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Kathleen Merryman is a local news columnist for The News Tribune, where she's worked for a quarter of a century. Amazing, considering she is only 32. You're likely to find her fighting crime, righting wrongs or judging pies. You're less likely to find her in the newsroom. Call her at 253-597-8677 or e-mail her.
General assignment reporter Mike Archbold is a veteran Puget Sound journalist and a veteran veteran. He's ready to respond to your news tip. Call him at 253-597-8692 or e-mail him.
Brent Champaco is a communities reporter for The News Tribune, where he has worked since 2005. He covers areas west of Interstate 5, including Lakewood, and writes diversity stories. A native of the South Kitsap area, he has worked for newspapers in Eastern Washington, Idaho and the Bay Area. Call him at 253-597-8653 or e-mail him. You can also check out his Twitter page.
Steve Maynard is a communities reporter and religion reporter for The News Tribune. He covers Federal Way, Fife and Milton. He also has been the paper's religion reporter since joining The News Tribune in 1987. Maynard has reported for daily newspapers since 1979, previously in Walla Walla and Houston. Call him at 253-597-8647 or e-mail him.
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Mark Kirsch paced the concrete expanses adjacent to the runways at Seattle’s Boeing Field. Every few feet, he leaned over and placed a level on the ground.
The Tacoma resident and owner of World Strongman Entertainment was trying to find the perfect patch of ground, a perfect mix of hard asphalt and a favorable slope, to set a world record and complete the centerpiece event of a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound on Saturday.
Three times he tried to pull a 200,000-pound Boeing 767. Two times, the jet didn’t move. A third time, it didn’t get very far – maybe 15 feet, and only after others pushed on the plane’s wheels. But he wasn’t going to give up.
“It’s frustrating,” he said after his third attempt. “It’s really frustrating. I wanted to put on a show for everyone here.”
The hundreds in attendance at the charity’s largest community of event of the year didn’t seem to mind. They cheered Kirsch, a 1998 graduate of Wilson High School, during his attempts. And after his three tries, he turned the fun over to them.
Twelve teams, most with about 10-15 people, took turns pulling on a tow rope attached to the jet. Each attempt followed the same form: The participants looked as if they weren’t making any progress for the first few seconds. Slowly, the jet began rolling. Once it did, the task became markedly easier.
“I was actually surprised how easy it was once we got that thing moving,” said Puyallup’s Jeff Ernst.
The Larchmont Safe Streets and other neighborhood organizations are marching down Pacific Avenue in Tacoma this evening to make their presence felt in the neighborhood.
Their stretch of Pacific Avenue – from South 72nd to South 96th streets – is improving but still a gathering place for prostitutes, drug dealers and gang members. The group will meet in the parking lot of Anahuac Family Mexican Restaurant at 5 p.m. and march about an hour after that.
“We just want to let everyone know we’re here,” said Kathy Martin, a volunteer with the organization.
Ever wanted to know if one person can pull a 202,000-pound Boeing 767?
I'm gonna find out in a few hours.
