September 2009

The Homestead instead

Dear Editor,

When Alki was a different place

Where life walked at a slower pace

And didn’t wear designer shoes

Or live in condos that ate views

We knew as children of the beach

As soon as our small feet would reach

The porch of Alki’s old Homestead

Much more than food we’d all be fed

The place was lit by candlelight

Where every table dressed just right

Wore linen napkins, lacy cloth

And even spoons for sipping broth

The old log walls we loved so well

Were steeped in tales they’d never tell

And though despite their silent state

We’d make up stories while we ate

The food did not come all at once

Instead they’d serve us every bunch

In courses separate from the rest

Fried chicken was the very best

The Homestead’s where we always went

For any family tree event

It’s there a menu first I read

And where I saw my sister wed

Despite whatever name they find

To hide their dreary plans behind

No trendy spa or inn I know

Could match the Homestead we loved so

Neighborhood

Update: Finishing touches put on first runway project

Runway set to reopen Sunday

Painters on Monday, Sept. 21 completed one of the most visible elements of the first runway reconstruction project at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as the sixty-foot designator marking "34R" was painted on the south end of the runway.

The painting is part of the finishing touches on the project which is scheduled to reopen by the end of the month.

Reopening of the airport’s first runway should provide some relief for Highline residents who have complained about noise from the increased use of the newly-opened third runway.

The north end's "16L" designator marking will be completed on Sept. 22. In all, over 3,000 gallons of paint are being used for all of the striping on the 11,900 foot runway.

The new runway is scheduled to open 12:01 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 27 for day-time, good weather use. The FAA will conduct flight checks beginning Sunday and is expected to open the runway in full use by the end of the week.

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Mount Rainier Student Selected as National Merit Semi-finalist

Mount Rainier senior Harrison Wray has been named a National Merit-Semifinalist.

Selection of semi-finalists is based on scores earned on the PSAT exam taken during students' junior year of high school. Semi-finalists scored in the top one percent of students taking the test nationally. Only 15,000 students nationwide achieve this honor.

As a semi-finalist Wray is eligible to compete for finalist status and higher honors which include a one-time scholarship of $2500 from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a National Merit Scholarship from a participating corporation, or a National Merit Scholarship from a participating college which is renewable for up to four years.

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Highline schools hold math academies for parents

On Monday, September 16, a small group of parents gathered at Highline Public Schools offices to learn more about the district's algebra curriculum. Math teachers and specialists introduced parents to the "Discovering Algebra" textbook series and the online support materials available to parents and students.

The "Discovering" series was adopted by the school board last spring.

At the Parent Math Academy, parents learned what students will learn in the new curriculum. They were shown how to access online help for students who are stuck on homework problems, and how to find the actual text online so a student can complete his homework if he leaves his book at school or is home due to illness.

"I've been pretty confused about the math and the way they have been teaching it previously, but this new program has a lot of tools," says Valerie Constantino, who has a son in middle school and one in high school. At the parent academy, "I really learned how to help my kids with their math."

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Councilwoman Julia Patterson wins arts award

The Washington State Arts Alliance (WSAA) has announced that it will honor King County Councilmember Julia Patterson with its 2009 Local Hero Arts Award.

Patterson, chosen from a slate of nominees from around the state, is being recognized for her strong support of cultural groups not only in her own district, but throughout South King County.

In 2004, Patterson hosted a community luncheon attended by scores of individuals involved in arts and heritage efforts, to discuss the cultural vitality of South King County. Out of that session, the South King County Cultural Coalition (better known as SoCoCulture) was formed.

Linda Petersen, chair of SoCoCulture, was among those who nominated Patterson for this year's WSAA award.

"Julia Patterson's vision has materialized into an active organization of almost 70 arts and heritage groups that share resources, ideas and marketing through a terrific website and bi-monthly meetings," Petersen said.

She also noted that in 2007, when the organization had grown too large to be run solely by volunteers, Patterson provided SoCoCulture with funding for a part-time administrator.

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Burien's Hazel Valley wins school of distinction award

Hazel Valley Elementary School has been named a 2009 School of Distinction by Phi Delta Kappan and the Center for Educational Effectiveness.

The award recognizes schools across Washington for sustained improvement in student achievement as measured by seven years of WASL test scores in math and reading.

Hazel Valley is one of 51 elementary schools in the state - one of 21 in large school districts -- to receive the award.

Hazel Valley has improved significantly in its reading scores, but its improvements in math are especially impressive. Seven years ago, less than 30 percent of students met the state standard on the math WASL; last year, 60 percent of students met standard.

"This is only the beginning!" says Principal Johnathan Letcher. "The Hazel Valley staff, parents, and community are working to effect results, not simply effort."

Letcher credited his predecessor Annah Benitez for her service at Hazel Valley prior to his arrival there in September 2007.

Hazel Valley and other award winners will be honored at a Great Schools 2009 luncheon on September 26.

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4 Aviation High students are aerospace scholars

Aviation High students Thomas Malchodi, Andrew May, Andrew Reece, and Michael Thompson are graduates of the 2009 Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) summer residency hosted by The Museum of Flight in Tukwila.

WAS is a competitive educational program for high school juniors from across Washington state.

Aviation High is temporarily housed at the Olympic site in Des Moines. Plans are underway to build a new school across from the flight museum. The Highline School District administers the school.

They were among the 150 students who qualified for the summer residency program from 260 students who applied in November.

To qualify for the residency program, they spent six months studying a NASA-designed, distance-learning curriculum via the Internet.

Based on their academic performance on the distance-learning lessons, they were selected to attend one of the four residencies hosted at Tukwila's flight museum.

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Burien maps out 2010 legislative agenda

The economic downturn has continued taking its toll on Burien's coffers as sales tax revenue for the month of June was down 18 percent. With that in mind, last week's city council meeting focused on economic development through partnerships with neighboring communities that are facing similar struggles.

Among the items up for discussion was the legislative agenda for the Southwest King County Economic Development Initiative (SKCEDI), a partnership of Burien, Tukwila, Des Moines, Normandy Park and SeaTac, along with the Port of Seattle, Highline Community College and King County.

Together, SKECDI communities are committed to stimulating business development, real estate investment and the growth of job opportunities in local economies. Dick Loman, Burien economic development manager, said that with the shortages they're all facing, communities have worked together to select identical or complementary legislative priorities in order to increase the likelihood of raising funds during this next legislative session.

Neighborhood
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Burien's League of Women Voters talk about health care

The League of Women Voters conducted a community conversation in Burien concerning health care on Monday, Sept. 14.

The attendees discussed the recent introduction of H.R. 3200, "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009."

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that educates and supports citizens.

One of the largest concerns discussed during the meeting was where the money comes from to pay for their health insurance.

"Most people don't realize when a company pays for their health care that they are taking it out of their pay," said Karen Lunder.

"Most people don't have to use their health care," said Bob Fithian. About 5 percent of people use more then what they pay for and 95 percent don't use all that they pay for, said Fithian.

Another issue discussed was why costs for health insurance are so high.

Extending Medicaid is the reason why health insurance costs are so high and so many people are unemployed who can't afford it, said Mary-Ellen Hamilton.

It was agreed upon that ways to bring this cost down would include eliminating waste and health services that don't help the public.

Neighborhood
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Large venue picked for airport noise meeting in Burien

An Aug. 19 community meeting on third runway noise called by Highline lawmakers was attended by more people than the Des Moines council chambers could accommodate.

So the leaders have called another meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 29 from 7 to 9 p.m.

This time, it will be held in the vast Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center auditorium, located at 19010 First Ave. S. in Burien.

The noise programs manager at Sea-Tac International Airport will answer questions and present information.

State Sen. Karen Keiser, Rep. Dave Upthegrove, Rep. Tina Orwall, Des Moines City Councilwoman Susan White and King County Councilmember Julia Patterson will also be on hand to discuss airport flight operations and noise mitigation programs.

"While the state legislature and county and city governments have no direct authority over Sea-Tac Airport flight operations (where and when planes fly), we have heard from many residents with questions and concerns about increased noise since the third runway has gone into use," Upthegrove said. "This meeting will be an opportunity to hear directly from the residents."

Upthegrove noted that some of the questions to be addressed include:

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