September 2007

Song, dance on Alaska getaway

By Georgie Bright Kunkel

Here I was in my doctor's office, the first time with the aid of a walker. I was feeling sorry for myself as I had planned a week's vacation on a cruise ship to Alaska and wondered if I would have to use my cancellation insurance and then I heard my doctor say, "Georgie, you might as well pack your pain medication and go. You and your friend can request wheel chair boarding with no waiting in long lines."

Two weeks later my friend and I were taking part in the lifeboat drill.

Rhapsody Partners, the development firm that wants to tear down a Ballard Denny's Restaurant to build a six-to-eight story condominium, plans to nominate the 1960's building for landmark status.

"We want to make sure that things are going the way they are supposed to go," said Katie Vance, a partner with the Kirkland-based developer.

A well-known Bay Area architect, Clarence Mayhew, designed the building at 15th Avenue Northwest and Northwest Market Street.

Teaching kids to bounce back

By Lauri Hennessey

My mother-in-law is fond of saying that if she can teach her kids one thing, it is how to think for themselves. Her philosophy always spoke to me. But as I continue along this crazy parenting road, I am finally figuring out what the one thing is for me.

If I can teach my kids one thing, it is how to bounce back.

Really, what skill is going to matter more in life? How many of us reach high and grab the first thing we really want?

After two years away from their home campus, Mt. Rainier High students return to a brand new school when classes resume Wednesday, Sept. 5.

Mt. Rainier students were housed at Olympic Middle School during construction.

Aviation High students now will attend Olympic until their permanent campus is built near Tukwila's Museum of Flight.

The Des Moines school will hold a community dedication and open house at the new facility on Monday, Sept.

Wednesday, Sept. 5

Girls soccer: Central Kitsap at Decatur, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 6

Boys golf: TJ at Decatur, Todd Beamer at Curtis, Kentwood at Federal Way, 3:15 p.m.

Girls golf: Decatur at TJ, Curtis at Todd Beamer, Federal Way at Kentwood, 3:15 p.m.

Boys tennis: K-M at TJ, Decatur at Kentwood, Federal Way at Tahoma, Todd Beamer at Bethel, 3:30 p.m.

Now is the time for change.

Decatur Gators football received a new head coach, Leon Hatch -- a former offensive coordinator under John Meagher at Federal Way six years ago. He spent the past five years as the top man at Mount Tahoma.

Hatch manned the Thunderbirds into the playoffs last year, bringing that 4A school from a program with a record less than stellar when he started coaching there in 2001.

Mount Tahoma was winless the first two seasons.

"We knew we were starting at the bottom," said Hatch.

Cash thief busted behind Gen X store

1. Federal Way police followed up on a 911 call that originated from the AM / PM store, located at 31855 Pacific Highway South. The complainant told the police that an employee of the AM / PM store chased an unknown suspect from the store after the suspect stole approximately $30 in currency from an open till. Federal Way police followed the suspect in the direction of the Gen X store across the highway from the convenience store. Officers located the suspect, identified as Derekye M.

Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines will host the seventh annual Political Will to End Homelessness Conference on Tuesday, Sept.

The Federal Way City Council is accepting applications to fill vacant positions on four of the City's advisory groups. Seats are currently available for the following commissions and committee:

Diversity Commission

Two positions are open to fill unexpired terms ending 5/31/09. This 9-member group advises the City Council and staff on policy matters involving the community's cultural and ethnic differences, ensuring that these differences are considered in the decision-making process.

It's quite possible the Federal Way News could take credit for the theme of a new ABC reality TV program.

Just picture it: A needy family of pink, chinook, chum and coho salmon get whisked away on a much needed three-year vacation to the exotic Pacific Ocean.

During that time, a hard-working, action-oriented crew of professionals steps in and gives their struggling home a complete makeover.

The engineers devise a master plan to turn a little house ravaged by decades of abuse into the salmon's dream home.

With cameras rolling, WSDOT descends upon Hyl