The organizers of Sunday’s Cove to Clover 5K fundraiser race for the Highline Area Food Bank (which serves portions of North Highline) want our Readers to know that there’s a “Last Gasp” registration and packet pickup this Saturday, March 13th from 5pm – 8pm at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub in Burien.

This “last gasp” is intended for already-registered runners to get their shiny new race numbers, timing chop and t-shirt (if you registered early enough that is…), as well as for new runners to register and save the $5 race day fee increase.

That’s right – if you haven’t registered, don’t worry – you can do so at this event, and according to their website:

Don’t expect to get a shirt until after our post-race t-shirt order goes in but you can still avoid the $5 race day fee increase.

We don’t order gobs of extra shirts to insure we give every dollar we can to the food bank at the end of the day.

You will walk out with a race # and a timing chip.

The race is Sunday, starting at 1pm sharp at the Normandy Park Community Club (map here), then winding up through Burien ending at Mick Kelly’s. This is a great cause that will help numerous hungry neighbors; for more info on both the race and how/where to register, click here.

Also, don’t forget the Cove to Clover Pub Crawl this Friday night, beginning at 6pm at Mick Kelly’s in downtown Burien. For a $10 donation you’ll get a keepsake bib and a passport, which you then must get stamped at five of 13 area bars, restaurants, coffeeshops and others participating. You do NOT need to drink alcohol, although many will; for those we strongly advise using cabs or a designated driver.

More info on the Pub Crawl is here.

Here are the “Last Gasp” details:

WHAT: Cove to Clover “Last Gasp” Registration & Packet Pickup

WHEN: Saturday, March 13th from 5pm – 8pm

WHERE: Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub, located at 435 SW 152nd Street • Burien • 206.246.2473.

INFO: From their website:

Registered?
Come on in and get your shiny new race number, timing chip and shirt (if you registered early enough).

You’ll be stylin in the morning when you board the shuttle at Mick’s in the morning already sporting your number and cool snake shirt

Not Registered?
Don’t expect to get a shirt until after our post-race t-shirt order goes in but you can still avoid the $5 race day fee increase. We don’t order gobs of extra shirts to insure we give every dollar we can to the food bank at the end of the day. You will walk out with a race # and a timing chip.

Avoid the race day rush!

Our fave namesake sports team, The Rat City Rollergirls (RCRG), kicked off their 2010 season opener recently to raise money for various charities, including;

• Old Dog Haven, a small nonprofit group using a network of foster parents to provide a loving safe home for abandoned senior dogs.
• The Pin Up Angels, who send care packages to our deployed servicemen and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.
• The Lambert House, a center for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning youth that encourages empowerment through the development of leadership, social and life skills.
• Fisher House, who supports military and their families while recovering from illness or injury.

The first bout of the season Jan. 31st was an exhibition bout, which was set up like a mini-tournament. Our own Bart Bryan and Mark Neuman braved the dangerous sidelines of the bout to shoot this video, which was edited by Gina Bourdage:

This was a bout RCRG played for charities, and will not count toward their regular season team standings; however, at the end of the night the standings were

1. Sockit Wenches
2. Grave Danger
3. Throttle Rockets
4. Derby Liberation Front

Here are the points:

• Period 1, 1st Players:  TR 62, SW 97
• Period 1, 2nd Players:  GD 88, DLF 51
• Period 2, Grudge Match:  TR 97, DLF 43
• Period 2, Champs:  GD 66, SW 70

On March 6th, the RCRG set new records with attendance reaching 5,158 fans, the top attendance for a modern roller derby bout, packed KeyArena to watch the first regular home bout of season 6.

The Throttle Rockets smashed the skates of Derby Liberation Front, while Grave Danger drew first blood against the Sockit Wenches. Word on the street (direct from KeyArena folks), is that Rat City Rollergirl fans drink more beer than ANY sporting event at KeyArena! For more information and tickets visit www.ratcityrollergirls.com.

Ever wonder what it takes to be a Rat City Roller Girl? It’s more than a pair of skates and some lip gloss. To even be considered you need to commit to three 2-hours practices a week, work six committee hours a month and “Have a ton of chutzpah, sweat, determination, and a nice smile” just to name a few.

Beyond the eye-catching outfits these girls take some serious hits. Don’t believe us? Just check out the Hall Of Pain section of their website (there is a reason a disclaimer is posted to this page, this is no joke).

RCRG’s next bout is Saturday, April 10th, with Derby Liberation Front vs. Grave Danger, and Sockit Wenches vs. Throttle Rockets.

From our sister site The B-Town Blog comes this update on the upcoming “Cove to Clover” Pub Crawl, which will benefit the Highline Area Food Bank:

What better way to prepare for the March 14th “Cove to Clover” 5k fundraiser run than by crawling in the fundraiser Pub Crawl on Friday, March 12th, where participants can feel good about going from pub to pub to help benefit the Highline Area Food Bank?

That’s right – there just isn’t a better way, so be sure to mark your calendars for 6pm+ Friday March 12th for what is sure to make a “great excuse for your poor upcoming performance on Snake Hill, with only one day to recover.”

For a $10 donation, you’ll get a commemorative keepsake bib qualifying you for “crawl” specials (our fave is the $1 bag of chips at the Hobnobber!), along with a passport and a map. Your goal will be to collect visitation stamps on your passport from at least five of the 13 official crawl stops (see the list below, which includes specials at each). Your stamped passport will serve as your entry to the door prize drawing @ 11 pm at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub.

And if this Pub Crawl is anything like the now-legendary Brat Trot one from last October, be prepared for one of the best nights in Burien you’ve ever had; just be sure to have a designated driver or a safe way to get home if you plan to imbibe.

Keep in mind also that you need not drink alcohol at every pub – you can just ask to get your passport stamped!

Here are the details:

WHAT: The 2010 Cove to Clover Pub Crawl fundraiser benefiting the Highline Area Food Bank.

WHEN: Friday, March 12th beginning at 6pm.

WHERE: Starts at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub at 6pm, with an 11pm return time for prize drawings.

COST: $10 donation gets you a commemorative, keepsake bib, which you’ll wear proudly as you “crawl” from pub to pub.

INFO: From the C2C website:

PLEASE DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!! PRE-PLAN YOUR RIDE HOME OR HAVE A DESIGNATED DRIVER

Enjoy “crawl specials” offered at each official stop.

You can also expect special entertainment on the route.

Collect at least 5 official crawl stamps and you’ll qualify for the door prize drawing at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub @ 11pm. (must be present to win).

All proceeds will benefit the Highline Area Food Bank.

Best Leprechaun Contest: Gift certificates to Mick Kelly’s for 1st ($100), 2nd ($75) and 3rd ($50).

For you Normandy Parkers: Consider riding the free shuttle from Normandy Park’s Archery Bistro. Check in with them (website here) for the schedule and shuttle stops. While they are not an official crawl stop, we understand they will be offering a specials during and prior to the first run into Burien. You can park you car there and let them do the driving. You’ll also be able to purchase an official crawl number at Archery Bistro, in case you decide to make this your launching point.

Here are the 13 designated pub crawl stops in Burien – remember, you only have to get stamped at five of ‘em:

Specials:

• $3 Draft beer
• $4.50 House Wine
• Food Special

Specials:

• $2 PBR Tall Boys $2 Bacardi Silver Bottles
• $3 Giant Pizza by the Slice

Entertainment:

• Three Tree Point Blues Band 9P

Specials:

• Free Espresso Shot

Specials:

• Free Wine Taste
• Free Menu Taste

Specials:

• $3 House Beer
• $3 Apps off Happy Hour Menu

FILIBERTO’S

Specials:

• $2 Draft Beer
• 1/2 price Calamari and pizza

Entertainment:

• RLS Band

Specials:

• $2 Budweiser
• $1 Bag of Chips!

Specials:

• $5 House Margarita
• $5 Tacos (3 Beef or Chicken Tacos)

Entertainment:

• Live Mariachi Band at 6:30

Specials:

• $2 beer
• $4 sangiovese
• $1 Pizza slices

Specials:

• Sour Apple Jello Shots $2
• Irish Potato and Banger Stew $3

Entertainment:

• Cornerstone

Specials:

• $3 Alaskan Amber Pints

Specials:

• $2 Irish Nut Brown Ales
• Corned beef sliders

Specials:

• $6 Wine by the Glass

More info available at the Cove Clover Pub Crawl website.

And if you haven’t yet registered for the 5k run, click here.

King County Parks has officially unveiled what they consider a “very groovy” new playground at White Center’s Steve Cox Memorial Park, which is located at 1321 SW 102nd Street.

Here’s the verbiage taken directly from the county’s website:

The new playground at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center is now officially OPEN!

Featuring some very groovy Scandinavian-designed equipment for kids aged 2-5 and 5-12, there are slides, swings, and lots of spinny things.

And of course, safety surfacing so you don’t get hurt when you fall down and go boom.

Enjoy!

As you may recall, Steve Cox was the King County Sheriff’s officer who was was killed in White Center in the line of duty in December of 2006. Formerly White Center Park, the park was re-opened in Cox’ honor in 2007.

Here’s a pic of the “very groovy” playground, courtesy King County Parks:

The White Center Community Development Association’s blog reports that the White Center Teen Program’s Aztec Soccer team will be playing in the U15 championship game this Saturday (Feb. 27th) at 1pm at Starfire Sports Complex, located at Interurban Ave S. and Fort Dent Way in Tukwila.

Here’s the post:

This was sent to us from Darlene Sellers, White Center Teen Program Recreation Coordinator at King County Parks:

“Thank you all for your continued support of the White Center Teen Program Aztec Soccer Team! The program is continuing to grow with over thirty committed players and two competitive teams. We are pleased to share that the younger team is playing in the U15 championship game this Saturday at 1:00 at Starfire sports complex (Interurban Ave S & Fort Dent Way, Tukwila). If by chance you happen to be in the Tukwila neighborhood this weekend – we’d love to see you there. The game runs for a total of 45 minutes and will be played indoors on field 2. Admission is free but Starfire will most likely be collecting $5 for parking. Thanks again for your support and please have a great weekend”

Go Aztecs! Here’s the video:

The Aztecs from Heath Ward on Vimeo.

The White Center Teen Program is part of King County Parks and Recreation, which founded the team in 2007 to provide alternative afterschool activities for “at risk” youth.

This short doc focuses on the strong personalities, the importance of the program and the activities of a season in the life of The Aztecs.

For more information contact heathward@hotmail.com.

The Salvation Army has a youth basketball league called “HYPE,” and tryouts for 4th through 8th graders will begin Tuesday, March 9th at the Salvation Army Community Center, which is located at 9020 16th Ave SW in White Center.

This is a competitive basketball league, and is meant to provide kids with an athletic outlet to develop both teamwork and leadership in a competitive, healthy environment.

Here are details on the tryouts:

WHAT: Salvation Army HYPE Basketball League.

WHEN: Open tryouts will be:

4th, 5th, and 6th Grade:

• Tuesday March 9th – 5:30pm to 7:00pm
• Thursday March 11th – 5:30 to 7:00pm

7th and 8th Grade:

• Tuesday March 9th – 7:00pm to 8:30pm
• Thursday March 11th – 7:00pm to 8:30pm

WHERE: Tryouts will be held at the Salvation Army Community Center, which is located at 9020 16th Ave SW in White Center.

INFO: For more information, contact Sean or Charles (206) 767-3150 ext 113.

Highline School District students can earn money for their schools by participating in the 2010 Cove to Clover 5K race, which is coming to the Burien area Sunday, March 14th (read our previous coverage here).

The Grand Prize will be $1,500, donated to the winning school. The winning school will be determined by which one has the highest percentage of registrants compared to the school’s total enrollment – $5 will be donated to each school whose name is entered into the “Registration Code” for online registrants (and every registrant must enter a code).

Entries must be received by 11:59pm Monday, March 1st (two weeks before race day, which is March 14th) to be counted toward a school’s total.

Here are the details of how kids can help their schools:

School Registration Contest: $1,500 Grand Prize (donated to winning school)

Here are the current standings:

Current School Registration Status (updated nightly)

The second annual “Cove To Clover” fundraiser 5K race will be happening just down the road a bit on Sunday, March 14th, winding its way from the Normandy Park Community Club up the dreaded “snake hill” to the finish line in front of Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub.

We’re proud to be a Sponsor of this great event, which serves as a fundraiser for the Highline Food Bank, which feeds hungry neighbors in the Burien area. Last year over $12,000 was raised, and this year’s goal is $20,000!

If you’re interested in registering, please click here.

This year’s race has many new elements – it’s as if the dial on the family-friendly funometer has been cranked up to 11 – check out some of the new features:

• The race begins at 1pm on Sunday, March 14th at Normandy Park Community Club. The course winds up “snake hill” all the way to the Gregory Heights neighborhood, past St. Francis of Assisi, crosses 152nd street with the finish line in Burien Town Square, where there will be a traditional Irish Festival.
• This challenging course takes its toll on even the most seasoned runners! Two water stops are provided, and racers will be rewarded with music from an Irish Piper when the reach the top of the ominous “snake” hill.
• Again there is a 1-mile Family Race which begins at St. Francis and follows the last of the 5K course.
• NEW: “While You Run” childcare, check your kids in at the Family Race start. Run the first 2 miles of the 5K, check your kids back out to run the Family Race together. Your 5K time will suffer of course.
• NEW: Pub Crawl – Friday March 12th!
• NEW: School Registration Contest! $5 from each registration fee can be donated to the local school of your choice! Just—type in your school’s name at registration–the school with the most registrations will be awarded an additional $1,500! Registrations can track their school’s progress at www.covetoclover.com/schools.
• NEW: School Limerick Contest — A $500 prize will be awarded to the school (or non-profit for non- student entries) who present the winning Limerick! Limerick contest details at www.covetoclover.com/limerick. BTW, we’re working on our own Limerick that starts “There once was a man from B-Town…”
• NEW: Start Line Party – Live Band inside the Normandy Park Cove Building prior to the race so you can warm up dancing to old school rock and roll.
• NEW: Expanded Pre-Race shuttle service from the finish line to the start line.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER:

5k at 1:00pm:

• $30.00 early registration (before Mar. 2nd; $35 after)

Family Race (1 mile) at 1:30 PM:

• $25.00 early registration (before Mar. 2nd; $30 after)

Here’s a map of the race course:

Some other highlights include:

• On-course Irish Pipes
• Irish Entertainment
• 2 Live Bands
• Bigger Beer Garden
• 1-mile Family Race
• Free Hot Dogs for Kids
• Free Root Beer Garden
• Irish Grub

RACE DAY SCHEDULE:

• 10:15am+: Take the Free Pre-Race Shuttle – loads at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub starting at 10:15 am (WARNING: Start Line Parking is EXTREMELY LIMITED!). Please park near Burien Town Square and take the free shuttle from Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub. Final shuttle departs promptly at 12:40 pm. Shuttle will drop you at the family race start-line (St. Francis Parish) of the 5K start-line (The Cove).
• 1pm: 5K Race (race starts at 1 pm sharp) Start Line @ Normandy Park Swim Club “The Cove”
• Registration/Packet Pickup from 10:45 am – 12:45 pm @ The Cove
• LIVE ROCK BAND starts at 10:45 am: “The Throbs” will be cranking out old school rock and roll at the start line until race time. Warm your bones rocking out to covers of Nirvana, AC/DC, Scorpions and other eye-popping ROCK!!! Come early and avoid the last minute shuttle rush.

FAMILY RACE:

• Race starts at 1:40pm sharp
• Start Line @ St. Francis Church
• Registration/Packet Pickup from 10:45 am – 1:20 pm @ St. Francis Church
• 1 mile-ish. This can be walked or run and will include people of all generations. Hopefully we’ll have Irish Step Dance lessons prior to the start. – Pick up bib
• NEW: “While You Race” Childcare (11:00 am – 1:35 pm) at St. Francis Church
• If you want to run the 5K but your kids aren’t ready for that level of suffering, consider checking your kids into “While You Race” Childcare at the family race start line. You can then run the first 2 miles of the 5K to the Family Race Start, grab your kids and run then run the Family Race together. Child care provided by St. Francis Parish, extra fee may be involved.
• YOU MUST CHECK OUT YOUR CHILD BEFORE FINISHING THE 5K. It is not intended that runners finish the run and then return to claim their children. Due to the tight schedule, this service is for families with children who plan to run the Family Race.
• If you do the math, you’ll need to be able to run the first 2 miles in 30 minutes to pickup your child in time for the Family Race. Shuttle from the finish line, will stop drop you at St. Francis to check in your kids. Then you can re-board the shuttle to be taken to the 5K start line (the Cove).

FINISH LINE FESTIVAL AT BURIEN TOWN SQUARE:

• Finish Line Irish Festival runs from 2pm – 5pm at Burien Town Square
• “The Haggis Bros” are a lively Irish Band. You can enjoy the show from the beer garden (or free root beer garden for the kiddies). Be entertained by traditional step dancers while you gnash some Irish grub.

Not a runner? Get involved as a race day volunteer: Please contact John Nelson at jonelson@adobe.com.

And there are still some great Sponsorship Opportunities available – please email Ashley Fosberg at fosberg5@comcast.net for a sponsorship packet!

As the official web Sponsor of the Cove To Clover race, we’ll be posting more updates soon (including details on the Pub Crawl March 12th!), so be sure to come back often.

We’re huge fans of this area’s namesake competitive all-girl sk8er team the Rat City Rollergirls, and when we heard that they’re kicking off their 2010 season with a charity fundraiser at Key Arena this Sunday, Jan. 31st, we just had to announce it.

Donation amounts will depend on game outcomes, and the four home teams have chosen to support the following local charities:

• The Throttle Rockets with play for Fisher House, which assists families of military personnel.
• Grave Danger will support OldDog Haven, finding new homes for abandoned senior dogs.
• The Sockit Wenches are skating for Lambert House, a center for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning youth that encourages empowerment by developing life and social skills.
• Derby Liberation Front will support Pinup Angels, who send care packages to troops overseas.

Here are the details on the event:

WHAT: Rat City Rollergirls charity fundraiser bout.

WHEN: Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and the game starts at 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: KeyArena in lower Queen Anne.

INFO: The Rat City Rollergirls now have a dedicated entrance for our season ticket holders – enabling them to score the best seats! Doors on the East side of KeyArena will open for season ticket holders at 2:15pm.

Visit www.ratcityrollergirls.com for more information on the 2010 season.

Founded in April 2004, Rat City Rollergirls, LLC, (RCRG) is Seattle’s (and the Northwest’s) first flat track, all-female roller derby league. RCRG is composed of about 100 member-owners, who are divided among four teams:

• Derby Liberation Front
• Grave Danger
• Sockit Wenches
• Throttle Rockets

RCRG’s fifth team, the Rat City Rollergirls All-Stars, is composed of the best players from the four home teams, who represent RCRG in regional and national play.

Also, be on the lookout early next week for a video we’ll be shooting at Sunday’s bout.

If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a Rat City Roller Girl (and who hasn’t?), now’s your chance – they’re looking for “fresh meat”! Beginning this Saturday, Jan. 9th, they’re inviting women who want to try out to come to their open practices, which continue on Saturday, Jan. 16th and Saturday, Feb. 6th at their training facility.

In order to qualify, you must be 21, have a “ton of chutzpah, sweat, determination and a nice smile” and be willing to devote time to practice.

According to a press release:

Wondering if you have what it takes? ….

Join us for practice from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following Saturdays: January 9, 16 and February 6 at the Rat City training facility (“The Rat’s Nest”). Representatives from the Rat City Rollergirls Fresh Meat Committee will be on hand to answer any questions, and RCRG league members will skate along side you at practice to offer tons of tips and advice for the day of tryouts. This is your opportunity to come participate in an actual practice and drills with your future league mates. Saturday practices are open to all skaters who wish to try out, are ready to sign a liability waiver (attached) and pay a $10 (cash only) only drop in fee per session…..

Minimum requirements to be an RCRG league:

• Two to three 2-hour practices per week
• A minimum of 6 hours of committee work a month
• Timely payment of monthly dues – $35
• Timely payment of Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby Association (WFTDA)annual insurance – $5
• Proper safety gear (helmet, mouth guard, elbow pads, knee pads, wrist guards)
• Read and understand the official WFTDA derby rules – ..http://wftda.com/rules .
• Purchase of team uniform and league jersey ..
• Current primary medical insurance
• You will willingly adhere to the RCRG Skater Code of Conduct
• 21 years of age
• A ton of chutzpah, sweat, determination and a nice smile ….

Have questions or ready to get signed up for tryouts? Please e-mail freshmeat@ratcityrollergirls.com to RSVP.

Additional details will be emailed upon completed registration.

Looking for a better gift than fruitcake this holiday season?

Our friends The Rat City Rollergirls would like everyone to know that they’re returning to the Key Arena for their 6th Season of high-action athletics, and tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster locations, or online by clicking here.

From a press release:

Both Rat City Rollergirl season passes and tickets are the perfect stocking stuffer for you and your family this season. Season passes fit perfectly into any envelope, and they’re the best way to show someone how much you care (or to show them Santa IS listening).

This season, we’re bringing hard-hitting roller derby that the whole family can enjoy at an affordable new price.

General admission is now only $14 and kids under 16 are only $8.

Find greater values when you purchase season tickets before January 2010. The season kick-off is January 31st followed by 4 more chances to experience the exciting, fast paced action:

• March 6
• April 10
• May 1
• June 5

Go to Ticketmaster.com for seating and ticket information at the Key Arena or visit Ratcityrollergirls.com.

They started in White Center, and we’re big fans (heck, we even scrubbed up 16th SW with ‘em) so we’re proud to announce that the Rat City Rollergirls (RCRG) All Stars were invited by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) for a spot in the 2009 WFTDA Western Regional Tournament, which will take place Oct. 2nd – 4th in Denver.

RCRG All-Stars will compete against all-star teams representing nine other roller derby leagues for a chance to advance to the 4th annual WFTDA National Championship, set for Nov. 13-15 in Philadelphia, PA.

The Western Regional Tournament, called “Derby on the Rocks,” is expected to draw hundreds of roller derby players and fans to watch some of the best action the sport has to offer. Fans wishing to cheer on RCRG as they take the national stage can find ticketing and other information at www.derbyontherocks.com.

As the 4th-seeded team in the tournament, RCRG will first play 5th-seed B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls (from San Francisco) at 9pm (MDT) on Friday, Oct. 2nd, and will play at least three games over the course of the three-day, multi-level tournament.

To make it to Regionals, RCRG first had to earn a ranking within the West Region by playing sanctioned bouts against other teams. The top ten teams from each of the four WFTDA regions – based on current rankings – received invitations to their respective regional tournaments. If a league was unable to attend, the next-ranked league was invited.

The West Region includes:

• California
• Washington
• Oregon
• Nevada
• Arizona
• New Mexico
• Colorado
• Utah
• Idaho
• Wyoming
• Montana
• Hawaii

There are currently 23 WFTDA member leagues in the West Region.

If you’d like to donate to the cause, you can “get your ass kicked” by a Rollergirl by clicking here, where your $25-$100 donation will get you cool bumper stickers, mugs and t-shirts.

Be sure to mark your calendars and cheer our Rat City Rollergirls on!

Monday night (Aug. 31st) dozens of residents and concerned citizens held a “Save Our Pool” rally at White Center’s Evergreen Pool, which shutters its doors today (Tues., Sept. 1st) for an unknown length of time as another deal to re-open through Whitewater Aquatics is attempted.

As you may know, Evergreen Pool has been wading though the county’s recent budget crisis, with its funding cut to the point of ceasing operations.

Photographer Michael Brunk was there to capture both visual and audio elements, which he has built into the following “SoundSlideshow”:

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s SoundSlideshow

There will be a “Save The Pool” rally tonight (Monday, Aug. 31st) from 5pm to 7pm at the Evergreen Pool, which is located at 606 SW 116th St in White Center.

Dow Constantine, King County Councilmember and candidate for the executive position, says that the pool will close Tuesday, Sept. 1st, and stay closed until a new management deal is completed.

Evergreen Pool’s budget was cut by the county, and its future appears to be sinking fast, unless something is done soon…so be there to show your support!

The Highline school board announced Thursday (July 16th) that it has voted to adopt a “Pay for Play” system, which will charge students a fee for participation in middle school and high school athletics.

While some school board members expressed concern that the fees will discourage students from participating in sports, Superintendent John Welch told the board staff that he is working with the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence to establish a scholarship program.

“We will work hard to see that no student is turned away from playing a sport,” said Welch.

Welch said the fees are necessary to support the rising costs of athletic programs.

“In order to continue to offer both middle and high school sports, we must implement a pay-for-play fee structure,” said Welch. “If we don’t charge a fee, we will have to cut some sports.”

Welch noted that Highline’s athletic offerings now include middle school soccer in response to high demand and strong community support for adding that program.

The fee structure will be in place for the 2009-10 school year.

For high school sports, the fees will be:

• $50 per sport ($25 per sport for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch)
• Fees will be charged for up to two sports per student per year; there is no charge for a third season.
• Maximum $175 per family per year ($85 for families qualifying for free or reduced lunch)

Fees for middle school sports will be:

• $30 per sport ($15 for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch)

Fees will be chared for up to two sports per student per year; there is no charge for a third season. Maximum costs will be $105 per family per year ($50 for families qualifying for free or reduced lunch).

We here at The B-Town Blog would love to know what you think of this idea – please vote in our Poll and/or leave a Comment below…

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

Grace Church is offering up a free “Kickin’ It Soccer Camp VBS” from Monday July 27th to Friday July 31st, from 5:30pm-8:00pm at their campus at 10323 28th Ave SW.

This Soccer Camp is intended for kids entering Kindergarten through 5th grade, and here’s a blurb from the church:

Come on over and bring your friends for soccer, food, crafts and all sorts of FREE fun!

We will start each night out with dinner from 5:30-6:00 then off the kids go for an action packed evening (parents are welcome to stay and watch, or they can go and have a relaxing child-free evening).

To register online, click here to download a PDF registration form, which you should then print, fill out and mail it in to:

Grace Church
10323 28th Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98146

If you have any questions call 206-937-8400.