White Center Now: The blog about White Center

The announcement and photo are from Evergreen Aquatic Center:

In an area surrounded by water, it is imperative that we teach our children to swim. In 2015, the CDC stated that drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States. Each and every day, approximately ten people in the U.S. die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger.

The Evergreen Pool has been a beacon of hope for so many underserved children and families in our area. Since 2010, we have taught more than 16,400 kids to swim. Most of the kids in our area cannot afford to pay for swim lessons, so we have been working very hard to find ways to help offset this cost.

This year, the White Center/Burien Community owes a huge debt of gratitude to Amerigroup Washington. The Evergreen Aquatic Center is the humble recipient of their $5,000 sponsorship; expressly for the reduced-cost swim lessons program for our community members. This funding will help us provide more swimming lessons to children in our community. While learning to swim, these children will also gain another critical lifelong goal – the benefit of physical fitness. This increased physical activity will help our kids achieve healthier outcomes and build healthy, lifelong habits that can be passed down to future generations.

Amerigroup Washington has been serving our state since 2012, and currently coordinates Medicaid and Medicare benefits for approximately 190,000 residents across the entire state, most being low-income families with children. Amerigroup has made it their mission to improve lives and communities, while making healthcare simpler. Their recent sponsorship is a demonstration of their ongoing commitment to the White Center/Burien Community, as it follows multiple investments made to our community over the past few years ($7,000 in 2016, $5,000 in 2017 and $5,000 in 2019).

The Evergreen Aquatic Center is honored to be a benefactor of Amerigroup’s ongoing support and applauds their commitment and efforts to help our kids stay safe and live healthier lives.

Last chance to see the Highline Bears this year! Tonight (Saturday, August 3rd) is their final game of the season, 7:05 pm at Steve Cox Memorial Park vs. the Redmond Dudes. It’s Fan Appreciation Night, too. Need tickets? Go here!

Thanks for the tips. We have some information about the midday law enforcement presence in downtown White Center – the King County Sheriff’s Office tells us they “assisted the Liquor Control Board with the service of a warrant in 9800 block of 16th SW.” While it’s an LCB case, KCSO notes this site, Todd’s Trading Post and an after-hours hookah lounge, was linked to June’s triple shooting. We’ll follow up with the LCB tomorrow.

4:48 PM: While in White Center checking out something unrelated, we happened onto this; KCSO and SPD behind Holy Family. They told us they were investigating a stabbing/carjacking. No other details, not even a description of the car, but we are trying to find out more.

6:15 PM: Additional details from KCSO’s Sgt. Cindy Sampson: “Units responded to a stabbing / carjacking in the 1800 block of SW 96th. Victim was conscious, breathing, and talking to officers when they arrived. He was transported from the scene by ambulance. Officers subsequently located the victim’s vehicle being driven by the suspect. A short Pursuit ensued. The suspect abandoned the vehicle and is on foot in the area of 98th and West Marginal. K-9 Officer is on scene attempting to track.”

ADDED MONDAY: Seattle Police have taken over the investigation. They posted this update:

Seattle Police Robbery Unit detectives are conducting the follow up investigation after an 80 year-old male was stabbed in the back and his van was stolen by an unknown suspect Sunday afternoon. Fortunately the injuries are not life-threatening.

Shortly after 4:00 pm, the victim was in the church parking lot in the 9600 block of 20th Avenue SW. The suspect, described as a male, aged late 20’s or early 30’s, medium build, and wearing dark clothing and a red or orange bandana covering his face, approached the victim and attempted to steal the victim’s van. During the struggle over the vehicle, the suspect stabbed the victim twice in the back before stealing the van.

King County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the stolen vehicle nearby and pursued the van until it crashed on Des Moines Memorial Drive. The suspect then fled on foot toward the Duwamish River.

Despite an extensive search by officers and a K-9 team, the suspect was not located. The victim was transported to the hospital where he is expected to make a full recovery. The van was impounded and detectives continue to investigate.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Seattle Police.

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!

Just a week and a half until Night Out – and if you’re not having your own block party, here’s a big White Center party where you and your family are welcome:

The annual King County Parks Night Out Against Crime family event is back on Tuesday, August 6th from 5-7 pm at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd). King County Parks has participated in the National Night Out event for over a decade and is thrilled to be hosting families in the park for the annual event. This year’s activities will feature Super Hero themed crafts and games in honor of the Spider-Man movie night coming up at DTMP on August 10th. Confirmed guests of honor include Deputy Bill (Kennamer) from the White Center Storefront, Teen Librarian Devon from the White Center Library, and a popular caped crusader.

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 over 1400 culturally diverse participants ages 12-19 each year. The program operates five days a week, forty-eight weeks a year and provides structured recreational classes and programs, homework assistance, educational and computer resources, leadership training, volunteer opportunities, special events, field trips, and drop-in activities. Teens and staff will be providing super hero themed crafts, games and hot dogs between 5-7 pm on the evening of the 6th.

Just a reminder – 6 pm at Seola Gardens is the North Highline version of the King County Comprehensive Plan briefing and Q&A, as first noted here in early June. Even if you can’t go to the meeting, you’re still invited to comment on proposed changes – find out more here. The major WC-related amendment we’re seeing is one related to the planned affordable housing/nonprofit-organization “hub” project at 8th/108th.

… we went out looking but Guardian One had moved on and we were unable to locate deputies on the ground. G-1 has since tweeted that it was assisting in the search for a hit-run suspect near 2nd SW and SW 102nd.

Thanks to Gill for sending the photo and word that he had noticed the Blu Grouse (9839 17th Ave SW) open during Jubilee Days weekend. We went by today to check on it and found out that was just a sneak preview of sorts for the bar/restaurant that’s moving to White Center after closing in Georgetown. The crew we found there said they still have a few weeks of work to do before they’ll be ready.

More from today’s White Center Jubilee Days parade, starting with the awards list, courtesy of parade coordinator Terri Robison:

Best Classic Car– REVA:

Best Antique Car– John Michaud

Grand Marshals Award– Eagles Solo Cups:

Mayors Award– Furry Faces & Car Smash:

Judges Award– Grand Marshal Princess London:

Favorite Marching Band – Jr All City Band

Favorite Floatish– McLendon Hardware

Best Drumline –Washington Diamonds:

Favorite Drill Team – Washington Diamonds:

Best In Show Motorcycle -Jolly Rogers

Best in Show Car– Ted Kuhn

Community Spirit Award– Parade of Mayors:

President’s Award– Rat City Roadents

Other parade sights:

Above, that’s Miss Sheryl’s Ballet; below, County Councilmember Joe McDermott walking with the 34th District Democrats:

Also on the political front, Highline School Board candidate and community advocate Aaron Garcia:

Still a few more to add!

11:11 AM: Just passing 107th on 16th SW the start of the White Center Jubilee Days Parade is under way! The WC Eagles’ “walking flag” led off.

11:42 AM: The end of the parade – North Highline Fire District Engine 18 – has passed the reviewing/announcing stand just north of 107th, headed for the parade route’s end.

We’ll add more photos, and some video, later!

JUBILEE DAYS PARADE: Start your day by watching the parade! More than 30 entries, heading north on 16th SW from SW 112th to 100th starting at 11 am.

CAR SMASH: Right after the parade, Furry Faces Foundation invites you to this first-time event, 1 pm at 16th and 100th::

Come on out to Swing and Smash for the animals! White Center Jubilee Days Board has bestowed the honor of ‘Signature Event’ on Furry Faces Foundation’s first-ever CAR SMASH! They are featuring us as the last parade participant so you can follow us to the car smash arena, beer garden (21+), Root-beer garden – all ages; AND animal-related activities for children.

Our Leader’s 1999 Subaru Legacy Station Wagon finally bit the dust and we are sending it out in classic Furry Faces Foundation Style! Beer Garden! Frito smothered in chili! DJ Ray! And more! Can a Sunday afternoon get any better?

A HUGE shout-out to Cascade Heights Veterinary Center, our sponsor and partner!

You have just one more hour to go see the amazing Jubilee Days car show, on 17th SW south of Roxbury:

This car is dedicated to Seahawk legend Russell Wilson, with highlight audio:

When we finally got over to check it out, we also discovered the street fair is NOT closing 16th SW as the website had said – we found some booths on SW 98th east of 17th, like Oranj‘s very local T-shirts:

We did find one special thing on 16th – this hydro:

At 5 o’clock, the main stage music starts inside Southgate Roller Rink.

Had your pancakes yet? The White Center Kiwanis‘s big breakfast – previewed here last month – is on until noon.

10 am-3 pm, shop the White Center Library Guild‘s Sidewalk Sale.

And then – Jubilee Days! The street fair and car show start at 11, main stage (inside Southgate Roller Rink) music at 5 pm.

(WCN photos)

The White Center Jubilee Days carnival has begun! We stopped by White Center Heights Elementary (10015 6th SW) for a few photos before dusk.

All the carnival faves are there, from rides to treats. Hours are 3-10 pm again today, and the carnival continues through Sunday.

Saturday is the biggest day/night for Jubilee Days, with the street fair, car show, main-stage entertainment, and more – Sunday, of course, brings the parade – but Friday has fun stuff too, including the mayoral announcement (go here to vote – today’s your last chance!).

White Center Jubilee Days 2019 starts tomorrow (Wednesday, July 17th)! If you are wondering:

-Yes, there’s a carnival! White Center Heights Elementary again this year. Hours:
Wed 7/17: 3 pm- 10 pm

Thur 7/18: 3 pm- 10 pm

Fri 7/19: 1 pm-11 pm

Sat 7/20: 11 am-11 pm

Sun 7/21: 11 am-10 pm

-No, there’s not a fireworks show. Used to be part of the carnival kickoff but since the Steve Cox Memorial Park changes have moved the carnival, the fireworks are no longer possible.

Lots more info to come – and check out jubileedays.org!

As announced by the King County Council:

In the wake of decades of Congressional inaction, the King County Board of Health is hosting a groundbreaking two-night summit on the prevention of gun violence. Beginning Tuesday evening, leaders from public health, affected residents, and the health community will join local advocates and policy makers for the most comprehensive gathering of gun violence research, data, and program work in the history of the Pacific Northwest.

Building upon legislation sponsored by King County Councilmembers Joe McDermott and Jeanne Kohl-Welles last summer, the summit will spotlight regional efforts to prevent gun violence through a public health approach.

This is happening at the YWCA Greenbridge Learning Cenner (9720 8th SW), 6-8:30 pm tonight and tomorrow.
Participants: Representatives from the Dept. of Public Health, Harborview, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Alliance for Gun Responsibility, Moms Demand Action, community leaders working with youth, gun violence survivors, and elected officials from King County, Seattle, and surrounding communities.

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 Gill Loring for the photos and report on this recent community cleanup:

KC Parks held a work party with a small but hard working group to help native plants some planted over the past several years to survive by cleaning out mostly non-native (particularly Himalayan blackberries) at North Shorewood Park. The volunteers were from Facebook. Weather turned out perfect.

This is part of a continuing effort to reclaim North Shorewood Park from overgrowth to open it up while preserving the upper area in its native state. Keep sight lines open so people feel safe using the open field and playground. Of course, there is the dog group which does a great deal to keep it clean and safe or a regular basis.

Both Sean and Steve from KC Parks did a great job setting it up bringing us snacks that another “volunteer” tried getting to just as the cleanup began!

At last month’s meeting, the Community Advisory Committee for Camp Second Chance, the Seattle-sanctioned encampment on Myers Way, hadn’t decided whether to meet this month or not. But they’ve since announced they’ll keep to the usual first-Sunday schedule, so if you have a comment, question, or other interest in C2C, you’re invited to the meeting at the Arrowhead Gardens community room (9200 2nd SW) a few blocks north of the encampment, 2 pm Sunday (July 7th).