By The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash. Aug. 7--WHAT: Anderson Lake State Park, a remote day-use park, opened for the season in late April. The lake is surrounded by 410 acres of woods and wetlands. WHEN: The park is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. from April 20 to Oct. 1.

By Soren Andersen, The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash. Aug. 6--I see a room. It's full of smoke and the sounds of maniacal giggling. I had a mental image of this room as I watched "Pineapple Express." I imagined it was the place where the picture was hatched.

By Debby Abe, The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash. Aug. 5--Their friends call it "stupid school." They say Challenger Secondary Schools, the alternative program in Spanaway, is a dumping ground for the rejects and dumb kids. But the teens who go to Challenger know better.

By Debby Abe, The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash. Aug. 5--Their friends call it "stupid school." They say Challenger Secondary Schools, the alternative program in Spanaway, is a dumping ground for the rejects and dumb kids. But the teens who go to Challenger know better.

By Debby Abe, The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash. Aug. 5--Flexible school hours, self-paced lessons, student internships and high expectations are hallmarks of the state's best alternative schools.