White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Just a reminder – as of mid-afternoon today, the White Center Jubilee Days carnival is on, and at dusk tonight, it’s the fireworks show.

The carnival continues through Sunday; other Jubilee Days info is on the official website.

King County Elections is sending out ballots for the August 5th election starting today, and if you live in the North Highline Fire District, you will be asked to vote on Proposition 1, the “benefit charge” measure. The district is having a public hearing next Monday, July 21st, during its regular meeting (7 pm, NHFD HQ, 1243 SW 112th). Here’s the fact sheet it’s circulating:

P.S. If you want to return your ballot without having to pay postage, the drop-off van will be back in Greenbridge August 2nd, 4th, 5th – details here.

Southside Revolution Junior Derby was at West Seattle Summer Fest this weekend in hopes of recruiting skaters – and tonight’s your next chance to find out about what’s in store! 7 pm, interested skaters 8-17 (boys as well as girls – they’ll launch a coed team too if enough boys are interested), at White Center’s own Southgate Roller Rink. Southgate will be the practice site for the new league, which also plans an August summer camp. Questions? E-mail info@southsiderevolution.com – and/or check out this Facebook group.

From the inbox: “I found this little guy wandering around White Center at 107th and 18th Ave SW
yesterday evening about 8:00 p.m. I took him to the vet and he isn’t chipped. He looks like a possible mix between a Basset Hound, Pug, and maybe Virgo because of his longer fur.” If it’s your dog or you know whose dog it is, please e-mail: anamac247@yahoo.com

Announced this afternoon on Twitter:

See what a few hours of patrol in White Center is all about. Follow me @KingCoSheriff starting a 5:30 today for a Tweet Along with a deputy.

— KingcosoPIO (@kingcosoPIO) July 10, 2014

You can see the short updates even if you don’t use Twitter – check in at twitter.com/kingcosheriff.

(WCN photo from 2012)
Announced today by Highline Public Schools:

The Highline School Board unanimously approved a contract extension for Superintendent Susan Enfield at its regular meeting on Wednesday. Dr. Enfield’s contract now runs through 2017, coinciding with the term of the district’s strategic plan.

“We are making good progress toward the bold goals in our strategic plan, and we have the right leader to get our students to those targets,” said School Board President Michael Spear. “We are confident in the capabilities of our students, the good work of our teachers, and the outstanding leadership of Dr. Enfield.”

Dr. Enfield led the development of the strategic plan, which outlines ambitious goals for student achievement by 2017:

19 out of 20 students will meet or exceed standard in all core subjects by the end of Grade 3.
19 out of 20 students will pass algebra by the end of Grade 9.
19 out of 20 students will graduate prepared to choose their future.

“I am grateful for the board’s support and confidence in me,” said Dr. Enfield. “I am so honored to serve the students and families of Highline, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside all of our staff to ensure that each and every student is known by name, strength and need—and that we continue to make progress toward our 2017 goals. Together, I know we will achieve great things for our students, each one of whom deserves the very best.”

Dr. Enfield began as Highline Superintendent in July 2012. Before coming to Highline, she served as Chief Academic Officer and Interim Superintendent at Seattle Public Schools. Previously, she held leadership positions in Evergreen School District (Vancouver, Washington), Portland Public Schools, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Dr. Enfield is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and earned master’s degrees in education from Stanford University and Harvard University. She holds a doctoral degree in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University with a concentration in the Urban Superintendents Program.

Less than a week until King County Elections sends out the August 5th ballots, which will include the North Highline Fire District benefit-charge ballot measure. Last night, meeting in West Seattle, this area’s biggest political organization, the 34th District Democrats, endorsed the measure. If you’re still getting up to speed on what it’s about, see the video in this WCN story from last month’s NH Unincorporated Area Council meeting.

The end of the 4th of July weekend is just the start of the rest of our summer. White Center Jubilee Days is just a week and a half away, starting Wednesday, July 16th, with the carnival opening at 3 pm at Steve Cox Memorial Park, hours before the fireworks show. The carnival continues daily through the end of Jubilee Days on Sunday night, but in the meantime, you can enjoy the Street Fair on Saturday and Sunday (July 19-20) and the Parade on Saturday (2:30 pm July 19th), among other events. More previews to come!

The August 5th election is just a month away – and it includes the important North Highline Fire District ballot measure. So don’t miss the chance to vote – here’s the reminder from King County Elections:

Citizens who want to vote in the August 5 primary election have until Monday, July 7 to register to vote or update voter registration information online or by mail. King County Elections will mail primary election ballots to all registered voters on July 16, so it’s important that citizens register to vote and keep their address and other information, including their signature, updated.

Voters can check to make sure their registration information is current by:

* Using My Voter Guide online
* Calling the Voter Hotline at 206-296-VOTE (8683)
* Visiting King County Elections, 919 SW Grady Way, Renton. Weekdays 8:30-4:30
* Visiting the Voter Registration Annex, 500 4th Avenue, Room 440, Seattle. Weekdays from 8:30 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 4:30 pm

How to register to vote

* Online
* By mail
* In person

Voters who miss the July 7 deadline to update their registration should still contact the Elections office to update their information for future elections. King County residents not currently registered in Washington can register in person at the Elections office through July 28.

Who can register?

To be eligible to register to vote, you must be:

* 18 years old by election day (August 5)
* A United States citizen
* A legal resident of the state of Washington
* Not under the authority of the Department of Corrections

A new incentive campaign for residential solar power is headed this way. Here’s the announcement we received about Solarize Southwest:

Solar energy is currently powering hundreds of Seattle homes, and residents of West Seattle, White Center, Georgetown, Burien and other southwest neighborhoods are about to get a special opportunity to add their rooftops to our city’s growing solar array. Through a nonprofit-led program called Solarize Washington, homes and small businesses can qualify for special pricing and take advantage of many incentives that make solar installations more affordable than ever.

Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (Northwest SEED) and Seattle City Light are working with several community groups to launch Solarize Southwest, a solar energy education and installation program that starts today and runs through October. The program will be co-led by a community coalition of local volunteers, which will spearhead neighborhood outreach. Supporting organizations include Sustainable West Seattle and Sustainable Burien.

The campaign features a group-buy program that provides a streamlined process for residents and small businesses to purchase solar systems for a discounted price. Participants learn how solar photovoltaics (PV) works, how it is installed, what tax and production incentives are available to bring the price down, and how low-interest financing can spread out the cost. The limited-time campaign intends to install nearly one megawatt of solar energy in southwest Seattle and Burien by the end of 2014.

Through a competitive bidding process, community volunteers selected Puget Sound Solar and Artisan Electric as the project’s solar installation team. These contractors will offer solar systems at discounted rates to project participants.

Solarize Southwest will be the tenth campaign of Northwest SEED’s Solarize Washington program. To date, Solarize Washington campaigns have resulted in over 2 MW of new solar capacity, over 2,000 people educated through public workshops, 475 residents who installed solar on their homes, and more than $12 million injected into the local solar economy. The last Solarize campaign, Central/Southeast Seattle, was so successful that 885 kW of solar photovoltaics was installed on the grid and over 620 people attended workshops. Solarize Southwest is the third campaign sponsored by Seattle City Light, and momentum is already building to make this campaign even more successful than the last.

Registration for Solarize Southwest is open to Seattle and Burien residents who live in the geographic area bordered by downtown Seattle to the north, I-5 to the east, and within Seattle City Light service territory. Free educational workshops will be held on Jul 19, Jul 24, Aug 9, Aug 26, Sept 10, Sept 17, and Oct 4. For more information and to pre-register for a workshop, visit solarizewa.org.

(Deputy Myers with a community art exhibit inside the WC storefront: WCN photo, March 2013)
Out of the WCN inbox, from King County Sheriff’s Deputy BJ Myers – he’s leaving the Storefront Deputy job, but not entirely leaving White Center:

Dear White Center,

After three years in the White Center Storefront I have been selected for a new assignment on patrol. I will work White Center, Vashon, and Skyway and be more involved in the training of new deputies. I am very excited to start this new challenge and grateful for the opportunity to serve White Center for the last few years.

My experience as the Storefront Deputy has been very positive because of the relationships with people who work for good in the neighborhood. Through you all I have learned what it means to be part of a caring, creative, multi-cultural community. I appreciate all the support you gave to the Sheriff’s Office on so many different occasions.

Over the next few weeks the Sheriff’s Office will be selecting a new White Center Storefront Deputy. If you wish to be heard about the priorities of the neighborhood or the role of the Storefront Deputy, now is the time. You can contact Captain Ted Boe, Theodore.boe@kingcounty.gov, or me, Benjamin.myers@kingcounty.gov.

Thank you for your commitment to the neighborhood.
BJ

Deputy Myers started the storefront job in fall of 2011.

(The found dogs reported here on Sunday are back home!)

1 PM: Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog: Thanks to Krista for the tip (with photo) about a tree down across eastbound Roxbury at 10th SW. As you can see in the photo she shared, King County Sheriff’s Office is on the scene. We are en route to see if cleanup is under way yet.

6:25 PM: It wasn’t cleared as of three hours ago, but when we went back to check a few minutes ago, it was off to the side, and traffic was back to normal.

Pamela McCarty shares the news that Southside Revolution Junior Derby is launching soon, and interested skaters 8-17 are welcome to come to an Info Night at White Center’s own Southgate Roller Rink next Monday (June 30th), 7 pm. Southside Revolution definitely plans a girls’ team, and will also have a coed team if enough boys are interested.

Southgate will be the practice site for the new league. If you just can’t make it Monday night but have an interested skater in the family, there will be another Info Night on July 14th and an August summer camp.

Questions? E-mail info@southsiderevolution.com – and you’re invited to check out this Facebook group.

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.

Here’s one coming up in Lakewood Park, presented by a group of local churches:

Zoo-Mazing VBS Daycamp

July 28-31, 1-4:30 pm

Lakewood Park (11050 10th Ave SW)

Kids entering grades 1-6

FREE

Register or more info at: www.westsidefoursquare.org
Sponsored by a team of 7 local churches

Full Tilt Ice Cream is six years old today – and White Center is still home, though they’ve opened other locations, partnered in other ventures, and distributed their popular ice cream in many a store. So there’s a party tonight, and you’re invited to stop by, including music from Rats in The Grass around 6 pm. See you there!

ADDED FRIDAY NIGHT: Chasing breaking news in West Seattle, we missed the party but got there in time to see Full Tilt founders Justin Cline and Ann Magyar (photographed with son Moss):

Asked for the latest Full Tilt news, Justin mentioned their soon-to-launch truck, which he says will spend a lot of time at Alki Beach this summer, and a deal that will double the number of grocery stores carrying Full Tilt pints. Right now, they’re in about 60 stores, and they’ve been picked up for more than 60 QFC stores in Western Washington.

Until dusk, go get your $2 Food Walk tastes, and enjoy shopping and entertainment in downtown WC, as the Block Party is on until dusk-ish. Here’s our original story; here’s the latest map:

Announced on Caffe Delia‘s Facebook page:

Hey folks, do you want to make downtown White Center a more walkable, bike-able, lovable place?

Then check this out:

Please join local residents and business owners along 16th Ave to discuss the need for a bike corral in White Center. We’d like to encourage more families and cyclists to ride into our neighborhood by adding a bike corral in downtown White Center!

Current bike parking isn’t quite enough to meet the needs of a family and the racks we do have – when in use — tend to obstruct sidewalk access for people in wheelchairs or with other mobility challenges. Studies have proven what we know to be true, increasing cycling in a neighborhood tends to create an economic benefit for business owners while improving the health of our community. We’ve already secured funding for this bike rack from King County, so please! Join us for a conversation to learn about the benefits of a more bikable downtown White Center and how you can be a part of this exciting improvement.

Location: Luso Food and Wine (9614 16th Ave SW – near the corner of Roxbury and 16th)
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Date: Tuesday, June 17th

Heard about the “benefit charge” for the North Highline Fire District that’ll be on the August primary ballot? If not, here’s your primer, from last Thursday night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting:

Lt. Ray Pettigrew stood in for Chief Mike Marrs, who he said couldn’t make it because of illness. With maps and a PowerPoint, he explained the money proposal, as well as some basics about the NHFD itself:

*Each station has 1 engine staffed with three firefighters at any given time, he said – sometimes a bit more because of volunteers.

*Vast majority of the job is going on aid calls

*278 false alarms – “almost one per day”

*42 hazmat calls

*526 “other” calls – illegal burns, barbecues mistaken for fires

About 12 calls a day between the two stations, so “they’re pretty busy.”

He says it’s a matter of financial need – “we’ve done everything we can to try to cut expenses
… we’ve used reserves … we’ve contracted to have Burien chief also be the North Highline chief,” but they’re about out of reserves if no new funding is found. In addition, he noted, the district has gotten smaller, with the 2010 Burien annexation, for example.

Proposition 1 on the August ballot needs a simple yes/no vote. If passed, it sets up a six-year run for the charge – with potential renewals thereafter. It’s not a tax, Pettigrew stressed, “it’s a fee,” and it’s charged based on factors such as square footage and whether a building has sprinklers or not.

For the average owner of a 2,000 square foot home worth $250,000, their tax/fee bill would go up $6/month, he said. It would only be charged for structures, not for empty land. Other districts with a “benefit charge” include Kent, Auburn, Woodinville, and Eastside Fire.

“It allows us to stabilize our funding so we’re not subject to property values going up and down, more ability to plan long range,” he said.

The NHFD commissioners voted at their April meeting to put it on the August ballot.