Cheers to the upcoming purchase of Pattison’s West skating rink in Federal Way by local nonprofit organization El Centro de la Raza. The organization, which provides a number of social services to local families in need, will preserve the iconic rink as part of a master expansion plan near the property.

Jeers to the wildfire smoke that choked the region’s skies last weekend. Just when we thought the summer had ended without one of these hazy smogfests, we were reminded once again about the “new normal” when it comes to the annual wildfire season. Also, it’s a little freaky when the sky is raining ash.

Cheers to the recent designation of Camp Kilworth as Federal Way’s first historic landmark site. The nearly 30-acre camp between Dumas Bay and Dash Point State Park will be restored and reopened for community use by 2024. It will be an educational asset that serves youth in King and Pierce counties.

Cheers to South King Fire and Rescue for hosting a 9/11 memorial event at Station 64 to honor those who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks. Never forget.

Cheers to the Federal Way Farmers Market and Vickie Chynoweth, realtor at KWPS, for hosting the annual Federal Way’s Got Talent. Cheers to the winner for Federal Way’s Got Talent 2022, Faina Marozov. This is the type of event that helps make life richer in our community.

Cheers to a proposal that would make school meals available to all Washington students at no cost. Nutrition is crucial to proper learning, and for some students from low-income families, a school meal may be the best meal they get. State Superintendent Chris Reykdal is calling for the Legislature to allocate $86 million each year to provide meals at no cost to about 330,000 students who don’t qualify for free and reduced-priced meals. Washington would join states including California, Vermont and Massachusetts in providing universal free meals to students.

Cheers to to Shelly Cain, a volunteer for Federal Way’s Friendship Theatre who helps make sure the show goes on for kids and young adults with developmental disabilities. She was recently honored by the Federal Way City Council for her creative approach to raising funds for the city-organized program.

Jeers to former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. You know why.

Cheers to the Seattle Mariners for finally fielding a playoff-caliber team. Lookin’ good, boys!

Jeers to the fentanyl crisis in King County and beyond. The drug is exponentially more potent and lethal than heroin — and is the primary culprit behind the spike in overdoses.

Cheers to Gov. Jay Inslee for lifting the state of emergency that was put in place at the start of the coronavirus pandemic nearly two and a half years ago. The original declaration, which was made in February 2020, gave the governor sweeping executive powers to shut down schools, mandate masks and more. It was justified at first. Now it’s time to return to “normal” governing in the Washington State Legislature.

Jeers to Gov. Jay Inslee for taking two and a half years to lift his pandemic-related emergency powers. The original declaration, which was made in February 2020, gave the governor sweeping executive powers to shut down schools, mandate masks and more. It was justified at first. Now it’s way past time to return to “normal” governing in the Washington State Legislature.

— By Andy Hobbs, Editor, Federal Way Mirror