UP For Bellevue High School for advancing to the Class 3A state football title game at 7:30 p.m. today at the Tacoma Dome. The Wolverines overpowered Shadle Park 66-0 last week and is just one win away from its sixth straight trophy.

UP For the community organizations and businesses that are collecting food and gifts for our less fortunate neighbors during the holidays. It’s easy to forget that not everyone can head to the malls this time of the year. Many head to the food bank instead. Look for giving trees, toy drives and food drives when you’re out and about. Every little bit helps.

UP For Bartell Drugs and Group Health for a plan to put CareClinics in drugstores, one of the first of which will be in Bellevue’s Crossroads area. Making health care less expensive and more accessible for people is a worthy undertaking.

UP For a talented number of local individuals and organizations who received LINi Awards, given each year by the Eastside Leadership Network. KidsQuest Children’s Museum received the “Impact” award for its mission to create learning through the power of play and exploration that connects children to their communities and the world. Marci Muhlstein, director of OLS at Bellevue College, won the “Insight” award for a two-year degree program for students with developmental disabilities that has grown into the only accredited program of its kind in the nation. Kudos, too, to local finalists for the Community’s Choice Award. They included Kevin Henry, for his diversity work through the city of Bellevue; Sue Baugh for her service to the Eastside economy; and Bellevue Kiwanis for their work with youth.

– Craig Groshart, Bellevue Reporter