February 2008

$500 million in assets

Viking Bank has announced it has reached $500 million in assets.

"We are tremendously proud to achieve this milestone," said Patrick Redmond, president and CEO of Viking Bank. "It is an important acknowledgement of the commitment of everyone at Viking Bank to successfully serve the members of our communities because, as a local bank, our financial health depends on the financial health of our customers and communities."

Viking Bank was established 15 years ago with $3 million in stock and a single branch in Ballard.

'We had a good year,'

says coach Glenn Bell

By Dean Wong

In wrestling, the Ballard Beavers are proving they belong among the best in KingCo with 12 boys qualifying for the KingCo Tournament last weekend.

"We had a good year. As far as individual performances, we are as strong as ever," said head coach Glenn Bell.

The list of Beavers making the post season includes: Gordon Eleher, 112 pounds; Austin Fisher, 119; Colin Dunphy, 125; Preston Parris, 140; Jorey Taylor, 145; James Webberly, 152 pounds; and Michael Diaz, 160.

Taking a road trip is not the same thing as transporting children or driving yourself to the airport. A real road trip is an opportunity to place your life in the rear view mirror and regard it with a different perspective. I miss road trips. How am I supposed to gain any distance life if I so rarely leave Ballard?

I didn't plan to take a trip last week. I certainly wasn't looking forward to attending a four-hour King County poll worker training session in Renton, but I was resigned.

There's an easy way for middle and high school students to learn about democracy: go to the state Legislature in Olympia and see it first-hand.

Since 1891, students have come from across the state to serve as pages in the Senate and House of Representatives.

Recently, Colleen Rudd of Federal Way spent a week serving as a page for Rep. Mark Miloscia, D-Federal Way.

Colleen is the daughter of Sheila and Robert Rudd. She is an 11th grade student at Puyallup High School.

"It was a pleasure having Colleen in the House of Representatives," said Miloscia.

The future of the Hylebos Creek Watershed became greener.

Last Thursday, the city of Federal Way completed acquisition of the 22-acre Goldmax Property in the southern part of the city.

The property includes wetlands and forested uplands and 1,200 feet of the West Hylebos Creek, where chinook, coho and chum salmon spawn.

"This preservation of habitat and open space is an important step for the city of Federal Way," said Friends of the Hylebos Executive Director Chris Carrel.

"Many suburban communities are losing the healthy forests and green space tha

If you have read this column in the last few months, you know my bias for Dr.