During the month of February, all students are eligible for reduced ticket prices of just $10 for Burien Little Theatre’s production of Arne Zaslove’s 1950’s Rock ‘n’ Roll version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Recently the City of Burien and the Arts Commission awarded Burien Little Theatre a grant, which will be used to reduce student ticket prices during the first three weeks of BLT’s latest show. Students can expect to pay just $10 per ticket on the weekends of Feb. 12-14; Feb.19- 21; and Feb. 26-28 (in March student ticket prices go back up to $17 at the door.)

Last fall, BLT applied for and received a 2010 Arts & Culture grant worth $20,000 from the City of Burien.

From the city’s website:

“The purpose of the City’s Arts and Culture Fund is to support both arts and heritage organizations as well as artists who will enhance cultural opportunities for City residents while also attracting regional artists and audiences that can contribute to Burien’s identity as an arts and culture-oriented City.”

Burien Little Theatre applied for funding for its production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” This musical comedy with a live rock n’ roll band and 22 fun songs from the 50s is blast for the whole family. No student should miss this very accessible version of a classic romantic comedy!

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is set in a 1950s gymnasium at Athens High School on graduation day 1957, and in a neighboring forest. A group of magical fairies intervene and meddle with the lives of two young couples for whom “the course of true love never did run smooth.” Botched love spells, hilarious characters and 1950s rock ‘n’ roll make this show a treat for young and old, those in love and those between love.

Midsummer opens Feb. 12th and runs through March 21st. Shows are Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm.

Show Dates & Times:

• February 12 at 8:00 p.m.     Friday
• February 13 at 8:00 p.m.     Saturday
• February 14 at 2:00 p.m.     Sunday Matinee - Seven Dollar Sunday
• February 19 at 8:00 p.m.    Friday
• February 20 at 8:00 p.m.   Saturday
• February 21 at 2:00 p.m.    Sunday Matinee
• February 26 at 8:00 p.m.   Friday
• February 27 at 8:00 p.m.   Saturday
• February 28 at 2:00 p.m.   Sunday Matinee
• March 5 at 8:00 p.m.          Friday
• March 6 at 8:00 p.m.          Saturday
• March 7 at 2:00 p.m.          Sunday Matinee
• March 12 at 8:00 p.m.        Friday
• March 13 at 8:00 p.m.        Saturday
• March 14 at 2:00 p.m.        Sunday Matinee
• March 19 at 8:00 p.m.        Friday
• March 20 at 8:00 p.m.       Saturday
• March 21 at 2:00 p.m.        Sunday Matinee

Email or call for a reservation at tickets@burienlittletheatre.org, or via phone at (206) 242-5180.

For more information about BLT please visit www.burienlittletheatre.com.

Burien native and current University of Washington freshman Ellen Van Wyk was digging in the dirt to prepare for planting grapes at the campus greenhouse on Oct. 22nd when she uncovered something very unusual.

That “something” turned out to be a historic 4,000 to 7,000-year-old Native American spear tip, making this one of the most significant on-campus finds in 90 years.

Experts from the UW’s Burke Museum have since dug three test pits near the discovery site and have uncovered two more stone tool fragments. They will most likely display the historic spear tip and the other newly uncovered artifacts, but no date has been set.

According to her Mother, Meg:

Ellen has lived in Burien since she was 3 years old and attended Highline Public schools. She graduated in 2009 from MRHS. She is attending the honors college at U of W. She has a very strong interest in organic, sustainable farming, which is why she is active at the farm at the UW. At the time of discovery, the students were preparing the soil for planting a row of grapes. Ellen happened to be at the right spot at the right time and was able to determine she had something of interest.

Last year Ellen won 1st place in the state PTA Reflections contest for her art work. She placed as an honorable mention, nationally. She was also one of the local student artists featured in the 20/20 night event in Burien.

We caught up with Ellen, a freshman at the UW, and asked her some questions:

A: Correct. I went to Sunnydale, Shorewood, Sylvester and Mount Rainier High School.

Q: What are you studying at the UW? When do you graduate, etc.?

A: I’m not quite sure yet, but probably either art or plant biology.  I’m scheduled to graduate in 2013.

Q: Tell us what you found at the UW campus?

A: I found a spearhead that was created 4-7 thousand years ago..

Q: How did you find it? What specifically were you doing?

A: I was helping out at the farm, preparing the soil for grapes. This involves sorting through the soil for rocks.

Q: Have you dug around campus before? Ever find anything else?

A: haha no.

A: I knew it was a projectile, but since it was under a foot of soil I didn’t think it had much significance.

Q: Have you ever found anything historic like this before?

A: No.

Q: When you found out what you had uncovered, what did you think?

A: It made me realize that our country is really a blip on the history of this land.

Q: Does finding this make you consider changing your major?

A: Although it’s been interesting, no.

For more information on Ellen’s historic find, read these articles:

• Pointing to the past (UW Daily)
  
• Student uncovers ancient Native American artifact on UW campus (UW News)

Please welcome the latest addition to The B-Town Blog – our newest intern, Bryan Charles, of Big Picture High School!

Bryan is a budding artist, and has a passion for comics, cartoons and even creating his own Flash animations.

We’re very happy to have him on board, so be sure to look for more of his work soon.

In the meantime, here’s his debut comic “3 Frog Bros.,“, perfect for this Election Day:

This is our second year serving as mentors to a student from Big Picture High School, part of the Highline School District, and described as such on their website:

At Big Picture, we believe we are doing our best work when each student is an active participant in his or her education, when his or her course of study is personalized by teachers, parents and mentors who know him or her well, and when school-based learning is blended with outside experiences that heighten the student’s interest.

By these means we help students take responsibility for their own learning and prepare for success in college and beyond.

This spring, West Seattle Montessori School will be moving into the White Center neighborhood (at 11216 16th Ave SW), so they’re holding a special Open House in West Seattle tonight (Thursday, Feb. 5th) from 6-8pm, and they’re inviting all interested parents, families, children etc. to come by and check out their school:

WHAT: West Seattle Montessori School Open House: “Come learn about our NEW building and location! Now Enrolling for the 2009-10 school year.”

WHEN: Tonight! Thursday, Feb. 5th, 6pm-8pm

WHERE: At the current West Seattle Montessori School location, which is at 4536 38th Ave SW in West Seattle (map below); Phone: 206.935.0427

INFO: From their website:

With over 15,000 square feet of remodeled space, West Seattle Montessori School will open its new doors this spring. With the King County Library as a next-door neighbor, an indoor greenhouse, photography dark room, 1,000 square foot corridor, and impressive large layout, WSMS is sure to be embraced.

Choosing a school where children flourish according to their needs and abilities is more critical today than ever. West Seattle Montessori School is pleased to offer individualized teaching from experienced professionals, and would be delighted to assist you throughout your child’s academic journey.

Since 1985, West Seattle Montessori School has been an integral part of the West Seattle Community. Offering preschool through 8th grade education, WSMS prides itself on fostering independence and intellectual curiosity, stimulating personal growth, and encouraging innovation and a love of learning.

As part of our close-knit WSMS community, we focus on the development of the whole child, not only providing personalized attention and student centered lessons, but also creating a rich and broad variety of experiences beyond our walls through art classes, stage performances,engaging field trips, and activities throughout Seattle’s eclectic neighborhoods. It is our goal to instill within our students a clear set of values, including respect for each individual and her or his own unique talents and contributions.

We are now enrolling for the 2009 – 2010 academic school year!

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Highline Public Schools is encouraging families of all high school seniors to attend “College Goal Sunday,” a special event this coming Sunday, Jan. 25th that will help students obtain financial aid for college.

As part of the district’s laser focus on college readiness, many staff members will volunteer at the upcoming College Goal Sunday events at four campus locations.

College Goal Sunday is a free, on-site program that helps students and families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the form that is required to apply for federal financial assistance for higher education. Students receive step-by-step instructions for completing and submitting their FAFSA. The event is organized by the College Success Foundation.

“Part of our strategic plan – and our everyday work – is to make certain students graduate from Highline Public Schools ready for college, career, and citizenship,” said Superintendent John Welch.  “In today’s world the academic requirements for being successful in an apprenticeship program, a community college, and a four-year university are nearly the same.  We want to make sure our students have choices when they graduate – that means preparing all students academically. It also means informing families of the financial resources available for college.”

On Sunday, Jan. 25th, from 2pm – 5pm, experts will be on hand at these locations to assist students and families (map below):

• Highline High School
  225 South 152nd St., Burien
• Tyee Educational Complex
  4424 South 188th Street, SeaTac
• Mount Rainier High School
  22450 – 19th Ave. South, Des Moines
• Evergreen Campus
  830 SW 116th Street, Seattle (White Center)

Students and parents are strongly encouraged to attend College Goal Sunday together because household financial information is needed to fill out the FAFSA.

Participants should bring:

• Student’s Social Security number, driver’s license (if any) and any financial records related to income.
• If available: student’s FAFSA pin number

Participants 23 years old or younger should bring:

• A parent and their 2008 income data (W-2’s or a pay stub and/or 2008 tax return)
• Participants 24 years old or older should bring:
• Student’s 2008 income information.
• Any other financial records related to income.

Participants who are not U.S. citizens should bring:

• Alien registration card

Families should attend even if they do not have all these documents.  Those who don’t have this year’s income tax returns, may bring copies of last year’s forms and/or last pay stub for making estimates. They should also bring any other financial records related to income. Even families with have no paperwork at all can get help completing part of the FAFSA.

Students may attend on their own, but they’ll need to bring parents’ recent income tax returns and/or last pay stub and other financial records. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend with their children.

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by Josh Hart

Now that America has elected a new president the question gets posed:

What will change under President Barack Obama?

Will the fact that he is an African-American man affect anything?

From what I have heard around my school it seems like many think he will be assassinated. I don’t think this will necessarily happen. There is a chance, just as there is with every other president, but a very low one. The US government is not going to let that happen.

I think that having an African-American president will not affect the government as much as it will affect the people. I think that African-American males will now be more respected and also I believe that they will have more respect for each other.

As for the government, Barack Obama is just like any other president – he is trying to help America. No matter what you think, every president is trying to improve the country, but they all have different tactics and approaches. Personally, I am a supporter of Barack Obama, but the thing we have to keep in mind is he won’t be able to change things in one day. For the first two to four years George W. Bush’s policies will still be around. I think that once policies get changed Barack Obama will be up for election again. (Maybe against Sarah Palin, as rumor has it). This means that if America doesn’t see enough change he will probably not get re-elected.

In the coming years I will be looking forward to the change that happens. I think some of the things that will happen is a refocusing of troops in the Middle-East. Barack Obama is trying to focus more on Afghanistan than on Iraq. I think also that the economy will start to improve; stocks will go up, gas prices will go down, and small businesses will be flourishing. People will be happy, but I don’t know how long this will take. It can’t happen overnight.

Keep an eye on politics in the next couple years and see what happens with our country.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Josh Hart is the B-Town Blog's first Intern! He's also a 15-year old student at Highline's “Big Picture High School” in SeaTac. He recently wrote on the economy, about JFK beating Highline 61-0 in football, an opinion piece on the VP debate, a story on Mt. Rainier High's Drill Team playing at the Seahawks' Halftime, a story on a Fight at the Tyee vs Rention Football Game and much more...]

by Josh Hart

Many of you don’t know about this new school in the area and that is Highline’s Big Picture High School.

I would like to inform you about this school for two reasons:

The first being that everyone should know about all the schools in the area and the other being that I am sick and tired of explaining it on the metro.

Big Picture High School is a small school in the Highline School District. This would be its 4th year in the Highline School District. The Big Picture model started with The Met in Rhode Island. They now have schools like Big Picture all over the country and even some in other countries. The model is designed around individual learning plans and real world learning experiences.

Every Tuesday and Thursday we do LTI work (LTI stands for “Learning Through Internships”). Every student goes through the LTI process. They first search for businesses in their field of interest. Then they call them and ask for an informational interview. An informational interview is 15 minutes long and the student asks questions about their field of interest and the business itself.

After the informational interview, the student writes a reflection and also asks for his/her advisor/LTI Coordinator to request a shadow day. A shadow day is where the student follows the adult around for 3-6 hours learning about what they do. After the shadow day, the student once again reflects on it and if he/she likes it will ask their adviser to request an internship setup meeting. This is where the adviser, student, and mentor discuss what the internship consists of and what projects the student can do to benefit him/her self and the business. That is the brief synopsis of the LTI process.

The other cool thing about Big Picture is individualized learning plans. Each student has their own projects. They have to write project proposals for each project to make sure it is in-depth and fits into one of the five learning goals. The learning goals are the following:

1. Empirical Reasoning: Thinking like a scientist. This is where you do projects that use science like thinking.
2. Quantitative Reasoning: Thinking like a mathematician. This goal consists of all the student’s math work. It’s more than that though its not just doing math and turning it in, its understanding math and the reasoning behind it.
3. Social Reasoning: This is all the social studies. It consists of understanding people, history, and the reasoning behind it.
4. Communication: This is speaking, writing, drawing. Anything that the student communicates through fits under this goal.
5. Personal Qualities: Improving yourself as a person. If you are becoming a better person you are completing this goal. Time management, organization, empathy all fit under this goal.

You must show improvement and understanding in all five of these learning goals in order to pass this class. We don’t have grades but we have a much more in-depth way of grading students than the traditional way.

That is the basic outline of the school. If you have any questions you can go on bigpicture.org for more information.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Josh Hart is a 15-year old student who attends Highline's “Big Picture High School” in SeaTac. He recently wrote on the economy, about JFK beating Highline 61-0 in football, an opinion piece on the VP debate and a story on Mt. Rainier High's Drill Team playing at the Seahawks' Halftime. You can look forward to reading more of his work on the B-Town Blog, as he will soon be our first Intern!]

[EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was written by Josh Hart, a 15-year old student at Highline “Big Picture High School” in SeaTac who recently wrote on the economy as well as the JFK vs Highline football game.]

by Josh Hart

Many of you watched the vice presidential debate last Thursday – this was the one and only debate between Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin.

The two Vice President candidates debated taxes, global warming, energy independence, gay marriage, foreign policy, health care, nuclear weaponry, their running mates’ policies, education, their duties as VP, and even what they would do if something happened to their running mate.

I thought both of them did better than I thought they would coming into the debate. They both had well-presented attacks on the other party, and both discussed their own opinions and beliefs. Both candidates made mistakes and they both could have represented their running mate better.

I thought Palin got off subject a little too much, but Biden talked more about himself than he should have. Overall they both came out stronger than before and so it doesn’t affect the election as much as many of us thought it would.

It definitely helps Palin’s reputation, because many people thought she was the weak link in McCain’s campaign.

I can’t wait to see how this election comes down in the end.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Recently we were invited by the Highline School District to visit students and discuss the B-Town Blog at an innovative high school called “Big Picture High School” in SeaTac.

We’re happy to say that our outreach program to showcase diverse area Writers begins with today’s blog featuring a new column we call “From The Big Picture.”

Today’s Guest Columnist is 15-year old Josh Hart, a student who has been writing for five years. Josh plays soccer for Highline Premier Football Club, and is currently working on an adventure novel.

Here are his thoughts on the economy:

The economy right now is on the downhill, if you haven’t noticed.

As we come up to the presidential election I can’t help but thinking that this election will affect everything.

I see more people interested in this election than past ones. They see how the economy is and want a change.

But if more people had cared about the past couple of elections, the economy wouldn’t be where it is now.

If people voted for something other than the President, things would be different.

America is a country run by the people. The President can’t do anything without the approval of the House, Senate, and the people of America.

I am sick and tired of people complaining about ‘this is wrong with America’ and ‘that is wrong with America.’

Well do something about it!

If we cared about our country and did something for it years ago America wouldn’t be in the state it is right now.

So what are you going to do about it?

You need to start by voting for your local bills, and bills that affect your community, start with this presidential election.

This country needs a change and it needs to happen now!

Lets turn this country around!

Big Picture High School is a unique concept in education, whose mission, according to its founding institution’s website is “to catalyze vital changes in American education by generating and sustaining innovative, personalized schools that work in tandem with the real world of their greater community.”

Do you have an opinion on something, or an idea for a story?
Want to get it off your chest?
Email us and let’s talk!

Just got back from spending a couple of hours on the shooting set of “The Day My Parents Became Cool,” which (as we first reported here) is filming all weekend at Highline High School.

The film is sponsored by the City of Burien, 4culture, the City of Federal Way, and many others, and has been fully approved by the Highline School District as well as Highline High School.

On set, we saw:

• Several scenes being shot (and re-shot)
• Numerous extras in wild costumes from various high schools in the area
• Actual teachers and staff
• A few real, paid actors and actresses
• And in what is sure to be a massive career change, even Highline Schools Superintendent John Welch as a high school principal gone nutty:

All under the supervision of local Writer/Director Steve Edmiston, who’s doing a heckuva job.

If you’ve ever been on an active movie set, you know that the combined collaborative creativity makes it one of the most enjoyable “jobs” in the world. Being a show biz vet ourselves, we appreciate what it takes to get to the point that Steve and Co. are at this weekend – hours and hours of writing, re-writing, pre-production, fundraising, phone calls, meetings, making deals with School Superintendents, Teachers, managers, staff, students, hiring an entire film crew, getting props, costumes and more, as well as unpredictable variables like whether the weather will cooperate or not (BTW, today’s light overcast is ideal for film lighting so here’s one reason to hope the sun does not come out today).

Below are some photos we took as we silently lurked during actual production:

You can still help support this film by buying t-shirts and other swag here!