White Center Now: The blog about White Center

The White Center Library Guild‘s yard sale IS on today, till 3 pm – 1110 SW 116th – rained out last week but today, so far so good! (Thanks to Gill for the photo.)

From White Center Art Walk organizers:

For the month of July, we are hosting as many local artists as we can for a Live Painting extravaganza! We are doing an open call for local artists that may be interested in participating. This will be a great opportunity for them to get out, meet new faces and make more contacts with our consistently growing art community.

Last month we hosted a highly successful ‘Mini-Film-Festival’ that brought us a bunch of new faces. They toured our list of participating artwalk venues and were treated with 3 different film
venues that showed a wide range of short films. Everyone-had-a blast.

This coming month we are hoping to do something similar while
highlighting some of our favorite local live painters.

We are looking for a wide range of artists that are willing to paint at one of our participating venues. The artwalk takes place July 16th, from 6-9pm. Participators are asked to show around 5:30 pm to set up. We are happy to provide drop-cloths if they don’t have one and will make an effort to rustle up an easel if need be.

Interested? Call Devrim ASAP. 206 484 0399.

Throughout its third-anniversary-celebration day on Monday, Full Tilt Ice Cream in White Center was hopping – we took the photo above at 8:30 that night! And as noted here, they were planning to donate to the White Center Food Bank the equivalent of the ice cream sold that day. So, the verdict’s in, according to the WC Food Bank Facebook page – “Results are in: 200 pints of ice cream are coming to WCFB from Full Tilt’s Monday anniversary celebration/ice cream raiser for WCFB. Thanks to Full Tilt and everyone that came out to buy ice cream!”

P.S. WC Food Bank is one of many local nonprofits that you can support with an online $ donation today through the Seattle Foundation’s one-day GiveBIG drive. Find them (and other eligible White Center orgs, including WCCDA) on this list – and follow the links there to donate today and make them eligible for “stretch” dollars – gotta do it by midnight!

The August 16 primary is less than two months away, and local groups are making their endorsements. Both of the legislative-district Democrats’ groups in this area have now made their endorsements. King County Council Position 8 will be on the August ballot since there are three candidates (the top two advance to November). The 11th District Democrats have just posted their endorsement list (read it here) – they have endorsed both Joe McDermott and Diana Toledo in that race. The 34th District Democrats held their endorsement meeting earlier this month and endorsed McDermott (here’s the list on their site; here’s our coverage on partner site West Seattle Blog). Not sure whose district you’re in? Here’s the map for the 11th District; here’s the map for the 34th District. (Any Republican groups have endorsement meetings just past or

Here’s what the overnight police presence in downtown White Center was all about. From King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. John Urquhart:

Two men apparently shooting at each other last night (June 21st) left one man injured and no one under arrest. One gun was recovered however.

The incident occurred just after 10:00 PM. A 25 year-old man was at Papa’s Pub … He reportedly went out outside to have a smoke. There was an altercation, shots were fired, and he was hit at least once. He ran to a nearby minimart, bleeding profusely. Police were called.

Reports from witnesses say two men were shooting at each as they ran down the street. However it is unclear if the injured man was one of the shooters or an uninvolved bystander.

Sheriff’s deputies found a semiautomatic handgun in a dumpster near the shooting scene.

The injured man was taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment, during which suspected rock cocaine was pulled from his rectum.

There have been no arrests and the investigation is continuing.

3:38 PM NOTE: As pointed out in comments, the original KCSO news release had an erroneous address for the pub. The address at 15th and Roxbury was actually the minimart to which the victim ran. We have taken out the erroneous address reference above and replaced it with ellipses.

“So here we are,” Burien city manager Mike Martin began as he opened a quick recap of where the issue of North Highline annexation stood, before tonight’s scheduled Burien City Council discussion.

No council action was taken – they voiced opinions, as you will read below.

First, Martin described Seattle’s recent decision to table annexation till February as a “major departure” from where things had stood previously. That wasn’t the only factor sparking a new Burien council discussion of annexation, however, he said, mentioning the King County Library Board’s discussion of potentially consolidating the White Center and Boulevard Park libraries.

Martin also mentioned commissioning a financial study with an organization that he says does this type of study and already has “a tremendous amount of information about the (prospective) annexation area.” He says the financial data should be available in late July/early August.

Councilmember Gordon Shaw followed up Martin’s briefing by voicing skepticism about the financial viability of annexation, given a previous study, but said he would like to see the study showing the effects of a changing economy, and what he said was apparently a lower population: “I think they’ve lost 3,000 people up there.” He also said he would like to know how it would affect the city overall.

Councilmember Lucy Krakowiak asked what kind of educational outreach is planned for citizens. Martin said “Council will be taking comments at every council meeting they have until they make a decision – identical to last time.” She also wondered if information was available about major developments planned in the potential annexation area.

Councilmember Jack Block, Jr. talked about the difference between the perception and the reality of White Center. “if you take a drive through White Center, there are virtually no empty storefronts – I wish we could say that here in Burien.” He described WC’s “vitality and growth” as “homegrown” and expressed a hope that it would be emulated in Burien.

“If we don’t vote for it, we don’t have control over that area, and the density could increase, crime could increase, a bunch of public housing is put in there because historically that’s how Seattle does things,” Block suggested, worrying about a “spillover … Think about protecting our community. Do we want to have a say in that area, or just let whatever happens, happen up there?”

He noted that Burien has a budget surplus, while King County has been dealing with a budget shortfall, and, in his view, has put unincorporated North Highline problems “on a back burner.” He also voiced concern about county housing projects in the works, and whether they might unduly burden Burien.

Councilmember Gerald Robison pointed out that he has been working on the annexation issue “for a long time” and says “there are a lot of perceptions out there that I don’t think is accurate.” He contended that it’s “simply not true” that the area is made up of a large population of people who require government services. “What they need is good government, and that’s what they’ve been lacking up there,” he contended, adding that he believes Burien could provide that “good government.” He echoed Block’s point that White Center has a lot of thriving businesses, “the kind of independent businesspeople who are exactly what we are talking about in our mission statement.”

But “I won’t even vote for annexation if it means raising taxes on the rest of the residents in Burien,” Robison vowed. And he said he believes it’s important for Burien’s “survival” to take a look at annexing the area if it can be done. The area doesn’t need Burien, he acknowledged, but “if their options are going to Seattle or going to Burien, I think for the sake of Burien and the sake of the people in North Highline, if we can manage it, we should do it.”

Councilmember Rose Clark said she agreed wholeheartedly with Block and Robison. She said she also believes that if there’s a continued effort to “concentrate poverty” in the greater Highline area, it will “break” the community – and she says what happens in White Center (etc.) will affect Burien too. “The only way to address that is to take a good hard look at North Highline and what we can do to mitigate” the concentration of poverty to which she referred. “If all of that (financial analysis) pencils out, we have to look at what that area becomes” with King County services dwindling.

Deputy Mayor Brian Bennett discussed his roots going back generations in the North Highline area, and saying that while that area likely would prefer to be left alone the reality of county and state laws and finances are that, they cannot be left alone – “they’re going to be incorporated somewhere … If Seattle does take over Area Y, what their incentives are going to be in how they treat Area Y , and whether the decisionmakers for that area are going to be impacted by what happens there, or are they going to be in the north side (of the city) and not affected.”

Councilmember Krakowiak then said “This is a big issue before us and it behooves us to take our time.” She said she would be a likely “no” vote if they were voting on it right now.

At the start of the meeting, in a public-comment session that lasted more than half an hour, seven people expressed opposition to or concern about annexation – with a common theme, if Seattle says it can’t afford annexation, how can Burien? – while two familiar White Center community advocates, Liz Giba and Rachael Levine, spoke favorably about it. (We will add details of the comments later.)

In case you missed the story on our partner site West Seattle Blog late last night – today, Full Tilt Ice Cream is celebrating its third anniversary. (WCN didn’t launch till later that summer, so our first report about FT was on WSB, and it seemed fitting to publish the anniversary story there.) Right now, they’re open Mondays for the first time – and they’re going to donate the equivalent of today’s ice-cream purchases to the White Center Food Bank. You’ve got till 10 pm to go be part of the tasty fun.

By Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

Saturday night’s drizzly cool weather might have kept a few folks from venturing outside, but lots of art lovers were evident at the monthly art walk in the White Center business district, which included a few firsts.

For one: Joining the art walk this month was Herbal Legends, the medical-marijuana dispensary which recently opened on 16th Ave. SW. Owner Chris Cody removed the marijuana from the premises and opened the doors to the community — the only venue to offer complimentary food and beverages. Five artists were showcased in the dispensary, which was designed specifically to display local artists’ work.

Rich Lehl, a Highland Park resident, showed his oils at Company.

Café Rozella owner Leticia Martinez debuted her couture-influenced fashion sketches. Leticia has training in fashion design and worked for couture and bridal designers before opening Cafe Rozella. More of her work can be found at the cafe, along with artist Renee Bacino‘s work.

Winning accolades from business owners and viewers alike for their efforts in bringing a free film festival with lots of local filmmakers to White Center, White Center Art Walk organizers Amanda Kay Helmick and Devrim Ozkan are shown here at the last film venue of the evening – Big Al Brewing.

With the theme of “Fairytales,” the evening’s first venue was Southgate Roller Rink, where the young and young-at-heart enjoyed a number of independent artists who shared their visions and stories with an appreciative audience.

Miranda Taylor, a High Point trustee and activist, was one of the five directors to show their films at Full Tilt Ice Cream. (Miranda’s short film “The Good Food Truck” is also available to view on Vimeo.)

The full listing of filmmakers is viewable at whitecenterartwalk.blogspot.com.

As first reported here in our coverage of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting earlier this month, the Burien City Council plans to discuss White Center/etc. annexation during its regular meeting tomorrow (Monday, June 20th) night. NOT a vote, nor an introduction of a resolution – the agenda item is listed as a “general discussion.”

From the supplementary “packet” (which you can find linked from this page) – it’s what Burien City Manager Mike Martin told NHUAC they planned to do – with some new information: A study on the financial viability is under way:

PURPOSE/REQUIRED ACTION:
Staff would like direction regarding the best way to frame the future discussion of annexation.

BACKGROUND:
The annexation of the so-called “area Y” in the North Highline, including White Center, has a long history that council is well aware of. In short, Burien and Seattle in 2009 agreed to bi-furcate the North Highline Area into areas; “X” in the south and “Y” in the north (see attached map). Each city agreed it could advance annexations in adjacent areas without opposition until January 2012. Burien successfully annexed area X in 2010 and that area is now part of Burien. In March 2011, Seattle declared it was not interested in advancing an annexation in area Y but adopted a resolution stating it might at a later date, perhaps February 2012. The resolution also allowed Burien to advance an annexation in area Y if it wished.

Council has long expressed interest in resolving the question of annexation in the North Highline area. Seattle’s recent decision not to annex now and perhaps not in the near future, along with peripheral issues regarding construction of library facilities in Burien or the North Highline area, make it timely for the council to take up that discussion again.

Staff has entered into a contract with Berk and Associates to conduct a study testing the financial viability of annexing area Y. That study is scheduled to be complete no later than August 1. Staff will bring council draft information prior to that date if it is accurate and reliable.

But while that financial data is central to the question of annexation, staff understands it is not the exclusive one. In an effort to anticipate additional areas of interest, staff is soliciting other lines of questioning council would like us to explore.

The annexation discussion will predictably be iterative and require information to be acquired as talks progress. The intent of this agenda item is simply to begin that discussion and ensure it progresses in as linear a fashion as possible.

OPTIONS (Including fiscal impacts): N/A
Administrative Recommendation: Discuss the general question of annexation and give staff direction on issues it wishes to have explored, along with a timeline.
Committee Recommendation: N/A
Advisory Board Recommendation: N/A
Suggested Motion: None required.

You can review the recent history of annexation in our coverage archive here. Among the key recent actions – the Seattle City Council decided in March to put off a final decision on “interested or not interested” until early next year, while saying that if Burien decided to proceed with annexation in the meantime, they wouldn’t object. Tomorrow night’s Burien Council meeting is at 7 pm, 400 SW 152nd; if you can’t be there, you can watch online here.

Story and photo by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

“Sarap” is Tagalog (the national language of the Philippines) for delicious! Formerly located at Pratt Fine Arts in the Central District of Seattle, Sarap Café partners Vic Arao and Vilma Vere are now serving a few Filipino favorites including sotanghon – a chicken noodle soup – and lumpia.

“But we are in America, so we want to serve other things too,” says Vilma. They offer milk shakes, hot dogs, and a variety of cold-cut-meats sandwiches and nachos. A sandwich platter is available for catering.

The truck opened this week and is permanently stationed in the Chevron gas station at 16th SW and 100th SW. It’s open 11 am-6 pm Mondays-Saturdays, (253) 709-2429.

If you went by the site of what was scheduled to be the White Center Library Guild fundraising yard sale today – sorry, they decided to postpone it because of the rain. The Guild is tentatively looking at rescheduling it for next Saturday, but will send official information when the decision’s made.

From volunteer coordinator Audrey Zemke at White Center Food Bank:

We still need 3 or 4 volunteers for June 18 from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm. Volunteers will be settting up for food distribution, handing food out to clients, and helping clean up. Please let us know by Friday, June 17 at 5:00 pm at audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org or 206-762-2848 if you can help.

As reported on our partner site WSB yesterday – B & D Aquarium will indeed move into the White Center Eagles-owned property identified as a possible new home. They’re planning a work party this weekend, but say they have all the help they need for to make the move. WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz is working on an update that will include the latest on the move and how long they might be closed during the transition.

Just in from Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Office:

A Sheriff’s deputy suffered a severely broken wrist while chasing and trying to arrest a suspected drunk driver. The deputy went to the hospital and the driver escaped.

The incident occurred about 12:30 AM this morning (June 15th) in the White Center neighborhood of unincorporated King County.

The patrol deputy tried to stop a 1993 Cadillac DeVille for possible drunk driving. The car, with four people on-board, took off and refused to stop for lights and siren from the police car.

The chase lasted only a couple of minutes before the car suddenly pulled over and the driver took off running. However the deputy was hot-on-his-heels and managed to grab hold of his jacket. The man turned suddenly and the deputy went to the ground, fracturing his wrist. The suspect kept running. The other occupants of the vehicle were interviewed and released.

The deputy has been with the Sheriff’s Office for three years and is 52 years old. He was treated at Valley Medical Center and released.

The suspect is as a black male in his 30’s about 5’ 10” and 130 lbs. If anyone has information they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 or 9-1-1.

Story and photos by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now/West Seattle Blog

After three years of successfully operating its production brewery at 9832 14th Ave SW in White Center, Big Al Brewing says it is about to become the first brewery in the state to use solar thermal energy to heat the water for brewing its entire lineup.

(From left, Carl Holzboog, Alejandro Brown, Sean Beattie)

Owners Alejandro (“Al”) and Noelle Brown tell WCN/WSB that Big Al’s will flip the switch today for its new solar thermal heating system to brew the first solar batch (batch #300 overall was brewed Tuesday), which will hit taps in three weeks.

Today also happens to be the rollout of Löwman Bräu, a special summer Kolsch produced in collaboration with West Seattle’s Feedback Lounge, with part of the proceeds benefiting area nonprofits. If all goes well, Big Al’s will continue the seasonal philanthropic offering with a different West Seattle-exclusive brew in the fall. The Löwman Bräu release (with partying venues tonight including Big Al and Company, in WC) is more evidence of what many beer aficionados know about life in West Seattle/White Center and the area at large: Lots of folks enjoy and enthusiastically support well-crafted beers from local microbreweries.

When the Browns made the calculated leap to purchase the former Pacific Rim Brewery Company site in 2008, they did so with great confidence that they could provide local restaurants and pubs with exceptional local beer. But the brewery was built more than a dozen years ago with little consideration of sustainable design or efficiencies in production.

Of the approximate 80-plus breweries in our state and the 30-and-counting in the Seattle area, most rely exclusively on traditional heating sources — either natural gas or electricity — to heat their brewing process. Big Al’s has made the visionary move to reduce the brewery’s depletion of nonrenewable natural gas. The brewery holds sustainability as a part of its mission and responsibility as an artisanal brewer. Big Al’s conversion to solar echoes the innovation in their lineups. They take advantage of unique creative collaborations and do so often and very successfully, whether flavor-matching restaurant menus or participating in community charity tasting events with specials.

The integration of solar thermal heating into the production process with system installer Net Zero Impact is the boldest and most recent innovative collaboration, this time of artful technologies that over time will realize cost savings, reduce the carbon footprint and conserve nonrenewable energy. The system is constantly monitored online and data will be logged to determine the rate of the return on their investment over time.

They are using a 32-year-old solar thermal technology that advocates claim is more efficient than solar photovoltaic cells in capturing energy. The solar energy is captured and the water heats up, whether the ambient temperature is 30 degrees or 70 degrees; it involves a series of tubes and the heating of water, rather than the generating of electricity. (See the explanation on NZI’s website.)

Sean Beattie, chief operating officer and founder of Net Zero Impact, says that the savings from reduced natural gas expenses will allow the brewery to begin double-brewing. “Right now we are producing about 150 barrels a month, with each barrel being 31 gallons, “ Al explains. “Our previous direct-fire natural gas burner had to be left on all night just to get the water temperature up. That part of our process is gone (and the costs with it). We will be able to come in in the morning and the water will still be retaining the heat from the sun from the previous day, up to about 150 degrees. We will use the new boiler to bring up the water the rest of the way in a very short amount of time with very little gas used,” Al says, clearly excited about the new system.

“The beauty of this system for Big Al’s,” Beattie suggested, “is that they will be able to turn two full cycles of brewing in the time it previously took to do one.”

“Double brewing makes sense because it saves on labor. We will be able to brew twice the amount because there are now 500 gallons of water available daily rather than 200, yet [we incur] the same labor costs,” Al adds, “Previously, it took about nine hours to brew one batch and we did that every two days, which is 18 hours total. We can do a double batch in 12 to 14 hours. We like those savings.”

Most microbreweries, just like Big Al’s, regularly evaluate sustainability efforts. But there’s one speed bump along the path to reducing carbon footprints and conserving natural gas – the initial investment. In the last two years, incentives from federal tax credits and grants has provided an opportunity to recoup 65 percent of the initial costs, according to Beattie. However, the state of Washington does not yet provide incentives or grants for solar thermal commercial applications, though Oregon does. A handful of counties in Washington provide some kind of incentives, but King County is not one of them.

Beattie says his company has been working with Puget Sound Energy on the installation of new high-efficiency boilers by accruing data collected from projects like Big Al’s and three schools where he has recently installed solar thermal systems where the numbers are exceeding the expected rate of savings by 300%.

For Big Al, reports indicate the savings will take effect within a few years. Money-wise, that is – nonrenewable-energy savings will be immediate. So hoist a glass and realize it’s truly liquid sunshine.

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

Business owners from around White Center gathered Monday night at the Salvadorean Bakery for the monthly meeting/mixer facilitated by the WC Community Development Association.

The bakery’s proprietor Ana Castro (right) offered words of welcome to the two dozen-plus participants: ‘Thank you for supporting the community.” (She had also prepared a dinner feast for those on hand, including the eatery’s famous pupusas.)

Business owners/reps have been convening for these gatherings for more than a year, said WCCDA’s Peter Chum, “and we have accomplished a lot as a community.” He and co-worker Nhan Nguyen facilitated the meeting.

One accomplishment – branding, with the new signs and banners around the area, and a poster unveiled at the meeting:

WHITE CENTER POSTER: The artwork for a new poster was unveiled by Kathi “George” Wheeler and artist Terri Sargent Peart, who was commissioned to create the artwork on which the posters are based. The image, it was explained, was someone weaving a basket together with different-colored cords, the community coming together, acrylic painting on canvas, the diversity coming together. The posters were printed by local business Graphics Plus. “To celebrate our place and our people, how we are pulling together,” said Nguyen.

WHAT ABOUT THE WHITE CENTER BRAND/LOGO? Wheeler showed two versions of the logo – one with the rainbow rings, one with the baskets inside the rainbow rings (modeled after the ones in the small park in the Delridge Triangle), and asked for ideas on how to use it. A brainstorming session ensued. (57 banners with the new logo are now up around Roxbury, it was noted.) Ideas included tying it into the forthcoming shoppers-reward card, or putting it on bumper stickers/window decals. However it plays out, the logo will be made available for businesses to use, Wheeler assured attendees.

SPEAKING OF THAT LOGO … SPONSORS SOUGHT FOR WELCOME SIGNS: Mark Ufkes from the White Center Chamber of Commerce said that two signs, 108th/4th and 16th/130th (near McDonald’s), need sponsors. He also talked about a plan for a White Center food guide that would probably launch in 2012, in connection with local business groups. He also provided an update on the “Good Neighbor” agreement for alcohol businesses; they’re hoping for more participation. And they’re looking for people to adopt trash cans in the business district.

WHITE CENTER BUSINESS RESOURCE GUIDE: A draft version of this brochure was circulated, with information to help businesses find resources to assist their growth and operations. Some of the resources listed in the guide can even help businesses find financing, said Nguyen (left). It also lists media – not just the “mainstream” local media (including WCN), said Nguyen, but also area community/ethnic media, so that businesses can find people who will help them get the word out about their businesses. WCCDA is also looking for ideas on the resource guide – “what’s missing, how can we make it better, how can we make it more user-friendly?” First suggestion: Make it more photocopy-ready. Another suggestion: List more websites. Yet another: Make sure the information is accessible on the WCCDA website, as well as in brochure format. And: What about a list of businesses that might be willing to trade with each other? Plus: Categorize the types of listings – private, public. Host Castro suggested, “E-mail it to everybody.” Nguyen said the guide is “something to be proud of” as the first such resource for the White Center business district.

PLANTER BOXES: More than 20 were given out with help of a grant from the Seattle Foundation, but some are gone – stolen, vandalized – while others are kept “in great condition,” as Nguyen put it, like the one at the Salvadorean Bakery. A new City of Seattle grant for $500 has come in, and they’re brainstorming what to do with it. Mikayla talked about one idea of planting edibles – which was viewed skeptically by some, she said, considering that some planters have been used as makeshift ashtrays. Suggestions for the planter boxes included evergreens – “might be less trouble” — or maybe even replacing them with hanging baskets. Nguyen said it’s up to businesses to step up and take care of the planter boxes, or else businesses that don’t will lose theirs, and they’ll be moved elsewhere, as there’s a long waiting list, he said.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA ‘MISHMASH’: King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s law and justice policy adviser Gail Stone addressed the issue, which also was a topic at the last meeting of the White Center group, since two medical-marijuana establishments have opened recently on 16th SW in the heart of the business district. She recapped what happened with the failed legislation in Olympia. “The legislature didn’t clean any of that up, and it has left state and local governments at odds about how do we deal with this mishmash law and regulation. .. We know that the current dispensary business models won’t fit under state law, but the county and the city have been working to figure out what’s the approach that’s going to serve the community.” She said she had no specifics about what that approach will turn out to be: “Do we license these things … what do we do, where should they be located, dealing with zoning and making sure these businesses are in one kind of an area or another … It would be really helpful for us at the county to have some input about what are your concerns about where these are sited, how they should or should not be regulated by cities and counties.”

One attendee asked about prospective shutdowns: “Can we expect an iron fist?” “We’re really trying to figure that out – we’re meeting every other day with (a group including prosecutors, sheriffs, Seattle officials),” she said. She indicated no decisions have been made but “hopefully soon after July 22nd, when the state law goes into effect” they will know what they are doing.

“It’s going to be interesting to find out what happens next year in Olympia,” she added. It was also pointed out that a legalization initiative is circulating as well. WCCDA’s Nguyen wondered if existing dispensaries would be grandfathered in, and all Stone could say is, “That’s a good question,” while musing aloud whether they could change their business model to fit the new rules for “collective gardens.”

Why doesn’t the county just go to the State Attorney General’s office and ask for a ruling? it was asked. “It’s an interesting question,” Stone said, again, adding that she will forward the suggestion. If you have any questions/comments/ideas, she said, contact her. All she could say they know for sure is that they know businesses, patients, and others involved need “clarity.”

King County Sheriff’s Community Service Officer Peter Truong, asked for comment by Nguyen, said he had none – “(people) complain about it, but .. (the way) the law is, there’s nothing we can do about it right now.”

BICYCLE SHOP FOR WHITE CENTER? Ellie Weiss delivered a presentation – asking rhetorically “Why should Ballard have all the fun?” – positing that White Center deserves a bike shop, and presenting a variety of reasons why. As a transitional point, she is suggesting a “regular repair clinic” to have “some kids come in and work on bicycles.” She pointed out that White Center is making strides into the bicycling world – with bike parking introduced to the central business district by Proletariat Pizza (whose co-owner Mike Albaeck was among those at the meeting). Nguyen challenged the group to see if anyone knows of a space “to put this idea into motion.” No particular space requirement, she clarified, “even if you can get in there with one bicycle and work on it” – they would just like a regular weekly or even monthly clinic space to start with.

WHITE CENTER ART WALK: Amanda Kay Helmick talked about the film festival – three 30-minute programs, starting at 6 pm at Southgate Roller Rink, then on to Full Tilt Ice Cream, then to Big Al Brewing – that is the theme of this Saturday night’s WC Art Walk. (Here’s the preview we published Monday.) “This is the first month we’re going to do something big for the community,” Helmick said. “(Before) there really wasn’t a lot to bring the outside in … we’re hoping to draw from a large area.” Next month, she said, they’re planning on live painting. “Every month we’re just going to do something bigger and bigger. … In September we’re going to have the White Center Weird Festival again – would love to shut the street down … not as easy as it sounds, but it would be cool to shut it down. We’re working toward that.”

KING COUNTY IN MOTION: White Center is getting involved with In Motion, partnering with WCCDA, with a goal of reducing car trips.

BUSINESS OWNERS’ HAPPY HOUR: Aileen Sison announced that her next Happy Hour for WC business owners is going to be at Be’s Crawfish Grill – while there’ll be a Family Happy Hour too, at Zippy’s Giant Burgers.

Here’s the official flyer – be there!

Next Saturday, wander White Center and immerse yourself in art. Here’s the lineup announcement:

White Center 3rd Saturday Art Walk
June 18th, 2011 6 PM to 9 PM

In case you haven’t been doused in the awesomeness that is the June theme for White Center Art Walk, let me assist. White Center had a baby and that baby is called the WCAW -Film Festival ! (3) Locations. (3) Different times. (1) Great theme.

Big Al Brewing, Full Tilt Ice Cream & Southgate Roller Rink will be showcasing local work within varying categories. Animation, music videos, power pieces, light pieces, dark pieces, etc. Do some walking- it’s good for your heart.

Company (9608 16th SW): Rich Lehl- www.richlehl.com – Oil on Panel- Realism meets a thick sense of humor; playful paintings that highlight a moment in time that may just make you go Hmmmm (Thank you C&C Music Factory!). Wine specials till 10pm. Stop in and talk at the bartender- they like that.

Dubsea (9910 8th Ave SW): Amanda Kay Helmick- www.junkartkin.com – Recycled-Found-Material— I would categorize this as Organic & Industrial. Well executed and clean. Amanda rips, alters, sews, paints and combines found objects. Metal, wood, canvas, paint, and other randoms are manipulated into bold, chunky and meaty representations of temptation. Are we all logged on? Because there’s freaking delicious coffee to go with it. Don’t miss this and if you do, don’t tell your mom because she WILL put you in time out.

Big Al Brewing (9832 14th Avenue SW): Dave Ryan- blog.shoptastyart.com – Hand Painted Records. If you’ve never run into Dave’s work around town, I’d be highly surprised. I’m pretty sure there may be more than one of him since he’s at any and all of the fun festivals and still manages to hang his artwork at a smattering of Seattle venues. Stenciled-Vinyl-Records with all the images you love to laugh at, hug & dance with. The Dude? On a record? In his bathrobe? Yes, please.

Salvadorean Bakery (1719 SW Roxbury): Amy Bradley- dragontamerdesign.com/ -Photography. Amy works with many
different mediums but will be showcasing her photography for this artwalk. She uses different techniques in Photoshop to enhance her original photographs. Specials?! YES! Salvadorean will have TWO fantastic specials during artwalk:
1 – A pupusa & tamale of your choice serve with rice & beans.for only $6.95
2- pastelitos de carne; pork filled corn tortilla enpañada, deep fried, served with our special pickle cabbage & salsa. garnished with tomato, radish, & cucumber. $ 5.99 Summer FOOD? ART? AFFORDABLE? Ummm- yes.

Café Rozella (9434 Delridge Way SW): Renee Bacino & Leticia Martinez –
Landscape Photography, Paintings & Sketches. Leticia Martinez will be joining Renee Bacino this month with some of her motion-filled sketches. Come enjoy a slice of Organic Carrot Cake and suck up the homey, feet-up, chatty feel that Rozella never fails to deliver.

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 Bakery (9602 16th Ave SW): Amara Kopakova – amaraart.weebly.com/emerge.html – Acrylic Paintings- Moody, organic paintings that keep your eye moving. Kopakova is no foreigner to keeping your attention. Subject matter? People…or not…or landscape…or abstract… Wait, what was the question? Have you had a pastry on a stick yet? You should do that. Then write a strongly worded letter about it.

Full Tilt Ice Cream (9629 16th Ave SW): Some Guy- With Some Stuff- And Some Things- If I could post Justin’s personal phone number in this location, I would insist that you call and ask him about what’s going on the walls; but I can’t, so I won’t. As a result, you must trudge in, force-feed yourself delicious ice cream, drink a beer, play some skeeball and check out the walls on your own. Just so you know, we’re proud of you.

Proletariat Pizza – (9622-A 16th Ave SW)- Megan Thorberg-
www.facebook.com/Thorbot.designs– Stipple-ing Stippler- Stipple much? These pieces are awesome. They are colorful, vibrant and confined into fun shapes. The subject matter is light, the design factor is consistent, and you can totally tell she loves making these. Have you had the Ham & Egg yet? If you just answered ‘no’, shame on you.

WELCOMING!!! Herban Legends!
Herban Legends (Medical Marijuana Dispensary)- (9619 16th Ave SW)- Group Show!- These guys are showcasing some of the Northwest’s finest artists: Jenna Colby, Brendan Lenburg, Jeremy Orsben, Lawrence Seward, Matthew Carson – Possibly Sarah Bareck. Live Grooves from DJ BioFunk? Only if you’re lucky. Mind your P’s & Q’s – the art is worth drooling over. No seriously, bring a napkin.

Five days after breaking the news that B & D Aquarium has been ordered to leave its White Center storefront, WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz reports that on Monday, the Trustees of the White Center Eagles (F.O.E. 2568) will be discussing the possibility of B & D using their property at 10450 15th SW, adjacent to their meeting hall. B&D employees will be in attendance as representatives of owner Bruce Donohue, who told WCN he “might have found (his) miracle” which will allow him to continue operating his 40-year old business serving West Seattle and White Center. Eagles Trustee Stein said that they are very interested in helping the White Center business district. Stein said a couple of offers have been made to Donohue. Both the Eagles and B & D will update WCN when the outcome of the Eagles discussion and rental negotiations are final and confirmed.

Our partners at the Seattle Times report that Vernon Walker, charged in the 2003 White Center murder of Darreion Roche (backstory here), is now in custody in Seattle, after years behind bars in Canada, fighting extradition. Walker was 18 years old when he allegedly shot and killed Roche following an argument that may have been related to drugs.