White Center Now: The blog about White Center

From King County Local Services:

A new grant program is available to small businesses in unincorporated King County that have experienced vandalism or break-ins since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.

The King County Department of Local Services Storefront Repair Program is intended to address vandalism and enhance security in business districts of the unincorporated areas. The program serves small businesses (10 employees or less) by providing a one-time grant up to $5,000 to repair and damage and restore storefronts of commercial buildings occupied by operating businesses. Retail, grocery, food service, and personal, professional, or medical services are eligible to apply.

Eligible expenses include:

Repair or replacement of windows, doors, exterior lighting, signs, or awnings
Replacement of security screens or bars, graffiti removal, security cameras, and insurance claim deductibles

For program guidelines and applications, see the Storefront Repair Grant Program page. For questions or application assistance, email localbusinessgrants@kingcounty.gov

Applications will be accepted through Dec. 31, 2023, subject to funding availability.

(Added: WSB photo)

5:52 PM: A man is reported to have been killed in a shooting on a Metro bus on 15th SW just south of Roxbury. Seattle Police were the first on the scene so our coverage launched on partner site West Seattle Blog, but it’s in King County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, so they’re taking over the investigation. It was reported around 5:10 pm. The victim was described as “around 30 years old.” We haven’t heard anything else about exact circumstances; the bus was a RapidRide H Line headed for Westwood Village, our photo shows. Conflicting descriptions of the shooter have been broadcast so we don’t have anything for sure right now. If you’ve seen/heard a helicopter, that’s the shared TV chopper, not Guardian One. We’ll add anything more we find out; 15th SW is closed near the scene while the investigation continues.

6 PM: Now Guardian One is also over the scene.

10:08 PM: Here’s the KCSO news release, for the record (though it doesn’t say anything we haven’t already reported:

This evening (October 3rd) at approximately 5:10 pm, deputies from the King County Sheriff’s Office responded to the vicinity of SW Roxbury ST and 15th Ave SW for reports of a shooting that occurred on a Metro bus. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a single victim, who was unfortunately pronounced deceased at the scene.

Multiple specialized units, including Guardian 1 aerial support and a K9 Unit, responded to conduct a thorough search for the individuals involved. As of this moment, the search operation has concluded, and the suspect(s) in question remain at large.

The King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit will be investigating.

11:20 PM: 15th has reopened, per a Metro advisory.

This Thursday’s the big night – with two weeks to go until voting begins, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council will talk with the candidates for King County Council District 8, the seat that Joe McDermott is leaving:

You Are Invited

Candidates Forum
Presented by: North Highline Unincorporated Area Council

Thursday October 5, 2023 @ 7 PM

MEET

King County Council District 8 Candidates
Teresa Mosqueda & Sofia Aragon

Join Zoom Meeting
us02web.zoom.us/j/88360227989?pwd=ajg5eXdHSUFWZmFxeDNJTjZ1SHI1QT09

Meeting ID: 883 6022 7989
Passcode: NHUAC2023 (Case Sensitive)

Or Join by Phone: 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 883 6022 7989
Passcode: 839454575

All Are Welcome – Bring Your Questions – Get the Facts
Be Informed Be Involved Be Counted

VOTE

Just announced by the White Center Food Bank, and you’re invited!

Join White Center Food Bank (WCFB) for an exciting Capital Campaign Fundraiser, with exclusive tours of our new facility prior to the event! This special celebration features delicious food from White Center restaurants, amazing speakers, great music, a silent auction and more. With just over 60% of our $8 million goal raised, we need our community of supporters to help us move to our new home.

Speakers include Senator Joe Nguyen, our Executive Director Carmen Smith, and a WCFB customer. The event will be MC’d by the inspiring community advocate and food bank partner, Kimnang Seng. Delightful music from master Brazilian singer, Adriana Giordano will create a celebratory ambiance for this special event. Each ticket includes appetizers provided by Sap Sap Lao Cafe and Patrick’s Cafe and Bakery, plus a drink ticket.
Tours of the new food bank from 2:30-4pm and the event is 4-6pm. Shuttles will be provided by KC Metro to and from the event space and the new food bank.

Date: Saturday, Oct 21
Time: 2:30-6pm (tours of new food bank from 2:30-4 pm, fundraising event from 4-6 pm)
Event Location: White Center Eagles, 10452 15th Ave SW
New Food Bank Location: 10016 16th Ave SW

This new facility will bring together an incredible array of community programing, hosted both by the food bank and partner organizations. WCFB wants people from all walks of life to enter through our doors together, so that everyone feels comfortable receiving food whenever they need it.

“We’re excited for this next chapter to better serve the community and revitalize this part of the neighborhood. We hope that our supporters will continue to show up alongside us to ensure our community thrives.”- Carmen Smith, Executive Director.
To purchase tickets and learn more, click here!

Received today from King County:

King County’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is seeking responses for a new Skyway-West Hill and North Highline Community Planning Request for Information (RFI)! Responses are due Friday, October 27, 2023.

Overview:

DCHS is releasing the Skyway-West Hill and North Highline Community Planning RFI to better understand the needs and priorities of the Skyway-West Hill and North Highline communities to inform the design of a future RFP to support Community-based organizations (CBOs) to lead community planning processes exploring or advancing community-led and community-owned models of Permanently Affordable Housing, including but not limited to Community Land Trusts, as an anti-displacement strategy in these neighborhoods. DCHS anticipates releasing the RFP in Quarter 1 of 2024 which will deploy approximately $175,000 to advance community planning efforts in Skyway-West Hill and North Highline. No funding will be awarded from this RFI.

DCHS is seeking responses from community-based and place-based organizations (CBOs) working in Skyway-West Hill and North Highline areas of King County or community members who have strong community ties to Skyway-West Hill and North Highline.

How to respond:

You may choose to respond either in writing or in an interview with DCHS staff.

Online form: Please visit https://forms.office.com/g/1frZSmQD3H and enter your responses to any or all of the questions.

By interview: Interviews with DCHS staff to respond to the RFI question in the attached document will take place between September 28 and October 27 during normal business hours (8am-5pm). Please email Joanna Armstrong at DCHScontracts@kingcounty.gov with “RFI Interview for Permanent Affordability Community Planning” in the subject line to schedule a meeting for up to one hour in length.

The method of your submission has no bearing on the consideration of responses. DCHS may contact respondents for clarification or elaboration of their responses.

For more information:

Please review the full RFI here: Full RFP document. Please direct any questions about the RFI to Joanna Armstrong, by emailing DCHScontracts@kingcounty.gov

The sign outside White Center’s Bartell Drugs – photographed Wednesday – seems to be a play on words. Today is the day the store planned to close. No info yet on what’ll become of the building – our inquiry to its owner, a California electrical contractor, has so far gone unanswered.

(Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

Saturday (September 30th) is set as opening day for Burger Planet, going from food truck to bricks-and-mortar at 9614 14th SW in White Center, former home of Zippy’s Giant Burgers. After hearing about a note on the door announcing the date, we stopped by Wednesday evening and found owner Marco and chef Marco, who invited us in for a look:

The decor is “Star Wars”-themed, in keeping with the “planet” name. There are games, as there were in Zippy’s.

They’re planning to open 4-11 pm and promise “new menu items” in addition to what their truck has offered (you might remember it from a stint at the 30th/Roxbury gas station in 2017), along with local beer on tap.

You can admire creative cups at White Center’s own Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th SW) when Rat City Studios presents its Community Cup Showcase starting one week from today:

We’re so excited to share that our 6th Annual Community Cup Exhibition at Dubsea Coffee is opening just around the corner!

The show will be up from October 4th – October 30th.

We’ll be having an opening reception on October 7th from 10 am-12 pm. This reception will be a fun time to connect with the community members in the show, meet the local artists, take in all the cups, and enjoy a delicious beverage.

The Community Cup Showcase coincides with National Clay Week and this annual event celebrates the wide variety of talent, techniques, shapes, glazes, and styles of pottery making within our vibrant clay family!

Just a week and a half until this tasty way to help!

Our Kiwanis New Year (2023-24) is just starting as we kick off with a PANCAKE BREAKFAST to be held on Saturday morning, October 7, beginning at 8 AM and running until noon at the White Center Eagles, 10452 15th SW, featuring pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee, and/or juice, as well as a silent auction. Tickets remain at $10, with those under 5 free, and may be obtained at the door and/or from any WC Kiwanian you know, or by contacting Bill Tracy at 206-248-2441 or billnancytracy@aol.com.

We are a 501 C-3 ID# 90-0840143 and checks are to be made to The Kiwanis Club of White Center Youth Foundation. All funds raised, including donations, are delivered to area children’s organizations including the SW Boys & Girls Club, the White Center Food Bank, WestSide Baby, Camp Casey for handicapped children, as well as working with the Key Clubs at New Start Alternative HS and Evergreen HS, as well as helping the Exchange Club of Highline and Shorewood Elementary School. We appreciate your assistance and hope you will join us on OCTOBER 7, 2023.

Thanks to Gill Loring for the photos! Last weekend, North Shorewood Park got some TLC from the WTA – Washington Trails Association.

Damp weather didn’t stop this determined crew.

Yearning for a chance to help? Several other natural areas and parks have volunteer opportunities on the next Duwamish Alive! day – October 21st.

As previously announced, King County Council District 8 candidates Sofia Aragon and Teresa Mosqueda will be at the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting on October 5th. Before that, you have a chance to hear from them in nearby West Seattle. Via our partner site West Seattle Blog, we’re having a candidate forum on Monday (September 25th), starting with County Council D-8 at 6:30 pm (followed by Seattle City Council D-1 if you’re interested in that). No live stream but we will record video and will publish that here as well as on WSB. The forum will be at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), in the upstairs meeting hall. We’ll be asking questions assembled in advance, including some sent by readers; if there’s anything you’d like us to ask Mosqueda and Aragon, please email your question to whitecenternow@gmail.com.

SUNDAY UPDATE: One candidate is ill and unable to participate in person, so since remote is not an option, we will postpone this to a TBA date. We’ll announce it here when we set something.

Got plans Saturday night (September 23)? A quietly effective nonprofit helping countless area families invites you to a party that’s coming on the heels of a Family Fun Day last weekend. Here’s what it’s all about:

If you noticed an abundance of bubbles in the air last Saturday, that is because the UnPoppable Family FUNfest happened in White Center. Nestled in the community amphitheater courtyard between Educare Seattle and White Center Heights Elementary, children aged one month to 6 years were the focus of a joy- and music-filled gathering with activities, performances by the Highline Drill Team, a visit from a King County Fire District 2 engine and crew, and bubbles galore!

Educare Seattle hosts this event specifically for early learning families to acknowledge and celebrate the critical role the “whole family” has in child development.

Families joined from White Center Heights kindergarten classes, the White Center CDA’s Play and Learn groups, Heritage Head Start and Educare Seattle. Educare teachers and family advocates provided STEAM-based activities (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, Math), Verity Credit Union provided financial management information, and the White Center CDA engaged families in crafts.

“As 85% of brain development occurs in a child’s first 3 years and there are only about 2,000 days between birth and kindergarten, there really is no more important time for little ones to receive superb care,” shares Nancy Woodland, Executive Director of the Learning Communities Foundation for Educare. “Everyone benefits when children and families receive what they need, especially from teachers who look like them and honor many cultures. At Educare, an equitable approach with low teacher:child ratios, holistic support for families and research and data informing every step impacts each child now and beyond the walls of Educare when in kindergarten or when research .”
Today celebrated they children and families. This Saturday, the Learning Communities Foundation invites you to join them for UnPoppable FUNdraiser. Serving mocktails, cocktails, appetizers from Greenbridge Café, sorbet from Seattle Sorbet and treats from Puffy Pandy, there is something for everyone. (Adults only please)

UnPoppable FUNdraiser
Saturday September 23, 2023
6:30-8:30 pm
@ Educare Seattle 625 SW 100th St,
You can reserve your space HERE – Tickets are just $25
Volunteers needed too – please email nwoodland@learningcommunitiesfoundation.org or call (206) 716-8840

“We’ll transform our bright and airy building into a festive evening venue with music, lots of fun activities to bring child-like joy in an adult setting,” shares Woodland. Guests will find opportunities to give in a welcoming atmosphere, perfect for folks who are new to fundraising events or who wish to learn more about direct ways to address income inequality or invest in early learning.

About Educare Seattle: Educare Seattle is an early learning center in White Center offering Head Start preschool and childcare programs to area families. Income eligible (~less than $55,000 for a family of 3) families receive high quality, culturally relevant learning opportunities and care. First opened in 2010, Educare Seattle serves more than 140 children with a Whole Family approach that engages parents “as a child’s first and most important teacher.”

About Learning Communities Foundation: As the fund development partner of Educare Seattle and the Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD), LCF raises funds for PSESD programs, like Educare, that strive to create a racially just and humanizing learning system from cradle to career.

Thanks to Zac for the tip and photo.

Zac noticed last night that the Mr. O.G. cannabis store at 9823 15th SW had the telltale boarded-up front. We checked with the King County Sheriff’s Office this morning. They say a vehicle was used to break into the shop early Monday and the burglars left the vehicle (no description given) behind.

The Southwest Seattle Youth Alliance circulates a survey each year to help shape programs aimed at preventing substance abuse. They’re hoping to get replies from a wide variety of community members, including people without youths in their households. Here’s the announcement:

The SW Seattle Youth Alliance, a school and community coalition formed to address the high rates of youth substance use in Southwest Seattle, would like your help in learning more about community concerns related to drugs and alcohol. The coalition will use these surveys to guide their work in selecting effective prevention programs and services for youth and the community. Please take a few minutes to complete.

You can answer the survey in English, or en Español. The survey’s open until November but if you have a few minutes to spare, earlier is always better.

Just announced by the DubSea Fish Sticks:

The DubSea Fish Sticks summer collegiate baseball team are excited to announce the signing of new Head Coach Elliott Cribby.

He has an extensive coaching resume including Associate Head Coach, Pitching Coach, and Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Washington. He is currently the Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Central Washington University.

“We had a lot of great applicants as we looked to fill this position. The organization has had a great relationship over the years with Coach Cribby as he’s sent us players in the past or would come to games to watch current PIL Players. His extensive coaching and recruiting background is impressive alone, but his past experience as a D1 college player, and having played in both the PIL and Cape Cod League give him a unique ability to connect and relate with players,” explained team President Justin Moser.

“I am extremely excited to be the Head Coach of the Fish Sticks. [The organization] are very professional and it is a great fit! Our players will be developed and taught the things that will not only help them succeed on the field, but in the game of life as well,” exclaimed the new Head Coach.

Prior to taking the role at Central Washington, Coach Cribby was part of the Husky Baseball Coaching staff, where 10 of his recruits would go onto be selected in the 2023 MLB Draft. Additionally, he spent one year with the Purdue Boilermakers helping the pitching staff put up record numbers in strikeouts. Prior to Purdue he helped Seattle University transform their recruiting, which resulted in draft picks in 2015, 2017, and 2018. While he was with the Redhawks, fellow coaches voted Cribby the best recruiter in the WAC in a D1Baseball.com poll.

“[Fans] can expect to see a high caliber level of talent on the field. It is important that we provide them with that every game,” explained Coach Cribby.

This past summer, the DubSea Fish Sticks took second place in the Pacific International League for a second year in a row. They also took second place in the PIL Round Robin behind the Seattle Studs. The team was home to players from over 25 different colleges across the country. The Sticks set record league and franchise attendance numbers, selling out five different games.

“Coach Cribby understands both our goals for developing players on the field, and bringing fun, affordable, family entertainment to DubSea both on and off the field. We’re very excited to have him join the Fishing Crew and help us continue to grow what we’re building,” said Moser.

The Fish Sticks’ 2024 season will run from June 1st – August 3rd at Mel Olson Stadium aka “The Fryer” in White Center. The team is currently looking for host families as it recruits college players from across the country. Season tickets and flex packs for the 2024 season will go on sale in October. For more information on the team, go to GoFishSticks.com.