November 2016

To the editor:
I sat down today to fill out my ballot. I knew I needed time because this ballot is long, very long. I first read the King County Voter’s Pamphlet. Whoa!! I had to read the Highline Bond to Reconstruct Schools twice and then had to reflect. It looked funny so I munched my M & Ms and figured out why. It looks like I am an author on the pro statement for the bond as well as an author of the con rebuttal to the pro statement. My head was spinning. But after looking carefully I think it is just a matter of understanding that the authors are listed in the text boxes and that the con side is quoting me on one important issue---“it needs to be logical and affordable to us. It is a statement that the CFAC took to heart right down to the very last minute. That quote from a video along with all of the data CFAC studies is available on the Highline District web site.

Edna Lucille Morgan Potter
Strong, beautiful and gracious Lucille died on October 15, 2016 in Burien, WA at age 93. Born in Keller, Texas on May 8, 1923, she had been the last living of nine children born to Annis Dillon and Thomas Morgan. She was a member of Highline Christian Church. Over her life, she witnessed the passing of many family members—especially her beloved husband, Bob, in 1987. Her son, Larry, died in 1988 and her daughter, Peggy (Margo), in 2009. She is survived by son, Robert, daughter-in-law, Eleanore Morris of Philadelphia, and three grandchildren, Morgan, Felicia and Matthew.

Published in the Highline Times section of the Westside Weekly, November 4, 2016

Update 11/4/16
Hillary Clinton, Jay Inslee, and Patty Murray all emerged victorious in the statewide High School election results as tabulated by the Washington State Secretary of State's office. Students from across the state took part in the exercise meant to promote more civic engagement.

The results were presented on line today.

President
Clinton 19,234 votes 49.92%
Trump 11, 530 29.93%

The results for Sealth alone were even more lopsided for Clinton
Clinton 531 69.23%
Trump 88 11.47%

Governor
Jay Inslee 22063 57.26%
Bill Bryant 16465 42.74%

U.S. Senator
Patty Murray 24222 62. 87%
Chris Vance 14306 37.13%

You can see the full results here including statewide ballot measures.
https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/mock-election/#/results
and filter out for Sealth only.

Original Post 11/1/16
Chief Sealth International High School took part in mock elections held Nov. 1, voting on the same measures and candidates as adults. The ballots were all on computers and part of an effort to promote civic engagement.

Halloween is almost here. When you’re passing out candy, you’ll see many “scary” costumes that will probably just make you smile. But in real life, you can easily find some things that truly are frightening – such as bad investment moves.


Here are a few that you’ll want to avoid: 


• Chasing after “hot” stocks – Many so-called “experts” – not to mention your friends, neighbors, relatives and co-workers – are more than willing to provide you with “tips” on “hot” stocks. But by the time you hear about these stocks, they may already be cooling off – and, in any case, they may not have been appropriate for your needs in the first place.  



By Lindsay Peyton

A group of students and their families from Highline Public Schools stood on a street corner in Burien on Monday, Oct. 24 waiving signs that read “Vote Yes!”

Yet their support of the school’s proposed budget has not come without challenges.

Among those supporters of the upcoming bond, which is up for a vote on Election Day, was 17-year old Benji Box, a senior at Highline High.

Even though Box is graduating next year, he wants the next group of students to enjoy the benefits of the improvements that would take place if the bond is approved.

“I think we need a better school for future students, so they can be ready to go to the next level and be prepared to do whatever they want after they graduate,” he said.

Box does not believe that the existing campus will stand the test of time. “It’s just an old building and it doesn’t have the infrastructure it needs,” he said.

The $299 million bond would address a number of similar needs throughout the district,
Highline spokeswoman Catharine Carbone Rogers said.

Tables were filled Thursday night October 27 at Frankie's B Town Bistro in Burien. The overflow crowd was there for a special Hightower Cellars wine tasting put on by northwest wine expert, and Burien resident Michele Smith, formerly of Vino Bello wine bar. 

Featured wines were paired with special menu Lamb dishes, pasta and an out of this world Swordfish with orso and pine nuts. 

Tim and Kelly Hightower crush and blend their Red Mountain grapes in Benton City, Washington, about 12 miles northwest of Richland. Their tasting room is in Woodinville. 

Rob Clay

http://www.frankiesbtownbistro.com/

by Brian DeRoy

A potentially new generation of Port of Seattle Police and Fire Department members got to learn up close what it takes to be part of the Port’s first-responder team.

The Port welcomed around 100 students from several Highline School District high schools for the “Careers in Public Safety” day. The program’s goal is to help stimulate learning by having students speaking directly with industry professionals about the rewards of a career in public safety.

“The Port of Seattle is its own city and we are responsible for two major assets: Sea-Tac Airport and the seaport in downtown Seattle,” said Randy Hansen, Port of Seattle’s senior manager for Emergency Preparedness. “Our crews handle anything and everything; it’s not much of a stretch to say they put their lives on the line daily. It is a tough job but a great one; we truly are blessed to have such great teams here at The Port.”

It is hard to believe that decision day is at hand. There are an abundance of conflicting issues to sort through---and it’s no longer OK to be uncommitted, undecided. The time is now to make a choice.
I am of course referring to Halloween, 2016.

For adults the debate is unceasing: Should kids be allowed to trick-or-treat for candy---or is Halloween tantamount to consorting with Satan? (Here is a made-up statistic: 57% of dentists say that Satan is the cause of tooth decay.)

Halloween goes back to the ancient Druids. As it turns out, most Druids are ancient---even though there are always efforts to start Young Druid clubs in local high schools.

The ancient Druids believed that on Halloween the Lord of the Dead called forth the hosts of evil spirits. I caught up with the Lord of the Dead by phone last week---who despite the name seemed like a pretty nice guy.

“Those evil spirits went door to door in search of candy,” said the Lord of the Dead.

By Amanda Knox
 
It all started when I watched Prescription for Change, a new documentary about the opioid epidemic hosted by Macklemore. Thinking to write a column about it, I sat down in front of my computer with a cup of coffee and a notebook. A few minutes in, I gasped. There was my cousin, Justin! Sitting right next to Macklemore in Recovery Café, a Seattle treatment facility where recovering addicts come together to share stories, solidarity, and support. My cousin Justin, a recovering addict.
 
When I came home from prison in October 2011, I quickly realized that I had missed out on even more than I imagined (which was a lot), especially in the lives of my sisters and cousins. Deanna had matured from a headstrong high school socialite into a career-driven medical-science nerd. Ashley and Delaney had transformed from little, doodle-drawing, gymnast prodigies into complex young women—bright, ambitious, stricken with anxiety and anger. My cousin Justin…well, he had a problem and no one really talked about it.
 

The Land Use Application to allow the construction of Upton Flats consisting of two, 4-story structures, one containing 61 apartments above 5,604 sq. ft. of retail and one containing 41 apartments above 4,346 sq. ft. of retail and 2 live-work units. Parking for 110 vehicles would be provided in a below grade garage (108 spaces) and unenclosed surface parking stalls (2 spaces).

The project is owned by Shelter Holdings. It is project 3020272.

Designed by SMR Architects the project proposal and early design guidance package #2 from September of 2015
calls for 102 residential units, two live/work units, 10,159 square feet of commercial space, 111 parking spaces, and 41 bike parking stalls. The commercial space, which will likely be occupied by the Seattle Housing Authority, is along 35th Avenue SW.