White Center Now: The blog about White Center

It’s one of the things mentioned by County Councilmember Joe McDermott at last night’s Town Hall (full report to come) – his proposal for a pilot scooter-sharing program in White Center (and the rest of unincorporated North Highline). The council’s Mobility and Environment Committee may vot on the proposal next Tuesday; it meets downtown at 1:30 pm September 17th. You can read the proposed ordinance by going here. If approved, it would clear the way for up to two companies to provide e-scooter sharing in the area for a year-long pilot program starting this fall.

Got questions? King County reps have answers. Tonight’s Town Hall Open House for North Highline is at 7 pm at Seola Gardens, as previously previewed here – you can also go as early as 6 pm and talk one-on-one with county reps.

(WCN photos, video)

A new report unveiled Tuesday in White Center is aimed at getting more activity into more youths’ lives. Our photos and video are from the event at Steve Cox Memorial Park that accompanied this King County announcement:

Too many young people in King County – particularly in communities of color – face barriers to physical activity even in a region famous for outdoor recreation, a new study conducted by the University of Washington’s Center for Leadership in Athletics in partnership with King County Parks and the Aspen Institute found. A new coalition that will include local professional sports teams and community-based organizations will implement the report’s recommendations.

A new study found that less than 19 percent of youth in King County get the amount of physical activity recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a figure that is below the national average and declining.

The study – conducted by the University of Washington’s Center for Leadership in Athletics in partnership with King County Parks and The Aspen Institute – recommends empowering local schools to be community hubs for physical activity and improving transportation options that connect youth to parks and playfields.

King County and the UW Center for Leadership in Athletics today launched the Play Equity Coalition – a partnership of community-based organizations, school districts, local governments, and professional sports teams, including the Mariners, Sounders, Seattle’s NHL team – will help partners implement recommendations.

“We are doing more than ever to ensure that every child and youth in our rapidly growing region enjoys the proven physical, mental, and academic benefits of exercise. It is ingrained in the work we do with land conservation, Best Starts for Kids, the renewed Parks levy, and more,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “The report recommendations will help us create an unprecedented alliance of local governments, schools, community organizations, and professional sports teams, uniting our efforts so more kids can play.”

Authors of the study, called State of Play: Seattle-King County, found that while screen time may play some role in declining rates of physical activity there are many other barriers keeping youth from being physically active.

A key challenge, researchers say, is that access to physical activity in King County is inequitably distributed on multiple levels, including race, language, affluence, and physical ability. Among other findings in the report, youth who do not speak English at home are both less active and less likely to participate in organized physical activity than their English-speaking peers.

“In the report, we tried to prioritize the voices of youth and families most disenfranchised from physical activity in our region. Now we have to collectively commit to taking that data seriously. It’s time for King County to recognize the vital role that physical activity plays in community health and educational outcomes and do something bold to address the inequities in who plays sports, who has recess, and who has access to outdoor play spaces,” said Julie McCleery, research associate at the UW Center for Leadership in Athletics and the report’s principal investigator.

In addition to improving physical health, exercise promotes social and emotional learning that supports whole childhood development. Research also shows that physical activity improves school attendance and academic performance.

Researchers at the UW Center for Leadership in Athletics – based in the College of Education – conducted the eight-month study, which involved more than 1,600 parents, K-12 students, and coaches through surveys, interviews, and focus groups.

The Play Equity Coalition will unite the efforts of school districts, and community partners such as Baseball Beyond Borders and Congolese Integration Network as well as Seattle Children’s Hospital and the YMCA, in addition to professional sports teams. An example action the coalition will take is to develop an equity toolkit to help programs, investments, and agencies evaluate how existing programs and policies impact access.

Removing barriers to physical activity throughout King County

While King County is famous for its outdoor recreation opportunities, many young people do not have easy access to parks, trails, and greenspace. Executive Constantine’s Land Conservation Initiative – an ambitious plan to protect 65,000 acres of the last best open spaces within a single generation – is accelerating the protection of greenspace in urban areas.

The authors of the study cited Trailhead Direct – transit-to-trails service co-led by King County Metro and King County Parks – as a successful example of improving access. The service added a new route this season that starts and ends at Sound Transit’s Tukwila International Boulevard Station and connects to all hiking trails in the Trailhead Direct network.

Other examples of King County promoting physical activity include:

The King County Parks Levy – which voters recently renewed – will provide about $110 million in grant funding for a variety of park and recreation-related programs and capital projects, which will advance many of the recommendations included in the report.
King County Park’s provides funding for youth sports through a recently expanded program that now annually provides $2.5 million for programs and capital projects through a competitive process along with $1 million in discretionary grants awarded by King County Councilmembers.
Executive Constantine’s Best Starts for Kids initiative strategically invests in health and safe environments, including $640,000 for physical activity programs.
Still, researchers say more needs to be done to overcome the barriers to physical activity that many young people face, particularly in communities of color in South King County.

The study, for example, says programs should do more to provide information about activities in multiple languages. The study also recommends more innovative transportation partnerships similar to Trailhead Direct and free ORCA Opportunity cards for youth in less-affluent communities.

Researchers also recommend establishing schools as hubs for physical activity, launching a public health education campaign promoting the benefits of physical activity for youth, and providing program staff and policy-makers with an equity toolkit to help them make access to physical activity more equitable.

The research was guided by an advisory group of 27 representatives from Public Health – Seattle & King County, school districts, park agencies, nonprofits, professional sports teams, community recreation providers, and businesses.

The study was funded by the UW Center for Leadership in Athletics, King County Parks, Kaiser Permanente, Seattle Mariners, Bezos Family Foundation, YMCA of Greater Seattle, evo, and Seattle Children’s Hospital with in-kind donations from Amazon.

Among those at the announcement, local football legend Sonny Sixkiller:

And Highline Public Schools superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield:

She also declared that regarding making the study’s recommendations reality, Highline is “all in.”

Got your ticket(s) yet?

The White Center Food Bank’s 15th Annual Harvest Dinner & Auction fundraiser is September 14th from 6 PM – 10 PM at the Brockey Center at South Seattle College. The theme is “Growing Together” to celebrate what the food bank and its supporters have been growing together.

Keeping with the theme, WCFB will have a former Key Club volunteer from New Start High School share her story and how she has grown. WCFB will present The Doris Bemis Volunteer of the Year Award. Dinner will be served family style.

Featured items in the Live Auction include: “The Best of White Center” package, a fire hydrant from KC Water District 20, Dinner for 4 made by Chef Erik Jackson of Good Day Donuts, a kayaking trip for 2 in the San Juan Islands, and a farm to table dinner for 8 at WCFB featuring food grown onsite and Convergence Zone Cellars wine.

Tickets are $75. Get them here. Questions? Please email: auction@whitecenterfoodbank.org or call 206-717-2531.

Toplines from the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council‘s September meeting last Thursday, as covered by WCN co-publisher Patrick Sand:

Big crowd – standing room only. About a third were there to talk about suspected drug houses; most of the rest were there because of the deadly 4th of July fire on 10th Avenue S. blamed on people setting off fireworks. including people who knew the victim, 70-year-old Roland Kennedy.

The night was all about public safety, in equal parts law enforcement and fire. Deputy Bill Kennamer started by saying violent crime in White Center was down 20% in August compared to a year earlier. He said that property crime remains constant, and that’s when the questions about the suspected drug houses started. He told the group that he and the other deputies who work the area are aware of all the locations mentioned. His main point is that the sheriff doesn’t always have the power to get people removed from a problem house. The example he gave is a house which was owned by a woman who left no will. He said that a bank will take over the house early next year, but between now and then there’s not much that can be done.

Questioners kept bringing up lack of response after calling 911. County Councilmember Joe McDermott said they should get involved in the meetings regarding the next 20-year master plan.

McDermott also talked about fireworks, showing fireworks debris a woman brought him after picking it up out of her front yard after the 4th last year. He and Chief Mike Marrs talked about what can and cannot be sold right now, what a partial ban would include, and what a total ban might mean.

But, they stressed. any measure by any city or county to ban fireworks cannot – by state law- go into effect until 12 months after the ban is approved. So if there was a ban passed right now, it wouldn’t take effect until after one more 4th of July.

McDermott and Marrs came down on the side of a total ban. While it might not stop fireworks from coming in from other jurisdictions, they said that it would greatly decrease fireworks use.

McDermott also said that he heard more complaints about fireworks this year from WC and Vashon than any other year he’d been in office.

Also at the meeting, 34th District State House Reps. Eileen Cody and Joe Fitzgibbon spoke. We recorded video:

They also talked about the fireworks-ban law, among other things.

One more crime note – Deputy Kennamer had to leave the meeting to be part of an emphasis patrol going on that night that stretched from 16th in downtown WC down Ambaum. Over a dozen deputies were called into the area to check for warrant violations and firearms. By the end of the meeting, KCSO said, 10 arrests had been made and 2 handguns were confiscated.

NHUAC meets first Thursdays most months, 7 pm at NH Fire District HQ. Watch nhuac.org for updates.

That’s everything you need to know about a great way to start your weekend – 9 am-1 pm Saturday (September 14th), North Shorewood Park needs TLC, and that means you. Thanks to Gill Loring for sharing the announcement!

The city of Seattle has announced that Camp Second Chance will get another six months – through March 2020 – on the city-owned Myers Way Parcels, just over the city-county line from unincorporated North Highline. For details, see our report on partner site West Seattle Blog.

Though the county had announced that work on the 8th/102nd was starting next month, apparently it didn’t, because we received word from Local Services today “that roundabout construction work on 8th Avenue SW and SW 102nd Street in White Center will begin next Monday, Sept. 9 (see alert). The work will last through early November and will require flaggers, who will guide both vehicle and pedestrian access.”

A week and a half ago, we reported that the White Center expansion of Biscuit Bitch had set September 5th as its opening date – and now one of the last big touches is complete: The sign.is up. Hours for starters will be Wednesdays-Fridays 7 am-2 pm and Saturdays-Sundays 8 am-3 pm, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

It’s almost that time again – come talk with and hear from King County reps at the annual Unincorporated Area Town Hall Open House for North Highline. As the poster says, it’s set for 7-9 pm Thursday, September 12th, at the Seola Gardens community room (11215 5th Avenue SW). Doors will open at 6 so you can arrive early and talk with county reps one-on-one.

Summer hiatus is over and the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council is back in session Thursday:

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting

When: Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 7 pm
Where: North Highline Fire Station at 1243 SW 112th Street in White Center
(Parking and Entrance are in the Back of the Station)

The Opportunity to Be Informed, Be Involved and Be Heard

Summer is almost over and NHUAC is back! All are welcome to join the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council’s monthly community meetings in NHFD’s White Center Fire Station (1243 SW 112th Street). on the first Thursday of most months.

September’s meeting will offer an opportunity to learn and share information about what has been happening over the summer as well as current and future events that will affect our community.

Major Jesse Anderson will make his first visit to NHUAC since taking over command of Precinct 4. Major Anderson replaced Major Bryan Howard who moved downtown as Chief of Patrol Operations. Major Anderson has a history in our community. He and Major Howard worked together in White Center 28 years ago. Do you have questions and thoughts you’d like to share with Major Anderson and Store Front Deputy Bill Kennamer? This is your chance!

You probably heard that North Highline resident Roland Kennedy and two of his family’s dogs died in a fireworks related tragedy on July 4th. Chief Mike Marrs will join us to discuss how this situation, which also left 13 people without homes can be avoided in the future.

State Representatives Eileen Cody and Joe Fitzgibbon will also join us to share their thoughts, hear concerns and offer their insights about how the legislature can help our community.

Knowledge Is Power. Learn, Share and Help Make Our Community A Better Place.

Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 7 pm

Bring a Friend!

If you’re headed southbound, an FYI from KCSO:

The photo and update are via Twitter: “Collision investigation in Burien near S 128/ SB on-ramp 509. Suspect vehicle fleeing a shoplift struck a truck at a high rate of speed. Police were not involved prior to the collision. Suspect vehicle passenger critical injuries. EB S 128 will be closed while MARR investigates.”

All are welcome to a back-to-school giveaway at Greenbridge, 1-5 pm Sunday (September 1st). Michelle Carter explains it’s a tribute to her nephew:

My nephew Trevon Mckoy, better known as Juice The God, was a humanitarian for his neighborhood, which is West Seattle. He was murdered April 1st, 2018 at Seattle Center. He loved to give back to his community, in fact (one Christmas) he went to White Center and gave his whole wardrobe away to those in need. So in honor of Trevon, myself and family decided to host a “Juice The God back to school giveaway.”

We are funding school supplies for elementary, middle, and high, as well as complimentary haircuts. There will be lots of food, fun, and laughter.

Startling sight at the northeast side of Bartell Drugs’ White Center building – a driver missed the turn snd hit the building instead. No injuries; we’re told the building damage will be assessed once the car is towed.

34th District State Sen. Joe Nguyen will be in White Center tomorrow for a unique coffee hour – as his office explains it, he’ll be at the WC Starbucks (9862 16th SW) 3-4 pm Tuesday (August 27th) “serving lattes and meeting with constituents to chat and take questions from behind the bar!” All welcome.

(Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

Three and a half months after we first reported that Biscuit Bitch would expand to White Center, its opening date is set. We talked with proprietor Kimmie Spice at the new location (the ex-Brass Knuckle Bistro at 9602 16th SW) today and she told us the opening date will be Thursday, September 5th. Interior work is pretty much done:

Biscuit Bitch has three locations downtown; see the menu here.

What do you think of the King County Library System‘s services and facilities? An online survey is open right now seeking your answers to some questions. It closes in a week – August 30th – so if you have something to say about the libraries, go here!

King County will start work next week on the next planned roundabout, 8th/102nd, and issued an alert today:

Construction of a roundabout requiring weekday lane restrictions. Work will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Tuesday, August 27 through Monday, October 21. Work outside the traveled way may occur 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Flaggers will guide traffic through the work zone with priority given to buses. Pedestrian access will be maintained and facilitated by flaggers. Expect delays.

From the White Center Eagles:

The White Center Eagles #2568 (10452 15th Ave. SW) is having its 3rd Annual First Responders Appreciation Dinner Saturday, September 7, starting at 4 PM.

The purpose of this dinner is to meet and thank those who unselfishly give of themselves to help us in emergency situations. We consider a first responder as anyone who has served or is currently serving as a fire fighter, medic, sheriff’s deputy, police officer, or in the Army, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Navy or Air Force. If you want to show your appreciation to those who help our community when we need it most, please come. If you are a 1st responder, please come so we can say thank you and bring your family!

The New Start High School Summer Garden Program wrapped up Thursday with an open house. Thanks to Gill Loring for the photos! Highline Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield visited to check out the gardens. They grew many things, from flowers …

… to lettuce …

… to pumpkins!

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Art too, as shown by this student:

First day of school is September 4th.