White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Next Friday – May 16th – is this year’s Bike To Work Day, and as the map from the Cascade Bicycle Club shows, there are two “commute stations” in White Center again this year, at Dubsea Coffee in Greenbridge, and on 16th SW in the heart of the main business district. Click either marker on the map for details on what you’ll find.

Just a quick invitation to head north and shop West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day tomorrow (9 am-3 pm Saturday, May 10th) – more than 280 sales of all sizes, just a few miles away. In Arbor Heights and Shorewood, they’re even closer – just to the west – check out the online and printable versions of the map, including classified-ad-style listings for each one highlighting featured items, by going here.

Out of the WCN inbox:

OSO FUNDRAISER at the White Center Eagles, Saturday, May 10th, from 12 Noon to 4 PM. Mod Men will entertain from 2PM to 4 PM (a sixties rock band). Hydro Bob is bringing down his hydroplane simulator – a real hydroplane that you can virtually pilot around Lake Washington for $10 ($5 to Oso fund). We’ll have Roasted Smoked Pig with side dishes for $10 a plate, plus beef ribs or barbequed chicken by the piece. 10245 15th Ave SW, 206-248-1400. Eagle members and your guests, please join us.

We got a question about King County Sheriff’s Office activity in the 6th/106th area. Just checked and we’ve learned it was a search for burglar(s) in the neighborhood. Though a K-9 team and helicopter joined the search, no arrests, and some of the units are starting to leave. We’re also seeing via Facebook that Cascade Middle School was in a modified lockdown for a little while earlier this afternoon, and believe that was the same incident.

Memorial plans are now finalized for Dick Thurnau, the longtime White Center resident and community activist who died earlier this week. His family shares that news and this remembrance:

Dick Thurnau, 89, a strong advocate for the White Center community, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2014.

He was born February 17, 1925 in Pingree Grove, IL, the 6th son of Alice & John Thurnau. He graduated from Edison Technical Institute in Seattle and served in the Army in the South Pacific in WWII from 1943 to the end of the war in 1946. Upon his return home, he married Helen Grisham of Illinois, on April 25, 1946. On their honeymoon they traveled by train to Seattle where they made their home. Dick worked for Mack Trucks starting as a mechanic and working his way up to Manager of Service Engineering for the Mack Western Division in Hayward, California. He retired in 1980 with 30 years of service, moving back to Seattle & the home he bought in 1948. He loved woodworking and made many beautiful things for family and friends. He worked tirelessly for his group called Friends of Hicklin Lake to clean up the lake water and the surrounding park & neighborhoods. He was also an ardent supporter of TAF (Technology Access Foundation, a school which teaches young people about technology), which is now located at the edge of the Lakewood Park Property. He will truly be missed by many.

Dick had four children, Terry Thurnau, deceased (Wendy Schufreider), Kathleen Dombrowski (Joseph), Marvin Thurnau (Sue) & Cheri Buettner (Gordon), 8 grandchildren, Robert, Jennifer, Todd, Jennifer, Cynthia, Mandy, Samuel, Suzanne, 12 great grandchildren Tim, Kevin, Hayden, Jacob, Sawyer, Trevor, Tyler, Meranda, Crystal, MacArthur, Marshall, Lucas, Abigail and 1 great, great grandchild, Adrian.

He is also survived by Marcia Wollam, a significant partner with Dick and who has assisted him with his community efforts, especially with the Floating Islands that are now part of Hicklin Lake.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm, Friday, May 9th, at the Technology Access Foundation Building, 605 SW 108th, Seattle, WA 98146. To honor Dick and in lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be sent to TAF at the same address.

(Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

Dozens of local nonprofits are participating in today’s GiveBIG one-day donation drive coordinated by the Seattle Foundation. Whatever money you give TODAY ONLY to any or all of the participating nonprofits is not only a big help all by itself, it also boosts their eligibility for a “stretch pool” of partial matching funds, to be distributed proportionately depending on how much each participating nonprofit raises during GiveBIG, by 11:59 pm tonight. BIG catch: You **must** donate through the special pages all participants have on the foundation’s website, NOT via their own websites. So again this year, here’s our list of those special pages for participating White Center, West Seattle, and South Park-based or -founded/-connected nonprofits. The special links take you to pages on the Seattle Foundation website with background information, as well as the donation links to use for this one-day event. There’s also info below on a White Center-only event tonight – Dine Out for Hunger, raising money for the WC Food Bank.

ART FOR ANIMALS’ SAKE – go here

ARTS CORPS – go here

ARTSWEST – go here

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF SEATTLE – go here

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION – go here

DENNY-SEALTH PERFORMING ARTS – go here

DUWAMISH RIVER CLEANUP COALITION/TECHNICAL ADVISORY GROUP– go here

ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION OF SOUTH SEATTLE – go here

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CENTER – go here

FAUNTLEROY CHILDREN’S CENTER – go here

FRIENDS OF SEALTH – IB SCHOLARSHIP FUND– go here

HELPING LINK-MỘT DẤU NỐI – go here

HIGHLINE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE – go here

KILLER WHALE TALES – go here

KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM FOUNDATION – go here

KOL HANESHAMAH – go here

MARRA FARM COALITION – go here

NATURE CONSORTIUM – go here

NAVOS – go here

NEIGHBORHOOD FARMERS MARKETS – go here (gifts of $50 & up will be matched, says NFMA)

NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE – go here

NONFICTION MEDIA– go here

NORTHWEST CENTER – go here

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL – go here

PLUMBERS WITHOUT BORDERS – go here

PONGO PUBLISHING – go here

PROVIDENCE MOUNT ST. VINCENT FOUNDATION – go here

PUGET SOUNDKEEPER ALLIANCE – go here

SAFE FUTURES YOUTH CENTER – go here

SCHOOL OF ACROBATICS AND NEW CIRCUS ARTS – go here

SEAL SITTERS – This is an unusual path; you need to go to the Associated Recreational Council GiveBIG page, click donate, and then in COMMENTS, you must write that it’s for Seal Sitters (ARC is its fiscal sponsor)

SEA MAR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS – go here

SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN SOCIETY – go here

SEATTLE GLEE CLUBS – go here

SEATTLE PARKS FOUNDATION – go here

SEATTLE POLICE FOUNDATION – go here

SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION – go here

SEATTLE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS – go here

SENIOR SERVICES – go here

SOUTH PARK AREA REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – go here

SOUTH PARK INFORMATION AND RESOURCE CENTER – go here

SOUTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION – go here

SOUTHWEST SEATTLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY – go here

SOUTHWEST YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES – go here

SPORTS IN SCHOOLS – go here

TECHNOLOGY ACCESS FOUNDATION – go here

THE SALVATION ARMY – KING COUNTY – go here

THE SERVICE BOARD – go here

THE VILLAGE OF HOPE – go here

THE WHALE TRAIL – go here

TRANSITIONAL RESOURCES – go here (matching-gift pool from their board, too!)

TWELFTH NIGHT PRODUCTIONS – go here

URBAN ARTWORKS – go here

WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK – go here

WEST SEATTLE HELPLINE – go here

WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION ASSOCIATION – go here

WESTSIDE BABY – go here

WESTSIDE SCHOOL – go here

WHITE CENTER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION – go here

WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK – go here – and again this year, WCFB has added events on GiveBIG day. This morning, there’s a donation station at Caffé Delia; then it’s Dine Out For Hunger, as announced by WCFB:

Several fabulous White Center restaurants will host Dine Out for Hunger events by donating a portion of their proceeds (today/tonight) to the White Center Food Bank. Grab a friend, a colleague, or a family member and head out for burgers at Zippy’s Giant Burgers, pizza at Proletariat Pizza, dinner and drinks at Company, ice cream at Full Tilt, or pub fare at Mac’s Triangle Pub. Look for White Center Food Bank staff board members at these locations, and come say hello!

According to the WCFB Facebook page, Meander’s Kitchen also has joined.

WHIT PRESS – go here

YES FOUNDATION OF WHITE CENTER – go here

WEST SEATTLE/FAUNTLEROY YMCA – go to the YMCA of Greater Seattle donation page and write in the comments that it’s for the West Seattle YMCA

YOUTH MEDIA INSTITUTE – go here

YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION NETWORK – go here

YWCA OF SEATTLE-KING COUNTY – go here

Just last Friday, we reported here on King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s proclamation of “Dick Thurnau Day” in honor of the longtime community advocate, recently diagnosed with cancer. Sunday morning, Mr. Thurnau passed away, according to North Highline Unincorporated Area Council president Barbara Dobkin. No memorial information just yet but we expect to hear from Mr. Thurnau’s family soon. He was 89 years old.

From Lonjina at Center Studio – the monthly pop-up shop in her storefront at 9611 16th SW, Cattywampus Kids, is back today:

From Fisher Price and Strawberry Shortcake to shorts and dress, Cattywampus Kids is popping up, featuring new and resale clothing for children and toys with a vintage twist.

Most of the time you can find us located inside of Center Studio in White Center on the 1st Saturday of the month.

Saturday, May 3rd
12:30-6:30 pm

We have everything from your childhood! Your favorite vintage books and board games, Tonka trucks, Star Wars, classic Strawberry Shortcake, vintage Barbie, tons of Fisher Price stuff and more! This weekend we are clearing out our Winter Apparel – 25% OFF select items!

Find us on Facebook and Instagram (above) or our website: CattywampusKids.com

Cattywampus Kids
9611 16th Ave SW, White Center
1st Saturdays of the Month

Note: See something you want, but can’t make it to the pop-up? Just e-mail us and we will work something out.

The state Liquor Control Board went public today with its list of how applicants for recreational-marijuana stores placed in the license lottery. Of 44 applicants in the unincorporated area, which is reported to be getting 11 stores, the highest-placing White Center applicants were OSK Enterprises, 9616 16th SW (the Smoke Town storefront), placing #6, and Sound THC, 9640 16th SW #D (site of Northwest Cannabis Market), placing #21. They were followed by Kronic, 9823 15th SW #D, at #33, and right behind that, Green Leaf Care, 9625 16th SW, at #34.

You can download the full statewide list, which has a tab for each area/city, from this page on the state Liquor Control Board website. Licenses are expected to be issued by early July, according to this state FAQ.

(WCN photo of Dick Thurnau from 2008)
A special honor today for a man who’s worked hard, well into what should have been his sit-back-and-rest years, to improve his neighborhood: Today is “Dick Thurnau Day” in King County, by special proclamation, it was announced at last night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting. NHUAC president Barbara Dobkin shared the image of the official proclamation document:

As the proclamation acknowledges, Dick, now 89, has lived near Lakewood Park for decades and has been particularly devoted to protecting, improving, and advocating for its small lake, now known as Hicklin Lake. Just last year (WCN coverage here), “floating islands” were put in place to help improve its water quality, after a long campaign by his group Friends of Hicklin Lake to get something done. He also tended to the land side of Lakewood Park, organizing volunteer cleanups, community barbecues, and much more.

We’re told Dick is in a new fight now, having recently been diagnosed with cancer. If you would like to send well-wishes, his address is 1031 SW 112th, zip code 98146.

On the ground floor of the Nia Apartments at 99th and 8th, a brand-new restaurant opened today: Greenbridge Café. Its owner, Chef Blanca Rodriguez, e-mailed to share the news. It’s been taking shape for months (thanks to tipster Gill for first spotting it) and is now open for breakfast and lunch – with the latter focusing on fresh-made sandwiches, salads, and soups) – 8 am-4 pm weekdays. See the menu here. Chef Rodriguez also owns Pimientra Bistro and Bar in Federal Way.

Next Thursday, May 1st, is the next meeting of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council – all welcome – and here’s what’s on the agenda, as shared by president Barbara Dobkin:

We hope to see you at the next NHUAC meeting:

When: Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 7 pm
Where: North Highline Fire Station, 1243 112th Street SW

Please join us for a presentation from the Health Educator for the King County Dirt Alert Program, Denise Sharify as well as Diana Smith from the Dept of Ecology on the lingering effects from the Asarco Copper Smelter. Learn how you can test your soil and get assistance cleaning up contaminated areas.
For almost 100 years, the Asarco Company operated a copper smelter in Tacoma. Pollution blown from the smelter’s 571-foot smokestack settled on the surface soil over 1,000 square miles in Puget Sound. Arsenic, lead, and other heavy metals are still in the soil as a result of this pollution, and will continue to be a health risk for years to come.

The Tacoma Smelter Plume covers parts of King, Thurston, and Pierce counties. The three county health departments and the Department of Ecology are working to reduce harm from soil contaminated with lead and arsenic.

Also on the agenda – Updates regarding the planned Capital Improvements to the Boulevard Park Library. Denis Feil, Librarian Services Manager and Angelina Beneditti, Library Cluster Manager will be on hand to provide information and answer questions.
In 2004 the residents of King County approved a Library Bond Levy to rebuild and improve libraries in the King County Library System. While most of the work has been completed on libraries throughout the county, we are still waiting for the promise made to this community for a new White Center Library and capital improvements to the Boulevard Park Library.

BJ Myers, White Center Storefront Deputy will be available to provide community safety updates and crime trends.

Community Matters –
Be informed – Be Involved – Be Heard

The second round of results is out for Proposition 1, the transit/roads money measure on Tuesday’s ballot, and “no” is still leading, by nine percentage points. Current tally:

No – 224,441 votes, 54.51%
Yes – 187,324 votes, 45.49%

County leaders have issued a news release saying that they’re now making plans for Metro cuts. County Executive Dow Constantine: “We gave the voters a choice, and presented a proposal for saving Metro Transit and maintaining our roads. They have chosen a reduced level of service, and we will carry out the will of the voters. Tomorrow I will transmit legislation to the King County Council to reduce service by 550,000 hours and eliminate 72 bus routes.” The County Council’s Transportation, Economy and Environment committee will have public hearings on the plan before taking final action by the end of May. Here’s the draft version of the 550,000-hour reduction:

It leaves more routes unchanged than the original proposal, and would be phased in between September 2014 and September 2015. Still on the list of routes to be eliminated: 21, 22, 37, 57. Route 113 was on the deletion list in November but is on the “would be unchanged” list now.

Until 5 today, then again 10 am-5 pm Monday and 10 am-8 pm Tuesday, you can use the county’s ballot-dropoff van to turn in your ballot for the Proposition 1 (Metro/roads money) vote. It’s on 8th SW in Greenbridge, just south of Roxbury.

Something awesome to do tonight, to support students from White Center AND one of WC’s special natural spots:

I’m a science teacher at Cascade Middle School who also helps run an after school science club for girls called STARS. STARS stands for Students Tackling Authentic and Relevant Science, and aims to provide a space for middle and high school girls to use science to investigate and solve real problems in their community. The ladies chose to focus on the health of Hicklin Lake (which neighbors our school) for their project this year. This is our first year as a club, and we have students from Cascade and the neighboring Evergreen High school as members. A few students from Mount Rainier High School help us out, as well. STARS is run as a joint effort between Cascade (Anna Kramer, science teacher), HS3/Evergreen (Liz Savage, science teacher), and the University of Washington (Sara Hagenah, doctoral student).

(Tonight) we are hosting a film event at the Highline Performing Arts Center. We are premiering a documentary that our students made that showcases what we have learned about the lake, as well as what the ladies are doing about it.

Who: Everyone is invited!
What: The premiere of the first STARS documentary, focused on the issues that currently exist at Hicklin Lake and how we are tackling this problem with our science knowledge
When: Tuesday, April 15th at 6:30 pm
Where: Highline Performing Arts Center, Highline High School, 401 S 152nd St, Burien, WA 98148
Why: Join us in order to:
*Support local students as their share a year of learning and action with you
*Learn more about what’s wrong with Hicklin Lake and what you can do to help
*Support the idea that girls and women have powerful voices in science and in their communities
*Other info: Event is free, and refreshments will be provided. STARS members will be recognized individually, the documentary will be shown, and there will be a short Q & A session. Spanish and (we hope) Arabic interpreters will be available with headsets.

For more information, email anna.kramer@highlineschools.org.