White Center Now: The blog about White Center

(WCN photo from September 13th fire)

A month and a half ago, White Center community members launched a petition drive demanding King County do more to address the economic devastation caused by the recent business fires. Among the demands: “$2M emergency relief funding outside of (Department of Local Services) grants to assist fire victims and stabilize the White Center Business District’s rebuilding efforts in collaboration with community.” $2 million in help is on the way after a King County Council supplemental-budget vote today that included approval of the proposal by County Councilmember Joe McDermott. Here’s his post-vote announcement:

Following passage of a $672 million supplemental budget Tuesday, King County Councilmember Joe McDermott applauded the inclusion of $2 million for economic recovery in White Center following a string of fires and burglaries there. McDermott brough the funding as an amendment to the budget legislation.

“This investment in economic recovery will have a tangible impact on how the County can support the White Center community in the year ahead,” McDermott said. “From the pandemic to long-standing challenges for legacy businesses, this economic emergency brought on by the fires this year only heightened the need to ensure White Center can maintain an equitable, thriving community in the years ahead. I greatly appreciate my colleagues’ support for this community that, while struggling now, has incredible potential.”

The budget also included $175,000 for King County Sheriff’s Office overtime to help increase patrols in the area and funding for a new economic development staffer dedicated to the White Center community.

Multiple property fires this year damaged beloved businesses in White Center like the Locker Room Bar and Grill, Huong Xua Deli and others while subsequent window smashings and burglaries put the community on edge.

Local business owners submitted a petition to county officials, seeking direct aid to fire victims, funding for additional security in the community, a more transparent relationship with the King County Sheriff’s Office and local fire departments, and staffing for one-on-one support for local businesses not only for recovery but going forward to help avoid displacement in the area.

The $2 million in funding will be directed by the Department of Local Services to additional business grants and other economic recovery strategies to be developed in conversation and collaboration with the community.

If the end of summer has you feeling rummage/yard/garage-sale withdrawal, here’s one more chance – the White Center Library Guild‘s books-and-more sale is happening today!

Find the sale just outside the library (1409 SW 107th) until 3 pm. Besides books, we found toys, clothing, housewares, even classic music cassettes.

The all-volunteer Library Guild raises money to help fund programs at the library.

From the White Center Library Guild:

The White Center Library Guild is having a Book & Sidewalk Sale this coming Saturday, October 2nd, from 10 AM to 3 PM at the White Center Library at 1409 SW 107th St. in White Center just east of 16th Ave. SW. Stop by the Library for a fast look at books and other items to restart needed funding for our White Center Library programs for children and adults over the next year. Guild members will be on hand to sell various items collected during the COVID shutdown. Be masked and come by for some good bargains. Join our Guild, too! If you have yet to visit, the Library it is a beautiful welcoming place with books, computers, a children’s play area, and a friendly staff. Great place for children of all ages to go after school. COVID protocols are in place.

If you haven’t been yet – the White Center Library (1409 SW 107th) has reopened. New hours are 1-8 pm Wednesdays, 10 am-5 pm Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, closed Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. KCLS notes, “Services will be modified at first and will expand over time” – not just at the WC Library, but at its other reopening branches. Here’s more about the way things are working at reopened libraries, for now.

Next week, White Center Library gets “Curbside to Go” service when KCLS dramatically expands where it’s available. Here’s the announcement:

On Wednesday, August 5, the King County Library System (KCLS) will begin offering Curbside to Go at 22 additional library locations across the region. KCLS launched Curbside to Go on July 1 with 19 locations to start. The contactless pickup service will now be available at 41 out of 49 KCLS libraries.

The full list of participating libraries can be found at kcls.org/curbside, or by calling 425.462.9600 or 800.462.9600. Aside from a few exceptions, patrons may pick up materials on Tuesday and Wednesday, from 1:00 to 7:30 pm and Thursday through Saturday, from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. Schedule a pickup time on the MyLIBRO app, or call one of the select libraries’ Curbside to Go phone numbers to make an appointment. Walk-up appointments are also available.

“We have seen an incredible demand for library materials since we started offering Curbside to Go,” said KCLS Executive Director Lisa Rosenblum. “While patrons have enjoyed KCLS’ digital offerings, it’s clear they still missed having access to physical items like books and DVDs. We look forward to expanding Curbside to Go, and getting our materials out into even more communities.”

Curbside to Go will be temporarily closed at all locations on Tuesday, August 4 for KCLS staff to prepare for the expansion on August 5.

KCLS encourages patrons to continue to take advantage of online services and resources while buildings remain closed to the public. Residents in the KCLS service area (in King County, outside the city of Seattle) can sign up instantly for a digital eCard to access the library online. For those who don’t have computer or internet access, contact Ask KCLS by phone at 425.462.9600 or 800.462.9600. Find out more about KCLS’ multiphase plan to expand services during the pandemic shutdown at kcls.org/reopening.

Boulevard Park is NOT on the list of locations where the curbside service is being added.

Saturday (November 16th) from 10 am to 3 pm at the library, 1409 SW 107th: “Used books, non-English language books/CDs/ DVDs, white-elephant gifts and holiday items for sale. All proceeds benefit the programs for the White Center Library. A free all-ages craft activity will be offered during the bazaar.”

Last weekend’s White Center Library Guild sidewalk sale was a success! The photos are by Gill Loring, and guild president Astha Toda reports, “We raised $385 for the library’s programming, especially benefitting our youth. … The weather was just perfect—sunny with a comfortable breeze. Thanks to everyone who helped make this another productive, fun event to support our beloved library.”

Even the youngest customers were happy!

It’s almost time to start previewing Jubilee Days. But first – another event happening this weekend – the White Center Library Guild Sidewalk Sale on Saturday (July 20th)!

See you there!

Thanks to White Center Library Guild president Astha Tada for the report and member Gill Loring for the photos – here’s how the guild’s Plant Sale went this past Friday:

Thanks to the wonderful support and team effort of many individuals, the White Center Library will have money to support their programming efforts, especially targeting our youth. In 4 hours, $589 was earned selling outdoor and indoor plants, garden tools, garden books, and children’s books, etc. A number of community members gave a little extra to support our much-beloved library.

It was a fun time with lots of conversations as individuals came to peruse, buy and ask
plant questions. Some mystery plants we were not able to identify were sold to adventuresome buyers.

The White Center Library Guild hopes to continue this fun event next year. We are a small group of
dedicated individuals and can always use more members. Join us! Make a difference!

Gardeners – happening tomorrow!

(WCN photo from 2017 bazaar)

Saturday’s the day you can do holiday shopping at the library! It’s the Holiday Bazaar and Book Sale put on by the White Center Library Guild:

Books, white elephant, holiday, and gently used household treasures galore. All proceeds benefit the programs for the White Center Library.

Saturday, November 17th 10 am to 3 pm, WC Library, 1409 SW 107th

Tomorrow – Saturday, October 6th – brings the first of two White Center Library programs focusing on the history of hip-hop. 2-3 pm, you are invited to hear about “Race, Class, Culture, and the History of Hip-Hop in the Northwest.” Then on October 27th, also 2-3 pm, King Khazm of 206 Zulu will speak about “Hip-Hop and It Don’t Stop.” Both presentations are free and open to all; the WC Library is at 1409 SW 107th.

New Year’s resolution: Spend more time at the library! Here to help you with that is the lineup of White Center Library highlights for January:

Children & Families

Kaleidoscope Play & Learn-Spanish
Tuesday, January 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 10:30 am
Newborn to age 5 with caregiver.

Have fun singing songs, telling stories, reading books, creating art and playing. Play & Learn is in English and the facilitator is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Family Story Times
Friday, January 12, 19 and 26, 10:30 am
Ages 6 months to 6 years with adult.

Stories, songs and fun!

Tweens & Teens

Anime Club
Thursday, January 4, 4-5 pm
Middle and high school ages.

Come watch Anime with other kids in the library.

Study Zone
Thursday, January 4, 11, 18 and 25, 5:30-7:30 pm
Monday, January 8, 22 and 29, 5:30-7:30 pm

No Study Zone on January 15.

Need homework help? Students in grades K-12 can get free help at the library from volunteer tutors.

Fun with Yarn
Monday, January 22, 4 pm
All ages welcome.

Let’s make something with yarn! Make pom pom key chains and bag charms. Use yarn and beads to make your own creation, a customized charm on your very own key chain. All supplies provided.

Movie: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Monday, January 29, 4 pm
Middle- and high-school ages.

Newt Scamander has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident except for a series of events which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.

Snacks provided by the White Center Library Guild.

Adults

Drop In to Learn about eBooks
Friday, January 12, 3-4 pm
Wednesday, January 17, 7-8 pm

Get started with KCLS eBooks! Bring your eReader, tablet, phone or just your questions.

The White Center Library is at 1409 SW 107th. And take note, it’s closing early on New Year’s Eve – 5 pm – and will be closed New Year’s Day.

If you’ve been to the White Center Library in recent weeks, you’ve probably noticed some damage to its distinctive glass facade. KCLS is about to fix the windows, but it needs to close the library to get that done, so it will be closed tomorrow and Friday (November 30th and December 1st), reopening Saturday, December 2nd.

The White Center Library has many programs and presentations throughout the year – and today (Saturday, October 28th) you’ll hear from a local author. Linnea Westerlind of West Seattle speaks at 11 am:

Learn about the history and key features of Seattle’s amazing parks in this fun presentation! Author Linnea Westerlind has visited each of Seattle’s 426 city parks, an effort which she documented on her blog, YearofSeattleParks.com — making her the absolutely perfect person to guide you to just the right park for your picnic, an outing with the kids, family reunion, or simply a fun new place to explore.