White Center Now: The blog about White Center

(Photos by Nick Adams for WCN)
If you didn’t know the White Center Jubilee Days festival was in full swing, last night’s fireworks show announced it loud and clear.It was visible beyond Steve Cox Memorial Park as well as a thrill for those who watched from closer-up, including Arnie Lopez and 3-year-old son Simon:

The bright lights weren’t all in the sky; the first night of the Jubilee Days Carnival filled the park with colorful sights closer to the ground – here’s a view of the StarTrooper ride:

Classic carnival games abound:

They can take some concentration! Leon Falco gave the Clown Water Gun Balloon Game his best shot:

Jordan Brown and his 2-year-old son Zander were spotted duck-watching:

Along with traditional fair-style food, the Taco Time Traveler truck fed Jubilee Days-goers – offering free tacos:

(Its crew was tweeting from the carnival and fireworks show – see their tweets/photos here.) But the main dish is excitement.

That’s Johnny Huyan and Laura Rubles on the StarTrooper. The Dragon Wagon was a huge hit with younger festivalgoers:

Some braved the StarTrooper too – like 8-year-old Jordain Webber:

The carnival continues through Sunday – today, it begins with armband sales at 1 pm; on Friday, at noon; Saturday, 11 am; Sunday, noon (when closing time will be 9 pm – it’s flexible the other nights, depending on how late carnivalgoers keep showing up!).

Last Friday afternoon, we brought you first word of a robbery at KeyBank in White Center. Today, the King County Sheriff’s Office has released a photo of the robber – and word of a reward:

The King County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help identifying a man who robbed a bank last Friday afternoon in the White Center area.

The incident occurred at the Key Bank in the 9600 block of SW 17th around 4pm on July 13th. The (robber) entered the bank and produced a note demanding money. The (robber) fled on foot northbound towards Roxbury.

The (robber) is described as a white man, 24-27, 5’ 6”- 5’8” with a skinny build. He was last seen wearing glasses, a dark zippered hoodie, a dark t-shirt, and gray knit cap.

If you have information about this crime please call the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311

Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and charges in this case. You can remain anonymous. Call 1-800-222-TIPS.

**You must call Crime Stoppers with the tip in order to be eligible for the reward!**

Just dropped by Steve Cox Memorial Park to check on carnival setup – the rides are in place and everyone’s getting ready to go. Armbands for the rides go on sale at 3 pm today. And at dusk, it’s another big Jubilee Days fireworks show, also from Steve Cox Park (though you will see and hear it from the streets around the park, too). The carnival continues through Sunday; the street fair is Saturday and Sunday, and the parade is Sunday – lots of info on the official website.

While you’re in downtown White Center – and environs – for the Jubilee Days Street Fair, parade, etc., on Sunday, here’s something more to check out:

White Center Library Guild’s HUGE Yard Sale is being held this Sunday, July 22nd. Opens 10 AM at The Muffler Shoppe (10011 16th Ave. SW) parking lot on the SW corner of 16th Ave. SW/SW 100th. There will be plants, furniture, clothes, books, giftware, dishes and more. All proceeds benefit White Center Library programs including books and supplies for the employee-award-winning Children’s Librarian.

Like most years, mid-July means a fire-safety burn ban is going into effect, by order of the King County Fire Marshal. The announcement explains what that means:

A county-wide burn ban was declared today by the King County Fire Marshal in conjunction with Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish and Thurston counties. This ban is prompted by forecasts calling for continued dry weather and will last until September 1, 2012.

This Phase 1 burn ban applies to all outdoor burning except for small recreational fires in established fire pits at approved camp grounds or private property with the owner’s permission. These fires must:

· Be built in a metal or concrete fire pit, such as those typically found in designated campgrounds; and not be used as debris disposal;

· Grow no larger than three feet in diameter;

· Be located in a clear spot free from any vegetation for at least 10 feet in a horizontal direction, including at least 25 feet away from any structure and allow 20-foot vertical clearance from overhanging branches; and

· Be attended at all times by an alert individual and equipment capable of extinguishing the fire shall be in constant attendance at the site while burning.

Fun event ahead – for participants as well as spectators! Here’s the official announcement:

On July 27, we will be hosting the 2nd annual Cultivate’s White Center Outdoor Open Mic.

The open mic will be a joint effort by Cultivate, The White Center CDA, The YES Foundation and Dubsea Coffee. It’s an open mic but more of a concert feel with established local artists showcasing their talents for the White Center Community.

It’s a fun free event for families to enjoy in our wonderful community of White Center. It’s also a great opportunity to showcase local talent and celebrate the community of White Center. The event will be on July 27th at 7 pm, Greenbridge Plaza – 9010 8th Ave SW.

(Photos by Nick Adams for WCN)
This year’s White Center Garden Tour is a wrap! Coordinator Vera Johnson of Village Green Perennial Nursery (one of the tour stops) says today’s tour participants voted on their favorites, which won prizes as a result, and the one garden photographed for WCN came in first – #7, Russell Hodgkinson and Shelley Poncy‘s garden in White Center near 17th and 106th.

They get a $15 Village Green gift certificate and a 4-pound bag of fertilizer. Here’s one more view:

(The vintage trailer, we’re told, is a recent addition.) In third place, receiving a $10 gift certificate, was the Barton Street P-Patch; and in second place, with a $15 gift certificate, was garden #6 on the tour map.

The Village Green Perennial Nursery-organized White Center Garden Tour is today – 10 am-4 pm, free! The map, first linked here July 5th, includes locations in south West Seattle as well as White Center; download it here, and/or get a printed copy at locations including Village Green, Full Tilt Ice Cream, and Proletariat Pizza.

We first heard about this because a helicopter was called in to search – and that instantly alerts thousands of people. So, thanks for the tips. Sgt. Kathleen Larson with KCSO says a robbery happened less than an hour ago at the KeyBank on 17th SW in White Center. They’re looking for a man described as white, in his 20s, 5-5, wearing a beanie, gray sweatshirt, light blue jeans. He was last seen running out of the bank. No injuries reported.

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Traffic is getting back to normal at 17th/Roxbury, after a crash that briefly drew a large response. Turns out the two-vehicle crash was not as serious as it looked – Seattle Fire crews canceled fast – it was along the city/county line. King County Sheriff’s Office deputies at the scene told us that nobody had to be taken to the hospital. Tow trucks arrived fast and the scene’s being cleared.

Tonight at 6 pm at Dubsea Coffee in Greenbridge (9910 8th SW), it’s your next chance to find out about annexation, with four months to go till the November vote. And the City of Burien has announced the next three dates/locations. From the city website:

August 23: White Center Food Bank, 10829 8th Ave SW, 6 pm

September 13: Beverly Park Elementary School, cafeteria, 1201 S. 104th Street, 6 pm

October 18: Cascade Middle School, cafeteria, 11212 10th Ave SW, 6 pm

And as noted previously, the city also will have a booth at the Jubilee Days street festival on Saturday, July 21st:

Staff will be there 10 am – 8 pm to answer questions and pass out informational brochures including copies in Spanish, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Somali.

Aileen Sison shares the announcement:

At last! Summer’s here!

W.C. Chamber of Commerce proudly invites you to attend our first-ever summer luncheon on Tuesday, July 17th, noon-1:30 pm, at Mac’s Triangle Pub, 9454 Delridge Way SW, for a lively discussion of current events, announcements, and resolutions. Please join us and share this information with those who care to learn about and become involved with our vibrant community. We look forward to your presence!

P.S. A drawing of prizes will occur at the end of the meeting’s agenda. Prizes welcome — bring your coveted items and gift certificates to add a little fun and excitement!

Just in from Neighborhood House:

Thursday July 12th, from 4-7pm.

At the Greenbridge Plaza 8th Ave SW and 99th Ave SW

Food, fun, live music, cultural dances, prizes!

Everyone is welcome! Hope to see you there!

From Audrey at White Center Food Bank:

White Center Food Bank has the following opportunities for volunteers this summer. Come help provide food to hungry families:

Tuesday, July 24 (9:00 am to 2:00 pm) Distribute food to hungry families. 15-20 volunteers needed to unload trucks, hand out food and clean up.

Saturday, July 21 (10:00 am to 1:15 pm) Distribute food to hungry families 5-10 volunteers needed to set up, hand out food and clean up.

Saturday, August 18 (10:00 am to 1:15 pm) Distribute food to hungry families. 10 – 15 volunteers needed to set up, hand out food and clean up.

Whether you have a group or are an individual, contact Audrey Zemke at (206) 762-2848 or audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org. Other projects available.

A text alerted us to an unexpected geyser in the Zippy’s Giant Burgers parking lot along 14th SW this afternoon … the folks we talked to there said some sort of power problem was involved. But for a while, it was just the thing for a warm summer afternoon … a temporary spray park!

Next White Center Jubilee Days event is today – though it’s happening a bit south of town. Glen Acres Country Club and Golf Course is the scene of the Jubilee Days Golf Tournament, starting at noon. There’s some info on the WCJD website – and lots more in this photo caption on the WCJD Facebook page.

(Photos by WCN editor Tracy Record)
FIRST REPORT, 4:50 AM: 1st Avenue South is closed at 112th in Top Hat (map) as King County Sheriff’s Office investigators work to sort out a two-car crash involving a KCSO deputy. TV crews got there before we did, so you’re likely to see live coverage during the morning newscasts; KING 5 reports that both the deputy and the other car’s driver – who they say tried to flee the scene – were taken to Harborview Medical Center. While we were at the scene, investigators from the Major Accident Response and Reconstruction unit were using this SUV for high-speed, sudden-braking investigatory runs:

We hope to get an update on the deputy’s condition a bit later this morning.

5:33 AM UPDATE: Jake Whittenberg from KING reports via Twitter that 1st S. has reopened. The damaged cars were towed around 5.

4:23 PM UPDATE: KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West says the injured deputy is a sergeant, and that he was southbound on 1st Avenue South when the northbound suspect “made an abrupt left turn in front of our sergeant,” who suffered a concussion and cut to the head, and was released from the hospital after treatment including stitches. She confirms the suspect was booked for investigation of vehicular assault, and adds, “Alcohol was involved.”

Village Green Perennial Nursery, sponsor of this year’s White Center Garden Tour, sends word that the map is available! The tour is part of White Center Jubilee Days; it’s free, self-guided, and coming up on July 15th – 10 am to 4 pm – just one week from this Sunday. The map includes locations in south West Seattle as well as White Center; download it here, and/or pick up a copy at locations including Village Green, Full Tilt Ice Cream, and Proletariat Pizza. P.S. The Garden Tour has a Facebook page; see it here.

Some of your downtown White Center favorites are taking a break this holiday – like Full Tilt Ice Cream and Proletariat Pizza – but Caffe Delia, which operates inside the Proletariat storefront in the pre-pizza hours, is open for coffee today: 9 am-1 pm.

A reminder from North Highline Unincorporated Area Council president Barbara Dobkin – NHUAC is *not* meeting this month, so if you show up at the fire station on Thursday night, you won’t find anybody but, well, the Fire Department crew. You will, however, find NHUAC at the Jubilee Days street fair!