Our friends at White Center for the Arts want to be sure that everyone knows about a Community Artist Meeting that will be held this Thursday, Oct. 29th at 7pm at Full Tilt Ice Cream (at 9629 16th SW).

Here are the details:

WHAT: Community Artist Meeting, facilitated by White Center for the Arts

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 29th at 7:00 PM

WHERE: Full Tilt Ice Cream Shop Extraordinaire, located 9629 16th Ave SW, Seattle (206-767-4811)

INFO: Who is invited? Artists who live in and those who love the GREATER White Center Area/ Unincorporated King County, and a little bit outside that line. That means ALL artists. Music, dance, film, theatre, visual, 3-D, photography, written, mixed-media, young, old, in-between, student, emerging, established, etc.

What is this about? This is about creating your opportunities. What do you want/need from your community in order to further your work/goals? What can you give to your community to help strengthen it? White Center for the Arts is opening the line of communication. This is not a formal, stuffy meeting, but the first meeting of many where your voice can be heard, new alliances can be created, and we can figure out how to best accommodate you, the artist, in our own neighborhood.

If you can, please RSVP to Shelli (crimsonpark@whitecenterforthearts.org) so that Justin knows how many people will be taking over his shop!

Courtesy Whitewater Aquatics Board of Directors President Ed Marrs comes this update on the status of Evergreen Pool, which closed Sept. 1st:

Negotiations between King County, Highline School District and Whitewater Aquatics Management, LLC (WWAM) continue regarding pending repairs and maintenance to the Evergreen pool, and takeover of the management of the pool by WWAM. King County has agreed to make renovations to the pool, but asked WWAM to have access to $100,000 in seed money to absorb the costs of re-opening the pool.

To date, WWAM has contributed $30,000 and last week they received contributions or pledges from WhiteWater families for another $8,000. Some families are pursuing corporate gifts or grants from their employers (they are a non-profit, so any contributions are tax-deductible).

Whitewater’s goal is to have the necessary funding in place so they can take over and re-open the pool on January 1st, 2010.

Aside from avoiding the problems of pool closures faced by other swim clubs (including Des Moines’ Mt. Rainier Pool), Whitewater has a unique opportunity to assume complete control of the operation, a position rarely afforded other clubs. As such, they’ll continue to offer the same family-friendly schedules and practice frequencies.

According to Marrs, Whitewater has two issues that they need help from the public with:

1. “The king county council has said that in the Executive budget to the rest of the council there is money for some capital improvement projects.  It is imperative to us that this money is approved as is.  In past pool transfers, capital improvement money has been passed along to the group that has taken over the pool.  We need to get the public to e-mail the King County Council and let them know that this money in the budget needs to passed.  Here’s a link to a page where people can give input to the council:  http://www.kingcounty.gov/council/budget/Testify_Online.aspx
2. WhiteWater Aquatics is in a unique position.  We are the first group to take over operation of a pool without the backing of a city.  The county is asking us to have approximately $100,000 in reserve to re-open the pool.  This money will be used for advertising, payroll, and supplies to get us going until we get money coming in from our programming.  To this end we are going to need financial support directly from the community.  We are asking citizens and businesses to donate to our management group.  We are a 501(c)(3) so all donations are tax deductible.  If for some reason we are unable to reopen the pool we will return all donations.  I have attached a letter we are sending out to the public:

Dear Friends of Evergreen Pool,

As you know, the Evergreen pool was closed on August 31st. Due to budgetary shortfalls, King County has decided to mothball the pool. We are very fortunate to have a second pool in Tukwila for the community’s use; however, it too is slated for closure in December, 2010.

A team of dedicated Whitewater Aquatics members have been working hard evaluating all of the possible solutions for keeping the Evergreen pool open and available to the community. When comparing the Evergreen Pool to successful pool management plans, it became apparent that there was unrealized potential with the Evergreen Pool. Our plan would be to operate it as a community pool with a more efficient business plan by:

• Utilizing streamlined swim lessons
• Efficient group usage and special groups’ access that maximizes staff time.
• And most importantly, an ongoing advertising and marketing outreach

Together, these operating strategies would generate a profitable revenue stream that other successful pool management plans have achieved.

We have formed a non-profit company Whitewater Aquatics Management, LLC (hereafter known as WWAM) to try and save Evergreen! We presented a detailed business plan to King County and the Highline School district where WWAM would assume management of the Evergreen Pool no later than January 1, 2010. The King County council is requiring WWAM to have access to $100,000 in seed money to ensure the long term viability of the pool.

We have secured a $30,000 loan but we need to raise $70,000 more to meet our goal. We are currently exploring several fundraising options including community fundraisers and grants but these things take time and will be utilized for ongoing operational costs in the future. We are faced with a short time line to get the pool up and running for January 1, 2010 so we are asking our membership and the community for donations to help achieve this goal. We ask that you share this letter with any other potentially interested parties.

We would ask that you donate as generously as you can and have the following giving levels:

• $100-$250-Friends of Evergreen
• $250-$500 -Patrons of Evergreen
• $500-$1,000 -The Evergreen Circle
• $1,000 and above – The Evergreen Gold Club

By giving at these levels, you will be acknowledged by name on a giving wall that will be on display at Evergreen. In addition you will be invited to a reception and re-opening event.

Clearly we understand that these are difficult times, but our hope is to encourage everyone to give at whatever level they are able. No donation is too small; if everyone can give even a small amount we will be able to reopen this pool. This donation is tax deductible as Whitewater Aquatics is a non-profit organization. Each person is encouraged to review our business plan which is available upon request. In the event the Evergreen Pool management transition does not occur, the money will be returned to you promptly.

Please make all checks payable to WWAM and mail all donations to:

WWAM
PO Box 46517
Seattle, WA 98146

Please include your name, mailing address, phone number and an email address. If you would like your donation to remain anonymous please indicate that along with your donation.

You will promptly receive an email confirmation of your donation along with a receipt for tax purposes.

Any questions can be directed to Bryan Hastings at (206) 291-7141 or Head Coach Joel Schweiger at (951) 218-1790.

Sincerely,
WhiteWater Aquatics Management

King County Public Health announced Friday (Oct. 23rd) that they have suspended operations of the four clinics that were serving H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccinations, including the White Center Public Health Center (see our previous report here).

So if you weren’t one of the lucky ones to get poked, you’ll have to wait until more vaccine gets to the area, and authorities are hoping for another 90,000 doses by Friday, Oct. 30th.

According to a press release:

As a result of high demand at these four sites, all the vaccine initially set aside for this purpose has been used and no additional vaccine has become available because of the national delay in vaccine production. Vaccine continues to be available through some health care providers in King County, but remains in very short supply.

Over the three days of the vaccination clinic this week, an estimated 3000 people without health insurance and with significant health problems received H1N1 vaccine at the Public Health clinics. While all health care providers are facing shortages, many of those most in need of vaccine will have the opportunity to receive vaccine in the coming weeks, as the expected delivery of additional orders will bring the total amount received in King County to 90,000 doses by next Friday, October 30.

“We wish we had more vaccine available now, but are hostage to current unpredictable delays in national vaccine production. With limited supplies, it’s all the more important to make sure that we use every dose as soon as we can,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “We’re glad we were rapidly able to use the doses we had to protect many people at highest risk.”

Public Health is responsible for the allocation of all H1N1 vaccine to the health care community in King County. Because there is less vaccine than is needed, supplies are distributed proportionally and in rotation based on the date of provider order. By the end of next week, most King County health care providers are expected to receive the first portion of their requested amount to vaccinate their highest-risk patients. Public Health plans to resume H1N1 vaccination clinics when the next allocation for its clinic order comes due.

As more vaccine comes into the county and to health care providers each week, people should contact their health care provider to find out when they expect to receive vaccine. Health care providers who have not ordered vaccine may still do so from Public Health.

Visit the Public Health H1N1 influenza website at www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1 for updates on vaccine availability in the community or call the Flu Hotline at 877-903-KING (5464), which will be staffed with operators to answer questions for King County residents about H1N1 influenza. Hours of operation with operators will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; recorded information will be available 24 hours a day.

King County’s Public Health Department announced Tuesday (Oct. 20th) that, beginning this Wednesday (Oct. 21st), the H1N1 flu vaccine will be available for those without health insurance at four clinics, including the White Center Public Health Center, located at 10821 8th Ave. SW.

Clinics will be open from 8:30am to 5:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays, and 8:30am – 7:00pm on Thursdays.

All clinics are walk-up and appointments will not be needed or scheduled.

For more information, visit the Public Health H1N1 influenza website at www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1 for clinic directions.

Vaccinations at these clinics will continue over time, pending vaccine availability from the federal government.

According to a press release:

As private providers begin to receive H1N1 influenza vaccine for their patients at highest risk for complications, starting Wednesday, Oct. 21, Public Health – Seattle & King County is making vaccinations available for people without health insurance who are at increased risk because they have significant health problems.

Four Public Health vaccination clinics will be open to people up through 64 years of age who have significant health problems that put them at greater risk for serious complications for H1N1. Examples would include heart disease, lung disease, asthma, kidney disease, diabetes and HIV/AIDS.

Most children and pregnant women have public or private health care coverage, so it is anticipated that the clinics will primarily serve uninsured adults. People over age 65 are at relatively low risk for H1N1 influenza and so should not seek vaccination at this time.

For people who have health insurance, local health care providers are receiving initial, small shipments of vaccine for their existing patients who need protection most. Vaccine availability from health care providers is expected to improve gradually as additional supplies arrive in upcoming weeks.

Public Health clinic details

Four Public Health H1N1 vaccination clinics will be operated at the following locations:

• White Center Public Health Center (10821 8th Ave. S.W., Seattle)
• Alder Square Public Health Center (1404 Central Ave. S., Suites 101 & 112, Kent)
• North Public Health Center (10501 Meridian Ave. N., Seattle)
• Federal Way Public Health Center (33431 13th Place S., Federal Way)

All clinics will be open 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays and 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. All clinics are walk-up and appointments will not be needed or scheduled. Visit the Public Health H1N1 influenza website at www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1 for clinic directions.

Vaccinations at these clinics will continue over time, pending vaccine availability from the federal government.

Clinic locations may also expand with demand. As supply increases, more vaccine will be available in Public Health clinics and other community locations. The Public Health website will be updated regularly with information on vaccine availability.

Last Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that vaccine production is proceeding slower than originally expected, which will result in smaller amounts of vaccine in ongoing deliveries over the next two months.

Call center activation

Beginning Wednesday morning, Oct. 21, the Flu Hotline at 877-903-KING (5464) will be staffed with operators to answer questions about H1N1 influenza and provide information about Public Health – Seattle & King County vaccine clinic locations for people without insurance and with significant health problems. Hours of operation with operators will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; recorded information will be available 24 hours a day.

The Highline School District has been awarded $200,000 towards a five-year $1 million grant to expand community schools programs at White Center’s Cascade Middle School, as well as Chinook (SeaTac), as well as to establish programs at Sylvester (Burien) and Pacific (Des Moines) middle schools.

The grant is funded by The Seattle Foundation and the Raikes Foundation.

According to a press release:

Highline partners with the non-profit Community Schools Collaboration to provide academic and enrichment programs to students after school, as well as other support services to student and their families. The partnership will use the grant funds to create a support system that will help students achieve their maximum potential in school, work and life, including programs that ease the elementary school-to-middle school and middle school-to-high school transitions.

“This initiative helps schools connect to nonprofits and other neighborhood resources in ways that really make a difference for middle-schoolers in our community,” said Michael Brown, vice president of community leadership at The Seattle Foundation.

“We are grateful for the Seattle Foundation’s investment in Highline and the prospect of a long-term partnership,” said John Welch, superintendent of Highline Public Schools. “Thanks to the Foundation’s funding, many of our students will benefit from academic support and enrichment programs that will effectively extend their school day and their opportunities for learning.”

The Seattle Foundation is the oldest and largest community foundation in the region. It’s mission is create a healthy community through engaged philanthropy, community knowledge and leadership.

The Raikes Foundation is a private family foundation focused on support for young adolescents so that they can grow up to be healthy, contributing members of society.

More information on the Highline School District available at their website.

White Center for the Arts‘ next event is an “Art Walk” this Saturday, Oct. 17th, from 6pm to 9pm, with stops at numerous places in White Center.

Here are the details:

WHAT: White Center For the Arts 3rd Saturday Art Walk

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 17th, 6pm to 9pm

WHERE: Here are the scheduled art stops

• The Salvadorean Bakery (1719 SW. Roxbury St.)
  Raina Anderson: photography
  They are running a special for those who stop by during the ART WALK:
  • Option 1: two pupusas and one tamale of your choice for $6.50.
  • Option 2: one pupusa, one tamale of your choice, rice and beans for $6.95.
  • The choices for pupusas are: pork, pork cheese and beans, chicken and cheese, cheese and beans, cheese and loroco; and zucchini and cheese.
  • The choices for the tamales are: chicken, pork and sweet corn.
• Full Tilt (9629 16th Ave South)
  Onion Carillo and Jody Luna Robinson
  With Music by Shit Gets Smashed and The Shiners
• Proletariat Pizza (9622 16th Ave SW)
  Amanda Helmick: mixed media
• Dzul (9622 16th Ave SW)
  Tattoo and Airbrush Urban Art
• Café Rozella (9434 Delridge Way SW)
  Robert Houk Jr.: Painting
  Carlos Espinoza: Carving
• Big Al Brewing (9832 14th Ave SW) – CLOSED ON THE 17th
  Julio Castro: photography

INFO: More info available at their website: www.whitecenterforthearts.org

UPDATE: We just received the following update from Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department:

A 41 year-old woman shot her 55 year-old boyfriend at least twice with a handgun around 10:30pm last night (Oct. 1st) in the 800 block of SW 117th in unincorporated King County, just to the north of Burien.

The male victim was taken to Harborview Hospital with non life- threatening injuries.

The pair live with the man’s brother and the woman’s 15 year-old son, both of whom were home at the time of the shooting.

The son called 911 and everyone except the female suspect made their way out of the house as deputies arrived.

The woman refused to come out of the house or communicate with deputies. Eventually the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team entered the residence and took the woman into custody just before 2:00 AM.  No one was injured.

The suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Assault 1st Degree.  A small caliber handgun was recovered inside the house.

They started in White Center, and we’re big fans (heck, we even scrubbed up 16th SW with ‘em) so we’re proud to announce that the Rat City Rollergirls (RCRG) All Stars were invited by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) for a spot in the 2009 WFTDA Western Regional Tournament, which will take place Oct. 2nd – 4th in Denver.

RCRG All-Stars will compete against all-star teams representing nine other roller derby leagues for a chance to advance to the 4th annual WFTDA National Championship, set for Nov. 13-15 in Philadelphia, PA.

The Western Regional Tournament, called “Derby on the Rocks,” is expected to draw hundreds of roller derby players and fans to watch some of the best action the sport has to offer. Fans wishing to cheer on RCRG as they take the national stage can find ticketing and other information at www.derbyontherocks.com.

As the 4th-seeded team in the tournament, RCRG will first play 5th-seed B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls (from San Francisco) at 9pm (MDT) on Friday, Oct. 2nd, and will play at least three games over the course of the three-day, multi-level tournament.

To make it to Regionals, RCRG first had to earn a ranking within the West Region by playing sanctioned bouts against other teams. The top ten teams from each of the four WFTDA regions – based on current rankings – received invitations to their respective regional tournaments. If a league was unable to attend, the next-ranked league was invited.

The West Region includes:

• California
• Washington
• Oregon
• Nevada
• Arizona
• New Mexico
• Colorado
• Utah
• Idaho
• Wyoming
• Montana
• Hawaii

There are currently 23 WFTDA member leagues in the West Region.

If you’d like to donate to the cause, you can “get your ass kicked” by a Rollergirl by clicking here, where your $25-$100 donation will get you cool bumper stickers, mugs and t-shirts.

Be sure to mark your calendars and cheer our Rat City Rollergirls on!