White Center Now: The blog about White Center

The burger mini-chain with a White Center outpost is offering you a free burger next Monday:

It’ll be 2-5 pm on September 4th, with these ground (beef) rules:

*No other sandwiches
*Extras cost extra
*Limit 1 burger per customer
*Online and phone orders will be off during this time

Li’l Woody’s is right next to Beer Star on the southwest corner of 16th and 98th.

Early heads-up to save a few hours on your calendar for this:

Here’s the direct link for registration.

(WCN photos unless otherwise credited)

Been to downtown White Center yet? This year’s WC Block Party is hopping! You can browse booths with local businesses such as Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery:

The DubSea Fish Sticks‘ season may be over but they’re still pitching merch and awareness:

Entertainment continues until late tonight!

(added) Two more photos, courtesy Jason Grotelueschen:

The festival zone is on 16th between Roxbury and 100th.

The “no parking” signs we saw on 16th SW tonight are reminders that the White Center Block Party is happening tomorrow (Saturday, August 26th). 16th will be closed to traffic and open to fun between Roxbury and 100th – live music, live wrestling, and more! Here’s the detailed preview we published earlier this month. Festival hours are 11 am to midnight, starting with a “sensory hour.” Have tons of fun and support your White Center businesses!

That security-camera image is from a theft in which Drew says he lost $10,000 worth of guitars and bicycles. It happened in his storage unit at 125 SW 112th and he’s hoping someone might spot some of the items. Here’s a full list – with more photos – of what was stolen, including contact info for Drew and for investigators, if you have any information.

Friday’s the deadline for this survey, if you haven’t responded to it already:

King County Local Services is asking people who live in unincorporated areas (areas that lie outside city limits) what would make their communities better places to live.

Local Services will work with communities to make a Community Needs List—a list of desired services, programs, facilities, and capital improvements—for each area. The county will use these lists to help make budget decisions next year.

► Online at PublicInput.com/CommunityNeeds
► By phone at 206-477-3800
► Questions? AskLocalServices@kingcounty.gov

UPDATE: Willie’s been found – info removed.

(WCN/WSB photo, Thursday)

It’s been a year and a half since Chase Bank closed its White Center location in that distinctive round building at 1616 SW 100th. At the time, we reported here that Chase planned to put the half-acre site up for sale. This week, a reader asked us about fencing that has gone up around the site, and whether that indicated the building’s future had been determined. Our subsequent research revealed that the site has been purchased by the owner of West Seattle’s Evergreen Learning Center, a preschool and day care. ELC’s current location at 6007 California SW has long had a redevelopment plan – mixed use with ~50 apartments – so the center needed a new home. Contacted by email, ELC owner Cassie Ragsdale confirmed that the former bank building is ELC’s future home: “I just recently closed on this location to move Evergreen Learning Center to, since the location that we are currently in will be redeveloped. We are in the permitting stage but are hoping to begin construction this fall. We’re excited to be bringing our school to the White Center community!”

This area was already under a Stage 1 burn ban – now it’s been raised to Stage 2. This announcement explains what that means:

King County Fire Marshal Chris Ricketts has issued a Stage 2 burn ban for unincorporated King County (areas outside city limits), which were already under a Stage 1 burn ban.

The ban goes into effect immediately and is extended into cities through coordination with the King County Fire Chiefs Association and Fire Marshals.

The forecast for the next few days calls for temperatures in the 90s for much of King County, where the fuel load in vegetation has been significantly increased by the dry summer and high temperatures. The winds that have created red flag warnings and an increase in recent brush fires warrant additional safety measures for our community—especially given that Washington has already stretched its wildfire fighting resources throughout the region.

During a Stage 2 burn ban, all outdoor fires, such as those in backyard fire pits or campfires that use chopped firewood or charcoal, are prohibited. Under the ban, any person with a recreational fire who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue such burning when ordered or notified to do so can be charged with a misdemeanor.

The use of manufactured portable outdoor devices is allowed, including barbeques and patio warmers that are used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Approved fuel devices—including those that rely on charcoal, natural gas, or propane gas—are also allowed. Please use caution when disposing of charcoal remains. People who smoke should exercise extreme caution with their ashes and when they’re extinguishing cigarettes.

The county asks residents to be diligent and respectful of their neighbors, and to remember that this is a demanding time for first responders.

“During this time of the year—when there’s high temperatures and dry conditions—residents need to exercise extreme caution to not start a fire,” Ricketts said. “Something as simple starting an outdoor recreational fire or flicking a cigarette on the ground could result in something bigger and much more dangerous.”

Sent by King County:

Free Heating and Cooling Systems from King County!

Registration is now open for King County’s new Energize! Heat Pump pilot program, which will install 120 to 150 free or discounted heat pumps in the White Center and Skyway-West Hill unincorporated areas. Heat pumps are an energy efficient way to heat AND cool your home – and can help reduce your fossil fuel use and save on energy bills!

The program is open to single-family homeowners and renters; income-qualified residents may qualify for 80% to 100% cost-coverage.

Register to attend a one-hour workshop to learn more at www.EnergizeKingCounty.org.

Not Sure if You’re Eligible?

Look up your address and income limits here: www.kingcounty.gov/energize.

8:01 PM TUESDAY: Thanks to Alki Resident for mentioning in comments that KCSO has announced Robin’s been found.

EARLIER:

Read the rest of this entry »

Just a few weeks left until school starts – and just a few days until free school supplies are available along with health services and other resources at this Greenbridge event:

Thanks for the tip. Firefighters were called to the Coronado Springs apartment complex in White Center (1400 SW 107th) this morning for a report of a fire in a unit. We went to the scene to find out more. Firefighters told us one upper unit was damaged but nobody was hurt. The cause is under investigation.

Businesses around the region have been finding ways to help the fire survivors in Maui. Thanks to Amy for the tip about another one: Patrick’s Café and Bakery in White Center will donate proceeds from shave-ice sales this Sunday (August 13th) to Maui relief. Founder Patrick Choy is from Hawai’i, and shave ice is a popular treat in the islands, so it’s the perfect benefit. Patrick’s is at 10003 15th SW; Sunday hours are 8 am to 3 pm.

This year’s White Center Block Party is only two and a half weeks away, and organizers have just sent this update of what’s planned:

Excitement is building as Seattle residents prepare for the upcoming White Center Block Party! Taking place on August 26th, 2023, from 11 am to 12 am. The first hour is a sensory hour for our friends and neighbors that may have sensory sensitivities. There will also be sensory bags available at Lariat Bar from Kulture City. We promise a day of fun, entertainment, and community spirit. This year’s block party will take place in White Center’s retail core on 16th Ave SW between Roxbury & SW 100th St.

The White Center Block Party provides an opportunity for attendees to experience and celebrate the community, while supporting local businesses and artisans. This event is Free to attend, Family-Friendly, and packed with activities and attractions for all ages. Blu Grouse will be offering fun family activities!!! It provides attendees with a vibrant showcase of the unique neighborhood of White Center.

One of the main attractions of this year’s block party is live music! Featuring a diverse mix of genres, including hip-hop, rock, and funk! There will be five Stages. The main Stage will feature local community acts highlighting the talent that White Center has to offer. The BoomYard Stage will feature a 2 vs 2 dance battle by Headpin, and will feature an after party with DJ Vincere, DJ Redline, and DJ Ish. Tim’s Stage will have live music by the Salmonberries, Sam Cobra, Medejin, and a special performance by Randy Weeks! The Que Chévere Stage will bring you the best in local Latin Music by such Rock en Español group Frecuencia Acústica and more! Plus a Southgate Roller Rink stage!!!

Back by popular demand! The block party will feature live professional wrestling outside of Lariat Bar promoted by DEFY wrestling. There will be an 8 person tournament to crown the first-ever Lariat Bar White Center Champion. The card will also feature TikTok sensations, the Voro Twins vs Midnight Heat! Also featuring Classic Cody Chhun, Guillermo Rosas, Miles DeVille, Evan Rivers and Amira!!!

Being a community-driven event, the White Center Block Party is all about promoting local businesses. Food, art, clothing, and more will be available from a range of vendors in the area, offering something for everyone! Sap Sap Lao Deli & Cafe “White Center’s newest restaurant serving Lao snacks : egg rolls, beef skewers, and mango sticky rice. A LIVING CANVAS FACE PAINT – face painting for all ages – will be there! Local residents The Barking Bottle will be selling Not-for-profit wine gift boxes benefiting shelter dogs. Do you like to SMASH STUFF!?! Smash(it) Seattle will be there to fill that need. It’s a mobile wrecking room to safely smash things… What more could you want?

Proceeds for the White Center Block Party go to benefit The YES Foundation and Stephanie’s Lifeline. Stephanie’s Lifeline is dedicated to serving less fortunate individuals and families in order to improve the quality of life of those most in need. The YES! Foundation of White Center serves children, youth and young adults through relationship based programs that foster self and social awareness, promote education and repurpose power in an under resourced community

The White Center Block Party is a perfect way to spend an afternoon with family and friends, surrounded by live music, tantalizing food, and an array of activities. It promises to be an unforgettable event for people of all ages.

For more information on the White Center Block Party, visit whitecenterblockparty.com

Two overnight incidents: Just after 1 am, a man was found at Steve Cox Memorial Park with a gunshot wound to the leg. He was taken to Harborview Medical Center. King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Capt. Cory Stanton says the Major Crimes Unit is investigating. Meantime, we also asked about an incident on the North Highline Fire incident log suggesting a possible gunfire-related incident around 12:30 am near Roxbury Lanes. Capt. Stanton tells WCN, “Witnesses reported someone was seen shooting into the air. There are no reported injuries at this time. A suspect was located and booked into KCJ.”

Thanks to Gill for these photos from the Night Out party Tuesday in the 20th/104th area. Not only did neighbors gather for food and fun, but they had visitors from the King County Sheriff’s Office, too:

Gill says it was the KCSO entourage’s last stop of the night, so they were able to hang out for a while:

Along with food, the party included games:

Night Out celebrates its 40th anniversary next year as a coast-to-coast chance for people to gather with their neighbors and local public-safety personnel for a focus on safety and community-building.

In the race to succeed our area’s King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, here’s how the first round of vote-counting turned out:

Teresa Mosqueda 16,016 54.75 %
Sofia Aragon 11,636 39.77 %
GoodSpaceGuy 1,438 4.92 %

Second round of results is due out this afternoon, most likely between 3:30 and 4:30.

Haven’t voted yet? The optimal way to turn in your ballot is via a KC Elections dropbox, with three in West Seattle (plus one in White Center, one in South Park, and others around the county – here’s the list/map), which you can do up until 8 pm tonight; if you’re sending it via USPS mail, do it early enough to assure it’ll have an August 1st postmark. If you’ve just arrived, you can still register to vote – here’s how. The main race on your ballot is the King County Council District 8 position, which Councilmember Joe McDermott is leaving; candidates are Burien Mayor Sofia Aragon, Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, and GoodSpaceGuy. Top two move on to November. You’re also voting on the countywide Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy. Tonight’s first and only results should be available by 8:15 pm.

Next Tuesday is the annual community-building, crime-fighting event known as Night Out – and you can spend it at Steve Cox Memorial Park! Here’s the announcement sent to us to share with you:

FAMILY NIGHT OUT at Steve Cox Memorial Park on Tuesday, August 1st from 5-7 pm.

The Annual King County Parks Night Out Against Crime Family event is back on Tuesday, August 1st!

King County Parks is thrilled to host families for a quest worthy Night Out at the Playground Picnic Shelter at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd St). This year’s activities will run between 5-7pm and feature Fairy Tale themed activities, crafts, piñatas and carnival games. Hot dogs and ice cream treats will be on hand (while supplies last.) Confirmed guests of honor include North Highline Fire Department, King County Parks Patrol, the WC KCSO Storefront, Librarian Destinee from the White Center Library, and a castle full of White Center Teen Program Recreation Aides. And yes, there will be dragons.

All quest challenges can be completed near the playground (no digging required.) Quests begin at 5pm on Tuesday, August 1st and run until all the treasure is found . (One quest per child please!)

Night Out at SCMP is once again sponsored by the teens and staff of the White Center Teen Program. The WCTP offers free recreational, educational, and social enrichment programming to youth ages 12-19 every Tuesday – Saturday from 3-8 pm.