The City of Des Moines is starting a Youth Sailing Program that will offer sailing experiences to boys and girls ages 11 to 18, with the first session beginning Monday, Aug. 2nd.

The program will offer on-the-water sailing instruction in 14-foot sailboats and dockside learning activities. The sessions will be held at the Des Moines Marina and are designed for kids with little or no sailing experience.

The course will cover safety on the water, sailing basics, sailboat nomenclature, wind awareness, rigging, rules of the road, and boating etiquette. Instructors in power boats will accompany the students in the boats while they are on the water.

The fee for a one-week session is $130 and some scholarships are available. Registration forms are available at the City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department, 1000 South 220th Street in Des Moines. The Phone number is 206-870-6527.

Students need sneakers, appropriate clothing and a Coast Guard approved life jacket, preferably the kayak type. Students will also be required to take a float test on the first day of class. The test will be conducted at Mount Rainier Pool.

Session dates are:

• Session 1: August 2 – 6 Start time 1:00 pm
• Session 2: August 9 – 13 Start time 1:00 pm
• Session 3: August 16 – 20 Start time 5:00 pm
• Session 4: August 23 – 27 Start Time 1:00 pm

To download registration documents, click here (Word .doc file), or call Des Moines Parks at (206) 870-6527.

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Local singers in KidSounds, YouthSounds and TeenSounds will be taking the stage at the Highline Performing Arts Center on Friday, March 19th at 7pm for “A 20th Century Celebration” concert.

These area youth are a part of Northwest Associated Arts’ commitment to providing musical education and performance opportunity for young people from grades 3 through 12 in South King County. The three choruses perform together for two mainstage concerts at the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien.

The goal of KidSounds, YouthSounds & TeenSounds Northwest is to foster a love of singing by engaging a wide variety of music repertoire. Proper vocal technique, theory and artistry are emphasized with an eye towards developing well-rounded young musicians.

WHAT: KidSounds, YouthSounds & TeenSounds Spring Concert

WHEN: Friday March 19 at 7:00 pm

WHERE: Burien’s Highline Performing Arts Center, located at 401 South 152nd Street, next to Highline High School.

TICKETS: $10-$15 (17 & under free with a paid adult ticket) are available for purchase online: www.nwassociatedarts.org or via phone: 206-246-6040

INFO: From a poster:

Overture…light the lights! An entire century of music represented in one work! This fabulous 55-minute revue, complete with an original opener by Greg Gilpin, takes us on a decade-by-decade celebration of popular music. Under the direction of Paula Hawkins, KidSounds, YouthSounds and TeenSounds Northwest will join forces with a fun-filled program designed just for families.

You’re A Grand Old Flag, Give My Regards to Broadway, Rock Around the Clock, Fame, Good Vibrations, plus many other favorites combine to make this fast-paced show a must-see for anyone who loves popular music. Narration, dancing, and solos blend together seamlessly with wonderful choral singing in this showcase of the budding talents of our youth choruses.

Families hunting for affordable entertainment will delight and parents looking for a risk-free way to introduce their children to the joys of choral music can rest easy because Northwest Associated Arts youth ticket program lets young people 17 and under in free with a paid adult ticket.

YouthSounds & TeenSounds Northwest demonstrate Northwest Associated Arts’ commitment to providing musical education and performance opportunity for young people from grades 3 through 12 in South King County. Each year the three choruses perform together for two mainstage concerts at the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien. In a time of radical funding cuts to music programs in the schools, these ensembles provide an important and life-changing opportunity for students to learn through the discipline of music. Along the way, audiences are delighted with the entertaining performances of these dedicated young singers. The goal of KidSounds, YouthSounds & TeenSounds Northwest is to foster a love of singing by engaging a wide variety of music repertoire. Proper vocal technique, theory and artistry are emphasized with an eye towards developing well-rounded young musicians.

The NWAA young people’s music education program is funded, in part, by the generous support of: 4 Culture, Lucky 7 Foundation, Glaser Foundation, Norcliffe Foundation, City of Burien, JR Mailing Services, Inc, and many individuals & families throughout our community.

Des Moines’ Aviation High School kicked off a major capital campaign last week at the home of James and Sherry Raisbeck, whose foundation has pledged $4 million toward the effort to construct a facility for the school at The Museum of Flight.

Aviation High School is temporarily located in the Olympic interim school in Des Moines, and the district hopes to open the school as Raisbeck Aviation High School on Museum property sometime in 2012.

James Raisbeck is a world renowned aerodynamicist and entrepreneur.  He is most well known for founding Raisbeck Engineering Inc., which engineers and manufactures performance improvement systems for thousands of business and commercial aircraft worldwide.

The Port of Seattle has contributed $10 million toward the new Aviation High School facility. The school hopes to raise an additional $10 million from private entities and $14 million from state and federal sources.

Aviation High School is an innovative public school that teaches a college-preparatory curriculum through an aviation theme. The school is administered by Highline Public Schools but accepts students from across the Puget Sound region.

Aviation High School was the state’s third-highest scoring high school in last year’s WASL exams. It was the top scoring school on the 10th grade writing WASL. Unlike other high-scoring schools, 20 percent of Aviation High School’s students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

The Museum of Flight has had a long-standing partnership with Aviation High School. In 2006, the Museum of Flight Board of Trustees invited AHS to be part of the expansion of its campus. The new school is to be located adjacent to The Museum’s air park.

For more information on the campaign and how you can help, go to www.aviationhs.org.

Des Moines’ very own Mt. Rainier High School Ramblin’ Marching Band will be one of several area participants in Macy’s 24th annual Holiday Parade on Friday, Nov. 27th in downtown Seattle.

More than two dozen high school marching bands and community drill teams will also participate, including marching bands from:

• Chief Sealth High School
• Denny Middle School

• Kentwood High
• Ballard High
• Penninsula High
• Washington
• Centralia
• Sequim
• Roosevelt

In addition to MRHS’ Ramblin’ Marching Band, several other area drill teams will participate:

• Northside Drill Team and Drum Squad
• Lake City Girls
• Marysville Pilchuck High School Marching Tomahawks and Color Guard
• Connect All Stars & Northwest Open Cheer
• Edmonds Woodway High School

Boasting nearly 56 entrants, the parade will also feature:

• 22 balloon floats and inflatables
• 500 costumed characters
• 18 high school marching bands
• Community drill teams
• Four dog clubs

The parade will begin promptly at 8:45am on 7th and Pine in downtown Seattle, travel west to 5th Avenue, south on 5th to University Street, west on University Street to 4th, and north on 4th to Pine street, where it will deliver Santa to Macy’s under a confetti snowstorm.

At 5pm, Macy’s will light its famous, 161-foot high, 3,600-bulb Holiday Star on the corner of 4th and Pine, in conjunction with the Westlake Tree Lighting Ceremony. The star lighting will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display, weather permitting.

So be sure to cheer on your local, ramblin’ marchers and musicians either in person on or KING-TV beginning at 9am Nov. 27th.

(Photo courtesy Carmen Scott)

Des Moines’ Youth of Resurrection Lutheran Church has started “Operation Raincoat,” a program where people can donate gently-used coats for children, youth and even adults.

Donated coats will be distributed to area residents in need, and here’s how you can help:

Bring your gently-used coats of all sizes to:

Resurrection Lutheran Church
134 South 206th Street
Des Moines, WA 98198

Also, if you’d like to set up a drop-off station in your business or work place, please contact Elizabeth Schwanke at elizabeth.schwanke@live.com, or call 206.605.4277 and she’ll will be happy to provide flyers and a donation box.

Here’s info from their flyer:

For the past few months, the Youth of Resurrection Lutheran Church have been involved in a ministry called Bread of Life. Every Friday, rain (or snow, or hail..) or shine, we distribute bread to a a very in-need neighborhood of Des Moines. We do this not only to fulfill the immediate physical needs, but to share the hope and love of God with them. Every week as the bread truck pulls into the neighborhood, kids rush out of their homes to meet us, some with barefeet and most all without coats.

We felt compelled to do something more and so we’ve started a little something called “Operation Raincoat”. We are asking you to take a few minutes to look through your closets and ask your neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family memebers for gently used children and youth sized coats (we will take adult coats too!). This is such a great opportunity to help the “least of these” by keeping these children warm and dry during the cold and wet winter months.

There will also be a gathering at RLC on Friday, Nov. 20th at 7pm for fellowship, worship and to pray over the distribution of the coats.

All are invited.

Begin planning your future at Highline School District’s “Life After High School Fair” (wait..there’s actually life after high school?) on Wednesday, Oct. 7th from 3:30pm to 8:30pm at the Tyee Educational Complex, located at 4424 8th S1reet in SeaTac.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Life After High School Fair”

WHEN: October 7th from 3:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m

WHERE: Tyee Educational Complex, located at 4424 8th S1., SeaTac, 98188

INFO:

• Food will be available to purchase from DECA Students
• For more information, call the Office of College and Career at (206) 433-2430

SCHEDULE:

5:30-6:00: Keynote Speaker from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills Polly Stansell, director of Product Development Whatskills are critical for student success in the 21stt economy?

6:00-8:30: College and Career Booths – VIsit with representatives from universities, community and technical colleges, as well as apprenticeship programs, military programs and civil service opportunities.

6:00-6:45: Middle School Rally and Parent Workshop – How to help your middle schooler prepare for success in high school, college, career, and citizenship.

7:00-7:45: Workshops:

• Finding money for college (financial aid and scholarships)
• College application (helpful hints for completing the college applications, SAT scores, essays, and your personal statement application.

It’s Friday night. Do you know where your kids are?

If you’re one of the hundreds of Des Moines’ Pacific Middle School parents, you did last Friday night: They were at Mount Rainier Pool for one of the monthly pool parties that the kids flock to.

And their parents know they’re in a safe environment and under adult supervision. That’s the goal of Schell Ross, a social studies teacher at the school and organizer of the events.

It takes five lifeguards in constant rotation to keep a watchful eye on the teens. A boom box competes to be heard over the joyous shouts and laughter of the participants. There’s an occasional whistle blown and sometimes a stern glare, but mostly it’s a fun free-for-all: a chance for youngsters to recreate in a manner their parents can embrace.

Unfortunately, it may not last.

Unless Des Moines voters approve Proposition 1 on the Nov. 3rd ballot to create a Metropolitan Park District to oversee its operation, Mount Rainier Pool will be shut down on Dec. 31st. That would leave Highline School District students with no public indoor pool, since Evergreen Pool in White Center was shuttered Aug. 31st.

As Ross describes it, that’s going to put a lot of kids on the streets on Friday nights. How many parents then will be able to answer the question:

Do you know where your kids are?

by Brenda Anders-Larson

Bring the kids for a summer blast! See your friends from school! Have a great time!

Everyone is invited to bring their families to a CARNIVAL this Saturday, August 15th, from 11am – 7pm. It is at the Des Moines Masonic Lodge, next to the fire station. Our entire parking lot will be full of fun and friends.

Here’s what’s happening:

• 4 Huge Inflatables: Including a monster slide, obstacle course, and bounce house
• Food: Hotdogs, chips, soda, water, popcorn, popsicles
• Car Bash: Hit a minivan with a sledge hammer!
• Games: Fish toss, bulls eye, ring toss, hole in one, win a gold fish, frog jump, duck pond, knock downs, and many more!
• Tot Spot: Games and a bouncer for little ones (5 & under) and for moms and dads that need to sit down for a minute, best of all, this area is FREE!
• Rest Areas: Tables and chairs throughout the carnival for folks to sit and watch, eat, or catch up with friends!
• Prizes: Fun great prizes including stuffed animals, rubber duckies and the ability to trade up!

Limited supplies of wristband coupons ($2 off) are available at the Field House. This will allow you to go on all of the inflatables all day for one low price! All games cost 50¢.

All proceeds benefit Des Moines Job’s Daughters, a Masonic Youth Group.

Des Moines Parks & Recreation wants to remind everyone that T-Ball signups are under way, with the deadline approaching about as fast as a kid’s feet running towards first base – May 16th – so you’d better sign up now.

For more information, please call the Parks & Rec Department at (206) 870-6527.

The 5th Annual Hip-Hop Summit is returning to Highline Community College on Thursday Feb. 26th and Friday, Feb. 27th, and it should be an all gravy, all raw, bustin’ time (in other words…it’ll be all good).

Here’s are the details:

Some believe that hip-hop is dead.

According to Northwest based hip-hop group, Blue Scholars, “it’s not, it’s just malnourished and underfed.” True story. Hip-hop music and culture is continuously thriving and evolving. Since its inception, each day has been a stepping stone for this multifaceted channel of expression.

On February 26 and 27, 2009, Highline Community College presents “The Hip-Hop Summit.” A two day long event showcasing a culture defined by creativity, diversity, knowledge and evolution.

Help us gain strength in our movement and spread the word.

Hip-hop don’t stop!

WHAT: Hip Hop Summit, to be held over two days:

WHEN:

THURSDAY, FEB. 26th:

• 9:00am-9:50am: The History & Evolution of Hip-Hop with King Khazm (founder of Zulu Nation-Seattle Chapter, Hip Hop emcee & activist) in Mt. Constance Room
• 10:00am-11:30am: Keynote: Hip Hop Politics with Dr. Tricia Rose of Brown University in Mt. Constance Room
• 12:00pm-1:30pm: Panel Discussion: Misconceptions of Hip-Hop in Mt. Constance Room

FRIDAY, FEB. 27th:

• 10:00am-10:50am: Art Showcase in Mt. Constance Room
• 11:00am-12:00pm: ICC – Poetry Lounge and Open Mic in Mt. Constance Room
• 7pm: Doors Open at Mt. Townsend Room Stage: 2 v. 2 Break Battle, With Performances by:
  • So HyDef
  • Nam
  • Khingz
  • Gabriel Teodros
  • The Parker Brothers
  • Common Market

WHERE: Highline Community College Student Union (Building 8), located at 2400 S. 240th St, Des Moines, WA 98198 (map below)

COST: Highline Students $5, General Admission $10

INFO: Highline Community College Events Calendar

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