White Center Now: The blog about White Center

From Highline Public Schools:

Angelica Alvarez, the first Latino/a elected to the Highline School board, begins her first full month in office in January. Alvarez was elected in November and sworn into office in December.

Alvarez says she brings a passion for academic success for all children, regardless of the ethnic and social backgrounds. She is also interested in improving the transition from early childhood education to school, and in building collaborative, inclusive partnerships with parents.

Angelica works for the non-profit organization Child Care Resources where she promotes equity for children, building community stability, and encouraging school readiness. Her work often brings her into contact with King County’s low-income families in an effort to serve the basic needs of children. She says it is her goal is to bring these same values and skills to her work with Highline Public Schools.

The board’s next meeting is this Wednesday – more information here.

Notes from last night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting:

At left, that’s North Highline Fire Chief Scott LaVielle, who briefed the group on his impending retirement in late February. He talked about the several steps taken to close the budget gaps that the fire district was faced with. He introduced North Highline Fire Commissioner Rob Spreier (with him in the photo), saying he will take over most of the high-level management work after he leaves. Other items:

CRIME: King County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Hancock told the NHUAC it’s been a rougher month than the area’s seen in a while: 1 rape; 1 aggravated assault on a 19 month old girl; 2 stabbings; 6 robberies, all mini-marts or gas stations in the area, and one person robbed at gunpoint after being pulled into a car outside a grocery store;13 vehicle thefts, 14 drug arrests, 29 warrant arrests.

CODE ENFORCEMENT: A complicated discussion that took a lot of time without many conclusions – commercial activities on an industrial-zoned property along Myers Way that has nearby residents wondering if King County codes were being followed; the agency represented at the meeting said that it didn’t have jurisdiction and offered the residents some suggestions on where else they might take their concerns.

NORTH HIGHLINE ANNEXATION DELAY: Burien City Manager Mike Martin and two Burien City Council members attended the meeting; Martin said the official annexation date has been delayed until April 1st because of the Puget Sound Park wrangling (see our report from earlier this week); he says several other things still need to happen for the annexation to be finalized. Regarding the park’s future, Martin told NHUAC, whatever happens to the park has to happen because the people of the city of Burien want it. If they want a library there, then that could happen, but he said a decision would not be forced on them. He also said he wanted to dispel the notion that Burien just wants the park in order to sell it.

REMEMBERING CHERISSE LUXA: In the public-comment period Liz Giba mentioned the community activist who lost her cancer fight last month would be remembered during a memorial gathering at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub on January 27th, 7 pm, with a “semi-formal presentation” around 7:45.

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meets the first Thursday of each month, 7 pm, North Highline Fire District HQ.

This just in from County Executive Dow Constantine‘s office:

King County Executive Dow Constantine and Burien Mayor Joan McGilton today announced an agreement for King County to transfer ownership of Puget Sound Park to the city of Burien.

“We were able to resolve this in a way that sets the right tone for this new era in King County government,” said Mayor McGilton. “I thank the County Executive for his leadership to reach a fair agreement on the parks transfer.”

“A deal’s a deal, and it was the city’s understanding of the annexation process that it would receive six parks from the County, including Puget Sound Park,” said Executive Constantine. “After detailed discussions, I agree that transfer of the park to the city is the right thing to do and should occur as part of that larger annexation.”

Voters in the southern portion of the North Highline Potential Annexation Area (PAA) approved their annexation by the city of Burien in August 2009. City Council action to implement the annexation was held up after the previous County administration entered into negotiations to sell part of Puget Sound Park to a third party.

Before taking office in November, then-Councilmember Constantine asked the previous Executive to slow down the proposed sale, in order to have more time to talk with the city about the proposal. Deputy County Executive Fred Jarrett appeared before the City Council on December 7 to hear the city’s position.

The proposed interlocal agreement must be approved by both the Burien City Council and the Metropolitan King County Council.

The City Council is expected to set the effective date for the annexation of the North Highline PAA at its next meeting on January 11.

More as we get it. ADDED 6:34 PM: We asked Frank Abe in the County Executive’s office what this means to the previous proposal for part of the park site. His reply: “We’ve let the King County Library System know of the new Executive’s agreement to transfer the park to the city. The city could pursue that option if it chooses to do so, within the restrictions of state law that governs the transfer of parks such as this.”

Greenbridge’s new Dubsea Coffee has announced its second art show, with a reception for artist Kelda Martensen coming up January 16th.

(Councilmember Drago sworn in by Superior Court Presiding Judge Bruce Hilyer, official county photo)
ORIGINAL REPORT FROM 12:17 PM: Once again today, the King County Council is scheduled to take up the matter of choosing a temporary replacement – till this year’s election – the seat representing White Center, West Seattle, Vashon and other areas has been open since Dow Constantine became County Executive; the first attempt to decide on a replacement led to a seven-hour meeting with two deadlocked votes three weeks ago. We’re covering today’s meeting on partner site West Seattle Blog; you can follow the coverage here. 3:53 PM UPDATE: Councilmembers have voted unanimously to appoint former Seattle City Councilmember Jan Drago. State Sen. Joe McDermott says he’s disappointed not to have gotten the appointment, but already campaigning to win the job in November.

After a semi-slow holiday season, the regular schedule of meetings resumes in the coming week. On Thursday, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council‘s monthly meeting, and the agenda’s now online:

7:00 p.m. Call to Order

Flag Salute
Roll Call
Approval of Agenda
Approval of Minutes

Corresponding Secretary’s Report

Treasure’s Report

Public Announcement – Council

Public

Public Comment: 3 minutes for individuals
5 minutes for group reps

Jeff Hancock Crime Report 5 minutes
Mike Martin Burien Update 5 minutes

Director of King County Code Enforcement and Prosecuting Attorneys Office 20 minutes + questions

Veterans and Human Services Levy 10 minutes + questions

Committee Reports:

Arts and Parks
Public Outreach
Governance
Housing and Public Health
Transportation
Public Safety
Old Business
New Business

NHUAC meets at North Highline Fire District HQ, 1243 SW 112th (map).

From Nancy Woodland at WestSide Baby in White Center:

Did your New Year’s Resolution include more volunteer work?

WestSide Baby needs extra volunteers today, Saturday Jan. 2 (now until 4pm), to help sort toys. We will stay open today until 4 pm just for toy sorting volunteers. If you’d like to come down today to help us, show up or call us at 767-1662. Children 7-14 welcome with adult supervision and teens over 14 can be dropped off. Adults always welcome, of course!! We need extra hands today to help sort and package all the toys that have been displaced by the bounty Santa brought this year. Item donations encouraged until 1pm. THANKS!!

WestSide Baby is at 10032 15th SW – here’s a map.

Some have asked about this case, since it happened just south of White Center – two teenagers shot last night. Turns out to have been a case of murder/attempted suicide – with two 16-year-olds involved. Here’s a news release just sent by KCSO:

King County Deputies responded to a double shooting last night at an apartment complex located at 12445 Ambaum Blvd SW [map]. When deputies arrived at 9.30 PM they found a juvenile male and a juvenile female both suffering gunshot wounds. The female later died from her wounds and the male is being treated in hospital for what appears to be a serious but non life threatening gunshot wound. At this time detectives are continuing their enquiries. The preliminary investigation indicates the juvenile male shot the female and likely shot himself; however, detectives have not had the opportunity to interview him. He is under police guard at hospital while the investigation continues.

This also is being covered by our partners at the Seattle Times, who reported the victims’ ages.

(Luminarias outside the Highland Park Improvement Club on New Year’s Eve)
Cafe Rozella is open noon-6:30 pm for New Year’s Day coffee; Dubsea Coffee is open 10 am-7 pm.

White Center Jubilee Days has its 2010 theme – “Come Together, Embrace Our Differences” – chosen in mid-December, and planning for next summer is roaring ahead. Next meeting for people who want to help is at 6:30 pm January 6th (next Wednesday), Big Al Brewing (then the group will meet every two weeks till they go into weekly-meeting mode). According to the WCJD Facebook page, another decision that’s been made is to have the parade on Sunday this year, probably at 10 am.

About a month into the New Year – February 9, 2010, to be exact – you’ll be voting on a levy-lid lift for the King County Library System. Without it, KCLS says, it’ll have to cut at least 10 percent across the board. If it passes, taxes for a home worth $400,000 will go up about $32. According to library info, this is operations money, not construction money (notable given the Puget Sound Park controversy).

Metro‘s on the “reduced weekday” schedule today through Thursday (explained here), then a Sunday schedule on Friday (New Year’s Day).

Just north of White Center, that was the festive scene Sunday afternoon at Highland Park Improvement Club, as friends and neighbors made balloon lanterns to get ready for a New Year’s Eve neighborhood parade (with coaching from Fremont artist Tricky Bunny, left foreground). You’re invited to join in – just meet at the HPIC lot at 6:30 Thursday night; the parade will last about an hour, followed by a fire show in the HPIC lot, and the Highland Park “house party” right after that. More info here.

On the surface, this is one of those mandatory public notices- but it’s about one of the most important services the county provides – so if you have something to say about the 911 Center, check out this notice from the King County Sheriff’s Office:

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will arrive January 9, 2010, to examine all aspects of the King County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services.

Verification by the team that the King County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center meets the Commissions state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation – a highly prized recognition of law enforcement communications professional excellence.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to call in and offer comments. The public may call and speak with Assessors at 206-205-7518, on Monday, January 11th between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards. A copy of the standards is available at the King County Sheriff’s Office. The local contact person is Accreditation Manager Tom Nesko, 206-205-4097.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the King County Sheriff’s Communications Center’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation should write to: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 320, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030-2201.

10 am-4 pm, Puget Sound Blood Center will have a mobile blood drive at Holy Family‘s Tice Hall (just don’t drop by noon-1 pm, it’ll be closed for a break) tomorrow (Saturday 12/26). Blood supplies tend to run low during the holidays – so the “gift of life” matters now more than ever.

Not an all-inclusive list but a couple White Center notes: Proletariat Pizza says it’s open till 9 for dinner tonight. And Cafe Rozella will be open for Christmas morning coffee, 8 am-noon.

Got yarn to share? You might want to drop it off at White Center Food Bank after reading this story (shared on Facebook by volunteer Beth Grieser).

If you need to take care of county business, today’s the day, since most county offices/facilities are closed tomorrow. Christmas Eve also is a “reduced weekday service” day for Metro, and other changes are coming up over the next two weeks – all detailed here.

From the Puget Sound Blood Center:

With a decrease in donations and an increase in accidents, we could use help maintaining a stable blood supply over the holidays.

As we exchange gifts during the holidays, please remember that you have the most precious gift inside you to give.

Please give others a chance at a better life:

– Saturday December 26th
* Holy Family Parish- Tice Hall 9516 20th Ave SW 98106
* 10:00AM- 4:00PM (closed 12-1pm)

The Puget Sound Blood Center is a non-profit, community and volunteer based organization. For more than 60 years, the PSBC has been improving the quality of life for sick patients in the Puget Sound area. This is all thanks to the generous donors who are saving lives in Western Washington every day. Your volunteered blood is distributed to 70 local hospitals and clinics in the Puget Sound area. For more information, please contact 1-800-DONATE-1.

(artist Leo Schmidt during the White Center Art Walk)
Story and photos by Mary Sheely
Reporting for White Center Now/West Seattle Blog

Neighboring West Seattle has a monthly Art Walk tradition, every second Thursday – and White Center is working on one too, every third Saturday.

Saturday night during this month’s White Center Art Walk, Damien Jurado played live at Full Tilt Ice Cream, Dubsea Coffee featured the art of Joerael Elliot along with a spoken word and open mic performance by youth from Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, student photos from New Start High School graced the walls of Big Al Brewing – these are by Kat Cabrera:

And student paintings were on display at the Salvadorean Bakery.

Shelli Park, chair of the White Center for the Arts board of directors, admits that the rain and holiday week reduced Art Walk attendance somewhat, but she has high hopes for future events, which take place the third Saturday of the month year-round.

“Our goal is to have more local businesses participating to be representative of the entire community,” Park says. “What they will provide will be poetry, music, whatever resonates with their community.” (We photographed her with her daughter at Proletariat Pizza, which also participated, with photos by Alexander King.)

Park says that the goal of the White Center Art Walk is twofold: “To help local artists and to help the businesses. We don’t want the people who are already here to be shut out because of the inevitable gentrification. We want them to be part of it: the diversity, the food, the color, and the culture.”

Learn more about future programs, including art programs and upcoming film workshops for local students – and watch for a preview of next month’s White Center Art Walk! – at the White Center for the Arts website.