June 2008

The Des Moines City Council approved on June 26, with two conditions, the city's six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for 2009-2014.

The conditions consisted of removing Redondo Beach Drive from the list of priorities and moving Kent-Des Moines Road improvements up on the priority list.

Improvement projects include phases two and three of the Des Moines Creek Trail Project, North Twin Bridge repairs, Saltwater Bridge repairs, street and road improvements, roadway reconstruction and intersection improvement on Marine View Drive, and Barnes Creek Nature Trail c

There are so many catch phrases to describe America and the freedom we enjoy: Home of the Free, Land of the Brave.

Or, as a wise person once said, "Let freedom ring, sparkle and explode throughout the land."

"Fireworks Over Des Moines" starts about 10:15 p.m., July 4th, , in the Des Moines Marina.

Centerstage is pleased to announce the award of a $10,000 Grant from the Seattle Foundation to help cover the Federal Way Theatre Company's operating expenses through the 2008-2009 season.

The grant is paid from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, created by a gift to the Seattle Foundation.

This is the second time in the last two years that the Federal Way Theatre Company has received a comparable award from the Seattle Foundation.

"This is a very significant gift to a company of our size," said Centerstage Artistic Director, Alan Bryce.

As "Junuary" in the Northwest comes to an end, and the weather finally warms, residents of Federal Way venture outdoors to take advantage of the city's numerous parks and lakes. Last week, these locals took a dip in the cool waters of Five Mile Lake.

Photo by Scott Anthony

Though it seems like the sun is here to stay for the next couple of months, I don't trust weather people anymore.

For one thing, it seems like they're all pretty blonde women now.

What happened to the grizzled Rich Marriot, the properly pasty Larry Schick and good old Harry and Andy Wappler?

Those guys told it like it was; 'Well, it looks like more clouds, rain, sleet, with a chance of hail and thunderstorms, a good day to get out and feed the ducks.'

Now that's a forecast.

With "Junuary" now behind us and that strange yellowish orb is bac

"Behind every good man," read the card from my mother, "is a ton of suppressed baggage suppressed just waiting to come out."

As I read these words for the third time, it occurred to me that my mother intended for this message to offer me marriage advice nicely packaged in humor.

As much as I appreciate the effort, her attempts clearly missed the mark. I'm glad she wasn't there to see the blank look on my face.

You see, next week, I'm getting married.

At a recent Work-Study by the Federal Way School Board the Board learned that:

"Those parents who are involved get more out of the educational system than children whose parents are less involved or not involved at all."

When asked about what the School Board should do about this, there was no response!

We have learned from Finland and Singapore that indifference to the upbringing of children is a great recipe for poor, or non-existent success in education.

The Washington Department of Corrections predicts prison capacity needs by third and fourth gr

"We just didn't hit in that game," said Armond Swanson II, whose South Highline National Marlins took a 7-2 loss to West Seattle in the age 9-10 baseball all-star second game.

But they hit in the Friday loser's bracket final against Renton, that's for sure. They got good pitching from Bryce Pulver, too, throwing 69 pitches before being taken out a couple batters into the sixth inning of the 18-0 win.

"Bryce, he threw incredible," said Swanson II.

Meet Nesto

Ernesto Alvarez, a house painter, who is also a preacher, once was a bad guy who had many a brush with the law when he was a youngster. And they were not paint brushes.

An American citizen? You bet.

He and his wife, who is a supervisor for Children's' Care Resources, have four children who attend Highline schools.

What kind of trouble did he get into as a youth? All kinds, he admits.

In those days, going across the border at Sonora was easy.

The King County Executive, along with the Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney and judges from around the county, recently revealed that King County is facing a budget crisis of great magnitude.

This year alone, we may have to cut $20 million from the $660 million general fund. An additional deficit between $40 million and $70 million is predicted in 2009.

How will services be affected by the budget crisis?

King County government provides both regional and local services.