The King County Public Health Department announced Thursday (Aug. 26) that it had closed Asian Bubble Tea, located 9835 16th Ave SW in White Center, for “improper preparation and service of foods under their current Risk 2 permit classification.”

According to the statement, “the Person in Charge of the establishment has not upgraded facility nor obtained a Risk 3 permit classification to accommodate new menu items including preparation of raw foods and cooking equipment. The food establishment will be reopened when the inspector confirms that all issues have been resolved.”

King County Health has varying “risk levels” for food vendors, and says “the more complex the menu and preparation of foods, the higher the risk level, which in turn relates to more frequent inspection of your establishment.”

It classifies “Risk 2″ as:

This risk level is assigned to a permit that allows food processing steps such as receiving, storing, preparing, cold holding, and serving potentially hazardous foods. It does not include hot holding of food. It includes limited preparation steps, such as baking bread, frying donuts, and grilling or toasting sandwiches for immediate service. Examples of this type of operation include on-site baking, making smoothies with raw ingredients (fruit, eggs, etc.), opening ready to eat prepackaged foods for heating or service, cooking waffle cones or cake mixes. Grocery stores with pre-packaged raw meat, poultry, or seafood are also included. These operations receive one routine inspection and one educational visit each year with the exception of schools which receive two routine inspections.

Here’s the full news release:

Asian Bubble Tea located at 9835 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106 was closed by a Public Health food inspector on August 26, 2010 at 1:15 pm for improper preparation and service of foods under their current Risk 2 permit classification.  The Person in Charge of the establishment has not upgraded facility nor obtained a Risk 3 permit classification to accommodate new menu items including preparation of raw foods and cooking equipment.  The food establishment will be reopened when the inspector confirms that all issues have been resolved.

Risk levels and permit classifications are explained at www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/ehs/foodsafety/FoodBusiness

The Food Establishment Closures homepage is online at www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/ehs/foodsafety/inspections/closures

White Center’s Holy Family Parish is holding a Community Street Fair on Sept. 11th and 12th on Roxbury with food, fun vendors, both a chili and salsa cook-off, live music and much more.

They’re also looking for vendors, so if you’re interested you’re asked to please contact the parish office at (206) 767-6200 or via e-mail at office@hfseattle.org.

Here are the event details:

WHAT: Holy Family Community Street Fair.

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 11th from 9am – 6pm and Sunday, Sept. 12th from 9am – 4pm.

WHERE: 9622 20th Ave SW & Roxbury in White Center

INFO: Principal Frank X. Cantwell says:

“The theme of our Street Fair is ‘honor the diversity of our community.’

So many of the events in the community tend to honor only one nationality at a time.

We are trying to get everyone together at once.”

Here’s the poster:

More info available at their website here.

The White Center Eagles have breakfast every Sunday from 9am – Noon, and this Sunday (July 25) they’ll be doing a fundraiser to help “Stuff the Bus” for WestSide Baby – bring in a package of diapers and you’ll get $2 off.

Most breakfasts are regularly $6 and that includes coffee and juice.  It is open to the public and kids are welcome.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Stuff the Bus” fundraiser for WestSide Baby

WHEN: Sunday, July 25th, 9am – Noon

WHERE: White Center Eagles Hall, located at 10452 15th Avenue SW; (206) 248-1400‎

The final day of the White Center Jubilee celebration starts off with gray skies and cool temperatures, but the promise of sunshine later today still lingers.

Despite events wrapping up today, there’s a full slate of entertainment for residents to enjoy. The street fair is in full swing on 17th Avenue SW, between 98th and 102nd, adjacent to the musical stage and beer garden, and will run until 6 PM tonight.

There is also live music on the stage near the street fair all day long, wrapping up with headliners The Dusty 45s performing from 5PM to 6PM.

Those looking for a little more excitement will find the carnival up and running until midnight tonight over at Steve Cox Memorial Park on SW 102nd Street.

Photographer Michael Brunk visited the White Center Jubilee Days carnival last night and shot these photos. Click on the images to advance through the slideshow.

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

The White Center Eagles are asking area residents to step up and “Be A Hero” by taking part in their Pint for Pint Blood Drive on Tuesday, July 13th, where blood donors will receive a coupon good for a pint of beer or a spaghetti dinner.

Here’s what they say:

“Imagine saving a life. Donate with the White Center Eagles on July 13th and you can be a hero. Donate one pint of blood and you can help 3 people. One organ and tissue donor can help over 50 people!

Registered blood donors will receive a coupon good for a pint of beer or a spaghetti dinner from the White Center Eagles*. Sign up to be an organ donor with the Living Legacy Registry, or donate a package of diapers for WestSide Baby, and get a spaghetti dinner too*.”

*Coupons for pints and spaghetti limited to one per person. Other restrictions may apply. ($5.00 per plate without donation)

For details, or to schedule a donation: 206-248-1400.

Here are the details:

WHAT: White Center Eagles “Pint for Pint” Blood Drive

WHEN: Tuesday, July 13th:

• Blood Drive: 2:00pm–7:00pm (closed 3:30pm–4:30pm)
• Spaghetti Dinner 5:00pm–7:00pm

WHERE: White Center Eagles Hall, 10452 15th Ave SW; Call 206-248-1400 to make an appointment.

INFO: Benefits Puget Sound Blood Center, Donate Life Today and WestSide Baby.

More info at www.whitecentereagles.org.

Just a few miles south of White Center, Burien’s annual Wild Strawberry Festival runs all weekend, with tons of FREE entertainment, music, arts, food, performance art, and much more.

The fest runs from 10am – 6pm today (Saturday June 19), and 10am – 5pm Sunday (June 20) at the Burien Town Square, on SW 152nd and 5th SW (map/directions here).

Be sure to come find our sister site The B-Town Blog near the intersection of SW 151st and 5th SW, where they’ll be “blogging live” all weekend.

Here are some of the weekend’s highlights:

Saturday, June 19:

• Anunnaki Project Trapeze Performances
• Stiltwalker Ellarella
• NW Parkour
• B-TOWN Bike Fair
• Kiwanis Pancake Brfst—8-10am, Burien Fire Station E
• lliott Bay Brewery Activities

Sunday, June 20:

• Abyssinian Dancers
• Manuela Horn—The Yodeling Wonder
• 5K Run/Walk— 150th & 4th SW
• Car Show
• Elliott Bay Brewery Activities

Here’s a map of the site:

To download and print your own copy of the event brochure, which includes a schedule, sponsors, site map and more – just click here for a PDF version, then hit the “Print” button.

From sister site The B-Town Blog comes word that El Tianguis, the first Latino-themed street market in the region, is set to open this Sunday, May 30th, in the Town Square Park of downtown Burien (which is less than four miles south of White Center).

The weekly market will feature goods and services that are traditionally found in open-air markets in Latino countries, including food and drink, fresh fruits and vegetables, clothing, arts and crafts, and much more.

The market is open not only to Latinos, but to anyone who appreciates Latino culture, products and amenities.

Not to be confused with a swap meet or a flea market, El Tianguis Latino Market will offer up a fun, family atmosphere that is a fusion between a Farmer’s Market and a street fair. Vendors are encouraged to offer their products at competitive prices so that clients feel welcome to do their regular shopping at the market as well as to indulge in exotic, specialty items.

According to their website, shoppers can expect:

Products will include Latino food and beverages, arts and crafts, home and garden, clothing, electronics, and many other items that are traditionally available in markets in Latino countries.

This weekly market is being put on by El Mercado, PC, a not-for-profit group that is:

…dedicated to the cultural and economic development of the Latino community, and has chosen Burien to launch the market because of the city’s earnest desire to integrate its growing Latino population with the general public. By reaching out to Latinos and offering them a stake in the community, the city of Burien has proven to be a shining example of how to tear down the walls that divide us rather than build them up, of how to embrace our differences rather than to reject them.

The market will be held on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Burien Town Square Park on 5th Place SW between SW 150th & 152nd Streets – at the same location where the current Discover Burien Farmers Market is held.

For more information, or to apply to be a vendor, contact El Mercado, PC, at info@elmercado.org or at 206-334-2285. You can also get more details at their website here: http://elmercado.org/

Here’s a map to the market:

View Larger Map

The Highline Public Schools recently held a district-wide food drive for the first time this year, bringing in 6,365 pounds of food and over $2,400 in cash, with all proceeds going to three area food banks: White Center, Des Moines, and Highline Food Banks.

“It’s a great start,” said White Center Food Bank’s Resource Coordinator Audrey Zemke. “Now that we have the basics in place, I’m excited to see what we can do next year!”

And, according to the Highline School District, they definitely will do it again next year.

Here is a breakdown of the results, by area:

The White Center Food Bank received a total of 2,297 pounds of food and $39.00.

• 561 pounds of food from Cedarhurst Elementary
• 320 pounds of food from the Honor Society at Evergreen High School
• 1,237 pounds of food & $15.00 from Hazel Valley Elementary
• 100 pounds of food & $24.00 from ERAC
• 79 pounds of food from Shorewood Elementary

The Highline Area Food Bank received a total of 2,684 pounds of food and $365.00.

• 943 pounds of food from Gregory Heights Elementary
• 461 pounds of food from CHOICE
• 239 pounds of food from Highline High School
• 511 pounds of food and $160.00 from Transportation
• 530 pounds of food from Facilities
• $205.00 from ERAC

The Des Moines Area Food Bank received a total of 1,384 pounds of food and $2,003.93.

• 1,384 pounds of food from Parkside Elementary.
• $1,805.00 from Des Moines Elementary’s penny drive
• $140.00 from ERAC

Our friends at the White Center Food Bank report on their blog that they’re working with the White Center Community Development Association, as well as with Lee’s Produce and Samway Market to create the “White Center Healthy Food Gift Certificate Program,” which will provide $5 gift certificates to food bank customers so they can purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at local produce vendors.

This program will be launched May 6th at Samway Market, which is located at 9811 15th Ave SW as well as at Lee’s Produce, located at 9435 Delridge Way SW.

Here’s the full scoop:

The White Center Food Bank, in partnership with the White Center Community Development Association, along with Lee’s Produce and Samway Market, is pleased to announce implementation of the White Center Healthy Food Gift Certificate Program. This unique program will provide $5.00 gift certificates to food bank customers that will allow them to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables through local produce vendors.

“Food bank customers often lack adequate access to fresh fruits and vegetables because of their high cost. As a result, low-income people frequently have higher rates of a variety of diet-related health problems such as type 2-diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, heart disease and stroke,” said Rick Jump, Executive Director of the White Center Food Bank.

“We’re excited to work with the White Center Food Bank to also support our two goals with our Fresh Marketplace Initiative: to increase access to healthy food options locally for residents as well support the economic development of our small businesses in White Center, “said Aileen Balahadia, Executive Director of the White Center Community Development Association.

Samway Market and Lee’s Produce were selected to participate in this pilot program because they specialize in produce that suits immigrants’ desires for traditional fruits and vegetables which are not always readily available in local supermarkets. The White Center Food Bank currently provides food for approximately 1,500 families each month, many of them immigrants and refugees.

This pilot project is funded by the WCFB, and donations to sustain it would be greatly appreciated. To make a donation online or for more information about the White Center Food Bank’s many programs, visit www.whitecenterfoodbank.org or contact Rick Jump at (206) 762-2848. Donations may also be mailed to WCFB, 10829 8th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98146.

This program will be launched on May 6, 2010 at 10:00am at Samway Market located at 9811 15th Ave SW and at 10:30am at Lee’s Produce located at 9435 Delridge Way SW.

More info on the WCFB website here.

If you’re anything like us, you’re excited to see new businesses opening up in White Center.

On a recent stroll down our beloved Dub-C’s main drag, our own Gina Bourdage spotted a poster on the front of some brown-papered windows in the front door at 9608 16th SW.

According to the poster:

“This space will soon be an awesome neighborhood restaurant and bar called ‘Company’. We are looking forward to serving our friends and neighbors in White Center and beyond, and hope to open in early summer 2010. We want to share our progress with you. If you hear us working, please come i and say hello. Check back soon for website information and our countdown to opening day.

See you soon,
Company Staff”

As everyone knows, you can never have too many “awesome neighborhood restaurants,” so this is good news. As things progress, we’ll do what we can to keep you updated.

Here are some pics from Gina’s iPhone:

Google Street View Map:

View Larger Map

The Highline School District will be holding a food drive the week of April 26 – 30, with donations going to both the White Center and Des Moines Food Banks.

According to a release, each school will set a goal, in pounds, for their individual food drive.

With the Feinstein Foundation Challenge still active, donations could effectively be doubled through April 30th.

“This is an exciting opportunity to make an impact on the needs of our community members,” said Audrey Zemke of the White Center Food Bank. “The Alan Feinstein Foundation splits one million dollars in matching funds for all monetary and food donations through April 30.”

So parents, start scouring your cupboards for some extra food for your kids to bring to school.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Highline School District food drive.

WHEN: The week of April 26 – 30 (Mon-Fri).

WHERE: All Highline Public Schools.

INFO: From a release:

Help fight hunger! Did you know one in five families with children in our region does not have enough money to buy food?

During the week of April 26 – 30, you have a chance to help change that! Highline Public Schools will partner with the Des Moines and White Center Food Banks to raise food and funds for the hungry.

Each school will set a goal, in pounds, for their individual food drive.

We can do this! Stamp out hunger in our community!

Bring non-perishable items…

OR

CASH! ($1 = $4 buying power!)

You can also donate online:

• www.myfoodbank.org (Des Moines)
• www.whitecenterfoodbank.org

Or send donations to:

Highline Food Bank
P.O. Box 66427
Burien, WA 98166

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.

On Friday afternoon (Mar. 12), Public Health – Seattle and King County closed the Del Rio Food Store, located at 10230 16th Ave SW in White Center, for the following reasons:

Establishment: Del Rio Food Store

Address: 10230 16th SW, Seattle 98146

Date closed: March 12, 2010, 2:30 pm

Reasons:

• Inadequate handwashing facilities
• Hands not washed
• Handling ready-to-eat foods with bare hands
• Cross contamination not prevented with raw meat storage
• Inadequate hot holding temperatures
• Potentially hazardous foods at room temperature
• Inadequate cold holding temperatures
• Toxic chemicals improperly stored

Status: CLOSED

According to the county website:

Closure information remains online for a period of 7 days after establishment is reopened. To ensure you are viewing the most current information, click the Refresh or Reload button on your Internet browser.

Public Health lists the reason the establishment was closed, whether it has been reopened, and the date it reopened. Reasons for closing a food establishment can vary and include such issues as failure to follow the permit process and unsafe food handling.

View Larger Map

The organizers of Sunday’s Cove to Clover 5K fundraiser race for the Highline Area Food Bank (which serves portions of North Highline) want our Readers to know that there’s a “Last Gasp” registration and packet pickup this Saturday, March 13th from 5pm – 8pm at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub in Burien.

This “last gasp” is intended for already-registered runners to get their shiny new race numbers, timing chop and t-shirt (if you registered early enough that is…), as well as for new runners to register and save the $5 race day fee increase.

That’s right – if you haven’t registered, don’t worry – you can do so at this event, and according to their website:

Don’t expect to get a shirt until after our post-race t-shirt order goes in but you can still avoid the $5 race day fee increase.

We don’t order gobs of extra shirts to insure we give every dollar we can to the food bank at the end of the day.

You will walk out with a race # and a timing chip.

The race is Sunday, starting at 1pm sharp at the Normandy Park Community Club (map here), then winding up through Burien ending at Mick Kelly’s. This is a great cause that will help numerous hungry neighbors; for more info on both the race and how/where to register, click here.

Also, don’t forget the Cove to Clover Pub Crawl this Friday night, beginning at 6pm at Mick Kelly’s in downtown Burien. For a $10 donation you’ll get a keepsake bib and a passport, which you then must get stamped at five of 13 area bars, restaurants, coffeeshops and others participating. You do NOT need to drink alcohol, although many will; for those we strongly advise using cabs or a designated driver.

More info on the Pub Crawl is here.

Here are the “Last Gasp” details:

WHAT: Cove to Clover “Last Gasp” Registration & Packet Pickup

WHEN: Saturday, March 13th from 5pm – 8pm

WHERE: Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub, located at 435 SW 152nd Street • Burien • 206.246.2473.

INFO: From their website:

Registered?
Come on in and get your shiny new race number, timing chip and shirt (if you registered early enough).

You’ll be stylin in the morning when you board the shuttle at Mick’s in the morning already sporting your number and cool snake shirt

Not Registered?
Don’t expect to get a shirt until after our post-race t-shirt order goes in but you can still avoid the $5 race day fee increase. We don’t order gobs of extra shirts to insure we give every dollar we can to the food bank at the end of the day. You will walk out with a race # and a timing chip.

Avoid the race day rush!

“Got Green?,” a program of the White Center Community Development Association, is hosting its first open house from 6pm-8pm on Wednesday, March 17th at the Columbia City South Side Commons Building, located at 3518 S. Edmunds Street.

According to the WCCDA:

Expect food, entertainment, multimedia presentations and the chance to network with Got Green and their community partners on how to support Green jobs, Green initiatives, youth, low-income communities of color and more.

Child care is available – this event is open and free to the public.

Please see flier below for more information, or visit the Got Green website:

From our sister site The B-Town Blog comes this update on the upcoming “Cove to Clover” Pub Crawl, which will benefit the Highline Area Food Bank:

What better way to prepare for the March 14th “Cove to Clover” 5k fundraiser run than by crawling in the fundraiser Pub Crawl on Friday, March 12th, where participants can feel good about going from pub to pub to help benefit the Highline Area Food Bank?

That’s right – there just isn’t a better way, so be sure to mark your calendars for 6pm+ Friday March 12th for what is sure to make a “great excuse for your poor upcoming performance on Snake Hill, with only one day to recover.”

For a $10 donation, you’ll get a commemorative keepsake bib qualifying you for “crawl” specials (our fave is the $1 bag of chips at the Hobnobber!), along with a passport and a map. Your goal will be to collect visitation stamps on your passport from at least five of the 13 official crawl stops (see the list below, which includes specials at each). Your stamped passport will serve as your entry to the door prize drawing @ 11 pm at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub.

And if this Pub Crawl is anything like the now-legendary Brat Trot one from last October, be prepared for one of the best nights in Burien you’ve ever had; just be sure to have a designated driver or a safe way to get home if you plan to imbibe.

Keep in mind also that you need not drink alcohol at every pub – you can just ask to get your passport stamped!

Here are the details:

WHAT: The 2010 Cove to Clover Pub Crawl fundraiser benefiting the Highline Area Food Bank.

WHEN: Friday, March 12th beginning at 6pm.

WHERE: Starts at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub at 6pm, with an 11pm return time for prize drawings.

COST: $10 donation gets you a commemorative, keepsake bib, which you’ll wear proudly as you “crawl” from pub to pub.

INFO: From the C2C website:

PLEASE DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!! PRE-PLAN YOUR RIDE HOME OR HAVE A DESIGNATED DRIVER

Enjoy “crawl specials” offered at each official stop.

You can also expect special entertainment on the route.

Collect at least 5 official crawl stamps and you’ll qualify for the door prize drawing at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub @ 11pm. (must be present to win).

All proceeds will benefit the Highline Area Food Bank.

Best Leprechaun Contest: Gift certificates to Mick Kelly’s for 1st ($100), 2nd ($75) and 3rd ($50).

For you Normandy Parkers: Consider riding the free shuttle from Normandy Park’s Archery Bistro. Check in with them (website here) for the schedule and shuttle stops. While they are not an official crawl stop, we understand they will be offering a specials during and prior to the first run into Burien. You can park you car there and let them do the driving. You’ll also be able to purchase an official crawl number at Archery Bistro, in case you decide to make this your launching point.

Here are the 13 designated pub crawl stops in Burien – remember, you only have to get stamped at five of ‘em:

Specials:

• $3 Draft beer
• $4.50 House Wine
• Food Special

Specials:

• $2 PBR Tall Boys $2 Bacardi Silver Bottles
• $3 Giant Pizza by the Slice

Entertainment:

• Three Tree Point Blues Band 9P

Specials:

• Free Espresso Shot

Specials:

• Free Wine Taste
• Free Menu Taste

Specials:

• $3 House Beer
• $3 Apps off Happy Hour Menu

FILIBERTO’S

Specials:

• $2 Draft Beer
• 1/2 price Calamari and pizza

Entertainment:

• RLS Band

Specials:

• $2 Budweiser
• $1 Bag of Chips!

Specials:

• $5 House Margarita
• $5 Tacos (3 Beef or Chicken Tacos)

Entertainment:

• Live Mariachi Band at 6:30

Specials:

• $2 beer
• $4 sangiovese
• $1 Pizza slices

Specials:

• Sour Apple Jello Shots $2
• Irish Potato and Banger Stew $3

Entertainment:

• Cornerstone

Specials:

• $3 Alaskan Amber Pints

Specials:

• $2 Irish Nut Brown Ales
• Corned beef sliders

Specials:

• $6 Wine by the Glass

More info available at the Cove Clover Pub Crawl website.

And if you haven’t yet registered for the 5k run, click here.