White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Coming up in a week!

The New Start Alternative High School Key Club in the Highline School District will again, in conjunction with the Kiwanis Club of White Center, hold its Annual Baked Potato Dinner complete with loaded baked potatoes, salad, beverage and dessert, and music from the Tes Thomas Band.

The event this year will be Thursday evening, January 14, 2016, running from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The address is 614 SW 120th.

TICKETS for the event may be obtained in advance and/or at the door. ADULTS are $15 or two for $25. There is a sponsorship option – for $50 you will receive formal recognition as well as 5 tickets. Children under 5 are as usual free. For additional information and/or ticket purchase, please contact any member of the White Center Kiwanis and/or Bill Tracy. The latter may be reached at this email address, billnancytracy@aol.com, or 206-248-2441, and/or 11514-21 st Place Sw, Burien, 98146. We look forward to seeing you there.

We checked with the King County Sheriff’s Office to find out what was going on after getting two messages about a reported “lockdown” at Cascade Middle School, and hearing scanner traffic about someone being tracked down on SW 117th. According to KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West, there was a report that someone at the Evergreen campus might have had a gun. So the search was on, and Evergreen and Cascade were affected for a while, she said. The person in question was eventually found – no gun. No injuries, no crime, situation over.

Thursday, you’re invited to the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council‘s first meeting of the year. Announced by NHUAC president Barbara Dobkin:

Join NHUAC for an Informative and Important Community Conversation:

When: Thursday, January 7, @ 7 pm
Where: North Highline Fire Station (1243 SW 112th Street)

MARIJUANA: WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE HEALTH AND FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY?

We will have a panel discussion with our guest speakers:

· 34th Legislative Representatives: Joe Fitzgibbon and Eileen Cody
· Laura Hitchcock, Project Manager: Office of King County Executive/Performance, Strategy, & Budget

What impact will the licensing of multiple marijuana stores have in North Highline? Is this consistent with King County’s Equity & Social Justice Initiative?

Plan on attending and share your opinions.

For more information see: northhighlineuac.org or email: bdobkin@northhighlineuac.org

North Highline currently has three licensed recreational-marijuana stores open, one in downtown White Center, two in Top Hat.

(Graphic from Puget Sound Clean Air Agency website)

With another day of stagnant air, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has announced a Stage 1 burn ban for all of King County, in hopes of keeping the air quality from getting any worse. That means: “Use of fireplaces and uncertified wood stoves and inserts prohibited. Pellet stoves, EPA certified wood stoves and inserts are allowed. Outdoor burning prohibited.” You can find out more here.

Story and photos by Tracy Record and Patrick Sand
White Center Now co-publishers

“Welcome to Taradise.”

That’s the greeting you’ll see when entering White Center’s newest restaurant/bar.

“Tara” is for proprietor Tara Scott, who’s celebrating the grand opening tonight for her Taradise Café in what used to be Marv’s Broiler at 9808 16th SW in downtown White Center.

The restaurant will serve breakfast all day as well as a full lunch menu and rotating dinner menu.

While Taradise Café has a bar – and two pool tables! as well as darts and TVs for sports-viewing – the restaurant is open to all ages. The hours for starters will be 6 am to midnight Sundays through Wednesdays, then 6 am to 2 am Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Including tonight.

Taradise Café is expected to draw from West Seattle as well as WC because of its proprietor’s background with the legendary Charlestown Café, which closed 4 1/2 years ago in WS. She’s also hired some former co-workers, and has permission to use some of the Charlestown’s recipes. Her permanent menu is still being finalized, so we don’t have the full lineup, but she mentioned the curried chicken salad, the pancakes, and the clam chowder.

Tara told us that she has long wanted to open her own restaurant but needed to wait until she could devote more time and attention to it – one key factor, her youngest child is now at an age where some self-sufficiency is starting to emerge.

So if you’re still looking for some place to welcome 2016, the grand-opening/NYE Party is on until 2 am at Taradise. This date holds significance for the location, the proprietor adds, because Marv’s Broiler opened on New Year’s Day in 1976.

Thanks to Gill Loring for these photos from this sunny, frosty final day of 2015. Above, Gill reports “The Bog” is iced over; below, the snowy Olympics are in view from the Greenbridge hill.

If you’ll be out tonight for New Year’s Eve, be especially careful on the hills, as so many are in the shade and have remained icy all day.

Christine spotted one: “For the last week or so, there has been a rooster wandering around a couple-block radius around 3rd Ave SW and 110th St in White Center. He is a large dark red rooster, with long silky feathers on top of his head. I have not been able to catch him. My phone is 334-694-1066.”

King County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Cindi West shares this story from unincorporated King County, where a KCSO officer has found himself in the role of Santa Claus:

I received a call today from a family that was touched by an act of kindness from one of our officers. The story goes like this:

On 12/2/2015, MPO White responded to a burglary in SW Precinct. He investigated the burglary, but there were no investigative leads. Among the items taken were all the Christmas presents for the family’s 7 and 4 year old. The burglars also took most of the children’s toys from their rooms. The victims had limited means and this burglary was devastating to them. MPO White was concerned the family would have no Christmas as a result of this burglary. MPO White discussed this call with his family after he got home from work. They decided to go shopping, replacing the kids Christmas presents to assure they have a Christmas. MPO White and his family coordinated with the parents and are delivering the presents on Christmas Day.

This is truly the spirit of Christmas and service all wrapped up together. I know MPO White did not do this for recognition, but his kindness and compassion are deserving.

MPO is a rank, “Master Police Officer.”

With just five days until Christmas, White Center has a tree. We’d been wondering if the plaza in the South Delridge triangle would be graced with one this year, since it’s usually up in early December but none was in sight as of just the other day – and then tonight, came the note from Mac’s Triangle Pub that a tree was up and lit, courtesy of the pub and Meat The Live Butcher. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

They’ve found a vehicle there that’s possibly linked to gunfire (no one hit/hurt, so far as police know) in West Seattle. Details are on our partner site West Seattle Blog.

The White Center park that’s home to Hicklin Lake, recently renamed Dick Thurnau Memorial Park, used to be called Lakewood Park. The latest round of storms has left it more like Lake Park, with flooding that’s closed its parking lot.

We checked it out Friday afternoon after a reader tip.

The area is part of the Salmon Creek basin, and creeks all over the area have been running high with all the rain.

Tomorrow (December 12th) you’ll want to be at Southgate Roller Rink in White Center, when Southside Revolution Junior Coed Roller Derby hosts a “Star Wars“-themed bout just days before Episode 7 premieres. Doors open at 5:30 pm; tickets at the door will be $10 adult, $5 ages 6-12, kids 5 and under free. From the announcement:

Bout one is Southside Revolution’s Cadets battling it out with the Kitsap Derby Brats Rawkettes. The second bout will find the Southside Revolution’s Rebels facing off with the Kitsap Derby Brat’s Bomb Squad.

The game of roller derby is played on quad roller skates with “jammers” scoring points by passing the opposing team’s “blockers.”

Come in costume for a chance to win two opening day tickets to the movie “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Southgate is at 9646 17th SW.

We finally have some information this morning about last night’s SWAT response at a house on Marine View Drive SW in Shorewood. Some thought it was happening at Shorewood Elementary, as some of the King County Sheriff’s Office/Burien Police units were staging there. We monitored scanner traffic for a while in hopes of finding out more; finally, after midnight, the SWAT team went in and discovered one man dead inside the house. What we still didn’t know by that point was why they had gone to the house in the first place. Here’s what KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West told us this morning in response to our inquiry: “Last night after 9 pm a woman called 911 and said that her husband had threatened to shoot her and himself. The woman was able to flee the residence. When police arrived the man was inside and would did not respond when police told him to exit the house. TAC30 (SWAT) was called and when they eventually entered, they found the man dead (from) an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.”

In reports that involve suicide, we always mention this resource – the Crisis Clinic, which has a 24-hour hotline, 206-461-3222.

As the new White Center Library gets closer to completion, concerns continue for those who wonder what would happen to it if Seattle – which has its own library system – annexes the area.

That’s why the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council invited the King County Library System to send a guest to its December meeting, held at the NH Fire District headquarters last Thursday night.

They got answers straight from the top, library director Gary Wasdin.

First, he provided an update on construction – still on schedule, with the exterior almost complete (as you can see in our photo, taken the morning after the meeting), so the interior work will ramp up after the first of the year. While he cautioned that weather is still a factor, if there are no major storms, KCLS will have an announcement of an opening date sometime in February. Right now, it’s still looking like an April opening, but that will be dependent on factors including how long it will take to stock the library and put in furniture.

Next, the annexation-related concerns. While Seattle and King County had had an agreement that the libraries in North Highline would be turned over to the city if annexation happened, Wasdin said that agreement expires at the end of this month. So without a new agreement, annexation at any point after January 1st of next year would leave the libraries in King County’s hands. He said he’s talked to some of Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s staff but no talks about a new agreement are under way, so at this point, the libraries will remain King County libraries.

Asked about the fate of the current White Center Library site, Wasdin said it’s on the market.

STORMWATER 101: King County budget analyst Tricia Davis presented what she described as “Stormwater 101,” an overview of how the county deals with stormwater/runoff. She included some discussion of the recent oil contamination in the White Center stormwater-retention pond north of Steve Cox Park; county stormwater employees work with businesses to find best practices for wastewater, too, and she said they have spoken with La Mexicana, which took responsibility for the edible-oil spill that fouled the pond and harmed birds, so they know how better to handle any future situations.

A new stormwater-management fee system is proposed for 2016-2017, said Davis, and they’re gathering information in early 2016 to send to the County Executive before fall 2016 budget hearings.

Asked about plans for further protection of Hicklin Lake, Davis didn’t have a timetable.

CRIME REPORT: Storefront Deputy Bill Kennamer said everything is down except for 4th-degree assaults, which have doubled in the past year. These are the type of incidents, he explained, that involve pushing or shoving or fistfights, the lowest level of assault.

In other issues, he said the bog encampments are gone; the people who had been camping there were served trespassing notices.

REMEMBERING DEPUTY STEVE COX: NHUAC president Barbara Dobkin led a moment of silence in memory of Deputy Steve Cox; December 2nd – the day before the meeting – was exactly nine years since he was killed in the line of duty on December 2, 2006.

NHUAC meets first Thursdays, 7 pm, at the NHFD HQ, 1243 SW 112th. Check northhighlineuac.org for updates.

Will White Center become part of Seattle? The potential process is only in the earliest of stages, but it’s the main topic of this year’s White Center Summit, convened by the WC Community Development Association and continuing until 3 pm at Cascade Middle School.

One year ago, the Seattle City Council put itself on record as taking the initial steps toward potential annexation, mostly as a procedural move that had to be made to keep the city’s options open, especially for a tax credit that would be vital to funding annexation. The city had reps at today’s event, including AJ Cari from the Office of Economic Development:

He was talking about the kind of services that would potentially be available for White Center businesses if the area became part of Seattle. But there are many steps before that would come close to even potential reality. The discussion continues at the White Center Summit for another hour and a half.

SIDE NOTE: In the first-ever election for a West Seattle/South Park-specific City Council member, which is just now finalizing a recount, annexation was one of the points of difference between the candidates. Lisa Herbold, expected to be officially announced as the winner on Monday, is not the unabashed supporter that opponent Shannon Braddock had been. Herbold will be one of four new members on the nine-member council as of the first of the year. One of the other three, Lorena González, is a West Seattle resident who won one of the council’s two at-large seats.

ORIGINAL REPORT, 1:42 PM: Thanks to the reader who tipped us about a law enforcement presence at the White Center licensing office today, which is closed as a result. State Patrol officers were there when we went over to check it out at noontime.

They weren’t commenting; we were pointed to the Department of Licensing, which also isn’t commenting except to say that their reps are there providing “technical support” for whatever sort of investigation is under way, including the “collection of equipment.”

We’re still trying to track down someone who can comment on what’s happening, and will update with whatever we find out. On the agency’s Yelp page, someone claiming to be an employee wrote that the office was closed today “due to incorrect things and I promise you all that this isn’t the end,” while also offering thanks to customers for their support and criticizing the office’s 2013 closure.

4:05 PM UPDATE: Just talked with Cameron Satterfield of King County. He says the county – which is accountable for this office – and state Department of Licensing had been “reviewing the work” of the licensing office in White Center “for a few months,” and sent reps to the office at 7:45 this morning. After interviewing the owner and employee of the office, the reps “served subagency contract termination letters,” and closed the office. It will remain closed until further notice, Satterfield says, and so they are encouraging people to go to other licensing offices in the meantime. He had no specifics about why the office’s contract was terminated but says more information will be available on Monday.

Beignet fans – another change in the food scene on the south end of downtown White Center, an announcement from Mardi Gras Donuts: “We will no longer be serving donuts during the week. Our new hours are Saturday and Sunday, 7 am till 2 pm.”

Happy December! Here’s what’s happening at the White Center Library this month:

CHILDREN & FAMILIES

Play & Learn
Tuesday, December 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 11:15am
Newborn to age 5 with adult.
Have fun singing songs, telling stories, reading books, creating art and playing.
Play & Learn is in English and the facilitator is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Star Wars Movie Release Party
Friday, December 18, 3:30pm
Family program, all ages welcome with adult.
Celebrate the release of the new Star Wars movie with Star Wars themed crafts, snacks, games and prizes!

Brick Builders
Monday, December 21, 3pm
Family program, all ages welcome with adult.
The library provides the LEGOs, you provide the fun!

Toy Story Movie Marathon
Monday, December 28, 2pm: Toy Story 1
Tuesday, December 29, 2pm: Toy Story 2
Wednesday, December 30, 2pm:Toy Story 3
Family program, all ages welcome with adult.
Join Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the gang for this three-day movie marathon.

TEENS

Minecraft Mania
Tuesday, December 1, 4pm
Ages 8 to 14.
Are you a Minecraft fan? Want to meet other Minecraft players? Come for an afternoon of multiplayer fun.

Game On!
Wednesday, December 2, 9 and 16, 3pm
Middle and high school ages.
Play video games at the library, plus board games and snacks too!

Video Game Crafternoon
Thursday, December 3 and 17, 4pm
Middle and high school ages.
Spend the afternoon creating video game inspired crafts. Buttons, ornaments and more!

International Candy Taste Test
Tuesday, December 8, 4pm
Middle and high school ages.
Come and taste test different candies from around the world and decide which is your favorite.

Super Smash Bros Tournament
Saturday, December 12, Noon
Middle and high school ages.
Enter the second annual Super Smash Bros tournament. There will be snacks for all as well as prizes for the top three winners.

Winter Art Lesson with Molly Hashimoto
Saturday, December 19, 1:30pm
Ages 10 and older.
Learn how to draw a winter wonderland with artist Molly Hashimoto.

Teen Winter Break Movie
Wednesday, December 23, 3pm
Middle and high school ages.
Celebrate this winter break with cookies and a funny movie about an elf who goes to New York City to find his dad.

After Holiday Anti-Party
Saturday, December 26, 1pm
Middle and high school ages.
After the holiday come and relax with your friends. Board games, puzzles, arts, crafts and snacks!

New Year’s Event for Teens
Thursday, December 31, 3pm
Middle and high school ages.
Play games and enjoy snacks to celebrate the New Year.

ADULTS

One-on-One Computer Help
Tuesday, December 1 and 15, 6pm
Have computer or software questions? TechTutor Volunteers are here for you. You may bring your own laptop, but TechTutors cannot provide hands-on or hardware assistance.

Computer Class: Microsoft Excel Level 3
Saturday, December 5, 1pm
Learn to use functions such as Average, Max, Min and PMT. Prerequisite: Basic understanding of Excel and experience creating and saving spreadsheets.

Drop-in to Learn about eBooks
Saturday, December 12, 3pm
Get started with KCLS eBooks! Bring your eReader, tablet, phone or just your questions

The library’s at 11220 16th Avenue SW.

Here’s what’s coming up at the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting next Thursday (December 3rd), from president Barbara Dobkin:

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting (NHUAC)
Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7 pm
North Highline Fire Station (1243 SW 112th Street)

Plan on joining NHUAC for the end-of-the-year meeting with our special guest, Gary Wasdin, Executive Director of the King County Library System. This is an opportunity to hear not only about the progress of the new WCL that is under construction on 107th and 14th Ave SW, but also what the future holds for the library (this new library will replace the current White Center Library that is on 16th Ave, and is being built with funds from the voter approved 2004 Library Bond Levy).

Tricia Davis, King County Budget Analyst, will also be on hand with a presentation on problems with polluted storm water run-off, what the King County Storm Water program does, and issues being considered as they develop the storm water fee for 2016-2017.

Our WC storefront deputy, Bill Kennamer, will provide the latest crime stats and discuss general community safety concerns.

Have you noticed more illegal dumping throughout our community? Find out how you can help and what assistance is available for this problem.

See you there.

Please see NHUAC website for the agenda: northhighlineuac.org
Questions – email: bdobkin@northhighlineuac.org

You don’t have to tackle the early Thanksgiving cooking without your latté, or Americano, or whatever. Our friends at Caffé Delia (9622 16th SW in downtown White Center) sent word that they’re open 8 am-noon today. Happy Thanksgiving!