White Center Now: The blog about White Center

This info was left as a comment on an old story about trying to keep Evergreen Pool open – so we wanted to republish it here:

April Pool’s Day
Saturday, April 25th from noon to 2:30 pm

This free, annual, family-friendly event promotes water safety & includes fun activities, demonstrations, & even canoe rides in the pool.

Stop by to find out more about saving this great asset of our community from the County’s Chopping Block.

King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. John Urquhart just sent this news release about a cat that may not survive having been viciously attacked; as noted in the report, the alleged attacker was arrested:

A 47 year-old man was arrested by Sheriff’s deputies Monday (April 20th) on animal cruelty charges after he allegedly severely injured a cat with a box cutter knife.

The incident occurred at the Cross Church, 1320 SW 102nd in the White Center neighborhood of unincorporated King County. The church operates a live-in recovery program, and the suspect was one of its residents.

Another resident was awakened by the suspect about 1:00 AM Sunday morning, April 19th. The suspect said he had “gutted the cat”. The resident thought the suspect was intoxicated, and both men ended up going to bed.

The next morning the suspect moved out.

That afternoon the church pastor found the church’s cat, “Scat” in the parking lot. He had serious cuts and puncture wounds, including a 7” cut, and possibly three broken ribs as well.

Sheriff’s deputies tracked down the suspect Sunday afternoon. He was arrested and booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Animal Cruelty. He told the arresting deputy the cat “attacked” him.

Scat is at a local veterinary hospital and it is unknown if he will survive his injuries. He is around 10 years old.

The vote is on, as noted in this item from this morning’s city of Burien newsletter – the final action by the Boundary Review Board was a followup to the public hearing in Tukwila that we covered March 30th:

North Highline Annexation Headed for Ballot

The City of Burien’s proposed annexation of a southern portion of North Highline is headed toward a vote of residents who live in the proposed annexation area. The proposed annexation cleared a major hurdle April 16 when it was approved by the Boundary Review Board of King County. Next, the City of Burien will work with King County to place it on the August 18 ballot. The measure requires a simple majority for passage. If approved, the annexation will take effect in early 2010. To see a map or to determine if you live in the proposed annexation area, visit the City of Burien website at www.burienwa.gov/annexation, or call 206-241-4647.

So says this news release just in from the King County Sheriff’s Office:

Sheriff Rahr Applauds Seattle Mayor

Sheriff Sue Rahr has applauded Seattle’s mayor Greg Nickels pledge that there will be no cuts to police or social services as he trims $13 million from the city’s budget for 2010.

In an e-mail to Nickels from Rahr on Friday, the Sheriff wrote, “I applaud you for making public safety a top priority in the face of difficult budget decisions. It’s refreshing to see an elected public official take action that demonstrates a real commitment to the safety and well-being of the people we serve.”

The Seattle Police Department plans on adding 154 officers between mid-2005 and 2012, a 25% increase in their patrol force. Those additions are on track as planned, despite the budget cut for next year.

The Sheriff’s Office has faced stiff reductions in their budget in 2009, and was forced to cut about $7.5 million for 2009, resulting in the loss of 47 deputies and 18 civilians assigned to unincorporated King County.

The Executive’s Office notified Sheriff Rahr to plan for another budget reduction in excess of $7 million for 2010. That could mean an additional 70 job cuts for next year.

Of course, as you know, somebody different will be in the executive’s office next year — since current Exec Ron Sims finally gets the confirmation hearing for his federal job this Thursday; an interim exec has not yet been chosen, but the list of candidates does not include those who are in the running for the “permanent” post this fall.

Got this note from Julie – we’re thinking WCNers will be interested as well as some West Seattleites:

As you may know, many of the communities in “southern” West Seattle look out over 3 Tree Point and the communities of Arroyo, Seola Beach and Arbor Heights enjoy our fireworks show. Last year, quite a few families from these neighborhoods contributed funds toward our entirely not-for-profit and volunteer effort (although the barge based fireworks are presented by professionals, thank goodness!). We are enormously grateful for that support. This year we have new chairs and have launched a new website www.3TreePoint.org

Their fundraising drive runs throughout May – check out the website for more details.

Arlingto Northwest Memorial at Greenlake

Arlington Northwest Memorial was set up Sunday, April 19 to honor Spc. Chris Dickison of White Center and 4,273 other American men and women who have given their lives in Iraq.

The memorial was set up along the lakeside at Green Lake in Seattle.  About 50 volunteers arrived at 7 am to set up the display which will stand for one day only. The sponsors of the event are Veterans For Peace, Chapter 92 and the Evergreen Peace and Justice Community. Many of these volunteers were veterans who served in Vietnam. From time to time they have set up the memorial of small crosses and headstones arrayed as they would be at Arlington National Cemetery in our nation’s capital. These volunteers have set up the Arlington Northwest Memorial at various places around the State of Washington over recent years.

A handout prepared by one of the volunteers answers the question: Why do we continue to erect this Arlington Northwest display?

Memorial to Chris Dickinson of White Center

“Friends,
We must strengthen our resolve to maintain Arlington Northwest as a loving, though painful, memorial. It honors those who died.  It acknowledges the shattered lives and dreams of their friends and loved ones.  It reminds us all of the immesuarable losses and suffering associated with war.  It allows those of us who erect it to hope that if we continue to confront our fellow citizens with this accounting, the reality of this war’s horrendous costs will change their hearts and minds…….. Karen”

The walkers, joggers, and bicyclists who work their way around Green Lake on Sunday were given something to contemplate as they moved on their way through a sunny day. It gives all of us something to think about.

Chris Dickison was killed in 2005. Here’s a video tribute to him, posted on You Tube:

Delridge is blocked from Thistle to Holden because of a fire in the 8100 block.

Cafe Rozella will host a very special Cinco de Mayo celebration with the music of Trio Lucero del Norte, specializing in Son Huasteca.  The celebration begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5th.  Come listen to some authentice Mexican music tinged with an indigenous feel.

Huasteca Region

The region is composed of six Mexican states: Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, Hidalgo, Puebla, and Veracruz.

The land known as la Huasteca derives its name from the people that inhabited the area at the time of the conquest, the Huaxtecos. La Huasteca is a multi state region focused at the mouth of the Pánuco River. The region is bounded to the north by the river Soto la Marina in Tamaulipas, to the south by the Cazones River in Veracruz, to the east by the Gulf of Mexico and to the west by the Sierra Madre Oriental crossing through the states of Hidalgo, Puebla and Querétaro in the west.

The distinctive feature of the huasteca region is the music, a style known as huapango or son Huasteco. The terms son huasteco and huapango can be used interchangeably to denote the music of the region, though huapango is the term most popularly used in Mexico.

The huapango is a style of music that is distinguished by the presence of the Trío Huasteco, and the use of the falsetto voice in singing. The Trío Huasteco is made up of three instruments (thus the term trio) – the European derived violin and two guitar variants of local origin – the large guitarra quinta or huapanguera and smaller jarana huasteca.

It’s become a monthly tradition – and tonight’s your chance to check it out again: The White Center for the Arts open studio tour, 5-10 pm.

Come and meet PI Journalist and social media maven, Monica Guzman and other members of the BigBlog to discuss the state of journalism at Cafe Rozella this Wednesday (April 22nd) at 5:30 p.m.  Event is free.  We are located at 9434 Delridge Way S.W.  (just north of Roxbury – next to Center Tool Rental).  Meet some great people and journalists.

Got this note from a Seattle-based TV production company and thought we’d share (if we weren’t in media, we’d apply ourselves, as absolute experts on house-messiness):

Seattle’s Screaming Flea Productions is shooting an upcoming TV pilot in Seattle:

Do you have clothes from your laundry room, toys from your kids’ rooms, and odds and ends stored in your garage starting to spill out and invade your living spaces? Does your home need some major design updating?

We’re looking for couples to appear on a new design makeover show for a major cable network. This show focuses on couples whose homes are messy, cluttered and disorganized. Our team (an organizer, designer, and carpenter) will organize and redesign rooms in your home at no cost to the homeowner. You just have to be able to let go of the clutter and have a real desire to get organized!

We start shooting very soon.

Please send your story along with pictures of your mess and yourselves to:
makeovertvshow@gmail.com

One of our cafe patrons was driving to the cafe when he saw an approaching car hit a child who was sumersaulted by the blow.  As the child was crawling away, her head bleeding, the driver, a young man kept repeating, “it’s ok” to his companion.  They got into the car and were about to drive away when our patron pulled his car in front of theirs and told them, “you aren’t going anywhere.”  A restaurant next to the scene emptied out and people surrounded the car while somebody called the police.  Aid units and police arrived.  No word on the condition of the child.

Check out the boundaries described in the report we just posted at partner site West Seattle Blog. Grand opening: 11 am May 1st.

Seattle Weekly‘s managing editor Mike Seely, who lives in West Seattle, is getting a lot of buzz right now for his new book about the area’s “dive bars.” We asked him about local establishments included in the book, and he listed White Center/Top Hat spots: Marv’s Broiler, the Locker Room, Magic Lanes, The Barrel, and the White Center Eagles Club. In West Seattle, the nods go to Poggie, Tug, Corner Pocket, Admiral Pub, Redline, Ebb Tide Room, Alki Tavern, Rocksport, as well as the Admiral Benbow Inn on the “Ghosts of Dive Bars” list. Seely will be discussing his book during upcoming on-air and in-person appearances, all listed here.

Only one place in the greater Seattle area is postmarking returns till midnight: USPS’s Riverton Station, 15250 32nd Ave. So., a few blocks east of the northeast end of Sea-Tac Airport (Google Street View above; map here).

We want to share this letter, sent to us as a followup to yesterday’s report (and our previous coverage, archived here). We appreciate WCN being included in the kind words – we were somewhat latecomers to the issue, but will continue working to do a better job, day by day, covering the news that matters to White Center. From Greg Duff:

When Ron Sims sent Rod Brandon and Nori Catabay to the NHUAC meeting to inform us about the possible sale of Puget Sound Park to build affordable housing, I think maybe they thought they were going to get a free ride. I think they were trying to slip one past us by letting us know that this could not possibly happen before the annexation vote.

Imagine our surprise when just a short time later King County put out a Request for Qualifications to buyers for the Park. Ron Sims underestimated the power of an irate citizen. I think Ron Sims is shocked at how smart North Highline people are.

The NHUAC mounted a campaign to inform the King County Councilmen of what was happening. Mike Martin, City Manager of Burien, went to bat for his town. The White Center Now blog did what a good free press should do and informed the public exactly what was happening.

Because of these efforts, the park was pulled off the list of potential sale sites. This is a great day for the little guy.

I would like to personally thank the citizens of North Highline and Burien who got involved and fought against this injustice. I would like to thank Mike Martin. Mike is truly a good man with a heart for his city. No society can truly be free without a voice from the people and the White Center Now blog is that voice. I would truly like to thank the members of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council. These volunteer citizens are out there fighting for you. I am proud to be able to serve on the council with these fine people.

Thank You
Greg Duff
NHUAC Member

We have lots more to write about regarding the people of White Center continuing to work hard for their community, and are always honored when you choose to share information with us at White Center Now: whitecenternow@gmail.com.

Just published at partner site West Seattle Blog but definitely of interest to White Center (and Top Hat) too – helicopter drills at the Joint Training Facility on Myers Way tomorrow may draw attention; read about it here.

Lots of news this afternoon, and this is the latest development. We’ve posted the full announcement on our partner site West Seattle Blog; read it here.

We’d spoken with two county executive staffers about this last week and hadn’t even finished the followup yet, but now it’s a moot point – this just in from County Council Chair Dow Constantine:

Constantine: Puget Sound Park no longer under consideration as housing site

“I was pleased to learn today that Puget Sound Park has been removed from consideration as a demonstration project site for King County’s Sustainable Communities and Affordable Housing program.

“I support efforts to create needed additional workforce housing in our communities. At the same time, our public parks—both active and passive—are valuable assets to their surrounding neighborhoods and King County that must be preserved and enhanced whenever possible.”

Out of the White Center Now inbox (whitecenternow@gmail.com), from Larry Winkler:

As a trustee for the White Center Eagles, I am organizing a golf tournament to raise funds which will benefit the Seattle Fire Department’s internationally known Medic II – CPR citizen training program. To be held at Foster Golf Link, 13500 Interurban Avenue, Tukwila … The date is June 14 with the first tee time at 10:00 am, ending around 3:00 pm.

I have asked Medic II – CPR citizen training program to do a CPR class for us at the White Center Eagles to be free and open to all. Medic II is willing to send one of its Pioneer CPR Instructors, Murray Lawrence, to do the class on Sunday, May 17, at the White Center Eagles – free to all.

If you would like to attend this free CPR class contact me at 206-947-3885 to sign up. To sign up for the golf tournament contact Wendel Davis at 206-805-9871. You can also visit us at www.westwoodsummerfest.com