White Center Now: The blog about White Center

DJ, also known as Dave or Dennis, is missing, last seen in the White Center/West Seattle area three weeks ago.

Family and friends say he was last seen at or near The Blu Grouse (9839 17th SW), and was in his 1970s-vintage VW bus:

His missing-persons case was filed with police in Thurston County because he had been staying at a friend’s property there, but White Center was the last sighting – please call 911 if you’ve seen him or his vehicle. The Thurston County (Yelm area) police case number is 24-002682.

Congratulations to longtime leader Sili Savusa for receiving a major award from King County – here’s the announcement:

(King County photo)

King County Councilmember Joe McDermott on Tuesday awarded Sili Savusa with the Martin Luther King Medal of Distinguished Service, an award that recognizes individuals whose work has answered the question asked by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “What are you doing for others?”

Savusa is the Executive Director of the White Center Community Development Association, and has made a lifelong commitment to selflessly help, uplift, support and promote her community.

“Sili Savusa has been a force for positive change and community her entire life, and we’ve been so fortunate to have her bringing that skill and passion to White Center over the last decade,” said McDermott. “Sili’s impact in White Center has been undeniable – with thousands of families uplifted, businesses supported, and organizations buoyed by her leadership and friendship. I’m honored to call her a friend and inspiration, and am excited to see her continued success as she steps forward to make an impact on the entire state of Washington.”

Savusa learned from childhood the power and importance of community. Her father, a Samoan Matais (chief), helped found the Samoan National Chief’s Council in the 1980s, and then started the chief’s council in Seattle as well. In her childhood home, her father brought people in for community meetings, ceremonies, organizing.

As an adult, Savusa has carried on that tradition. She established the first Samoan Pacific Islander Parent Teacher Student Association in the nation, successfully managed the multi-million-dollar Making Connections community change initiative for the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and became the first woman of color elected to the Highline School Board. She previously served as the Family Center Coordinator for Southwest Youth and Family Services.

For more than 20 years, Savusa has also worked with The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, working to bring people together to establish relationships based on trust.

Sili, a longtime resident of White Center, has built a reputation as one of the most successful and prominent Samoan community leaders in the Northwest, and works each day to help uplift, support and promote her community and its needs.

This marks the eighth year that councilmembers have each selected someone from their district whose work embodies the spirit of King’s question.

The flag-raising Wednesday night at Triangle Park officially launched this year’s White Center Pride celebration, with a spirited crowd on hand to watch:

Jason Loughridge, president of WC Pride, talked about what a journey the past few years have been:

County Councilmember Joe McDermott shared “somber reflectipms” as well as words of joy:

The celebration featured music as well as speeches – here’s the Burn Out Brass Band doing the “Time Warp”!

Allegro danced:

This of course was just the start of this year’s White Center Pride.

Here’s the full preview we published last month. Next up, Future Primitive Brewery is the place to be tonight (Thursday, June 2nd) for the Queer Beer launch party; the “main event” is a week from Saturday, the White Center Pride Street Festival on June 11th.

(WCN photo, 2021)

The street festival noted here earlier this week isn’t all that will comprise this year’s White Center Pride celebration. Here’s the full announcement received today from organizers:

Coming in June, White Center Pride organization proudly announces a series of events in the White Center neighborhood that celebrates the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and all sexual and gender minority (LGBTQIA+) people. This first in-person Pride following the arson fires and vandalisms from 2021 intends to bring people together to heal in solidarity over the triumphs and sacrifices made by the LGBTQIA+ and ally community.

Beginning on Wednesday, June 1st, at 6:30 pm, White Center will kickoff this year’s Pride events with an opening celebration at Triangle Park. Special guest speakers, performances, and music will lead up to the raising of the Progressive Flag above the heart of White Center. Immediately following the Flag Raising Ceremony, the Southgate Roller Rink will host Pride Skate at 8:30 pm, where skaters can glide and dance to the theme “GLOW UP: Light up for Pride” with DJ Redline. This popular event is an opportunity for members of the queer community to express their diverse and unique selves in an inclusive and groovy space.

On the following day, Thursday, June 2nd, in collaboration with the White Center Pride organization, Future Primitive Brewery will release their limited edition “Queer Beer” for the second year, with part of the proceeds supporting the White Center Pride Organization. Jason Loughridge, President of the White Center Pride organization, invites attendees to “Come raise a glass with us, as we celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in the White Center neighborhood. Additionally, if you are interested in learning about the beer making process, join us at 5:30 pm for a brewery tour before the official Queer Beer release later in the evening.”

It all leads up to the main event on Saturday, June 11th starting at noon: a day of fun and celebration at the White Center Pride Street Festival in Downtown White Center. Closing down the main “drag” on SW 16th Ave and south of SW Roxbury St for pedestrian traffic only, you can stroll the streets safely and enjoy queer vendors, drag performances, live music, beer gardens, and more!

Nathan Adams, owner of the Lumberyard, sums up the spirit of this year’s White Center Pride: “Pride in knowing one’s self should be celebrated every day. The journey is a long one and only each individual can know when it has started or is complete. Our strength comes from ourcommunity and our family, and together we can all be proud of who we are, where we come from, and where we call home!! This community is more like family to myself and everyone at the Lumberyard, and we cannot wait to celebrate and open our doors for our family.”

For a list of White Center Pride events, see the organization’s website at whitecenterpride.org/2022-schedule.

“On behalf of the White Center Pride organization and the White Center neighborhood, we invite you to our pride events. Celebrate the spirit of personal discovery and authenticity together!”, said Matt Maring, Fundraiser Chair of the White Center Pride organization.

This Saturday night, White Center Heights Park will be transformed into an outdoor shopping event, with more than 40 vendors signed up for the Queer & Trans Night Market. VietQ is presenting the market, 6-9 pm Saturday (August 28th). VietQ presented a daytime market back in June in Greenbridge. Saturday’s vendors are spotlighted on VietQ’s Instagram page. The park is at 7th/102nd.

Thanks to Gill Loring for the photos. Family and friends gathered in the Taradise Café parking lot this afternoon to remember the café’s founder, Tara Eckman Scott, who died last week at 51.

The celebration was still going strong after more than an hour. Those in attendance knew her not only from her White Center café but also from her days at West Seattle’s gone-but-not-forgotten Charlestown Café.

MONDAY REPORT: Tara Scott, proprietor of White Center’s Taradise Café, has died at age 51. After a reader tip, we found confirmation via this social-media post from one of her sons, Ohio State football player Gee Scott Jr. He wrote that “the woman whose smile lights up any room she’s in … who taught me what it is to unconditionally love … that brought me into this world” died this morning. Ms. Scott, a West Seattle resident, opened her restaurant five and a half years ago. It ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: A tribute to Ms. Scott is growing outside the Taradise Café:

The note on the bricks expresses gratitude and asks that people not leave candles, saying another memorial will be announced soon,

TUESDAY EVENING: The family has announced a Celebration of Life for 4 pm Saturday in the Taradise Café parking lot.

A beautiful night for a flag-raising! The White Center Pride flag went up today, along with a brand-new American flag to fly alongside it. Spectators watched from outside Mac’s Triangle Pub:

The parklet around the flagpole got a few extra decorations too:

Goodie bags for local merchants were assembled:

Even stickers:

Watch here for Pride Month events.

RSVP now for this sure-to-be-inspiring event coming up Tuesday:

If you can’t read it in its entirety, see the full-sized PDF version here. (The RSVP link is here.)

(WCN/WSB photo)

As previewed, tonight brought the White Center Pride flag-raising to Triangle Park at 16th/Roxbury/Delridge. The flag went up during a ceremony streamed online. This year, organizers explain, they’re flying “the progress flag, which celebrates POC and Trans communities, in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.”

5:36 PM: The Community March for Black Lives had hundreds of people filling 16th SW south of Roxbury, and now they’re on Roxbury headed back toward the starting point at Greenbridge. Much more coverage to come.

8:41 PM: Adding photos, first from the gathering at Greenbridge Plaza:

Above is Semone Andu, who told the crowd at the plaza, “We are living in a historic moment … The revolution is here!” He said that revolution would dismantle “the capitalist system built on the bones, blood, and labor of indigenous people.” He called this the “time of the great confrontation” and warned that no one has “the luxury of being a bystander … Holding a sign is not enough … you need to do the work.” Also speaking, Marisha Tolliver:

And from 16th SW, after the participants marched south on 8th, west on 102nd, and north on 16th:

As announced for Wednesday (June 10th):

People of White Center, we stand together in solidarity to fight for justice for our black brothers and sisters.

-We will gather at Greenbridge Plaza at 4 pm
-Hear from community members and leaders
-Begin Peaceful March towards 16th AVE at 5 pm .

Please bring your face mask.

The plaza is on 8th SW just south of Roxbury.

As previewed here last month, White Center Pride had intended to have tts virtual flag-raising this weekend. but instead:

Out of deep respect for the Black Lives Matters movement, we have decided to postpone our flag raising ceremony to Saturday, June 13 at 6 pm. We want this weekend to be dedicated to honoring the life of George Floyd.

You can go here for details on how to watch this Saturday’s event.

Learn while you shop the first-ever White Center Community Pop-Up Market (9630 16th SW until 5 pm). “Resisting Displacement” is the theme of the event organized by the WC Community Development Association. You can meet local makers like Dylan and Marigold:

You can also learn about longtime local businesses:

Among those participating – Ana Castro of Salvadorean Bakery:

The market features a variety of items – some edible, some wearable:

As the original announcement noted, “White Center has always been an innovative, creative, and culturally rich community and this pop up market intends to celebrate that richness in our community in order to resist the displacement that is happening.”

With a countdown and a cheer, the rainbow flag was raised tonight for the first-ever White Center Pride celebration. The little park just outside Mac’s Triangle Pub amassed a big crowd for the occasion:

They saw more than a celebration – they saw a show! Including drag performances, by La Saveona Hunt:

And by Old Witch:

And there was ballet, presented by White Center’s own Miss Sheryl:

Speakers too – two gay elected officials, King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht and County Councilmember Joe McDermott:

Tony Vo from the White Center Community Development Association talked about coming out to his family a few years ago, and added that he welcomes WC’s status as the “new gay mecca”:

Community members of all ages were there:

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White Center Pride continues through the weekend – find the event schedule here.

Tonight’s also the first night of the first-ever White Center Pride celebration. The full schedule is here – before Pride Skate at Southgate, be outside Mac’s Triangle Pub (Roxbury/Delridge/16th) for the Pride flag-raising at 7 pm.

Happening today (Sunday) in White Center:

Friends of Joe Nguyễn and Mỹ Linh Thái would like to invite our fellow community members to join us in celebrating the historic wins of Mỹ Linh Thái, 41st LD State Representative and Joe Nguyễn, 34th LD State Senator, as the first Vietnamese-American Legislators elected in Washington State history!

Please join us for live entertainment, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and a no-host cash bar.

Sunday, 12/2/2018
2:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Diamond Hall & Events
9835 16th Avenue SW

RSVP via Eventbrite

Program:
•Vietnamese Cultural Dance
•Guest speakers on issues impacting Vietnamese-Americans in Washington State
•Guests of Honors: Joe Nguyễn and Mỹ Linh Thái
•Live Band Entertainment

The photo and report arrived tonight:

Today, White Center residents Mark Ufkes and his oldest son Patrick have finally reached the furthest point east on the North American continent that a person can drive to, Cape Spear in Newfoundland, Canada. The drive is over 5,000 miles from Seattle. The Seattle Heart Canada sign is a big hit here. People honking and waving all the time. Next stop, Ice Berg Alley, and then a drive across Labrador in search of Polar Bears to photograph before heading home.

We don’t know what route they took but if you put Seattle and Cape Spear into Google Maps – here’s what you get.

As mentioned earlier this week, there’s another work party at the future White Center family shelter at 8th/108th tomorrow (Saturday). And today, King County confirms that the shelter is set to officially open on Tuesday (March 21st). More to come.

(Also posted to partner site West Seattle Blog)

Thanks to Jen Calleja for the tip – multiple White Center businesses are closed today for the Day Without Immigrants protest against the federal crackdown on immigrants. We stopped by some of the businesses she mentioned – above, the sign at Greenbridge Café; below, the signs at Salvadorean Bakery and Best Roasted Corn:

And Jen sent this collage of other businesses she found closed nearby:

We haven’t seen/heard of any other West closures – if you have, please let us know – texting 206-293-6302 is the fastest way to reach us.

Meantime, there’s news about the court fight over the presidential order on immigration – according to a news release from state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, saying a federal appeals court was notified that “the President intends in the near future to rescind the Order and replace it with a new, substantially revised Executive Order” to eliminate constitutional concerns. Ferguson’s reaction: “Let’s be clear: Today’s court filing by the federal government recognizes the obvious — the President’s current Executive Order violates the Constitution.”