White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Gang rivalry is alleged to have sparked the fight that led to the deadly Tuesday shooting of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi in White Center. That’s according to documents released by prosecutors after a bail hearing for the 25-year-old man arrested on Wednesday in Highland Park in connection with the murder. His bail was set at $1 million; the suspect waived his right to appear in person, so was not there. Next step in the case will be a King County Prosecuting Attorney decision on filing charges (Monday is the deadline), and of course two suspects remain at large – as the King County Sheriff’s Office noted in its official confirmation of the arrest. From the probable-cause documents, here’s what KCSO says happened after deputies heard gunshots and found the victim dead in the street:

… Detectives interviewed Sweetheart’s friends and learned that in the fight disturbance, Sweetheart and her friend had been in a physical altercation with a male who was later identified as [suspect] and his two friends. During this fight, a gun fell out of [suspect’s] waistband. The gun was recovered by one of [suspect’s] friends and the fight was over. [Suspect] had allegedly yelled “It’s not over, bitch, I’ll be right back” at Sweetheart. [Suspect] did return 36 minutes later with his two friends. [Suspect] then yelled ‘Bitch! F*** you!’ as he pulled out his handgun. [Suspect] reportedly did fire his gun three times and struck Sweetheart in the back of her head. …

Just out of the inbox:

White Center has always had a wealth of arts and cultural activities. The newly formed, WHITE CENTER ARTS, the merger of two organizations – White Center Arts Alliance and White Center for the Arts unify efforts and resources in order to provide more arts and cultural experiences for the community. WHITE CENTER ARTS continues to cultivate partnerships of all backgrounds through the rich arts, culture and heritage diaspora that is prominent within the area:
　
Dear White Center Community and Arts Supporters,

The White Center Arts Alliance and White Center for the Arts are pleased to announce their merger into White Center’s new arts and cultural organization, White Center Arts. The merger, approved by board members of both White Center arts organizations on March 29, 2011, is the result of an open exchange of ideas and goals for arts and culture in the White Center area.
We thank all who have supported us with their time, energy, ideas and financial contributions, past and future, particularly founding members and out-going board members of both organizations! Without these important individuals, neither organization would be where they are today!! Special thanks to the artists and community members who have participated in and attended our local events including music nights, writers’ workshops, movie nights, monthly writers and tellers readings, poetry nights, and the Third Saturday Open Studio Tour, which morphed into the White Center 3rd Saturday Art Walk.

White Center Arts will continue to add to the vibrancy and positive energy in our community by building on the achievements of its predecessors. White Center Arts is being established to bring a strong and more cohesive arts and cultural voice to the White Center area. We look forward to continuing to build partnerships with both emerging artists and established artists, local groups and organizations as we create a strong and supportive network for the arts community.

Healthy businesses are an essential part of a healthy community. We have appreciated the support of our local businesses, and look forward to years of continuing partnership with the business district as together we work toward a healthy and vibrant community. If you haven’t been to a White Center 3rd Saturday Art Walk lately, please mark your calendar and check out the Art Walk blog: www.whitecenterartwalk.blogspot.com. Enjoy the art while supporting local White Center businesses. If you are an artist who would like to display your work at an upcoming Art Walk, please contact whitecenterartwalk@gmail.com.

White Center Arts is a White Center community arts and cultural organization. Community support is necessary to develop and support arts and culture in White Center. This support will also be the key to the success of White Center Arts. You are important to us, and we invite you to become involved. Here are some of the ways to do so:

1) becoming a member or join a planning committee – youth ambassadors welcomed

2) share your talents (artist of any genre, carpentry, photography, financial, writing, baking or event coordination, people-wrangling skills, etc)

3) participate or attend local events

If you are interested in participating in any way, listed or not, please contact WhiteCenterArts@gmail.com.
Thank your for all that you do for White Center!
White Center Arts – Current Board of Directors
Shelli Kay Park – Co-Chair
Nancy Calos-Nakano- Co-Chair
Amanda Kay Helmick- Vice-Chair / ArtWalk Co-Curator
Susan Cole- Treasurer
Devrim Ozkan -Secretary / ArtWalk Co-Curator
Phillip Levine, Bob Frey, Jerry Robison, Hiroshi Nakano, Randy Nichols, Liz Giba

As reported here and on partner site West Seattle Blog last night, a suspect is in jail in connection with the Tuesday morning shooting death of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi. This morning, the King County Sheriff’s Office has officially announced it via this news release:

Yesterday afternoon at around 4:30 PM, a 25-year-old man was arrested for his role in the White Center homicide that occurred early Tuesday morning.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit, along with members of the TAC-30 SWAT team and the Gang Unit all assisted in the peaceful apprehension of this suspect at his home, which was not far from the shooting scene. The identification of the suspect was made through deputies and detectives that work the White Center area, along with tips generated through the release of the surveillance footage.

“The citizens and business owners of White Center were upset to hear of this tragedy in their area,” according to Major James Graddon, Commander of the Sheriff’s Office West precinct. “They have been working hard with us for many years to improve public safety in their neighborhoods. This incident will ultimately be resolved through the continued support of the community and the efforts of the deputies and detectives.”

There are still two suspects outstanding in this incident. Any information that the public may have on any of the three suspects is still needed. Tips may be phoned in to (206) 296-3311 or 9-1-1.

A homicide suspect has been booked into King County Jail this past hour, after reports emerged of an arrest in West Seattle in connection with the shooting death early yesterday of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi at 15th/Roxbury. More details on partner site West Seattle Now.

(Also posted to partner site West Seattle Blog)

That’s a video file just provided by the King County Sheriff’s Office (we uploaded it to YouTube for playback), which detectives hope might help solve yesterday morning’s shooting death of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi. KCSO spokesperson Deputy Travis DeFries explains the video as follows:

There are still 3 suspects at-large and all are described as being black males in their early-to-mid 20’s.

Video surveillance footage from nearby businesses has been reviewed by detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit. All three suspects are captured on video and we are now asking for the public’s help in identifying them. Portions of the video have been blurred out to protect the identities of the witnesses and victim.

As shown on the slate at the start and finish of the clip – call 911 if you have any information about the suspects. (Meantime, memorials for the victim continue growing, both online and at the scene.)

King County Elections has released its one-and-only Election Night tally, with more results promised tomorrow afternoon. Of note for this area:

Of interest if you use the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Seattle Referendum 1 (tunnel-related): 60% yes, 40% no

King County Council District 8 (which includes White Center and environs): Joe McDermott* 67%, Diana Toledo 27%, Goodspaceguy 5%

King County Veterans/Human Services Levy: 66% yes, 34% no

And in neighboring-maybe-annexing Burien, former North Highline Unincorporated Area Council president Greg Duff is running second to Lucy Krakowiak in the City Council Position 2 race.

Full King County-wide results here; next count, tomorrow afternoon.

The King County Sheriff’s Office looked up WC crime trends in response to questions raised by the overnight murder. This is the only homicide so far this year – and the May 2010 shooting nearby, mentioned here earlier, was the only one last year. But overall calls for assistance are way up – read on for the information from KCSO: Read the rest of this entry »

Photo and report from WCN/WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz:

The 23-year-old victim’s name was Sweetheart, according to her cousin, Faatamalii Savea, who mourned Sweetheart at the memorial set up at the sidewalk berm outside of Bartell Drugs at 15th/Roxbury.

She told me “Sweetie” lived in the West Seattle neighborhood of High Point. Sweetie’s mother died of alcoholism four years ago; her father died in a car accident last year in downtown Seattle. She is survived by one sibling, a brother and a large extended family.

She also said Sweetie had an alcohol problem, which the family tried to help her with as much as they were able and that aside from that, she was a good person who lost a lot in the past few years. Sweetie, according to her cousin, could usually be found hanging out at the transit centers in WC and Burien.

For the latest on the investigation, see our report from this morning.

(UPDATED 11:42 AM with official news release from KCSO; scroll down to read it)

ORIGINAL 2:14 AM REPORT: Two TV stations have tweeted that there’s been a deadly shooting near the Bartell Drugs store in White Center. Here’s a photo from our friends at KING 5, which shows numerous King County Sheriff’s Office units on the scene. We are on our way to find out more.

2:32 AM UPDATE: Added a photo from our crew on the scene. 15th is blocked off, right in front of the drug store – the victim’s body is in the middle of the street. Media crews, including ours, have been told that someone from King County Sheriff’s Office will be out to provide official information.

2:50 AM: Patrick Sand, at the scene for White Center Now/West Seattle Blog, says Roxbury traffic is not affected, but deputies are putting up even more “crime scene tape” around the Bartell store. 15th is blocked from Roxbury to the DSHS building.

3:05 AM: We and the other media crews at the scene have just been briefed. Information thus far: The victim is a 22-year-old woman, not identified publicly yet. The first call received by KCSO was about a fight; deputies responded, checked it out, talked with the people involved, who said everything was OK. But deputies stayed close by, then while walking about a block away, heard shots just after midnight – and found the body. They say they have not found a weapon so far and have not arrested anyone; they know some of the people involved in the original scuffling, so they’re scouring the streets for them. They also said the victim was “known to (KCSO)” but would not elaborate on how or why, except to say she and her friends often hung out in that area. We have the briefing on video and will add it here when our crew gets back. This, by the way, is not far from the scene of the deadly shooting in May 2010.

4:01 AM: We’re adding a few more photos from the scene; also, here’s the briefing by Deputy Travis DeFries. Our apology for the video quality – this is therefore more valuable for hearing what he has to say, than seeing it!

We’ll continue following this up and will add new information as it emerges through the morning.

11:41 AM: Here’s the official news release from Deputy DeFries. Note that the victim’s age has changed to 23; otherwise, the details are mostly the same. Deputy DeFries also notes he is gathering WC homicide/violence stats for release later.

A 23-year-old female is dead and detectives are working leads in a shooting incident that occurred overnight in the White Center area of King County.

This morning, at about 12:20 AM, deputies were called to the area of SW Roxbury St. and 15th Ave. SW by a passing witness for a fight disturbance. When deputies arrived they met with a small group of females, including the now deceased victim of the shooting. Deputies were told that the disturbance was minor and that the other group, which consisted of 3 black males, had left the area. The group of women declined to speak further about the incident.

Deputies stayed in the general area and began to walk on foot to increase their visibility and to try to prevent further violence from erupting. Just before 1:00 AM these deputies heard several gun shots coming from the area of the original disturbance. When the returned they found the victim laying in the middle of 15th Ave. SW with at least one gunshot wound. Witnesses said that at least 2 of the original 3 black males had returned and one then fired on the victim. The suspects then fled the scene on foot.

At this point, no suspects are in custody and no weapon has been recovered. Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit are investigating. We have not been able to rule out if this was gang-related or not. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Gang Unit will be assisting, as needed.

Five days till the big “Shop Fresh” event around White Center – here’s the official announcement:

The White Center Community Development Association is leading the effort to organize the first White Center Business District Summer Shop Fresh Event in the White Center Business District on Saturday, August 20th from 5-7pm.

The purpose of this event is to raise the awareness of fresh, healthy foods now available in six produce markets and three Halal stores in White Center’s business district. “Exploring Summer Shop Fresh by foot in White Center’s walkable, pedestrian-friendly business district, will allow visitors to purchase healthy fruits and vegetables while learning about unique culinary traditions of our community neighbors,” said Aileen Balahadia, Executive Director of the White Center Community Development Association. The White Center CDA is a catalyst for a healthy community and new prosperity in White Center – creating a better place to visit, shop, and live.

As White Center shoppers enter participating Summer Shop Fresh stores, they will check in at a “Healthy Foods Here” table where attendees will participate in an activity relating to healthy food and fitness. Afterward, they will be gifted a “Spend $6, Get $3 Off” coupon. For every $3 dollars of money spent on a purchase, White Center residents will be able to use this coupon to buy additional food. The coupon is only valid for purchase on August 20 and at participating stores. The more stores the residents visit, the more coupons they will be gifted.

Healthy food cooking demonstrations will also be provided at one of the markets. There are nine food stores participating in the event: Lee’s Produce, West Seattle Halal Market, White Center Market, White Center Mini Market Halal and Deli, White Center International Deli and Halal Store, Phnom Khiev, Samway Market, Hung Long Asian Market and New Golden Village Market.

The White Center CDA thanks co-sponsor Healthy Foods Here project which supports small, local businesses selling fresh fruits and vegetables become certified in the Federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. Stores that accept SNAP and WIC increase access to healthy foods for low-income residents. For more information about the Healthy Foods Here project, please visit the official website at www.healthyfoodshere.com.

The monthly White Center Art Walk announcement is out – and the theme is “live art” – all over the place!

White Center 3rd Saturday Art Walk
August 20th, 2011 6-9pm

We’ve brought a film festival & live painting…This time we went for the whole shabang! This month we are celebrating Live Performance all over White Center! There will be dance-flash mob style, live painting and music for all your artistic needs. Come join us for the fun events we’re putting out there!

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Big Al Brewing (9832 14th Avenue SW): Mantisart-Andrew Miller-http://mantisart.wordpress.com– Mixed Media. I continue to be amazed by what this man puts into the universe. Miller makes all types of art: illustration, paintings, films and hand painted photographs.. Not having seen his films I can easily say his hand painted photos are my all time favorite. He creates multi-dimensional, thick, raw textured photographs by layering and scratching away paint from the surface of his prints. Sometimes they take on an almost dream-like-familiar-feeling that pulls you into a place you may have (never?) been before. His ability to take you on a journey you weren’t sure planned for is one of the reasons I always enjoy his work. It’s a big slice of magic for your unsuspecting eye. Come grab a pint of Lowman Brau (where partial proceeds go towards the WC food bank-DRINK! So other people can eat!), tour the Mantisart experience and grab a seat in the courtyard. You’ll be rockin out with ALL MIXED UP an 80’s flash-back-to-your-favorite-parts cover band!

Company (9608 16th SW): Private Collection- Mixed Media. I always get a surge of excitement in my backbone when I walk into Company after an art rotation. They take their art as serious as they take their Sunday night dinners (a new concoction every Sunday that even your mom couldn’t pull off) This month the art will be a surprise for us all. So keep your panties where people can’t see them- this one’s gonna be a doozie.

Dubsea (9910 8th Ave SW): Naomi Cox of Spill Studio-http://www.spillstudio.com/blog/-Illustration and Design. Cox has gathered up a collection of fresh sketches to share with Dubsea Coffee’s guests and the White Center community. Keeping her sketchbook handy, Naomi creates art inspired by everyday life — favorite Seattle spots, food, family and bright bits of nature. Pen sketches come to life with added touches of watercolor, gouache and colored pencil. Stop by and visit her work while sucking down some of White Center’s best coffee.

Salvadorean Bakery (1719 SW Roxbury): Chau Dang- http://ltdspace.net/– Catchy Cartoons- If you missed Chau at Proletariat last month, we have good news! Her quirky sense of humor will be all over Salvadorean Bakery this month. Stop by for one of their mouth watering breakfasts and have a good chuckle cuz this little lady knows how to bring the funnies.

Café Rozella (9434 Delridge Way SW): Sidewalk Sale! 4pm-7pm. Come support White Center Arts by bringing home lightly used goodies for your homestead. There will be a community rummage sale in front of Rozellas to help raise funding for a fantastic arts organization thats focused on keeping the arts in fabulous White Center. Hope to see you there!

Dzul Tattoo (9622-B 16th Ave SW): Katie & Alex- Black & White Photography. Drop in for funky grooves and an eye-full of new body ink. Updated B&W photos of the newest generation of ink, dripping with permanence. This shop has spirit and enough eye-candy to chew on for days.

3.14 (9602 16th Ave SW): Amanda Kay Helmick- www.junkartkin.com– Mixed Media- This woman doesn’t just get to know her canvas, she tears it up! No… literally. She tears her canvases and stitches them… and weaves them…and affixes earthy, rough, found objects to them…sometimes she connects all of her doo-mah-higgies with one fantastical piece of ‘follow-me-to-where-I-am-going’ string!. Then she paints them and loves them and names them and sells them. You should participate in the last part. It will make your wall very, very happy. Come check out her work while The Kevin Helmick Eperience tears up the stage with their wonderous musical stylings (I might even say- Amanda’s “with the band” if you know what I’m talkin ‘bout…). Not enough?! Then we’ll throw in Amara Kopakova to do a little live painting….because we love you THAT much!

Full Tilt Ice Cream (9629 16th Ave SW): Katherine Gooding- Photography- What a treat! Katherine is a local White Center artist who has managed to take all the magic of Jubilee Days and put it on film. Her well attuned eye is bringing us so many favorite parts of summer in White Center. Come by Full Tilt and share in more favorites. Perhaps a waffle cone stuffed with Mexican Chocolate ice cream and a well composed pictures of the Rishis Egyptian Belly Dancers!?

Proletariat Pizza – (9622-A 16th Ave SW)- Saingbey Woodtor – www.glossyblack.org -Design & Illustration- Bold-lined illustrations that have a fluid, organic nature about them. His creations are clean, well thought out and manage to keep your eye freely flowing over the entirety of the image. Ranging from black & white to bold, unrelenting color, Saingbey promises to deliver a show that will keep your both your eyes and mind fulfilled. Come check him out and kiss the new Proletariat delivery bicycle on your way in. That thing is dead-sexy!

Herban Legends (Medical Marijuana Dispensary)- (9619 16th Ave SW)- Group Show!- Larry ‘the front desk guy’ is putting together a real treat this month. In honor of our Live Performance month, Larry will be hosting a “Culture with a Kick- Boxed Wine Tasting”. Some of you may be nay sayers (my fridge states otherwise) about the boxed wine epidemic, here is your chance to be pleasantly surprised. It will not be poured out of a basketball (some of your favorite NBA players used to put the wine bladder in an old b-ball so it wasn’t open for public view and they could have some refreshing Franzia on the court) but it will be accompanied by Live Painters and bitchin’ tunes. This DJ has yet to dissapoint. Come on in after 7:30 and appreciate all the finer things in life (Well some of ‘em at least). And Larry? You are so much more than ‘the front desk guy’ and we know it. One day we will even get your beautiful art into White Center proper.

MUSIC!
3.14 Bakery- (9602 16th Ave SW)- The Kevin Helmick Experience-
After playing drums in the americana project John Olive then playing keyboard and saxophone in funky groove project Roxbury Pound, Kevin has neglected performing some of his most intimate and thoughtful songs he’s written over the last few years. Having at one time fronted for the band ‘Drizzle’, Kevin’s guitar and vocals have since been hidden from public view as he performs in a variety of bands such as Fire All Lasers!, Katy Reichlin, and GoGo Sugar on large stages around the northwest. This performance is a rare occasion to see one of Seattle’s premier musician’s most closely held works.

Big Al Brewing-(9832 14th Avenue SW)- All Mixed Up!- ‘Contagious popular music from the 80’s’. These guys are bringing it back old school. Music that makes you want to gel your hair, don a white shoulder-padded jacket, fold up your sleeves and tight roll your pants. Come shake your goods with the cars tribute band that will knock your pushed down socks off. They’ll be hitting the stage at 6:30. I suggest a pitcher of Irish Red. No- seriously, it’s delicious.

Full Tilt- Ice Cream (9629 16th Ave SW)- Rats in the Grass- These peeps bring a level of awesome to every show that is unnatural. Their band currently consists of Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Banjo and Fiddle HOW COULD THAT NOT EXCITE YOU!? Come have a pint of ice cream and a pint of beer while you tap your feet to some seriously happy tunes.

LIVE PAINTERS

Amara Kopakova
Eric Edwards
Dave Bloomfield-Starheadboy
Ryan Henry Ward
Xavier Lopez Jr.
Patricia Ariel
Paul Sorey

From Highline Public Schools:

Community members, parents, and Highline staff are invited to a program honoring Superintendent John Welch on Wednesday, August 24, 5:00-6:00 p.m. at the school district central office (ERAC) at 15675 Ambaum Blvd SW in Burien.

The event will be “open mic”, giving people an opportunity to make remarks thanking Welch for his work in Highline.

Welch has served as Highline’s superintendent since July 2005. On September 1, he will become the new superintendent of the Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) in Renton. PSESD is a regional educational agency that serves all school districts in King and Pierce counties.

Just in – announcements of two events on behalf of the White Center Veterans’ Memorial in the South Delridge Triangle:

Sunday, August 20th, 2011, 8am to 11am. Benefit pancake breakfast with eggs, sausage, coffee and juice at the Holy Family Church, 9615 20th Ave SW. The suggested donation is $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12 years of age. The proceeds will fund the development and sustain improvements of the highly visible Triangle Park Veterans Memorial at the heart of the vibrant central business district of White Center.

Then in September:

The White Center Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the re-dedication of the White Center Triangle Park Veterans Memorial. The ceremony will feature a flag raising commemorating veterans’ service to our country. September 18th is the anniversary and formal start date for the search for Vietnam era MIAs.

Presentations will be made by veterans currently residing in White Center and West Seattle.

The memorial is also the site of public art co-sponsored by the White Center Chamber of Commerce and the White Center Community Development Association. It is a beautiful green space maintained by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). New and improved electric service and lighting will showcase the new flag.

The Veterans Memorial is located at the intersection of Delridge Way SW, 16th Ave SW, and SW Roxbury St.

Posted moments ago on their Facebook page – Uncle Mike’s BBQ in downtown White Center is open again, fire damage repaired, inspection passed, ready for lunch!

As first reported here July 30th, Uncle Mike’s Superlicious BBQ in downtown White Center had to temporarily close while repairing damage from a kitchen fire. But according to the Uncle Mike’s Facebook page, they may reopen as soon as lunchtime this Tuesday, if fire inspectors give them the thumbs-up.

You can find them – and “like” them – by going here.

Looking for something to do on this beautiful Saturday evening? The Way Church of God, which meets at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in West Seattle’s North Delridge neighborhood, is presenting the community event “The Avenue” at White Center Heights Park right now, till 8 pm, promising food music, drama, comedy and “society.” 102nd and 7th in WC.

First, 4-7 pm today/tonight (Friday), a big event on behalf of the White Center Food Bank, at Greenbridge Plaza, per this announcement:

hanks to the Vertically Integrated Partnership to Feed Those in Need (VIP) working as part of Governor Gregoire’s Feeding Washington Program, Friday, August 5 will see upward of 2,000 guests enjoying barbecue, music and good times on Greenbridge Plaza. VIP is a coalition of farmers, food processors, food distributors and other food service companies that are working together to help stop hunger in the Pacific Northwest. The VIP includes Sodexo, Annie’s Fun, Hirai Farms, Sysco, Food Services of America, McCain Foods, National Frozen Foods, Farmer Bean Company, Darigold, Franz Bakery, and UW Housing & Food Services, etc.

And together with the *White Center Food Bank*, all work together to provide this festive meal for those in need in the Greenbridge community (residents have already received special tickets to attend). Music will be provided by local jazz musician Frank Steele and a balloon artist will be on-hand to entertain the children in the crowd. With sunny weather on tap for August 5, this is bound to be a celebratory event for the residents of Greenbridge. In July 2011, White Center Food Bank served a record number of clients – numbers that are more reflective of a difficult holiday season and not the middle of summer. This event and comes at a time of highest need for help in the White Center area.

And from Sibelle Nguyen at Dubsea Coffee:

INSTRUMENTAL ART-ROCK: Moraine Band

Moraine is an omnivorous Seattle-based instrumental rock band featuring guitarist Dennis Rea, violinist Alicia DeJoie, woodwind player James DeJoie, bassist Kevin Millard, and drummer Stephen Cavit.

With its full complement of ace instrumentalists arrayed in striking combination, Moraine achieves a unique sound while drawing on forms ranging from art rock to Chinese folk music to plugged-in power jazz.

Arrive early this Friday evening as we stay open late and Moraine gets ready to {art}rock the house.

FREE & ALL-AGES : FRI. AUGUST 5th, 5-7 pm :
*RSVP