September 2005

September not only signifies the official back-to-school season, it's also National Preparedness Month, and the American Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap Counties reminds you this is a good time to review the "basics" - the basics of preparedness, that is -by ensuring everyone in your home knows the family emergency plan.

"There are four simple things each of us can do to be prepared: (1) make a family emergency plan, (2) build an emergency preparedness kit, (3) get trained and (4) volunteer," said local Red Cross CEO Larry Petry.

Veterans, religious leaders, social service advocates, representatives of suburban cities and concerned citizens all expressed strong opposition last week to a proposal that would provide funding only for military veterans and their families, and leave behind the vast majority of those in need of human services.

"Today at our Budget and Fiscal Management Committee meeting, we took up the proposed veterans-only levy with an overflow crowd of interested citizens in attendance. Nearly 90 percent of those who registered to testify expressed opposition to a veterans-only levy.

The Municipal League of Seattle and King County released their 2005 County Council Candidate ratings last week.

The list of seven South County candidates was lead by sitting Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer who received a "Very Good" by the independent organization.

"I am honored to have received the highest rating of all South County candidates" said von Reichbauer.

"This recognition of my work on the council is appreciated, but my first priority in this campaign is to work hard to earn the trust of the new citizens of District Seven," he said.

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The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air of a banquet room buzzing with business. Between bites of quiche and sips of Starbucks, Federal Way's business professionals exchanged ideas and contact information at the Chamber of Commerce's monthly networking meeting, held last Wednesday at Marie Callender's.

"I see so much business flying around here today," Chamber Director of Member Services Rose Ehl told the Federal Way News during the breakfast gathering.

Imagine, for just a moment, that you're swimming a half-mile beside 650 other swimmers.

Flailing legs and arms crowd around you. Your lungs ache with a thirst for oxygen, muscles burn from the resistance of the opaque lake water.

I never have envied anyone but now I have changed my mind. I have decided to envy Peter Jacobsen.

If you play golf you know who he is. If you don't he is the boy wonder of Portland, Oregon who has won many tournaments, has won millions on the PGA tour, just turned 50 and joined the senior tour.

He'll continue his winning ways, I'm sure. He is a talented mimic, a man immensely popular as a comic and an entertainer who could easily be elected governor if he so chose. My interest in his career goes beyond mere admiration for his golf game.

We are sending $100 to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts in the Gulf States. We know they will get contributions from across the land, and they should. The damage in human terms is ineffably sad.

As I wandered around last week, acquaintances in the community had different responses to the tragedy caused by Hurricane Katrina, a killer storm with a diminutive name. Some said "Watch the price of consumer goods go way up!

Hoop camp returns

Applications are now being evaluated for The Ten Star All Star Summer Basketball Camp. The camp is by invitation only. Boys and girls ages 10 - 19 are eligible to apply. Past participants include: Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Vince Carter, Jerry Stackhouse, Grant Hill and Antawn Jamison. Players from 50 states and 17 foreign countries attended the 2004 camp. College basketball scholarships are possible for players selected to the All-American Team.