White Center Now: The blog about White Center

The new forecast came out early this morning and it’s NOT expected to hit triple digits again today. Or so the National Weather Service says.

Thanks to Wayne Del for sending word of a fire tonight in the 11000 block of Occidental (map), as well as photos of the smoke. He says it was in a “backyard – looks like it could have been a shed where gasoline was stored. Very combustible. Fire trucks on the scene, everyone appears to be safe. Helicopters, fire trucks, local citizens helping with garden hoses. Thank goodness for the community.” 8:45 PM UPDATE: We’re at the fire scene now – Occidental, a narrow residential street, is still blocked off with yellow tape, and fire crews are still here. This is in the Top Hat neighborhood. The incident commander tells us that the fire burned sheds and a carport, but the house itself wasn’t damaged. Nobody was hurt. Investigators are still on the scene, two hours after the fire was first reported, but they don’t know yet how it started. We’ll add our photos in a bit. ADDED: This is as close as we could get:

Just in:

Volunteers Needed 8/8 and 8/12 to Clear Out White Center Food Bank Warehouse

Volunteer Alert: The White Center Food Bank needs volunteers on Saturday, August 8th, and Wednesday, August 12th. We are having the floor replaced on that Monday and Tuesday, so we need to totally empty the warehouse on Saturday and put everything back on Wednesday.

If you can lend a hand, please contact Audrey Zemke, Volunteer Resource Coordinator, at 206-762-2848 or email her at audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org

Still headquartered here in White Center but now in Columbia City too. I suspect Justin’s been much too busy to write about it here but you can read about it at the Rainier Valley Post.

The only White Center location is the county library branch – but here’s the full list.

Looking for something interesting to read? The White Center Food Bank now has its own blog. And it’s not just a self-promotional section of the website – writer Donna Pierce has published some thought-provoking entries so far, such as this new one: Why no charities in the Seafair Torchlight Parade? Good question, given that they are vibrant participants in so many neighborhood parades. You can find the WCFB blog here; also, they’re having a contest – suggest a name for the WCFB blog, and you might win a Farmers’ Market gift certificate! Read about the contest here.

By Jonathan Stumpf
Reporting for White Center Now

Thursday night’s White Center-South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting at St. James Place was the first without group facilitator Kathy Kaminski, who left for Chicago — and it also was revealed that the lone full-time staffer with a role in assisting the group, Karen Greene, will be cut back to half-time this September, with the possibility of her position ending entirely by December due to budget cuts.

The group also was visited by two Washington State Liquor Control Board officers. Officer John Wilson and Lieutenant Susan Blaker (at right in top photo) were met with a flurry of questions, concerns and frustrations from the approximately 20 attendees.

King County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Hancock presented an unusually quiet crime round-up: No car thefts, two felony assaults, 15 misdemeanor assaults (13 reported as domestic-violence-related).

One incident he mentioned involved a heroin-overdose call in a homeless camp in the 10100 block of 12th Avenue SW. Upon arrival, the deputies found the victim blue, with no pulse or sign of breathing. They recognized the victim as a well-known arrestee in White Center. Beginning CPR, they managed to regain a pulse until medics arrived and he was transported to the hospital. Two days later, he was arrested for the 10th time. Commenting on Hancock’s story, one resident chimed in and said “they picked the wrong day to do successful CPR.”

Also, attendees voted unanimously to request an increased presence of bicycle officers in the White Center business district. Deputy Hancock will send in the request this week.

For the Seattle side of the coalition’s coverage area, Southwest Precinct Community Police Team Sergeant Jeff Durden reported ten burglaries — all residential — and emphasized to “even lock your house when you’re mowing the lawn.” Durden added, “If I lived in Highland Park, I would have an alarm.”

The situation with the abandoned, fire-damaged house in the 9000 block of 17th Avenue SW is moving forward, but the group of residents was told by the Sheriff’s Community Service Officer Vary Jackson to “have patience.”

The bulk of the meeting concerned liquor license renewals. Officer Wilson and Lieutenant Blaker — a former officer in the White Center neighborhood — fielded the questions and concerns from residents. The hotspot in discussion was the market on the corner of 16th SW and Henderson Street. One resident said, “I’m disappointed you’re here after the fact,” referring to the constant collection of bottles, cans and suspected illegal activity that residents say happens around the establishment. Additionally, the liquor license has changed hands and most residents consider it detrimental to the neighborhood.

The market in question has been a hotspot for four years and this is the first time any officer from the Liquor Control Board has visited the meeting in that period. Wilson, the new officer for the White Center area, told the meeting they are his eyes and ears for the neighborhood. He emphasized that in order for changes and reform to happen, residents must contact him with complaints. Call him, leave your name, number and complaint, and he will then open a formal investigation. “If you take away one thing from this meeting, take my card,” said Wilson.

The White Center-South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meets the fourth Thursday of every month from 6 – 8 pm at St. James Place (9421 18th Ave SW). Dinner is provided and all are welcome. For more information visit http://www.sngi.org/dfc/dfc.html.

We’ve mentioned it here a couple times before — it’s one of the coolest events this weekend – so you don’t want to miss it. Be at 17th/Roxbury at 10:30 Saturday morning to join Ron Richardson and others from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society for a walking tour of White Center history. $5 members, $7 nonmembers.

Buy some diapers and take them to either Burien Chevrolet or the West Seattle Farmers’ Market by 2 pm today – Roxbury Safeway is a dropoff spot too – it’s the annual “Stuff the Bus” diaper drive for WestSide Baby, which is based in White Center and helps thousands of local families every year. The sizes that are most needed are 4-6 and 4T.

We received this bulletin for our sister site West Seattle Blog. It’s important information for White Center too and we’re publishing it in both English and Spanish, which is how Seattle Police are distributing it:

At about 0300 hours, an unknown suspect entered a residence in the 700 block of S. Rose Street. The two occupants were attacked, and one has since died from injuries sustained in the attack. The second victim is undergoing medical treatment at an area hospital for her injuries.

The suspect is described as:
• black male,
• late 20’s to early 30’s in age
• He is approximately 5’-9” to 6’-0” tall,
• with a thin muscular build.
• The suspect has a thin moustache,
• “nappy” hair.

The suspect is still at large. The Seattle Police Homicide Unit is investigating this incident, and asks that citizens call the homicide unit at (206) 684-5550 with any information, or King County Crime Stoppers at (206) 343-2020 or send a text to “crimes” (274637).

Citizens are asked to call 911 to report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods, and to contact the Seattle Police Department Crime Prevention Unit at (206) 684-7724 for additional information on personal safety. During warm weather, citizens are reminded of the necessity to secure all doors and windows in their homes.

The public is invited to a community meeting at the South Park Community Center, 8319 8th Avenue South, on Monday, July 20, at 7:00 pm.

Interim Chief John Diaz

(in Spanish – en Espanol)

Aproximadamente a las 0300 horas, un desconocido entró en una sospecha de residencia en el bloque 700 de South Rose Street.

Los dos ocupantes fueron attacted, y uno ha fallecido a causa de las heridas sufridas en el ataque, la segunda víctima se encuentra en tratamiento médico en un hospital de la zona para sus heridas.

El sospechoso es descrito como un hombre negro, a finales de años veinte años treinta en la edad. Él es de aproximadamente cinco a nueve a seis pies de altura, con una construcción muscular. El sospechoso tiene un bigote fino, y “pañal pelo” El sospechoso sigue en libertad. La Unidad de Homicidios de Policía de Seattle está investigando el incidente, y pide que los ciudadanos llamar a la Unidad de Homicidios 206-684-5550 o King County Crimestoppers 206-343-2020 o al texto consejos a los “CRIMES” (274637) con toda la información.
Los ciudadanos se les pide que llame al 911 para reportar cualquier actividad sospechosa en sus vecindarios, y ponerse en contacto con el Departamento de Policía de Seattle, Unidad de Prevención de Delitos en 206-684-7724 para obtener información adicional sobre la seguridad personal. Durante el buen tiempo, se recuerda a los ciudadanos de la necesidad de asegurar todas las puertas y ventanas de sus casas.

El público está invitado a una reunión de la comunidad en el Centro Comunitario de South Park 8319 8th Avenue South, Seattle, el Lunes 20 de Julio a las 7:00 pm.

3 pm today, The Not-Its play Full Tilt Ice Cream on 16th SW. Here’s the – pardon the pun – scoop. (But first, of course, it’s parade time, 1 pm!)

This afternoon, the man who attacked Scatt the White Center church cat was sentenced – and seattlepi.com reports he got 9 months in jail.

That’s one of our photos from last year’s Block Party, offering free backpacks full of school supplies to White Center students, as well as food and fun. The YES Foundation has set the date for this year’s edition – 3-6 pm August 14th, between Mount View Elementary and Mount View Presbyterian.

Reminder – Thursday night is the special “got annexation questions, ask ’em now” North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting, 6 pm, St. Bernadette’s. We previewed it thoroughly here. You can also get more info at the NHUAC website.

At right, that’s Beth Grieser, honored tonight in West Seattle for her volunteer commitment to the White Center Food Bank (which also serves part of south West Seattle). The Southwest District Council’s Cindi Barker helped present awards to Grieser and six others, the first-ever West Seattle Volunteer Recognition recipients, part of a program sponsored by the SWDC, the Delridge District Council and our partner site West Seattle Blog. You can help the White Center Food Bank too – either contact them about volunteer opportunities, bring in food donations, or donate $ through their website.

You won’t be able to miss White Center for the Arts during White Center Jubilee Days this weekend – they’re planning to be everywhere, according to this update from Shelli:

White Center for the Arts (www.whitecenterforthearts.org) will be heavily represented at Jubilee Days (www.jubileedays.org) this year. For both days of the event, July 18th and 19th, White Center for the Arts will have a booth in the community area where everyone can participate in a future public art project. This will be the first of many community art projects that we will host. It will be a clay mosaic. Do what you want with your piece of clay, sign your name or initials, and we will make sure that your piece is placed in the finished mosaic. Fun for one and all. And you’ll be a famous artist!

White Center for the Arts will also have a float in the parade, which starts at the McDonalds on 16th Ave SW near 114th. The float starts at 1:00 PM. We will be handing out candy and flyers. We will float towards downtown White Center on 16th Ave SW with the rest of the crew. You’ve got to see what we are making this time!

White Center for the Arts is hosting another Art Event this coming weekend in conjunction with Jubilee Days. We will be in the parking lot of the Skate Building on 17th Ave SW. We will be active for our regular hours of 5 PM to 10 PM. Enjoy the nearby Beer Gardens, and the music flowing from the stage while you watch art in action!

That’s one of our photos from the Hicks Lake cleanup last September. A date’s set for this year, according to early word from Dick Thurnau of Friends of Hicks Lake:

We have been informed that Seattle Pacific University is proposing to send 40 students this year on Sept. 26/2009, a Saturday, to Lakewood Park to help clean up this area. The blackberry bushes, Scotch broom and invasive weeds plus litter needs to be removed. They call their project City Quest — it encourages freshmen to participate in giving to the communities.

We ask Friends of Hicks Lake and all parties that enjoy the park to give us a hand in this endeavor. Realize this is an early announcement but will keep you posted. Let’s mark your calendar to volunteer to help make this facility beautiful.

… not to mention the rest of Jubilee Days. On behalf of West Seattle Blog, we’ve been tabling at West Seattle Summer Fest this weekend, and we have a few Jubilee Days guides as well as information on WS events. We’re big parade fans so that’s the highlight for us! Coming up next Saturday afternoon — here are the details.

Just received this:

Enjoy an evening of free live jazz music at Jazz in the Plaza. Thursday, July 23rd from 4-6 pm in the Greenbridge Plaza (in front of the SW Boys and Girls Club) there will be live jazz music as well as other entertainment, prizes, vendors, activities for the whole family and free lightly used books and toys. The sun has come out…. It’s party time! Sponsored by KCHA, WCCDA, Hope VI, Neighborhood House, YWCA, Southwest Boys and Girls Club and the Greenbridge Community. For more information call (206) 574-1167.

Second one so far this summer. See you there!

From King County Council Chair Dow Constantine‘s office:

Metropolitan King County Council Chair Dow Constantine today called for a County hiring freeze through the end of 2009, a step that could save an estimated $15 million, including approximately $1 million in general fund spending.

“We must cut spending immediately to offset costs for essential ‘lifeboat’ programs that were only granted partial-year funding in this year’s budget,” said Constantine. “Leaving positions vacant will provide funds to be used in next year’s budget, which has already been projected to have a shortfall of almost $50 million.”

Due to the public safety and public health nature of their positions, the proposed freeze would not affect the hiring of personnel in four key areas:

· The King County Sheriff’s Office,
· Corrections officers in county correctional facilities,
· Health care providers in county correctional facilities and county health centers,
· The King County Superior Court, King County District Court, or King County Prosecutor’s Office.

Although exempt from the proposed hiring freeze, the legislation encourages the responsible department heads or separately elected officials operating these agencies to consider suspending the hiring process for administrative positions not directly associated with the provision of public safety or public health services.

A provision is also included to allow hires by the County Executive in cases where the department can show that keeping a position vacant would actually increase costs to the county.

“The Council voted last December to ratify the Executive’s declaration of a budget emergency,” said Constantine. “With tax collections in decline and economic indicators showing more hard times ahead, we need to take immediate, decisive action to protect public services.”