November 2011

Press release
Karl Stahlfeld, Seattle Christian High School student and Burien resident, was recently honored as one of the brightest young students in the nation at a statewide awards ceremony for gifted children sponsored by The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY).

The Center honored Karl, a participant in the 2011 Talent Search, for his exceptional performance on a rigorous, above-grade-level test given to academically talented second through eighth grade students.

During the Talent Search, which is going on right now, advanced young learners take above-grade-level tests designed for older students as a means of gaining insight into their abilities. Seventh and eighth graders take the SAT or ACT – the same tests used for college admissions, while second through sixth graders take the SCAT, an above-level test scaled for younger students.

Article III of the Northwest Ordinance of July 13, 1787 and signed by George Washington reads as follows: “Religion, Morality and KNOWLEDGE being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged."

Key word, KNOWLEDGE and, case in point, the recent Occupy Wall Street protests, aka OWS. Let us see the class of individual participating and those supporting—rioting, anti-Semitism, sexual assaults, theft, drug dealing, disrespect of authority, those hiding out from the law in other locales, public defecation, whining and laziness, et al.

Official supporters include Socialists, Radical Labor Unions (which is just about any labor union,) the liberal mainstream media, Hollywood ‘elites,’ CAIR, which is no friend of the USA or Israel, and, last, but not least, Barack Hussein Obama and, basically, the entire Democratic Party.

Needless to say, these “useful idiots,” to quote Karl Marx seem to have no problem protesting their college tuition costs, the obscene pay of professional sports figures and, again, the obscene pay of the Hollywood ‘elites’ and entertainment industry, generally.

The introduction to this submission is an excerpt from the letter I submitted to the Highline Times, which was published in the Oct. 25, 2000 issue.

Introduction: “The recent interval between driver’s license renewals from four to five years will save money for the state license department and make most drivers happy—especially octogenarians.

Will those applicants who barely passed the eye test maintain visual acuity for driving safely for the next five years?

Will we who have slowing reflexes and deteriorating perceptual alertness recognize the point where we are no longer competent to compete in crash avoidance contests?

Will we who will finally recognize our inadequacies voluntarily retire our licenses to drive and let others do the driving who are better qualified?

Do we need to prove our incompetence for retaining a driver’s license by unacceptable performance on streets, roads and highways?”

My first driver’s license was obtained in October 1933. A year ago, I sold my pick-up and retired my driver’s license.

(Editor’s Note: This letter was sent to Des Moines council members and Port of Seattle commissioners with a copy to the Times/News.)

Honorable Des Moines Council Members and Port of Seattle Commissioners:

As a private citizen the week of Oct. 24th I had the opportunity to sit in on the long-range budget hearings for both the City of Des Moines and the Port of Seattle.

Both budget hearings appeared to IGNORE the NOISE IMPACTED Des Moines residents and the MARITIME RELATED interests of Des Moines residents and businesses.
The Port of Seattle still receives a $73.5 million property tax levy which should be ear marked for needs of the taxpayers. While some of that property tax went for schools the balance seemed to be kind of frittered away.

As approximately 75 percent of the Port of Seattle revenue comes from the airport it should be expected that approximately75 percent of the $73.5 million tax levy should earmarked for the beneficial interests of residents of the airport cities.

Seattle Christian High School principal Stephanie Knipp announced that Kyle Swain of Burien, Matthew Bohman of Kent, Brittany Hoff of Newcastle and Victoria Sitterley of Burien have been named Commended Students in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program.

A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to these scholastically talented seniors.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.

Although they will not continue in the 2012 competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2012 competition by taking the 2010 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

Seattle Christian High School senior Victoria Sitterley of Burien was also selected as a 2011-12 National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) Scholar. This award comes from a strong PSAT score and possessing a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Teen substance abuse isn’t a school, neighbor or financial problem, but a kid problem. That was one of the first things pointed out by the panel of speakers at last week’s drug and alcohol information night at Ballard High School.

The panel, which included staff members from Ballard High School and professionals from around the community, answered questions from the crowd of about 50 and offered resources for parents and students.

Some of the statistics that stood out came from the representatives from the Science and Management of Addictions foundation (SAMA). For instance, alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs are the three most common substances used amongst high school students in the US.

The SAMA representatives, Jamie Weber and Lara Okoloko, also spoke about recent trends. Marijuana usage has increased nationwide due, in part, to teen’s low perception of risk. In other words, it’s more common that teens feel marijuana won’t affect them negatively, which is increasing their usage of the drug.

On the other hand, alcohol use has actually decreased, thanks to parents who have talked to their children about the potential dangers of alcohol.

Henry BAKKEN went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 2, 2011, leaving his bride of 63 years, Jean.

Hank began life at Swedish hospital on September 25, 1920, the son of Nenton C. & Ellen C. Bakken, joining his big sister, Carita.

Hank graduated from Auburn High School the class of 1939, and joined the Army Air Corp, hoping to fly planes. He became a decorated P-47 Thunderbolt fighter pilot in the European theater, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Hank met the girl of his dreams in Jean Hagstrom, a pretty Whidbey Island farm girl, and they married May 22, 1948. They had three children, Joanne Pease, (Dan), Thomas Bakken (Megan), and Carol Harrison (Wade).

Hank loved to build beautiful custom homes, and there are many in the Puget Sound area that attest to his skill and integrity.

A man of faith, he loved well and lived well.

In addition to his wife and children, Hank leaves nine grandchildren, four great-grandsons, many nieces and nephews, family and friends who will greatly miss his playful sense of humor and ready smile.

A last minute reminder to our readers that today is the last day to mail in your ballots for the current election.

Ballots can be dropped off at your local post office or at ballot drop boxes located throughout King County.

Highline Times editor Eric Mathison held a question and answer interview with candidates for Burien, Normandy Park, SeaTac and Des Moines leading up to the election. Below are links to candidate responses for each city:

Burien Q&A

SeaTac Q&A

Des Moines Q&A

Normandy Park Q&A

For more information on King County elections, please click here.

The deadline to return ballots to a drop box is 8:00 p.m. today.

Mailed ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day.

The Ballard dropbox is located across from the Ballard Library entrance on 5614 22nd Avenue NW.

When I first started dating, the “kids or no kids” question perplexed me. On one hand, I wanted to date a man who had children so he could understand the complexity of my life as a mother. I also needed him to understand that he would not be my main priority, because my kids were. On the other hand, I didn’t want to have to deal with the man’s complex parenting schedule and I certainly didn’t want to have to babysit his kids. As in most matters that confuse me, I asked my friends for their advice.
Ironically, the friends who were the strongest advocate for dating dads were the ones whose relationships were in peril due to their attempts at blending families. “But you always say it’s a pain in the ass trying to co-parent someone else’s kids and that your schedules are unmanageable.”
“God, you’re right. We just had a huge fight about that last night. Never mind, go for the guys without kids.”
I took their advice to heart and dated a series of childless twenty-something-year olds. Yes, they were fun. Yes, they were carefree. And yes, eventually I needed something more.