Week in Review: Sammamish Awards, State Money Concerns, Free Dental Care for Tent City Residents

Spring officially begins on Sunday and the seventh day of the week is always a reminder, too, that it's time for a review.

As in: Week in Review. Sammamish style. So, let's get to it.

Monday: Joan Probala, Sammamish Patch real estate columnist, took a tally and reported that home construction permits in the city are doing better than the past. , a contributing writer, interviewed Sammamish police, who encouraged people to take care of their credit and debit cards because of fraud.

International Smile Power, a Sammamish nonprofit dental group, and dentists provided care for Tent City 4 residents on Saturday. On Monday, the video report was posted on Sammamish Patch.

Tuesday: In the feature, Gingin, a terrier, was looking for some long-term love in the form of a permanent home. Patch.com sites reminded people in the Seattle area that Sounders soccer season was underway.

, Patch bicycling columnist, reminded riders that it's good to stretch before pedaling - especially with spring here.

Wednesday: Justyna Howak, a Sammamish resident who attends Bates Technical College, was the "Whiz Kid" - or "Great Student" - of the week. Our hat is off to her for all of her hard work.

The Wednesday parenting column also noted some great places for Sammamish parents to take their tweens and teens on the Eastside.

Sammamish Patch also noted that friends and classmates of Ariana Larsen-Skube, the 12-year-old from Issaquah who died earlier in the month, were posting their memories of her on Facebook.

On Wednesday night, Washington state health officials issued a statement, informing residents that radiation from Japan was not expected to be a health threat.

Thursday: Sammamish Patch joined in with other Patch.com sites to celebrate Sunshine Week and the public's right to know information.

In terms of state budget news, forecasters said Washington was expected to have $698 million less than thought than in November. That revised revenue forecast is likely to be felt in education and social services - though state lawmakers have yet to point out where the actual cuts will be made.

The Redmond Digital Arts Festival was held on Friday and Saturday - and the idea of a "digital double" and an accompanying video truly captured the sense of what technology can do these days.

Friday: The State Patrol reported nabbing drunk drivers in King County on the evening of St. Patrick's Day and the morning after.

In the  feature, Sammamish Patch pointed out that Village Theatre in Issaquah has a new comedy, the "Iron Curtain," and recommended some places to eat nearby.

Saturday: Heidi Dietrich, editor of Edmonds Patch, talked about stand-up paddling and all the fun that those words imply.

Also, on Friday night, hundreds of Sammamish residents gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the SAMMI Awards - which honor people for community service.

The story of who won in which category was posted on Sammamish Patch on Saturday.

As always: Thank you for reading Sammamish Patch. Sammaish Patch is on Facebook and Twitter.

If there are any suggestions or if just want to say hello, you can email Brad Wong (brad.wong@patch.com), Sammamish Patch editor, or you can just post a comment on a story or on the website.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.