Shoreline Area News

Gun buy-back at Shoreline College September 12, 2026

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

The King County Sheriff's Office will conduct a gun buy-back at Shoreline College, 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133 on Saturday September 12, 2026 from 8am to 12pm.

Signs will direct drivers to a drive-through station.

The purpose of the buy-back is to get the guns off the streets. Guns collected will be destroyed.

Participants will not have to provide identification and will remain anonymous. They will receive gift cards with the amount based on the type of firearm surrendered.

Deputies will be on the premises to supervise activities.

Dramatic differences at Sears demolition 9-7-2026

David Carlos took these photos only six days after the previous batch but the site looks dramatically different.

Apparently the crew didn't work on Labor Day so he was able to get close-ups of the interior, including the escalators.

The escalators on the lower floor look pretty intact but the upper floor tells the story.

It helped that the external walls were gone.

--Diane Hettrick

Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Labor Day

Monday, September 7, 2026

Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter here

So lucky to have beautiful Echo Lake in Shoreline

Wendi Valle's State Farm and other volunteers at Echo Lake

By Ann Michel

Echo Lake Native Plant Area celebrated the end of summer with a wonderful weeding and mulching party.

Thanks to all our volunteers, and a special shout out to the hard working team from Wendi Valle’s State Farm. The Native Plant Zone is absolutely transformed with all the love it got this summer. Thanks to the Green Shoreline Partnership!"

Nesting herons at Echo Lake
Photo by Nancy Morrison

Echo Lake is home to many native conifers and other natives. This year we even had a pair of nesting Green Heron, which was very special. Thanks to Nancy Morrison for this amazing photo, back before they left the nest.

And many thanks to our crew of King County Lake Stewards who go out on the lake 12 times a year to check the water quality and take samples for the lab.

Huge thanks to Joe Hannan, Nancy Morrison, Manuèle Mayer, Stevie Kallos, Mark Enders, John Brannan, Marné Kristen, John Merriam and Kaye Walker.

Echo Lake will have a healthier future thanks to them and to the Surface Water Divisions at the City of Seattle and King County: thank you Stefan Grozev and Wafa Tafesh.

Bonsai for Beginners at Sky Nursery September 13, 2026

Always wanted to try your hand at this ancient, centering and meaningful craft?

Robert Cho, owner of Asia Pacific Gardening, comes to this in-depth hands-on workshop in the Sky greenhouse with more than *40 years* of Bonsai experience. 40 Years!

With a little history, the fundamental principles of successful bonsai, and expert in-person advice, you'll learn everything you need to know to plant, shape and care for your very own 5-6 year old juniper bonsai tree (outdoor) for decades to come!

Sky Nursery 18528 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133

September 13, 2026

Morning Session, 11am - 1pm
Afternoon Session, 3-5pm

Class Fee - $120 + tax

Register over the phone at 206-546-4851 or at the Sky Nursery registers. Starter tree, planting materials, and ceramic bonsai container included.

Imagine's 4th Annual Community Festival in Kenmore September 13, 2026

Come join us for an afternoon of Fun, Food & Live Music! (It's ALL FREE)

Sunday September 13, 2026 from 4-7pm
Northlake Lutheran Church 6620 NE 185th St. Kenmore

There will be 3 different food options including a Pakistani BBQ, which is always a big hit as well as traditional Hot Dogs Chips etc.

There will be a variety of Games and an Inflatable Obstacle Course (Bouncy House) for the Kids, and Art projects.

Multiple Booths will provide information about Nonprofit Organizations in the Community.

Live Music Including

"The Imagine All Stars" performing a variety of musical theatre songs performed by cast members of our previous broadway shows
The Amazing Fingerpicking Stylings of Guitarist "Anton Betia"
Classic R&B Blues with "Luther's Collective"

Community Sing at Third Place Commons - September 13, 2026

Community Sing at Third Place Commons

Second Sunday Sings is back for another season!

Join us Sunday, September 13, from 3–4 p.m. (new time!) for a free, casual community sing featuring familiar, non-religious music.

No experience or materials needed—you’ll be taught everything you need to know! All ages and voices are welcome.
Come make some music and enjoy an afternoon of community singing!

Third Place Commons is in the upper level of the main building at Town Center, intersection Bothell & Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park.

Red Sky Gallery presents Artistic Virtuoso Liang Wei

Liang Wei at the show opening with two showcase paintings reflecting life in China.

Red Sky Gallery is honored to host the extraordinary work of Liang Wei throughout August and September.

His captivating paintings transport us through treasured moments and places— from intimate family celebrations and the farms of Eastern Washington to the unforgettable energy of a beloved Bob Dylan concert. Each scene tells a story and leaves a lasting impression.

Liang Wei’s current show is a 38-year fascination with American landscapes and cross-cultural figures.

In Liang Wei’s beautiful book, "My 20 Year Romance with the American Landscape,"

Gunnar Nordstrom, prominent PNW art dealer and director of Gunnar Nordstrom Gallery, describes the artist perfectly:

“Not a Realist, not a Naturalist and not an Impressionist, Liang Wei is a ‘Moodist.’ The Impressionists wanted to capture the moment; Liang Wei captures a mood. Lingering and delicious, his paintings of long afternoon shadows or a dawn’s rising sun are remembrances of feelings long put away in our memories that are awoken again and again when viewing his paintings.”

Debbie Tomassi, owner of Red Sky Gallery, said,

“Liang Wei’s consciousness and emotion flow throughout the remarkable exhibition at Red Sky Gallery. His use of whimsical colors conveys excitement of the natural wildlife in the Grand Tetons.

"He is masterful in the ways he explores light and shadow. His paintings invite us to linger, to remember a special place, feeling, or moment we nearly forgot. I am thrilled he agreed to show his art at our gallery. He is a beautiful storyteller through paint and fortunate for this show.”

Liang Wei and Tomassi share a friendship over 30 years, and both showed at the Gunnar Nordstrom Gallery together in the early years.

We invite you to visit Red Sky Gallery during August and September and experience the artistry of Liang Wei in person. Catch the show at Red Sky Gallery, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Ste. A011, Lake Forest Park Town Center.

Flags at Half-Staff September 11, 2026 Patriot Day

Flag Lowering - September 11, 2026 (Patriot Day)

Gov. Bob Ferguson hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Friday, September 11, 2026, for national Patriot Day, the annual memorial to the victims of the 2001 tragedy.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Please notify all of your field offices and facilities around the state.

Other government entities, individuals, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Sip & Paint September 10, 2026

Join ShoreLake Arts for our next Paint & Sip at Vault 177 (Spin Alley Bowling Center)

Thursday, September 10, 2026 from 7-9pm

Vault 177
1430 NW Richmond Beach Rd, Shoreline WA 98177

Join local artist Nancy Malek as she shows you how to work with alcohol ink to create a vibrant 6"x6" artwork! Explore & create a masterpiece to display in your home, OR consider submitting your final work for ShoreLake Arts' 6x6 NW Art Showcase hosted in October!

$65 per person. Sign up using the QR code or learn more here.

All supplies will be provided, as well as one complimentary glass of wine or draft beer of your choice - OR - enjoy our specialty cocktail made just for this event!

Tickets on sale now for Nile Nightmares

More than just a Haunted House, Nile Nightmares is a Haunted Experience!

Enjoy the Midway while you wait in our virtual queue, where you can grab a bite or a treat, play an escape game, or get your courage up in the Fear Garden!

We will send you a text when its your groups time to enter the Attraction.

All Admission tickets include a one time walk through the Haunted Attraction. (Average walk through time is 20 minutes) This is a No-Touch Haunted Experience, with live actors, and “state of the art special effects".

New for 2026 "The Abyss dark maze", and "The Secret Bar" (Secret Bar add on is only available on select nights) Use the drop down calendar to show tickets available for that specific day.

Real Woods, Real Fog, Real Actors! Book your Haunted Experience Now! Featuring Washington's only “Secret Bar”VIP Experience!

Learn more and purchase tickets here

2026 SHOW DATES AND TIMES:

October 2nd,3rd,9th,10th,11th,16th,17th,18th,23rd,24th,25th,29th,30th,31st

Fri/Sat 7pm-11pm
Sundays 7pm-10pm
Thursday 10/29 7pm to 10pm
Halloween Night 7pm-11pm

Nile Nightmares is held on the grounds of the Nile Golf Course 6601 244th St SW, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043

AG Brown, coalition secure new court order blocking illegal USPS attack on mail-in voting

Attorney General Nick Brown and a coalition of 25 states have secured a preliminary injunction (PI) blocking illegal efforts by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) that would have disrupted vote-by-mail systems ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

The block prevents implementation of the rule for the November 3 election while the coalition’s lawsuit challenging the rule proceeds. The administration is expected to appeal the order.

The order in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts blocks USPS from requiring states to obtain the federal government’s approval of new ballot and return-envelope designs, register for a new USPS portal for tracking voter information (which is not yet operational), input information for each of their state’s mail voters into the portal, and comply with other provisions. It blocks USPS from rejecting ballot mail USPS believes does not comply with the rule.

“As the court previously said, states’ compliance with this illegal order would be ‘practically impossible’ before the November elections given the unprecedented demands it would put on state and local elections officials,” Brown said. “The chaos that would cause is exactly what Trump wants. That’s why we continue to fight for a fair and properly administered election.”

On March 31, President Trump issued an executive order directing the U.S. Postal Service to adopt new regulations that would prohibit USPS from transmitting mail ballots to voters who are not on a USPS-controlled list.

On August 26, USPS finalized a new rule implementing the President’s demands that require states to register every voter who is eligible to vote by mail with USPS and tasking USPS with compiling the registered voters into state-specific lists.

The rule also establishes new design requirements for the mail-in ballot envelopes created by states, which states are required to meet and get approved by USPS. Under the rule, USPS will not deliver ballots to voters who do not appear on the USPS-generated lists and will not deliver ballots in envelopes that fail to comply with the rule’s new standards.

Brown swiftly co-led a coalition of 25 states in filing a lawsuit to block the unlawful rule. Two days after the rule was finalized, on August 28, the court granted the coalition’s request for a temporary restraining order, finding that compliance with the rule before the November elections was “practically impossible” and that it created a significant risk of disenfranchisement.

With the November general election near, and states sending ballots in the coming days and weeks, the coalition argued the rule inflicts significant, irreparable harm on states by imposing burdensome mail voting requirements that risk disenfranchising eligible voters. The coalition argues that USPS’s rule upends successful, longstanding vote-by-mail procedures and violates federal statutes and the Constitution, which makes clear that states have the primary authority to administer elections.

Brown was joined in filing this lawsuit, which he co-led with the attorneys general of California, Massachusetts, and Nevada, by the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaiʻi, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Scene on the Sound: The Walla Walla

Sunday, September 6, 2026

Photo by Steve Schneider

The WALLA WALLA being towed to our Eagle Harbor Maintenance facility. Shipyard work is completed and the vessel will have sea trials probably next week in preparation for returning to service.

Cyclocross event at Shoreview Park - "It's all hard"

The Shoreview challenge was the first of four events.

Story & Photos by David Carlos

On a sunny, pre-Autumn Saturday with temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees, bike riders were up for the challenge at the Northwest Grand Prix Shoreview.

All the riders chose to walk up the stairs

The event was held from 9am to 4pm on Saturday September 5, 2026 at Shoreview Park, 17229 3rd Ave. NW in Shoreline. The course incorporated several areas of the park and included stairs, sand, grass and sloped terrain.

Obstacles

Cyclocross riders complete multiple laps on a short course featuring a variety of surfaces and obstacles. Depending on the terrain, riders may need to dismount, carry their bicycles and run through certain sections.

The course featured steep hillsides and sharp turns

I spoke with one rider as he watched the other competitors while drinking bottled water. When asked about the most challenging part of the course, he said, “You know, it’s all hard. I’m more of a fitness person, not the technical stuff.”

The ankle bracelet holds a timing chip

When asked what he meant by the technical portions, he pointed toward a hairpin turn.

“This turn right here,” he said. “That’s hard. I saw some people get off and walk.”

Where did he find himself out of breath?

“Everywhere,” he replied. “See, there are also the stairs right here. Some people run them.”

When asked whether he planned to race again that day, his answer was brief: “No.”

The course was set up with different start time for each category of rider

The event included divisions for beginners, juniors, masters, women, men, nonbinary riders, single-speed riders and elite competitors. No USA Cycling license was required. Junior races were free, while adult registration was $45, with an additional race available for $20.

None of the course was easy

The Shoreview race was the first event in a four-race Northwest Grand Prix series organized by Lemon Peel Productions. The remaining races are scheduled for Squalicum on September 19, Lake Padden on October 3 and Steilacoom on October 10.

The right gear is important

According to Lemon Peel Productions, the series combines elements of European cyclocross course design with the distinctive features of venues in the Seattle and Bellingham areas. The Northwest-based event production company specializes in cycling races and promotes inclusive events for competitors of all experience levels.

If I Were A Tree: Book Walk at Kruckeberg

Join us this September for a Book Walk at the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, in partnership with Richmond Beach Library and the King County Library System!

The story starts at the base of the boardwalk in the lower garden, follow along with If I Were A Tree by Andrea Zimmerman and use your own senses to explore the woodland around you!

Read one page at a time along the boardwalk.

Kruckeberg Botanic Garden is located at 20312 15th Ave NW, Shoreline, WA 98177

Murder, Mystery, and Miss Marple - Edmonds Driftwood Players Announces 68th Season Opener

Edmonds Driftwood Players is thrilled to announce their upcoming production of Agatha Christie’s A Murder is Announced to open their 68th Season. This adaptation of the classic Agatha Christie novel by Leslie Darbon will be running September 18-October 11, 2026, at the Wade James Theatre in downtown Edmonds.

A newspaper announcement sets the stage for murder: “A murder is announced and will take place on Friday, October the thirteenth, at Little Paddocks – at six-thirty p.m.” When the occupants of Miss Blacklock’s Victorian home gather to discover what they initially believe to be a joke, the evening takes a turn when an unexpected visitor is killed.

What follows is a classic Christie puzzle of mixed motives, concealed identities, a second death and unexpected revelations. As a determined inspector works to unravel the case, the mystery becomes increasingly complicated. Fortunately, the astute Miss Marple is on hand to help uncover the truth.

With signature Christie twists and turns, intricate plot, and colorful characters, A Murder is Announced promises suspense, intrigue, and theatrical fun for mystery lovers and longtime fans of Agatha Christie alike.

WHEN: September 18-October 11, 2026 – Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm. An additional 2pm matinee performance has been added on Saturday, 10/3. (16 total performances).

WHERE: Wade James Theatre, 950 Main Street, Edmonds.

TICKETS: $31 General Adults (ages 19-59); $28 Youth/Senior/Military. Tickets available online here or by phone at 425-774-9600. Discounted tickets for groups of 10+ people are also available.

Content Information: this production contains some mild adult themes and is best suited for ages teen+.

Approximate Run Time: this production is anticipated to be 2 hours, plus a 15-minute intermission.

A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf Samuel French.

We would like to thank our Season Sponsors Rick Steves’ Europe, Humana, Edmonds Village Senior Living, and Koenig Financial Group for their support and commitment to the creative arts in Edmonds.

Lakeshore Garden Club to hear from Susan Ryan September 8, 2026

Susan Ryan of Gardendigs

We invite you all to the Lakeshore Garden Club meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 11:00am at the Lake Forest Park Presbyterian Church, 17440 Brookside Blvd NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

Our speaker this month will be Susan Ryan of Gardendigs, Gardens & Botanical Design.

Susan will be speaking on "Floral Foraging Inspiration".

She has a unique outlook on how to view our gardens and use our shrubs and trees and perennials. It should be a colorful and inspirational presentation, and all are welcome.

See Lakeshore Garden Club for more information on the club.

Grief support group at Acacia begins September 9, 2026

Rather than concluding our relationship after the funeral, Acacia will continue to walk alongside you through grief support, education, healing, reflection and community connection.

Grief support group meets Wednesday September 9, 2026 from 6pm - 7:15pm at Acacia Funeral Home, 14951 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park WA 98155

While crisis resources are always important, we believe that long-term healing happens through

relationships, education, ritual, conversation and community.

Our events create a space for people to feel seen, supported, and less alone as they navigate life's inevitable losses.

Programs are open to the general public to help create meaningful relationships before our services are needed, and to offer resources for all - including those supporting someone going through grief, or for anyone interested.

Please give us a call for any questions! 206-362-5525.

Officially Fall - Spirit of Halloween in Ballinger Village

Photo by Lis Johnson

Now I know it's fall. The first Spirit of Halloween store has popped up in the neighborhood.

I've never been in one but will have to check them out this year. They appear every September, in stores that have been sitting vacant. They sell Halloween costumes and goods and after the end of October, they disappear.

This one is in the old Rite Aid store in Ballinger Village, 20330 Ballinger Way NE, Shoreline 98155. Rite Aid closed in August 2025. (see previous article)

-Diane Hettrick

August 2026 Shoreline Market Overview

August 2026

Shoreline Market Overview

The Shoreline market recorded 34 closed sales in August, essentially flat compared to 35 last month and matching August 2025's 35 sales almost exactly.

Year to date, 293 homes have sold in Shoreline, continuing to track ahead of last year's cumulative pace. While volume has stabilized, several underlying metrics tell a more nuanced story.

Elevated mortgage rates, rising inflation, and higher gas prices continue to shape buyer behavior, and their effect is showing up more clearly in pricing and negotiation data than in raw transaction counts.

Pricing Trends

Shoreline's median sale price rose to $902,500 in August, up from $850,000 last month and 1.4% above August 2025's $890,000. Year to date, the median stands at $825,000, still trailing last year's overall pace but showing gradual improvement.

However, both the median price and price per square foot need context this month. The average size of homes sold in August 2026 was 2,091 square feet, compared to 2,243 square feet in August 2025, and July's average was even larger at 2,357 square feet.

Larger homes typically sell at a lower price per square foot, so when bigger properties dominate a month's sales, the median price rises while price per square foot drops, which is exactly the pattern playing out here.

Price per square foot came in at $467, down from $508 last month and 8.8% below August 2025's $512, but that decline is partly a reflection of what sold rather than a true read on value direction.

The year-to-date comparison is more reliable: average home size in 2026 is 1,917 square feet versus 1,954 square feet in 2025, nearly identical, making the YTD price per square foot of $515 a cleaner apples-to-apples indicator. That figure is holding essentially in line with last year's pace, suggesting underlying values are more stable than the monthly swings imply.

Days on Market

Shoreline homes averaged 31 days on market in August, an improvement from July's 39-day outlier and closer to the year-to-date average of 30 days. That said, August 2025's pace was 26 days, so homes are still taking 19% longer to sell than a year ago. The market has not returned to the urgency-driven conditions of last year, and sellers should plan accordingly.

Negotiation Trends

The sold-to-list price ratio came in at 99.4% in August, below August 2025's 99.94% and the second consecutive month where the average Shoreline sale closed under asking price. Year to date, the ratio stands at 100.72%, compared to 102.09% through the same period in 2025.

While the YTD figure remains above 100%, the monthly trend is clear: buyers are consistently negotiating below list price in the summer months, and the gap versus last year is widening. Sellers who price optimistically are absorbing price reductions, while those who price accurately are closing closer to or above ask.

August Summary

August delivered a stabilizing sales count and a median price that edges above last year's figure, but those headline numbers need context. The median price gain and the per-square-foot drop are both being driven by the mix of larger homes that sold this month, not by a broad shift in market values.

The year-to-date per-square-foot comparison, where home sizes are nearly identical between years, is the most reliable value indicator right now, and that figure is holding steady with last year's pace. Days on market remain elevated compared to 2025, and the sold-to-list ratio has now come in below 100% for two straight months. The Shoreline market is transacting at a consistent pace, but buyers hold real leverage, and accurate pricing from day one remains the deciding factor in how quickly and at what price a home sells.

Investing in Local Students: Shoreline Rotary Scholarships Help Open Doors

September is Rotary’s Basic Education and Literacy Month, a time to recognize the power of education to create opportunity—and the role a community can play in helping students pursue their dreams.

For Shoreline Rotary, investing in education is an important part of Service Above Self. Each year, the club provides scholarships to local students who have worked hard in school, served their communities and are ready to take the next step in their education.

Meet Scholarship Recipient Hugh Hoff, one of this year's Shoreline Rotary's Scholarship recipients. A graduate of Shorewood High School, Hugh is now attending the University of Washington.

For Hugh, the value of the scholarship is not simply the dollars it contributes toward college. It also provides greater freedom to concentrate on the opportunities that higher education offers.

“To me, getting this scholarship has allowed me to pursue a higher education and follow my interests without having to worry as much about tuition and the financial side of things. This scholarship has helped present me with the opportunity to enjoy college and all of the things that come with it.”

Hugh also sees the award as an investment extending beyond an individual student.

“I am incredibly grateful to the Shoreline Rotary Club for investing in the education that supports the future of students in our community—so thank you!”

That idea—investing in students as an investment in the future of the community—gets to the heart of Shoreline Rotary's scholarship program.

The deadline for Shoreline Rotary's next scholarship cycle will be announced soon.

Know a student who should apply next year? Follow Shoreline Rotary on Facebook or on our website and share the scholarship announcement when the next application cycle opens.

Scene on the Sound: Surf's Up!

Saturday, September 5, 2026

Taken at Richmond Beach August 27, 2026 by RJ Perna

S.C.O.T. scholarships awarded to two recent Shorecrest graduates

(L-R) SC counselors Jenny Breed and Wendy Friedman; scholarship recipients Camron Catt; Lyla Higgins; Ava Watson; benefactors Krist and Stephen Growdon; recipients Hermela Dagenchew, Lila Seda and Olive Ziliak

As hundreds of Shorecrest High School alumni return to two- and four-year colleges this fall, two recent graduates start their new school year with up to $10,000 in local scholarships.

The Shorecrest College Opportunity Tribute (S.C.O.T.) scholarships for the Class of 2026 were awarded to Hermela Dagnachew (University of Southern California) and Lila Seda (Washington State University/Pullman).

This year marks the first time recipients since 2021 have met their previously anonymous benefactors: Stephen and Kristi Growdon.

The couple – with a strong commitment to higher education and the local community – has been selecting and awarding the S.C.O.T. awards to Shorecrest graduates based on students’ academic and extracurricular achievements; volunteerism, and financial need for six years.

Past recipients include: Oliver Lohrentz (2021 – now a University of Washington/Seattle graduate); Lyla Higgins (2022 – now a U.W./Seattle graduate); Samia Ahmed (2023 – U.W./Seattle); Ava Watson (2024 – U.W./Seattle); Olive Ziliak (2025 – U.W./Seattle) and Camron Catt (2025 - Central Washington University).

S.C.O.T. benefactors Stephen Growdon, a retired Shorecrest High School social studies teacher and cross-country coach, and his wife, Kristi, started the awards with $2,500 a year per recipient for up to four years as long as students maintained a 3.2 college GPA. The couple chose from among more than a dozen self-nominated applicants each year. They opted to remain anonymous until the last of Stephen Growdon’s past students graduated from high school.

The Shoreline Public Schools Foundation has served as the conduit for these awards. Starting with the Class of 2027, The Seattle Foundation will fulfill this role. Details for this year’s Shorecrest seniors interested in applying will be available through their high school counselors, and college and career center.

Call for vendors: Outdoor Winter Market November 21, 2026

CALL FOR VENDORS: Outdoor Winter Market, November 21, 2026 from 10am-3pm in Ridgecrest!

ShoreLake Arts is accepting applications for vendors for the 2026 Outdoor Winter Market!

Learn more and apply TODAY

Letter to the Editor: Ballot initiatives I-001 and I-638 are not good for our children

To the Editor:

I was deeply relieved to read that our city council passed a resolution opposing two harmful ballot initiatives, I-001 and I-638. It speaks volumes that the resolution passed unanimously — it’s clear to many Washingtonians that these measures are not good for our children.

As a physician, I’m outraged by I-638. This initiative targets trans girls, but will impact all girls. I-638 would require all girls who want to participate in school sports to medically verify their sex, defined as a physical “reproductive organ exam,” or costly genetic or hormone testing. This means many elementary, middle, and high school-aged girls could be forced to undergo invasive genital exams, just so they can play on a team.

I’m one among a hundred Washington medical professionals who’ve issued a statement opposing I-638 because it would be harmful for young girls. Major medical organizations, including the AAFP and the AAP, do not recommend genital exams for girls as a part of sports physicals.

Initiative 001 would force schools to hand over sensitive information about child abuse victims to their parental abusers. This put children at a greater risk of violence at home, and discourages students dealing with sexual abuse from seeking help at school. As a survivor of child sexual abuse, I would not have felt safe speaking to school counselors if I-001 was in place when I was young. Our students deserve safe spaces to get support.

These two initiatives will cause harm, are based in harmful far-right ideology, and do not have a place in WA state law. Voters can join me and Shoreline City Council by rejecting both measures this November.

Caitlin Blau, DO,

Shoreline

Briarcrest Neighbors meet September 8, 2026 in person and online

Briarcrest neighbors! Please join us at our upcoming hybrid meeting at 7pm on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

It will be in person at the North City Water District meeting chamber, 1519 NE 177th St, or online here.

We will recap the Summer Picnic (woo!), discuss the Library of Things project, and have a return visit from the City traffic folks. Please write to briarcrestneighbors@gmail.com with any questions.

ShoreLake Arts September events

Hang out with ShoreLake Arts this month! We have several fun events coming up in September.

9/3 Arts in the Garden @ Kruckeberg Botanic Garden
9/10 Sip & Paint (21+) @ Vault 177 / Spin Alley Bowling Center
9/14 55+ Art Class: Drawing Flora, led by McKy Karvounis @ Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center
9/24 Ridgecrest Art Walk @ ShoreLake Arts Gallery along NE 165th

Information and signups for these events & more can be found on our website events calendar.

Hope to see you soon!

West Coast Health Alliance 2026-2027 respiratory virus season immunization recommendations

The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) is issuing immunization recommendations for the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season. These recommendations are informed by trusted national medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

Immunization is the best protection available against respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Seasonal immunization is also a critical public health tool to reduce serious illness, community transmission, and health care systems strain.

The WCHA believes that all recommended immunizations should be accessible to the people of our states.

WCHA emphasizes the importance of protecting people most impacted by these respiratory viruses, especially our most vulnerable. This includes the youngest and oldest individuals in our states; other individuals at higher risk for complications, including people who are pregnant; individuals living in congregate settings; and those who live or work with people at higher risk.

The WCHA will continue to evaluate new evidence and recommendations as they become available and is committed to sharing any updated assessments with our communities.

COVID-19 vaccine is available for persons 6 months and
Protect infants with either prenatal RSV vaccine or infant dose of nirsevimab or
RSV vaccination during pregnancy or for adults is currently recommended once rather than
Two doses given at least 4 weeks apart are recommended for ages 6 months–8 years who are getting flu vaccine for the first time.

The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) is a partnership between California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington to ensure that public health recommendations are guided by safety, efficacy, transparency, access and trust.

Labor Day Weekend traffic paintmap

Paint Map courtesy WSDOT

Labor Day weekend always marks the last Paint Map of the summer. And to say goodbye, our resident doodler decided to show you her real fine arts skills. Presenting a Handsome Squidward edition of the map.

Labor Day weekend also means the Summer Scaries have officially set in. Symptoms may include a sudden urge to squeeze three months of summer plans into one three-day weekend. If symptoms persist, consult your travel map. before making any weekend plans. Luckily, we have have one handy, so here’s what you need to know:

The handsome news: Most of our highway construction work will pause this weekend, which means all lanes of the I-90 Vantage Bridge are OPEN for the weekend. Lane reductions will go back into effect Tuesday morning.

Map courtesy WSDOT

The Squidward news: You should still expect delays on I-5, I-90, US 2, at the Canadian border and on Washington State Ferries as people chase the final days of summer. Between sports games, two state fairs, festivals, concerts and everyone trying to squeeze in one last summer adventure, the roads will be BUSY.

We can’t cure the Summer Scaries, but we can at least try to keep holiday traffic from aggravating this unfortunate illness. Our travel charts estimate the best times to travel on key highways throughout the weekend.

Visit this link, consult the charts, and make a plan to avoid peak travel times:

As always, check real-time conditions before you head out, give yourself extra time and have a plan.

And with that, our Paint Map artist hangs up her paintbrush. For now. She’ll rest. She’ll wait. And when Washington’s roads inevitably descend into chaos once more, she’ll be ready.

Extended bus-only lane closure hours in Kenmore

Lane closures on SR522 start September 8, 2026

Starting Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Sound Transit will extend the eastbound and westbound bus-only lane daytime closure hours on SR 522 (NE Bothell Way) between 61st Ave NE and 80th Ave NE.

Crews will work in the bus-only lanes from 6am to 3pm Mondays through Thursdays and 9am to 3pm on Fridays.

The extended bus-only lane closure hours will allow crews to shift more nighttime work to the daytime and reduce the number of nighttime work shifts.

Traffic patterns will change during construction. Buses will merge into general-purpose traffic lanes to bypass the work. Temporary bus stops will remain accessible. Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians should follow posted signs and plan for extra travel time.

Right turns in and out of businesses and residences on SR 522 (NE Bothell Way) between 61st Ave NE and 80th Ave NE will remain available. All businesses and residences will remain open and accessible.

Road improvements are key to ensuring the Stride S3 buses can move through the route more quickly. This work will allow Sound Transit to deliver fast, frequent, and reliable rapid transit service along S3.

For more information on Stride S3 bus service, visit the Stride webpage.

What
Temporary bus-lane-only closures.

When
Fall 2026, starting Sept. 8.

Work hours:

Mondays – Thursdays, 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Fridays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Where

SR 522 (NE Bothell Way) between 61st Ave NE and 80th Ave NE.

More info

Expect normal construction noise.
Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians should follow posted signs and directions.
Plan ahead, leave early, and allow extra time to reach your destination.
WSDOT-controlled signals will remain in standard operation. Traffic plans are in place to direct traffic around the work. Traffic barrels and signage will be in place to ensure the safety of crews and vehicles using the road.
Dates and times are subject to change due to inclement weather or unforeseen issues.

Third Place Books launches new literary foundation

Friday, September 4, 2026

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Third Place Books announces the launch of the Third Place Books Literary Foundation, a new and expanded effort to cultivate lifelong readers throughout greater Seattle by ensuring access to books and meaningful experiences with authors.

The Third Place Books Literary Foundation is the new community arm of Third Place Books, meant to enhance and diversify the work of the store's Books to Students Fund. During the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Third Place created the Books to Students Fund to help students access books for free while schools and school libraries were shut down.

Following a public call for donations, the Fund raised over $30,000 within three months and has been gifting books to students and schools ever since.

During the recent 2025-26 school year, the Fund donated over 1,700 books to more than 40 schools and community organizations in the Seattle metropolitan area. The Fund also supported over 90 author visits to schools in the Seattle metropolitan area during that same time.

Author event at Third Place Books
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The Third Place Books Literary Foundation will increase the reach, diversity of programming, and fundraising abilities of the store's community outreach programming, including book donation programs to low-income schools and organizations supporting literary initiatives in the Seattle metro area; free author events held in the bookstore and at schools and community hubs that connect readers directly with authors; and book fairs for local schools and community organizations.

In the 2026-2027 school year, the Literary Foundation has set a goal to donate over 4000 books.

"Bringing the magic that happens in our stores of connecting books with readers and readers with their favorite authors beyond the walls of our physical locations is a very exciting project for us," says Robert Sindelar, Third Place Books Co-owner and Managing Partner.

"Building community for us has always started with bringing people together around the exchange of ideas and the written word ensuring access to books is a critical part of the process."

Foundation programming and outreach will be managed by Becky Walsh, Community Outreach Manager for Third Place Books. Walsh has worked full-time for Third Place Books since September of 2025, returning to a career working in bookstores. Her work at Third Place Books comes after several years traveling around the globe including three years spent organizing events for a large housing charity in London.

"The launch of the Foundation feels like it is coming at just the right time," says Walsh.

"Spending this past year working with educators, authors and community organizers, has been extremely important. I've seen first-hand the impact of what we were able to do with the Books to Students Fund, and know we can do more for our community to ensure access to books and to the authors that write them. I am excited for how much more we will be able to do following this launch, with the support of the public."

The Foundation website is www.tpbfoundation.com. The Third Place Literary Foundation is fiscally sponsored by Third Place Commons. Third Place Commons is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization meaning all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Founded in 1998 in Lake Forest Park, Washington, Third Place Books is dedicated to the creation of a community around books and the ideas inside them. With locations in Lake Forest Park and Seattle's Ravenna and Seward Park neighborhoods, Third Place Books is a Pacific Northwest institution hosting nearly 300 author events annually.

Office of the Secretary of State and Attorney General’s Office release guide on state and federal election authorities

King County election workers doing their jobs
Photo courtesy King County

OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State and the Attorney General’s Office have released a new guide for county election officials which outlines state and federal roles in election administration.

As the federal government continues to push falsehoods about the security of elections systems, the guide is intended to support county election officials with any potential interactions with federal officials in the lead up to the Nov. 3 General Election.

“This year, it is clear that Washington election officials must be prepared to handle inquiries and interactions with the federal administration, on top of the significant work it takes to administer a secure and accurate election,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said. “Supporting county election partners’ preparedness is one of my top priorities. That includes making sure they have clear, practical guidance when questions arise.”

In Washington, elections are primarily administered by each county. Local election officials prepare, mail, and count ballots. In recent months, local election officials have requested guidance in the event of interactions with federal personnel at voting centers or other facilities.

“Washington state elections are successful thanks to the tireless efforts of local elections workers in all 39 counties. Their work is as important and demanding as ever in our current political climate, and the state is ready to support them,” Attorney General Nick Brown said. “We hope this guidance is a useful resource as we all work together to continue Washington’s tradition of having one of the most secure elections systems in the country.”

The guide, titled “Election administration: a guide to federal and state authority”, was distributed to county elections offices on Thursday, Sept. 3. It covers state authority and roles in election administration, responding to federal investigations of election offices, and other potential federal actions.

The Office of the Secretary of State and the Attorney General's Office developed the guide to help county election officials understand legal authorities, processes, and considerations that may apply when federal officials interact with Washington state’s election processes.

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