More than 500 cyclists will pedal 162 miles over three of Washington’s mountain passes, Snoqualmie, Blewett and Stevens, to benefit victims of child abuse and neglect.

The 17th annual John L. Scott Foundation Courage Classic Bicycle Tour, a three-day cycling adventure, will begin Aug. 2, and benefits the treatment and recovery of child abuse victims; including those who have suffered sexual abuse, physical assault and domestic drug abuse exposure.

Riders raise a minimum of $400 each in pledges, and the proceeds go to the Rotary Endowment for the Intervention and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. Proceeds also benefit the Children’s Trust Foundation.

The ride begins on Snoqualmie Ridge and riders cross Snoqualmie Pass to Suncadia Resort near Cle Elum. The following day, riders cross Blewett Pass and into Leavenworth. On the final day, riders will continue over Stevens Pass and finish in the town of Skykomish.

There are many special activities along the way. Saturday evening, riders will be treated to a jazz festival at Suncadia Resort.

The 2008 Courage Classic is sponsored by the John L. Scott Foundation, Rotary Clubs of Pierce County, Alaska Airlines, Milgard Windows and United Parcel Service. In addition to sponsoring the event, Alaska Airlines has also formed the largest team of more than 80 riders from across the Western United States. Collectively, the team has already raised more than $32,000 through fundraisers and rider pledges.

For more information, call (253) 403-4374 or go to www.courageclassic.org.

• Sudden Impact captured the gold medal after finishing as the champions of the 12-and-under ASA Washington State Games at Lower Woodland Park in Seattle last weekend.

Teams hailed from all throughout the state. Sudden Impact went undefeated (5-0) for the tournament, and beat a very tough Issaquah Flames team, 9-2, in the championship game.

The Sudden Impact team has had an immensely successful year. This was their third tournament championship this season. The Sudden Impact team is 15-4 with two championships and two third-place showings in their last four tournaments.

Sudden Impact players are Kyra Adams, Sierra Bains, Audrey Birklid, Kelsey Cearley, Brooke Feldmeier, Stephanie Granger, Hien Hong, Krista Jones, Makenzie Lunstroth, Kayla McLaughlin, Kylie McCown, Kelsey McDonnell, Miriam Santana, Alyssa Ubrun, and Taylor Weimern-Pierce.

The Sudden Impact organization has been involved with competitive fastpitch for Federal Way girls since 1990. The 12U team is coached by Raj Bains, Travis Ubrun, Brett Adams, Terry Cearley, Pat McDonnell and Kaitlin Bailey.

• The Tacoma-Pierce County Volleyball Officials Board is in need of individuals who are interested in officiating middle school, junior high, senior high, college, and recreation department volleyball matches throughout Pierce County. A comprehensive training program, starting Aug. 25, is offered for all new officials and the opportunities to advance in the organization are extensive.

For students, retirees, or former athletes looking to re-connect with a sport, officiating high school and middle school sports is also an excellent way to earn some extra income and provide a great service to the teams. Registration is due no later than Aug. 22.

For additional information on becoming a volleyball official, visit www.tpcvob.com or contact Marc Blau at (253) 848-1360 or blaumarc@qwest.net or John Wohn at (253) 272-8543 or jwohn@yahoo.com.

• SBI Rebels 12-and-under baseball club is holding tryouts on Aug. 9 at Service Club Field #1 in Kent at 5 p.m. and Aug. 16 at Russell Road Park #1 at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Steven Finch at (253) 217-1858 or sbibaseballclub@yahoo.com.

“• Families can enjoy the fun of golf without worrying about the price tag at Meadow Park Golf Course in Lakewood on July 27. Youth golfers ages 18 and younger are invited to play the Williams Nine course for free or the 18-hole Championship course for $3 per round, when accompanied by a full-fare adult.

The day also features “Dunk the Pros”, a special event to support junior golf and the Northwest Youth Sports Alliance. The dunk tank will be open from 1-3 p.m. All proceeds from the dunk tank benefit junior golf programs and the Northwest Youth Sports Alliance, a partnership between Metro Parks Tacoma and the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound.

The goal of NYSA and Meadow Park junior golf programs is to develop lifelong golfers. This well-rounded program offers instruction, activities, details on the history of golf, and observance of rules and etiquette. Junior golf programs make golf enjoyable, help junior golfers play golf to the best of their ability, and contribute to the personal growth of each junior by encouraging positive social and character values.

For more information Dan Harrington at Meadow Park Golf Course, 253-473-3033, e-mail danh@tacomaparks.com or visit www.meadowparkgolf.com.

• The Federal Way SLAM! 12U select fastpitch team is looking for a few more 11- and 12-year-old players to round out the team for next season. Tryouts will be held in July. For more information, contact Mike Rogers at mikerogers123@comcast.net.

• The Summit at Snoqualmie has received the green light from the United States Forest Service to begin the installation of a new high-speed quad chairlift, named Silver Fir Express. Located just East of The Summit’s Central Base Area , the new Silver Fir Express will replace the current Silver Fir triple chair, originally installed in 1988. Construction is expected to be completed in November, 2008, meaning the chair will be open to the public in time for the start of the 2008-2009 winter season.

Work is beginning this week on disassembly of the current Silver Fir triple chairlift. The project, costing an estimated $4.5 million, will continue throughout the summer and fall and involve the use of a helicopter to install the new chairlift towers. The process will be documented through photos and video on The Summit’s website.

While this new lift will serve the same terrain as the existing chair, ride times and lift capacities will be dramatically improved. The length of ride time will shorten from its current 10-plus minute ride to just over four minutes. Lift capacity will increase to 2400 skiers per hour.

“We are very excited to break ground on this highly-anticipated improvement project. Silver Fir serves as a means of access to many of our gladed trails and allows for easy connectivity between two of our base areas – Summits Central and East,” said Dan Brewster, general manager for The Summit. “This improvement marks the start of an exciting new phase at The Summit.”

Several other summer improvement projects are currently underway at The Summit.

• The Western Washington Football Officials Association is looking for candidates to begin officiating in the 2008 season. No experience is necessary and officials are paid. Training meetings will begin on July 29. For more information, call Jan Wolcott at (253) 826-2460 or e-mail jswol@comcast.net.

• The Sudden Impact Girls Fastpitch Organization is looking for players for its 10 and under, 12U and 14U teams for the 2009 season. The teams feature ASA Junior Olympic affiliation, pitching and catching instructors, private instruction by the University of Washington, Seattle University and high school players/coaches. Practices are at Decatur High School. The 14U and 12U teams play various weekend tournaments, mostly in the Seattle-Tacoma area. The 10U team plays in a recreational league and some tournament play. No previous fastpitch experience required. For more information about Sudden Impact, email SuddenImpactFP@aol.com.

• Water Polo has returned to the Marine Hills Pool. Marine Hills Pool brings water polo to boys and girls ages 8 to 18, who are able to swim 50 yards.

Practices are held at the pool Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 to 9:30 p.m. with preseason scrimmages scheduled for Saturday mornings. Regular season play begins in August. Coach Peter Larsen is currently offering a free two-day trial to anyone interested in learning more about the sport. The water polo team is open to the public.

The Marine Hills Swim and Tennis Club is located at 600 S. 302nd St. in the Marine Hills neighborhood.

For more information, call the Marine Hills Swim and Tennis Club at (253) 839-4960 or visit the Web site at www.marinehillspool.org.

• The Kiwanis Club of Greater Federal Way will hold a charity golf tournament at 7:30 a.m. July 18 at Whispering Firs Golf Course at McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma. The cost per foursome is $320. Proceeds benefit Federal Way service organizations.

Contact president Donavan Knight at (253) 719-8257 or Wayne Moritz at (253) 941-0354 or visit www.greaterfedwaykiwanis.org.

• Highline Community College’s new personal fitness training program is already helping dozens of students find new careers in a rapidly growing industry.

“We’ve got a wide range of students,” says program manager Josh Baker. “Most of our graduates will pursue careers as personal trainers and group exercise instructors. This is a high demand area and we expect continued growth in the Puget Sound area.”

Baker notes how the profession has grown in recent years, spurred by rising demand for quality instruction from increasingly health-conscious consumers.

“There’s a need for more qualified personal trainers,” he says.

The Highline CC program offers an associated of applied science degree, as well as a one-year certificate. Both degrees include coursework in functional training, special populations and body composition.

“Our curriculum was developed off of industry standards with input from local employers,” Baker says, providing one of the best programs in the Greater Seattle area. “Our faculty is excellent. We have great connections with local businesses and opportunities to continue on to four-year schools.”

Baker’s background includes a master’s degree in physical education from Brigham Young University. He has worked as a fitness specialist, strength and conditioning coach, and has long had an interest in creating such a program to help train people to help others improve their overall health and fitness.

For more information, contact Josh Baker at (206) 878-3710, ext. 3997, or email jbaker@highline.edu.

• Lance Glasoe, Pacific Lutheran University pitching coach, and a staff of current college softball players will be conducting a fastpitch camp at the South County Ballfields on Military Road, July 21-24.

The camp is for players ages 7 to 15 years old and will teach fundamentals. The fee is $99.

For more information, visit www.grandslamcamp.com or call (360) 802-2232.

• The Marine Hills Pool in Federal Way is currently offering swim lessons to the public. Experienced, qualified instructors provide lessons for children as young as 2½ with all ability levels.

The Marine Hills Swim and Tennis Club has the largest outdoor pool in greater Federal Way and is located at 600 S. 302nd St. in the Marine Hills neighborhood. Tennis lessons are also available to general public.

“We’ve recently installed a state-of-the-art energy efficient boiler, which is keeping the water a comfortable 84 degrees,” said pool manager Robin Hoof.

For more information, call the Marine Hills Swim and Tennis Club at (253) 839-4960 or visit www.marinehillspool.org.

• Season ticket packages for the new Seattle Major League Soccer franchise will be based on an 18-home match schedule with prices starting as low as $288 for a full-season ticket package. All home matches will be played at Qwest Field.

“We’ve created a variety of season ticket packages to meet the needs of our passionate soccer fans in the Pacific Northwest,” said majority owner Joe Roth.

Season ticket prices per match are $16, $20, $24, $29 and $35. Ticket prices in Club Wells Fargo are $39 and $75 per match.

Fans seated in $75 ticket sections will receive exclusive benefits that include reserved parking and an all inclusive menu hosted in the FSN Lounge. The menu will feature regional flavors and local ingredients prepared by a personal Chef.

In the north end of the stadium, fans seated in $24 ticket sections will enjoy an all inclusive experience featuring classic stadium food and beverages.

Each season ticket holder will be assigned a personal customer sales representative to assist with their seating selection. Fans who placed deposits for Sounders FC will be sent an e-mail this week inviting them to submit their seating preferences through an interactive website.

The team has created a unique site to help fans find their ideal seat location based on personal interests such as group affiliations, teammates from the soccer leagues they play in, or the desire to sing, chant and stand during matches.

With a seating capacity of 24,500 in the lower bowl, soccer fans will enjoy excellent views in a stadium that was built to host professional soccer matches. Qwest Field’s upper bowl will be covered to create a more intimate atmosphere.

“To create a world class environment, we will encourage fans to bring horns, banners, streamers and noisemakers to replicate the atmosphere similar to the great international matches,” said Vulcan Sports & Entertainment CEO Tod Leiweke.

Launched in November 2007, Seattle Sounders FC became the 15th club in Major League Soccer and will begin play during the 2009 MLS season. The ownership group includes film producer Joe Roth, Adrian Hanauer, Vulcan Sports & Entertainment and comedian Drew Carey. The team has received deposits for more than 14,700 season tickets since the announcement.

For information on Sounders FC season tickets please visit www.soudersfc.com or call 1-877-MLS-GOAL.

• Thirty-five stakes races worth over $2.3 million will be run at Emerald Downs in Auburn, including the $300,000 Longacres Mile on Aug. 17. The minimum stakes purse is a record $50,000, up from $45,000 last year.

During live racing (April 18-September 28), the $5 fee includes access to the first five levels of the stadium, the Paddock and Park. Kids 17 and under get in free and kids 13 and under must be accompanied by parent or guardian. You must be 18+ to wager.

Preferred parking is $5, while valet parking is $10. Parking in the general lot is free.

Live racing will take place Friday through Sunday through April 25 and will switch from Thursday through Sunday through Sept. 28. Racing starts at 6 p.m. on weekdays and 2 p.m. on weekends.

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