Darren Motamedy, local jazz musician and a band director for the Kent School District, is asking his fans and friends to consider donating used band instruments for use by his 5th and 6th grade students. In particular, he’s looking for clarinets, flutes, trumpets, drum kits, snare drums and orchestra bells.

It could be a dusty instrument stuck in a corner, hidden away in a closet…or maybe one that needs a little TLC. Darren will take anything. He says band helps students to assimilate in group settings, helps them to stay focused in school and helps them to graduate.

“I appreciate all of you, and your kind support not only in my musical endeavors, but also in my teaching life as well…music saved my life, and I am thrilled to help out my 5th and 6th grade students.”

~ Darren Motamedy

If you have an instrument and can help, please contact Darren through the Kent School District or email iLoveKent.net and we’ll get the message to Darren. Thanks in advance for your support!

Also, Darren will be collecting instruments at his show this Sunday at Muckleshoot Casino (8 pm to midnight), featuring guitarist Jeff Golub. Anyone with an instrument to donate will be moved to the front of the line! Don’t miss this great opportunity to give back to the community AND to see Darren play.

We live just outside the bus boundaries for my daughter’s school, so I drive her to and from school every day, taking one of two well-traveled routes. Along those routes are dozens of kids waiting for the bus or walking to and from school. Although I’m normally a cautious driver anyway, I am particularly careful when driving on these roads. I am careful to do the speed limit, and I always watch for the students.

Unfortunately, that isn’t true of every driver. Almost every day without fail, someone tailgates me, riding up on my bumper as if to push me along the road faster. They seem to have a need for me to know that I’m too slow for their tastes. Nothing irritates me more, especially when kids’ lives are at stake. I try to understand their behavior – maybe they’re having a bad day, aren’t paying attention or are late for work – but nothing seems as important to me as the safety of those we share the road with. If you are one of these drivers, I ask you to please respect the safety of the students and other drivers drive a little more carefully. For kids’ sake, don’t tailgate.