October 2005

TIMES/NEWS

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced last week a $5.6 million grant to the Highline School District.

It is the largest grant ever received by the district.

"The support will help focus the district around a mission of high achievement for all students," according to a Gates Foundation press release.

It will "increase support for students and teachers; improve high schools; and support the ongoing community engagement efforts."

The grant will provide funding for ongoing professional development for teachers, accordi

A state Court of Appeals panel has affirmed its previous decision that Des Moines businessman and City Councilman Gary Petersen has no conflict of interest while serving as an elected official.

Petersen owns Pete's Towing, which for more than 42 years has towed disabled and impounded vehicles for the city when dispatched by the Des Moines Police Department.

"The court has once again recognized how hard I have worked to conduct myself honestly in everything that I have done for this city," Petersen said in response to the unanimous ruling, which was issued Oct.

Fourteen-year-old Monet Hendricks didn't think it would be possible to have a tighter-knit school than Aviation High.

The 200 freshmen and sophomores share a passion for flying with teachers, staff and volunteers.

But a sudden tragedy has brought the school community even closer together, according to Monet.

Fifteen-year-old Brittany Boatright and 14-year-old Kandyce Cowart, both from Burien and both freshmen at Aviation High, were killed Oct.

As Richard Benjamin scurries around town waiving a letter from the Public Disclosure Commission and seeking absolution for his role in the theft of the 2001 Des Moines City Council election, let us remember that the PDC simply dismissed the charges because it could not find specific evidence that Benjamin knew what was going on.

Lack of evidence is not exoneration.

The incident did indeed take place, as finally admitted by the conveyor belt investors and ex-mayor Don Wasson (who, incidentally, vehemently denied the charges right up until that moment, two days before Chris

Times/News

"I'm sick. I think I have a fever," I whined.

Marge handed me the thermometer and left the room.

I immediately thrust it up next to a hot light bulb.

"What are you doing?" Marge demanded as she unexpectantly reentered the room.

"I don't want to go to school," I whined again pitifully.

Publisher

When Elsbeth takes me shopping at the sooper dooper market she goes her way and I go mine, each with our own four-wheeled buggy.

I usually head for the magazine racks, grab a couple of fishing mags and head for the mocha counter, where I grab a comfy chair and have a delightful time. I can usually get through two magazines before she appears and wants to go home.

This week I got restless and was pushing my empty cart through the store looking for her. She is only hip-high to a new broom and hard to spot.

Girls soccer

Ev. L. 2, No. Sd. Chr. 0

Grace Lorette scored two unassisted goals to lift Evergreen Lutheran High School of Des Moines past North Sound Christian. Amy Anderson earned the shutout on goal in the Saturday, Oct. 15 action.

Mt. Rainier 1, JFK 0

Mount Rainier solidified its first place position in the Seamound League King Division with the Tuesday, Oct. 18 victory.

Pro instruction offered

Local tennis professional Steve Walters again offers area tennis lessons at outdoor locations this summer. Walters, certifed Pro 1 by the United States Professional Tennis Association since 1986, has coached at some of the world's top tennis resorts and academies in Florida, Caifornia, Texas and Canada. Also he traveled on the men's professional tour, including the 1988 U.S. Open, as a traveling coach for world-ranked pros and nationally-ranked juniors.

As a player, Walters has been ranked No.

Times/News

The Growth Management Act and "secret" city council meetings occupied the attention of Normandy Park candidates at a forum Oct.

I admire Earline Byers' reporting skills because her articles generally hit right on all the Who, What, When, Where and How facts of any story or opinion.

But in a recent column in the Times/News, where she endorsed lifting of the levy lid as a matter of public safety, she missed the How factor.