May 2008

People agree they want the right solution for the future, though they disagree what exactly should replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

At an open house last week at Seattle Center, people questioned transportation staff and voiced opinions about what should be done with the waterfront structure. This was the first of three community meetings this month.

"The only true right answer is retrofitting and repairing the viaduct," said Bud Shasteen of West Seattle. "When they mentioned a surface street, I thought they were kidding. The tunnel is in disrepute.

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, chair of the Council's Regional Transit Committee, has introduced legislation calling for a full "life-cycle analysis" of the canola-based biodiesel fuel blend that is currently being used extensively by the King County Metro bus fleet.

"We need to determine if, in fact, our biofuel policies are worsening climate change and leading to higher food prices around the world," said Dunn.

Years ago, Seattle Public Schools had an outstanding music program that reached many students, but the money that had paid for these valuable programs has dissipated over the years and instruments and musical education for many students are out of reach.

Some worry that music education is on the brink of extinction.

Something is being done to counter this trend. A new program, Rotary Music4Life, wants to make sure that Seattle schools don't go silent.

A group of volunteers gathered in Ballard on a recent Saturday morning to learn how to spot pollution in our local waters and the steps needed to report violators.

The meeting took place at the Puget Soundkeepers Alliance office and the volunteers are called Citizen Soundkeepers. "The goal is to empower you if you see something illegal," said pollution prevention director Chris Wilke.

He distributed a handout with the phone numbers of agencies like the Washington Department of Ecology and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

In the April 30 issue, the story headlined "Belly dancing helps shape the body," the troupe was misnamed. The correct name is Fat Chance Belly Dance and the head of the Bellydance Superstars is Miles Copeland. We regret the errors.

As the Salmon Bay Aerie #2141 Fraternal Order of Eagles celebrated its 75th Anniversary, new members are being recruited to help the organization thrive into the future.

"If you don't have younger members, you won't last long. Now we're starting to get all the young men we can get. Now we're starting to get more," said Don Anderson a Salmon Bay Eagle member for 39 years. He is currently the secretary and manager of the historic club on 20th Avenue Northwest.

Membership is $36 a year with a $15 initiation fee.

Shocked, disappointed and frustrated are the words Whitman Middle School principal Michael Starosky used to describe the 78 windows broken by vandals on Sunday, May 4.

Windows were shattered along the west side of the school building and on the windows and doors of the gymnasium on the south side.

"Anything with glass, they took a whack at it," said Starosky.

Kindergarten through second grade students at Whittier Elementary School are learning more than the alphabet, they are writing poetry.

On May first, students held an Poetry Celebration assembly to read their poetry, written with the help of their teachers and writing coach Marci Von Deck.

The Writers Workshop at Whittier is a pilot program in the Seattle School District and is part of a new curriculum developed at Columbia University.

Fulwiler takes over girls basketball program

Derek Fulwiler is the new girl's varsity basketball coach at Ballard High School, taking over for Karen Blair. Fulwiler has been an associate head coach for the boys team the last three years. Before coming to Ballard, he was an assistant at Nathan Hale, where he played basketball and competed in track as a student.

On May 8, the Highline Community Board of Trustees chose a familiar face to lead Highline Community College; interim president Dr. Jack Bermingham.

The appointment will be effective immediately.

"The Board of Trustees fully supports Dr. Bermingham and we look forward to working together for the betterment of students and Highline Community College," said Dr. Elizabeth Chen, trustee and co-chair of the presidential search committee. "The board appreciated the participation by the faculty, staff, students and community, and wants to thank everyone for their input.