Hearts, wallets in right place for children

THE OLYMPIAN | • Published November 07, 2009

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The Hands On Children’s Museum held its “Imagine That! Breakfast” recently and by all accounts it was a tremendous success. The event is held to raise funds for the museum’s many free and reduced admission and education programs. The museum’s two major events, “Sand in the City” in August and the “Imagine That Breakfast” pay the way for hundreds of youngsters to enjoy the many excellent exhibits and activities sponsored by the museum. Patty Belmonte, executive director of the Hands On Children’s Museum said: “This was our most successful breakfast event to date, raising nearly $80,000 to support more than 15 free education programs including free Fridays, free field trips, free outreach, free parenting classes, reduced military memberships, support group programs, guest artists, educators and performers. The generous support from this event keeps the museum open to all children and families, regardless of their ability to pay.” Indian Summer’s ballroom was packed with elected and community leaders, many of whom talked about the importance of early childhood education and how the museum contributes to early learning. Olympia City Councilman Craig Ottavelli was master of ceremonies and challenged individuals in attendance to join the museum’s “leadership circle” by pledging a minimum of $1,000 on the spot. He had all 10 slots filled within a minute, a clear demonstration of the strong community support the museum enjoys. That support will be pivotal as the museum moves from its Capitol Campus location into a new building on the port of Olympia property scheduled for construction next summer.

Another airplane was targeted with a laser beam recently while heading into Sea-Tac Airport for a landing, according to Port of Seattle officials. KOMO television quoted port spokeswoman Terri-Ann Betancourt as saying the pilots of a Horizon Airlines flight were making a final approach when a red laser beam flashed into the cockpit. The plane was two miles north of Sea-Tac, flying at about 1,500 feet. Thankfully, the plane landed without incident. It is a federal offense to shine a laser at a flying airplane, yet pilots on approach to Sea-Tac have been repeatedly targeted this year. In March, Port of Seattle police arrested a 24-year-old Burien man for investigation of pointing a laser at an aircraft. Police seized a laser as part of their investigation. Law enforcement officers hoped the arrest would end a series of incidents where a dozen planes were targeted. But police have logged dozens of laser cases in recent months, some of which involved a green laser beam. According to KOMO, David Campbell with the Air Lines Pilots Association said that a bright laser light isn’t likely to jeopardize the safety of passengers, but can be a huge distraction to the pilots. “We’re able to handle this threat, but it’s something that we’d rather not (handle),” he said. “The danger is, as you look to find where you are in relation to the airport, the laser beam hits you right directly in the eye. That’s the real danger.” Pilots have enough to worry about while on final approach to an airport. Coping with a laser beam in the cockpit is a serious distraction. When nabbed, lawbreakers must be held accountable for their crimes.

Supporters of the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, including founders Cindy and Jerry Schultz, gathered recently to celebrate 20 years of service to South Sound families. It’s a remarkable success story. The nondenominational international organization recruits volunteers to build affordable housing for families who fall under certain income guidelines. The homes are sold to the families, who also are required to provide hundreds of hours of labor to the cause. Since 1989, South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity has built 38 homes in the area. About 24 of the South Sound homes are occupied by the original families. The organization’s 20th year also brings several milestones, including the opening of the new location of its downtown Olympia store, ReStore, at 415 Olympia Ave. N.E. The store, which raises money to build the group’s local houses, sells salvaged building materials at its new, larger location. The group estimates that in 2008, ReStore diverted more then 170 tons of items from the landfill. The next year for Habitat is expected to be busy. The group plans to finish the final four homes planned for its Fairview development in Olympia and start a planned new development in Tumwater that will be called Shepherd’s Grove.