December 2012

Seattle Police are investigating "some jerk" who fired nine rifle rounds into the air in Highland Park around 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 11.

Here are the details from Jonah Spangenthal-Lee with SPD:

Some jerk with a rifle gave neighbors in Highland Park a bit of a scare Tuesday night.

Around 9:30 last night, police received several reports of gunfire near 11th Avenue S.W. and S.W. Elmgrove Street.

Neighbors told police they saw a white sedan, possibly a Pontiac Grand Prix, speeding up and down streets while someone in the passenger seat fired at least nine rifle rounds into the air.

The suspects were gone by the time officers arrived, but police collected nine shell casings at the scene. It appears no one was injured and nothing was damaged during the incident.

Press release:

Highline Public Schools set a goal to save $300,000 on utility costs during the 2011-2012 school year.

Thanks to staff and student efforts, savings, at $367,000, exceeded the goal. The amount saved represents 7 percent of the district’s total 2011-2012 combined utility budget for natural gas, electricity, water, sewer, surface water, irrigation, garbage, and recycling.

An agreement with Puget Sound Energy that supports the district’s Resource Conservation Program also resulted in an additional incentive payment of $28,000 for reduced energy use.

Highline Public Schools’ Resource Conservation Manager, Pandora Touart focuses on better management of more than 300 utility accounts and usage monitoring, as well as supporting an array of action steps taken by staff and students on a day-to-day basis.

Many schools took responsibility to reduce energy use. At Shorewood Elementary School, staff received regular updates about progress towards energy use goals, energy-saving checklists were posted in every classroom, and students monitored outside doors to ensure they were not left open at recess or lunchtime.

Press release:

Earlier this week, the House Democratic Caucus announced its committee structure for the upcoming session. State Representative Joe Fitzgibbon (D-Burien) will continue to serve as vice-chair of the House Local Government Committee.

The Local Government Committee considers issues relating to operations and financing of counties, cities, and certain special districts. The committee also considers matters relating to the State Environmental Policy Act, Growth Management Act, and land use issues.

"Making sure we keep our strong environmental protections in place will be one of my top priorities this session," said Fitzgibbon.

Fitzgibbon was elected in November to the Deputy Majority Whip leadership position by his peers in the caucus. He'll assist the Majority Whip - Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim) - in organizational matters such as member attendance, vote tallying, and mentoring new legislators on House processes and procedures.

"I'm honored to be selected by the caucus to serve in a leadership role," said Fitzgibbon. "I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues on the many challenges facing us this session."

As a longtime local resident, voter, and taxpayer, I was delighted to hear the news that a local coalition of South King County school districts --including Highline -- has won full funding in a bid for Race to the Top federal grant money. This is fantastic for Highline students, and other students throughout South King County.

I understand that the money will be used to promote the district’s work in STEM--science, technology, engineering and math education--and I know it will be well and wisely spent.

But I'd also like to take this opportunity to reflect that the arts and humanities, too, are part of the mandated core curriculum and I hope they won't get overlooked in the enthusiasm for all things STEM.

Instruction in arts and history helps young people understand and navigate the differences in cultural perspectives. It also helps students master positive forms of expression and learn how to collaborate.

I urge Superintendent Enfield and the Highline School Board to do their utmost to ensure that students are given equitable access to and sequential instruction in these vital areas as well.

Press release:

The 2012 Bittner Flute has been awarded to Catalina Corvalan Frugone, a 9th grader at Global Connections High School and the daughter of Alfredo Corvalan and Karen Frugone in SeaTac. The award recognizes exceptional talent in a young flute player and was presented at the Rotary Club of Des Moines.

The Bittner Flute is a sterling silver Gemeinhardt instrument donated to the Highline Music4Life™ program by Nancy Bittner of Seattle’s University Sunrise Rotary Club.

The recipient is selected annually by secondary school music teachers in Highline Public Schools on the basis of talent and long-term interest in studying music.

Catalina is a member of in the Global Connections Band. She will have use of the Bittner Flute for the 2012-13 school year.

It will be re-acquired by Highline Music4Life next spring for any repairs and other maintenance that are needed over the summer.

Highline music teachers will select the next year’s recipient next fall.

Catalina will be eligible to compete for it again at that time as long as she is enrolled in Highline Public Schools.

Press release:

Plum Plex Productions LLC, a local light manufacturer, recently established their business and operations in the city of SeaTac and have announced plans for future growth.
Currently located on South 192nd Street, Plum Plex designs and produces both custom and stock retail displays office, furniture, museum cases and medical clinic products for some of the region’s most respected brands and companies.

“The location of Plum Plex in SeaTac is very favorable for growth in our light manufacturing sector and economy,” said Jeff Robinson, economic development manager for the city. “Their products are a staple of businesses throughout the region, and across the country. We were delighted with their decision to headquarter their business here, and we look forward to what’s to come.”

The company, which was established in SeaTac last September, employs a workforce of six industry experts mostly from the surrounding Highline area. Not only do they design and fabricate all of their work, but do so using green manufacturing techniques. The materials they work with primarily consist of acrylics, wood and metals.

It's the season of giving, and one group of students from St. Alphonsus Parish School gave a lot this past weekend.

On Saturday, Dec. 8, students made a journey up to Burlington to give their time, talent and "treasure" to the folks who use the services of St. Charles Parish Food Bank and Community Service Center. Students collected toiletries, hats and gloves, small toys and schools supplies to put in Christmas stockings for the children of mostly migrant workers.

The day is called "One Saturday." It's to teach students what can be done with just one day: the lives they can change and uplift, even if for just a moment. The entire school gets on board for the day.

"One of the favorite activities this year however, was helping the recipients’ children fill their stockings with all the items the St. Al’s kids brought just for that purpose," wrote Selina Innes, principal of St. Alphonsus. "The smiles and happy faces were a great reward for all the hard work and planning."

One St. Alphonsus parent, Misty Nordale, had this to say:

Press release:

The Environmental Science Center (ESC) will be reaching students and families through out-of-school science education thanks to a $10,000 grant from Google.

Google awarded ESC this grant to provide after-school, school-break, and summer programs at schools, low-income apartment complexes, and community centers in South King County.

“We strive to close the academic achievement gap that often exists for low-income students who do not have equal access to enrichment programs to enhance their learning,” says Caroline Bobanick, Executive Director of the Environmental Science Center.

For these out-of-school programs, ESC works with several social service organizations to engage their students and families including New Futures, Community Schools Collaboration, Neighborhood House, and Para los Niños.

The city of Burien also works with ESC to provide STEM education at programs such as Gym Jams and Camp Craz.

If you've driven west on Othello Street SW off Fauntleroy Way SW you've probably seen the demolition underway there.

The backhoes are out and tearing down a single level apartment complex on the corner of S.W. Othello St. and 47th Ave S.W., just north of Lincoln Park in West Seattle. In fact it's gone by now.

According to Seattle Department of Planning and Development documents, demolition is making room for Seattle developer Build Urban’s project to construct six new homes on the lot at 4615 S.W. Othello St.

Build Urban, at their website (http://buildurban.com/2012/4615-othello-coming-soon-2/), proclaims the homes should be done by summer 2013 and “Built Green 4 star,” with rooftop deck views of Puget Sound.

For 12-year-old Gabe, who turns 12 today, it wasn't enough to receive presents. He had to give something in return.

So, to celebrate his 12th birthday, which landed on 12/12/12, he decided to raise $1,212.12 for Seattle Public theater, with which he will be playing Charlie in their 12th main stage production of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." He has been an active participant of the theater's youth program for some time now and he spends much of his free time there, his mother said.

But he didn't raise $1,212.12 as he had hoped. He accidentally overshot his goal. By a lot.

He raised about $2,000, and then a generous donor matched his first $1,212, making him reach over $3,000 worth of donations.

"It's ... amazing because contributions are in all amounts and from people of all ages, from his school friends giving rolled up dollar bills and pennies, to grandparents writing checks for $50 ad $100 dollars," said his mother, Susan Motte.

She said she was really excited for her son to be doing something for the organization he loves so much.

Gabe is a resident of Phinney Ridge and he goes to school in Ballard at Salmon Bay Elementary.