On Friday, September 3, Southwest Youth and Family Services and South Pacific Youth Connections are hosting a public celebration in honor of the youth in our community who participated in their South Pacific Youth Connections Summer Program.  Through dance, poetry, and song, “Fia Fia” will showcase the talents and hard work of the youth who made the program such a notable success this year.

Young people of South Pacific ancestry in our community face daunting challenges as they navigate their way to adulthood.  They tend to experience higher than average failure rates in school and excessive referrals into the juvenile court system.  The South Pacific Youth Connections Summer Program was designed to help youth meet these challenges “through building self-confidence and cultural pride,” according to SYFS’s Joseph Seia.  The summer program offered participants “Pacific Islander-centric social studies and history courses, a fitness program, Pacific dance workshops, and anti-racist organizing.”

By all accounts, the South Pacific Youth Connections program is succeeding in its mission.  In an August 27 press release, Seia highlighted some of the students’ accomplishments.

•    Washington Strongest School Competition: South Pacific Youth Connections students took second place this year in the first annual competition that focused on fitness and strength.
•    Pacific Dance: South Pacific Youth Connections students performed cultural dance at 20 different venues this year.
•    Pacific Islander Social Studies Class: South Pacific Youth Connections students completed a social studies class for high school credit.
•    Community Forum: South Pacific Youth Connections students helped organize a successful forum to address the recent injustices with the police and the youth community.

“Fia Fia” is used in Pacific Island cultures such as Samoa and Tonga to mean “celebration,” “get-together,” or “happy.”  The event of that name this Friday promises to be all three, not to mention a great opportunity for our community to celebrate these young people’s hard work, while enjoying what promises to be an exciting display of their talent.

WHAT: “Fia Fia,” a celebration of the South Pacific Youth Connections Summer Program. Featuring dance, song, poetry, and more.

WHEN: Friday, September 3, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

WHERE: South Seattle Community College, JMB A, 6000 16 Avenue S.W., Seattle, 98106.

INFO: See flier below or contact Joseph Seia at 206.937.7680 ext. 210 or JSeia@swyfs.org for more information.

King County Sheriff’s detectives announced Friday (Aug. 27) that they are seeking the public’s help in solving a 2001 White Center homicide that occurred on Aug. 28, 2001, exactly nine years ago Saturday.

Specifically, they at least hope to find the White Center house where the suspect took the victim and her sister prior to fatally shooting one of them on a street corner.

Case History: Crystal Vaughn (age 29 at the time) and her sister Misty were drinking beer at a bus stop in White Center when they were contacted by the suspect. They went back to the suspect’s house for a drink. An argument ensued and the sisters were driven back to the area of SW 101st and 15th Ave SW.

The argument continued between the suspect and Crystal. The sisters were out of the man’s car and walking away when he pulled up next to them and shot Crystal three times. She died at the scene.

Suspect’s Residence: The house was about a mile or so away from where the women were first approached, generally in the area of the 3700 block of SW 106th, unincorporated King County in the White Center neighborhood.

The women were asked to remove their shoes when they came in. The man said his “niece was sleeping” and to they had to be quiet. The interior of the house was neat and tidy, and there were children’s toys in the house.

There was a large stereo and a CD collection, as well as a free standing stove or fireplace in the living room. The women were served brandy to drink.

Suspect Description: A black male about 27 to 35 years old. He was “big” and 6’ to 6” 3” tall. He smoked Marlboro Red cigarettes.

Vehicle Description: A black or possible dark green SUV, similar to a Chev Tahoe. There was a dolphin display on the stereo face. The front seat might have been a “bench seat” and the seats were possibly leather.

The public can also view other drawings on KCSO’s website beginning this afternoon.

Anyone with information, especially on the house, is asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 9-1-1.

On Wednesday night (Aug. 18th), Burien’s Tin Room hosted the opening party for sponsors of the 2010 “Brat Trot” 5K race, which will be on Sunday, Sept. 19th.

This year’s all-day event will benefit White Center’s own WestSide Baby, along with Safe Kids of South King County, as well as Multicare at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Health Center.

Last year’s race brought in nearly $25,000 for local charities, and this year’s will include even more activities, including a German Oompah Band, a “Seize the Sausage” race, beer garden, and a block party emceed by none other than Burien’s own inimitable “Yodeling Dominatrix” Manuela Horn.

The brainchild of Tin Room owner Danny House (aka “Dan the Sausageman“), the original race drew more than 700 people together for a day of fun and festivities, and most important, fundraising. Of course this year, Danny wants to do more.

Here’s how YOU can help:

• If you’re a local businessperson and you’d like to chip in to sponsor (we’re already one!), click here to download a PDF Sponsorship Packet.
• If you’re a Runner who’d like to register for the race, click here.
• If you’d like to serve as a Volunteer, click here to email Deb Will.
  

Here’s info on this year’s race from the website:

This year’s 5K race begins in Olde Burien on SW 152nd, widely circling Lake Burien before finishing to cheering crowds around the corner of 10th SW and back onto SW 152nd.

2010 brings the addition of a 1 mile+ “Seize the Sausage” race, perfect for kids and adults alike looking for a shorter venue. Runners can dash out, grab their Bratton and race back to the same finish line as those in the 5K.

5K Individual Race
This 5K course is generally flat with few even slight grades. Runners will be primarily on blacktop with a bit of gravel and grass. Race is clearly marked with live hand wavers to keep you on the course and trained flaggers and police officers at busy intersections. Runners can expect a nice run through neighborhoods with glimpses of beautiful Lake Burien and other parts of our charming city. Timing is chip-driven and provided by BuDu Racing.

The Burien Brat Trot starts and finishes nestled into one of greatest festivals of the fall — Octoberfest. Beginning at 10:30 am on September 19th the band strikes up and begins to play in Old Burien. All day event goers can enjoy brats, the beer garden, a german oompah band,water weenie races, booths and of course the Chicken Dance. Local restaurants and shops will be open for business with drink and event specials. Entertaining again this year is the Austrian Yodeler Manuela Horn.

In addition to marking your calendars for the race day, you might also want to pencil in Friday, Sept. 17th as well – that’s the night of the Brat Trot Pub Crawl, which, if it’s anything like last year’s, will be amazingly fun.

by Ralph Nichols

Just 21 votes separate 34th Legislative District candidates Mike Heavey and Joe Fitzgibbon after a second day of counting ballots cast in the Aug. 17 primary election.

Fitzgibbon gained more than a hundred votes in the updated totals released by King County Elections on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 18) to virtually erase Heavey’s slim election-night lead.

But whoever emerges as winner in this neck-in-neck race will walk away with little more than bragging rights. As the clear front runners, Heavy and Fitzgibbon, both Democrats, will advance beyond the top-two primary and face each other in the Nov. 2 general election.

Ballots cast by 27.49 percent of voters in the 34th Legislative District have been counted. Unreported is how many of its 75,415 registered voters mailed in ballots.

Heavey now has 33.43 percent of the vote, with Fitzgibbon at 33.32 percent. Independent Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy is at 18.47 percent, and Democrat Marcee Stone has 14.27 percent.

The two finalists seek to replace Sharon Nelson as state representative from Position 2. Nelson is unopposed in her move to the Senate, where she will replace former Sen. Joe McDermott. He easily won his contest for the King County Council and will face Diana Toledo in November.

Reached Wednesday morning (Aug. 18) by The B-Town Blog, Heavey reflected on his campaign that now has seven more weeks to go, noting, “I’ve been working since six months ago. There’s no rest for the weary.

“I’m very positive and I’m really humbled by all the support I got. It wasn’t a fluke. I did a lot of hard work from door belling to phone banking to visibility. It paid off.”

Fitzgibbon said “it’s just really gratifying to see all the hard work that we put in during the last five months paid off, and that our message has resonated with the voters of the district. I wouldn’t be surprised if I moved into the lead in the next day or so.”

Fitzgibbon has been a legislative assistant to Rep. Nelson, and also a King County Council legislative aide. He is chairman of the Burien Planning Commission, and was a member of the Burien Shoreline Advisory Committee.

Heavey is director of Outreach and Constituent Relations for the King County Council, focusing on public safety, crime and youth violence. Previously he worked at Expedia.com in fraud and identity theft prevention.

Despite their apparent similar positions on major issues that will confront the next Legislature, both say voters will have a clear choice.

“I think things look very good. People have known the Heavey name for years, and I have only gotten my name out in the last few months. If we keep doing what we’re doing, I’ll be in a strong position.

“Mike’s a good guy and has been working hard, but one of the big differences is that I have a track record of service to our communities. I’ve demonstrated a stronger grasp of the issues, a better grasp of what’s going on in state government for our communities.

“On most big issues, Mike and I have had similar positions. We differ on a matter of style. I hope that will come out in the fall campaign.”

Heavey:

“I think the voters will have a clear choice come November. It will be my job to articulate those differences and it will be up to the voters to decide who they want to represent them in Olympia.

“On paper and in personality, there are some striking differences between us. I’m confident that at the end of the day, the voters will make that decision.

“The biggest issue is the state budget. The question is, do the residents of the 34th District want someone acting in the Legislature on behalf of all the citizens of the state, or acting for only a select few?”

Neither McElroy nor the Stone campaign returned calls from The B-Town Blog for comment.

by Ralph Nichols

After a second day of counting ballots cast in the Aug. 17 primary election, Joe McDermott maintains a lopsided lead in the King County Council race from District 8.

McDermott has almost 60 percent of the votes counted in the district with the release of updated totals by King County Elections on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 18).

Diana Toledo appears headed for a second-place finish with 19.69 percent of the vote. The top two finishers qualify for the Nov. 2 general election ballot.

Normandy Park City Councilman and former mayor Shawn McEvoy is third with 13.14 percent of the vote. Tim Fahey, a South Park carpenter who based his campaign on getting a new bridge there, has 6.89 percent.

The totals for McDermott and McEvoy increased slightly, while those for Toledo and Fahey slipped a little – but all changes were well under 1 percent.

Ballots cast by 26.62 percent of voters in the district have been counted. Unreported is how many of its 109,557 registered voters mailed in ballots:

METROPOLITAN KING COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT NO. 8

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: *

28,466

/

109,557

25.98%

County Council District No. 8 Unexpired 1-year Term

Diana Toledo

4,879

19.63%

Tim Fahey

1,711

6.89%

Joe McDermott

14,859

59.79%

Shawn McEvoy

3,265

13.14%

Write-in

136

0.55%

“I’m surprised with how high [his vote total] was,” McDermott told The B-Town Blog. “I thought I would place first, but had no idea it would be with numbers as high as I received last night. I’m very pleased.”

Toledo said she is “very excited and looking forward to working very hard over the next few months to close the gap [with McDermott] and to win in November. I’m encouraged by my numbers given the fact that I came into the race so late.”

If Toledo holds her primary position, which now appears likely, the election for this seat will take on a pivotal dimension for the King County Council despite the fact that she is a long shot.

McDermott, who has served 10 years in the Legislature, seven in the House and the last three in the Senate, will continue to run on his record as a liberal Democrat from West Seattle, which he points to with pride.

“I think voters will continue to have a strong choice and I look forward to continuing to knock on as many doors as I can and talk to as many voters as I can about transit and transport, environmental protection, human services and public safety, as I have thus far in the campaign,” he added.”

A political newcomer from West Seattle, Toledo, who worked for King County for 15 years, campaigned on conservative themes – government reform, reduce spending and taxes, cut waste, and public safety as the top priority.

She planned to hit the ground running the day after the primary to increase her visibility and “tell voters who I am and point out the differences between Joe and me. I have a lot of people supporting me and I believe that that number is going to grow.”

They are running to fill the council position vacated by Dow Constantine when he was elected county executive last year. The winner will serve one year, then must run for election to a full four-year term in 2011.

Both highlighted their opposing positions in interviews with The B-Town Blog.

McDermott:

“I’ve had the opportunity over the last 10 years to demonstrate my priorities and my values in my service in the Legislature. They have meshed well with the district I represented and they mesh well with the larger 8th County District. It is those priorities and those values that I took to the voters, asking them to support me in yesterday’s primary.

“Certainly the council positions are now non-partisan and I have a track record of working with a variety of people in Olympia and I look forward to continuing to do that if elected to the county council. At the same time, I think the voters have a right to know what my values and priorities are and a party label is an initial indicator of that to the public.”

Toledo:

“Shawn McEvoy ran a great race. I’m very honored that I have been able to make it through to the general election. I’m grateful for the support from all the people who believe in the issues that are part of my campaign – who want change in King County government, who want reform in King County government.

“We can’t afford politics as usual. We can’t sustain unsustainable budgets. King County cannot afford to continue the excesses of career politicians and career appointees whose policies have devastated our communities, a projected budget deficit of $60 million next year, with talk of sales and property taxes and the slashing of law enforcement positions. We have to protect our senior citizens who are being taxed out of their homes.”

Can Toledo win despite McDermott’s lead? “I have to. We’ve got too much to lose.”

But McEvoy isn’t ready to concede the race. “It’s going to be one of those multi-day adventures,” he said about the continuing vote count. Elections will continue to update results at 4:30 p.m. every weekday through Aug. 31.

“I’d rather be in second place, but I’m not that concerned. I’m looking forward the late vote during the rest of the week. That’s where I’ll swing back.”

He added, “My goal always was to be in second place in the primary. The race is still on. It’s the first turn of the horse race.”

Fahey expressed hope that the second posting of votes would improve his fortunes. With that apparently not in the cards, “Diana has my complete and absolute endorsement. I agree with her platform, she’s bright, and I’ll be delighted to have her as my councilman. I don’t think there is any way I can come close at this point, and I will campaign for her.”

He added, “I’m happy. We didn’t make it but I’m happy. I did something I never thought that I’d do … I will continue to work to see that a new bridge is built and that things like this don’t happen again. This is a silly way to run a government.”

King County Executive Dow Constantine’s office announced Wednesday (Aug. 18) that an independent board charged with advocating for state funding to improve freight mobility has made a preliminary recommendation to contribute up to $5 million toward construction of a new South Park Bridge.

This brings firm pledges of funding to a total of $95 million so far. The estimated cost of the project is $130.8 million.

The recommendation from the Project Selection Committee of the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB) will be considered at the Board’s next meeting in September, for action during the next state legislative session.

“This latest funding recommendation dramatizes just how important a new South Park Bridge is to the economy and mobility of our region,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “On behalf of all the stakehers who have been working tirelessly to obtain funding for this bridge, I want to thank the Freight Mobility Board for its support and for moving us another step closer to the finish line.”

“The support of the Freight Mobility Board is greatly appreciated. It adds to the incredible momentum we’ve built with our partner agencies, stakeholders and the community to get this bridge rebuilt,” said Metropolitan King County Councilmember Jan Drago, who represents the South Park and Georgetown neighborhoods.

According to the statement:

The $5 million contribution approved by the FMSIB is the latest in a series of pledges from state and local governments over the past two months. The county estimates the cost of demolishing the old bridge and building a new structure to be more than $130 million. The county is about to submit its application for a federal TIGER II grant for the balance of the funding.

Meanwhile, county road engineers are moving forward with demolition and pre-construction work. Crews are currently in the process of removing vacant buildings on county-owned property adjacent to the bridge. The property will be needed to accommodate the staging of equipment and materials once construction begins on a new bridge. Crews will then prepare the bascule leaves for removal.

By Aug. 30 the Duwamish Waterway will be the scene of major activity as barges and a crane detach and remove the huge 225-ton leaves. This phase will likely require some nighttime work due to restrictions in closing the navigational waterway. The leaves will be barged to a remote site for further demolition and salvage.

The 81-year-old South Park Bridge has reached the end of its useful life and was closed earlier this summer for public safety. Engineers believe the bridge foundation buried beneath the Duwamish River is severely deteriorated.  Recognizing the crucial role the bridge plays in supporting the local economy and moving vehicles and freight, Executive Constantine has led an aggressive effort with agency partners and community members to assemble funding to get a new bridge built.

Firm pledges of funding total $95 million, with other funds pending:

• King County – $30 million
• State of Washington – $20 million
• City of Seattle – $15 million
• Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) – $15 million
• State Transportation Improvement Board – $10 million
• Port of Seattle – $5 million
• Federal DOT-HUD funding bill – $3 million (pending Congressional approval
• FMSIB – up to $5 million (pending approval by full board and state legislature)

For over seven decades, the Southgate Roller Rink served as one of White Center’s most popular gathering places, and one of its most well-known attractions.  Now, a project is underway to document community memories of the Rink, and organizers want your stories!

Spearheaded by King County’s Preservation 4 Culture and the White Center Community Development Association, this project is gathering memories and stories of the Southgate Roller Rink from White Center residents.  Did you skate at Southgate Roller Rink as a child, or perhaps take a sweetheart there on a date?  Did you ever go to the rink to see a fight featuring well-known boxers Al Hostak or Harry “The Kid” Matthews,”  or see wrestler Robin Reed compete?  In recent years, did you ever cheer yourself hoarse at a Rat City Rollergirls match?

If you do have stories to share, please contact Flo Lentz at flo.lentz@4Culture.org or (206) 296-8682.  The 1948 image in this article was taken from the White Center CDA blog, who used it courtesy of Washington State Archives, Puget Sound Regional Branch.

The Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence is hosting their annual Oktoberfest Dinner, Dance and Auction on October 2nd. Here are all the details:

Join the fun on Saturday October 2 from 6:00 to 11:00 PM, at the Normandy Park Cove, for an authentic Bavarian festival. The Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence (HSFFE) is once again hosting an Oktoberfest Dinner, Dance and Auction to raise funds for the Arts and Middle & High School Athletics. HSFFE is partnering with the community to support the Brat Trot a family fun run and other fall celebrations around the Highline communities.

Traditionally, Oktoberfest marks the end of the harvest and is the preparation for winter. It was believed that a festival at this time would provide an ideal “relief valve.” The Foundation’s event is designed to be this “relief valve” and to build awareness about the work of the organization.

This year the Oktoberfest chairs are Chuck and Lisa Tuman and they have planned a wild event! Elliott Bay Brewery will again supply the beer, Dan “the Sausage man” House (Tin Room) the brats and Fernwood at the Park the ever popular hot potato salad (among other goodies). They are also bringing back Foremost DJ to rock the night away with tunes from every era, including the Chicken Dance! HSFFE is excited to have Mike Bishoff (Brat Trot and Cove-2-Clover race director) as our Emcee and Chuck Tuman as the Auctioneer for the 2010 Oktoberfest. They hope to fill the Cove with 300 community members and educators – so sign up early. One more note. . . Chuck and Lisa are working hard to bring back that 6’3” Austrian Yodeler with the initials MH!

This event is sure to be a festive and fun evening designed to bring community members together in support of our schools. HSFFE believes that strong schools build strong communities and a robust economy. The tickets for this over 21 event are $40 in advance or $45 at the door. You can purchase tickets at the Foundation website www.highlineschoolsfoundation.org or by calling 206.248.5196. Come early for happy hour from 6:00 to 7:00 they have discounts on beer and wine!

HSFFE was founded in 2001 with a mission of “providing Community Resources to help the Highline Public School Succeed.” HSFFE is the only 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting all 17,400 students in all 35 of the Highline Public Schools. The Foundation serves as a single point of contact for members of the community, local and national business, service organizations and other foundations to connect their philanthropic efforts with a single school or the entire district.

Highline Public School District is one of the most diverse in the state of Washington with over 60% of the students on the free or reduced lunch program and over 65% students of color. HSFFE works to foster an environment that helps all students reach their highest potential. The HSFFE Board President, Maya Mendoza-Exstrom stated, “We want all students have opportunities participate in activities and to have an enriched classroom experience.” To this end, HSFFE raises funds to support: classroom grants that enhance the educational experience; provide scholarships to needy students for summer arts academies and summer science camps; support middle and high school sports activities; a discretionary fund for homeless students (to keep them in school); an annual prom dress give away for approximately 100 economically disadvantaged high school students; and scholarships to graduating seniors going to universities, community and technical schools.

For more information about the Highline Schools Foundation or to volunteer contact Holly Moore at 206.248.5196 or holly@highlineschoolsfoundation.org

King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks announced Friday (Aug. 13th) that, due to serious vandalism that caused unsafe conditions, they’ve closed the recently-opened SW 98th Street corridor, which runs between the Greenbridge community and the Central Business District.

The county says that vandals have ripped out the stainless steel railing and knocked out lights along the corridor, which was just opened in mid-July. The corridor’s steep stairway is unsafe for use at night without the lights and handrails, however the ADA-accessible ramp that runs through the corridor remains open. The area was also vandalized with graffiti.

Here’s the county’s full announcement:

A recently completed pedestrian corridor connecting new homes and a growing commercial area in the White Center neighborhood has been so badly vandalized that King County must close it for safety reasons.

Vandals ripped out the stainless steel railing and knocked out lights along the 98th Street Corridor, which was just opened in mid July. The corridor’s steep stairway is unsafe for use at night without the lights and handrails, however the ADA-accessible ramp that runs through the corridor remains open. The area was also vandalized with graffiti.

The 98th Street Corridor sits between the new Greenbridge community and the Central Business District along Southwest 98th Street. The corridor was developed as a result of the Land Use, Transportation, Air Quality and Health Study, which found that people who live in walkable communities are healthier.

King County collaborated with the White Center Community Development Association on the project. More information is available at http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/whitecenter.aspx.

Tickets are on sale for the White Center Community Development Association’s Annual Dinner and Live Auction fundraiser, coming up on Friday, September 10. Organized to benefit “neighborhood revitalization, family development, and community building,” the fundraiser is an excellent opportunity to provide concrete support to an organization which works hard for White Center.

The CDA recently pioneered a new slogan and a new vision for the White Center Community: “Celebrating Our Global Village.”  Their mission and work honor the rich history of the White Center neighborhood, which has for decades been a home for working families.  In recent years, White Center has grown into a phenomenally diverse community.  One in two White Center residents is a person of color, and dozens of different ethnic groups enliven White Center through the traditions, food, energy and passion they brought here with them when they immigrated to the United States.  While honoring the history and diversity of White Center, the CDA also recognizes that many in our community face serious challenges.  The CDA’s website notes that one in three people in White Center do not earn a living wage, and one in six live below the federal poverty level.  These severe economic challenges imperil the stability of families and neighborhoods, and make it difficult for children to thrive and break the cycle of generational poverty.

The White Center Community Development Association has been working to combat these challenges and mend the fractures in our community since 2002, and their annual fundraising dinner is a great opportunity for White Center residents to show their gratitude.  By purchasing a ticket and supporting the live auction that will take place at the dinner, you’ll be making an investment in your community that will pay out for years to come.

WHAT:  “Celebrating our Global Village” CDA Fundraiser to benefit Neighborhood Revitalization, Family Development and Community Building.

WHEN: Friday, September 10, 2010, 6:00 to 8:30 PM.

WHERE: South Seattle Community College, Jerry Brockey Center, 6000 16th Avenue SW, Seattle, 98106.

INFO: See the flier below for more information. To purchase your ticket and RSVP for the event, visit the White Center CDA online

Groundbreaking ceremonies for White Center’s upcoming “Strength of Place Village,” a new construction project of 30 units of affordable rental housing, is set for Wednesday, Sept. 15th.

Scheduled to open next summer, this new project is being built through a partnership between the White Center Community Development Association, Capitol Hill Housing and Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association.

Located on the corner of SW 100th Street and 13th Ave SW, the project is slated to have 30 apartments ranging from one-bedrooms to three-bedrooms for low-income families making less than about $55,000 per year.

According to a statement, Strength of Place Village will also deliver living-wage construction jobs to White Center and will be green built to the Washington State Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard.

Here’s more from a press release:

Long-time White Center resident Laushonda Barquet remarks that Strength of Place Village “would be very beneficial to the White Center community because many residents have financial barriers that don’t permit us to find well managed, good quality homes we can afford.”

Executive Director of the White Center Community Development Association, Aileen Balahadia, says “Strength of Place Village represents a significant community achievement, working with the King County Sheriffs Office to identify a troubled corner property, meeting our residents’ desire for quality, family-sized housing, reviving a walkable business district, and pulling together the resources and team to make these 30 units a reality. We believe the project is a true model for how to construct affordable housing the White Center way.”

This project is one of five projects in Washington State that received American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Tax Credit Assistance Program funding administered by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. In a time when low-income housing tax credits are scarce, the partnership’s combined strengths made it feasible for the project to secure tax credit equity and this stimulus award. Capitol Hill Housing is the lead housing developer, the White Center Community Development Association is the local sponsor and Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association secured the site in 2008 and will provide construction management services for the project. The project is currently owned by a tax credit Limited Liability Company in which all three non-profit organizations have an ownership stake.

Christopher Persons, Executive Director of Capitol Hill Housing says “we are honored to have been invited into White Center to partner on this unique project. It is a model for collaboration and the development of affordable housing in a community context.” Derek Birnie, Executive Director of Delridge Neighborhoods Development, the agency that originally purchased the property and started the development process, agrees that it has been an honor to be asked into the White Center neighborhood. He also states that “with all the changes that have been happening in both the financial and real estate sectors, this type of exciting collaboration between agencies is how nonprofits will be able to continue to develop quality affordable housing projects”.

Funding for this project is provided by Annie E. Casey Foundation, Impact Capital, King County, the State of Washington, Washington State Housing Finance Commission, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Tax Credit Assistance Program, National Equity Fund, Bank of America, Washington Community Reinvestment Association and the Bill & Melinda Gates Sound Families Initiative.

On Thursday (Aug. 5th), the Exchange Club of Highline put together 66 “Goodie Boxes” to send to U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Club spent $3,000, and along with generous assistance from Evergreen Food Services, purchased items that troops have said they love to get – baby wipes, chapstick, peanuts, cookies, gum, trail mix, and beef jerky.

With help from Vicky Mohler of Support America’s Armed Forces, the Club had three different groups who received the Goodie Boxes. Members volunteered their time to assemble the boxes and get them to the post office for shipment.

Photos below show the boxes after being assembled by Club members:

According to their website:

Established in 1961, Exchange Club of Highline was formed with the goal of bringing business and community leaders together to support Youth, Americanism, Community Service, and the prevention of Child Abuse. By holding an annual fundraiser, the money generated is used to meet the ongoing needs of existing community organizations, and members volunteer their time to other community projects. As needs are brought to the club’s attention, members decide on the course of action allowing flexibility and responsiveness to the ever-changing needs of our Highline community.

The Seattle Police Department reported early Wednesday morning (Aug. 11) that they’ve arrested a 50-year old male suspect in the recent “smash-and-grab” crime sprees that hit small businesses in an area from Burien north into West Seattle.

The suspect is alleged to have been responsible for at least 40 similar burglaries since July 1st (we’ve been following these cases closely – read our previous coverage here).

Here’s the report from SPD:

On August 11th, at approximately 2:30 AM, Seattle Police and King County Sheriff detectives working in conjunction on a series of commercial “smash and grab” burglaries, arrested a 50-year old male for a burglary in the Burien area.

This suspect is believed to be responsible for at least 40 similar type burglaries in the West Seattle and Burien area since July 1st.

Detectives from the two agencies will continue to follow up on these burglaries as they put together their cases for prosecution.

The suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Burglary.

Asian American and Pacific Islanders make up nearly twenty percent of the population of White Center, yet they’re not always well-represented in the halls of higher education.  Coming up August 16, South Seattle Community College is hosting a public forum on mobilizing Pacific Islanders in higher education.

The forum’s organizers have invited the public to participate, in order to help “foster dialogue and conversation about how communities and institutions can collectively strategize towards increasing the mobility of Pacific Islanders in higher education.”  Public participation is “crucial to this dialogue,” they affirm.

The forum will present a panel discussion featuring Dominic Jay “DJ” Leon Guerrero Crisostomo of the Tacoma Metropolitan Development Council, and Annie Patu, a longtime public educator.  Both Crisostomo and Patu have extensive experience mentoring Pacific Islander students, and each brings unique talents to bear as they guide these students down constructive educational paths.  Rochelle Fonoti, the facilitator of the forum, is a visiting instructor at South Seattle Community College who hails from New Zealand and Samoa, and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Sociocultural Anthropology at University of Washington.

WHAT: “Talk Story” forum on Pacific Islanders in higher education.

WHEN: Monday, August 16, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

WHERE: South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th Ave SW, Jerry M. Brockey Student Center Room B, Seattle, 98106.

INFO: Check out the event flier below, or contact facilitator Rochelle Fonoti at rfonoti@uw.edu or (206) 768 6487 if you have more questions or are interested in attending.

White Center’s Dubsea Coffee has new art going up on the walls on August 15, and it looks to be another fantastic show.  Jeanette Jones creates dynamic and colorful paintings that are easy to get lost in.

Many of her works blend abstract shapes with artful, classic portraits, creating numerous layers for the viewer to peruse.  After watching an online slideshow of Jones’s paintings, its hard not to get excited about seeing her works on canvas and up close. Her art will be on display at Dubsea through September 14.  Stop by Dubsea between 7 and 9 pm on Saturday, August 21 to peruse the installation and discuss the works on display with Jeanette Jones herself.

WHAT: Artist reception with Jeanette Jones.

WHEN: Saturday, August 21, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

WHERE: Dubsea Coffee, 9910 8th Ave SW, Seattle, 98106.

INFO: Check out Jeanette Jones’s website for more info.

The White Community Development Association (WCCDA) is holding two “Social Media” seminars – the first will be Friday, Aug. 20th at the Greenbridge YMCA’s Learning Center’s Computer Lab from 1pm – 4pm.

If you’re a small business owner in the Dub-C and you don’t know what this newfangled “social media” thingy is, then these are for you. If you do know what it is, but aren’t sure what it can do for you, then these seminars are for you as well. And if you use it now but want to get better, then these are for you too.

Here’s what the WCCDA says about the seminars:

What is social media and how does it help your business? It is an online medium of which you use to connect to potential customers/clients/general public for the purpose of putting out the words and advertise your business.

It is like a simple internet’s website. In our business district, we already have some savvy social media users such as Full Tilt, Proletariat Pizza, Dubsea Coffee, and they will tell you that it helps them tremendously with their marketing and sale.

Social media accounts such as Facebook, Yelp, Group-on, etc. are all free of charge to set up and use.

This workshop will cover:

• Gain knowledge and awareness about online social networking
• Gain online social networking tools and resources
• Practice dissemination of information via online social networking
• Share tips and experiences on the internet that have worked for them
• Build a stronger community through online interactions

Teachers for the first seminar will be Ian Dapiaoen and Virgil Domaoan. Jessica Estrada of Banyan Branch Marketing will teach the second (date and time to be announced).

Here are the details:

WHAT: White Center CDA’s “Social Media” seminars.

WHEN: The first seminar is Friday, Aug. 20th from 1pm – 4pm.

WHERE: Greenbridge YMCA’s Learning Center Computer Lab,  located at 9720 8th Ave SW.

INFO: From an email:

Hello everyone,

Based on popular request, we are bringing you free social media training seminars.

What is social media and how does it help your business? It is an online medium of which you use to connect to potential customers/clients/general public for the purpose of putting out the words and advertise your business. It is like a simple internet’s website. In our business district, we already have some savvy social media users such as Full Tilt, Proletariat Pizza, Dubsea Coffee, and they will tell you that it helps them tremendously with their marketing and sale. Social media accounts such as Facebook, Yelp, Group-on, etc. are all free of charge to set up and use.

If you think learning and using this kind of marketing is difficult, it is EASY but do require some time to sit down and learn.  We have two seminars for you. The first one is:

• Friday, August 20, 2010; Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
  Trainer: Ian Dapiaoen and Virgil Domaoan
  Location:
  Greenbridge YMCA’s Learning Center Computer Lab, 9720 8th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106

The CDA’s very own social media experts Ian Dapiaoen and Virgil Domaoan will be on hand to facilitate and lead the workshop. Space is limited so YOU HAVE TO REGISTER! PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED FLYER ON HOW TO DO THAT!

The second social media training workshop will be facilitated by Jessica Estrada of Banyan Branch Marketing. Time and date to be announced later.