Proletariat Pizza tells the tale of the community-rescued planter

November 1st, 2010 at 11:08 am Posted in Restaurants, White Center news | 1 Comment »

Just happened onto this on Facebook, from Proletariat Pizza: There’s a community-built planter in front of their restaurant, which has had its troubles over time (including, PP’s proprietors admit, when they forgot to water it, and the plants died, but were replanted by Vera from Village Green Perennnial Nursery “for a pizza”). This past weekend, PP writes, somebody “totally destroyed it” – but then it was rescued, again by the community. Go to their page to read the full story (in a status update and then in ensuing comments). P.S. Elsewhere on their page, PP also is asking if you’d support them being open on Sundays.

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King County roads/Metro Transit bad-weather-preps briefing under way now

November 1st, 2010 at 9:53 am Posted in Metro, Transportation, White Center news | Comments Off on King County roads/Metro Transit bad-weather-preps briefing under way now

Right now on cable channel 22 or online (kingcounty.gov/council), you can watch a briefing by King County Department of Transportation leaders – both roads and transit – regarding their preparations in case of bad-weather road trouble this winter. (KCDOT director Harold Taniguchi opened by joking that they ordered today’s heavy rain to coincide with the briefing.) One thing they’re stressing, particularly for bus riders, is to sign up for alerts – details on that, and links, are in a news release posted this morning on the county website – find it here.

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White Center Halloween: Businesses welcome trick-or-treaters

October 31st, 2010 at 5:50 pm Posted in Businesses, Holidays, White Center news | 7 Comments »

White Center’s main business district welcomed trick-or-treaters this afternoon, and WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz photographed some of the fun. She says participating businesses included Full Tilt Ice Cream, 3.14 Bakery, Uncle Mike’s Barbecue, Proletariat Pizza, Cafe Rozella, and Big Al Brewing.

MORE PHOTOS ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: Just some of the costumed characters young ‘n’ old who came out this Halloween!

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White Center Community Safety Coalition: Oct. meeting

October 30th, 2010 at 8:59 am Posted in Crime, Safety, White Center, white center community safety coalition, White Center news | Comments Off on White Center Community Safety Coalition: Oct. meeting

Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for White Center Now

We stopped by the White Center DSHS offices for Thursday night’s White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting, where about 20 attendees gathered to discuss neighborhood safety issues, liquor and crime enforcement, and policies for reporting “problem properties” in the WC community.

The meeting was led by WCSDCSC chair Sean Healy and was called to order shortly after 6 pm.

Three upcoming events, mentioned by attendees:

First on the agenda for the evening was Lt. Woodrow Perkins from the Liquor Control Board, who reported on two active cases his team is working on:

  • Center Market: Perkins reported that the store’s current liquor license expires Oct. 31st (this weekend), and that he hasn’t heard from the owner if they definitely plan to renew. The store had been selling liquor under two temporary permits recently, and had been subject to a suspension.
  • Evo (aka Club Evolution): With complaints about Evo dating back to 2002, Perkins reported that his team had made a visit to the club and found they were serving alcohol, which they “confiscated and destroyed in large quantities.” Perkins’ team is doing additional follow-up now (and on a similar club in another location), and is planning to file a report with the King County Prosecutor’s Office with the recommendation that 2 individuals involved would be criminally cited.

This segued into a discussion about alcohol and tobacco advertising in the area, with comments from Perkins as well as Mike Graham-Squire (pictured below, with a poster showing his group’s efforts) from High Point Neighborhood House. Squire led a project this past summer to visit businesses in the 98126 and 98106 area codes to evaluate their compliance with the Liquor Control Board’s new alcohol advertising restrictions adopted statewide earlier this year.

A summary of what the rules entail:

  • Limiting to four the number of signs advertising alcohol, brand names and manufacturers that are visible from the outside of a retail licensed premises such as stores, bars and restaurants;
  • Restricting the size of alcohol signs visible from the outside of a retail licensed premises to 1,600 square inches; and
  • Applying the rules to signs at civic events where alcohol is served, such as beer gardens.

Graham-Squire told meeting attendees that his group found a “high concentration of violations around White Center,” which prompted nods around the room and comments like “that’s not surprising.” He added that his group is planning to do a similar effort again, including giving awards to businesses that go above-and-beyond to limit alcohol advertising. He also said he’s involved with the state’s new Let’s Draw The Line campaign against underage drinking, and encouraged anyone interested in helping to contact him.

Perkins said citizens who notice violations to the advertising rules are encouraged to report them to the project hotline – 888-838-3956 – and “we’ll go visit them.” He did note that his enforcement team is “spread pretty thin” with 4 officers working 8 areas, each covering 500-600 locations, but tries to respond as best they can.  His team uses a “progressive discipline” approach for enforcement, moving from verbal/on-site warnings up to legal action.

Perkins also talked about the city’s Good Neighbor policy, targeting individual businesses selling alcoholic beverages, and listened to concerns from attendees about the rising consumption of energy drinks with high alcoholic content. Local residents reported seeing a huge increase in discarded containers of these “crazy beverages,” which Graham-Squire said  “are the equivalent of 6 beers and 5 cups of coffee in a single 24-ounce can, for $3.”  Perkins acknowledged the issues with the drinks, but said the LCB isn’t in a position to really target them — banning them would require state or federal legislative action.

Next on the agenda was the evening’s guest speaker, Kay Godefroy, executive director of the Seattle Neighborhood Group, who offered tips and strategies for dealing with “problem properties” and “nuisance issues” in the area’s residential neighborhoods. Godefroy encouraged neighbors to gather documentation like photographs and detailed log books (but be safe collecting the information) about any problems you see.

“It’s all about gathering good documentation, getting good detail, and having lots of neighbors do it,” she said. “If we can all help create safe livable residential communities, with no drug dealers or problem neighbors, it makes us all safe.”

Godefroy said the small-claims court system (or rather, the mere threat of small-claims) is an effective way to put pressure on problem neighbors, but “it clearly works best when there are many neighbors co-signing a strongly-worded letter about the problem, not just one signer.” In most cases, she said, the issue never even has to go to court, and the neighbor voluntarily moves toward compliance if 10-15 neighbors manage to co-sign and file a complaint. “You have to be ‘noisy’ and stand up for yourselves,” she said.

Godefroy also emphasized education of property owners, using her group’s Landlord Training Workshops as an example of how they’re trying to keep people informed. The hardest situations, Godefroy said, are single-family properties that are owner-occupied, particularly by someone who may be “2nd or 3rd generation of a family, they inherited the property and just don’t value it.”

When asked by an attendee if renters have the same rights, Godefroy said yes — you can file complaints with the landlord on behalf of multiple residents. In all cases, the idea is to get a letter together — that way, if the issue does go to court, the recipient “can’t say they didn’t know about the problem, they can only say they chose not to address it.”

When asked about how this extends to businesses that may not be cracking down on troublesome activity on their property, Godefroy clarified the difference between criminal activity and “nuisance activity.” If you see a crime happening, report it to 911 and the local authorities immediately. She said it’s good to also document such reports, for the future.

“It’s amazing what a business can do, to help the problem,” she said, saying there are businesses in White Center that had “people outside doing bad things, and got them to stop or to move somewhere else.”

Next meeting: Because of holidays in November and December, the group will hold a single meeting to cover the rest of 2010: It will be on Thursday December 9th, at the DSHS offices at 6 pm.

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White Center Heights Elementary students walk to school with King County Executive Dow Constantine

October 29th, 2010 at 2:10 pm Posted in Greenbridge, Health, King County, White Center news | Comments Off on White Center Heights Elementary students walk to school with King County Executive Dow Constantine

(WCN/WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
First, he got the hoodie – then, it was time to walk:

(WCN/WSB photo by Ellen Cedergreen)
This morning at White Center Heights Elementary in Greenbridge, King County Executive Dow Constantine joined in a Walk to School Month event:

He wasn’t the only celebrity on hand, though:

(WCN/WSB photo by Ellen Cedergreen)
Walk to School Month events are in conjunction with Feet First.

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Today/tonight in White Center: I Care open house; Café Rozella pumpkin-carving

October 29th, 2010 at 10:36 am Posted in Businesses, White Center news | 1 Comment »

Two events happening today/tonight in White Center: I Care Vision Center is having an open house, 1-6 pm, 9650 15th SW, with new fall frame styles to try on, and free single-vision lenses with all frame purchases. Tonight, Café Rozella will host a pumpkin-carving party, 6:30 pm, 9434 Delridge Way SW.

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White Center-South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting Thursday night

October 27th, 2010 at 11:02 am Posted in Crime, Safety, white center community safety coalition, White Center news | 2 Comments »

From the official announcement:

The White Center-South Delridge Community Safety Coalition Meeting will be this Thursday, October 28th, from 6-8 pm. We will be meeting at the DSHS building located at 9650 15th Ave SW in the lobby on the second floor.

This month, our guest speaker will be Kay Godefroy from the Seattle Neighborhood Group. She will be sharing information on ways to address concerns about problem or nusiance houses in your neighborhood. With daylight savings quickly approaching and the change in weather, the resources and information from this meeting are sure to be an asset.

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King County Executive to walk to school with White Center kids Friday morning

October 27th, 2010 at 10:46 am Posted in King County, Schools, White Center news | Comments Off on King County Executive to walk to school with White Center kids Friday morning

We heard this from Feet First and have just confirmed with the King County Executive’s office: KCE Dow Constantine will celebrate Walk to School Month by walking from Greenbridge Plaza to White Center Heights Elementary on Friday morning – they’re planning to leave Greenbridge about 8:20, if you’d like to join in.

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Writer’s idea: South Park Bridge connecting White Center to points east

October 27th, 2010 at 7:04 am Posted in South Park, Traffic, Transportation, White Center news | Comments Off on Writer’s idea: South Park Bridge connecting White Center to points east


View Proposed S. Cloverdale Way in a larger map

Writer Chad Newton makes the proposal on his website: What about a new South Park Bridge that’s aligned along South Cloverdale rather than 14th Avenue South? He made the Google Map above to illustrate his idea. You can read about it here. (Of course, as he notes, this would cost a few hundred million dollars more, but his main point is the west-east disconnect in the south sections of Seattle.)

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Save the date: ‘Green jobs’ forum coming up November 12th at Greenbridge

October 25th, 2010 at 2:21 pm Posted in Environment, Jobs, White Center news | Comments Off on Save the date: ‘Green jobs’ forum coming up November 12th at Greenbridge

Coming up next month – save the date to find out more about green jobs! Shared by Ian from White Center Community Development Association:

COMMUNITY GREEN JOBS FORUM

Friday, November 12, 12:00pm-2:00pm

YWCA Learning Center – 9720 8th Avenue SW in White Center

Pre-register for this event by calling (206) 290-5136 or e-mail info@gotgreen.org

Light refreshments and language interpretation available

Be a part of Project GreenLight! Project Greenlight is recruiting men and women of color and low-income workers for FREE job training in:

* Deconstruction – Hazardous materials and demolition jobs that reuse/recycle building materials

* Green Building – Entry-level weatherization installation positions

* Green Manufacturing – Manufacturing/assembly of environmentally sustainable products

This event is sponsored by
Got Green: www.gotgreen.org
Workforce Development Council

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Election countdown: The county sales-tax proposal

October 23rd, 2010 at 9:04 pm Posted in Election, King County, White Center news | Comments Off on Election countdown: The county sales-tax proposal

Still making up your mind about King County Proposition 1? The Seattle Times (WCN partner) takes a look tonight.

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Quick summary, while long version’s in the works: Lively candidates’ forum at Greenbridge

October 21st, 2010 at 10:22 pm Posted in Election, Greenbridge, North Highline UAC, Politics, White Center news | 5 Comments »

(Top, moderator Jerry Robison, during the forum, with Joe McDermott and Diana Toledo; bottom, Joe Fitzgibbon and Mike Heavey right before it began)
It’ll take some time to write the full report since the candidates’ forum presented by the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council tonight ran almost two and a half hours, but here’s a really quick summary: NHUAC’s Barbara Dobkin told your editor here (covering on behalf of both White Center Now and West Seattle Blog) afterward that they’re “thrilled” they drew such a huge turnout for the forum – the room at the Greenbridge YWCA Education Center was packed. NHUAC’s Pat Price gave a short introduction, and longtime community leader Jerry Robison moderated the forum expertly. A collection of pre-prepared questions – NHUAC had solicited e-mailed inquiries – and “live” audience questions ranged across a wide variety of topics, from White Center annexation to abortion rights. The first audience question came from the White Center/West Seattle entrepreneur who ran in one of the spotlighted races:

Mac’s Triangle Pub owner Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy would have asked the last question too, but he yielded to a man who hadn’t asked anything yet. (He was the third-place finisher in the 34th District House #2 race.) Other questioners included people from White Center and West Seattle, including several who identified themselves as Greenbridge residents (the development itself was the topic of several questions). Moderator Robison sat at a desk between one containing the 34th District State House Position 2 candidates, Joe Fitzgibbon and Mike Heavey, and one containing the King County Council District 8 candidates, Joe McDermott and Diana Toledo. Though the state race was the closest in the primary between its “top two,” those two candidates clashed on virtually nothing, while the county candidates jabbed at each other several times, over items from factual errors to mischaracterizations.

We have the entirety of the forum on video which we will publish as soon as it’s uploaded, both here and on partner site WSB, and we’ll be writing a longer article with overall highlights, too. While Election Day is officially November 2nd, you should have your ballot by now, and that’s the deadline to send it in or drop it off if you haven’t done so already. More to come!

10:38 PM UPDATE: Here’s part 1 of the video:

11 PM: And part 2:

12:50 AM: Part 3:

Again, separate article to come.

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Last reminder: Candidate forum TONIGHT at Greenbridge YWCA, presented by North Highline Unincorporated Area Council

October 21st, 2010 at 12:28 pm Posted in Election, North Highline UAC, White Center news | Comments Off on Last reminder: Candidate forum TONIGHT at Greenbridge YWCA, presented by North Highline Unincorporated Area Council

One last reminder about the last major candidates’ forum before the November 2nd election – North Highline Unincorporated Area Council is presenting it, at Greenbridge YWCA, with both candidates in each of the two hot open-seat races – King County Council District 8 (Diana Toledo and Joe McDermott) and 34th District State House Position 2 (Mike Heavey and Joe Fitzgibbon) – expected to be part of it. Doors open at 6 pm, forum starts at 6:30 pm. If you have advance questions, NHUAC is inviting them – e-mail address is on their home page.

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Traffic alert: White Center road closure tomorrow

October 19th, 2010 at 2:28 pm Posted in Traffic, White Center news | Comments Off on Traffic alert: White Center road closure tomorrow

Just in from King County:

On Wednesday, Oct. 20, the King County Road Services Division will be making repairs to Southwest 108th Street between 4th Avenue Southwest and 2nd Avenue Southwest. The roadway will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

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Update: Highway 509 now open again after deadly crash in Burien

October 19th, 2010 at 12:34 am Posted in Burien, White Center news | 2 Comments »

ORIGINAL 12:34 AM REPORT: If you have to take Highway 509 this early morning, a traffic alert in Burien: A major crash has closed 509 both ways at South 128th (map), and it’s still closed right now (12:33 am) – that’s all we know, but we wanted to share the traffic alert. 1:31 AM UPDATE: KIRO TV reports one person has died because of the crash. 5:53 AM UPDATE: The highway is now open again. The State Patrol confirms one death, a Federal Way man – read ahead for their account of what happened: Read the rest of this entry »

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Evergreen Community Aquatic Center’s six-month progress report

October 18th, 2010 at 10:39 am Posted in Evergreen Pool, Sports, White Center news | Comments Off on Evergreen Community Aquatic Center’s six-month progress report

Received from Julie Dow on behalf of the former Evergreen Pool:

Six months ago, The Highline School District reached agreement with a community group to operate a closed pool in White Center, which was renamed The Evergreen Community Aquatics Center (ECAC). Since that time, hundreds of subsidized swim lessons have been attended by area youth, and dozens of adult and seniors have attended exercise classes. Now (that the pool is) home to The Highline Pirates, Evergreen/Tyee Swim and WhiteWater Aquatic Swim Teams, scores of area youth are swimming daily, along with community outreach programs. Indeed, it’s a very busy place at Evergreen Community Aquatics Center every weekday. The flags of sixteen nations hang over the pool, to honor the diversity of clientele and the many parts of the world that pool users are from.

“We are impacting the community of White Center with a positive, inclusive activity. While childhood obesity is at a national high, we are making strides every day with children and families that thought they could never swim”, said Joel Schweiger, General Manager of ECAC and Head Coach of WhiteWater Aquatics. “Like other pools, we have our building and financial challenges, yet we can see daily the results swimming provides for White Center,” he added.

In addition to swim lessons and swim teams, The ECAC has partnered with community groups for outreach, including SHAG (The Senior Housing Assistance Group) and New Futures, a youth oriented integration and service organization.

As it looks to the future, ECAC is working to ensure that the entire community is informed of the offerings available at the center, by offering free trials. Those who sign up before October 31 for the November youth swim lesson session, receive a pass for a free “family” swim for a family of four.

Morning and evening shallow water exercise classes for adults have also been added to the schedule. Instructed by Aquarobics, water fitness and therapy experts, the new classes are offered every weekday. “Water aerobics classes are fun and offer a safe, effective and quality cardio workout.” says Carolyn Scott, Aquarobics Owner. There is also a water therapy class designed for those with severe arthritis, fibromyalgia, and pre & post surgery, “Water therapy is a great first step for those looking to get fitness back into their lives.” For programming and registration information call 425-894-0045. In November, Aquarobics is offering a FREE first class to all new swimmers!

Looking to the future, “We will have our challenges at Evergreen going forward with an old building and pools are expensive to operate, yet, it’s been a great start. We are really glad to be serving White Center,” concluded Schweiger.

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SW 98th corridor open for walking again

October 16th, 2010 at 3:24 am Posted in Safety, White Center news | 2 Comments »

Thanks to Gill for the followup on the SW 98th Pedestrian Corridor, shut down two months ago after vandalism led to safety concerns. He says it’s now open again, with 7 lights in operation, and that came a day after he spotted county crews at work fixing lights and railings:

Last week, some pressure was applied at the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting – King County Housing Authority director Stephen Norman was asked to do something about graffiti along the corridor. At last report, that hasn’t happened yet.

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White Center Art Walk tonight! Here’s what you’ll see

October 16th, 2010 at 3:23 am Posted in Arts, White Center for the Arts, White Center news | Comments Off on White Center Art Walk tonight! Here’s what you’ll see

The lineup for tonight’s White Center Art Walk, 6-9 pm:

Salvadorean Bakery (1719 SW. Roxbury St.): Fall photography show of the New Start High School students!! Ann Magyar’s crew of talented photographers.

Café Rozella (9434 Delridge Way SW): Christian Thorkildzen. Featuring The Indian Prince / Siddhartha Cautama.

Bakery 3.14 (9602 16th Ave SW): Fritha Strand-Davern. Expressionistic landscape paintings.

Proletariat Pizza (9622-A 16th Ave SW): Casey Brennan. Glass Art. “I’m inspired by poster art and bright colors. Each piece is hand made with love & a little blood. Thanks & have a great day!”

Dzul Tattoo (9622-B 16th Ave SW): Dzul Family. We’re showcasing prints of our most recent work, and new Day of The Death art paintings.

Uncle Mike’s Barbecue (9640A 16th Ave SW): Come see Uncle Mike’s personal collection of original paintings and lithographs. A fine collection of art!

Full Tilt Ice Cream (9629 16th Ave S): AAAAAAARRRRRRRTTTTTT… Still.

Big Al Brewing (9832 14th Ave SW): Devrim Ozkan. Photography, prints and paintings. If you missed this last month, PLEASE check it out.

Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th Ave SW): Alexander Chamas, “True individuals”. Photography. A show of portraits with a sense of community.

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In case you haven’t heard – South Park Bridge now has full replacement funding pledged

October 15th, 2010 at 6:43 pm Posted in South Park, Transportation, White Center news | 2 Comments »

We’ve been covering it at partner site West Seattle Blog but it’s big news for White Center and environs too: It was announced this afternoon that the South Park Bridge has full replacement funding – since the federal government has given a $34 million TIGER II grant. (The first TIGER was the round of funding in which King County had sought $99 million and been rejected; this time around, funding pledges were sought from a variety of regional sources, and that means the $35 million is only about 1/4 of the tab, instead of 3/4.) Sen. Patty Murray, U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn were among the many dignitaries on hand for the midafternoon announcement by the south end of the old bridge, closed 3 1/2 months ago for safety concerns. The county says that if all goes as expected, construction will start next year and the new bridge is projected to open around May 2013 (we confirmed that date with the county, though the official news release says “late” 2013).

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King County budget: One more evening public hearing ahead

October 15th, 2010 at 6:00 pm Posted in King County, White Center news | Comments Off on King County budget: One more evening public hearing ahead

A reminder, in this county news release:

Council Committee to host final evening public hearing on 2011 County Budget in Kent
More than 300 people attend meetings in Seattle, Bellevue, Snohomish

The Metropolitan King County Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee will go to Kent to hear from the public on the 2011 Executive Proposed Budget:

Tuesday, October 19
6:30 p.m.
Maleng Regional Justice Center,
Jury Assembly Room 2E – 401 4th Avenue North, Kent

This is the last of four special evening public hearings hosted by Councilmember Julia Patterson, Chair of the Council’s Budget Committee, on the Executive Proposed 2011 King County Budget. The special evening hearings are an opportunity for the public to discuss their budget priorities. More than 300 people have attended the meetings held at the County Courthouse, Bellevue and Snoqualmie.

County Executive Dow Constantine presented his proposed $5 billion County Budget to the County Council on September 27. Over the last three weeks, the Budget Committee has reviewed the proposal, which includes $60 million in cuts to the $612 million General Fund budget. More than three-quarters of the General Fund is directed toward law, justice and public safety services, and those agencies are facing significant cuts.

Day-after coverage of the hearing will be available both online and on King County TV, seen on Comcast and Broadstripe Cable Channel 22. You can also sign up to follow the deliberations through the Council’s 2011 Budget Blog, Facebook and Twitter.

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