February 2007

Stedman Richardson's torrid offensive explosion and a highly harassing defense led the Decatur basketball team to within one game of a state tournament berth after the No.

I woke up early on Saturday and let the dogs out into the yard. There in my garden, like beautiful, hopeful rays of sunshine, was a small group of daffodils reaching for the sky.

It makes me happy and glad that I had planted them.

The gorgeous yellow Narcissus comes up first to remind us that we have survived another year of storms, snow and wind, rain and bitter cold and here in the Northwest, the outside temps have become reasonable.

Local car washes are packed with good people who can no longer tolerate their grimy cars.

To the Editor:

So many of us "live for the moment" that we forget that the present moment may be deciding the course of the future moment. Eager to protect their yards, home owners liberally use pesticides in hopes of defeating harmful insects, but forget the detrimental effects these chemical products have on our environment.

Our frequent rains lead to water runoff that contains chemical ingredients from these pesticides. Unfortunately, these ingredients do not magically disappear.

30th District legislators Sen. Tracey J. Eide (D) and Reps. Skip Priest (R) and Mark Miloscia (D) hosted a group of Federal Way students at the state Capitol this week. The group of students joined the legislators for a tour of the Capitol and to learn about the legislative process.

Two years have passed since then mayor and now councilmember Dean McColgan addressed the chamber of commerce of a 15-year-old city.

McColgan described a youthful Federal Way as an adolescent, a young and blossoming community that showed potential, but dealt with its share of growing pains.

Two years later, newly elected Mayor Michael Park-in his second stint in the middle seat of council chambers-addressed the same audience.

A few new faces welcomed the mayor's annual state of the city speech last Wednesday.

While locals have long treasured Hylebos Creek, people across the state and country are getting a chance to appreciate the creek in a new publication, Restoration Narratives.

The glossy, full-color publication reports on significant Washington State restoration projects funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Community Salmon Fund.

On Saturday, February 24, 2007, the Federal Way Police Department will be holding their 8th Annual Law Enforcement Explorer Challenge.

The event will be held at Todd Beamer High School, 35999 16th Avenue South in Federal Way. Briefing will begin promptly at 8 a.m.

The Federal Way Explorer Challenge is a competition between 60 two-person teams from around Washington State. This year marks the eighth anniversary of its existence. The challenge is a competition between explorers from all over the state.

Federal Way City Manager Neal Beets announced today the promotion of two long-standing City department heads to become Assistant City Managers.

Effective April 1, South King Fire & Rescue's fire protection classification in Des Moines will improve from Class 4 to Class 3.

Fire Chief/Administrator Allen D.

Seventeen Northwest wineries will offer tastings at this year's Poverty Bay Wine Festival.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 10, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 11, from noon to 6 p.m., at the Des Moines Beach Park auditorium.

Guests will have the opportunity to try several wines from each winery and sample gourmet foods from local restaurants.

Each guest will receive a souvenir wine glass.

Live jazz will be sponsored by 98.9 Smooth Jazz KWJZ.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.