After 26 years, football returns to Tacoma middle schools | KPLU News for Seattle and the Northwest

After 26 years, football returns to Tacoma middle schools | KPLU News for Seattle and the Northwest: Middle school football teams hit the gridiron this week in Tacoma for the first time since the Reagan administration. It’s been 26 years since the school district transitioned from a junior high system, and canceled almost all middle school athletics.

Now some creative fundraising has allowed both boys and girls to don pads and helmets, and go knock the stuffing out of each other.

Seattle looking at possible 2024 Olympic bid - - MyNorthwest.com

Seattle looking at possible 2024 Olympic bid - - MyNorthwest.com: A lot of people believe Seattle had a good shot at getting the 2012 Olympic Games that ended up in London. But despite some deep-pocketed backing, the City Council killed the effort before it got off the ground. Now, there's talk the city could again be making a move to host the 2024 Summer games.

According to SportspressNW.com, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn's office has asked the Seattle Sports Commission to enter into "informal" talks with the United States Olympic Committee about a possible bid. The move follows a generic inquiry sent by USOC to 35 major cities that had either previously expressed an interest in bidding or were among the 25 biggest U.S. markets.

200 Longshore Jobs Open Up in Tacoma

There are more than 200 new jobs up for grabs in Tacoma this week and even without flashy advertising, interest in union longshore work is high in the South Puget Sound and hundreds have thrown their hats in the ring.

The 226 “unidentified causal” longshore jobs are offered by Tacoma’s Longshore Union, in conjunction with waterfront employers represented by the Pacific Maritime Association.

Workers will be selected through a job lottery; the openings have only been advertised in The Tacoma News Tribune and careerbuilder.com.

Interested applicants must submit their basic information and signature on a postcard to Joint Port Labor Relations Committee; it must be postmarked no later than midnight on Wednesday, March 20, 2013.

While these general labor positions are entry-level, regular longshore workers can make over $100,000 per year said the TNT; CareerBuilder estimates that the average salary for “longshore work” in Tacoma is $45,000 per year.

Our biggest sign of spring: Gray whales are back | Field Notes | Seattle Times

It's time to start visiting the State Parks on Whidbey & Camano Islands, the whales are back!

Our biggest sign of spring: Gray whales are back | Field Notes | Seattle Times: What’s bigger than a swallow — and brings just as good news? Gray whales, Washington’s biggest sign of spring.

The resident gray whales are back in� Whidbey and Camano Island waters once again.

The Orca Network’s Whale Sighting Network received its first report of a North Puget Sound Gray Whale on Feb. 4, and in the past few weeks have received reports identifying several North Puget Sound grays returning to feed in Saratoga Passage, from Polnell Pt. to Port Susan and Possession Sound.

Anacortes Salmon Derby March 30-31 is sold out, but anglers can still get on waiting list | Reel Time Fishing Northwest | Seattle Times

Anacortes Salmon Derby March 30-31 is sold out, but anglers can still get on waiting list | Reel Time Fishing Northwest | Seattle Times: The Anacortes Salmon Derby on March 30-31 is sold out, but anglers can still get a place on the waiting list.

The event is hosted by volunteer members of the Fidalgo-San Juan Islands Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers. The derby raises funds for scholarships that benefit students pursuing careers in fishery management and related science. More than $163,000 in scholarships and grants have been awarded to date.

For more information visit the Anacortes Salmon Derby website.

Celebrate State Parks' 100th birthday with free events | HeraldNet.com - Life

Celebrate State Parks' 100th birthday with free events | HeraldNet.com - Life: Washington State Parks will soon celebrate its 100th birthday. The state parks system is one of the oldest in the nation, established on March 19, 1913.

In honor of the birthday, all state parks will have free entry March 30.

You'll love one of Pierce County's largest cities, Tacoma!

Union Station Historic District/University of WashingtonLocated along Pacific Avenue, from 21st to 17th, this neighborhood contains some of the best examples of Tacoma’s historic architecture. It also offers great shopping, dining, and nightlife. Union Station displays a grand chandelier designed by Dale Chihuly, and a beautiful restoration of the building, which is now occupied by our federal court house.

Museum RowFrom the Museum of Glass on the waterfront, to the Washington History Museum next to historic Union Station, to the Tacoma Art Museum on Pacific Avenue, Tacoma offers some of the finest museum experiences in the nation. Walk across the Bridge of Glass and you will experience beautiful Chihuly glass along with spectacular views of Tacoma’s unique architecture. The Downtown area is also home to the Working Waterfront Museum, and the LeMay – America’s Car Museum.

Downtown’s Theater District has many unique Mini-Neighborhoods:
	Theater Square Long known for its contribution to the performing arts, this district spans Broadway, from 9th to 11th, and South 9th, from Market to Commerce. With theaters like the Pantages, and the Rialto, there is always a show to see. The neighborhood also boasts fine dining, fine jewelry and art, and is the seat of Downtown’s Christmas Tree and New Years Eve Celebration, First Night.
	Antique Row Historic Antique Row on Broadway and St. Helens, between 9th and 7th, is famous for its vast variety of vintage and antique goods.
	Opera Alley One of Downtown’s oldest and newest districts, this little slice of Tacoma is a collection of beautifully restored buildings. It is anchored by a café, a yarn shop and an interior décor shop, and offers many other retail shops. Stroll along St. Helen’s, north of 9th, and veer off to the right, just past the guitar shop. It’s a step back in time to a more genteel era.
	The Triangle District A business district in the Center of the Universe of Tacoma – covering the area from 6th & Tacoma Ave to 9th & Broadway – and parts in between.
	Historic Pacific Located on a dramatic bluff over-looking Commencement Bay, Tacoma’s Historic Pacific District reflects the city’s political, economic, and cultural past in significant architectural buildings and places such as Old City Hall, the Northern Pacific Building, and Fireman’s Park. The area bustles with activity from a wide variety of trendy restaurants, cozy pubs, eclectic gift shops, and restorative boutique salons and spas to infuse panache and vitality into your body and soul.

The Rhododendron Cafe in the Skagit Valley is one of our favorite places to stop and eat after a great sidecar ride down the Scenic Chuckanut Drive from Historic Fairhaven!

Open  Lunch and Dinner : Wednesday—Sunday (11:30 am —  9 pm)
 Open at 9 am Saturday and Sunday for Breakfast
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays 

 Ethnic Odyssey 2013 ~ our 30th Year!

Explore the World with us as we feature a different cuisine each month !
February:  Cooking around the Mediterranean
   Featuring Greece, North Africa, and more!
March:  American Regional Cooking
   A tour of some of our own Cooking styles !
April:  Spain and Portugal
   Regional Cooking throughout the Iberian Peninsula
May:  Lands of Spice
   From South of the Border to India & Asia,
June:  French and European Cooking
   Culinary tour of Western & Northern Europe
July:  Island Cooking
   Caribbean, South Pacific, Hawaii, and More
August:  Skagit Harvest  &  Northwest Cooking
   Featuring the Bounty of Skagit & the Northwest
September:  Middle East and Africa
   Exotic flavors from Persia to South Africa
October:  Foods of Fall & Best of the Rhody

Location
The Rhododendron Cafe is located on the famous Chuckanut
Drive as it drops into the beautiful Skagit Valley.
Specifically, we are at the intersection of Chuckanut Drive
and Bow Hill Road - across from the Bow, Washington Post
Office.
5521 Chuckanut Drive
Bow, Washington 98232

Directions
From Bellingham and Points North - For a drive on a National
Scenic Byway, travel south on Chuckanut Drive(Beware that
Chuckanut Drive was built to the narrower standards of the
1920's and twists and turns along the cliff as it follows
the shore - caution is urged.) For a quicker trip, take I-5
South to Bow Hill Road, turning right as you exit. We are on
your right when you reach the first stop sign.(1+ miles)

From Mount Vernon and Points South - Exit at Chuckanut Drive
(North end of Burlington), continue through the roundabout
until you are headed over the bridge over I-5.

Reservations Policy
We only accept reservations for parties of 5 or more. On
major holidays(Valentine's Day(anyone?),Mother's Day,
Father's Day, Easter, etc), we accept reservations for all
parties.
To make a reservation, call the cafe at (360) 766-6667
Call during business hours(shown above.) We are unable
to accept reservations via email or our web site.

Vegetarian/Vegan
We typically have at least one vegetarian entree on our
Blackboard Specials each week. However,  make your server
aware of your dietary restrictions and they will be happy to
recommend dishes that will fit your needs.

Urban shopping at REI includes unique cityscape views

I always enjoy spending time in the beautiful city of Seattle. Today we're at the flagship REI in Seattle and as I look around I see they blended this amazing building's design right into the beautiful urban cityscape.  It provides a great blend of nature, sports and urban curb appeal. Living in Seattle is a great experience you can drive in any directions and be in world class scenery, recreation and culture.

NWMLS Discover:Sales are Increasing-News/Events - NWREporter

NWMLS Discover: News/Events - NWREporter: Northwest MLS members reported 5,548 pending sales during January in the four-county region (King, Snohomish, Pierce and Kitsap). That total surpassed the previous high for the month of January, which was logged in 2005 when members reported 5,426 pending sales.

Even though buyers are flocking to newly listed homes, sellers must be smart about pricing, emphasized George Moorhead, branch manager at Bentley Properties. “In my area, a home that comes on the market that is well priced for the area, style and condition is usually under contract within a few days,” Moorhead said, but he also noted homes that have been on the market for more than 20 days are subject to price reductions.

A Waterfront Lifestyle in Anacortes WA

Why not make this your front yard?  It's a great lifestyle choice to live on Anacortes WA.