White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Just out of the WCN inbox, from King County Parks:

As part of its ongoing 75th anniversary commemoration, King County Parks celebrates the historic White Center Fieldhouse with a community gathering on Saturday, Sept. 14, featuring games, activities, performances, memories and a special anniversary cake.

“The White Center Fieldhouse, and its home, Steve Cox Memorial Park, have long held an important place in the community,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “It is only fitting that we recognize and honor their enduring legacy as the final event of our 75th anniversary celebration.”

King County Parks hosts this free family-friendly celebration at the fieldhouse, at 1321 SW 102nd St. in White Center, from 2-5 p.m., with the official program getting under way at 3:30 p.m.

In addition to highlighting the unique histories of the building and park, the celebration will feature games, arts and crafts, cake and performances by special guests.

The fieldhouse, which is also known as the White Center Community Center, or the Log Cabin, was constructed between 1938 to 1940 and is one of the five original Works Progress Administration fieldhouses in King County.

Designed in the National Park Service “rustic style,” the fieldhouse features gabled wood shingle roofs, large covered porches with oversized log support posts, stone fireplaces, and half-log sliding. The building is a designated King County Landmark.

Community members are encouraged to share their memories of the White Center Fieldhouse with others by participating in the virtual scrapbook and video that King County Parks will assemble and make available to the public.

During the Sept. 14 event, King County Parks staff will record short video clips of any attendees who wish to share their memories of the fieldhouse. People can also share their photos and memories via e-mail by contacting Frana Milan, at frana.milan@kingcounty.gov.

In 2013, King County Parks has been celebrating its 75th anniversary with special events held throughout the county, including a volunteer “work and party day” at Tolt-MacDonald Park, backcountry trails celebrations at nine sites, a “King County Parks Day” proclamation by the King County Council, and the launch of the King County Parks Foundation in partnership with Laird Norton Wealth Management.

For more information on King County Parks’ 75th anniversary, visit kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/about/75th_anniversary.aspx.

It’s the first day of school for most students in the area, though some went back yesterday (which was Day 1 at Holy Family). Highline Public Schools is chronicling the day through tweets, including photos, and you can follow along here:

In addition to Highline Public Schools, today is also the first day for West Seattle Montessori School in White Center.

More details on a big event this Thursday:

Please join the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council on Thursday, Sept 5, 7 pm (North Highline Fire Station, 1243 112th SW), for two very important presentations.

As previously noted, we will be hosting representatives from Public Health who will provide information about eligibility for Medicaid and the Health Benefit Exchange. This is a great opportunity to get information about the new health-care laws that go into effect January 1, 2014, with enrollment starting October 1, 2013.

We are also pleased to be hosting Zachary Howard, Assistant Planner for the Puget Sound Health, Equity, and Sustainability Toolkit Program. Mr. Howard will present information regarding housing affordability, economic opportunity, land use and environmental justice as it relates to the Puget Sound Region and specifically to the unincorporated North Highline community (White Center, Boulevard Park, Top Hat, Glendale, Beverly Park). There will be plenty of opportunity for discussion.

Chris Stripinis, Infrastructure Committee Chair for the Westwood/Roxhill/Arbor Heights Community Council, will discuss the joint community proposal the council has been working on related to traffic-calming issues on Roxbury.

As always, BJ Myers, White Center Storefront Deputy, will be on hand to answer questions regarding community safety issues.

There will be plenty of opportunity for discussion. All are welcome.

And here’s the full agenda:

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council agenda, September 2013

3:49 PM: King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West says the KeyBank branch in the 9600 block of 17th SW has just been robbed. She also sent the photo you see above – if you see him (and/or know who he is), call 911. More details as we get them.

4:04 PM: KCSO says the robber was described as white, in his 40s, wearing a blue shirt and jeans; bank employees reported that he came in just before 3 pm, gave them a note, implied he had a weapon (though it wasn’t seen), and ran away with an undisclosed amount of money, last seen eastbound on 98th SW.

King County Sheriff’s Deputies are still looking in White Center for a man who took off in a stolen car after a suspected domestic-violence incident in Burien. The search included Guardian One, as shown overhead, which we photographed near the Joint Training Facility on Myers Way just south of Roxbury (map) before sundown. KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West tells us that a plainclothes detective happened to be nearby when the incident was reported at a supermarket on 1st Avenue South in Burien; the detective saw the male suspect on the run, called for backup, and drove after the suspect, whose vehicle was determined to be stolen. The suspect abandoned the car and fled in White Center, and was believed to have made it to the JTF vicinity, which is where the helicopter was searching. Seattle Police were helping watch the perimeter of the search area. As of about 15 minutes ago, Sgt. West said, no arrest yet.

Free martial-arts class at the Salvation Army – here’s the official announcement:

The Salvation Army Seattle White Center is offering Indo-Kungfu classes known as Dara Dan Api Bela Diri or Blood and Fire Martial Arts. This character-building course not only shows self-defense techniques, but it also has character-building components to it that can shape young lives. This class is free of charge.

The concepts behind this martial art was born in Indonesia and has a history that is traced as early as 200 AD. The movements have been modernized to fit the American landscape, but it still has a unique Indonesian flavor. The philosophy is not from Lao-Tzu or any ancient philosophers, as the motto for the class is Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God.”

All members of the White Center area are invited to attend a class on Friday nights from 4-5:30. Some schools charge as much as $150 a month for a class based on this art, The Salvation Army is offering it free. Drop by 9050 16th Ave SW or call 206-767-3150 Ext 109, and ask for Louiz.

Ten months after moving to White Center from West Seattle, popular Meander’s Kitchen has announced it’s downsizing – leaving the ex-Papa’s Pub space and heading south to 9809 16th SW. Proprietor Miranda Krone made the announcement overnight via Facebook, saying Meander’s will be “closed for the next couple of days” and expects to open the new location this Friday.

7:29 AM: Just went over to check the new address; it’s the now-former home of San Fernando Roasted Chicken.

Hanging out in a West Seattle coffee shop that just got a poster for this – so we’re sharing the word! Rainier Roller Girls at Southgate tonight – details here.

Announced today by the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council – a big topic at the next NHUAC meeting, in two weeks:

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council is pleased to be hosting representatives from Public Health at the Thursday, September 5 meeting. Information will be presented regarding the outreach and enrollment campaign, “Coverage is Here King County”. This is a county wide effort to enroll 180,000 newly eligible King County residents in Medicaid and the Health Benefit Exchange (WashingtonHealthPlanFinder) once enrollment starts on October 1, 2013. Coverage begins January 1, 2013.

All are welcome to this important presentation.

When: Thursday, Sept 5, 7 pm
Where: North Highline Fire Station (1243 112th Street, SW)

Seattle City Light is getting ready to switch to a new type of “two-way meter” involving wireless communication – no more human meter readers. It’s set up three community forums around its service area as well as a website for info and comments – the first forum is tomorrow; the third one, in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood on September 26th, is the closest SCL will get to White Center/West Seattle and vicinity. Here’s the utility’s official announcement:

Seattle City Light will host the first of three community forums Wednesday, Aug. 21, regarding the utility’s plans to replace its aging electrical meters with advanced meters that will provide two-way communication.

The forums will be one of the ways customers can share their thoughts and ask questions about the new meters during this early phase of the initiative.

Forums will be held:

North
Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Northgate Community Center – Multipurpose Room
10510 5th Ave NE

Downtown
Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Seattle Center – Shaw Room
305 Harrison St.
*Shaw Room is located on the corner of 1st Ave N and Republican St. (North of Key Arena)

South
Thursday, Sept. 26, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Seattle Housing Authority NewHolly – Gathering Hall
7054 32nd Ave S

Additionally, a website has been created where visitors can get information about the project and provide comments.

Seattle City Light has been converting streetlights to LEDs around its service area for a while, but the focus has been on non-arterial streets because of concerns about how the new lights would handle the needs of major streets.

Now, City Light is getting ready to start swapping out arterial lights too. We talked with SCL’s Scott Thomsen after we spotted a published notice about the call for bids. And he says the White Center business district will be one of the first places to get the new lights, by request of the WC Chamber of Commerce, starting sometime this fall, when 88 lights will be replaced there, as well as almost two-thousand elsewhere in SCL’s service area. Advantages of LEDs include that they last three times as long, use less electricity, waste less light on non-targeted areas (which means less “light pollution”), have a better “depth of field” so that more objects are illuminated, and show colors more truly.

Just announced by the White Center Chamber of Commerce and White Center Community Development Association – these are both happening tomorrow (Tuesday, August 13th):

Two agendas. One location.

Join us for lunch or dinner to discuss issues concerning the White Center business community.

August Luncheon guest speaker: King County Executive Dow Constantine

Evening Mixer topic: Changing marijuana laws and their potential local impact in White Center

Got something to discuss or share for the next meeting?
E-mail us!
chamber@visitwhitecenter.com
vy@wccda.org

Times & Locations:

12 p.m. @ White Center Chamber of Commerce Cabin at Steve Cox Memorial Park

6 p.m. at 3.14 Bakery

Can’t make it Tuesday? Join us for happy hour on Friday!
RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/176949039133518/

Thanks to Dina Lydia for the video! She recorded two tribal bellydancers you might recognize from West Seattle’s legendary Troupe Hipnotica, dancing outside Aaron’s Bicycle Repair during last Thursday’s August 2013 edition of RatCity ArtCity. This month’s theme was again live performance/art, and the dancers were a lively example.

The longest of the routes involved in the inaugural Obliteride fundraising bicycle rides is going through White Center and West Seattle this morning, as riders make their way to the finish line. They rode all day Saturday, stopped in Tacoma for the night, and are finishing the ride this morning. Here’s the turn-by-turn description of the route; note that they will be in White Center around mile 36, then heading through West Seattle. They’re starting from Tacoma at 7:30 am – and the finish-line festivities at Magnuson Park in North Seattle start around 10 am – so keep an eye out for riders somewhere after 8:15, we would guesstimate.

Want to have a say on how marijuana-related businesses should be handled in unincorporated King County? Tonight’s your chance. As reported here last week, one of four county-convened meetings is happening tonight at the Technology Access Foundation’s facility at Lakewood Park, 605 SW 108th, starting with a 6 pm open house, then moving to public comment at 7.

Just announced:

It’s Taco Friday again! Tacos in the park will be offered to the White Center Community for a final time, this Friday, August 9, 2013 at Noon, with a focus on reaching those who are experiencing homelessness or struggling to make ends meet.

Taco Time Northwest continues to generously provide delicious tacos for the meal, while the outreach is supported by The White Center Homeless Summit community group, The Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, a group of local churches, businesses, and the White Center Chamber of Commerce.

Our Second Friday of the Month effort continues to average well over 40 participants, serving over 100 tacos during the 90 minute event. White Center business owners are encouraged to send people our way and let them know about the free lunch this Friday. Free lunch will be provided across the street from Steve Cox Park (1327 SW 102nd) in front of the Body of Christ Church on Friday August 9th, from 12pm – 1:30pm.

The King County Parks levy that was on yesterday’s ballot is passing with 67 percent approval and is expected to retain a victory margin throughout the vote count. So County Executive Dow Constantine has issued an official thank-you to voters:

“Thank you to the voters of King County for supporting our parks.

“King County voters have spoken clearly: We value our incredible system of 200 parks, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, thousands of acres of open space, and such regional gems as Marymoor Park and the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.

“That’s why this levy is so important. It provides more than 70 percent of the funding to keep these parks open and accessible to all.

“And what better way to celebrate the 75th anniversary of King County Parks, which operates, maintains, and enhances this legacy of fields, trails, and green spaces for the two million people of King County.

“I want to thank all the members of the Parks Levy Task Force, who volunteered countless hours of their time to protect our high quality of life here in King County. And a special thanks to all those who work for King County Parks – you do a tremendous job keeping our parks green and vibrant.

“This is a great day for our parks, for the people of King County, and for the future of this region. Thank you.”

(Jasiah, enjoying the downtown WC party)
Night Out is here – and two big events are under way in White Center – one at Steve Cox Memorial Park, and one in the downtown business district, featuring the $2 food walk – here’s the map:

Have a great time!

ADDED: While visiting the downtown party, we also spotted King County Sheriff’s Office Deputy BJ Myers:

KCSO also had a presence at the North Highline party attended by residents including Barbara Dobkin, who shared this photo featuring KCSO Sgt. Cindi West:

Beautiful night!

We are checking with the King County Sheriff’s Office to find out more, but for starters: Our partners at The Seattle Times report a man was shot outside White Center Taco Time this afternoon. There apparently was a significant police presence there at one time – but we drove by about 40 minutes ago, unaware of the incident, and noticed just one police car in the area. The Times says a man was shot in the leg, and that investigators were trying to find out who did it and why. We’ll add anything more we find out.

3:37 PM UPDATE: Just heard back from KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West. She says, “We received a call of a man shot in the area of 10000 blk of 16 Ave Sw. We arrived at the Taco Time and found a male who had been shot in the ankle area. We do not have a lot of information right now. We are not getting a lot of information from the victim.”

Just a reminder that the new-this-election ballot-dropoff van is at Greenbridge Library (9720 8th SW) today until 5 pm and again tomorrow – Election Day – from 10 am until 8 pm (which is the very last moment you can vote). You also can send your ballot in via postal mail, but if you do that, you need to make sure it has proper postage (dropping it off at the van, or any one of the county’s other dropoff spots, including a van in West Seattle and fixed locations including Burien City Hall, is free).