An old building, a new story

Middle school is not exactly a time dedicated to the personal development of any sort of global community.



Photo courtesy of Hamilton's website.

There are two people important in the average middle-schoolers life: themselves and that awkward crush. Oozing with pubescent hormones, the halls of any middle school is less a representation of academia and more an adequate example of mating rituals. The only thing missing is flocking of the feathers and loud screeching noises.

Granted it is hard to miss these characteristics in any middle school. When it comes down to it, at the age of 12, 13, 14 hormonal juices are bubbling and the center of the world tends to be skewed. However, Wallingford is host to Seattle Public Schools only International Middle School. An international school you may ask? So, there are students from around the world coming to study in Seattle at a middle school? Not quite. But it is an international school---they must have foreign students from France, Ghana, Spain on a cultural exchange. Nope.

Hamilton International School is a public school hosting normal Seattle students---students who otherwise could have gone to any other public middle school in the district. Although unlike its sister middle schools Meany or Washington, Hamilton provides an education centered around an increasingly shrinking world. This is to say that the global village is now more prevalent than ever.

Hamilton states that its primary mission is to “provide rigorous academic curricula to prepare students for a diverse and technological society so that students will contribute to and succeed in the larger global community.”

The global community is a running theme at this middle school. The core curriculum serves to establish the instruction of a global perspective. According to the Hamilton website, there are three areas of larger focus---global challenges, culture and world areas and global connections (how the United States fits in the larger global community.)

A strong emphasis is also placed on learning global languages. It is required that every student take a language course. Hamilton currently offers Spanish and Japanese--two courses that also include immersion trips in the Fall.



Sound different than your middle school experience? Usually middle school harkens memories of field trips to the science center not Japan. At least for me.

Hamilton serves a diverse student population. According to Seattle Public schools, two-thirds of student are of color. To break this down further, 34% of are Asian descent, 21% African and African American, and roughly 10% Latino.

Not only is Hamilton an international school in respects to education--there is also international education within walls in the hearts and souls of its students.

The school building has been named a Seattle city historic landmark by the Seattle Historic Preservation Program--something that has put Hamilton at the center of a neighborhood controversy. There are plans to build a new gymnasium in the playground area of the school much to the dismay of several community members.

Built approximately 80 years ago the school is need of renovation and the district has finally gotten to it.

There has been a battle waging for years over the construction of the gymnasium and the blocking of views, architecture, a renovated park and more. It is a long story that still does not have a conclusion. Construction begins in July but not if strong-headed residents have their way. They have already submitted yet another proposal for the halting of construction.

To look at the renovation and gymnasium construction plan, click here!

The following is a picture of the proposed finish product (gymnasium). This is looking to the South. Adjacent to the North Side of the school is Wallingford Playfield---a beloved park in the neighborhood one that some residents are willing to fight for.



Hamilton also has an incredibly active PTSA with a blog. Check it out here.

An old building, a new story

Middle school is not exactly a time dedicated to the personal development of any sort of global community.



Photo courtesy of Hamilton's website.

There are two people important in the average middle-schoolers life: themselves and that awkward crush. Oozing with pubescent hormones, the halls of any middle school is less a representation of academia and more an adequate example of mating rituals. The only thing missing is flocking of the feathers and loud screeching noises.

Granted it is hard to miss these characteristics in any middle school. When it comes down to it, at the age of 12, 13, 14 hormonal juices are bubbling and the center of the world tends to be skewed. However, Wallingford is host to Seattle Public Schools only International Middle School. An international school you may ask? So, there are students from around the world coming to study in Seattle at a middle school? Not quite. But it is an international school---they must have foreign students from France, Ghana, Spain on a cultural exchange. Nope.

Hamilton International School is a public school hosting normal Seattle students---students who otherwise could have gone to any other public middle school in the district. Although unlike its sister middle schools Meany or Washington, Hamilton provides an education centered around an increasingly shrinking world. This is to say that the global village is now more prevalent than ever.

Hamilton states that its primary mission is to “provide rigorous academic curricula to prepare students for a diverse and technological society so that students will contribute to and succeed in the larger global community.”

The global community is a running theme at this middle school. The core curriculum serves to establish the instruction of a global perspective. According to the Hamilton website, there are three areas of larger focus---global challenges, culture and world areas and global connections (how the United States fits in the larger global community.)

A strong emphasis is also placed on learning global languages. It is required that every student take a language course. Hamilton currently offers Spanish and Japanese--two courses that also include immersion trips in the Fall.



Sound different than your middle school experience? Usually middle school harkens memories of field trips to the science center not Japan. At least for me.

Hamilton serves a diverse student population. According to Seattle Public schools, two-thirds of student are of color. To break this down further, 34% of are Asian descent, 21% African and African American, and roughly 10% Latino.

Not only is Hamilton an international school in respects to education--there is also international education within walls in the hearts and souls of its students.

The school building has been named a Seattle city historic landmark by the Seattle Historic Preservation Program--something that has put Hamilton at the center of a neighborhood controversy. There are plans to build a new gymnasium in the playground area of the school much to the dismay of several community members.

Built approximately 80 years ago the school is need of renovation and the district has finally gotten to it.

There has been a battle waging for years over the construction of the gymnasium and the blocking of views, architecture, a renovated park and more. It is a long story that still does not have a conclusion. Construction begins in July but not if strong-headed residents have their way. They have already submitted yet another proposal for the halting of construction.

To look at the renovation and gymnasium construction plan, click here! What do you think of the gym design? Does it fit in with the historic building?

The following is a picture of the proposed finish product (gymnasium). This is looking to the South. Adjacent to the North Side of the school is Wallingford Playfield---a beloved park in the neighborhood one that some residents are willing to fight for.



Hamilton also has an incredibly active PTSA with a blog. Who ever said blogs weren't the new thing? Even the parents are doing it. Check it out here.

An old building, a new story

Middle school is not exactly a time dedicated to the personal development of any sort of global community.



Photo courtesy of Hamilton's website.

There are two people important in the average middle-schoolers life: themselves and that awkward crush. Oozing with pubescent hormones, the halls of any middle school is less a representation of academia and more an adequate example of mating rituals. The only thing missing is flocking of the feathers and loud screeching noises. Oh wait, middle schoolers screech.

Granted it is hard to miss these characteristics in any middle school. When it comes down to it, at the age of 12, 13, 14 hormonal juices are bubbling and the center of the world tends to be skewed. However, Wallingford is host to Seattle Public Schools only International Middle School. An international school you may ask? So, there are students from around the world coming to study in Seattle at a middle school? Not quite. But it is an international school---they must have foreign students from France, Ghana, Spain on a cultural exchange. Nope.

Hamilton International School is a public school hosting normal Seattle students---students who otherwise could have gone to any other public middle school in the district. Although unlike its sister middle schools Meany or Washington, Hamilton provides an education centered around an increasingly shrinking world. This is to say that the global village is now more prevalent than ever.

Hamilton states that its primary mission is to “provide rigorous academic curricula to prepare students for a diverse and technological society so that students will contribute to and succeed in the larger global community.”

The global community is a running theme at this middle school. The core curriculum serves to establish the instruction of a global perspective. According to the Hamilton website, there are three areas of larger focus---global challenges, culture and world areas and global connections (how the United States fits in the larger global community.)

A strong emphasis is also placed on learning global languages. It is required that every student take a language course. Hamilton currently offers Spanish and Japanese--two courses that also include immersion trips in the Fall.



Sound different than your middle school experience? Usually middle school harkens memories of field trips to the science center not Japan. At least for me.

Hamilton serves a diverse student population. According to Seattle Public schools, two-thirds of student are of color. To break this down further, 34% of are Asian descent, 21% African and African American, and roughly 10% Latino.

Not only is Hamilton an international school in respects to education--there is also international education within walls in the hearts and souls of its students.

The school building has been named a Seattle city historic landmark by the Seattle Historic Preservation Program--something that has put Hamilton at the center of a neighborhood controversy. There are plans to build a new gymnasium in the playground area of the school much to the dismay of several community members.

Built approximately 80 years ago the school is need of renovation and the district has finally gotten to it.

There has been a battle waging for years over the construction of the gymnasium and the blocking of views, architecture, a renovated park and more. It is a long story that still does not have a conclusion. Construction begins in July but not if strong-headed residents have their way. They have already submitted yet another proposal for the halting of construction.

To look at the renovation and gymnasium construction plan, click here! What do you think of the gym design? Does it fit in with the historic building?

The following is a picture of the proposed finish product (gymnasium). This is looking to the South. Adjacent to the North Side of the school is Wallingford Playfield---a beloved park in the neighborhood one that some residents are willing to fight for.



Hamilton also has an incredibly active PTSA with a blog. Who ever said blogs weren't the new thing? Even the parents are doing it. Check it out here.

Saving the Book

Simone Andrews does not have time to clean her cluttered desk. There is just simply too much to do. She has to fly off to Paris, jet over to China or spend a quiet weekend on a remote island in the Northwest.



Busy!? you may ask. Well, for Andrews, travel has become weaved into her work life. Wallingford is host to the first travel only bookstore in the United States (according to the sign hanging above the front entrance--lets take it at face value) and Andrews leads a staff of 8 at the historical Wide World Books & Maps.

The store was originally established in 1976 and owned by brothers Garth and Royce Wilson. In 1982 it was sold and then sold once again in 1997 to Andrews who has owned it ever since. The other travel-only bookstores and resource centers are located in Edmonds, Wash---her competitors---Rick Steves and The Savvy Traveller. However, Andrews would contest that the stores have nothing on Wide World. Looking around the store that seems to be the case. You can get a lonleyplanet book on Indonesia and a pack of plane ear plugs. Talk about one stop shopping! Plus, Wide World has an extra benefit---an expert like Andrews and her knowledgeable staff.

Whether you are planning a sophisticated trip to Europe, a safari in Africa or a family vacation in Hawaii, Wide World Books & Maps has it all. The store itself brings you to a whole new place---surrounded by guidebooks, maps, bags, world music and more you wish to leave Seattle and head to a faraway place and never look back. The atmosphere is eclectic, informative and welcoming. The staff has had a wealth of travel experience whether it be in France, England, South Africa, Australia or China to name a few. They know their stuff and at their helm is Andrews who, while she says the dollar may suck right now, finds time to explore a new place every so often. She leaves for France, Switzerland and Italy come October.

She insists that a place is always better the second time around. The key is to go back and you will find different aspects of the country said Andrews. “There is always something new.”

“I don’t feel as if I have to see every country” Andrews stated, but you would not know it based on her laundry list of countries she wants to visit---Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Antarctic are a few. She is already planning her trip to Vietnam for the Spring of 2009.

“I am addicted to the experience!” Andrews said. This attitude transcends to her staff and customers. She has a steady flow of regulars as well as the random customers. Just that morning Andrews stated that a lady came in rushing off (bag in tow) to the airport and needed a quick guide on her way out. Andrews was there to guide.



Andrews first left the country when she was 19 years old. While many of us would spend a week or two on our first long-distance trip, Andrews spent a month in Japan. Her brother had been stationed there.

“Asia is so rich” said Andrews. “There are a lot of people there.”

While she may have started in Asia and progressively moved across the world she still has one favorite city. The city of love and romance Paris, France has been attracting her for years. The people, the sounds, the smells and the sensuality are just some of the few things that keep her coming.

For college students it is difficult to travel. Lets admit it--we do not have a lot of money. However much we would like to explore the Caymans or ride on safari in Kenya the fact of the matter is school drains us of any cash flow. Plus with airline and food prices so high it is near impossible. When it comes to these fluctuating prices Andrews said “Travel has its ups and downs.” Although, when the college student deos get that occasional paycheck (or one that we actually save) Andrews in collaboration with myself have some suggestions for saving money when traveling:

1. Buy your ticket early! Ticket prices get more expensive as you near the date of departure.
2. Stay at lower budget hotels. When it comes down to it, you are only in your hotel at night. If you are a really committed traveler you will be out all day exploring. Thus one or two star hotels work just fine. No need for fancy amenities.
3. Eat your main meal during lunch time. Prices are roughly 30 percent lower during the lunch hour. When it comes to dinner grab some deli items to go. Stop at a local market. This keeps cost down and you can take it with you while enjoying the city at night.
4. Use budget airline search engines like cheaptickets.com or kayak.com
5. Pack lightly. Airlines charge extra for overweight bags. Nothing excessive.

For more travel tips, contact information as well as a listing of in-store events you can access Wide World Maps & Books website here. Simone would love to talk to you!

Gay marriage the next step in WA?

While the Seattle mayoral race may be taking media precedence in the upcoming off-year election, it is a small yet powerful referendum that is growing in both popularity and controversy.

Referendum 71 (R-71), which would uphold Washington State's domestic partnership bill if approved, has been a contentious issue among Washington voters. According to a new poll by Survey USA the referendum will be overwhelmingly approved in the Seattle area but will have more trouble for proponents in the areas outside of the metropolis. For those who wish to approve the referendum the fact that the race is so close has becoming increasingly frightening.

The most recent expansion to the domestic partnership bill was signed in by Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire in 2007. Included in the latest expansion is the right to allow same-sex couples the privilege to visit their partners while in the hospital as well as the right to inheritance the will among many things. Under this newest piece of legislation same-sex couples are afforded all of the same rights as heterosexual couples with one exception—the word marriage.

Washington state currently has 12,000 registered domestic partners who have been awarded the same legal rights as their heterosexual counterparts according to the REF-71 campaign.

Those in opposition of the referendum, most specifically conservative populations, indicate that the approval of this referendum may very well lead to the label of marriage. Conservative voters have indicated that this vote will determine Washington's fate of gay marriage.

A large group of religious conservatives collected enough signatures in July to put the referendum on the ballot. They collected a total of 120, 577 signatures.

According to Protect Marriage-Washington an approval of referendum 71 “will demolish the state's historical understanding and definition of marriage as that of uniting a man and a woman for life as Washington State will immediately become subject to litigation by same-sex partners demanding that the courts overturn the Defense of Marriage Act and impose "same-sex marriage."

Opposition to the referendum primarily runs along similar talking points to the national debate.

Because it as on off election year--there are not very many "exciting" measures on the ballot and/or "major" voting--it is very common for voting to be down in numbers.

The referendum language has caused controversy because many believe it is not clear. The ballot measure will ask the following of voters:

“Statement of Subject: The legislature passed Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5688 concerning rights and responsibilities of state-registered domestic partners (and voters have filed a sufficient referendum petition on this bill).

“Concise Description: This bill would expand the rights, responsibilities, and obligations accorded state-registered same-sex and senior domestic partners to be equivalent to those of married spouses, except that a domestic partnership is not a marriage."

Voters are then asked to either approve (a vote to uphold same-sex rights) or reject the referendum.

The Judge Judy Phenomenon: Laughter at the Expense of Others

The shrill look on her face and thick New York accent spews from her mouth, striking fear in those around her.

The courtroom set-up is simple—those before her bow down to her authority and celebrity. Judith Sheindlin, referred to as TV’s Judge Judy, has been on the air for decades and has become one of the most recognizable figures in Hollywood.

Her most recent case—a burning couch. In an episode of her famed show, defendant Michael Davis was suing next-door neighbor Len Blackman after he had loaned him his couch. The problem—Blackman, after a night of drinking, decided to throw the couch on a fire. Davis was asking for $850 in damages.

Judy’s response: “I do have other things to do,” touting the case was a waste of her time.

It is these stories that are typical of the show, their hilarity more entertaining then the actual ruling. The Judge Judy phenomenon, with thousands of viewers on a daily basis, is largely based on entertainment value. Her caustic behavior is attractive to those who want to “stick it to” the morons that have the guts to be a guest on her show. For a moment it is as if the viewing audience is partaking in Judy’s ribbing.

Truth be told, Americans enjoy reveling in the ridiculousness of other people. There is something comforting in knowing that, perhaps, our lives are not so inane that we sue over a burned couch. Just maybe, we have something better going on.

Whatever the case, Judge Judy has attracted a fierce following despite the often-laughable content of the program.

Rhetoric of the Swine.

The H1N1 virus, formally referred to as “Swine Flu,” has become a growing concern for government officials as thousands have been diagnosed nationwide. The change in name, however, has not provided relief for millions of Americans who are racing to get their flu shot this season and perhaps skipping out on buying any pork.

In its early stages, the feds referred to H1N1 as the “Swine Flu.” Very quickly media outlets exploded with top stories exclaiming the “Swine Flu Pandemic” had hit America. Next to the stories—images of swine. The response—fear. The power of rhetoric and images was strong.

To remedy any fear and control any misunderstanding U.S officials quickly started referring to the new strain of the flu as H1N1. Not only was it causing fear globally, people were becoming less apt to buy pork.

In an interview with USA TODAY Bill Hall, acting assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services, stated that “There is no evidence at this time that swine in the United States are infected with this virus and therefore, this is not an animal health or food safety issue.”

The issue of the H1N1 and the overall response brings up several important areas of discussion. First and foremost, examining the rhetoric of the new strain speaks volumes about the power of language and overall disconnect individuals in the United States have with their food products. And information for that matter.

Rhetoric perpetuated by media outlets severely affects the way people interact with our varying economic markets. In Minnesota alone the pork industry takes in 1.8 billion annually according to Dave Warner, communication director for the National Pork Producers Council. He continued to state that despite the alteration in rhetoric, referring to the strain as H1N1, the damage has been done.

Even though researches have pointed out the strain was originally associated with swine, there is no possibility of transmission from meat to human. The word itself and connotation, however, has stuck and will forever be in the minds of Americans as a “swine flu.”

This powerful rhetoric has weaseled its way into the American conscious. University campuses across the country including Seattle University have gone to extreme measures to prevent an outbreak of the H1N1 virus. Most recently Seattle University has installed hundreds of Purell hand sanitizing stations across campus and has increased its health department visibility. Students are also requested to not go to class if they feel ill.

Could this have been prevented if “Swine Flu” was never mentioned? It would seem that the term H1N1 and its similarities to the seasonal flu would have sparked fewer cases of distress and panic. The language used, swine, depicts for media consumers pictures of filth. By equating a disease associated with a traditionally “dirty” animal, individuals began to fear transmission of filth to themselves.

Alexa Wayman, senior psychology major at Seattle University says she was initially disturbed with the term “swine.”

“There is bird flu, there is mad cow disease. I feel like anything that comes from an animal is an epidemic and naturally scary. Flues are never good. The combination of the two just makes it worse. Swine flu just makes it kind of gross.”
Others would disagree with Wayman and insist that much of the fear is perpetuated by the hype.

“You can spread nastier diseases as a human. It is just the normal flu, really. Just a different strain,” says Nate Perrin, a general science major at Seattle University. He adds that the word swine stirs up “mentality of a disease and filthiness.”

“This is simply a new title for a common sickness. It created a new fear,” says Perrin.