White Center Now: The blog about White Center

As mentioned last week, the county’s Participatory Budgeting vote is on right now – you have today and tomorrow to vote online and help decide how to spend $3+ million. One of the contenders is the White Center Food Bank, which says it has found a new location in downtown WC (but isn’t saying exactly where yet).The WCFB needs money “to renovate and transform our space into an innovative food bank for all who need it.” You can vote here.=

Next Saturday afternoon/evening (August 13th, 3 pm-8 pm), the White Center Community Development Association is continuing to celebrate its 20th anniversary by presenting a Community Market. It’ll happen in the parking lot at 9808 16th SW. They’re recruiting volunteers, too – go here to see how to help.

Perfect night for the return of Night Out block parties! Our first photos are from Gill:

This happened on 20th SW, with neighbors from 100th to 104th, and, Gill says, some from 21st – more than 35 in attendance, and as the photos show, King County Sheriff’s Office members turned out. … We went to Steve Cox Memorial Park for the Family Night Out presented by the Teen Program – lots of activities for kids, inckuding a treasure hunt:

As those photos show, other county services/departments teamed up with the teens for the event – including KCSO and KCLS as well as Parks.

The county’s been talking for a while about “participatory budgeting” – you decide how to spend public dollars – and now it’s time to vote, including an in-person event in White Center tomorrow. Here’s the announcement:

In a first for King County, residents of five urban unincorporated areas can vote on which proposed community projects should receive public funding Aug. 2-10. Residents can cast their votes online or in person at one of several community events.

It’s time to vote! Five urban unincorporated communities will get the chance to decide which proposed community projects will happen as part of King County’s first Participatory Budgeting process.

From Aug. 2-10, anyone who lives, works, owns a business, receives services, goes to school, or worships in the following unincorporated areas can cast their vote to fund projects in their community — projects that were proposed and developed by community members.

East Federal Way
East Renton
Fairwood
North Highline/White Center
Skyway/West Hill

Community members will be able to vote online or at one of several in-person community events.

HOW TO VOTE

Votes may be cast in one of two ways:

Online (publicinput.com/yourvoiceyourchoice)

At an in-person event (see schedule below)

Tuesday, Aug. 2
White Center: 6-8 p.m., Greenbridge (near Dubsea Coffee)

More on participatory budgeting 

In 2021, the King County Council approved Executive Constantine’s new approach to community investment – one that’s centered on racial equity. It gives people who live, work, play, or worship in the county’s five urban unincorporated areas the chance to directly choose how more than $11 million is spent in their communities.

Participatory budgeting allows communities to identify, discuss, and prioritize public spending. Residents help decide how to spend money on capital projects (physical things that are bought, built, installed, or fixed up) or programs and services.

The Community Investment Budget Committee, a group of appointed residents from King County’s urban unincorporated areas, met virtually to create the framework for the new participatory budgeting process.

Where does the money come from? The funds for the capital projects are backed by bonds. The funds for programs and services in North Highline/White Center and Skyway-West Hill come from King County’s general fund and are supported by marijuana retail sales tax revenue. 

Learn more: publicinput.com/yourvoiceyourchoice

In North Highline, your vote involves what to do with $3.6 million – and how to split it among some or all of these projects:

Final Project List – Capital Improvement Projects:

White Center Food Bank – New location renovation fund
White Center Community HUB – Construction fund
Acts on Stage – Building Renovation fund
Acts on Stage – 250-Seat Public Performing Arts Theater
Khmer Community Temple – Sidewalks
Spray Park/Cooling Center “Cool me down – White Center”
Community Garden/P-Patch – “Food in my backyard” – Grant fund
Final Project List – Marijuana Tax Revenue Funds (Programs/Services) Projects:

Acts on Stage – FREE After School/Summer youth programming
Green Education – New Start High School
Youth Drop-In Center @ Log Cabin
Voter Education Bond Levy
Wolverine Select Youth Basketball – Funding
Nepantla Cultural Art – Capacity/Community Building
White Center Heights Elementary School – Family Resource Center
Documentary Film “Gentrification in White Center”
Gift of Hope – Capacity/Community Building support
Salvation Army – Workshops
Gameshape – FREE Youth program
Mental Health / Grief Support
Parent Education / Advocacy Support

Summer goes by so quickly. It’s already the final weekend for the DubSea Fish Sticks! Here’s a reminder we received from the team this morning:

(Photo by Robby Mullikin)

The DubSea Fish Sticks summer collegiate baseball team is wrapping up their season with two final home games at Mel Olson Stadium on Saturday evening at 6:05 pm and Sunday afternoon at 1 pm.

On Saturday, July 30th the team will be running a Christmas in July theme with Christmas décor, songs and iced out jerseys the players will be wearing. The team is donating $5 of every ticket sold to the White Center Food Bank, who will also be running a 50/50 raffle at the event.

On Sunday, July 31st the team will host its final game of the 2022 inaugural season beginning at 1:05pm. Fan appreciation day will feature special give-aways, fun between inning promotions and the last chance for a fan to roll giant dice for a chance to win $50,000 from Burien Chevrolet.

The summer collegiate baseball team recruits players from colleges across the country to come and play for the months of June and July. The 2022 summer roster is compiled of players from twenty-six different colleges. The players report in late May and play with the team to hone their skills and hope to one day play professionally.

You can purchase tickets and find more information on the Fish Sticks at GoFishSticks.com.

Announced this afternoon:

With high temperatures expected to reach the mid-90’s throughout the weekend and with extremely dry conditions, King County Fire Marshal Chris Ricketts has issued a Stage 1 fire safety burn ban for the unincorporated areas starting Friday.

The Stage 1 fire safety burn ban – which is being issued in coordination with the King County Fire Chiefs Association – applies to all outdoor burning, except for barbecues and small recreational fires in established fire pits at approved campgrounds or private property with the owner’s permission.

“Extreme heat and especially dry conditions have increased the risk of wildfire dramatically,” Ricketts says. “People in both rural and urban unincorporated areas need to be careful and use caution.”

Recreational fires still pose a risk, so their use shall be limited and respected accordingly.

Approved Recreational Burn Requirements:

Firewood shall be seasoned and dry
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 3 feet in diameter
Be 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.
Recreational fires shall be attended at all times by an alert individual and equipment capable of extinguishing the fire with a shovel and a 5-gallon bucket of water or with a connected and charged water hose.
Completely extinguish campfires by pouring water or moist soil in them and stirring with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch. The use of self-contained camp stoves is encouraged as an alternative.
No burning when winds exceed 15 mph.

If your property is inside city limits, residents must contact their local jurisdiction for their requirements.

This ban remains in effect until further notice.

One week from tonight – Tuesday, August 2nd – is Night Out, all over the U.S. Here in White Center, you’re invited to Family Night Out at Steve Cox Memorial Park, 5-7 pm – here’s the announcement:

The Annual King County Parks Night Out Against Crime Family event is back on Tuesday, August 2nd!

King County Parks has participated in the National Night Out event for over a decade and is thrilled to be hosting families in 2022 at the Playground Picnic Shelter at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd St). This year’s activities will run between 5-7 pm and feature Island Getaway-themed treasure hunts, crafts and games. On site activities will be socially distanced with no touch options, and Grab and Go kits will also be available. In lieu of the annual barbeque, an assortment of individually wrapped ice cream treats will be on hand (while supplies last.) Confirmed guests of honor include Magician Jeff Evans performing Strolling Magic (courtesy of the KCLS), Deputy Bill from the White Center Storefront, Librarians Devon and Destinee from the White Center Library, and a pirate ship full of White Center Teen Program Recreation Aides.

All treasure chests will be hidden above ground (no digging required.) The Treasure Hunt begins at 5pm on Tuesday, August 2nd and runs until all of the chests are found. (One chest per child please!) Clues to the treasure chest locations throughout the park can be picked up from staff at the Picnic Shelter. And finally, please follow all Public Health Safety guidelines while hunting for your treasure!

Night Out at SCMP is once again sponsored by the teens and staff of the White Center Teen Program. The WCTP offers free recreational, educational, and social enrichment programming to youth ages 12-19 between Tuesday – Saturday from 3-8 pm. The WCTP is currently offering small group programs such as games club, book club, art club; 1:1 homework help and job readiness; outdoor programs such as tennis, bicycle club, lacrosse, and garden club; and the Summer Recreation Aide Employment Program.

No Jubilee Days parade this year, but leaders of the White Center Eagles got some parading in over the weekend anyway, riding in the West Seattle Grand Parade on Saturday. The sign on their car identified the riders as Worthy President Jose Rivera Jr., Madam President Jan Leatham, First Lady Cheryl Rivera, Auxiliary Officers Patty and Susan, and “Doby Doggie.”

Thanks for the tip. The King County Sheriff’s Office says one person was injured last night in a shooting. They got a 911 call about possible gunfire in the 10700 block of 16th SW around 11 pm; the 911 log says the call came from the Windemere Estates apartment complex. They found a victim with a gunshot wound to their arm. The victim was taken to Harborview Medical Center. No arrest reported – if you have any information, the KCSO incident number is C22024158.

Thanks to Gill Loring for the photo – it’s from the White Center Library Guild sale on Friday, and today we’re reminding you that the sale has an encore day today (Sunday, July 17th) – 11 am to 4 pm at the library, 1409 SW 107th. Support library programs by supporting the Guild!

Don’t cook your own breakfast Saturday morning (July 16th) – let the White Center Kiwanis do it for you! Today’s the day:

Thanks for the tips. The big emergency response at 15th and Roxbury earlier this afternoon was because of a shooting. The King County Sheriff’s Office tells us the gunfire involved “two separate groups … possibly juveniles.” One person was injured – a bystander hit in the leg, taken to St. Anne’s in Burien for treatment. No arrests so far, but KCSO is “pursuing leads.” If you have any information, the case number is #C22023208.

King County Elections announced today that the ballots for the August 2nd primary are in the mail – so voting is about to begin. No ballot measures for our area, but there are races to narrow down – including U.S. Senate, U.S. House District 7, Secretary of State, 34th District State Senator and 34th District State House Position 1, which has no incumbent as longtime State Rep. Eileen Cody is retiring. You can see all the candidates listed, with links to their websites, here. You can send your ballot back by postal mail, as long as it’s postmarked by August 2nd, or take it to an official dropbox (here’s where to find them – including the one outside White Center Library). Not registered? It’s not too late – go here.

11:15 AM: King County Fire District 2 just tweeted that photo from a house fire in North Highline that’s been drawing attention for the past hour-plus because of the massive plume of black smoke that went high into the sky, visible from downtown Seattle and beyond.

Photo by John Graham

This is a house in the 10400 block of 8th Avenue South, not far east of Highway 509, which is closed northbound right now because of a result. KCFD2 says no injuries are reported so far.

3:36 PM: Firefighters continue cleanup at the site and have tweeted this photo:

The freeway, meantime, has fully reopened.

Go to the library – to shop! The White Center Library Guild has just announced upcoming sale dates:

White Center Library Guild Sidewalk Sale

Friday, July 15 10 AM to 4 PM

Sunday, July 17 10 AM to PM

Books, household items, clothing, exercise items, and other.

White Center Library

1409 SW 107th St

The guild raises money to assist the library with providing programs.

9:30 AM: Just a quick note – after selling out early the past three nights, Zippy’s Giant Burgers now says today (Saturday, July 9th) will be their final day, as they won’t be able to resupply for one more day beyond that. They plan to open at 10 am.

10:30 AM: Our photo above shows the line shortly before 10 am.

We’ve reported before on new King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall‘s plan to create community advisory groups as part of her vision of the office’s future – and that’s part of an announcement from the sheriff and executive on Friday:

Executive Dow Constantine and King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall announced new plans and updates for the vision, structure, and community engagement of the King County Sheriff’s Office, including the creation of a community advisory board.

Executive Constantine and King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall announced the first big steps the Sheriff will be taking as the agency rethinks how public safety is delivered across King County. These updates, released just two months since Cole-Tindall was named Sheriff, focus on four main areas of action, including revising the mission, vision, and values of the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO), reorganizing the structure to improve service, creating a strategic framework, and establishing a standing community advisory board.

“The health of our community depends on the ability of every person to live a safe and productive life, and Sheriff Cole-Tindall’s new plan for the King County Sheriff’s Office shows exactly how we can rethink and reimagine the delivery of public safety for the people of King County,” said Executive Constantine. “The Sheriff understands that we must move away from broken structures when they aren’t working for our community and toward sensible reforms that bring about systemic change, and her commitment to this is conveyed throughout these new ideas and actions.”

“Our work must always be centered around the vision and values of the communities we so proudly serve,” said King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall. “I am honored to lead an organization of public servants who share my commitment to implement new and contemporary approaches that enhance trust and public safety.”

At the core of the new strategy is a renewed partnership with community. This commitment is reflected in the revised mission, vision, and values that incorporate policing with compassion, showing and leading with grace, and treating everyone with respect and kindness.

It is also incorporated into the reorganization of the office, which will create two new divisions – Community Programs and Services, and Special Operations – in recognition of both the evolution of the criminal legal system and the need to improve how public safety is delivered.

With the adoption of a new strategic framework and the creation of an advisory board, KCSO will be able to ensure accountability, increase transparency, encourage innovation, and have a forum for trust-building between law enforcement and the community that allows for advisement on policy concepts and implementation.

Sheriff Cole-Tindall and KCSO leadership will begin implementing these new changes in September 2022.

(Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

The White Center Food Bank was hit by burglars over the holiday weekend. We got a tip about this on Tuesday and inquired; here’s the info we received today in response:

Over the 4th of July holiday weekend, the administrative area of the White Center Food Bank was broken into and burglarized.

We lost computers, tools, grow lights for our garden, headphones, other electronics, and more that we are still trying to sort out.

Please keep an eye out for anyone selling or dumping these items and please let us know at admin@whitecenterfoodbank.org.

This is heartbreaking for a non-profit food bank with the sole intent of serving our neighbors, but we know we will get through it with our community’s support. We are filing an insurance claim, but if you wish to support the recovery of stolen items, we have set up a ‘Theft Recovery Fund’ designation on our donation website: https://whitecenterfoodbank.networkforgood.com

Since 2011 – three years after its opening in West Seattle – Zippy’s Giant Burgers has held down the north end of a strip mall on 14th SW just south o Roxbury. Today, Zippy’s announced it’s closing after this Sunday. Zippy’s is West Seattleite-owned and was founded in WS, so you’ll find the full story on our partner site West Seattle Blog.

(WCN photo, June 11th)

When we got a sneak peek inside the Lumber Yard Bar‘s new downtown location during the White Center Pride Street Festival, its owners told us they hoped to open at least part of the space July 1st. That’s tomorrow – but they’re not quite ready yet. They’re still vowing to open sometime in July. (If you’re just catching up – the new place at 9630 16th SW is across the street from the old spot, one of seven businesses gutted by arson a year ago.)