White Center Now: The blog about White Center

We noticed earlier that there was no updated “bus problems” information on the Metro website – despite numerous reports in our West Seattle Blog snow/ice coverage about stranded buses – and sent County Executive Ron Sims a Twitter message wondering what the problem was. He replied the system was down but being fixed. Sure enough, now there’s updated information – hope it helps.

Icy roads everywhere, even if you’re not on a hill. More snow showers on the way, says the National Weather Service, which has a “winter weather advisory” in effect till 3 pm (see the newest forecast here).

Three-plus hours of snow now, and the National Weather Service says it may not entirely let up before midday Sunday (a “winter weather advisory” is now in effect through noon). Check the “live” traffic camera on our right-hand sidebar for the latest look at the roads; here’s the latest forecast – note tomorrow’s high is predicted as “near 30.” Brrrr!

4 pm, holiday party and open house at Cafe Rozella – Ricardo wrote about it here. Remember, bring donations for the White Center Food Bank. After that, if you are still searching for holiday fun in the area, one of Seattle’s most popular Christmastime attractions will visit West Seattle tonight — the Argosy Christmas Ship (5:15 pm Seacrest Pier, 8:50 pm Lowman Beach north of Lincoln Park, 9:40 pm Alki Beach; here’s its full-season schedule – if you miss it tonight, it’s back in West Seattle at Don Armeni Boat Ramp Sunday night, and in the South Sound at Des Moines and Dash Point Monday night).

A new Harris Survey asks the question, which would you forgo first, sex or internet access.   According to the New York Times:

According to the study, 46 percent of women and 30 percent of men would opt to forgo sex for two weeks instead of giving up access to their precious Internet for the same period.

More broadly, those surveyed said access to the Internet ranked highest among the discretionary spending items they could not live without. Cable television, dining out, shopping for clothes and gym memberships followed in declining importance.

Well, I for one would easily give up TV over internet access.  As for sex, well, that’s a tougher call.

In the Times’ real-estate section, a nice feature about White Center-neighboring Top Hat, including some quotes from Heidi Johnson of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council. Read it here.

At least, that’s the purported source of this comment just posted this afternoon on our Monday night post in which we broke the news about the annexation-process deal between Burien, Seattle, and two fire districts. So we thought we’d give it its own post:

Members of the White Center and broader North Highline Communities:

We have observed the blog postings making interpretations of the proposed memorandum of understanding between King County, Burien, Seattle and Fire Districts 2 and 11 regarding proposed annexation boundaries for the cities of Seattle and Burien.

Questions and interpretations are being offered. The intent of this posting is to address both.

First, the MOU is a proposed memorandum of understanding between the cities of Burien, Seattle, King County, and Fire District 2 and Fire District 11. The MOU lays out general policy principles and specific activities that the parties agree to in support of transitioning North Highline from unincorporated to city status and to ensure fire and life safety services are not jeopardized by any annexation proposal by either city. This is not an “Interlocal Agreement” as defined by state law nor does it allow for “annexation by interlocal agreement.” The MOU is premised on each city filing their proposals before the Washington State Boundary Review Board and then, if approved by the BRB, the annexation question being put before the voters of North Highline for a decision.

THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE MOU WAS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES THAT WERE IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE BOUNDARY REVIEW BOARD PROCESS INITIATIED BY BURIEN THIS SUMMER:

• Fire and Life Safety Services Protected — In the event of annexation, Burien, Seattle, King County and the Fire Districts all agree to work collaboratively to maintain the level of fire and life safety services to North Highline communities and neighborhoods of North Burien, Arbor Heights and urban unincorporated areas of South Park.

• Agreement to Burien’s Proposed Annexation Boundary through minor adjustment — Many of the stated concerns with Burien’s proposed annexation boundary are resolved with a small adjustment that maintains Fire District 11’s Headquarters outside of the area to be proposed for annexation by the City of Burien.

• Agreement to coordinated phasing of Annexation Election Proposals for consideration by North Highline residents — The MOU recognizes that there is broad diversity of opinions and preferences in the North Highline communities regarding annexation to Seattle and Burien and acknowledges both cities represent reasonable governance alternatives. The MOU supports Burien’s proposal for annexation election for the southern portion of North Highline and Seattle’s proposal for an annexation election for the northern portion of North Highline.

• Agreement that both Seattle and Burien should have access to the same level of state funding if either city is able to move forward with annexation of White Center and the northern portion of Boulevard Park

— Both cities acknowledge that the cost of serving this area (“Area Y”) is greater than the cost of serving the southern area proposed for annexation to Burien (“Area X”). The MOU acknowledges this through the agreement to have all parties work collaboratively to amend the annexation state sales tax credit law so that both Burien and Seattle would have access to up to $5 million if either annex Area Y.

The aim of the proposed MOU is to remove the obstacles that stop both Burien and Seattle from making annexation proposals to the voters of North Highline. The mediated agreement presumes the decision to annex will rest in the hands of North Highline voters.

If you have questions or comments about the mediation agreement, please feel free to contact the King County Annexation Initiative at: annexation@kingcounty.gov. Thank you. – King County Annexation Initiative

The latest “forecast discussion” from the National Weather Service, published minutes ago (just before 10 am), is backing away from snow possibilities (except “slushy” on “higher hills”) around here. Read it here. And still keep getting ready for those low temps starting later in the weekend and continuing on into next week – that’s where the true trouble could lurk.

Every time we’ve been to the White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition‘s meetings, the WC dance club Evolucion comes up, and some people start venting. Some of that spilled over here, after our report on the club’s security manager attending last month’s meeting. Tonight, Evolucion owner Alfred Lopez accepted an invitation to meet with the group. (Watch the video above.) Questions for him revolved around parking, the club’s capacity, rumors that the club was expanding (it’s not, but he’s adding a fire sprinkler system) and whether there’s gang activity at the club.

The parking questions were the most frequent. Overall, the crowd claimed that the uptick in all manner of crime was due to the club. But several in the crowd pointed out that Evolucion cannot be blamed for everything, contending that several other establishments, such as The Wall and Brewsky’s are problematic as well.

Lopez says that he does not serve alcohol, but acknowledges that teenagers sneak out to drink, saying he has measures in place to deal witht that. Also, he uses off-duty officers to patrol his place, which led someone to say that if he’s using the police to patrol, then his place must be dangerous.

OTHER NEWS: The meeting opened with Seattle Police officer Adonis Topacio running out some crime stats for the past 6 weeks. He said that burglaries always go up around the holidays, so beware. Also, the BB gun burglars have been largely apprehended and a “substantial amount” of the goods they stole have been recovered. One new twist we hadn’t heard:The BB Gun bandits confessed to police that they were on their latest spree to raise cash to pay for the restitution they’d been slapped with from previous burglary busts.

Ok, so we live in a part of the country that gives us wet roads most of the year.  So why is it, that when it starts to rain, we have wave of collisions by drivers who fail to heed simple cautionary driving methods?  Really, you’d think everyone driving in Seattle just moved here from Southern California.  Wait, many just did.  So, for those of you who failed drivers’ ed, here are some general guidelines.  Drive slower — I don’t care if your SUV is equipped with all-wheel drive and anti-lock brakes, you will need longer stopping distances in wet and icy roads.  Allow greater space between your car and the guy in front of you.  Should s/he hit the brakes, you will not ram into their rear end.  Anticipate greater braking distance.  It takes a longer distance to stop your car when you are driving on wet or icy roads.   Ease into braking by anticipating stops, pedestrians or foolish drivers cutting you off:  drive defensively.   Let the jerk have his way.  If some nitwit wants the right-of-way despite the fact that it is yours, let him go, his karma will catch up with him shortly.  Finally, get a good book and some videos.  If you don’t have to drive, DON’T.   Stoke up the space heater, fireplace or wood-stove and enjoy the opportunity to cacoon.  Most critically, don’t drive like an idiot!  Be smart and be safe.

At West Seattle Blog, we have running coverage (see it here) from the briefing at which the two “finalist” scenarios for the Alaskan Way Viaduct central waterfront section have just been unveiled to state, county, and city leaders. At least one of the scenarios also includes: “Park and rides would be expanded in Burien, White Center, and Shoreline.” Much more information to come. ADDED 4:21 PM: The “expanded park and ride” for White Center is mentioned in BOTH scenarios that now are under active consideration – “surface/transit” and “elevated bypass.”

No need for a “snow day” if the potential flakes arrive early on Friday – because it’s already a day off (“waiver day”) for students in Highline Public Schools. After that, just one more week of school till winter break, which starts Dec. 22 (classes then resume on Jan. 5 – winter break in Seattle Public Schools runs on the same schedule).

(Crossposted from partner site West Seattle Blog, because this is important safety info for our whole area.) Now that the end of the week is within sight, it’s time to take the forecasts REALLY seriously. Not only is cold weather, with possible snow, still predicted, the National Weather Service says it’s will get windy first – here’s an excerpt from the newest citywide forecast:

FRIDAY…WINDY. RAIN. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30S TO MID 40S. SOUTH WIND 10 TO 20 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.

FRIDAY NIGHT…RAIN AND SNOW. LOWS IN THE MID 30S.

SATURDAY…CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS. HIGHS IN THE 30S.

SATURDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS. LOWS IN THE 20S.

SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 30S. LOWS IN THE 20S

Safety information for “cold and icy weather” is also available at the Regional Public Information Network website; read it here.

White Center Now was first to report last night that Burien City Manager Mike Martin announced a mediated agreement with Seattle and two fire districts over the future of annexation proposals – current and potential – in the White Center/North Highline area. Here’s our original report from last night; now, Burien has posted the agreement online – read it here. Also a reminder, the two annexation open houses we reported last month are still on the schedule for January and February; full details here.

Across from the Salvation Army building, you’ll find New Traditions – a simple name that doesn’t reveal much about what happens there, or the fact the women who founded it, and opened it in White Center just two months ago, are doing something they say no one else in the Seattle area does: Offering chemical-dependency treatment for female clients, by female providers, while also offering care for their children, in cheery rooms like this one for babies:

New Traditions is accepting new clients, but that’s only part of why they’re inviting people to visit 3-7 pm today (9045 16th SW; here’s a map) – but they also will be happy to meet White Center and West Seattle neighbors who want to know what their work is all about. We visited recently to find out more ourselves, including what the special significance of an all-female setting can be – read on: Read the rest of this entry »

(screengrab from tonight’s webcast of annexation announcement at Burien Council session)
8:54 PM: It’s just been announced at tonight’s Burien City Council work session. The councils of Burien and Seattle, and two fire commissions, have to sign off on the deal – but the cities and fire districts have agreed on a variety of points, after several weeks of mediated discussions, regarding Burien attempting to annex the area it’s been trying to annex (with one exception – the King County fire station at 112th/12th has been taken out of the zone, because Seattle says it’s important for protecting the Arbor Heights area) and Seattle POTENTIALLY trying to annex the rest of the White Center/North Highline area. More to come – Burien City Manager Mike Martin is laying it all out right now. ADDED 9:05 PM: Even once the elected officials agree, of course, residents of the respective areas would have to approve any annexation plan – and the deal gives Burien and Seattle till January 1, 2012, without either trying to interfere with the other’s respective potential annexation attempt(s); if the deals aren’t done by then, all bets are off. Another key part of the deal, besides the fire station: Burien will support state legislation that would allow Seattle, as well as Burien and smaller cities, to benefit from sales-tax credits relating to annexation – up to $5 million a year for 10 years. More discussion of this deal is expected at next week’s Burien Council meeting.

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That’s video provided by Shorewood Christian School from its bell choir’s performance at Southcenter last week – and Hope Kerkof says they’ll be there again this Wednesday, 1 pm at the dining terrace!

Per Advisory from NWS:

Statement as of 3:15 PM PST on December 08, 2008

… Much colder weather is expected this weekend… A major change will occur in the large scale pattern near the end of this week… bringing much colder weather to western Washington over the weekend. The transition will get underway Friday or Friday night… as a cold front and its upper trough swing southeast from the Gulf of Alaska across the Pacific northwest. In the wake of the cold front… colder air will move from southwest Canada into western Washington over the weekend. We can expect temperatures to fall below freezing… at least during the night and morning hours… across most of western Washington this weekend and early next week. People should be ready for weather that is cold enough to cause icy roads… burst outdoor pipes… and endanger pets. The trough will bring some much needed snow to the Cascades and Olympic Mountains Friday and Friday night… followed by scattered snow showers over the weekend. There is also a possibility of snowfall across the western Washington lowlands… perhaps as early as Friday night… but it is too early to say with any confidence whether or not this will occur. Western Washington residents should keep informed of the latest National Weather Service forecasts and statements as this situation unfolds by listening to NOAA Weather Radio or visiting our web Page at weather.Gov/Seattle (all lowercase).

As I write this post, the venerable Chicago Tribune and the Lost Angeles Times teeter on bankruptcy.  The New York Times Company (NYT) plans to borrow up to $225M against its mid-Manhattan headquarters building to ease a potential cash flow squeeze. The NYT company has over $1B in debt. Both Seattle papers, The Seattle Times and the Post-Intelligencer, are announcing that the “dead tree edition” will be smaller in size, and presumably in content.  All of the foregoing papers, and many others, have already made painful cuts to their staffs and likely will continue to make further cuts.  Despite these losses, the online versions of all of these newspapers are enjoying more views than ever.  There is no shortage of people wanting to read the news, it just so happens that online traditional media have not found a business model that monetizes these online eyeballs.

I for one, read far more newspapers now than I ever did when you had to buy your newspaper in print form.  Paradoxical.  I leave it to others to put forth the reasons and why-fors of this financial crisis in traditional media.  But one thing I would add, traditional media have been very slow to adapt to changing technologies.  As early as the mid-90s anyone with any sense knew that the future lay online.  Yet it took well over a decade for most newspapers to recognize the need for an online presence.  Even then, they still failed to fully comprehend the trends in social media and the net.  The irony is that you can read the NY Times technology section to catch up on web trends and wonder if the editor is also reading the same section.  I suspect that there is a means vs. substance disconnect in journalists, especially the old school types.   Whatever it is, they better catch one quick cause they are dying a slow and painful death.

As the city’s Neighborhood Service Center coordinator for Delridge, Ron Angeles, put it in his e-mail – “here’s a great community activity to start the New Year.”