February 2008

Modeled after a community-wide reading program practiced across the nation, "West Seattle Reads," invites all elementary school age children here to learn how kiting relates to different cultures.

With a grant from the Washington State Secretary of State, longtime West Seattle resident and librarian at Sanislo Elementary School, Maryann Horsley, has partnered with local city libraries and a non-profit for this free, neighborhood-wide program.

Children who participate will receive one of two fiction books that center around kites in Asian societies.

Students wil

Mayor Greg Nickels has signed legislation authorizing a $5,000 signing bonus to help recruit new police officers.

Under his Neighborhood Policing Staffing Plan, Nickels has committed to adding 154 additional patrol officers by 2012 and 69 of those have been added so far and this signing bonus should help ensure Seattle meets it recruiting goals.

"I'm committed to getting those additional officers hired, trained and on the street as soon as possible," Nickels said.

Councilman Richard Conlin has been elected council president, replacing Nick Lacata.

His two-year term began immediately with the adoption of new committees and their chairs.

"We have an obligation and opportunity to create a sustainable and just city, and to contribute our energy, experience, and talent to America's future," said Conlin.

He has also been appointed yesterday to the 18-member board of directors of Sound Transit, the three-county transit agency that operates commuter rail and express buses and is building a light-rail line.

"I am honor

Construction will begin this month on upgrades to the 50-year-old 53rd Street Pump Station near Alki Beach Park.

Improvements will increase system reliability and performance by tripling the pump station's underground capacity to serve growth while protecting views and access to recreational areas.

The project will also include replacing aging equipment and provide safer on-site access for utility crews performing operation and maintenance tasks.

Chief Sealth High School graduate Reginald "Reggie" Grant has been named head football coach at South Gate High School, in a suburb of Los Angeles.

Grant is a former player in the National Football League.

Grant is currently an English teacher at the school. The program will interview for assistant coaches and support staff for a variety of positions.

Mr. Grant is in his sixth year of teaching English and is the Head Football Coach for the NFL/USC Impact Football and Academic Camp at USC during July for seventh and eighth graders.

At recent Saturday night at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center was taken over by women of all ages for Indayog 2, an all women's hip-hop show.

Organized by Pinay Sa Seattle, a local group of Filipina women, the night included a range of artists from Chief Sealth High School's Filipino Club to nationally know spoken-word poet Laura "Piece" Kelley Jahn.

"We focused on making a space for women to politically organize," said Irma Bajar, organizational director of Pinay Sa Seattle.

The night started off with the Chief Sealth Filipino Club performing a mix of tinikling

Residents of the North Highline Unincorporated Area District 4 may submit an application to fill an open council position up until Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. The position for District three shall be appointed at the meeting on Feb. 21.

To obtain a Candidate Filing Statement or to learn more about the open position contact Heidi Johnson.

Hundreds of West Seattle Democrats filed into the combined lunchroom and gymnasium at Gatewood Elementary School Saturday afternoon to debate with their neighbors over whether Sen. Barack Obama or Sen. Hillary Clinton ought to get Seattle's political support for the Democrats' presidential nominee.

People gathered around designated tables according to what voting precinct they live in. They listened as the delegates' procedures were read aloud at each individual table. They were encouraged to become members of the 34th District Democratic Organization.

Sen.

Effective March 5, the West Seattle Herald and White Center News will be delivered on Wednesday afternoon or evening instead of Tuesday. If you have not received your paper by 8 a.m. on Thursday morning, please call the Circulation Department at 206.932.6456 and we will get one to you.

The change is necessary due to production and printing problems.

Nothing brings West Seattleites outside like a sunny day and the American Legion Grand Parade during the Hi-Yu Summer Festival - you can also enjoy the refurbished mural, featuring the Hi-Yu float, on the south side of the Post Office on California.

It's almost always a warm, sunny day in July when we get to spread out a blanket or a lawn chair, or just sit right down on the sidewalk to watch the parade. Kids scramble for candy and anxiously wait for a clown or pirate to come by.