‘Coffee with Your Congressman’ at Dubsea Coffee rescheduled for 5/19

April 27th, 2012 at 3:40 pm Posted in Greenbridge, Politics, White Center news | Comments Off on ‘Coffee with Your Congressman’ at Dubsea Coffee rescheduled for 5/19

Since we had mentioned it here on the home page when Dubsea Coffee first announced it, just wanted to make sure you knew that U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott’s appearance for “Coffee with Your Congressman” has been rescheduled – 10 am May 19th, instead of tomorrow. He IS scheduled to be in White Center tomorrow – speaking at the 34th Legislative District Caucus at the Evergreen Campus around noon.

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White Center’s revived Southgate Roller Rink celebrates its 1st birthday

April 26th, 2012 at 11:58 pm Posted in southgate, White Center news | 1 Comment »

One year, plus a couple weeks, after its grand reopening, the skating rink that for a while was NOT a skating rink celebrated its first birthday/anniversary tonight. Southgate Roller Rink was renovated, and is owned by, the Rhoads family – we photographed Josh and Clayton tonight.

Hey, look who DJ’d tonight! Christopher Mychael:

Some of the rink’s art is nostalgia-evoking too:

An afterparty was planned tonight at Company.

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May 2nd donation drive includes a chance to help White Center Food Bank

April 26th, 2012 at 11:44 pm Posted in How to Help, White Center Food Bank, White Center news | Comments Off on May 2nd donation drive includes a chance to help White Center Food Bank

Here’s their announcement about what they’re doing in connection with the Seattle Foundation‘s “Give BIG multi-organization donation drive on May 2nd:

May 2 is Give Big with the Seattle Foundation, and White Center Food Bank has set up several ways to make giving easier – and tastier. Give Big is a one day, online charitable giving event when your donation will be stretched by the Seattle Foundation. This year we will have board members and volunteers at several sites in the morning with laptops to make donating easier if you’re stopping for coffee on the way to work, and in the evening Proletariat Pizza will help you “dine out for hunger” by donating a portion of sales for the evening.

Here is how Give Big works:

All donations must be made on May 2 between 12:01 am and midnight via the Seattle Foundation’s website – this can be done from your home, one of our laptop stations or via mobile. Bookmark the site now: http://www.seattlefoundation.org/npos/Pages/WhiteCenterEmergencyFoodAssociation.aspx?bv=nposearch

WCFB Board members will be at Dubsea Coffee (9910 – 8th Ave SW), Caffe Delia (9622 – 16th Ave SW) and Cafe Rozella (9434 Delridge) in the morning between 7 and 10 am with laptops to make donating easier.

Proletariat Pizza (9622 – 16th Ave SW) will be donating 5% of sales to White Center Food Bank during the evening business hours. We will also have board members and a laptop on hand there if you’d like to make an extra donation in addition to your pizza purchase.

Note: we are listed as the White Center Emergency Food Association on the Seattle Foundation’s website. Only donations on May 2 count for the “stretch” dollars.

If any other restaurants would like to join in Dine Out for Hunger, please contact Ann Kendall at email:ann@whitecenterfoodbank.org or call 206-713-0031.

ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: WC Food Bank says Zippy’s Giant Burgers has joined “Dine Out for Hunger” too and will also donate 5 percent during dinnertime on May 2nd.

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White Center-area gardeners invited to join in new Westcrest Park P-Patch

April 26th, 2012 at 11:43 am Posted in Gardening, White Center news | Comments Off on White Center-area gardeners invited to join in new Westcrest Park P-Patch

Though this project is in the Seattle city limits, there’s an explicit invitation for White Center-area gardeners to join in, so we are crossposting this from partner site West Seattle Blog:

Ready to garden? The Westcrest P-Patch is about to be built, and ready to build its gardener/volunteer team, too! Here’s the official announcement (along with the finalized design, shown above):

After two community garden design meetings, the Westcrest P-Patch community garden project is planning to start construction next month in Seattle’s Westcrest Park! (Located at 9000 8th Ave. SW) The plan is to create over 200 10′ x 10′ garden plots following the final design which will feature crushed rock and wood chip pathways that interact with existing park features, gathering and storage structures, an out-door “kitchen”, and lots of room for artistic elements and common spaces.

The plots will be open to both Seattle residents as well as residents living in nearby unincorporated King County such as White Center which is two blocks from the south border of the park.

If you are interested in a plot, your probability of getting a spot will correlate to the number of hours you donate to the project. The more you volunteer the higher your chances of getting a plot. The Steering Committee is currently trying to determine what portions of the construction will be performed by contractors and what we, as a community, are willing to take on. If we can keep costs below the $90,000 budget, we can use the surplus funds to enhance the project. There are innumerable ways that you can volunteer in both outreach and construction.

Please contact Phi Huynh if you would like to explore volunteer opportunities.

E-mail: phi.huynh@seattle.gov
Phone: 206-684-4531

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Happy 1st birthday, Southgate Roller Rink!

April 26th, 2012 at 1:11 am Posted in southgate, White Center news | 1 Comment »

They’re celebrating tonight during Adult Skate Night, starting at 8:30 pm, with “original 1970’s Southgate Roller Rink DJ Christopher Mychael … playing the tunes!” More details on the Facebook event page.

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Brand-new student in the family? Kindergarten info night Thursday at Mount View Elementary

April 24th, 2012 at 3:05 pm Posted in Schools, White Center news | Comments Off on Brand-new student in the family? Kindergarten info night Thursday at Mount View Elementary

White Center’s Mount View Elementary invites families of incoming kindergarteners to Information Night this Thursday, 6-7:30 pm:

The school’s at 10811 12th SW. Here’s a full-size version of the flyer.

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Election 2012: Former KCSO spokesperson John Urquhart running for sheriff

April 24th, 2012 at 1:47 pm Posted in Election, King County Sheriff's Office, White Center news | 1 Comment »

He was a familiar face on TV for years as spokesperson for the King County Sheriff’s Office, till he retired a few months back after 23 years with the department. Today, John Urquhart announced he wants to get back into KCSO – at the top. Here’s the announcement and photo he provided:

Today I am announcing I will run for the office of King County Sheriff. It was not a decision made lightly, but made after careful consideration, and with input from of a variety of individuals both inside and outside the Sheriff’s Office, as well as my family.

I have two messages today. The first is for the citizens of King County. The second will be for the nearly 700 deputies in the Sheriff’s Office.

To the citizens:

My campaign for King County Sheriff will be based on leadership and accountability. The Sheriff’s Office is at a crossroads. I don’t want us to go down the road where we run the risk of losing the support of the citizens we serve. If we go down that wrong road, it will not be because our deputies don’t care. It will be because of a lack of leadership within the agency.

The citizens of King County want many things from their Sheriff’s Office. They want a police agency that is tough on crime, but understands you can’t arrest your way out of every problem in society.

They want a Sheriff’s Office that listens to the citizens it serves. Listens to what the citizens are saying about what is important to them, and THEN takes action. They do not want a police agency that has the attitude of “we’re the cops and you’re not!”

Read the rest of this entry »

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Video: Sili Savusa, Aileen Sison at Gathering of Neighbors

April 24th, 2012 at 8:52 am Posted in Businesses, White Center news | Comments Off on Video: Sili Savusa, Aileen Sison at Gathering of Neighbors

As previewed here last week, Sili Savusa of the White Center Community Development Association and Aileen Sison of White Center B.O.S.S. were among the panelists during a special Leadership Seminar at the start of last Saturday’s Gathering of Neighbors in West Seattle. Leadership and community organizing were among the topics, and we have the whole thing on video if you’d like to hear what they had to say.

P.S. Aileen’s “White Center B.O.S.S.” has its next Happy Hour tonight, 4-7 pm at Company in downtown White Center.

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Liquor privatization: High bid for White Center store site’s license-application rights

April 23rd, 2012 at 10:39 pm Posted in Beverages, White Center news | 3 Comments »

The auction for rights to liquor licenses at existing store sites is over, and the state has announced the high bids. Keep in mind the “winning bidders” – to be finalized by the state next week, and then given a five-day period to pay up – are not guaranteed licenses, nor the right to take over the stores; all they’re getting is the exclusive rights to apply for liquor licenses at these locations, but it’s up to them to negotiate a lease with the store owner(s). Kulwinder Pabla is listed as the high bidder for the White Center store, $130,100. The state has till June 1st to get out of the liquor business, when privatization, as approved by voters last year, takes full effect. The total amount bid on the license-application rights statewide was almost $31 million, according to the state’s news release.

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Armed robbery reported at White Center Subway shop

April 22nd, 2012 at 7:31 pm Posted in Crime, White Center news | Comments Off on Armed robbery reported at White Center Subway shop

On our way to check out a report that the King County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an armed robbery at the Subway shop in the 10400 block of 16th SW. The description, per the scanner: “black male, around 19, bald, black sweater/red stripes, carrying a backpack” in which both a gun and knife were seen.

ADDED MONDAY: Our apologies for not adding this additional information when we got it last night – deputies were gone by the time we got to the store, and workers there told us the robbery had happened about an hour earlier; they said nobody had been hurt.

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White Center Jubilee Days benefit tonight at Southgate Roller Rink

April 22nd, 2012 at 4:42 am Posted in White Center Jubilee Days, White Center news | Comments Off on White Center Jubilee Days benefit tonight at Southgate Roller Rink

Sunday night – why wind down from the weekend when you can keep it going? Southgate Roller Rink is the site for a White Center Jubilee Days fundraiser tonight. From the Facebook event page:

Ok, folks! It is go time to raise some funds for White Center Jubilee Days, our annual getting-awesomer-every-year-street-festival! The money we raise at this event will go toward our entertainment budget. We want to get killer bands this year and your contribution (and willingness to party with a purpose) will truly help with our efforts.

This Sunday we are going to start the skate session early and go late with a cash bar set up at the rink. That’s right. Drinking on wheels never made so much sense. Come on down and have some fun with us.

Sunday, April 22
Southgate Roller Rink
9646 17th Ave. SW
Seattle, WA 98106
7:00 pm-11:00 pm
$12

There’s also a big fundraising gala coming up May 5th – details on the revamped Jubilee Days website.

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Happening now: White Center Art Walk, April 2012 edition

April 21st, 2012 at 6:59 pm Posted in Arts, White Center news | Comments Off on Happening now: White Center Art Walk, April 2012 edition

We’ve been watching the WCAW website for the list of venues/artists – and it finally appeared tonight, in the nick of time. So, if you can get out and about in the next two hours, here’s who’s participating this time around.

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White Center community leaders participating in Gathering of Neighbors

April 19th, 2012 at 8:51 am Posted in People, White Center news | 1 Comment »

This Saturday, West Seattle community advocates, volunteers, students, and more are coming together for the Gathering of Neighbors, but it’s not just about WS – White Center leaders are participating in a special pre-event. Before the GoN officially opens to the public at 11 am Saturday in the Galleria at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle, not far from White Center at all!), a 10 am leadership panel will include four speakers – two from White Center. They are Sili Savusa, new executive director of the White Center Community Development Association, and Aileen Sison, who has brought business owners together with White Center B.O.S.S. (business owners of sustainable support). During the open Community Resource Fair 11 am-3 pm, participants will include the White Center Chamber of Commerce, and we’ll be there on behalf of WCN and partner site West Seattle Blog. See you there!

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‘Cinco de Medico’ event planned in downtown White Center on May 5th

April 19th, 2012 at 8:12 am Posted in Holidays, White Center news | 1 Comment »

Found this one via Facebook: In addition to Cinco de Mayo parties on May 5th, White Center also will be the site of “Cinco de Medico” at Northwest Cannabis Market, with live music and medical-marijuana-strain “judging.” The event poster, which you can see online here, says nearby Herban Legends is a sponsor, with other participating medical-marijuana establishments including Northwest Patient Resource Center in south West Seattle.

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DubSea Bikes: Sunday was ‘biggest yet,’ organizers say

April 17th, 2012 at 11:22 pm Posted in Transportation, White Center news | Comments Off on DubSea Bikes: Sunday was ‘biggest yet,’ organizers say

As noted here and on partner site West Seattle Blog, this past Sunday was the latest edition of free minor bike repairs via DubSea Bikes at the White Center Food Bank – and tonight, Helen Weiss shared an update that it was the “biggest yet.” From that update:

… Seven kids got their bikes worked on. At least one had *major* issues, and we failed on parts ($3 brake pad, anyone?), but the bikes were all running when our mechanics were done. When clients could pump tires themselves, it expedited the work mechanics could do. Paul, a regular food bank volunteer, worked steadily on many bikes that day, even sustaining an injury in the line of duty. One of the DubSea clients, an acupuncturist, quickly stepped in to provide healing. Brian, aka DJ GoBriGo, brought smooth tunes and a can-do attitude. Aaron, a late arrival, was not fazed by the fact that we had 3 mechanics and only 2 stands – he produced a device designed to suspend a bike from a door frame and quickly got up to speed. Sixteen people total signed up but two got turned away due to time. One guy, a former auto mechanic, raided the West Seattle Tool Library’s Bike Tool Kit for allen wrenches and did the work himself.

Thanks to our awesome mechanics who worked wonders and to all who just came by to give moral support. And thanks to the White Center Food Bank for supporting our mission to promote safe cycling in White Center! We collected 6 cans for the food bank. One client brought a case of water bottles and offered them to all. That parking lot takes up half of a dead-end street and backs up against the trails of Lakewood Park. When the weather is good, it is a lot of space to spread out in. Executive Director Rick Jump confided that it would be a great location for a Food Truck Roundup, with proceeds going to the Food Bank, of course. It made us wonder what else could happen in that open White Center space while bikes are getting some love?

Look for DubSea Bikes at Cambodian New Year, Saturday, April 28th, 10:30 am – 5pm, on SW 98th Street at a table sponsored by Noise w/o Sound. In 1 month we’ll be greeting AM cycle commuters at Dubsea Coffee *and * Caffè Delia on Bike To Work Day, Friday, May 18th and celebrating their return to the neighborhood with a massive Afterparty at Proletariat Pizza.

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Open house this Sunday at Holy Family Parish School

April 17th, 2012 at 3:14 pm Posted in Schools, White Center news | 1 Comment »

This Sunday, you’re invited to Holy Family Parish School (20th/Roxbury) for an open house featuring its new Spanish-language program. 9:30 am to 2 pm, everybody welcome, according to principal Frank Cantwell.

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Big week for White Center Kiwanis and New Start High School

April 17th, 2012 at 5:18 am Posted in Schools, White Center Kiwanis Club, White Center news | Comments Off on Big week for White Center Kiwanis and New Start High School

Two announcements in one!

White Center Kiwanis will be honoring the student of the month from New Start High School Wednesday, April 18 at White Center Pizza. The meeting starts at 12:30 with the presentation to the student soon after. Honoring students at New Start is something that White Center Kiwanis feels is important to the youth of the community because it gives them recognition for their work. The nominations are made by the staff of New Start.

And coming up this Saturday:

White Center Kiwanis will be doing their One Day activity April 21 from 11 to 1 at the White Center Food Bank in conjunction with Key Club of New Start High School. They will be handing out food to clients on the regular 3rd Saturday food distribution. The White Center Kiwanis sponsored this Key Club starting the end of last school year. Two students from the club went to the Key Club convention last month. White Center Kiwanis along with the Key Clubs from Evergreen High School and New Start High School regularly hand out food at the White Center Food Bank on the second Wednesday evening from 6 to 8.

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Video: Ciscoe brings laughs, prizes, garden wisdom to Village Green Perennial Nursery

April 15th, 2012 at 9:44 pm Posted in Gardening, White Center news | Comments Off on Video: Ciscoe brings laughs, prizes, garden wisdom to Village Green Perennial Nursery

Huge day at Village Green Perennial Nursery – and the sun came out to cooperate. While proprietor Vera Johnson had scheduled a beekeeping seminar and a Master Gardener clinic, the day’s headliner was TV/radio gardening guru Ciscoe Morris, and more than 100 people showed up to see/hear him. In case you missed it, we have the entire hour on video, above, starting with Vera’s explanation of how they met, and then a few minutes later, his explanation of his trademark exclamation, “Oh la la!”

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Democratic precinct caucuses today, 1 pm

April 15th, 2012 at 2:35 am Posted in Politics, White Center news | Comments Off on Democratic precinct caucuses today, 1 pm

Though the presidential candidate is not in question, the 34th District Democrats say local D’s have plenty of reasons to join in the official precinct caucuses today. 1 pm is the start time; here’s how to find your meeting spot, though from clicking around a locator map on that same site, it appears the Evergreen High School campus at 830 SW 116th is the main caucusing spot in the White Center area.

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Video: Sweetheart Failautusi’s killer sentenced to 15 years, 4 months in prison

April 13th, 2012 at 2:51 pm Posted in Crime, White Center news | Comments Off on Video: Sweetheart Failautusi’s killer sentenced to 15 years, 4 months in prison

2:51 PM: Almost two months after we brought you first word that Anthony Haroldlee Smith had pleaded guilty in the murder of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi last August, he has just been sentenced at the King County Courthouse downtown.

First, Judge Mary Yu heard two of the victim’s close relatives – two of the dozens who packed the courtroom, many wearing shirts with her photo on the front – speak tearfully – not “to tell (the judge) how to do (her) job,” as sister Mona Failautusi put it, as she acknowledged that God is the ultimate judge – but because they wanted to be here for “Sweetie.” Smith briefly, mumblingly apologized. Judge Yu told him she hopes he will while in prison “find some source in your life that will give you hope.” She went with the suggested sentence of 184 months in prison and three years of probation, plus restitution to be determined. More to come, including video of the entire hearing.

3:21 PM: We have added a short clip of Smith right after the hearing, as he was taken past Sweetheart’s friends and family in the courtroom.

6:24 PM: Immediately above this line, video of the entire 28-minute hearing. In addition to Sweetheart’s sister Mona, relative Tiare Faletogo also spoke to the judge, heartfelt and wrenching, bringing gasping sobs from some in the gallery. She spoke of the horror of the night Sweetheart was killed – “I did not cry that night because I couldn’t, I was numb, it was August and it felt like winter,” as family members rushed to the scene and saw Sweetheart lying dead, face down, on the street. She and Mona both asked Smith why he left that night and came back, killing Sweetheart – why he didn’t just “walk away” from their conflict. He had no answer.

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