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White Center 655 results

CRIME WATCH: White Center rapist wanted for attacking victim after jail release
June 18, 2019 1:41 pm
|      56 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: We’ve received multiple inquiries about this case and contacted the King County Sheriff’s Office to find out more. Spokesperson Sgt. Ryan Abbott told us a news release would be out shortly, and here it is:

Francisco Carranza-Ramirez, a 35-year-old male from White Center, was just released from jail on June 13, 2019 on a rape charge from a 2018 incident.

As part of his guilty plea, Carranza-Ramirez was issued a sexual assault protection order that stated he cannot have any contact with the victim or her residence. On June 15th, a few days after his release, Carranza-Ramirez violated the protection order by being within 1000 feet of the same victim. The following day, the suspect assaulted the victim, knocking her out of her wheelchair, strangled her, and threatened to kill her. Deputies arrived on-scene but the suspect fled prior to their arrival. He was not located.

Detectives believe Carranza-Ramirez is still in the White Center area and is homeless. He is also believed to still have long hair like his photo. The Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information of where Francisco Carranza-Ramirez is to call 9-1-1.

According to the court documents in the original case, Carranza-Ramirez and the victim were acquaintances in passing, living in the same WC neighborhood, and then he started stalking her, raping her twice last September, both times with her 2-year-old son in the apartment. He was arrested after the second incident and had been in jail since then, almost nine months, until his release on June 13th after pleading guilty.

THURSDAY UPDATE: KCSO says they now believe Carranza-Ramirez is in Mexico.

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Flag-raising celebration launches first White Center Pride
June 5, 2019 11:29 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

Over the little park at Delridge/Roxbury/16th, the official White Center Pride flag is flying after a celebration and ceremony tonight, launching five days of first-ever festivities. The small plaza outside Mac’s Triangle Pub filled with more than 100 people:

Among them, two elected officials from West Seattle – King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht and County Councilmember Joe McDermott:

Though they both spoke briefly, the program was heavier on entertainment, with drag performers and and dancers:

For video clips from the performances as well as the flag-raising countdown and cheering, see our coverage on partner site White Center Now.

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FOLLOWUP: 4th Avenue SW reopens after month-long closure
June 4, 2019 12:01 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | White Center

(WSB photo, looking south toward 4th SW from Roxbury)

4th Avenue SW, closed for a month of work south of SW Roxbury, is open again. We just noticed it while passing by – and construction manager Joshua Bowen with the King County Housing Authority just sent the notice confirming most of the work is complete:

Following the successful construction of 4th Avenue SW, we are reopening the road! Please note
that there will be no parking for the first few weeks as we complete landscaping, concrete detailing, and pedestrian lighting. Also, we will need to close the road briefly to complete a few details in the roadway (painting/striping). Thank you for your patience as we beautify your road.

This road improvement of 1,300 feet of 4th Avenue SW in the Greenbridge Community of the White Center neighborhood includes surface water runoff water quality upgrades, storm water infrastructure, channelization, signage, traffic calming measures, improved pedestrian crossings, street paving, pedestrian lighting, and landscaping.

The project was originally planned for earlier this spring but had to be delayed to a late-April start.

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PHOTOS: White Center gets brassy for HONK! Fest West 2019
June 1, 2019 4:00 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

You can walk, run, dance in the street for two more hours as HONK! Fest West bands play White Center on the second day of this year’s festival. Bands change every 20 minutes on the four stages along 16th SW south of Roxbury, so just a quick visit will get you a chance to check out a lot of music.

(WSB photos)

If you don’t get to White Center by 6 pm today, HONK! Fest West moves to Columbia City for its final day, 2-6 pm tomorrow.

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3 DAYS, 3 NEIGHBORHOODS: Almost time for HONK! Fest West 2019
May 30, 2019 8:46 pm
|    Comments Off on 3 DAYS, 3 NEIGHBORHOODS: Almost time for HONK! Fest West 2019
 |   South Park | West Seattle news | White Center

(2018 WSB photo)

Another quick weekend preview: Tomorrow night, HONK! Fest West starts three days of fun, free music in the streets in three nearby neighborhoods: 5-9 pm Friday at three spots in South Park, 1-6 pm Saturday at four in White Center, 2-6 pm Sunday at two in Columbia City. Bands, times, locations are all listed here. Haven’t been to HONK! Fest West (which visited West Seattle back in 2010)? It’s explained here.

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COUNTDOWN: Highline Bears’ season opener on Saturday
May 29, 2019 9:27 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: Highline Bears’ season opener on Saturday
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | White Center | WS & Sports

That downtown baseball team breaking your heart? The Highline Bears (WSB sponsor) are ready to win you over.

(Photo courtesy Highline Bears)

The summer collegiate-baseball team has 24 home games at Mel Olson Stadium in nearby Steve Cox Memorial Park this season, starting Saturday night, and they’re hoping to open the season with their first-ever sellout. From the team’s announcement:

The Bears aren’t just your normal baseball game; they make sure that every person who enters the ballpark has a night they will never forget. From the music over the PA system, between-inning contests, give-aways, games, and races, the Bears take a baseball game and turn it into a circus. The first batter of the Bears season will actually be a fan (18 or older) who is chosen at random through a raffle before the game. The Bears will have a fan batter of the night two times a month during non- league games.

Don’t forget to save your appetite for the ballpark as the Bears concession stand provides some of the best value you’ll find at a baseball game. With affordable prices, the concession stand offers all beef 1⁄4 lb hot dogs, Seattle Dogs, Ivar’s Clam Chowder, loaded baked potatoes, pulled-pork sandwiches, loaded nachos, and even a pulled-pork sundae.

The Highline Bears are giving-a-way magnet schedules to the first 250 fans through the gates just like the Mariners do. The unofficial Mayor of White Center will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch and Shorewood Elementary choir will be singing the national anthem.

Adult tickets are $8 or $5, youth/seniors $5, kids 8 and under free with a paying adult. You can get yours in advance of your trip to the ballpark (1321 SW 102nd) for Saturday’s 7:10 pm game vs. the Laces – the highest ticket price at $8 for adults, youth and seniors are $5 and kids 8 and under are always free with a paying adult. Just go here!

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BIZNOTE: Biscuit Bitch coming to White Center
May 7, 2019 11:54 am
|      52 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | White Center

When Chef Case Justham announced the closure of Brass Knuckle Bistro (9602 16th SW) – as reported on our partner site White Center Now – he added, “We’ve got a great buyer taking over, an iconic local spot that will be a perfect fit for the neighborhood, that I’m sure everyone will be extremely excited about.”

Post-closure, a handwritten note on the door named that “iconic local spot” as Biscuit Bitch, a sassy spot for breakfast/brunch, with three downtown locations – Pike Place, Pioneer Square, and Belltown. We’ve finally confirmed the White Center expansion plan, after reaching BB by phone today. No estimate yet for when they’ll open, we were told, but they’ve taken over the space. Never been to Biscuit Bitch? Here’s the menu.

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CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigations in White Center, West Seattle
April 20, 2019 3:47 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

Two gunfire investigations in the past 12 hours:

WHITE CENTER: Thanks for all the tips on this afternoon’s 16th SW gunfire. Deputies say people in two vehicles exchanged gunfire, both missing but hitting a third, the minivan in our photo above. No injuries. We’re updating the story on our partner site White Center Now.

WEST SEATTLE: Though we were on the desk until 4:30 am, we didn’t hear anything about this until an email question at midday about gunfire heard around 3 am. Checking the SPD automated Tweets by Beats, we found a call categorized as “drive-by shooting/no injuries” in the Fauntleroy/Edmunds vicinity about that time. No further details.

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ROAD-WORK ALERT: Why a quarter-mile of 4th SW will be closed for a month
March 27, 2019 2:45 pm
|    Comments Off on ROAD-WORK ALERT: Why a quarter-mile of 4th SW will be closed for a month
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | White Center

Thanks to the texter who alerted us to signage along 4th SW just south of Roxbury [map] about an impending road closure. We went over to check it out and spotted the signs you see above and below.

Following up with King County, since it’s their project, they confirmed the closure of a quarter-mile of 4th SW south of Roxbury is scheduled to start next Monday (April 1st) and provided this flyer (PDF) with details:

Background on Greenbridge is here.

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UPDATE: 1 arrested, 3 firefighters hurt in White Center fire
March 20, 2019 3:12 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

(Added: Texted photo)

3:12 PM: In case you’re seeing this too: Checking out a crime scene in White Center, our crew noticed a big plume of dark smoke to the south and headed south to look for it. It’s a big brush fire in the Park Lake area, affecting 15th/16th SW south of SW 107th.

3:31 PM: Our crew has talked with the fire chief on scene. He confirms the fire has spread to a building. No injuries reported.

3:51 PM: 16th SW is closed between 110th and 112th, so if you’re heading through that area, you’ll need to detour around.

9:24 PM: Updates – 16th SW had reopened by the time we checked back around dusk. Also, investigators say this was arson, and a suspect is in custody – a 34-year-old man. Three firefighters were injured in what was eventually classified as a three-alarm fire.

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MLK DAY OF SERVICE: WestSide Baby gets a boost
January 21, 2019 1:25 pm
|    Comments Off on MLK DAY OF SERVICE: WestSide Baby gets a boost
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a Day of Service for many – among them, thousands of volunteers organized via United Way of King County. Dozens of them are helping out at WestSide Baby‘s regional headquarters in White Center – including a big group of Starbucks workers, many of whom brought along their own kids.

WestSide Baby relies on a lot of volunteer help to “process gently used donated items and prepare them to be distributed to children in our community … quality checking clothing items, getting clothes on our shelves and filling actual orders from hundreds of social workers who help local low-income families.” Among the items they’re quality-checking, car seats:

The MLK Day of Service also points out that “WestSide Baby is the only social service agency in West King county area that collects, inspects and distributes free diapers, clothing, cribs and safety gear for babies and children. More than 114 local social service agencies, including shelters and food banks, rely upon us to provide critical necessities for low-income families.” WestSide Baby executive director Nancy Woodland says they have an ongoing need for volunteers, especially with car seats.

Contact WS Baby if you can help – here’s how.

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UPDATE: Helicopter search over South Delridge after shooting in White Center
December 5, 2018 9:42 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | Helicopter | West Seattle news | White Center

(WSB photos. Above, shooting scene on southwest side of 15th/Roxbury)

9:42 PM: Thanks for the tips. Guardian One is helping with a search over South Delridge and White Center. Radio traffic indicates the primary responders were King County Sheriff’s Deputies, so it started on the county side of the line. We’re on the way to find out more.

9:55 PM: Deputies tell us they’re looking for suspect(s) in a shooting in White Center – they say the victim was shot in the hand. The search is about to affect traffic on Roxbury, according to radio discussion – we don’t know for how long.

10:03 PM: Roxbury has reopened. Search continues. Deputies tell us the shooting happened near the gas station on the southwest corner of 15th/Roxbury, and the male victim has been taken to a hospital.

10:11 PM: The search/containment area is fairly wide – a K9 team is still tracking on the ground, with G-1 in the air.’

10:23 PM: KCSO says via Twitter that the victim is 26 years old and that they’re looking for one suspect, someone who “is believed to still be armed.”

10:30 PM: Photos added. The K9 search has been “called (off),” per KCSO, but deputies are still searching the area.

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VIDEO: Community celebrations for state’s first Vietnamese-American legislators, including Sen.-elect Joe Nguyen
December 2, 2018 10:56 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | White Center

The election results were finalized this past week, and with them, 34th District State Sen.-elect Joe Nguyen‘s historic victory:

He and 41st District State Rep.-elect My-Linh Thai are the first Vietnamese-Americans elected to the Washington State Legislature, and both were the guests of honor at two celebrations Sunday afternoon. Above, the two are shown in scarves presented by the Vietnamese Representative Council of Washington at the NewHolly Gathering Hall.

Some of the elders pointed out this day has been long coming – a sizable wave of people from Vietnam arrived in this area in 1975. Among those who fled Vietnam: Sen.-elect Nguyen’s mom, who was there to celebrate with her son:

Also there for the celebration, the director of West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center, Lee Bui:

After speaking briefly to the VRC, Sen.-elect Nguyen and Rep.-elect Thai headed this way for a party in White Center, where Nguyen’s family lived when he was born:

The crowd gathered at Diamond Hall, a new event space in downtown WC. The senator-elect told them in a short speech of thanks that he considered the multigenerational gathering inspiring and hopeful:

The youngest partygoers included Nguyen’s own children:

In the results certified this past week, Nguyen won the State Senate seat with 58.3 percent of the vote. He’ll be back in White Center next Thursday night (December 6th) as one of four local elected officials speaking with the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (7 pm at NH Fire District HQ, 1243 SW 112th). He will be sworn in January 14th in Olympia.

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Brio at Greenbridge: Grand opening Tuesday for new WSB sponsor
November 12, 2018 2:32 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news | White Center

Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Brio at Greenbridge, which opens tomorrow at 9888 7th SW. Here’s the announcement:

11 am-6 pm Tuesday, November 13th, we’re opening a delightful new neighborhood, 22 modern townhomes close to West Seattle, Burien, and White Center!

Greenbridge is a planned community at the center of the recent Southwest Seattle revival. We just made it more exciting with the debut of BDR Urban’s newest collection of modern, thoughtfully designed townhomes. These stunning homes are modern in style, packed with features and designed for both family life and entertaining. Imagine an in-city, brand new home, in an area with a quick commute to both Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. And at a price you’ll find quite attainable!

The Greenbridge planned community offers a variety of neighborhood and pocket parks, walking trails, playgrounds, and its own community center with shops, a recreation center, and brand-new library.

SURPRISING SIDE OF SEATTLE

More and more families are discovering the fun and style of Southwest Seattle’s many vintage neighborhoods, spacious parks, and walkable beaches. They are also discovering a unique blend of culture and style.

Rich in history, Southwest Seattle is a group of neighborhoods welcoming new families, trend-setters, and cultural creatives who are all uncovering its many charms and are happy to call it home.

We invite you to come visit and discover for yourself The Surprising Side of Seattle. Visit BDR Urban on the web at bdrhomesllc.com.

We thank BDR Urban for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen black Highlander; car prowl, broken windows
October 28, 2018 10:27 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Gatewood | Seaview | West Seattle news | White Center

Three more West Seattle Crime Watch reports from the WSB inbox tonight:

STOLEN BLACK HIGHLANDER: Maybe you can do for Jill what Kathy did for Patsy earlier today – find her stolen car. Jill’s 2013 black Toyota Highlander with a black cargo box was stolen just over the line in White Center tonight, near the roller rink. “It was pretty much out of gas, so I hope it didn’t go too far,” Jill says. Plate BEC5570. Call 911 if you see it.

CAR WINDOWS BROKEN: From David in Gatewood:

I live on SW Webster Street (3700 block), and we came out to go somewhere at around 3 pm, and saw that someone had broken the driver’s side window on our red Forester that we park in front of our
home. After a cursory cleanup, we drove up the street and saw that at least one other car had gotten the same treatment — broken window, glass on the street. Nothing was taken, they just broke the window. So for those of you tracking that sort of thing, it’s still happening.

CAR PROWL: From Jerry in Seaview:

Our car was prowled sometime last night or early evening today. It was locked, so no idea how the perp got in. Some change was missing and no damage. 5900 block of 46th between Raymond and Juneau. Be aware!

Something for Crime Watch? Report it to police (911 if it’s in progress!), and then to us, so all your WS neighbors can be aware – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 35th/Barton police response, plus 2 stolen cars
October 24, 2018 4:09 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Crime | West Seattle news | Westwood | White Center

Earlier today, the West Seattle Crime Watch reports were all bicycle-related. This afternoon, it’s all about cars:

ABOUT THE 35TH/BARTON RESPONSE: Thanks to everyone who messaged us about this response a short time ago (including the person who texted the photo, taken from inside a bus that had to stop). Police say it was related to a suspected stolen car that turned out to NOT be a stolen car.

Meantime, two auto-theft reports received via e-mail:

GREEN 1997 HONDA CIVIC: Taken from Arbor Heights earlier this week:

Melody‘s car was taken from her driveway at 97th and 39th SW around 4 pm Monday, a 1997 Honda Civic LX, Dark Green, License AGS2316. Also: “There is (was) a red assist walker, handicapped parking permit, and a small pink service dog vest and leash in the car.” Call 911 if you see it or if you see this next stolen vehicle, also a ’97 Honda:

BLACK 1997 HONDA CR-V: From Codie:

My 1997 Honda CR-V was stolen from my driveway on 4th Ave SW, near Roxbury/Myers Way, between 12:45 am and 8 am. It’s black, 4-door, basic, wear and tear, but in good condition. Had a wheelbarrow and yard working tools in it. Along with my recently passed Father In Law’s Marine Corps hat with his pins on it. License plate number AUA5782.

It was stolen 2 years ago about the same time of year and I happened to drive by it 6 weeks later parked in front of a house by (Dick Thurnau Memorial) Park. Please, if you see any unusual cars parked in your neighborhood for an unusual amount of time, ask your neighbors if it’s theirs or if they have noticed how long it’s been sitting.If nobody knows please take the time to call it in…somebody could be looking for it.

My car sat literally down the road, 8 blocks one way and 6 blocks the other, for over a month, full of “family” stuff at the time, car seat, car hart jacket, dog food, trike…it was super rainy and wet that year. When I happened to find it, it was super moldy and full of everything in it except the dog food…started right up, thankfully. Took months to get all the mold out and the car seat was not useable. However, I spent 6 weeks in the rain on the bus with my 3 year old. That included Halloween. The person whose house we found it in front of said that, yes he had noticed it, and yes he had asked around, but just hadn’t gotten around to calling it in. We made the best of it then and I will again (we have a beater car that we acquired last time this happened through the grace of a friend). My CRV is paid for and I just replaced the windshield and a myriad of other things to ensure that it keeps on keepin on. I can only hope when it is found it’s still drivable. Please keep your eye out … thank you for taking the time to read.

Auto theft is up sharply in this area over last year; more about that in our upcoming coverage of last night’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting.

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The auction item you never realized you needed, and other reasons to be at White Center Food Bank’s Harvest Dinner
October 13, 2018 4:34 pm
|    Comments Off on The auction item you never realized you needed, and other reasons to be at White Center Food Bank’s Harvest Dinner
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

(Photos courtesy White Center Food Bank)

Could be the ultimate home decoration … a fire hydrant. It’s one of the auction items up for bids one week from tonight at this year’s Harvest Dinner and Auction benefiting White Center Food Bank, which serves part of West Seattle too. Here’s the reminder:

The White Center Food Bank’s 14th Annual Harvest Dinner & Auction fundraiser is October 20th from 6 PM – 10 PM at the Brockey Center at South Seattle College. The theme is “Back to Our Roots,” signifying the return of the WCFB auction back to its neighborhood after being in various venues the past few years.

Keeping with the theme, WCFB will have a former customer of the food bank share her story and what role the food bank played in her getting connected to achieve her personal and professional goals.

The food bank’s new Executive Director will address the audience, as will the board president and a local partner, CitySoil Farm.

Featured items in the Live Auction include a fire hydrant from KC Water District 20, Seattle’s “other” sports package, a week-long stay at a timeshare in Mexico or Florida, and a farm to table dinner for 12 at WCFB’s onsite Grow2Give Garden.

Tickets are $75. Get them here. Questions? Please email: auction@whitecenterfoodbank.org or call 206-717-2531.

P.S. Follow the ticket link to preview dozens of other auction items too!

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Delridge RapidRide H Line: Open house announced
October 3, 2018 1:05 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Transportation | West Seattle news | White Center

Last time we mentioned the now-set-for-2021 Delridge Route 120/RapidRide H Line transition, an upcoming open house was noted. Today, details were announced – one week from tonight, Wednesday, October 10th, 5:30-7:30 pm. The event announcement from SDOT – which is partnering with Metro on the project going back to when it was under the “Delridge Multimodal Corridor” umbrella, since the transition will also “redesign” much of Delridge – includes:

In the Delridge corridor, we are proposing:

Bus lanes
Landscaped medians
Crosswalk improvements
Protected bike lanes and neighborhood greenway connections
Signal upgrades
Paving
Water and sewer pipe upgrades
Spot parking and bike lane removal
Public art

Learn more and give specific feedback about this early design work at our upcoming open house with King County Metro.

Attend our open house: Wednesday, October 10 – 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Mount View Elementary School
Cafeteria/Multi-Purpose Room
10811 12th Ave SW, Seattle
*Child care provided

For more information about the open house, please click here to see our postcard.

Stay tuned for an online open house with survey questions if you can’t make the event. Check out our website and keep an eye out for additional email updates from us to learn about additional opportunities to review the preferred option and provide feedback.

If you’re not on the e-mail list already, send a note to DelridgeTransit@seattle.gov. We first reported back in July that the H Line launch date had been pushed back to 2021.

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UPDATE: White Center/North Burien power outage
August 10, 2018 7:01 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | White Center

7:01 AM: Thanks for the tips. Yet another big power outage in the area – this time, 4,000-plus customers in White Center/North Burien. No word yet on the cause. But if you’re heading that way this morning, you should be aware. P.S. As far as we can tell, no overlap with the areas affected by the two big West Seattle outages in the past week and a half.

8:27 AM: The map shows it’s over.

8:32 AM: City Light says this outage was caused by a tree branch falling into a power line.

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Crime Watch: Stolen gray 4Runner
August 6, 2018 3:59 pm
|    Comments Off on Crime Watch: Stolen gray 4Runner
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

From Tim, a stolen-vehicle report: “Gray Toyota 4Runner ’99 SUV. Washington plates 231XWQ. Also: Black brush guard on the front end. Stolen Saturday night, 98th and 17th SW. Please call 911 if you see it!”

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White Center Mary’s Place shelter latest beneficiary of West Seattleite’s project Libraries for All
July 2, 2018 10:34 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | White Center

(Photo by Andrea Laughery)

By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog

Fresh paint, matching furniture, and planned décor are not the norm for families traumatized by homelessness. Those fortunate enough to find shelter get accustomed to make-do accommodations.

Not so the new library at the Mary’s Place shelter in White Center. It’s bright, comfortable, and inviting – whether a parent wants to read to her kids, enjoy a book himself, use a computer, or simply take a break to rewind.

A busy week of painting, assembling, and stocking culminated this past Saturday when the third Libraries for All project opened to Mary’s Place residents. Spearheaded by high-school senior Alina Guyon, a West Seattle resident, the project attracted help from several other volunteers, plus donations of books and laptops. The $5,250 in funding for expenses came from All the Sky Foundation.

Mary’s Place had an assortment of children’s books when Alina offered to create a real library. Starting with donated books (many from West Seattle), Alina enhanced the 250-square-foot room with computers so residents can search for jobs and stay connected with key people in their lives. The emphasis on children now includes kid-friendly DVDs.

“When families are trying to survive, education is set aside until the most pressing things in life are figured out and this break in a child’s education can create a long-term problem,” Alina said. “Having access to a library can help that child step back into school and stay at grade level.”

The 24-hour White Center Mary’s Place opened in June 2017 with a capacity of 70 adults and children. It is one of four full-service family centers that the nonprofit operates in the greater Seattle area.

(Photo by Alina Guyon)

Mary’s Place residents and members of Girl Scout Troop #40890 (photo above) helped stock the shelves with about 1,000 well-organized books. Knowing that loss and damage are inevitable, Libraries for All will replenish the supply as needed. The Mary’s Place staff will manage the library, use the projector to show movies, and maintain the computers.

The first Libraries for All project was for residents of a refugee facility near Kampala, Uganda, and the second was for children in a red-light district of Kolkata, India. Alina is weighing options for Project #4. Read more at libraries4all.com.

Now with its greatly enlarged collection of books, White Center Mary’s Place has put out a call for volunteers willing to read with children. To learn more, email volunteer@marysplaceseattle.org or call 206-621-8474.

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Full Tilt Ice Cream founders look back, and ahead, on 10th-anniversary eve
June 19, 2018 4:48 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Ten years, five shops, two kids.

It’s been an eventful decade for Justin Cline and Ann Magyar since they opened the doors of Full Tilt Ice Cream in White Center on June 20, 2008 – where their tenth anniversary party is (updated) set for Saturday.

Yes, this level of success and expansion – including more than 200 wholesale outlets around the Northwest – surprised them. “We didn’t have a business plan,” admits Justin, who now spends more time business-running than ice-cream-making.

“We never would have opened if we’d had a business plan!” laughs Ann, wrangling their 15-month-old daughter Ruby as we talk at a table in the original store, which still sports the lemon-lime paint we remember from photographing it pre-opening.

Read More

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RESTAURANTS: Pizza-mania spreads south, with Southside Pizza
June 19, 2018 11:45 am
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | White Center

This is both a closure and coming-soon tidbit from White Center: CTO, aka “Chinese Takeout,” has closed in the Beer Star/Lil’ Woody’s building at 16th SW/SW 98th – but the space won’t be empty for long. The CTO webpage announces, “Beginning on Monday, June 25th, we will be opening Southside Pizza, featuring whole pies, slices, and pizza joint classics that will have something for the whole family. Chef Manny is bringing his years of working with pizza to White Center and we’re excited about this new beginning.” Southside has menu info (minus pricing) on its in-progress website.

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