White Center Now: The blog about White Center

We’ll bring you two reports on news from last night’s White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting, because there’s PLENTY to report. For starters, though, a quick update on what King County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Hancock reported on area crime in the month since the group’s last meeting: No burglaries; only one robbery, and it involved “two people who knew each other”; two felony assaults — one in front of Brewsky’s that left the victim with “13 staples to the head,” according to Deputy Hancock, who added “The victim and suspect were back drinking beer together (yesterday)” — the other involved “a group of homeless people attacking another homeless person with sticks.” He also reported a gang-related “drive-by shooting” in which nobody was hit or hurt – 11 rounds fired at a “gang member’s house” just off Roxbury on 11th SW (county side) last Saturday night. Car-related crime was busier – three car prowls in the area, and, the really big stat – 14 car thefts in the past month in the unincorporated area, 9 of those in the White Center “Weed and Seed” area. Deputy Hancock called this a “huge spike” and said KCSO has contributed a detective to a special area Task Force that will be working on the car-theft problem. More news from the CSC meeting later today.

LOCATION:  El Paisano is located at 9629 -15th Ave. SW, Seattle 98106  They are just off the intersection of 15th Ave. SW and Roxbury (across the street from Bartell Drugs).

Phone:  (206) 767-5526

They accept credit/debit cards.

I really have not been writing enough for this blog. I can blame it on a lot of things; life, my new business, lack of sleep, the snow, etc, etc. Really it is just that I am a little lazy. I have to eat though. Actually I love to eat, and most of the time that I do it is in walking distance of my shop, which is most of White Center. So, I decided to start blogging about my lunches on Thursdays. This is my afternoon off. I go shopping, play with the dogs, and get ready for the weekend rush. Not really a day off, but a bit more relaxed then the other days.

First up is Rosticeria y Cocina El Paisano. I go here a lot. It is not the closest Mexican place. Not even the cheapest. It is one of the best though, and reminds me of home.  Consistently good. I know when they set a plate of food in front of me, no matter what I have ordered, the food is going to be good. That is almost the definition of comfort food.

The area I grew up in LA was predominantly Mexican, and poor. MY parents, and I swear this is true, would open up a paper when it was time for a new apartment, and just pick the cheapest place. We lived in Compton, Silver lake, Echo Park (before it was trendy), Santa Ana, even when we moved to Huntington Beach it was in the Hispanic area that was known as Slater Slums. In all those neighborhoods I became familiar with Rosticerias, even if it was an EL Pollo Loco. See, my parents are from the midwest, and if is anything they know well, it is their way around a yard bird and pork. We ate at all of the local chicken joints. Cesars on Atlantic and 65, Pablo’s on Alameda, Pollo Macho on  Wilshire, even Rosco’s ( which is not Mexican, but makes a mean fried chicken and waffle platter). When I first moved to Seattle, one of the things I missed most was Mexican food. I craved El Pollo Loco,  the bottom of the barrel in LA. Mama’s in Belltown, and Bimbo’s on the hill is crap food. Not just not authentic, just crap food. I was amazed when I found White Center. So much good food, in one little area, and the rest of Seattle had no idea it even existed. Rosticeria y Cocina El Paisano is the best in chicken. It is owned by the butcher shop two doors down. Sure, the carnitas is better at Del Rio. I can get an equal burrito at the bus for less. As far as chicken goes, Paisano is king.

Marinated in an adobe chili mix, and then flame roasted. Crsipy skin, and a juicy bird. The sides are simple, and plentiful. Rice, beans and a simple salad. Shining right next to that crispy bird is the house made salsas. Most Mexican places in Seattle seem to have a can opener as their main tool is salsa prep. Not these guys. I have become leery of Salsa Verde since moving to Seattle, but Paisano’s have nailed it. Flamed roasted tomatillos and just the right amount of chili heat from the peppers to compliment the food. They are now serving Breakfast as well as lunch and dinner, so the next time you venture out to eat, stop by this place.

According to the Social Security Administration, the most popular baby names in Washington State have distinctly biblical and literary quality.  The most popular boy’s name for 2007 (last year of complete records) is Jacob.  The most popular girl’s name is Olivia.  The list of the top ten Washington names is as follows:

Boys

1. Jacob

2. Ethan

3. Alexander

4. Daniel

5. Logan

6. Noah

7. Benjamin

8. David

9. Michael

10. Samuel

Girls’ Names

1. Olivia

2. Emily

3. Emma

4. Sophia

5. Isabella

6. Ava

7. Abigail

8. Madison

9. Elizabeth

10. Hannah

The most popular names nationally are Jacob and Emily.  It’s almost a certainty that Jacob and Emily will have a classmate named Barack.

Just west of White Center, Shorewood Christian School has been expanding into the high-school grades, and just sent this announcement of its upcoming open house:

(Shorewood Christian School) will be having an Open House on February 10th from 8:30am-3pm. The early enrollment process for the 2009-2010 school year has begun.

Celebrating their 29th Anniversary, this is a big milestone year for Shorewood Christian. The high school is currently in the expansion development phase with this upcoming school year being the first year offering 10th grade. Each subsequent year, they will be adding 11th, and 12th grade. By the year 2011, they will be a full service school offering prekindergarten through 12th grade. The school is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and is approved by the State of Washington. Shorewood Christian School is open to many denominations with over 20 churches represented in their student body and staff.

Students at Shorewood Christian benefit from an unparalleled educational experience. It is a school of academic excellence, offering specialty classes including Spanish, Music, Drama, P.E., Art, Typing, Home Economics, and Bible. Currently, their athletic program includes: Flag Football, Cross Country, Track, Volleyball, and Basketball. In addition, they are also taught how to give back to the community locally and to the world globally by participating in such projects as feeding the homeless, serving at food banks, visiting nursing homes, and going on mission trips abroad.

Tim Lorenz, Principal of Shorewood Christian, explains, “”I am very excited about what God is doing here at Shorewood Christian School. The decision to move forward and expand into a high school program is an important and logical step for us. I believe our students (at all levels – elementary, secondary, and ultimately college) ought to be instructed from a Biblical worldview which emphasizes first and foremost a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Out of that relationship, we want to help students cultivate their gifts and talents so that they may be used for God’s Kingdom and glory. For me, it is all about coming alongside parents and laying a firm foundation spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally, and physically as well as giving our students opportunities to hear God’s voice and surrender to His call and purpose for their lives.”

Shorewood Christian is committed to not only academic excellence, but also keeping education affordable. Their tuition is one of the most affordable private school rates in all of Seattle! K-6th grade is only $440/month, 7th & 8th grade is $470/month, and 9th & 10th grade is $590/month. For more
information on the open house, arranging a private tour, or to enroll, you can contact them at: Shorewood Christian School, 10300 28th Ave. SW Phone: 206-933-1056 www.ShorewoodChristianSchool.org

Tonight at Full Tilt we have an amazing band out of Minniapolis. A Paper Cup Band. A dirty folk Wilco influenced group of players. They are playing a set here tonight starting at 8pm. Something not to be missed.

Finally. We are having an inauguration party here at Full Tilt at 6pm. Come on in and enjoy $2 Root Beer Floats with Full Tilt’s own Rat City Root Beer.  To help out with the Soles for Souls shoe drive, we will give $1 for every beer sold, yes even the PBR.

*Schools closed
*Most government offices closed
*Most banks closed
*No regular-mail delivery
*Metro runs “partial holiday” service
*Seattle pay-station/meter parking spaces are free

Two politics notes:

White Center resident Asha Mohamed is on the 34th District Democrats‘ executive board after the group’s reorganization meeting this past Wednesday night; she was elected as King County Committeewoman Alternate. Her bio in the 34th DDs’ newsletter explains:

Asha is the newly elected PCO for Evergreen precinct in the heart of White Center. She … speaks five languages and will be a big help with our organizing in the fast-growing but under-represented East African communities in our District. Asha works at the Seattle Housing Authority.

Asha is one of two White Center residents on the newly elected 34th DD’s Executive Board – secretary Miki Meahan lives here too. The group is now led by newly elected chair Tim Nuse; follow all the 34th DDs’ happenings at their website, 34dems.org.

Also – 34th District State Senator Joe McDermott, elected last fall to his first full term in the State Senate, has expanded his website to include blog-format updates and even a podcast. Find it all here.

Seattle city road crews have been busy re-striping bridges and roads where snow and sand wore away the lane markings during Snowstorm ’08 — and the latest update indicates that their priority list includes 1st SW from Cloverdale to Olson Place, between White Center and Highway 509 (the stretch shown above in Google Street View).

No school today for secondary students in Highline Public Schools; Monday, MLK Day, is a holiday for all students in HPS (and other districts).

From the Seattle Times, the man accused of shooting and killing 38-year-old Dar’Rel Miller of White Center at the Federal Way Transit Center a year ago has just been set free, charges dismissed just before his trial was to begin. The Times article doesn’t say why; a P-I story does – quoting a prosecutor’s office spokesperson as saying the man no longer was considered a suspect.

Though White Center and greater North Highline may not be “unincorporated” that much longer, the county’s just taken a new communication step, by launching a monthly newsletter, with the unromantic name Unincorporated Area Community News. You can read the first edition here.

That’s a WSDOT graphic of a cross-section from the proposed tunnel; here’s the official news release from the governor’s office:

Gov. Chris Gregoire, King County Executive Ron Sims, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, and Port of Seattle Chief Executive Officer Tay Yoshitani today announced their agreement to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep bored tunnel under downtown Seattle. The plan also includes investment in improved bus service, east-west city streets, a new seawall, relocated utilities, and an upgraded waterfront.

The agreement is the result of a year-long study of solutions for replacing the central section of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Thousands of hours of technical analysis, public meetings, and letters and emails from the public, interest groups, and local jurisdictions were considered.

“Building a deep bored tunnel will support a strong economy today and in the future,” Gregoire said. “This decision will improve public safety, help ensure Seattle is a 21st Century international city, and generate thousands of new family-wage jobs in the Puget Sound region.”

The bored tunnel will be approximately two miles long and carry four lanes of traffic. Drivers will bypass downtown by entering the tunnel near the sports stadiums in the south and connect to SR 99 north of the existing Battery Street Tunnel.

The total cost of the investments is $4.24 billion. The state’s commitment of $2.81 billion will be used for a new state route 99 corridor from the sports stadiums to South Lake Union in a bored tunnel, and restoring land under the existing viaduct to a four-lane surface street.

“There are pivotal moments when great cities make history,” said Nickels. “Today, we come together with a plan that creates more transit. We ensure that our city remains economically competitive. And we reclaim our destiny as a true waterfront city—tearing down an elevated highway and re-connecting Seattle to Elliott Bay.”

The project costs for the city are $930 million to replace the central seawall and construct a waterfront promenade, relocate utilities, build a streetcar on First Avenue, and improve east-west streets. The county will seek new motor vehicle excise tax authorization from the legislature to fund over $190 million in transit capital and $15 million annually in operating expenses. Port CEO Tay Yoshitani will ask the Port Commission to consider a $300 million investment in the replacement of the south mile of the viaduct and a new east-west connection to the container terminals.

The agreement also includes federal funds toward the Spokane Street Viaduct and Mercer Street projects. These projects provide critical east-west connections for west side neighborhoods. Seattle’s waterfront will become a world-class destination when the viaduct is taken down and replaced with a four-lane surface street and open space. The central seawall will also be replaced.

Investments in transit will add 17,000 new riders to King County METRO buses. New service will be provided for west side neighborhoods that use the viaduct to go to downtown Seattle. A new streetcar will be built on First Avenue from Pioneer Square to Seattle Center.

“This agreement will improve our transportation system, improve our quality of life and make an historic shift in the way we view mobility in an age of global warming,” said Sims. “There are only four lanes in the bored tunnel and the plan includes a new stable source of transit funding that will help Metro make a vast increase in service, which will mean fewer cars on streets, less pollution and better traffic reliability for business and industry.”

The Port of Seattle serves as an international gateway for the region – bringing cargo in and sending Washington goods to the world,” said Yoshitani. “Our cargo, cruise, fishing and industrial facilities – and the thousands of jobs they support – need a transportation network that keeps people and goods moving.”

Construction of a bored tunnel will begin in 2011 and be open to drivers in 2015. Added transit service will begin next year, and the Spokane St. and Mercer St. projects will be completed by 2012. It is expected this proposal will establish 10,000 jobs in a ten year span.

As most readers are aware, the Hearst Corporation, which owns the Seattle Post-Intelligencer announced on Friday that they are putting the PI up for sale.  If the newspaper does not sell within 60 days, the PI will be shut down.  This is a tragedy on many levels.  For some time now, the PI has been improving dramatically both in form and in content.  Unlike the Seattle Tmes, the PI does not seem to have a schizophrenic editorial board that makes its decisions over shots of Tequila.  And the PI has shown a real movement towards embracing the brave new world of Information Technology.  Finally, a one newspaper town will make us a much poorer place culturally.

There is a fair hubbub in the blogosphere, especially amongst the journalistic digerati, regarding the post-mortems and the way forward.   One thing is fairly certain, the so-called “dead-tree” or “pulp” edition will most certainly disappear.  As hard as it may be for readers to believe, there are still many who like the feel and look of the paper edition.  I run into such copies in waiting rooms and I can’t help but think, “how quaint.”

So, will the PI be reborn as the brave new warrior on the electronic fronteir?  One can only hope.  But even a slimmed down, electronic version will require massive amounts of capital.  Hearst has made clear that they are not going to be around to provide this support.  Perhaps a group of Seattle investors, keen on saving an institution and funding an experiment in communications technology will appear.  Seattle has pulled many such miracles in the past – the Sonics notwithstanding (Howard Schultz are you listening?).  Community leaders such as James Ellis have pushed the envelope and made miracles happen.  Seattle would not be the City that it is without such people.

If you want to check out a variant of a plan in the making check out the plan set forth by the folks at TechFlash.  Already, some prominent commentators have pronounced that plan DOA.  Not sure such pessimism is warranted but hey, we have to start somewhere.  So, what say ye, citizens of this great metropolis, can we pull together enough brains and money to save the PI?  The challenge is in our hands.

UPDATE:  One journalist believes that Hearst may be remaking the PI.  Link here.

That’s White Center Now/West Seattle Blog video of Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels joining in the Clean and Green cleanup this morning, helping give a kiosk a new coat of paint. More than two dozen people joined in the cleanup that launched from just outside the White Center Community Development Association, including WCCDA reps and volunteers from the Boys and Girls Clubs, and volunteers were treated to fresh coffee from nearby Cafe Rozella.

We first told you about this a month ago, and now the big day is here: Be at the White Center Community Development Association HQ at 9 to join the White Center/South Delridge business district cleanup, till noon!

Sparks flew at Thursday night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting, with hot topics on the agenda from annexation to housing to … stray shopping carts. White Center Now was there; read on for our report: Read the rest of this entry »

The recently announced agreement (read it here) between Burien, Seattle, and other jurisdictions regarding the annexation process is one of the items on the agenda for tonight’s monthly meeting of the community group that represents you — the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council. 7 pm, North Highline Fire District HQ.

That’s White Center Now/West Seattle Blog video of the Seattle Fire Department Pipes and Drums Band and the Walter Kilgore Memorial Honor Guard tonight at Holy Family School (20th and Roxbury; map). They helped pay tribute to the four firefighters who lost their lives 14 years ago tonight in Seattle’s notorious Pang warehouse arson; the memorial was part of a benefit dinner will be held to raise money for scholarships to be awarded at HF by the Randy Terlicker Endowment Fund, named after a Holy Family alumnus who was one of those four lost heroes (the others: the Honor Guard’s namesake Lt. Kilgore, Lt. Greg Shoemaker, and firefighter James Brown).