March 2007

Peter Maier, current president of the advocacy group School's First, has announced he will seek a seat on the Seattle School Board for District One.

Sally Soriano currently represents that area, which covers northern Ballard across the city to Magnuson Park.

Maier said he's running because the School Board is in need of guidance.

"Our School Board needs focused, steady and responsible leadership," Maier said, in a statement he released last week.

It should be an interesting year for the Ballard boy's soccer team with 13 seniors providing enough experience and confidence for the team to predict a KingCo Tournament qualification at year's end.

Head Coach Gary Hunter says his Beavers must finish in the top six in KingCo to make the playoffs.

Miles Rydinski, one of the team captains is anticipating a big year for the red and black.

"We have a really good shot at the playoffs and hopefully go to state.

Maybe...it's the birds in the cedar by the driveway. Or perhaps, after thirty plus days of rain, the inexplicable sun.

Here, following the Ides of March and on the first day of spring, I feel good. It's not like I was sick, but walking out to get the paper this morning, I saw the orangey sunshine backlighting the trees, the birds in them chirping loudly and with the brisk air in a blued-tinged sky bordered with cruising clouds, I felt younger.

The Vernal Equinox is one of the four great seasonal changes every year.

1. On March 11, a woman contacted Federal Way police to report the occurrence of some unwanted touching between her eight-year-old niece and four-year-old daughter. During the investigation, it was determined that the eight-year-old was not able to commit a crime. The woman told police that she was concerned because the eight-year-old niece has had prior history of sexual behavior. Unable to pursue the case criminally, the Federal Way police referred the situation to CPS.

Des Moines' Seniors Sunday Dance Group will soon be tripping the light fantastic at the magnificent Masonic Retirement Center, a/k/a "Landmark by the Sound," known for decades for its architectural beauty and memories.

And you're invited too-assuming your "git up and go" hasn't "got up and went!" Starting Sunday, March 25, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. adults of all ages are welcome at this legendary Masonic building, 23663 Marine View Drive S.

You don't have to dance to have fun.

Highline Community College is seeking nominations for its 2007 Distinguished Alumnus Award.

The Alumnus Award honors individuals who attended Highline and who are making outstanding contributions in their chosen fields of endeavor.

Highline began the award in 1990 with then-Seattle Mayor Norm Rice.

Other past recipients include Junki Yoshida, founder and CEO of the Yoshida Food Group, Joan Enticknap, president and COO of Homestreet Bank, HCC's own Dr. T.M. Sell, Tricia L.

Neither snow nor cold weather could keep South King Fire & Rescue firefighters, Des Moines Marina personnel and the Washington State Department of Ecology from joining forces last month.

During last month's arctic blast, the three agencies trained in the use of spill response equipment obtained from a Washington State Department of Ecology grant.

The award provided a spill response equipment trailer that will enhance the Marina's environmental spill response capabilities.

Charlie Martin, author of the grant, is enthusiastic that the three agencies can coordinat

A measure sponsored by Rep. Skip Priest, R-Federal Way, that would create tougher penalties for car thieves passed the House.

The Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority Bill, House Bill 1001, was the product of an eight-month-long bipartisan task force to address the ever-growing crime of auto theft.

"The bottom line is auto theft is a crime that hurts working families," Priest said.

Thomas Jefferson High School will host two world-class groups from Stanford University in a free public performance at the school on March 26.

The Stanford Taiko (Japanese Drumming) Group and the Stanford Chamber Chorale will perform in an evening event that includes performances by bands from Kilo Middle School, Totem Middle School, and Thomas Jefferson High School.

The performance will start promptly at 6:30 p.m., with seating open at 6 p.m.

Steve Escame will be inducted into the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association's Hall of Fame in April for his work as a coach.

Somehow I'm not surprised.

I remember Escame (pronounced Eskahmee) as a high-energy teenager with an engaging personality. He was the only one of us at Garfield High School with enough guts to address our venerable student newspaper advisor as "skipper."

Warren Hazzard, a seasoned, white-haired gent, was a good journalism teacher.