White Center Now: The blog about White Center

For the last week I have avoided most “best of” “worst of” “most memorable” lists of any type.  I saw that for almost a week now the Seattle Times has been carrying an article entitled “the top 10 cds of 2008.” I happen to think that the Seattle Times has some pretty good music reviewers, so I thought I might finally get around to checking it out.  As it happens, the list was not compiled by anybody at the Times but is instead a feed from the Associated Press.  Having decimated its staff, the Seattle Times, like many other newspapers, relies on feeds from other sources for its “news.”  I expected that I might hear strands of the Rolling Stones, “baby, baby you’re out of touch,” in my head as I looked at the list.  Instead, I saw a list of pop banalities in the league of Brittany Spears and Hillary Duff.   Any list that includes Mariah Carey on its list of “best of,” instantly loses any credibility in my book.  I’lll spare you the pain, here is the list (feel free to mock to your heart’s delight.)  I’ll post my list in due course.

1. Erykah Badu, “New Amerykah, Part One (4th World War)

2. Estelle, “Shine”

3. Sia, “Some People Have Real Problems”

4. Kanye West, “808s & Heartbreak”

5. Jazmine Sullivan, “Fearless”

6. Lil Wayne, “Tha Carter III”

7. Taylor Swift, “Fearless”

8. Anthony Hamilton, “The Point of it All”

9. My Morning Jacket, “Evil Urges”

10. Mariah Carey, “E=MC2”

And it’s not because of the weather. Monday-Wednesday and Friday, Metro will run “partial holiday” reduced service; here’s the list of routes affected by this. (On Thursday, New Year’s Day, the Sunday schedule will be in effect.) You can find more Metro info online at metro.kingcounty.gov.

Wanted to point you to this report on our partner site West Seattle Blog – where we got e-mail from White Center Food Bank friends/volunteers mentioning the lengths WCFB boss Rick Jump went to, to be there for clients. So many great stories like this are emerging as we all thaw out; keep ’em coming.

Puget Sound Blood Center has put out a warning that the blood supply is at a critically low level, with many scheduled donations canceled during the snowy/icy weather woes – but today, according to the PSBC mobile-drive schedule, there are two ways for you to donate right here in our area: PSBC will have blood drives at White Center’s Holy Family, 10 am-4 pm (20th and Roxbury, Tice Hall; here’s a map) and at West Seattle’s Admiral Safeway, 9 am-3 pm (California/Lander; here’s a map). Appointments were suggested but the site says walk-ins are welcome.

From King County, more important words of warning – about your roof. And be sure any storm drains around your house are cleared, too – until this all melts away and we are back to “normal,” there’s still a chance of trouble.

I am sick of the snow.  Let’s get some regular Seattle weather and be done with this stuff.

The end of the year means “best of” lists are everywhere. P-I food columnist Leslie Kelly has written her “best of the cheap eats” column and it’s full of White Center/West Seattle-area mentions – most notably for WC, Full Tilt Ice Cream. Read the list here.

Tough to get around in but nonetheless, the snow has had its beauty. Congratulations to all for getting through what (knock wood) by most accounts appears to have been the worst of it – and have a joyful rest of your holiday!

Orchids and a Christmas tree, side by side near the front window in Pho 54. Have a great Christmas Eve and drive safely!

(Photo courtesy Jerry, taken at 14th SW and SW 116th)

KING COUNTY: Closures and changes updated here

METRO BUSES: Here’s today’s outlook

A controversial case that started with a White Center-area chase/arrest has ended in federal court, with a deputy being found not guilty, and the Sheriff’s Office saying the case shouldn’t have come to trial at all. Here’s coverage in the Times.

Looking out the window of the Cafe watching cars struggling in the snow and sludge.  Here’s some tips.  If you get stuck in a snow bank and your wheels are spinning, keep in mind that you are lacking traction.  Spinning your wheels will only make matters worse.  Rock the car back and forth – drive and reverse, drive and reverse.  Eventually, your wheels should get some traction and pull you out of the snow bank.  You can also take out the car’s mats and use them behind the wheels, but most times this only sends the mats flying around the wheel.

If your car starts to skid, DO NOT slam on the brakes.  Keep cool and steer towards the skid.  Feather the brakes, so that they start engaging.  It’s counterintuitive, especially if you are skidding towards a car, but it’s the best way to regain control of the car.

If you are going up a hill and your wheels start to spin, give it up.  Unless you have four wheel drive and/or chains, you are not going to make it up the incline.  Put your flashers and back down the hill in reverse.  Back around and find another way, preferably an arterial that has been cleared and sanded.

Do not follow too closely.  This should be obvious, but the number of people tailgating never ceases to amaze me.

Drive at an even clip.  Do not start or stop too fast.  If you are moving, your wheels will find traction even if you slip a bit.  Drive with your lights on and slow down if you see oncoming traffic or pedestrians.  Anticipating a problem will avoid it.

And most importantly, I don’t care if you have a four wheel drive with snow tires and chains, do not drive like an idiot.  Maybe you can move in the snow but that car crossing in the intersection may not be able to stop.  If you are driving too fast, four wheel drive will not help you.  Don’t drive like an idiot.  Be smart and stay safe.

Here’s the official overview.

5:54 AM: The route status page was updated just a few minutes ago.

6:33 AM: The King County closures list is updated – parks and pools including Steve Cox Park and Evergreen Pool remain closed.

We don’t normally, but it seems like one of the first nicer days that we have had. Come play some pinball and have some hot cocoa and free wifi.

Although most of the details of the proposed agreement between Seattle and Burien for the proposed annexation have been covered in this blog as well as our partner, West Seattle Blog, the Seattle Times has a good article in today’s edition.  Per the article:

North Highline, one of the largest urban parts of King County that isn’t in a city, could be split between Seattle and Burien if the two city councils and voters decide that’s a good idea.

Seattle would become the local government for White Center and neighboring communities in the northern portion of North Highline, and Burien would absorb Boulevard Park and other neighborhoods in the southern part. An estimated 33,400 residents would be affected.

The proposed boundary, tentatively agreed to this month by Seattle and Burien, would run mostly along South and Southwest 112th and 116th streets. The agreement defines how much territory each of the cities could annex through the end of 2011. After that, all bets are off.

Feel free to leave your thoughts, but as always, be civil (and rational).  Thanks.

On this snowy and cold Monday morning, Cafe Rozella is open.  Dropy by for your Mexican Mocha and shake off the cabin fever.

11:20 AM UPDATE: Got another note from Rick, who says they’ve gotten LOTS of help thanks to folks who read about this on WCN and/or partner site West Seattle Blog. However, we have another request in the WSB Forums for some White Center area volunteer help – read about it here.

ORIGINAL 6:21 AM POST: From White Center Food Bank executive director Rick Jump:

The White Center Food Bank has 300 families scheduled to pick up their holiday baskets on Monday and another 300 scheduled for Tuesday. Our plan is to be open for those with appointments but I will probably need some additional volunteers to make this happen. A few of our loyal volunteers showed up last Friday and we served 144 families (out of the 300 scheduled that day). We will be open from 10am to 6pm. If there is anybody who lives within walking distance of the food bank OR has a 4 wheel drive vehicle and can safely get there we would greatly appreciate the extra help. I will also need help shoveling the sidewalks and part of the parking lot to make it safe for those who show up. Please help spread the word.

WCFB is at 10829 8th SW; here’s a map.

(photo courtesy Alison – tend to your downspouts and storm drains when you can; eventually this will all melt)
Road/bus stories to share? Please add them in comments. Meantime, as of 4 am, Metro resumed updating its list of routes that are “suspended” and/or rerouted; see that (long) list here. Also, here’s the list of county road closures. Also note, Sound Transit has suspended 560 service between Burien and West Seattle; service alerts here.

9:41 AM UPDATE: If you have business to do in Burien, city hall is open limited hours today (more at rpin.org)

Two weeks ago tonight, White Center Now brought you first word of the annexation-process agreement between Seattle, Burien, and other parties, minutes after it was announced by Burien city manager Mike Martin during a council session. 2 weeks later, it has finally appeared in a citywide newspaper.

Known closures for Monday are now listed here – including Steve Cox Park and Evergreen Pool. More as we get it.