April 2006

Daffodils poke their heads up to say hello. Happy dogs fly through the air after Frisbees. And brave souls reveal bare legs, donning shorts for the first time in what seems likes years. Spring has sprung on the Westside and it's that time of year to take advantage of the daylight and dive into something new.

One way to appreciate longer days and better weather is to dust off your bike (or buy a new one) and go for a pre-sunset spin. And now, thanks to Dennis Grace and Cascade Bicycle Club, West Seattleites have their very own ride to enjoy every Tuesday night at 6 p.m.

Highline Community College will hold its ninth annual Unity Through Diversity Week on the main campus at 2400 S. 240th St. in Des Moines April 24-28.

This year’s theme is “Interrogating American Popular Culture: What’s Real in the ‘Reel’ World?”

Through lectures, performances and discussions, the week of events will examine American popular culture and its wide-ranging influence.

All events are free and open to the public.

Des Moines’ Enhanced Public Safety Committee encouraged voters again last week to support and vote yes on the city’s proposed property tax levy lid lift on May 16.

If approved, funds raised by the levy lid lift would be used exclusively to help the police department restore staff to 1999 levels.

The committee emphasized in a campaign statement that levy funds “cannot be used in any other city department and will be audited by the Washington State Auditor’s Office for compliance.

“Because of state tax-cutting initiatives, significan

SeaTac lawmakers are thinking about eliminating two meetings per month by combining study sessions with regular council meetings.

Currently, council members meet at 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month to hear presentations from staff and discuss proposed legislation.

Following approval April 4th by the Port of Seattle Commission, Sound Transit’s board of directors last week cleared the way for extending Central Link light rail to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

“Thanks to our strong partnership with the Port of Seattle, light rail is now officially on its way to the airport,” declared Sound Transit Board chairman and Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg.

“Together we rolled up our sleeves and worked out an aggressive plan to get to the airport by December 2009 ...

A group involved in recent Highline-area demonstrations for amnesty and rights for illegal immigrants brought a new call for action to Tukwila on April 12.

Representatives of Socialist Alternative, which backs a nation-wide immigrant workers’ strike and student walkout on May 1, explained their mobilization strategy to about 20 local residents at Foster Library.

They oppose proposed legislation in Congress that would curtail illegal immigration into the United States.

“This is a very racist, anti-immigrant bill,” said Ramy Khalil, an organizer

Visitor stabs man in SeaTac motel room

A 44-year-old Renton man was stabbed April 13 in a room at Motel 6, 16500 International Blvd. in SeaTac.

Just before 9:30 p.m., the victim and three of his friends were in the room when the suspect arrived. They all knew of him but no one knew his last name.

Without warning, the suspect attacked the man and stabbed him multiple times before fleeing.

The suspect had not been arrested at press time.

What can be said is that it was just a Highline Pirates baseball game that simply had what pop artist Daniel Powter speaks of clearly in his chartbuster song:

"A bad day."

The Pirates had a bad day, that's all. These Pirates are a top-ranked team in the state in the 3A newspaper baseball polls.

Putting things in a good perspective, the Pirates lost a non-league game to a Seamount South foe, Bonney Lake, 9-7.

Selection day turned out to be a big day for Highline teams, as they were represented on the Seamount League King Division winter all-star teams.

The following is a listing of the Highline-area all-stars as voted on by the league's member coaches:

Boys basketball

King Division

Rick Comer of Renton was named as the Coach of the Year and the Most Valuable Player award went to Shawn Henderson of Renton.

Mount Rainier senior forward Mike Malone and Mount Rainier senior guard Mike Johnson were both among the six first team members.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that King County Fire District No. 2 is creating a Vendor List for parties interested in contracting with the District for the sale of materials, equipment, supplies or services, when the amount of the sale is projected to be between $10,000 and $50,000. The District is accepting applications from qualified parties to be placed on the Vendor List.