elections) we’ve had in a long time,” so you’re urged to go find out more about the candidates.

KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: KCSO Storefront Detective Glen Brannon and Community Resource Officer Nate Hammock – who also can be found at the Steve Cox Memorial Park office – appeared. Brannon said crime trends are “having a rough year” – up consistently from last year – “that kind of reflects coming out of COVID.” Lower-priority crime is trending “closer to normal” – He wanted to clarify “what you can expect from us and what you’ll see as time goes on,” including “the co-responders program.” Precinct 4 has funded six positions – mental health professionals paired up with deputies – to “really start doing more outreach” as most of the crime in WC is “survival crime – people shoplifting … to live.” He said throwing those people in jail “doesn’t work” so they are working with people to ‘get them out of the circumstances forcing them to do those crimes.” Two teams are out at work at the moment and a third time is riding with the Fire Department, while KCSO is hiring another team. Co-respondr cars work 7 days a week, starting at 8 am, contacting people early, with another one reaching out close to bedtime, and the third team filling in gaps. “I am a big fan of this.” He goes out with the teams when he can and develops relationships with people on the street. He said the ability to put people in jail “has not changed … for most property and misdemeanor crimes we still do not have the ability to take people to jail.” But they have LEAD. He jokes “they took away my stick but I’m going to hit you with the biggest carrot I can” – and that’s LEAD. That leads to referrals to counselors rather than prosecutors IF the suspect enrolls in services within 30 days and starts working on “getting their life better.” If they do, then they drop the potential charges.

Regarding KCSO staffing, “we are still down number-wise but for the first time in three years we are below the 100 mark” – fewer than 100 vacancies – less than half what it was a year ago. “We’re getting good people … and I’m very excited about it.” Within 2 to 6 months that should start reflecting in numbers of units on the street. “King County is a great place to work,” he said.

Does that mean the WC area might get another position? It’s staffed with two deputies but has funding for three, the detective said, adding that Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall sat down with command staff and looked at where calls were the highest and that shifted more staffing to Precinct 4 (Burien etc.). What about diversity? That’s going pretty well, Det. Brannon said, noting that he’s working with “a young deputy” who speaks five languages.

An attendee asked about an “open-air drug market” near his neighborhood, near the 16th/107th mini-mart. “We do have a vibrant transient/homeless population in WC and we have for a long long time,” the detective acknowledged, saying it’s a situation they’ve long been working on, and that he never drives by that area without stopping to talk to anyone he sees. The co-responders are part of that.

Regarding the music-noise situation plaguing some neighborhoods west of downtown WC, Det. Brannon said a stage redesign and noise-deadening curtains are still supposedly in the work, and he is buying a decibel meter to help with enforcement. He says four bars are playing outdoor music; two are wrapping up for the season, and he’s working with the other two. But he said if they have to “get to the ticket-writing stage … we’re going to break some ground” because prosecutors say they’ve never pursued those kind of charges before. The tickets start at $125 and can scale up quickly, he added.

(WCN photo: Memorial for bus-shooting victim)

Major Mark Konoske was asked about the fatal shooting on a bus near 15th/Roxbury. “There was a variety of evidence available that we’re following up on … I’m optimistic we’ll end up catching some people … there are leads we’re following up on.”

Regarding burglaries in the area, He stressed the importance of reporting anything out of the ordinary – “call us and we’ll send a car out.” NHUAC’s Barbara Dobkin said that phoning things in can be frustrated – there was an obvious abandoned-likely-stolen car in her neighborhood and was told that it had to be there for three weeks before anything could be done (even though she saw suspicious activity around it) – finally it was taken, likely re-stolen, she said. Det. Brannon said whoever she spoke with misspoke, because vehicles on the street in unincorporated King County are supposed to be moved every 24 hours. Call it directly to his attention if they’re not getting traction some other way, he said.

CANDIDATE FORUM: Sofia Aragon and Teresa Mosaueda, finalists for the King County Council District 8 seat that Joe McDermott is leaving, were the guests. NHUAC’s Giba made it clear that the organization does not make endorsements but does work to inform citizens, and that was the reason for the forum. The candidates were given up to three minutes to answer questions. Mosqueda lives in North Delridge and Aragon lives in Shorewood. Each first received a chancr to introduce herself.

ARAGON: She is Burien’s current mayor. Her education involves two bachelor’s degrees and a law degree. Her experience includes the mayoral service and the challenges Burien has been dealing with – homelessness, drug use, housing, public health. She has lived all over the county including unincorporated areas so “I have an appreciation of the reliance on the county” by areas such as North Highline. She’s running because regional leaders “can do better.” Her goal to be “to focus on common-sense solutions.” She is an “immigrant child from the Philippines who grew up in South Seattle” and was inspired by her mom to become a nurse. As a mayor, she’s been taking action to combat the surge in drug-related deaths.

MOSQUEDA: She is chair of the Finance and Housing Committee on the Seattle City Council. Her experience has been in health and workers’ issues. She has worked to ensure the LEAD and Co-LEAD programs got investments, and programs similar to what was discussed earlier in the NHUAC meeting. She said she has worked to increase the Health One team in the Seattle Fire Department. “I have been on the forefront of helping to increase investments in our dual dispatch system,” and she said she looks at every investment “through the health lens,” which is why she wants to move to the King County Council. She has a Masters in public administration, and an undergraduate degree, and is a third-generation Mexican-American hoping to be the first Latinx to serve on the King County Council.

How much time did you spend in North Highline in the year before filing?

MOSQUEDA: She said her family spends some time in White Center, including the library, and looks forward to learning more about the area and its concerns.

ARAGON: She says the area has a “very lovely business district … that’s been hit hard” and she has dined there. She has also gotten prescriptions filled at area drugstores. She says she’s in the area “several times a week.”

Giba showed some stats showing that the area faces many health and economic and educational challenges.

She also showed stats comparing the area with Burien and West Seattle.

“The inequity continues throughout the entire 34th [Legislative] District.” So, she asked, if they agree that segregation is a problem on those many counts.

MOSQUEDA: She said she wishes people would see this data and “take to the streets” … absolutely we have a problem where economic (and other) segregation exists today,” as evidenced by that data. She said redlining maps of the past can be overlaid and you can see where those problems persist today. “Segregation persists in our community and it’s limiting where people can call home” She said shes worked in Seattle to look at public policy through that sort of lens, including an ordinance “recognizing racism as a public health crisis.” What she’d like to do on King County Council:

-create more affordable housing
-direct investments into food-security programs
-direct investments into climate justice

“This is a crisis,” she declared, and “exactly why I want to go to the county.”

ARAGON: She agreed it’s a problem and said that in Burien they look at whether certain populations “are isolated” and try to bring them together. Latinx is the largest population, she said, “and we have create a number of cultural events to really celebrate that heritage” as well as looking at services including being sure people can access them in Spanish language. That includes recruiting Spanish-speaking police officers, she said. “in the county we could do a better job,” maybe creating an economic-development office, she said. Looking at how North Highline “can maintain its uniqueness” while finding a way it can “grow and thrive,” too, she said. She also said that COVID put inequities in the spotlight along with “what are the things we’re doing and not doing to exacerbate these disparities,” such as providing services in Seattle but expecting people to make it there from around the county to access them.

Giba asked about 1,300 tax-exempt units with more than 1,700 bedrooms – as of 2018 – in North Highline. Many are occupied by children. Services rely on local taxes but tax-exempt properties aren’t contributing, she noted

She said the area needs better policies, not just programs, to deal with struggling schools serving those children. Giba named three local schools that are “over the tipping point.”

NHUAC’s Amelia C asked a question about economic and racial diversity.

ARAGON: Yes, they’re important, “it’s the changing nature of our world” and we need to embrace it. Regarding housing, she said mixed-use is a good model and policies encouraging those are good, as well as Habitat of Humanity-type housing models, and housing that serves 50% AMI, as well as supportive housing for the chronically homeless. Mary’s Place will be expanding in the Shorewood area of Burien, too. “All of that needs investment by governmental entities.”

MOSQUEDA: Yes, economic and ethnic diversity – and “all forms” of diversity – are an important goal. Gender, age, more. “We need to be welcoming and creating policies that welcome everything,” including recognizing that King County is about half POC and a fourth immigrant. Making sure that everyone has a place to call home is vital. Income diversity, too. LGBTQIA representation, to more. She also noted that the “upside-down nature of our tax code” is to blame for some of the problems Giba had spotlighted to open the question. She also noted she’s “led on gun violence strategies.” She says many issues are “intersectdional’ and will require “an intersectional approach.”

Amelia also asked what each would do to ensur tax-exempt housing was equitably distributed throughout the county, not just concentrated in North Highline.

MOSQUEDA: We should not be relying on property tax to fund public schools – “that’s just doubling down on the segregationist approach.” Washington’s tax system is the most regressive in the nation, and working to right that is vital.

ARAGON: Lobbying for the nurses association, she had advocated for a more equitable tax structure. She agreed that the current tax code is “highly problematic.” She said that there should be a way to see whether an area in need of more investment “can be first in line.” There’s a lot of strategies to focus on pepole already in crisis but kids need to be given tools to stay “out of that path.”

If elected, will you sponsor King County to use fact-based opportunity analysis?

ARAGON: She embraces data-driven decisionmaking. “The solutions also need to be community-based,” she said.

MOSQUEDA: “Fact-based policy is my jam!” she exclaimed. She believes in decisions “rooted n proven strategies.” She gave a few examples of ‘fact-based policies I’ve invested in over the years. One is investing in the youngest children. She also talked about how rent increases just after the pandemic found Mary’s Place seeing a dramatic increase in families showing up in need of housing – and voting to increase affordable housing is something on which she has focused.

NHUAC’s Dobkin asked the next questions, showing a map of zoning changes from the King County Subarea Plan. It’s changed from R-6, six units per acre, to R-18. The neighborhood is primarily single-family homes but intended to change, with inclusionary zoning. What is the candidates’ understanding of IZ?

MOSQUEDA: Seattle has done a lot of work on that, she said. It’s a “both/and” approach for building more housing to serve both people who are here and people who are coming here because it’s a great place to be. She said including greenspace is vital. New buildings need to reflect the neighborhood – some neighborhoods even have old pre-existing apartment buileings that blend in, or if not, “can be re-created … so that more people can live in our region.” She says that not creating more housing is ‘an environmental-justice issue” because then people have to live further out, commute farther to jobs, or live in housing that paves over green spaces.

Dobkin followed up that IZ is usually used to “integrate lower-income people into higher-income neighborhoods … so how does IZ in a lower-income neighborhood work”? Mosqueda said that it’s a matter of diverse “price points,” and ownership opportunities as well as rentals. She said it’s important that IZ not displace existing low/moderate-income residents.

Where else has IZ been built in King County? Dobkin pressed. Mosqueda mentioned Yesler Terrace.

ARAGON: She said it’s not just a matter of integrating with “high income” but also with “market rate.” Overall, she thnks it’s a “great concept” but some details need to be worked out, such as “what percentage” of units need to be affordable? Should there be affordable housing countywide? It’s important to place it strategically around the region. She said Burien has a history similar to North Highline – “we always felt as if things were being done to us.” She said it’s a plus that she’s used to dealing with that. She also understands the importance of having a discussion with a community before coming up with a plan like this. Infrastructure is important too.

Dobkin went on to talk about what she called “destructive” construction that’s led to a “tremendous amount” of tree-cutting without infrastructure to support increased density – no sidewalks, “rural” streetlighting, etc. “We don’t have enough parks (or) greenspace.” Though the county assured residents it wouldn’t happen overnight, people are already buying up property. So, what steps woud the candidates take to support current and future improvements to facilitate the density increase?

ARAGON: She reiterated that her experience with Burien’s unique challenges mean she’s suited for working on issues like that.

MOSQUEDA: She said it’s important to recognize that policies can be felt by communities like this as just piling on to burdens they already bear, situations in which they historically have not been heard, have not been at the table. To “right that wrong,” communities need to be brought to the planning “table.” Specific discussions about trees, sidewalks, etc. are vital, and she understands that previously, it seemed like “development going rogue.” She said there’s a county effort to do an inventory of greenspace. She agrees that streetlighting is a key component of community safety. Seattle City Light needs to show that area the same urgency for responsiveness and investment, and she can bring her experience of having worked on a committee overseeing it. She also talked about regulating short-time rentals.

The floor was opened to community member questions, but there were none. So Giba asked another question: Since KCSO deputies can’t book suspects into jail for crimes like theft and vandalism, what do you think of that and what steps will you take to improve public safety?

ARAGON: The talk of “defunding police” a few years ago was harmful. The system has racism and bias, but that can be improved. What she heard in the question is that current laws aren’t being enforced “and that IS problematic … (so) we need to address the officer shortage.”

MOSQUEDA: Much of what KCSO discussed earlier in the meeting is needed, along with hiring additional officers, which she has supported in Seattle. But “fewer people … are coming to that profession” so it’s important to help free up officers from responses that don’t require armed law enforcement. She wants to ‘double down” on programs like LEAD and Co-LEAD, and Community Passageways, “to come and help people instead of arresting them.” But “we also know that our jail is at capacity … and understaffed” and has bad health conditions, so King County Executive Dow Constantine is “trying to close down that jail and find safer places for people to go.”

NEXT MEETING: (corrected) November 2nd. (That’ll be five days before voting ends in the general election, on November 7th.)

Thanks to Gill Loring for a few photos from the White Center Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast this past Saturday, He was there after the early rush.

Proceeds go toward youth programs supported by the club.

Saturday’s breakfast was served at the White Center Eagles‘ HQ.

Looking for something fun and social – but not TOO social – to do tonight? The Silent Book Club of West Seattle is expanding into White Center, with the addition of Dubsea Coffee to its list of venues:

Locations for Thursday October 5:

Beveridge Place
C & P Coffee
Darby Winery
Dubsea Coffee
Easy Street Records
The Nook
Otter on the Rocks
Revelry Room
Till Dawn
Viscon Cellars
West Seattle Grounds

Some special happenings:

Dubsea Coffee will have Halloween-themed charcuterie boards and a discount on espresso drinks, plus a four-for-$20 drink special for groups of readers.

Otter on the Rocks will have special fall cocktails on the menu.

Darby Winery will have a 15% discount on bottles to go at the end of the night.

Viscon Cellars is offering discounted wine pours for readers for the evening.

West Seattle Grounds will have charcuterie plates, wine, and beer on the menu for readers to enjoy in addition to Caffé Vita coffee and Rishi tea.

Here’s how the Silent Book Club works – show up at a venue of your choice, order a beverage, settle in, start reading. You can discuss your book with people nearby – or not! The SBC “meets” monthly and has continuee to grow.

From King County Local Services:

A new grant program is available to small businesses in unincorporated King County that have experienced vandalism or break-ins since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.

The King County Department of Local Services Storefront Repair Program is intended to address vandalism and enhance security in business districts of the unincorporated areas. The program serves small businesses (10 employees or less) by providing a one-time grant up to $5,000 to repair and damage and restore storefronts of commercial buildings occupied by operating businesses. Retail, grocery, food service, and personal, professional, or medical services are eligible to apply.

Eligible expenses include:

Repair or replacement of windows, doors, exterior lighting, signs, or awnings
Replacement of security screens or bars, graffiti removal, security cameras, and insurance claim deductibles

For program guidelines and applications, see the Storefront Repair Grant Program page. For questions or application assistance, email localbusinessgrants@kingcounty.gov

Applications will be accepted through Dec. 31, 2023, subject to funding availability.

(Added: WSB photo)

5:52 PM: A man is reported to have been killed in a shooting on a Metro bus on 15th SW just south of Roxbury. Seattle Police were the first on the scene so our coverage launched on partner site West Seattle Blog, but it’s in King County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, so they’re taking over the investigation. It was reported around 5:10 pm. The victim was described as “around 30 years old.” We haven’t heard anything else about exact circumstances; the bus was a RapidRide H Line headed for Westwood Village, our photo shows. Conflicting descriptions of the shooter have been broadcast so we don’t have anything for sure right now. If you’ve seen/heard a helicopter, that’s the shared TV chopper, not Guardian One. We’ll add anything more we find out; 15th SW is closed near the scene while the investigation continues.

6 PM: Now Guardian One is also over the scene.

10:08 PM: Here’s the KCSO news release, for the record (though it doesn’t say anything we haven’t already reported:

This evening (October 3rd) at approximately 5:10 pm, deputies from the King County Sheriff’s Office responded to the vicinity of SW Roxbury ST and 15th Ave SW for reports of a shooting that occurred on a Metro bus. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a single victim, who was unfortunately pronounced deceased at the scene.

Multiple specialized units, including Guardian 1 aerial support and a K9 Unit, responded to conduct a thorough search for the individuals involved. As of this moment, the search operation has concluded, and the suspect(s) in question remain at large.

The King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit will be investigating.

11:20 PM: 15th has reopened, per a Metro advisory.

This Thursday’s the big night – with two weeks to go until voting begins, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council will talk with the candidates for King County Council District 8, the seat that Joe McDermott is leaving:

You Are Invited

Candidates Forum
Presented by: North Highline Unincorporated Area Council

Thursday October 5, 2023 @ 7 PM

MEET

King County Council District 8 Candidates
Teresa Mosqueda & Sofia Aragon

Join Zoom Meeting
us02web.zoom.us/j/88360227989?pwd=ajg5eXdHSUFWZmFxeDNJTjZ1SHI1QT09

Meeting ID: 883 6022 7989
Passcode: NHUAC2023 (Case Sensitive)

Or Join by Phone: 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 883 6022 7989
Passcode: 839454575

All Are Welcome – Bring Your Questions – Get the Facts
Be Informed Be Involved Be Counted

VOTE

Just announced by the White Center Food Bank, and you’re invited!

Join White Center Food Bank (WCFB) for an exciting Capital Campaign Fundraiser, with exclusive tours of our new facility prior to the event! This special celebration features delicious food from White Center restaurants, amazing speakers, great music, a silent auction and more. With just over 60% of our $8 million goal raised, we need our community of supporters to help us move to our new home.

Speakers include Senator Joe Nguyen, our Executive Director Carmen Smith, and a WCFB customer. The event will be MC’d by the inspiring community advocate and food bank partner, Kimnang Seng. Delightful music from master Brazilian singer, Adriana Giordano will create a celebratory ambiance for this special event. Each ticket includes appetizers provided by Sap Sap Lao Cafe and Patrick’s Cafe and Bakery, plus a drink ticket.
Tours of the new food bank from 2:30-4pm and the event is 4-6pm. Shuttles will be provided by KC Metro to and from the event space and the new food bank.

Date: Saturday, Oct 21
Time: 2:30-6pm (tours of new food bank from 2:30-4 pm, fundraising event from 4-6 pm)
Event Location: White Center Eagles, 10452 15th Ave SW
New Food Bank Location: 10016 16th Ave SW

This new facility will bring together an incredible array of community programing, hosted both by the food bank and partner organizations. WCFB wants people from all walks of life to enter through our doors together, so that everyone feels comfortable receiving food whenever they need it.

“We’re excited for this next chapter to better serve the community and revitalize this part of the neighborhood. We hope that our supporters will continue to show up alongside us to ensure our community thrives.”- Carmen Smith, Executive Director.
To purchase tickets and learn more, click here!

Received today from King County:

King County’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is seeking responses for a new Skyway-West Hill and North Highline Community Planning Request for Information (RFI)! Responses are due Friday, October 27, 2023.

Overview:

DCHS is releasing the Skyway-West Hill and North Highline Community Planning RFI to better understand the needs and priorities of the Skyway-West Hill and North Highline communities to inform the design of a future RFP to support Community-based organizations (CBOs) to lead community planning processes exploring or advancing community-led and community-owned models of Permanently Affordable Housing, including but not limited to Community Land Trusts, as an anti-displacement strategy in these neighborhoods. DCHS anticipates releasing the RFP in Quarter 1 of 2024 which will deploy approximately $175,000 to advance community planning efforts in Skyway-West Hill and North Highline. No funding will be awarded from this RFI.

DCHS is seeking responses from community-based and place-based organizations (CBOs) working in Skyway-West Hill and North Highline areas of King County or community members who have strong community ties to Skyway-West Hill and North Highline.

How to respond:

You may choose to respond either in writing or in an interview with DCHS staff.

Online form: Please visit https://forms.office.com/g/1frZSmQD3H and enter your responses to any or all of the questions.

By interview: Interviews with DCHS staff to respond to the RFI question in the attached document will take place between September 28 and October 27 during normal business hours (8am-5pm). Please email Joanna Armstrong at DCHScontracts@kingcounty.gov with “RFI Interview for Permanent Affordability Community Planning” in the subject line to schedule a meeting for up to one hour in length.

The method of your submission has no bearing on the consideration of responses. DCHS may contact respondents for clarification or elaboration of their responses.

For more information:

Please review the full RFI here: Full RFP document. Please direct any questions about the RFI to Joanna Armstrong, by emailing DCHScontracts@kingcounty.gov

The sign outside White Center’s Bartell Drugs – photographed Wednesday – seems to be a play on words. Today is the day the store planned to close. No info yet on what’ll become of the building – our inquiry to its owner, a California electrical contractor, has so far gone unanswered.

(Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

Saturday (September 30th) is set as opening day for Burger Planet, going from food truck to bricks-and-mortar at 9614 14th SW in White Center, former home of Zippy’s Giant Burgers. After hearing about a note on the door announcing the date, we stopped by Wednesday evening and found owner Marco and chef Marco, who invited us in for a look:

The decor is “Star Wars”-themed, in keeping with the “planet” name. There are games, as there were in Zippy’s.

They’re planning to open 4-11 pm and promise “new menu items” in addition to what their truck has offered (you might remember it from a stint at the 30th/Roxbury gas station in 2017), along with local beer on tap.

You can admire creative cups at White Center’s own Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th SW) when Rat City Studios presents its Community Cup Showcase starting one week from today:

We’re so excited to share that our 6th Annual Community Cup Exhibition at Dubsea Coffee is opening just around the corner!

The show will be up from October 4th – October 30th.

We’ll be having an opening reception on October 7th from 10 am-12 pm. This reception will be a fun time to connect with the community members in the show, meet the local artists, take in all the cups, and enjoy a delicious beverage.

The Community Cup Showcase coincides with National Clay Week and this annual event celebrates the wide variety of talent, techniques, shapes, glazes, and styles of pottery making within our vibrant clay family!

Just a week and a half until this tasty way to help!

Our Kiwanis New Year (2023-24) is just starting as we kick off with a PANCAKE BREAKFAST to be held on Saturday morning, October 7, beginning at 8 AM and running until noon at the White Center Eagles, 10452 15th SW, featuring pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee, and/or juice, as well as a silent auction. Tickets remain at $10, with those under 5 free, and may be obtained at the door and/or from any WC Kiwanian you know, or by contacting Bill Tracy at 206-248-2441 or billnancytracy@aol.com.

We are a 501 C-3 ID# 90-0840143 and checks are to be made to The Kiwanis Club of White Center Youth Foundation. All funds raised, including donations, are delivered to area children’s organizations including the SW Boys & Girls Club, the White Center Food Bank, WestSide Baby, Camp Casey for handicapped children, as well as working with the Key Clubs at New Start Alternative HS and Evergreen HS, as well as helping the Exchange Club of Highline and Shorewood Elementary School. We appreciate your assistance and hope you will join us on OCTOBER 7, 2023.

Thanks to Gill Loring for the photos! Last weekend, North Shorewood Park got some TLC from the WTA – Washington Trails Association.

Damp weather didn’t stop this determined crew.

Yearning for a chance to help? Several other natural areas and parks have volunteer opportunities on the next Duwamish Alive! day – October 21st.

As previously announced, King County Council District 8 candidates Sofia Aragon and Teresa Mosqueda will be at the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting on October 5th. Before that, you have a chance to hear from them in nearby West Seattle. Via our partner site West Seattle Blog, we’re having a candidate forum on Monday (September 25th), starting with County Council D-8 at 6:30 pm (followed by Seattle City Council D-1 if you’re interested in that). No live stream but we will record video and will publish that here as well as on WSB. The forum will be at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), in the upstairs meeting hall. We’ll be asking questions assembled in advance, including some sent by readers; if there’s anything you’d like us to ask Mosqueda and Aragon, please email your question to whitecenternow@gmail.com.

SUNDAY UPDATE: One candidate is ill and unable to participate in person, so since remote is not an option, we will postpone this to a TBA date. We’ll announce it here when we set something.

Got plans Saturday night (September 23)? A quietly effective nonprofit helping countless area families invites you to a party that’s coming on the heels of a Family Fun Day last weekend. Here’s what it’s all about:

If you noticed an abundance of bubbles in the air last Saturday, that is because the UnPoppable Family FUNfest happened in White Center. Nestled in the community amphitheater courtyard between Educare Seattle and White Center Heights Elementary, children aged one month to 6 years were the focus of a joy- and music-filled gathering with activities, performances by the Highline Drill Team, a visit from a King County Fire District 2 engine and crew, and bubbles galore!

Educare Seattle hosts this event specifically for early learning families to acknowledge and celebrate the critical role the “whole family” has in child development.

Families joined from White Center Heights kindergarten classes, the White Center CDA’s Play and Learn groups, Heritage Head Start and Educare Seattle. Educare teachers and family advocates provided STEAM-based activities (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, Math), Verity Credit Union provided financial management information, and the White Center CDA engaged families in crafts.

“As 85% of brain development occurs in a child’s first 3 years and there are only about 2,000 days between birth and kindergarten, there really is no more important time for little ones to receive superb care,” shares Nancy Woodland, Executive Director of the Learning Communities Foundation for Educare. “Everyone benefits when children and families receive what they need, especially from teachers who look like them and honor many cultures. At Educare, an equitable approach with low teacher:child ratios, holistic support for families and research and data informing every step impacts each child now and beyond the walls of Educare when in kindergarten or when research .”
Today celebrated they children and families. This Saturday, the Learning Communities Foundation invites you to join them for UnPoppable FUNdraiser. Serving mocktails, cocktails, appetizers from Greenbridge Café, sorbet from Seattle Sorbet and treats from Puffy Pandy, there is something for everyone. (Adults only please)

UnPoppable FUNdraiser
Saturday September 23, 2023
6:30-8:30 pm
@ Educare Seattle 625 SW 100th St,
You can reserve your space HERE – Tickets are just $25
Volunteers needed too – please email nwoodland@learningcommunitiesfoundation.org or call (206) 716-8840

“We’ll transform our bright and airy building into a festive evening venue with music, lots of fun activities to bring child-like joy in an adult setting,” shares Woodland. Guests will find opportunities to give in a welcoming atmosphere, perfect for folks who are new to fundraising events or who wish to learn more about direct ways to address income inequality or invest in early learning.

About Educare Seattle: Educare Seattle is an early learning center in White Center offering Head Start preschool and childcare programs to area families. Income eligible (~less than $55,000 for a family of 3) families receive high quality, culturally relevant learning opportunities and care. First opened in 2010, Educare Seattle serves more than 140 children with a Whole Family approach that engages parents “as a child’s first and most important teacher.”

About Learning Communities Foundation: As the fund development partner of Educare Seattle and the Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD), LCF raises funds for PSESD programs, like Educare, that strive to create a racially just and humanizing learning system from cradle to career.

Thanks to Zac for the tip and photo.

Zac noticed last night that the Mr. O.G. cannabis store at 9823 15th SW had the telltale boarded-up front. We checked with the King County Sheriff’s Office this morning. They say a vehicle was used to break into the shop early Monday and the burglars left the vehicle (no description given) behind.

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.