April 2007

A group of residents near Carkeek Park are exploring the possibility of turning the Viewlands Elementary School site into a multi-use, shared public campus after the school closes this fall.

The group, called "Viewlands Future Use Task Force," is looking to partner with the community, city and Seattle Public Schools to create a "community campus" for education and recreation purposes in an area lacking public facilities, said Kate Martin, a member of the task force.

"It would be great to think that we could take that whole idea of public use and have something for everyon

Those already enjoying the fruits and wares of farmer's markets in Ballard and Fremont will have another nearby option to buy organic when the Phinney neighborhood kicks off its own weekly market this summer.

The effort to bring in a Phinney Farmers Market has been in the works for several years, said Ann Bowden with the Phinney Neighborhood Association. The group will host the market every Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in its lower parking lot at 6532 Phinney Ave. N.

Much of the public believes the Seattle School District is in financial turmoil, though that's not the case, said the district's chief operating officer, Mark Green.

Green spoke with superintendent Raj Manhas and chief academic officer Carla Santorno at a community meeting last week at Roosevelt High School.

Two self-contained special education classes at Broadview-Thomson Elementary School will close at the end of the school year due to low enrollment, Seattle School District officials have decided.

The district's yearly evaluation of it's special education programs revealed a decrease in special needs enrollment at the school, forcing the decision to consolidate those students into programs at Northgate, Olympic Hills and Olympic View elementary schools, said Patti Spencer, a district spokesperson.

A first and second-grade class and a third through fifth-grade class, which

The Port of Seattle Commission has directed port staff to take action on a series of steps designed to demonstrate the port's role as a leader in environmental stewardship and remediation.

"The commission is committed to a strong and vibrant maritime industrial economy," said Commission President John Creighton.

I never made a plan for my life. I knew that I wanted to be a writer, but I wanted it to happen without work. After college I took a job in retail at Crate & Barrel (as Section Head of Christmas Ornaments, it was assumed to be temporary). On a dare I moved to San Diego and lived the rent-to-rent existence of the immature. Now that I have been in Seattle for 20 years, and in one house for 19 I am starting to look back and wonder, how did I get here?

Boys soccer

TJ 2, Kentridge 1

Tyler Hanson scored both goals for the Raiders in a Wednesday, April 11 game. The first came on a Miguel Toscano assist in the 74th minute and the next on a penalty kick in the 78th minute.

Beamer 1, Curtis 0

Ricco Sanchez struck unassisted in the 25th minute for the only goal in the Wednesday, April 11 match.

T.J. Young earned the shutout on goal for the Titans.

Now that you've wrestled with your income taxes (and/or your tax accountant) for the season, it's time to think about that other big, looming and unavoidable bill.

On April 30th, your quarterly Property Taxes are due.

If you own land or a home here in Federal Way or anywhere else in the nation, you are privileged enough to receive that ungainly bill from the gov'mint.

I built the house I live in and it's not overly fancy or mansion-like, but I am becoming afraid of how much it costs to live in here.

I don't have a problem with taxation if it's fair.

What do cicadas and cell-phone legislation have in common?

Answer: It takes both a long time to mature.

After seven years of sponsoring a bill to restrict the use of handheld cell phones while driving, Sen. Tracey J. Eide, D-Federal Way, is seeing her creation come closer to life than ever before.

Senate Bill 5037 passed the House today 59 to 38. It passed the Senate last month 29-18.

"As hard and long as I've worked on this bill, giving up just wasn't an option," Eide said.

Sidney Solomonson, a Decatur High School Senior, has received several scholarship offers, including the prestigious Chick Evans Scholarship, which she has accepted.

The Evans Scholarship is the largest privately funded scholarship in the Nation, and candidates must have a strong caddy record, carry a high GPA and have strong character and integrity.

Sidney has committed to attend Washington State University in the fall as an Evans Scholar. She is planning to major in Business with emphasis on Advertising and Marketing.