May 2007

West Seattle is well known for its dazzling views of Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains, Puget Sound and downtown Seattle.

Packaged in brightly colored 2-ounce bottles and sold in chocolate, mango and watermelon flavors, "Spykes" malt beverages, a new alcoholic ginseng beer addictive made by Anheuser-Busch, is getting flack from campaigners against underage drinking.

Available in Washington and about 30 other states, critics say Spykes are conspicuously marketed to youth, while the company has said it's simply trying to reach its young adult demographic.

But it worries Renae Gaines, an alcohol prevention coordinator at Madison Middle School.

"As a society we make (drinking) look gl

An "idea board" stood in the middle of the main event room at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse on a recent Sunday morning as alumni and community members milled around discussing the past, present and future of the 90-year-old school building.

The Fauntleroy Children's Center has leased the building from the Seattle School District for more than 25 years, but it's future is in jeopardy as the School Board reviews current leases with its "youth and family centers."

The non-profit, and other agencies that lease old school buildings across the city, pay a discounted rent of 50 per

The Elliott Bay Water Taxi and the Metro shuttles from the dock to Alki, Admiral and the Junction will be permanent and year around under the King County Ferry District approved last week by the Metropolitan King County Council.

A newly revised state law permits the county to levy and use locally general property taxes to finance walk-on ferries only, the state has a curb on the auto ferry business.

White Center and Boulevard Park residents get another rare chance to vote May 17.

Six of 13 seats are up for grabs on the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council at an election to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mount View Elementary School.

Since White Center and Boulevard Park are not part of any city, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council was established by King County to represent people who live in the unincorporated area.

The Seattle School District has agreed to a three-year contract and a $240,00 annual salary for its new superintendent.

Maria Goodloe-Johnson will begin work here on July 9.

"We are thrilled to have Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson officially signed on as our future superintendent," said board President Cheryl Chow. "The board looks forward to introducing her to our teachers, staff, students and community members. We are committed to a smooth transition and will provide our full support as Dr. Goodloe-Johnson initiates her 100 Day Seattle Public Schools Entry Plan."

Thanks to the hard work of the auction committee, the generosity of donors and the generosity of attendees, the West Seattle Parent, Teacher, Student Association announced net auction earnings of $32,000, a 30 percent increase in earnings over last year.

Over $5,000 was raised for the West Seattle High School Fund-and-Item category.

With the gift of $1,500 from the West Seattle High School Foundation, the Parent Teacher Student Association will be able to buy a high speed, networked printer for the school library.

It was the sixth-grade class project that had the bid cards flying at the recent annual Hope Lutheran School Auction.

The framed classroom created rendition of Georgia O'Keefe's Lake George Autumn raised nearly $1,000.

The Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association has named Derek Birnie as its new executive director.

Birnie has 18 years of experience in community organizing and nonprofit leadership, including work in community empowerment, organizing and outreach.

"What an honor and a privilege to work with the dynamic community that is DNDA," said Birnie.

Insurance fraud it costs northwest households between $200 and $300 each year in higher insurance premiums.

A recent study conducted by the National Insurance Crime Bureau shows property/casualty insurance fraud costs Americans nearly $30 billion each year. The Insurance Research Council says that fraud and inflating the value of claims added between $4.3 and $5.8 billion in auto injury settlements in 2002.