October 2007

An upcoming Parent Teacher Association meeting announcement was the first message posted on a new reader board in front of Adams Elementary and tiles placed on the base show off the creative side of the school's children.

The tiles feature the theme "Outdoors in the Northwest, " with marine life, mountain scenes, grizzly bears, alligators, butterflies, a cat reading a book and other animals.

The sign is just the first step in making long range improvements to the school grounds, thanks to a group of parents.

Plans are now underway to add some creative elements

I don't go in much for Halloween as a holiday.

Having no kids is the main reason I suppose, but I do like carving pumpkins.

So I did some reading and learned a bit about the big orange vegetable (it's actually a type of squash) and the origins of its modern, American appeal is an interesting story.

Firstly, the pumpkin itself:

The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed in at 1689 lbs. and was nurtured from a seed by one Joe Jutras, just this year, in Scituate, Rhode Island.

That...is a lot of pie my friend.

On Oct. 2, the Federal Way City Council completed its annual evaluation of City

Manager Neal Beets.

Beets, who joined the City in August 2006, received a "meets expectations" rating.

"The entire Council is confident in Neal's performance this past year," said Mayor

Michael Park. "We are looking forward to working with Neal to further enhance the quality of life here."

The Council noted several significant accomplishments during Beets' first year:

Would you take a driving test without practicing?

Don't take the SAT without a realistic practice session including a scores back session with staff from Princeton Review.

Students in eighth grade and up are encouraged to register for the upcoming session at Thomas Jefferson High School, located at 4248 South 288th Street in Auburn.

The test is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Federal Way Symphony will hold its first annual Fall Gala on Saturday, October 20, at Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club.

Pete von Reichbauer, King County Council Member and Patron of the Federal Way Symphony for 2007 has indicated his continuing support for the Symphony as the presenting sponsor for this year's major fundraiser.

The theme for the event is "Begin the Beguine."

This famous Cole Porter song conveys an important message about the Gala, which will differ from the typical charity dinner and auction.

"This is Federal Way's unique opportu

Cross country athletes from Decatur, Federal Way, Thomas Jefferson, Todd Beamer and Curtis push towards the finish line during last Wednesday's meet at Federal Way High School. Justin Englund of Decatur, right, won the meet with a time of 14:04, followed by teammate Justin Helm with a time of 14:04. Jeff Baklund took third and crossed the finish line in 14:06.

Photo by Seth Bynum

The 2007-2008 Hi-Yu queen and junior court members are a recent Hi-Yu meeting.

Photo By Murray Studio

The Art Walk Thursday evening was lightly attended but several of the artists reported sales of their work. The event, which takes place the 2nd Thursday of every month features artists work, displayed in participating shops in the junction. For more on the Art Walk visit the blog for the event http://westseattleartwalk.blogspot.com/

You won't find any hip hop, break dancing, not even dirty dancing but if you want to take your honey for a night of Jailhouse Rock, kick up your heels rhythms you will find it, alive and boisterous, every Tuesday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. right here at the Morgan Street junction in the Corner Inn and Lounge. The popular place was known for many years as Nobbies.

We went last week at the invitation of this town's liveliest hoofer, 94 year old Morey Skaret and his lovely hottie, Elsie Freeland, his date every day for the last 10 years.

(Editor's note: The following letter was sent to members of the Highline School Board.)

Re: "Highline Schools endorse a DREAM for students who are undocumented," Highline Times, September 26, 2007.

The resolution passed by this school board September 19 was a shameless act, defying 200 years of immigration policy intended to manage the legal transition of immigrants into the U.S., and an insult to relatives before us who came to America by legal means seeking a way out from oppression, not a hand out.

The DREAM Act is a FRAUD, instigated by Senator Dick Durbin