Greenway seeks donations during fundraising drive
June 21, 2011
June 23 offers a chance for people to donate to nonprofit organizations, including the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust.
Between 7 a.m. and midnight, donors can participate in The Seattle Foundation’s GiveBIG event. Join philanthropists across the region to contribute to the greenway and other nonprofit organizations. Donations made through the program qualify for matching funds.
People can donate at www.seattlefoundation.org. Follow the links for GiveBIG and the greenway.
In addition, The Seattle Foundation plans to randomly select donors throughout the day to receive a Golden Ticket. The foundation then plans to donate another $1,000 in the winner’s name.
State urges horse owners to protect against West Nile virus
June 21, 2011
Now is the time for horse owners to vaccinate animals against West Nile virus.
The state veterinarian issued the reminder last week, as mosquito season approaches. Veterinarians have had success is using vaccines for protection against West Nile virus, a potentially fatal disease in horses.
Owners should plan to protect horses as soon as possible even though veterinarians confirmed no equine cases of West Nile virus in Washington last year, State Veterinarian Dr. Leonard Eldridge said.
State health officials detected the virus in two dead birds and more than 100 mosquito samples last summer. In addition, two human cases of West Nile virus developed.
Washington led the nation in confirmed equine cases in 2009 (72 cases) and 2008 (41 cases).
Mosquitoes spread West Nile virus after the insects feed on infected birds. The disease can sicken people, horses, and many types of birds and other animals. Infected horses do not spread the disease to other horses or animals.
Ill horses show a loss of coordination, loss of appetite, confusion, fever, and stiffness and muscle weakness, particularly in the hindquarters.
After-school program makes ‘hard’ math and reading fun,
June 21, 2011
Ella Bosancu (left) and Shannon Bergin work together at Briarwood’s ASAP program, which has dramatically raised math and reading test scores. By Drew Terry
Jacob Lovgren did not like math.
The Briarwood Elementary School fourth-grader called the subject “horrible” and his math scores showed it. When his teacher recommended he try Briarwood’s new After School Assistance Program in March, he got only 52 percent of the pretest math questions right.
Press Editorial
June 21, 2011
Tent City 4’s return is opportunity for generosity
Tent City 4’s return is an opportunity for generosity
The last time Tent City 4 settled in Issaquah, residents at the homeless encampment called Issaquah the most-welcoming city on the Eastside.
Indeed, Issaquah is among the friendliest cities to Tent City 4 — a fact Community Church of Issaquah members showed June 19 by voting to host the camp again.
Community Church of Issaquah last hosted Tent City 4 in late 2007 and early 2010. Now, the camp is due to put down roots in the church’s parking lot amid the October chill.
In the past, after Tent City 4 landed in Issaquah, residents offered donations of clothing, food, money and, perhaps most importantly, time and hard work to make the stay a success.
King County Elections office relocates to Renton
June 21, 2011
King County Elections moved from Tukwila to 919 Southwest Grady Way, Renton, on June 20.
The location is the election office’s mailing address and physical address, as well as the location for the public to visit for assistance or to observe elections in progress.
The building features a viewing loop around the ballot-processing area. The public can take a self-guided tour during elections to observe the process in action.
Weekdays Aug. 1-19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., should be the best time to observe. On Election Day, Aug. 16, the office is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
King County Elections is returning to the same facility used until 2009, after the risk of flooding from the Howard Hanson Dam resulted in a temporary move to Tukwila.
Taller IHOP sign near pedestrian bridge is approved
June 21, 2011
City planners agreed to allow a taller sign for IHOP, because construction on a nearby pedestrian bridge has eclipsed the existing sign.
The pancake house plans to add a sign 22 feet tall — 10 feet taller than the existing sign. The application said a taller sign is needed because the pedestrian connector across Interstate 90 obscures the 12-foot-tall sign. The city approved the taller sign June 6.
The city Sign Code caps the height for monument signs at 10 feet.
Plans call for the taller sign to have an area of 75 square feet on each side, the same as the existing sign. IHOP, along the interstate and state Route 900, is in a commercial area.
Plans call for the completed pedestrian connector to feature a 12-foot-wide pedestrian bridge across the westbound interstate on-ramps, plus a 10-foot-wide pedestrian crossing on the existing state Route 900 overpass. The link is expected to open in the weeks ahead.
Striping starts as connector nears completion
June 21, 2011
Motorists should prepare for ramp closures as crews stripe lanes along state Route 900.
The striping comes as construction nears completion on a pedestrian connector along busy state Route 900 and the westbound Interstate 90 on-ramp. The connector could open to pedestrians and bicyclists by late June.
Starting June 20, contractors started painting the bridges and paving the trail from 12th Avenue Northwest.
The painting requires the interstate on-ramp to be closed during the evening. The contractor plans to post detours for motorists.
Beecher’s helps students eat more nutritionally
June 21, 2011
With so many crunchy, salty, sweet and sour snacks out there, how can a hungry student choose the best one?
Beecher’s Flagship Foundation lead instructor Alyison Spence gave Clark Elementary School students nutrition tips June 3, teaching them ways to examine marketing, ingredients and serving size.
The ever-energetic Spence divided students into groups and passed out packages of food, such as Quaker Chewy Granola Bars and Monster energy drinks.
Students analyzed each product’s presentation, noting target audiences.
Fourth-grader Brooklynn Ulrich’s group examined a box of Special K Fruit & Yogurt Cereal.
Newcastle resident takes gold medal at Special Olympics
June 21, 2011
Newcastle resident Kevin McCarthy, 20, took home a gold medal in the 100-meter dash at the Special Olympics Summer Games at Joint Base Lewis-McChord June 4.
Kevin McCarthy proudly displays his ribbon after receiving it during the Special Olympics Summer Games awards ceremony June 4. McCarthy took first in the 100-meter dash. Alan Berner/The Seattle Times
McCarthy — a 2010 Liberty High School graduate— was one of nine athletes on the Issaquah Eagles team, which took home 18 medals during the two-day event.
Coach Jiff Searing said McCarthy worked in practice on keeping his pace up throughout the entire sprint.
“He did all that stuff, and it was pretty thrilling. He really kept his pace up,” Searing said. “This particular heat was very close.”
McCarthy also participated in the 200-meter dash, 4×100-meter relay and shot put, finishing fourth, sixth and eighth, respectively.
The team doesn’t give awards, such as most valuable player, but if it did, Searing said McCarthy would have certainly been named most inspirational, as his work ethic and attitude are phenomenal.
“He’s a very inspirational athlete, no question,” he said. “Man, he tries hard. He never puts his head down.”
Got a favorite trail? Express it in a haiku
June 21, 2011
Ever feel poetically inspired during a hiking expedition? The Washington Trails Association invites hikers to write a haiku about their favorite trails.
“I just think it’s a unique way to showcase a trail,” WTA communications director Lauren Braden said. “It’s a different way to talk about a trail other than the trail goes up the mountain and turns right at the lake.”
A haiku is composed of 17 sound units divided into three parts. The first line has five syllables. The second line has seven syllables. It closes with another five-syllable line.
Hikers can submit their poems at www.wta.org. Click on “Support” and then “My WTA” before the July 1 deadline. The WTA may use the haiku on its website or in its magazine.
One poem will be drawn at random, and its author will win a WTA baseball cap.
