Sherry Grindeland / Times staff columnist
Students show off wacky hair styles from mohawks to colored coifs

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Today will be a hair-raising experience for Eric and Alex Shinstrom. Their normally neat hair will be cut and styled for Wacky Hair Day at Carl Sandburg Elementary School in Kirkland.

The first- and fourth-graders started growing their hair out several months ago in anticipation of the event. Their plan starts with early morning appointments with Keith Brush at A Touch of Class Barber Shop.

The style?

"Mohawks with spikes in wild colors," said Brush. "I'm ready."

For Brush, that meant laying in a supply of spray-on hair color — particularly green. Yesterday morning, he was giving two young customers St. Patrick's Day cuts and colors.

Kalen Mitchell, 5, and Jordan Mitchell, 8, were getting their hair dyed green — accented with red on the sides and yellow in front. That color will wash out.

The Shinstrom Mohawks won't last long, said Eric and Alex's father, Steve Shinstrom.

"We've already got appointments to go back in the afternoon to give the boys their summer crew cuts," he said.

Well-deserved: Clodagh Ash of Bellevue is being honored today by Cancer Lifeline for her volunteer efforts.

For years she worked a weekly six-hour shift at the 24-hour Lifeline, answering patients' questions. She covers extra shifts for people who can't work. Ash doesn't just give quick answers — she often tracks cancer patients for months, staying in touch with supportive telephone calls.
 
In addition, Ash co-founded the Overlake Hospital Cancer Center Auxiliary. Through that group, she raises money for cancer services and personally provides one-on-one support for cancer patients.

Puppy love: Well, doggone it.

Gus, the basset hound, is looking for another romantic encounter. He wants a date for the March 27 Woodinville All-Fools Day Parade and Basset Bash.

Gus resides at the upscale Willows Lodge in Woodinville. Like last year, his human handlers hope to find a female basset to accompany Gus on his hotel duties — mainly greeting guests and looking sadly lovable.

Owners should send a color photo of their basset and an essay of 100 words or less about why she should win the date with Gus. Mail to 14580 N.E. 145th St., Woodinville, WA 98072. Deadline for entries is Wednesday.

Not only does the female get a date with a debonair guy, the owners receive a free night's stay at the lodge and dinner in the Barking Frog Restaurant.

Cute counts in this contest. Last year's winner, Rachael, looked fetching in her yellow sequined gown and bunny ears, said Rhanda Rosselot, spokeswoman for Willows Lodge.

She added that everything between Gus and the winning female will be strictly platonic. Gus has been neutered.

Outnumbered: Recently I wrote that the Bellevue Youth Symphony grossed a record $28,000 at a benefit auction, partially thanks to the enthusiasm of auctioneer Graham Crow.

I gave the wrong figure for last year's results. It should have been $12,000, not $5,000.

"I have a very conservative board and, keeping in mind a downturned economy, the goal this year had been $5,000," said Ruth Brewster, executive director.

Big wheels: The Society of Vintage Racing Enthusiasts (SOVREN) Guild kept its record intact and raised nearly $500,000 again last year for Children's Hospital.

Talk about a group with drive. These Eastside folks earned that big money through two major car events — the Kirkland Concours d'Elegance show in September and the annual Fourth of July Pacific Northwest Vintage Car Race.

Both events attract serious car collectors and car fans.

One last grin: Speaking of cars, how many folks park a vehicle worth thousands of dollars in the driveway because their garage is filled with useless junk?

Sherry Grindeland: 206-515-5633 or sgrindeland@seattletimes.com

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