From our partners at the Trackademics program, operating out of Mt. View Presbyterian Church in White Center:

The 1st Session of The Trackademics Project recently completed their song, “Seattle Livin” which speaks to growing up in Seattle (mostly SW Seattle- High Point, White Center, South Park, Boulevard Park) and what it means to them. On Friday, February 25th, they performed their song in front of a 150+ at Cultivate’s Open Mic. We recently put together some of the footage of the 1st Session’s hard work, performances and interviews to create a music video of sorts.

THIS FRIDAY (4/29) at 8pm, The Trackademics Project SESSION 2 will be debuting their song at CULTIVATE’S OPEN MIC at Harambee in Renton. We want to make sure this group has just as much support for all of their hard work these past 2 months! This event is FREE and open to ALL AGES. Please forward this along to your youth, families, and groups that would be interested in checking out the Cultivate Open Mic as well as supporting the great work that SESSION 2 of The Trackademics Project has put together! Here is the facebook link to the invite for the Cultivate Open Mic: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=207411315944817

If you have any students or young people in the SW Seattle area that you think would be interested in The Trackademics Project, have them email me us at thetrackademicsproject@gmail.com as soon as possible.

The White Center CDA presents the beginning of the 2011 Resident Leadership Pathway, a series of 4 workshops this year specifically for residents of White Center to empower them in their community and to provide more access to resources. The first workshop is a resume workshop designed to creatively pull personal experiences and translate them onto existing resumes in order to stand out from the rest. Please see the flyer for more information. Click on image to enlarge.

SPACE IS VERY LIMITED FOR THIS WORKSHOP. IT IS IN A COMPUTER LAB THAT HAS 20 STATIONS. RSVP AND REGISTER TO THIS WORKSHOP BY CONTACTING IAN@WCCDA.ORG OR CALL (206) 694-1082 x 175. REGISTRATION WILL BE CLOSED WHEN WORKSHOP CAPACITY IS MET.

Brionne Corbray of the GAME Collective - one of the medical marijuana dispensaries to open in White Center - addresses questions from the audience at last night's White Center Business District Mixer, held at 3.14 Bakery. Photo courtesy of the White Center CDA's Twitter account, which was tweeted as the event happened.

Last night’s White Center Business District Mixer event was successful, complete with community announcements, networking and great food from Banh 88 Restaurant and 3.14 Bakery. The hot button topic around medical marijuana dispensaries opening up in the business district was also addressed. Brionne Corbray from the G.A.M.E. Collective and Chris Cody from Herbal Legends were on hand to introduce themselves and to address any questions/concerns regarding their businesses. Overall safety was a large concern, with other topics around legislation and operations.

Here is a statement from the White Center CDA board of directors regarding these businesses:

The CDA supports new businesses that contribute to a healthy, robust economy in White Center. We support businesses that operate responsibly, follow the existing laws and serve our community. With the new medical marijuana dispensaries open in the downtown core, we offer the same support. Just like other community-minded businesses, we’d love to see active community participation from medical marijuana dispensaries, including but not limited to: participation in regular CDA business mixers, Chamber of Commerce meetings, contributions to community events, in-kind support of community projects and other volunteerism efforts so they are part of the White Center revitalization efforts.

However, if after careful watch we gather data and see a negative impact on our community, such as over dispensing or illegal/wrongful prescription abuse, the CDA may change this position. We recognize the varied emotion these businesses elicit amongst our community and look forward to working with the new owners, the White Center Chamber of Commerce and other organizations to work toward a positive outcome.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, 4/21/11: Senate Sends Medical Marijuana Bill to Gov. Gregoire

Roller Derby is back in White Center! Click on image to enlarge.

Community members and business owners spent the evening attending the White Center CDA’s Business Seminar at Chase Bank on March 7 to gather information, resources, picking up tips from special guest speakers on how to manage and find news ways to develop an existing business or a new business.

Our White Center Business District Mixer is tonight, 6:00pm-7:30pm at 3.14 Bakery on 16th. See you there!

Courtesy of KING5 News:

TONYA MOSLEY / KING 5 News

WHITE CENTER, Wash. - The lunch hour is over and Evergreen High School custodian Tyrone Curry gets out his broom for a quick sweep up.

“I try to make sure it’s spotless and it’s ready for the kids,” he said.

After cleaning, he’s off to his second passion: coaching the track and field team.

“I just like staying busy,” Curry said with a
laugh.

But in reality, he doesn’t have to work. He’s a millionaire.

“I know my wife says, ‘Oh, you don’t really have to work’ and I say, ‘Yeah. I do.”

Five years ago, Curry won nearly $3.4 million in the state lottery. Even before his numbers were drawn, the coach knew where he wanted to spend it.

“Ten years ago, I said if I win some money, I’m going to put a track here.”

In early April, coach Curry presented the district with $40,000 to go towards a brand new track.

“Tyrone goes above and beyond in the sports he coaches,” said senior Devante Botello. “It’s a deep feeling. All I can say is thanks.”

Curry said the gift he has given Evergreen pales in comparison to what the kids have given him.

“Kids do things for you. They keep you young,” Curry said.

In June, after 34 years, Curry will retire. But, he’ll be back to see that brand new track and cheer on the team.

“It’s gonna be hard when I retire, you know, but I’ll still be here.”

Curry plans to run for the school board after retirement.

His donation will be matched with a $75,000 youth sports grant.

Today’s lunch: Zippy’s “The Last Gasp” burger - two patties, a hot link, bacon, a fried egg, special sauce, cheese and lettuce. You might want to grab one of these specialty burgers by the end of tomorrow’s close of business. Zippy’s Giant Burgers will be moving to White Center, with a grand opening date of April 25. Welcome to White Center!

Above is a video from Sept. 2010 about Promise Neighborhoods. The White Center CDA, in partnership with the Highline School District and Southwest Youth and Family Services, is currently organizing around Promise Neighborhood planning efforts to happen in White Center, and we are currently working on “The White Center Promise” on our website. This “cradle to college” concept is being communicated to partners and individuals via 3 different workgroups, community outreach, events and more . You can find out all about our efforts by visiting:

WWW.WHITECENTERPROMISE.ORG

The page is currently under construction but we will have a lot more updates in May.

For more information about “The White Center Promise”, please contact Laurie Bohm, Promise Neighborhoods project director, at lbohm@swyfs.org.

The CDA Community Building department trained youth from The Service Board (TSB), Cascade Middle School and Evergreen High School on how to facilitate a storytelling workshop. In this 2010 photo, Elvis from Cascade Middle School and Mohammed from Evergreen High School present the workshop in front of 50 students from White Center. The workshop was in partnership with TSB and Community Schools Collaboration.

Last but not least, here’s our report for our Community Building work at the White Center CDA. You can read the complete report, which includes our Mission and Vision statement, and more, on our Reports page!

Community Building: The White Center CDA is the vehicle for merging the family and neighborhood strategies to ensure they are resident driven and accountable.  The intersection of these efforts will provide a hub for residents to be engaged and step up to leadership roles promoting family and neighborhood initiatives.

In 2011, our work includes our signature event, the Community Summit, bringing together 400+ partners, residents and businesses to access resources, celebrate community, review the Community Report Card and to understand the eight strategies of the Neighborhood Action Plan to see where their vision comes to reality and how they can be involved. Specific targeted outreach is also set to occur related to White Center Promise, alternative modes of transportation and voter registration. Lastly our Resident Leadership Pathway provides free advocacy and skills training for residents and is one benefit of becoming a Member of the CDA.

2010 Successes:

Increased the community building capacity of 17 non profits with Project Empower and Non-profit Assistance Center (NAC)

Launched membership program and recruited the first 120 members of the White Center CDA.

Completed the first annual update to the inaugural 2009 Neighborhood Plan by reaching out to 50+ partners and the 100+ action items they took the lead on.

Trained five resident fellows to support priorities of the community and gain work experience at the CDA.

Supported Family Development and Neighborhood Revitalization advocacy efforts related to School equity policies, food and fitness, and housing/homelessness.

Here’s an update from our original business mixer post. See you at 3.14 Bakery!

(CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE)