Around Town: Exploding with blooms
Monday, April 6, 2026
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| Photo by Lee Lageschulte |
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| Photo by Lee Lageschulte |
Lee's quest to find beauty Around Town.
The Seattle Times: Seahawks will appear on the HBO series “Hard Knocks”
For the first time in their history, the Seahawks will appear on the HBO series “Hard Knocks.”
The announcement was made here Monday night at the NFL’s annual league meeting, according to a report from the NFL Network. A league source also confirmed the news to The Seattle Times.
The report also stated that the New England Patriots will appear on the show in 2027.
“Hard Knocks” debuted in 2001 on HBO and follows the life of an NFL team through training camp, typically featuring five episodes of roughly 55 minutes each.
Banchero Partners Heart & Soul Auction April 10, 2026 - register TODAY
Banchero Partners
April 10, 2026 from 6pm - 9pm
Shoreline Community College - Pagoda Union Building (PUB),
16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133
Each spring we host our signature event; a dinner/auction for our donors, staff, clients and community members. This evening of fun in a family-oriented atmosphere includes a full-course gourmet meal, and a live auction. The evening festivities are capped off by a rousing dessert auction and serious dancing.
Current event sponsors include: Cedar Grove Composting, Capital Industries, Inc., Donald W Bell CPA, Heritage Bank, Mercury Pharmacy Services and Seattle Property Management Associates.
If you are interested in having your goods or services represented, or want to get your name on our invite list, contact Jasmina Merdanovic at jasmina@banchero.org, or (206) 367-7795 x106.
Click Here to Register
Each spring we host our signature event; a dinner/auction for our donors, staff, clients and community members. This evening of fun in a family-oriented atmosphere includes a full-course gourmet meal, and a live auction. The evening festivities are capped off by a rousing dessert auction and serious dancing.
Current event sponsors include: Cedar Grove Composting, Capital Industries, Inc., Donald W Bell CPA, Heritage Bank, Mercury Pharmacy Services and Seattle Property Management Associates.
If you are interested in having your goods or services represented, or want to get your name on our invite list, contact Jasmina Merdanovic at jasmina@banchero.org, or (206) 367-7795 x106.
Click Here to Register
Democratic states sue Trump over mail-in ballot order, joining rush to courts
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| Baskets of ballots sit at a new ballot processing center in Thurston County, Washington, on Oct. 30, 2025. Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard |
By Jonathan Shorman
President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting mail ballots faced a fresh challenge on Friday, as a coalition of Democratic states filed a lawsuit seeking to block an order that experts say is an extraordinary attempt by the president to assert authority over elections.
More than 20 states — led by California, Massachusetts, Nevada and Washington — and the District of Columbia sued in federal court in Massachusetts. They argue the order violates the Constitution, which gives states the responsibility to run elections and allows Congress, not the president unilaterally, the power to override state regulations.
The lawsuit is only the latest in a growing number of legal challenges to the order since Trump signed it on Tuesday.
The Democratic National Committee, top Democrats in Congress and other Democratic groups have sued, along with the American Civil Liberties Union, League of Women Voters, the League of United Latin American Citizens and other voting rights groups.
Friday’s state-led challenge marked at least the fifth lawsuit over the order.
The Trump administration has said the order is necessary to ensure the security of elections and crack down on noncitizen voting, which studies have found is extremely rare. Trump acknowledged the order would likely face litigation when he signed it but called it “foolproof.”
The coalition of states argues in the lawsuit that Trump’s order would require states to upend existing election administration procedures and spend significant time and resources “mitigating the harms” of its requirements and educating voters about the new rules.
But the states say the order would require states to act contrary to their own voter roll procedures, systems and voter registration laws, the complaint argues. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, said the Constitution is clear that states run elections.
Read more...
“Though the President may wish he had unlimited power to restrict voting rights, the Constitution gives states – not the White House – the authority to oversee elections,” Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, a Democrat, said in a statement.
The lawsuit is only the latest in a growing number of legal challenges to the order since Trump signed it on Tuesday.
The Democratic National Committee, top Democrats in Congress and other Democratic groups have sued, along with the American Civil Liberties Union, League of Women Voters, the League of United Latin American Citizens and other voting rights groups.
Friday’s state-led challenge marked at least the fifth lawsuit over the order.
“Neither the Constitution nor any act of Congress confers upon the President the authority to mandate sweeping changes to States’ electoral systems or procedures,” the complaint reads.
The Trump administration has said the order is necessary to ensure the security of elections and crack down on noncitizen voting, which studies have found is extremely rare. Trump acknowledged the order would likely face litigation when he signed it but called it “foolproof.”
List required
The order requires the Department of Homeland Security, with help from the Social Security Administration, to compile a list of voting-age U.S. citizens living in each state and then provide that information to state officials at least 60 days before each federal election.
The order does not tell states how to use the data, but it instructs the U.S. attorney general to prioritize investigations into state and local officials who issue federal ballots to ineligible voters.
The list of citizens will be drawn from naturalization and Social Security records, according to the order. It will also include data from SAVE, a powerful computer program maintained by Homeland Security that verifies citizenship by checking names against information in federal databases.
The order also directs the postmaster general to require every outbound mail ballot be in an envelope that includes a tracking barcode.
At least 90 days before a federal election, states must notify the U.S. Postal Service whether they intend to allow ballots to be sent through the mail. States would then have to submit to USPS a list of voters planning to vote by mail at least 60 days before the election.
Under the order, the Justice Department and other federal agencies would be directed to withhold federal funds from states and localities that don’t comply with federal laws. It doesn’t specify what federal funds would potentially be targeted or whether states could lose election-related dollars.
States say they run elections, not feds
The order requires the Department of Homeland Security, with help from the Social Security Administration, to compile a list of voting-age U.S. citizens living in each state and then provide that information to state officials at least 60 days before each federal election.
The order does not tell states how to use the data, but it instructs the U.S. attorney general to prioritize investigations into state and local officials who issue federal ballots to ineligible voters.
The list of citizens will be drawn from naturalization and Social Security records, according to the order. It will also include data from SAVE, a powerful computer program maintained by Homeland Security that verifies citizenship by checking names against information in federal databases.
The order also directs the postmaster general to require every outbound mail ballot be in an envelope that includes a tracking barcode.
At least 90 days before a federal election, states must notify the U.S. Postal Service whether they intend to allow ballots to be sent through the mail. States would then have to submit to USPS a list of voters planning to vote by mail at least 60 days before the election.
“The expression ‘a solution in search of a problem’ came to mind, but this is sort of a quasi-solution in search of a hallucination,” said Pamela Smith, president and CEO of Verified Voting, an organization that promotes the responsible use of technology in elections.
Under the order, the Justice Department and other federal agencies would be directed to withhold federal funds from states and localities that don’t comply with federal laws. It doesn’t specify what federal funds would potentially be targeted or whether states could lose election-related dollars.
“The president’s illegal executive order creates a shadow voter eligibility list within the federal government and it threatens to coerce states into disenfranchising voters missing from those lists,” Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said at a news conference in Las Vegas.
States say they run elections, not feds
The coalition of states argues in the lawsuit that Trump’s order would require states to upend existing election administration procedures and spend significant time and resources “mitigating the harms” of its requirements and educating voters about the new rules.
But the states say the order would require states to act contrary to their own voter roll procedures, systems and voter registration laws, the complaint argues. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, said the Constitution is clear that states run elections.
“Not the President,” Mayes said. “And Arizona will not allow the federal government to seize control of our elections.”
Olympic Ballet School student Lyla Albee advances to Youth America Grand Prix finals
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| Lyla Albee Photo by Lk Studio |
Edmonds, WA – Lyla Albee, a 10-year-old student at Olympic Ballet School, coached by Mara Vinson, Co-Artistic Director of the school, will advance to the Finals of the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) after earning 2nd place in the Pre-Competitive Classical Division at the Seattle semi-final competition in January. The YAGP Finals will take place in Houston, Texas this May.
Olympic Ballet School students earned additional recognitions at the Seattle semi-finals, which was the largest in the competition’s history with more than 400 dancers from across the United States and Canada.
Ry Pierce received 2nd place in the Junior Men’s Classical Division, while Blakely Burns and Preston Perry placed Top 6 in the Pas de Deux category.
Hikari Gorbouleva placed Top 12 in the Junior Division for both the Contemporary and Classical Divisions.
OBS students also tied for 3rd place in the Large Ensemble category for their performance of the La Fille Mal Gardée Waltz. The ensemble featured dancers from Levels 5–7, Boys 3, the Professional Track Program, and the Olympic Ballet Theatre’s Trainee Program.
In addition to their placements, Olympic Ballet School students were awarded numerous scholarships and invitations to prestigious training programs, including John Cranko School, International Contemporary Masters, The Harid Conservatory, Oklahoma City Ballet, The Rock School for Dance Education, Ballet West, and Alberta Ballet.
AWARDS AT SEATTLE YAGP SEMI-FINALS
Read more...
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| Olympic Ballet School students and Olympic Ballet Theatre trainee competing in the Seattle YAGP Semi-Finals with La Fille Mal Gardee Waltz. Photo by Lk Studio |
OBS students also tied for 3rd place in the Large Ensemble category for their performance of the La Fille Mal Gardée Waltz. The ensemble featured dancers from Levels 5–7, Boys 3, the Professional Track Program, and the Olympic Ballet Theatre’s Trainee Program.
In addition to their placements, Olympic Ballet School students were awarded numerous scholarships and invitations to prestigious training programs, including John Cranko School, International Contemporary Masters, The Harid Conservatory, Oklahoma City Ballet, The Rock School for Dance Education, Ballet West, and Alberta Ballet.
AWARDS AT SEATTLE YAGP SEMI-FINALS
- Lyla Albee: 2nd place, Pre-Competitive Classical Division
- Ry Pierce: 2nd place, Junior Men’s Classical Division
- Blakely Burns & Preston Perry: Top 6, Pas de Deux
- Hikari Gorbouleva: Top 12, Classical and Contemporary, Junior Division
- Olympic Ballet School Ensemble: Tied for 3rd place, Large Ensemble – La Fille Mal Gardée Waltz
ABOUT OLYMPIC BALLET SCHOOL
Founded in 1981, Olympic Ballet School maintains a long-established reputation as the leading school of classical ballet in North Puget Sound. In June of 2011, former Pacific Northwest Ballet and Moscow Classical Ballet artists, Mara Vinson and Oleg Gorboulev, became the new Artistic Directors of Olympic Ballet Theatre & Olympic Ballet School. Under their leadership, the school received the Outstanding Teacher Award in 2022, 2024, and 2025, as well as the Outstanding School Award in 2023 at the Seattle Youth America Grand Prix Semi-Finals competition.
OLYMPIC BALLET SCHOOL
700 Main Street, Edmonds, WA 98020
425-774-7570
olympicballet.com
Founded in 1981, Olympic Ballet School maintains a long-established reputation as the leading school of classical ballet in North Puget Sound. In June of 2011, former Pacific Northwest Ballet and Moscow Classical Ballet artists, Mara Vinson and Oleg Gorboulev, became the new Artistic Directors of Olympic Ballet Theatre & Olympic Ballet School. Under their leadership, the school received the Outstanding Teacher Award in 2022, 2024, and 2025, as well as the Outstanding School Award in 2023 at the Seattle Youth America Grand Prix Semi-Finals competition.
OLYMPIC BALLET SCHOOL
700 Main Street, Edmonds, WA 98020
425-774-7570
olympicballet.com
Shoreline Public Art: Spotlight on artist Mary Lucking
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| Art by Mary Lucking |
Her project “Octavia’s Garden” imagines nature slowly reclaiming the light rail station through sculptural forms and surface patterns.
The installation includes forged neon-green sculptural seating, fern and vine forms emerging from the architecture, and patterns in the station’s windscreens and metal panels that suggest lichens, mosses, and organic growth.
Inspired by the work of Octavia E. Butler, a pioneering science fiction writer who lived in nearby Lake Forest Park, the project reflects on changing landscapes and the presence of nature within built environments.
Mary Lucking's work brings imagination and new perspectives into public space.
Climate Conversation: Is carbon pollution?
It goes without saying that the earth is changing. A whole new language has entered the general population’s everyday vocabulary to describe the changes that are happening – super storms, heat domes, fire tornadoes, atmospheric rivers, bomb cyclones. The oceans are hotter and more acidic, there are more droughts, higher temperatures, less snowpack, and more and heavier rain.
Scientists tell us these events are a result of greenhouse gasses being trapped in the atmosphere that surrounds earth. These gasses reflect the sun’s rays back to earth and warm the planet. Today most of the greenhouse gasses (CO2, methane, and others) released to the atmosphere are a result of burning fossil fuels.
The Clean Air Act passed by Congress in 1963 created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has the power to create regulations aimed to improve air quality. A number of amendments and findings followed, including the Endangerment Finding in 2009 which established that greenhouse gasses can threaten the health and well-being of people. This is the legal framework that allows the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
There has been a lot of media hype about the reality of climate change. But within the scientific community there has always been a consensus that climate change is real and most of it human caused.
Several years ago, one of the late-night comedy shows illustrated the consensus by having 100 scientists come on the show. 97 of them agreed that climate change was real and three were climate deniers. More recently a Cornell study found that the consensus is even higher with 99.9 percent of peer reviewed science articles concluding that climate change is real and that humans are the primary cause.
The EPA determined ways to reduce emissions—fuel standards for vehicles, the introduction of solar and wind as ways to create energy without fossil fuels, and subsidizing the purchase of electric vehicles. Many states took actions as well. In Washington state, the Department of Ecology sells carbon credits and the revenue from the sales funds the Climate Commitment Act twitch in turn funds state programs to reduce CO2 emissions.
The current Federal administration is proposing to remove all language connecting greenhouse gases to global warming. The administration is saying that the science and legal ideas behind the Endangerment Finding are wrong.
The EPA determined ways to reduce emissions—fuel standards for vehicles, the introduction of solar and wind as ways to create energy without fossil fuels, and subsidizing the purchase of electric vehicles. Many states took actions as well. In Washington state, the Department of Ecology sells carbon credits and the revenue from the sales funds the Climate Commitment Act twitch in turn funds state programs to reduce CO2 emissions.
The current Federal administration is proposing to remove all language connecting greenhouse gases to global warming. The administration is saying that the science and legal ideas behind the Endangerment Finding are wrong.
The rescission of the Endangerment Finding means that regulating GHG’s is no longer required and data will no longer be collected on GHG emissions from motor vehicles and engines. These data are used to benchmark decarbonization, they provide sources for tax credits and funded efforts through the Inflation Reduction Act to reduce carbon.
Many states including the Attorney General of Washington Nick Brown are challenging the current federal administration’s rescission of the Endangerment Finding.
Join us for the LFP Climate Hub’s April 18, 2026 Climate Conversation for a lively discussion of the implications of the rescission with local science and policy experts.
10am at The LFP Climate Hub: Third Place Commons, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park
--Sarah Phillips
Many states including the Attorney General of Washington Nick Brown are challenging the current federal administration’s rescission of the Endangerment Finding.
Join us for the LFP Climate Hub’s April 18, 2026 Climate Conversation for a lively discussion of the implications of the rescission with local science and policy experts.
10am at The LFP Climate Hub: Third Place Commons, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park
--Sarah Phillips
Mammogram Van scheduled for Shoreline-LFP Senior Center April 29, 2026
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| Mobile mammograms |
For women 40 and older, getting a yearly screening mammogram is an important part of your preventative health care.
Fred Hutch's state-of-the-art van makes it fast and convenient to get the care you need locally.
Appointments take approximately 15 minutes!
WHEN: April 29, 2026 from 9:00am - 3:30pm
COST: N/A
LOCATION: Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center, 18560 1st Ave NE
REGISTRATION: Call 206-606-7800 or visit FredHutch.org/Mammovan
COST: N/A
LOCATION: Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center, 18560 1st Ave NE
REGISTRATION: Call 206-606-7800 or visit FredHutch.org/Mammovan
NWMLS Files Counterclaim in Federal Court
As set forth in the counterclaims, while Compass markets itself as an innovator by scaling “pocket listings,” it is actually operating a 'closed door' system that hurts both buyers and sellers to line its own corporate pockets.
By withholding inventory from consumers and competing brokers, NWMLS argues Compass is creating a 'two-tier' real estate marketplace: one for the Compass-represented insider, and another, depleted one for the general public.
This case is a battle for the future of the American real estate market.
The NWMLS Standard, Now Law in Washington
In its filing, NWMLS asserts that its transparency rules are not only pro-competitive and pro-consumer, but have now been codified by the Washington State Legislature. Senate Bill 6091, which takes effect this June, mandates that brokers market properties broadly to the public and all other brokers—the exact standard NWMLS has upheld for decades.
Allegations of Consumer Fraud and Data Manipulation
The counterclaims also detail how Compass’s marketing tactics fraudulently mislead the public by:
“This case is about more than just MLS rules; it’s about putting people over corporations,” said NWMLS CEO Justin Haag. “We are standing up for the principle that every family has the right to see every home for sale, because housing data belongs in the sunlight, not in a private vault. It is time to make the housing market more equitable for everyone instead of simply making real estate CEOs richer.”
NWMLS
As the leading resource for the region’s residential real estate industry, NWMLS provides valuable products and services, superior member support, and the most trusted, current residential property and listing information for real estate professionals.
By withholding inventory from consumers and competing brokers, NWMLS argues Compass is creating a 'two-tier' real estate marketplace: one for the Compass-represented insider, and another, depleted one for the general public.
This case is a battle for the future of the American real estate market.
The NWMLS Standard, Now Law in Washington
In its filing, NWMLS asserts that its transparency rules are not only pro-competitive and pro-consumer, but have now been codified by the Washington State Legislature. Senate Bill 6091, which takes effect this June, mandates that brokers market properties broadly to the public and all other brokers—the exact standard NWMLS has upheld for decades.
Allegations of Consumer Fraud and Data Manipulation
The counterclaims also detail how Compass’s marketing tactics fraudulently mislead the public by:
- Wiping the Slate Clean: Artificially 'resetting' days-on-market and price history to deceive buyers about a property's true demand.
- The 'Pocket Listing' Tax: Limiting home visibility to exclusive internal groups, which NWMLS alleges suppresses the natural 'public auction' effect that fetches the highest price for sellers. As Compass’ partner Redfin has reported, homes sold off-market typically sell for significantly less than comparable homes listed on the MLS.
- Contractual Interference: NWMLS alleges Compass actively encouraged and incentivized its brokers to violate their professional agreements, prioritizing corporate growth over transparency and consumer’s interests.
“This case is about more than just MLS rules; it’s about putting people over corporations,” said NWMLS CEO Justin Haag. “We are standing up for the principle that every family has the right to see every home for sale, because housing data belongs in the sunlight, not in a private vault. It is time to make the housing market more equitable for everyone instead of simply making real estate CEOs richer.”
NWMLS
As the leading resource for the region’s residential real estate industry, NWMLS provides valuable products and services, superior member support, and the most trusted, current residential property and listing information for real estate professionals.
NWMLS is a broker-owned, not-for-profit organization with more than 2,400 member offices and 30,000+ real estate brokers in Washington state and Oregon. NWMLS operates regional service centers throughout its coverage area, providing dedicated support to its members and fostering a robust, cooperative brokerage environment. NWMLS offers a home listing search and comprehensive broker database at nwmls.com.
Read more...
For the Birds: Birds and Trees Symbiosis
Sunday, April 5, 2026
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| Barred Owl nesting on top of snag Photo by Doug Parrott |
By Christine Southwick
All our local birds need trees. Our yard birds are classified as Passerines, or Perching Birds, since their feet have evolved to clinging to tree branches and trunks.
Most of the birds in our area eat, sleep, or breed in trees.
Northern Flickers, Downy, Hairy, Pileated Woodpeckers, and Red-Breasted Sapsuckers are cavity nesters that need good-sized local trees to create nest holes for raising their young, and for shelter and sleeping.
Black-capped and Chestnut-backed chickadees, plus Red-breasted Nuthatches, are just some of the birds that use old woodpecker cavities for their nests.
All kinds of birds build their nests in our local trees: Robins, Steller’s Jays, Yellow Warblers, et al.
Northern Flickers, Downy, Hairy, Pileated Woodpeckers, and Red-Breasted Sapsuckers are cavity nesters that need good-sized local trees to create nest holes for raising their young, and for shelter and sleeping.
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| Pileated Woodpecker excavating nest Photo by Doug Parrott |
All kinds of birds build their nests in our local trees: Robins, Steller’s Jays, Yellow Warblers, et al.
White-crowned Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Spotted Towhees use trees as look-out posts from which to watch for predators near their nests.
Golden-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Townsend’s Warblers, Merlins, Band-tailed Pigeons, and many other birds need tall evergreens in which to lay their eggs.
Red-breasted Nuthatches have been known to build their nests 120 feet high in conifers, Cedar Waxwings and kinglets often nest 60 feet up.
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| Golden-crowned Kinglet Photo by Elaine Chuang |
Birds glean tiny bugs off trees which keeps trees healthy.
Some birds use open tree-tops on tall trees— Flycatchers, Merlins, Bald Eagles use these trees as hunting perches to locate and capture flying prey— bugs, or other birds. Owls often use broken-topped trees.
Trees reduce noise, moderate temperatures, reduce dust and help clean the air.
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| Dead tree being used for nesting Photo by Christine Southwick |
Approximately 70% of the tree canopy in Shoreline is owned by private homeowners.
Therefore, tree-cutting homeowners directly reduce Shoreline’s tree canopy.
Trees enhance people’s yards and give character to local neighborhoods.
So, plant more trees, and keep the ones you have, especially those tall evergreens.
If a tree is sick, thin it. If it needs to be cut, don’t cut it flush to the ground, leave a ten foot or higher snag.
So, plant more trees, and keep the ones you have, especially those tall evergreens.
If a tree is sick, thin it. If it needs to be cut, don’t cut it flush to the ground, leave a ten foot or higher snag.
It will cost you less, and the woodpeckers will start using the snag. Other birds will claim the used woodpecker holes.
Keep the trees!
Keep the trees!
The birds will thank you and their lilting songs will help reduce your stress level.
ShoreLake Arts Short Short Film Festival April 18, 2026
12 films have been selected for the 10th annual Shoreline Short Short Film Festival, April 18, 2026 at 6pm at the Shoreline College Theatre, 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133.
Tickets on sale here
All film directors are local. The films are 3 to 13 minutes long.
Three awards will be given, including People's Choice, so your vote counts!
Blue Heron Park restoration project April 11, 2026
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| Photo by Linda Holman |
Please bring hand tools and gloves. We will be continuing to clear the area for future planting.
--Linda Holman
Shoreline Heroes Café to meet April 14, 2026
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Program will start at 10am with a formal opening, flag salute, POW/MIA Flag Placement.
Richard Heisler, Seattle Civil War historian, will speak on Seattle's First Veterans.
New Shoreline networking group to meet April 15, 2026
Shoreline is officially a Nourishing Network group. Help us launch our first meeting by mingling with others over light breakfast & coffee.
We will share knowledge, develop skills, build community, innovate, and call each other into action.
Who is invited?
CBO's, housing providers, neighborhood associations, family advocates, mutual-aid teams, faith-based groups, or willing individuals. If you help nourish others, or want to, you're allowed in every 3rd Wednesday! In person or online.
RSVP for in-person mingling: ilarafernandez@shorelinewa.gov
RSVP for in-person mingling: ilarafernandez@shorelinewa.gov
Historic “Slough” Hydroplane Cup Race celebrates its 10th Year Friday - Saturday April 10-11, 2026
This year marks the 10th Annual Kenmore Hydro Cup hosted by the Seattle Outboard Association.
The annual event harkens back to the 1930s when the races drew thousands of spectators from 1933 to 1976 to watch the races along the Sammamish River.
Local Kenmore Residents restarted the Hydroplane Cup event in the 2000s with great community support.
Fast forward to 2026 and community members are invited to watch the races, check out vintage inboards, meet the drivers, and more. The festivities kickoff with a Hydro Cup Parking Lot Boat Show on Friday, April 10, 2026.
The exhibition race event is on Saturday, April 11 with opening ceremonies at 10am and races run from noon – 4:00pm.
Check out more details here: Hydro Cup Exhibition Races.
Share your priorities for Sound Transit in 5 minute survey
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| Photo courtesy Sound Transit |
Delivering the ST3 vision: Take our 5-minute survey to share your priorities
Like many agencies nationwide that are balancing transit operations and mega-project capital expansions, Sound Transit faces rapidly escalating costs in nearly every area of its work.
Capital and operating costs have risen significantly since voters approved the ST3 Plan in 2016, and they’re continuing to escalate faster than contemplated 10 or even five years ago.
If the agency does nothing to counter these rising costs, combined with lower revenue projections, completing Sound Transit’s expansion program will become unaffordable. Current estimates show a long-term funding gap of approximately $34.5 billion over the next 20 years.
Sound Transit’s staff and Board of Directors are taking proactive steps to address these challenges through the “Enterprise Initiative,” a comprehensive agency-wide effort aimed at delivering the maximum benefits of ST3 within available financial resources.
Learn more about the Enterprise Initiative here.
To fulfill the vision for region-wide transit that voters approved in ST3, we must adapt, and we want to hear from you.
Take the survey
Sound Transit’s staff and Board of Directors are taking proactive steps to address these challenges through the “Enterprise Initiative,” a comprehensive agency-wide effort aimed at delivering the maximum benefits of ST3 within available financial resources.
Learn more about the Enterprise Initiative here.
To fulfill the vision for region-wide transit that voters approved in ST3, we must adapt, and we want to hear from you.
Take the survey
Shorecrest girls tennis vs Mountlake Terrace 4-3-2026
4-3-2026
@ MLT
Shorecrest 7 vs Mountlake Terrace 0
- Sophie Schmitz (S) v Amanda Wangmo 6-1, 6-1 W
- Zuma Vining (S) v Tramanh Ho 6-0, 6-0 W
- Lauren Kajimura (S) v Minh-Grace Ngo 6-1, 6-0 W
- Mia Halset (S) v Julia Shteyngart 6-1, 6-2 W
Doubles
- Walker Temme/Thayer Katahara-Stewart v Alex Robles/Clara Loveless 7-5, 6-1 W
- Sabina Schoeld/Calla Rihnsmith (S) v Leia Antenen/Gretta Patterson 6-1, 6-1 W
- Gigi Garbaccio/Neena Mercado (S) v AnkacAriunsinan/Redi Kassa 6-2, 6-2 W
--Rob Mann
Saturday morning free Easter Egg Hunt at Shoreline A soccer field for kids 3-12 years old - April 4, 2026
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Get ready to kick off a morning of fun on the field!
Bring your baskets and get set to score big in our egg hunt—there’s plenty of fun for every little striker. It’s going to be an egg-citing time! Perfect for kids ages 3–12, and everyone is welcome—so grab your teammates, friends, and family and join the fun!
Shoreline Field A 19030 1st Ave NE
Saturday April 4, 2026
11:00 a.m.
Don’t miss your shot—it’s going to be a real goal of a good time!
Read more...
Shoreline Field A 19030 1st Ave NE Saturday April 4, 2026 11:00 a.m.Don’t miss your shot—it’s going to be a real goal of a good time!
Art ReImagined: Recycle, Upcycle & Renew
ShoreLake Arts is preparing for our annual gala fundraiser! We are bringing supporters together to celebrate our mission to share art and culture to the community, and raise money for our future events and programs.
The gala will feature:
- Fashion show presented by the Greater Seattle Chapter of the American Sewing Guild
- Silent auction to bid on local artwork and business services
- Catered meal, drinks, games and more!
Time: May 2, 2026, 5:00pm - 8:30pm
Location: Shoreline College, PUB building, 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133
Ticket Price: $125 each
Attire: Semi-formal. We encourage participants to recycle/upcycle your best fashion pieces.
Business Spotlight: North City Law, PC: Advocating for Shoreline Neighbors
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Local Spotlight brought to you by Kate Ledbetter, DestinationShoreline.com
North City Law, PC: Advocating for Shoreline Neighbors
Legal challenges can feel overwhelming, but having a trusted advocate close to home makes all the difference. North City Law, PC has spent the past nine years serving the Shoreline community by helping individuals and families navigate disputes, estate planning, probate, and real estate matters. Located in the North City neighborhood, the firm focuses on practical solutions and personalized support, ensuring that every client feels heard and understood.
Q & A with Paul A. Barrera, North City Law, PC
Q: How long have you been in business?
A: 9 years.
Q: What inspired you to start your business?
A: I loved living in Shoreline and wanted to work here as well so that I could truly be part of the community I call home. Being able to serve my neighbors and support people locally was a big motivation for starting North City Law.
Q: What service does your business provide for our community?
A: We advocate for people who are experiencing difficulties in disputes. We also help families with estate planning and probate, and assist with many types of real property transactions. Our goal is to help people navigate complex legal situations and move forward with confidence.
Q: What do you love the most about Shoreline?
A: I love living in a community where neighbors care about each other and where it’s easy to access beautiful places — from Lake Washington to the Puget Sound.
Q: Why is your business based in Shoreline?
A: Because I live here and I want to work here too. Being local allows me to stay connected to the community and serve people who live nearby.
Q: What’s one thing you wish your customers knew about you but never ask?
A: How is your health? Even young people have medical issues and most are afraid to talk about them. I think it’s important that we normalize conversations about our health and well-being.
Q: What inspires you each day?
A: Making a difference.
Q: What has been your proudest moment in business so far?
A: Taking down a horrible attorney.
Q: How do you approach customer service, and what sets you apart?
A: I try to make sure everyone feels heard. Listening carefully is often the first step in solving a problem.
Q: What advice would you give to someone starting a business in Shoreline?
A: Be friendly with your landlord.
Q: How does your business support or give back to the local community?
A: We often offer free advice to people who know us and reach out for guidance.
Q: If you could change one thing about Shoreline, what would it be?
A: Have a city center.
Q: What future plans or goals do you have for your business?
A: We are taking over the former Lancaster Law Office building this summer.
Q: What’s your next upcoming event?
A: Estate planning event.
Connect with North City Law, PC
17713 15th Ave NE, Suite 101, Shoreline, WA
206-259-7949
www.northcitylaw.com
Facebook: facebook.com/northcitylaw
North City Law, PC: Advocating for Shoreline Neighbors
Legal challenges can feel overwhelming, but having a trusted advocate close to home makes all the difference. North City Law, PC has spent the past nine years serving the Shoreline community by helping individuals and families navigate disputes, estate planning, probate, and real estate matters. Located in the North City neighborhood, the firm focuses on practical solutions and personalized support, ensuring that every client feels heard and understood.
Q & A with Paul A. Barrera, North City Law, PC
Q: How long have you been in business?
A: 9 years.
Q: What inspired you to start your business?
A: I loved living in Shoreline and wanted to work here as well so that I could truly be part of the community I call home. Being able to serve my neighbors and support people locally was a big motivation for starting North City Law.
Q: What service does your business provide for our community?
A: We advocate for people who are experiencing difficulties in disputes. We also help families with estate planning and probate, and assist with many types of real property transactions. Our goal is to help people navigate complex legal situations and move forward with confidence.
Q: What do you love the most about Shoreline?
A: I love living in a community where neighbors care about each other and where it’s easy to access beautiful places — from Lake Washington to the Puget Sound.
Q: Why is your business based in Shoreline?
A: Because I live here and I want to work here too. Being local allows me to stay connected to the community and serve people who live nearby.
Q: What’s one thing you wish your customers knew about you but never ask?
A: How is your health? Even young people have medical issues and most are afraid to talk about them. I think it’s important that we normalize conversations about our health and well-being.
Q: What inspires you each day?
A: Making a difference.
Q: What has been your proudest moment in business so far?
A: Taking down a horrible attorney.
Q: How do you approach customer service, and what sets you apart?
A: I try to make sure everyone feels heard. Listening carefully is often the first step in solving a problem.
Q: What advice would you give to someone starting a business in Shoreline?
A: Be friendly with your landlord.
Q: How does your business support or give back to the local community?
A: We often offer free advice to people who know us and reach out for guidance.
Q: If you could change one thing about Shoreline, what would it be?
A: Have a city center.
Q: What future plans or goals do you have for your business?
A: We are taking over the former Lancaster Law Office building this summer.
Q: What’s your next upcoming event?
A: Estate planning event.
Connect with North City Law, PC
17713 15th Ave NE, Suite 101, Shoreline, WA 206-259-7949 www.northcitylaw.com Facebook: facebook.com/northcitylawMarch 2026 Shoreline Market Overview
The Shoreline market showed modest improvement in activity compared to February, with 34 homes sold, up slightly from 33 last month, but still 21% lower than the 43 sales recorded in March 2025.
Year-to-date, 89 homes have sold, compared to a higher pace at this time last year, indicating that while activity is picking up seasonally, overall transaction volume remains below 2025 levels.
Pricing Trends
The median sale price rose to $846,250 in March, a strong increase from $730,000 in February, but still 11.8% lower than March 2025’s $960,000. This reflects both seasonal momentum and differences in the mix of homes sold compared to last year’s higher-end market.
Year-to-date, the median price stands at $755,000, suggesting pricing remains somewhat softer overall compared to 2025.
The average price per square foot was $517, up slightly from $513 in February, but down 7.3% year over year from $558.
Year-to-date, price per square foot is averaging $522, indicating a moderate decline in value compared to last year, even as monthly pricing shows some stabilization.
Days on Market
Market speed improved significantly in March. Homes sold in an average of 23 days, a sharp drop from 57 days in February, and faster than the 27-day average in March 2025.
However, year-to-date days on market average 42 days, compared to a faster pace last year, indicating that while spring demand is accelerating, the broader market has still been slower overall.
Negotiation Trends
The sold-to-list price ratio in March 2026 was 101.58%, down notably from 107.33% in March 2025, reflecting a clear reduction in bidding intensity.
Year-to-date, the ratio is 101.09%, compared to 104.4% last year, confirming that while homes are still selling at or above asking, the competitive environment has eased considerably.
March Summary
March reflects a market that is gaining seasonal momentum but remains more balanced than a year ago. Sales activity increased from February, and homes are selling more quickly, but overall volume is still lower than 2025 levels.
Prices rebounded month over month, though both median price and price per square foot remain below last year’s levels. At the same time, reduced sold-to-list ratios point to less aggressive competition among buyers.
Overall, Shoreline’s market is transitioning into the spring season with improving activity, but in a more measured and value-conscious environment than the highly competitive conditions seen in 2025.
Lella Norberg is a long-time Shoreline resident and a Managing Broker with Windermere Real Estate Shoreline. Feel free to reach out anytime with questions about Shoreline’s real estate market or your home’s value - always happy to help!
206-351-4749
Shorecrest boys soccer vs Lynnwood 4-3-2026
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| Photo by Wayne Pridemore |
4-3-2026
@Lynnwood
Shorecrest 4 - Lynnwood 1
17th minute:
Goal Against
19th
Goal: Nani Dereje
Assist: Ameen Tirhi
21st
Goal: Tiago Valdes Ischenko
Assist: Miles Garbaccio
28th
Goal: Ashton Johnson
Assist: Drew Mathieson
64th
Goal: Miles Garbaccio
Assist: Cole Ambrose
JV
Shorecrest-2 @ Lynnwood-0
--Jon Cottons
Flags at Half-Staff April 10, 2026 for Major Ariana Savino
Flag Directive - April 10, 2026 (Major Ariana Savino)
I am deeply saddened by the death of United States Air Force Major Ariana Savino, 31, from Covington, Washington, who died on March 12, 2026, in an incident in Western Iraq while on active duty.
I hereby direct that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in their memory on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Other government entities, individuals, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.
Read more...
Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Other government entities, individuals, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.
Suspect charged in the hit and run death of Shoreline woman October 4, 2025
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| Abel T. Zekaryas in court Photo courtesy David Rose |
On October 4, 2025, she was crossing Aurora just south of N. 198th when she was hit. Security cameras from a nearby apartment complex captured the scene.
Zekaryas tried unsuccessfully to avoid her, but when he didn't, he left her lying next to the road and continued north on Aurora into Snohomish county.
He continued on Hwy 99, then turned and headed south. He stopped in the parking lot of a business, got out to examine the damage to his car, and then left.
Shoreline deputies and medics responded to the scene. KCSO Major Accident Response and Reconstruction ("MARR") led the investigation.
MARR Detective Skaar was able to identify the make and model of the car from parts left at the scene, witness accounts, and surveillance video from the Edmonds business where the driver stopped.
Detective Skaar did a Flock search for all white Volvo sedans in the last 30 days in the Puget Sound area. Using the results, Det. Skaar found a vehicle with the right year and model that was missing the parts found at the scene of the collision.
Three days after the hit and run, the suspect was cited for driving in an HOV lane. Body camera footage provided the license number, which led to the name of the driver. The driver's appearance matched the video from the business.
Obtaining a search warrant for the driver's cell phone data, and using TRAX, a law enforcement database which maps coordinates of cell phone records, Det. Skaar found that the vehicle was in the vicinity of the site of the collision in Shoreline and the business in Edmonds at the date and times of the known events.
The Defendant was released upon his personal recognizance at first appearance. The State is requesting conditions of release to include no driving without a valid license and insurance and no moving violations.
Emergency gas main repairs taking place on 47th Ave NE in Lake Forest Park
The repair involves replacing a flange valve originally installed in 1962. Due to the age and condition of the infrastructure, crews have determined that temporary fixes are not viable based on past experience, and a full replacement is necessary to ensure safety and reliability.
Construction is taking place within a recently overlaid section of roadway. Residents may experience traffic disruptions in the area while repairs are underway.
Read more...
UPDATE: Northbound I-5 remains closed south of Bellingham as work continues
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| Workers started at the top of the slide. Photo courtesy WSDOT |
No estimate for reopening lanes after March 19 slide
BELLINGHAM – Northbound Interstate 5 remains closed south of Bellingham, while work continues seven days a week to stabilize the slope and clear debris. Travelers should continue to expect delays in the area and consider alternate routes.
There is no estimate when northbound I-5 will reopen, but the Washington State Department of Transportation and its contractor are working to open lanes as quickly as it is safe to do so.
Northbound lanes have been closed since a March 19, 2026 slide sent more than 3,000 cubic yards of boulders, trees and other debris 60 to 80 feet down a slope toward I-5. An emergency contract was executed, and contractor crews began work Saturday, March 21.
Stabilizing the slope
Contractor crews continue to drill holes in the rock face in a pattern designed by geotechnical engineers to anchor steel dowels 15 to 25 feet deep to help stabilize the slope. As of Friday morning, April 3, crews had drilled more than 700 linear feet and three specialized drilling teams were on site.
The geotechnical engineers continually re-evaluate the slope and adjust plans throughout this meticulous process. This work requires precision and may need to be repeated, as crews closely inspect the slope while working from top to bottom.
Crews split the “bus-sized” boulders in the debris pile into smaller pieces, repeating the process until the boulder pieces are small enough to remove.
No one was hurt when the hillside collapsed but three vehicles were caught in the mudslide.
State Audit questions $37M in child care payments in WA
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| Photo by Gautam Arora on Unsplash |
The report looks at federal funding handled by the state. It comes amid nationwide claims of fraud in child care programs.
A report the auditor released this week found weaknesses within the Department of Children, Youth and Families that contributed to frequent overpayments in the previous fiscal year.
The audit comes after months of concerns, largely from conservatives, about abuse of federal child care funding in the state.
The Trump administration and the state of Minnesota have been in a standoff over allegations of widespread fraud there. The federal government has tried to freeze billions of dollars in funding for Minnesota and other Democrat-led states.
“For months, we’ve told anyone who asked about child care subsidies that we were auditing the program and would publicly share what we found,” state Auditor Pat McCarthy said in a statement.
“Today we can say that the state should take additional steps to detect and prevent improper payments. By doing so, the state can preserve more child care funding for the working families and providers who depend on that support.”
The $37 million the audit identified is made up of $27.2 million in federal Child Care and Development Fund grants and $9.9 million from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, program.
The state Department of Children, Youth and Families administers federal grants to help working families pay for child care and fund improvements.
In fiscal year 2025, the department spent about $369 million in federal dollars from the Child Care and Development Fund. Most went to monthly child care subsidy payments to providers. Another $68 million was spent under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
The audit examined a random sample of 59 of nearly 400,000 monthly child care payments the department made from July 2024 through June 2025. Over a dozen of them had issues, with total improper payments of more than $6,000 between the two funding pots, according to the audit.
Auditors used this sample to extrapolate the total questioned costs. The total of questionable payments does not necessarily indicate fraud, but accounts for cases when an agency doesn’t have adequate documentation to back up its spending or it hasn’t complied with federal requirements.
Not all of the potentially problematic cases were overpayments. The reasons for the concerns varied. Some providers overbilled for services that their attendance records didn’t back up, for example. Others didn’t even respond to requests for these records.
A key issue the audit flagged is that the Department of Children, Youth and Families doesn’t review supporting documentation from providers to verify their requests for funding are allowable before paying them. The department said it doesn’t have the resources to do so, with just a half-dozen auditors reviewing hundreds of thousands of payments.
The report’s conclusion isn’t new. For nearly 20 years, auditors have reported the state hasn’t had adequate internal controls to ensure payments to providers were above board.
In a statement, the department said it “is committed to strengthening internal controls and resolving the outstanding findings identified.”
“To be clear, DCYF has consistently met federal grant management requirements, and the federal audits of our programs have not identified any misuse of funds,” the statement adds.
The department said it is working with providers to address issues, like providing needed documentation.
‘This whole story’s not over’
A leading Republican critic of the Department of Children, Youth and Families said this misused funding is “taking away from those who could actually benefit from it.”
“It’s kind of like they give money and maybe ask questions later, maybe audit later,” said Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn.
Couture helped lead the charge this year to pass legislation aiming to add more accountability to the agency’s child care work. The bill passed the House nearly unanimously, but stalled in the Senate.
“This whole story’s not over and I just think we need to be really vigilant and be good fiduciaries of taxpayer money,” Couture said Tuesday.
The Democratic chair of the state Senate Human Services Committee, which handles child care issues, said Washington has long had “robust standards for becoming a licensed child care and early learning provider,” but she plans to work with the Department of Children, Youth and Families to address the continued weaknesses.
“This includes updating the system so errors are identified before payments are made to providers,” Sen. Claire Wilson, D-Federal Way, said in a statement. “It’s on the state to tighten these controls so we can improve our child care system and better serve Washington families.”
The auditor’s office hasn’t been able to investigate the Child Care and Development Fund spending since fiscal year 2021, as major accounting adjustments made by the Department of Children, Youth and Families had made the payments untraceable for years.
The report also found the agency’s internal audits were not timely, often coming six months to a year later, while the goal is four to six months. And in some months, officials completed far fewer of these audits than they were supposed to.
In over 2,200 of its own audits, the department identified $2.2 million in overpayments to providers.
The department took steps to recover the money. It has done the same for the overpayments the external state audit found. The auditor recommended the Department of Children, Youth and Families expand its own internal oversight efforts until it can implement better pre-payment protections.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which provides the federal funding, said in a statement Wednesday that “when audits identify deficiencies in a state’s internal controls or compliance with federal requirements, we expect swift corrective action.”
The statement added that the agency “remains committed to safeguarding federal resources, combating fraud and improper payments, and ensuring that childcare funding reaches the families who need it most.”
Facing a budget deficit, lawmakers this year looked to reduce payments to child care providers who serve low-income families that get state subsidies from the Working Connections Child Care program.
The audit released Monday was part of a broader review of nearly $24 billion in federal funds that showed an overall improvement in the state following federal requirements.
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