May 2006

Earth Hero awards coming

King County Executive Ron Sims will honor students, teachers, school staff and volunteers at the 2006 Earth Heroes at Schools awards ceremony tomorrw, May 4.

"We recognize Earth Heroes at Schools for their invaluable contributions to protecting and preserving King County's natural environment, and their education of young people about the importance of becoming committed earth stewards," said Sims in a news release.

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Peak rates, increase in effect for ferry service

Beginning last Monday, Washington State Ferries implemented both the annual peak season surcharge and a 6 percent fare increase, recently approved by the state Transportation Commission.

The peak season surcharge equals about 25 percent on most routes and is only charged for the full fare vehicle and driver tickets and is not applied to the passenger fares or the frequent user fares.

"The surcharge is tied to the months with the highest traffic demands" says Traci Brewer-Rogstad, director of operations.

The 6 percent fare increase is across the board and impact

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Hogan on dean's list

Kacey Hogan, has been named to the dean's list at the University of Washington for winter quarter 2006. To qualify for the dean's list, a student must be taking at least 12 graded credits and have a grade point average of at least 3.50 out of 4.

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Booster seats often improperly installed

Booster seats have been proven to protect children from serious injury, yet new research shows that in some communities fewer than 21 percent of children 4 to 8 years old are properly secured in booster seats when they ride in cars.

More children were observed to be completely unrestrained (34 percent) or inadequately protected by an adult seat belt (45 percent).

Children in this age group are vulnerable because they do not fit well in adult seat belts.

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A new kind of luck hits the Junction

As most Junction-goers know by now, the New Luck Toy sign is down and the infamous karaoke icon that lives long and strong in the minds of West Seattleites is gone.

Some may begrudgingly consider it a literal sign of the times. But already many Westsiders are turning their frowns upside down. Why? Because a new kind of luck has struck California Avenue - and with it comes pizza by the slice and, yes, the rebirth of karaoke.

Introducing Talarico's Pizzeria & Lounge.

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Finding hard truths in fantasy worlds

Meet Gen, the reluctant King of a fantasy kingdom, unlovable Lump, who is being raised by a witch, and Liz, who is having trouble adjusting to life after death in these fantasy and science fiction titles.

Megan Turner, Whalen The King of Attolia

Although this memorable book stands on its own, it will be more enjoyable when read after prequels The Thief and The Queen of Attolia. Gen, the thief of Eddis, has entered into a truly complicated marriage with Irene, the Queen of Attolia.

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Birds under the bridge

A pair of Peregrine Falcons, similar to the one pictured here, are nesting under the Ballard Bridge with four eggs getting ready to hatch.

The photograph was taken by Martin Muller of Olympic Manor, who has been studying falcons and volunteering with the Falcon Research Group for the last ten years.

"We keep an eye on where the Peregrine Falcons are," he said.

Volunteers place bands on the young.

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Path maker; Les Malmgren left an imprint on people and park

A memorial service for Arthur "Les" Malmgren was held April 30 at the Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center. About 200 people came to pay respects to Malmgren, who, along with wife Nancy, were instrumental in restoring salmon habitat to Piper's Creek, the primary stream running through the park.

Malmgren was an electrical engineer by training, who worked for Boeing and Honeywell before founding his own medical equipment business.

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Buy nearby - Program stresses value of shopping close to home

Buying locally is the newest trend these days where sustainability and community activism is concerned. Last Wednesday April 26th a group of citizens gathered at the Ballard Neighborhood Service Center to discuss their own community's take on this movement, the Buy Ballard program.

A collaborative effort of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, the organization Sustainable Ballard and local business owners, the idea behind Buy Ballard is to keep businesses within the local community, rather than have shoppers looking elsewhere for everyday staples.

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