Staff photo/Ian Gleadle
Bothell storyteller Arthur Sealls will be featured at the Barnes & Noble Authors Gala Feb. 9 at 2:30. He will also sign copies of his first book, “The Three Little Heroes.”

Arthur Sealls has always been a storyteller, spinning tales first for his friends when he was a young boy, and then later for his own children and eventually, his grandkids.

His stories always had the element of adventure and often a dose or two of history. He let his imagination take flight, creating exciting scenarios that often placed children in precarious situations with only their wits at their disposal.

Interim Superintendent for the Northshore School District Dr. Delores Gibbons speaks of a “significant budget challenge” on a video-cast message posted on the district Web site, http://www.nsd.org. Readers should be sure to watch it.

The district projects a $3.43 million budget shortfall next year, a $3.18 million shortfall the following year, and a $1 million shortfall the year after that.

Northshore Education Association President Tim Brittell said, “This is not due to fiscal mismanagement on the part of our school district. It is due to the underfunding – and the unfunding – of the costs of educating a child in 2008. The state has not changed its funding formula in terms of how money is allocated to our schools since the mid-70s.”

Courtesy photo
At Carnation Tree Farm, Scouts from Carnation and Duvall gather Christmas trees and move them to the chipper where they were ground up for use as garden mulch.

Local Scout troops earn funds for yearly events

The Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of Carnation and Duvall had another successful tree recycling event on January 5.

Cub Scout Packs 411, 533, 568 and 569 and Boy Scout Troop 533 picked up Christmas trees and brought them to either Carnation Tree Farm or Taylor’s Landing in Duvall.

At the first council meeting of 2008 the City Council welcomed two new council members and one returning council member.

Lee Grumman and Fred Bereswell both took the oath of office for the first time following their election in November.

Stuart Lisk also took the oath of office after being re-elected to a third term on the City Council.

The council then selected Councilmember Mike Flowers to serve as mayor for 2008 and 2009. The council selected Councilmember Stuart Lisk to serve as deputy mayor for 2008.

The Stillwater ASB Leadership Team helped eight families in their school community to have a wonderful holiday. They collected a total of $1147.00 in gift cards, $790.00 in cash, plus $250.00 from PTSA’s Neighbors in Need Fund (the cash and PTSA funds were converted into Fred Meyer gift certificates) for a grand total of $2,187.00, plus all of the food and gifts collected for the families in our communities.

Carnation Elementary continues their partnership with Seattle Children’s Hospital with their “Books for Bridgette” campaign. Students and staff are collecting new books (for children or adults) in honor of their 4th grade student Bridgette DeBacker.

Another helping hands program at Carnation Elementary was the Carnation Cares Holiday Giving Tree. This year students, staff and parents adopted families in need by assisting with the purchase of gifts that were wrapped and delivered to all of the families prior to the holiday break.

Barn preservation work earns recognition

The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation has announced the recipients of its third annual Landmark Deeds Award for Public Service.

The awards are presented to public figures who demonstrate leadership on issues connected to preserving and retaining Washington’s heritage and who understand the critical role our historic resources play in providing livable, sustainable communities statewide.