Looking for a good time

Best Keep secret in Arlington
On the 4th Friday of every month, at the old Arlington High School Auditorium, the Old Time Fiddlers from not only Arlington, but also other areas, perform.
First they have a workshop earlier in the evening and then at 8 p.m. they have a show and perform.
Anyone can come to listen, watch and enjoy.
Recently, my daughter and I attended and had a delightful evening. The performers were enjoying themselves doing something they love, and the audience also had a lovely enjoyable evening.
What a nice way to spend an evening right here in Arlington with live entertainment and it is free.
Ruth Pfeiffer
Arlington

Kiddie carnival and silent auction huge success

The Kent Prairie PTA would like to thank these businesses and individuals for their generous donations to our Silent Auction. We would also like to express our appreciation to the teachers, staff, parent volunteers, students, and their families for their participation in creating the wonderful classroom baskets. Our students appreciate your continued support. Thank you to everyone who helped with the carnival before, during and after. Without your help it could not happen.
To Northwest Veterinary Clinic, The Arlington Times, Outback Kangaroo Farm, Seattle Seahawks, Washington State University, University of Washington, Slidewaters of Lake Chelan, Wild Waves/Enchanted Village, Pacific Science Center/IMAX, Seattle Aquarium Society, Bank of America, Flowers by George, All Mind & Body, Great Clips of Arlington, My Sisters Basket, Gretchen Alexander/Party Lite, Emily & Paige Quander, Ivan & Sue Rasmussen, Carrie Byrum, Stilly Auto Parts, Whidbey Island Bank, Everett Events Center, Imagine Childrens Museum, Digital Memories Photography, Strotz/Country Feed, Paraiso Mexican Restaurant, Smokey Point Tacos Guaymas, All Creatures Veterinary Service, Eagle Family Dental Center, Marysville Target, Stillaguamish Athletic Club, John V. Meno, Favorite Pastime, Papa Murphys, Mike Gutt/K2 CORP, Marysville Wal-Mart, Millers Natural Pet Center, U.S. Marine, Marlene & Donnica Farnsworth, Arlington Boys & Girls Club, and Golds Gym a huge thank you.
Jill Quander and the Kent Prairie PTA
Arlington

Who is the bad guy

In his recent letter to the editor Mr. Steven Haynes attempted to smear my words into something that is intentionally dishonest based upon my previous editorial. In my letter I stated that the foe we face is evil, barbaric, and bent on establishing a sadistic theocracy from the dark ages. I never implied what Mr. Haynes ascribed to me, which is that all Middle East citizens are the enemy. There is nothing logical about the conclusion he drew from my letter.
This is one of the main problems with anti-war activists. They cant or wont separate broad-brush generalities from the reality of specifics. They dont recognize that radical and dare I say it, evil, groups exist among elements of the populace in the region. No mention is ever made by so called peace activists of what would happen to the good and honest people of that country should they be left to suffer the barbarisms of these radical groups. How many women will be stoned to death for showing their faces or trying to attend school? How many will be beheaded for daring to espouse views contrary to the radical mullahs? Did Mr. Haynes not see the video and photos of smiling faces and purple fingers I saw on Iraqs election day? This is in spite of being targeted for death by the mere act of voting. Do we really want to abandon these people?
By constantly yammering that the U.S., President Bush and our armed forces are the cause of all that is wrong in the region the radical left is using an old, but effective play in their propaganda war. If you repeat a big lie often enough it becomes the truth. I wish the groups of demonstrators we see in our major cities would put the Bush=Hitler and Bush Lied signs down and ask a local Iraqi refugee if Saddam was a threat. They might want to even ask a Kurd if Saddam had WMD.
Paul VanGinhoven
Arlington

Creative puzzle pieces

Many thanks to Bob Graef for his insightful comments regarding students who struggle to fit into the system. Its helpful to remind ourselves that we all have our unique combinations of strengths, weaknesses, interests, abilities and idiosyncratic quirks. And thank goodness for that. Our great diversity is the source of our strength as a community.
In his book, In Defense of Youth, educator Earl Kelley writes: The fact is that, though uniqueness poses a problem for the teacher who lives for the same outcomes for all learners, it is the individuals most valuable asset. The ways in which he is different from all others is his reason-to-be. The fact that each individual has something, knows something which nobody else has or knows, is the precise reason why no man is expendable; why it is that when anyone is lost, we all lose.
So what are we doing to capitalize on this inescapable pandemic of nuttiness? One exciting development is taking place at Marysville Junior High as we prepare for our transition to Totem Middle School next fall. Recognizing that students learn best when engaged in meaningful work that makes a real difference, principal Judy Albertson is working with our staff to build a program around the themes of Learning, Leading and Serving. Service-learning is a powerful way to connect the academic curriculum with the inherent caring and concern young people have for their world. Incorporating this kind of relevance into our school programs is one way to unleash the creative potential of each student, while also strengthening our community. Look for great things from all of us nuts at Totem Middle School next fall.
Jim Strickland,
Teacher, Marysville Junior High School
Everett

Terminal, ferry terminal

In November 2007 Snohomish County voters will be asked to fund over a billion dollars for county road and transit projects. The third most costly project is a new ferry terminal called Edmonds Crossing. The price of that has jumped almost 40 percent in less than a year. In the spring of 2006 the estimated total cost was $171 million the new estimate is $237 million. Snohomish County residents will be asked to contribute $157 million.
You may wonder what youll get for your millions think an extravagant and laughable boondoggle; Edmonds Crossing is an expensive farce. A description of its deficiencies as a terminal site verges on the absurd. The proposal is to move a sheltered terminal to one of the most exposed locations on Puget Sound. Ferry captains said that they doubted their ability to land there on a regular basis. Tugboat captains agreed. Only an expensive breakwater and third ship can make the site usable. The additional cost to you will be $35 million. Last years price.
Second, the ferry must land so far from the terminal building that a people-mover will be required to transport passengers between the two places. A railroad clearance requirement and a grade limitation fix the closest distance to the shore that a ferry may approach so dredging isnt an option. The additional cost to you for the cheapest people mover will be $19 million an 11-year-old estimate.
Because of the need to cross above railroad tracks, the access road/holding lanes must traverse a hillside that is in a landslide hazard zone ranked high. Correcting that problem will entail blasting the hill away and rebuilding it with retaining walls and infill. The cost to you will be $11 million last years price.
Finally, the Edmonds Council changed the pier alignment and wound up in deep water. The consultant advised the Council that the WSF had never built a terminal in water so deep. He estimated a 20 percent increase in the cost of over-the-water structures. No dollar figures were given and, four years later, none have been provided. Its only known that over 300 pilings will be driven into a deep, steep and possibly unstable slope. And whatever the extra cost, you get to pay it.
Its incredible that a responsible county government would try to foist such a questionable scheme onto its own constituents. The WSF wouldnt build it and neither should Snohomish County. Vote No to the fall transportation proposal.
Natalie Shippen
Edmonds

Generosity

EquiFriends, a therapeutic horseback-riding program for people living with disabilities, recently received a generous grant from Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians. The $5,000 grant supports the dedication EquiFriends continues to uphold to youth and people of all ages living disabilities. It is with great pleasure that we accept this donation as Children are considered the greatest gifts within the Stillaguamish Tribal Community. We would like to acknowledge Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians for their generosity. EquiFriends, where self-confidence is built, relationships develop and the mind, body and spirit are nurtured, can be reached at www.equifriends.org or by calling 425-377-0802.
Sue Oates and the EquiFriends Staff
Snohomish

A thoughtful gesture

As a veterans widow, I have seen many wonderful things happen in our community. I experienced one of those moments last month when a military officer dressed in navy blue slacks and sweater offered to pay for my gas at the Smokey Point Safeway gas station. I would like to thank him for his generosity that day to do such a nice thing.
Kathy Bowker
Lakewood

A thoughtful gesture II

There is still kindness in this world. I experienced this not long ago at the Smokey Point Safeway gas station when a military officer, I could tell by his clothes, offered to pay to fill my car up at the pump. I would like to thank him for helping out a veterans widow, my mother and myself, a single parent. We have seen hard times but, he made our day with that kind gesture. I didnt fill my car up but, did put a few dollars in so I could say thank you to a true American.
Annette Lind
Lakewood

Kind support

Thanks to the terrific audience who attended the benefit concert on Feb. 16 for the new Performing Arts Center. We had a great time opening the show for Strutz. Thanks for having us.
Susan & Ron Runyon with
Roger Ingalls Inner Voices
Bothell

Check it out

I was looking forward to this weeks edition of the Arlington Times, mainly because of the excitement the Arlington boys basketball team has generated as of late. This is a team that has suffered through a number of setbacks, including the loss of three starting players. Their win-loss record isnt very good, but they managed to play tough against some of the best 4A teams in Wesco North. Most teams would have packed it in, but this group has found its identity and has melded new players in with a few veterans, (although the team has only one returning letterman on the active roster).
After your article in the Feb. 14 edition on their loss to Marysville-Pilchuck (in a tone that I considered flippant), you deemed their exciting last minute victory over Cascade on Feb. 8 to be non-newsworthy, not even mentioned in the same edition. Since then, they played a loser-out away game against Lynnwood, a thrilling overtime win that qualified them for the 3A District playoffs. They then defeated Shorecrest (their third victory in a row) in another close contest to qualify as the 3rd seed in Districts. These achievements earned them what? Not even a mention in your Feb. 20 edition. However, we did get to learn about the boys and girls teams from Darrington and Masters Touch, so I consider myself fulfilled.
Although this letter, if you decide to print it, wont be published until after their first two District playoff games (Feb. 21 at Mt.Vernon and Feb. 24 at Arlington), I would like to remind you that Arlington is hosting the 3A Northwest District tournament this year. This promises to showcase some very good high school players and teams. You might just want to send one of your ace reporters over to the gym to check it out, that is, if they arent too wrapped up covering the crocus blooming festival at the ladies auxiliary.
Rob Disotell
Arlington