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 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 King County Sheriff’s Department reports that they found Carl Wallace, age 58 and suffering from dementia, Friday night (July 16) in Grants Pass, Oregon.

Wallace was found safe, with his vehicle and dog “Frankie.”

He was first reported missing from the Burien area on Friday July 16th:

PREVIOUSLY:

On Friday (July 16) the King County Sheriff’s Department sent out word that they’re seeking the public’s help in finding 58-year old Carl Wallace, last seen in Burien.

According to police, he was last seen Thursday (July 15th) in the Burien area, and might be intending to drive to California.

Wallace suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease, and is in the area from Idaho for medical treatment.

The missing man has little gas, no credit or debit cards, little money, and did not know how to get to the freeway from Burien.

He is likely driving a black, 1990 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, Idaho license 1AEB756.

His dog “Frankie” is with him, a brown and white border collie, weighing about 40 lbs.

Wallace is 5’ 7” tall, 180 lbs., and gray hair, blue eyes, and a full beard.

He has a tattoo on his left forearm of purple roses with “Carl + Betty.” He is wearing a gray shirt, tan shorts, tan boat shoes, and might have a purple sweater.

If anyone sees Carl Wallace they should call 9-1-1 or the Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours).

Rebuilding Together Seattle (www.rtseattle.org), a nonprofit organization, is currently accepting applications from homeowners in need.

Rebuilding Together Seattle (RTS) provides donated repair services for low-income homeowners, through the support of sponsors and community volunteers.

To qualify for the program, homeowners must be low-income and unable to complete the work independently. We assist those who are elderly, disabled, veterans, and/or families with children. RTS also assists non-profit or community organizations in need of facility repairs.

RTS is connecting with health facilities, government agencies, shelters, senior centers, and community centers to inform others about our program. RTS is need of community leaders to share the word about our program to those in need, with a goal to assist more clients each year.

RTS recently began a Veterans Program, in an effort to bring veteran community members together to help low-income veteran homeowners and their families. RTS also launched an Annual Repair Program that will focus on helping qualified homeowners with quick safety fixes around the house. These fixes include installing grab bars, handrails, skid strips, and updating to energy efficient light bulbs.

Interested parties can call our office to request an application, or view and print our application online at: www.rtseattle.org/forms.php. For more information, you should also check out their blog at rebuildingtogetherseattle.blogspot.com.

If you have any questions about their program, please call their office at 206-682-1231 or email info@rtseattle.org.

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.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound, a donor-supported mentoring organization with programs in King County, is looking for male volunteers to be Big Brothers.

According to the organization:

Volunteers meet with a child in school or on the weekends to play games, do homework, see movies, visit a zoo or museum or just hang out.

Children in our programs are kids who could greatly benefit from additional adult guidance. Children are referred to the program for many reasons, and many children come from homes where quality adult attention is limited by single-parenthood or transitional housing, including foster care. Whatever the circumstances, these children need an adult in their lives who is caring, consistent, knows how to listen and can be a good role model.\

We especially need male volunteers for our many waiting boys. Research shows our programs are working: compared to their non-mentored peers, Little Brothers and Little Sisters are less likely to use violence to solve problems, become more trusting of their parent or guardian, resist substance abuse and improved school attendance.

To inquire, please visit www.bbbsps.org or call 1-877-700-BIGS.

According to Gary McNeil, Boy Scout Troop #375 of Burien collected 392 pounds of food in the “Scouting for Food” drive on Saturday, March 20th.

The troop, sponsored by St. Francis of Assisi Church, donated all the food to the White Center Food Bank. Cub Scout Pack 375 helped by handing out bags the previous Saturday, March 13.

The food will help the food bank serve over 1,500 families this month.

“There were many generous households in the neighborhood around Seahurst Park,” McNeil said.

This year Boy Scouts of America is celebrating their 100th Anniversary, and helping feed hungry families is one of the many ways that Scouts serve their community. The Chief Seattle Council has planned many service projects and events to celebrate this milestone – for more information check out their website here: www.seattlebsa.org.

Here are some pics Gary sent us:

Our friends at the White Center Community Development Association alert us to an upcoming educational business seminar on small business tax, funding and financing on Monday, March 15th from 6pm – 8pm at Chase Bank (1616 SW 100th Street).

Here are the details:

WHAT: Educational seminar on small business tax, funding and financing.

WHEN: Monday, March 15th from 6pm – 8pm.

WHERE: Chase Bank Meeting Room, located at 1616 SW 100th Street in White Center.

INFO: From a flier:

Do you own or think of owning a business in White Center? Do you have business tax-related questions?

Are you interested in finding out about funding/financing sources to start/operate your business?

Would you like to pick the brain of an expert in business development and a couple of CPAs?

You are invited to: AN EDUCATION SEMINAR ON SMALL BUSINESS TAX, FUNDING & FINANCING

Presented: Cornerstone Funding Company

Location:    Chase Bank – Meeting Room

Address:    1616 SW 100th Street

Date & Time: Monday, March 15 6pm – 8pm

RSVP is required by emailing Nhan Nguyen at nhan@wccda.org or call 206.694.1082 Ext. 166.

If you read The White Center Blog regularly, you’re probably aware that, aside from providing a much-needed and timely service to the White Center area, we’re growing very quickly in both traffic, content and Advertisers (more info on us here).

And growth can be good, except of course when it starts to overwhelm a very small staff.

Hence, this posting – we’re looking for at least two capable folks to come join our Burien-based team:

1. JOURNALIST/EDITOR with WordPress knowledge (or you’re at least not afraid to learn it). Yes, we need another Editor to collect content, format it, copy edit, add graphics (and do appropriate FTPing if necessary), then push the “Publish” button to update some of our up-and-coming blogs (we currently have 6 total, with more coming soon…).
2. SALES REP who can call on local businesses to let them know about us. We have nice Rate Cards, fast-growing traffic, solid, original Reporting and Photography, and we’re finding that selling Ads is easy – we just need more feet on the ground!

Here’s some more info:

• We prefer to find local folks who live in the area (and yes, you can work from home!).
• We like people who are involved in their communities (we’re active in ours).
• We like to find people who either read the blog already, or know of us.
• You can work part or full-time (some folks working here now have other gigs).
• You can set your own hours.
• This is a “ground-floor opportunity” and you will be part of a small, growing team.
• These are Contractor (1099) positions, meaning that you’ll be paid on an either per-job/hourly basis or pure Commission. And believe it or not, we also accept Volunteers! There are no benefits other than working with a fun, local, talented team who like to make a difference in their community.
• Your work will be seen not just here on The White Center Blog, but our five other area sister sites as well, including:
  • The B-Town Blog
  • The Waterland Blog (for Des Moines)
  • The Normandy Park Blog
  • The Tukwila Blog
  • The SeaTac Blog

Requirements:

• Please have a computer and internet access (we’ll give you an email account).
• Please have a reliable car & valid driver’s license.
• Please have the ability to manage your clients throughout their entire Ad run on the sites (this includes staying in contact with them, renewing them when their contracts expire, etc.).
• You will work as an Independent Contractor, meaning you’ll be responsible for your own taxes, insurance, etc. and there are no additional benefits).
• You dig the internet and are excited about its future possibilities, including new technologies like the upcoming iPad.
• You like Local News, Events, Arts, Entertainment and more, as well as helping out your community(we hold our own Fundraiser Blog Parties about once per quarter, and over our 2+ year lifespan have raised over $13,000 for local charities).

To apply for one of these positions, please email us your resume, links to your online stuff (ie: Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogs, etc.), and your interests and availability!

by Ralph Nichols

Local groups and projects that receive financial support from the Exchange Club of Highline can look forward to a good year despite the lingering recession.

The Exchange Club’s annual spaghetti dinner and auction at St. Bernadette’s School on Jan. 30 “was a huge success!” member Sherrill Miller of BTB Advertiser E.B. Foote Winery told The B-Town Blog.

“Attendance was up over last year,” Miller said, with about 280 people attended the evening event. “Preliminary numbers indicate we made over $30,000” from the dinner with wine, a dessert auction, a raffle, and both silent and live auctions, which also “is more than last year!”

Miller added, “With our annual spaghetti dinner and auction, the funds generated are used to meet the ongoing needs of various community organizations.”

All money raised goes right back into the community, and “will be used to support more than 30 community organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, area food banks, WestSide Baby, Ruth Dykeman Center, local schools, backpacks and school supplies for kids, Crisis Clinic, and many more.”

At their regular meeting on Feb. 3, Exchange Club members said they were pleased with the “festive appearance” of the dining hall, adding that “the food was fantastic” and everyone “had all they wanted to eat.” They reserved special praise for the students who waited on tables.

“Donations (for the auctions) in this down economy were up,” it was reported, and “people already are talking about donating” for next year’s event. The Exchange Club got 285 items for the silent auction and anothe4 38 for the live auction.

The Exchange Club is a national service organization. The Exchange Club of Highline was established in 1961 with the goal of bringing business and community leaders together to support the needs of the Highline community.

Members also volunteer their time to community projects such as working at the White Center Food Bank one Saturday each month.

More information on The Exchange Club of Highline is available at its website here.

King County Councilmember Julia Patterson donated a “retired” eight-passenger van to Sea Mar Community Health Centers Wednesday (Jan. 20th), in an effort to help South King County’s growing Latino community.

There are 50 non-profit, community Sea Mar locations in King County, with two in White Center, including a medical clinic at 9650 15th Ave. SW and a dental clinic at 9650 15th Ave SW. There are also clinics in Burien, and a recover clinic in Des Moines.

Patterson was greeted by a crowd of grateful volunteers and staff who were eager to take a look inside the shiny, blue, van and welcome her to Sea Mar (see pic below).

“I am very touched by the work of Sea Mar Community Health Centers and their commitment to providing quality, comprehensive care to individuals and families across King County,” said Councilmember Patterson. “Their Des Moines location serves an incredibly diverse, low-income population, which will benefit greatly from having this new mode of transportation to and from much-needed medical and dental appointments.”

Sea Mar Community Health Centers was established in 1978 with a single medical clinic serving Seattle’s South Park neighborhood. Today, Sea Mar, a private, non-profit community health center, operates nearly 50 medical, dental and behavioral health clinics and centers in 10 western Washington counties. Sea Mar is committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive health and human services to diverse communities, including low income, underserved and uninsured populations. Sea Mar specializes in services to Latinos and is an innovative leader in the delivery of bilingual and culturally appropriate healthcare and social services. For more information, visit Sea Mar’s website here.

”We are pleased that the County has selected our inpatient, long-term treatment program as a beneficiary of its van distribution program,” said Rogelio Riojas, Sea Mar’s Chief Executive Officer. “We intend to make the van available to any resident or person who comes to the treatment center for care and services. It will be a great resource for our program.”

Since 1995, the King County Council has donated vans to nonprofit groups to help meet the transportation needs of low-income, elderly, youth, or people with disabilities in King County. The vans are part of a fleet of county vehicles that have been ‘retired’ after accruing a certain number of miles. This is the eighth year that each member of the council has been able to donate vans.

The vans were donated through an annual application process.

For more information about applying for a van, contact Councilmember Patterson’s Office at (206) 296-1005.

Monday, Jan. 18th is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and to honor his legacy, the local American Red Cross and HOPE worldwide Washington are holding a “Day of Service” where they are seeking volunteers to help, beginning at 10am and continuing to 1pm.

Here are the details:

WHAT: American Red Cross and HOPE worldwide local “Day of Service”

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 18th:

• 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.: Rally Celebration with Seattle Sea Gals, Blue Thunder
• 11:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Volunteers canvass neighborhoods in White Center and Burien
• 11:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Educational activities from American Red Cross & HOPE worldwide in the SW Boys and Girls Club

WHERE: Kick-off rally will take place at the Southwest Boys & Girls Club, located at 9800 8th Ave SW in White Center. Canvassing will take place in White Center and Burien neighborhoods.

INFO: From their press release:

Volunteers will gather at the SW Boys & Girls Club for a community rally and educational activities and interactive safety demonstrations for neighborhood youth.

The Seahawks Sea Gals, Blue Thunder and Seahawks heroes Mack Strong and Leonard Weaver will be on hand.

After the rally, volunteers will canvass door-to-door throughout local neighborhoods, talk with residents and leave behind door hangers with safety information. The door hangers include information about smoke alarms, creating a household fire escape plan and tips for cooking and heating a home safely this winter. The door hangers provide information in English and Spanish.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. recognized that strong families and communities make dreams come true. The Red Cross and Hope worldwide want to honor that legacy by keeping local neighborhoods safe.

Home fires remain one of King County’s most common disaster threats. Right here in our community, the American Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap Counties responds to a residential fire every 48 hours.

When the weather gets colder the potential for home fires always grows, but according to a recent survey conducted by the American Red Cross and National Fire Protection Association, this year the potential for home fires may increase even more as people, concerned about the cost of heating their homes, plan to use an alternative source of heat- like a space heater or stove- to lower their bills.

The American Red Cross is a non-profit, humanitarian agency dedicated to helping make families and communities safer at home and around the world. For more information, visit www.seattleredcross.org.

HOPE worldwide is an international charity that changes lives by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the poor and needy. For more information, visit www.hopeww.org.

The White Center Blog, along with our sister site The B-Town Blog, look forward to seeing as many of our Readers and Neighbors as possible this coming Saturday, Nov. 14th, at the White Center Albertsons for a special Thanksgiving-related food drive: our 2nd Annual Turkeys N’ Diapers Fundraiser!

It’ll run from 10am to 4pm, and all donations will go to the White Center Food Bank (food) and WestSide Baby (diapers & baby stuff).

Albertsons is located at 16th Avenue SW and SW 106th Street in White Center.

We’ll be collecting turkeys and diapers (yes, that’s correct: turkeys and diapers!).

Important note about the diapers – says Nancy Woodland, Executive Director of WestSide Baby:

“We only need diapers in large sizes, Size 5 or 6 or Pull-ups in size 4T. Thanks!”

Stuffing and canned vegetables and other Thanksgiving-related food items would be greatly appreciated.

Donations in the form of cash and checks (made out to “White Center Food Bank”) will also be gratefully accepted.

The crew will be lead again this year by the blog’s own Bart Bryan, host of the recurring interview segments “Whaddaya Think?”

“We raised over $1,100 last year. Let’s double that this year!” said Bart. “Folks around here can really use the help!”

The White Center Food Bank will make available the food, as they do year-round, to nearby families in need.

The Food Bank works hand-in-hand with WestSide Baby, a nonprofit organization that collects previously-owned items for children and babies and distributes them free of charge to South King County families in need.

In 2008 WestSide Baby served more than 12,000 children.

“See you all Saturday at the White Center Albertsons!” says Bart.

Here’s year-round contact information:

White Center Food Bank
10829 8th Ave SW
Seattle WA 98146
www.whitecenterfoodbank.org
Phone: 206-762-2848

And:

WestSide Baby
10032 15th Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98146
(206) 767-1662
www.westsidebaby.org

Click image (or here) to download a printable PDF poster (feel free to print & post!)

On Wednesday, Sept. 9th we first reported how community-service group ACORN is trying to help save Maria Morales’ White Center house from foreclosure by staging a phone bank today (Fri. Sept. 11th) starting at 3pm at their Burien headquarters (located at 134 SW 153rd St. Suite D).

According to ACORN Head Organizer/Director Alex King, you can either just show up at their Burien offices at 3pm, or YOU can help try and save Maria’s house from the comfort of your own office or home – RIGHT NOW (between 9am-4pm):

1. Call Sen. Margarita Prentice at (360) 786-7616, and ask her to pass mandatory mortgage mediation and to help save Maria’s home.

2. Call Litton at (713) 218-4592 and when asked provide the following information:

Loan #: 0014555239

Name: Maria Morales

“My name is _______and I am calling in support of ACORN member Maria Morales asking you to NOT sell her house and to modify her mortgage NOW.”

[Wait for their response]

“We will continue to call and do actions until Maria’s loan is modified and you start modifying all the other modifications you have. Thank you.”

We’ll be at the ACORN offices later today, and will post photos and an update later, so stay tuned and let’s see if we can garner up some serious people power to help our neighbor!

Nearly 800 freshmen and transfer students from Seattle Pacific University will participate in an annual community service project in White Center on Saturday, Sept. 26th called “CityQuest.”

Students and staff will be at the following locations from 10:30am to 2:30pm doing various community service projects:

• Nature Consortium at 14th Ave SW & SW Holly. Their tasks will include mulching, weeding, and possible trail work.
• Green Seattle Partnership at 5951 Delridge Ave SW. They will help with urban forest and creek restoration by invasive plant removal and mulch spreading.
• Lincoln Park, 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW. They will remove invasive plants.
• Hicks Lake, at 10 Ave SW, near the intersection of SW 112th Street. They will remove blackberry bushes and scotch broom.

CityQuest brings together students, faculty, staff, & alumni for more than 30 different community service projects throughout Seattle.

So if you see a group of college-aged students wearing work clothes cleaning up the ‘hood on Sept. 26th, be sure to thank them!

For more info on SPU’s CityQuest in your neighborhood, call SPU Urban Program Coordinator Owen Sallee at 206-427-1296 (cell).

ACORN, a community organization of low- and moderate-income families headquartered in nearby Burien, is seeking area residents to help take action to save a White Center home from foreclosure this Friday, Sept. 11th starting at 3pm.

Volunteer “Foreclosure Fighters” are needed at ACORN’s Burien office (located at 134 SW 153rd St. Suite D, Burien) to help resident Maria Morales from losing her home Friday, when a grassroots phone bank will place calls to Litton Mortgage, Morales’ lender.  Volunteers are needed to make phone calls demanding Litton work with Maria and modify her loans.

Members will also call Morales’ State Legislator Margarita Prentice to request her to take action on the foreclosure crisis.

“I am a single mother and this is all I can offer to my children. I want to do everything I can to keep my home,” said Morales.

Tens of thousands people in Washington state are losing their homes. Neighborhoods are in tatters and the economy is in ruins while financial institutions like Litton and Goldman Sachs are taking tax dollars and giving away huge bonuses. They are refusing to do even the bare minimum for homeowners by modifying mortgages that qualify for the Obama foreclosure plan.

Morales and other ACORN Foreclosure Fighters were stymied June 30th as they tried to confront the Goldman Sachs financial firm in downtown Seattle. Ms. Morales (whose mortgage is held by Sach’s Litton and scheduled for sale on Sept. 25th) was actually locked out of the building. ACORN members believe this to be the lender’s general attitude regarding their mortgage clients.

ACORN Foreclosure Fighter members, allies, and struggling homeowners, outraged at not only the treatment of their members, but also the ongoing foreclosure crisis that is tearing apart families, neighborhoods, and the economy, will take grassroots action to save members’ homes this Friday. In March, President Obama announced Making Home Affordable, a $75 billion effort to prevent 4 million foreclosures. However, many who SHOULD qualify are not receiving modifications from their lenders.

ACORN members believe their legislators missed an opportunity to prevent foreclosures in the last legislative session. ACORN is starting the fight to win real statewide reform this Friday.

ACORN is the nation’s largest community organization of low- and moderate-income families, with over 450,000 member families organized into neighborhood chapters in 100 cities across the country. Since 1970 ACORN has taken action and won victories on issues of concern to our members. Our priorities include: better housing for first time homebuyers and tenants, living wages for low-wage workers, more investment in our communities from banks and governments, and better public schools. ACORN is an acronym, and each letter should be capitalized. ACORN stands for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.

To volunteer, call ACORN at 206-723-5845, or email Theresa Guerrero here ASAP; for more information on ACORN, visit their website: http://www.acorn.org.