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.

The White Center Blog is proud to announce that we’ve twisted the (non-golfing) arms of our friends at the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce, and if you mention The White Center Blog, you can save $100 on the cost of a foursome at their upcoming Get-Away Golf Tournament on Thursday, July 29th.

This is the chamber’s annual big fundraiser, and will include networking, amazing food, great raffle prizes, excellent golfing (duh) and FREE BEER from Elliott Bay Brewhouse & Pub all day.

The dealio usually costs $600 for a foursome, but if you mention The White Center Blog, they’ll knock $100 off, making the final price just $500 – that’s just $125 per golfer, a savings of nearly 17%. This is such a deal that you may want to just find three other strangers on the street to start your own foursome (actually, if you can’t come up with your own foursome, they’ll put you in one!).

And, according to the SWKCC folks, you don’t have to even be a golfer to have fun at this event – it’s a fundraiser after all, and all proceeds go right into the chamber’s coffers so they can continue to fund the good work they do for local businesses. Chamber membership is also not a requirement for participation.

The tournament will be on Thursday, July 29th at Rainier Golf & County Club, a private course located at 11133 Des Moines Memorial Drive South in Seattle, and here’s the schedule:

• 10:30 am: Your day begins with a hearty BBQ lunch on the veranda
• 12:00 pm: Shotgun start and scramble
• 4:30, 5:00 pm: After completing the 18-hole course, golfers and guests will convene in the club house for lavish hors d’oeuvres and a fabulous awards reception with exciting raffle prizes!

Other Items Worthy of Note:

• Did we mention ALL DAY FREE BEER from Elliott Bay Brewhouse & Pub!
  

  The tournament is Thursday, July 29th at Rainier Golf & County Club.

• Raffle Tickets: One for $5, three for $10, and ten for $20!
• Golfer Value Pack: Golfers can purchase a gift pack of a mulligan, putting green pass, raffle ticket and duck for only $15 (a $20 value)!
• Luxurious Raffle Prizes: Mariners tickets, wine, hotel and restaurant gift certificates, movie tickets, Flowers from Marine View Florist, Bloody Mary gift basket, Margarita gift basket, Autographed copy of Bill Gates Sr.’s new book, Gift Certificate from Eat Local and more!
• Duck Drive Contest (Sponsored by DAWN): Whack a rubber ducky as far as you can onto the green. The winning player whose ducky travels the farthest gets half the cash pot!
• Hole In One Contest (Sponsored by Interurban Chiropractic Center): Hit a hole in one and win $10,000! Athletic prowess can pay off!
• Putting Contest (Sponsored by Normandy Park Senior Living): Another chance to win half the cash pot!
• Golf Tournament 1st Place Prize: Each member of the foursome will receive a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant, a $50 gift certificate to the Rainier Golf & Country Club Pro Shop, and the perpetual trophy with your name on it and display rights until the 2011 Golf Tournament.
• Golf Tournament 2nd Place Prize: Each member of the foursome will receive a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant.
• Longest Drive Prize: The player with the longest drive wins a driver!
• Closest to the Pin Prize: The player who hits closest to the pin wins a putter!

Committee Chair and Chamber Chair of the Board Carol Kolson of HomeStreet Bank said, “The Southwest King County Chamber Annual Get-Away Golf Tournament is by far one of the best tournaments in the area. It’s a unique opportunity to play at a private club and we are overwhelmed by the phenomenal response of new and returning sponsors.”

• Single golfer cost is $150 (includes BBQ lunch, 18 holes of golf with golf cart, reception and tee prize).
• Foursome cost is $600 $500 (includes BBQ lunch for four, 18 holes of golf with golf cart, reception and tee prize).
• Corporate foursome cost is $660 (includes BBQ lunch for four, 18 holes of golf with golf cart, reception and tee prize – plus recognition in publications and name in program).

Cost for a ticket to just the reception is $40 (that’s right – you can just go to the reception if you want).

In order to qualify for this special deal, you must call the Chamber office at (206) 575-1633 and mention The White Center Blog. If no one is available, please leave a message and they will return your call and get you registered.

Since 1989, the mission of the Southwest King County Chamber (of which we’re members) has been to be a leader in the business communities it serves – Burien, SeaTac, Tukwila and Des Moines. The Chamber provides business advocacy, outreach and networking opportunities. It is a vital force in promoting local business success and acting as a liaison between the cities and business community.

This event is made possible through the generosity of the chamber’s major sponsors, including:

• Baker Commodities
• Highline Community College
• HomeStreet Bank

White Center’s Evergreen High School is at the center of attention again, and this time seems even worse – a Level 3 sex offender named Lashawn Jamar Ferguson, a convicted rapist, has been fired after serving as a volunteer for the football team.

This is the second sexually-related incident to taint the school’s athletics program. As we reported May 18th, another volunteer, Jayson Boehm, was alleged to have provided health care to student athletes without appropriate medical supervision, as well as possibly fondling some male athletes. He was fired and barred from school grounds. Ferguson was escorted off campus, according to the Highline School District.

Ferguson, convicted of rape in 1998, is now being held without bail in the King County Jail for failure to register as a sex offender.

Evergreen High School is located at 830 SW 116th Street.

Our friends at KING-TV produced this video report on this story:

We first reported about this way back in April – the benefit luncheon for the Greater King County Police Activities League (PAL) is today (Tues., June 1) from 11:30am – 1:00pm at the Newcastle Golf Course.

Featured highlights will include Sen. Patty Murray (D) and Rob McKenna (R) on the same stage, and according to a press release from the King County Sheriff’s Department, they’ll be separated “by only a boxing coach!”

Here are the details:

WHAT: White Center Police Activities League (PAL) Fundraiser Luncheon

WHEN: TODAY (Tuesday, June 1st) from 11:30am – 1pm

WHERE: The Golf Club at Newcastle, located at 15500 Six Penny Lane in Newcastle.

INFO: Mimi Jung of King 5 News and King County Sheriff Sue Rahr will co-emcee the luncheon as they welcome everyone to this exciting event, including former defensive end and linebacker Joe Tafoya, other current and former Seattle Seahawks and a few surprise guests.

“PAL programs provide positive intervention in the lives of young people who are at risk,” said King County Sheriff Sue Rahr. “Police officers want to do all they can to help kids before they get in trouble and PAL assists them in this goal.”

Visit the Be a PAL Luncheon page here for more details, or for information about the event, sponsorship, underwriting and advertising opportunities, contact Laurie Perkins at (206) 922-2069 or via email at laurie@kingcountypal.com.

Here’s KCSO’s full press release:

Today:  Patty Murray (D) and Rob McKenna (R) on the Same Stage!

No politics allowed at benefit luncheon!

Senator Patty Murray and Attorney General Rob McKenna will be on the same stage today……separating by only a boxing coach!  How’s that for “Yes We Can”!

The event is a luncheon to benefit the Greater King County Police Activities League, or PAL.    HYPERLINK “http://www.kingcountypal.com/” http://www.kingcountypal.com/

Senator Murray is the keynote speaker at the luncheon, which also features AG Rob McKenna, Congressman Dave Reichert, and Tina Hendrix, niece of Jimi Hendrix.

The mission of the Police Activities League is to build partnerships among youth, police, and the community through athletic, educational and recreational activities, designed to develop good citizenship and reduce juvenile delinquency.  Basketball and boxing programs are the primary athletic endeavors sponsored by PAL.

Ms. Hendrix, director of The Hendrix Music Academy, mentors at-risk youth in the community through music.  The Academy has partnered with PAL to expand the numbers of young people they can reach.

Mimi Jung of King 5 News and Sheriff Sue Rahr are the Masters of Ceremonies.

We just received word from Highline Public Schools that they are investigating allegations that Jayson Boehm, a one-time volunteer for Evergreen High School athletic teams, provided health care to student athletes without appropriate medical supervision, as well as possibly fondling some male athletes.

Upon learning of the allegations, the district fired Boehm and barred him from school property.

According to the district, the allegations against Boehm came to light through two sources:

1. A school nurse alerted her supervisor when she noticed that Boehm had written a medical excuse for a student.
2. At the same time, a King County Sheriff’s detective alerted the district of their investigation into allegations that Boehm inappropriately examined an athlete in a Police Athletic League boxing competition in White Center (read our coverage of that event here). The athlete is an adult and not a student.

The district says that the King County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Health have been investigating Boehm’s conduct. The district is cooperating with these agencies and has launched its own investigation, taking the following actions:

• Identifying an outside investigator to continue the investigation.
• Contracted with WIAA to conduct a full audit of the management of high school and middle school athletic programs and pledged to fully comply with the recommendations of WIAA.
• Placed the district athletic director and a high school athletic director on administrative leave until the conclusion of the investigation.
• Informing parents of all students who received physicals from Boehm. Parents of students participating in spring sports were immediately informed by personal phone call.
• Arranged for all affected athletes to receive physicals from the Highline Youth Health Center at district expense.

“Student safety is our highest priority,” said Superintendent John Welch. “We are committed to making any changes necessary to ensure the protection and well-being of all students participating in our programs.”

As a substitute stadium manager, Boehm was to provide logistical support for activities at Highline’s Memorial Field in Burien. He had also been contracted to provide first aid at athletic events and to give first aid training to coaches and PE teachers, which he was qualified to do as a licensed Emergency Medical Technician.

Boehm had also served as a substitute stadium manager at Highline Stadium in Burien.

Story & Photos by Michael Brunk

I recently had the good fortune to spend a Saturday evening in Seattle’s Key Arena, surrounded by roaring crowds cheering on skilled athletes. No, not basketball. Something far more interesting to a non-sports fan like me… the Rat City Rollergirls.

Part rock and roll and part spectacle, with a solid base of physical sport underpinning things, roller derby is enjoying a modern resurgence. I’m old enough I can remember watching roller derby on TV but I have to admit I didn’t recall the details as I wandered into the venue.

Fortunately fellow photographer and roller derby super-fan Claw Kelsay noticed my deer-in-the-headlights expression and took the time to lay a little roller derby Zen on me.

First off, the Rat City Rollergirls aren’t a team. They’re a league! I was fuzzy on that point at first. Turns out there are actually four teams that compete against each other within the league and a traveling all-star team that competes against other leagues in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.

Claw went on to explain how the competition actually works.

A match consists of two 30-minute periods. In each period there are multiple 2-minute segments called “jams” where each team can score points. Each team sends five players out to skate. The jammer, the offensive player who can scores points for their team. A pivot, who runs the defense and can swap places with the jammer. And three blockers who work to prevent the opposing jammer from scoring.

As play starts, the defensive players from both teams start skating in a formation known as “the pack.” The two jammers start skating when the last skater in the pack passes a line on the track. The goal of the jammers is to catch up to the pack, pass everyone and then catch up again and start scoring points.

One point is scored each time a jammer passes a blocker or pivot. Two points are scored if the jammer passes the opposing team’s jammer. The first jammer to pass the pack becomes the lead jammer and can either keep skating and score points or call off the jam.

Of course, the job of the blockers and pivot is to prevent the opposing jammer from scoring points while aiding their own jammer. They can use their hips and shoulders to block opponents but elbows, knees, heads and hands are all off limits.

Still, it’s fair to say that in the midst of all this excitement a skater might earn a penalty or two. A major penalty sends them immediately to the penalty box for one minute, while a total of four minor penalties results in a trip to the box.

It was all a bit confusing at first but once the action started I picked up on it quickly enough. It helps that the skaters wear helmet covers to indicate their role. Jammers have stars on their helmets, pivots have stripes and the blockers wear a bare helmet. The points can roll in fast and furious, but a team of referees and officials keep track and the scoreboard is your best friend there.

The May 1st bout I attended was the second to last match of the season and would determine which two teams would skate in the upcoming championship bout. The evening saw the Derby Liberation Front competing against the Sockit Wenches and Grave Danger going head-to-head with the Throttle Rockets.

The first matchup, while exciting, turned out to be heavily weighted towards the Sockit Wenches with a final score of 258 to 56. Hey, I said the points piled up quickly.

The second bout was the real excitement for the evening as the Throttle Rockets and Grave Danger swapped the lead back and forth right down to the wire. In a final jam that had the crowd on its feet, Grave Danger managed the nail the coffin lid closed on the Throttle Rockets with a final score of 132 to 104.

I have to confess, after spending an evening photographing the event I really enjoyed myself. Traditional, professional sporting events have never held much of an attraction for me but there’s something about roller derby I find compelling. Yes, there’s an element of theater with the campy player names, costumes and mascots but you can’t deny that these women are truly athletes. And they’re doing this because they love it, not because someone is paying them truckloads of greenbacks.

That lends a different vibe to the whole, family-friendly affair. The skaters really embrace their fans and the fans in turn seem to have a vested interest in the success of the league. That investment has seen the Rat City Rollergirls move from a small skating rink in White Center to a former hangar at Magnuson Park to their current digs at Key Arena where they’re breaking attendance records for roller derby across the country, with over 5,700 fans at their April 10th match.

A final point Claw shared with me was the “do it yourself” ethic that the league embraces. The skaters not only get on the track and compete, they also run the league with most of the women wearing multiple hats organizing and managing things when they’re not working out and practicing. Now that’s dedication and a role model for empowerment I can get behind.

Contrast this with the recent news out of Philadelphia where a baseball fan was taser’d for running onto the field. I’m not arguing that the fan had any business being on the field, but it does lend weight to the idea that modern, professional athletes are too often pampered and protected from their fans.

I can’t help but think that if this had happened at a Rat City Rollergirls match, one of the women would have simply hip-checked the offender into the VIP seats and pressed on with the jam. And probably still have extended an invitation to the after-party along with the rest of the fans.

You can learn more about roller derby and get information about the June 5th championship match between the Sockit Wenches and Grave Danger at the Rat City Rollergirls website.

You can also check out this audio slideshow I put together. Note, this has a musical soundtrack so check your volume before clicking!

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

On Saturday morning (May 1), numerous residents and dignitaries gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at White Center’s Evergreen Community Aquatics Center, marking the official grand re-opening of the pool, which was closed by the county last August.

On hand with large, oversized, fully-functioning sharp scissors were King County Executive Dow Constantine, Rep. Sharon Nelson, Burien Mayor Joan McGilton, Deputy Mayor Rose Clark, Evergreen Aquatic General Manager Joel Schweiger, Rep. Eileen Cody, and Greg Duff, former President of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council.

After the ceremonies, the pool was opened to all for a free swim.

The next free swim will be after the White Center Spring Cleanup on Saturday, May 15th (more info here).

Here are Photos taken by Michael Brunk at Monday’s re-opening:

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Slideshow

Also, our friends at KING5.com have posted this video report:

This Saturday (May 1) at 10:30am, King County Executive Dow Constantine, along with Burien Mayor Joan McGilton and Keith Coole of the Highline School District, will join Ed Marrs, president of White Water Aquatics LLC for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at White Center’s Evergreen Community Aquatics Center.

This celebration will be followed by a free family swim for the entire White Center Community.

White Water Aquatics, along with dozens of citizens of White Center, have worked countless hours to re-open The Evergreen Commuinty Aquatics Center since it was closed by King County due to budget shortfalls last August (read our previous coverage here). Everyone is invited to this celebration and the subsequent “free swim” afterward.

“Special emphasis is being placed on developing programs which provide swimming instruction to disadvantaged communities, special needs populations and senior citizens – as well as dedicated access for lap swimmers and family swim time”, said Joel Schweiger, recently named general manager of Evergreen, and head coach for White Water Aquatics.

Last month, officials of White Water Aquatics Management, LLC, a not-for-profit subsidiary of an area swim team, announced an agreement to re-open the pool for the community at large. The parents of children who compete on the Whitewater Aquatics Swim Team have worked with The Highline School District and King County to develop an operating agreement over the last year. Private donations were raised by White Water Aquatics families and friends.

“Swimming and water recreation offer lifelong health and safety benefits, and we are happy to again offer the important benefits of swimming to White Center, our community”, said Ed Marrs, president of Whitewater Aquatics, and a professional firefighter in The North Highline Fire District. “Our unique public-private partnership is an example of how citizens can mobilize and assist government in challenging times”, he continued.

About Evergreen Community Aquatic Center
The Evergreen Community Aquatic Center, formerly Evergreen Pool, is located at 606 SW 116th Street in Unincorporated King County. Built as one of the forward thrust bond issue pools in the 1960’s, it was operated by King County. In January, ownership of the pool reverted to The Highline School District, which did not have the funding to re-open the pool. The pool is adjacent to the Burien annexation area but will remain in Unincorporated King County.

About Whitewater Swim Club
Whitewater Swim Team Club is a not-for-profit swim club which is governed by a parent board of directors, and coached by professionals. Sanctioned by USA Swimming, which governs the sport to the Olympic level, the club has over 80 youth’s age 7-21 training competitively. The swim club is open to all.

For more information, visit the pool’s website here; to download a schedule, click here (PDF file).

The Evergreen High School Booster Club is holding a fundraising Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle this Saturday, April 24th, from 5pm – 8pm, with all money raised going to support the Evergreen Cheer Squad.

This is a perfect way to boost some serious carbs into yourself and your family, all the while boosting your local school’s cheer squad and stunt team.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Evergreen High School Booster Club’s Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle

WHEN: Saturday, April 24th from 5pm – 8pm

WHERE: Evergreen High School( located at 830 SW 116th Street). Dinner will be held in the cafeteria.

COST: Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 each.

INFO: Food-Fun-Prizes-Entertainment.

Come down and meet the newly elected members of the 2010/2011 Evergreen Cheer Squad and Stunt Team.

After being closed by King County on Aug. 31, 2009, on Monday (April 19), the newly-dubbed “Evergreen Community Aquatics Center” re-opened with swimming lessons, open laps and more.

The big Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday, May 1st, with a free public swim. Another free swim is scheduled to immediately follow the White Center Spring Clean on May 15th.

The Evergreen Community Aquatic Center, formerly Evergreen Pool, is located at 606 SW 116th Street next to the Evergreen High School campus. Built as one of the forward thrust bond issue pools in the 1960’s, until last year it was operated by King County. In January, ownership of the pool reverted to The Highline School District, which did not have the funding to re-open the pool.

Here’s a link to the pool’s schedule, which includes pricing info (PDF file).

Here are Photos taken by Michael Brunk at Monday’s re-opening:

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Slideshow

The rescued Evergreen Community Aquatics Center will be holding what’s known as a “soft opening” this coming Monday, April 19th, with swimming lessons, water aerobics, lap swims and more available almost all day.

And don’t forget – there will be a free public swims on Saturday, May 1st (the official grand opening day), as well as right after the White Center Spring Clean on May 15th.

Here’s some info from a press release:

Opening Monday, April 19th!

We’ve been scrubbing, painting and gardening – we’ve got your pool in shape and ready to go! All we’re missing is you!

We’ll be open next week for lessons and lap swims – come in or check our still-under-construction website www.evergreenpool.org for details.

Lessons are generally from from 9:00 to 12:00 and 4:00 to 6:00; vertical exercise / water aerobics from 7:00 to 9:00; and lap swims almost all day – let us know what you need, as accommodations can be made while we’re building our schedule.

Remember our Grand Opening with free public swim on May 1st, and our free public swim for all of those participating in the White Center Spring Clean on May 15th.

Drop by when you can – we hope you’ll love what we’ve done with the place.

For more information, check out their website here.

The inaugural “Be a PAL” Luncheon, which will serve as a fundraiser for King County’s Police Activities League (PAL) boxing facility in White Center, will be Tuesday, June 1st at The Golf Club at Newcastle from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The featured keynote speaker will be Senator Patty Murray.

Other guests scheduled include Congressman Dave Reichert, Attorney General Rob McKenna and Tina Hendrix of The Hendrix Music Academy (yes, that Hendrix family!).

Here are the details:

WHAT: White Center Police Activities League (PAL) Fundraiser Luncheon

WHEN: Tuesday, June 1st from 11:30am – 1pm

WHERE: The Golf Club at Newcastle, located at 15500 Six Penny Lane in Newcastle.

INFO: Mimi Jung of King 5 News and King County Sheriff Sue Rahr will co-emcee the luncheon as they welcome everyone to this exciting event, including former defensive end and linebacker Joe Tafoya, other current and former Seattle Seahawks and a few surprise guests.

“PAL programs provide positive intervention in the lives of young people who are at risk,” said King County Sheriff Sue Rahr. “Police officers want to do all they can to help kids before they get in trouble and PAL assists them in this goal.”

Visit the Be a PAL Luncheon page here for more details, or for information about the event, sponsorship, underwriting and advertising opportunities, contact Laurie Perkins at (206) 922-2069 or via email at laurie@kingcountypal.com.

by Ralph Nichols

Greg Duff (pictured, left), president of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, found himself out of a job on April 1. Because that day, he became a resident of Burien.

At that evening’s meeting of the unincorporated area council, Duff resigned. He was replaced by council vice president Christine Waldman. Council member Doug Harrell then was elected vice president with all council members – except himself – voting for him.

Patrick Mosley, who serves as a Block Watch captain in North Highline, was unanimously elected to replace Duff on the council.

“I’ve not just said I’ll do something,” Mosley said of his past activities. “I’ve actually done it. That seems the best way to do it.”

In his parting comments, Duff paid tribute to the late Barb Peters, a former member of the unincorporated area council and community activist, “who said one person can make a difference. And she was right.”

He recalled that Peters first encouraged him to seek a position on the council, and later to run for president.

“I hope that in the past couple of years, we made the community a little better than it was before,” Duff said. “Thank you for the opportunity of letting me be your president for the past year.”

At the beginning of the meeting, both Duff and council member Ray Helms, also now a resident of North Burien, were honored by their fellow council members.

REMINDER: Today (Monday, April 5) is the deadline to apply to be on the NHUAC; for more info, including an application form, click here.

WhiteWater Aquatics Management will be opening their newly-rescued and re-named Evergreen Community Aquatic Center for a free, two-hour public swim after the White Center Spring Clean on Saturday, May 135th.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Free two-hour public swim at Evergreen Aquatic Center after the White Center Spring Clean

WHEN: Saturday, May 15th from 3pm – 5pm

WHERE: Evergreen Community Aquatic Center, located at 606 Southwest 116th Street.

INFO: From an email:

Drop by the Pool after your hard day’s work!

Join us for a Free Public Swim!

WhiteWater Aquatics Management is pleased to invite you to the re-opened Evergreen Community Aquatic Center after the White Center Spring Clean on May 15th.

We can’t wait to have you play around in the pool after all the work you’ve done!

Bring the kids to play – we’ll have the pool toys available, and Life Guards and Water Safety Instructors on deck to keep an eye on them.

Check out our new swim programs, jump in the pool, or just cool off on the patio with your friends.

We’ll be glad to meet you again.

Saturday, May 15th from 3:00 to 5:00

“See you…at the Pool!”

We recently reported that four Seattle Seahawks spent last Saturday night at White Center’s Police Activities League Boxing Ring, and now we’ve discovered that Hawks cornerback Josh Wilson recently worked out there with trainer Tony Rago.

The video is posted on the Hawks website here, and it includes a voiceover from our old KING-TV Pal Tony Ventrella. In the video, Wilson talks about how doing a boxing workout is different than a traditional football one.

“This is a different kind of workout,” Wilson said in the video. “Training for a three-minute round is work, man…I came out of my shirt…I’m sweating…I’m tired, I don’t think I could lift anything right now…”

According to their website, PAL’s mission is:

“To build partnerships among youth, police, and the community through athletic, educational and recreational activities designed to encourage and develop good citizenship and reduce juvenile delinquency.”

• To provide our youth with enriching experiences that fosters personal and professional development.
• To guide our youth in making responsible life choices that promote positive growth and healthy relationships.
• To encourage our youth to be good citizens and strong leaders in our community.
• To be a save environment where our youth can channel their energy into positive outcomes.
• To cultivate better communication, understanding, and mutual respect among youth, the community, and law enforcement.
• To build and maintain strong community partnerships to provide a network of support for our youth.
• To reduce juvenile crime, substance abuse, and gang involvement in our community.

Check the video out here (running time is 3:19).

On Monday (March 29), the King County Council unanimously agreed to adopt a 30-year maintenance agreement with Seattle Prep High School for the use and maintenance of Mel Olson Stadium at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center.

Despite being located on Capitol Hill, for the past 18 years, Mel Olsen Stadium has been the home field for Seattle Prep’s baseball team. In 2008, volunteers from the school donated over 1,000 hours of physical labor and helped coordinate fundraising efforts to rehabilitate the stadium and the park. The rehabilitation project was followed by the April, 2008 renaming of the park in honor of Steve Cox, a King County Sheriff’s Deputy killed in the line of duty in December 2006.

“Steve Cox Park is a tremendous asset for the community that is assured of remaining well-used and taken care of for many years to come thanks to this partnership with Seattle Prep,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips, chair of the Council’s Environment and Transportation Committee. “This is a win-win-win for the people of White Center, the students at Seattle Prep, and the taxpayers of King County.”

In the agreement, Seattle Prep will pay fees for the use of the stadium, as well as provide supplemental maintenance of the facility, and assist with major maintenance by providing volunteer labor, project coordination and fundraising assistance. In exchange, while other organizations and the public will continue to have access to the stadium and park, Prep receives priority use of the stadium for baseball games and related events.

“This is a prime example of the kind of public-private partnerships that are a critical ingredient in building better communities,” said Councilmember Jan Drago, whose district includes Steve Cox Park. “Seattle Prep played a big part in refurbishing the park, and this agreement will allow the entire White Center community to enjoy the park for years to come and honor the memory of Deputy Steve Cox.”

In the agreement, Seattle Prep will pay fees for the use of the stadium, as well as provide supplemental maintenance of the facility, and assist with major maintenance by providing volunteer labor, project coordination and fundraising assistance. In exchange, while other organizations and the public will continue to have access to the stadium and park, Prep receives priority use of the stadium for baseball games and related events.

In 2002, the County redefined its role regarding regional parks, adopting a business plan for parks that cultivates strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners in order to enhance park amenities while reducing costs.

PHOTO CREDIT: