White Center Now: The blog about White Center

The White Center Art Walk is on! DJ Jenny C is spinning, and the Art Market is open:

You can check out work by local artists including Dawn Frasier:

And Jamie Nova:

Just go wander! More photos to come.

Just two days away! You can find a list of participating employers and resource providers by going 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.

Tomorrow night, the White Center Chamber of Commerce is presenting the White Center Art Walk, 6-9 pm – concurrent with the first night of the first-ever White Center Pride, so it’s one big night. Multiple venues in downtown WC, and even across the line in South Delridge, where Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery is open for the occasion. Among the downtown WC plans, the Chamber’s Sheryl Clinton shares:

DJ’s will be set up on 98th and 16th (Jenny Chhim, Cambodian music) and in front of RJB Photography studio (DJ Top). Same location:

6:30 Miss Sheryl’s Ballet dancers

8:00 Brass Ring Belly Dance

Also:

6:00-7:00 Mama Pixie Face Painting in front of Miss Sheryl’s Ballet Petite location 9650 16th Ave SW

6:00-9:00 Art Market & Raffle at Miss Sheryl’s Ballet Grande Location 9613 16th Ave SW. Raffle benefits future art ventures in WC

See you there!

11:29 PM: Deputies are searching for two suspects after one person was shot near 16th SW/SW 106th. All we have right now is via the scanner – no information yet regarding circumstances or the victim’s condition, but we’re continuing to monitor.

11:58 PM: Update from KCSO: “A male in his twenties located with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to HMC by (Medic One) with life-threatening injuries. Major Crimes en route to the scene to investigate.”

11:43 AM UPDATE: Turns out the shooting was actually kitty-corner from Taco Bell, in the supermarket parking lot. An update from KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Ryan Abbott:

On 06/03/2019 at about 11:20 PM, an occupied vehicle with 4 people was in the parking lot of the Saars Market at the 10600 BLK 16 AVE SW, White Center. Two suspects approached the vehicle and at least one started shooting at one of the male occupants inside the car. The victim, an 18 year old male from SeaTac, was struck multiple times. Both suspects fled in a vehicle. Detectives hope to be able to release a vehicle description later today.

The first Deputies on-scene provided first aid to the victim until King County Medic 1 arrived. Paramedics were able to stabilize the victim and they transported him to Harborview Hospital in critical condition. As of this morning, 06/04/2019, the victim remains in critical condition at Harborview.

At this time it is unknown if this was a gang related shooting.

King County Major Crimes detectives continue to investigate this incident.

What are you doing Thursday night? You’re invited to take a little time to soak in a lot of community information and involvement:

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting

When: Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 7 pm
Where North Highline Fire Station at 1243 SW 112th Street in White Center
(Parking and Entrance are in the Back of the Station)

The Opportunity to Be Informed, Be Involved and Be Heard!

Will you be part of NHUAC’s final community meeting before the summer hiatus? If so, you will learn about North Highline’s government, neighborhoods and meet some neighbors.

(WCN photo, December 2018)

The portion of North Highline west of State Route 509 is in Washington’s 34th Legislative District. NHUAC looks forward to hearing from Sen. Joe Nguyen at our June 6th meeting. Sen. Nguyen was last with us prior to his election to the 34th District’s seat in the state senate. That discussion ranged from cannabis to housing. We’ve asked Sen. Nguyen to share his thoughts about his first session, his next session, and how things are going in North Highline. There will be an opportunity to make comments and ask questions.

(WCN photo, March 2017)

This month’s meeting will also give us an opportunity to hear from two neighbors and important local organizations, the White Center Food Bank and Mary’s Place.

In the two years it has been in White Center, Mary’s Place has rewarded our support by living up to its promises. One of those promises was to keep the people of North Highline informed. Mary’s Place Executive Director Marty Hartman and Kecia Pannell, Site Director at White Center’s Family Center, will join NHUAC.

Did you know that, not far from SeaTac Airport, there was once billboard that read:

“Will the last person leaving SEATTLE –
Turn Out the Lights”?

It was the 1970s. The loss of nearly 70,000 Boeing jobs, during the “Boeing Bust,” ultimately resulted in regional unemployment of 17%. People were struggling. The White Center Food Bank (WCFB) stepped up to help and became an unofficial part of the North Highline community. Over the decades, the WCFB has continued to be an important community member. Come hear the latest news from White Center Food Bank!

Knowledge Is Power
Learn, share and help make North Highline a better place.
June 6th – bring a neighbor

The 12-3 final score was only part of the story as the Highline Bears opened the 2019 season at Mel Olson Stadium in White Center’s Steve Cox Memorial Park on Saturday night. So many other fun touches were part of the night – like home-team players high-fiving fans in the stands as they were introduced (above, catcher Owen Napieralski). Then there were the Shorewood Elementary students who sang the national anthem:

The “unofficial mayor of White Center,” Christine Spencer, threw out the first pitch:

And there was the guest base runner:

Hudson Borg had his own cheering section at home plate:

Mascot Buntly the Bear roamed the stadium:

Other sightings ranged from his between-innings Macarena to a moment where he sat down and checked out our laptop (hard to type with paws, so he moved on). All that and we haven’t even gotten around to the baseball yet. Yes, there was a full nine-inning game between the Bears and the visiting Laces:

That’s #12 Cody Chavis. You can see the full Bears roster here. They all had a lot to high-five about:

The night also included facepainting, live games, the youth league West Seattle Baseball running a 50-50 raffle, and … chair-throwing. See for yourself next home game, which is Friday night (June 7th):

It’ll be National Donut Night on Friday; can’t miss that. Here’s the schedule; here’s where to get tickets. (Kids 8 and under are free!)

(WCN photos by Patrick Sand)

If you haven’t already been, don’t miss the chance – before 6 pm – to go have fun in the street with HONK! Fest West in downtown White Center. Four informal stages, all along 16th SW between Roxbury and 98th, including one in the Drunky Two Shoes parking lot.

The bands change every 20 minutes, so you can see and hear a lot even if you only have a little time to hang out.

See the schedule here.

It’s all free, run by volunteers, with funding from donations and sponsors, so buy some merch if you can, and bring some cash to toss in the bands’ hats (boxes, etc.).

If you miss it today, the third and final session of this year’s HONK! Fest West is tomorrow in Columbia City.

Play ball! Tonight at Steve Cox Memorial Park’s Mel Olson Stadium, the Highline Bears open their 2019 season – pregame festivities at 6:45 pm, first pitch scheduled for 7:10 pm. The Bears (see the roster here) are collegiate players with a two-month schedule of home and road games. Ticket prices are low (get your tickets in advance here) and the games are full of fun. Here’s the promotion schedule, including fridge magnets for the first 350 tonight. See you at the ballpark!

The Filthy FemCorps – photographed as HONK! Fest West got going in South Park tonight – are also on the music festival’s lineup for White Center tomorrow. We visited South Park in the early going; music continues there until 9 tonight. Hours for White Center on Saturday are 1-6 pm; 16th SW will be closed in the heart of downtown, Roxbury to 98th, with four stages, as the festival guide (PDF) shows. The band schedule is here. It’s free but the bands generally welcome tips, if you can bring some cash for that.

Just announced:

White Center Jubilee Days and Match + Gasoline present
WHITE CENTER JUBILEE DAYS 2019 – July 17-21
Live Music on the Jubilee Days Main Stage – July 20, 2019
16th Ave SW between SW 98th & 100th Streets, All-Ages Area, Beer & Cocktail Garden!

ABOUT WHITE CENTER JUBILEE DAYS MAIN STAGE
There’s not a lot we could do to top last year’s amazing main stage with the Fame Riot, but we believe we got close! It’s our great pleasure to present Radkey as the 2019 Jubilee Days Main Stage headliner, with a fantastic array of local and/or hyper-local musicians to support them.

Radkey hail from Missouri, share a label and have toured with our Fame Riot friends, and happen to be one of our all-time favorite bands. The timing of them being on tour at the right moment to get them up here for Jubilee Days has made our summer! The band is made up of three brothers who have been writing, recording, and touring since they were in their early teens, creating riff-heavy, super catchy, rock/punk earworms that stick in your head and your gut. We can’t wait for you to see them live!

Also featured on the main stage will be sonically charged sounds of Oceanwires; Guayaba’s unique, layered spin on the hip-hop narrative; the hooky, dark playfulness of Bad Saint; the blues-esque rock of the Black Chevys; and Roxbury Saints. They have a sax and a harmonica!

The Jubilee Days main stage will also feature an all-ages area, early happy hours in the beer & cocktail garden, and – of course! – great music. We’re looking forward to sharing a wonderful day of music and fun with the neighborhood at the 2019 Jubilee Days Main Stage.

MAIN STAGE LINEUP
Please see www.jubileedays.org/main-stage for more information about the bands, including links to their websites and/or social media pages. Set times and more info will be posted shortly.

JUBILEE DAYS MAIN STAGE – Saturday, July 20
RADKEY
OCEANWIRES
GUAYABA
BAD SAINT
THE BLACK CHEVYS
ROXBURY SAINTS

Thanks to the tipster who sent that photo of deputies outside the 16th/107th mini-mart on Monday. The scene was clear by the time we got there but we obtained followup information today from King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Ryan Abbott. He says they arrested a 31-year-old woman who went into the store before 1 pm Monday:

She stole an 18 pack of beer, and went out to the parking lot. The owner went outside to get the beer back and the female punched him in the face knocking him to the ground. The clerk went back inside and called 911; the female followed so he locked the door with the female inside as she started grabbing more items. Prior to the Police arriving, the suspect kicked the door, breaking the glass and escaped outside. Once the Police arrived they located the female outside; after a bit of a struggle they were able to take the female into custody. She was booked into King County Jail for investigation of Robbery.

We just checked the King County Jail register; the suspect remains in custody, bail set at $20,000

As we end the holiday weekend – a few splashes of color, photographed by Gill Loring:

Been to the renovated Boulevard Park Library yet? If you missed the grand reopening celebration Saturday – Gill Loring shares photos. He was impressed by its “abundance of light, a great children’s area, and computers for everyone.”

The ceremony was well-attended, in perfect weather:

KCLS noted in its announcement of Saturday’s celebration, “The Boulevard Park Library was the first to be incorporated into the System in 1943, and the $2.2 million interior renovation is the final project to be completed under the 2004 Capital Bond measure, making the Boulevard Park Library Grand Reopening a full-circle celebration.”

$200,000 for new field lighting at Evergreen High School and $6,500 for improvements at Evergreen Pool are among grants announced by the county today. Here’s the news release:

Grant funding announced today by King County Executive Dow Constantine will provide opportunities for improving the health of youth sports groups throughout the county who lack access to recreational activities and programs.

Recipients of the 2019 King County Youth and Amateur Sports Grants will share $2.4 million in funding that can mean the critical difference between whether financially disadvantaged residents can participate in organized sports and other recreational activities.

“A big part of making King County a place where every person can thrive is providing access to opportunities – and that includes the chance to play on teams, join programs, or participate in outdoor fun,” Executive Constantine said. “With the grant funding I am announcing today, we are helping youth and adults overcome financial, transportation, and other barriers so that more King County residents can participate in activities and programs that improve quality of life across our county.”

King County Parks administers the Youth and Amateur Sports program and offers new grants each year. The next round of grants is expected to open January 2020.

The full list of grant awardees can be found on the King County Youth and Amateur Sports Grants website.

The program is funded and sustained through a 1 percent car-rental tax authorized by the Legislature in 1993. Funds can only be used for programs or capital projects that increase access to health-enhancing physical activities.

Get your Pride on without leaving White Center! The first-ever WC Pride celebration is set for June 5-9. Here’s the announcement just out of the WCN inbox:

What began as an idea between 2 friends having a drink at The Lumber Yard Bar, has turned into a full-blown Pride celebration in White Center. Recently, White Center has become a popular destination for the Seattle-area LGBT+ community.

“There has been a lot of talk that White Center is becoming the new Capitol Hill. But we’re not looking to be the new Capitol Hill. We want White Center to be White Center. We just want more people to be able to experience it.” a spokesperson said.

The 5-day event incorporates long time established businesses with newer bars and restaurants.

Official Kickoff

The festivities will kick-off on June 5 at 7 pm with a Pride Flag raising at Triangle Park in the heart of White Center. Christine Spencer, from Mac’s Triangle Pub, will raise the flag. Spencer, a well-known and respected figure in White Center, was the obvious choice to lead the ceremony. The Triangle Pub has long been known as a place that is welcoming to LGBTQ+ community. Following the flag raising, Southgate Roller Rink will host Pride Skate Night. Southgate has offered a monthly Pride Skate Night for several years. What started as a small event has created a cult following that draws a higher number of skaters each month.

Continued Celebrations

The remainder of the celebrations will occur at various bars and restaurants.

There will be a BBQ & Drag event at Drunky Two Shows BBQ on Thursday, June 6. The show will feature the Rat City Queens.

Friday night will include The Swallow Bar, the newest gay bar in the neighborhood, and a swimwear-themed party at the Lumber Yard Bar. The Lumber Yard opened in January of 2018 and has been extremely popular, known for its friendly staff and creative event nights.

The weekend will round out with karaoke at Mac’s Triangle Pub and a main event party at The Lumber Yard on Saturday night; and a Sunday Funday Gay Pride Fair at Future Primitive Brewery which will feature local vendors. The celebration will wrap up with a Sunday afternoon tea dance at The Lumber Yard.

The goal is to grow Pride over the next few years to offer a street fair and include more of the local businesses. There has been a large amount of positive feedback from the neighborhood and interest in future involvement. Volunteers and businesses can still get involved by emailing info@whitecenterpride.org.

See the newest schedule by going here.

Enjoy garage/yard/rummage sales? Today’s the 15th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, which we coordinate via our site West Seattle Blog, and everyone’s invited to come shop the hundreds of sales happening all over the peninsula. We have mapped them two ways – interactive/clickable/zoomable and downloadable/printable. Each sale has a number and is matched with a classified-ad-style description. Three are in fact in North Highline:

Sale 5: 11622 23rd Ave SW
Sale 120: 9810 28th Ave SW
Sale 278: 9810 26th Ave SW

Official sale hours are 9 am-3 pm, though some are starting earlier and some ending later. Happy shopping!

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

A long-hot topic was discussed relatively calmly at this month’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting, held May 2nd at NH Fire District HQ.

MARIJUANA: Jim Chan and Warren Clauss from the county came to talk about the new report (which you can see here or embedded below).

New sub-area planner Jay Hill was in the audience as were planner David Goodman and external-relations manager David Dow – a White Center resident – from the Department of Local Services. The staffer who put together the report now works for the county council, which Chan said declined the request for his attendance.

To date, the council hasn’t taken any action on the report, Chan said. The report said that no further zone areas need to be added for marijuana activity. But it acknowledged the inequitable distribution of marijuana businesses and recommended a cap. The subarea plan for West Hill recommends an even lower cap – two. Existing businesses would be grandfathered, though.

However, NHUAC president Liz Giba wondered, isn’t it unlikely that any of the existing stores – six in unincorpoated NH -are going to close? Clauss acknowledged, that’s true, their sales are all doing well. He thinks more favorable conditions elsewhere might ultimately pull them away. Chan said the Legislature likely didn’t expect that some communities would ban marijuana, and that has led to some of the inequitable distribution. But wouldn’t limiting sales in this area add to the marginalization of disadvantaged communities who had been disproportionately prosecuted pre-legalization? asked Aaron Garcia from the White Center Community Development Association. Good question, said Chan. Garcia also wondered about marijuana businesses seeking to expand the types of merchandise they offer. There are strict limits, he was told.

The report addressed a variety of types of data, but some of the sample sizes were too small to “make accurate conclusions,” Clauss noted.

As for where the tax dollars go, there is an inequity but it’s a state issue, the county reps noted – the county only gets back $2 million. That is split fairly evenly between public health and public safety. Giba wondered if some of the money could be funneled back to “keeping things clean” – the streets, for example.

The marijuana businesses aren’t any more of a crime magnet than other types of businesses, KCSO Deputy Bill Kennamer noted when the talk turned to that issue. The report looks at those stats, added Clauss.

Would grandfathering allow for example one family member to pass to another? Chan didn’t know, but another rep present didn’t think so.

So the bottom line is that to change things would require putting pressure on state legislators? Yes, was the reply. But in terms of the county, watch for announcements of sub-area-plan meetings.

Want to see the report? If you can’t download it, you can request it from asklocalservices@kingcounty.gov

SIDE NOTE: Before the county reps left, an attendee brought up a loud party along 17th SW last weekend. Deputy Kennamer said noise complaints are becoming more common and he’s still figuring out how to address it.

CRIME UPDATE: The deputy had his own spotlight shortly thereafter. In crime trends – burglaries are down, auto thefts are up. “We’re getting a lot of cars stolen that are then used in crimes of violence.” One-third of the 100 Part I crimes – auto thefts. All the violent crimes have been solved quickly.

Do we know why the burglar who was shot and killed by a White Center resident chose that house? Kennamer said, no, but it’s worth noting that there’s a “problem house” on the other side of the street. They’re still not 100 percent certain about whether someone else was involved; that’s pending blood analysis.

Regarding marijuana businesses, as discussed earlier in the meeting, “none are any worse” – Nimbin’s had a few drive-through burglaries, Star had a shooting, but otherwise he said they were no more of a draw for crime than liquor stores.

A few other notes: One of the recent gunfire incidents in downtown WC had 45 rounds fired.

Got a nuisance house? Work with code enforcement.

One attendee pointed out that the businesses on the west side of 17th near 98th had suffered burglaries and theft. It might not have been reported to KCSO yet; Deputy Kennamer was asked to stop by and check on them.

Asked about emphasis patrols, he mentioned WC and Burien are having ongoing Thursday-Friday-Saturday overtime-funded patrols along the 16th/Ambaum corridor.

Despite the trouble spots, WC is far better than it was, say, 20 years ago, Kennamer reiterated.

WATER DISTRICT MERGER: Water District 45 is merging into WD 20 as a result of the recent election, commissioner Russ Pritchard reminded everyone. This means lower bills for District 45’s former customers. Involved are 10,415 service connections and 1,500 hydrants serving about 45,000 residents, he said. The old District 45 HQ will be sold; an appraiser just came out. So it’s not vacant pre-sale, the Highline Bears baseball team is temporarily headquartered there.

14th/120th has a “secret” underground reservoir, holding about 8 million gallons, he also noted, and now it’s part of District 20, which is headquartered at 1st S. and 126th.

HIGHLINE BEARS: GM Justin Moser spoke to NHUAC, opening by recalling baseball’s heyday in the community, and saying they want to bring “entertainment and fun” to the community. Ticket prices are no higher than $8. Opening night is June 1st, 7 pm, and County Councilmember Joe McDermott will throw out the first pitch. The team has 27 home games and will even have a “Christmas in July” night in which the players will wear ugly sweaters and throw out a first snowball instead of a first pitch. Their players, who come from college baseball, will be giving back to local communities via street cleanups and other volunteer activities.

COALITION FOR DRUG-FREE YOUTH: Rudy Garza spoke about the event coming up tonight (May 9th) – here’s the official invitation. Speakers will include Burien Mayor Jimmy Matta and State Senator Joe Nguyen.

LIBRARY UPDATE: KCLS’s Angie Benedetti said, “There’s nothing I like better than opening a meeeting with good news.” That news – Boulevard Park Library is reopening May 18th, with a 9:30 am ribbon-cutting ceremony. She shared the branch’s history going back more than three quarters of a century, when it was one room with a little over 500 books. She said it retains its classic architectural charms but has new rooms and a piece of art by Barbara Earl Thomas, glass walls telling the story “The Secret Reader.” Benedetti also shared some recent anecdotes including a “Box Drive-In” a week ago in which 100 little kids made cars out of boxes and got to watch a movie. NHUAC president Giba recalled that there was a time when the community was in danger of losing the library.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Wendell Davis noted that the White Center Warriors wrestling team, which meets at Chief Sealth IHS, has a world champion – 17-year-old Dustin Camacho. ….On May 24th, New Start High School Key Club wll have a car wash at the school, and at a TBA date in June, the Evergreen High School Key Club will have one too, said Aaron Garcia … 6/15, an Art Walk will coincide with the first-ever White Center Pride event.

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meets 7 pm first Thursdays most months at the NH Fire District HQ.

(Also posted on partner site West Seattle Blog)

When Chef Case Justham announced the closure of Brass Knuckle Bistro (9602 16th SW) – as reported here last month – he added, “We’ve got a great buyer taking over, an iconic local spot that will be a perfect fit for the neighborhood, that I’m sure everyone will be extremely excited about.”

Post-closure, a handwritten note on the door named that “iconic local spot” as Biscuit Bitch, a sassy spot for breakfast/brunch, with three downtown locations – Pike Place, Pioneer Square, and Belltown. We’ve finally confirmed the White Center expansion plan, after reaching BB by phone today. No estimate yet for when they’ll open, yet. Never been to Biscuit Bitch? Here’s the menu.

Reminder: If you have comments, questions, or concerns about the Seattle-sanctioned encampment on Myers Way, Camp Second Chance, you’ll want to be at the Community Advisory Committee meeting Sunday, 2 pm at Arrowhead Gardens (9200 2nd SW, a few blocks north of C2C).