September 2008

During the six months that Bruce Harrell has been a Seattle City Council member he has grown frustrated with the limited feedback he hears from the community.

While he found that the council often heard from certain activists, he said he rarely gained a balanced perspective from the majority of the city.

"Most people (in Seattle) are either enjoying their lives or struggling, and they don't have the time or resources to be committed to process," Harrell said.

I pulled up to the light at the busy intersection and noticed a throng of people surrounding the entrance of a nearby convenience store.

I made a mental note and turned the corner to pull into a gas station to fuel up the van.

As the gas gushed into the tank, I listened to the click, click, click of the pump as it ate away at my wallet.

It's easy to lament about the cost of just about everything these days, especially since our wages seem mostly frozen, and that's if we are lucky enough to still have jobs.

Capping the tank, I headed for the cashier o

1. A man contacted Federal Way police to file an online police report after his wallet had been stolen from inside a facility at 36201 Enchanted Parkway South. The man wrote in his report that he had placed his wallet in a locker at the facility, but did not lock the lock. He said that he briefly stepped away from the locker to make a quick phone call and when he returned, the man discovered that his wallet was gone. The man told police that he discovered his credit card had been used without his permission.

This past week I had an interesting experience that I would like to share with all of you who have children, or grandchildren, in our schools.

So often I hear that their children are "doing very well" in school, and I ask the parents "What evidence do you have of this excellence?"

Almost always the answer is that they are getting good grades on their report card.

Sadly our report cards are not the currency of excellence in the world outside of Federal Way.

In fact, three of our high schools are not rated very well even at the University of Washington

Swim, bike, run or volunteer your way through the fifth annual U.S. Women's Triathlon at Steel Lake Park in Federal Way, Sept. 7. A women-only triathlon, the Federal Way race is the second of a four-city nationwide series.

Lady triathletes

Ladies of all athletic ability are invited to participate in the triathlon benefiting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

Eagle Scout Allen Swanson, 17, and a strong-willed group of volunteers spent the afternoon last Wednesday, August 27, ripping up sod to install a new walking trail around the permieter of the Marckx orchard at the Hylebos Wetlands Park. The 150-foot long trail will be filled with gravel and will connect the main boardwalk trail with Marlake Pond to the west. Swanson is working with the city to fulfil the project requirement of his badge. The teen Eagle Scout is a student at Decatur and participating in Running Start at Highline Community College.

Registration is now open for computer classes at the Federal Way Senior Center for classes starting in mid-September.

The classes include Beginners, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Internet & Email, Digital Photography, Office 2003 Programs, and Office 2007 Programs.

Registration by September10, 2008 is requested for anyone interested in these classes. Call Larry Malcom at 253-839-5418 to register.

The Federal Way Senior Center is located at 4016 S. 352nd in Auburn (off of Military Road) and the classes are open to adults of all ages.

It's time for the annual K-9 Karnival at Steel Lake Park- that wacky annual event where pets and their people can show off, win contests and have fun.

It all starts at noon on Sept.

Masters times offered

The Federal Way Masters swimming team for ages 19 and over is now offering three workout session times at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center located at 650 SW Campus Drive in Federal Way.

Monday through Friday a 5:30-6:45 a.m. and a 7-8 p.m.session are offered, with a 6:50-7:50 a.m. session taking place Tuesdays and Thursdays. A 10:15-11:15 a.m. session is offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Saturdays an 8-9 a.m. session is held at the Kenneth Jones Pool (Federal Way High School).

Members are required to join U.S.

Football schedule

Fall 2008

Sept. 4

Beamer at Spanaway Lk., 7 p.m.

Auburn at Federal Way, 7 p.m.

Sept. 5

Decatur at Em. Ridge, 7 p.m.

Tahoma at TJ, 7 p.m.

Sept. 12

Puyallup at Decatur, 7 p.m.