White Center Now: The blog about White Center

The winners of last Thursday’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council elections are now announced on the NHUAC website – the four incumbents:

Congratulations to the winners of the May 19th Election.
District 3: Liz Giba
District 4: Ron Johnson
At Large: Doug Harrell and Patrick Mosley

(Work by Jimmy Gersen, who’s showing at Salvadorean Bakery)
Tonight! Here’s the announcement of the highlights:

White Center 3rd Saturday Art Walk
May 21st, 2011 6 PM to 9 PM

Company (9608 16th SW): Eric Edwards -Collages from found material. This man-rocks-the-k(c)asbah! While we would never outlaw his goods or wall him in, he definitely pushes the envelope in an awe-inspiring package. Using found goods to make inventive, funky creatures; Eric takes collage to a higher level. Never uninteresting, never underwhelming, his art is much like his personality. Come check out his creations and enjoy wine specials until 10pm!

Dubsea (9910 8th Ave SW): Eric Edwards– – Collage out of found material—the family friendly version. Didn’t see enough of Eric at Company? Oh, good- me either. Dubsea will be sporting his animal-esque goodies for the May Art Walk.

Big Al Brewing (9832 14th Avenue SW): Christina Thomas- Acrylic paintings on Toilet Paper. Must see. You may not recognize the mediums for what they are. Christina takes a super fragile item and manipulates into something bold and unrecognizable. Come in and enjoy the new Summer Ale on tap and un-doubt your doubting eyes.

Salvadorean Bakery (1719 SW Roxbury): Jimmy Gersen–Reproductions of large scale paintings. Loud, bright, bold-lined figures that are mainly made during live-painting performances. These edgy prints are well balanced and will definitely draw you in for another take. Take down some pastry goodness while you’re there.

Café Rozella (9434 Delridge Way SW): Renee Bazino – Landscape Photography & Paintings. Re-visit the beautiful places you’ve never been. Perhaps you do it over a hot cup of delicious coffee while sitting in a cozy café place. Repeat from last month stop in if you haven’t had a chance to see what’s gracing their walls.

Dzul Tattoo (9622-B 16th Ave SW): Katie & Alex- Black & White Photography. Drop in for funky grooves and an eye-full of new body ink. Updated B&W photos of the newest generation of ink, dripping with permanence. This shop has spirit and enough eye-candy to chew on for days.

3.14 Bakery (9602 16th Ave SW): Anna Hoychuck– . Anna does the three P’s: People, Pet and Product photography and she’s good at it. She pulls together relevant colors and subject matter into a crisp well-lit photo. Anna volunteers at the Seattle Humane Society taking photos of the newbies looking for homes, so she definitely scores in the cute-pup-photo-taking department. Come on down for a dollar ‘cakeball’ and some scrumptious photos!

Full Tilt Ice Cream (9629 16th Ave SW): Megan Thorberg- Prints. Boldlined B&W prints with an interesting twist. Blast from last month! This bold lined goddess will be gracing our visual ‘ceptors for another month. If you missed her last month, stop by for a waffle cone of Mexican Chocolate and a pint of delicious bubbly beer and soak in her graphic awesomeness.

Proletariat Pizza – (9622-A 16th Ave SW)- Mike Hipple. Pictures with a story. I’m not usually one for portrait photography but I have to say, Mike makes even me enjoy looking at pictures of strangers. He manages to make it all about the people, and not about the people at all. Each photo pulls you in through its composition and intense lighting. It’s almost like a free ticket out of here for as long as you wish to gaze. Oh, and do yourself a favor and order the ‘Ham and Egg’ Pie. It will make your life better.

ALSO! Please Welcome the Southgate Roller Rink to White Center!! (9646 17th Ave SW). They will soon be rolling into our growing artwalk family with rotating shows and a possibility for projected visual scrumptiousness! Stay tuned to see how they keep us groovy…

Last month, at the annual auction for West Seattle’s Holy Rosary Catholic School, attendees not only raised money for their own school’s needs, they also reached deep to help out White Center’s Holy Family School – as we reported in this story on West Seattle Blog, courtesy of journalist Gregg Hersholt, who emceed the HR auction that night. A followup: In WS last night, HF’s principal Frank Cantwell was invited to the Holy Rosary Parents Club‘s meeting for a check presentation. And it turned out to be not just the $20,000 announced the night of the auction – but a total of $25,000.

Just published the latest early today on West Seattle Blog. Zippy’s Giant Burgers thinks they’re down to one last inspection before they can open at 9614 14th SW – read the details here.

The future of the King County Library System branches in White Center and Boulevard Park has been discussed repeatedly during the debate over annexation. Suddenly, there is the possibility that the county may consolidate the two, and we have just received this letter from King County Councilmember Joe McDermott expressing opposition:

To Board of Trustees, King County Library System:

I am dismayed that the King County Library System Board of Trustees would consider consolidation of the Boulevard Park and White Center Libraries at this time.

To the best of my knowledge, a formal proposal to have staff pursue plans for consolidation first became public on May 12. To think that the KCLS Board might take action on May 24, a mere 12 days later, at a meeting scheduled to be held far from North Highline – in North Bend – is extremely dismissive of my constituents. Further, it fails to recognize their hard work in advocating for their community’s needs.

While the timing issue itself is enough to delay the vote, there is also the issue of boundaries and service. For years KCLS has failed to replace and renovate these facilities despite their specific inclusion in the 2004 bond measure, citing uncertainty over annexation and proximity to what may become part of Seattle. With Seattle showing no initiative at this time and Burien having the potential to advance a vote as early as next spring, to take action based on potential annexation by Seattle is shortsighted at best.

I urge the King County Library System Board of Trustees to postpone any action that advances consolidation of the White Center and Boulevard Park Libraries. Further, I renew my call for KCLS to deliver on their 2004 promise to voters and take up replacement and expansion of the White Center Library.

-Joe

Joe McDermott
King County Councilmember, District 8

(Crossposted from partner site West Seattle Blog)

With three months till the primary, and candidate forums and campaign kickoffs starting to intensify, we’re stepping up coverage of the 2011 election. Last night at West Seattle’s Admiral Theater, Diana Toledo launched her second campaign for King County Council District 8 (which includes West Seattle and White Center), with an all-ages party, friends and family chatting in the theater’s loft, while little ones brought by partygoers romped down on the main floor. Toledo says she chose the venue to support a local business that could use more patrons.

Among those at the party was Tim Fahey, one of the three other candidates that ran for the office last year. You’ll see him in our clip from the short speech Toledo gave last night:

Toledo is a former King County employee who says her experience inside county government will help her reform it (here’s her online bio). The candidate to whom Toledo lost in last year’s general election, now-King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, is the only other declared candidate so far; he has a kickoff party scheduled next week. The official filing period opens this Friday for candidates filing by mail. (Wondering why there’s another election so soon after the last one? That was for the remainder of the term that had been won by Dow Constantine before he moved up to King County Executive two years ago, so this time a full 4-year council term is up for grabs.)

By M. Barrett Miller
Special to White Center Now

For three years, middle school students, from a slightly improvised local school, have reached out to cheer an elderly group at a local Salvation Army.

When these kids were sixth graders they thought it “nuts” that they would go hang out with a bunch of old people once a month. When the idea was introduced to them, many had had little exposure to the elderly, thinking the “old folks” would be the stereotypes they tried to avoid, rather than embrace.

These particular kids were that unique combination of kids that comes along once in a while as a gift to the unsuspecting. Within the group, most were full of intuition, inquisitiveness, empathy, excitement and the desire to reach out beyond their classroom or school.

When the idea of service to a group of elderly was presented, the kids were already involved in a number of social justice outreach programs. These outreaches were at a distance rather than the one on one offered by direct service at the Salvation Army.

It was the direct contact that had a few of them nervous. Because of the following successes, they had the internal confidence to trust themselves, and me, and plunge into hands on service.

In preparation, and to build confidence, for their lunch service, to the elderly, the students had written letters to young girls in Kandahar, Afghanistan, who had been attacked on their way to school because they were girls who wanted an education. Federal Express delivered their letters and photos, of the girls in the class, to Dexter Filkins at the New York Times in Afghanistan. He delivered them to the school he had written about in the Times that sparked this particular class project.

These kids drafted a petition to recognize the Duwamish Tribe, which was delivered to Congressman Jim McDermott in support of his work towards this tribe’s federal recognition. The Congressman wrote them a wonderful letter commending their efforts.

A number of the kids began visiting a man living in Bailey-Boushay House who is fighting loneliness, isolation and abandonment issues that so often accompany the struggles with AIDS. He has become their friend and looks forward to seeing and hearing from them when they have the opportunity to visit.

Children’s Hospital received hundreds of hand-designed Christmas cards for distribution to young patients staying in hospital over the holidays. Homeless shelters, hospitals, clinics and outdoor camps of homeless all received glad tidings from these students either in writing or by organized visits to various locations to share some hope and some support.

Once the kids had their first visit to the elderly under their collective belts, they couldn’t wait for their next visit.
As the years rolled by, relationships bloomed between the generations. The kids, and the “gray panthers,” shared holiday events, letters, short interviews and biographies, photos and best of all the love that developed through being together.

The State of Washington recognized the kids with a Resolution honoring all they have done for so many in their greater community.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.2009-4652, by Representatives Cody and Nelson

WHEREAS, The people of Washington State acknowledge the community contributions and achievements of the student volunteers of Let Kids Be Kids, Inc. at Holy Family Parish School, West Seattle, Washington; and
WHEREAS, The members of Let Kids be Kids, Inc. have established a regular visitation schedule to the elderly at the Salvation Army in West Seattle, and provide meal service and offer heartfelt companionship; and
WHEREAS, The students have exhibited compassion, sympathy, and friendship by creating and delivering Christmas cards for children in Seattle Children’s Hospital; and
WHEREAS, The students have conducted a letter campaign in support of a girls school in Kandahar, Afghanistan, where girls have been attacked for attending classes, and have inspired courage, hope, and pride, and offered solidarity to the Afghan girls so that they might continue their path to acquire education and realize their own talents, dreams, and goals; and
WHEREAS, They exhibited their knowledge of local history, and empathy for treatment of
Washington’s Native Nations, by visiting the Duwamish Longhouse and drafting a petition supporting the tribe’s request for achievement of federally recognized tribal status (I); and
WHEREAS, Let Kids Be Kids, Inc. has planned a campaign to support the poor and the homeless and those affected by HIV/AIDS in the community, by providing letters, visitations, and meals to the most vulnerable residents of our state;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and honor Let Kids Be Kids, Inc and Holy Family Parish School, West Seattle, for its exemplary service to Washington State and to members of the global community, and commend the high standard it has set for all residents of Washington for its commitment to social justice and its legacy to our future generations.

I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of Resolution 4652 adopted by the House of Representatives

Barbara Baker, Chief Clerk
Resolution 4652 adopted by the House of Representatives

These kids have humbled me more than once during these three years of watching them forge ahead, guided by their hearts.

It has been an honor and a pleasure to have the experience and the reconfirmation into what can be done when kids are honored and trusted.

(Photos by Deanie Schwarz for WCN, unless otherwise credited)
By Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

Saturday’s annual White Center Spring Clean brought in nearly 600 volunteers to spruce up the White Center area with over 21 projects on the hit list for the day.

Teams of 30-60 people spread out in well-coordinated projects to put the shine on White Center under cooperative blue skies. Organized by the White Center Community Development Association, the annual event brings together folks from near and far who pitch in, build community and meet new neighbors.

In thanks, they are fed breakfast and lunch and receive the traditional I Heart White Center t-shirt – green this year!

King County Sheriff’s Office‘s new CSO Peter Truong worked with his team to add new flowers to all of the planter boxes on 16th SW in the main business district. Peter said, “I love the chance to work with our kids.”

New Angkor Market on 98th Ave SW at 16th now sports a fresh new mural on its wall, thanks to that team of participants.

With the croaks of native tree frogs audible from the White Center Pond in the background, this team worked on the hillside pulling weeds and picking up litter.

Over on 9th Ave SW and 108th Ave SW, the White Center Food Bank’s Volunteer Coordinator Audrey Zemke pulled weeds in the berm with her team of hard workers.

Looking up at his team, Mark Ufkes, president of the White Center Chamber of Commerce, evaluates the landscaping, painting, pruning and weed-whacking around the newly installed
“Welcome to White Center” sign at 10th and Roxbury.

Active WC resident Gill Loring led the way at North Shorewood Park, a somewhat hidden gem of a park with a swing set and gently sloping hillside trail under a canopy of native trees. Working with a King County Parks employee, the group planted about 100 native trees and plants in an area of former blackberries.

(Gill shared this photo of some of the other helpers at that site:)

One of the larger projects for the day was the breaking ground for a new P-Patch. Removal of brush and trees from the lot at 15th Ave SW and 107th prepare was the first step.

That’s Blair Johnson, former Highland Park Action Committee president, working alongside a church group from Wenatchee to reveal the lovely landscaping and bushes at the Delridge/18th triangle.

Working on Hicks Lake at Lakewood Park was Friends of Hicks Lake leader Dick Thurnau, who paused to pose with some of his team from West Seattle.

The ceremony presented by the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council this afternoon at Steve Cox Memorial Park was relatively short – but emotional, with tears flowing for some toward the start, as the murdered deputy’s son Bronson Cox led the Pledge of Allegiance, standing next to his mom Maria Cox. Our video shows the ceremony in its entirety; it was followed by refreshments indoors. Steve Cox was president of NHUAC when he was killed in the line of duty four and a half years ago. The memorial’s artist, Jay Haavik, was also among today’s speakers.

Dignitaries and community leaders including the sponsoring organization North Highline Unincorporated Area Council are gathered at Deputy Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center right now for the long-awaited dedication of the sculpture tribute to the popular law enforcer. Video from the ceremony later; the rain has lifted just in time!

A reminder from North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (which is, another reminder, presenting the Steve Cox Memorial dedication at 3 pm today):

BE INFORMED – BE INVOLVED – BE HEARD
Join us for the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Elections
WHEN: Thursday, May 19 – Between 6 and 8 p.m.
WHERE: North Highline Fire Station
1243 S.W. 112th Street, SW

CANDIDATES FOR THIS YEARS ELECTIONS:

District 3: Liz Giba – Is a proud resident of North Highline and a current council member. If re-elected, she will give back to the community by working to achieve the true potential as an area of healthy and diverse neighborhoods. (District Three: All unincorporated area bordered on the north by the City of Seattle, on the south by the City of Burien, on the east by 4th Avenue SW and on the west by 16th Avenue SW)

District 4: Ron Johnson – Is a long time council member who wants to continue his efforts to dispel the negative image of the White Center and North Highline area and work toward making it a more livable, family friendly community. He currently serves as chair of the Roads Committee and is a member of the Public Safety and Code Enforcement Committees. (District Four: All unincorporated area bordered on the north and west by the City of Seattle, on the south by the City of Burien, and on the east by 16th Avenue SW)

At Large: Doug Harrell – Is a current council member and business owner who would like to continue his work on the council to make North Highline a healthy, safe community.

At Large: Patrick Mosley – Is a current council member, who was drawn to the council with a goal to help make North Highline a family friendly community. He is a husband, father and musician, who lives in White Center.

At Large: Aileen Sison – Is a 25 year resident of White Center with 10 years collective experience in youth mentorship teaching fine arts, Video, and general education. She currently works in Real Estate development and property management. She is ready and willing to serve as a public resource to prioritize the advancement of education, Arts, and economic development of the NHUA community.

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (NHUAC) serves as the voice of the North Highline community to King County and as an advisory board to the community. NHUAC is composed of 13 volunteers who meet on the 1st Thursday of the month at the Fire Station on 112th in White Center. NHUAC is our council and everyone is welcome to the meetings.

All adult residents of North Highline and designated representatives of North Highline businesses are eligible to vote.

*If you are eligible to vote, you can vote for all “At Large” positions.

* Please bring identification or a letter of designation from an area business

In case you hadn’t heard, besides White Center Spring Clean day (more on that later) among other things, it’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, coordinated and presented by our partner site West Seattle Blog. Lots of south-WS sales on the map, plus WC-nearby Village Green Perennial Nursery, so if you’d like to check ’em out, find the online and printable maps here – sales continue till 3 pm.

When popular Zippy’s Giant Burgers closed in Highland Park almost a full month ago, they expected to need about a week and a half to finish getting their White Center location ready to open. Instead, Blaine and Rahel Cook have encountered a number of speed bumps and roadblocks – and if you went to the WC location at 9614 14th SW, you would have seen the sign shown in our photograph. This morning, Blaine had told WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz about passing most inspections but still having a couple hurdles to clear (including one that is dependent on their landlord) – this afternoon, we were passing by and spotted this sign on the door, which says it all. We’ll let you know just as soon as they finally get the go-ahead to open!

Two huge events this weekend – starting with White Center Spring Clean tomorrow (Saturday). More than 600 people are signed up to volunteer 8:30 am-2:30 pm at sites all over WC. And the official T-shirt is on display at the White Center Community Development Association website.

Then on Sunday, it’s the memorial dedication at Deputy Steve Cox Memorial Park. This invite is from the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council:

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (NHUAC) cordially invites you to the dedication ceremony for the Steve Cox Memorial at 3 PM on Sunday May 15th. The dedication will be at Steve Cox Memorial Park, 1321 SW 102nd St in White Center.

Deputy Steve Cox was killed in the line of duty on December 2, 2006. At the time of his death he was the White Center Storefront deputy and served the community as the President of the NHUAC.

The NHUAC led the community effort to rename the park for Deputy Cox and the fundraising to install a memorial. Artist Jay Haavik was selected to design and build a stone memorial to Deputy Cox.

May 15th is also National Peace Officers Memorial Day. In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

For Further information contact Ron Johnson, rjohnson@northhighlineuac.org, phone (206) 767-3053.

From the Public Health Department’s e-mail bulletin:

*Asian Bubble Tea* located at *9835 16th Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98106* was closed by a Public Health food inspector on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 12:30 pm for operating without a valid permit.

You can check its status by going here.

The dog added to our West Seattle Blog Lost/Found Pets Page on Sunday evening disappeared from the Gatewood area but might be in White Center, according to a sighting that came in Sunday night. The dog’s owner has been notified, but we don’t have word yet of a reunion, so we are publishing a heads-up here too: August is a 2-year-old Weimaraner, not wearing his collar. Anne from South Park was headed east on Roxbury when she saw a Weimaraner running in traffic west near 8th and Roxbury and sent WSB a note about it. She’s also talked to August’s owner, Joshua, and she notified police. If you see a dog that looks like August, you can reach Joshua at 206-856-5860.

By Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

When the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council held its monthly meeting on Thursday evening before a large audience, the two current issues which dominated were the three known medical marijuana dispensaries which have appeared in the unincorporated area of North Highline and the proposed elimination of the ongoing “contract” between King County and the existing six Unincorporated Area Councils.

This report focuses on the first topic, with another story to come: Councilmembers queried Captain Hodgson from the King County Sheriff’s Office and King County Council 8th District Representative Joe McDermott, who each provided insight and as much known information as was available on both areas of concern.

On medical marijuana, the theme seemed to be that authorities are taking a “cautious approach.”

King County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Hodgson provided his monthly updates to the group which will be provided later, but the bulk of his participation was addressing the questions from the council and audience who were seeking clarity on KCSO’s stance toward the three currently known dispensaries, White Center’s Herbal Legends, Green Piece (GAME Collective), and Top Hat’s Cannabis Oasis, which have each opened their doors within the last two weeks.

Hodgson prefaced his statements by saying that KCSO is taking a baseline cautious approach. “The fact of the matter is [these operations] may be completely compliant with the law. I am commenting here because of the public outrage we have received as a police department, but the fact is that we may get in there and find out they are not violating any public law. If that’s the case, we’re going to have to learn a bit of tolerance,” he said. But, he says, “We will come up with a strategy – I don’t know that it will be tomorrow though. But the Prosecutor’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office are not secure in breaking down doors because of the lack of clarity in the law.”

That grayness of the current state law regarding medical marijuana was brought up repeatedly as different angles on the gaps the medical marijuana initiative (approved by state voters in 1999) has created. Of great concern to the group was public safety and the impact on economic development for the fragile North Highline community which does not have the oversight of city governance and, because it is in the unincorporated area of King County, has less restrictive if not different business and land use licensing requirements than those areas which are incorporated. Two weeks ago, Governor Gregoire partially vetoed Senate Bill 5073, which was recently approved by the legislature to regulate medical marijuana enterprises. A special session is currently in progress and a new bill is reported to be in progress. Neither Hodgson nor McDermott had seen it.

The community members, law enforcement, licensing agencies and the “dispensaries” themselves must negotiate what is current law and its interpretations as the proposed Olympia legislation moves through that process which could, potentially, result once again in a veto by Gregoire. In the meantime, Hodgson says, “We’ll have to work in partnership with the Prosecutor’s Office and possibly DDES and maybe even the federal government to figure out what the best approach is. We’ve established that the security in those businesses far exceeds anything else in the area. Our problem is we have to get in there to see what is going on to determine what law or what part of the law they might be violating in order for us to make arrests or even to get into the building on a search warrant. Cities and other localities have had good luck with fighting these places with the licensing requirements, but as we’ve said, we don’t have the licensing requirements here in North Highline.”

When some spoke to their concern that the citizens of White Center are being forced to deal with the lack of licensing requirements from the County, Hodgson pointed out that KCSO would be working with DDES on this and if the process with the dispensaries is anything like Club Evo’s licensing saga, DDES will probably give them a chance to apply for a license. But, he went on to say “DDES has notified us that as far as they are concerned, these businesses are illegal, so I don’t know where that puts them with that application process.” The seemingly dead end regarding County licensing was not lost on Councilmember McDermott, who also encouraged all to contact their legislators:

The notion of King County imposing a moratorium on any such businesses was brought up by Diana Toledo, who ran for King County Council last year and has said she will run again this fall. McDermott agreed that if the legislation does not get approved with more enough guidance, that he believes the County Council will look at a moratorium. Toledo said, “ I am hoping that it isn’t going to be the case here in White Center, but I’m thinking back to other local cities who did not have moratoriums on certain entertainment establishments such as strip clubs and strip malls. It makes you think of the secondary negative effects for those communities… What happens inside the closed doors of a private club isn’t necessarily my concern, but those establishments spilled out on to the streets and affected the kids with drug use and prostitution and other things of that nature. And that’s where the communities have had huge concerns with it.”

Continuing, Toledo said “With the current lack of a moratorium, and as long as it might take for the Sheriff’s department to sort out what they are going to do, and determine what’s legal or not, there could soon be 50 of them here. Especially if they know they are going to be soon [declared] illegal or that there a future moratorium is coming – that’s when they spring up. I would just encourage you (CM McDermott), based on what we have learned from other establishments and cities that have targeted these types of neighborhoods that are desirable because of the low rent to consider a moratorium. Now, I don’t know for sure and I haven’t looked at the issue until Mr. Johnson suggested it. But I would encourage you to take a look at it and see what is really preventing the County from immediately following suit with the other cities [which have imposed moratoriums].

Hodgson addressed the question of the Green Piece/GAME lounge and whether patients/customers will potentially be at risk of endangering themselves or others if they are under the influence of cannabis when they leave. The lounge provides marijuana to properly papered patients, but also encourages smoking of marijuana and socializing on the premises, as well as prepares and serves THC-infused food (medibles). Vendors of the medible products at an event at Green Piece had previously told WCN that they do not condone driving cars after consuming the food and were concerned that the lounge may not have policies addressing overuse or consumption of marijuana given the environment the lounge is providing. The vendors said that when THC is digested, the effect is slower to induce the therapeutic effect but also is metabolized much slower and is a more body-relaxing “high” which is significant enough to warrant not driving an automobile.

Capt. Hodgson explained, “The burden of proof on a DUI, whether it is alcohol or drugs, is proving that the driver is impaired.” WCN had also been told by Capt. Hodgson and Capt. Beutschli that Drug Experts are available at KCSO who can identify the markers of drug impairment in an individual and could potentially be called in if an individual is suspected.

The Department of Health, which oversees licensing of food businesses, says on its website that medical marijuana dispensaries are illegal businesses and therefore do not have regulations regarding them and any food they might serve. Some folks were not clear on how smoking could be allowed in a “medical” facility, but because the Green Piece lounge is a nonprofit “private” club, patients/members forego the right of a nonsmoking environment in public establishments.

“We have to remember that this law was approved by voters, not by a Council or a legislature. I do not think that this end result was foreseen. Certainly, I think most of the voters who voted yes on the ballot did not foresee this and now have regrets. Of course, there are some who are pleased about it. But, there wasn’t enough foresight in that ballot measure to draw the lines [of what is allowed or disallowed],” said Capt. Hodgson.

What was not “foreseen” was reflected in the questions that came up but had few solid answers, and most will not until and unless the special session legislation addresses them, or potentially the King County Council and Executive act independently to address the permissive licensing requirements for unincorporated King County. The long list of concerns addressed the gaps including whether there will be a limit on the number of dispensaries allowed in certain areas. Hodgson said reiterated that KCSO has no authority for such determinations and that DDES would be the authorizing body.

Numerous additional questions were asked and comments made which may have to wait for legislation which may or may not arrive from Olympia: How can dispensaries, or any one for that matter, sell marijuana which is still illegal under federal law? (Sixteen states have medical marijuana laws which allow possession by authorized patients.) Others wondered how a nonprofit can operate and receive donations and write off expenses and how the state Department of Revenue and IRS address this by law for dispensary type businesses.

Again, no easy answers. (Part 2 of our meeting coverage is yet to come.)

At Big Al Brewing (9832 14th SW), the White Center Jubilee Days Spring Fling and Pinewood Derby is happening this afternoon, all the way till 7 – go support WCJD! Also in White Center:

Till 3 pm, at West Seattle Montessori/West Seattle Academy, the halls are lined with plants and gift items for today’s annual sale – and it’s not just a shopping opportunity; edible-gardening expert and author Amy Pennington is speaking and signing books till 3 pm. 11215 15th SW.

Quite the crowd down the hill in South Park this afternoon as a Cinco de Mayo festival was combined with the celebration for the start of South Park Bridge construction. The bridge that for a long time was no sure thing is now exactly that and is scheduled to be open in about two years. Our video captures the entire 40-minute ceremony with political speeches and at the end, the trap-door opening on the giant piñata!

The proliferation of medical-marijuana enterprises is on the agenda at the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council tomorrow (Thursday) night. King County Councilmember Joe McDermott will discuss it while speaking to the council, according to NHUAC councilmember Barbara Dobkin.

This comes while new medical-marijuana businesses continue to open in the unincorporated area, even as the push toward state regulation is mired in political disagreement. Just a few days ago, WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz found another one that has just opened:

She reports: Cannabis Oasis, located at 11109 1st Ave. So., opened for business more than two weeks ago in the Top Hat area as a nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary. This is the third known medical cannabis related operation that has just opened or will soon open in the area, along with Herban Legends and Green Piece, both located on 16th Ave. in the central White Center business district. (In neighboring West Seattle, at least two medical-marijuana enterprises are currently in operation and actively marketing themselves, while there are reportedly others that are keeping a low profile; a third that plans to operate openly is coming to 35th/Roxbury.)

State legislators are hoping to get a new bill approved during their current special session, to make up for what was lost when Governor Gregoire vetoed parts of the bill both houses had approved during the regular session. A key player in this is our area’s senior State Rep. Eileen Cody, since she chairs the health committee in the State House. We caught up with her in West Seattle last weekend to ask about the issue:

As for local authorities, we had spoken with them extensively while the now-gutted bill was still going through the State Legislature. They all had hoped for a consistent state law – but barring that, local control might be needed and that’s exactly what King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg has told Seattle Weekly – particularly considering one side effect of the governor’s action is apparently that one rule regarding providing marijuana to patients is about to get a lot tougher, and wasn’t originally intended to work out that way. That, according to our partners at the Seattle Times, leaves the current operators in fear of raids once the new law takes effect in July – unless changes are made before the Legislature’s special session runs out. Again, this is on the agenda for NHUAC tomorrow night – 7 pm, North Highline Fire District</strong> HQ (full agenda here).