October 2007

At a time when the Seattle School District is planning major changes to its funding formula, student assignment and curriculum models, all to boost student achievement, two elementary schools in Ballard are being recognized for their steady academic improvement.

Loyal Heights and West Woodland elementary schools are two of six Seattle schools to have been named a "School of Distinction" by the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for improvements in reading and mathematics during the past six years.

Beavers clinch state playoff berth

By Dean Wong

The Ballard Beavers ran over the Franklin Quakers on Friday in a 48-14 victory that clinched a state playoff spot for the first time in four years.

Ballard will play an exhibition game against the perennially tough Bellevue Wolverlines next Friday on the road.

Then comes their first post-season game with Edmonds Woodway, the undefeated leader of the WesCo South Division.

Palewicz places in tournaments

By Dean Wong

Ballard High School golfer Nick Palewicz finished in sixth place in the KingCo tournament and eighth place at the District 2 tournament recently.

"He did real well.

At Large in Ballard by Peggy Sturdivant

It was a simple request. Would I be Ward's ride home from Tallman Medical Center when he had his wisdom teeth removed. Pick him up, he said. Drive him home. No problem. He lives close by, having purchased a home overlooking Shilshole and the Olympics after the couple that lived there for 50 years died within six months of each other. Besides Ward had been my husband's friend since the late '70's, best man at the wedding.

1. Federal Way police pulled over the driver of a blue 1996 Isuzu during a routine traffic stop. Upon confronting the driver, the officers decided to place him in custody when he could not produce the appropriate identification. The officers later confirmed his correct identity through a records check and determined that he had several outstanding warrants out of Federal Way. The department filed several unlisted charges against him. The report listed the driver's name as Adrian M. Villa-Mendez.

If Federal Way had a performing arts center, what would it look like?

How many seats would it have? Would there be one performance hall or two?

Where would you put it?

Should it be a green building?

And, hey, don't forget the espresso stand...

These are some of the questions the City of Federal Way has asked of its residents, and the local government plans to hold a public forum to glean community feedback about its aspirations for a new performing arts center.

If you thought this headline might be about a way to teach your dog to read-while that might be fun-it's actually about your kids.

If your elementary school-aged child would rather play video games than read a book, then Reading with Rover might be a good way to rekindle their interest.

Reading with Rover is a program begun in Bothell, Washington by a librarian named MeiMei Wu who had heard about another program in Utah called R.E.A.D (Reading Education Assistance Dogs).

Wu contacted Dotti Snow, who was involved with the DELTA Society, which provides therapy an

I was just reading in the Voter's Pamphlet the statement against EHJR 4204 - The amendment that would eliminate supermajority for approval of school levies.

I was amazed at the misinformation given in the statements, namely the statement: "This is a property tax increase."

No, it's not.

The passage of this amendment does not increase taxes, it is up to the voter to vote yes or no when the school levy which can increase taxes is run in their school district.

It says, "You, the voters, said levies must receive 60 percent approval."

This con

On top of being sweethearts, Dale and Denise Pac are avid supporters of FWHS and its athletic programs. The two went on their first date 26 years ago this Friday night. Photo by Seth Bynum.

On October 26, Centerstage Theatre presents its fifth annual murder mystery dinner. This year's performance is entitled "The Object."

Little Amber Pinchski is a very cute little girl. And she has a very unusual talent.