School bands win ‘Battle of the Bands’

Bands from Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools have won the top two prizes in the School of The Rock Battle of the Bands contest sponsored by The Rock Wood Fired Pizza and KZOK-FM. The announcement was made Friday, Feb. 8 during the Bob Rivers Show on KZOK.

Shorecrest will receive the $10,000 first prize for its music programs and Shorewood will receive $5,000 in competition among high schools throughout Western Washington.

The winners were chosen by judges Brad McDavid, director of the University of Washington Husky Marching Band, Gerard Schwarz, Seattle Symphony music director, and Donn Bennett of Donn Bennett Drum Studios.

The Shorecrest band, directed by David Johnson, played “Long Way to the Top,” and Shorewood, directed by Paul Harshman, played “Frankenstein” as their contest entries. The entries may be heard at http://schooloftherockcontest.com.

Shorecrest will use part of its prize to assist the Highlander band, choir and dancers who will be traveling to Dublin, Ireland next month to march in that city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Shoreline Christian School goes green

Shoreline Christian School has been identified by the Web site ResourceVenture.org for opting for environmentally responsible energy use. The school is changing its light fixtures from magnet ballast to electronic ones. They’ve changed 35 percent of their ballasts and in four months have saved 20 percent of their electricity costs compared to the same time last year, according to a press release.

In October 2007, the school replaced all of its toilets and urinal flush valves to low flow alternatives by participating in the Saving Water Partnership’s rebate program. In the first two months after the upgrade, they have saved almost one half of their water usage as compared to the same time last year.

Shoreline Christian has also expanded its recycling. The National Honors Society collects paper, cardboard, plastics, cans bottles and milk cartons and diverts 16 cubic yards of material from disposal per month.

For information about Shoreline Christian, see shorelinechristian.org or call 206-364-7777.

Low-cost dental care for children at SCC

The Dental Hygiene Clinic at Shoreline Community College offers “Kids Day” for children ages 4 to 12 from 8:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 21, Feb. 28 and March 4. For $30, children will get an exam, limited X-rays, and a cleaning and fluoride treatment. Call 206-546-4711 to make an appointment. The college is at 16101 Greenwood Ave. N.

School jazz groups win awards

Jazz groups from Kellogg Middle School and Shorewood High School received awards at the Bellevue Community College Jazz Band Festival recently.

The Kellogg Jazz Ensemble, directed by Alec Wilmart, won second place among middle school bands at the annual festival. This is the third year in a row that Kellogg has placed in the top three. Eighth grader Grace Oh, baritone saxophone player, was named an outstanding soloist.

Shorewood’s jazz band, directed by Paul Harshman, placed second among high school bands.

Seeking School Writers-in-Residence

The Pacific Northwest Writer’s Association, or PNWA, is partnering with Echo Lake Elementary School in Shoreline to place professional writers in the classroom for short-term writer’s workshops.

Authors should be published, experienced in working with children and able to pass a state background check.

Authors would work with the teachers of one grade level to create one or more six-week long writer’s workshops through May 2008. The time commitment is about four hours a day, one day per week for six weeks.

Call Jeff Ayers, PNWA Board, at 206-542-9938 or e-mail jeff.ayers@pacifier.com for information and an application.

Golf tournament to benefit Wonderland

The ninth annual Justin Van Hollebeke Memorial Golf Tournament will be May 17, with proceeds benefiting the Wonderland Developmental Center in Shoreline.

Locals are urged to secure their spot early. The first 40 paid, online registrants will get a gift, plus an additional gift for the first two paid, online foursomes. The offer ends March 1.

The Wonderland Developmental Center is at 816 NE 190th St. in Shoreline.

For information, e-mail cbull@wdcbirthtothree.org or see www.wdcbirthtothree.org.

Nominate Shoreline Teacher of the Year

Nominations are now open for 2007-08 Shoreline Teacher of the Year.

Nominations may be made by staff, students, parents, and other community members. Nomination forms are available on the district Web site at http://www.shorelineschools.org/news/forms or by calling 206-361-4412.

Nomination packets for Teacher of the Year nominees are due in the Public Information Office at Shoreline Center by March 7. The recipient will be recognized during Teacher Appreciation Week May 5 to 9.

Call the Public Information Office at 206-361-4412 for information.