White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Here’s a unique way to experience today’s first day of school in Highline Public Schools – and 49 more days after that: Interim Superintendent Dr. Alan Spicciati is planning to visit “50 sites in 50 days,” and he’s writing about it here. He started with writing about his Tuesday Madrona Elementary in SeaTac, and it looks like he plans to write about visiting a few more schools on this actual first day of classes. (In case you’re wondering, on the other side of the line, Seattle Public Schools don’t start till next Wednesday.)

11:08 AM: Sarah took this photo before King County Sheriff’s Deputies had even arrived, so we have no other details, but we’re en route to check. 28th/106th, taken just before 11 am Thursday. More to come.

UPDATE: Nobody hurt; the crash was only blocking part of the intersection, and since a tow truck had already arrived by the time we got there around 11:20, it was expected to be cleared quickly.

9:11 AM: We’re at the King County Courthouse, where Anthony Haroldlee Smith, charged with second-degree murder in the August 16th shooting of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi, has just appeared for arraignment. Two members of Sweetheart’s family were in the courthouse, but an advocate asked media reps – regional TV and radio were here too – not to photograph them. Smith has just pleaded not guilty, in a very brief hearing. The defense asked Judge Ronald Kessler to order the media not to photograph his face; the judge denied the motion, after a TV reporter (speaking for us all) pointed out that a surveillance video showing Smith (and two other, as yet not arrested, suspects) has already been widely shown.

ADDED 9:31 AM: Video of the entire hearing, picking up after the lawyers (without Smith present) made the photography-related motion, ending just before several names of witnesses were mentioned, in an order for Smith not to contact them.

(Vera, daughter Johanna, White Center Food Bank’s Rick Jump)
Story and photos by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

Supportive friends, businesses and well-wishers from White Center and beyond arrived through the evening at last night’s party/rally/benefit at Big Al Brewing – to listen to music, put in bids on generously donated auction items and congratulate Vera Johnson, a local hero to many and an inspiration to struggling homeowners well beyond White Center.

Her monthly payments have been reduced on her new Fannie Mae loan and in this economy, she says, it still will be a stretch and it will still climb every year for five years to cap at 6%, she believes, but she has yet to see the actual paperwork and is hoping that she will on Thursday. Even so, the burden has been lightened so that Vera can pursue strategies for increased revenue that she hopes will include regular events at the nursery, such as weddings and music performances.

(added Thursday afternoon) Co-organizer Aileen Sison (above) says the event raised more than $1,000, in addition to Big Al’s donating a portion of the proceeds.

(Dave & Christine Spencer (of Triangle Tavern with dog Peanut, Ronda Stapleton of Full Tilt and son Zeke share in the celebration)
Vera mentioned that the first time she went to the Bank of America Customer Assistance Center in downtown Seattle, she was the only person there. The next time she went there were only a handful of people getting assistance from the five or six people she believes work there strictly on loan modifications. “I am not convinced that people know that that Center is available to the extent that they should, “ wondering aloud why that information hasn’t been made more available to Bank of America customers.

(WCN/WSB video added 7:20 pm)
(Cross-posted from partner site West Seattle Blog at 3:27 pm): Looks like tonight’s support rally will turn into a victory celebration. Just received from Bank of America, and confirmed by someone who answered the phone at Village Green Perennial Nursery (Vera was not available):

I wanted to make you aware of a final decision in regards to Vera Johnson’s mortgage modification.

As soon as we learned of Vera Johnson’s concerns, Bank of America employees at our Seattle Customer Assistance Center began working closely with her to understand her financial situation and collect the necessary paperwork. Based on the financial documents she provided and some last minute issues we identified and were able to help her resolve, Fannie Mae extended to Ms. Johnson a permanent modification.

We are pleased to be able to offer her this permanent modification that should allow her to stay in her home and keep her business.

Britney W. Sheehan
Media Relations

Again, as previewed on WSB this morning, the 5-9 pm event is at Big Al Brewing, 9832 14th SW in White Center.

ADDED 7:20 PM: We talked briefly with Vera toward the start of tonight’s event – she stresses that she hasn’t seen the documents yet; the video is now atop this story.

Just talked with King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, following county leaders’ announcement today of a new plan to fight gang violence. As part of the plan, Councilmember McDermott says, they have found funding to restore the White Center storefront sheriff’s deputy – at least through the end of 2012.

The proposal requires official council approval, but he doesn’t expect that to be a problem. If this moves ahead as quickly as planned, he expects the storefront deputy to be back in place within about a month. He tells WCN that the White Center community deserves huge credit for making this possible (a “restore the deputy” petition started by the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council has been in circulation since July).

Here’s the official news release – in addition to the storefront deputy as #3 on the list, note #5, which involves nursing services for White Center:

The growth of gang violence in South King County will be targeted by a coordinated King County response of suppression, intervention, and prevention funded with $1.4 million from the Criminal Justice Reserve, under a proposal by King County Executive Dow Constantine developed in collaboration with Metropolitan King County Councilmembers and criminal justice leaders.

“The problem is emerging quickly and our actions must be swift. We cannot and we will not tolerate the criminal activities of gangs in our communities,” said Executive Constantine. “In the long run we know we cannot arrest our way out of this problem, so this proposal balances gang suppression with investments in tried and true solutions that give youth an opportunity for a healthy start, an education, and employment – known factors that reduce crime and gang involvement.”

The Council established the Criminal Justice Reserve fund as part of the 2011 budget in order to respond to emergent needs related to public safety and ensure the smooth functioning of the criminal justice system.

“Indicators that are most common in South King County– like poverty, unemployment, dropping out of school and teen pregnancy – all help to create a common denominator of hopelessness that often leads to a life of crime and violence. If we intend to effectively address these issues, we must take a closer look at how investments are made,” said Council Budget Chair Julia Patterson, whose district includes South King County. “Addressing gang violence requires law enforcement and it requires prosecution, but intervention and prevention are key pieces of the puzzle, and the Executive’s proposal calls for all of these things simultaneously.”

“We specifically set aside these funds in the 2011 budget to allow us to tackle critical criminal justice needs as they occur,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, Vice-Chair of the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee. “Increasing our efforts to fight gang activities in light of recent increased violence is exactly the type of situation for which this reserve was intended. By prioritizing these critical programs, we can continue to make King County family-friendly and gang-unfriendly.”

“To protect our kids and communities, we need to invest in additional resources to combat the gang violence problem,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson, Chair of the Council’s Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee. “Law enforcement needs the tools necessary to combat the ongoing gang war in our region, which include prevention and intervention services that help provide better futures for our youth and prevent them from becoming involved in gangs.”

In a letter sent today to the Council, the Executive proposed $1.4 million from the Criminal Justice Reserve for seven programs that address gang issues and can be implemented quickly, starting in October and lasting through the end of 2012:

1. Expand the Prosecutor’s anti-gang unit ($456,000) by supporting a team of three deputy prosecutors and a paralegal who would focus solely on gang-related cases. The Prosecutor’s Office recently lost federal funds that were focused on prosecuting gang members.

2. Provide equipment for the Sheriff’s gang unit ($30,000), including ballistic vests, binoculars, video equipment, training and software for video enhancement, and supplies used in serving search warrants and arrest warrants.

3. Restore the “storefront” deputy in White Center ($179,000), a position in the Sheriff’s Office that was cut in 2011 following the lack of voter approval for revenues to maintain criminal justice services. Restoring the position will return proactive law enforcement to the White Center neighborhood.

4. Continue funding for the Sheriff’s Latino education outreach program ($15,000), which reaches young Latino mothers and other family members on gang prevention and keeping young children safe from gang recruitment and activity. Funding will support Spanish-language radio and TV spots, translated materials, and community and event coordination in east, south, and west King County.

5. Add two nurses to the Nurse Family Partnership Program focused on the White Center/Burien and Tukwila/SeaTac areas ($312,500). Many women in South King County are eligible for services but don’t receive them. Nurses in this very successful Public Health program connect high-risk mothers with services to improve health outcomes, resulting in demonstrably lower rates of involvement of these young women in the criminal justice system.

6. Restore two case managers for the Back to School and Employment Training Program ($309,000), which provides education and employment training for youthful offenders in South King County. Grant funding for five case managers expired earlier this year.

7. Continue funding for the Avanza project ($137,500), an education and employment training program for Latino youth at risk of dropping out of school or falling into the juvenile justice system. This program has been successful in engaging truant youth back into school and providing employment opportunities, and without the proposed funding it will shut down this fall when grant funds expire. Both this program and the Back to School and Employment Training program are managed through a partnership between King County Superior Court and the King County Work Training Program.

“I thank the Executive and members of the County Council for acting so quickly to our call for assistance. This comprehensive proposal to fund dedicated gang prosecutors is a rapid response to an escalating threat to public safety,” said Dan Satterberg, King County Prosecuting Attorney. “It will allow my office to build strong cases against the leaders of violent gangs and at the same time, fund programs for at-risk youth, so that we can offer them an alternative to the gang life.”

“The actions being taken by the Executive and the Council are a thoughtful approach to an ongoing problem, and we sincerely appreciate their working closely with the King County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Sue Rahr. “This will help our Deputies and Detectives do their jobs even better.”

“This is a well-rounded approach. Early childhood interventions, employment training and criminal justice resources will not only work to prevent violence but will also help many individuals become contributing community members,” said Councilmember Joe McDermott, who represents White Center.

“I was shocked and appalled by the shooting of 13 people in Kent recently. The incident started a gang war in South King County that is a very serious problem,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “These resources are desperately needed to respond quickly and forcefully. This kind of violence will not be tolerated in our communities. I applaud the leadership of Prosecutor Satterberg for raising the issue and to my colleagues for acting decisively.”

“South King County has become a battleground for some gangs from other areas of the Puget Sound region,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “We must present a unified front – urban, suburban and rural – to fight this growing problem.”

“Responding to the rising threat of gang violence is critical to protecting the safety of King County residents,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “This is the best use of the criminal justice reserve that the Council set aside for this type of emergency.”

“Gang violence affects our entire community, not just South King County,” said Council Vice Chair Jane Hague. “Programs like these give us the tools necessary to combat gang violence and provide positive opportunities for at-risk young people.”

Gang-related violence has increased over the past three years, according to the Prosecutor and Sheriff:

In 2008 and 2009 combined, King County had 29 gang-related homicides and 200 reported gang-related shootings.
As many as 10,000 gang members are estimated to live in the county, as part of an estimated 140 active criminal street gangs.
Crime related to gang activity has increased 165 percent since 2005, with some of the growth occurring in South King County.

The Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee will discuss the anti-gang funding proposal at its meeting tomorrow (Wednesday), with Council action possible in early September.

2:26 PM: We’re at the King County Courthouse, where we’ve just talked with County Councilmember Joe McDermott, minutes after his fellow councilmembers unanimously approved his proposed emergency moratorium on dance/entertainment clubs – which will immediately affect the application for a business license at the former Club Evo/proposed Club Reventón. (The moratorium ordinance was first reported here on WCN last week; we also reported the business-license applications, along with a liquor-license application for a club of the same name on East Marginal Way South. )

The vote means that a one-year moratorium takes effect immediately, no changes unless something major happens when they hold a required “progress report” type public hearing within 60 days. No councilmembers expressed concerns before today’s vote, which happened relatively quickly after Councilmember McDermott explained the situation looming in WC. We’ll be seeking comment from the would-be Club Reventón operators and will add anything we find out.

Having trouble believing September’s almost here? Here’s another reminder – the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council‘s agenda for its September meeting, coming up this Thursday (which is the first day of September). Highlights, first, from NHUAC president Barbara Dobkin:

*Interested in learning how you will get around with all the planned construction now that the tunnel project is moving forward, and more importantly, how all of us on this end of town are going to get to downtown and beyond in October with the planned 9 day closure of the viaduct. Well, now is your chance to find out, as representatives from both the Washington DOT and Seattle DOT will be on hand to provide information and answer questions.

*Also on hand are representatives from King County to provide an update us on the “tiered level of service that is planned for implementation this fall” pending King County Council approval. The presentation will focus on the proposed delivery plan to the unincorporated road network and its impact on citizens. Roads rights of way and drainage issues will be addressed with a period set aside for questions.

*Chief Marstrom will provide an update on proposed changes for the North Highline Fire Department, and as always, Major Graddon and Captain Hodgson from the King County Sheriff’s Dept will be on hand to discuss crime trends and stats in North Highline.

All are welcome!

Now, here’s the official agenda, with names and times:

7:00 pm Call to Order – Flag Salute – Roll Call –
Approval of Agenda – Approval of Minutes

7:05 pm Public Announcements
7:10 pm Public Comment
3minutes for Individuals
5 minutes for Groups

7:15 pm Mike Martin, Burien City Manager
7:20 pm KCSO – Major Graddon/Captain Hodgson
7:25 pm NHFD – Chief Marstrom

7:30 pm Matt Preedy, Director of South End Construction
7:50 pm DeAnna Martin, Community Relations Planner, KCDOT
8:00 pm Jay Osborne and Theresa Canfield
King County Capital Improvement Program

8:20 pm Corresponding Secretary Report
8:25 pm Committee Reports
1. Governance
2. Arts and Parks
3. Public Safety
4. Housing and Human Services
5. Public Outreach
6. Transportation

8:30 pm Unfinished Business
• Storefront Deputy Petition
• NHUAC Contract
• NHUAC future
• White Center Food Bank Dinner
• Flower Bed Planting (100 ST & 16th Ave, SW)
8:40 pm New Business
• October and November Agenda Items
• Business Cards/Flyers

As always, NHUAC meets at the North Highline Fire District HQ, 1243 SW 112th, 7 pm.

(From left: Dow Constantine, King County Executive; Miya McClain, TAF Alum; Biruk Araya, TechStart Student; Trish Millines Dziko, TAF Executive Director; Ken Birdwell, Valve Philanthropist; Joe McDermott, 8th District King County Councilmember; Alan Spicciati, Highline Interim Superintendent)
Story, photos, and video by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

The Technology Access Foundation‘s long-awaited White Center facility has just celebrated its ceremonial groundbreaking.

Dignitaries gathered for the event celebrating the now officially named “Bethaday Community Learning Space” in White Center’s Lakewood Park A large gathering of neighbors and dignitaries gathered on a rise of gently sloping green space, a building site chosen with the environmental goal of minimal disturbance to and inclusion within the existing natural surroundings.

Nearby groves of trees will be preserved for cooling the building, as well as a number of other innovations in design and materials for the energy and water efficient building.

TAF executive director Trish Millines Dziko explained to the gathering that the new official name of the facility is a consolidation of two inspired individuals in education and science, Mary McLeod Bethune and Michael Faraday. Dziko also noted that 92% of the fundraising has been completed and encouraged the participants to support the final efforts to secure the remaining funds as the construction begins.

The 24,000 sq. ft. Bethaday Community Learning Space will create opportunities for White Center community members to participate in computing, financial-planning, job training and other classes, according to TAF; groups will also be able to rent spaces in the building at a low cost so programs can be operated which benefit the community, including out-of-school options.

Ken Birdwell, founder of Valve, and a philanthropist supportive of TAF, told WCN that he is looking forward to coming back to Bethaday in ten years to hire the future engineers he will need in his own computer game industry who will have been inspired to pursue science and technology careers within the Bethaday Learning Community.

Friday’s festivities also included performances – here’s the WC-based Tanoa Polynesian Dance Group:

For more about the project, check out this webpage.

By Tracy Record
Editor/co-publisher, White Center Now and West Seattle Blog

After two months of gathering petition signatures urging the King County Sheriff’s Office to restore a White Center-dedicated deputy, leaders of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council plan to present them to Sheriff Sue Rahr next week.

That’s what NHUAC members Pat Price and Christine Waldman told those in attendance Thursday night at the White Center-South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting, back at its longtime location at St. James (9421 18th SW) – one of several major topics at the meeting.

When we talked recently with this area’s King County Councilmember Joe McDermott about the push to restore the deputy position, he pointed out that the ultimate decisionmaker is the sheriff herself – while McDermott and his council colleagues, as well as King County Executive Dow Constantine, craft and finalize the budget, the direct staffing and spending decisions for KCSO are made by Sheriff Rahr.

So Waldman and NHUAC president Barbara Dobkin plan to meet with her next Thursday to present the petitions, as well as lobbying the council and executive “to make sure to give her the money so she can fill that position” to get a dedicated sheriff’s deputy back to “community policing” on local streets.

If you haven’t signed the petition yet, there are copies in several White Center businesses, Waldman says, and you can sign the version posted online – just go here. As Waldman put it, the deputy in this position – like Deputies Jeff Hancock and the late Steve Cox, before – would “know what’s what, who’s the good guys, who’s the bad guys” and be “extra eyes” on the street. “We really need that in White Center.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Two events to share:

(Photo added 1:36 pm – thanks, Trina!)

*Right now (10:45 am Friday), according to the “RIP Sweetheart” Facebook page, a fundraising car wash is under way to accept donations for shooting victim Sweetheart Failautusi‘s funeral expenses. It’s in the Albertsons parking lot on 16th SW. They’re accepting donations of money and food (which can also be given at the ongoing memorial at 15th/Roxbury, noon-8 pm daily).

*Tonight (7 pm Friday), it’s another Open Mike night at Greenbridge Plaza (next to Dubsea Coffee, which says it’ll be open till 9 pm for the occasion!) – you’re invited to come join the show, or just watch it.

White Center’s King County Councilmember Joe McDermott says he’s just introduced a proposal that could in effect put the proposed Club Reventón – in the ex-Club Evo site – on hold for at least a year. (As first reported here earlier this week, business-license applications for the club are now pending.)

He says it seeks a moratorium on dance-club-type establishments in the WC area because they “have been a detriment to the business climate and business community, causing concerns about public safety in an economically challenged neighborhood that’s trying to develop.”

McDermott tells WCN he’s “well aware of the concerns that people in White Center and North Highline have voiced about (the former Club Evo),” and that he doesn’t “believe that a similar establishment would be constructive to the neighborhood.” Councilmember McDermott says the Monday meeting – 1:30 pm in County Council chambers at the courthouse downtown – won’t have public comment, but a public hearing will be required within 60 days to determine if a full one-year moratorium can be put in place.

The proposal is already in the online system, and reads:

AN ORDINANCE declaring a one-year moratorium on the issuance of public amusement/entertainment licenses required under K.C.C. 6.08.020 for any new music and dance entertainment venues and precluding the establishment of any such venues within the commercial zoned land of North Highline subject to the economic redevelopment special district overlay authorized by K.C.C. 21A.38.090; directing the executive to review the impacts of establishments that operate under such licenses upon the commercial viability of the commercial zoned land within the economic redevelopment special district overlay; and further directing the executive to submit recommendations to preserve or strengthen the commercial viability of these commercial zoned lands for council review and approval; adding a new section to K.C.C. chapter 21A.06; and declaring an emergency.

We expect Club Evo/Reventón to be a topic of discussion at tonight’s White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting and will have an update later.

A lot to talk about as the White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meets tonight (6 pm, the former St. James Church at 9421 18th SW). It’s been nine days since the murder of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi at 15th/Roxbury, with one of three suspects in custody and charged so far. In addition, permit applications have been filed for the reopening of the ex-Club Evo as Club Reventón. Previously announced for the agenda, a guest appearance by the new interim principal of Chief Sealth International High School in West Seattle, Chris Kinsey (our partner site West Seattle Blog was first to interview him after the appointment was announced earlier this month). All are welcome to coalition meetings.

If you haven’t noticed already, road work is under way on 16th SW in White Center, and Mark Ufkes from the WC Chamber of Commerce is getting out the word about the latest schedule. He says the west/southbound half of the road, starting from Roxbury and working south, is scheduled for paving starting Friday, and that the contractor will start work at 6:30 am (instead of the originally scheduled 8 am) “in an effort to minimize the disruption to businesses and on-street parking along 16th Avenue SW.” The other half of the road is scheduled to be paved on Monday (August 29th), according to Ufkes, “again starting at Roxbury at 6:30 am and working their way south.” It’s all supposed to be finished before Thursday, weather permitting.

We had checked with King County DOT about the work, and spokesperson Linda Thielke had said, “Traffic and transit will be allowed through while the crews are working, but people should expect some delays.” So don’t let it keep you away from your favorite businesses!

At the county courthouse this afternoon, leaders from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and King County Sheriff’s Office were part of a briefing about what no one seems to dispute is a resurgence in gang violence, particularly in South King County – a bonafide “gang war,” it was called.

Most of the talk before the County Council’s Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee focused on the shooting of 12 people at a car show in Kent one month ago, but certainly the fact a known gang member is jailed in connection with the White Center shooting death of Sweetheart Failautusi a week ago is part of the picture too (though that case was not brought up at all during the briefing).

It was more than a “here’s where things stand” briefing – it was a plea for resources to get out on the prevention end of the problem, rather than just “chasing gunfire,” as one participant put it.

Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg led off the briefing, saying there is a “war among rival Latino gangs in South King County” that is “likely to turn violent” whenever rival gangs’ members encounter each other. He also emphasized, “We have a serious gang problem … We no longer have the luxury of denying that. … Once the bullets start flying, it’s time for suppression.”

KCSO Deputy Chief Steve Strachan said, “Intervention and prevention does matter” too – though “aggressive” crimefighting and prosecution are called for as well. He said partnerships are invaluable in fighting a problem like this.

KCSO’s Det. Joe Gagliardi said that what used to be a problem in north King County has migrated south, and again reiterated that “predominantly Hispanic” gangs, “five or six” of them, are the main problem, though he cautioned, “all races are involved.” Even those who are Hispanic, he took pains to note, are natural-born citizens: “These are our children.” (That was stressed again later in the briefing – that citizens are the bulk of the problem, not illegal immigrants. And the “children” aspect was noted by Satterberg, calling it “heartbreaking” that some gang members are children of “hardcore” gang members who haven’t ever known anything else.)

Det. Gagliardi said the fights against rival gang members are “dictated by their (gang) culture,” even if they happen in “very public venues” like the Kent car show. He says gang members are coming here from Eastern Washington and California as well, sometimes because “injunctions” are in place where they used to be headquartered. (Asked later to elaborate, he said that our state’s law currently wouldn’t allow those, but it could be changed. Satterberg said those civil injunctions allow a lot of work but once in place allows police “a tool to use” in fighting gang activity.)

Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas was part of the group briefing councilmembers (the committee membership includes White Center/West Seattle Councilmember Joe McDermott). He talked specifically about the car-show incident. He talked of working with other area agencies that collectively have 20 detectives working on the problem of gang violence. They’re not just tackling the violence, but also looking at gangs as a “complex criminal enterprise” in a conspiracy mode, he said. He also mentioned a retailation shooting following the car-show incident, which involved what he called “multiple shooters.”

Chief Thomas said that the car-show investigation has a prosecuting attorney specifically assigned to it, and he thinks that would be helpful in other investigations. Elaborating on that point, at the request of County Councilmember Bob Ferguson, Satterberg agreed that it’s vital to have prosecutors support complicated investigations “from the beginning” – but also noted that a grant the county was using has just run out. “We desperately need some help,” he said, also pointing out that budget cuts have cost his staff 36 deputy prosecutors in the past 4 years. Asked if the gang-violence situation is a “crisis,” he replied, “We have an all-out war.”

It’s not just violence – Satterberg said gang members “are at the root of a lot of our property crime right now,” as younger members who might not yet be involved in dealing drugs are still involved in burglaries and thefts, for example. How much younger? The average age of gang members is 12-35, said Det. Gagliardi, but there are much older members, too. Removing the leaders as well as the active gang members is vital to making a dent in the problem, he said, as is educating parents about how to recognize the signs that their children might be involved with gangs. (Councilmember Kathy Lamberg suggested that perhaps videos could be put on YouTube to assist with teaching parents what those signs look like.) Overall, regarding prevention/enforcement, “this is not an either/or,” said Chief Strachan. Added PA Satterberg, “It’s a battle for the hearts and minds of young people.”

And it’s a battle that’s really only just begun, Satterberg said: “We’re at the beginning.”

COUNCIL SIDE NOTES: Councilmember Julia Patterson said, “This issue is very personal to me – (the car show shooting) happened in a mall where I shop at … I could have been there.” (She’s not on the Law and Justice Committee, but joined the meeting especially because the shooting happened in her area.) Councilmember Reagan Dunn said he’s going on a Gang Unit ridealong tomorrow.

The two men who stood before the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council last month and reaffirmed their intention to open a new business in what was Club Evo appear to be moving forward.

Here’s one sign: Under the name “Club Reventón,” two applications are pending for King County business licenses, both filed in early August, both carrying the name of club partner Daniel Yarbrough (introduced here back in June). One is in the “dance” classification, the other in the “entertainment” classification. The process for public comments isn’t clear, but general DDES contact info is here.

State liquor-license application files also show a new filing by Yarbrough, under the establishment name Reventón, for a nightclub at a former restaurant site at 7047 East Marginal Way South. We found a Facebook page and website, with the latter indicating the grand opening of “El Reventón Nightclub” there is set for September 3rd. (Reventón, by the way, is translated as “party.”)

Tonight (Monday 8/22) at 7 at Burien City Hall, it’s the Burien City Council’s special work session about the new report on the potential financial effects of Burien annexing most of what remains of unannexed North Highline. A “discussion draft” is now available online – see it here – accompanied with another report that had been requested both by councilmembers and concerned citizens, comparing the crime rates of Burien and unincorporated North Highline. The meeting’s in council chambers at 4th/152nd in Burien; if you can’t be there, you can watch it live online at burienmedia.org.

Live music and live art made this a live-ly night in White Center, for the August edition of the WC Art Walk. WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz got five of the art-being-made-live scenes on video for this report. Above, Rats in the Grass played bluegrass at Full Tilt Ice Cream. Over at Big Al Brewing, Erik Edwards created collage while All Mixed Up provided the soundtrack:

Art and music also mingled at 3.14 Bakery, with artist, illustrator and author Amara Kopakova and the music of The Kevin Helmick Experience (3.14, Deanie points out, is just celebrating their hugely successful first year in White Center! Have you tried the cakeballs?)

Art Walk co-curator Amanda Helmick‘s (Kevin’s wife) collages are on the walls behind Amara and will be viewable through the month. On to the south Delridge Triangle and “Remember the Diamonds”:

And the Daipan Butoh Collective was out and about:

Find out more about these and other artists who were part of tonight’s extravaganza by going to the official WC Art Walk website.

(Photos by Deanie Schwarz for WCN)
Big summer for Gloria and Art Peters, photographed this afternoon at the Hicks Lake barbecue in White Center. They were grand marshals of the West Seattle Grand Parade four weeks ago. They’re 49-year residents of White Center, and WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz says Art’s “Rat City” T-shirt “might be a collector’s item – about 15 years old!” Also at the barbecue, Dick Thurnau of Friends of Hicks Lake and Liz Giba of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council:

From the North Highline Fire Department, from left: Battalion Chief Paul Frey with Firefighters Ed Marrs, Bob Lawson and Dan Crossman. Deanie reports they had a great time explaining the NHFD equipment and showing it off to barbecuegoers of all ages.

Also enjoying the midday cookout, Nhan Nguyen, who just said goodbye to the White Center Community Development Association, along with White Center Food Bank Executive Director Rick Jump and WCCDA’s Peter Chum:

Another big event is ahead for Lakewood Park, where you’ll find Hicks Lake – the Technology Access Foundation learning-center groundbreaking, 10:30 am next Friday, August 26th.

Looking for an example of this community’s spirit and resiliency? Note the FIVE major events scheduled for today – as announced by Nhan Nguyen, who by the way has just announced his departure from the White Center Community Development Association:

(Added Saturday morning, WC Chamber’s Mark Ufkes with the fresh-blueberry pancakes they’re making!)

Fundraising pancake breakfast at Holy Family School, 8-11am, organized by the White Center Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds will be used toward replacing the American Flag at the Memorial for Veterans of Foreign Wars in front of the Triangle Pub.

Hicks Lake BBQ at Hicks Lake Park, 11-2pm, organized by Friends of Hicks Lake. A great community event to bring neighbors/friends/public officials together to work for a clean, safe and healthy Hicks Lake Park.

2011 White Center Business District Shop Fresh, 5-7pm, organized by the White Center CDA. The purpose of this event is to raise the awareness of fresh, healthy food available in our six produce markets and three Halal stores in White Center’s business district.

White Center CDA Membership Mixer Movie Night at White Center Eagles Hall, 8:00pm. Enjoy a family friendly movie with your fellow CDA Members. You do not need to be a Member to attend, and the event is free and open to the public. You can sign up to be a Member at this event.

White Center Arts Walk, organized by White Center Arts. Come check out art work and performances by dancers, dance troupes, spoken word artists, live painters, street performers and musicians.