March 2008

Meet Ron Brown:

I was perusing the new Fred Meyer store in Midway during the recent Grand Opening, waiting and wandering while Elsbeth was checking out the huge women's wear section where she actually did get lost.

She tried to find her way out but kept going in circles.

She is so short she can't see so I will probably tie a helium balloon to her hat next time.

Then I was greeted by Ron Brown.

He was by the front entry so I asked if he was a Greeter.

The Law and Justice Student Association at CWU - Des Moines is sponsoring a screening of the film "Execution" at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1 in Building 7 (Turtle Building) on the CWU Des Moines/Highline Community College campus.

Following the screening, director Steven Scaffidi and star of the film William Neal "Billy" Moore will discuss the film.

CWU Law and Justice Alumni who are currently working in the criminal justice field will also participate in the panel.

Darrel Belvin of Federal Way served as a legislative page the week of March 3. Darrel is 15 years-old and is home-schooled.

He was hosted by Rep. Skip Priest, R-Federal Way.

Pages are exposed to the Legislature in action and are responsible for delivering messages and documents to legislators in their offices, in committee meetings and in the House chambers during floor sessions.

The owners of the Manning's/Denny's building, which was designated a Seattle landmark last month, have filed suit in King County Superior Court to officially challenge the action.

BCC Mikie Ballard LLC, a development entity of The Benaroya Company, which owns the old diner and surrounding property, argue that landmark status prohibits them from making any money off their property.

The Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board voted 6-3 on Feb. 20 to designate the exterior of the old diner at 5501 15th Ave. N.W.

South King County is struggling.

Poverty, poor health, high dropout rates, lack of options for transportation and parks and trails, and little opportunity for arts and culture have challenged our economic development and fractured our cities as they, often unsuccessfully, fight to compete for grants and regional funding.

If the following statistics come as a surprise, you are not alone.

Over the past several weeks, I have presented startling facts to city councils, chambers of commerce, Rotary Clubs and other groups, with responses ranging from shock to anger a

TACOMA--Foster made history last week.

Yes, the Bulldogs have survived longer in previous Class 2A state basketball appearances. But the 2008 Foster team that took two losses for a quick exit at state was probably the last to play at the 2A level, with a move up to 3A scheduled for next year.

The Bulldogs will switch to the 3A Seamount League starting in the fall, joining such geographic rivals as Evergreen, Highline, Tyee, Mount Rainier and Kennedy.

Vonchae Richardson led the way, in mind and spirit, making clutch free throws down the stretch as the defense pitched in greatly, too.

That came after a time out called by the coach that led the Mount Rainier Rams to, though not a state championship, still a very good place after beating the Columbia River Chieftains, 53-46, in a loser-out game of the 3A WIAA state basketball tournament at Key Arena Friday.

"Our top goal was making it to state," said Richardson. "Our next goal was to get to the semifinals."

Get to semifinals?

SEATTLE - Resounding whoops and hollers reverberating through the locker room at Hec Edmundson Pavilion late Friday night trumpeted the tale of triumph for a local girls basketball team.

Mere minutes earlier, the No. 3 John F.

Idioms are important parts of speech

By Georgie Bright Kunkel

When one has lived as long as I have, idioms begin to be a great part of everyday speech. I didn't realize how much a part they are until we hired health aides to care for my husband. I am sure that our aide from Nigeria needs an interpreter to figure out what I am saying much of the time. Even I don't know the exact meaning of some of my colorful speech or where it originated. So I decided to keep a log of these interesting ways to describe things.

One of my favorites is the term discombooberated.

The Washington Legislature has passed a worthy piece of legislation that will allow grocery stores to have wine and beer tastings in their stores, something outlawed now despite the large position this state has in producing world-class wines and trend-setting beers.

The bill, which has passed the Senate, will allow the Washington State Liquor Control Board to administer a pilot project to allow 30 grocery stores to hold up to six wine or beer tastings a year, and only one each month.

We think this is a good idea, and are glad the measure passed.